All eyes on you

My eyesight is completely garbage.  I am so thankful for my contacts that I wear all day long.  However I do need to give these peeps a little rest and wear my glasses.  I was due to a new pair but I never wanted to spend a lot of money on new frames and the high tech super slim lenses (to my knowledge coke bottles haven't been in vogue for years now). 

I read about Warby Parker in O magazine this fall and the company sounded amazing.  Not only are their retro styled frames reasonably priced, but for every pair you buy they donate a pair to someone in need.  All I needed to do was get my prescription from my eye doctor and select the frames.  Warby Parker also lets you select up to five pairs at a time to try on at home, with free shipping both ways! 

I got my frames, and they only needed a slight adjustment in the fitting which was easily done at a local optical shop.  I am so thankful I gave this company a try.  Now my husband is ready to get a new pair!

Japhy Eyeglasses from Warby Parker

And the award goes to...

The highlight of the winter has finally arrived, today is the Oscars!  I will be watching, enjoying some wonderful chipotle flavored popcorn (for the recipe see yesterday's post.  In honor of today I thought I would post a few images from one of my favorite movies:  Breakfast at Tiffany's

Via

I just loved her outfit in these scenes...image via

Via

You can find a similar eye mask at Amazon.com

Pop, pop, pop

So many of my fondest childhood memories involve eating popcorn.  We were always allowed a bowl of popcorn and a juice glass of pop every Friday night as we watched Dallas.  Whenever we went to my Grandmother's house we were always treated to wonderful popcorn on our first night of arrival (I am pretty certain she used a mixture of shortening and bacon grease in her popcorn recipe).  So this weekend, let's grab some corn and try a new recipe....


Chipotle Kettle Corn from Better Homes and Gardens   - this is my latest obsession, it is so good!

BHG.com

Truffled Popcorn from Food and Wine

Chili-Lime Popcorn from Whole Living

Popcorn with Parmesan and Pecorino from Food Network

Carmel-Nut Corn from Better Homes and Gardens

Butter Pecan Popcorn from Better Homes and Gardens

Cocoa Popcorn from Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

What is for dinner?

Here is wha we are having next week...

Sunday - Roasted Salmon with Potatoes and Mushrooms

Monday - Artichoke Soup with Pesto

Tuesday - Chicken, Kiwi, and Mango Salad

Wednesday - Ricotta Fritters with a side salad

Thursday - Chicken, Chickpea and Pesto Salad

Friday - Spinach and Ricotta Baked Shells

Saturday - Dinner Out

Dream Home

I have been obsessed with the home from the movie Something's Gotta Give.  James Radin's designs are just terrific.  I dream of this home and hope someday I will be able to have a house that looks like this.  A few years ago I did use the kitchen as my inspiration when we redid ours. 

Pictures via:  Cote de Texas, Design Was Here 

Tea Time

I just love having a proper afternoon tea.  I volunteer monthly at a local hospital who puts on an afternoon tea once a week for patients.  They love nothing more than enjoying a warm cup of tea from a proper china teacup.  To make it even more indulgent try having a good ol' fashion scone and a dollop of cream to go with it!

I am going to challenge myself to have a proper afternoon cup of tea using our best china at least three times a week. 

Here are some great links to receipes and blogs on tea.

Green Tea with Lemon and Pomegranate from Whole Living

Moroccan Mint Tea from Cooking Light

Easy Chai Tea from Real Simple


The Tea Room Blog - it has great recipes for tea snacks

Pictures via Country Living

Donna Hay

Tough Love

Have you ever been scared to do something that you really didn't want to do, but knew deep down in your heart that you had to?  Opening yourself up and making yourself vulnerable is so difficult, and many people would feel great to just ignore the issue and move on.  I on the other couldn't handle it any longer and faced my fear.  I am happy to report that the outcome was very positive, and I am so glad that I challenged myself to do something I was completely scared to do.

So next time you find yourself in this position, close your eyes, take a deep breath and take the leap and go for it, who knows what wonderful outcome you just might get!

