The Foodie Files

While brainstorming tonight's dinner, Nina mentioned seeing a recipe for a grilled brie cheese and pear sandwich...which got me thinking...how could I tweak that to make it fit what I'm craving right now?  And thus this tasty little pressed sandwich was born.  The flavors (verses the technique) are the stars here, and I'm perfectly comfortable with that.  You've gotta have a few tricks up your sleeve that you can whip up in 10 minutes or less and I'm happy to report this is one of them.

Ingredients:
(serves 6)
8 oz brie cheese
2 large pears, thinly sliced
6 croissants
1 lb sliced turkey
1 TBS butter

The first thing I do anytime brie cheese is involved is take off the wax.  I know...you don't have to...I've heard the whole shpeal, but it tastes gross to me so it's a must.  Once you've removed the outer layer, thinly slice the cheese.

Cut croissant in half and layer meat, pear and brie inside.  Using a pastry brush, spread melted butter over the top of the sandwich and grill on medium high for 3-5 minutes.  I used a panini press to grill the assembled sandwiches but you could always use a large pan and a spatula if it came down to it.  

Serve warm and enjoy!  Side note 1: I was super excited to use the jadeite pieces my parents and bestie got me for Christmas (are they the best or what?).  Side note 2: I served these particular sandwiches with the creamy asparagus soup you see pictured.  We'll talk about that in next week's Foodie Files cause it was delicious.  

Etsy-Fest!

I'm hopelessly addicted to Etsy...I've accepted it and you're just gonna have to accept it too.  Pick an interest- any interest- and chances are there's a really talented artist out there with an Etsy shop that caters to it.  The trick is having the foresight to place an order in advance since the turn around time isn't always immediate (it's the price you pay for handmade...totally worth it if you ask me).  I rounded up a few of my favorite Etsy Valentine's for your viewing pleasure.  If you order by this weekend I bet you'll get 'em in time! 

If your significant other is as awesome as I suspect, these should put a smile on their face:

Mr. Darcy Proposal Card, $4.00

Favorite Boyfriend Card, $4.00

Shark Attack Card: $5.00

I Love You More Than Downton Card, $5.00

Since Hermione Granger and I are kindred spirits and I am- in a lot of ways- a hopeless nerd, I just had to include a few of my favorite geeked out valentine references.  This is what I'm talking about with Etsy!  How great is this?!

1. Mini Harry Potter Illustrations $6.00  2. Big Bang Theory Valentine, $4.00  3. Lord of the Rings Valentine, $2.75  4. Star Wars Valentine, $4.00

And since I've spent far more February 14ths with my besties than I have with valentines, here's a few for your best gal pals:

Neon Letterpress Card, $4.50

Set of 5 Letterpress Cards, $15.00

Clever Romantic Squirrel, $2.50

Valentines Card, $4.00

Mirror, Mirror

If I could, I would just live in this tomato red color.  And how 'bout those Wendy Peffercorn sunglasses, eh?  I'm a big fan.  There's a lot of prep happening here but not a lot of stuffiness and that's just how I like it.  Comfortable and chic is hard to beat!

1. Nikita Sunglasses, Tom Ford $360  2. Deco Necklace, Moda Operandi  3. Gaston Flourescent Tassel Loafers, Dieppa Restrepo $119  4. Chambray Cargo Shirt, Madewell $75  5. Rocco Studded Leather Shoulder Bag, Alexander Wang $1,096  6. Cafe Windowpane Check Capri Pants, J.Crew $398  7. Wool Blend Peplum Sweater, Tory Burch $192.50

Get It Together: King Midas' Touch

1. Slanted Candleholders, Dwell Studio $248  2. Holister Yellow Orange Pillow, Trina Turk $150  3. Metallic Gold Leather Shag Rug, Hip Rugs $1,049  4. Tork Brass Dripping Mirror, CB2 $229  5. Orange Lamp, Sears  6. Autumn Herringbone Throw, Serena & Lily $250  7. Florence A Sofa, Organic Modernism $1,425

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

Alright folks...you can breathe now.  It's Friday!  Anything exciting happening on your end?  We're moving into phase two of our spa decorating so I'll probably be shopping, painting and contemplatively staring at the wall I need to decorate for the majority of the weekend.  Should be a good time.  I hope you have a killer weekend full of rest and fun.  Enjoy the links!

Words I never thought I'd say: Looks like I'm one step ahead of you, Rachel Zoe.

This is a good list.

Loving these pictures...

