I have always been a huge fan of dressing up for any and all occasions. I’m guilty of restyling fancy cocktail dresses I love again and again to make them appropriate to wear to my job as a kindergarten teacher.
However I do believe I found the most perfect piece to nail a polished daytime look ( for brunch or any daytime occasion) that is still feminine and fun.
I searched the https://www.stylewe.com/ website and was delighted to find the Dark Blue Polka Dots Girly A-Line Mini Dress. https://www.stylewe.com/product/dark-blue-polka-dots-pockets-girly-a-line-mini-dress-82983.html
It is so comfortable and warm. The lining is crystal velvet and so unbelievably cozy. I love the Peter Pan collar on this StyleWe dress and added my favorite necklace from Kate Spade. It is the Magnolia Bakery Mini Cupcake Pendant.
You can find it here: https://m.katespade.com/products/magnolia-bakery-mini-cupcake-pendant/WBRUA960.html
I am wearing Steve Madden red patent leather heels I found at thredUP.com but I found a similar pair here: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/14973588181154799451?q=steve+madden
My lipstick is a brand called lipsense and the shade is called Fly Girl. It is the most vibrant, gorgeous shade of red and I wear it often. The best part about it is that I never have to reapply it. It is smudgeproof, waterproof, and kissproof for up to 18 hours. You will get a substantial discount if you mention this post to Amanda at https://m.facebook.com/groups/designerlips or at http://instagram.com/designer_lips.
My hat and tights are from target.com which is my go-to place for basics and an occasional fun accessory.
I think this would be the perfect outfit to go out to brunch in, however when Sunday morning finally rolls around, you can take advantage of every glorious minute of it by planning a simple, splendid brunch.
One option is a leisurely breakfast that can be savoured with a thick copy of the Sunday paper. Start with glasses of a tomato juice cocktail or a spicy Bloody Mary. Next try thick luscious slices of French Toast spiced with bourbon. Serve it with regular or Canadian Bacon- it only takes a few minutes to sauté. ( The microwave makes cooking bacon a breeze.) To end the meal, enjoy bowlfuls of juicy and succulent fresh fruit. Make it with the market’s freshest selections. It’s perfect to top the bowls with pomegranate seeds. The jewel-like fruit is a real exotic treat and adds not only brilliant color but an interesting crunch too. Then, get cozy and enjoy more coffee, more of the paper and more of Sunday. These first few recipes are appropriate if you are in the mood to plan a breakfast for two.
Bourbon French Toast
You will need:
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 T bourbon
Grated rind from 1 orange
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
Dash grated nutmeg
4 slices (1 inch) thick, challah or French bread
Butter
Syrup:
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 T. bourbon
1 T. butter
In a shallow bowl or pie plate with wire whisk, combine eggs, milk, bourbon, orange rind, cinnamon and nutmeg. Beat until well mixed. Dip bread slices into egg mixture, turning to coat both sides. In a large skillet or griddle over medium heat, melt enough butter to coat the surface lightly. Add bread and cook until well golden on both sides, adding more butter or margarine as needed. In small saucepan over medium high heat, combine syrup, bourbon and butter. Heat until butter is melted. Serve syrup over toast with bacon.
Fresh Fruit Cup
You will need:
1 medium apple, cored and cut into chunks
1 medium pear, cored and cut into chunks
1/2 cup red seedless grapes
3T honey
1 T.fresh lemon or lime juice
1/4 c. pomegranate seeds
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except pomegranate seeds. Toss until well coated. Just before serving, sprinkle some pomegranate seeds over each serving.
Get the most from a pomegranate by starting from the stem end of the fruit and, using a small knife, score the skin into quarters. Then, simply pull the sections apart to expose the succulent seeds. Pluck them out leaving the bitter white membrane behind. The entire seed is edible.
Tomato Juice Cocktail
You will need:
3/4 pound tomatoes, sliced
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sliced celery
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Cool.
Transfer tomato mixture to a blender; cover and process until smooth. Refrigerate until chilled.
Spicy Bloody Mary
You will need:
16 oz tomato juice
3 oz vodka
2 dashes hot red pepper sauce
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
2 jalapeño peppers
Pinch celery salt
Pinch black pepper
1 lemon, juiced
Celery spears, for garnish
Combine all ingredients, except celery spears, in a small pitcher. Pour into large glasses filled with ice and garnish with celery spears.
