Recipe: Peppermint Bark

Hi Fashion Dolls!

Happy Hump Day! I love, love, love the holiday season and what I love just as much as shopping for goodies for my family and friends.......... is eating!!!! And not just eating anything, but eating sweets! I love sweets: chocolate, cupcakes, ice cream........you name it! I wanted to post one of my favorite recipes for this time of year, which feeds my sweet tooth time and time again, and that's Peppermint Bark. One of my good friends taught my how to make this and it tastes delicious and it's super easy to make. Even with my minimal cooking skills, I'm able to impress all my friends and family with this sweet treat every year.

Ingredients

• Crushed candy canes
• 2 bars of white chocolate and/or dark chocolate 
• Peppermint extract 

Directions

Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into dime-sized chunks or smaller. 

Melt the chocolate in a sauce pan. 

Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point) 

Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment paper.

Place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle.)

It should look something like this!

They sell peppermint bark everywhere, but it truly is easy to make yourself. Give it a try and let me know how it comes out. And send me some while you're at it! LOL just kidding. 

Happy Holidays Dolls! 

Chi

Holiday Wishlist

Good morning!

Hope everyone is off to a great start this morning. I know I am! I have family coming in town at the end of this week and I am so excited! I've been trying to get my house together.........I'm not the cleanest person in the world, but i'm not filthy either. I just have tons of stuff, namely clothes & shoes, everywhere! Though, that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone! lol. Anyway, I realized that I never posted a 'favorites' for the month of November so in keeping with the holiday theme for December, I decided to do a holiday 'wishlist' instead of a 'favorites'.

This wishlist includes a few of my favorites and a few things that I'm coveting at the moment. They're also great gift ideas as well, if you're shopping for a fashionista at heart. 

1. ShoeMint: "ZOE" Studded Heel $79.98

These are the perfect shoe for any holiday party!

2. KA'OIR Cosmetics: "Gorgeous" Lipstick $15.99

The deep pink is so great for olive or deep tones. It looks so great on.

3. Juicy Couture:  Leopard Ipad Case  $57.99 (on sale)

I lovvve leopard, need I say more?!

4. Lori's Shoes: Magazine Clutch $58.95

The cutest clutch ever! Definitely a must for any fashionista's closet!

5. Wen by Chaz Dean: Hair Care $29.89

I love this line of Hair products already, my hair feels amazing and I don't feel like I'm stripping it of all its nutrients. 

6. Forever 21: Gift Card  $***

Who doesn't love a bargain? I know I do. Why not give your fashionista friend, mother or sister the gift that keeps on giving with a shopping spree. It's not impersonal for the woman who loves to shop! 

So what's on your Holiday Wishlist? Share and be social.......

Thanks for visiting! 

Yours Truly, 

Chi

Holiday Party Ideas

My Weekend....Thru Pics

Hey loves!

Happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend? Mine was crazy busy as always, but I did get a chance to hang out with my girlfriends and catch up on some fun times. Instead of doing an outfit of the day today, I chose to show you all what I wore over the weekend. It was a little chilly over the weekend, much to my liking. I love the cold weather, especially during the holidays, so it allowed me to break out some of my boots. Fun, fun! I went for a super casual look on Sunday with my saddle boots and rhinestone top, but on Saturday I tried to step it up a notch and do a little bit more of an edgy look with a leather dress and ankle booties. Definitely two extremely different looks!

(Sunday) What I wore: 

Shirt: Forever 21| Jeans: Target (old) | Boots: Banana Republic (old)| Watch: Michael Kors

Totally being silly in this pic! lol

(Saturday) What I wore:

Dress: c/o C&C California| Tights: Steve Madden| Booties: c/o Just Fab| Earrings & Necklace: Forever 21| Bracelet: BCBGeneration| Watch: Michael Kors 

Thanks for visiting! Enjoy your day! 

xoxo, 

Chi

Hello Kitty Forever

Hey fashion dolls!

If you've been to Forever 21 in the past few days, you'll probably notice a great deal Hello Kitty merchandise in the store. Why? Because Forever 21 partnered up with Sanrio to bring you all #HelloKittyForever, the time capsule collection. I've always been a Hello Kitty fan because it's such a girly brand and it just brings out the kid in me all over again. This collection didn't disappoint! With all the black, white, lime greens and the pastel colors, it's hard to not to fall in love all over again. Have any of you seen the collection? What do you think? Would you wear it?

'The Social': Event Pics

Happy Halloween!

Hey fashion dolls!

