March Wish List

For those of you who might not know (or care!), March is my birthday month. March 4th to be exact, so I consider March to be my special & lucky month, naturally.  Coincidently, St. Patrick's Day also belong to the month of March so it's double luck for me! It's only March 1st but I have already had some much needed luck today- the timing couldn't be more perfect. Let's hope that continues for me and all of us. Now without further ado, I give to you my March wish list.....because mama is gonna do some birthday shopping with my birthday loot pot o' gold!!

Coach Bag: 
I used to be a huge fan of Coach when I was much younger. Then they started with the double CC logo and the pastels and the really cheesy stuff and they lost me. I grew up and upgraded and never looked back - UNTIL NOW. I don't know who took the design reigns over there but I am in love with Coach again. They have really gotten back to their roots which is beautiful leather, well structured bags and super chic accessories. I am all about their new collections.

Kate Spade Desk Calendar
I'm re-doing my desk at home. Too bad I didn't work on this project in January...duh, Vanessa!

Nike 2014 Air Max Sneakers
I love sneakers. Lately, the crazier the colors, the better. I like really bright and funky kicks in the warmer months. They just feel fun!

Gap Floral Henley
I ordered the dress in this print last week and was completely disappointed because it's totally sheer! I will sadly be returning it. However, I feel like the shirt version would be ok with a nude bra underneath .....and a nice tan. lol 
Floral is huge this season and I just can't NOT own this print.

Victoria's Secret "Vacay" Perfume
Vacation in a bottle. There's nothing else to explain.

Bite Beauty Lip Crayon "Grape"
I tried this on at Sephora two weeks ago. I liked it. Since I can't stop thinking about it, I think I like it more than I thought.

Tory Burch Panama Sunglasses
Dude. These are bad ASS! I love the two tone look. Gots to have em'.  Yes ma, more sunglasses!

House of Harlow Sunburst Necklace
I love HOH and I have a few pieces from this line and I really would love to add this one to the collection....such a pretty 'burst' of color. See what I did there? Burst??

Bougie Hat
My brother Jason used to call me Bougie (get out your urban dictionary) and now my husband has gotten on the band wagon and calls me bougie too......I admit, it's true. I am bougie and I'm proud. :)

UGG "Hedy" Sandals
I love wedges. I can never get enough of them. Maybe because I'm short?
Either way, it would be nice to throw on my Uggs all year long! 

ITunes Card
I haven't bought music since before the wedding. I am ready to go HAM (don't put your urban dictionary away yet!) on itunes and load up the living sh*t out of my itouch! Nothing beats fresh new music when Spring rolls around and you're driving with the windows open on a warm night......my fav!


Sophie Hulme Wallet
Love her stuff. It's pink. I want it.

Tasha Statement Necklace (similar)
The original sold out. I knew I had good taste....

Ok guys, so private message me for my mailing address so you know where to send all of these fabulous birthday treats you were so kind to buy me! ;)

Roslyn's Shower (Fashion)

My Cousin-in-law Roslyn had her bridal shower today. It was beautiful and so was she.
I also think it was the first time I get "dressed" all Winter. Check out our fashion:

Blazer - Target. (Similar here) - You'll see a BUNCH of blazers on this blog! I live in them!

Boho Blouse - Forever21 (Similar here)

Skinny Jeans - Old Navy

Pumps- Jessica Simpson

Nude Leather Clutch- Kenneth Cole (years ago)

Sunglasses - Karen Walker

Bangles - Assorted Alex & Ani here and here / Victoria's Secret Gold Link (last season)

Earrings - Random Soho NYC earring shop

Nail Polish - Essie "Grenadine"

Lips- Illamasqua "Fable"

The Smile- all my own! xo

Here is the gorgeous bride to be, Roslyn Diaz

(Sorry for the mist at the bottom. The DJ's lights were blinding me!)

I just want to say, I thought it was a fashion-genius, fashion-forward move on Roslyn's part, 

to wear this gorgeous two piece powder blue suit in lieu of a traditional dress.

The color was so beautiful against her skin and it was the perfect introduction to Spring

 that is on the horizon. It went with the bridal theme, it was fresh and modern and down right pretty. Well played, Ros!! Congratulations to you again  - can't wait to celebrate with you

 on your big day!

Roslyn's two piece suit- Asos

Striped Blouse - Express

Floral Statement Necklace  - Jcrew (Similar here)

Pulled Pork, Y'all!

