A Blonde's Moment

Warm Weather Wishes

March 2, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

pink tassel beach dress {comes in 4 colors, more tassel dresses here} | citron crystal earrings {25% off with code SHOPNOW} | pink aviator sunglasses, also here | pom pom hat | pom pom tote {this color sold out, but still available in these colors} | seashell phone case | tropical floral swimsuit {more sizes here} | orange crossbody bag {on sale!} | beautycounter sunscreen | mermaid hair makeup bag {how cute is this?!} | beachwear travel bags | white denim shorts {on sale!} | pom pom sandals {also here, less expensive version here} | citron v-neck tee {on sale for $22 & available in 11 colors!}

Welcome to a bright and colorful Wednesday Wishes! I don’t know about you, but now that we have had just the tiniest taste of spring, I am ready for warm weather all the time! It seems like by March, people are sick of the snow and are dying to escape someplace warm and tropical so this post is dedicated to you! {As a side note, I made this post before I realized the Shopbop Sale {use code BIGEVENT16} started yesterday, so there are a few things that are already out of stock. I linked to other stores that carry the item or similar pieces I’ve found.}

There is no denying my obsession with tassels and pom poms for spring, as I’m sure you can tell from this collage! These pom pom accessories are such a fun way to spice up your outfit and scream warm weather. Of all the pom pom related items, I can’t seem to get enough of these sandals. They are a little on the pricey side {I linked a cute, more affordable alternative} but I think they would be such a fun sandal for the summer! And could go with pretty much anything in your closet with all these fabulous colors 🙂

I recently discovered these beachwear travel bags from flight 001 {they also have bags for shoes, boots, in-flight organizers and even a travel blanket!} which allows you to separate your dirty beach clothes from the rest of the items in your suitcase! I love finding things that make travel more easy and organized.

What are some of your go-to vacation essentials? Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday and see you back here tomorrow!

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St. Patrick’s Day Thin Mint Truffles

March 1, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

Well hello March! I can’t believe we are already in the third month of the year. Time is really flying! Since it is the beginning of March, I thought it would be fun to kick of the new month with a yummy and fun St. Patrick’s Day treat. Nothing says St. Patrick’s Day more than the color green and thin mint cookies!

As you may know, it’s that time of year again where we see all the little Girl Scouts out selling cookies. I know I always feel obligated to buy something, so this recipe is a great excuse to help the Girl Scouts and make a delicious treat that’s perfect for kids and/or co-workers {and so you don’t eat the entire box yourself!} If you can’t find Girl Scout cookies in your area or you would like to make these when they aren’t selling cookies, you could easily replace the thin mint cookies for these or these 🙂

Although I am calling them truffles, they are super simple, just a few ingredients and no bake…they just look like truffles, right?! I love the idea of this quick cookie because you could definitely use any other kind of cookie and change up the chocolate or decorations to make it your own. And, they look much more complicated than they really are!

Thin Mint Truffles

{what you will need}

1 box Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies

8 ounces cream cheese, softened {I used low fat}

8 ounces white chocolate baking bars

12 ounces white chocolate morsels

Sprinkles for decoration

{directions}

Place the entire box of thin mint cookies {you could always use these or these if you can’t find Girl Scout cookies in your area!} in a food processor. Pulse until the cookies become completely crumbled. Transfer the crumbled cookies to a large bowl and add the cream cheese. Stir until completely combined. Place wax paper on a baking sheet. Begin to roll the cookie and cream cheese mixture into about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoon balls. Place on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining cookie cream cheese mixture. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for about 20 minutes. To melt the chocolate: Place all the chocolate in a 13 x 9 glass baking dish {break up the chocolate bar into smaller pieces so they are close to the size of the morsels}. Place the baking dish in the oven and leave the oven door slightly ajar. Cook for approximately 8 minutes, or until completely melted, stirring every 2 minutes to check the consistency. Once the chocolate is completely melted, remove from the oven. Remove the thin mint truffles from the freezer and begin dipping the truffles in the white chocolate {I used one fork to dip the truffle and another fork to remove from the chocolate}. Transfer the truffle back to the baking sheet, adding sprinkles if desired. Repeat with remaining truffles. Once all the truffles are dipped in chocolate and drying on the baking sheet, place the baking sheet back in the freezer to allow the truffles to set for at least 30 minutes. Bring to room temperature before enjoying.

Print Recipe Here

Thanks for dropping by and have a wonderful Tuesday!

P.S. Be sure to check out the link to my Spring Trends Report on the right sidebar! I’ve been talking about my favorite trends for spring the past few weeks in my weekly newsletter. Check out last week’s here!

