Where have you been?

First of all: Rihanna.

Second of all: I've been on a bit of a blogging break the past few months. Just living the life, you know?

Here's an Iphone infused recap of the past few months.

Be back soon...

Good.

The Winner of the CrunchMaster giveaway is Jordan!

Congrats, Jordan. Email me (amanda@fashionablyplate.com) with your address so I can send you the crackers. 

And now, a message from Ryan: 

WIAW: I'm back.

Hey. I figured it was time I rejoined the WIAW party! I haven't posted a full day of eats in awhile, so here you go.

First things first: Shoutout to my favorite food party animal, Jen for hosting. Please feel free to stalk her blog (especially the WIAW posts) for awesome food ideas.

Let's get to it. 

Brek: 5:45AM 

- Cinnamon toast eaten whilst Facebooking/Tweeting/Email Checking

Drink: 6:30AM

-Green tea, brewed then sat on the counter to cool then placed in a to-go cup

Lunch: 12:00PM

-Strawberries and yogurt + Cliff

Drink: 12:45PM

-Tall Iced Mocha w/ soy via 'Bucks

Snacks: 3:00PM, 5:30PM

-Insert picture of Easter M&Ms and almonds here

Dinner: 7:00PM

-Chicken salad sandwich and sweet potato tortilla chips via Fresh Market

Obviously, I was feeling the carbs today. Looks like that extra cup of veggies challenge might be a good idea. 

And, sweet potato tortilla chips? Please do that immediately. 

Speaking of carbs, don't forget to enter my CrunchMaster Crackers Giveaway! Tomorrow is the last day to enter. 

Where the Magic Happens.

Hey kids! Since starting a new job, fashion has been put on the back burner. This is because I work in a medical office. As a result, I hear this song every single morning when I get dressed.

Since I don't have many fashion pictures to share, I figured I would give you a behind the scenes tour of the place where my clothes become outfits. Really, what I am trying to say is that I know you all are dying to see what my closet looks like. Luckily for you, I was cleaning it out last weekend and decided to take a few pictures while in the midst of a major closet makeover.

the clos

First, I must tell you this is not a real closet. It's actually was built onto the wall based on something I saw on Trading Spaces 8 years ago. (Does anyone remember Carter Oosterhouse? Yum.)

As I cleaned out the closet, I came across a few interesting items. As a fashion lover, sometimes I just have trouble parting with things that are basically pointless. 

Exhibit A

fuzzy boots that a Floridian would never use

    Exhibit B

AE mini skirt circa 2005

Exhibit C

just a bag. with Justin Timberlake's face on it.

After climbing through piles of clothing, weeding through the bad, and keeping the good, I reorganized the accessories. Located atop my drawers. 

toppers

If there is one thing I need, it's for all of my jewelry to be in line. With help from the store, it's possible. 

back of door hooks for necklaces

fruit holder for bracelets and sunglasses

dessert plates for the rest (aka, fashion plates. get it?)

Last but not least, it's always important to have your clutches in an easy to see place. Back when Thriveday was my life this was perfect. Now, it's still perfect just not used as much. It's ok. I'm not bitter. 

blurry, much like the nights that compliment these bags

You know what they say, "behind every girl's outfit is an interesting closet." They probably don't say that, but they should. 

**They (as in you) should also enter my CrunchMaster Cracker Giveaway. Do it.

The Do's and Don'ts of Crop Tops

**Have you entered my Crunchmaster Giveaway? Do that here!

About a month ago, I went on a pre-spring shoppingfest. As I perused the stores, every single slightly unorganized but still enticing table was covered with crop tops. Last week, I caught up on the my fashion mag reading. The models covered the pages in the midriff baring shirts. A few days ago, I am pretty sure I caught a glimpse of Kathy Lee and Hoda talking all things crop tops in between sips of the morning cocktails on an episode of the Today Show.

All of this can only mean one thing. Crop tops are taking over our spring fashion world. Given the amount of material that often comprises a crop top, this look can easily go from class to trash. In an effort to keep things good, I’ve stalked a few celebrities and compiled a list of Do's and Don’ts for crop tops.

