Fun Mocktails for New Year's Eve

Stay smart with these fun virgin cocktails!

Safe Sex on the Beach
3 oz cranberry juice
3 oz grapefruit juice
2 oz peach nectar
1 maraschino cherry
Pour over ice in a chilled glass and stir. Garnish with a cherry and serve!

Virgin Bellini
2 oz peach juice
1 tsp grenadine syrup
2 oz soda water
Pour into wine glass and serve!

Virgin Raspberry Daiquiri
3 oz raspberry puree
2 oz pineapple juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 tsp caster sugar
1/2 oz raspberry syrup

Blend briefly with half a glassful of crushed ice in a wine goblet. Garnish with raspberries and serve!

Holiday Cookies: Decor and Design

Step away from chocolate chips and jelly beans, and try a new way of cookie design! Buy royal icing in holiday colors like green, red, periwinkle, and white. Decorate with simple designs and add silver sugar balls for a festive touch. A fun idea is to poke holes at the tops of the cookies loop a piece of string through to hang them on the Xmas tree! Before gobbling up these Christmas creations, be sure to leave a couple for Santa!

(Cookie Cutters from  fancyflours.com)

Classy and Classic: Holiday Dresses

It's important to look classy for your holiday parties this season! Try finding styles similar to these- keeping it elegant and fun. For shoes, go with simple and sheek heels, nothing too blinged-out or strappy. And for jewelry, simple diamond earrings go great with most outfits, or should I say cubic zurconia!

Splurge/Steal

We all want the looks that appear in the glossy magazines we read but, honestly, who can afford them? Even when they try to offer cheaper alternatives they're still a little out of my budget (but maybe that's just because I'm a cheapskate). Here's a look you can recreate on a real budget without sacrificing your style!

"Steal" items
Robe sans marche ($30) Forever 21
Vintage style jewelery flower necklace ($30) modcloth.com
CoverGirl Continuous Color Lipstick ($7) Any local drugstore

Candy Cupcakes

Try this delicious twist on traditional cupcakes! I baked these after Halloween, using the extra mini candy bars I had left over.

classic chocolate cupcake with vanilla.... but it has a sweet surprise inside!

First, mix the cake batter by following the directions on the back of the box. I used chocolate cake mix, but if you want your candy bars to really stand out, use vanilla or white cake mix. Then, when the batter is done, fill the cupcakes tins 3/4 full of batter.

Next, take your mini candy bars and cut them in half (if you want to use the whole piece, fill the cupcake tin with a little less batter). I used Hershey's bars, 3 Musketeers bars, and Crunch bars, but any of your favorite chocolate minis will do!

mini candy bars... mmMmm

 Place the mini candy bar pieces on the batter, one for each cupcake. As the cupcakes bake, the bar will sink to the middle of the cupcake!

one piece per cupcake!

Finally, bake the cupcakes normally, frost with any flavor you'd like, and take a bite for a gooey surprise!

frosting away...

The finished product- this one has a Hershey's bar inside!

A Forever 21 Holiday

Let's talk brass tacks: most young women are poor. But we still want to look good. So where do we go? The motherland: Forever 21. (Mostly) fashionable clothes at affordable price. The quality is questionable, but we're not looking for lasting power. So here's some inspiration for a holiday outfit that doesn't break the bank. For a list of the articles and their prices in the set above, go to http://www.polyvore.com/forever_21_holiday/set?id=25916052.

Winter Trend: Over the Knee Boots

Over the Knee Boots by kyfrazier featuring black boots

Seamed Over The Knee Boot, $100
SteveMadden - OVERRPAS BLACK SUEDE women's boot flat over knee, $130
TATE - Over The Knee Boots - Bakers Footwear, $100
Charles Albert Women's New 2463 Over-The-Knee Boot, $60
Jessica Simpson Katyia, $169

 When I first saw over the knee boots popping up I thought them a little too daring for my taste and in a little too much danger of turning an outfit into something Julia Robert's character in "Pretty Woman" would be inclined to wear. And that's pre-Richard Gere induced makeover. 


But now taking a second look and seeing that the trend did not fizzle out in a couple weeks we seem to be left with something that might have a bit of staying power and warrant a trip downtown to the mall. I don't know about the rest of you out there but I refuse to invest money in trends that aren't going to last me more than a month. I am, like many other college girls, perpetually short on cash and can't afford to live that much in the moment (or at least not until I start to make a real salary).

But in this time of the year, a new pair of boots are always practical, especially when your fighting the chilly Northern California winters (because yes, it is cold here). So what do you think of this new development afoot--please pardon the pun.

