When life gives you lemons....

I've worked with extremely talented people.  I have seen many of those talented people get laid off due to the state of economy in the past two years.  One said person, who I worked closely with in the advertising world was laid off, and he made the absolute most out of it.  He literally took the lemons of being jobless and made career lemonade (knowing him, he probably added a splash of vodka for the fun of it)....

Take a look at what he is up to now.  If you need any validation for what he is doing, Katie Couric just interviewed him for CBS nightly news (in his HOUSE) and he has his own documentary.  Done and done.

http://lemonademovie.com/

I love youtube.

cannot.stop.laughing.

The Party Dress.

I love lazy Sundays - particularly when they involve browsing through cyberspace in order to keep my "dream" closet happy.  The Holidays provide the perfect excuse for envisioning a season filled with fabulous parties and the dresses that go with them even if your social calendar is lacking.

You can't go wrong with a Little Black Dress. These might need to find their way into my closet at some point.  I am dying over the big bow on the Milly dress:

Here are some of my Holidayesque favorites - wouldn't you love to have a party to go to just to wear one of these?:

What are your favorites this season? I don't feel like getting off the couch and the extra eye candy would be appreciated :)

Southern Super Burbs

http://www.southernproper.com/

A friend of a friend (that's how everything works below the Mason-Dixon) started this company when we were just out of college and it has taken off! I love to see that.  I also love a guy that can pull off a bow tie.

Anyway, it's a neat Holiday shopping idea - particularly if the man on your list has already has  everything from Shep and Ian.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

I am in love with the holidays.  My heart leaps when someone mentions Christmas in the middle of the summer, true story.

Well friends, we are now in the thick of the holiday season (although my tree has been up for over a week), and I can barely contain myself.  I just love all the little things that make up the holiday season, and one thing that really puts me in the holiday spirit are holiday movies.

(this scene gets me every time)

These are the blockbusters in my mind:

1. Love Actually
   
2. The Holiday
3. It's a Wonderful Life
4. Elf
5. Four Christmases
6. Family Stone
7. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
8. Home Alone
9. A Christmas Story
10. Miracle on 34th Street
11. Scrooged
12. Charlie Brown Christmas
13. Rudolph
14. Holiday Inn

This is what I want to see this year - anything with a father/daughter storyline makes me an instant fan:




What movies am I missing?

Random thought: It seems like any good Holiday movie needs a British accent, no?

Salt and Peppa Here.

A reader opened my eyes to iomoi.com. I now know what I will be doing for the rest of the day, and it doesn't involve the work I should be doing.  (Side note: it should be illegal to work while intoxicated with turkey from the night before).

In the spirit of the holidays where hostess gifts are always a challenge, take a look at these amazing, personalized salt and pepper shakers.  They are the bomb.com.

Off to "work" I go... (aka - deciding my feelings on e-stationary.  More the come on that later)

Happy Thanksgiving

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” –John F. Kennedy

 

Giving Thanks

I am on my way out for my morning run, but looking at all of these beautiful invitations on Etsy is so much more fun.  I love any excuse for a new thank you card -  mostly when it helps me avoid a chilly, wet early jaunt :)

There is a lot to be thankful for...

Go here now.

Ballerina flat heaven. 
www.prettyballerinas.com

Sweep it under the rug.

I love Dash & Albert rugs. They are fresh, cute and durable - not to mention I am a sucker for brands that use dogs as their spokespuppies.

I thought I would throw you all a bone and pass along this discount - fetch it below:

"We realize that a tail wag or a big, wet kiss just isn’t enough, so we’ve decided to give you 30% off your next Dash & Albert purchase any time between now and December 3, 2009.

To take advantage of this exclusive, one-time discount, simply click below and shop away. At checkout enter promo code 1RN4J2 to receive your 30% discount.  You can keep it for yourself or give it to a friend, but remember the code can be used only once."

And with that, I'll end the dog puns. 

Yes please.

Can you imagine tip-toeing down on Christmas morning in these?  It would make the wine hangover almost bearable...

Thank you Mrs. Spade. 

Recipe Exchange

The women in my family can talk. They talk over each other, yet follow each others thoughts.  It's actually amazing, and I haven't seen anything like it other than when I am with my Mother, my Grandmother and my Aunt.  They are all simply amazing women, and they apparently have a lot to say. I have learned - to keep the conversation manageable for people that can't multitask conversation with as much talent as these women (aka - me) one must create a focus.

I had them all down for the 1st Annual Ladies Weekend in the SuperBurbs, and they were each required to bring an appetizer recipe and the ingredients to create the recipe.  Focus achieved! It was such a fun evening! 

