Sunday, January 31, 2010

Slow Cooker Sundays

If today isn't the perfect day for some delicious chili, I don't know what day is.  We decided to try out a chili recipe from a cookbook Mr. C and I love for warm comfort food.  (I personally love how they provide a nice little ski-related introduction to each recipe and rate the recipes by green circle, blue square or black diamond)...


So on weekends we can't get to the mountains, we can at least eat like we did (minus all the burned calories...)

Mogul Beef Chili

Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
  • 1 red or green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 5 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup of chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne 
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 12 ounces ground beef
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds chuck stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed or pureed tomatoes
  • 2 (14 oz) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
How to make it happen:
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.  Add the onions, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, cayenne, and red pepper flakes.  Cook until the vegetables have softened, about 6 minutes.  Scrape the veggies into the slow cooker insert.
  2. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the beef.  Season with salt & pepper and cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon until browned.  Transfer to the slow cooker.
  3. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining tablespoon oil.  Salt & pepper the cubed beef on all sides.  When the skillet is hot and the oil is just beginning to smoke, add the cubed beef in one layer.  Brown the cubes well on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes, and transfer to the slow cooker.
  4. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add 1/4 cup water.  Scrape the skillet with a wooden spoon as the water boils, loosening all of the cooked bits from the bottom. Pour the liquid into the slow cooker.
  5. Add diced and crushed tomatoes and the beans, stir everything together, cover, and cook on high for 6 hours or until the beef cubes are fork tender. 
  6. Remove the largest chunks of beef one at a time to a plate .  Using the two forks, shred the meat, and then replace it in the pot.  Stir the chili and serve hot.
Yum.

You had me a Helvetica

Pretty sure this falls under the "need" category. 
Yep. That's right.  Helevtica Cookie cutters. Believe it.


 

Happy Sunday! What are your plans?

Mine are:

run+blanket+fire+wine

ahhhhhh......

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Personality & Meat

To me, the most important thing to have at a wedding is easily personality (a good guest list being a close second). Big wedding or small - when the couple's personality oozes through the details they plan or photos they take - I become a ball of wedding mush.

That's why I HAD to share these awesome pics I found on the beautiful blog - ever ours shot by Chennergy.  This picture makes me want to be the couple's friend (if they would have me). I mean, I am laughing out loud, and I don't even know them.

Their wedding party is holding meat. I'm easily amused - but this is just making my morning.

Love. love.love the personality in these photos...

{charming work done by Chennergy via ever ours}

P.S. We are meeting with our Priest this morning.  Cue the Catholic guilt.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Homeowner Rookie

So let me tell you a little story.

I love fires in the fireplace.  It's a true weakness.  I also love wine.  Put those two things together, add a blanket and some Frank Sinatra and you just created my Super Burb heaven.

Unfortunately, the first time I tried to create this wonderful scenario in our new home, things didn't go as planned.  Let's just say I may or may not have set off every fire alarm in our house causing quite the ruckus in suburbia. {Please now picture me running around the house with buckets of water, the landline ringing off the hook, my iphone randomly calling people and smoke billowing in every crevasse of the house - disaster}

I forgot the oh-so-important detail of opening the flu.  Such a rookie move. I was tricked by home ownership once again.

Since that night, I have been determined to find a decorative way to communicate when the flu is indeed closed.  Apparently I am not the only person with this problem.  Any home with a fireplace needs one of these:


 

 


Is it lame that this makes me happy?  Probably.

Please tell me this has happened to you before...

My Thoughts Exactly

{from MadebyGirl}

Why oh why must I be required to function on days when the wind chill is -500? The blanket neeedddss me....

At least it's Friday...

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Wordle

This has Etsy written all over it.  I found this on  Boston.com this morning.

It's a wordle (only cool people use words like that) of President Obama's State of the Union address last night.

Love him or hate him - you can at least appreciate a good wordle.



I could look at this for hours.  Once again, I have issues.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Wine of the Week

I.love.wine.

Not in the sniffing and swirling type of a way, but in the refreshing and relaxing kind of way.

One day, I hope to say "well, this is quite oaky!" and actually know what I am talking about.  A girl's gotta have goals, and I think knowing your wine is valuable life lesson.

This wine of the week is something we tried last weekend: Villa Chiopris Pinot Grigio - the server described it as "lively," and I was sold.  After investigation, I found that it is under $20 a bottle, and I think would be a good daily wine (not that I drink daily or anything...)




I would love your wine recommendations - what is your go-to bottle?

Now, I'm thirsty. Is it inappropriate to drink on Tuesday?

