Collab Love

Have y'all heard about the Neiman Marcus and Target Collaboration coming December 1?  It is an incredible lineup with 24 top designers (including Jason Wu, Marchesa and Marc Jacobs!) and over 50 amazing gifts!  See here for the complete list of luxury items :)  Some of my favorite picks:

Tory Burch Beverage Container

Tracy Reese Dessert Plates

Marc Jacobs Pouch

Altuzarra Bar Set

Carolina Herrera Travel Bags

Lela Rose Top

Marc Jacobs Scarf

Tracy Reese Blouse

Do you have any favorites??

XOXO

Mexican Chicken Soup

Winter is officially here!!  Temperatures dropped here in the northeast this week, and colder weather calls for soup, soup soup!  Tonight, I was in the mood for a Chicken Tortilla/Taco sort of soup....

I found a few recipes for soups like this online, and then came up with my own version.

It was delicious and I'll definitely be making it again!

Mexican Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

3 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tbsp olive oil

1 taco seasoning packet

32oz low sodium chicken broth

4 cups hot water

1 15oz can great northern beans

1 15oz  can light kidney beans

1 15oz can corn - drained

1 4oz can chopped green chilies

4 tbsp tomato paste

3 tbsp cornstartch

water

(optional) toppings:

chopped cilantro

fat free sour cream

lime wedge

shredded cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Drizzle olive oil over chicken breasts, and then season the breasts with about 1 tbsp of the taco seasoning. 

Bake for 25 minutes.  

*While chicken is baking, assemble the soup*

Put the following into a large pot - chicken broth, water, beans, corn, chilies, tomato paste, and remaining taco seasoning.  Bring to boil, and then simmer for 30 mins.

(When chicken is cooked, shred apart with two forks, or your fingers if you are brave. Add to simmering soup.)

After 30 mins of simmering, mix cornstarch with a little bit of water into separate bowl and stir until combined. Add to soup.  Simmer for 30 more minutes. 

Garnish with desired toppings and serve!

I like to serve with Jiffy cornbread muffins :)

ENJOY!

XOXO

Faves, Flappers, and Flowers

Before I share my snapshots of the week - let me first send my love and prayers to all those who were affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Here in NJ, the most that we lost was our power, but I know so many people who lost so much more and whose lives will never be the same.

(And thank you to all of you who reached out to me and John over the past week -- we felt so blessed and loved by you.)

Before the hurricane hit, we actually had a wonderful weekend....

Here's a peek :)

A relaxing morning spent catching up on mags, a new book, and my favorite drink

 (iced, nonfat chai tea latte!)

Getting to test out my new Target boots - in LOOOOVE!

Found my new FAVORITE snack ever - 

Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Spinach and Kale Greek Yogurt Dip...

oh. my. good. gracious.  

I love it most with TJ's reduced guilt pita chips :)

I made these delicious Cinnamon Roll Pumpkin Bars for a Halloween party!

Y'all - you must make these, they are soooo good :)

Costume time! 

Flapper dress from Zara :)

I scored this dress this summer for just 14.99!!  It's so fun and I loved wearing it!!

Getting some Raccoon smooches from hubs ;)

I was actually scheduled to have sinus surgery on Halloween (BOOO!!) - no pun intended - but Miss Sandy Hurricane canceled it for now.  Hopefully I will be able to have it in the next couple of weeks.

Before my surgery was canceled, I received some AMAZING care packages and flowers from my bestie, Ash, and my sweet in-laws.

Since I'm not totally out of it and doped up on pain meds yet, I'm really getting to enjoy all my treats -- thank you thank you!!

How was your week??

Did Sandy affect you??   And did you dress up for Halloween??

XOXO

(all pics via my Instagram - follow me!!  emily8463)

Chocolate Chip Cake

I got this recipe from my mom's best friend, and made it for the first time this week for a dinner party!  I have messed up more than a few bundt cake recipes in my lifetime, so I've been a little intimidated by them for awhile. 

BUT, this recipe is seriously NO-FAIL. It was so easy - all the ingredients are just mixed together in one bowl, and poured into a greased (not floured) bundt pan.  And it's not just easy, it's delicious!  

Chocolate lovers - make this cake.  

Non-Chocolate lovers - what is wrong with you?!?  

JK.  Just make this cake for your friends and family!  

Chocolate Chip Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix

1 pkg. (small) instant choc. pudding mix

1 cup sour cream

4 egggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup water

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Mix above ingredients.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Bake in greased bundt pan or tube pan for 50 minutes - 1 hour, depending on your oven.

Cool for approximately 10 minutes before inverting.  

Serve with vanilla ice cream or Cool Whip.

Enjoy!!