Tara's Wedding Dress

Tara's Wedding Dress by nsaich featuring high heel pumps

      My friend Tara, who I have been friends with since 8th grade, is getting married! I'm so utterly happy for her and her fiance, Marcus! She has already selected the wedding dress of her dreams, a gorgeous ivory satin with a tiered pleat hem but is having trouble finding just the right shoe. Tara has told me that she wants something bold, perhaps even a teal or pink pair of shoes to compliment her dress. In the picture above you will see Tara's actual dress plus a few ideas for shoes she may wear. I also thought a second pair of fun glittery flats would be fun and comfortable to wear during the reception, what do you think?

Help Tara decide which shoes to wear 

by leaving a comment with your pick!!

Yours,

Nico

B*tch*n KitchenAid:

      A few weeks ago I received a KitchenAid Professional 600 Mixer from my boyfriend for my birthday. Sadly the model was defective and I had to order a replacement. I waited patiently and today is the day my new (and functional!) KitchenAid has arrived! Feels a lot like Christmas morning when I was just a kid. 

Maybe the first creation I make 

in my new mixer is a batch of 

holiday sugar cookies:

My tree from 2010! Just starting

 to collect Xmas decor on my own:

....Are you jealous of my kitchen?! 

(The orange one is my roomie's)

     My KitchenAid instruction and recipe manual just went to the top of my reading list. Might also play this new $2 De La Soul record while I'm reading also:

What do you think I should make 

first in my new KitchenAid?

Yours,

Nico

Leather con Leopard:

Coat: Forever 21 (2007?)

Top- Salvation Army, Belt- Express,
!00% Leather skirt- Crossroads Outlet

Pendant- BCBG

Feather ring- Lucky Brand, Silver Ring- Tiffany&Co,
Gold Bracelets- Vintage, Silvery Watch- Michael Kors

Wallet- Vintage Marc Jacobs
 (...and when I say vintage I mean this thing is on it's last leg!)

      Leather with Leopard with always remain a classy meets tough girl combination in my book. Worn here with the 3 accessories I put on most often: my Betsey Johnson sun specs, chartreuse hat from F21, and suede booties by BCBC. It's nice to know that these key accessories work with both jeans (see an example here) as well as a chocolate brown leather skirt. I acquired this garment very recently at the Crossroads Outlet in Stockton for just 8 dollars! I love that the high waist line gives shape to an otherwise trash bag style skirt.

  Where have you been finding good deals?

Yours,

Nico

Keeping Tabs:

      Just wanted to share some random snaps I've taken over the last few weeks. Nothing substantial enough to create an entire post on, but none the less, I thought you guys might be interested in my fashion and food ventures!

Black Friday haul: red angora hat, $10!
pink 100% cashmere tank, $10!

Old Chloe sun specs pulled out for a new season!
(Holidays are here but we still get sun in Santa Cruz!)

Playing dress up in my room when there happens to be
dark and stormy weather outside my window.

Tangy fresh squeezed lime juice was made into...

...Spicy vegetable salsa! Perfectly tasty on chips
 but even better in the morning over scrambled eggs!

I bet you're salivating over these feta
and caramelized onion mini tarts!

Last stop before I walk out of my bedroom door, accessories and perfume.
(Sadly the Mickey ears don't get worn as often as the rest of my jewels!)

Stocking up on candy is one of my favorite holiday traditions!
Stop over at my local favorite spot, Marini's for unique options:

Always looking for the perfect roll of sushi! 

and I finally have the chance to break out my cold weather boots...

...and I also found a practical use for my empty wine bottles!

Yours,

Nico

Pumpkin Pie:

      Okay I'll admit it, I just don't like pie. I realize this may sound strange to you but I've just never been a big fan. That is until I tried my dad's recipe for semi-home-made pumpkin pie this past Thanksgiving! An easy pre made pie crust set the stage for a luscious, creamy, and aromatic filling. The taste is incredible and the best part is, the entire recipe takes mere minutes to prepare. Here's how:

Magic Ingredients:

-1 frozen pie crust

-Nonstick cooking spray

-24 ounces of pumpkin puree

-1 cup of heavy whipping cream

-4 eggs, beaten

-2 tablespoons ground nutmeg

-2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

-2 tablespoons all spice

-5 tablespoons cinnamon

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-1/2 cup brown sugar

-1/2 cup granulated sugar

Let's get started!

1: Grease a pie pan with the nonstick cooking spray and set defrosted pie crust evenly into the pan, fold over excess edges and "crimp" with the edge of a fork. Using the same fork, poke holes thru out the crust so it's doesn't puff up while it's prebaking. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 375 degrees:

2: While the pie is baking, mix together the pumpkin puree and spices in a large mixing bowl:

3: Beat the heavy whipping cream and the eggs together and add to the pumpkin mixture, combining all the way thru:

4: After the pie crust has pre baked for 10 minutes, take it out of the oven, fill with the pumpkin mixture and pop the whole thing back into the oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted into the pie and released clean. Viola! You're all set for an utterly yummy pumpkin pie!

      Using the left over pumpkin mixture I filled ramekins and set them in a casserole dish filled half way with water and placed the tray in the oven while my pie was baking (photographed above). This is an excellent option for those of us that just cannot wait until after dinner to try the pie! Also, if you are looking to watch your waist line this holiday season this is also a great idea because there's no calorie ridden pie crust on these little guys!

Yours,

Nico