Archive - July, 2010

fantasy friday: american chic meets italian glam.

July 30, 2010 in Fantasy Friday, Fashion with 1 Comment

Right now, Neiman Marcus is hosting a super cool contest.

You are given a number of {fabulous} items  to choose from, and you must put together a look that represents your passion for fashion.

Sounds like my kind of party.

Unfortunately for me, a very old and dear friend of mine has already entered, and I wouldn’t feel right about stealing her thunder – as without her, I wouldn’t have even known about it. That, and I honestly don’t know if I could have picked a better sampling of pieces.

I am particularly smittten/in love/full-blown obsessed with the animal-print chiffon gown by Blumarine.

Feather skirt? Duh.

I’m not even into skulls, but for some reason I feel like I need this outrageous McQueen clutch.

Okay – so I’m pretty much obsessed with everything. It’s a perfect mix of ultra-chic basics and totally on-trend investments. Even moreso, I love her approach. She’s inspired by the effortlessly glam women of Italy, and gold + animal-prints – as long as it’s done right. Amen to that. She’s going for American meets European chic, glam meets a bit of edge, and most importantly – pieces that blend seamlessly with what’s already in your wardrobe.

Please click here to see Chrystal’s collection and vote!

grilled salmon + chile corn relish.

July 29, 2010 in Healthy Eats, Weeknight Fix with 3 Comments

You may have noticed I’ve been trying to incorporate more salmon into my diet.

{More on that later}

For now, let’s talk grilling. We’re grilling it all here – the salmon, as well as fresh corn and Anaheim chiles, all in the name of a delicious relish.

At this point, you may also be remembering that I live in a high-rise where grills are not allowed. I am, however, the proud owner of a Cuisinart Griddler, and while it’s no perfect substitute, it seems to get the job done.

This was the first time I’d ever worked with Anaheim chiles before. They’re good-sized, mild peppers with a tough skin that requires you to grill and steam them in a plastic bag so that you can peel the skin off. I think a real grill would have done a better job here – but if you’re stuck with an indoor grill like me, you should still be able to get most of the skin off, and all will be well in the end.

Grilled Salmon + Chile Corn Relish

Adapted from Cooking Light

  • 2 Anaheim chiles
  • Cooking spray
  • 1  shucked ear corn
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • Chopped fresh cilantro to taste
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2  teaspoon  ground cumin
  • 2  (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets
  • Mixed greens for serving

Prepare grill. For me, this means turning the Griddler on high heat.

Place chiles on grill coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until blackened. Place chiles in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 5 minutes. Peel chiles; cut in half lengthwise. Discard seeds and membranes. Cut chiles into 1/4-inch strips.

If you have room, you can grill your corn at the same time as your chiles. Grill the corn for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned, turning occasionally. Cool slightly. Cut kernels from cobs. Combine chiles, corn, tomato, cilantro, and juice; toss gently. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Combine salt, pepper, and cumin. Rub spice mixture evenly over both sides of salmon. Place salmon on grill coated with cooking spray; grill 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with relish and mixed greens.

Serves 2.

clever as a fox.

July 27, 2010 in Home Chic Home with 9 Comments

The other day I came across this list of very cute ideas from Real Simple. It’s all about taking everyday items and turning them into something else.

As if that wasn’t enough to totally float my boat, all of the items relate to my favorite theme right now: summer. Here are my faves.

{Bucket} Let guest go hands-free at an outdoor party. Flip a bucket upside down and top it with a tray for an impromptu cocktail-holding side table at the perfect height for lawn chairs.

{Baby Oil} Bare feet left with tar after a day on the beach? Lift it off with a dose of baby oil.

{Baby Powder} Prevent sweat stains on white shirts: Sprinkle powder on the underarms and the collar, then iron. The powder acts as a barrier.

{Bundt Pan} Cut corn from the cob without the mess. Place an ear in the center of a Bundt pan. As you slide the knife down, the corn will fall right into the pan.

