Banana Pops

I love finding recipes for healthy treats, and the banana pop recipe is one of my new favorites. You will love snacking on a banana pop without feeling guilty. 

First, begin by gathering your ingredients.

• Fage Total 0% Greek Yogurt

• Nectresse

• Crushed Almonds

• Creamy Peanut Butter

• Popsicle Sticks

• Bananas (1 banana makes two pops)

Next, slice your bananas in half.

Peel the banana halves, and slide a popsicle stick in the center of each banana.

Mix one cup of Fage Greek yogurt, one tablespoon of nectresse sweetener, and two tablespoons of peanut butter together in a bowl.

If you cannot find crushed almonds in the grocery store, pound sliced or whole almonds.

Begin dipping the banana pops into the greek yogurt and peanut butter mixture. Use a knife to evenly spread the yogurt mixture on the banana.

Once the banana has been dipped in the yogurt mixture, sprinkle the banana with crushed almonds.

Place the yogurt and almond covered banana pops on a tray lined with parchment paper.

Place the tray of banana pops in the freezer for two and a half to three hours.

Remove the pops from the freezer when firm, and enjoy! I made banana pops for one of my friend's birthday, and I added a cute bow to the pops for a finishing touch! I hope you enjoy banana pops as much as I do.

Stay Sweet and Stylish!
xoxo,
Lilla Bea

Fashionable Fitness with Pure Barre

Pure Barre is my new favorite activity. Pure Barre is a type of exercise combining aerobics, yoga, and pilates to tone muscles and change bodies. I am already seeing results after just eight classes. Each class lasts for 55 minutes and uses only three pieces of exercise equipment to perform its motto "Life, Tone, Burn."

Pure Barre uses small weights to tone arms.

Small red balls are also used in classes to slim thighs and legs.

Pure Barre also uses a red tube for stretching exercises.

Unique to Pure Barre, many exercises are performed on a ballet barre. There are a wide variety of different ways to "Lift, Tone, and Burn" on the barre.

Katie Lowder has just opened a Pure Barre studio in Montgomery located at the A and P lofts. It is my new favorite way to stay fit! http://purebarre.com/AL-montgomery/index.html

Not only does Pure Barre Montgomery have great workouts, but they also have the cutest work out clothes!

Pure Barre Montgomery has a great selection of Lucy, Splits 59, and Pure Barre apparel. I love adding cute Pure Barre clothes to my closet

I hope you all try Pure Barre. You will not be disappointed! It is the best form of exercise. I hope you like Pure Barre as much as I do!

Stay sweet and stylish!
xoxo,
Lilla Bea

How to Wear Your Hair

No girl wants to wear her hair the same way everyday, and I have found some of the cutest hairstyles for this spring. Don't be afraid to spice up a typical pony tail or add a little sparkle to your hair with a clip!

A preppy pony tail is an easy and fashionable look. Simply pull your hair back into a normal pony tail, and wrap a section of your hair around the pony tail, hiding the hair band. Then, pin the hair with bobby pins to secure the look! This look can be worn with colored jeans and a cute top or even a formal dress.

A fashionable fish tail is another great hair style. Fish tails are so fun, and they are a great finish to a casual look. They work well with a sun dress, a pair of jeans, or a simple skirt.

A beautiful braid is a great way to complete an outfit. Simply french braid your hair into a pony tail. Then, curl your pony tail adding a little bounce and sophistication to your look.

Cute clips are a great addition to a hairstyle. A jeweled or sparkly clip can make a great fashion statement in your hair.

Thanks to two of my friends, Katter and Rachel, for helping me model these hairstyles. Remember to finish your look with a great hairstyle this spring!

Stay Sweet and Stylish!
xoxo,
Lilla Bea

Printemps Pears with Bumble Bee Sauce

Printemps Pears are a fabulous dessert all of your guests will love. They are perfect for a special occasion, garden party, or holiday gathering. Printemps Pears have become a family tradition at our Christmas Eve table -- a modern twist on a partridge in a pear tree.

First, begin by gathering your ingredients.
• Secure a Bosc pear for each of your guests
• 1 package of Pillsbury pie crust dough per every 4 pears
• 1 can of eagle brand milk
• 1 cup of caramel sauce
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla flavoring
• Fresh mint

Next, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Cut the pie crust dough into one inch strips.

Wrap each pear with the dough strips, beginning at the stem, and work your way down the body of the pear.

The pears then begin looking like a bee hive.

Glaze the pears with cooking spray, and place the pears on a greased cookie sheet, and bake for approximately one hour at 375 degrees.

While the pears are cooking, in a bowl, combine the caramel sauce, cinnamon, eagle brand milk, and vanilla flavoring.