Hats and Scarves

Going off of "Gloves and Mittens," here's a way to spruce up your coat with some color and flair! I know I have a practical coat to last me for years to come and the way I add some attitude is with the accessories.

Gloves & Mittens

Winter means it's time for cosy hats, scarves, boots, and, of course, mittens! Rather than play it safe with boring, fleece gloves, warm up your hands while adding a little bit of fashionable flair. The choice between mittens and gloves is really up to you!

Sparkling Cranberries

 

For me, one of the best parts of the holiday season is the arrival of winter fruit. Personal favorites include persimmons, pomegranates and of course the classic cranberry. I'm always so excited to see them appear at the super market, it's just another thing to look forward to when I start seeing scarves and mittens. The only sad thing is that some people never see the true potential of cranberries and are stuck at slathering cranberry sauce on their turkey at Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, there will never be anything wrong with a good cranberry sauce but there are so many more things you can do with them all throughout the holidays, cranberries are no longer just for Thanksgiving people! In an attempt to save my fellow holiday revelers out of the berry-slump I went on a search for something to do with your cranberries this year that is easy but still looks impressive enough to bring to the holiday shindig Christmas Eve. With that I present to you Sparking Cranberries.

The recipe I made is adapted from this one here at 101 Cookbooks. I wanted to make this as an edible centerpiece for my family's Thanksgiving dinner and didn't realize how much time it took to do it her way, which would have required me to stick the berries in the fridge overnight and I wasn't having any of that. So consider this the time saver's version. I also halved the amount of sugar and water because two cups seemed like a bit much for my purpose. Her's might look more professional than mine but hey, beauty is on the inside right? And I think they tasted just fine and don't look half bad. I want to have a bowl of these sitting around the house at all times this season, they're just so dang cute/delicious! The sugar coating counter-acts the tartness of the cranberry perfectly, they taste just as good as they look!   

Cranberry fun fact: you can tell a cranberry is good when it bounces.

Sparkling Cranberries

2 cup fresh cranberries

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

(See how simple!)

Put sugar and water in a sauce pan and make a simple syrup by simmering the water/sugar for a few minutes. Remove the syrup from heat and let cool, if you try and pour the syrup over the cranberries before it is cool the berries will burst so don't skip this step! Let the cranberries sit in the syrup for a minute or two, make sure they are well coated. Next remove the berries from the syrup and place them aside to dry off a bit, it's best to place them on something like a cookie sheet so they are spread out in a single layer. You want them to dry off enough so they don't get the sugar too wet and cause clumps. Put down some sugar and in small batches roll your cranberries! If you want them more sugary go ahead and give them a second coat. Don't be afraid to, I did!

Restaurant Review: Della Fattoria

mocha

Yum Yum Yum! Della Fattoria is a fantastic brunch spot where you can get your fix of pancakes, french toast, and delicious lemon-rosemary bread. Since my friends and I been to almost every brunch place in Petaluma, we decided to try a new restaurant we had not been to. When I entered Della Fattoria, it felt warm, inviting, and homey. There were fall decorations from wall to wall, pumpkins scattered about, and fresh wild flowers on each table. As I looked around at all the families with small children digging in to the scrumptious looking food, it definitely reminded me of Starry Hollow (there's a Gilmore Girls reference for the girls out there).

I ordered the pancakes, because, well, pancakes are my favorite! Kylah ordered the french toast and our friends Katie and Greg ordered the piadina. I think I can speak for everyone when I say all dishes deserved a 10/10! The pancakes were rich and flavorful, but not too big of a portion. And from the looks on everyone else's faces, I think most choices on the menu were great as well! We met one woman from out of town who comes to this restaurant every weekend for the brunch--she said everything on the menu is great and that we should try their home-baked breads that they are known for.

Strawberry Pancakes

Piadina

French Toast

   

 Overall, this was a wonderful restaurant that I am excited to return to! Next time, I'm planning on trying their lunch menu and buying some lemon-rosemary bread!

Restaurant               Rating out of 5                   Price                 Would Try Again?

Della Fattoria                  4.8                               $$                        YES please!

This/That

The Godfather. Need I say more? Classic suit with a dash of red to symbolize upcoming certain...necessities, if you understand what I'm saying. Capito? Now this outfit is an offer you can't refuse.

Google's new fashion website

Check out Google's new fashion website: http://www.boutiques.com/

According to Google, it will “provide shoppers with a much richer and interactive shopping experience and help drive traffic to retailers’ websites.” It allows you to analyze your personal style and "create a boutique," essentially referring you to retail websites match your style!

