Friday, May 25, 2012

friday fillers





  • Best television finales. My fave is Buffy. Is it weird that I teared up just reading about it? Don't answer that.



  • Ina Garten’s risotto cakes recipe was such a success. Only I quadrupled the amount of chives. Make that quintupled. Or...I just used a massive amount of chives.

  • I need Sarah to be my life coach. Instead I downloaded her free ebook. LOVE.

Enjoy your weekend. And yay for those who don't have to work this Memorial Day (that's me!)...wooo!

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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

how to break in your shoes in less than 2 minutes


My new flats were a bit too tight in the toes. So I tried this incredibly simple and neat trick from The Observer via Lifehacker for stretching out the area. And guess what? It worked!

Put on socks  and slip on your shoes. 
Aim the hairdryer on the tight section for a few seconds (wiggle and stretch your feet inside the shoe for maximum benefit).
Keep the shoes on while they cool.
Remove the socks and test out shoes.
It should be stretched out, but if you need more room, then repeat the process.

See? Told you it was easy.

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

kale and walnut pesto


They say if you love something, let it go.

And so I have…for a little while anyway.




When it comes to food I like, I have terribly obsessive ways. Once I find a recipe I love, I have to have it… ALL THE TIME. That was this case with this tomato sauce.  But I’ve had to shelf it, at least for a few weeks. Too much of a good thing, you know?

So, in came this easy pesto to save the day. Because the opposite of tomato sauce is pesto (in my logic). And that’s exactly what I needed to detox.


Kale and Walnut Pesto (adapted from Tastespotting)
makes about 1 cup (maybe a little more, depending on how much kale and olive oil you add)

About 3 cups of roughly chopped kale (or a small bunch, which is how I measured it)
3/4 cup of raw walnuts
1-2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup - 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Pulse garlic clove(s) in food processor until finely chopped, about 30 seconds.
Add kale and walnuts to processor until chopped, stopping in between to scrape sides and pish mixture down to blades.
With the processor running on low, add in extra virgin olive oil until you get your desired consistency.
Add salt and pepper. Mix.



{I love that bright, glistening green}
I consider this the green smoothie of the pasta world. It has a ton of vitamins A, C and K from the kale, not to mention the added benefits of the walnuts, extra virgin olive oil and garlic. And one batch of this makes enough for several servings. Use what you will and freeze the rest (try using this genius ice cube tray trick).


Some other uses leftover pesto:
  • spread on crusty French bread (my savory breakfast for the next few days)
  • substitute for mayo in sandwiches, burgers or even grilled cheese.
  • mix in egg salad


For more delicious ideas, check out 50 things to make with pesto

 

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Monday, May 21, 2012

adventures in weekending: lunch and lounging





Lunch at a Greek restaurant was pure food bliss - unfussy, fresh and so flavorful (must remember to order the lemony potatoes potatoes again next time - so yum).

We then headed across the street to my favorite park and found a shady spot on twigs and grass to lay the blanket on. It was the best place to brainstorm ideas for new and exciting creative projects and dream about never moving from that spot...ever.

Bob said it was one of his favorite days (it was mine too).

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Friday, May 18, 2012

friday fillers



  • She looks too fabulous in polka dots.







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Thursday, May 17, 2012

yay, presents!



 A few thoughtful and lovely gifts from friends (and the boyfriend) that are so completely me:


 Owl ring

Small European dishes





Very Fond of Food, by Sophie Dahl


I love how people just know you so well that the thought behind the gift really shines through - more so than the object itself. It inspires me to be a better gift-giver (goodness knows I'm normally terrible at it). Note to self: must keep better track of other people's interests!

Isn't this an awesome gag gift for the Dirty Dancing fan? Although if I got it, I'd totally wear it -  and not ironically.

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