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Back To School Food Fixes with Babble Boxx #BabbleBoxxBTS

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Here are some delicious new food products and food fixes that will have you back to school ready!

Back To School Food Fixes with Babble Boxx | CookingInStilettos.com

This post has been sponsored by Babble Boxx on behalf of Single Edition Media.  My opinion and love for the brands are all my own.

September heralds the arrival many things – the changing of the leaves, football/tailgate season and, of course, it’s back to school time. Lazy quiet summer days are over – it’s all about the go-go-go and if can help y’all with some finds that will make your day a little easier, then I’m totally game.

Babble Boxx knew that September can be a bit crazed between school, after school activities and the day to day so they sent me a box of their latest foodie finds.  From the minute I opened the box, I was coming up with fabulous ideas for the products, entertaining must haves and changing the weekly menu plan. This Babble Boxx was packed to the brim with food fixes that will have you ready to face the school year like a boss.  Check out what I found and, of course, there are some deals for you too!… 

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Fab Friday – Dog Days of Summer Edition

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Ahhh – the dog days of summer are here – and I swear – with each passing day, Philly feels worse than Orlando on a good day… So, let’s have a bit of Fab Friday Fun

Fab Friday - 8.12.11

 

1. I’ll be kind and won’t bring up boots – THIS WEEK.. but Fall Fashion is starting to emerge and I’m like a kid on Christmas Morning. First up, these gorgeous “Time” oxford pumps from the one and only Stuart Weitzman. Love the platform, the keyhole opening – this pump is clearly one of my faves this season. Sorry Kalisa – I’m laying the blame on you for my Stuart Weitzman addiction – you spotlighted his shoes a few years back and I have been captivated ever since. And, if I haven’t said “Thank you”, my wardrobe thanks you profusely – the shoe arsenal is always stylish with his offerings.

2. One thing I miss about Orlando is the Millenia Mall – and, of course, Z Gallerie. Z Gallerie and I had a torrid love affair in Vegas when I would wander through their store daydreaming about various pieces and picturing them in my house. When I moved to Orlando, what did I find – Z Gallerie. Now that I’m back up in Philly, we don’t have one close by but through the magic of the interwebs, I’m able to peruse their offerings and find some really good pieces for my abode. Right now I’m obsessed with their Sultan Canisters – both in Grey and Aquamarine – I could just picture them lining the top of bookshelves or cabinets looking oh so chic…

3. Want to add a little drama to your spice cabinet – check out this Wooden Saffron Spice Cup from Dean & Deluca. Now, it’s the price of a pair of Tory Burch flats but still.. gorgeous!

4. I’m a tad miffed at Jen from One Curly Fry right now – she posted a fabulous Cherry Blueberry Smoothie recipe and she’s got a Vitamix. I’ve been teetering on the idea of buying something that is almost the cost of the Prada Degrade Bow Pumps, esp. when I have a gorgeous Jenn Air Attrezzi copper blender. However, function over beauty, right? This beast comes in a gorgeous stainless steel finish so I might just have to make the plunge this fall…

5. Can It, Bottle It, Smoke It: And Other Kitchen Projects and Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It: And Other Cooking Projects are two new editions to the Cooking In Stilettos bookshelf. I have been bit by the canning bug and I figured this would be some good fun for future culinary experiments. Great photography, amazing recipes and a recipe for homemade cornflakes that is super simple – oh heck yeah! Try one or both if you really want to have some fun in your kitchen – you will definitely enjoy it. Look for future posts on both of these books in the near future as I attempt Canning in Stilettos…

What’s got you obsessed this week?

Fab Friday Returns to Cooking In Stilettos

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Ahh – we’re FINALLY back on schedule and the Fab Friday has returned… This is going to be quite the weekend as I have some really interesting culinary projects ahead, a friend’s 40th b’day celebration that is sure to bring back LOTS of 80s memories, great food, convo and cocktails, and some work to do on Cooking In Stilettos. What do they say – when you love what you do, then it’s not work at all 🙂

Here are a few things that have captivated me this week.

1. Speaking of the 80s, I swear, I should have whapped Kelly Ripa over the head YEARS ago because when she has a killer shoe, I’m like a wench on a mission. Way back when, she was one of the gals on the set of a certain show who always wore 3″ heels and of course, like typical teen gals, many followed suit, myself included. When people ask how I can wear heels so high, I partially blame Kelly since I’ve been wearing tee-tottering heights since I was 15. Now that I think about it – she wasn’t the only gal on the set who had some killer shoes – so did Princess aka Heather. Heather was wearing fab over the knee boots WELL before Kim Kardashian rocked that trend. Anyhow – let me stop flashing back to memory lane and deal with the shoes at hand. A couple weeks ago, Kel was rockin’ this seriously gorgeous Charlotte Olympia espadrille pump and, while it was cute, I don’t think I could EVER justify paying over $800 for a cotton shoe. However, when I saw these DV by Dolce Vita Florence Sandals in Nude, well – it was a win win. The nude ankle strap wouldn’t cut off the leg line and it was chic and perfect for this spring/summer 2011. Sorry Kelly – you can keep your Charlotte Olympias – I’ll stick with these lovelies – and I’ll even have some funds left over for perhaps a Le Creuset or three.

2. Ok – this Emile Henry canister set is gorgeous. Don’t get me wrong, I adore my glass and silver topped set that I’ve had since I was in Orlando but this has such a streamlined look that would be perfect for my one day copper and teal kitchen.

