Saturday, August 6, 2016
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Current Cravings from Tory Burch...
Trying to keep my mind off the hurricane outside and thought I would share what I am currently craving.....Tory Burch has some fabulous Fall finds....
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| Tory Burch Boot $550 |
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| Most gorgeous shoe from Tory Burch $395 |
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| Amanda Hobo from Tory Burch $465 |
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| Great outfit from Tory Burch, reminds me of Ireland.... |
Crazy weather week!
This week will go down as the craziest weather week ever. It began with an earthquake....5.8 on the richter scale and then a series of aftershocks that I somehow managed to miss.....strangest feeling EVER!
Then, the smoke from the Great Dismal Fire nearly choked me yesterday.....
and then today, Hurricane Irene is hitting Richmond with LOTS of rain and wind.
This makes for a quiet day of blogging,
catching up on my magazines,
eating,
television,
and hanging with the pups......
hopefully there will not be any flooding but happy to have an excuse to stay home.....
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| Hard to get a photo of an earthquake... |
Then, the smoke from the Great Dismal Fire nearly choked me yesterday.....
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| Aerial view of fires |
and then today, Hurricane Irene is hitting Richmond with LOTS of rain and wind.
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| Hurricane Irene |
This makes for a quiet day of blogging,
catching up on my magazines,
eating,
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| Homemade 4 cheese pizza |
and hanging with the pups......
hopefully there will not be any flooding but happy to have an excuse to stay home.....
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Love some Lilly fabric
Love some Lilly fabric.....so excited to read this!!!!
The preppy prints of Lilly Pulitzer have been racing out of the closet and into the home. First, bedding and bath goods with Garnet Hill last year, then a line of furniture with HFI Brands earlier this year, and now the Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa collection of interior fabrics and trimmings. Expect the brand’s signature prints—and some new patterns, too—in Pulitzer’s classic pink and green combinations, and other bright and clean colors. Available in cotton, linen, silk, chintz, and jacquard, the line carries 15 prints.
Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa, $50 to $175 per yard, to the trade only in Lee Jofa showrooms; leejofa.com
For more Design + Decorating, click here.
Lilly Pulitzer partners with Lee Jofa for a line of upholstery fabrics and trimmings
Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa, $50 to $175 per yard, to the trade only in Lee Jofa showrooms; leejofa.com
For more Design + Decorating, click here.
Have you missed me?
I have seriously missed blogging and all of you too! Tonight's post will include some of the things I am loving right now.....
My trip to Ireland was probably one of the most magical vacations ever....after seeing this, I think Scotland is next on my list:
Ingredients
• 1½ lb. fresh crabmeat
• 2 ripe mangoes
• 1 large papaya, either green (tastes similar to a cucumber) or ripe
• 1 cucumber
• 1 daikon radish
• ½ bunch each of mint, cilantro, and Thai basil, all rinsed and picked, reserving stems
• 3 limes, cut into wedges
• 3 oz. shaved coconut, lightly toasted
Special equipment: Mandoline
Directions
Check the crabmeat for shells. Peel the mangoes and cut the flesh into ¼" cubes. Peel the papaya and slice in half lengthwise to remove the seeds, then cut into four sections. Slice the papaya thinly on the mandoline, and then cut it into ¼"-wide batons. Using a channel knife or the tip of a spoon, shave the cucumber lengthwise, leaving a bit of skin between each groove to create a striped effect. Thinly slice the cucumber into wheels on the mandoline. Peel the radish, cut into 2-inch segments, slice thinly on mandoline, then julienne. Very lightly chop the herbs, or if desired, keep the leaves whole. Serve buffet style, placing each ingredient in a separate vessel (including the lime, shaved coconut, gelée, and vinaigrette—see below) or toss it all together and serve on salad plates. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serves 6 to 8.