Note: You can omit the alcohol in this recipe for a Virgin Mary.
Another idea is to make someone feel special with this leisurely, heartwarming spread. This savory omelette, mouth- watering potato medley served with the refreshing tomatoes juice cocktail above will definitely warm up a wintry day!
Fresh Vegtable Omelette
You will need:
4 egg whites
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon butter
1 medium tomato
1 small zucchini
1 small onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup shredded cheese
In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg whites, water and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and salt until thick and lemon- colored, about 5 minutes. Fold in the whites.
Melt butter in a 10-in. nonstick ovenproof skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Add egg mixture. Cook over medium heat for five minutes or until puffed. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a skillet, sauté the tomato, zucchini, onion, green pepper, and Italian seasoning until tender. Carefully run a knife around edge of omelet to loosen. With a sharp knife, score center of omelet. Place vegetables on one side and sprinkle with cheese; fold other side over filling. Slide into a serving plate; cut in half.
Skillet Potatoes
You will need:
1 large baking potato
1/3 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 garlic clove, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup sliced baby portobello mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Place potato in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.
In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick spray, cook the other vegetables in oil for 2-4 minutes. Stir in the potato, paprika, salt and pepper; cook until lightly browned.
One last way to be hospitable and treat your family and friends ( or just yourself ) to a special brunch is to prepare an assortment of oven- fresh scones. Serve with hot tea or coffee and lots blankets for snuggling up.
In addition to being time-honored delights in Britain, scones have garnered a following on this side of the Atlantic too. The charming bites are not only versatile and easy to prepare, but their wholesome goodness perfectly compliments the lifestyles of health-minded bakers.
Whole Wheat Blueberry Scones
You will need:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup butter
1 3/4 cups 1% buttermilk
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1 tablespoon sugar
In a large bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar, baking power and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in blueberries. Turn into a floured surface; gently knead 10 times.
Transfer dough to a baking sheet covered with cooking spray. Pat into a 9 inch circle. Cut into 12 wedges, but do not separate. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 39-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Coconut-Glazed Orange Scones
You will need:
3 3/4 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup cold butter
2 eggs
1 cup plus 1 to 2 tablespoons fat-free milk, divided
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking powder. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, 1 cup milk and orange peel; stir into crumb mixture just until moistened. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 10 times. Roll into a 14 x 8 inch rectangle. Using a floured pizza cutter, cut widthwise into 2 inch strips, then diagonally into into 2 inch strips, forming diamond shapes. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. For glaze, combine the confectioners’ sugar, coconut extract, and enough remaining milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over scones. Serve warm.
Parmesan Sage Scones
You will need:
2 1/4 cups biscuit / baking mix
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 3/4 teaspoons minced fresh sage
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon half and half cream, divided
8 fresh sage leaves
In a large bowl, combine the biscuit mix, cheese, sage, and pepper. Stir in 1/2 cup cream. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 5 times. Transfer dough to a baking sheet coated with spray. Pat into a 6 inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges, but do not separate. Brush the remaining cream over dough. Press a sage leaf onto the top of each wedge. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Serve warm.
A Few More Tips:
When hosting a brunch at your home, make your space as comfortable as possible. There’s not much you can do about the layout of your house. That much is true. But you can bring in extra chairs or big cushions into a room you think most people will hang out and mingle in.
Music adds so much to the atmosphere (well, to the world)so definitely do not forget to put together a playlist you think your guest ( or guests) will enjoy. I love this blog http://www.turntablekitchen.com/ for excellent food/ music pairings and compilations.
It’s also a good idea to have games on hand. These are a few of our favorite family games.
My all – time favorite:
If there are younger children involved, we let them be part of the adult teams and it works out. Most of the time the children want to be with us even if they are just helping, rather than be on their own with a game for younger children. When opening your home to others, do your best to make everyone feel special.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog today. I hope you found it worthwhile and that it inspires you to try something new this year.
I’m glad I found this dress at https://www.stylewe.com/ and I’m planning to get lots of use out of it while making the most out of cozy Sunday brunches in the new year.
What are your plans for this weekend and the New Year ? I’d love to hear what you are planning !
Yours truly,
Jennifer
Xoxo
mommyteacherfashionista 