Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Tuscan Kale Salad


I have to give my girls Kelli and Lisa at Bud and Leo credit for this delish recipe. They featured this recipe last week on their blog and I have eaten it everyday since I saw it, except Saturday! I tend to be obsessive about my lunches. First for months it was my Chopped Greek Salad, then it was the Vegetable and Hummus Tart and now it's this Kale Salad. I am beyond obsessed with it, I seriously crave it everyday. I think perhaps my body is telling me I need to eat more leafy greens.

This salad is super simple but the flavors are amazing together. The red pepper flakes provide the perfect bite, while the lemon is light and fresh, the cheese smooth and creamy, and the breadcrumbs provide some crunch. I eat mine with lavish chips and hummus because let's be real I need a little more than just a salad at lunch! Enjoy!

**A few recipe recommendations on my part: I only use one garlic clove and it gets it pretty garlicky. I also recommend letting the dressing sit on the salad for 10-15minutes. The kale does not get soggy and it helps soak the flavor in. I use Panko Breadcrumbs because umm who has fresh breadcrumbs just sitting around? Use cheese that is cut in shards not grated, more flavor in my opinion!**




Tuscan Kale Salad

Ingredients:
4-6 cups Kale, loosely packed, sliced leaves with midribs removed
Juice of 1 Lemon
3-4 T Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic, mashed
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Hot Red Pepper Flakes, to taste
2/3 cup grated Pecorino Toscano cheese (Rosselino variety if you can find it) or other flavorful grating cheese such as Asiago or Parmesan
½ cup freshly made Bread Crumbs from lightly toasted bread

Directions:
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, and a generous pinch (or more to taste) of hot red pepper flakes. Pour over kale in serving bowl and toss well. Add 2/3 of the cheese and toss again. Let kale sit for at least 5 minutes. Add bread crumbs, toss again, and top with remaining cheese.


Top photo courtesy of 101 Cookbooks


And for all my shoppers Neiman Marcus is having their FIRST CALL SALE right now. This is my favorite sale, all the designer stuff is 40% off. I always stock up at this sale!


and SHOPBOP is also having a huge sale. We are talking up 70 percent off. So go get your shop on today!



And I almost forgot I am guest posting over at Liz's Beautiful blog With A Little Style and Ease sharing an amazing lasagna recipe. You are def gonnna want to make this recipe for the fall, check it out HERE.



Happy Humpday!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Obsessions

TORN BY RONNY KOBO ALICE NATIVE DRESS
Do y'all read Luella and June? If not you are missing out on some fabulous fashions. I have been contemplating buying this dress ever since I saw Bradley wearing it last week. How amazing does she look in it? It screams the perfect fall dress for me! I love the pattern and how cute does it look with a jean jacket? I think it would also look great with a cropped leather coat.




BANANA REPUBLIC ZOE GATHERED BOOTIES
I have been on a real bootie kick this fall. I love them because they are so versatile. They look great with jeans but just as cute with dresses. I was surprised to find this pair at Banana that I love. The gathered detail gives them that perfect edge.





KENDRA SCOTT RINGS
I am a huge fan of all Kendra Scott Jewelry and I am especially lusting after these rings. I love the vintage feel, they remind me of a few of my grandmother's rings I have. Best part her jewelry is super affordable! I think these would be perfect to wear to all the upcoming Holiday parties!





Marxis Ring, Razina Ring, Rocco Ring

FASHION HUNTERS
Please tell me I am not the only one who watches this little gem on Bravo. I have to give Bravo some props they can suck me into any reality TV show. If you haven't seen it, this show is about 3 girls who run an upscale consignment store. I mean people bring in Louboutins and Birkin bags, it's pretty ridiculous. Now that Rachel Zoe has ended for the season this is my new guilty pleasure.



LEMON WATER
I have really gotten into drinking lemon water everyday. I try to start my day off with hot or cold lemon water depending on my mood. I have read numerous articles about how good it is for your digestive system. Check out this list here for the top 5 reasons to drink lemon water.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Weekend Happenings

How is it possibly Monday already?? I feel like our weekend flew by, probably because it was jam packed!

Friday we had a low key evening. I made a big pot of Paula Deen's French Onion Soup. It is always amazing! The recipe is under my recipes tab if you have never made it. I highly recommend it, it is cheap, easy and so tasty!


Saturday we had some pictures done for our Christmas Cards by my girl Julia- sneak peek to come later. But here is one shot of Sterling in his adorable outfit. We had to bribe him to cooperate with raisins so if you get one of our Christmas cards it will mostly likely have a box of raisins in it!



Later that day we had a birthday party for one of Sterling's friends Oliver. The kids got to go to the fire station and had so much fun. Not sure who loved it more Matt or Sterling! I'm not kidding Matt talked to the firefighters forever and was pretty eager to hop in the front seat!