The South came to Queens last night........and so did Brooklyn!
My lovely, wonderful and fab friends Michelle and Jessica (who reside in Brooklyn) came for a visit last night and I had the pleasure of making them dinner.  
Quite the dynamic sister duo  if I don't say so myself. ;)

 I hadn't seen them since my wedding (October!) and we were way behind in gossip, chit chat, fashion talk, and all things that girls gab about when they get together.

What to feed my girls? A good ol' southern meal that was equal parts flavorful, delicious, filling and comforting on a Winter's night.

We took some pix to share with y'all. I just want to clarify that while the word "Y'all" certainly fits this blog post because of the BBQ theme and all, I do in fact use it everyday. 
I don't know if its a cute thing or a pop culture thing or a Britney Spears thing but it's one of my favorite words. Don't judge me. 

I WAS going to post the pulled pork recipe but I figured everyone is saturated with these recipes from Pinterest so I'll just post the pics and some tips. I AM however going to post the cole slaw recipe because I think that was my favorite component from last night's meal.

THE MENU
Pulled pork sandwiches
Homemade cole slaw
Sweet potato fries
Corn on the cob
Wine & Dessert courtesy of Mich & Jess! <3 


Ok here we go!

I used the Root Beer & BBQ Sauce Receipe that's been floating around Pinterest.

A few tips from my own personal experience:

1. I used pork loin. Much more lean and no sacrifice on taste.

2. I let the pork cook for about 9 1/2 hours on super low while I was at work all day. It wasn't as tender as I would have liked it to be. I wanted it to be "falling off the bone" but it was very much intact. Still soft, just not as soft as I wanted (could be because of the cut of meat I chose or maybe because my temperature was too low) so what I did was take it out of the soda mixture, drained it, shredded the pork and returned it back to the crock pot and THEN added the bbq sauce and let it cook another hour on a higher temperature. Also, I seasoned heavily with salt and pepper when it was all shredded because the root beer only flavored the outside of the meat. Obviously everyone does things differently, this was just how I liked it best.

The buns are crucial! This is going to make or break your sammy! A lot of people like kaiser rolls - those are super yummy. You can't do regular Wonderbread hamburger buns. You just can't. They aren't dense enough to hold all of that sweet but heavy BBQ goodness!

You need a bun that will teach that pulled pork who's boss! I chose Martin's Potato Buns.

Very rich, sweet and thick. You can find these in almost any supermarket bread aisle. 

But ladies and gentlemen, it is not enough to simply open a bun and fill it. You must treat that bun with love so it loves you back. I spread a little butter on the bottom half of the buns and sprinkled some garlic powder on them and toasted them for about 5-10 minutes.

LAWD they were so good! The sweet and tangy pork now mixed with the garlicy moist bun....I was so off my diet last night and I SO didn't care.  I cared this morning.....but not last night. lol

Best. Cole. Slaw. Ever.

The Piece de Resistance to this sandwich.

I chose purple cabbage for a pretty pop of color.

1 bag of raw red cabbage (or any slaw you prefer)

1/2 cup of mayo. I used reduced fat and tasted no difference. Again, your call.

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 tea spoon of salt

1 tea spoon of pepper

a splash of apple cider vinegar. Eye ball it.

a squirt of honey mustard (or Dijon)

Mix and devour.

I use Alexia Sweet Potato Fries

No frying - just baked for 20-25 minutes. Much healthier.

Again - still delicious 

The dinner table. Fresh blooms, water pitcher, nice plattering......last night I was 

affectionately dubbed "Fancy Pants"....and I love it. xoxo

The girls brought two kinds of Cupcake Wine -I told you they were lovely!

One was savory  and one was sweet. This was the savory that we had with apps and dinner.

The other sits in my fridge waiting to be opened - possibly for my birthday...... 

This is possible one of  - if not the - most favorite meals I have ever made.

Dessert from my favorite cupcake shop in Brooklyn.

Little Cupcake Bakeshop  - they made my bridal shower cake and I have been here many a time accumulating calories with Michelle and my girlfriends! Good times!

Three words: Brooklyn. Blackout. Cake. That is all.

Sweet endings.

It was a perfect night with great company.

Thank you, Michelle and Jessica for the treats and driving out to see me.

Let's do it again soon but this time Jess you're up for hosting next!

I pass the fancy pants torch to you..... xoxo

Hope you guys try some of these recipes - it makes for a great meal and pulled pork in the slow cooker can feed an army.  I guarantee leftovers for days.

Have a great weekend if I don't speak to you again....happy eating!

P.S. We aren't in any of the pictures because we're still boycotting our winter skin, winter hair and winter blah outfits. Fashion is put on hold until Spring!

And I'll try to take pictures of my house other than the dining room next time.....lol