Where would one buy something like this?  Is it even real?  All I know is I want it!

Pretty neat.

This made me laugh out loud.

Amazing!

Great little tip...

An Experiment in Beauty

I had an idea the other day...one of those funny, 'this is either going to be really good or really bad' ideas that pop up in your head from time to time.  I called my dear friend Nina, as I so often do when I get this variety of idea, and we decided to 1) drag a few more friends into the action and 2) give said idea a shot.  And thus our evening of homemade beauty treatments was born.  I did a little research and, using only items found in my kitchen, made a few masks, scrubs and the like from the various super foods I had laying around.  There were a few success stories and- as you can imagine- a few things that went somewhat horribly wrong.  But most of all there was laughing.

Let's start with our happiest discovery...the star of the night was a face mask, made by mixing 2 eggs with 1 single serve container of plain Greek yogurt.  The instructions were simple...mix, apply to your freshly washed face, let dry (takes about 10 minutes) and wash off.  All four of us agreed this was a gem.  My favorite part was how smooth it left my face feeling...two thumbs up on this one.

Now let's jump to the night's low point.  We attempted a banana, avocado and coconut oil hair mask that didn't exactly pan out as planned.  In retrospect, I would never let someone smash a banana or avocado in my hair without putting up one heck of a fight, so I don't know why I ever thought it was a good idea to allow it in the name of beauty.  It was disgusting.  Smelled great!  But felt really, really gross and took forever to wash out (seriously...shampooed twice, conditioned twice and was still picking out pieces).  I found the recipe a few different places online...mash 1 ripe banana, 1 ripe avocado and 1 TBS coconut oil per hair mask, apply to hair, cover with saran wrap and leave in for 15-20 minutes.  I had high hopes due to all the glowing reviews but this one is a no go.  While it definitely did make my hair feel softer, it wasn't worth the nightmare of a process.

The other two experiments of the night were actually pretty great.  We put together a lip scrub comprised of the juice of 1 lemon slice, 1 tsp honey and 2-3 TBS brown sugar.  Not gonna lie...it tastes awesome (of course I tasted it...it was sitting right there on my lips).  It actually worked pretty great, too!  Natalie and I liked the fact that it was a little tingly while Nina and Courtney couldn't actually feel it tingle at all...we all used the same batch so you can file that one under unsolved mysteries I guess.  While it didn't make some crazy, dramatic difference in the condition of my lips, it was an enjoyable process to be sure.  I feel good about recommending it.

Lastly and most simply, we tried the 'ol cucumbers on the eyes trick.  The instructions I read said to cut one inch slices, which seemed really thick but we went with it.  My suggestion is to pair this one with the face mask like we did...it was awesome...so cooling and relaxing!  I can see why this home remedy has such staying power.  It's simple but effective!

While the night's results weren't perfect, we had an absolute blast experimenting.  It's a worthwhile activity to be sure.  What about you?  Any home beauty treatment suggestions or horror stories you want to share?  I sure would love to hear them below!

Be Our Valentine

Nashville friends: I have a fun announcement.  We're throwing a killer Valentine's Day event for new clients here at the salon!  You can't beat the price for the fun, indulgent night we have planned and tickets are extremely limited so make sure you get one ASAP.  If you didn't have Valentine's plans before, you do now!  Click here to purchase a ticket.

The Foodie Files

I made the mistake of checking the weather report before getting dressed the other morning and do you know what that weather report said?  19 degrees.  There was mourning and gnashing of teeth to say the least.  I managed to face the day after layering two pairs of pants and five shirts (this is a true story), but all I really wanted to do was wrap myself in a blanket and eat lots of soup all day.  Because soup and blankets make winter bearable for me (countdown to spring...54 days).  The soup that soothed this week's chill was good 'ol avgolemono.  If you've never tried this Greek delight then get cracking (it's an egg joke...you'll get it in a second).

Ingredients:
1 quart plus 1 cup chicken broth

1 cup water

1/2 cup carrots, diced

1/2 cup onion, diced

1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup orzo
2 large eggs
1 lemon

1/4 cup chopped parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, bring chicken broth and water to a boil.  Add carrots, onion and celery and cook for 5-10 minutes.  Add orzo and cook 10 minutes more.  Turn off heat and let sit while you prepare the egg mixture.

In a large bowl, beat eggs until thick.  Whisk in lemon juice.  

Gradually add 1/2 cup hot broth from saucepan to the egg mixture, whisking constantly.  Add an additional 1/2 cup of broth and whisk, then add a final 1/2 cup and whisk again.  

