Happy Halloween Weekend!

Love,

Sarah, Lee and Kitty

 

 

Oh La La…

It is often I find a room in shelter publication that I love.  It is rare, I love the whole spread. In the latest edition of Elle Decor, I was blown away by the beautiful, quirky, bright space of photographer, Claiborne Swanson Frank (cool name too, right?)  I would never guess this lovely, lush space is only 1300 square feet. It seems so much bigger!  I like how she uses mostly neutral furniture and brightens the space with pillows, lamps and accessories.

Warm and welcoming…

Feminine touches, but definitely not too girly!

At only 29, the beautiful owner makes me a teensy jealous!

Photographed by Simon Watson all images via

Taco Soup for the Soul…

There are about 3 things I know how to make without consulting a cookbook including: 1) Fancy breakfast sandwiches, 2) Martha Stewart’s Mediterranean Chicken and 3) Taco Soup – recipe courtesy of my friend Amy, who made the soup every year the temperature dropped in her college town, Lubbock.  This soup may be the easiest thing in the world to make, and it’s always a crowd/husband pleaser.  

I made it last night with the following ingredients (note: creativity is encouraged – I change it up a little every time, adding spices, etc.)

• 1 can of whole kernel corn (drained)
• 1 can roasted tomatoes (I get the fire-roasted kind for more heat)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (feeling crazy?  Pick up Rotel’s ‘Hot’ version)
• 1 can pinto beans (drained)
• 1 can chopped green chilies (I usually don’t add this but had it laying around and made a lovely touch!)
• 1 packet dry taco seasoning
• 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
• 2-3 cups of water or vegetable broth
• 1 lb of ground beef or turkey (optional) 
• Note: If you go the ground turkey route, don’t go too lean or it will cook strangely and is not appetizing. I usually get the 80/20 version.

Combine all canned ingredients, spices and water in a pot and cook on medium.  Cook the meat separately, and add it after it is fully cooked and the fat has been drained (gross, right?)  Let the soup simmer for an hour at least.  I find the longer it simmers, the more flavors come out.  I like to add avocado, tortilla chips and shredded cheese to garnish.  To make it richer, you can add sour cream. 

Goes great with a glass of cabernet and an episode of RHOBH or something equally mindless.

Enjoy!

An Ode to Pumpkin…

For the first time I can remember, I’m actually experiencing a legit Fall – like leaves are already yellow/you have to wear a coat in October/camping sounds fun – Fall.  It’s also left me craving, comfort food like never before (perhaps the body’s way of preparing for the winter?)  Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, apples and anything with cinnamon or pumpkin sounds amazing.  Pumpkin mousse – Yes! Scallops with Pumpkin risotto – why not?  I stumbled upon this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars recipe on Pinterest the other day that left me drooling… Doesn’t it look amazing?  It’s definitely going on the Thanksgiving dessert list.

If you love pumpkin too, check out this hilarious essay – an Open Letter to Pumpkin Flavored Seasonal Treats - describing a woman’s love/hate relationship with the seasonal flavor and it’s tendency to disappear without warning.

 

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Pain in the Neck…

I’ll be keeping things low key this weekend due to a neck strain (from sleeping on a plane!) and some serious meds.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Maru

(oh and it’s 6:11 p.m. and OU still sucks!)

Simple

Recently I’ve been craving simplicity…Simple Food…Simple Clothes… A Simple Schedule…A Simple Life…

It’s hard enough to balance work, play, family and crazy schedules – thinking about what you’re going to wear for the day (or week in my case since I pack in advance) can be difficult.  I love and appreciate creativity in clothing, but sometimes I’d rather put on the same favorite pieces and feel good…

If I had my choice, I’d wear this outfit every single day – only swapping out the shoes on occasion (I mean – a girl’s gotta have a little variety…)

All sources can be found on my pinterest board.