Here are the recipes we whipped up - Mr. C came home from work on Friday and was the judge.  We all passed :) 

Mushroom Pizza

Ingredients

1 package of crescent roll dough

2 tablespoons of olive oil

Sliced mushrooms

Italian seasoning

Freshly ground Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Roll crescent roll dough onto a baking stone
2. Brush olive oil
3. Spread mushrooms onto dough
4. Sprinkle Italian Seasoning over top
5. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top
6. Bake @ 375° for 15 minutes

 

Artichoke Dip

Ingredients

1 package (8oz) of Cream Cheese –  softened

1 can (14 oz) of artichoke hearts, drained & chopped

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese

1 clove of garlic, minced

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients with electric mixer on medium until well blended
2. Spoon into a 9” pie or quiche dish
3. Bake @ 350° for 20-25 minutes (until lightly browned)

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients

1 small onion, chopped

1 teaspoon cooking oil

2 cups of chicken broth

1 ½ cans of canned pumpkin

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon of sugar

½ teaspoon salt, optional dash pepper

½ cup half and half cream or evaporated milk

Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté the onion in oil until tender
2. Add broth, pumpkin, lemon juice, curry powder, sugar, salt if desired and pepper
3. Reduce heat
4. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes
5. Stir in cream; heat through
6. Garnish with parsley if desired

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage 

Ingredients

• 24 small fresh sage leaves
• 24 large dried apricots
• 8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thirds (I used turkey bacon)
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• toothpicks, for serving

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375º F. Place a sage leaf on each apricot, wrap with a piece of bacon, and place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
2. Bake until the bacon is beginning to crisp, 6 to 8 minutes per side.
3. Remove from oven and brush with the maple syrup. Serve with toothpicks.

Slow Cooker Sundays

Well, it has been a very busy but very fun weekend full of family, friends, wine and more wine. We really made the most of the weekend, from Recipe Exchange parties to a trip to the Newport Mansions - it is all very blog worthy.  As I start to wrap my head around everything for the upcoming Thanksgiving week - I couldn't forget another addition to our Slow Cooker Sundays.

This week features my one of my favorite side dishes - it would be a great way to allow for more space in the oven during all your Thanksgiving cooking. 

Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes 

 

 

 

  

Ingredients:

• 6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
• 1 1/2 c applesauce (cinnamon flavored is good as well)
• 4 tbls butter melted
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon - or less if you used cinnamon flavored applesauce
• 1/2 c chopped nuts - walnuts are great as are pecans - toast for extra flavor first

Procedure:

1. Place sweet potatoes in a slow cooker, at least 3 qts (Double everything if cooking for a crowd )
2. Mix ingredients and pour over potatoes. Do not add water, keep covered and it will make it's own steam.
3. Cover and cook 6 - hours until potatoes are very tender.
4. Sprinkle with nuts before serving - do not add nuts before then, as they could get soft.

Cereal Couture

Looks like fellow superburians are making my dreams come true - at least my cereal dreams.  I LOVE cereal, it's like my chocolate.  I can easily eat a box in one sitting (embarrassing, but true).  I found out yesterday that I can now create my very own combo platter of cereal thanks to a website called [me] & goji. You can only imagine my excitement right now.  

I love that three friends started the business and that they are based out of New Hampshire.   To top it all off, they give 5% of their profits to charity. Done and done.

Check it out: http://www.meandgoji.com/

Discounts + JCREW = no brainer

I don't know if it's the best.sale.ever - but any little bit helps.

Slow Cooker Sundays

 I have a house full of boys this weekend, so this will be a good add to the day....


Cocktail Meatballs

Thanks Kate! 

2 lbs. ground turkey

1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs

2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese

1 egg

1 12 oz. bottle chili sauce

3/4 cup grape jelly

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine first four ingredients (through egg) and shape into meatballs. Place on a jelly roll pan. Bake 15 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker.

Whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over meatballs. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours.

Makes 8 main dish servings.

Stationery = love.

I have a problem. I love paper.  And I am not talking about the kind Rhianna is chasing, but the everyday works of art we call stationery.  This time of year, I am in stationery overload - it's everywhere and each year I feel the art of beautifying paper becomes better than the last. 

Over coffee this rainy Saturday morning, I am currently obsessing over the following made-to-order prints. (I can't even begin to get into my love for custom stationery, that will have to wait for another day - it might get embarrassing).

Tinyprints.com

Kate Spade (she is perfection)

Boatman Geller

SweetPea Designs

And that is just the tip of the paper iceberg.  Who are your go-to stationery websites?  I need to feed the habit!

As soon as all of my invites go out for our Holiday Party this year, I'll show you which one I finally decided on...

What a great way to start off a Saturday morning:)

 

Must have.

I was recently introduced to an amazing hair product that literally turns your hair into silk, so of course it is time to share it with all of you - Moroccanoil.  I have been having internal debates with the frugal side of my brain on whether or not to actually buy it, but I broke down last night and purchased my very own bottle to have at home. It's supposed to last quite awhile and was $40, so I think I will survive.

For some reason, I really like the branding of this product as well - so clean and simple.

http://www.moroccanoil.com/



I'm not offended by all the dumb-blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb.  I also know I'm not blonde.  ~Dolly Parton

Suber Burb Superlatives - Modern Printed Matter

We are lucky to have some talented artists in our area - it makes shopping local extremely fun.  If you love paper products as much as I do, you will love this lovely owner of Modern Printed Matter, Anna Cote.  She is precious, and her graphic design is beautiful.  Lucky for you, her products are now nationwide. (http://www.modernprintedmatter.com)

And she was just featured on one of my favorite blogs - http://beautifulpaper.typepad.com/ 

I recently purchased her month to month calendar (the one featured above!), and created this little countdown to our wedding:)

You can have whatever you like....

