FASHION WEEK TO WORK WEEK

BLACK LACE was all over the Chanel and Valentino runways during Paris Couture Fashion Week…

Bring it into your work day look with these gorgeous pumps!

HIP TIP: KOOL AID

Kool Aid kinda reminds me of summer camp.
Summer camp and boys.

I never understood how the pitcher-man was able to drink himself. It's a little weird.

What ISN"T weird is that those flavor crystals provide long-lasting all day lip color! Yes, lip color!

As an adult, that big ole glass pitcher-man has a whole new meaning.

Just dab a dash of water into a small puddle of the Kool Aid crystal flavor of your choice. Rub on lips. Let it sit for a moment and then wash off!

It's a lip stain that will last the whole day long.

PICK 'EM UP COBB TACOS

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY VEY!

*

Are you woman enough to head over to that hot guy across the bar and pick HIM up?

There are only three rules if you are going to give it a try. The biggest rule about "the pick up" at the bar is eye contact. If you don't have that, please, don't go over. Locking eyes is a sure fire way to see if there is any interest at all. And he isn't checking out your legs if he's staring at your shoes too long, so step away… unless you want a great wingman.

The second rule: know when it's time to go. If he isn't interested and flirting back, get out pronto!

The third rule: be yourself. There is no way you will ever find Prince Charming who loves you for you if you never show who "you" is.

While I like the ballsy idea of women picking up men, my favorite thing about FOOD is... the Pick Up. Hand-held, delicious appetizer-style food.

Cobb salads are my favorite. Who can resist the flavor of avocado, blue cheese, grilled chicken and bacon?

The following dish is a hand-held "pick up" appetizer version of this staple salad.

**

• Blue cheese
• Chopped tomatoes
• Grilled Chicken (tenders) OR Deli turkey
• Romaine hearts
• Avocado
• Dressing of your choice
• Turkey bacon

Prep your dish: Grill and season some chicken. You can replace the chicken with some deli sliced turkey, cut length-wise. Chop your tomato and slice your avocado into slivers. In a pan on medium heat, cook your turkey bacon to a nice crisp. When completed, break the bacon into bite-size pieces.

Take a piece of your washed/cut romaine heart and spread some blue cheese directly in the middle. Make believe you are buttering some bread-- without the butter and with no bread.

Top with a bit of everything, then sprinkle some crumbled blue cheese right on top. Drizzle lightly with your dressing choice. Enjoy!

How to Plate: Place each Cobb Taco in a line on a crisp white platter as you would see at a posh Mexican restaurant.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Hot fuschia booties?!

I'm in HEAVEN with these Delman Jules stunners (courtesy of Zappos.com)

CONCEPT MEAL - 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

THE SHOE

Now THIS is the heel you want to celebrate our independence in, isn't it? These Louboutins will look stunning with a little red dress.

Forget the Statue of Liberty. You'll be the Statue of Gorgeousness.

THE MEAL

This is what you should serve:

Start out with a salad-- make my Hickory BBQ Potato Chip Crusted Chicken and chop it up, toss with some lettuce, tomato, corn, black beans and use BBQ sauce as the dressing!

For the main course, nothing says America like a burger. Make my BBQ Turkey Burgers with some fresh whole wheat burger buns and a side of freezer sweet potato fries you can easily pop in the oven.

Instead of Beer... why not serve some Beer Margaritas?

THE TABLE

Family style is always the way to go for a dinner like this. Set your table with a gorgeous huge salad bowl for the Potato Chip Crusted Chicken Salad and a large platter for your Turkey Burgers.

I always love the idea of a "Burger Bar."

All you need to do is set aside an area (or the center of your table) with all possible toppings in little ramekins. Think: Ketchup, mustard, mayo, tomato, onion, sliced pickles, grilled onions, BBQ sauce. This allows your guests to really customize their burger and truly make it their own.


THE MUSIC

Serve this posh Patriotic meal with the sounds of Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp.


HAVE A WONDERFUL FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

X

Sara

BRIE + AVOCADO = HEAVEN

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

You don’t need to be macher to make this geshmak sandwich! You may become a little zaftig if you eat too much of this neshoma nosh…

(Click here for my Yiddish Glossary)

**

• 2 Slices of Multigrain Bread (Orrowheat or Milton’s)
• Avocado slices (a few)
• Brie wedge, cut into slices
• Butter or cooking spray
  

Pam or butter your pan. Let it heat up just a bit.

