designer bags and dirty diapers

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The Spiralizer + Recipes and Other Kitchen Gadgets I Love

You might remember a few months ago I posted about trying to decide between the hand held spiralizer and the Paderno. Well I decided to pay a little more and go with the Paderno and I could not be happier. This little gadget has changed my life, trust me you need one. The possibilities are endless and I swear when you are eating the veggie noodles it feels like you are eating real pasta.

The main complaint people had with the Paderno was storing it and cleaning it. Cleaning it is a breeze to me and you can even put the parts in the dishwasher. It is a bit big, I keep mine in a basket in my kitchen with the blades in a locked drawer (my kids will get their hands on anything not put up)!

I have the three blade version, but apparently they have a 4 blade version as well and it is only $10 more. Use code SHIP4FREE to get free shipping on orders over $49.

Paderno Spiralizer

I wanted to share two really simple recipes I made recently. One is using raw veggies and one is slightly cooked. The possibilities are endless.

Z u c c h i n i S a l a d

Cut 2 Zucchinis using the 3mm blade. Whisk together olive oil, dijon mustard, honey, champagne vinegar and salt and pepper. Toss noodles with this dressing and add crumbled feta and fresh cherry tomatoes.

S w e e t P o t a t o S a l a d

This recipe is thanks to one of my instagram followers. Cut 1-2 sweet potatoes using the 3mm blade. Heat olive oil in a pan add in two cloves minced garlic and sweet potatoes. Cook about 5-10 minutes depending how soft you want the potatoes. I cooked a bit longer to get them a little cripsy, so good! Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley and fresh grated Parmesan Cheese. If you want heat add a few red pepper flakes!

I can't wait to make this Slutty No Carb Pasta next.

If you want more recipes you must check out Inspiralized- her blog is only recipes using the Paderno Spiralizer. It is amazing!!

I can't wait to make this recipe she just posted: Zucchini Spaghetti With Crispy Proscuitto and Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Parmesan Sauce!

A few other Kitchen Gadgets I am loving lately:

\\ M a n d o l i n

I use my Mandolin often. I use it to shred cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and other lettuces. Also great for thinly sliced cucumber salad.

\\ G a r l i c P r e s s

I used to buy the jarred garlic and I never will again. Fresh garlic is just so much more flavorful and delicious. If you don't have a garlic press you need one, it makes mincing garlic a breeze.

\\ M i c r o p l a n e G r a t e r

I use this often for citrus zest or grated fresh ginger.

\\ S t a r M i c r o p l a n e

This is the perfect grater for Parmesan Cheese. Regular graters make it too thick and this grates it finely.

\\ I p a d S t a n d

I got this stand last year for Christmas and use it all the time. I frequently use my IPad when cooking so this works great. You can kind of see it in the first picture on this post.

and these I don't have them but I want them!!

\\ S t a i n l e s s S t e e l C h o p s t i c k s

Monday, October 13, 2014

Life Lately + Marinated Cheese Recipe

Happy Monday Sweet Friends!

Last week Sterling's school put out all the pumpkins for Halloween. They always do a huge pumpkin patch and sell the pumpkins. Sterling was so excited and insisted we take some pictures with the pumpkins. Sometimes I can't get over how grown-up he is now.

I tried out Sean Brock's new restaurant Minero. The concept is really cool, as are the interiors but I just wasn't blown away by the food. I did really like the salsa trio and queso. The tacos however were just ok. I will give it another try though! Anyone been and have a favorite dish?

My horse blouse that I ordered from the Tory Burch sale came in the mail and I have to say I love it!! Sometimes her clothes can fit my body funny but this blouse fit perfectly and I just adore the horse print. I will be wearing this often this Fall.

|| Meg Blouse

I saw the most gorgeous sunrise on Friday morning, one of the most vibrant ones I have seen.

The pictures just don't even do it justice.

I got back my wingback chairs from the Upholster and they look amazing!! I am working on taking some pictures of the den for a home tour and I will show the full chairs then but here is a peak!

Fabric is from GDC Home.

Sterling takes Halloween very seriously and loves to decorate for it. We went to Lowes to get pine needles and came home with this guy. I do kind of love him though. Perfect to store all my Reeses Pumpkins in that I can't stop eating! The wine is from my Wine Awesomeness shipment this month and it is excellent!! Such a great Fall Rose. Don't forget you can sign up here to get 30% off your first order!

