Oh, daylight savings.  I thought you’d never come.  I remember when I used to prefer the time change where you could sleep in for an extra hour, but that’s before I realized how wonderful it is to eat dinner when it’s light out. Or to walk home after work. Or to feel like you have a little bit of day left when you’re leaving work.  I’m so happy that as of this weekend, we have another hour, at least, and I can’t wait for the days to start getting even longer.

On a more clothing-related note, I’ve been really into Free People lately — their hippie-chic stuff is totally adorable, and I love mixing their pieces with more conservative items to make them less of a statement.  This blouse is short-sleeved and so pretty by itself, but paired with black patent accessories and skinny jeans, it’s a much quieter outfit.

Free People blouse, Splendid cardigan-wrap, J. Brand jeans, Michael Kors heels and handbag.

I promised you guys a healthy recipe eventually, didn’t I?  I’m actually a little bit shocked, because I realized there are only few carrot recipes on this site!  And despite a handful of soup and salad recipes, nothing that showcases carrots by themselves.  Which is funny, because carrots are actually something I make quite regularly — one of the few vegetables that Chad (green beans, spinach, asparagus) and I (mushrooms, mushrooms, mushrooms) both like!

This is a great recipe — super easy and not a sweet, sugary glaze. I don’t like how carrots, which are full of natural sugar, are always paired with thick, sweet glazes — I’d much rather pair them with something subtle, and let their natural flavor shine. Glazed like this or deep and rich from roasting at a high temperature, there’s nothing more healthy or delicious.

Glazed Carrots

INGREDIENTS
3 cups sliced carrots
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Pepper

DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan, cook carrots in a small amount of water until tender.  Drain any excess water and add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic salt, basil and pepper. Return carrots to the pan and heat through.

I bought this dress several years ago, before sequins invaded every item of clothing in New York, when it was still relatively rare and unique to wear something sequin-y that didn’t scream New Years Eve.  When I saw this little shift dress, I was smitten — it was girly but sophisticated, comfortable without being sloppy. Nothing short of perfect.  And most importantly, it was just a little edgy but still totally wearable.

Is it sad I think this dress is edgy?  Clearly I spent far too many years in a wardrobe exclusively from J. Crew. 

This cuff bracelet is from Rachel Leigh, and it’s one of my new favorite things.  I got it after Christmas on sale, and I’ve basically worn it nonstop ever since.  It’s so unique and fun, and it goes with almost everything.  Mine is out of stores now, but you can buy a similar one here. 

Vince jacket, vintage dress, Steve Madden booties, Rachel Leigh cuff bracelet, Aqua earrings.

Last week I was invited to the Vanity Fair/USA Character Approved Awards!  It was a totally amazing night and so much fun, and I have lots of great pictures to share with you guys!  There was a fantastic list of honorees, including Kathryn Bigelow, Nora Ephron, Green Day, Narciso Rodriguez, and Dan Barber. But I didn’t actually meet any of them, because I was desperately on the lookout for the cast of one of my favorite shows, White Collar, which is on USA!

Tiffani Thiessen!  Who is awesome on White Collar, and also *OMG.*  I spent basically the first 13 years of my life wanting to be just like her in every way.  And she’s absolutely stunning — I hope someday when I have kids to get that amazing pregnancy glow that she so clearly has.  She could not have been sweeter, and also, she was wearing high heels all night, so she is basically my hero.  

Matt Bomer is dreamy.  This picture didn’t turn out that well, but I had to put it up anyway.  Now I find it much more realistic when his character charms every woman alive.  My knees were shaking a little bit when we took this photo, and I would love to blame the champagne, but we all know that’s probably not the reason.

Now a few fun ones of me and my friend Jess, who was my “plus one” for the night.  In case anyone is curious, my dress is Diane von Fustenberg, bag and shoes are Michael Kors, and the cardi-wrap sweater is Splendid.  I wasn’t sure how dressy this event was going to be, so I went middle of the road.  I think (hope) it worked.

The one thing I’m missing a picture of is the ridiculous slush and snow that we had to get through to make it to the party and back.  There was literally a bus stuck in the snow for half an hour outside the doors, that’s how impossible it was to drive.  We finally walked, in the blizzard, for about four avenues before I could even get on the subway.  Great party, very rough trip home!

Me with Michael Weber, one of the writers of 500 Days of Summer, and Michael Kaplan.  (Yes, my hair was in rough shape by the end of the night.  There was a blizzard outside — you all should be glad I didn’t wear ugg boots and a parka!)  

All in all, a totally awesome night.  I was so thrilled to be invited (and I want to come back next year please!). For more pictures from the night, go here or here!

I have a really cool (I think, at least!) post coming up later this week, but I realized I’ve been very heavy with the style posts and light on food posts lately!  So I wanted to squeeze in this awesome, super easy panini recipe before I did.  There’s something much more special, to me, about a panini as compared to a regular sandwich.  In the extra few minutes it takes to quickly grill it, you suddenly have a warm, delicious meal that doesn’t feel everyday.  And what cheese isn’t better melted?