Mad Girl: Trudy

Trudy is the hip young wife living smack dab in the middle of the city, and her wardrobe reflects this. She and her husband, Pete, always seem to have some part of their clothing that matches or compliments each other, signifying their relationship. Trudy is the younger, more modern version of perfect housewife Betty, yet with a witty twist. She always throws in something that's her own.

Gingerbread Lady

Gingerbread Lady by kyfrazier featuring ballerina flat shoes

Frosting Cookies Dress | Mod Retro Vintage Solid Dresses |..., $53
Lace Brocade Sweater Cardigan, $25
Heart Patterned Tulle Tights, $18
Steve Madden 'Partyy' Pump, $90
Slouchy Faux Suede Knee Boot - Women's Clothing and Apparel - Chic..., $69
Candice Ballet Pumps, 45 GBP
Philosophy The Gingerbread Man, $25
Peppermint Place - Gingerbread Houses and No-Bake Cookie Cottages -...

November has arrived and so starts the most delicious part of the year! The holiday season basically revolves around celebrations in which we gather with family, friends and loved ones and eat a whole lot of good food. Diets will go out the window and everything else will get dusted in sugar so be ready.  

To get you in the holiday spirit I've put together this gingerbread-esque outfit perfect for a holiday party, just don't forget to bring a batch of cookies along! After all, everyone knows the ideal man is made of ginger.

Are you planning on making a gingerbread house this year? Take a look at some of these gingerbread creations for inspiration:

The Coolest Gingerbread House in the World!
All aboard!
For baseball fans
Apparently there is a National Gingerbread House Competition

Fall Trend: Gold Buttons

Try some tops or bottoms with gold button accents- they just have an Autumn feel to them! Try these pieces with black tights and an ankle boot- you'll look sheek and stay warm in the windy weather.

Lemony Roasted Potatos

 

I got this one from my roommate's cookbook Veganomicon which is subtitled as "the ultimate vegan cookbook" and I can't say I disagree. I actually don't have all that much experience with vegan recipes seeing as I'm not a vegan myself but what I can tell you is that these potatoes were good. I've been meaning to pick this book up off the kitchen shelf after watching the roomie make delicious smelling dish after pretty looking entree for weeks and I'm very glad I got around to it.

The recipes were much simpler than I expected and don't require you to go running out to your local health food store for pricey substitutes which is something that tends to deter me. I like a recipe that is simple, straightforward and effective which I got working out of this book. But bottom line, try these potatoes: they're tender and have a strong flavor without being too tart. Not going to lie, I had a hard time restraining myself from licking the bowl. 

Lemony Roasted Potatoes 

2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes (medium to small potatoes work best)  

1/3 cup olive oil

6 cloves garlic, chopped finely

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 cup vegetable broth (I didn't have any at the time, used water, didn't hurt the flavor, still delicious) 

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon tomato paste (I used ketchup here)

freshly ground back pepper

chopped fresh parsley or dried oregano (optional (and I used oregano))

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Peel the potatoes, slice in half lengthwise, and slice each half into wedges no more than 3/4-inch thick. 

In a large, deep baking pan or casserole dish (at least 10 x 17-inches or bigger), combine the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, vegetable broth, oregano, salt and tomato paste. Add the peeled, sliced potatoes. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and toss the potatoes to cover with sauce. Cover the pan tightly with foil (or use lid of casserole dish), place in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the potatoes are almost done. Several times during the baking process, remove the pan from the oven, uncover, stir the potatoes, place the cover back and return the pan to the oven.

Uncover the pan one last time, stir the potatoes again, and bake, uncovered, for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until most of the sauce has evaporated and some of the potatoes have just started to brown on their edges. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and/or dried oregano before serving.

One Room Schoolhouse

I always loved reading the Little House the Prairie books. I always connected to Laura, the spunky, school-loving, "little half-pint" girl who scampered around the tall grass chasing prairie gophers. This is what I would imagine her to wear today: half school-girl, half free-spirit.

Restaurant Review: Racha Cafe

While there are, oh I don't know, around a million Thai restaurants in Berkeley, Racha Cafe is one of the best! Not only is it conveniently located on Telegraph Ave., it's also well priced and has great service! It's definitely been one of my favorites while living in Berkeley- a place I know I can always get my fix of Pad Kee Mao! They are also super accommodating with dietary needs, and can make substitutes in any dish.  I recently went to Racha Cafe with one of my good friends. She ordered the Tofu Salad- a mix of tofu, greens, veggies, and cashews in a flavorful and spicy sauce.