Throw on your bread slices. Cover each piece of bread with brie.

Just when the cheese starts to melt, put the avocado onto one side, and combine the sides to create a sandwich. Flip the sandwich over until perfectly brown.


Welcome to heaven.

How to Plate: Put a small handful of mixed greens onto your plate. Cut the Sandwich in half and arrange sandwich in a tee-pee configuration to lean on lettuce.

For the Treif-minded: Add turkey slices or even some grilled chicken into this sandwich for some protein.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Miu Miu's Studded X Band Sandal (courtesy of Barneys New York)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Baker's ERYN Suede Pumps (courtesy of Bakersshoes.com)

These purple stunners are $80!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

PLV by Pour La Victorie Parallel Lines Heel (courtesy of Urban Outfitters.com)

These gorgeous suede heels are under $190!

CAPRESE WRAP

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY VEY!

*

The following is one of the chicest ways to make a salad into an appetizer.

It's simple, gorgeous, and required no fork!

**

• Balsamic vinegar
• Basil leaves (the bigger, the better)
• 1 tomato
• 1 fresh mozzarella in water

On the stove top, heat the vinegar until it boils and thickens.

Wash your basil leaves, dull side up.

Chop your tomato and mozzarella into small chunks. Mix, toss and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spoon the mixture into each basil leaf. Wrap it carefully, and pin with a toothpick. Line them up on a crisp plate.

Drizzle the balsamic reduction on to the platter of Caprese wraps.

SOME THINGS JUST FEEL RIGHT

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

How do you know when something is right? Like a relationship, or a singular moment, or a person in your life...

It just feels right-- that's when you know.

Whether it's the yang to your yin, the Cheech to your Chong, the Jack to your Jill, the following recipe is one of the oldest appetizers in the book of food: Prosciutto and Melon.

This perfect blending of salty and sweet is nothing short of perfection-- it just feels right.

**

• 1 package of Prosciutto
• 1/2 melon

Some restaurants plate this dish with long crescents of melon slices and throw some pieces of Prosciutto on top. This requires the eater to use their fork and knife-- which is not what I consider finger food.

I prefer to cut my melon in long, narrow, uniform chunks to create a modern appetizer plate.

I cut each piece of Prosciutto in half and wrap each smaller piece around the melon, securing it with a toothpick.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Giuseppe Zanotti's Zip Bootie (courtesy of Zappos.com)

PESTO CHICKEN AND PASTA (THAT AIN'T ROCKET SCIENCE)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

When I was in 4th grade, I discovered that the back of my Math book had all the answers to every mathematical equation. I thought I was a genius for finding the answer page.

I would start to do the equation, and then just look in the back of the book. My plan was foiled when my teacher caught me. She said, "Sara, the only person you are cheating is YOU." And she was right. From there on out, I did my work and never cheated again in school.

Besides the fact that I didn't end up going to MIT (although it would have made for a better story if I suddenly became a math mastermind), I do believe in cheating...in the kitchen.

I think it's OK to cheat in cooking up something delicious and saying you made the packaged pesto from scratch.

And if you’ve got some chutzpah, make the pesto yourself! In a food processor: add 2 garlic cloves, 1 full cup of washed basil leaves, some pine nuts and a hearty amount of Parmesan —or no cheese! Process finely. Replace this mixture with the store-bought kind.

**

• Chicken cutlets
• Fresh whole grain pasta
• Plastic bin of Pesto

Boil water in a large pot.

Grill Chicken in a pan with olive oil.

When the chicken is almost done, take out and chop. Return meat to pan. Add a small amount of pesto to the mix.

When the water is boiling, add salt and pasta until done. Drain.

Back in the pot, add a dash of olive oil, and empty the pasta and the pesto into pot. Reserve some pesto for the top of the dish. Mix well.

How to Plate: Use the chicken strategically to dress the pasta—arrange chicken on top, drizzling additional pesto over the whole dish.

CHEESE CHIPS?!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

Living in Los Angeles requires a LOT of schlepping, which means hours upon hours in your car. Bring this along as a low-carb kick in the touchas!