Today I am loving...

The idea of actually making edible granola..

My final Save the Dates proofs from Papermoss...

The snarky (but secretly lovely) eastsidebride...

The fact a Lilly room in the house could actually happen...
























This fun typewriter for the wedding...



 Mint Julep cups - enough said.



Oh Tuesday.  I always feel like poor Tuesday never brings much to the table.  You are so far from the weekend and in the thick of the work week. It's the forgotten day, so hopefully these little gems can help get you through.

I do what I can:)

Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Best Day

Yesterday was definitely a day for the books (or the blog, I suppose).  The sun was shining, I had my dress dream-team with me and....

WE FOUND THE DRESS!

It's perfect and as cliche as it sounds - I cried when I put it on.  I never really thought that actually happens, but alas it does.

Of course, you will have to wait 7 months before you see it, blogosphere :)

Can I also say, I have the best Mom, Future Mother-in-law and friends in the world? They made the day so perfect.  From playing "I Feel Pretty" before I walked out in the first dress, to the score cards, to the flowers delivered to dinner to pre-arranging the most lively and fun bridal attendant (my dog house is pink & ruffly?) - it was the best day.  I am so thankful.


And I think Mr. C will be quite thankful too when he sees the dress we chose:)

Thank you White Dress by the Shore for making it such an awesome day.



Friday, January 22, 2010

the dress.

Tomorrow is the day my friends! It's wedding gown time in the Super Burbs...

Can I admit it's a little overwhelming? Did you feel that way too?

At least I can cross this option off the list:
(via coated.com)

What am I supposed to wear "under?" I don't think there was a chapter on that subject in my Emily Post's Guide to Weddings....

Are you ready for us down there at The White Dress by the Shore?  Fair warning, my mom will probably cry the entire time.

She is precious like that.

Friday Finds

This morning, these little Etsy finds are putting a smile on my face:



(lapomme)


(prettyfnmess)

How is everyone this Friday morning?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

ABC

FACT: My current initials are ABS.  Considering my name is Abby, I've always used Abs as a nickname.

FACT: My initials when I marry Mr. C will be ABC.  Considering my love for typography, this is going to make life (and decorating it) quite fun.




(all from Anthropologie)

 Oh how I love how things just work out in life the way they should...

My life is hectic today, so apologies in advance for the lack of posting (and now tweeting!) - you still love me, right? Right?!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Emerson Made my day.

As of yesterday Super Burbs is now on Twitter! Believe it. Follow me here.

I've always been a little hesitant of Twitter for some reason, but thanks to a tweet from Design Sponge I found what is sure to be a life long love - Emerson Made. So I guess I owe Twitter a little credit.

These are already in my shopping cart:


I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day, but I loooove these:


Happy browsing...

Monday, January 18, 2010

The Big Cheese

I wanted to post this all week and never got to it for some reason.  Although a little late, I couldn't keep it from you any longer - it wouldn't be right.

This spread is just so beautiful (Mom - this has you written all over it).  Could a cheese spread be the new candy bar at weddings?

Thank you, thank you, thank you Sunday Suppers for such an inspiring post...



 




I have serious entertaining envy going on right now...

Best Dressed.

I didn't watch the Golden Globes last night, but I always like to play catch up the morning after to see what people wore. 

January and Drew rocked* it.

I am going to admit that I have a girl crush on January Jones.  She is just so lovely.

(via Just Jared)

Drew's dress is just breathtaking. 

 (via Just Jared)

Those two were definitely my fav from what I saw.  

I'm sort of on a crazy dress focus this week because this is the week of my first (and hopefully only) bridal gown try-on session.  This Saturday is a big day.



I.am.nervous.




*Please excuse any strange phrases used today (such as "rocked it")- I may or may not have watched the Jersey Shore marathon yesterday...don't judge, people make mistakes...

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Slow Cooker Sundays

This looks so delicious - it had me at chickpeas.  I need to try this out ASAP, like today. 

Squash, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew  (via Eating Well)


 

 

 

 

 


  • 3/4 cup dried chickpeas
  • 2 1/2 pounds kabocha squash, (see Note) or butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron, (see Note)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped roasted unsalted peanuts
  • 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  1. Soak chickpeas in enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches for 6 hours or overnight. (Alternatively, use the quick-soak method: Place beans in a large pot with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.) Drain when ready to use.
  2. Combine the soaked chickpeas, squash, carrots, onion, lentils, broth, tomato paste, ginger, cumin, salt, saffron and pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker.
  3. Put on the lid and cook on low until the chickpeas are tender and the lentils have begun to break down, 5 to 6 1/2 hours.
  4. Stir in lime juice. Serve sprinkled with peanuts and cilantro.

