Soup Weather | Eggplant Ravioli Soup

As I've mentioned before, fall weekends for me are all about soup. There's nothing like making a big pot of soup on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon that warms you up better. Plus, you don't have to worry about cooking because it's ready to be heated up whenever. So once it's made its no muss no fuss. Just the way I like it. 

Last weekend I decided to try this Eggplant Ravioli Soup because I'm a huge fan of ravioli and well, eggplant parm is pretty bomb! So both in a soup seemed like a winning combo to me. The results were delicious - check out the recipe below!

What You'll Need:

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 eggplant, half of the skin peeled to make stripes in the flesh chopped into 1/4 inch cubes

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

salt and pepper

One 32 oz. container of chicken broth (I used organic and low sodium)

One 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

(I live with an Italian, so only Tutto Rosso or San Marzano will do!)

1 pound raviolini (mini ravioli -- and Celentanos is the best brand to get)

1 cup torn or sliced basil leaves

grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese for topping

Directions:

1. In a medium soup pot, melt the butter with the EVOO over medium heat. Add the eggplant and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to boil. Add the raviolini and cook until tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the basil.

2. Serve in soup bowls, topped with lots of extra cheese : )

it's that simple!

Served best with your favorite beer or glass of wine -- the perfect Sunday combo!

Also funny little sidebar: D doesn't like eggplant. He claims "it's a texture thing." Okkkkk. So when I made this soup I was hoping he wouldn't even notice. And in fact I was right! He took one look at the pot of the stove and said, "ohhh is that zucchini in there?" Mind you I didn't say yes, because that would be lying, so I just smiled and said "I hope you like this soup -- it took me forever to make."

In fact he did love the soup, and I waited until he finished his second heaping bowl to tell him that I guess he likes eggplant now ; )

Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as D did!!

xo Steph

polka dot tops, boots and some fur...

This was one of my favorite outfit last year (#tbt) and right around now the weather is getting crisp enough to get away wearing only a leather jacket and be comfortable. Awesome! Throw on some boots and a little faux fur and you've got yourself a chic autumn outfit. 

| Details |

Leather jacket: Gift  (nice option) // Polka dot sweater: Old Navy last year (cute option) 

Faux Fur scarf: J.Crew factory (similar) // Black mini skirt: Target (nice option) // Leggings: Gap // Boots: Steve Madden (similar)

Also I'm a big fan of wearing black and brown together (always have) yet some people think this is a fashion faux pas?

What are you thoughts on wearing black and brown together?

Happy almost Friday!!

xo Steph

sick days and breaking bad

First things first, I want to apologize for not posting in daaays (since last Thursday, but who's keeping track right?) but I have a really good explanation, I swear. So for one, I've been sick. I don't know if it's a cold, allergies, sinus infection or something else icky but I've been over here sneezing, blowing my nose, and drinking hot tea and chicken soup like it's my job. Totally not how I planned on spending my weekend. So that is one reason. My other reason for the lack of blogging. Two words: Breaking Bad. You either watch it or have at least heard of it, but either way I have to say this -- it. is. amazing. Seriously, the best show on tv hands down. I was late to the game, but better late than never. The show has run for 5 seasons and I decided to pick it up and see what everyone is talking about. With my trusty Netflix in hand, D and I became engulfed, immersed, OBSESSED with this show for hours on end. I'm talking coming home from working, plopping down on the couch and watching episode after episode on Netflix until 4am each night until we finished the series. Ok maybe not 4am considering we both wake up 5am every morning but you get the idea. We stayed up LATE.

Anyway, we just finished the show last night and I am suffering from withdrawals and currently experiencing PBBD (post Breaking Bad depression). Not sure anything will fill this void in my life, other than meth itself (kidding). So I'll just hang on to the memories that Jesse and Mr. White are still cooking up a batch somewhere out there ; )

So after all of this - I thought putting together a Breaking Bad themed party was just the thing to help me through this difficult time. For all my other Breaking Bad fans out there in blogger land - enjoy!

For all original sources and more fun, check out my Breaking Bad obsessed pinterest board.

And my apologies for anyone who won't get these BB references. 

For the festive theme party, it's all about the blue crystals. 99% pure

1. rock candy "crystal meth" cupcakes

2. festive blue drink - sign me up!

3. decorate with beakers. or better yet, use them for cocktails

4. fried chicken from los pollos hermanos. of course

5. funyuns. extra funyuns

6. breakfast all day every day. Walter Jr. would approve.

7. chamomile tea with soy milk. hold the stevia please.

8. love this print -- respect the chemistry.

9. mr. white and jesse doing their thing

10. cheers bryan cranston and aaron paul for a job well done!

and if you want to see a Breaking Bad video montage that will probably make you laugh and cry, check this one out over at buzzfeed. They have good stuff over there.

So please tell me, do I have any other Breaking Bad obsessed fans out there??

I'd love to chat with others about how depressed I am now that it's all over.

Who was your favorite character?

Did you like how it ended??

xo Steph

Sweater Weather.

I love this sweater. It's open knit which is awesome for look layered and it's loose fit allows me to sometimes where it slouchy off the shoulder. It's warm color is also so perfect for autumn. 

This is one of my favorite fall looks, hence the #tbt : )

| Details |

Sweater: American Eagle (cute option) // Jeans: Target (nice option) // Faux Fur: J.Crew (cute)

Watch: Michael Kors // Leather bracelet: Tory Burch // Bracelet: Michael Kors

Boots: Steve Madden // Bag: Louis Vuitton (alternate bag option)

Anyone have any fun plans for this weekend?

Happy Friday eve everyone!

xo Steph

also linking up with Tara at Mix and Match Fashion