10….9….8….

The Thought

It’s the one day that “rock star” is an understatement. It’s New Years Eve! I love a corset, it’s classic and creates shape for both the bustless (raises hand!) or boastful busted. I loved the little ruffle of the boot – even these are a little over the top, but at that price, you really can’t say no. Plus, these are still very wearable for other events – even though I would secretly wait for the actual New Years Eve to pull them out for their first wearing – what a way to say HELLOOOOO 2011. Now, last, but not least, this skirt. MOVES. Think of those little beaded fringes swirling and clicking their way onto the dance floor, or with every move of your hips across the room. All eyes on you – show it girl.

The Inspiration

The Gear

Charlotte Russe:  Leather Corset $24.50

Forever 21: 12x12  Beaded Mini Skirt $42.00

        High Fashion Boots  $38.80

Promises…Promises….

2011 is right around the corner. This week I’ve made sure that you’ll be the most prepared for your New Year’s Eve season – all the blogs will feature something for the big day! Last year I had a 102 degree fever and couldn’t enjoy the festivities that I dearly wanted to attend. This year, I’m hoping that everything works out and I’ll be kissed and chiming in the New Year with bliss.

That said, each year I try and get smart about my resolutions. I actually record these in the first page of my scrapbook for the year and then give myself a little review of them on the last page. So when I choose them, I realize that I have something that is going into print, and the more realistic I am about setting them.

So this year, in 2011, I’ve set myself to do the following things.

1. Go to Italy. This is a lifelong dream. At 31, that’s not “much” as most of my friends have gone somewhere this lovely, but to me, it’s the realization of doing something wholly “my way” and “for myself” – the supreme self indulgence.
2. Maintain my weight healthily. I’ve lost and maintained 80 lbs for the past 3 years. I will continue this commitment towards my health and lifestyle.
3. Continue to be grateful for what I have. Sometimes I get bogged down in what others are doing, have or are achieving. I will continue to realize that I have my own dreams and my own ways of getting there, I do not have to keep up with the Joneses’.
4. Value myself. I will continue to strive to not give in and be taken advantage of when I don’t want to be. Bending over backwards for others is nice to do, but is not required to be loved or liked.
5. Get my wisdom teeth pulled. I’ve needed to for awhile, it’s about time I got “adult” and did it!

There! I’ll check in next year and give a recount of how I did! Here we go troops! Enjoy the parties!

Give unto Others…

In the spirit of giving, I would like to challenge you this weekend to give to 5 strangers. At my church once, my congregation handed each family an envelope of money. We were encouraged to give to something, someone, some charity even, just for the sake of giving. In this economy, the idea of handing out money left and right is difficult, and compound that with the financial impact of the holiday season and it makes it sometimes hard to give out of your pocketbook any more than you already are.

In that case, help someone with their groceries in their car. Gents, help that girl in the hardware store who’s doing her craft projects with big lumber on her way to her trunk. Even in this day and age, at least ask so you don’t freak people out on a safety level, but that said, see if you can lend a hand. I think this is a lost lesson – giving of one’s time is a gift.

Blogs I hope you’ve enjoyed this week:

Barking Deterrents

Empire Cafe: A Place for Solace

It’s the Place I go to Think

 

Empire Cafe is a meaningful place to me. You ask me where I want to be on a weekend morning, that’s usually my answer. The food is excellent. The people and staff know their customers. The coffee is fill on your own, no waiting and comes with two shortbread cookies that when I first bite into them, just feel like home cooked breakfast is about to begin.

It has seating out back, in front, and inside. They have coffee to sangria on a weekend brunch morning. I recently had their Eggs Benedict with Creamed Spinach and I believe the phrase is, “And I saw the light….”. They generally have healthy choices as well – granola, eggs over easy with toast, fruit trays and the like.  One of my favorites that I’ve forgotten to order lately is their polenta with milk and cream. The carb load is so sweet with a nutty taste of almond sprinkling it just beckons to be crowned “the new oatmeal.”

They are also home to cake. Not just cake. But cake. The typical slice could easily make 3 people happy. Or one birthday girl overjoyed. I’ve had their peanut butter chocolate – a favorite of mine – and it’s as if a peanut butter cup had a love affair with betty crocker’s chocolatier. It’s gorgeous. Moist, without being sticky – the kind of cake that you’d assume sat out too long still retains it’s bounce without having a crumbly bite. The icing could be cloyingly sweet if it weren’t for the perfected thinness between the multiple layers.