{Pizza Slicer} Work magic on more than your favorite pie: To chop a salad easily, fill a bowl with lettuce and toppings, then run the slicer through it.

{Rubbing Alcohol} Ears clogged with pool or sea water? With an eyedropper, insert a few drops of rubbing alcohol into each ear canal to evaporate it. Rubbing alcohol comes to the rescue, too, when you’ve gone overboard with self-tanner: Fix too-dark splotches by blotting them with the stuff.

{Bundt Pan} Another idea: Use the pan to make a clever ice ring for a punch bowl. Freeze water in the pan, then pop out the ring to chill the beverage instead of cubes.

{Laundry Basket} A laundry basket also makes a great tote for picnic items; at the shore, flip it over and use it as a table. (Hose the basket off when you get home, and it’s ready to go back to wash-day duty.) Lined with a trash bag and filled with ice, it makes an impromptu cooler too.

{Floatie} Don’t leave wine country without a souvenir. You can bring home a bottle with no fear of breakage if you slip a child’s arm floatie over it, then partially inflate to cushion the cargo.

{Shells} Another use: The next time you throw an alfresco dinner party, serve your seasonings on the half shell. Pretty shells transform into elegant vessels for coarse sea salt and ground pepper.

How ridiculously useful/adorable/brilliant are these ideas? I can’t even take it. I’m actually leaving now, to pick up some baby powder – maybe I’ll stop at the beach for an impromptu shell hunt. When I’m done, I’ll be able to use my baby oil to get my feet nice ‘n clean – can’t even tell you how much that one’s going to save my life. And what about all these uses for a Bundt pan? My Bundt pan may finally see the light of day more than twice a year.

Which is YOUR favorite? Do you have any other secret tips or tricks we should know about?

the salad bar: the ultimate summer salad.

July 26, 2010 in Healthy Eats, Salad Bar with 3 Comments

A salad is always a good way to start the week, especially after weekends of food + drink debauchery.

Especially when said salad has bacon. And pan-fried fresh corn.

Um, yeah. I went there.

There’s also grape tomatoes, avocado, and grilled chicken. Probably some red onion. And did I mention there was bacon? And we can’t forget about the dressing. Or maybe we can – because I just did. I can’t remember what’s in the dressing. It’s definitely an herb vinaigrette. I’m thinking basil.

What do you think? Let’s go with basil. Chop some up, and add a good squeeze of lemon. Salt and pepper, and slowly whisk in your olive oil. That’s it. Fresh basil-lemon vinaigrette.

Let’s get back to this pan-fried corn. Eating it alone is heaven, and adding it to a salad is just outrageous. Fresh corn right off the cob, a little butter, and some salt + pepper = a party in your frying pan. I used to eat this stuff all the time growing up, and let me just tell you – it’s addicting. The fresh corn just sings here, but in a crunch frozen or even (gasp!) canned would do. But it would have to be a very big crunch.

Go. Make it. Now.

fantasy friday: the birkin bag.

July 23, 2010 in Fantasy Friday, Fashion with 6 Comments

The Birkin bag.

I used to think the idea of spending $10,000+ on a handbag was, in a word, ridiculous.

I mean, think of all the other things you could use that money for. Donations to a charity you love, for instance. Can’t we buy beautiful, designer bags at a lower price point and have some money leftover to do some kind of greater good?

It all sounds good in theory. And I’ll be the first to admit, I can’t imagine spending this kind of money on anything accessory-related at this point in my life, or maybe ever. Still, I can’t deny that the bag is all-sorts-of-amazing. It’s the epitome of luxury, but the inherent style isn’t flashy – the lines are simple and classic, and it will never go out of style.

I guess the way I’ve started to look at it, is that the bag isn’t just an accessory. It’s art. I’m not so much into art, that you hang on your wall, per se. It’s pretty and beautiful and nice to look at, sure, but I don’t know artists by name or anything like that.