• 1 T sriracha chili sauce
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• 2 tsp. grated ginger
• 1 T chopped cilantro
• 1 T peanut oil
• ⅓ cup grapeseed oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Combine the chili sauce, lime zest and juice, ginger, and cilantro in a bowl. Whisk in the peanut oil, then slowly whisk in the grapeseed oil in a steady stream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 1 whole-stalk piece of lemongrass, smashed and cut into chunks
• Reserved stems of mint, cilantro, and Thai basil
• 2½ tsp. powdered gelatin
• Salt, as needed
Directions
Combine the coconut milk with the lemongrass and herb stems and let rest, covered, in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, pour 3 tablespoons of cool water into a bowl; sprinkle the gelatin evenly over top. Rest for 5 minutes to allow the gelatin to absorb the water. Strain the coconut milk through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the lemongrass and herb stems, and bring ⅓ cup of the coconut milk to a simmer in a small pot. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few seconds, then stir in the gelatin. Combine with the remaining coconut milk, season with a pinch of salt if desired, then pour into a pie pan or a small, shallow dish. Place in the refrigerator, uncovered, for three hours or until fully set. Using a paring knife, slice coconut gelée in a grid pattern to form ½" cubes. Remove the cubes with a small offset spatula. Keep chilled until ready to serve the salad.
This recipe was originally featured in "Daniel’s Dish: Crab Salad
• 2 1½-lb. live lobsters, rinsed under cold water
• 8 quail eggs (or 2 hen’s eggs)
• Dash of white or cider vinegar
• 1 Yukon Gold potato, peeled and cut into ¼-inch dice (1 cup)
• 3 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 T red-wine vinegar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, leaves separated
• 3 ears of corn, shucked (2 cups fresh corn kernels)
• 12 cherry tomatoes, halved (1 cup), or 1 large tomato, in ¼-inch dice
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into 12 wedges
• 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into ¼-inch dice (¾ cup)
• ½ stalk celery, thinly sliced (¼ cup)
• 2 sprigs tarragon, leaves only (2 T)
Directions
To cook the lobsters, bring a few inches of salted water to a boil in a stockpot. Stack the lobsters in the pot, with the corncobs on top. Cover, and steam for 10–12 minutes. Drain.
When the corn is cool enough to handle, slice the kernels off the cob and set aside. When the lobsters have cooled, crack the claws and remove the meat. Shell the tails, then run a sharp knife along the skin where the vein is. Remove the vein and cut the tails crosswise into 4 slices. Cover and refrigerate.
Put the quail eggs into a pot of cold water with the dash of vinegar. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Run cold water over the eggs. Once cool enough to handle, shell and set aside. (If using hen’s eggs, place them in cold water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes before shelling.)
Bring a pot of salted water and the potatoes to a boil. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
In a bowl large enough to hold the salad, whisk together olive oil and red-wine vinegar; season with salt and black pepper. Toss the vinaigrette with the romaine lettuce, corn, tomatoes, avocado, carrots, celery, lobster, and potatoes. Cut the quail eggs in half (or the hen’s eggs in quarters) and garnish the salad with them. Sprinkle with tarragon leaves and drizzle the dressing on top or pass on the side. Makes 4 servings.
• 2 T mayonnaise
• 1 T crème fraîche
• 2 tsp. water
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp. red-wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
• 2 tsp. chopped chives
• 2 sprigs tarragon, leaves chopped (1 T)
• 1 sprig flat-leaf parsley, leaves chopped (1 T)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together. Season with salt and black pepper.
Jules Reid is one of my favorite designers and the fact that she is from Virginia just makes it that much cooler, she has some super fun things in her fall line....
Preston Bailey is one of those designers who always finds something to inspire me....love this lookbook inspired by the Tour de France....
While we are on design, here are some rooms that have just blown me away lately.....
My trip to Ireland was probably one of the most magical vacations ever....after seeing this, I think Scotland is next on my list:
The Anthropologist's Highland Heart, David Eustace, amazing photographer!!!
I love the food in summertime, it's fresh, it's cold and it's always colorful!!! Here are some great recipes:
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| Daniel's crab salad |
• 1½ lb. fresh crabmeat
• 2 ripe mangoes
• 1 large papaya, either green (tastes similar to a cucumber) or ripe
• 1 cucumber
• 1 daikon radish
• ½ bunch each of mint, cilantro, and Thai basil, all rinsed and picked, reserving stems
• 3 limes, cut into wedges
• 3 oz. shaved coconut, lightly toasted
Special equipment: Mandoline
Directions
Check the crabmeat for shells. Peel the mangoes and cut the flesh into ¼" cubes. Peel the papaya and slice in half lengthwise to remove the seeds, then cut into four sections. Slice the papaya thinly on the mandoline, and then cut it into ¼"-wide batons. Using a channel knife or the tip of a spoon, shave the cucumber lengthwise, leaving a bit of skin between each groove to create a striped effect. Thinly slice the cucumber into wheels on the mandoline. Peel the radish, cut into 2-inch segments, slice thinly on mandoline, then julienne. Very lightly chop the herbs, or if desired, keep the leaves whole. Serve buffet style, placing each ingredient in a separate vessel (including the lime, shaved coconut, gelée, and vinaigrette—see below) or toss it all together and serve on salad plates. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serves 6 to 8.