Remove the pears from the oven when done, and place them in a rimmed serving bowl filled with bumble bee sauce. Garnish the top of the pears with a sprig of mint.

Enjoy Printemps Pears with Bumble Sauce at your next party, holiday gathering, or garden party!

Stay Sweet and Stylish!
xoxo,
Lilla Bea

Chicken Bundles

One of my favorite recipes is Chicken Bundles. They are quick, easy, and delicious. My mom has served them over the years, and chicken bundles are always a hit.

First, begin by gathering your ingredients. 

• 2 tablespoons of chopped pimentos

• 1 teaspoon of pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

• 1 tablespoon of tarragon

• 1 package of crescent rolls

• 2 tablespoons of melted butter

• 2 1/2 cups of chopped cooked chicken

• 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese

• 1 package of seasoned croutons
• 2 tablespoons of milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Next, in a bowl, mix together the pimentos, pepper, salt, tarragon, cream cheese, milk, and chopped chicken.

On a flat surface, create four rectangles with the crescent rolls. Seal the diagonal perforations. 

Then, spoon about about one half of a cup of the mixture onto each crescent roll rectangle. 

Seal the crescent rolls together around the mixture, creating a bundle.

Place the bundles on a greased pan, and wash them with melted butter.

Crush the croutons into crumbs. 

Dust the crushed croutons over the bundles.

Place the bundles in the oven for 20 minutes on 350 degrees.

You will not be disappointed with chicken bundles. They are perfect to serve to your family or friends. Chicken Bundles appeal to pallets of every age!

Stay Sweet and Stylish!
xoxo,
Lilla Bea

Cupid Cups

Valentine's is a day filled with love, cards, and baking. This Valentine's, I tried a new recipe for what I now call "Cupid Cups." These contain everything most of us love -- chocolate, peanut butter, and oreos.

First, begin by gathering your ingredients.
•1 Package of Oreos
•1/2 Jar of Creamy Peanut Butter
•1 box of brownie mix
• cupcake liners
• 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 1/4 cup of water (what your brownie mix requires)

Next, preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and place the cupcake liners in your pan. Spread about one teaspoon of peanut butter on top of an oreo. Then, place another oreo on top so that you have made a little sandwich. Spread another teaspoon of peanut butter on top of the sandwich.

Place the sandwich in the cupcake liner. Repeat this process with all oreos.

Whip up the brownie mix using the instructions on the box. Be sure to whisk the batter until you get a relatively smooth mixture.

Spoon about two generous tablespoon of the brownie batter on top of each sandwich. The batter should run completely over the top and sides of each oreo sandwich.

Put the cupid cups in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes on 350 degrees.

Remove the cupid cups, and let them cool completely before enjoying.

Once cool, these cupid cups make the perfect Valentine treat!

I made cupid cups for my friends and teachers on Valentine's! I packaged them in a clear bag and added a cute ribbon to complete the treat! I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Stay sweet and stylish!
xoxo,
Lilla Bea

Make a Statement

Accessorize -- the most important fashion opportunity. Shoes, jewelry, and handbags can make or break an outfit. Necklaces are often the "cherry on top" finishing a perfect ensemble. Women of every age find statement necklaces especially stylish.

This simple gold necklace could be worn with a casual spring ensemble or cocktail attire. With a single moby pearl, this versatile piece would perfectly complete an outfit. Visit http://www.exvotovintage.com to see more of these wonderful creations by the Montgomery, Alabama jewelry designer, Elizabeth Adams.

This fashion forward creation with its antique jade and gold beads makes a bold statement. This Ex Voto design would pair perfectly with a scoop neck blouse or a simple dress. Whether attending a spring cookout or an upcoming interview, this combination equally enhances your favorite pair of jeans or a tailored blouse.

This necklace is an example of how a vintage piece can easily be transformed into modern fashion. My parents worked with Elizabeth Adams to design a modern necklace centered around this antique broach. The cream pearls and unique bee broach accompanied by the gold clasp make an exquisite statement. This piece would be perfect to wear to a church or synagogue service, a luncheon, or that special occasion.

What girl doesn't love a monogram? Monogrammed jewelry is one of this spring's biggest trends. This simple necklace is the perfect statement accessory, and it can be worn with practically any outfit. On a recent visit to Greenville, South Carolina, I found a resource that every girl dreams of -- the Pink Monogram. I have fallen in love with this cute monogram shop. Visit http://www.thepinkmonogram.com to see more of the Pink Monogram's extensive collection of fashionable accessories.

This spring remember to make a statement with your jewelry. Before heading to a gathering or dinner party be sure to complete your outfit with the perfect accessory.

Stay sweet and stylish!
xoxo,

Lilla Bea