Spicy Buffalo Popcorn

Fall is here and football season is in full swing.  Today we revisit one of our favorite recipe books, "Popcorn" by Patick Evans-Hylton for inspiration for a fall football-viewing party or tailgate snack.  Buffalo wings are a typical football food.  The Panther prefers not to be typical however.  The recipe for Spicy Buffalo Popcorn caught our eye and after reading the historical preface, we knew this was the snack to feature today.

"October 3, 1964, should be honored with a national holiday.  It was then that Frank and Teressa Bellisimo, owners of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, enterprisingly fried up some chicken wings and tossed them in a bath of melted butter and hot sauce.  The rest is history."
-From "Popcorn" by Patrick Evans-Hylton

The following recipe cpatures the flavor and spirit of the invention from over four decades ago.  This flavorful snack is perfect for your next tailgate party, bringing to the game, or nibbling any time.

Spicy Buffalo Popcorn

4 quarts freshly popped corn
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup vinegar-based hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder

- Preheat the oven to 300.  Line a baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking sheet and set aside.
- Put the popcorn in a large, clean paper bag or a washable muslin bag.  In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the butter, hot sauce, pepper, salt, sugar, and chili powder.  Drizzle the mixture over the popcorn, fold over the top of the bag, and shake until the popcorn is coated and moist.
- Spread the popcorn evenly over the baing sheet and bake until the popcorn is dry, 5 to 7 minutes.

Serve this tasty snack with celery sticks and bleu cheese dressing.

Enjoy... and "Go Team!"

-The Panther





Daydreaming of Autumn...

As we turn the calendar page over to October today, our minds turn to all the lovely things that fall brings.  The cool crisp air, the stunning colors of leaves, walks in the woods, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and hay rides. 



Wishing you happy autumn daydreams.

-The Panther



Friday Favorites: Missoni for Target

It has been the talk of the week:  Target's hugely successful recent release.  You've all read about how Target's website crashed, and stores were sold out within the hour, but what do you really think of the Missoni collection?  The Panther checked it out and actually scored a cute little sweater.  Here are some of her favorite pieces in the collection.

This coffee set is darling and cheerful and would make a fabulous gift.

This zig-zag knit jumper is adorable!

This four piece patio set is probably my favorite part of

the Missoni for Target line.  I wish I had scored this set.

I'm always a fan of funky socks and these are fabulously funky.

Loving this scarf and especially these long gloves.

How fun are these make-up kits!

How can you not love this bicycle!  The Panther would loooove

to cruise around town on this thing.  According the a NY Times article, even

actress Jessica Alba and musician Jessica Simpson were tweeting about their

love of this adorable bicycle.

The Panther wants to know, what are your favorite pieces from the collection, and were you lucky enough to score anything?

-The Panther



Color Inspiration: Sunflower Yellow

As the seasons change the Panther craves color that is bright and sunny like summer but warm and comforting like autumn.  Whether you are bringing it into your home decor, or adding it to your wardrobe, the perfect color for the season is sunflower yellow.

Interiors are lovely in this shade of yellow.  Look how comforting and rich the walls are in this living room.

A big fan of using bright sunflower yellow in her interior design is Kelly Wearstler.  We love her look on the cover of her book, Modern Glamour.

Here is another Kelly Wearstler interior with a lot of punchy bright yellow accents.  I love the yellow club chairs and the classic ginger jar lamps in this room.

Yellow is a great accent to wear with black.  This outfit has a lot of yellow but is put together nicely.

LOVING this vintage 1970's shirt dress.  Stay off of ebay because the Pather is bidding on this one.

Not brave enough to rock the head to toe yellow?  A bright little accent can go a long way like this chiffon silk scarf.



Yellow is often the color associated with cowardice but the Panther finds it cheerful and daring.  Bring it in your home and rock it in your wardrobe... Panther style.

-The Panther







Prowling for the Perfect Halloween Costume

It is coming up fast... The Panther's favorite day of the year... Halloween.  Do you have your costume yet?  The Panther is all about the perfect, unique, one-of-a-kind costume and a lot of thought and work go into creating the perfect costume every year.  Here are some of her favorite places to shop and help make that perfect costume come together more easily.

Halloween Warehouse:  This little shop in Beaverton is packed to the max with all things Halloween.  Here you will find your typical pre-packaged Halloween costumes, but they have so many here you are bound to at least get inspiration.  Not only do they have costumes galore, they have tons of accessories such as wigs, weapons, and wounds to finish off your costume.  The colorful staff is friendly and surprisingly knowledgeable on their vast inventory.  Shopping here can be a bit chaotic and there is often a long line for dressing rooms.  I definitely recommend pawing through their thousands of costumes for inspiration.

Halloween Warehouse

11465 SW Canyon Road  Beaverton, OR

www.halloweenwarehouseor.com

Costume Avenue:  While out in Beaverton stop into this costume shop as well.  The super friendly staff here will happily give you the tour of their highly organized shop.  Costumes are organized by category and era.  The collection is expansive but there is even more in their back room so if you do not see what you are looking for, just ask them.  Primarily a rental shop, they do have many items available for sale as well.  This is a great place to find group costumes.