Photo from Martha Stewart

Cheer Up

After experiencing a little hint of spring last week I am in the mood to cheer up my kitchen.  I am hunting for some new spring placemats, something fun, colorful, and a little bit retro like these fun fruit ones I found online:

Via Etsy

Via Etsy

Via Etsy

Via Rose Lane Cottage

And the winner is...

Just one week until the Oscars, although I haven't been able to see too many of the nominated films, I will certainly be tuning in.  If you are thinking about putting together a party check out these sites for some great ideas.  Some have free printables.

Twig & Thistle



Bakerella

Hostess with the Mostess

Celebrations



The grass is always greener

Our snow is finally starting melt and a few green spots are starting to show through.  I can't wait for the grass to get here, and until then I am going to try to fill our home with some indoor grass.  I have always admired kitchens in magazines with these perfect boxes of wheatgrass in them.  This winter/spring I am going to try to grow my own.  I think it will really bring some new life into our kitchen and dining room.

For a how to on growing your own wheatgrass check out Martha Stewart's website.  Now to find some fun planters.

via

Martha Stewart

I thought this was an amazing idea...

Glass Slipper Gourmet





What is for dinner?

Where is what we are having for dinner next week.

Sunday - BLT Bread Salad

Monday - Pumpkin with White Beans

Tuesday - Eggplant Fritters with Spiced Yogurt

Wednesday - Spaghetti with Sweet Sausage and Cabbage

Thursday - Panang Chicken Curry

Friday - 15 Minute White Bean Soup  with a nice crusty bread and a cheese plate

Saturday - Steak with roasted potatoes and a side salad

Year of the Hare

Today is the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration for the year of the hare.  If you were born in the following years you have the sign of the hare:   1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011.

Picture via

Hares are popular people and generally the center of attention as they make great entertainers.  Generally they have the following traits:  ambition, talent, good natured, artistic, insecure, and at times, pessimistic.  Hares are known to be good business people as they use their instinct to make the correct decisions. 

To read more about the Year of the Hare you can check out the following sites:  VOA News and The Holiday Spot

In celebration of China, here are a few pictures...

Streets of Hong Kong

Warriors of Xian

Door Knocker in Beijing

Making a list...

The daily schedule tab is now up.  I would love it if you would share some of your ideas on how you keep your household running with me as well!

To Do List Card from Tiny Prints

Snow Break

I don't know about your, but I still have snow on the ground.  After two and a half months of this I am getting very ready for spring, and the spring flowers that seem to pop up out of nowhere!  Until then I am going to try to focus on beautiful beach scenes like these.  Here is hoping the sun is shining where you live.

My Loves

Happy Valentine's Day!  To me this is love...

Picture by Sara Theis

Let's give all of our Valentines today a big kiss and squeeze!

My heart will be blessed, with the sound of music

Since the Grammys are tonight I thought this post should relate to music.  I recently discovered the wonderful app Pandora.  It is a free internet radio based on artists or songs you like.  You can create a playlist based on any artist that you like, be it the music from the musical My Fair Lady, Frank Sinatra, or Jay-Z.

In order to make this service free to you there are ads that run at the bottom of the display and every once and a while an audio ad does play for a few seconds.  If you don't want to have the ads they do provide a premium service that you can pay for.

Not only can you listen to Pandora on the web, but it is also available for the following: Android, Blackberry, iPhone, palm pre, and Windows Mobile.  To check out more you can click on this link to their website.

Oh La La

In the spirit of Valentine's Day I am going to make French macarons for our dessert tonight.  I am going to use the recipe from Donna Hay's magazine (issue 53) which looks relatively straight forward.  I thought I was going to have a problem finding the almond meal at my local grocery store however I was able to find it in the health food/organic section.  So if you don't find it in your baking aisle check there.

I also found a great tutorial on making these at Bakerella.  Make sure to check out her website, it has amazing baking ideas.  Just check out her picture below.



White Chocolate Macarons from Donna Hay Magazine

1 1/4 cups icing (confectioner's) sugar
1 cup almond meal (ground almonds)
3 egg whites
2 Tbsp caster (superfine) sugar

White Chocolate Filling

200 grams white chocolate melted
pink food coloring

To the the white chocolate filling, place the white chocolate and a few drops of food coloring in a bowl and mix until well combined.  Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 325 F.  Place the icing sugar and almond meal in a bowl and mix until well combined.  Set aside.

