Food: Winter Citrus Salad

With gray skies and snow on the ground, I start to find myself in a slump this time of year…anyone else? Lauren here, and today I’m excited to share a recipe to cure your winter blues. 

This salad is pretty much like sunshine on a plate: refreshingly bright and colorful, and packed with good-for-you citrus that's plentiful at the market right now. Serve it alongside grilled fish and veggies for dinner or as part of your next brunch spread—it really works any time of day! Keep reading for the super simple recipe…

For the salad:

1 ruby red grapefruit

1 blood orange

1 cara cara orange (or navel orange)

1 clementine

1 meyer lemon

Handful of unsalted, shelled pistachios, finely chopped

Handful of dried currants

A couple leaves of fresh mint, cut into very thin strips 

Lime zest

 

For the dressing:

1 teaspoon good maple syrup

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Juice from half a Meyer lemon

1/4 cup olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

1. Cut off the ends, then remove the peels and as much membrane as possible from all the citrus. Cut each into thin rounds and layer on a plate. 

2. Sprinkle pistachios, currants, mint and lime zest on top. 

3. Combine maple syrup, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar and Meyer lemon juice. Slowly whisk in olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Drizzle a small amount of the dressing over the salad.

-Recipe and images by Lauren Craig

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DIY: Spruce up your Pumpkin

Hey everyone! I hope that you all are having a great day so far. It's Anna here, and today, I am sharing a little inspiration to take that pumpkin of yours to the next level. I love Fall, and I am always looking for fun ways to decorate around the house in good taste. I hope this quick fix fits the bill.

I bought a couple of small pumpkins to paint and got out my collection of acrylic and spray paints. There were no rules… I just did whatever I wanted. 

One had a touch of white paint on top. One was spray painted gold. The other was painted with black stripes (taped with painters tape first). 

You could paint a chevron pattern, polka dots, etc. Get creative! There are no rules.

-post and images by anna weaver

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Food: Chocolate Protein Bliss Balls

Hey MBG readers!  It's Caren from Inspired Coast, bringing you these awesome treats that are fantastic as grab-and-go snacks, or as a healthy dessert option at a party! 
 

I first came across these little coconut balls while at a yoga festival in Joshua Tree, California.  It turned out to be an insufferable weekend of 112 degree temperatures but I didn’t mind, because I had my little bliss balls.  They were being sold by one of the umpteen raw vegan vendors that were working the festival.  I think I devoured their entire inventory.

Back in the city, (after a long and glorious shower) I got right down to business, recreating these little balls of deliciousness. 

I make these little treats all the time, but since I’ve been training for a fitness competition, I’ve started adding protein powder to the recipe and reducing the honey content as I need more protein and less sugar in my diet.  But if you’re not on a crazy eating plan like me, stick with sweet stuff.

It’s crazy delish.
 

 Chocolate Protein Bliss Balls

¼ cup raw cacao

¼ cup shredded coconut

¼ cup raw unsalted almonds

2 tablespoons of coconut oil/meat

3 tablespoons raw honey or agave nectar

2 tablespoons maca powder

3 dates

3 sachets of Stevia

½ teaspoon of vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

• Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until they combine into a sticky ball.
• Scoop out individual portions and roll into little balls with your hands. 
• Refrigerate balls for at least 1 hour before serving.

Depending on the size of your portions, the recipe will make 8 to 15 balls

-post & images by caren

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Fashion: Cross Body Bags

Hello loves! Lauren here again. Can you believe it's already mid June? Where does time go? I feel like I just made a post on Spring fashion, and now it's going to be Summer! In fashion, it is hard to know what to spend money on and what not to, especially when trends change so often just like seasons.

But one item that I always like to invest in is my bag - such as the always-in-style cross body bag. 

image sources {clockwise}: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Cross body bags are for sure my favorite because they are just so darn easy to carry. I mean, what girl really wants to lug around a big bag when shopping? I surly don't! They come in all different sizes, for housing small things such as the Iphone, lipsticks, and wallet or bigger things like an Ipad. And so many great patterns and colors. 

My suggestion: invest in a neutral cross body bag for year round, and then save on a fun neon cross body for Summer time. Here are some of my current favs!