Pour mixture back into saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the soup slightly thickens.  Do not boil, or eggs will curdle.  Add salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle with parsley.

Mirror, Mirror

I.  Love.  This.  Dress.  I mean, I love it...the color, the cut, everything.  It's like a real-life Greek goddess gown.  I paired it with gold (no surprise there...clearly my favorite of all the metals) and emerald, which- fun fact- is the color of the year for 2013.  You can't buy into every trend, but jewel tones (and emerald specifically) are so universally flattering, this might be one worth investing in.  Speaking of investing...this dress (it all comes back to this dress)!  If we all pool our money together, maybe we can buy it?  Something to think about. :)

1. Asymmetric Silk Dress, Maison Martin Margiela $880  2. Karlie Box Clutch, Jason Wu $2,195  3. Hex Cuff Bracelets, Asos $31.66  4. Multi Gem Cocktail Ring, Asos $17.59  5. Pietra Doro Earrings, Tory Burch $195  6. Suede Ankle Boots, Gianvito Rossi $650

Get It Together: Mid Century Modern Class

1. Mid Century Wingback Chair, 1stdibs  2. Flor Bronze Side Table, Organic Modernism $995  3. Brass Telephone Lamps, One Kings Lane  4. Cambria Yellow Throw, Crate and Barrel $39.95  5. Metric Maize Pillow, Thomas Paul $74  6. Anna Röd Runner, Brita Sweden

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

If all goes as planned tomorrow, I'll be getting up late...putting a decent dent into the outrageous amount of food I bought at Trader Joe's yesterday...and most importantly not changing out of my PJ's until I head to the (fingers crossed) Nashville Predators game (the NHL is back!  Yay!).  Or maybe I'll wake up and want to do something super constructive.  Who knows.  Regardless of what goes down Saturday, I know for sure what's on the agenda for Sunday!  We go to a great church down here in Nashville called Cross Point and we're in the middle of an incredible series.  If I haven't invited you lately I wanted to make sure I did now...come check it out at 9am, 10:30, noon or 5:30!  Hope your weekend is amazing.  Can't wait to catch up Monday.  Enjoy the links!     

This is awesome.  

Some great looks here...

J. Crew, you are perfection.

I just love this so much.

I may need to buy this for my niece, Vivi.

How delicious does this look!?

Worth a look-see, that's for sure.

Cute idea.

The Foodie Files

It's no secret that I love cooking for my family and friends...I'll take the opportunity to make something delicious for our little crew ten out of ten times.  But tonight, in a sweet twist of events, my precious cousin, Jon, offered to make dinner for me!  For all of us, actually...and good gracious was it delicious!  Since preparing a main course wasn't on my agenda, I had some extra time to focus on my contribution for the night- dessert.  I decided to go with a Jack Daniel's bread pudding that ended up being a real crowd pleaser.  In terms of taste, I recommend it whole heartedly (and then some)...in terms of your general wellness...let's just say it's not the healthiest dessert I've ever posted and leave it at that.  I saw a variation of the recipe here, but made some adjustments to better suit it to my taste.  Believe it or not, the original was even more outrageous.  The recipe here will cost you some calories but good heavens is it worth it...mmmMmm...so, so good!

Ingredients: 

Bread Pudding-

16 cups (about 1 1/2 loaves) cubed challah bread
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup tightly packed brown sugar
3 TBS butter, melted
10 eggs, beaten
2 cups half & half
1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup milk
1 TBS vanilla extract
1/4 cup Jack Daniel’s

Jack Daniel's Sauce-

16 oz butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy whip cream
1/4 cup Jack Daniels

Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees.  Dice bread and place into a large bowl (go for the biggest one you have...trust me).

Combine the brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon in another large container.  Mix well until blended.  Add eggs, melted butter, half and half, heavy whipping cream, milk, vanilla and bourbon to the brown sugar mix.  Mix with a wire whip until well blended.

Grease a 13 x 9 x 2 inch glass baking pan and add bread.  Pour egg mixture over bread cubes and mix gently.  

Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes...be sure not to overcook.  Now for the sauce!

Melt the butter over medium heat, then add brown sugar.  Whisk constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Slowly add heavy whipping cream then remove from heat.  Add Jack Daniel's and mix well. 

Pour generously over individually plated portions of bread pudding.  Seriously people...amazing.