These are a pain to cut once they’re cooked, but if you can do it patiently and neatly, I think this might actually make a cute appetizer for a party, sliced into strips!  If not, they’re a perfect, easy, healthy lunch.  And aren’t you relieved that for once I posted something healthy?  I don’t actually live on chocolate fudge and meringues, I promise.

Turkey, Provolone and Apple Panini

INGREDIENTS
2 large ciabatta rolls
1/4 pound turkey
4 thick slices provolone cheese, sliced
1/2 an apple, thinly sliced
Olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Slice the ciabatta roll in half and fill with the sliced apples, provolone and turkey.  Brush olive oil over the top and bottom of the sandwich, and grill in a panini press for about five minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are marked.  Cut in half, and serve.

Makes 2 sandwiches.

We *finally* got some nice weather this weekend, and I did my best to not totally waste it!  Sure enough, 48 hours after this photo was taken, it’s hovering around 30 degrees and raining — yes, it’s cold enough that the rain is miserable, but not quite cold enough to make it snow.  New York, you are brutal in the winter.

I promise, I will (at some point) stop posting about how sick I am of winter!  But no joke, I spent hours cleaning our apartment on Sunday afternoon, and the only explanation I can come up with is that somehow my ’spring cleaning’ urge kicked in early this year.  And you know why that is?  I’ll give you one guess…

I am not usually a tidy person, but if cleaning up our kitchen and my closet will make it feel like May, I’ll give it a try.

J. Crew blouse, Rachel Leigh earrings, twg sweater, Robert Lee Morris cocktail ring, J. Brand jeans, Cole Haan boots.

I bought this dress because it reminded me so much of something from another time — between the length, the cut and the adorable collar, it kind of had that mod-inspired feel that is, to me, completely irresistible.

I hope Mad Men goes through enough seasons that I can see this trend on January Jones and Christina Hendricks! They’re only a few years away, and I am beyond excited. Until then, this dress will have to hold me over.

My earrings, which you can mostly see in the first photo, are another true vintage piece. They were my grandmother’s, and not surprisingly, she had great style. She was probably a little too old to wear mod minidresses, but I bet these were incorporated into some great 60’s-style outfits!

Theory dress; Wolford tights; vintage earrings; Christian Louboutin heels.

I will say, I am very much looking forward to spring. Somehow in the winter, all I ever want to bake (or eat) are things like this. When the weather gets warm, I can eat fruit and salads and other healthy foods from morning to night, but during the winter, all I want are heavy, comfort foods. And if they’re sweet and cinnamon-y, that’s a big bonus.

I brought these to a friend’s party so Chad and I wouldn’t eat the whole batch, and it’s probably a good thing I did. I cut them into small pieces and they were painfully addictive and absolutely delicious. Now I need to make a batch of brownies next…

Last but not least, the winner of the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter giveaway was Comment #55, Dee! Congratulations — I’ll be emailing later today for your address!

Cinnamon Blondies

INGREDIENTS

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 by 13-inch pan with parchment paper and cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cream of tartar and salt, and set the mixture aside. In a second bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and white sugar, and then add the eggs and the vanilla.

Stir in the flour mixture and blend well. Spread the batter into the prepared pan, evening it with a spatula if necessary. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Let the pan cool completely.

Makes about 30 small bars.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

My mom bought these boots in Paris in 1977, on her honeymoon.  So when they eventually made their way into my closet, I was a little bit obsessed.  I think they still have a vintage-y look, but they’re so timeless that they literally could have been made last year.  As much as I love picking up fun, trendy items, it’s hard to dispute that the best purchases are quality things that you take care of and that last forever.  I need to think about what in my closet might be passed on to my daughter some day…

Also, don’t forget to entire the giveaway between now and Thursday!

Vintage boots, Topshop blazer and tank top, Michael Kors bag, Forever 21 necklace and headband, J. Brand jeans.

I got this dress from Topshop, and even though it is probably the least weather-appropriate thing I could possibly wear in NYC in February, I am nothing short of obsessed.  And what better for Valentine’s day than a super girly, ruffle-y pink dress?  Well, I can think of one better thing: a girly pink dress with gold accessories and slightly edgy ankle boots.

And I have a Valentine’s Day giveaway for you guys!  I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter has offered a great prize: a $30 American Express gift card for your Valentine’s Day dinner, and a gorgeous white serving platter!  They sent me a set and they’re fantastic, perfect for serving homemade chocolate truffles or little bowls of champagne sorbet!

Enter by leaving a comment below letting me know your favorite Valentine’s Day dessert and I’ll announce a randomly selected winner on Thursday, February 18th!  And if you want to stay up with ICBINB news, follow them on Twitter here!