Weekender: A Little Bit of Leather

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Despite my rather belated Weekender post, I just couldn’t let the day slip by without acknowledging the first Sunday of fall. (Forgive my absence in the blogosphere these past few days; I was back at my alma mater for my first football game as an alum.) While my weekend style included layers of Irish gear, forest green colored denim, and two tone riding boots, I offer you an alternative look that combines a feminine blouse with edgy leather-adorned leggings. Consider taking this look to the office with a pair of flats and slipping into leather booties for happy hour once 5 o’clock rolls around.

Enjoy what’s left of your weekend!

xx Cocoa & Lace

Get the look:

Sweet Things: PB & Butterscotch Bread Pudding

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Prepare for a sinfully delicious combination of melt-in-your-mouth flavors with this decadent bread pudding recipe. Between the warm, gooey goodness of wholesome peanut butter and the sweet swirls of butterscotch chips throughout, this is a sweet treat worth every calorie…but who’s counting anyway? 😉

Enjoy!

xx Cocoa & Lace

Ingredients:

  • 6 slices of buttermilk white bread
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup light olive oil
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Set aside a 8 x 8 inch aluminum pan.
  • Slice bread into small cubes. Place in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, stir together peanut butter and oil. Add sugars until blended. Whisk in milk. Add eggs, whisking one at a time.
  • Pour liquid mixture over cinnamon bread cubes.
  • Stir in butterscotch chips.
  • Add batter to pan. Bake 45-60 minutes until knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Work Week Wardrobe: Color Me Purple

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Happy Monday! As you might have noticed, I’m not the only one with a new look this week. Cocoa & Lace is modeling a new layout, designed to showcase each post’s content in a more clean, elegant manner.

Similarly, this week’s office attire starts with a simple foundation in order to highlight the main attraction: the color purple. Nude heels keep the look grounded in neutrality while ensuring that the purple peplum dress gets all the attention. The addition of a green bag compliments the bold color palate and plays up the fun factor without overdoing it. Rich tonal jewelry adds the perfect finishing touch for a dazzling week ahead.

Have a great day!

xx Cocoa & Lace

Get the look:

Sweet Things: Nutella Brownies

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 oz unsweetened chocolate
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8 x 8 inch aluminum pan.

Measure 1 c flour and 1/4 t salt into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Melt unsweetened bittersweet chocolate with butter over low heat on stove top or in 30-second increments in microwave. Blend in a medium size mixing bowl.

Add brown sugar and regular sugar to butter mixture. Stir in vanilla extract.

Add eggs, one at a time, to chocolate/butter/sugar mixture.

Add liquid ingredients to flour and salt in large mixing bowl. Fold in chocolate chips.

Swirl in 1/2 c Nutella. Do not mix completely. Batter should have “swirls” of Nutella, allowing for fudgier consistency when baked.

Add mixture to greased brownie pan.

Bake for 45 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean.

*Optional Nutella frosting*
While brownies are still warm (but not immediately out of the oven), spread Nutella evenly over top of baked brownies. The Nutella should melt to make spreading easier. Add more or less depending on preference.


Enjoy, chocolate lovers! Tip: mix it up by adding peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips to the brownie batter. This base recipe for fudge brownies can be changed up quite easily — it’s versatility at its tastiest! Check out my Mocha Brownie Buzz recipe for a caffeinated variation.

Have a great day!

xx cocoa & lace

Work Week Wardrobe: Tailored & Timeless

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Happy Monday! Keep it simple this week with a classic look that combines flattering cuts and wardrobe staples. Try out some wide-leg trousers, a crisp blouse and a patent leather belt for a tailored yet modern vibe that’s perfect for the office. Add a pop of color with a vintage-inspired satchel and slip on a pair of pumps for an elongated silhouette. Have some fun with ladylike accessories such as an adorned headband and pearls for a finishing touch on a perfectly professional ensemble.

Here’s to a productive start to the week!

xx cocoa & lace

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Sunday Musings

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New York Fashion Week is undoubtedly one of the most highly-anticipated events in the fashion world. While we’re busy planning tomorrow’s (or today’s!) outfit, designers come ready to showcase their best looks for next year. So in the spirit of NYFW’s newly revealed collections, here’s a snapshot of my favorite looks from the runway.*

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xx Cocoa & Lace

Edgy Lace

BCBG Max Azria

Perfectly Mod

Kate Spade

Perennial Peplum

Monique Lhuillier

In the Nude

Rebecca Taylor

Re-defined Denim

Rebecca Taylor

A-Line LBD

Tibi

Shades of Green

Tadashi Shoji

Seeing Red

Prabal Gurung

Soft Florals

Lela Rose

A Walk on the Wild Side

Peter Som

Tantalizing Tribal

Tadashi Shoji

Crazy for Cobalt (and Leather!)

Nicole Miller

*Photo cred: Elle.com. Click-thru links provided with each photograph.

Weekender: Wild on White

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Happy weekend everyone – hope your Saturday is off to a great start! As we get ready for fall, find ways to transition your favorite summer pieces into autumn-wear that’s functional and stylish. Carry this versatile white dress into the cooler months ahead by pairing with some colored tights and lush suede boots. Add a splash of wild with a printed bag and you’re more than ready to take the plunge into what I believe is the greatest season of all. 🙂

Have a great day!

xx cocoa & lace

Get the look:

  • White dress: Tavi Pintuck Dress, Alice + Olivia
  • Animal print bag: Tory Burch (no longer available, but similar here)
  • Suede boots: Ralph Lauren (no longer available, but similar here)
  • Bracelet: J.Crew (no longer available, but similar here)