Using a hand-held electric mixer, beat the egg whites, gradually adding the caster sugar until soft peaks form.  Fold in the almond meal mixture and mix until smooth.  Place 1 teaspoon of the mixture at a time onto baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper and allow to stand for 10 minutes.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until crisp on the outside and moist int he center.  Allow to cool completely on the trays. 

Spread half the macarons with the chocolate filling and sandwich with the remaining macarons.  Makes 12


 Picture from Pugly Pixel

What is for dinner?

Here is what we are eating next week.  Enjoy!

Sunday - Dinner Out

Monday - Crab Ravioli with Lemon Butter and a side salad

Tuesday - Creamy Winter Squash Soup with Herbed Crostini

Wednesday - Fall-Vegetable and Quinoa Hash with Poached Eggs

Thursday - Roasted Eggplant, Basil, and Ricotta Pasta

Friday - Rosemary Lamb with Roasted Potato and White Beans

Saturday - Warm Salmon and Asparagus Salad with Pesto  (page 34 of the pdf file)

Paint Them Bold!

When I received the January 2011 J.Crew catalog I was instantly inspired by the red lips that they showed.  The rest of the makeup was so simple, all you really noticed were these red lips.  It reminds me of my Grandmother and how she always put a reddish lipstick on whenever we went out to run errands.  I am going to start putting on some bright red lips and see how I feel. Such a simple way to feel more glamorous, even if I am just doing the dishes!

I just caught a few minutes of The Martha Stewart Show while I was cleaning and she had a segment about wearing red lips.  To see the advice and suggested products on the show today click here. 

To The Market We Go

I used to live in a place where I went tot the market every couple of days.  I learned how helpful it is to have a sturdy, reliable bag to tote my produce.  After moving to the U.S. I splurged and bought a couple of the L.L.Bean tote bags.  These go with me everywhere and I often get comments at the grocery store about how large and sturdy they are.  They have never let me down.  I often forgo the shopping cart and just fill up my bag, which is especially useful on those busy days at the grocery.

I just got the mail and wanted to give all of you a heads up that Gymboree is going to have a kid and baby sale starting this Thursday, February 10 until the 20th.  If you are a Gymboree Member you should be receiving a notice of the sale in the mail with an additional 20% off coupon that can be used on the sale items.  To sign up to be a Gymboree Member click here.

Happy shopping!

When I was a little girl I played dress-up with my Grandmother's clothes.  You could find me in a cardigan with little pearl buttons, a full skirt the color of a manila envelop, and a strand of pearls around my neck.  Little did I know many years later those classics would be things I adore once again.

In an attempt to be a bit more put together Mom, I am going to fill my closet with skirts and dresses this spring. 

I found (and ordered) this skirt at Lands' End Canvas; a great place to get classic everyday staples for the Mom who doesn't want to spend a ton on clothes that can be stained with lunch. 

I also just noticed that Lands' End is having a promotion that ends today, $20 off a purchase of $75 or more.  They also seem to have a very nice children's section for older kiddos.

Before Christmas I found these charming clothbound books at Anthropology.  I had been searching for a nice gift I could give my daughter for her first Christmas and thought these would be lovely to give her.  I have a love of reading and hope she inherits the same interest.  I have found even more titles online that I am slowly buying, so I won't need to worry about a nice gift from Mommy for some time now.  Some of these classics I have never read, so I am going to adding these to my to read list for this year.  What is better than a good book -  a beautiful one!

From Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Classics-Hardcover-Collection-Bickford-Smith/dp/B003NYQS8I/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1297097828&sr=8-9

What is for dinner?

Here is what our family is going to eat this coming week...

Sunday - Roasted Salmon with Parsnips and Ginger

Monday - Brats with sauteed brussel sprouts

Tuesday - Roasted Chicken and Pear Salad (the recipe doesn't call for chicken, but I add it to make it a more filling dinner salad)

Wednesday - Almond Chicken Soup

Thursday - Linguinie with Toasted Almonds and Parsley

Friday - Dinner Out

Saturday - Moroccan Steamed Salmon with Quinoa and Carrots