The Empire Cafe is people watching at it’s finest. The hungover 20 and 30somethings who come in to get the edge off. The families who bring their children to meet up for play dates and have a stack of Italian toast. The couples coming in who still haven’t woken up all the way just to beat the rush. The Sunday morning paper readers. It’s lovely to see this mix of city dwellers. I wish I had the guts to photograph it.

Empire Cafe - http://www.empirecafe.com/ - 713-528-5282

 

Rating - spoon, fork and knife – it’s king of the world---empire.

I know it’s a Shock

 

Yes. I was skeptical at first. It’s prongs. Touching my dog. my baby! my fuzzy wuzzy bundle of love. But then I touched it and saw what it was like, and it’s not that bad, and it’s nothing like me yelling or having the reprimand Ralph every time he gets on a barking streak.

Shock collars are scary, and they can get expensive, which together for me almost meant “don’t do it”. But then I found a similar model, for $6 on ebay. I know. I know, far cry from the $50 US price. But that said, I was forging ahead anyway.

Guess what?

It worked.

Ralph is the type of barker who hears an engine outside, a car pass by, or another dog, and wants to play or meet it or chase it. When we’re in the house, this is a huge problem as he continues barking until I show him that it’s gone, or he finally wears himself out. Which, unfortunately, only happens way after I”m worn out.

I put the collar on him, and because it’s progressively worse every bark, he had to try it a few times to see if they “bad stuff” would go away. Happy to report that he barked and it stopped rather quickly the second go round.  I felt terrible the first few times, almost wincing myself each time he stopped knowing what was happening. But the greater good came through, and I’m not yelling because he’s quieted down.

It comes with battery, and two sets of prongs – one for short hair and one for fuzzy dogs. I also highly recommend you trying it yourself, as this helped ease my tension that I was hurting Ralph. It fit him perfectly and was very adjustable, should be easy to locate a size. Note, this should only be used 12 hours at a stretch, which was easy for me, off at bed time, on when I got home from work.

Try it, this could be a solution you were, literally, shocked to do.

Giving > Getting

I adore giving gifts. Most of my close girlfriends will joke and tell you that I’ve probably already stored a few Christmas gifts for 2011 already. They’re right. I have a constant spreadsheet of gift ideas so that I’m always prepared when I’m shopping about. It saves me money to have something in mind rather than going for what I can find on the fly.

I love having little containers ready for cookies or candy so that if someone’s having a bad day or even an on-the-spot celebration of something – promotion, just found out they were pregnant, etc…I’m at the ready to celebrate it with them. I don’t think gifts are necessary by any means, but I think it’s an extension or substitution of a greeting card at times, let’s the person know that you care.

I still adore some gifts that cost little to nothing at all – a crayon drawing from a child, a doting email of praise from a loved one, even one of my sister’s whacky powerpoint drawings that she’s amazing at. It’s cliché, but it is the thought that counts. I love feeling like someone thought of me, and in a way that isn’t generic. Sometimes just having something catch my eye like a wind up toy of dancing shoes that reminds me of someone – that will accompany a post-it note as a nice surprise on their desk.

Obviously during Christmas, gifts are in abundance. I get more excited giving a perfectly wrapped package than getting one. Truth be told, I don’t like unwrapping in front of people. Last year I actually unwrapped most by myself, it makes me feel like the center of attention and I don’t really care for that. Which is rather contradictory since I love watching my recipients’ faces as they see my gifts that I took time and care to choose for them. Ha, I suppose some things just don’t make sense.

The season is about giving, it doesn’t take a thick pocketbook to do that, take the time, think about it, appreciate what the person needs from you, and give that.

Tidings to you and yours

I’m hoping this finds you engulfed in the season of fir trees and snowflakes. Perhaps already kicking off your heels from a few parties already like I am. I’m happy to report that both of my office parties are completed and it was great to see the friends that I normally don’t see throughout the year. Plus it’s always lovely to put a face to a name when someone speaks about their spouse at the office.

