Wednesday, March 28, 2012

For the love of orange and pink

Pink and orange just make me happy. This color combination is snappy and fun. Here are some findings in one of the most fabulous color duos ever :) Have fun!



And last but not last, a kick butt cute as anything orange and pink room.

1. via pbteen.com
2. via etsy.com
11. via etsy.com
12. via leifshop.com


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Spinach, tomato and tortellini soup

I've been mending a stupid cold for the last few days.... And nothing sounds better than soup when you are sick. This is a no fuss, simple recipe that you can make with minimal effort. Well, there were a few tears (ouch, onion) but that's all. Here's my cure to the common cold... This and Nyquil. Cheers!






Prep: 5 | Cook: 20 minutes | Yield: 3-4 servings

Ingredients:
6 cups chicken broth
10 ounces pre-packaged cheese ravioli
2 cups spinach, loosely chopped
1 can (14.4 ounces) diced tomatoes
3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon italian spices
parmesan cheese to top soup
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Heat a large soup pot over medium-low heat. Sautee olive oil and onions, stirring often, until onions become transluscent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and continue to sautee, stirring often, for another 2 minutes.

Add chicken broth, tomatoes, and italian spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low boil, then add tortellini and cook as instructed in tortellini package directions. Right before removing from heat, add the spinach.

Garnish with parmesan cheese. A lot of it! Serve hot with crusty bread. OMG YUM :)

Monday, March 26, 2012

{Wallpaper} Go Bold or Go Home!

For the longest time, I was anti-wallpaper. I though it was stuffy and outdated... But, these days, I am CRAZY for it! It looks soso chic and can be used in any room in the house. Go small and wallpaper a bathroom or go big and wallpaper an entire room! Here are some contemporary takes on the traditional
 wall design.







via google.com













Friday, March 23, 2012

Out Sick. Boo.

Out sick today. I'll catch up with everyone on Monday!
Have a wonderful weekend!


Thursday, March 22, 2012

Inspiration

Maybe it's because I've been sick, but did this week seem extra loooong to anyone else?
Here's a little inspiration to kick it out til the weekend arrives!


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

{style punch: clutch}

I love clutches. Plain and simple.

Here's a mix of the super tough and impossibly sweet.


1. ASOS Weave Metal Bar Clutch  ||  30 Euros  
2. ASOS Nude Feather Clutch  ||  25 Euros
9. BCBG Quilted Clutch  ||  $178
11. Chanel Clutch Bag  ||  Price N/A
12. Chanel Clutch Bag  || Price N/A


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Sun Dried Tomato, Spinach, Cheese Ravioli

Oh pasta, how I love thee :)
If there was one food I was forced to eat for the rest of my life it would be pasta.
And lots of it.

I had some fun in the kitchen the other night whipping up a batch of homemade ravioli, making up the recipe as I went.

If you are weary of making homemade pasta, don't worry! This recipe takes shortcuts (hello, wonton papers) and it's not all that time consuming! Promise!

Happy cooking my Italian chefs!









Prep: 25-30 minutes | Cook: 2-3 minutes | Yield: 3-4 servings

Ingredients:
1 package prepared wonton papers (40-45)
12 ounces ricotta cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped or grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup bread crumbs
5-6 sundried tomatoes, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups spinach
2 tablespoons basil, finely chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
juice of half a lemon
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Chop basil, sundried tomatoes and parmesan cheese. Set the basil and sundried tomatoes aside. Throw the chopped garlic and olive oil in a pan on medium heat. After garlic begins to sizzle a bit, throw the spinach in and sautee for about 2 minutes, or until leaves begin to wilt. Remove spinach mixture from heat place and place on a cutting board. Finely chop spinach and garlic mixture. Place mixture in a large bowl.

Add the chopped basil, sundried tomatoes, ricotta cheese, juice of half a lemon, breadcrumbs, parsley, and garlic powder to the large bowl and mix! Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Place a large pot of salted water on the stove and set to boil! Now it's time to fold!

Lay the wonton papers flat on a dry surface so that they are faced towards you in the shape of a diamond. Place a generous amount of cheese mixture in the center of each wonton paper. Dip your finger in water and line the bottom edges in water. Fold the ravioli over so that the two edges you moistened meet the two edges that you did not moisten. Use your fingers to press the triangle together, making sure that the edges are well sealed. Grab the farthest points of the wonton papers and bring them together in the center...kind of like you are folding the "arms" of the ravioli. Use a bit of water to seal the arms together. repeat several dozen times :)

Ravioli can be cooked immediately after the folding party is complete! Cook in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and serve the ravioli however you like. I tossed mine with olive oil and more parmesan cheese. You can also toss with a spicy tomato sauce or pesto sauce. Yumm! 

Ravioli can also be placed in the freezer, in a single layer until frozen. Once frozen, place in a plastic bag until ready to eat. Cook in salted boiling water for 7-9 minutes.   




Monday, March 19, 2012

Catching up After the Weekend

Hello my lovelies and happy Monday to you! I hope everyone had a fun and safe St. Patricks Day! I celebrated in the best way I know how: with friends and lots of green beer.


 Check out my studly boyfriend rocking his St. Pattys Day Jacket. Love it!
Yes, I am a lucky lady :)
It's raining here in San Diego and all I want to do is snuggle up with a chai tea and a good book. Enjoy the rain and talk to you soon.

xx,
-Holly Foxen Wells

Friday, March 16, 2012

{Dress the Part}

You know that feeling when you spot a fabulous dress on a manican and you announce "I already own you!" ...because the manican can hear you and all :) 
Well, I got the feeling when I found this amazing online store called Esther Boutique. Pieces include stunning dresses, jackets and staple pieces to flirt up any wardrobe. A girlfriend told me about it and I feel like I uncovered a secret treasure! Woo!
Here are my favorite pieces from the collection.
Best part... they are totally affordable!




1. Spot On Tunic Dress - Midnight // $79
2. Laura Cocktail - Rust // $89
3. Lydia Stretch Jacket - Coral // $89
4. Desert Song Cocktail - Beige // $89
5. Michigan Cocktail - Blush // $89
6. Mankato Lace Detail Cocktail // $89
7. Yasmin Sequin Cocktail - Bronze // $89
8. Leah Winter Cape // $69
9. Ruby Chiffon Gown - Red // $119
10. Carrie Dress - Mint // $89
11. Love Chime Maxi // $89
12. Aruba Sequin Maxi - Gold // $89
All dresses can be found HERE


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Seeing {Black & White} Spots



I am drawing some major interior decorating inspiration from these two pieces:


The black & white combination is sleek and sophisticated...
and you don't have to be a professional decorator to pull off this color combination in your own space.
Check out the black & white interior inspiration I've found!
Fun! Fun! Fun!