For Me

I went to find something for myself the other day. Now, you’ll be saying, don’t you normally buy most accessories and clothes for…yourself? Sure, you do. But things with meaning take time and sometimes you get them without realizing how much they meant.

I recently purchased the Bella Ring with Garnet ($259.00) from James Avery. I cannot tell you how wonderful this ring is. I keep looking at it in the sunshine and watching it glisten back and forth with it’s varying shades of Crimson. I own the garnet studs for James Avery, I have worn them as favorites for awhile, they are classic shapes and for not being much of a jewelry hound, my pieces tend to be basic in nature if I’m going to wear them all the time.

This ring makes a statement without being large. It’s color seems to not stand out making an overstatement, but keeps it’s place on my hand. The stone tends to make every sort of red I do wear pop and makes it feel a little more special. I’ve wanted a right hand ring for awhile, this fit the bill well. It’s a significant purchase for me, it feels good to wear. I originally wanted a structured band of sorts, but at the moment, will continue to wait and look for the perfect one.

I bought this ring to indulge myself. I wish I could do so more, but I figure it wouldn’t feel as sweet when I did. I’m sitting here typing and continue to enjoy it. I hope you find the same sort of bliss in a shop window too!

Thanksgiving is Over

We survived troops! Hope your dishes are cleaned, your turkey is gone or at least frozen or being used and that your holiday shopping season is done or underway.

I’m an early shopper and admittedly only have one or two gifts to shop for yet.  My Christmas decorations are starting to go up and make their way into my house. The trees, yes plural, are up and lighted. I haven’t placed the gifts underneath them yet, I almost feel like it’s bragging to say that I’m almost done and can sit with my feet up for the rest of the season.

I’ve already chosen my office party dresses for the year. I work for two different departments and ever being frugal, I chose my frocks at after season sales last year. I’m quite pleased that one of the dresses was from my larger days and had to be taken in order to fit. Good on me, course given last week’s eating frenzy, I hope the alterations weren’t done too hastily – I may need them let out!

This is the easiest week of the season to me, Thanksgiving done, Christmas is still a little far out and the largest bout of Christmas shopping is completed by the public at large. I’m not necessarily looking forward to the vultures in the parking lot of every shop I go to, but the idea that more people seem to be smiling at each other helps take the edge off.

Enjoy your week. Enjoy the day. It’ll be a great one.

Just a Reminder

Since I posted my entire melange of Thanksgiving Recipes last year, I wanted to make sure that they aren’t forgotten…or more selfishly, that you didn’t think I was crazy for NOT posting a turkey or stuffing or gravy or even a green bean casserole recipe. That said, click on the lovely turkey dinner below for the archive of my Thanksgiving recipes.

Thank You

Finally readers out there, I’m thankful for you reading. I may not be read much…yet….I’ve got big dreams. But at least I think I’m making a start on something that could be big. This is hope. It reminded me of a quote on facebook I saw once…

"It's impossible," said pride. "It's risky," said experience. "It's pointless," said reason. "Give it a try," whispered the heart.

That said I hope this finds you the happiest, ready-to-eatiest, group of Americans, I hope you are surrounded by nothing but love, warmth and appreciation for all the gifts that you are. Happy Thanksgiving.

Just Like Each Year…

Caramelized Apple Spice Cake

2 1/2 sticks (20 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans

1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise

2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and grated on the large holes of a box grater (4 cups)

1/2 cup apple cider

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar

4 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/4 cups pecan halves (5 ounces), toasted dark and finely ground in a food processor

Put 1/2 stick butter into a large nonstick skillet. Using the tip of a paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into skillet, and toss in pod. Cook over medium heat until butter is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in apples, cider, and 1 cup granulated sugar. Raise heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and cook until apples are golden and translucent and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Discard vanilla pod. Let cool.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans. Dust with flour, and tap out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Reserve 1/4 cup flour mixture.

Beat remaining 2 sticks butter, remaining 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, and the brown sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium, and add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low. Beat in flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the sour cream and scraping bowl as needed. Add remaining 1/4 cup flour mixture to apple mixture, and toss. Fold in apple mixture and pecans.

Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until tops are dark golden brown and a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack. Run a knife around edges of cakes to loosen. Unmold cakes, and let cool, right side up, on rack. (Cakes can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 3 days.)

Assemble cake: Trim each cake so it's 1 3/4 inches high. Place 1 cake, cut side up, on a cake stand. Spread 1 1/2 cups buttercream over top. Place remaining cake, cut side down, on top. Spread 1 cup buttercream over entire cake. Refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes. Spread remaining frosting over cake. (Cake can be refrigerated, uncovered, overnight.)

Brown Sugar Swiss Meringue Buttercream

5 large egg whites
1 2/3 cups packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature

Put egg whites, sugar, and salt into a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until mixture registers 160 degrees, about 4 minutes.
Beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 6 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low. Add butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating after each addition (meringue will deflate slightly as butter is added). Beat until frosting is smooth and glossy, 3 to 5 minutes. Buttercream can be refrigerated airtight for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature, and beat before using.

I pick one new Martha Stewart Recipe to have at my Thanksgiving Table. This year, I’ve invited this cake to end our dinner. My mother brings her pumpkin pie and I make a different version of a pumpkin pie as well, but that said, this cake looked too gorgeous to pass up, plus the monochromatic hue of caramel just looked unbelievable and I imagined it immediately on my terra cotta pie plate with orange and yellow leaves. Gorgeous.

I cannot wait to sink my teeth into an apple spice cake. Don’t get me wrong, I adore pumpkin pie and don’t consider myself a big chocolate fan. So when it comes to different sorts of cakes and pies, fruit spiced items tend to get my attention. I’m usually a lemon lover here, but that’s a bit summery for this season. Apples are a nice change up from the traditional spice cake and it’s not another pie to sit down. Plus this doubles as a lovely centerpiece, eschewing the flowers!

Your Home will Give Thanks

Nothing makes me get more giddy than when I finally pull out the fall decor and start to show the good autumn palette in my home. My biggest impact is actually one of the easier things to do – stack pumpkins! I adore taking leaves or garlands and stringing them in and out. In my kitchen I used to put out a bowl of nuts, or little gourds. These funkins (faux + punkins) help me start the season off in style.

Kirkland’s Woven Pumpkins - $17.99 each, Target’s  Plastic Pumpkin – White/orange (7"), $9.99, Grapevine Pumpkin - White (9.5") $9.99

 

These leaves from Pottery Barn would be perfect to place in between. $9.99

 

 

When it’s going to be a quick decor change and you need to make impact, choose something like Kirkland’s Harvest Candleholder Centerpiece $29.99

 

 

Cost Plus World Market has these lovely Autumn Pine Cone and Berry Twig Garland $16.99  and Autumn Pine Cone and Berry Twig Basket Collection  $12.99

 

 

 

 

Now surely you’d know that my table was going to be decked to high heaven and back.Target’s Into Autumn Squirrel Salt and Pepper $12.99 and Red Oak Leaf Tea Light Holder  $14.99 will help to start to dress the table for me.

This year I’m loving Pottery Barn’s Passion Flower Plate ($5.95 each) to put as a mix and match with my solid green plates. Perhaps even find a good mustard bowl to serve ambrosia in after the holiday.

Gobble up this Look

The Thought

Look perfectly cool, calm and collected this holiday season even if your turkey is burning, the gravy has congealed and you can’t take the relatives anymore. I used to think that I wanted to dress with a 1950’s housewife vibe for the day, but let’s be honest, when you’re doing all that moving and grooving in the kitchen, you need to MOVE and GROOVE in something that allows for that. I’ve picked a great sweater here in case the oven gets you too hot, and I love Old Navy khakis for a good look with a good ability to work in them. Easy flats make for no trips and spills and turkey socks make for laughter if the rolls get burnt. I love to think that hilarious moment in Wedding crashers when they were playing that horrid tag football game – it’s like my family, we want to win!

