NomNom: Chocolate Almond Bark

So this chocolate almond bark is kind of a big deal in my life right now. I've been having some strange chocolate cravings lately (the past 2 weeks to be exact) which ultimately makes me want to eat a piece of chocolate every.single.day. Life's been hard.

I needed a quick fix the day I made this. I blame it on Ina Garten. I watched her make her version of a chocolate bark a couple days earlier and I couldn't get the image out of my mind. As I quickly did an internet search on her recipe, I actually didn't have anything that was required from the recipe, other then the chocolate itself. Fail.

She used apricots and cashews in her bark which I didn't have, but as I looked at my panty, my eyes quickly darted to this big ol' bag of almonds and dry cranberries.Win.

The hardest part of this recipe was waiting for the chocolate to harden up. Seriously. It takes at least a couple of hours before you can break apart the goodness and stuff it in your mouth. My mom happened to be visiting me when I made this so I packed some for her to take when she left. She called me on her drive home asking for the recipe so she can make it for some friends she was having over the following day. True story.

Feel free to experiment with different nuts and dried fruits. Variety is the spice of life.

Have a beautiful weekend. Xo.


Ingredients (Makes about 16 pieces)
1/2 cup chopped almond
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli for the chocolate chips)
1/2 cup of milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup of bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dry cranberries

Procedure
1. Line 9x13 in. baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Roughly chop whole almonds and put in skillet. Cook over medium heat until golden brown. Stir constantly so it doesn't burn. Set aside.

3. Melt the chocolates together in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water.  Remove from heat and pour half of the toasted almonds into the melted chocolate and mix it in.

4. Pour melted chocolate in baking pan and spread the chocolate out in a rectangular shape. Sprinkle the remaining chopped almond and cranberries. Set aside for at least 2 hours or until firm. Break into 2 or 3-inch pieces and serve.

Coral+Cobalt

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Blouse-H&M (from last year)

Coat-Derek Lam NYC

Jeans-H&M (recent)

Bag-Mulberry Alexa

Hat-F21 (similar style HERE)

Ring-Alexis Bittar (buy HERE)

Shoes-Pour La Victoire (buy HERE)

Happy Wednesday! I don't know about you but I am so ready to welcome Spring, especially since today's warm weather is acting like a teaser for a new season. In a coat closet full of black and neutral colored winter outwear, this one sticks out like a sore thumb and I've found myself reaching for it constantly. I wore it here first but couldn't help wear it again on the blog to show how versatile the beautiful cobalt blue color can be when pairing it against another color.


Hope you're having a fantastic week so far. Xo. 

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I....

1. Bought a couple of new DVDs last week and finally had the chance to watch one of them this weekend. The original plan was to watch Argo since they were up for an Oscar (and they won!) but changed my mind and felt like watching something lighter instead. It worked out anyway because I found out later this weekend that another friend has been wanting to watch this movie so asked me to wait to watch it. I really enjoyed The Perks of Being a Wallflower--it's based off a novel and showcases the highs and lows of growing up and the friends that help us get through life. Two thumbs up.

2. Met up with a friend I haven't seen in a long time (this seems to be a common theme lately) at our favorite restaurant (Victoria Gastropub) located in MD that makes the most amazing poutine. Our catch up session lasted over 2 hours, so I'd say it was a good night.

3. Went shopping with my mom and ended up buying this glitter cardigan at Neiman Marcus. I was a bit skeptical at first but then my mom kept encouraging me to buy it, saying that it was going to come in handy. My mom is the best enabler. Sigh.

4. Picked up some new Essie nail polish colors that are very "Spring" like shades. I painted my nails in liliacism and now everytime I see my nails, I'm eagerly anticipating a change of seasons. I'm over you Winter. Really.

5. Met up with Mel and company at Bonchon in VA since we haven't seen each other in awhile. I've mentioned my love for this place several times on my blog so I won't say much other then it's the best fried chicken. Ever. It's definitely been a food filled weekend which included lots of catch up sessions with friends and I'm looking forward to another one today with my blogger friend, Meg.  .

How was your weekend?

Tough Lady

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Tweed jacket-J.Crew (buy HERE)

Turtleneck-Gap (buy HERE)

Leather (faux) shorts-F21

Shoes-Pour La Victoire (buy HERE)

Necklace-Chanel

Bracelets-David Yurman (buy HERE and HERE)

Ring-Alexis Bittar (buy HERE) 

Tweed jackets are one of my favorite items in my closet. It's a staple piece that can elevate an ouftit and easily turn it into a classic look. I wanted to play with different textures today so I paired this feminine jacket with something tough and edgy on the bottom, such as leather shorts. I'm a fan of contrast whether it be pairing formal with informal or downplaying a fancy top with something casual on the bottom or vice versa and today's outfit is inspired by that.

I consider myself to be a jeans/pants kinda girl but lately I've been buying more dresses. A couple days ago, a PR person for designer Kay Unger New York invited me to the debut of their Spring collection at Neiman Marcus in Tysons Corner Galleria, VA held tomorrow from 10am-3pm. This will be their first store to debut their Spring collection in the US and the design team will be on hand to debut the line and provide personal style consultations. Unfortunately I have work commitments tomorrow so I won't be able to attend but it's open to the public.

I'm familiar with this label since their dresses are in the department stores I shop at, but have not bought pieces from this designer yet because it's mostly geared towards evening wear and truth be told I don't have that many fancy parties to attend to on the regular. However, as I was browsing their new spring collection online www.kayunger.com and www.phoebe-couture.com (a more playful spin of the line) I was intrigued. She also sent some pictures on some amazing jackets they're currently working on for their Fall collection which I'm definitely looking forward to. It involves leather and you all know how I feel about leather.

Dress images from Kay Unger New York

These are some of the dresses from their collection that caught my eye--wearable, fun, and classy. What do you think? 

Whether you attend this event or not (although highly encouraged!), I hope you have a fantastic weekend. Talk soon. Xo.  

Recycle

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

 Blazer (buy HERE), turtleneck (buy HERE)-J.Crew

Jeans-JBrand

Shoes-Pour La Victoire (love this color HERE)

Necklace-Neiman Marcus

Sunglasses-Stella McCartney

Hi everyone! One thing that's been a common thread through my blog and that I hope to continue, is recycling articles of clothing and remixing it to wear it differently. It's so easy to get lost in the latest trend and feel the need to buy what's currently popular, that existing items in your closet can get neglected. I'm definitely guilty of this and am trying to be more cognizant of not falling victim to it, especially because it can become costly.

This red blazer from J.Crew has been one of my favorite items I purchased a couple months ago (they have been killing it lately with their clothes). Red is one of my favorite colors to wear whether it be from bags/clothes but I noticed it also has the tendency to have people shy away from it because it's such a bold color. However, I encourage you to incorporate red into your wardrobe because it's the perfect pop of color to give to your outfits! I wore today's blazer previously HERE and HERE to give you ideas on how to pair reds in outfits and hope you will be inspired to add this vibrant color into your closet.

Be bold. Wear it confidently. Xo