Floral Cropped Jacket

February 29, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

Shein floral cropped jacket c/o {I sized up} | Lush red high-low tank {available in 5 colors & $34!} | J.Crew black jeans | Tory Burch tote | Chinese Laundry lace-up flats | earrings {only $26!} | Karen Walker sunglasses c/o Ditto {use the code ALONDESMOMENT for your first month free of Endless Eyewear!} | Lancome lipstick #110 {this is a great red-orange color!}

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. The weather was absolutely beautiful here yesterday! I was able to run outside {without all my winter gear!} and Ella and I went on a walk in the 70 degree sunshine! That was the perfect taste of spring and I can definitely say I am ready for more. But, unfortunately, it’s looking like it was just a tease…there is SNOW in the forecast for Friday! Let’s hope that doesn’t happen, I’m ready for the warmer temperatures, and bright colors 🙂

With spring {hopefully} on the horizon, it was time to break out the florals over the weekend with this cute cropped jacket. In my 9-5 life, I wear cropped jackets all the time — it’s the perfect jacket that works for both business and even more casual looks. And how fabulous are the zipper details on the sleeves of this jacket?! There are so many pretty colors in this floral jacket, but I couldn’t resist pairing it with this new red high-low tank I picked up! I’ve only had it a few days, but I can definitely see this becoming a staple in my closet for spring and summer. P.S. It comes in 5 colors and the blue and green are GORGEOUS!

I hope you all have a great start to the week and see you back here for a sweet St. Patrick’s Day recipe tomorrow. Can you believe tomorrow is March?!

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Cozy Travel Day

February 25, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

black & white plaid poncho, sold out {super similar — it’s on sale!} | black turtleneck | Zella black leggings | Chanel bag {similar under $100} | wedge ankle booties {on sale & available in grey too!} | David Yurman black onyx ring, stacking ring | David Yurman link bracelet, cuff bracelet, one-station bracelet | Ray-Ban sunglasses | black fedora | Lancome lipstick {#200}, NARS lipgloss {turkish delight}

Wow, Thursday already?! Does anyone else feel like this week is just flying by?! Today, I’m sharing my last look from NYFW and as much as I loved all these cold weather, black and white pieces, I’m looking forward to brightening up my wardrobe next week!

When it comes to finding the perfect travel outfit, it can be tricky. You want something that’s comfortable, cute and temperature appropriate. For the trip to New York, we drove since it’s only about 4 hours, but I still wanted something cozy for the car ride. This turtleneck and poncho combo was the perfect way to dress for the changing temperatures we faced that weekend…I even used this poncho as a blanket in the hotel room when I was freezing haha! You have to love a multi-purpose piece 🙂

Comfortable shoes are also a must, especially when lots of walking is on your agenda! These wedge ankle booties are ridiculously comfortable and easy to walk in. Although, I have to admit, I changed into my OTK boots in the afternoon because my legs were freezing and the OTK boots added an extra layer haha! Highly recommend these suede booties — they come in grey as well and are currently on SALE!

What all do you have planned for the weekend? After two weekends of being gone, I’m looking forward to a productive weekend around the house before being gone again next weekend! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week and a fabulous weekend and see you back here Monday!

P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to ABM’s mailing list on the right sidebar if you haven’t already! Check your inbox tomorrow morning for the latest in my new mini-series, Spring Trend Report!

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Pretty Pastels

February 24, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

white v-neck blouse {under $20!} | blush stone drop earrings | tortoise cat-eye sunglasses {under $100!} | pink blush lipstick {peach blossom – I LOVE this new color!} | metallic wallet {you can even add a monogram!} | blush zip tote, also here & in blue | grey skinny jeans | white leather strap watch | NARS dual intensity blush {love this palette, comes in 6 shades}| fleur rose perfume {available in 1.7 oz & 3.4 oz – just got a sample of this, perfect spring scent!} | blush studded pumps

I think it’s safe to say that pastels are currently my color crush…more specifically blush pink! I know I have mentioned my obsession with this color is a few Wednesday Wishes {yes, I am that obsessed!} but since we are quickly approaching March, I wanted to share with you a little spring outfit inspiration that incorporates the prettiest blush accessories. From the stone drop earrings {which come in all sorts of sizes!} to the zip tote {I have the larger version of this in camel!} to those cute blush studded pumps {under $100!} adding these accessories to your closet is a great way to freshen your wardrobe!

I think pairing soft pastels with these grey jeans is a great way to add some spring to your wardrobe, even if you are living in a chillier climate. And for those who aren’t ready to take the plunge to white jeans, the grey is a great alternative {and can truly be worn year round!}. This style is one of my favorites — it’s a more fitted skinny that is cropped at the ankle, making for the perfect way to show off your favorite pair of shoes! I have them in the darker denim color and they are my go-to jeans!