  I hope you are finishing up that last minute shopping and getting ready for any vacation you are about to take. I love the anticipation of my time off, it’s so exciting to think that I’ll get home, kick my feet up and be ready to do nothing but relax when I officially start my holiday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blogs I hope you’ve enjoyed this week:

The Office Party wear

Holiday Wedding

Christmas Gift RT: Snuggie Nest

Christmas items for the Home

Christmas Cookies: Grandma’s Apricot Nut Rolls

This is a Challenge – Proceed with Strength and Motivation

Grandma Pinky’s Apricot Nut Rolls

Dough:

4 C. flour

1 C. sugar

1 t salt

6 t (heaping) baking powder

2 sticks of melted (not softened, MELTED!) margarine. (again, no butter!)

Do not use a dough hook on a kitchenaid. This will make the dough too tough – I’m still being tsk’d by my grandmother that I did this. Do this in a big bowl, by hand, and do not do any other way. Grandma will point and tsk you too!

Then add 2 large eggs, 1 cup of milk slowly until the dough forms up – it shouldn’t be sticky.

Icing:

In a bowl, Take 1 bag of confectioner’s sugar. Stir milk into this until you get a cinnamon-roll-icing like paste.

Nut filling:

Using a food processor (don’t ask me how grandma did it, this is strong armed stuff!) Grind one bag (1 pound) of walnuts into a paste. Add a “handful” of sugar. Mix whole milk in “splurts” to make this into a thicker paste. You’re looking for a mealy version of peanut butter without being greasy.

Apricot filling:

Take 2 bags of dried apricots. In a small saucepan on the stove on medium-low heat, add the apricots and just enough water to cover. Boil them until they rehydrate. Take a stick blender (or in a food processor or blender) and blend until they are jam like with “pieces”…like a marmalade or jam.

Assembly:

Make the dough into about 6 balls. With a rolling pin on a floured surface, roll each into a square and about 1/6” thin. On the bottom third, spread the apricot.

 

 

Fold down the bottom 2/3rds down over to cover the apricot.

 

On this newly formed canvas of dough spread some nut filing.

 

 

Fold the bottom half with no filling over top.

 

So the side view, should be like this 

 

 

Cut the final piece like a jelly roll.

 

 

Take the piece that you’ve cut. Take the top and turn it so that you make like a “Bowtie” out of each one. A bit of filling will ooze out…this is OK!

Place these on a greased cookie sheet and bake until they are done.

Take this finished cookie and dip it in your icing and then coat it with a nice bowl of plain ground walnuts (not the same as the filling).

These are my grandmother’s Apricot Nut Roll Cookies. They take time and energy to turn out. They are not overly sweet, they taste like “home” to me in a cookie. She had to go to us and teach us how to make them. Even at 91 years of age, last year!, she made these for us. I can tell you to cook them at 400, but you cannot understand how much I mean it when you just have to wait until they are, in her words, “done and brown.”…it won’t take long, keep checking back every few minutes or so. My mother once asked how long they cooked, my grandmother said, “Until they’re brown, ain’t you got no oven light?”…so there. “til brown”

Making it Merry

I honestly think I could write an entire month’s worth of blog’s on the items that you can decorate with for the Christmas season. I have three trees of three different themes myself and I’m a single girl. I thought this year I’d dedicate the blog to decorating rather classically with red and green touches rather than giving you the full scoop on going “themed.” 

That said, I adored these Crate and Barrel pillows. (Alpine Ivory Pillow $26.95 & Red Pillow $34.95). I think using pillows and throw blankets are a forgotten punch during the holidays where the decor can actually get used for something – 2 for 1! I loved the little top stitched vintage print, I think this could be used with country, modern, or even just a traditional Christmas look. It’s a little classic mixed with a nice nostalgic feeling.

Considering the “days of old”, I thought this little tree from Cost Plus World Market was precious. The 3 foot feather pine tree would make a great centerpiece on a side table or even make a college student’s dorm room a little cheerier during those days of tests. I would use this for those ornaments that I receive or buy that mark milestones or special memories, and have it displayed on my entryway table. It’s sparse branches would show off heirloom pieces perfectly without being in reach of little ones.

While you’re at Cost Plus, I fell in love with this 6 foot red berry garland. It’s steep at $25, but the fullness makes quite an impact. This would really make my white mantle pop with color!