Tofu Salad

 I ordered the Vegetable Rolls- white noodles, veggies, and tofu wrapped in rice paper with peanut dipping sauce. Both dishes were delicious and at the end of the meal we got tasty little tamarind-flavored candies!

Vegetable Rolls

So the next time you're strolling down Telegraph and get the craving for Thai food- head to Racha Cafe. My favorite dishes (since I've probably been here one too many times) are the Pad Kee Mao, Vegetable Rolls, Red Curry, and Green Curry. Just a tip: bring cash if you are planning on spending less than $10.

Restaurant               Rating out of 5                   Price                 Would Try Again?

Racha Cafe                          4.1                                $                        Clearly

Baby, It's Cold Outside

No, seriously, it is. But I love it because fall means fall fashion, and fall fashions means coats and boots! I don't know what it is, but the lure of a great coat-boot ensemble is a force to be reckoned with. So try to put up your defenses when you see this little baby, but admit it, you know it's useless.

Mad Girl: Peggy

Peggy Olson: Part Catholic school girl, part career woman. She struggles to define her femininity through man's context as she fights her way up the career food chain. Starting out as a secretary in an advertisement agency, she now is a high-ranking copy writer, a great feat for a woman at this time. Peggy is one of the only characters ready for the change the 1960s will bring, despite her conservative upbringing in a Catholic Brooklyn family. In this foresight and modern thinking, we see her fashions change from 1950s secretary to 1960s career girl. Most of her clothes sport a bow of some sort, symbolizing that she's still a woman even though she's doing a man's job.

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread

          It's no big secret that life can get pretty hectic every so often. So, in those chaotic moments when I crave a lil' baking, I will certainly resort to pre-packaged baking mixes. Gasp! Shocking right? Well pre-packaged mixes are so convenient, especially for those who are a little challenged when it comes to measuring cups and teaspoons! In any case, there are some brands you can trust when it comes to pre-packaged baking, and I've discovered that Trader Joe's is one of them. Their Pumpkin Bread is a delicious and tasty treat for Autumn- the loaves turned out perfectly baked and moist on the inside (I used mini loaf pans!). Just follow the directions on the box and be sure you have vegetable oil, eggs, and water.

Try it out for Thanksgiving- it's sure to be a HUGE hit!

Dia De Los Muertos

Dia De Los Muertos by kyfrazier featuring a drop earring

Dia De Los Muertos or "The Day of the Dead" is a day of remembrance and happiness every year on November 2nd. There are bright colors everywhere on alters covered with flowers, candy and other offerings to the loved ones that are no longer with us. Taking a cue from the vibrant decorations from an equally vibrant celebration I threw together a few things to reflect the style of the day. When you look at the alters you see bold and bright color as well as interesting and detailed patterns, the candy skull jewelry adds to the effect.

 

To learn more about Dia De Los Muertos click here .

Voting Day is Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is voting day in California! There are many people and propositions counting on your vote, so do your duty, get yourself out to a poll, and contribute to California's future! For more info on the election, visit ballotpedia.

Have a Classy Halloween

Halloween is defined by the colors orange and black, but to try and wear them in a flattering way is often seen as a hard combination to pull off. No more, I say! Orange and black can be severely elegant and is not just for October 31st.

It's Pancake Time!

Pancakes with bananas and syrup- YUM

I love pancakes! They're so delicious, especially with some fruit on top. I usually use Bisquick pancake mix because it's easy and turns out great every time. Here are some tips to make the classic pancake a little more creative:

First, mix up your normal pancake batter. I use the Heart Healthy Bisquick (it comes in a white box) with nonfat milk. I don't add eggs to my mix, but if you like your pancakes extra fluffy, follow the directions on the back of the box. Whisk the milk and flour together, until you have a smooth batter- it shouldn't be too runny or too thick! Here's where we can make things interesting- try one or several of these options:

Mix it up:

1. add cinnamon to the batter, just a dash

2. add less milk and add a half cup of cinnamon applesauce- I usually use those prepackaged containers.

3. add vanilla extract- 1 tablespoon. 

4. add a dash of orange juice and a little orange peel zest

Now that your batter is ready, heat up that skillet, add a little butter, and get flipping! After you have a short stack of pancakes, the toppings are where we can add a little more flair- try one or several of these options:

Top it off:

1. add sliced bananas and walnut pieces

2. add sliced strawberries and blueberries

3. add some jelly or jam

4. drizzle a little honey

5. stick to the classic maple syrup

What are you waiting for?! Dig in!

