The Start of Summer: Memorial Day Weekend!

24 Thursday May 2012

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My favorite time of the year is right around the corner and it unofficially begins this weekend– Memorial Day weekend! Over the years, as I reflect back, this holiday weekend has always signified the beginning of warm weather clothes, sunny days, and outdoor eating.

No matter your plans for this Memorial Day weekend (I’ll be spending mine with Nikki celebrating her 27th Birthday!), some summer inspiration to enjoy the upcoming season and the opportunity to relax outdoors should not be missed.  I envision some of the best Memorial Day weekends with great friends, the invigorating outdoors, flirty fashions, and fabulous food and drinks to facilitate the festivities!

{Fun Weekend Summer Fashion: Floppy Hat, Coral Long Necklace, Tom’s Ballet Flats (how cool?!), flowy, flirty white dress!}

{Memorial Picnic Fun: Kate Spade Picnic Basket, Processo, Manchego Cheese, and Mixed Berries for light snacking!}

What are are your plans for this Memorial Day?!  Have any great summer recipes you will be cooking up this weekend?

Fudgy-Dark Chocolate-Cherry Brownies

23 Wednesday May 2012

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My family’s always been famous for their chocolate chip cookies – so famous, in fact, that I’ve postponed blogging about them for fear that my dad may never forgive me for divulging my mom’s most amazing cookie recipe to the masses! (I really should tell him not to fear…I’m pretty sure only the original baker herself and perhaps 5 other friends actually read my posts!) Regardless, my procrastination continues, and today I am posting about the most amazing brownies instead! They are fudgy, gooey, dark chocolaty and studded with sweet and sour jewels of dried cherries and cranberries. Fair trade, no?

I found the recipe here and made just a few adaptations: I replaced half of the dried cranberries with dried cherries, and also nixed the cacao beans…while I’m sure they would make a very delicious and interesting addition, I wasn’t feeling the $20 bag Whole Foods was offering! I’ve also included the below measurement conversions (some are close estimates) that worked out very successfully for me:

  • 85g butter ~ 6 tbsp  (I used salted – in my opinion baking requires a pinch of salt)
  • 250g semisweet/bittersweet chocolate ~ 1 c  (I used half semi, half bitter)
  • 150g sugar ~ 2/3 c
  • 35g all-purpose flour ~ 2.5 tbsp (just shy of 1/4 c)
  • 120 dark chocolate chunks ~ 1/2 c  (I used 1/2 c for the dried fruit, as well)

[ The ingredient list is short and everything is done in one pot ]

[ and mmmm...the batter is good! ]

After taste-testing just a couple (it was very hard to stop), these are going into the freezer to save for my Memorial Day roof-top party this Sunday! I hope you all enjoy your holiday weekend!

Nature & Glass Fashion Inspiration

21 Monday May 2012

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This weekend I had a very special visitor. My mom traveled all the way down to Dallas from Pittsburgh and spent 6 days exploring the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area together. We hit some spots I’ve been to before and made sure to hit some I haven’t. For once, it was nice to be a tourist in my own city, as kScribs recently mentioned, and gave me a broader perspective of where I currently call home.

My favorite stop was the Dallas Arboretum, also showing the Chihuly Glass Exhibit throughout the landscaping, cascading water features and massive flower gardens. Positioned on Dallas’s White Rock Lake, the sail boats under the bright blue sky was the perfect backdrop for the unbelievable flower and art gardens. Here are a few of my favorite installations and fashion inspirations:

[Glass and Natural Lily Pond]

 Cynthia Steffe ‘Reese” Crochet Lace Dress

[Flowing Creek with Blue Glass Cube Rocks to give that pop of color]

Ted Baker Parisian Birdie

[Floating Party Balls positioned in an Infinity Pool spilling out to White Rock Lake]

Suzi Chin for Maggie Boutique

[The Dallas Starburst]

Joie Ikat Print Dress

[And a dream for the future - Could I be so lucky to get married here?]

Summer Shades

18 Friday May 2012

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With all of this talk about Cabo and Summer Dresses… I started to day dream about going away, laying on a beach, and having my view look a little something like this…

Unfortunately, going to the beach doesn’t look like it will be happening in the short term. But it’s ok- because warmer weather has hit NYC and this weekend is looking great! Although a sunny vacation isn’t in the cards right now, that doesn’t mean I can’t use my daydreaming to knock something off my summer wish list- new sunglasses!