When considering the mantle, make sure you’ve chosen great stockings. These simply elegant classics from Pottery Barn are super affordable at $9-15 each and the personalizing options abound if you’re a crafty person!

So the big tree marks the day and for the tree beginners it’s all about the tree skirt. I found this fantastically detailed  skirt on Target.com. The Bucilla Partridge In A Pear Tree Tree Skirt runs $54.99, which may sound expensive, but will last for many years. Consider also a great starter kit of the 225-pc. Tree Decorating Kit Red/Green/Gold $84.15 – this will get any size tree full and ready!

When it comes to table topping, you can lose your mind in this department. I try to have two or three Christmas related dinners so I can see friends, and secretly validate my addiction to Christmas entertaining vessels! I found this cute retro platter at Pier 1 for $30. This would be also a great use for a gift platter with homemade cookies. If I’m going to keep it for myself though, these great red plates at Amazon.com were $23 a place setting (Search: Laurie Gates Vintage Dekko Red 4-Piece Place Set ) and not only work throughout the year but would frame a mix and match holiday salad dish fantastically.!

That said, the sky is the limit! It’s the biggest holiday out there to look around and express your fashion sense in. Embrace that and enjoy all the trimmings!

What Ralph got for Christmas

This looked like a perfect gift for good ol’ Ralph. He loves to burrow under anything when he’s tired. Even when he’s laying on the bed and it’s time to finally commit to some serious shut eye, he pulls himself up and bothers me to pick up the covers and let him under.

Right now, I’ll be getting his friends the Snuggie Dog Bed Nesting Nook for Christmas. Shhh, don’t tell them. They come in small, medium and large ranging from 19.99-29.99. I’ve seen them at Walmart but also on Amazon.com. If you’re an Amazon user like me, this would help you achieve that all important “super saver shipping” in your holiday bundle you’re about to punch through.

Ralph was recently gifted with the Snuggle Zone Pet Bed, which is fantastic! I highly suggest this similar product as well. He seems to enjoy the idea that he can sit on top of it and look regal as much as he’d like to think he were running the house…which, well, let’s admit, he tends to do at times. I have this afternoon off, and I can see that Ralph and I will be spending quality time watching movies…this being his front row movie seat!

It will fit him in there quite comfortably and he usually “hedgehogs” himself even smaller – pulling himself into a tight and fuzzy (and very cute) ball of cuteness. I could definitely see either of these getting alot of use on the couch in the corner while I watch tv. Let’s hope it works! It should make him happy!

The Office Party

The Thought

It’s that time of year where you want to make sure you’re not climbing the corporate ladder by shortening your hemline! This is the time to play it fun, fresh, but conservative and still keep yourself in the fashion details. Enjoy these little numbers that have color as their killer accessory rather than playing 2nd fiddle to that LBD that always seems to come out this time of year!

The Inspiration

The Gear

Forever 21: Jeweled One Shoulder Dress $27.80

Newport-News.com: Belted Sheath Dress $49.00

JCPenney: Belted Jacquard Print Dress w/Pin-Black/Blue $44.99

Charlotte Russe: Mesh Top Dress $36.50

The Hustle & Bustle

 

Here we are smack dab into the middle of the holiday season. Last minute gift buying, parties to prepare for, fires lit, snowmen building for you Yankees, and maybe the first time we get a heavier coat out for us Southern folk. This week will be dedicated to all the last minute trimmings!

I adore this time of year when I can sit at my local mall and watch the cute couple getting cocoa together after ice skating. Or the kids telling Santa what it is that they want for Christmas. I adore passing by churches and seeing the manger scenes and messages on their placards. I love the smell of Christmas trees and pine cones in the air at a hardware store and I adore hearing a fire crackle as I put my wooly socked feet up next to it.

This year I find myself doing projects at home that I always want to complete before the year is out. Little do it yourself craft things that I pick up from articles here and there. Making an extra batch of cookies for the office just so I can try out something I read about over the week and don’t forget by next year .I adore putting my presents out under the tree and perhaps even spend a

little time wishing there was a Santa, and perhaps believing for an instant that there is one.