Then I was off to a Bachelorette party for my dear friend, Alissa. We started with Champagne and pureed fresh strawberries- amazing. I highly recommend you try this instead of mimosas, such a great twist. My sister in law pureed the strawberries in her juicer but I think you could use a blender too.



Then we headed to my favorite wine bar Bin 152.

They have an amazing wine list and the most delicious Cheese and Charcuterie plates. I was in heaven.




Somehow later on into the evening I ended up doing alot of these! I mean that's what Bachelorette Parties are all about right?? It was a good idea until the next morning....



We had such a fun time and I was super happy to have my sister in town to hang with us. She is always my partner in crime!





I will leave y'all one with one OOTD from this weekend. Ladies if you don't have a Tory Burch Cardigan you need one. I have one in brown and red and they are my favorite sweaters. So versatile and always look chic!



Tory Burch Cardigan, JCrew Talia Blouse, Seven "The Skinny" Black Jeans, Micheal Kors Pumps
Oh, and thanks to the time change this nugget has woken up at 5:30 the past two days. I was not a happy Mommy this morning! But it is hard to stay angry at this sweet face. Any suggestions on getting kids adjusted to the time change are welcome!

Friday, November 4, 2011

CopyCat

I thought it would be fun to try and recreate three outfits I saw online and LOVE!! They each showcase three of my favorite trends for fall: Leopard Prints, Fur Vests, and Colored Jeans.
**One day I promise I will get Matt to snap the pictures of me. I am usually working on my blog during naptime so it's just me to take the pictures, so sorry for the cheesy self shots!**

Outfit One: Leopard Print


I adore this outfit Miranda Kerr is wearing. Perfectly Chic. If only I actually dressed like that when I traveled. I really like the blue paired with the leopard, something I would not have thought of on my own. Here is my version.




Blouse Joie (Similar Here), Jeans Seven "The Skinny" In black, Cardigan Banana Republic (similar here), Nine West Booties (similar Here)

Outfit Two: Fur Vest



I think you all know how much I loved this outfit of Blair's. Here is my version:



Parker Multi-Squares Dress, Kensie Vest (similar Here), Necklace Banana Republic (Similar Here)

Outfit Three: Colored Jeans



Burgundy Jeans are one of my favorite trends for the fall. Love the simplicity of this outfit. I think you can dress this up or down with heels and jewelry.




Joe's Jeans Alice the Skinny Visionaire, JCrew Talia Blouse, Michael Kors Pumps



It was so fun digging through my closet trying to recreate these looks. Thank you Pinterest for taking up another of my naptimes! Happy Friday Dolls! xoxo

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Stalker.

I have to admit I have been a bit of a stalker lately. That's right I have been stalking the heck out of this mirror. She is from Ballard Designs and haunts me everyday. I keep seeing her pop everywhere and it has me convinced I need her in my foyer. She is perfection in my book. I present to you the








I am also stalking these Sam Edleman booties. Everytime I open a magazine they are there staring me right in the face. I think it's a sign, right? I love the detail on these beauties and they come in 3 gorgeous colors. I think they would look rocking with skinny jeans or a dress. So versatile. Its official I need them!
SAM EDLEMAN RENZO BOOTIES





Sigh, Santa can you add these two things to the top of my list? That is unless I cave and buy them first which is a strong possibility!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Roasted Winter Vegetable Soup


This recipe is a tried and true favorite of mine. As soon as the weather gets cool I start craving this soup. The roasted vegetables are delicious on their own but even tastier pureed into this soup. We serve ours drizzled with truffle oil and Gruyere cheese toast, perfection in my book. Of course this recipe comes compliments of my numero uno girl Ina, she really never disappoints. This soup freezes wonderfully and even my munchkin will eat it which makes me happy because at least I know he got a few veggies in for the day! Enjoy!






ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP
From Barefoot Contessa Family Style
Ingredients
3 to 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 quart Roasted Winter Vegetables, recipe follows
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Good olive oil

Directions
In a large saucepan, heat 3 cups of chicken stock. Coarsely puree the Roasted Winter Vegetables and the chicken stock in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade (or use a handheld blender). Pour the soup back into the pot and season, to taste. Thin with more chicken stock and reheat. The soup should be thick but not like a vegetable puree, so add more chicken stock and/or water until it's the consistency you like.


Roasted Winter Vegetables:
1 pound carrots, peeled
1 pound parsnips, peeled
1 large sweet potato, peeled
1 small butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and seeded
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut the carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and butternut squash in 1 to 1 1/4-inch cubes. All the vegetables will shrink while baking, so don't cut them too small.

Place all the cut vegetables in a single layer on 2 sheet pans. Drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender, turning once with a metal spatula.

Sprinkle with parsley, season to taste, and serve hot

Print Recipe HERE