Fashion: Bold & Beautiful for Spring 2012!

Spring has finally Sprung here in the Northeast! All the shops are bursting with the hottest spring looks! It's the perfect time to start picking up a few bright & bold pieces to jumpstart your winter wardrobe and give you a sunny boost. I love a Pop of Color in a flirty tunic to go over leggings, a funky maxi dress, brightly colored purse or shoes...and of course, lots of bold & beautiful jewelry too spice up your style.

SEXY SPRING JEWELRY:
I am loving Stella & Dot's Spring Collection with it's beautiful silver statement necklaces, bold gold looks, and splashes of turquoise, coral and navy stones seen all over earrings, rings and necklaces. Pictured above are the multi-colored Serenity Necklace, silver Stevie Necklace and gold Bianca Tassel Necklace. Now you can rock these Spring Looks by visiting my online store today! www.stelladot.com/melissarush

The Medina Bib Necklace (pictured above) is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe for a casual, yet eye-catching new spring look. I love it so much, I wear mine a few times a week!

The Amalfi Collection is rich with gold necklaces & earrings, a splash of turquoise & jade green... reminiscent of an elegant holiday on the Italian island of Capri that you will love all spring & summer. The Capri Chandelier earrings in turquoise (or coral & red) are a must-have to your wardrobe.

The Savanna Collection is inspired by the African safari...with both silver & gold looks, accented by rich coral and navy tones. My faves are the Bahari Necklace (pictured above)... and the Campari Necklace with luscious coral beads.

NAUTICAL NAVY and WHITE:

I have always been a fan of the classic Nautical Look...the essential navy blue & white stripe Parisian sailor top worn over some crisp, white cropped pants and a pair of bright red espadrilles. I lived in this look last summer on our trip to Martha's Vineyard, and love a pop of Coral, Green, Red or Yellow in my stripes as well.  I have seen some cute striped dresses in cotton at stores like Old Navy, Express, as well as adorable handbags, hats & shoes to complement your wardrobe as well.  I love stripes of any kind...thick or thin, diagonal or horizontal.  There is a stripe to suit most every body type (especially for the pregnant ladies!), just be sure the fit is good and flattering for your shape. 

COLOR BLOCKING:
The trend this year is Color Blocking, a fun look on dresses & tops with splashes of coordinating colors that work great on every body type!  I love this look which is a more refined version of those daring & bold '80s looks... and easy to find at reasonable prices at Express, H&M and many other retailers. Great for kids and maternity wear as well!

“From Tommy Hilfiger to Marc Jacobs, designers have released their Spring 2012 collections with designs that have striking, bold color block patterns. Not only is this style flattering to all body forms, but color blocking is very versatile when it comes to pairing. Dark oranges, reds, pastel colors, violets and indigos are going to be big this year, so stock up on clothes with these hues as they will be in style all year long.” -International Business Times

Source: au.ibtimes.com 

Take Me to the Ocean!

It's summer weather in Boston this week...70 degrees today, then 80 degrees on Thursday!? I love it! Time to get a brightly painted pedicure (coral, hot pink or mint green perhaps?) & put on your flip flops! Now get out there & enjoy your day! :)

~~ Follow me on Pinterest! ~~

Recipes: Summer Side Dish Extravaganza!

Mel's Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad

This is a unique and festive salad for any summer party. Inspired by my travels to both Greece and Italy! It's best to eat it all the same day...enjoy!

• 1/2 fresh watermelon - cut into large cubes
• medium bunch of fresh mint
• small bunch of arugula
• medium block of feta cheese - sliced into squares
• big handful of pitted Kalamata olives
• Splash of olive oil and Balsamic vinegar - not too much
• Pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the top
• Grate a tiny bit of lemon rind for garnish...enjoy!

Mel's Tri-Color Bean & Cilantro Salad

I have made this summer side dish almost every weekend...so much so, I had to stop for a while! It's so fresh & flavorful, and goes with everything from grilled fish or chicken, to burgers & dogs! And, it's great to take to lunch the next day! Mix all together in a festive serving bowl and put in the fridge to chill before serving.

• 1 large can black beans - drained (or make fresh beans if you have time - but i usually don't!)
• 1 small can white canneloini beans - drained
• 1 small can garbanzo beans (chickpeas) - drained
• 1 cup of corn kernels
• medium bunch of fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cucumber - peeled & diced
• 1 large red, yellow and/or green pepper - diced
• 1/2 large red onion - diced
• Mix all together in a large bowl
• Decent splash of olive oil
• A few shakes of red pepper flakes - to taste
• Big splash of Balsamic vinegar
• Dash of sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• Optional: a few diced slices of jalapeno - i love them!

Mom's Classic Red Bliss Potato Salad
I love potato salad...especially with red bliss potatoes and hard boiled eggs! It's a real summer favorite made by Mom.

• large bag of red bliss potatoes - cut into quarters and boiled until firm, not mushy (leave skin on)
• 4 hardboiled eggs (diced in large pieces)
• 1 medium red onion (diced)
• Nice bunch of fresh dill
• To make dressing: Mix 2 parts mayonnaise with 1 part dijon mustard and little olive oil
• Dash of sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• Mix all together, chill and serve...enjoy!

Recipes: Summer Time Sorbets & Granitas!

Cool off with these wonderful and easy-to-make sorbet & granitas recipes for summer!


Watermelon Granita
Starting with seedless watermelon makes this a breeze to put together.
5 cups roughly chopped watermelon (seeds removed)
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp lime juice

1. Combine the watermelon, sugar and lime juice in a food processor fitted with a chopping blade. Puree until the fruit is liquefied/smooth.
2. Pour into a shallow, wide pan and freeze for 1 hour. Rake mixture with fork and freeze for another hour. Rake and freeze for one more hour. Rake and serve in glass cups with mint or lime garnish.

Number of servings: 6+

Ruby Red Grapefruit Sherbet
Sherbet relies on egg whites, rather than cream, for a velvety texture. To segment grapefruit, slice off rind with a knife. Holding the fruit over a bowl, cut between the white membranes, letting the segments and any juice fall into the bowl.


2 cups Ruby Red grapefruit segments and juice
2 tsp finely grated orange zest
1 egg white
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
2/3 cup sugar

1. Place the grapefruit segments, juice and zest in a blender; pulse until pureed.
   
   
2. With an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg white, cream of tartar and salt in a small bowl until foamy.
   
   
3. Mix the sugar with 3 tablespoons water in small saucepan. Boil 2 minutes without stirring. With the electric mixer at medium speed, beat this sugar syrup into the egg whites, drizzling it in a steady trickle. Continue beating until cool, about 5 minutes. Fold in the grapefruit puree. Chill 2 hours.
   
   
4. Freeze in an ice cream machine, following the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, pour the chilled mixture into a 9x13-inch pan; place it in the freezer 1 hour. Stir, breaking up any ice crystals; continue stirring every 15 minutes until slushy but smooth. Yields about 2/3 cup per serving.

Number of servings: 4

Strawberry Sorbet
Because many sorbets are fat-free, they're able to highlight the great flavor of fruit without costing you too much. This one features the luscious strawberries of summer.
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 quart strawberries, stemmed and quartered
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp salt

1. Place the ingredients in the order listed in a blender; pulse twice, then blend until smooth.
   
   
2. Freeze in an ice cream machine, following the manufacturer's instructions. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Number of servings: 6
(Source: WeightWatchers.com and FoodNetwork.com)