Seattle…Here we Come!

The Thought

I always picture a good rugged dock worker kinda guy with the tough exterior and the sensitive insides. What can I say, I’m an hopeless romantic. Actually what I see here is well put together with a touch of working guy who tries to look fashion forward. The grey screams the clouds and the distressed look, with the classic Dr. Martens…says he’s not afraid to rumble!

The Inspiration

The Gear

Forever 21: Slub Striped Pullover $21.90

Buckle: Antique Rivet Raymond Jean $85

Urban Outfitters: Vans Mirsy Web Belt $20

Target: Men's Merona® Knit Cuffed Hat – Black $9.99

Macy’s: Dr Martens Boots, Karsen 2 Strap $140.00

Better than Mashed Potatoes

Squash Casserole

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1/2 a medium onion, diced

1 carrot, chopped

1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed

~1/4 C Olive oil

1/2 Tbsp. Thyme

2 bay leaves

2 Tbsp minced garlic

Salt & Pepper to Taste

1 egg plus 1 egg white

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated

In a large bowl toss together vegetables, oil and spices together to coat evenly. Roast on a greased cookie sheet (one with a lip helps) in a 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes until the mixtures is fork tender. Mash these ingredients together with the cream and eggs. Pour into a 9x9 glass dish, top with parmesan cheese. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 30 more minutes.

This dish is just soooo perfectly wintery. I adore butternut squash and the mixture of a little cream and the sharp cheese brings out it’s sweet flavor. When I was mashing, I left a few of the chunks in for texture and depth and it just feels like someone made a heavenly bisque without all the cream and butter. I served this along side a roast beef, but I immediately stored it in my brain for Thanksgiving next year. It’s a great take along dish, I made everything in the morning up until I had to bake it and then just finished it off in the oven. Highly recommend this dish to anyone who needs something other than the boring mashed potato to take to a potluck, it’s a definite crowd pleaser!

What a Pear!

Sometimes you need a theme where everything…and I mean everything…can go with!

Sometimes it all starts with him asking.  The wedding theme was right there, in the blue box with the white bow all along…. Tiffany Bezet Pear $9,150.

Kick off the party with these fantastic designs from zazzle.com. If you’ve not discovered Zazzle, you need to! Type in anything – and then I find myself to inspire something new – and themes go so far that your own imagination sometimes has to stop before you, as in this case, pear yourself to death!

For the ladies, I kept it simple, I didn’t want to mix too many colors here, Davids Bridal has a ton of selection. Being a swing dancer has brought to light the need to make sure you can dance in your dress. So while I’ll be covering my reception dress ideas soon for a bride who “MUST” move on the dance floor, it’s harder for the bridesmaids to have two dresses for an event. Because this theme works well both spring (shown here) and fall, I suggest that you get paint chips for your color palette. Pears can get you from browns to yellows to greens to oranges and reds even. It’s how you keep the focus on a few colors and make sure the pear stays prominent. Dresses here will tie that in many fold.

   Pears - Mini Stone Fruit Earrings with Antiqued Leaves on Etsy Polishedtwo’s Shop $9 – whether for yourself or your bridesmaids, these cute little earrings are something they’ll wear again. You can also go traditionally more formal and just get pear shaped rhinestones as well.

Choices for the kids can be endless on how you incorporate this theme – I found these cute little pop art ties on Zazzle, but I also found these button covers for a steal ($3!) on Rubyplaza.com. Button wise you can fit them to the ring bearer pillow or even on the flower girls dress. Why not incorporate them into the grooms and groomsmen’s boutonierres?

Speaking of flowers, this one’s easy – think pears, and lots of them – in tall cylinders or even simply elegant fruit bowls. Snacks for the wedding guests? Something for them to take away for later use? Submerged in water on their own, or even topped off with a flower or two. What about placing them in tiered cupcake holders or on silver cake trays – quick and simple these are classy ways of putting together easy centerpieces that you and your helping hands can put together.

 

Another great reception centerpiece is candles, you can intersperse these on your cake plates even. Or they make great favors. I found a box of 12 on Amazon.com for $15.

Again, because it’s botanically themed, floral departments will burst with ideas. Pear branches laid out flat, or in large vases overarching. Perhaps even pear vines or mini pear picks to include in corsages. Faux pears can be used and they’re great for the early shopper who wants to get things done ahead of time.

 

Now, don’t get me started on food, this is so simply done, but makes me so happy when I can even menu out a theme!

Obviously your baker can use marizpan pears on the cake, even as the topper. But the meal itself can include pears.

Think pears wrapped in ham, or even a pear sauce with your dish. What about a salad of roasted pears with blue cheese and walnuts?  Now, as much as I like the theme, I wouldn’t go too overboard here, it can be a great meal with a few personal touches, but don’t lose to the theme where you should be having a great meal.

