<![CDATA[The Fixation Files - main]]>Sat, 23 Feb 2013 21:06:23 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: OBSESSIONS} the perfect all-around plaid shirt]]>Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:27:09 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/12/file-under-obsessions-the-perfect-all-around-plaid-shirt.html
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what it is: Forever 21 Men's "Burnished Button Plaid Shirt"

why I love it: I just purchased a shirt from Forever 21 men not too different from this one, and I love it, but what drew me to that one and the one pictured above was how much I like it for men (and obviously that's who it's supposed to be for). It's the perfect casual button down and can be worn with jeans, shorts, khakis and a number of types of shoes to give it a very different look depending on what you choose. And it's a great layering piece as well. But for me, I've worn this as a "jacket" over a classic striped sheath dress, and it's great tied up over or tucked into a skirt. It works over leggings and under anything from a jean jacket to a blazer. The square, big fit can juxtapose feminine silhouettes and adds a sense of casual ease to any outfit. But that's true with this shirt for either gender. 

where to get it: Forever 21, $27.90
-E
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: FOOD} cranberry + gouda grilled cheese]]>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:16:35 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-food-cranberry-gouda-grilled-cheese.html
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I think it's safe to say I never met a grilled cheese I didn't like (all you have to do is take a quick look at my unintentionally but admittedly dairy-centric "sandwiches" board on Pinterest). And as appealing as the idea of a "moist maker" is, my pescatarian diet combined with my deep-set apprehension toward all things gravy-related prevents me from eating what most would consider a typical Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich (sorry, Ross).

So, it should come as no surprise that the first thing that came to mind as I stared into a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers was to combine the gouda that had served as our hors d'oeuvres with some tangy, sweet cranberry sauce for a Turkey-less day-after-Turkey-Day sandwich. Melty, tangy, sweet, and just a little salty, this recipe further proves my theory that there's no such thing as a bad grilled cheese sandwich.

cranberry + gouda grilled cheese
makes 1 sandwich

2 slices whole grain bread (or your favorite bread for grilled cheese)
1/4 leftover cranberry sauce, room temperature or cooler (like this recipe)
1 teaspoon butter 
lots of gouda cheese (that is my exact measurement)

You know the drill: spread butter on one side of each slice of bread, then layer on cheese and heat in a nonstick pan over medium-low heat until the cheese is melty enough to hold the sandwich together (about 1-2 minutes, if you cover the pan). Flip, and cook on the other side until golden brown (again, about 1-2 minutes). Then comes the fun part: place the grilled cheese on a cutting board, and open it back up, being careful to avoid melted cheese burns, of course. Spoon on the cranberry sauce, put the sandwich back together, and cut diagonally with a sharp knife (diagonally just tastes better, okay?). I love that the cranberry sauce is a different temperature than the rest of the sandwich, so it's cool, refreshing, and all-around delicious.
-S
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: MENSWEAR} the pros and cons of the white dress shirt]]>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:48:58 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-menswear-the-pros-and-cons-of-the-white-dress-shirt.html
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photo courtesy of nordstrom.com
Ah, the white dress shirt. Every man has one, or at least every man should have one (one or a few with an impeccable fit is really a wardrobe must). But just because this is hanging in your closet doesn't mean it can't work against you outfit-wise. Yeah, it's easy to throw on with dress pants and call it a day, but there are definite pros and cons to this essential item, and before you pull it off the hanger, take in a few considerations--especially with holiday dress-up season fast approaching.
pros
-It really is a never fail. If you're unsure about a combination of pants/blazer/suit/tie/etc, a white shirt will never be a wrong turn in an outfit.
-For ultra-formal looks, white really is the way to go. You can get away with other colors, but white will never get a questioning look when you've got to be dressed to the nines, and you'll never appear out of place. 
-It goes with everything. Gray, black, blue, green, khaki, patterns, everything. No need to wonder if your suit, pants or tie is going to clash because white will always complement what you're wearing. Now for the other, colored elements, that's a different story.
-You need one. In the event where you have to travel or wear a formal look with several different suits and/or ties in a short period of time, or if you get quick notice that you have to dress up and don't have the time to get creative, go for the white shirt since it will always look good. This is a necessity, and you need to make sure you have a well-fitting, non-stained white shirt at the ready for anything that could come up.
cons
-It's boring. White is kind of a snoozefest. If you have the choice of shirts, try to opt against white unless any other color would actively look bad in a combination of tie/pants/suit/whatever. Because it's a go-to, it's predictable and if you're trying to stand out in any way, you won't.
-It can be costume-y. With black pants, you run the risk of being mistaken for a cater-waiter, magician, you name it. Black and white is the typical male "uniform", with or without a jacket, so go for a pattern or color if you're going with a black suit or black pants. Especially in the times that you're not wearing any sort of jacket, try go for anything but white.
-It's too easy. Easy can be good in a pinch, but if you have time to plan your outfit, get a little more creative. It will pay off because it will look like you took time to think about your look and you'll appear much more stylish and detail-oriented, no matter what situation you're dressing for. 
-It can appear too formal. I'm always a proponent of being overdressed rather than underdressed, but a white dress shirt can sometimes seem too formal. Paired with jeans it can be a weird mix of dressiness, and with dress pants, a suit or even just a blazer it can elevate an otherwise nicer than casual, but not necessarily dressy, look a little past the easy feeling you're trying to go for.
FYI: A dress shirt has no pockets. If it has pockets, it can still look nice, but it's not technically a dress shirt.
-E
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: FOOD} easy and delicious go-to veggie chili]]>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:59:05 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-food-easy-and-delicious-go-to-veggie-chili.html
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I come from a city that's famous for its chili, but I've never been a fan of Cincinnati chili. I grew up with my mom and aunt making this veggie chili as an easy dinner that leaves tons of leftovers which freeze well to have on hand for many future dinners. This chili can be served over spaghetti (Cincinnati style) or in a bowl, as shown. I made a batch just as the weather started to turn cold so I could stock up the freezer for those days I need a filling meal but want to put off braving the cold to grocery shop (which will happen often).
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vegetarian chili
1 batch serves 4-6

