Fashion,Truffles, and Bellinis: Celebrating Versatility and Variety

Don’t you love it when you find something so fabulous you want to wear it again and again? Or a recipe so perfect you want to keep on making it for everyone you know and love? Or a cocktail so incredibly easy to create you serve it at all your parties? 

Don’t you eventually get kind of tired and bored with those things and wish you had other options and varieties just as perfect as the original but a little bit different? Of course ! That’s what I thought! 

The idea for this blog post came to me when I was approached by a lovely friend I knew from Instagram. Dana Poitevint https://www.instagram.com/danapoitevint/ asked me if I would like to pick out a few pieces of clothing from her LuLa Roe business https://m.facebook.com/groups/lularoedanapoitevint/ and create 2 outfits to share on Instagram and here on the blog. I actually loved the clothes so much, I took those few (3) pieces and came up with six outfits.

She also generously offered this code: mtf10 ( mommyteacherfashionista- save 10% off) for all of you to use on any purchase from her line of versatile clothing. 

I was familiar with the line because over the summer I wore a “Julia” dress and loved the fit. I was surprised to see the variety of patterns it came in. The “Julia” is a form fitting, knee length, knit dress with mid-length sleeves and a high neckline. Its simple silhouette makes the Julia dress a great canvas for layering and accessorizing. This dress is a staple for every season’s wardrobe. It is feminine, flattering, and like me, you might not want to take it off. This is what got me thinking about old favorites  and adding variety. I loved the dress so much I didn’t want to just wear and show it as 1 outfit. Here it is 3 different ways. As you can see I just changed around layers and accessories, using items from my closet,and created 3 entirely different looks with 1 new dress. 

For more patterns and information about the “Julia” -http://www.lularoe.com/julia-dress/ 

The other Lula Roe outfit, or pieces, I picked out are the “Cassie” skirt and the “Randy” unisex tee-shirt. 

The “Cassie” is a flattering and comfortable pencil skirt with an adjustable waistband that can help you  alter the length as desired. I changed my “Cassie” skirt so it would be a little shorter to accommodate OTK boots in the last two looks. 

All three looks include the “Cassie” skirt and the “Randy” unisex tee shirt. I love the fit and feel of this raglan tee. It resembles a classic baseball shirt and has the style, ease, and comfort a perfect tee should.

For the full “Cassie” collection- http://www.lularoe.com/cassie-skirt/

For the full “Randy” collection- http://www.lularoe.com/randy-tee

Check out Dana’s Inventory Sale this Wednesday for lots more information and many other amazing pieces from her line. You can join her group here- https://m.facebook.com/groups/lularoedanapoitevint/#_=_ and don’t forget to save 10% with my code : mtf10 😉 

When you do find Lula Roe Pieces you love, or any new items of clothing, don’t be afraid to make them unique, style them and restyle them again and again in different ways. It’s great to absolutely love an item or outfit so much and you don’t have to ever let yourself get bored with your clothes. Just own your own look and be yourself. 

Variety and versatility doesn’t just apply to fashion and creating outfits. I’m going to show you how two very tried and true recipes can be created and recreated for optimal pleasure and enjoyment. 

They are both perfect for this time of year when you may want to give someone a homemade gift from the heart or you may be in the mood for a sparkling wine mixture with a whole lot of personality rather than just the same old Prosecco. 

Truffle Love 

Lucious Chocolate Truffles

This will make 2 dozen classic chocolate truffles. 

You will need: 

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 

2 tablespoons butter 

1/4 cup whipping cream 

2 tablespoons liqueur ( almond, cherry,coffee, hazelnut, Irish cream, orange, raspberry, etc.) 

1 tablespoon shortening 

Finely chopped nuts 

1/4 cup powdered sugar or cocoa, if desired 

1/2 teaspoon milk, if desired 

1/2 teaspoon milk, if desired 

1. Line cookie sheet with foil. In heavy saucepan, melt one cup of the chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Stir in butter. Stir in whipping cream and liqueur. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, just until thick enough to hold a shape. 

2. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto foil. Shape into balls. Freeze 30 minutes. 

3. In 1 quart saucepan, heat shortening and remaining 1 cup chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth; remove from heat. Using fork, dip chocolates one at a time, into chocolate. Return to cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle some of the truffles with nuts, small candies, powdered sugar or cocoa. 

4. In a small bowl, stir powdered sugar and milk until smooth; drizzle over some of the truffles. Refrigerate just until set. Store in airtight container in refrigerator and and serve at room temperature by removing from refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving. 

Of course you can change this recipe around by using different liqueurs and toppings. 

Here are a few other simple ways to keep it interesting and never let anyone get bored with your truffles 😉 

Coconut Toffee Truffles 

Stir 3 tablespoons chopped chocolate covered English toffee candy into whipping cream mixture. Sprinkle truffles with additional chopped candy and coconut instead of the nuts as directed in Step 3. 

Milk Chocolate Truffles 

Substitute 1 cup milk chocolate chips for the 1 cup semisweet chips in Step 1.

White and Dark Chocolate Truffles 

Stir 3 tablespoons chopped white chocolate baking bar into whipping cream mixture. Drizzle with melted white chocolate instead of powdered sugar mixture as directed in Step 4. 

Presentation is everything, so keep the interests and personality of the recipient in mind when packaging your truffle gift.

Bellini Love

The original Bellini was reportedly invented at Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy in 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani. His original recipe was made by mixing Prosecco, Italian sparkling wine, into puréed white peaches. While this combination is delightful, there are many other fabulous variations so simple and satisfying to create as well.

Peach Bellini 


For Each Drink:

1 part fresh peach purée 

2 parts iced champagne or other sparkling white wine 

Raspberries for garnish

Spoon the fruit purée into a fluted champagne glass. Pour in the champagne and stir to blend. Garnish with raspberries.


Pear Bellini 

Prepare drink as for Peach Bellini, but use: 

1 part fresh pear purée 

2 parts iced champagne 

Garnish with Rosemary 

Strawberry Bellini 

Prepare drink as for Peach Bellini, but use: 

1 part strawberry purée 

2 parts iced champagne 

Mango Bellini 

Prepare drink as for Peach Bellini, but use:

1 part fresh mango purée 

2 parts iced champagne 

Hope you enjoyed this variety of versatile fashion from Lula Roe, luscious handmade candy, and delightful cocktails for just when you need a refreshing, sparkling treat. 

Thank you so much for your time and attention. I hope you found this worthwhile and I hope it inspires you to add a little creativity and variety to all you do. 

Yours truly,

Jennifer

Xoxo