My good friend Jen who started La Senorita Jolie just designed a line of delicate jewelry for LSJ and I am so in love with it and so proud of her!! They are the perfect pieces for layering and everyday wear and all are under $50!!

I am wearing the Follow Your Heart Necklace + Lucky 7 Hearts

Don't forget to use code LSJ-DBDD to get free shipping

I surprised Sterling with some Halloween Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Saturday morning. I thought this was a genius idea til his soccer game two hours later when he had to stop playing because his tummy hurt and he told his coach he ate too many doughnuts- Mom Fail!

After soccer they had big event to focus on fire awareness. They brought in a bunch of fire trucks and you know kids always love a fire truck- plus the fire men weren't too shabby to look at!

I wore my Rag and Bone top on Saturday. It is the same style as my tank version I lived in all Summer. I just love the back detail and it is so soft! Thru tonight at midnight you can take 20% off with code FALL20 at Piperlime. A great time to buy this top!

|| Nicole Long Sleeve Top

Sunday Night we did Happy Hour and dinner with some friends and I brought one of my favorite easy Apps, Marinated Cheese. This recipe comes from my mom's very good friend Jane and it is always a hit!! We serve with Triscuits, a thicker cracker that can soak up the olive and toppings is a good idea! Someone commented on my Instagram that this is a great app for Christmas because of the colors and I agree!!

MARINATED CHEESE

Sunday I took Frances to church in one of my old dresses. I texted my mom a picture of her in it and she sent me back a picture of me at my first Birthday wearing the same dress. I had to share, so cool we still have this dress!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Children's Book Review With Fran Hawk || 2

Good Sunday Morning Friends! Fran is back with a new book review. I am laughing as I type this because Sterling is sitting with me looking at the book pictures saying, " Mom I want those two books, we don't have them, order them"! So it looks like we will be adding these to our collection!

xoxo

My favorite book in first grade was “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins” by Dr. Suess. Now, almost 60 years later, I’m still reading Dr. Suess stories that are new to me.

Dr. Charles D. Cohen has amassed the world’s most comprehensive private collection of “Suessiana.” In the course of his research, he found a series of short works that Ted Geisel (aka Dr. Suess) had published in magazines in the 1950’s. In 2011, Random House published seven of these stories in a best-selling book called “The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories.”

Now in 2014, Random House has published another collection of Dr. Suess stories titled “Horton and the Kwuggerbug and More Lost Stories.” These stories originally appeared in “Redbook.” Beloved characters like Horton the Elephant and Marco appear, as well as familiar places like Mulberry Street. There’s even a grinch, although not the same grinch who tried to steal Christmas.”

In “Horton and the Kwuggerbug,”Horton agrees to a very bad deal with a very devious bug. All’s well that ends well.

“Marco Comes Late” is the tale Marco tells his teacher when he’s late for school. As he hurried down Mulberry Street, a bird laid an egg on his arithmetic book. What to do?!

“ How Officer Pat Saved the Town” is an example of what Dr. Suess called “logical insanity.” Officer Pat relentlessly pursues a logical course to rectify a situation that didn’t make sense in the first place.

In the case of these stories, what’s old is brand new. As well as fun and delightful.

Fran Hawk

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Saturdays Deals || Columbus Day Sales

Is it just me or is it is crazy it is Columbus Day already?? That means Halloween is three weeks away, Thanksgiving is just over a month away, and Christmas is two months away. Where did the heck did 2014 go?? Oh and I have a baby that is about to turn one, le sigh!!

Columbus Day marks some sweet sales:

JCREW FACTORY is offering 50% off the whole site!

If you didn't buy it before snag the Merino Wool Pocket Sweater.

It is now only $44!

I also love this Camel Sweater, I remember wishing I bought it last year now it is only $44.

This Chevron Sweater is a deal at $39!!

and if you need a Faux Fur Vest you can't go wrong with this black one. It would go with everything and a steal at $62.

|| Faux Fur Vest

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Piperlime is offering 20% off thru Sunday. The have some awesome Fall stuff. Use code FALL20.

I would recommend the Joie Marlo Blouse. It is on sale plus 20% off. I have one and love it. This wine color is so gorgeous.

I am wearing the Marlo blouse but a different color below.

Also a great time to buy the Rag and Bone Nicole shirt. I bought this during another sale and it is such a great casual shirt. Love the back detail.

|| Rag and Bone Nicole Shirt