Just One Cake? Pah.

Who needs the large bridal cake when you’re a couple of many tastes? Not I! I thought it would be great to celebrate a wedding with not one, but MANY, cakes. Depending on your guest list length, you may need to double up (or just get extra creative)…think 8-10 people per type, unless you’re thinking sheet cakes or larger sizes. If you can, this is a great way to get extra hands involved.

What was your first shared dessert? His Mom’s best pie? The first sweet you handmade for your sweetie? What about grandma’s recipe for her super moist chocolate? Or your favorite restaurant’s recipe? What means the most to you?

If time permits, perhaps give guests a run down on why that cake made the list with little cards before each cake….even if something made the list because you fought over it, perhaps it’s good to laugh about the silly tiff now, as a sign of the strength of your relationship that you’re celebrating.

Make it good. Make it sweet. Enjoy all the goodness life offers!

What Keeps Me In Check

Howdy! I’m Ralph Thomas, the first dog of Living Aloud Allowed. I’m here to review pet products as I find new and good ways of keeping me fabulously healthy, happy and stylish! This column isn’t just for the dogs, as I find things for my finned and feathered friends, I’ll make sure to send them your way. Enjoy!

 

I’m enjoying my new mesh dog harness from ebay. Just search on “Mesh dog harness” you’ll find one in my size from $10-15 dollars. Being a conservative fashion kinda guy, I went with basic black, I have lots of coats and things and clashing isn’t going to be my bag. That said, if you’re a nudist, I’d roll with a brighter color and make a statement!

Welcome!

Through these blogs I hope to share my thoughts on being a retro girl in a modern way in a world that moves too fast!

 

What is on my Table!

I’m a cook. I’m a slow cooker, I’m a fast cooker, one pot meal, multiple pot feast. You name it, I’ll try it. I find new ways to make things diet.  Make attempts at making old recipes new again. Take your ordinary homestyle favorites and break them down into doable parts. I love all types of cooking from all sorts of sources.  I know how to do two things – cook and love. I’ll show you how here!

 

 

 

The Aisle Mile!

Since the days of Martha Stewart, Sylvia Weinstock and Vera Wang, I have loved weddings. I’ve been through my own, understood where to skimp, where to save, where to get help and where to do it yourself. Most importantly, I learned to keep yourself and your love in the details and share with the world the magic you two share! Read my ideas here on how to make those wishes and dreams happen!

Dressing your Address! 

I’m cooking in the kitchen, I need it to look good too. And that thought extends to the rest of my house! I love changing looks, and I hate spending the dollars unless the trade up is worth it! Here I post my new findings as I shop out there. It’s important, much like your wedding, to inflect the inhabitants personalities. This blog will keep you abreast of the latest ways to do that!

 

The Style Mile

If you dress your house, you need to dress you too! I’m a clothes horse. One to levels that are almost scary! I enjoy the outlandish shoe, the classic black dress, the edgy new skirt cut. All here will tell you how I’m putting it together – whether it’s following the latest fashion trends or letting my personality show through. I’m reaching out to show you when to spend, when to bargain and where to get it!

 

Ralph Thomas’ Cage  

And last but not least, Ralph Thomas. He’s my puppy dog. He loves the best looks and the most comfy blankets. After years of having pets I’ve figured out some good products and not-usually-for-pet-use items that have my life simpler for Ralph and myself. Plus, when puppy has to be the top dog, this is the place to come to find the latest and greatest!

 

 

 

Enjoy this new site, it’s been awhile in the making, and I’m happy to share my passions with the readers I’ll receive!

Fall is Almost Here

Butternut Squash Gnocchi

1 butternut squash, peeled and sliced
1/2 onion, diced
2 Tbsp garlic, minced
1/2 stick of butter
Fat Free Ricotta - 16oz
Whole Wheat Gnocchi - 2 cups, cooked
1 cup of mozzarella - 2 balls, cut into 8 slices.

Grease a cookie sheet and lay out squash flat - roast to 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes until soft. Allow to cool.

Sauté garlic and onion in the butter until soft. Add to squash and mash like you would mash potatoes.

Take half of the squash mixture and make one layer on the bottom of a dish. Top this with gnocchi, the ricotta, and then the other half of the squash. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Enjoy!

This one is all mine, written from scratch. No inspiration here other than I wanted lasagna and it was fall and I had some extra gnocchi laying around. It goes well with a grilled pork chop or pork tenderloin. Enjoy with a good white wine and salad on it's own!

Baby it’s Cold Outside

The Thought

It’s time to don your best look for the winter. It’s hard to let yourself and your expertly put together outfit hide underneath a coat that’s not standing up to the fashion edge. I love a good bright color, a fantastic texture, an edgy rebel motorcycle jacket help to add the exclamation point to my look. Plus paired with boots, it’s a good overall look in itself. I’m still hoping for my floor length mink, but one day…one day. Now, we all need that classic black coat, here I show a nice take on it – the puff sleeve, bit of military inspiration, but classic. You still have to live day to day too girlies!

The Inspiration

The Gear

Forever 21: Tweed Swing Coat $34.80

Old Navy: Women's Long Button-Front Trench Coats $44.50

Ebay: Puff Sleeve Coat High End Classy Style-Korean/Japan (M) $59.98

Charlotte Russe: Cropped Bomber jacket $36.50

Chadwicks.com: Tweed Cape $69.99

shopnbc.com: Pamela McCoy Rouched Stand Collar Full Length Fur Replica Coat – A18165 $116.00 + shipping $6.99

It’s a Winter Winner

Shrimp Risotto

5 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
3/4 cup dry white wine

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

1/2 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined

3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice* or medium-grain white rice

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

*Arborio, an Italian short-grain rice, is available at Italian markets and many supermarkets.

Bring broth and 1/4 cup wine to simmer in medium saucepan. Reduce heat; keep hot.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon garlic and crushed red pepper, then shrimp. Sauté until shrimp begin to turn pink, about 2 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup wine. Simmer until shrimp are just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Drain shrimp, reserving cooking liquid.

Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and remaining 1 teaspoon garlic; sauté until onion is pale golden, about 4 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat, about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups broth mixture. Simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring often. Continue adding broth mixture 1 cup at a time, stirring often and simmering until liquid is absorbed before adding more, about 20 minutes. Stir in reserved shrimp cooking liquid. Cook until rice is just tender and mixture is creamy, about 5 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

Stir shrimp and 2 tablespoons parsley into risotto. Season risotto to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowls. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons parsley.

This dish is a winner. I made it for my boyfriend’s mom’s birthday dinner. If you pair this with some roasted veggies and previously blogged Poor Man’s Cobbler, you have an impressively presented and easily timed dinner. The “worst” part of this dish, if there is one, is having to watch the rice soak up the liquid, but it makes you look like you’re tending to every detail, so you can’t complain!!

Fall Arriving

The Thought

Take that summer dress and update it for fall with a cool cardigan and a fantastic scarf! There’s no rule for the shoes, if you’re in a warmer climate like me, you’ll still find use in those peep toes, but otherwise, a smart pair of boots will work here too…think good neutral tights too as an option. Enjoy yourself, even challenge yourself, to find the textures and good mixes of print when it comes to updating that “just worn once” dress into a fall staple!

The Inspiration

The Gear

 

Forever 21: Abstract Tiered Chiffon Dress $24.80

                        Mandy Platform Pumps  $29.80

Charlotte Russe:  Ruffle Trim Cover-Up $22.50

Old Navy: Women's Lightweight Ruched Scarves $12.50