Thanks R, this made my day :)

Happy Friday the 13th!

Just a little random fact:

The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, a word derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή) (meaning Friday), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς) (meaning thirteen), attached to phobía (φοβία) (meaning fear). The term triskaidekaphobia derives from the Greek words "tris", meaning 'three', "kai", meaning 'and', and "deka", meaning 'ten'. the whole word means three and ten. The word was derived in 1911 and first appeared in a mainstream source in 1953.

Hope everyone has a very lucky day :) 

Super Burb Book Club

My dear Granny was a librarian and is an avid reader.   She is always recommending great books for me to read and has been since I could open a book.  Her book club is extremely devoted, and although I have never been able to achieve that level of devotion in my personal book clubs, it's always helpful to know what books other people are currently reading.  So I thought I would start sharing my book of the moment - right now I am in the middle of:

Half Broke Horses
by Jeannette Walls (author of The Glass Castle)

I love true stories and this one is definitely intriguing...

Heavens to Etsy

 














I am going to share with you one of my most favorite websites - Etsy.com.  If you didn't know about it already, this is what I like to call a life changer.  You will now visit it everyday.  It literally has every perfect gift, decoration or clothing you never knew you reeeeallllyyy needed.  

A fabulous 1920s inspired headband? Etsy.  A one of a kind piece of house decor your neighbors can't find at Pottery Barn? Etsy.  The perfect Holiday gift for the person who has everything? Yep, Etsy.

Your welcome.

Cocktail Banter - The Cricket

I love "useless" knowledge, and I ask an annoying amount of questions. Lucky for me, a certain member of the A-Team seems to know all the little details of the how the world works. (We won't even get into how well this girl can tie a bow...seriously, it's scary).  To me, this information is important and particularly useful for cocktail parties. So, fellow Superburbians, I give you the first of many "Cocktail Banter" installments.

The Cricket 

Let me begin this edition with a back story. During our traditional trip to the Vermont Country Store (amazing), we were in the process of checking out and I noticed golden crickets by the register.  I was making fun of the fact that random crickets are the Country Store's version of a candy bar, and Al (the lady in the know of all random facts) politely told me the importance of such a novelty.   


And thus, I will share it with you...

A cricket on the hearth brings good luck and fortune to the home.  The legend goes back to Chinese folklore but also associated with Victorian literature,  ie: Charles Dickens "The Cricket on the Hearth."


What a great addition to any housewarming gift! As always, thanks Al ;)


"To find a cricket on the hearth is the luckiest thing of all." - Charles Dickens

Slow Cooker Sundays

Well the weekend was one for the books - B came all the way from California, the boys were a great add and Vermont was just as beautiful as ever.  I'll be posting pictures a little later, but before that I wanted to start a weekly tradition that was discussed over the weekend - slow cooker Sundays.

There is nothing better than a lazy Sunday in the fall with the perfect crock pot recipe to finish the day.  The house smells wonderful, the meals have a nostalgic feel to them and best of all they are low maintenance. The first installment is one of my favorites and is my sister Sarah's recipe.  It's easy and healthy to boot.

White Bean Chicken Chili

What you need:
6 cups of cooked chicken
2 cans of cannellini beans
1 cup of chicken broth
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper seeded & chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Enjoy!

Introducing...

One of the many things I am extremely thankful for - is my close group of friends that all seemed to fall together without an effort or plan (nature or nuture?).  We are a family for sure.  Through tough love and amazing times...life is good when the A-Team is around. And this weekend, we are headed to the Super Woods for our bi annual trip to Vermont (thanks to Al and her fabulous family).  But before we get into much more, it's imperative to know a few things about this fabulous bunch of friends:

• We love dance parties, dance circles, and dance runways
• We enjoy a classy glass (or bottle) of cheap champagne
• Some of us enjoy bubble baths more than others
• No A-team gathering is complete with B.O.P
• We enjoy poultry (or any animal related house decor)
• We love markets and country stores
• We love that dirty water
• We give everyone a nickname
• We are tricksters, yet get tricked
• We never leave an A-Team gathering without at least 200 photos on AET's camera
• We bring a lot to the table
• We love peace signs and peg legs
• Chalkboards are always fun
• Guilty pleasures include dive bars (ie: The Loft and BHP) and the boot
• Everything goes into a vault, especially with Mom
• Cakes and Pies are favored intensely by some
• We could live off hummus (and probably did the first few years in Boston)

All in all, it's easy to enjoy any event when surrounded around these people.  They help me be a better me - they are smart, creative, fun and ambitious.  It's a lot to live up to, but I am proud to have them for friends.

More pictures to come on Sunday - have a great weekend everyone!

Time Change....

Wow.  This time change has turned me into an old lady.  Sorry for the minimal posting this week - I normally post in the evening and since I am falling asleep around 7:45pm, my evenings are basically non-existent. 

That being said, we have a big weekend ahead....more on that this evening (if I make it that long...)