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday and as always, thanks for stopping by!

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Buffalo Chicken Potstickers

February 23, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

Happy Tuesday! I’m back to my regular schedule with food recipes, and today it’s all about buffalo chicken potstickers! You may recall that I’m not a huge fan of chicken, but buffalo chicken is one of the only kinds of chicken I can tolerate. Ok, well I guess it’s a little more than tolerable 🙂 You also may remember a few weeks ago I shared a recipe for taco bites using wonton wrappers. For that recipe, I only used about half of the package of wonton wrappers, so I wanted to come up with a way to use the remaining wrappers while they were still fresh!

Enter these Buffalo Chicken Potstickers. I have to confess, I’m not a huge fan of Asian food either {I find it just too salty!} but I do like potstickers. I’ve always wanted to try making them myself because the majority of potstickers found in restaurants, or even worse, the frozen food section, are not only unhealthy, but typically high in sodium. So since I had the leftover wonton wrappers, I decided that this was as good of a time as any to make homemade potstickers! But, I didn’t want to do anything typical, so I went with one of my favorite foods to incorporate into an appetizer: buffalo chicken! It seems like buffalo chicken is such a crowd favorite, it’s really hard to go wrong with it!

Print recipe here

{what you will need}

About 24 wonton wrappers {half of 12 oz package}

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded

4 ounces low fat cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 hot cayenne pepper sauce {I used Frank’s}

3-4 green onions, chopped

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing, for garnish

Water, for assembling potstickers

{directions}

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cream cheese, hot cayenne pepper sauce and green onions; mix until completely combined. To assemble the potstickers, lay one wonton wrapper on a flat surface. Keep the remaining wrappers in the packaging until you are ready to use them. Brush the edges of the wonton lightly with water and scoop about 1/2 – 1 tablespoon of buffalo chicken mixture into the center of the wrapper. Fold over and seal all the edges, making sure there are no openings. Place on a sheet pan while assembling the rest of the potstickers. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the potstickers in a single layer cooking until crisp and golden on each side, about 2-3 minutes. Serve with Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing, if desired.

Have you every made homemade potstickers? I think it’s safe to say I am hooked…they are so much better than the frozen ones haha! I’m coming up with more “stuffing” ideas, so I will be sure to share them with you!

Have a great Tuesday and see you tomorrow for an all new spring Wednesday Wishes!

animal print in the city

February 22, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

animal print jacket, old {super similar style under $100} | Chelsea28 black turtleneck sweater, sold out {love this style & it’s under $48} | Zella black leggings | black scarf {14 different colors & on sale!} | Chanel bag {similar style} | Topshop studded booties {these are suede & are sold out, leather style still available} | earrings | Prada sunglasses | YSL lipgloss {#9}

Happy Monday! Sharing another look from New York City two weekends ago when it was super chilly! We shot this look Saturday morning and it was so cold, my mouth was practically frozen! Glad that the cold weather is {hopefully} behind us!

This is one of my favorite jackets in my closet. There is no denying my love for animal print, especially leopard, and this jacket couldn’t be more perfect for my obsession! It’s a perfect dress coat; I wear it to work all the time! And how cute is the pink lining?! A coat with leopard and pink…it obviously didn’t take much convincing! And even though it is a few years old, it’s still very much in style. I even found a very similar version and it’s currently on sale!

Thanks so much for dropping by and check back tomorrow for an all new food post! I have a delicious and easy recipe I’ll be sharing tomorrow — you won’t want to miss it! Have a great start to the week!

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black & white at NYFW

February 18, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

black & white geometric dress, sold out {similar style} | Shein black faux fur jacket c/o | black ankle booties, sold out {leather version still in stock} | Sparkle & Whim statement earrings c/o | Chanel bag {similar style under $100} | Prada sunglasses | David Yurman black onyx ring, skinny band ring | crystal bracelet | nail polish {bloodline} | YSL red lipgloss {#09}

Happy Friday Eve, friends! The day is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to share with you a recap of Francesca Liberatore’s FW 16 runway show along with what I wore! Words truly cannot describe how excited I was to attend my first show at New York Fashion Week. For someone who has always had a love for fashion and browsed fashion magazines for the latest collections, being able to attend a runway show in person to witness these trends first hand was beyond incredible! First, a little about my look which, coincidentally enough, went very well with Francesca’s FW color palette!