The below is a delightful snack that is BIG on flavor, and gorgeous on the plate.

It's a cheese chip. Or if you want to sound fancy, a "Parmesan crisp."

You can make these and use them instead of crackers for appetizers, or in place of potato chips with a sandwich.

**

• Parmesan cheese (grated)
• oil spray
• garlic powder (optional)
• paprika (optional)
• cayenne pepper (optional)

Heat up your pan to medium-high. Spray your pan and sprinkle in the grated cheese in a small circular pile. You want to make sure the cheese grates are close enough to touch each other.

Add a bit of spice on top -- pick just one or none at all.

As the edges brown, slowly and carefully flip the cheese for the other side to brown.

After it's done, you can drain on a paper towel before plating.

Enjoy!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Givenchy's Booties (courtesy of Zappos.com)

GIMME SOME GIVENCHY!

CHIMICHURRI (IN A HURRY) SALAD

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY! / OY VEY!

*

Here is a wonderful salad that is so quick and packed with flavor, everyone will think you've spent hours on it!

The dressing is easy, the steak is easy, what is there not to love?

**

• 1 bunch of flat leaf Italian parsley, rinsed and cut w/o stems
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• salt, pepper and garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons of crushed garlic
• teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• 2/3 cup of olive oil
• flank steak
• bag of mixed greens

In a food processor, combine the parsley, oregano, olive oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Slowly add the oil until it turns into a nice mixture. Add a dash of salt and pepper to taste.

Season your steak with salt pepper and garlic powder. On medium heat, cook your flank steak evenly. Once done, about 5 minutes on each side, let the steak sit on a cutting board.

Rinse your lettuce. Wait a moment until you cut the flank steak-- you do not want those amazing juices running!

How to Plate: Start with your mixed greens. Add a few pieces of steak, then top with the chimichurri sauce.

Parve: Use with kosher steak or chicken!

THE IMPORTANCE OF CEREAL

Yes, it's that time again.

MONDAY morning.

Wash your face, have a cup of Joe, get your day started.

But don't forget to eat!

Having daily breakfast boosts brain function.

It has also been proven that cereal-eaters consume less fat throughout the day.

HOLY GUACAMOLE!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

That Josefa heel (below) really got me in the mood for Mexican!

This app is fun to look at, fun to eat, and is a guest favorite. It can quickly become a bite-size appetizer if you use cherry tomatoes.

A perfect pair with some Grapefruit Margatinis!

**

• 1 medium-size tomato

THE ABOVE IS A MUST, THE BELOW IS UP TO YOU:

• 2 avocados, ripe and ready
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• small handful of cilantro
• salt, pepper, and a dash of olive oil
  

OR, IF YOU HAVE NO TIME:

• a fresh package of guacamole (in refrigerated section at your grocer)

First, use a small sharp knife to cut a circle in the top of your tomato. Create a bowl by scooping out the seeds.

To make the guacamole: chop up the avocado. The best way to do this is halve the avo, use a knife to cut a grid into it, then a spoon to scoop it out! Add your onions with a dash of salt, pepper and olive oil. Mix in a handful of cilantro and a squeeze of a lemon.

Otherwise, use prepackaged fresh guacamole and fill the tomato.

How to Plate: Use a beautiful dish and arrange the tomato in the center. Surround with tortilla chips!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Christian Louboutin's Josefa in Pewter (courtesy of Barneys)

ORANGE (YOU GLAD I MADE THIS) CHICKEN

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY! / OY VEY!

*

There is something about rice and chicken that makes you feel good inside.

It's like "cuddling" for your taste buds.

You know how your guy doesn't always want to cuddle? This dish may just make him go wild for some snuggling. And it's so delicious, he might even do the dishes afterward.

See, you don't always need to go to Chinatown for some great Chinese-inspired food!

**

• 1 lb chicken tenders (easier to chop into pieces)
• 1/2 cup of orange juice
• 1/2 cup of low sodium soy sauce
• handful of snap peas
• packet of brown rice (instant)
• teaspoon of minced garlic
• salt and pepper to taste

Please Note: The only reason this is an OY VEY! is because it requires cutting raw chicken.

Chop up that raw chicken into bite-size pieces.

In a Pyrex dish, mix the orange juice and soy sauce evenly. Marinate your chicken for at least a half hour.

