Pasta Salad with a Kick of Champagne

Pasta salad is one of my least favorite summer foods.  For some reason it's always at picnics; and it's always coated in layer upon layer of fat and dairy.  Just the thought of it sitting unattended in the sun for hours is enough to make my stomach stop.

A few years ago, my sister shared with me a light and delicious recipe she found for pasta salad and it changed my outlook on the side.  This colorful side tastes clean and delicious all day.  It contains no dairy and the vegetables are raw, so they contain most of their nutrients.  Plus, the combination of flavors is to die for!

This is the recipe for Champagne Pasta Salad...

One box of pasta
1 bottle of champagne vinaigrette (if you want to make it, here is a recipe I use)
Two bundle of raw broccoli
One jar of artichoke hearts (in liquid)
8 sun dried tomatoes
1/4 of a red onion ( finely chopped)
Two bell peppers

Cook the pasta.
Cut the veggies
Combine pasta, veggies and dressing in a Tupperware and toss it in the fridge.
Enjoy!

This dish only gets better with time. I suggest making it the day before so everything has overnight to marry.

Personalize your Paper

I love sending personal notes to people.  I think it's one of the small things a person can do to make some one's day. 

For a while my habit of note writing was taking a toll on my wallet.  All those cards were getting expensive.  Then I learned how to make my own personalized stationary, for pennies of what those cards cost.

Here's how!

Supplies
Plain paper (I prefer to use a card stock or resume paper)
Food coloring
Shaving cream (not the gel)
Toothpick
Disposable plate
Straight edge

Directions
Put a thick layer of shaving cream on the disposable plate.  Drop a few dots of food coloring (drop at least 6, more depending on how big the area is).  Swirl the food coloring in the shaving cream lightly, just enough for the colors to streak.  Place the paper on top of the shaving cream and lightly press it into the cream so it becomes saturated.  Carefully remove the paper from the shaving cream, try to lift it off without smearing.  In fluid motions, scrap off the excess shaving cream.  Allow the paper to dry.

This is the swirled shaving cream.  Dip the
paper in this.

I love doing those because it adds such a careful and colorful touch to any note I send, and it's really easy.

Lc's Lust List (4th of July edition)

The countdown is on to the 4th of July!  While you might be wondering what your Independence Day plans will be, I'm more concerned about what to wear.  Here are some lust worthy ideas to make your 4th more fashionable.
Warning, these looks will definately stimulate the economy with their prices.

Sale price $210

This dress is perfect for all-American, all day fun.  The DKNY Strapless Maxi Dress gives enough coverage to be conservative enough for the company picnic, while showing enough of your flirty side to keep you going long after the fireworks have wrapped up for the night.  The light, flowy fabric will help you fight the extreme heat we've bee facing and it'll add just the right amount of drama to your holiday.

$98

It's practically impossible to avoid your patriotic side while wearing these Splendid gingham Shorts.  As if the adorable print wasn't enough to seal the deal, the comfort of the cotton/lycra blend will keep your cool all day.  Sitting on the hip, they'll give a relaxed look which will keep you in step with Uncle Sam.  Pair it with a red tip and no one will question your patriotism.

$595

Obsession alert!  Rag and Bone's pleated silk watercolor skirt is possibly the coolest skirts of the season.  The color pallet is absolute perfect for summer, but especially for the 4th of July.  Imagine how much fun you'd have in this silken dream.  The airy fabric will exagerate any breeze, making you the subtle center of attention amid the bombs bursting in air.  As if that wasn't enough, the medium pleats will allow enough room for you to grab another burger.

$140

For those of you heading to a more buttoned up affair, Maggy London's Color block scuba dress might be the perfect solution.  The classic colors can't be argued with on Independence Day, while the preppy, nautical theme won't make you look too "stars and stripes."  The bold piping around the collar and bright red epilettes make it a little different, not to mention the braided belt, which adds a little whimsy.

Sale price of $600

You can't talk about an all American outfit without mentioning the iconic Ralph Lauren (he is designing Team USA's uniforms for this summer's Olympics).  I love the sleek silouhette of this heritage style Black Label Thurman dress.  It's clean lines won't need much more than a sparkler to really set it off.  From the simple neckline to the fitted waist, this dress will do every woman a lot of favors. 