Thai vinaigrette
Ingredients• 1 T sriracha chili sauce
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• 2 tsp. grated ginger
• 1 T chopped cilantro
• 1 T peanut oil
• ⅓ cup grapeseed oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Combine the chili sauce, lime zest and juice, ginger, and cilantro in a bowl. Whisk in the peanut oil, then slowly whisk in the grapeseed oil in a steady stream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Coconut gelée
Ingredients
• 1 13.5-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk• 1 whole-stalk piece of lemongrass, smashed and cut into chunks
• Reserved stems of mint, cilantro, and Thai basil
• 2½ tsp. powdered gelatin
• Salt, as needed
Directions
Combine the coconut milk with the lemongrass and herb stems and let rest, covered, in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, pour 3 tablespoons of cool water into a bowl; sprinkle the gelatin evenly over top. Rest for 5 minutes to allow the gelatin to absorb the water. Strain the coconut milk through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the lemongrass and herb stems, and bring ⅓ cup of the coconut milk to a simmer in a small pot. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few seconds, then stir in the gelatin. Combine with the remaining coconut milk, season with a pinch of salt if desired, then pour into a pie pan or a small, shallow dish. Place in the refrigerator, uncovered, for three hours or until fully set. Using a paring knife, slice coconut gelée in a grid pattern to form ½" cubes. Remove the cubes with a small offset spatula. Keep chilled until ready to serve the salad.
This recipe was originally featured in "Daniel’s Dish: Crab Salad
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| Lobster Cobb Salad |
Lobster Cobb Salad
Ingredients• 2 1½-lb. live lobsters, rinsed under cold water
• 8 quail eggs (or 2 hen’s eggs)
• Dash of white or cider vinegar
• 1 Yukon Gold potato, peeled and cut into ¼-inch dice (1 cup)
• 3 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 T red-wine vinegar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, leaves separated
• 3 ears of corn, shucked (2 cups fresh corn kernels)
• 12 cherry tomatoes, halved (1 cup), or 1 large tomato, in ¼-inch dice
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into 12 wedges
• 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into ¼-inch dice (¾ cup)
• ½ stalk celery, thinly sliced (¼ cup)
• 2 sprigs tarragon, leaves only (2 T)
Directions
To cook the lobsters, bring a few inches of salted water to a boil in a stockpot. Stack the lobsters in the pot, with the corncobs on top. Cover, and steam for 10–12 minutes. Drain.
When the corn is cool enough to handle, slice the kernels off the cob and set aside. When the lobsters have cooled, crack the claws and remove the meat. Shell the tails, then run a sharp knife along the skin where the vein is. Remove the vein and cut the tails crosswise into 4 slices. Cover and refrigerate.
Put the quail eggs into a pot of cold water with the dash of vinegar. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Run cold water over the eggs. Once cool enough to handle, shell and set aside. (If using hen’s eggs, place them in cold water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes before shelling.)
Bring a pot of salted water and the potatoes to a boil. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
In a bowl large enough to hold the salad, whisk together olive oil and red-wine vinegar; season with salt and black pepper. Toss the vinaigrette with the romaine lettuce, corn, tomatoes, avocado, carrots, celery, lobster, and potatoes. Cut the quail eggs in half (or the hen’s eggs in quarters) and garnish the salad with them. Sprinkle with tarragon leaves and drizzle the dressing on top or pass on the side. Makes 4 servings.
Tarragon Dressing
Ingredients• 2 T mayonnaise
• 1 T crème fraîche
• 2 tsp. water
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp. red-wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
• 2 tsp. chopped chives
• 2 sprigs tarragon, leaves chopped (1 T)
• 1 sprig flat-leaf parsley, leaves chopped (1 T)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together. Season with salt and black pepper.
Jules Reid is one of my favorite designers and the fact that she is from Virginia just makes it that much cooler, she has some super fun things in her fall line....
