Cravings: Middle Eastern Raw Cauliflower Salad

If you struggle with having healthy, filling meals because you feel like you don't have enough time, this recipe is for you. All you need are the ingredients below, a mixing bowl, and less than 5 minutes to stir it up. I also like to serve this over some all natural hummus, but it's just as enjoyable on its own.

Ingredients

• 1 cauliflower head, chopped into florets
• juice from 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
• 1/3 tsp Himalayan pink salt (or sea salt)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 Tbsp dried parsley

Enjoy!

*This recipe is Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free.

Cravings: Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup canned coconut milk

1/2 cup filtered water

1/3 cup pumpkin puree

1-2 cups ice cubes

1/2 banana

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp cloves

2 scoops natural, unflavored protein powder (Standard Process Dairy Free)

Prep:

1. Add all ingredients to your food processor or blender. (I use a Magic Bullet).
2. Blend until smooth and silky.

Enjoy!

*This recipe is Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free.

Cravings: Cacao Coconut Strawberry Almond Cupcakes (Paleo, GF)

It's really hard to find a healthy dessert recipe, and dietary restrictions make it even more difficult. Sure, a "healthy" dessert can be considered a fruit bowl for some people, but let's be honest - we all want to indulge in a decadent chocolate cake from time to time, even if our guilty conscious tells us not to. But I promise you, this recipe is decadent, delicious, and good for you. Seriously. Guilt free.

So, how did I do it? I chose only the finest ingredients to make sure this cake is OK for those with gluten allergies, as well as Paleo-friendly, diabetic-friendly and candida-friendly. 

Just some of the benefits...

Coconut flour is gluten free and nut free, so it'll play nice with sensitive digestive systems. Your typical "gluten-free" cake mixes you'll find in the grocery store typically contain a lot of sugar, potato starch, and not-good-for-you foods. Let's keep it simple, and real, here.

Cacao is one of the highest antioxidant whole foods - rich in magnesium, iron, and fiber. Cacao is also said to boost endorphins and increase mental alertness! (Sign me up.) It is also sugar-free, unlike many chocolates you will find out there with added sugar! 

Vanilla is rich in antioxidants and is said to enhance mental performance. It also helps relax the nervous system and reduce inflammation as well.

Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin's efficiency. Cinnamon is also said to boost brain activity.

The fat from the almond butter and unsweetened coconut shreds in conjunction with the strawberries also helps regulate blood sugar levels... and the coconut sugar/honey are great, natural sources of adding in sweetness without the refined sugar. 

So, is it really healthy? You tell me. ;)

For the cupcakes:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cacao powder (Navitas Naturals)
• 1/2 cup coconut flour (Nutiva)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of pink Himalayan salt (or sea salt)
• 6 eggs (free-range, cage-free, organic)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (Native Forest)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp coconut sugar OR 1/2 cup honey

Prep

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cacao powder, coconut flour, baking powder, cinnamon and sea salt.
3. Add the eggs, honey/coconut sugar, coconut milk and olive oil.
4. Mix well until smooth and combined. (I used my KitchenAid mixer, but a whisk will also work well.)
5. Using an ice cream scooper, scoop the mixture into cupcake tins, lined with baking cups.
6. Bake the cupcakes for 55-60 minutes or until cooked through. *Test after 45 minutes to make sure - oven temps may vary.
7. Remove from the oven and cool.
8. Spread the cupcakes with ganache and toppings.

For the ganache:

Ingredients

• 1 8.5 fl oz can coconut cream (Native Forest)
• 8.5 oz 100% cacao bar (Ghirardelli) 
• pinch of pink Himalayan salt (or sea salt)

Prep

1. Finely chop your chocolate bar. I like to shave it up using a chef knife to make sure there are no big pieces.
2. Pour the cream into a pot over medium heat and simmer until just before boiling. *DO NOT BOIL.
3. Remove the pot from the heat.
4. Add in the chocolate to the cream along with a pinch of salt.
5. Let mixture stand for 3 minutes without stirring.
6. After about 3 minutes have passed, stir mixture gently until smooth after 2 minutes. (The mixture should look glossy and smooth).
7. Spread the ganache over the cupcakes.

Final touches:

Ingredients

• Almond butter (raw, unsalted)
• Sliced strawberries
• Unsweetened coconut shreds

Prep

1. Once the ganache has been spread over the cupcakes, drizzle some almond butter and place some sliced strawberries with unsweetened coconut shreds on the cupcakes for garnish.