Warm up your pan to medium heat. Spray with cooking oil, transfer your marinated meat and cook your chicken. Reserve most of the marinade. Season while it cooks with a dash of salt and pepper.

After about 3-5 minutes, when the chicken is almost fully cooked, add your handful of snap peas and the minced garlic.

Mix all around for about 3 more minutes so that the flavors marry. Add in some of the marinade and let it simmer on Low heat.

In a microwave safe bowl, cook the rice with water according to the box directions.

Drain, plate and serve!

How to Plate: It will be gorgeous on a crisp long white plate (See my above pic!)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

DSQUARED2's New Denim Pump (courtesy of Zappos)

"Forever in Blue Jeans."

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Pour La Victoire's Bernadette Platforms (courtesy of Bloomies)

Cross straps, pyramid studs, metallic leather -- I'm in heaven.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EATING AT HOME

While it can be fun and easy (and not always affordable) to go out to eat every night for dinner, there is an indescribable joy in eating a delicious meal in your sweatsuit.

If you don't plan on cooking, why not take home some great sushi and buy Sapporo and sake to make a Great Night In?

The benefits of having a fabulous meal in the comfort of your own home MAY just be the tool you need to inspire you to turn on the oven and cook.

W-OW! WHAT A DRINK!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

**

In our long-winded search for our wedding location, my parents, fiance and I decided to test-drive dinner at the new W Fort Lauderdale.

The interiors: fabulous. (*please note the gorgeous jellyfish tank picture I took)
The dinner: slightly salty.
The cocktails: impeccable.

And that's all that matters, right?

Here's my take on the drink I ordered-- A mojito-inspired Prosecco delight!

**

• 5 mint leaves (plus a sprig for garnish)
• 1/2 oz. of Malibu Coconut Rum
• Prosecco (a crisp white sparkling wine grown in the Italian region of Veneto)

Muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of the glass. Add the Malibu rum and fill the remainder of the glass with the Prosecco.

Top with a sprig of mint and enjoy the good life!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

These very sexxxy YSL Tribtoo Slingbacks go perfectly with that Jellyfish tank!

(courtesy of Saks Fifth Ave)

I'M BAAAACK!

Just got back to LA from my trip to Florida.

Just a word of advice-- do not Travel in Heels.

Big mistake.

Get ready for a great week of new recipes and fabulous heels!

X

Sara

FASHION WEEK TO WORK WEEK

Above, Lanvin's Asymmetrical Dress

Below, Jil Sander's Asymmetrical Thong Sandal (courtesy of Barneys New York)

TREND WATCH - WOOD GRAIN PLATFORMS

1. Giuseppe Zanotti's Platform Heel $778.00 (Zappos.com)

2. Miu Miu's Platform Bamboo Slingback $695.00 (courtesy of Bergorf's)

3. Baker's Carey Heels $89.99 (courtesy of Bakersshoes.com)

Eat Eight Grain and WEAR IT TOO!

STRAC(CIATELLA) IT TO ME!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

Look, some days, I am just L-A-Z-Y.

Not just a little "couch potato" lazy.

I don't feel like writing. I don't feel like blogging.

And DARE I say, I don't feel like looking at shoes.

(GASP)

Yes, admitting it IS the hardest part.

But these are the days that ignite inspiration.

No, not the inspiration of a sloth.

The inspiration to make my fiance a hearty, healthy dinner that looks like I spent hours in the kitchen-- when, in reality, I was just being lazy.

The following recipe comes from one of those days. We all have them, and this is the lunch or dinner to make. It's delicious.

**

• 4-6 cups of Chicken broth - I am IN LOVE with "Better Than Bouillon" Vegetarian Chicken Broth
• Minced garlic (a tablespoon, more or less)
• Salt and Pepper (a dash)
• 1 cup Whole Wheat noodles (I like the twisty kind)
• 2 Eggs (scrambled)
• Handful of Arugula

Boil broth in a pot. Toss in a bit of garlic and pepper. Add pasta and cook through. They usually take 5-12 minutes.

Lower the heat.

In a separate bowl, crack eggs and beat them. Toss a little salt and pepper into the mix.

Then, slowly pour the egg mix into the pot and stir in with fork.

Add the washed arugula and let it wilt down, for a minute or two.

