3 Ideas

Whether you find yourself attached or not this Valentine's Day, I think it's a great time for a little decadence.  Celebrate romantic love, platonic love, present love, future love, partnership, independence, or anything in between…and whatever you choose, celebrate it well.  Here's a few ideas to make this or any week feel extra special.

1) If your budget allows it, book yourself a massage or facial (heads up, I hear the best facialist in Nashville is accepting new clients…615-884-7721…you're welcome).  If you're looking to spend just slightly less, take a long bubble bath, throw on a Sephora One Use Mask (it may or may not make you look like a serial killer but it does wonders for your skin!), and enjoy the magazine of your choosing.

2) Eat a rich dessert…I mean really, really rich.  If you can take more than three bites, it's not rich enough.  Think flour-less chocolate cake, a really good creme brûlée or flan, cheesecake or tiramisu, and so on and so forth.  You may regret it at some point, but that point will definitely not be whilst you eat it.

3) Buy a new perfume…even if it's a tester size.  While I tend to stick to one signature scent at a time, I enjoy the occasional switch up.  A spritz of perfume is a beauty ritual we can all share with Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn...even Cleopatra!  There's something kind of neat to that, don't you think?  If you're looking for a new scent, a few of my personal favorites include Dior Poison, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, and Lolita Lempicka Eau de Parfum.

Wanted: Week Eleven

1. Crackled Leather Shopper, Zara $179  2. Jenny Prim Painting, Serena & Lily $500  3. Pleated Mesh Midi Skirt, Nordstrom  4. 12 Macaron Assortment, Laduree 29,80 €  5. Luxury Gold Foil Letterpress Valentine Cards, Etsy $6.25  6. Peach pink and mint seafoam Chandelier earrings, Etsy $84  7. Derek Accent Table, One Kings Lane  8. Coco Noir Eau De Parfum, Chanel $98

Design Musings

The Foodie Files

I wandered around the grocery store today looking for warm, hearty meal inspiration to fend off the cold and landed on a delicious lamb and chick pea chili that did not disappoint!  I used a variation of a recipe I first spotted here and was thrilled to discover it's a true 30 minute (or less) meal.  Add this one to your winter repertoire for a real treat!

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large bell pepper, chopped (I used orange but red would work, too)
4 cloves garlic, minced
16 ounces ground lamb
4 medium tomatoes, chopped

3/4 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, chopped
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
1 tsp chili powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and peppers begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes.  Add lamb, salt and pepper, then stir until brown, about 5 minutes.  Drain excess fat, then add tomatoes.  Cook 5 minutes more.  Add chili powder and salt and pepper to taste.  Lastly, add chickpeas, stir, then immediately remove from heat.  Serve garnished with cilantro (trust me, it really makes a world of difference).

3 Ideas

It seems Facebook's 10th anniversary has made saps of us all.  I've only watched a few of my friends' look-back movie thingamajigs but it is touching to see some of the moments that defined their last few years.  I spent a little time this week unpacking actual photo albums at my parents' new house (from the pre-Facebook era, of course) and I couldn't help but flip through their gloriously embarassing pages.  I laughed, I cried, I got the whole subscription.  Even amongst the very cute baby pictures, hilarious costumes and numerous events captured, my favorite was the one below.  It may not be as picturesque as some of the others I thumbed through but the sentiment sure is strong.  To make a long story short, my Mom took this picture of my brother and I on a family vacation…I think it's probably the very first time we ever sat and talked for hours, just for the sake of soaking up each other's company.  I always thought of him as a really great brother but I think I'd pin point this as the moment we became friends.  Pictures like this remind me of the power of reflection…especially in a world where we tend to focus so much on our problems and so little on our joys.  That being said:   

1. We've gotta start with the obvious…pull out some old photo albums/yearbooks/boxes of cards and ticket stubs/etc.  Speaking from very recent experience, it's one of the best ways to take a fun stroll down memory lane.

2. Think of a few songs you really connected with during happy moments of your life.  Jimmy Durante's 'Make Someone Happy' makes me think of road trips with Jessie, Rod Stewart's "Oh La La" takes me back to college with DC and Rich, James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes" stirs up memories of all the songs my Dad used to sing to us when we were little…try it and see what you remember!

3. Pin point one major thing you have now that you wished and prayed for at another time in your life…a high school diploma, a spouse, a job, or anything in-between.  Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed by everything that still needs to fall into place in my life but when I reflect on what already has, I feel a sense of calm.  Some wonderful things have unfolded for you…doesn't it feel great to be thankful for a moment and just remember?

Wanted: Week Ten

1. Kevin O'Brien Lilac Pillow, ABC Home & Carpet $219  2. Duck Mirror, Amazon $66.59  3. Jennifer Behr Turban, Net a Porter $695  4. Cat Cora Wood Board, Bed Bath & Beyond $34.99  5. Rick Owens Lilies Draped Jersey Top, Net a Porter $420  6. Gold Rimmed Glassware Set, West Elm $32  7. Paris in the 1920s, Anthropologie $195  8. Crystal Shimmer Earrings, J. Crew $58

Design Musings