Beauty Bar Essentials

I'm a big fan of makeup.  A big, big fan.  And while reveling in the perfection of my favorite gold eyeshadow this morning, it occurred to me that I've never really communicated that on the blog before. My follow-up thought was slightly more profound...what have I communicated on the blog lately?  I'm always really proud of what I post here, but as I was sifting through the last few weeks of content I realized it's been pretty much strictly editorial calendar driven.  Don't misunderstand me, I love our editorial calendar and have no intention of pulling the plug on it, but I want to make sure I deliver more than just the same scheduled content from week to week.  The moment this space becomes merely something I need to fill is the moment it won't really be worth visiting anymore...while I don't feel like that's where I'm at, I do want to make sure I'm actively working against it.  I wish I could promise a proverbial waterfall of new content, but since I'm in the process of growing a business I don't think that's something I can deliver at the moment.  But!  I can commit to two posts a week on top of our regular editorial calendar for the time being.  As Design Muse grows things will continue to change here, but it's my goal to always make sure the content is fresh and inspirational. 

That being said, let's talk about makeup for a minute (the catalyst for this whole rant).  I rounded up a few of my must haves...the products in my beauty regimen that get an A++ 100% of the time.  I've tried a lot of different kinds of makeup in my day (more than I'll ever admit to) and these are the tried and true favorites.  A few quick thoughts about what's listed here:

1. Urban Decay 'Baked' Eyeshadow- The best gold eyeshadow you'll ever use.  Super pigmented, extremely warming with the perfect amount of shimmer...seriously...the best.

2. Boom Boom Brow Highlighting Pencil- Love using the matte end to highlight my brows and the shimmer end on the inner corners of my eyes.  Especially helpful when I didn't get quite enough sleep the night before.

3. Shiseido Eyelash Curler- Try it and you'll never use another eyelash curler again.  For reals.

4. Mac 'Fleur Power' Powder Blush- Just enough coral to be universally flattering...looks like freshly pinched cheeks.

5. GaBee's Lip Balm- In a perfect world, I'd send all of you a stick of this...it's seriously my favorite.  Check out the back story on how it came to be here.

6. Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base- Doesn't clump, dries clear, keeps your eyeshadow on all day.  What more could you ask for?

7. Dior Show Maximizer Lash Plumping Serem- Makes a huge difference in the length and thickness of my lashes.  Huge.

8. Lorac Multiplex 3D Lashes Volumizing and Thickening Mascara- I've tried cheaper, more expensive, thicker, thinner, and everything in between.  This is hands down my fave.

9. Stila 'Fiery' Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick- Never in my life have I come across another lipstick like this.  The perfect red, stays allll day (and then some), the best, best, best.   

1. Eyeshadow in 'Baked', Urban Decay $18  2. Brow Highlighting Pencil, Boom Boom Brow Bar $18   3. Eyelash Curler, Shiseido $19  4. Powder blush in 'Fleur Power', MAC $20  5. GaBees Lip Balm, Beretta Apiary  6. Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, NARS $24  7. Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, Dior $28  8. Multiplex 3D Lashes Volumizing & Thickening Mascara, Lorac $22  9. Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in 'Fiery', Stila $22

Mirror, Mirror

This color palate is a risky little game as things can go Sesame Street/McDonalds/Snow White faster than you can say Big Bird/Happy Meal/Poison Apple.  And yet, I love it.  It's not for everyone, sure, but neither is dark chocolate (somewhat unbelievably).  Bottom line is it's happy, and I like that.  

1. Wrap Effect Dress, Kain $132.50  2. Red V Neck Cardigan, Repertoire £127.50  3. Flat Suede Slingbacks, Carven $378  4. Lytton Spotted Haircalf Clutch, Diane von Furstenberg $395  5. Lipstick Red Necklace, Moda Operandi $410

Get It Together: Pop of Lilac

1. Origami Paper Pendants, Serena & Lily $68  2. Emery Pillar Candleholders, Crate & Barrel $6.48-$8.48  3. Alyson Fox Chevron Pillow, West Elm $29  4. Brown Crystal Goblets, One Kings Lane  5. Chevron Khaki Blanket, Zinc Door $150  6. Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair, Room & Board $599  7. Regina Andrew Vintage Brass Bowl, Zinc Door $35

Schedule An Appointment!

Okay, let's talk shop for just a minute...as in the actual shop I just opened.  We're ready to start booking appointments for our various styling services!  How exciting is that?!  You'll find all the details on our booking page (which you can get to by clicking here or looking just below the header at the top of this page and clicking 'Schedule An Appointment').