Do: keep your overall look simple. 

-crop tops make a bold statement so keep the rest of the outfit on the chill side.

ala Audrina

party on the top, business on the bottom

Don't: wear a bra and call it a crop top.
-Just don't.

ala Karmin singer, Amy Heidemann

a bra is not a shirt

Do: layer your crop top.
-This is a great way to keep the crop classy.

ala Katherine Heigl

feel free to leave the Uggs at home

Don’t: wear crop tops with weird/nonsense/crazy/stupid sayings or quotes on them.
-Stick with a solid color or print, phrases are just distracting.

ala Katy Perry

we are scared, Katy

Do: dress up your crop top.
-Crop tops are notoriously casual but they can be dressy if pieced the right way.

ala Ashley Simpson

cropped and classy

Don’t: wear try to disguise a glorified scarf as a crop top.
-If your top covers less than a dish towel would, you might want to reconsider.

a la JWoww

definitely a situation

Although slightly risky (or risque depending on the outfit), crop tops are a great staple for spring. Whether you pair one with a bikini by the pool or a skirt for a night out, crop tops are a great way to show that rocking warm weather bod that I know all of you have!

Do it.

In Review: Crunchmaster Crackers + Giveaway

Hey health lovers! A few weeks ago, something amazing happened to me. I spoke with the fantastic people over at Crunchmaster about their products. Being the cracker lover that I am, I figured these crackers would pretty much rock my world.

Just seconds after the samples arrived at my door, I tore into just about every bag. 

The company sent me a variety of the crackers to try. The Roasted Vegetable flavor tasted like a healthy version of chips and salsa, aka, automatic winner in my book. The Sea Salt and Original flavors were perfect with hummus and the Roasted Garlic? Uh, ate those straight up and never looked back. 

In short, these crackers are amazing! 

To break it down Crunchmaster products are:

-low in fat

-low in sodium

-cholesterol free

-trans fat free

-gluten free

Did you see that last part? Gluten Free! Most of the time, crackers are swimming with gluten, but Crunchmaster products are made with rice, quinoa, and other grains that do not contain gluten. This way, they are not only delicious, but safe for all you gluten free people out there. 

I also love that these crackers are gluten free because my Biff is a gluten free goddess.  As they say, if your best friend can eat it, you automatically love it. 

The people from Crunchmaster a so great, they are giving me a chance to share these crackers with you!

One winner will receive a 12 bag variety pack of Crunchmaster products!

To enter:

-Like Crunchmaster on Facebook

-Follow Crunchmaster on Twitter

Then leave a comment telling me that you liked and/or followed. 

(each comment counts as an entry so be sure to leave a comment for each thing you do!)

I'll randomly select and announce a winner next Thursday, April 6th. 

*Giveaway open to those in the US only.*

Thanks to the great people at Crunchmaster for letting my review! 

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Scones

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned this, but I'm actually around 1/4 English/British/Scottish. As a result, I often pretend Jude Law is my boyfriend and I seen a few episodes of the original Office. In addition to that, I also really love scones, biscuits, croissants, crepes, and any other carb-laden food from across the pond.

Yesterday, I read something about Hugh Grant finally revealing the name of his daughter. (Yeah, I didn't know he had a daughter either).

That was all it took. I had to make scones immediately. 

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Scones

adapted from Skinny Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Scones

Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
-1/4 cup raw cane sugar
-2 tsp vanilla
-1 egg
-2 cups whole wheat pastry flour*
-1 Tbsp baking powder
-pinch of salt
-3 Tbsp cold butter, cut into pieces
-3/4 cup chopped strawberries
-1/2 mini chocolate chips

Directions
-preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheets with parchment paper (or spray with cooking spray)
-mix wet ingredients and sugar in small bowl
-mix dry ingredients in larger bowl
-add butter, combine until the dry mixture looks crumbly
-combine dry and wet, do NOT over mix
-once combined, add strawberries and chocolate chips
-place dough on cutting board and form a largish circle, cut into 8-12 slices
-bake for about 10 minutes or until slightly golden and firm

* You can substitute 1 cup regular flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour

Eat up, buttercups!