Annie of WifeLife

Accessorized and Accomplished

There's a new recipe guru on the food blogger scene and if you don't already know about her, you need to. Annie is the chic chef behind WifeLife, a rapidly growing Instagram account and soon-to-be website. Her beautifully presented, easy, low-fat recipes not only satisfy every appetite, but as an expression of her full and happy heart, she inspires her followers to add personal touches that reflect their love and devotion to their families and friends through healthy food. In addition to her crush-worthy kitchen expertise, Annie also happens to be a gorgeous and fashionable excessories devotee who hikes in heels and wore a hot pink floral head wreath on her wedding day! Could we love her any more?

Images from the @_wifelife_ Instagram account

BACKGROUND

Annie was born and raised in Brooklyn and moved to the Upper East Side when she was 22. A well-rounded girl of varied interests, she studied marketing and minored in photography and graphic design at Baruch College. She also dabbled in classes at various cooking schools including the ICE and the Natural Gourmet Institute throughout high school and college. After school, she spent 9 successful years with a career in finance, and was the only woman in the whole company at her most recent job. She recently resigned to focus on expanding WifeLife and devote her time to her loving husband and beautiful 4-month-old son, Teddy.

THE BIRTH OF WIFELIFE

Annie has had a passion for the kitchen since she was a young girl. Even before she was old enough to use the oven, she helped her mom and older sister with the plating and presenting the food. When she saw how happy her beautiful plates made her family, she felt like she had found her calling. As she got older, Annie took cooking classes, watched the food network regularly, and began hosting dinner parties for her family and friends.

Falling in love with her husband inspired Annie to turn her passion and hobby into WifeLife. She says, "He is the greatest man I ever met and he completely changed my life in every way. Cooking became much more than enjoying the activity, taste, and experience. It is a look into my life as a wife and a family woman, specifically through my cooking. It is a way of speaking my heart and mind, and showing my love, but on a plate, in a bowl, or in a lunch bag."

WHY WIFELIFE IS UNIQUE

There are 2 parts to WifeLife: the cooking and recipes that Annie creates and lifestyle goals for a happy, healthy, fulfilled life.

Unlike so many food bloggers that share beautiful photos of their complex recipes that are too time-consuming and complicated for the average person, WifeLife provides simple, delicious recipes filled with accessible and affordable ingredients. The message is that anyone, from a stay-at-home mom to a working bachelor, can cook a healthy, homemade meal with easy prep and easy clean up that is also pleasing to the eye.

WifeLife also encourages a healthy and happy lifestyle that provides inspiration to be a loving wife, strong partner, and supportive friend. Annie says, "It is my mission to take care of my family and make them feel loved and appreciated. Taking the time and effort to make my husband lunch and write him a sweet note are things that add romance and happiness to both of our lives." A WifeLife is a well-rounded life that makes time for workouts, hobbies, and life's beautiful moments.

Follow WifeLife on Instagram @_wifelife_ and be on the lookout for the WifeLife website coming soon! It will feature Annie's recipes along with videos, tips, and information about her private classes.

Style Q&A

Describe your style in 3 words:

Feminine- I love everything that makes me feel like a girl and a woman. Dresses, skirts, bows, ruffles, shoes, tights. Everything except for overwhelming sparkles and sequins. My one surprising exception is a long, navy, sequined blazer from Zara.

Sexy- Sexy, but in a beautiful and classy way. I have a rule. Only one article of clothing can be short or tight. I won’t wear a tight crop top with a mini skirt, but I will wear a crop top with a mid length A-line skirt.

Original- I love to mix and match. I will splurge and buy an expensive top from Barneys but then pair it with a great piece from Century 21. I love to wear bright colors, unusual patterns, and daring pieces.

Who are your personal fashion icons?

Cher from Clueless and Jackie O

What inspires your style?

The main thing that inspires my style is nature. I love everything about the beauty of the outdoors and that is reflected in my closet. Bright colors make me feel alive and floral patterns make me feel pretty. My style is not what follows the trend but rather what is timeless and consistent like nature.

What are a couple of your favorite places to shop?

One of my favorite designers is Dolce & Gabbana and almost my entire collection is from Century 21! I also absolutely love Betsey Johnson and was heartbroken when her store closed. I bought a bubble gum pink tulle mini dress from Betsey Johnson 6 years ago and I kept it in my closet and swore I would wear it to my bridal shower one day. 6 years later I took the tag off and wore it!

Three items in your closet you can't live without:

Chanel ballet flats, a great white button shirt, and my extensive collection of coats

Do you have any style tips for the ladies out there?

ANYONE can pull off ANYTHING! There is no such thing as someone not being able to wear something. Confidence is the most important thing you can wear, no matter what. If I feel like wearing pompoms all over my body then I will. And I have. And i got a lot of compliments that day!

Five Fun Facts

1. Hot Mama: Likes her food very, very spicy and will challenge any takers to a spicy-food-eating contest.

2. Tree Hugger: Can't live without the mountains, hiking, and camping, but always packs her designer dresses. Rugged walks in kitten heels led to 3 broken ankles. Yikes! (Our kind of girl!)

3. Old "Sew"l: Loves to knit and sew and recently made a cashmere navy baby blanket for her baby that he used during his bris.

4. Walking Woman: Takes her baby for a 3-hour walk in Central Park every day! (Probably in those kitten heels)

5. Adventure Seeker: A travel fanatic who recently spent her 3-week honeymoon in the French Polynesia followed by road-tripping through New Zealand. The day she returns from any trip, she books the next one.

A WifeLife "ANYTIME" Recipe

Fat Free Baked Egg White Muffins: Serving- 8 Muffins

What you'll need:

8 egg whites
1 zucchini, diced small
1/2 red pepper, diced small
1 small shallot, diced small
1 big handful of baby spinach, chopped small
salt
black pepper
paprika
garlic powder

Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until they are fluffy and a little frothy. Season with salt and pepper and whisk a little more. Add all the chopped vegetables and stir together. Season with paprika and garlic powder and any other spices you like such as cayenne pepper for some heat. Spray a muffin tin tray with pam or oil to prevent sticking. With a large spoon, fill each cup with the egg mixture, filling almost to the top but not quite. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Each muffin is equivalent to one egg white.

*Pesach Friendly

For inquiries e-mail itsmywifelife@gmail.com.

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