Artichoke Open-Faced Sandwich

Artichokes from olive bar at whole foods

Walking past the olive bar at Whole Foods is deadly not just because its beside the cheese area, but because there are so many wonderful little snacks I can see myself eating when I get home from work (that currently I am not allowed to do, so says I). The other day, after standing and gazing at around 30 different olives not knowing which kind to buy I decided on boring artichoke hearts thinking they would spruce up my salads.  

Sundried tomato's from the olive bar

While sitting between cues at work I was reading a magazine that had a recipe for artichoke hearts. This recipe is great because its fresh and filling, this would also be a great appetizer for guests. The creaminess of the hummus and feta paired with the tang of the peppers and sun dried tomato is a wonderfully comforting feeling going in. The artichokes are warm and seem to melt right into the soft baguette when biting down. I don't remember the calorie intake on these cute little sandwiches, but I remember it being around 200. This sandwich is great for me to take to work and paired with a lentil soup, I am getting my 400 calories a meal intake. Artichokes are no longer boring with this recipe! 

Ready to go!

Midge xoxo

P.S. If you ever want the directions or measurements of a recipe, please email me at midgeloveschatzie@gmail.com and I would be happy to send it to you!

Before and After: Dress Neckline

Trying to tie up loose threads on this blog, I remembered I hadn't shown you guys the small but necessary change I made to a dress I bought a few months back. I took it to my tailor, along with other clothing items, to have the neck cut into a more flattering shape. The dress originally had a very closed neckline which doesn't really work for me since I have a larger chest. 

Before

After

If you find a clothing item that you love, but doesn't look that great on you, you do have options to take that piece of clothing to a talented tailor to have them re-work it for you so that it hugs the parts you like and hides the others you don't. Its usually pretty cheap, around $5 to $10. Its easy and now you never have to pass up something that speaks to you in the stores!

Midge xoxo

Along the Hudson River...

My view taken with my camera

So.....I'm moving! I haven't been blogging this week because I haven't figured out what really to write about when my head is filled with a choice between boxes or plastic bins to pack my things in, so I apologize if you have been expecting some writing from me (buhler?....buhler?...). Though I love where I live, its time to move on and upwards. My new home will be a whole new place to discover and write about, but until then I will be trying to fit in every last thing I have been wanting to do down here by the Hudson River. There is so many things that I put off, saying "next summer". One of them was to walk along the cliff of my town and take in the view of NYC at night. Then stop at the local Mexican restaurant, have some margaritas and food with a friend, and enjoy a warm evening together. Last night I got to do that with a wonderful friend. It was the perfect night with the perfect sunset along the buildings of NYC. I took a few pictures and hope to blow them up at some point to place in my new home. Stay tuned for new adventures before I move!

Midge xoxo

Summer Love

Spring is almost here (minus the snow that touched down yesterday in Jersey) and I am SO ready to get a new purse in my collection. I have been really basic with my handbags latley. All of them are a simple color, very versatile, able to carry it all day (seen here), but I wanna spice it up this summer and with these bags I think I will get the chance to. There are all different kinds of prices, some are dream worthy and some are attainable. Hope your experiencing the sun!

1. Nautical Striped Straw Tote, Forever 21 $13

2. Tods Medium Size Tote, $1,250

3. FEED Guatemala 3 Tote, $40

4. Big Buddha Ray Fringe Hobo, $95

5. Cynthia Vincent Berkley Tote, $295

6. Marc by Marc Jacobs Nylon Tote, $158

Midge xoxo

Stealing Fashion

I'm always on the hunt to create a look within my wardrobe that someone else has thought of first. Celebrity's pay for stylist to come into their home and put outfits together for them so that they don't have to think twice about what to put on for events or just a regular day out. Well, unfortunately I don't have that type of cash flow (yet) so I just steal from what celebrity's wear and try to put it together within my own closet. There is a great website to aid you in your stealing efforts, frugal-fashionistas.com. I love this website because it give you ideas of where to find what the celebrity has on, but cost effective for your pocket. 

I recently stole this outfit from Nicky Hilton, 

(Picture from Frugal-Fashionistas)

Always putting my own spin on outfits, I added black patten leather oxfords and black tights,

(Levi's jean jacket, Zara striped top, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Spanx tights,  Franco Sarto Oxfords)

It is really easy to put together a stolen outfit and especially with a budget, just keep the look somewhat similar and shop at your favorite discount stores. Enjoy!