Purchasing new sunglasses is never an easy task for me– many of them are too large for my face and I’m left with big bug eyes!  Here are some of the pairs I have been lusting over.  Next step is to hit the stores and try them on to see if they work!

{From left to right- [1] Oliver Peoples Eyeware, [2] Rebecca Minkoff Chelsea Sunglasses, [3] Marc by Marc Jacobs Aviators, & [4] Alexander McQueen Glam Cat Eyes} Pics c/o Shopbop

Sweet Summer Dress

17 Thursday May 2012

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Summer’s quickly approaching and, among other things, this means it’s time to start rounding up your summer dresses! In my opinion, there’s really no better outfit (in style, ease and comfort) than a bright, breezy, sexy/cute summer dress. This season I’m focusing on a few favorite trends: patterns, cutouts and texture…

[1] DVF Carol Mini, [2] Topshop Pale Blue Cutout, [3] BB Dakota Frederica Dress [4] Shoshanna Lace Matina Dress, [5] Coral Dot Dress, [6] Joie Trudy Tank Dress

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And a few dressier options for summer weddings or special events – all DVF – I’m absolutely loving her spring line! It’s ladylike, but fun and unique, but classic all at the same time…

Cabo Inspired by Marc

16 Wednesday May 2012

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In a month, I’m making a return trip to Cabo – second time in less than a year and yes, it’s because it’s that amazing. For six days I plan on doing nothing more than reading by the pool, listening to the waves crash, catching up on my favorite vitamin and enjoying a few tropical cocktails with my partner in crime. Even though I seem to dress down more on vacation than I do at home in Dallas, my suitcase will be filled with easy, breezy, one-hit wonders that will be as fun as they are comfy. From long maxi dresses that can transform from the perfect poolside cover up to afternoon cocktails walking along the beach – to short, bright, lightweight dresses perfect for showing off my new-found glow, all will find a home alongside my floppy and SPF. Although I have options in my closet, no vacation is complete without a few of the new to really make me excited to set sail. Recently, I found interesting inspiration through Marc by Marc Jacobs…..

[Who said a cover up had to cover everything? A tee and your bathing suit bottoms work just fine at a resort.]

[Arm candy and an oversized scarf in a tribal print do the trick.]

[Proof that bathing suits should be fun!] Pictures c/o Shopbop – Marc Jacobs

Loch, Scotch & Castle

15 Tuesday May 2012

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I just got back from a wonderful trip to Edinburgh, Scotland followed by a quick stay in London. The sights were spectacular, the castles were mystical and slightly haunting, and the food & drink was amazing (see my list of restaurants at the bottom). While the weather was a “wee bit chilly” (American translation: “freaking freezing!”), the city of Edinburgh, it’s nearby countryside & the Scottish Highlands are truly the stuff out of storybooks and are steeped with extremely interesting and rich history (and, of course, some great whisky, too)!

[ Hotel room view of Edinburgh Castle - the entire city is medieval and perfectly picturesque! ]

[ A stop on our day-long tour of the Scottish Highlands. Kevin and I at Loch Lubnaig - I learned that there are no lakes in Scotland, only "lochs". (Actually, there is one "lake", but that's a longer story...) ]

[ Black-faced sheep were up every mountain and around every bend of the highlands! ]

[ Loch Ness - no Nessie... ]

[ Stirling Castle was my favorite of the trip! Notice below the fairytale gold walls of the great hall in the back...the color is true to history and so cool! ] 

[ Inside the banquet hall at Stirling Castle ]

[ A walk through St. James Park in London. ]

[ The Tower of London - this castle is huge and a definite must see! ]

[ The changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace ]

[ Our last beers in the U.K. on a boat in front of our hotel (the London Eye in the background) ]

All in all, it was an amazing trip. Funny story…we were actually supposed to go to Amsterdam and not London!! (Word to the wise – make sure your passport doesn’t expire in less than three months before trying to enter The Netherlands…) Slight detour, but a fun one at that! Below is a list of some restaurants, hotels and general sights I highly recommend going to if you’re in Edinburgh or London:

Edinburgh

  • The Balmoral Hotel - One of my favorite hotels anywhere!
  • Wedgewood – a great find on the Royal Mile, perfect for lunch
  • The Grain Store – candle light & stone archways provide for a wonderful Scottish feel
  • Number One – Michelin star restaurant in The Balmoral Hotel
  • Rabbie’s Tours – I’m not a tour person, but I really would consider this small group one-day tour through the Scottish Highlands a must.
  • Glenkinchie Distillery – I came home a lover of Scotch!