Enjoy!

*This recipe is Paleo, Gluten-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free.

Cravings: Paleo Chicken Coconut Curry

You will need:

• 1 lb organic chicken breasts, sliced 
• 2 whole onions (I used purple onions)
• 1 Tbsp ground ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 whole tomato, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin, ground
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 200 mL coconut milk, thick (Preferably Thai Kitchen brand)
• 1 cup filtered water
• 3 Tbsp Organic Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 head broccoli florets, chopped
• 1/2 head cauliflower, chopped

Prep:

1. Start out by organizing all ingredients on the counter so that everything is in reach when you need it. (Trust me, it will make this all the more easy on you!)
2. Rinse and slice the chicken breasts, place in a bowl and put to the side.
3. Rinse and pat dry onions, dice into cubes.
4. Take 2 cloves of garlic and chop finely (do not mince).
5. On a medium flame, heat coconut oil in a pan. Add onions and fry until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
6. Add ginger, garlic, and curry. Stir over flame for one minute.
7. Add turmeric powder, cumin, black pepper and chili powder. Stir and fry for about 30 seconds.
8. Add peeled and cubed tomato. Fry for 2 minutes.
9. Bring the bowl of sliced chicken into the pan. Mix well. Let the chicken cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10. Add a cup of filtered water to the pan and cover. Let it cook for 20-25 minutes.
11. While the chicken is simmering for 20-25 minutes, take your cleaned broccoli and cauliflower florets and steam in a separate pot. Once done steaming, drain broccoli and cauliflower and place in a serving dish. Your chicken curry will be served on top of this.
12. Once the chicken curry has cooked for 20-25 minutes, lower the flame and add coconut milk. Simmer for 10 minutes.
13. Remove chicken curry from flame and add to your steamed broccoli/cauliflower serving dish. Mix well and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

*This recipe is Paleo, Gluten-Free, and Sugar-Free.

Why We Can't Wait: Peter Pilotto

The Countdown Continues Until the Debut of Peter Pilotto's Collection at Target

Known for eccentric patterns, there's no doubt every piece Peter Pilotto creates is a work of art. There are numerous reasons I can hardly wait for this collection to be mine, but the most important reason is the price. I think we can all agree that once we spot anything Peter Pilotto, it's hard to come to terms with anything else within our price range. You're lying to yourself if you think that $60 NastyGal bodycon dress comes anywhere close to this masterpiece. While Clover Canyon is a close second when it comes to phenom patterns, it still lacks the je ne sais quoi Pilotto is known for.

My philosophy on fashion is to load up on statement pieces and basics. The versatility of a well-thought-out closet such as this makes it much easier to get dressed in the morning - trust me. And if you're like me, wearing the same patterns too often makes them become boring...fast. But having all of the right staples in your wardrobe makes it easier to play around, layer and experiment. This way, you can make sure to always breathe new life into that floral skirt you bought 2 years ago.

It takes a lot of guts to commit to such loud clothing, but with prices as low as a staggaring $25 for the new PPxT collection, we can all become masters at balancing the pattern act.

Keeping you (& your wallet) in mind always.

xo Cee

Holiday Shopping Made Easy with Postmates

Just in time for the holidays, I stumbled upon what has to be my favorite app yet: Postmates.

This may just be the best thing to ever happen to NYC. For just $7 shipping, anything you want (seriously) will be delivered to you within an hour. As I played with it, I was in awe of the variety of shops you can order from. If I want shoes from Bergdorf Goodman, or compost cookies from Momofuku Milk Bar, I can get it all within an hour. And for those of you who do anything in your power to avoid shipping costs - hello, RetailMeNot coupon codes - if you think about it, that $7 fee is just $2 more than your round trip subway ride...and you don't even have to leave your couch. 

I know I'm going to do all of my Christmas shopping with Postmates and I think you should too. That's why if you go to Postmates.com & enter my code (tvpm), you get $10.00 free! 

How's that for a happy holidays?

xo Cee

Find Your Clarity

Look deep within, uncover your truth and you'll find complete clarity was with you all along.