Homemade flavored H2O

It's crazy hot outside!

Heat and air quailty advisories are popping up all over the country.  One of the best things you can do to stay safe is hyrdate.  While this is a great idea for water junkies, I find plain old water needs some shaking up every now and then. 

To get the max flavor, place all fruits and vegetables in a glass pitcher and add water. Allow to infuse for two hoursbefore serving over ice.

Here are some of my favorite combos for freshening up your drink without the calories.

Mojito water - fresh lime juice & mint leaves
Citrus craziness - slice of lemon, lime and orange
Morning wake up water - herbal tea and small amount of agave
Before bed refresher - lavendar with mashed pomegranate
Fruitful fun - thin peach slices and sliced strawberries
Fancy looking, fresh tasting - slices cantelope and sliced cucumber

Whip It, just Whip It Good

One of my absolute summer favorite desserts is fresh fruit topped with whipped cream.  I'm pretty sure that since it's just produce and dairy it can be considered a healthy dessert, as long as you don't over do the whipped cream.  The sweetness of the fruit and the fluffy texture of the whipped cream is a phenomenal combo and it's evern better when you make the whipped cream yourself.

Here is my favorite simple whipped cream recipe (also below).  It's easy and it adds a chic touch to any dinner party where you are trying to impress.  You really will be able to taste the difference between homemade and store bought.

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

In a large bowl, whip cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks are just about to form.

Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form.

Make sure not to over-beat, cream will then become lumpy and butter-like.               

My Chic Chicken Dish

Sunday night I tanked dinner.  I tried to make a family classic and it was the opposite of good, worst part, it was a salad. 
So last night I decided to boost my culinary ego and make one of my favorites.  Souffle Stuffed Chicken looks like a tough recipe, but is actually quite easy. 

I don't believe in garnishes.  If I'm not going to eat it,
why should it be on the plate?

It's light and fluffy with just enough tang from the sauce to make it really yummy.  The chicken breast is crisp on the outside from a quick browning while the souffle is delicate and soft. BONUS, it makes for great leftovers the next day if you store it with the sauce.

The ultimate bonus, it's low in calories and very filling.  Thank you South Beach cookbook.

I had to pound out the chicken to get enough surface area
to wrap it all the way around the souffle

The stuffed souffle will start to expand and run from
inside the chicken.  It doesn't make it less
delicious.

Lc's Lust List (beach bag edition)

In honor of calendar summer finally catching up with temperature summer,  I thought we'd take a look at some of my most desired beach/pool bags .

$256

The Wrightsville Tote bag is a delicious dark chocolaty brown.  This gives a richness to the bag, also making it compatible with just about any swimsuit or cover up.  While the leather accents might not scream "take me near a ton of water," the the crochet raffia sides lend themselves to sand and sun, and come on, who doesn't love a tassel.

$225

I adore Tory Burch.  This Tory Burch Tory Jesse tote would be great for a day at the pool,  The PVC exterior will make it easy to see where everything is in your bag and the open top makes it ideal to pack in the towels.  Coming in a variety of colors you can get one for every suit.  As a side note, I am also pretty obsessed with her Rattan Turnlock clutch, not at all appropriate for a beach day, but I still wanted to mention it.

$49 for a very short time!!! Retail price, $96

SUPER CRAZY DEAL ALERT!  This butter yellow Hat Attack's On the Road Canvas tote is on super sale on Gilt.  This canvas classic will be in season for decades of summers to come, and the dual bow details will keep the bag from fading into the background.  It also comes in black and white if you want a more classic look.

Few things get a summer party going like a great song. You can be the one rocking the tunes in more than one way with this Kate Spade "Rock the Casbah" tote. The canvas bag with cowhide trim and 14 karat gold plated hardware says you have come to play... and you're packing a lot of supplies underneath your zip closure bag.

$248

Below is the Original Still Life Bag available at Anthropologie.  It's AMAZING!  It's a one of a kind piece made in Belgium.  It's made by affixing a vintage oil painting atop a re-purposed canvas bag.  This specific one is perfect for summer for obvious tropical reasons.  Unfortunately, you don't get a one of a kind piece without a price tag, but I think it's well worth it to carry around a little piece of art history, even if it is just for a day at the beach.

$498