Mirror, Mirror

Fun announcement: I'm going to Italy!  Tomorrow!  For a little over a week!  It'll be my first time visiting the land of my people...to say I'm excited is a massive understatement.  I plan to take at least a million pictures so I'll have lots to share when I get back.  I had a pretty specific picture in my head of the types of outfits I wanted to bring so needless to say I spent a dollar here and there on a few things...nothing too extravagant, but some linen pieces and a couple silky dresses for good measure.  It's gonna be hot so most of my daytime outfits are along these lines.  So in summary, I'm the happiest person ever.

1. Strappy V Neck Cami, TopShop $36  2. Cat Eye Acetate Sunglasses, Stella McCartney $295  3. Crepe Tuxedo Pants, Band of Outsiders $340  4. Tia Silk Scarf, Club Monaco $89.50  5. Strappy Sandal, ShoeMint $79.98  6. Cassidy Medium Weekender, Sole Society $69.95

Get It Together: A Hint

1. Sheepskin Pillows, Crib Candy  2. Colosseum Painting, 1stDibs  3. Linen Blanket, Calypso St. Barth  4. Penelope Settee, Jayson Home $1,199  5. Coopers Bowls, Jayson Home $20+  6. Photographer's Lamp, Jayson Home $450

Design Musings

The Foodie Files

I'm heading out on yet another trip this morning (the details of which we'll discuss soon) and have quite a drive ahead of me (8+ hours and only the beginning).  I'll be away for awhile so I had to stop myself from buying excessive amounts of groceries this week, which made coming up with a Foodie File slightly complicated.  So!  Today we're talking coffee.  Wonderful, delicious, life-giving coffee.  I made myself a big cup of this sweet treat this morning before Davey and I hit the road.  It's simple and easy but boy oh boy will it start your day right!

Ingredients:
Dark Roast Coffee or espresso
1/4 cup half and half
1 heaping TBS sweetened condensed milk

Place sweetened condensed milk in your mug and heat in the microwave for 10 seconds.  Pour in half and half and, if possible, froth with a hand-held milk frother (they're real cheap...I found one at T.J.Maxx for less than $10 but you could just as easily get one online here).

Pour coffee over frothed milk, stir and enjoy!

Mirror, Mirror

Flattering black dresses will never go out of style.  It's just the truth.  While the earrings are the clear centerpiece of this outfit (they're amazing), the dress holds it's own to be sure.  I love the simplicity, I love the Grecian drape, I just love it all.  

1. MaxMara Pianoforte Ortles One Shoulder Dress, Matches Fortune $523  2. Stella McCartney Cat Eye Sunglesses, Luis ViaRoma $212  3. Metal Clutch Bag, Oasis  4. Chan Luu Cashmere Sweater, Net-A-Porter $205  5. Misfit Earrings Blue Glass, Fab $123  6. Lenny Mia Limited Edition, Piperlime $119

Get It Together: Moroccan Charm

1. Lazy Susan Gold Hammered Pendant, Beyond Half $234  2. Pretzel Chair, 1stDibs  3. Tan Moroccan Leather Pouf, Serena & Lily $450  4. Yves Delorme Berlingot, ABC Home $95  5. Mygdonia Anadol Rug, Fab

Design Musings

The Foodie Files

Today's Foodie File has basically nothing to do with cooking technique and everything to do with flavor combinations.  I wanted a really fresh, summery salad the other day and the idea of mixing lobster, avocado and grapefruit sounded so appealing.  I'm happy to report it was a killer combo.  The grapefruit and avocado were especially complimentary...they're officially on my radar as a dynamic duo.  Hope this brings a little relief to your sweltering week!

Ingredients:

1 grapefruit

2 avocados, sliced

8 oz langostino lobster tails

Fresh lettuce

1 1/2 lemons

1 TBS extra virgin olive oil

1 small shallot, diced

Salt and pepper to taste

Slice and separate grapefruit segments, removing the white film as you go.

Juice one lemon and mix into oil.  Add shallots to lemon-oil mix and set aside.     

Squeeze remaining half lemon over langostino lobster tails and season with salt and pepper.  

Toss all ingredients and serve.

Get It Together: Darling Prep

1. Lambert Chain Pendant, House of Antique Hardware $539.90  2. Stockholm Figur Rug, Ikea $499  3. Newco International Camile Chair, Sears $141.74  4. Slam Dunk Navy Pillows, Overstock $31.67  5. Vintage Brass Coffee Table, Jayson Home and Garden $1,395

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

We're almost halfway through July.  Can that even be right?  There's more than a few weeks of sunshine left to be enjoyed so I'm not ready to go into mourning just yet, but seriously- what is happening?  While I work on pumping the summer breaks I hope you get busy soaking up all this fabulous season has to offer...farmers markets and movies in the park and all the other stuff your gal pals love and the men in your life tolerate if they're married to you, dating you or want to date you.  Enjoy your weekend (& the links)!

In honor of my Mom's birthday today...her favorite thing.