I've spent quite a bit of time working on my business model because I'm kind of sailing in uncharted waters here.  There aren't a lot of people building what I'm trying to build and let me just tell you...it's wonderful and terrifying all at the same time.  At the end of the day, I've realized styling is a really affordable luxury that has all kinds of potential to help people.  Are growing pains and anxious moments ahead?  Of course!  But that's true of anything worth doing and I'm so excited to try and do this well.   

I broke down what I'm offering into three basic categories; Wardrobe Styling, Home Styling and Event Styling.  There's a variety of services available in each category, the details of which I've listed below.  All of our paid services are set at $40 an hour with a two hour minimum, but I'm also offering free in office consultations at our 144 McGavock Pike Nashville, TN location.  You can book an appointment right on this website (via the 'Schedule An Appointment' link I mentioned earlier)...if you see something that piques your interest there's no time like the present to follow up on it!  Now without further ado, here's what's on the menu...

Wardrobe Styling Services

Wardrobe Evaluation:
Your space, your time and the way you present yourself are all valuable...let's maximize all three and tackle your closet together. During your session we'll sort through your wardrobe and make edits based on clothes' condition, fit and style. Get ready for your fresh start! (20-40 pieces an hour)

Closet Shopping:
Did you know there's outfits...great outfits...outfits you'll love hiding out in your closet? It's true. And we can help you find them. After analyzing your wardrobe and accessories, we'll put together a look book of stylish options suited just for you and using pieces you already own. We'll even help you create a list of missing items that would pull together more looks still. Let us show you your closet in a new light...you'll be shocked at what we'll uncover. (10-15 outfits an hour)

Personal Shopping:
Let's go shopping, shall we? Whether you know what you're looking for or just know you want a change, you've come to the right place. We'll shop with you or for you, at local stores or online, and handle the pick up, delivery and return of all items. Learn to navigate trends and choose flattering styles at any price point...a perfect option for season changes, special occasions, a new job, an exciting vacation, weight fluctuation or simply turning over a new leaf! (3-5 garments an hour)

Personal Style Consultation:
Visit our Nashville, TN location for a FREE 20 minute consultation. We'll talk about how to define your personal style and share a few tips and tricks. If you're looking for a helpful, relaxed way to decide whether Wardrobe Styling is for you, this is it!

Home Styling Services

Room Consultation:

Let us help you identify your vision and the key pieces of furniture and accessories that can make it a reality. Maximize the flow of your home by re-arranging the pieces you have and/or add new ones to freshen your space. Together we can create a space with function and style that reflects you and your family.

Home Staging Services:
Selling your home? Entertaining VIPs? Preparing to have your house photographed? Home staging is all about making small changes that leave a big impact. Looking for a low investment and fast results? Look no further.

Color and/or Custom Drapery Consultation:
Visit our Nashville, TN location for a FREE 20 minute consultation. We'll discuss your color preferences and offer a few specific suggestions for high quality paint combos that are sure to brighten your home. Interested in elevating your space with custom draperies? Come browse our extensive library of fabrics!

Event Styling Services 

Venue and Tablescape Styling:
Whether you're throwing a party for 4 or 400, you want it to be fabulous in every possible way. We can help you achieve a memorable impact through venue and table design, gifts and favors, menu consultation, event branding and much more.

General Event Consultation:
Visit our Nashville, TN location for a FREE 20 minute consultation. If you're just looking to bounce around a few ideas and see if event styling services would benefit you, we'd love to meet with you!

So there you have it...I'm really going for it, folks!  I hope you'll tell your Mom, your sister, your Facebook friends, and anyone else you think might listen (have I mentioned how great you guys are lately?) :)  I'm thrilled to get this ball rolling...there's just nothing quite like a new adventure.

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

Happy, happy Friday!  Any big plans for the weekend?  I've got a few things I need to get done around the house so it looks like I'll be laying low...I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a few days that are equal parts productive and restful.  Let's catch up Monday, shall we?  Enjoy the links!

This sounds like it could one day be handy...

Absolute insanity.

This made me laugh so hard.

Want.

Hmm...noted.

So interesting!

Gorgeous, gorgeous and more gorgeous.

An early Valentine's Day idea to ponder.

Some pretty stuff happening here!

How 'bout those Dinner and a Suit boys?

