Chic Galleria » Beth Anderson

Friday Dessert: Southern Living Strawberry Cream Pie

Beth Anderson — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:37:54 +0000

“Strawberry Cream Pie, oh my! You can’t resist the combination of chocolate cookie crust, creamy custard filling, and fresh strawberries. Best of all, it can be made ahead for company, just in time for your next Spring gathering.” – Southern Living Food Director Shannon Satterwhite

STRAWBERRY CREAM PIE

Yield: Makes 8 servings
Total time: 5 Hours, 45 Minutes

A dark-chocolate crust and jewel-bright berries brushed with jelly turn this down-home pie into a company-worthy fare.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar, divided
3 cups half-and-half
6 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (9-oz.) package chocolate wafer cookies
1/2 (4-oz.) semisweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 qt. fresh strawberries
1/4 cup red currant jelly
1 tablespoon orange liqueur

Preparation
1. Whisk together first 3 ingredients and 2/3 cup sugar in a medium-size heavy saucepan. Whisk together half-and-half and next 2 ingredients in a small bowl; gradually add to cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly.

2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and transfer to a bowl; cover and chill 4 to 24 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 350°. Pulse wafer cookies and chopped chocolate in a food processor 8 to 10 times or until finely crushed. Stir together cookie crumb mixture, melted butter, and remaining 1/3 cup sugar; firmly press mixture on bottom, up sides, and onto lip of a lightly greased 9-inch pie plate.

4. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

5. Spoon chilled half-and-half mixture into prepared crust. Cut 8 to 10 strawberries in half, and arrange around outer edge of pie (leaving tops on, if desired); hull and slice remaining strawberries, and arrange in center of pie.

6. Cook jelly in a small saucepan over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes or until melted. Remove from heat, and stir in liqueur. Brush jelly mixture gently over strawberries. Chill, uncovered, 30 minutes.

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck and Caroline Cunningham

Chic Galleria’s Editor-in-Chief, Beth Anderson is a member of the the Southern Living Source community.

Building Your Wardrobe with Neutrals

Beth Anderson — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:58:17 +0000

With the pending Oklahoma heat and numerous daytime events to attend this month, I’ve got to have things in my closet that are neutral. I find that having plenty of neutral statement pieces makes it easy to dress appropriately for a luncheon, client consultation or a business meeting with my Public Relations Director. Building out from a neutral colored dress is super easy with some great accessories. Here I’m showing you calm with a slant on the safari theme that is so big this Spring. a.k.a Michael Kors. Obviously you can change the whole look with a bright bag, scarf or jewelry. This classic camel colored Ralph Lauren dress is perfect for an apple shaped body like mine.

Dress – Ralph Lauren

Bag – Michael Kors

Shoes – Jimmy Choo

Necklace – Maya Brenner

Bracelet – Yves Saint Laurent

Beth B. Anderson is the creator and CEO of Chic Galleria Publications, LLC. She’s collaborated with ELLE. VOGUE, ALLURE and LUCKY magazines. Follow her on Twitter @ChicGalleria, Facebook or Pinterest. Questions? Email beth@chicgalleria.com

Having Some Fun with Khaki Shorts

Beth Anderson — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:08:17 +0000

It’s shorts weather in Oklahoma! With temperatures in the high 80s last week, it was time to style my good ‘ole standby khaki shorts. I found this cute top in a local boutique in downtown Broken Arrow, added some jewelry from my favorite designer, Tonnie Dosser and these extremely comfortable wedges from Aerosoles. I’ve talked before about heels not being my friends, but these shoes are easy to walk in and have cushy insoles.

Don’t be afraid to have fun styling your basics. I promise if you own a simple pair of khaki shorts, there is so much you can do with them.

Shoes courtesy of Aerosoles
Top: local boutique
Shorts: LOFT
Leather Cuff and Charm Necklace: Divine Whimsy

How do you dress up your khaki shorts? Do you think these shorts are too long?

Beth B. Anderson is the creator and CEO of Chic Galleria Publications, LLC. She’s collaborated with VOGUE, ELLE, and LUCKY magazines. Follow her on Twitter @ChicGalleria, Facebook or Pinterest. Questions? Email beth@chicgalleria.com

3 Accessories You Must Own

Beth Anderson — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:41:37 +0000

After you’ve purged your closet or gone through a wardrobe change, you’ve got to start thinking about accessories. You can wear your three essential wardrobe items with amazing accessories and you will always look classic and chic.

1. A huge statement ring. Please make sure it reflects your personality. It can be your favorite color, favorite animal or favorite shape. Just wear a ring you really love.

2. Multiple bangle bracelets. Again, have them reflect your personality. Never mix metals…it’s a pet peeve of mine. Layer bracelets all on one wrist. I usually wear my bracelets and ring on the same wrist and hand.

3. A Scarf. A scarf is the perfect accessory for multiple uses. Wear it around your neck or tie it around the handle of your handbag.

Ring: Kate Spade

Leather Camel Snakeskin Bracelet: Alexandra Beth

Two Tone Leather Bracelet in Gold and White: Alexandra Beth

Designs Snakeskin Leather Wrap Bracelet: Alexandra Beth

Leather Studded Wrap Bracelet: Gorjana Graham

Silk Scarf – JCrew

In addition to our online magazine, we offer full service styling and wardrobe consultations to clients in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our online store is an outlet for our clients to consign their clothes and our readers and buyers to purchase amazing pieces at a fraction of their retail cost. Be sure to check back as we get new merchandise regularly.

3 Items You Must Have In Your Closet

Beth Anderson — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:58:55 +0000

Let’s say you’ve changed weight or you’re sick of your clothes. Maybe your daughter raided your closet and you’re favorite sweater now looks like she stretched it into a dress. I admit all these things have happened to me recently. So thinking about what I absolutely HAVE to have in my closet to build a wardrobe, I put together this list.

1. White cotton long-sleeved blouse. Don’t get one with a bunch of ruffles or one that looks like you raided a man’s closet. Go for something simple with clean lines.

2. Black pencil skirt. Don’t get one that is too short. Choose the correct skirt length that doesn’t scream “I just left my job on 11th Street” or “I didn’t have time to hem it up off the ground.” Woman 35+ should wear their skirts just above the knee no matter what the latest skirt length trend may be, in my opinion.

3. A pair of jeans for your body shape. I love reading articles about what jeans look best based on the shape of your body. I’m an apple, thick in the middle, curvy…whatever. I wholeheartedly believe that you have to buy jeans for your body shape.

Three easy pieces to build upon. Ready to purge your closet and start over?