Will I ever use this?  Probably not.  Am I considering buying it anyway?  Obviously.

Bestie merch always makes me chuckle.

I love and want this.

Exceptionally sweet.

Okay fine, I'll try it.

Be still my heart.

Do something awesome and donate to my amazing roommate's kindergarden class project.  Enter the code "INSPIRE" before 7/15 and your donation will be matched!

The Foodie Files

All I wanted today was potatoes and cheese.  That's it.  No protein, no greens, just potatoes and cheese.  When all was said and done I managed to keep it in check and get a few balanced meals in but you know I got some potatoes and cheese for dinner...scalloped potatoes au gratin to be specific.  It's not very summer-esque but good gracious did it hit the spot.  Put a pin in this for fall if you must but make sure you try it!

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
8-10 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Unsalted butter
2 medium russet potatoes, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
7 extra small red potatoes
7 extra small yukon gold potatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  In a saucepan, heat up the cream with the thyme, garlic and nutmeg over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.  Salt and pepper to taste.

While the cream is heating up, butter a large baking dish.  After heating for about 5 minutes, pour the cream into a large bowl with the potato slices.  Mix in 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese and gently coat the potatoes.  Spoon potatoes into the baking dish and pour remaining cream over the top.  Top with remaining Parmesan and a few fresh thyme sprigs.  

Cover dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.  For a crispy top (my favorite), broil  on high for about 4 minutes more and serve.

Mirror, Mirror

Before you look at this long sleeved summer dress and start instantly sweating let me remind you of this: it may be sweltering outside but it's essentially freezing inside just about everywhere you go.  A nice light fabric with some coverage won't overheat you in the sun and may just be your saving grace in the arctic that is every indoor area in all the land.  I'm all about those summer layers!

1. Aztec Silk Dress, Matches Fashion $538  2. Metal Aviator Sunglasses, Amazon $2.99  3. Chancay Sandals, Aldo $29.98  4. Chain Bracelets, Aldo $20.36  5. Glazed Leather Tote, Miu Miu $1,650

Get It Together: California Poppies

1. California Poppies, Serena & Lily $650  2. Gold Pillow, Indigo Shop  3. Turner Throw, Home Decorators Club $34  4. Faux Poppy Arrangement, Joss & Main  5. Crosby Armchair, West Elm $749-$799  6. Period Empire Chandelier, 1stDibs

Design Musings

The Foodie Files

I'm just gonna shoot straight with you, folks- our 4th of July picnic was awesome.  Delicious food, beautiful weather and the most delightful people you could ever hope to know...it was perfect.  With the 4th coming to a close, however, we're shifting our focus to the situation at hand: what do we do with all these leftovers?  We did some damage today but somehow it seemed like the plate of corn on the cob was multiplying instead of disappearing (which you will never hear me complain about).  My Mom had the brilliant idea to whip up some corn chowder with the surplus and man was it good!  Fresh, delicious and surprisingly light for a chowder...we seriously devoured it (and I suspect you will too).   

Ingredients: 

10 ears of corn

6 oz prosciutto, chopped

1 onion, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 TBS all purpose flour

3 cups vegetable broth

2 cups whole milk

3 medium potatoes, scrubbed and cut into cubes

2 bay leaves

1 tsp minced fresh thyme

1 cup heavy cream

2 TBS minced fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Standing the corn on end in a large bowl, cut the kernels from 4 ears using a paring knife.

Grate the remaining 6 ears over the large holes of a box grater into a second bowl.

Saute prosciutto in a large pot over medium heat until brown, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes more.  Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds or so), then add a few splashes of broth.  

Stir in the flour, then cook for 1 minute.  Slowly stir in the milk and broth, then add potatoes, bay leaves, thyme and grated corn.  Bring to a simmer and cook 'til the potatoes are almost tender, about 15 minutes.

Stir in the remaining corn kernels and cream.  Continue to simmer until the kernels are tender yet still slightly crunchy, about 5 minutes.  Discard the bay leaves, stir in the parsley and salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Mirror, Mirror

Since tomorrow is the 4th of July, today seemed like a great day to plan for a pool party.  While the color palate isn't as festive as I tend to gravitate to (mostly due to the fact that I have excessive celebration issues), it's a color combo that's really unique, and I'm into that.  If ever there was a time to keep accessories to a minimum, it'd be a pool party so I'm extra glad the lovely pattern gives this look a bit of interest.  

1. Floral Print Romper, Zimmermann $350  2. Bluebell Plunge Bikini Top, Topshop $26  3. Bluebell Tieside Bikini, Topshop $16  4. Talulah Flats, Aldo $50  5. Designsix Bangles, Asos $30.55

Get It Together: Earth Tones

1. Onassis Chair, 1stDibs  2. Vintage Pendant Light, Jayson Home $1,695  3. Fouta Blanket, Serena & Lily $48  4. Kole End Table, Joss & Main  5. Orange Diamond Rug, Similar: Fab Habitat Lhasa Orange Rug, Outdoor Rugs Only $119

Design Musings