Meatless Tater Tot Hotdish

...or should I say, meatMORE!?

Either way, it's what's for dinner tonight!

Although I love Rachael Ray, this recipe did not come from her archives, it has been concocted by a pescatarian that was raised to love tator tot hotdish - so I tweaked it. Tried it. Inhaled it. It's cheap, easy and delicious - Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

1 - Non-stick, 9 x 13 pan
1 or more – 32 oz. bag(s) frozen tator tots

1 – family-size can of cream of mushroom soup

1 – 24 oz. bag of Green Giant’s family-sized broccoli/carrot/cauliflower/cheese sauce blend

½ cup or more – of frozen peas or corn, or both

½ a bag, or to taste – of your favorite, shredded cheese (Monterey jack, Colby jack, your choice)
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
1] Preheat oven at 375’
2] In a 9 x 13 pan, fill the bottom with tator tots (so they lay on sides – about half the bag +)
3] Add cream of mushroom soup on top – surrounding tots and covering all areas of the pan
4] Place frozen veg. mix in microwave for a minute or 2, just to give them a small head start.
5] Pour slightly thawed vegetables over tots/cream of mushroom soup mixture.
6] Gently push the veggies down, a little bit, into the sauce – prevents burning.
7] Scatter the remaining tator tots on top – I just use the rest of the bag – some like tator tots covering the majority of the veggies – if that’s the case, just buy more!
8] About 10 minutes before done – scatter shredded cheese on top!
9] Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until top is golden brown and tots are crispy.

ALDO shoes.

one of my many guilty pleasures.
and a solid acronym for:
Astounding Lovely Devine Omnipresent. nbd.
here are a few (dramatic satire) on my wishlist...
monetary donations are now being accepted.

 

Images via ALDO

Paint me a picture

of sweet nothings in the sand.

Photographs taken by yours truly

Free People Feb. 2011

Yes, please.

Images via Free People

sunset

silhouettes.

Just beyond the sunset

Someone waits for me

Just beyond the sunset

Lies my destiny

Where the purple mountains

Lie in deep tranquillity

There I’ll find the treasure

Of love eternally

Just beyond the sunset

Waits someone so fair

Just beyond the sunset

All alone they wait there

Their hair is golden

The colour of the sand

Their eyes sparkle in the night

Like diamonds in your hand

Just beyond the sunset

Lies a home for me

Where the world is peaceful

Like a paradise should be

Just beyond the sunset

Someday is where you’ll find me

David Harris

Elie Saab OFFICIAL RTW Sp/Su 2011

Vogue Review:
My forecast found below! :)

ELIE SAAB went all pastel on us this morning with a collection full of lightly draped, whimsical dresses that started off in golden sage tones and ended up in pink and blue and grey concoctions that ran asymmetrically over the shoulder and tumbled down into billowing skirts. We then had peach and silver and coral and lilac and ivory.

Saab's dresses can always be imagined sashaying down the red carpet (and more often than not are): see the plunge-front blue sequin-scaled gown gently knotted at the waist, the Grecian-draped oyster-hued number and the super-light lilac frock with a pleated flowing skirt and sequin embellished bodice. "Pretty, soft red carpet dresses. It's commercial eveningwear, pretty colours, doesn’t try to be edgy but it's successful just because it's beautiful and elegant," said Vogue's Kate Phelan.

And for those not planning to take to the red carpet anytime soon, Saab offered equally glamorous looks via more wardrobe-accessible variations. So we had sequin-smattered jackets that sat upon sheer blouses and tailored shorts, short check sequin patterned dresses in peach with little biker jackets, and silvery dresses structured to create a svelte silhouette. It was all very much about the sparkle and the shine – the beads, the sequins and the jewelry, which shone at necklines and wrists.

Overall, I'd say my forecast was spot-on in a lot of areas - although, I will not forget - it was a lot of work. After the fact, I have gained a great deal of respect for those people and the companies they head, that are able to predict 10 years down the line. In reality, however, they are loaded for that very reason. To see the whole collection click here. It's simply, over-the-top-ly, fabbbbbbulous.

Vogue review written by: Jessica Bumpus

Photos via eliesaab.com

Elie Saab RTW Spring/Summer 2011

trend forecast.
Back in June, 2010, I was given an assignment that involved piecing together a thorough prediction of fashion aka a trend forecast. In this case, RTW Spring/Summer 2011, for a certain designer - of which mine was Mr. Elie Saab. Now that the actual line has been unveiled, let us explore how accurate or inaccurate my predictions were, shall we?!
Exploration:
By researching Saab in and out, I discovered some of his very own design inspirations: feminism, romanticism, De Stijl and painters like Monet, stripes and geometric patterns and elements of his native homeland, Beirut, like the sun. I also noted that his most admired pieces are wedding gowns. By taking a look back to past collections, I realized that he commonly involves neutrals, pastels and bright colors. He is known for his immaculate creations using the following design characteristics: plunging necklines, embroidery, transparent fabrics, lace, pearls, feathers, beading, crystals, tulle, ruffles and more. After gathering and analyzing swatches from previous seasons (seen below):

Prediction:

...I then forecasted the palette for Sp/Su 2011 - golden-yellow hues, soft to ultra pink, earthy teal to sky blue gradation, lavenders and, of course, neutrals - tan/beige, gray and black tones:

The 6 S's of Spring/Summer 2011.

#1] Showstopper: Flashy: Gold, embellishments, glitter, shimmer, shine, fish scales, sparkle, crystals, zippers, bows, showy.

#2] Sleek Silhouettes: Curve-hugging: Sundresses, wrap-dresses, short, empire waist, form-fitting, polished, femme fatale.

#3] Strapless: Décolletage: Skin, bronzed, shoulders, back, sun-kissed, tasteful, flirty, feminine.

  

#4] Subtle Geometry: Balance: Stripes, symmetry, arrangement, dots, repetition, delicate, clever, patterns, lines.

#5] Sorbet: Sherbet: Layers, color depth, pixelated prints, blending, mixing, hues, tones, gradation, iridescent, rainbow.

#6] Sheer: Laces, mousseline, airy, comfortable, flowing, lightweight, satin, silk, chiffon.