The Foodie Files

The majority of the Foodie Files I post are simple to make but look complicated...it's a winning combo if you ask me.  Today's recipe is, somewhat unfortunately, the total opposite.  At least for me, anyway.  For some reason I've always had a difficult relationship with rice...while it's easy in theory, I've discovered an astounding number of ways to mess it up.  I've watched my Mom make flawless rice no less than 100 times, but over the Christmas holiday I made sure to write down every detail possible so I could 1) perfect the art on my own and 2) share the details with you!  My parents are big fans of a brown rice blend called Jubilee Rice (which you can buy here, by the way) so that's what we used.  It gets two thumbs way up from me, for the record.

Ingredients:
4 cups water
2 1/2 cups rice
3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt

Pour rice, water, extra virgin olive oil and salt in a medium sized pot.  Cook over high heat until it comes to a boil.  Stir, then let boil briskly for at least a minute.

Lower the heat to very low, cover and don't touch for 40-45 minutes (which is the hardest part for me).  Jubilee Rice takes nearly twice as long to cook as regular rice, but the rest of the tips and tricks apply.  Wish me luck, folks...I'm giving this a shot on my own!

Mirror, Mirror

I love a pop of bright in the winter...it's good for the soul, I think.  This outfit is particularly fun because you could style it two different ways.  Layer the shirt underneath the dress and it's quite preppy, layer it over the dress and tie it at the waist and...it's also preppy, but it's a different look which is always a good time.  Fun fact: I'm actually wearing this necklace today!

1. Leather and Faux Pony Clutch, ASOS $52.77  2. Bejeweled Snake Chain Necklace, Forever 21 $10.80  3. Petite Boucle Sweater Dress, Topshop $76  4. Chambray Shirt, Old Navy $29.94  5. Truth or Dare Pumps, Piperlime $130

Get It Together: Swan Song

1. Atelier Sconce, ABC Carpet and Home $1511  2. Piave Rug, Anthropologie $1,250  3. Gilboa Frame, Zara Home $14.90  4. Denim Blue Pillow, By Nord  5. Antique Carved Settee, Jayson Home $2,695

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

I woke up this morning to the rude realization that it was not, in fact, Saturday.  Yesterday just felt so much like Friday that it was a Groundhog Day-esque revelation...ever have days like that?  Needless to say I'm in desperate need of a moment to get my head on straight, and hopefully the weekend will provide just that.  I'm beta testing an exciting idea at the moment (Beta testing?  Is that what I want to say?  I think so...) and hopefully I'll be able to share it in all it's glory early next week.  Have the best weekend everyone!  Enjoy the links!  

You know I'll be celebrating this.

Okay, so this is just a concept at the moment but how cool is it?

These look too delicious.

My Dad loves this song.  I do too.

Illustrated quotes?  Yes please.

I've got to see these!

Probably the cutest thing I've ever seen.

So fun!

The Foodie Files

Since today marks the first Foodie Files of 2013 I wanted to post a celebratory and delicious entree... what could be better than raspberry duck?  This particular recipe is one of my favorite things my Mom makes.  Seriously, her raspberry duck is legendary.  It's much simpler than you would think so it's great for those of you who vowed to start cooking more this year and it's just exotic enough to qualify for those of you who resolved to try new things.  All around, it's hard to beat!

Ingredients:
2 duck breasts

2 TBS coconut oil
1 large shallot, roughly cut
3 TBS butter
16 oz raspberry sauce/jam/preserves/etc (just about anything in that family will work)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Wash and pat meat dry, then liberally salt and pepper.  Brown shallots in butter and oil and add duck breast, fat side down, to saute pan.

Sauté over medium to medium high flame 5-10 minutes.  Flip and sear 5-10 minutes more.  

Coat with raspberry sauce and cook for 15 minutes.  Lower temperature to 350 and cook for 30 minutes more.  Slice, drizzle with excess sauce and serve!

Mirror, Mirror

Happy new year!  I'm having the hardest time getting back in the swing of things.  I guess Christmas was just too delightful...it's kind of a bummer that it had to end.  But it did, and that's okay cause now we get to revel in the possibilities of the new year.  Fresh starts are my favorite.  These ballet flats...also my favorite.  And these earrings.  

1. Boyfriend Distressed Jeans, Net-A-Porter $278  2. Sheer Blouse, La Garconne  3. Leather Ballet Flats, Chloe $485  4. Pink Bulbine Earrings, Moda Operandi $285

Get It Together: Don't Give Up The Ship

1. Brown Shell Mixed Handle, Lille $460  2. Chevron Ikat Rug, Rugs USA $287-$651  3. Don't Give Up The Ship Pillow, High Street Market $58  4. Oak Dining Chairs, Branca $7,400 for a set of 6  5. World Globe, 1stdibs