The names are I know are Hermès. Louis Vuitton. Bottega Veneta. Chanel. Those are my artists.

The Birkin is not an accessory, it’s art. It’s like a diamond; something you can admire for years, take great care of and eventually pass along to your children and grandchildren.

Just ask my beloved Vicky B. She has over 100 of them.

Now that’s what I call an art collection.

Yes, for most of us it’s still a Fantasy. And a ridiculous one, at that. But what’s one to do when you have more money than you know what to do with? It’s my guess that our favorite power couple has given many more millions to charity than the cool $2 mil that Vic spent on her Birkins. So when this is the case, I say yes to the Birkin – it is, after all, an investment.

Only much more chic, than say, a portfolio of stock.

Images courtesy of Daily Mail UK

What do YOU think of the Birkin? Is it over-the-top excessive, or does it have its place in the closet of someone with infinite amounts of money?

strawberry basil {vodka} lemonade.

July 22, 2010 in Cocktails with 6 Comments

Do I even need to say anything to convince you to make this summer cocktail of perfection, like, this weekend?

{Or, today. Today works, too}

The best part? You don’t even need a recipe. Just add ingredients to taste.

Strawberry Basil Vodka LemonadeDSC02792.JPG

Strawberries

Fresh basil leaves

Good vodka

Lemonade

Fresh lemon slices

Begin this party like you would any other – with a nice sugar rim. Rub a cut lemon slice around the edge of the glass, and then press the top of the glass into a small plate of sugar. Now, you can get to muddling. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the empty glass, add a few basil leaves, grab a wooden spoon and get to work. Depending on how sweet your lemonade is, you could add a simple syrup or some extra sugar here. You’re really just trying to break the flavor up out of the leaves into the citrus. Next, get your strawberries and lemonade into a blender, along with a good pour of vodka. I used fresh strawberries because, duh, they’re in season, but you could always use frozen. Likewise, the lemonade is flexible. I recommend making a homemade version, like this, but something like Crystal Light would be a nice low-calorie substitute. Pureé the ingredients and voilà.

Serve over ice, and garnish with lemon and strawberry slices and a few more basil leaves if you’re feeling fancy. And you should, because fancy is fun.

Cheers!

citrus salmon with broccoli.

July 21, 2010 in Healthy Eats, Main Dishes, Weeknight Fix with 3 Comments

In our house, we eat a lot of salmon. And a lot of broccoli.

{We also drink a great deal of wine - but that’s neither here nor there}

I don’t usually use a recipe for a meal like this – I just give the salmon a nice sear on both sides, and maybe do a pan sauce at the end with lemon juice, white wine and/or chicken stock, maybe a few capers and a little swirl of butter at the end. The broccoli typically is roasted, because that’s how I love to eat it most – and yes, it’s something like roasting tomatoes…a bit magical and overwhelmingly more complex and flavorful than just steaming or even sauteéing.

This recipe, however, was interesting to me because it starts with a sear but finishes cooking – steaming, really – in the covered pan. The end result was delish, and though it was nothing too far off from what I usually do, it was definitely a fast, easy, and healthy dinner worth making again.

Citrus Salmon with Broccoli

Courtesy of BHG

  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp butter {Smart Balance}
  • 2 4-6 oz skinless salmon fillets
  • 1 tbsp snipped fresh dill
  • 1/2 bunch (1/2 lb) broccoli, trimmed
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
  • Lemon slices and fresh dill (optional)

Slice 1/2 of the lemon into thin slices; set aside. Juice remaining 1/2 lemon into a 1 cup measure; add water to equal 1/2 cup. Stir in sugar. Set aside.

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper; add to skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until bottom is golden; turn fillets. Add lemon juice mixture. Top with snipped dill and lemon slices. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 5 to 6 minutes more or until fish flakes easily when tested with fork.