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried basil or 1 teaspoon fresh basil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large yellow or sweet onion (chopped)
1 clove garlic (chopped)
2 8oz. packages of sliced fresh mushrooms
2 stalks celery (chopped)
1 green pepper (chopped)
1 14.5oz can stewed tomatoes
1 15oz. can tomato sauce
3 diced green chilis (find cans of these)
2 15oz cans spicy chili beans

for serving
sour cream or plain yogurt
shredded cheese (cheddar or mexican mix work best)
red and/or green onions
spaghetti (optional)

Heat oil in 5 qt. or larger pot. Add chopped onions and garlic, sautée until soft but not browned. Add celery, green pepper and mushrooms. Sautée 2-3 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients and stir well. Bring to a boil, stir well and reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Stir every 15 minutes to prevent sticking. Cook for at least 1-1 1/2 hours, but as long as you can. The longer the chili cooks, the better the flavors blend. Serve immediately or let cool completely and put in refrigerator or freeze. 

Serve with sour cream or plain yogurt, chopped red or green onions and shredded cheddar, monterey jack or mexican mix cheese. Serve over spaghetti if desire.

to serve after freezing:
Put in refrigerator overnight to thaw and reheat slowly.
-E
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: OBSESSIONS} the answer to all your (skin) woes]]>Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:45:53 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-obsessions-the-answer-to-all-your-skin-woes.htmlMost people's skin concerns can't be summed up in one simple adjective. It's never just oily, acne-prone, dull or aging; for most of us, it's an unfortunate combination of issues. But whether you're concerned about fine lines, huge pores or dark spots, one of the best tools you can use to improve the overall condition of your skin is an at-home peel. 

There's pretty much a peel designed for every skin issue, and most of them use glycolic acid or other exfoliators to combat a wide range of issues. They're especially great for fighting blackheads, reversing signs of aging, fading dark spots, minimizing pores and exfoliating for a brighter complexion. Just be careful to use these peels as directed on the package, as overusing or applying to super sensitive skin can cause chemical burns. Here are a few of my favorites: 
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favorite all-around:
Malin + Goetz 10% Glycolic Acid Pads, $48, malinandgoetz.com
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favorite for anti-aging/dark spots:
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, $78, sephora.com
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favorite for dull skin:
Origins Brighter By Nature High-Potency Brightening Peel with Fruit Acids, $38.50, sephora.com
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favorite for oily or acne-prone skin:
Advanced Home Actives Brazilian Peel Clear, $45, advancedhomeactives.com
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favorite for delicate eye area:
Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Eye Peel, $42, sephora.com
-S
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: STYLE} sequins for day]]>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:19:46 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-style-sequins-for-day.html
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I like to think of my approach to style as non-traditional and a little ironic. Whenever I buy a new item of clothing, I usually try to find ways to wear it for day or night and in any season so that my most of my wardrobe is fair game at any given time. That's one of the main things that attracted me to this Forever 21 dress. It's just a black tank dress with sequin detail, and the first thing I thought when I saw it was that it would be a great not-too-dressy LBD to have on nights where I need to look nice in the time it takes to just throw something on. What made me even more excited to buy it, though, was the fact that the simple silhouette made it easy to layer and make more casual for an interesting daytime look. One of my favorite ways to style an outfit in an unexpected way is to take a sequin item of clothing (which are almost always considered "dressy" or for going out) and dress it down so that I can wear it casually without looking too "nighttime." 
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For this outfit, I tied a military-style button down over the dress and paired it with gray tights and brown booties. The gray offsets the black to make it a little more casual while still staying warm in the fall, and the booties are some of my favorites if I want a little heel without looking too dressy. If I wanted to easily dress this up, a black blazer or nice cardigan, black tights and heels or boots does the trick!
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Outfit: Forever 21 dress (similar silhouette here, similar look here), Zara shirt, Joe Fresh tights (only available in store), H&M booties (similar here), 
Accessories: Madewell bracelet, Dakota watch, Forever 21 ring (similar here), BCBG ring
-E
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: OBSESSIONS} the stand out camo shirt]]>Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:58:34 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-obsessions-the-stand-out-camo-shirt.html
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what it is: Zara studded camouflage shirt

