Resort 2012 is Feeling Groovy...

Okay so after looking through this weeks resort collections I have decided that the seventies are back. Post-Woodstock and Pre-Disco, Earth loving goodness. Flattering silhouettes and amazing accessories are always gorgeous. I'll be adding more to my board as I come across things (70's Inspiration). Just felt like sharing some inspiration. Enjoy!

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Alice on Pinterest

Making the Switch to Almond Milk

If you are looking for a healthy alternative to milk be sure to give almond milk a try. As the popularity of this alternative grows it is becoming more readily available. Just about every grocery store now carries the name brand Silk Pure Almond or Blue Diamond Almond Breeze. Many stores now even carry store brand versions (Kroger and Aldi).  These products can be found in the health food cooler or in some stores mixed in with the regular milk. With such availability price is fairly low ($2.39 - $2.89 per half gallon versus $1.99 per half gallon store brand 2% milk).

Almond Milk has less calories than 1% dairy milk. On average 1 serving of almond milk has 60 calories whereas the dairy milk has 100. Calcium is a very important part of dairy milk, almond milk out does it with 45% of your daily value compared to 30% in a serving of 1% dairy milk. With 0g saturated fat almond milk beats the 1.5 g in dairy milk. Since almond milk has no animal product in it the cholesterol amount is 0 mg. The 1% dairy milk has 13g of cholesterol.  Also since animal products are not used in almond milk there are no added hormones or lactose. Along with that no animals are harmed or factory farmed. The almond milk covers what most people need out of dairy milk and reduces what they don’t. You should always do your own diet research based on your needs, these are just my notes.

Most important is taste! I am sure that is most peoples' first question when researching new products. I have tasted the original flavor of Silk Pure Almond, Almond Breeze, Kroger almondmilk, and Friendly Farms Almond Milk (available at some Aldi stores). Other flavors such as Dark Chocolate and Vanilla are available in most brands with a little different nutrition value than above. Taste and texture were excellent in all except Almond Breeze. I felt that it had the same ‘chalky’ texture as soy milk, whereas the other brands were much smoother with less after taste.  I have used all three to in baked items with success. I highly recommend switching out regular milk in your favorite baked goods with almond milk for a healthy alternative. Your family might not even notice the difference! I have had people tell me it just tastes like I added a little almond extract. 

I hope you all found this helpful! Do not be afraid to try some new and healthy alternatives. Many benefits can be achieved if you do a little research and open your mind.

Clean Your Silver Accessories for Spring With Stuff You Probably Already Have

How to Get Your Silver Accessories to Sparkle for Spring Using Stuff You Probably Already Have

Dirty Jewelry BEFORE

What You Will Need

You will need :

Baking Soda

Salt

Aluminum Foil

Pan 

Warm Water

Old Toothbrush (If you really have some hardcore tarnish)

Dirty Silver (or Silver Plated) Jewelry or Flatwear

Line your pan with aluminum foil. I recommend a pan long enough to lay your necklaces out flat so they don’t tangle.  Place your items to be cleaned on the foil. Sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon salt on the foil followed by enough baking soda to cover the items. Pour warm water (as warm as your tap will get) on top of the items and dry ingredients until they are covered. 

Next place another sheet of foil on top.To make sure this foil stays down close to your silver pour more warm water on top of the second sheet of foil. Let this set for at least 30 minutes.

 Remove from the pan and rinse with warm water, dry thoroughly. If the silver still looks tarnished after this bath then its time to bust out the toothbrush…

This Chain Needs Some Extra Scrubbing!

This Necklace Only Needed A Bath

So if the initial bath was not enough to get your silver bright and sparkling, don’t give up just yet. Put some more baking soda in a cup with a dash of salt (use according to haw much you have to clean). Mix in small amounts of water until you have a gooey paste. Use your toothbrush to scrub the flat surfaces. If you have something with grooves, like a necklace chain, use your fingers to message the paste into all the nooks and crannies. 

Rub the paste all over until it starts to get clean, then repeat the bath again. For really stubborn tarnish you may need to do this a couple of times (the cz necklace pictured took two complete scrub cycles, grrrr).You now have no excuses not to have sparkling silver this spring!

Jewelry AFTER Cleaning

When Life Gives You Rotten Bananas... Make Banana Bread. (Even if you're a vegan.)

So these are the bananas I woke up to this morning...

and this is what I did with them.

I can't take all the credit for this positive out come, it's a recipe that was passed down from my mom that ensures no banana goes to waste. I have also included the vegan substitutions for those of you that are dairy-free. Enjoy!
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1 3/4 Cup flour

2 Tsp Baking Powder

1/2 Tsp Salt

1/4 Tsp Baking Soda

2/3 Cup Sugar
1/8 Tsp Cinnamon

2 Eggs (1/2 Cup "silky" tofu and 1/4 Cup water)

1/2 Cup Butter (Earth Balance) softened

2 Bananas - The softer the better

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Blend the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a separate small bowl crack open the eggs. Make sure there are no shells in your bowl and whisk the eggs so the yolks are broken and blended. If you are using tofu whisk with water to make any eggy consistency. 

Using an electric mixer blend the eggs into the dry ingredients. Next mix in the butter until the mixture is fully blended. Cut the bananas into 1/2" slices and mix into batter in small amounts until both bananas are combined into the mixture. Place the batter in a greased/ sprayed loaf pan. Bake for at least 25 minutes. Bake until a toothpick can be inserted in the center and removes cleanly. Great for breakfast with coffee or tea. Thanks Mom! 

Current Inspiration: Elizabeth Taylor

For years I have admired Elizabeth Taylor, not only for her star power but her humanitarian work. A few years ago I read "Elizabeth" by J. Randy Taraborrelli and I fell in love. Her life was so much more than marriages and movies. She was a devoted friend, mother, and daughter. A vocal pioneer of AIDS research and addiction rehabilitation. She made rehab cool as one of the first celebrities to check into the Betty Ford Clinic. Before every celebrity had a fragrance, she had White Diamonds. Before celebrities adopted cute babies, Elizabeth did. Animal rights were close to her heart too. You name it, she did it. Even most recently Twitter.

So as you flip through the photos of her glamourous style that are on every entertainment and fashion site remember, her style was much more than skin deep. She had true style the kind that cannot be created, but is lived in kindness and generosity.


For further reading (so you can fall in love too) http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Elizabeth/J-Randy-Taraborrelli/e/9780446400367/?itm=2&USRI=elizabeth

Welcome Foodies and Fashionistas!

Hello Blog-osphere!
I am Alice and I am here to share my love of style and fashion.

This blog is meant to be a new challege for me. I hope to share my adventures and misadventures in the kitchen, sewing room, and everywhere else. May my ancedotes inspire, enlighten, amsue, or terrify you!

Please feel free to comment or email me with suggestions and even maybe a challenge or two. Also, I love trying new restaurants and stores, so please let me know what some of your favorites are (especially if they are locally (Middle TN) owned!). I can be found on Twitter (@ACheshireAlice) or my inbox CheshireAliceDesigns@gmail.com.

xoxo Alice