Meanwhile, in another skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Quarter broccoli lengthwise into long spears; add to skillet along with garlic. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crisp-tender, turning often. You could also roast the broccoli in an oven heated to 400 degrees (after tossing lightly in olive oil and salt and pepper) for about 15 minutes. Serve the salmon with the broccoli, pouring the pan juices over the salmon. Serve with additional lemon slices and fresh dill.

Makes 2 servings. Calories are estimated at 363 per serving. I like.

currently craving: cat eye sunglasses.

July 20, 2010 in Fashion with 3 Comments

Sometimes I find myself into a trend, but I hold off – thinking that it’s only a trend, it will be fleeting, and soon, I’ll be over it.

So, I wait.

Until I can’t take it anymore.

That’s pretty much where I’m at with these cat eye sunnies that I’ve been admiring for what feels like forever. I am particularly smitten with the pair that Ms. Olsen is rocking in the above image – courtesy of WhoWhatWear, love – and though I hear that they are supposedly from the Row’s Fall Collection, I have yet to find them anywhere. Here are some other contenders I found that are coming in at a close second.

{marc by marc jacobs grove sunglasses, $98}

{victoria beckham cat-eye-frame acetate sunglasses, $430}

{urban outfitters curved cat eye, $14}

{ray-ban cats 1000 sunglasses, $170}

{chloé abélie sunglasses, $250}

I’m feeling partial to the above pair by Chloé but I’m also loving the first from Marc by Marc Jacobs for that killer price point. For me, it’s all about the slightly more subdued cat shape – and the bigger the frames, the better.

What do YOU think of this retro-chic trend?

the salad bar: grilled chicken BLT salad.

July 18, 2010 in Fabulously Simple, Healthy Eats, Salad Bar with 7 Comments

You will love this salad. Trust.

I mean, it has bacon. And tomatoes… But not just any tomatoes. Roasted cherry tomatoes.

Something magic happens when you roast tomatoes; in fact, I think it was this salad that got Daniel to first warm up to the little red guys. I know, it’s hard to believe there are people out there {and lots of them} who hate tomatoes. Well, there are. And they probably just haven’t tried them roasted.

And then there’s the dressing. It’s a buttermilk dressing (a lower-fat version, of course) with these little bits of chopped green onion swimming throughout it. It’s creamy, tangy, and the perfect match for this salad.

BLT Salad with Grilled Chicken and Buttermilk Dressing

Recipe adapted from Steamy Kitchen: Fresh Flavors Fast Cookbook from Martha Stewart Everyday Food

6 slices bacon
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1-2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 green onion, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 bag romaine lettuce (or 1 pound romaine hearts, coarsely chopped), or other salad greens of your choice
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced

Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange bacon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Arrange cherry tomatoes on another sheet pan; drizzle olive oil overtop and season with salt and pepper. After 12-15 minutes, the bacon should be crisp; after about 10 minutes, the tomatoes should be done. Take them out accordingly, crumbling or cutting the bacon into large pieces.

In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, vinegar, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper. Fill a bowl with the lettuce, adding the tomatoes, bacon, and chicken; add dressing and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

fantasy friday: {faux} python booties.

July 16, 2010 in Fantasy Friday, Fashion with 0 Comments

Positively obsessed with these Faux Python Slouch Booties by Maison Martin Margiela.

They’re neutral, but clearly so much more. The black and white snakeskin pattern is an animal print done {way} right, and right now I’m imagining these perfectly slouchy booties with pretty much everything in my wardrobe, from nude-colored dresses to jeggings and a tee – or even a hit of neon yellow. And we can’t forget about that flawless open-toe.

The Director of Buying at ShopBop put it best, calling the bootie a chic accessory to summer whites, yet a piece that will transition seamlessly into fall as well. IN.TOTAL.AGREEMENT.

What do you think? Would YOU {happily} rock these from now until the cooler months?

Happy Friday, dolls!

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