why I love it: I'm not really a camo girl, but I saw this hanging not where it was meant to be hanging while at Zara and the thing where I instantly come up with about 1,000 outfits happened. Then I couldn't stop thinking about it for days and eventually went back and got it. I got it a little big so that I can wear it as a "jacket" over pants and a shirt or a dress, or button it and wear it as a modern take on a button down with pants or a skirt (tucked in, left out, sloppy tucked, sleeves rolled, etc, etc I could go on and on). The green is a neutral and the studs and gold accents make a regular casual-leaning shirt more interesting, modern and dressier. It looks great against dark or light solids and is the perfect element for pattern mixing, and it's just right when you're traveling or don't know what to wear; you can just throw on and it basically makes and outfit instantly. 

where to get it: Zara, $79.90
-E
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: DEMOCRACY} Happy Election Day!]]>Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:15:23 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-democracy-happy-election-day.htmlGo Vote!
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-E&S
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: FOOD} Paula Deen's french toast casserole]]>Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:39:13 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-food-paula-deens-french-toast-casserole.html
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This dish has been a staple for my mom's Yom Kippur break fast for as long as she's hosted it, so I decided to follow suit. This is perfect for big brunches...or whenever because I could probably eat the whole thing myself. I halved it because I only had a few people over, but it turned out just as delicious. It's super easy, but be prepared to make it in advance since you have to let it refrigerate overnight!
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french toast casserole
serves 6-8

13 to 16 ounces bread (she calls for french, but brioche or challah add a great texture and sweeter flavor to this dish)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
dash salt
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans (optional; I roasted them and served them on the side)
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
maple syrup
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (If using brioche or challah, I found it's easier to mix evenly if you cube the bread instead of slice it). Arrange slices or cubes in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch (I used a 9 by 9 with the half recipe) flat baking dish (in 2 rows if you're using slices, overlapping the slices). In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices, or toss cubes until evenly coated. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350º F.

Make Praline topping by mixing together butter, brown sugar, pecans (if using), corn syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup. If you have extra Praline Topping, serve with this as well in case anyone wants to add more!

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mmmmmmmmmm
]]><![CDATA[{FILE UNDER: FOOD} pizza toast (a hurricane delicacy)]]>Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:57:10 GMThttp://thefixationfiles.weebly.com/1/post/2012/11/file-under-food-pizza-toast-a-hurricane-delicacy.html
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In the midst of Hurricane Sandy, there wasn't much to do besides use all your electronic devices at once. Following Twitter got pretty entertaining, but it was also useful. Refinery 29 put up a helpful slideshow of food to make with ingredients you were bound to have lying around now that you couldn't leave your house/apartment and had stocked up on a bunch of food that would last through a power outage. Being the pizza lover (understatement) that I am, the recipe for pizza toast, original recipe here, of course caught my eye. (Like I've said before, I do my best to make pizza in as many forms as possible.) I made this as my next snack immediately, with some alterations from the original recipe to accommodate what I had in my kitchen, and it did not disappoint. This is definitely my new go-to snack. I guess I can thank Sandy for one thing!
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pizza toast
makes one piece of toast

1 piece of bread (sandwich type bread works best)
tomato paste (NOT sauce)
mozzarella cheese
herbs/spices for seasoning (optional)
your favorite pizza topping(s) (optional)
Toast the bread. I don't have a toaster oven, so I used a traditional toaster and toasted the bread first. If you have a toaster oven, toast bread on one side then apply ingredients to the other side.

Spread tomato paste, as much as desired, to cover one side of the bread and add a dash of salt and pepper, to taste. Drizzle with olive oil before spreading, if you will (I did). Here is where I got "crazy" and added some dried oregano and basil and sprinkled some red pepper flakes, all to taste (exact measurements weren't exactly on my mind mid-hurricane). 

Take mozzarella in whatever form you have it (I had shredded) and cover the surface of the bread. The original recipe calls for string cheese cut into parts. Fresh mozz, if you have it, would also be excellent (obviously). Then pop it in your oven under the broiler until the cheese is melty with those appetizing pizza-like brown spots. My broiler was smoking for some reason (have to get that checked out) so I ended up having to leave it in a 400º oven until the cheese melted, which took a little longer, but it also worked, as would a toaster oven. 

Remove from oven. Eat immediately. mmmmmmmmmm pizza-ish.
-E

P.S. These pictures were taken rather hastily. I apologize. Blame Sandy.
P.P.S. Until I made this, using tomato paste always bothered me because you usually don't need the whole can once you open it. SO, I looked up how to make it last, and a handy website instructed me to spoon 1tbsp amounts into sections of ice trays and freeze it. Once it's frozen, remove from ice trays and put in a bag, that way when a recipe calls for a measurement in tablespoons, you have it ready to go. You can use it right from being frozen and you don't have to throw out the whole can if you only use a little bit!
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