Our skin is filled with little surprises. We do what we can to keep our skin under control, but we're often limited by the products we use. Skin care products can be extremely pricey, and can deem effective only when used in conjunction with other products. But the truth is our financial situation may not allow us to indulge in the best creams, serums and face washes. ($50.00 for a water-based makeup remover?!? Ain't nobody got time for that.) I searched long and hard for a healthy, affordable, complete skincare set. Aaaand I found it. This pack by Philosophy offers 4 of their products (a $68.00 value) for $38.00, giving you peace of mind to take control and feed your soul. Not only does this product deliver amazing results, but its inspirational packaging is a holistic daily reminder to focus on the positive...because taking advice from a skin care line makes more sense than from a mallard.

Total clarity is when your head and your heart come together wanting and needing the exact same things. 

You can purchase this skincare set online or at your local Sephora, but here's a little secret: Philosophy's website offers a free gift with email sign up. (Wink wink.)

Metallica

In the all familiar world of more shit I don't need, there's metallic shoes. And metallic pants. And basically, anything in the fashion world has now been metallic-ized. Shall I take us back to a few weekends ago when I was at a bar that only played old Britney Spears music videos. It was awesome, and in my margarita-induced state, I decided that soon after the current 90's grunge trend would come the early 2000's shiny-as-fuck trend. 

And I was right. Here are some of my absolute favorite metallic pieces that I'm lusting over:

I've broken it down for you quite easily so you bitches can enjoy futuristic details at all occasions. If you want the chance to whip it out during awkward interactions, there's the Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone 4 case. It'll double as a mirror, too, which is amazing. If you're not into the whole commitment thing, and just aren't ready for a long-term relationship with the futuristic trend, the Alexander Wang Emile Handbag works perfectly with just a hint of shiny hardware on the sides... perfect for getting scraped up everywhere you put it down, but gorgeous nonetheless. Maje's metallic-trimmed silk tee will also get the point across, and is much more classic, rather than trendy. But if you're ready to go all-out space martian, please note these ACNE shiny pantzzz. Just please, please protect everyone's retinas around you while wearing them. I got ya covered for the office too, if you wanna give your coworkers a reason to think you've completely lost your shit, this Theyskens' Theory dress is perfect - and absolutely beautiful. As the drag-queen makeup artist, (yes), at the Laura Mercier counter said to me last week, "Hunny, always add a bit of fun to your classic, nice things." (Probably the best thing ever). That's why these classic Elizabeth & James heels are incredible, and if someone wants to know if they're still the fairest of them all... they can just take a look down at your kicks. And last, but not least... the most lust-worthy, in my opinion, are the Ancient Greek Sandals that are so futuristic that they make me pissed a jet pack isn't attached to them. Seriously, 2012?

It's Kinda an Obsession...

If I could wear anything in the world today, it would be this:

| Bra: La Perla | Tank Top: Ann Demeulemeester | Skirt: Rachel Zoe | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Handbag: 3.1 Phillip Lim | Bracelet: Dannijo | Shoes: Belle by Sigerson Morrison |




Also, don't forget to enter the Skinny Dip giveaway contest on my blog, here!

I Want You So Bad

In a world where I could take anything on the internet and automatically add it to my wardrobe, I put together my dream outfit of the day. I need this. Desperately. And yes, I know I left out a way to clothe the bottom half of my body, but I felt like leaving more to the imagination. -- Not literally, of course. A pair of black lace harem pants à la Valentino, brown velvet skinny pants, or simple cut off shorts would do just fine. I'm regressing back to a minimal color palette in my closet, and I don't hate it.

Add me on Svpply, and show me your wardrobe cravings.

Dannijo necklace, Johnny Cash tee, DRKSHDW by Rick Owens denim vest, Proenza Schouler PS1, Proenza Schouler sandals

Sunglasses Spotlight: Karen Walker

All of the pairs above are my favorite sunglasses for summer. The only thing is... one pair retails for $20.00 from Gypsy Warrior, and the rest are $220.00+ by Karen Walker. You wouldn't be able to guess which cost $200.00 less unless I told you, though. Usually I'd be up in arms to see something so cheap compared to a designer name, but the $20.00 pair looks identical right down to the details. The $20.00 pair has a similar shape, metal-toned accents, and a thick frame. Soo, should I tell you or have you figure it out for yourselves?

The Perfect Valentine's Accessory

This Valentine’s Day, stack up these rings from CatBird for a delicate look. Use your initials, the ampersand, and the heart rings to personalize this sweet gift. XO

Better Than Football

Click here for a deal that will keep you busy online shopping, while everyone else is busy watching football.

(Photo Source: Refinery 29)