3. I am really enjoying this quinoa kick that I am on – and when I saw this Zursun Black Quinoa at Williams Sonoma, well, I’m intrigued. Has anyone ever tried Black Quinoa?

4. I have been flipping through Aaron McCargo Jr.’s book Simply Done, Well Done for a hot minute now and have flagged some recipes to try here on Cooking In Stilettos. I can’t commend Aaron enough – not many peeps know this but back when he had a resto in Camden – I happened to be in town for a meeting and our former producer took us there for lunch and the food was slammin’! When he won NFNS – I was thrilled because the man can cook and, quite honestly, he’s a really really nice guy! So, if you see this out and about, pick up a copy – it’s well worth it! Congrats Chef!

5. Jen at One Curly Fry sent me a link to COOK by Audrey Claire and I almost fell out of my chair this morning. It is opening this summer at the corner of Rittenhouse and 20th St. and it’s going to offer classes, a boutique, a bookstore and more. Plus – the kitchen is supposed to be state of the art. Ummm – where do I sigh up? Looking forward to great things coming from COOK!

 

[Flashback Photo courtesy of Chris Kelly]

Fab Friday – Cooking In Stilettos Edition

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Wow – can you believe January just flew by? Well it looks like the weatherman was off again as I’m looking out the window and it appears to be WELL over an inch starting to fall this afternoon. Seriously, can’t they just get a forecast somewhat right? *sigh* so let’s leave you with some nice lovelies to gawk at as we think happy thoughts of beaches, sunshine and cocktails that come in coconuts…

1. These Jimmy Choo Nexus Snakeskin and Lace Sandals are beyond gorgeous! Would love these for a special night out in the city but the pricetag – notsomuch!

2. Aren’t these Parisian Ceramic Measuring Cups from Sur La Table adorable?

3. I have been in dire need of a GelPro mat for my kitchen for a while. I adore this azure blue ostrich print version to go with my blue, chocolate and copper kitchen. The price is somewhat daunting but I think it might be needed. I just hope the sous pug stays away from it and doesn’t mistake it for something else if you get my drift *sigh*

4. Jen @ One Curly Fry has been having a blast at her classes The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College.  I have pretty much made the decision that I must check out a class or three when the weather gets better. From Culinary Arts to Pastry Arts, you can rest assured that they will have a class just for you.

5. Avec Eric: A Culinary Journey with Eric Ripert had me doing a dance of joy when I received this on my doorstep courtesy of the fab people over at Wiley. The photos take you on one heck of a culinary journey with one of the world’s top chefs and you must watch his PBS Show, Avec Eric.  It’s breathtaking.  The recipes are geared to all levels of cooking and this cookbook is a treasure. Love Love LOVE! Now, if you ask me to choose between my Louboutins and my Avec Eric – well, don’t make me split the baby, ‘k?

Fab Friday – Cooking In Stilettos Edition

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What a day today! King of Prussia’s Williams-Sonoma hosted Bakerella‘s book-signing today and what a great success that was (plus, added bonus, in attendance was Leslie of And Her Little Dog Too and I always love catchin’ up with her!) Tomorrow, Jenn of The Leftover Queen comes to town and add to that, it’s the start of a very busy holiday season.  And, as if I’m NOT busy enough, I have some changes in store for Cooking In Stilettos so, yup, you guessed it, there is a lot going on in Lys’ world at the moment. Let’s take a quick moment and look at a few lovelies that made this week’s Fab Friday…

1. Can Mother Nature make up her mind – one day its 42 degrees and the next, it’s 65 degrees. Talk about confusing a gal. So, with the warm weather today, my mind turns to spring. Just in time, Gucci came out with their cruise collection and, besides the name bringing me back to a certain cruise where I racked up a killer cell bill talking to/texting BR from the Bahamas with Meowmix and crew, I made a conscious decision that these new Gucci Sofia Patent Leather Straw Wedges in Nude MUST be in my closet for spring… No ifs, ands or buts about it.

2.  It’s no secret that my absolute favorite color is teal (or variations of it). It’s been like that since I went to Vegas many moons ago with Meowmix on vacay and, while wandering through a gift shop in the MGM, I discovered a gorgeous candle that was the most perfect shade of teal.   One of my “goals” is to transition my kitchen into a teal, copper and brown wonderland and Williams-Sonoma’s new exclusive Le Creuset shade of Ocean fit the bill. Don’t get me wrong, I still adore Cassis and Caribbean and still have my red LC’s but mark my words, this Le Creuset Ocean 4 1/4 Qt. Signature Deep Saute Pan will be in my kitchen by the holidays.

3. Colin Cowie hit another home run with his holiday tableware collection for HSN. These Brocade Martini Glasses are perfect for that gorgeous holiday cocktail or when you want to channel that “Mad Men” ambiance.

4. Daisy’s Holiday Cooking: Delicious Latin Recipes for Effortless Entertaining is on my list of “must have” holiday cookbooks. When Ms. Daisy was in Philly over the summer, she had discussed some of the fab recipes that were slated to be in it and, finally, it’s been released! I have bought more cookbooks this holiday season than ever – and have every intention on using them!

5. With the holidays approaching, a trip has to be made to the Italian Market for me to stock up on goodies, gifts and treats for family and friends. One of my fave spots to grab a latte, people watch and enjoy a chocolate baci is Anthony’s Italian Coffee House & Chocolate House. They are pretty much almost right next to each other and the people that work there are so helpful. So, when you are wandering through the Italian Market and need to get out of the cold and wind, Anthony’s immense coffee selection will warm you right up!