London

  • The Forge Restaurant – great find with lots of charm in Covent Garden, best dessert of the trip! (Peach and praline ice cream sunday…childhood elevated!)
  • da Polpo – Italian small plates

A Tourist in my Own City

11 Friday May 2012

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Over the past few months, I have been lucky enough to have several great visitors come to NYC. Depending on the plans for those “visitor” type weekends, I can find myself anywhere from shopping for hours on end, eating at fabulous restaurants, or enjoying the sites of NYC. It is always great to those opportunities to take a step back  to take it all into perspective and enjoy the things that I often take for granted when it comes to NY.  Here are a few snap shots of the NYC things I have enjoyed doing (touristy at times) that remind me of how much I love this city…

{Central Park, walking to 5th Ave. while my sister was visiting! pic c/o Kay}

{I’ll be the first to mention my dislike for “Times Square”, but taking someone there for their first time is something special and I am happy I can be there with them.}

{At $25 a trip to the Top of the Rock, it is definitely something you can’t do all of the time… but when the weather is perfect and my guests have never seen the “skyline” view, it is definitely a must!}

{Being a tourist but looking over the city we are lucky enough to call home!}

{And the peculiar… central park (resident OR tourist) is the best. A few weekends ago, with great company, we had a great time watching a group of people fly their blown up giraffe in the sky like it was a kite! That’s when we say, “Only in NY!”}

Locally Brewed

09 Wednesday May 2012

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A few weeks ago, what was supposed to be a lazy Saturday spent poolside, turned in to beers and live music under the 100 degree sun. Recently, Dallas has entered the Craft Beer Scene which makes the bars around here a little more interesting. I’m not sure if there is a more perfect pairing than blistering temperatures and an ice-cold beer except when its a locally brewed one! :) Our first stop, on what I hope will be a craft brew explosion in Dallas, was the Deep Ellum Brewing Company located right outside downtown Dallas in the neighborhood of Deep Ellum. Mostly known as an artsy neighborhood, the founders of this brewing company refurbished an old warehouse and started churning out some of the most delicious beer and good times I’m had in a while.

For $10, you received 3 drink tickets, a sweet beer glass (see last picture) and a tour of the facility. Even though the brewery tour only consisted of walking inside and seeing the tanks, for $10 and three beers later, I was a happy camper.

Beer tanks fomenting the alcohol and making it taste, oh so yummy.

As an added bonus, the brewery has live entertainment during the hours of operation. So while you sip you can do so swaying to the beat of the original jams of some of Dallas’s finest.

Hawaiian Burger

08 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Food

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Weeknight dinners can get really boring. Burgers, on the other hand, are usually an exciting and always delicious comfort. But when you’re trying to eat a little less meat by substituting beef or chicken with beans and veggies, most of the time, you land right back at square one! Regardless of what type of patty you choose, these accompaniments are sure to excite the everyday burger. This is what I’m calling a “Hawaiian Burger”:

[Hawaiian Burger: Multigrain bun, lettuce, red pepper, grilled pineapple, {your choice of} burger basted in Annie's organic Worchestershire sauce, avocado & Annie's organic ranch dressing]

[Grilling pineapple and onions takes about 7-10 min. The sweet taste of the pineapple is deliciously heightened when grilled!]

The above is a veggie burger, but thus far, I still haven’t made or bought a version that I can call my favorite and merits putting up on this site…once this happens, I’ll be sure to post! If you’re craving meat, I think these flavors would pair best with a chicken burger and plan to try it out soon. A little hot sauce also gives this burger a great kick (one of my favs is Melinda’s Habanero Peppersauce or try the Mango Hot Sauce to keep running with the tropical theme)!

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