Thursday, February 3, 2011

Consignment Finds

My mom is one of the best shoppers I know. She has the great ability to scour estate sales, consignment stores and thrift stores and find amazing deals. The best part is she knows my taste perfectly and always finds me fabulous things. Last weekend while I was home she gifted me with two great finds from one of her outings.

1) BERRY BOWLS
My mom has a set of these at home and I have always wanted my own! They are tiny bowls in the shape of a flower made specially for your berries in the morning. I love a tiny bowl. I will use these for way more than berries but how cute are they? I think my mom got about 10 bowls for like $5 at an estate sale! They are truly vintage which makes me love them even more!




2) CERAMIC OWL
I love owls. I have a great owl lamp in Sterling's nursery that is one of my favorite pieces. I was beyond excited when I saw this owl my mom bought for me. Technically it can be used as a vase because the top is open but I will probably just use it for decor. I think my mom found this for like $20 at a consignment store.


Moral of the story, you can find amazing things at consignment stores and estate sales! Oh, and can you tell I love white accessories? I can't ever have too many white items in my house!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts


Ever since I saw this recipe in my Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics), I have dying to make it. Puff Pastry, Goat Cheese, Fresh Herbs and Tomatoes, yes please! This recipe is amazing!! I can't say enough good things about it. I think it would be the perfect appetizer for a party or a great main dish with a salad. The recipe calls for 4 large tarts, I ended up making two large and four small tarts with just one sheet of puff pastry, so you can adjust to your liking. For the small tarts I used a 3 and 3/4 inch biscuit cutter and for the large ones I used one of my cereal bowls to cut the pastry. I am not going to lie I ate 4 tarts in one sitting they are that good! Enjoy!





TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE TARTS
INGREDIENTS
1 package (17.3 ounces/2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted
Good olive oil
4 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (2 large onions)
3 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus 2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler
4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese (recommended: Montrachet)
1 large tomato, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves

DIRECTIONS
Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11 by 11-inch square. Using a 6-inch wide saucer or other round object as a guide, cut 2 circles from the sheet of puff pastry, discarding the scraps. Repeat with the second pastry sheet to make 4 circles in all. Place the pastry circles on 2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions and garlic. Saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Remove from the heat.

Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle a tablespoon of grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.

Place 1/4 of the onion mixture on each circle, again staying within the scored edge. Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese on top of the onions. Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart. Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. The bottom sheet pan may need an extra few minutes in the oven. Serve hot or warm.

Print Recipe HERE

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Obsessions

To spice things up I am going to start a weekly post called Obsessions, where I will share a few things I am currently obsessed with. I am also asking some of my favorite fellow bloggers to participate as well, as guest bloggers. I am so excited to learn about other's favorite things and share my favs too! Here is my current list of things I am dreaming about:

IKAT
I love everything about it, it even inspired my new header. I am desperately trying to incorporate some in my house!



CHANEL'S NEW NAIL POLISH: ORANGE FIZZ
This makes me ready for Spring! I love the pinkish coral color. This would look amazeballs on tan hands!

LAURA MERCIER BRUSH CLEANER
This stuff is the bomb. It cleans brushes so easily. I use gel eyeliner so I use it daily to clean my brushes. I can't get enough of it!

NEUTRALS
I am so happy that neutrals are "in" for this spring/summer. I love, love, love a nude dress (especially with a tan, because right now my white legs would blind you)!


Here are two neutral dresses, I would love to have in my closet!

Shakuhachi Dress

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Dress
IPAD
My parents just bought an ipad and I played with it all last week while I was home. I am now officially obsessed. I need one asap! I am hoping for my birthday in March, I will get one of these beauties (hint, hint).


What are your obsessions? Let me know if you are interested in doing a guest post for me for this weekly series!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Parents, Parties, and Good Wine

I have been home for the last week visiting my parents and it has been wonderful! I love visiting them. My mom cooks, my dad makes me coffee every morning, they help out with Sterling, and they always have the best wine! Way better than what I can afford. I found a new favorite wine while trying out all their goodies, the Bianchi Cabernet. This is seriously good wine! You should definitely try this if you love Cabs. It is so smooth and tasty (sorry to tempt my preggo friends). I think it retails for about $30, out of my price range for daily drinking but maybe for a special occasion.

Sterling was majorly spoiled by my sister and parents! He loves all the attention he gets while we are home.



While I was home we also had an engagement party for my brother. I love an engagement party because its a great excuse to dress up. I decided to go with a sequined dress again (big surprise)! I tried to attempt a self portrait to show you my cute dress, but it didn't quite work out so well, but you get the idea!






The week and weekend were a fabulous time! Now its back to reality. It's Monday and I am solo at home with my little man and cheap wine!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Girl Crush- Nicole Richie

I have several ladies that I crush on, for their style. You already know I love Gwyneth and Olivia Palermo, but I also have a major girl crush on Nicole Richie. I love her Bohemian style and ever-changing hair! Remember the good old days when she and Rachel Zoe were BF'S? I think Rachel definitely helped transform her into the style icon she is today. Thought I would leave you with these inspirational style pics for the weekend. I hope you have a fashionable Friday!








Thursday, January 27, 2011

Knock Your Socks Off Collard Greens and Artichoke Dip



I guess I am a true Southerner. I just made my first collard greens dip. Yep, you heard me right! This dip is similar to spinach artichoke dip but I love the different flair the Collards give the dip. I literally could not stop eating this. It oozes with two different cheeses and is filled to the brim with artichokes and collards. I like to think this counted as my veggie of the day! Next time you need a special appetizer to bring to a party, make this dip!

COLLARD GREENS AND ARTICHOKE DIP
INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 shallot, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pint heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 lemon, juiced
Dash hot sauce
Dash Worcestershire sauce
2 (10-ounce) boxes collard greens, thawed and drained
1 (14-ounce) jar artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute until it reaches a golden blonde color. Slowly whisk in the cream and turn up heat until it thickens.

Add the Parmesan and Cheddar. Stir until the cheese has melted. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire. Fold in the collard greens and artichoke hearts.

Add mixture to a casserole dish. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.

Serve this dip with baked pita chips

Print Recipe HERE

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Subway Tile Love

Lately I have been obsessed with Subway tile. I love the clean, sleek look of it! If we ever redo our kitchen or bathroom, (which I hope to do one day if we don't move first) I plan to most definitely incorporate subway tile. These are some inspiration images I have saved. What do you think? Do you love subway tile or think its too plain?