Today is officially Halloween! How exciting is that?! If you're anything like me, it's probably not that exciting since it's not a federally recognized holiday that gives us a day off and most of us have to work. Trust me I've tried! Since it does fall in the middle of the week though, most jobs allow their employees to come dressed up in full costume and have minor Halloween festivities like costume contests or pumpkin decorating. If your job isn't doing much for Halloween, don't fret, there's always trick or treating with the neighbors kid or an adult party happening somewhere. Lol. Anyway, I just wanted to take the time out to wish everyone a happy Halloween and if you're on the east coast in the track of tropical storm Sandy, I hope all is well and everyone is staying safe out there.

Peace & Love,

Chi

Voting is Fashionable!

Hey Fashionistas! 


Next week, November 6th, is election day. In some states, including here in Florida, there is early voting and I can't stress enough how important it is that everyone goes out and exercises their right to vote. This past weekend, my friends and I voted at the local library and I can't tell you how wonderful it was for us to be voting. It doesn't matter what your political beliefs are or who you vote for as long as you get out there and do it. The polls are open all this week for early voting in Florida from October 27th to November 3rd from 7a.m. to 7p.m. If you are unable to vote early, voting is open on election day, Tuesday, November 6, 2012 from 7a.m.-7p.m.

To find out voting information for your state, click here. 

Fun, Family & Parties!

Hi Dolls!

Happy Monday! I'm posting kind of late in the day but its only because I am sooooo behind on everything. It was such an eventful weekend with something going on nearly everyday and I am absolutely exhausted (not complaining, just grateful). My weekend started with a birthday party for my best friend's son who turned 14 on Friday. Then, my sister got married and had a party on Saturday and later that night I attended a costume party with friends. I had a blast seeing and hanging with family and friends that I hadn't seen in so long. It definitely taught me to value my family and friends more because sometimes my work occupies my time so much so that I'm not available to share in the little moments, but family is truly what life is about. I appreciate every moment with them and I'm especially grateful for times like these. 

Here's my weekend in photos:

My beautiful sister

Salute!

So much fun! Thanks for visiting! xo

Fashionably yours, 

Chi

Yummie Tummie by Heather Thomson + Giveaway

Hey lovelies,

I had the pleasure of working with Yummie Tummie  by Heather Thomson, the owner & designer of the celebrity sought after shapewear line and one the newest cast members of the Real Housewives of New York. The Yummie Tummie shapewear is like no other because it is meant to be seen while secretly shaping and slimming parts of a woman's body without showing the lumps and bumps of traditional shapewear. It's fabulous wear because you can look five pounds thinner just by wearing things you normally would, like tank tops, leggings, dresses & denim. What woman doesn't want to look 5 pounds thinner?! Watch the video below to learn more about this amazing shapewear.

 

I recently had the pleasure of trying some products from the Yummie Tummie line and I absolutely fell in love! I tried one of her basic camisoles and a pair of her Jade leggings, and I have to tell you, that I love them because it slims my most problem areas, my thighs and my tummy. Both garments gave me a smooth and lifting appearance, all while looking chic at the same time. Nobody would ever know they were shapewear!  They fit so comfortable, can be worn everyday and get this? They're machine washable! You know how some shapewears lose elasticity or don't come out the same way after a wash or two, this shapewear doesn't. Since I've had so much success with the Yummie Tummie products, I am offering my lovely readers a chance to try Yummie Tummie by Heather Thomson themselves.

Here's how you enter:

Email me at mail@fashionslaveshop.com with your name and email address. The 75th person to email me will win a $75 gift card courtesy of Yummie Tummie by Heather Thomson to shop at her online store yummielife.com. Trust me, you don't want to miss this!

Thanks for visiting and good luck! 

Fashionably yours, 

Chi

Disclaimer:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Shop my closet at Threadflip.com!

Halloween Costume Ideas!

Hi all,

It's October so you know what that means......Halloween! It's safe to say that Halloween is one of my favorite times a year because it's when I get to play dress up (who doesn't love that?!) and hang out with my friends enjoying all the Halloween parties and haunted houses that take place during the month of October. This year, like all others, I usually make my costume instead of paying some god awful price at the store. So I decided to show you all how to put together simple and easy costumes ideas just by shopping your closet or perhaps by making some things on your own.

Which is your fav? Mine is for sure, Katy Perry's, but I'm still undecided on which costume I will use. What are some of your Halloween Costume ideas? 

