Happy Valentine’s Day!
I always love to make cards for Valentine’s Day (I know you’re not surprised) – last year I did a very ornate Edible Valentine. I’ll share the cards I made this year later this week after those I made them for have received them.
But in the meantime, if you need to send a last minute note of love, check out the annual kate spade e-cards they release for Valentine’s every year…
Have you noticed lately that when you go wine shopping, there are the most creative adorable wine labels and names out there? From the old “you can’t judge a book by it’s cover” mantra it’s hard to tell if the vineyard is creating a cute label and name to make up for their less than stellar wine.
Well, for this past weekend’s Superbowl, my Mom bought a bottle of Middle Sister wine (because she is a middle sister) from “Mischief Maker” wine with one of the cutest labels I’ve ever seen. And as it turns out it was a really great tasting Cabernet to be put on the “I’ll buy this again” list. I thought I’d share so when you’re wine shopping next you know this cute label and name matches it’s good-tasting wine.
Enjoy!
Paula Deen has been getting lots of backlash lately that I don’t even want to get into, but I do think she still has a great Corn Chowder recipe. We make this every so often – but we halve the recipe, use much less butter than is called for, and add chicken to it for added protein. There are also instructions at the end of the recipe to fold in more butter that I am not even including here because that sounds unnecessary (and gross, sorry Paula).
Chef Jack’s Corn Chowder
from Paual Deen, http://www.foodnetwork.com
1 /2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 small onion, diced
1 small carrot, finely diced
1 small celery stalk, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 C all-purpose flour
3 C white corn kernels, fresh or frozen
3 C chicken stock
2 C half-and-half
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Cook until the roux is lightly browned; set aside to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, combine the corn and chicken stock in another saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the boiling stock with the corn (a little at a time) into the saucepan with the roux, whisking briskly so it doesn’t lump. Return the skillet to the heat and bring to a boil. The mixture should become very thick.
In a small saucepan, gently heat the half-and-half; stir it into the thick corn mixture. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.
Enjoy!
I like to start the work week off with a good outfit – it gets me in the mindset for work and I always feel more productive in a well thought out, well accessorized ensemble. Starting today, I will share my Monday outfits with you every week.
Blue pants: J. Crew, Polka dot shirt: Lands End, Black, leather-trimmed sweater: a Filene’s Basement find years ago, Black beaded necklace: J. Crew, Gray and black suede shoes: Banana Republic
I was born and raised in the Boston area. My husband was born and raised in Long Island, NY. Thus, this afternoon’s Superbowl has left our house divided. We always place a bet on which team will have the best season, so it’s extra exciting this year that it’s down to one BIG game to decide. The stakes are high this year – we have bet 2 weeks worth of dishwasher emptying (our most mutually loathed chore). And with a tiny baby using LOTS of bottles, we run that dishwasher a lot…
GO PATRIOTS!
I hope you are watching season 2 of Downton Abbey, it’s the best show on TV right now. I love a good period piece (always have) and well written historical fiction so this Masterpiece Classic is right up my alley.
Which character are you? Take this quiz and find out.
I am Robert, Earl of Grantham – nice!
“Honest and old-fashioned, you’re primarily motivated by honor and duty. You’re so honorable, you’re actually willing to let a virtual stranger inherit all your worldly goods rather than risk breaking up your family’s legacy. Some people might call you a stick in the mud, but you can be extremely generous and forgiving toward those you feel have earned your loyalty.”
Who doesn’t love TOMS shoes – SO comfortable and with their one for one program you can feel good about helping out someone who otherwise may not have a pair of shoes to wear. I wear my TOMS a lot, but honestly only on the weekend because they’re way too casual for work, even on casual Friday.
I am excited to learn that Toms has come out with new shoe designs including these adorable ballet flats! I love the animal print pair. And they are certainly work appropriate. You can pre-order them now and they’ll ship in early March.
*photo courtesy of Nordstrom
One of my absolute favorite snacks is potato chips and dip – just basic Lays and french onion dip. I could eat an entire bowl if placed in the vicinity of where I am sitting.
That said, there’s a little gathering we were attending last weekend where I was asked to bring chips so I thought I’d try to make a chip dip from scratch rather than the usual french onion soup mix mixed with sour cream. It came out great so I thought I’d share if anyone is looking for another Super Bowl snack to serve this weekend.
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 Tbs mayonnaise
1 Tbs milk
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
3 Tbs chopped green onions
Dash of onion powder
Mix all together with a handheld mixer and serve with your favorite potato chip.
Enjoy and GO PATS!
When I’m not in the mood to wear a statement necklace, I sometimes like to accessorize with a fabulous pin. I thought I’d share a few of my favorites with you and ideas of how to wear them.
The Feather – I love to wear it on the big collar of this great sweater or at the bottom of the “v” in a v-neck sweater or shirt. Either way, this pin needs to be your accessory focal point since it’s so busy.
The Bug – this guy is so cute. The pin is heavy so it doesn’t work well on a sweater so in the winter I like him on the collar of a jacket and in the summer I adorn him on a clutch.
The Faux-antique – this pin has gotten me a ton of compliments over the years, the colors are very striking. Once, at a jewelery store, the salesperson (aka jewelry expert) was absolutely convinced this was really an antique from the 20’s, I didn’t have the heart to tell her I actually bought it American Eagle for $10 just the month before. This pin gives a great pop of color to my black wool winter coat.
The Sparkler – I wore this in my hair at our wedding, just the perfect amount of sparkle for my hair. It also works well on a brightly colored cardigan in the summer.
Styled by Jess