YUMS & NOMS: Chunky Veggie Lasagna

Monday, March 31, 2014


Chunky Vegetable Lasagna Recipe

fresh chopped vegetables for pasta recipe
mixing up fresh lasagna ingredients

Chunky veggie lasagna recipe

layered lasagna with fresh basil

I'm excited to get back to (attempting to) getting more fun things up on the blog! Here's a delicious vegetable lasagna recipe for 2. Overall it's pretty quick and easy to make. The noodles are an egg base and you don't have to pre boil them...saves time and hassle!

The Goods:
8 Lasagna Pasta Layers (no boil)
1 Egg
7 oz Ricotta Cheese (half of a small 15 oz package)
6 oz Mozzarella Shredded Cheese (3/4 of 8 oz bag)
1 Jar of Tomato Basil Sauce
1/4 cup Basil Leaves - Chopped
2 Cloves Garlic - Minced
1/3 cup Red Onion - Chopped
1/3 cup Celery - Chopped
1/3 cup Carrots - Chopped

Mix It:
Combine egg, ricotta, mozzarella, basil, 1 minced garlic clove and veggies. Also add in 1/4 tsp of garlic powder and fresh ground pepper. Mix well.

Layers & Layers:
One thing to remember is that these lasagna noodles aren't pre cooked so they will soak up moisture. Drench them in sauce! Seriously, use extra sauce than what you would normally because the noodles need it to cook properly.
How I layer: start with a bottom layer of sauce to cover the pan, this keeps the noodles from sticking and becoming a dried up rubbery texture, trust me. Add a noodle and cover it in a heaping layer of the cheese mixture. Next add another noodle and then sauce. Repeat the sauce layer and then add the next cheese layer. I then do 2 more sauce layers. I usually put fresh ground pepper on top along with some fresh cut basil and the other clove of minced garlic. Bake this layered deliciousness at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. After pulling it from the oven try your very best to let it cool off a bit ; ) Enjoy! Let me know what you think!




MY CLOSET: Modern Street Leopard

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Akron Ohio Fashion - Leopard mini dressBonLook Neon Geometric Sunglasses
BonLook Neon Geometric Sunglasses

Oversized pearl Statement Necklace


Leopard Mini Dress with Lace - ombre tights

Akron Ohio Fashion - leopar pearls ombre

Ci Ci Hot - Qupid Silver Cut out booties

I love the challenge of exploring style. I'm influenced by my surroundings, my research and observations...and that's where the exploration begins. Growth in design is what's important to me and I'm always striving to expand my horizon and perspective.
The simplicity of this look really draws me in. I'm actually wearing quite bold pieces yet the neutral color palette unifies the look and tones it down. The modern leopard shift dress is in warm tan and brown tones (and black) so to contrast, I paired it with a cooler colored silver pearl necklace and silver booties. See how that pops? Love it.

Hat: NastyGal  ///  Sunglasses: Bonlook  ///  Necklace: Nordstrom Rack  ///  Blazer: Goodwill - Wooster, OH  ///  Leopard Shift Dress:  Get it here!  ///  Ombre Tights: Missguided  ///  Cut-out Ankle Boots: from Ci Ci Hot brand: Qupid ///  Bag: XOXO

DIY: Spring Ankle Boot Makeover

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

DIY: Simple Spring Lace Up Akron Boot Makeover

The Drab! Ankle Boots before the makeover
Jcrew bright and bold neon shoe laces
Ankle boots with neon shoe laces
DIY shoe & boot jewelry
DIY ankle boot makeover - neon laces and jewelry

I think at this point it's safe to say we're all sick of winter. I'm ready to bust out a bunch of cute open toe or cut-out shoes but let's be honest, here in Northeast Ohio, it's gonna be some time before that's possible. Ok ok, so we're left with the "problem" of STILL wearing the boots we've been trudging around in all winter…after all these months and all this snow, they're probably looking a little sad, worn and ready for some rest…so the question stands, how do we still rock our battled and bruised footwear during this seasonal transition? Give them a simple makeover! Yep, just a little something to tide you over till the weather shapes up. These boots were just looking a little blah to me so I snatched up some bold & bright laces from Jcrew. This was such a simple and easy way to add a pop of color and give these tired kicks new life. Of course, I also had to add a few jewelry elements just for fun. I popped on a tassel to the one while for the other I added some brass bars on tiny chain...nothing too match matchy ; ) What are some creative & fun fashion experiments you're doing to tide you over till the new season hits? Sometimes a simple switch is the best!



DESIGN INSPIRATION: Melting Paint

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Melting Paint Drip Tights

So digging this look! These melting tights are from Urb Clothing.




MY CLOSET: Neutral Stripes & Color Blocking

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Akron Ohio Fashion - Stripes & Colorblocking

Choies Veil Beanie - Zero UV - Banyan Tree Cleveland

Fringe & Colorblock Bag

Sheik Shoes Woodgrain Ankle Boots

Nastygal Asymmetrical Stripe Skirt
This was such a fun look to put together. I love the "harsh" graphic black and white stripes with the mix of warm tan colors. Also the color blocking of the cropped top, hat and cape added unique interest to this outfit. Lots and Lots of blocking going on. Overall it's such a cool mix of sections of color and line. (Please don't mind all this designer talk coming out of me) AND, can you PLEASE check out THOSE SHOES! Oh my, I love these woodgrain ankle boots! They are a great way to add a neutral pattern to an outfit.

Pom Pom Veil Beanie: Choies  ///  Necklace: Banyan Tree (Cleveland)  ///  Tortoise Sunglasses: Zero UV  ///  Crop Top: Express (old)  ///  Asymmetrical Stripe Skirt: Nastygal  ///  Tights: Missguided  ///  Woodgrain Ankle Boots: Sheik Shoes  ///  Cape & Bag: from Gabes - grrrreat deal!