still givin’ ’em the cold shoulder…

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Sometimes trends come and go so quickly, we hardly have time to jump on ’em (in our own way, of course)…but here’s one that seems to be stickin’ around for another season or two:  the cold shoulder.  (Good news if you made the investment in some pieces last year…good news if you feel you missed out and want to give it a try!!)

Here are some possibilities…


From A.L.C. at Intermix


Blush ruffles also at Intermix


From Alice and Olivia at Nordstrom


From Milly at Nordstrom

And we could go on and on…but you get the draft…er, drift!  Go.  Buy.  Do it to it!

a&a

what’s ringin’ our belle…round 70

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Here’s what’s ringin’ belles this week…


Buffalo chicken sloppy joes


How surgical tape can save the day…and the outfit 


Girl Scout cookies and wine…bring it !

A tray…for the Girl Scout cookies…duh

A watermelon wine cooler

Three tips to makin’ your mornings more tolerable …just sayin’

We have plenty more where these came from…stay tuned…

a&a

belle beauty update…new fave alert!

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It might be Labor Day…the “official end of summer”, but here in the south, the weather doesn’t EVER get that memo!  

Enter our new secret weapon against the heat and humidity that will be hanging around for what seems like an eternity.  It primes, it sets, it refreshes. Basically it’s the fountain of youth !!

Nordstrom supplies our next magical elixir 
Belles really are the fairest of them all with this stuff…just sayin’

a&a

the art of the artichoke…belleicious!

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We have long been fans of the artichoke.  Not only is it delicious, it is packed with fiber, magnesium and vitamin C…all while sporting a meager 60 calories.  And…bonus…it’s fun to eat!

We ran across this article from Decoding Delicious recently, making us realize that our old standby way of artichoke prep (boiling) is still the gold standard for producing moist, tender, “meaty” leaves.  Thought it might be time to share our tips so that you can enjoy as well!


To start, look for ‘chokes which seem heavy for their size…these will be the least dehydrated (the artichoke’s enemy).

Rinse the artichokes well, then begin the trimming.  We typically leave 1/2 – 1 inch of the stem intact


Using kitchen shears, we remove the “spikes” at the end of each leaf…then slice off the top with a serrated edge knife


Fill a large pot (large enough to allow your number of artichokes to float freely) about half t0 three-quarters full, adding a heavy dose of salt and one lemon, squeezed into the water.  Bring water to a boil


Add artichokes and place cover firmly on pot.  (One tip is to place a smaller pot lid directly on the veggies, then place the lid on the pot.  This helps keep them submerged in the salty water while cooking)

Turn down to a medium simmer and allow to cook (never lifting lid) for about 45 minutes for a medium artichoke.  

Drain them upside down and allow to cool slightly.  Serve with your choice of condiments (one of us prefers lemon butter above all others…just sayin’)

If you need a tutorial on eating how-to, read Miss Abigail’s Time Warp Advice on the subject

Time to get all ‘choked up, belles!

a&a

drinkin’ on the job…after 5 in the ’05

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We didn’t stray far from home for our TALKGreenville cocktailin’ adventure this month. With summer coming to an end and school back in full swing, we thought sticking to our neighborhood might be a good idea. And – bonus – we had a new joint to check out! Open just a few short months, The 05 is a hot destination among the Augusta Road (and beyond…way beyond) crowd. And with Justin behind the bar with his quick wit and top-notch toddies flowing, we can see why there’s such a buzz!

Nibbles-n-Bites…





While we had drinkin’ on the mind, we couldn’t help but swoon over the creative eats at the 05! With an impressive selection of cheeses (of the cow, goat, and sheep varieties), charcuterie, and tapas (olives&almonds, Chorizo-stuffed dates, and a goat-cheesy focaccia to name a few), there’s a nibble to suit all tastes. For those in search of a bigger bite, the salads and flatbreads will not disappoint!

The cocktails…


Our faves…


The ‘05
A pretty little signature drink, “the 05” will take the edge off a long day for sure! Fresh-n-fruity with a bit of sting from the tequila, it will sweeten your attitude and give you a fresh perspective for the evening. A mix of Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier, lime, raspberry, basil and mint, “the 05” is tasty enough to knock your socks off, yet light enough to keep you from falling off the barstool. You will want to put this one repeat!


The 19th Hole
If a cocktail can cause a craving, “the 19th Hole” would be the one! Cool and complex with the pleasantly surprising taste of cardamom, it’s like a spa in a glass…conjuring images of a far off and exotic land. The blend of vodka, basil, cucumber, cardamom, celery salt and small batch tonic makes you want to keep sippin’…with your curiousity and craving growing with each taste. This libation will keep you cool and coming back for more!


Inside-n-out…
The indoor-outdoor setup at this trendy little spot will be hard to beat when the summer heat fades to fall. Step inside to grab a solo seat at the bar, grab a table with friends or make new friends at the community table…or step outside for your cocktailin’ pleasure. The whole place opens up to patios in front and out back for all to enjoy the great outdoors. A little fresh air will do ya good!

The ’05 is the perfect watering hole to meet with your gal pals or rendezvous with your significant other for a little date-night liquid concoction and a light bite. Fashion varies at this little oasis…anything from workout wear to cocktail couture is acceptable. The vibe is more about enjoying the atmosphere and savoring the company. Conversation and mood trump attire every time. How nice that it’s always five o’clock somewhere…and that somewhere is in our neck of the woods!

what’s ringin’ our belle…round 69

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A dessert based on your horoscope

How about a little watermelon in your cocktail???


Finally, crisper drawer how-to guide !! 


The most common misused words that make us belles lose our religion. 


Via Notwithoutsalt.com

We’ve been making this all summer 


How to fake being a morning person….neither one of us is a morning person …we need all the help we can get! 

Does wine go bad ? We have no idea….


must-have for fall

Can’t ya just hear the belles ringin’?

a&a

wine on Monday…a fashionabelle perk 

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Need wine to get you through your Monday, belles?  How ’bout wine for the feet????!


We are loving this fashionabelle option to kick off the week…and the new fall wardrobe. 

Sam Edelman has scored big here!  Available at Nordstrom
You need!

a&a

“amazing” bleu cheese appetizer…oh, the belleiciousness!

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Many years ago, a dear California friend gave us each a copy of the Junior League of Pasadena cookbook, Dining by Design…an oldie but a goodie!!  We had several recipes which caught our eye all those years ago, but as other cookbooks, blogs, and influences came around, we moved on and forgot about some of our favorites…this one in particular!!  We both served this to rave reviews for a couple of years.  We think it’s time to bring it back!!!


“Amazing Bleu Cheese Appetizer”

12 oz bleu cheese, crumbled

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 c olive oil

4 T red wine vinegar

2 T lemon juice

1 c chopped onion

1 c minced cilantro


Whisk garlic, oil, vinegar, and lemon juice to make a vinaigrette.  


Combine bleu cheese, onion, and cilantro in large bowl

Pour vinaigrette over cheese mixture and gently toss to combine

Allow to marinate in refrigerator until ready to serve.  Give a quick toss into a serving bowl or spread out on a platter.


Serve with sliced French bread or apple slices (or both)


Or get creative and use it on top of grilled beef or a salad

They say…even people who don’t like bleu cheese LOVE this!!  We have witnessed this miracle first-hand!

It’s a must-try belles…you won’t regret it

a&a