Midge xoxo

The "Canadian Girl"

Have you ever bought a piece of clothing because it has your favorite saying on it or because some graphic on it is something your familiar with? A lot of girls once bought the Urban Outfitters t-shirt with the saying "Italian Girl" or "Irish Girl" written across it. I did that once, but since there were no "Canadian Girl" t-shirts I ended up buying a "Canadian Dry" t-shirt. Canadian Dry is the soda pop people drink for an upset stomach. Not the best thinking on my part, but I had to have the shirt. 

I saw this silk shirt at Century 21 the other day and had to have it as well. Same sorta connection to the image but instead of wearing a shirt that promotes a calm bowel system, I'm rocking my favorite flowers which are pansies.  It is a pretty versatile top. I can see it worn in so many different ways and in so many different seasons, 

1. Summer: jean shorts, ballet flat, a high pony-tail, and gold hoop earrings
2. Fall: a bright colored cardigan, thigh high boots, and tucked in skinny pants
3. Winter: a wool cable knit sweater, high wasted jeans with a chunky belt
4. Spring: a leather jacket, some black eye-liner, and skinny black pants

Pansies don't promote anything but pretty-ness so I hope that your weekend is filled with pretty-ness (yes I know its not a word) and not Canadian Dry needs :)

Midge xoxo

Stolen Recipe: Toasted Oats with Berries and Yogurt

The start of the ingredients.  

I did a massive shopping expedition at the grocery store yesterday. I went to 3 different stores to get everything I needed and wanted to make for this week. I guess you could say I have become obsessed with another blog, Everybody Likes Sandwiches. She has the easiest, but best looking food on her blog and she makes up the recipes on her own. So far I haven't felt safe in the kitchen to create my own recipe from what I have laying around, but maybe some day I will get there. For now I will just steal other peoples recipes and claim them as my own, just like this toasted oat recipe with berries and yogurt. Its delish and a nice change of pace from my usual breakfast. I recommend you try and check out her other recipes, let me know if you like any of them!

This recipe actually makes 2 servings, but your going to want to eat all of the oat mixture once its out of the broiler

Breakfast of wardrobe champions!

Midge xoxo

Romantic Blush

Hey Guys, this post is about a cute girl I found on You Tube. Michelle Phan is a makeup aficionado who seems to fit right in with trends and fun makeup styles. As you all know I have been on a makeup journey, trying to learn what I can on how to do makeup. This is the first video I saw of hers and instantly fell in love. Her editing to her soft voice really captivated me.

I hope you like her to!

Midge xoxo

Parrots in Edgewater, New Jersey

When I first moved to my town, I went on a little drive to find what restaurants were in the area. I ended up in Edgewater, a town right by the Hudson waterfront (NJ). While stopped at a light I kept hearing the crazy screeching of birds, not like the normal sound of birds but seriously LOUD parrot screeching. As I got out of my car I looked up and saw beautiful green birds keeping warm around the utility poles. The nests they have built are huge and when watching the birds for a while you could see they had multiple levels like a little apartment building. 

They are known as monk parakeets and Quaker parrots. The urban legend about these lime green birds is that they "escaped from a shipping crate at Kennedy International Airport in the late 1960s and flew first to Brooklyn before settling in Edgewater; there are some parrots in Brooklyn, too." (NY Times).   

Midge xoxo

Awkward Plaid

Target Top, French Connection Dress, Anthropology belt, Spanx tights, Aerosoles boots

OK so this is the only good picture I took of myself while doing a mini photo shoot in my stairwell this morning. I still haven't mastered the "take your own picture" tripod thingy so go ahead an laugh, I did. I'm  just straight up awkward. Taking your own full body picture is hard! 

awkward 1

Anywho, I thought I did a good job today shopping my closet for a "new" outfit. I am wearing a dress under my button up that had been staring at me in my closet for months. I wanted to wear it for everyday, but didn't know how since its a little form fitting. With 10 minutes to spare before I had to run and catch the bus I threw this ensemble together, looked the mirror and said that'll work! And with 5 minutes to spare I took the most awkward photos ever. 

Look at this last picture, its a doozy!

Extreme awkward 2

Midge xoxo

Inspirational Board for Spring

I halfway completed my inspiration board (seen before here and here) for the warmer weather that should be coming. With all the spring magazines out I felt inspired to cut out every picture I liked. Once its all up on my tag board that's when I see a theme, as it looks now I will be going for a relaxed colorful ease.

I have always loved color and never been too afraid of it. Sherbets and prints seem to be the common thread this spring, whether it be clothing or home decor. Sparkly add ons and soft waves in my hair with hopefully complete any look I go for. Geometric shapes but softness is also a must with me, I like things to look different but provide the viewer with a soft eye so I will be on the look out for those touches as well. I hope to also be able to included these new purchases in to my summer wardrobe since budget friendly is the way I roll.

What are you looking for this spring?

Midge xoxo