 

The Inspiration

The Gear

Target: Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Shawl Collar Cardigan Sweater - Orange Blaze $17.99

Old Navy: Women’s Boot Cut “Citizen Surplus” Cargo Pants $22.00

Walmart: Josie Mary Janes $8.00

Absolute Socks.com: Gray Turkey Socks $7.99

Boscovs.com: Turkey Apron: $7.49

Giving Thanks

This week marks my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving.

I adore cooking for this day. The idea that a meal still takes this long to prepare, let alone the house trimmings and the good anxious feeling waiting for guests to arrive, it makes the day for me. It also marks the beginning of Christmas and the rush of shopping on Friday is something I still giggle about watching people strive for the perfect Christmas gift.

I have alot to be thankful for this year. Both big and little. I’m proud to say that I’m still working and living and breathing and in my home. I’m thankful that my largest student loan, and aside from my mortgage, the largest financial burden I’ve ever taken on – has been paid off. I’m also proud to say that I’m planning a personal trip to Italy next year, realizing a life long dream of mine.  I’m proud to say I was promoted at work – and feel that I earned this promotion and will continue to work with gusto for the next one. I’m thankful for dancing and how busy it’s kept me – keeping my mind off of the things that perhaps would have gotten to me in the past. I’m thankful for my friends, the ones who are there full stop – and the ones who peek in every so often sometimes when they don’t realize how much I needed that contact at the moment. I’m thankful for the love I’ve received, and I can only hope that I’ve loved enough in return.

Enjoy this week’s blogs, they are dedicated to giving you and your home and your world a fantastical fall flourish and to give you a moment to give thanks in your own way. Thank you for reading.

Like-a-Mama-Used-Ta-Make-ah!

Northern Italian Meat Sauce Recipe

3 slices bacon, cut up

1 pound ground beef

1/2 pound ground veal or ground pork

1 28-ounce can tomatoes, cut up

1 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup finely chopped carrot

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1/4 cup snipped parsley

1/4 cup tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon granules

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup dry white wine

Hot cooked spaghetti

How to make Northern Italian Meat Sauce

In large saucepan or Dutch oven cook bacon till crisp. Add ground beef and ground veal or ground pork; cook till meat is browned.
Drain off fat.If desired, press undrained tomatoes through sieve. Add undrained tomatoes, onion, carrot, celery, parsley, tomato paste, bouillon granules, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to meat mixture. Stir in wine and 1/4 cup water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, for 45 to 60 minutes or till desired consistency, stirring occasionally.
Just before serving, stir 1/3 cup light cream or milk into the hot sauce, if desired.

I have been studying the Northern Italian region lately in an attempt to acclimate myself for my upcoming trip to Italy. That said, I wanted to see what the “big deal” was for Northern Vs. Southern food. I’m learning quickly that they are a much leaner and more vegetable based than the South. There seems to be a lack of the heavy feeling that the Southern food takes on. Being an aficionado of fettuccine alfredo myself, I still find that I don’t miss the richness in this recipe. In fact the bacon gives it that, forgive me for saying it, hint of grease, that makes this dish great.

I personally made the pasta myself when making this dish. It’s a formidable experience to do so, but well worth the effort when you want to learn something new. I think making the pasta brought a lovely lesson in and of itself. I think next time I will try ravioli with meat inside along with this sauce. The carrot and celery provided a lovely “beef stew” kind of feel to it, it’s definitely more home-style feeling than the spaghetti sauces I ‘ve had before. I used ground pork this time, enjoy yours with the veal option as well.

and the great part? you have a glass of wine while it simmers. Molto bene!

I See The Light

I recently replaced several of my house’s lighting fixtures and since then have been on a rampage about changing the look and feel of a room through the use of decorating lighting. While my house general stays on the traditional end of things. I fell in love with Ikea’s Maskros Pendant lamp for $89.99. I wish I had one of those lucite and chrome places or even a trendy New York loft to show this off. It’s just a fantastic piece of art….forget the lamp even. It looks like a firework come to life. The picture here portrays it as white, but really this is a lighter silver. I think it would look fantastic hanging above a stairway landing – the place I originally had picked out for it upon seeing it. It just screams for a minimal art space in order to share it’s burst of asterisks.

