OMG BBQ Chicken Pizza

Based on a Sandra Lee's recipe (foodnetwork.com)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

1 large boneless,skinless chicken breast

a couple tablespoons pizza sauce

2/3 Cup BBQ sauce ( i never use it all)

flour- for dusting

Pizza dough- I recommend Pillsbury packaged dough

3/4 Cup shredded Gouda

1 cup shredded Mozzarella-I suggest low moisture moz as this pizza gets juicy in the oven

3/4 Cup shredded parmesan

chopped Red Onion- Qty as you desire

Chopped Cilantro- about 3 tablespoons (while optional, this really cuts the bbq flavor down to a nice level)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F or as dough directions

1) Cut Chicken into small bite size chuncks]

2) Saute chicken in olive oil until cooked through. Set Aside

3) Roll Pizza dough out on flour dusted surface and transfer to pizza pan with rim (the cheeses and sauce tend to pool at start of baking)

4) Spread thin layer or pizza sauce over pizza dough.

5) Spread BBQ sauce over dough. setting aside 2 tablespoons

6) Sprinkle gouda, mozzarella and parmesan on dough

7) Toss chicken in remainder of BBQ sauce, then distribute over pizza

8) Sprinkle on chopped onion

9) Bake until crust turns slight golden brown & cheese bubbles. Aprox. 20 min

10) Sprinkle with Cilantro

*Also great with bacon or pineapple

Designer on the Cheap

As fashion week forges ahead, you may dream of a day you can afford those designer digs you see on the runways. Fear not, there is a plethora of discount websites you can get last seasons must haves at a fraction of the price. Below are a few of my favs, which cover every price point. They are all members only, and some require either joining a waiting list for membership, or getting an invite from a friend. When you're in though, pass on to your entire address book, because when a friend joins and places an order, you get a credit, depending on the site, anywhere from $10 to $30. 

There are hundreds of these sites out there, post ones you know and love in comments. I've listed just a sampling of the ones I browse on a regular basis.

Happy Shopping!

Giltgroup.com (Gilt, giltfuse, giltman and jetsetter)

$$$-$$$$High end luxury brands. womenswear, menswear, accessories, cosmetics, vacations/ hotels, wine etc

Ruelala.com 

$$ mid tier designer womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, accessories, cosmetics, hotel deals, wine etc

hautelook.com

$$ mid tier designer apparel, accessories, home-goods etc

beyondtherack.com

$$-$$$ mid tier to high end designer apparel, accessories, home-goods etc

ideeeli.com 

$ department store name brand womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, accessories, home-goods, luggage etc

myperfectsale.com

$ department store name brand womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, accessories, home-goods, luggage etc

"Long Live McQueen"

Today news broke on the death of Alexander McQueen. He was an innovative and brilliant designer and creator of some of the most beautiful wearable art. Not a season goes by that I am not coveting his newest creation. He is my own personal idol and I will be mourning this loss.

While I could gush about the brilliance of his work and discuss the supposed circumstances around his death, I think I will just leave it to the journalists. See links below for a sampling of already published articles and tributes:

 

http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/

http://www.style.com/stylefile/2010/02/alexander-mcqueen-rip/

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jzPAs7FSC3b4yNgNiomtKY-e7leQ

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250249/Alexander-McQueen-commits-suicide.html

http://jezebel.com/5469577/mcqueen-is-dead-long-live-mcqueen/

Fashion Trends and Must Haves for Spring/ Summer 2010

Despite the return of the frigid cold, spring will be here soon, which brings with it a whole new retail scene and excitement about summer’s must have clothing and accessories. So let me outline for you the biggest trends for Spring/Summer 2010. To be as brief as possible, I have grouped the more major looks into two groups, the feminine and the youth looks.

Minimalist femininity:

This look is anchored on layering, cowling and tiers of lightweight fabrics. Add in a dash of boudoir, military, grunge or Elizabethan details and make the look all your own (and a little younger). Emphasis on the shoulders continues, but in volume rather than embellishments. Leg of mutton sleeves or cowled draping at the shoulder draw the eyes up and broaden your silhouette.

If you don’t want to look like a linebacker, you can opt for the same pleating, gathering, draping and ruffling at the neckline, or really anywhere else you want, while still following the trend. Sheer soft, oversized tank tops or silky tee shirt dresses capture the essence of this trend in a more casual manner. Trousers take on a stove-pipe leg and high, synched/ pleated “paper bag” waistline. Shorts are also voluminous, and a little longer, in a bloomer silhouette. Blouson, Ruffled, dirndls, ruched, wrapped ballet and handkerchief skirts all make a come back as well as bloomer shorts for those hot summer days.

Introducing...Not a Knockoff!

We have a real live designer joining our team!  Not a Knockoff works as an accessory designer in New York City, giving her access to all the latest trend forecasts, in addition to her own wicked sense of style.  She's a great addition to our team for another reason, which is that she's never afraid to speak her mind and offer her sometimes contrarian perspective on the topic at hand.  Not a Knockoff will be writing about fashion (naturally), wardrobe tips, and the latest trends, in addition to things that are less directly in her area of expertise, like what she thinks of the newest tech gadget or opera show.  Welcome to the team!