I continue year after year to want to open my front door and have an anonymous gift on the front porch. I don’t know why I think this will ever come true  and more strangely, where I conjured the idea from. Perhaps for a moment Christmas means being a kid again, and understanding that fantasy can still be reality. It’s a wonderful season right now, even amidst the chaos of preparing for it, I like to sit back and realize I’m not the only one who lives in the hustle and bustle, that perhaps someone is sitting back and watching me get things done and enjoying a sip of coffee …for I will do the same during this time – and enjoy the season knowing that I’m a part of it, not merely an observer.

 

Gift of Yourself

Be a gift of yourself to others. Appreciate the good things they are, and show them the love they deserve. Enjoy each other through showing your gratefulness that they are in your life. Hug, love, and find this week filled with good memories. I hope that you spend the weekend with good times, warm fires and happy thoughts.

Now is the time more than ever to show good will towards man, and to remember what blessings we have in our lives. Take the time to make a stranger smile, you never know how far that good will travel.

Take care.

Something with Kick for the Week

Sweet and Spicy Pork

1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1 to 2 tablespoons chili-garlic sauce (found in the Asian aisle of the supermarket)

1 tablespoon grated fresh garlic

1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder (optional)

kosher salt and black pepper

3 1/2 pounds pork butt, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 2-inch pieces

In a 10x13 Pyrex dish, rub the pork with all of the spices. Bake for 30 minutes per pound in a 350 degree oven. Test with a thermometer to insure the pork is cooked until 160 degrees – well done although you can cook to medium between 140-145 degrees which isn’t considered “Okay” by the FDA for health reasons.

I served this with a lovely hoisin sauce on the bottom – I used the Central Market brand and just placed a bit on the plate before sliced pork on top. I cooked a few cups of white rice which helped sop up the sauce and then placed a  nice bowl of sugar snap peas with only simple salt and pepper.

Adding a bit of water to the dish would allow for you to add veggies to the dish itself. Think cabbages,  bok choy, onions, even bamboo shoots and water chestnuts. This dish could benefit from egg rolls or even just the spicy Asian mustard on the side. I made this and it seems the perfect size for a four person meal if you use a 3.5 lb pork amount, as you may need to trim away from the bone and skin to serve – losing a little.

Bone-on Appetit!

 

Little Rounds of Heaven

6 Hole White Escargot Plate - Ace Mart Restaurant Supply

$7.95 each

I’m a sucker for an “odd” plate. Something that you’ll use once – sort of like those hot pink plaid shoes in the closet. You just need to try it. For me, I love escargot, and even though I’ve not used them yet for escargot, I’ve found that these little beauties work well with rose buds as an interesting vase alternative! Dipping sauces abound? – here you go! They also work wonders to hold Easter eggs.

 

 

 

Terra Cotta Collection Handled Dishes and Terra Cotta Tapas Plates - Sur La Table

$5.95 & $4.95

  I adore tapas. Since discovering them, I’ve become enamored with the idea that little dishes and noshes just make them have better mouthfeel. These two choices would be great to mix and match. The handled dish goes great from oven to table with a flourishing amount of queso flameado in it. Also great for a half sandwich and soup, or as smaller portion dishes for you all watching your waistlines. Sometimes the small dish makes it feel more special!

   

Wine Pairing Appetizer Platter - Williams Sonoma

$39.00

I know even if it’s from Williams Sonoma that this borders on a bit “cheesy” – forgive the pun. But the divided plate works wonders with cheeses and crackers to be laid out. A nice baked brie and accompanying cranberry jelly and water wafers would look lovely against this colorful dish. The crackers may look a little less “drab” against it’s palette.  

 

  Hammered Metal Lunch Box - Cost Plus World Market

$9.99

I’m attempting to be more eco-friendly this year. I’m not succeeding as much as I would like, but when I do bring my lunch, it’s in a lunchbox rather than disposable containers or bags. This, this makes me want to bring dinner somewhere too! I’m under the impression that if being eco-friendly makes me look good too, it’ll motivate me using the reusable items!

 

  

 

Vintage Wood Pizza Cutting Board -Pottery Barn

$39.00

Forget the name. This isn’t just a wood cutting board for pizza. Think cheese board. Think bread board. Think great way to lay out muffins for brunch. or a cake would look fabulous here too. The rustic look lends itself to upscale Italian table layouts just as much as it would serve a good ol’ Texas Barbecue.