Next is the CB2 lantern arc floor lamp for $199.00 . This fits more into my current style – simple with a nice shot of color. I considered using this in my den where I have a bit of a retro look going. The drum shade, a current trend seems to make the color a little more toned down. I don’t care for a bright color plus an over the top design. That said, I love the scale of this, I think it makes a great statement in a earth tone palette.

Now, if you’re really look to personalize, you may consider Pottery Barn’s Atrium Glass Table Lamp for $139.00 . The fillable glass base could leave me lost for things to fill it with. Marbles? Old love letters? Wine corks? Typewriter buttons? Who knows! The sky is the limit. But that said, I have to admit that I adore the idea that I could change this look up over and over again, not only changing the base color but the lamp as well!

Finally, a fixture that I do own! I went to Lowe’s and found a beautiful  Portfolio  3-Light Chambers Shaded Island Light for a bargain at $159.00. The picture doesn’t do this fixture justice. The shades are a lovely light taupe linen and really have a cool 1920’s candy shop appeal on the dark cocoa metal frame. It’s just enough light for my dining room, makes it casually cool with a coffeehouse feel. Adore it!

Into the Woods

The Thought

It’s chilly outside, and you want to take a walk, but you’re in the city, and want to feel a little country.  Think plaid. Think those western inspired, but still sturdy boots. Think a little shearling added will make the dream come alive. The fit of the khakis here is up to what suits your shape. Do you think you’re a pear – go wide legged – curvy? think a little bootcut to show off those hips. Skinny tucked into a tall pair of boots makes this outfit a little more night time ready. I enjoy plaid in just about anything, almost to a fault, so this shirt can get as flexible as you need it to for other outfits. Enjoy a little “out west” flair, even on the East Coast.

The Inspiration

The Gear

Forever 21: Topstitched Short Boots $26.80

          Distressed Suedette Like Jacket $44.80

Target: Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Flannel Shirt - Sunset Brown $15.00

      Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Chino Pant - Bonjour Brown $21.99

Charlotte Russe: Ruched Canvas Tote $19.50

Getting it Together

This year I’m taking off the entire Thanksgiving week. I urge you to find some time before  this busy season gets too on it’s way to organize and purge your house. Not only is this the season of charity and my closet has plenty to give, but it’s the idea that with so many coming and goings, that making space will help me keep my sanity.

I usually start with my closet. Being a clothes horse has it’s downfall. I don’t have enough space, and I constantly think that I’ll finally find the “magic” way of getting it all to fit and work functionally without spending magical amounts of money. This is something I’d kill to have, done, I continue to think that my addiction to plastic storage will present the very solution to this quandary, but alas, I continue to sit and lie in wait for it to make itself known.

On the heels of this practice in the closet usually beckons me to unload all of my Christmas decor, which resides in the very next den of purging – the garage. While I’m happy to say that most of my organizing has taken place over the last year, there’s always room for improvement. I continue to ask myself, item in hand, “Do I need this?”, “When was the last time I used it?” and all importantly, “If I lost it tomorrow, how much would it take to replace it?”…after this it’s pretty clear whether or not someone else will make treasure out of something I found just “ok” to own.

After I have these two biggies sorted, I generally go to the nitpicky areas of my house – shelves in the pantry and laundry area, the junk drawer, my paper files, places that I usually throw those last minute organizing things into and forget about until later. It’s these areas that generally have the most donatable or even just plain trash hidden inside them, making me wonder how it is that life accumulated up so quickly!

So donate a bit of time to yourself, it’ll pay off in the holiday season when you’re looking for something and realize that it was there all along…just a bit hidden!

Falling for Fall

 

As I sit here looking out the window, I’m always amazed at how clearly beautiful the fall sunlight can be.  The most mundane object (this coffee mug on my desk even!) looks like there’s a lovely glow about it that beckons me to write. Perhaps this weekend I’ll spend a bit of time working on my book and seeing if I can get Ralph outdoors for a walk or two. I wish you the best in your fall endeavors, enjoy a wonderful few days of bliss.

Crunch through the leaves, be a kid again.

Blogs I hope you’ve enjoyed this week:

Peacock Wedding in Full Effect

King Kong: Dog Tamer

Nikko Nikos: Greek Gods Eat Here!