Found.

This made me laugh:

















Happy Sunday :)

Saturday, January 16, 2010

There, I said it.

I just did 20* loads of laundry, and I didn't like a minute of it.

There. I said it.

Listening to Frank** didn't even help me this time (and that always works)...

This is when I miss dropping my laundry off at the laundromat, and then picking it up folded with perfect corners.  One point for City Living.

Don't worry Super Burbs, I'm not going anywhere.  I'm just going to teach Mr. C how I like my sheets folded.

I.need.wine.


(I did find  Millie Motts while looking for images, so I guess that is a win)

*Irish people exaggerate, but it was an embarrassing amount.
**Sinatra - we are on a first name basis

Friday, January 15, 2010

and finally ... Friday.

A lovely little bit of inspiration to send you off this Friday thanks to the extremely talented Jose Villa.

These two have been married 65 years.  And just look at how she looks at him. What success.

Check out the entire shoot here.


(images: Jose Villa)

Have a wonderful evening :)

Suggestions please...

My camera has been there and done that. We had a great run.









However, the love has fizzled.

This year, I feel like it's time to really step it up. Sorry Canon PowerShot and Maria Sharapova, I really don't mean to turn my back on either of you. (Maria, I am still amazed how you play tennis with such enormous earrings, it's inspiring really)

The problem is, the minute I go online to read consumer reports I get overwhelmed.  So I go back to my trusty (sometimes) little pocket camera.

But I want to learn how to take GREAT shots.  The kind people steal from your blog.  That good. 

So I turn to you, I know you are out there...

What camera should I get? Please send links, suggestions, anything.

I've got a lot to document this year.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Time for Action

I don't need to tell you about how much you are needed right now.

But you are needed.



(via dailymail)

Do what you can, whatever it is, to help the people in Haiti who are in serious need.

There are so many ways to do it.
The blogosphere is in full affect today spreading the word - check this out:




Love from the Super Burbs...

Bridal Wraps & Puffy Sleeves

My Dad likes "puffy sleeves." It's a big point of contention in our relationship (insert sarcasm).

What are puffy sleeves you might ask? Well, basically anything that isn't strapless.  He is old school in that way, I suppose, and being an old school gal myself - I can appreciate his stance on sleeve length.

That being said, the bridal gown world is full of strapless gowns - so I have been doing my part as the greatest daughter on the planet and researching my options.

This lead me to fall deeply in love with bridal wraps.

Please sit down while you scroll down: (this line sort of reminds me of a rap lyric. Jay-Z - you can contact me a superburbs@gmail.com for information on rights and usage.)









 




OR...I think this one really screams my name:






Haha, boy am I lame.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Doldrums?

I don't know why, but I cannot stop laughing.

I keep saying doldrums over and over.  It is such a funny word.  Currently that is all it takes to keep me very entertained.  It's the little things, right? Or is this just pathetic?

Anyway - the winter doldrums (hahahahah) are in full gear.  The holidays are over and it's January.  The month even sounds cold.

On the Today Show yesterday morning while I was working very hard (promise) - they had an expert from New York Magazine give all of the sad viewers some simple steps to happiness.

Check out a few below (with a few of my own edits):
  1. Make your bed (interesting...or you can just stay in it...)
  2. Put a quarter in someone's expired meter (to help stroke your ego a bit)
  3. When you are in an elevator put down your blackberry (because you don't get reception)
  4. Think like a shark, act like a 5 year old (I'm laughing again -issues)
  5. Paint your walls yellow (if that goes with your color scheme)
Try them on for size...

Or, if you are like me, you can just keep saying doldrums over and over.


Rules and Regulations

I love this and I want to print it out and put it in my house somewhere..

...(even though I'm not actually a designer per se, I think there is a little designer in everyone).

I have a serious addiction to typography.

Rise and Shine

Today was one of those mornings where my bed seemed like the most magical place on earth. You couldn't convince me to go to Fiji this morning - for my bed was just as splendid.

But alas, real life called and I had to go conquer the day.

In spite of real life, I will just think about my fabulous bed all day and all the different ways I want to decorate it.

I love this idea - right now our walls are so bare (which can sometimes be a nice thing in a bedroom):



I've seen this picture for a year now and get sleepy just looking at it.

(via west elm)

LOVE these -

(Lush designs via iamagreedygirl.com)

This bed is like a cocoon...







Love the following from Thingsthatinspire:



 

 

Ok, back to conquering the real world.

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