Berry Cobbler

What I love about cobbler is that it delicious but requires minimal effort, a truly magic combination. This recipe came in a little booklet my grandma put together when my dad married my mom and moved into their first place here in California. I've been eating it all my life and it's always made me happy, I thought it was only right to share it will all of you! So from my grandma's kitchen in Virginia to yours where ever you happen to be, enjoy! 

Filling

5 cups berries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
Batter

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 egg

This guy's pretty straightforward: 350 degrees and watch it until the top turns golden brown. Eat! 

Cutie in the Kitchen

I was going to wonderful post about how I made use of overripe bananas without making a form of banana bread (aka I didn't have any eggs and I was too lazy to go to the store) BUT for some reasons the beautiful and artistic photos I took of my recipe are not uploading to my computer. So in its stead I have a post of what you can wear while preparing my amazing recipe when it is posted at a later date. Don't forget the apron! And I conveniently offered up a pair of shoes with a stacked heel...it's all about comfort!

Wadrobe Essentials

With stores like Forever 21 constantly dangling new and newer fashions in front of our salivating mouths, it's easy to fall into a consuming spiral and it's even easier to forget that you don't really need that many pieces in your closet. In reality, it's generally known you really need a little more or less than 10 pieces. These are your wardrobe essentials!
Starting with...(drum roll please)...
#1: The LBD. Except this little black dress must be able to go from work to play right away. This means that it must be work appropriate (usually sleeves and a longer, rather than shorter, hem) but still flirty enough for happy hour.

#2: A good carry-all bag! This is your signature purse you tote everywhere. Make sure it can hold all your purse essentials but still be your style and make sure it's not too heavy!

#3: You need some shoes for that work-to-play LBD! We forget that heels can be shorter than 5 inches and still be sassy. These shoes need to be stylish and comfortable to make it all day.

#4: 1 or 2 pieces of statement jeweler. These are pieces you can use to accent a nice evening outfit or spice up jeans and a t-shirt.

#5: The elusive perfect pair of jeans! If you find them, let me know.

#6: The LBB. Otherwise known as the Little Black Blazer. As a blazer-girl, let me tell you that a blazer is the perfect thing to thrown on with a pair of heels and jeans or to wear with a nice dress. It's one of my most treasured pieces in my closet. Oh, and it's also perfect for work!

#7: The coat. A coat is something to invest in because you wear it all the time, need it be comfortable, stylish, and warm. Black and gray are always basics but try a bright red if you're feeling a little daring!

#8: Trousers. I know that when you're in school you forget that other pants besides jeans exist but they do! Trousers are sleek, sophisticated, and are perfect from heading out to dinner straight from the office. Evening trousers are even making more and more appearances on the red carpet!

#9: A fun scarf! Scarves now work for all seasons so find one that works for you, your style, and your wardrobe!

#10: (not shown): something that's completely, entirely YOU!

Inspired by Snow White

Snow White is known for her pale skin, raven hair, scarlet lips, and bold use of primary colors. It's easy to steal a little fashion inspiration from Snow White without looking like a kindergarten project gone wrong. A pale blue blazer can go from a statement piece to your go-to jacket for all outfits. Neutral boots let colorful separates speak for themselves. And don't forget your apple accents! These pieces will definitely draw the eye of your prince charming without pretending you're asleep on that park bench.

Steal or Splurge

Time for another Splurge/Steal! Summer is still here, despite emails about text books, complaints from parents about lazy habits, or the cubicle walls slowly closing in on you. It's easy to swish on some breezy summer style without watching the moths comically fly from your very empty wallet.

"Steal" items
"Journey to the Past" Floral Dress ($38) shopruche.com
Knotted Espadrille Wedges ($25) Forever 21
E.L.F. Hypershine Lip Gloss ($5) Target

Bi-Rite Creamery

In one word: AMAZING. Bi-Rite Creamery in San Francisco offers a wide-range of delicious and utterly unique flavors to all ice cream lovers. Forget the ever-so boring Vanilla and Chocolate-- with flavors like Orange Cardamom, Coffee Toffee, Earl Grey, and Salted Caramel, your taste buds will certainly be screaming for more! The ice cream is affordable, home-made, and just plain good. The one thing that may be lacking is the cone quality, which fails to compete with the mouth-watering scoop that is nestled within. I suggest you get a scoop or two of the most interesting flavors on the menu and DIG IN!

Salted Caramel = the BEST flavor.. seriously, try it

Rating out of 5                   Price                      Would Try Again?

         4.8                                   $                              Of Course!

Inspired by The Little Mermaid

I was a huge Disney Princess fan growing up and who can blame me? I was lucky enough to see some of the best Disney put out in their so-called "Disney Renaissance." Once in a while, usually on a rainy day, I'll pop my VHS (yes, VHS) of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and all the other iconic Disney movies and get my nostalgia on. Thus came the idea for an "Inspired by Disney Princess" series. Each Disney Princess has a distinct style that can easily be translated into the real, non-animated world (although I would really not recommend wearing a purple shell bra top out into public, even if you have the amazing proportions of Ariel's body). And so we start with The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid will forever be defined by Ariel's magical "under-the-sea" home. You can even see the ocean inspiration in the movement of her pink dress when meeting Prince Eric for dinner. Look for romantic ruffles, loose draping, and flowy fabrics. I particularly love the wave-like bangles and the loose top in a perfect Little Mermaid color scheme. Just find a pair of fork (or a "dinglehopper" in Ariel speak) earrings to complete the look!

Dress Up or Down: Baseball Game

Baseball has ruled the summer on tv, the radio, and in every baseball stadium in the country. But just because you're tailgaiting with a bunch of boys in jerseys doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style just because you're heading to a place where beer and peanuts reign. If you're itching to bring a little formality to the field, it's easy to throw together a dressed up look. While it's probably not recommended to rock stilettos or the LBD, you can still experiment with formal shorts, cute flat sandals, and a killer pair of sunglasses. On the flip side, jeans and a baseball cap find their home by home plate. Stay tuned for more Dress Up or Down posts!

Fashion Trend: Asymmetrical Jackets

We're back! After a small hiatus, your favorite A La Mode authors are ready to kick things off again! One new trend that has hit all major clothing stores is asymmetrical jackets. And I have to admit, I'm a fan. The asymmetrical zipper will add an interesting and edgy component to your overall outfit, especially on a faux leather jacket! Try a strapless dress, some pumps, maybe a small clutch, and a bright red lip--this is a great going out outfit that will stand out at any cocktail party or dance club!