How to Plate: Spoon into a large soup bowl. Who needs style when you’re lazy?

THE "MUST HAVE" ITEM

The season's "IT" item, the motorcycle jacket, has now been made into a shoe!

$1159.00 Alexander McQueen's Pelle Leather Sandal (courtesy of Zappos.com)



FOR A GREAT LEATHER MOTORCYCLE JACKET -- Click HERE

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Nothing says "Sexy Bitch" like these Croc Embossed Platforms from Miu Miu (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)!


These are brand-spanking NEW for Fall 2009 and come in Red and Black-- Which color would work best for you?

HIP TIP - APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Apple Cider Vinegar.

You can mix it with some olive oil to make a nice vinaigrette, but those three words (that just don't seem like they should go together) can actually change your life.

Hippocrates supposedly used it as a health tonic and American soldiers are said to use it to combat indigestion, pneumonia and scurvy.

It helps lower glucose levels in diabetes patients, and ACV is most widely known to help break down fat and lower glycemic levels while ingesting carbohydrates.

It can also cure DANDRUFF! Here is the recipe:

**

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Water

Mix 1 part ACV with 1 part water and pour into a spray or squirt bottle. Wet your hair with water, pat down, then spray themixture all over your scalp.

Allow to sit on your head for about 40 minutes, wash out, shampoo as normal.

(photo courtesy of iHerb.com)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

FENDI's Triple Band Sandal in Blue (courtesy of Barneys)

Take me away in these!

SUSHI NIGHT!

I can't cook every night...

TREND WATCH - FEATHERS

1. L.A.M.B.'s Leslie $359.00 (courtesy of Zappos.com)
2. Shannon Britt's Olivia $272.00 (courtesy of Zappos.com)
3. Marciano's Caroleen $157.00 (courtesy of Zappos.com)
4. Givenchy's Feather Strap Sandal $580.00 (courtesy of Barneys)


Which is YOUR favorite? Let me know!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Christian Louboutin's Glittered Platform Pump (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home...

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Giuseppe Zanotti's Grommet Bootie (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Louis Vuitton's Unique Patent Sandal (courtesy of eluxury.com)

Patent, Fringe, and Gems... Oh My!

A TRIBUTE - "DOM'S MOM'S MEATBALLS"

"DOM'S MOM'S MEATBALLS"

• 2 pounds ground chuck
• 1/2 pound of ground pork
• 2 cups Italian bread crumbs
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1 cup grated cheese parmesan
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves chopped very fine
• 1 onion minced
• 1/2 cup pine nuts (optional)

**

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix throughly. Let stand 1/2 hour. Shape into medium-size meatballs.

Fry gently in olive oil until lightly browned, or place on foil on a cookie sheet and bake for 1/2 hour at 35o degrees.

Gently place in your own hot spagetti sauce and cook on medium-low heat for 1 hour.

(1988 copyrighted material courtesy of Dom Deluise's EAT THIS... IT'LL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Pucci Platform Pumps (Bergdorfs, baby!)

DON'T BE A DRUNK CHICKEN

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY / OY VEY!

*

I understand-- work is stressful. Life is stressful. And every-so-often we need to unwind and relax.

Sometimes a few glasses of red wine will do the trick. But on other occasions, you need to go with the strong stuff.

Here's my Tequila Chicken recipe (that will go great with a Grapefruit Marga-tini!)

While the tequila in this dish is purely for flavor, don't get too sloshed-- it's not very lady-like.

**

• 1/2 cup of tequila
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• 1/4 cup of orange juice
• chili powder (a dash)
• 1 lb of chicken (thin cutlets)

In a medium pyrex dish, mix the tequila, lime juice, and orange juice with a dash of salt, pepper and chili powder. Soak your chicken for atleast an hour (up to 24 hrs) covered in the fridge.

When ready to cook, heat your pan on the stove top and spray with cooking oil. Cook your chicken evenly, about three minutes each side (depending on the thickness of the chicken).

When the chicken is almost done, add a bit of the tequila marinade to the pan.

How to Plate: Looks chic over rice and beans!

DAILY HEEL WATCH - WEEKEND EDITION

"Mary had a little L.A.M.B."

LADONNA
LAKEN
LITA

(courtesy of Zappos.com)