Bibs aren't just for babies

My current obsession is derived from the piece of terry cloth tied around a babies neck during feeding hours, yes I am referring to a bib. These bib necklaces are the latest craze, any piece of fabric adorned in sequins, pearls, rhinestones and ribbon have been showing up all over. I love pairing a bib necklace with a basic white T to add a bit or flair or as a fun accessory to add sparkle to a dress. Recently I wore a white tank under a black leather blazer and a fabulous Ann Taylor Loft bib necklace. The accessory was perfect for the look I was going for and it was less than 30 dollars too!

Ann Taylor Loft bib necklace with clear gems and black chain - $29.99

Juicy Couture Sequin Drama Bib Necklace - this look is a bit more pricey - $228

This Lizzie Fortunato gold-plated petal bib necklace is one of my favorites. This piece of art will add beauty to any outfit without a doubt. It is definitely more expensive, with a price tag of $430.

I'll take another piece of the bananas foster, please.

Yesterday, when I was cooking with my grandmother, we came up with a few seafood recipes to whip up. As we were washing the previously butterflied sea bass, my grandmother came up with the brilliant idea to make bananas foster for dessert. I'm not exactly an avid fish lover so I'm learning these recipes in hopes of being able to cook something other than chicken for my boyfriend. Although not a seafood fan, I am definitely a huge supporter of anything served with brown sugar and called dessert. So after making shrimp scampi and sea bass, we made delicious bananas foster. I was planning on posting pictures of my finished recipes, but it looks like my camera and USB cable are not cooperating at the moment. Hopefully I will be able to upload images very soon!

banana foster cupcakes - yummm - courtesy of adozeneggs.com

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Although most people may not agree, my favorite time of the year is definitely the fall & winter months. Whether I am bundling up and heading out to brave the cold or cuddling up inside to watch a movie, I think nothing is more beautiful than snow on tree tops and white lights swirled across the city.

I also love the focus on family, friends and loved ones during the holiday season. My grandmother's holiday present to me this year is the gift of cooking. Since Thanksgiving, she has been clipping new recipes and showing me all the basics. We went to the local fish market and picked up a few things, tomorrow I will have pictures of the seafood dishes I cooked and much to tell of the experience.

"I can write a blog, I have thoughts!" - Julie & Julia

First off, hope everyone enjoyed my first post for my first blog, A Pinch of Panache. Wow, that’s a lot of firsts! Each day you'll read a bit about my “personal panache”; whether I’m sharing a recipe that I've recently cooked, posting my current fashion obsession I have been coveting, or simply speaking about anything and everything that has to do with sharing my own unique style. So here goes nothing!

Last night I watched Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep & Amy Adams. If you're a last minute shopper and need a tip for a treat, I urge you to strongly consider giving this movie as a holiday gift to your mother or any one you know who enjoys cooking (or simply enjoys eating) a tasty home cooked meal. For those who have not seen this film, it's based on two true stories, of two women simply trying to find her passion and life path through getting down and dirty in the kitchen (literally!) Both women find a connection to cooking (& butter) that can't be ignored.

Not only did I get inspiration for new recipes, and have the sudden urge to run out and buy Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking but I got the most pleasure from the unexpected feeling of relaxation I felt as I watched this film. I liked being on the other end of the television screen, cozy with my warm pajamas, blanket and full cup of peppermint hot chocolate in hand. I felt removed from the mess and sometimes stressful clean up process that comes with cooking.

This movie got me thinking, to say the least, about passion, life paths and tasty soufflés.

Chocolate soufflés courtesy of Food Network

Who doesn't need a pinch of panache?

As I was dicing and slicing the various vegetables for my chicken cacciatore recipe, I contemplated many different names for my blog. I felt as if I was naming my first born with the amount of pressure I was placing on myself. I have been thinking for a few months about starting my own blog. Tonight was the night I decided to put my procrastination aside. Not sure if it was the inspiration of holiday cooking or my new found love of the word panache, but it suddenly hit me. I want to create a marriage between my new interest in cooking & baking and my old romance with style & fashion… and voilà… Pinch of Panache was suddenly born!

my own heart shaped variation of the traditional mexican wedding cookies I baked for my boyfriend’s family for the holidays