1. Aldo $40 | 2. Stella & Dot $148 | 3. Ann Taylor $148 | 4. {A03} Designs $65 | 5. Rebecca Minkoff $250 | 6. J. Crew $148 | 7. Rebecca Minkoff $147.50 (on sale!)

My heart is skipping a beat for #7. I mean, classic white plus metal hardware? Yes, please!!

Which of these are your favorites? Do you gravitate towards the neutral shades? Or are the fun graphic prints calling your name? Do tell.

    

-post by lauren wickman

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Design: Abstract Art

Hello lovelies!! It's Brooke from The Modern Sophisticate to share with you my love of abstract art. 

There is not another single item you can add to your home that screams "I have taste" more than a gorgeous piece of abstract.  They fit in traditional settings just as well as they do in uber modern spaces (which can be a God-send sometimes).  

Lately, I've even started to see a lot of abstract-inspired fashion, as well!

1. Room by Nicole Cohen

2. Abstract by Nicole Cohen, Dress by Lela Rose

3.  Room by Jan Showers

4. Dress by Alice+Olivia, Abstract by Richard Aldrich

Do you like the look but not sure how to style abstracts for your own space?

Here are a few tips:

1. 'Camellia' Original Painting by Jen Ramos 

2.  Field Bench with Back by Dering Hall

3. 6 Light Chandelier by Currey&Company

4. Side Table from One Kings Lane

5. Polyedres by Hubert le Gall via 1st Dibs

6. Suzy Gold Leaf & White Marble Side Table by Worlds Away

7. Estelle Display Lamp from Circa Lighting

8. Colors 97 Original Painting by Jen Ramos

-post by brooke

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Food: Three Ways to Serve Crostini

Hello there! Heather Freeman of The Lovely Cupboard here, and I'm back to share a recipe with you today. Actually, I've got three easy ways you can serve crostini at your upcoming New Year's Eve party. 


Crostini is such a fancy name for little toasts, but that's really all it is. However, this bite-sized crispy bread can be topped with anything from hummus to chutney. To begin with, you'll need a baguette, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and slice bread at an angle. (This allows more surface area for yummy toppings.)
2. Lay on a baking sheet or stone and brush each piece with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes. If desired, rub a fresh garlic clove over the surface of each toast. (It gives just a hint of garlic flavor.)
4. Next, top with any assortment of spreads, meats, and veggies. I've got a few suggestions for you below...

This tastes like a caprese salad with a crunch. Spread fresh or jarred pesto. Top with fresh mozzarella and half of a cherry tomato.

For this spread, mix two parts herbed goat cheese and one part cream cheese. Top with thinly sliced cucumber. I used a cranberry chutney, but any fruit chutney would work. Mango tastes delicious with it.

This is such a classic combination that you can never go wrong with it. Cream cheese, smoked salmon with dill, and capers. This one is my favorite.

These make such great appetizers for a party since you can assemble them shortly before guests arrive. So hang the mistletoe, light the candles, and bring on the white elephant gifts. You've got crostinis and you know how to serve them!

Cheers and warm dishes,

-post by heather freeman

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Fashion: Holiday Wear

Hello hello! I'm Casie Mace from Whipped Style blog. I'm so excited to bring some style inspirations & join such a talented bunch here on Made By Girl!

Let's talk holiday wear. We've all heard the rule: No white after labor day. But--like many, I don't believe in that rule one bit!! 

I LOVE winter white. Especially when it's paired with my all-time favorite holiday staple: sparkle. Pairing some winter white with sequins is the perfect way to get festive while breaking away from the traditional holiday dress. 

Here's a few of my favorite winter white + sparkle pieces. How fun is that All Saints skirt!? 


Happy Holidays everyone! I so look forward to many more posts together.

1. Faux Wrap Sequin Skirt | image via farfetch.com 2. Sequined band skirt | image via stylebymarina.com 3. Erodes Skirt | image via allsaints.com 4. Sheer Yoke Blouse | page via reissonline.com 5. Kaelen Luanne Pleated Skirt | image via tenover6.com 6. Sequin Clutch | image via warehouse.co.uk 7. Sequin-Embellished Crepe Top | image via net-a-porter.com 8. Brown Stripe Sequin Tee | image via dorothyperkins.com 9. Vanessa Bruno Ankle Length Trouser | image via boutique1.com

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