Fall Recipe List

The fall weather has me craving savory, hearty comfort foods like no other.  I’m no talent in the kitchen, so I like to use recipes that don’t have too many ingredients and are generally healthy and flavorful at the same time.  Here are some easy recipes I’m looking forward to testing out soon.  Any favorite recipes?
Butternut squash mac and cheese

Grilled Asparagus and Feta Salad and Spicy Black Bean Tacos

Butternut squash and apple soup

Uchiko’s Brussel Sprouts – ambitious but worth it if they tasted anything like the restaurants

Sweet potato veggie burgers and avocado hummus

And dessert of course – Pumpkin chocolate chip bars

Nursery Inspiration

In a couple of weeks we’ll find out the sex of Baby C, but in the meantime,  I love looking at gender-neutral items for a nursery and imagining how we will decorate for the little one.  The reality of our situation is we’ll only be in our current home for three months once the baby arrives, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to invest in designing and perfecting a nursery.  That line of rational thought doesn’t stop me from perusing tons of sources and mentally designing one anyway.  And while we may not go full out, there are some darling things out there that may eventually have to come home (I mean that sheep rocker – I’m dying it’s so cute!)

Here are the things I’m loving today…If you’d like to see the sources, please check out my Pinterest board!

P.S. – My favorite blog for nursery inspiration and design

Feeling Cozy

Between the crisp (ok – cold) Chicago weather and my expanding waist (hips, rear, legs, etc.) all I want is to snuggle up in cozy and comfortable clothes.  Thankfully, there are so many options right now, and with the basics including: 1) a good pair of thick leggings or skinny jeans, 2) flat riding boots or booties, 3) a tunic or oversized sweater to cover the aforementioned expanding rear, 4) and maybe a scarf or fun accessory to zazz it up, this can be easily accomplished without spending a fortune.  Not only is this look totally functional and comfy, it’s cute and flattering when done right…

Here are some of my favorite variations of this look…

See my Fall Wish List inspiration board for sources!

Back from the dead…(aka, busy, lazy, and full of excuses not to blog)

Well hi there…It’s been over six months since my last post, and I feel like I have completely abandoned you.  I don’t really have an excuse for the long hiatus, but in general I think life just got in the way…Through the Spring I was still traveling for work, and trying to balance that craziness.  Come Summer I had plenty of free time, but we were living in pretty nast temporary housing  back in Houston for Lee’s internship, and I was feeling less than inspired…Also, we found out we’re expecting a baby (coming this Spring!), so for the first 12 weeks or so, I just wasn’t feeling normal and up to par, like most women experience in their first trimesters.

I’m 14.5 weeks now and feeling much more energized and normal.  I hope to keep this up on a regular basis and continue to share fun stuff like interior design and top fashion picks from the awards shows as well as some personal things as our family (and I) expand!

Thanks for reading (if you’re still  out there…)

Here’s a recent pic at 14.5 weeks.

Some Thoughts on the Oscars…

Every media outlet ever and most blogs have already posted  the best and worst moments from the Oscars, and by no means can I compete, but I do love an awards show, so here are some thoughts…

- It’s more fun to watch the Oscars with a snarky Twitter feed near by

- Emma Stone can do no wrong

- Colin Firth could cuss out the audience, and I’d still find it charming

And my bests…

Best dress – Michelle William’s style is perfection…I want to pick her up and put her in my pocket.

Best banter – Ben Stiller and Emma Stone perhaps reenacting James Franco and Anne Hathaway’s awkward chemistry from last year’s disastrous Oscars

Best Attempt to look like an Oscar – this worked on Sandra Bullock – a former DWTS contestant – not so much.

Best Awkward Moment – Angelina aggressively posing on stage, only to be made fun of Community’s Dean

Best Recovery – I didn’t care for Cameron Diaz’s red carpet dress but loved the bright orange and gold at the after party

Best Accessory – Uggie the Dog

Best Impression of a Lady Bug – Natalie is beautiful, but this dress wasn’t working for me.

What were your thoughts?

Images via the always spot on  Elements of Style

Let’s Play a Game…

Recently I stumbled upon an article on AD that combined my two favorite things – 1) celebs and 2) thoughtfully designed kitchens…so if you want to play a quick game, match the celeb with the kitchen.  I found some combinations to be very surprising!

Match these six celebs with their respective kitchen below.  Answers at the bottom…

Sir Elton John and Giada De Laurentiis

Gerard Butler  and Lance Armstrong

Jada and Will Smith

A. Open and inviting

B. Combining old and new

C. Rustic and warm

D. Starkly white

E. Bright and modern

Answers: A) Lance Armstrong B) Gerard Butler C) Will and Jada Smith D) Giada De Laurentiis E)  Elton John

Brooke Shield’s Home in AD

Back from the dead (or lack of blogging), I came across these lovely images of Brooke Shield’s  NYC town home on Architectural Digest.  It’s quite feminine and a bit quirky with painted portraits of her daughters in crowns hung on the wall and a French Empire commode on the mantel. And though I can never imagine using a heart as the most eye-catching accessory of a room, I’m quite drawn to it’s sweetness sitting between her two daughters.  Maybe it’s just good timing with Valentine’s day around the corner…What do you think of Brooke’s home?

I think the pink, grey and neutral colors make a lovely combination…

A bright, modern kitchen with kitschy art work

Lovely wallpapered dining area with lucite lamps and a bold chandy

Yes, this bath will work.

all images via Architectural Digest