Costume Avenue

12760 SW 1st Street  Beaverton, OR

www.costumeavenue.com

Ray's Ragtime:  This vintage clothing store in downtown Portland is always a must stop on the Panther's costume prowl.  Their vintage clothing is always in great condition and good quality.  Their inventory is a little on the pricey side but usually worth the cost it you are trying to achieve an authentic look.  I purchased a 1950's skirt suit in pristine condition a few years back for a costume as well as a 1950's leather handbag.  I spent more than I had budgeted for the costume but ended up wearing the suit and using the handbag for everyday use because it was such nice quality. 

Ray's Ragtime

1001 SW Morrison  Portland , OR

3 Monkeys:  Another must for costume accessories is NW 23rd's 3 Monkey's.  This store is an amalgam of vintage housewares, vintage jewelry, club wear, handbags, and accessories.  Sometimes inspired by the clubwear clothing, the accessories are really the draw here.  Pastel page-boy wigs, glittered fairy wings, studded belts, and crystal tiaras, 3 Monkeys has it all.  The vintage jewelry is lovely and also just the needed detail to complete a costume. 

3 Monkeys

803 NW 23rd  Portland, OR

Hollywood Vintage:   This maybe the last place on the Panther's list today, but this is always the first stop on her Halloween costume prowl.  This vintage clothing store is immense!  There is a costume section but better yet are the aisles and aisles of vintage clothing.  There is a room of just wigs, a room of shoes, and vintage eyewear galore.  There is actually more menswear here which is nice as it is often hard to find men's costumes.  Even though there is more men's clothing than women's, there is still ample women's clothing, costumes and accessories.  Also, there is a pretty awesome shop cat that wanders around if you are lucky enough to see him.

Aisles and aisles of vintage goodness at Hollywood Vintage

Hollywood Vintage

NE 28th and Sandy  Portland, OR

http://www.hollywoodvintage.com/

Happy costume hunting.  Stop into these shops and let them know the Panther sent you.

-The Panther







Transitioning Your Home from Summer to Fall

The seasons are changing.  The leaves are starting to change and there is a crispness in the morning air.  The Panther still wants to hold on to summer though.  Here are a few subtle changes you can make in your home to welcome in autumn, without rushing it in.

Sunflower Wreath:  Sunflowers start in mid summer and last through fall.  They are a wonderful flower that transcends the season.  Welcome your guests and welcome in autumn with a sunflower wreath on your front door.

Fresh Flowers in Autumn Tones:  Homes are always cheery with fresh cut flowers.  You don't have to do bouquets of autumn leaves and gourds just yet.  Instead of selecting the bright pinks and reds of summer, select blooms in warm autumn tones.

Pears and Apples in Bowl:  These are the fruits of the season and the colors are lovely.  Fill a favorite basket, bowl or tray with pears and apples and use as a cheerful centerpiece.

Candle Groupings:  Candles are beautiful anytime of year but large groupings are nice in the autumn.  Fill your fireplace with pillar candles in varied heights or set up a grouping on a tray.  You get the atmosphere of the fire without the extreme heat from an actual wood fire in your fireplace.

Just Add Raffia:  Raffia is inexpensive and a fun addition to your decor.  Tie raffia bows around pillar candles, votives or vases. 

It is good to start subtle as the seasons change.  Try a few of these tips to welcome Autumn in.

-The Panther





Friday Favorites: Boots!

The best thing about the arrival of autumn is the fall fashions.  I have a great love of boots and finally we are at the season where I can rock my boots once again.  Here are some of my favorites.

Classic black high-heel boots by Calvin Klein

Every girl needs a pair of classic black high-heel boots.  These are indispensable in my wardrobe. They can be worn with almost anything:  short skirts, longer skirts, dresses, jeans, stretch pants, or gauchos.  Do you have a frilly floral print dress that feels too much like spring?  Pair it with some tights, a cardigan and some classic black boots and it is ready for fall.

Vintage leather cowboy boots

Cowboy boots are another must in my wardrobe.  The more scuffed-up the better so I recommend shopping the vintage stores for a perfectly worn-in pair.  Like the classic black boot, cowboy boots are adorable with a feminine floral dress and make the outfit more season appropriate. 

Motorcycle boots by Matiko

Always a sucker for mortorcycle-inspired fashions, a pair of motorcycle boots are a great addition to your wardrobe.  Cute over skinny jeans or with a skirt and tights.  Real motorcycle boots are made to last.  Invest in a classically styled pair and wear them for years.

Riding Boots by Franco Sarto

Equestrian inspired fashions are still hanging on because of their classic style.  Riding boots are super cute over skinny jeans and a cropped blazer.  Like the cowboy boots and motorcycle boots, riding boots are classic and a good pair can be kept for years and never go out of style.

Red suede over-the-knee boots by Christian Louboutin

Less practical than the other boots I've mentioned are these fabulous red suede boots.  I happened to see these in a magazine the other day and I cannot stop thinking about them.  Imagine these paired with a simple, short black dress and black tights.  They kind of remind me of a super hero and that makes me like them even more.

Monty Boots by Manolo Blahnik

These are just for fun.  They are simply statement boots but oh what a statement they make.  I can see these worn with skinny black pants and a bright colored oversize sweater.

The season is here so have fun with your fall fashions.  Pick up some of the "staple" boots for your wardrobe if you don't already own them.  Watch for the Panther... She'll be the one in the red suede over-the-knee Christian Louboutins!

-The Panther