Fashionably yours, 

Chi

House Shopping!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I know I normally talk about fashion (as of course, this is a fashion blog!), but I wanted to give everyone a little sneak peek into my life and let you in on my journey of going home shopping. This past weekend, my best friend and I went to look at some homes to purchase and we absolutely fell in love with one of the houses we saw. For me, fashion isn't just about clothes, it's a lifestyle ( not sure who said that, but it's soooo true!) I absolutely love everything about interior design and decorating almost as much (if not more) than putting outfits together. The stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, painting, adding lighting, pictures etc........it's almost like putting together a very large, but very stylish outfit. 

Anywho, we went looking at a few model homes and a few vacant lots. I originally wasn't looking for a new construction home that needed to be built, but I was open to the possibilities as long as it was in my price range. I loved the idea, however, that building a new home from the ground up would allow me to put my designer touches on everything, but was a little freaked out by how pricey it could become in the building process. I am still looking for that house that could meet all my needs, but I think i've found a strong contender. What do you guys think?


Home: Standard Pacific Home
Model: The Venetian 
Square Feet: 3078
Beds/baths: 4/4
Garage: 2 Car

The Game Room/Upstairs Living area

The Master Bedroom

The Master Bath

Kitchen

Omg this kitchen is to die for! Ugh, I just love it! 

After looking at these photos again, I'm even more in love with this house! They pretty much sold me at this point. Now it's just a waiting game of getting this built. 

If any of you have any feedback for me on purchasing a new construction home, or just on home buying in general, I would love to know what you all experienced. Thanks for visiting! 

xoxo, 

Chi

October Favorites!

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Can you believe it's October already?! Time is just flying by this year and I haven't had a minute to catch my breath. I know I haven't blogged a lot lately, mainly because I've been trying to get the clothing store up and running and I've been planning for a lot of vendor events I have coming up. How exciting?! Right?! Anywho, I realized that I didn't do a September Beauty Favorites so I figured I would combine September and October into one post and just call it my favorites. This compiles a short list of all the things I'm currently obsessed over and have been my go-to items for the month. So without further ado.........here are my favorites for the month of October:

Lady in Print

From Summer to Fall Fashion

Hey fashionistas!

Most of us often dread when the seasons change because we believe that we have to purchase a whole new wardrobe when summer turns to fall. I'm here to tell you that's not the case! You can take that summer night-out dress, add a few pieces and make it fall perfect.

Get Inspired: Houndstooth

Weekend Chic

What I wore:

Shirt-Forever 21

Skirt-Forever 21

Vest- Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Enzo Angolini 

Bag-Urban Outfitters

Bracelets- BCBGeneration, Mythologie 

Watch- Michael Kors 

Necklace- Tiffany and Co

Anklet- T + J Designs c/o Lucky Fabb 

Hi All, 

This past weekend I had the pleasure of hanging with my best friend and we decided to get something to eat and do a little shopping. It was such a beautiful day out that I didn't want to wear anything too constricting so I chose a flowy skirt, a cute ruffle tank, added a denim vest and I was out the door. Comfy, girly and casual. 

What do you like to wear on weekends? 

Thanks for visiting!~Chi

Shop 'til you drop!

Hey Fashionista's!

With the opening of my new store, traveling to Fashion Week, etc. I've been super busy and just trying to juggle it all.  I am happy to announce that everything is on track and my new online shopping site has been launched! Yayyyyy! :-) This is a way for all my online readers, who don't live in the Tampa, Florida area, to find and shop the items I wear and post on my blog. I am so happy to share this with you all! It combines my love for retail and a great bargain. Hope you all like it.  :-)


Here's the link: www.thefashionslaveshop.com or click the above "Shop" button in the header: 

Enjoy! And happy shopping! xoxo Chi

NYFW: Little Black Dress

Hello all!

Here's another look from my week in NYC. I was so tired by my third day there and I had tons of things going on that day, I just wanted to keep my look simple yet cute. I went with a classic black dress and a lot of jewelry. Shoes weren't my best friend by this day either, all that walking was a foreign concept considering I usually drive everywhere when I'm in Florida, but I still managed to keep the shoes on the entire night with a little help from some comfy in-soles and some alcohol to numb the pain! lol. What we girls do for fashion?!

What I wore:

Dress: Express

Necklace: Forever 21 (old) 

Bracelets: BCBG, Mythologie, and Tiffanys

Watch: Michael Kors

Shoes: Charlotte Russe 

Clutch: New York and Company 

Thanks for visiting! 

xoxo 

Chi

Kimono Blue