Your bar can feature a personalized cocktail, but saving that for other themes, I found that the answer was much easier, Earle Estates Meadery Pear Mead at  $10.99 a bottle won’t break the bank and won’t break your bartender’s back pouring it either!

 

The thoughts are endless on this one. I’m sure there are a million things that I could have listed, as I publish this now, I thinking about “pear-ings” and “perfect pears” and I hope you find your pear-fect match. 

A Mighty Fine Experience

 

  A burger with everything except lettuce – which meant a generous helping of what Mighty Fine calls Red, Yeller and White – ketchup, mustard and mayo to us city folk. The fries were good, hand cut crinkle fries – they weren’t the steak fries your mama might be able to turn out but they were good.

Admittedly I’m a burger snob. It’s gotta be good. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it can still come in the greasy bag just as this one did. But it has to have a bit of messy quality while the bun doesn’t fall apart and above all, it has to taste like beef, not some “beef product”…and this definitely lived up to it’s name!

On first sip the milkshake (vanilla!) was a bit thin, but proved to have standing power as I had my first few sips! I despise a too thick milkshake, if I didn’t  want to drink it, I’d have gotten a sundae! Sadly Mighty Fine doesn’t serve up onion rings, but if you’re going to do something – do it right – and so if they’re omitting them because lack of talent – then my hats off to keeping the burger fabulous!

 

 

Mighty Fine Burgers – www.mightyfineburgers.com - (512) 524-2400

Rating: spoon, fork & knife – it lived up to it’s name!

Take a Seat

I’ve recently been taking a look at my entry way “hall” which currently holds my butler’s cabinet that houses all of my serving ware. That said, I’m starting to wonder if it’s more functional and space liberating to put a bench in order to place bags, shoes, etc…as I flop through the door after a long day.

Right now my top winner is the Pottery Barn Windsor Bench. It’s steep at $399, but it’s a classic, open shape that I can see being utilized as both table and bench. My only downfall here is that I’m going to end up adding a hat tree or hooks in order to store some items, but the style factor is worth it here.

A little more sparse, but definitely high on the inspiration and design factor is the Ikea PS RASKEN. At it’s $99.99 price tag, this is a piece that I could love and leave elsewhere. I see it as a lovely bench, but it could easily double as a low table in my den later if I find something else. My only regret is the nude color of the wood, I’m thinking this might require a refinishing so that I can blend it in with my more traditional decor better.  Loving the open bottom for a neat storage box or two. Lots of possibilities here!

This next bench reminded me of one my grandmother had at her house when I would visit it. The storage seat is perfect! This Target Country Style Bench – Black at $149.99 is a steal for the detail and storage possibilities. The black blends well in the space and I’m even seeing some pictures being taken in it – so double as a photo prop area! :)

Finally, if I were really looking for a shock and awe entry way, this Crate & Barrel Paterson Blak Storage Bench with Wheat Cushion and Panel ($547.95) is an indulgence. It would definitely redefine my space and say HELLO to anyone who entered my house!

Paying Homage to the Forgotten

The Thought

Don’t even start to say no to this one. You must try it once. I think this look can be done on anyone, with any body type to your liking. This isn’t some stick girl style. I think this even works for the curvaceous woman of pin up fame – the one piece highlights you! not your imperfections, but who you are. Give it a try – I think you’ll find a new look! That said, I included America’s favorite overall, the Dickies. I think sometimes, you need to stretch back and revisit something you may have overlooked. I think with a henley and some lug sole boots, you may just look hot to some folks!

The Inspiration

The Gear

 

Forever 21: Snap-Buttoned Accent Romper $27.80

Dickies.com: Indigo Bib Overall $29.99

Charlotte Russe: Ruffle Front Romper $14.50

Macy’s: American Rag Jumpsuit, Strapless Straight Ruffle Smocked Wide Leg $59.00

Newport News: Sequined Wide-Leg Drape-Neck Jumpsuit $89.00

Dillards: Kensie Charmeuse Romper $20.40

Man, On a Roll

I’m on a roll this week. Going to really get things swept up and around the house totally back together. It’s been a fantastic new year thus far though, relaxing weekend, staying on top of projects, chores, etc….and even enjoying the heck out of life doing it.

Today’s message is to not waste time. To make sure you say and do the things you want to do. You never know when time may be up for you, for someone else. It’s all about living in the moment – unhindered by fear and to make sure that you leave your impression on the world. I want to live a full life, and the people in my life, the people I choose to be there, are my constant source of inspiration, love, energy and motivation that the next day is going to be even better.

Smiling through each day is what counts. Knowing I have my biggest “fans” in my arena (and in the front row to boot! with loud voices and big posters telling me to MAKE IT HAPPEN!) is what I consider my thermometer. Recently however, I realized I wasn’t my own biggest fan. I need to be that. I need to stand behind my decisions with gusto too! Be confident that I know how to make myself happy – once I learn how to do that! :)

I’m figuring out what makes me happy….what makes you over the moon?

Take care, and it’s a bear out there!

LAA