For a Friday evening show, I knew I wanted something classic and chic. But, I had been searching and searching for the “perfect dress” and literally couldn’t find a thing that was NYFW-worthy. I was at my local Nordstrom store a few weekends ago and stumbled upon this cute geometric sweater dress. It was the last one {and not my size} but I figured at that point, I might as well try it on since I was running out of options. Much to my surprise, it fit! Super thankful this dress was running a size too small because it truly was perfect and exactly what I had been looking for! Besides being in love with this print, it was SO warm, which was obviously perfect for the cold temperatures this past weekend in New York!

Now, on to the show! Francesca Liberatore had a packed house for the showing of her FW 2016 collection. While most of the collection featured a color palette of black, beige and white, there were pops of primary colors, such as a gorgeous green and vibrant red. What I loved most about her new collection was the movement of each piece on the runway. Although many of the pieces were more of a form-fitting style, there was still an element of “flow” as the model walked down the runway. Without a doubt, some of the pieces I loved most were the dresses and gowns, featuring the most gorgeous details: from ruffles to pleats, these intricate details made each piece special and unique.

And Francesca didn’t just stop at dresses! There were many outerwear pieces that were the perfect mix of functional and stylish, something that is truly hard to accomplish. And how fitting to be showing all this fashionable and warm outerwear in the arctic temperatures! Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the collection:

images via

It was such an amazing experience and what a fabulous first show to attend! I will be highlight a few other shows from NYFW next week, so stay tuned! And don’t forget to subscribe on the right. A newsletter will be going out tomorrow morning!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and see you back here Monday!

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A Bright Spring

February 17, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

floral blouse | pink lipstick {pink pigeon} | blue tassel earrings | sunglasses {only $24!} | pink clutch | charm bracelet | tassel keychain {available in 3 colors!} | denim | pink flats {available in 25 other colors & prints, too!} | stacked rings

Well, I am officially over winter. After a weekend with frigid temperatures and the snow and ice storm on Monday, I’ve had enough! And thankfully, at least for this week, it appears that the temperatures are on the rise! Who else is with me?! What better way to prepare for spring than with bright colors? These bright and cheerful colors are sure to get you excited for the warm temperatures {as if you needed any convincing!}

If you are subscribed to A Blonde’s Moment, you may remember my love for florals from Friday’s newsletter. {P.S. If you haven’t signed up to receive each post and special newsletter content right in your inbox, you can sign up on the right sidebar or click here! In last Friday’s newsletter, I covered the first trend in my Spring Trend Report series and there will be a new trend coming this Friday!} Anyways, I’m all about florals this spring…specifically pink florals! There is nothing that goes better with floral than pink, as evidence by this cute tassel clutch and gorgeous pink flats!

When it comes to accessories, I have definitely been loving tassels as of late. {I just saw this cute pillow at Target on Monday and I need to find a place in our house to put it — it’s so cute!} These fun blue tassel earrings would make the perfect statement accessory {and could be styled so many different ways!} and I love the tassel keychain, which is also available in a bright pink {my obvious favorite!} and a pretty papaya.

What are your favorite colors and prints for spring? Looking forward to sharing my recap of Francesca Liberatore’s F/W 2016 show tomorrow! Hope you will stop by!

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TRESemmé Runway Studio

February 16, 2016 by Rachel McCarthy

Chelsea28 blue sweater {on sale!} | cabi black faux fur vest, old {similar style}

Hi there, friends! After a day off yesterday, and a snow and ice storm, I’m back! This past weekend in New York for Fashion Week was so fun and exciting, but so exhausting! And cold. Ridiculously cold! I shared a few snaps from Instagram in yesterday’s post, and today I’m recapping one of the events I attended while in the city.

On Saturday, I attended the TRESemmé Runway Studio. As the official hair sponsor of NYFW, TRESemmé will get your hair runway and show ready…and trust me, with the crazy cold temperatures and wind in NYC over the weekend, this was most definitely needed! The salon was the perfect place to have your look freshened, relax, recharge your phone and warm up!

I decided to just go with the loose curls {mainly because since I cut my hair shorter, I’m having a hard time getting the curls right on my own hair!} and my stylist, Shqipe, did such a fabulous job! And super funny story: we were talking about how her husband owns an Italian restaurant in the city and my husband and I had stopped in at an Italian restaurant for dinner the night before. Would you believe that Shqipe’s husband owns the restaurant we had been to the night before?! Out of all the Italian restaurants in New York, what are the chances! Such a small world If you are in New York and looking for an Italian restaurant, I highly recommend Il Tinello — excellent food and great service!

I hope you all have a great Tuesday! Stay tuned for an all new Wednesday Wishes tomorrow and the recap of Francesca Liberatore’s show on Thursday!