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| Kate skirt by Jules Reid |
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| The Mae by Jules Reid |
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| The Walter by Jules Reid |
While we are on design, here are some rooms that have just blown me away lately.....
I said it was going to be a bit random but I needed to catch up, I promise it will not be several months before my next post, what do you want to hear about next?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
New Louboutins are here.....
It's just too bad I cannot buy both...these are two of my favorites:
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| Pique Prive Patent Leather Pumps $895 |
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| Bibi 140 Glitter Pumps $795 |
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Royal Wedding and LOTS of excitement!
I think every girl my age remembers the day Princess Diana walked down the aisle.....
So it is no surprise that on April 29th, 2011 I woke up at 5am to watch the next generation of Royals.
I wonder if I was the only girl with tears in her eyes when William and Harry arrived all dressed up?
I wonder if I was the only girl wishing their beautiful Princess mother was with them on this special day?
Every girl dreams about marrying her Prince and I could not be happier to see such a lovely Kate marry her Prince.....
Few images bring such happy thoughts to me as Princess Grace on her wedding day....every girl dreams about being the "Commoner" who finds her Prince...maybe mine is still out there?!
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| Diana.... |
I wonder if I was the only girl with tears in her eyes when William and Harry arrived all dressed up?
I wonder if I was the only girl wishing their beautiful Princess mother was with them on this special day?
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| Di and her boys.... |
Every girl dreams about marrying her Prince and I could not be happier to see such a lovely Kate marry her Prince.....
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| Princess Katherine looking like Princess Grace.... |
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| Gorgeous Princess Grace |
I think this kiss says it all.....The Kiss
I can't begin to share all of my favorite moments from this day but this photo gallery has some wonderful pics.....Royal photos
Friday, April 1, 2011
Inspiration for April 1st
"Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity."
- Herbert Hoover
This is beautiful.....
- Herbert Hoover
This is beautiful.....
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Salad Sunday is more like Soup Sunday
It is the end of March and it actually snowed this morning! So instead of a salad, today is more of a soup day!!! Real Simple always has some of the best recipes, this one looks delish!!!
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 leeks (white and light green parts), cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 bunch kale, thick stems removed and leaves cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
1/2 cup brown lentils
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce; optional)
Directions
1.Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, breaking them up with a spoon, for 5 minutes.
2.Add 6 cups water and bring to a boil. Stir in the sweet potatoes, kale, lentils, thyme, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Simmer until the lentils are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
3.Spoon into bowls and top with the Parmesan, if using.
Winter Lentil Soup
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 leeks (white and light green parts), cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 bunch kale, thick stems removed and leaves cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
1/2 cup brown lentils
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce; optional)
Directions
1.Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, breaking them up with a spoon, for 5 minutes.
2.Add 6 cups water and bring to a boil. Stir in the sweet potatoes, kale, lentils, thyme, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Simmer until the lentils are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
3.Spoon into bowls and top with the Parmesan, if using.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Elizabeth Taylor, you will be missed
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| Gorgeous beauty |
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| Cleopatra |
Keep calm and have a cupcake!
About a year ago, I bought a bookmark that said "Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake." I keep it in my dayplanner as a constant reminder to myself. Lately my life has been incredibly stressful and when I stumbled upon this great blogpost from one of my favorite Bloggers, the adventures of tartanscot, I just had to do my own take on it. His design inspiration is always so fun and English, please check him out. I'm sure I would love meeting this guy!!!
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| Music, it makes any day brighter! |
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| Shopping definitely soothes my soul! |
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| Christmas is my favorite holiday and always cheers me up! |
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| Best part about spring arriving is the beautiful sound of lovebirds. |
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| Curious George, who doesn't smile when they see this little guy? |
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| Doesn't everything sound better with a British Accent? |
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| Rum? Yum-Yum!! |
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| Such a handsome hero! |
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| A nice Blue Moon always livens my spirit! |
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| Had a Blueberry Cosmo at the Four Seasons the other day, it was dellish! |
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| The one that started it all for me.... |
Jules did it again!
I am a HUGE fan of Jules Reid, her style is very organic, a bit hippie all while being feminine and Southern....
These are some great pieces from her Spring/Summer line:
These are some great pieces from her Spring/Summer line:
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| Pretty in Pink |
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| LOVE this hippie chic look |
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| How comfy does this dress look? |
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| So Martha's Vineyard... |
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| Perfect for a backyard fete! |
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