5 spring fashion trends, straight from NY fashion week!

1.HIGH WAISTED DENIM WITH WIDE LEGS *70’S ISH…* I AM ADDICTED TO SKINNY JEANS BUT I MAY SWTICH IT UP A LITTLE WITH A PAIR OF WIDE LEG HIGH WAISTED JEANS PAIRED WITH A WHITE BUTTON UP AND A SKINNY BELT*

2.WEDGE HEELS *UNLESS THEY MAKE SOME THAT ARE SEXY AND MAKE ME FEEL AND LOOK SEXY I’M NOT SO SURE I WILL BE WEARING WEDGES, I HATE THEM*

3.PRINTS *DON’T BE AFRAID TO ROCK PRINTS THIS SEASON! HAVE FUN WITH IT BUT DEFINITELY DO NOT GO OVER BOARD AND LOOK LIKE A FOOL!*

4.OFFICE CHIC *ANYTHING TAILORED AND CRISP, THAT IS OFFICE APPROPRIATE. TAILORED TOPS, TROUSERS,WIDE LEG TROUSERS, BUTTON UPS, BLAZERS!* THIS IS STILL A CATEGORY WHERE MY BELOVED BLACK BLAZER FITS IN! LOVE IT!

5.LITTLE WHITE DRESS *IF YOU ARE FASHION FORWARD AND NOT AFRIAD TO ROCK A WHITE DRESS GO FO IT! IT’S ONE OF SPRING 2011 BIGGEST TRENDS!* I MAY BE FASHION FWD BUT LETS BE REAL HERE, I’M A CHUNKY LIL THANG AND I DONT THINK A WHITE DRESS WOULD LOOK SO HOT ON ME. WE WILL SEE, I MIGHT SURPRISE MYSELF!

**IF YOU ARE GOING TO SWITCH UP YOUR WARDROBE THIS SPRING, DON’T FORGET TO PICK UP A FEW BELTS AND ACCESSORIES TO MATCH YOUR NEW LOOK!**

Cuban Fried Chicken, Candied jalapenos and fried Plantain

Cuban Fried Chicken

Ingredients
1 whole chicken
5-6 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp ground oregano
1 onion cut in slices
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tbsp dry white wine
olive oil
1/2 tbsp pepper
salt to taste
2 tbsp Adobo seasoning
Fresh parsley
juice from 1 lime

Directions
Use a sharp knife and separate chicken by parts. Remove excess fat and skin.
Clean with lemon juice and rinse off with hot water. Combine garlic, oregano, onion, orange juice, wine, adobo and salt. Pour mixture over chicken.
Cover and marinade in the refrigerator overnight or 3-4 hours
5. Remove chicken pieces from marinade and cook in heated skillet or pan until they are golden brown.
Remove garlic and onion from marinade and sauté them in a separate pan. Place garlic and onion over chicken and add fresh parsley.

Candied Jalapenos

Ingredients
5 jalapeno peppers, seeded and cut into thin strips
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup hot water

Directions
Pour the sugar and water into a small sauce pan over high heat.
When the water starts to boil, add the sliced jalapeno. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook about 15 minutes. Don’t let the sugar reach the soft boil stage – it should stay slightly watery even at the end.
Transfer jalapeno slaw to a plate with a slotted spoon.

Fried Plantain

Ingredients
4 plantains, cut into 1/2 in sections (you can substitute bananas if you want)
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the sliced plantains, brown sugar and cinnamon. Saute, flipping to coat with butter, about 15 minutes.

10 things every woman should have in their closet!

Tired of looking like this when you “can’t find anything” to wear? It might be because you are missing staple items in your closet!

EVERY WOMAN KNOWS THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT, WELL THESE ARE THE THE TOP 10 STAPLE ITEMS THAT YOUR CLOSET CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT!

1. The Little Black Dress is a fashion must have. That makes sense: it’s the one dress that fits perfectly every time and can go anywhere with the right accessories.

2. A perfect pair of jeans or Skinny Jeans. A lot of people don’t like skinny jeans because they make you look shorter (which is true), but you also have to know how to wear them. So if you’re not very tall, and want to pull off skinny jeans without looking so short pair them with some closed toed BLACK pumps!

3.Pair of close toe black pumps. Your closed toe black heels will not only make your three piece suit extra professional, but can also meet up with most of your wardrobe items in a fashionable expression of understated style. They also add length to your legs!

4. A plain white fitted shirt. A plain white shirt can be used for layering and can be dressed up or down!

5. A scarf. It’s a piece that can add instant style impact to any outfit. Pick one in a bold color or vivid pattern.

6. A big bag. If there is one thing your closet cannot miss out on, is a big bag!

7. A blazer (black). A black blazer adds a subtle touch of sexiness while keeping it chic and classic! What can you pair a black blazer with?

■Mini Dress: Take your average mini dress to a business fashion level with a cute black blazer on top. You can mix and match any colors that you would like with a simple black blazer!
■ Black skinny jeans: Black skinny jeans paired with pumps and a fitted white tee with some silver accessories and some big hair? definitely edgy and sexy!
■Sky-High Heels: In the same way, your perfect pair of skinny jeans will look truly stunning with elaborate high heels, and why not pair that with a flowing top to give a little bit of edge to your standard black blazer?
8. A Great Coat (pea coat or trench). A stylish coat goes a long way – you can wear it to work, you can wear it to parties, you can wear it on top of the little black dress…ANYWHERE!

9. Black pants (dress pants AND skinny jeans). You can pair both with your blazer and whiter shirt! For an office look take your white shirt, blazer, dress pants and pumps. Instantly office chic! For an everyday look or day to night look white shirt, blazer, black skinny jeans, pumps add some accessories and boom! day to night outfit!

10. Accessories! Ok, so maybe you don’t keep your accessories in the closet but you know how accessories can instantly change your outfit and give it new life! Certain accessories can dress your outfit up or down. Studs vs chandelier earrings, chunky vs simple necklaces, bangles vs simple watches and big cocktail rings vs no rings. With accessories the possibilities are endless, chic vs rocker, sexy vs sophisticated….!

If you don’t have any or are missing some of these items in your closet or want things to pair these items with, then this can be your excuse to go shopping and update your wardrobe. Good luck and happy shopping!