Blue Dog Belle

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

This is happening...

via

If I wasn't in the home stretch of the LSAT (2 days folks!), I would be partaking. Don't worry--- I'll remind you a little earlier next time. Happy Debate night!

So with all of this rain in DC yesterday I was craving a big bowl of soup, a blanket and some good TV. Thankfully my roommate, BW was thinking the same thing and made a big pot of soup. It was so good I had to share it with y'all.

Ingredients

1 package of bacon - hickory cured bacon is the best, and has no nitrates or nitrites

3/4 yellow or Vidalia onion, chopped or sliced

3-4 Yukon gold potatoes depending on size, chopped into pieces a little smaller than a square inch

2-3 cups of milk, cream or half and half

4-5 tbsp corn starch

Salt and pepper to taste

*Sharp cheddar

*Scallions

*Crumbled bacon leftover from soup

*garnish

Directions

1. Cook the full package of bacon, 3-4 small batches at a time, in the bottom of a medium-large soup pot (preferably a cast iron dutch oven). When the bacon’s crispy, set aside on paper towels. Do not drain the grease.

2. Sauté the onion in the bacon fat for 10-15 mins until soft. Meanwhile, salt and pepper the chopped potatoes that are waiting to go into the pot.

3. Add the potatoes to the pot and stir so the bacon fat coats the potatoes.

4. Add 6-8 cups of water and roughly ¼ cup of salt and about ½ tbsp of pepper to taste. Bring to a rolling boil until potatoes are soft and then turn down to simmer.

5. In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups of milk, cream or half and half with 4-5 tbsp of cornstarch and whisk until the corn starch is dissolved. Stir this mixture in slowly, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly and checking the consistency as you go, until you’ve reached the desired consistency.

6. Ladle into a bowl and add shredded cheddar, chopped scallions and chopped bacon.

This is soooooo good. The only thing that could make this better is a nice bread bowl (next time). Not exactly healthy, but this cool rainy weather allows for exceptions to the rule.

Thanks BW!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Loving Lately: New Eye Shadow Palettes

Now that I've been the proud owner of the Naked Palette for a year I am convinced that high end eye palettes are 100% worth the investment. I'm feeling like I've hit a bit of an eye makeup rut lately, so I'm debating about investing in a new palette. (Or maybe my Mom will read this and get me one of these for an early Christmas present. Just kidding Mom, but if you want to send me one I'd totally be okay)

These are the three palettes I've narrowed it down to...

LORAC PRO Palette

The LORAC Pro Palette is GORGEOUS. Half matte and half shimmer, I think there are a ton of looks that you could create with this. There are a few similarities to the naked palette though, so I'm a little hesitant.

Too Faced The Return of Sexy Palette

The Too Faced The Return of Sexy Palette is shimmery and fabulous! I love the idea of this combo of three palettes in one. Browns, Purples and Grays. All are go-to color combos for me, plus I don't have a ton of these colors in my collection, so it would be a great way to expand.

Urban Decay The Vice Palette

The UD Vice Palette was just released, and from what I hear it's going to be the next big thing. I'm more of a neutral girl, so the bright colors are a bit scary. However I love UD shadows and they are all super blend-able so the pigmentation isn't super scary if you tone it down with some of the neutrals.

This is a weekly link up hosted by the fabulous Carly, Kristen, Niki & Rachel! Join us and link up what you're loving lately! Whether it's fashion, color, crafts, interiors, beauty products, yummy and delicious, or really anything else, we want to know!

Rules

1. Follow Your Hosts and Co-Hosts

They are the first 8 in the linky! Carly @ Lipgloss and Crayons Kristen @ The Wright Stuff Niki @ Glossy Blonde Rachel @ La La Lists This week's co-hosts are: Angela @ Head To Toe Chic Emily @ Blue Dog Belle Harmony @ Thistles & Things Whitney & Nicole @ Something Brought You Here

2. Grab a Button

Or link back to one of your hosts, and help us promote Loving Lately!

3. Link Up!

Link up your post on what you're loving lately! Please do not link up your entire blog or any posts that are not "Loving Lately"! We are so happy to have you link up, and we do go through and read all of the posts, so if you do not give credit, we will have to remove your link. And we don't want to have to do that! So please share the love and include a link back!

4. Mingle

It's a linky party after all!

Visit some of the other posts in the linky and say hello!

5. Tweet!

Help us promote and grow this party! Send a tweet and let everyone know you linked up!

Let's get this party started!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Giveaway winner and the blue skirt

First of all, thanks to everyone entered the Starbucks giveaway. What better way to start off the week, than by announcing a winner. Congratulations to the lovely

Kasey

Expect an email from me shortly lady. Hopefully we'll have another give away coming up soon!

Now. I have another outfit post! Yay!