Here You Go!

Happy Friday everyone! Hope it’s been enjoyable and you may have even cleared yourself a bit of space to organize before the big holidays really are upon us! To motivate myself, I usually get my Coke Zero, my most comfy around the house clothes, open up the windows to let the fresh air in, and put on my music as a way to make me dance through the day!

If you’re out in the hustle and bustle this weekend – hope you find yourself enjoying the friends, food, family, fun and fabulousness that is Fall!

Some blogs from this week:

Hiking Looks for the Woodsy Girl

Lighting up your life

A Taste of the North

At Night of Greek

Niko Niko’s is quintessential Greek food in Houston. The location is a bit far from me, but it’s always worth the drive. I’ve gotten plenty there, but when venturing out for a new food type, I’m always one to order the “plate of everything” in order to get a bite of each dish. This way, should something strike my fancy, I know what to order the next time I”m out.

While Niko Niko’s has parking issues, and tends to always have a line, I think this speaks to it’s food quality. It’s served on styrofoam, you get in, order at a counter, and move out, it’s loud, it’s crazy, it’s not somewhere you go to have a deep conversation. It could be a great platform for one of those Jerry Maguire-esque “We’re letting you go” moments though, I’ve never seen this place without a crowd.

My usual dish is the Greek Combo Plate which includes pastichio, mousaka, keftedes, dolmas, spanakopita, tiropita & gyros. It also includes a greek salad, pita & tzatziki sauce on the side. This is enough for two lunches. The mousaka has layers of eggplant with ground beef & potato topped with a bechamel (white cream) sauce. Pastichio is thick tubes of pasta, ground beef & spices topped with the same bechamel sauce. Served side by side these are definitely a one two punch on the stomach. As if you could handle more at this point, Keftedes which are fried greek meatballs seasoned with mint, oregano & garlic come next. This aren’t your Italian Mama’s meatballs. They are fried which gives them a different texture. The meat here all gives you a new reason to try out greek cooking – mint, cinnamon and the like dot each dish in a way that makes it uniquely different but still comfort food like. Both spanokopita and tiropita come next: a Greek layered pastry food, made with layers of buttered phyllo and filled with a spinach or a cheese-egg mixture  respectively. Finally, the essential greek food “everyone knows”, the gyro, this is the greek “taco” consisting of meat, tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce, and is served with pita bread Tzatziki is a lovely yogurt sauce that tends to add a richness to everything without being buttery or heavy. This is all served with a few hunks of potato – the likes of which butter and lemon and seasoning salt heighten your “regular potato” to new found heights.

If you’ve been to Niko Nikos and want to try it for home, I’ve found a pretty decent clone of their Pastichio and posted it to my regular recipes – here.

Niko Nikos - http://www.nikonikos.com/ - (713) 528-4976

Rating: Spoon & Fork : service is a bit harsh and need a bit more space to eat and park, but the food wins every time.

A Lifesaver!

Ralph is a big barker when it’s something he doesn’t know. The latest pacifier that seems to be working the best is the Kong line of toys with the stuff’n bits inside. Now, at first, we put the treat all the way inside the toy, you’re supposed to let it hang out, but that said, it still kept him very busy for hours on end, evening bringing it to bed to go to sleep with! Okay, so at that time, it had to be put away. But that said, for the time we were outside working on the yard, and a large cat was all too thrilled to just observe Ralphie barking at her for what felt like eons, this little toy took his attention off of the cat, and thus, quieted him for the rest of the afternoon. Very pleased!

Petsmart carries them, but the Kong line of products seems to pop up anywhere.

KONG Extreme Dog Toys for Strong Chewers run from Ralph size to Goliath size between $7.99-21.99 each and the little snacks KONG Stuff'n Mini Snacks  are priced at $5.99. I think you could probably put anything in there, but this seemed to keep Ralph super pleased!

This is made of super hard rubber, Ralph is FAMOUS for taking anything and making it a mess. Yarn, stuffed animals, dry leaves, toilet paper, you name it! This had nary a dent in it after a full days play, I think it’s going to become a well respected name in our house! Worth the price!