Frock Me Friday > Lucky Red

Is there a better way to start Friday off than by gazing at some fashion?  Monday was Chinese New Years and I'm all about wearing some of that lucky "Red." I'm really not the kind of person to wear all red, although I've rocked a pair of red jeans back in the day.  I should have hung on to them because, wouldn't you know it, they are back in style this year (and I'm exactly the same size now as I was then...haha, *sob*)!  Now, I'm a bit more conservative and I like my red in smaller doses.  If you're shopping on Polyvore you can put together any number of crazy expensive outfits while sitting in your cozy little home, never having to bankrupt yourself for fashion.  I love it!


Outfit #1 

I do love those red booties.  Remember in the movie, "In Her Shoes", where she has that closet full of gorgeous shoes she never wears because just looking at them makes her feel good - having these booties in my closet would make me feel aahmazing!


Outfit #2

Check out the purse above - that was in my Polyvore wardrobe a couple of weeks ago.  The earrings you will be seeing again in the next outfit.  


Outfit #3

The red flats were already in my Polyvore Wardrobe from a couple of weeks ago.


Outfit #4

There are those red flats, black handbag and red earrings again!!!


My Polyvore Wardrobe is like my actual wardrobe - I'm trying to build on things I already have! If you take a closer look you'll see that most people already have a lot of those items in their closet.  Everyone has a basic black turtleneck, several pairs of jeans, black handbag (if you are me you have a red handbag also) and you probably even have that pair of gray slacks.  We all know that we have handbags of every color in our closets.  And I don't know about you, but I have enough coats to keep everyone in a small nation warm.  


Ladies, go assess your closet and what the heck, start your weekend off early and do a little shopping for some red.


- Laurie

Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate > Chinese New Year

Happy New Year's - that's Chinese New Years to you.  


If you didn't know, today is Chinese New Years and the Year of the Dragon.  I like any reason to celebrate and Chinese New Years offers some unique opportunities.  






Reasons why I like Chinese New Years:




Clean House:  You know what they say about a great way to get your house in order is to have a party.  Well, Chinese New Year takes care of this because traditionally before the new year, homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away ill fortune and to welcome good luck.  I understand this because a messy house seems like ill fortune and when my house is clean anything seems possible.


Buy new clothing:  Any celebration where buying new clothes is involved is okay with me!!!  New clothing symbolizes a new beginning, and having more than enough things to use and wear in the New Year.  Also red clothing is often worn because the color red is believed to scare away evil spirits and bad fortune.  

New Clothes + Red = Good Fortune 

Family Gathering:  Celebrating with family, again for the same reason I have a get together on New Year's Day - I want to begin the year the same way I mean to continue - surrounded with family and friends.


Gifts:  Gifts are usually brought when visiting friends or relatives at their homes.  Yep, that's right, come and visit me and bring me a little gift - 'cause I like gifts.


Fireworks:  I like fireworks (just ask my neighbors.)  Enough said about that!


Have a little dinner party to celebrate.  I'm going to give you my recipe for Chinese Chicken Stew.  I don't know where this recipe came from as I've had it for years.

CHINESE CHICKEN STEW 

2 lbs. boneless skinless               2 cans chicken broth
   chicken                                       2 TBL cornstarch

2 tsp five spice powder               2 red bell peppers,

1 tsp red pepper flakes                  coarsely chopped

2 TBL peanut oil                         4 TBL soy sauce

2 onions, coarsely chopped         2 TBL sesame oil

16 oz. mushrooms, sliced            4 green onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced                Cooked rice

 

Toss chicken with five spice powder.  Season with red pepper flakes.  Heat peanut oil in large skillet.  Add chicken, cook and stir till chicken is brown and almost completely cooked.  Add onion, green pepper and garlic, saute till chicken is completely cooked.  Add chicken broth (reserving 1/4 c. broth for thickening), mushrooms, and soy sauce, simmer for about 40 minutes.  

Mix chicken broth and cornstarch together.  Stir in cornstarch mixture, sesame oil and green onions; cook another 10 minutes or so until stew is a nice thick consistency.

Serve over rice.

Now for the disclaimer:  I kind of think recipes are like a rough outline and you can use some or all of it.

Don't like mushrooms - don't add them.  

Red Peppers -I'm using the mini sweet peppers because that's what I have.  I've used green peppers before also.

Red Pepper Flakes - I've been known to use 2 tsp. red pepper flakes because I like this a little spicy.  

Chicken - I usually use 3 lbs of chicken. 

Peanut oil - If I don't have it, I use olive oil.

There you have it! 

For dessert, I made fun Fortune cookies.  I dipped them in Almond Bark and then dipped in sprinkles.  You can't go wrong with sprinkles and a fortune!

Now I'm off shopping so I can start the Chinese New Year with new clothing.

-Laurie