This/That: The Meadow

the meadow by kyfrazier featuring pullover tops

Siren Plaid Roll-Sleeve Henley Pullover, $98
Crafted Cropped Denim Jacket, 35 GBP
Women's Jegging - American Eagle Outfitters, $40
Steve Madden Harlem Boot, $99
Feather Drop Earring - jewellery - accessories - evans, 9 GBP
Eugenia Kim Taupe Chunky Wool Braided Knit Scarf with Tassels, 30 GBP
The Meadow - James Galvin - ISBN 9780805027037
Zapf Essentials™ Arrows Two - Fonts.com

The Meadow by James Galvin is a beautiful and complicated piece of creative non-fiction. In 100 vignettes Galvin strives to give you the sense of this place somewhere between the Colorado/Wyoming boarder that's harshness and grace define the people who struggle and live there. We just finished studying this book in my Non-Fiction class and I ended up liking this book so much more than I expected (what I expected was to like it not at all). In fact, this work has just about convinced me to change my senior thesis from fiction to non and that's saying something considering I've been planning for fiction these past three years! There was just something about the desolateness of the land and the inhabitants' reverence for it that makes you feel a connection to it as well.

I paired this book with a no nonsense but still wearable outfit perfect for tramping through the back country and lounging around by the wood burning stove in your log cabin. You may want to consider layering a thermal shirt under that floaty plaid number because autumn is fading and winter is almost here. 

Mad Girl: Betty

Ah Betty, the quintessential perfect 1950s bored housewife with some serious daddy issues. She was the apple of her family's eye and she displays her frustrations with her housewife role and her rather horrible, no matter how handsome he is, husband Don, in an extremely childish manner. Nevertheless, she always looks perfect and has some to-die-for fashion. In the most recent season she remarried an older man and her personal style has reflected an older aesthetic; however, I chose to focus on her earlier, more youthful fashions.

An Artistic Touch

 Is it time to change up your style? Try the artistic look- it's simple! All you need are a pair of ballet flats, slouchy t-shirt with some graphic art, and an accessory to top it off. My favorite are those cute black glasses!

Resturant Review: Pork Store Cafe

Photo by Toroeater E.

Photo by Dani S.

Photo by Toroeater E.

The best time to go to the Pork Store Cafe is defiantly for brunch. I ventured out to the Mission a Sunday or two ago to the cafe's Valencia location, the original is located in the Haight. The layout of the restaurant was open and bright with artwork and an array of interesting and mismatched overhead lampshade lights. Though it was busy we did not have to wait long to get a table and the service was never lagging.

For  $13 you can have one of Pork Store's inventive and healthy portioned dishes and a mimosa (and no, it's never too early in the morning for a mimosa), which I think is more than worth the money. I myself had the Chorizo Special which consisted of chorizo sausage, mushrooms, onions, fresh salsa, basil & spices with eggs over medium on top. The dish also came with a side of hash browns and two buttermilk biscuits that all but melted in my mouth. I would be lying if I said I stopped eating once I got full, it was too good to resist  finishing! So overall a very good experience, Pork Store knows brunch.

Restaurant                Rating out of 5               Price             Would Try Again?

Pork Store                      4.8                           $$                         Yes!

Autumn Apples

Autumn is definitely upon us and nothing says autumn like a juicy, crispy apple. With a pop of red, you're ready to grab even the tallest ones. And don't forget your little school bag!

Wild Wild West

Welcome to the wild west, where western meets equestrian! Here's an easy and chic look are SURE to cause a few head-turns. Combine some pleather pieces, whether it be riding boots or a side bag, with a simple cotton dress and dress it up with a few turquoise jewelry pieces. You'll be ready for the open road in no time!

Mad Girl: Joan

As a new contributor to the great blog that is A La Mode, I want to give tribute to one of my favorite shows on tv: Mad Men. Not only is Mad Men a symphony of subtle symbolism and plot lines but the fashion is literally a mind blowing eyegasm. By pulling modern pieces for each main woman on Mad Men, a series of fashion pieces will focuses on their fashion taste and personalities. First up is Joan, the epitome of class, sexiness, and general va-va-voom. Never afraid to speak her mind, she has found her own way to exude power in a man's world. She manages to completely cover herself in the office but still unconsciously ooze sultriness. With her curves she is able to wrap any man around her little finger and rock a pencil skirt like no other. And she is never caught without a signature brooch to sweeten the deal.