May 16, 2012

Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares

I’m at that point in moving where I reeeeeeally need to clean out my fridge because the more I use up, the less I have to move. Needless to say we’ve had some pretty “creative” dinners this week. I also keep forgetting that I packed up 70% of the kitchen. I totally wanted to make something with whipped cream yesterday but when I went to pull the beaters out of my kitchen cabinet, it was empty. Sad trombone. The good news is that I still can produce tasty recipes out of this bare essentials kitchen of mine. I just can’t make anything that has spices in it since my spice cabinet is in a box somewhere…

I found some puff pastry hiding out in the freezer so I pretended like I was entertaining 10 people at my unkempt house and made these Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares. These puff pastry bites taste a little bit like blackberry pie mixed with a lemony cheese danish BUT! There’s an arugula leaf nestled under each blackberry. Not only does it add a nice green/peppery bite it provides a nice visual interest to the plate of squares. It’s practically salad (not really).

I am not at liberty to say how many I ate yesterday.

recipes

May 14, 2012

Lemon & Mint Julep

As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to accept a few things about myself. For starters, I will ALWAYS choose the wrong lane to be in at the grocery store. You should stay away from me when I’m waiting in line because the lane is guaranteed to be cursed. I currently have at least 30 gray hairs on my head and it will only get worse. That’s what happens when your dad went fully gray at 27. I remember being younger and thinking that I’d never have to color my hair if I didn’t want to. Duhhh.

I’ve also accepted the fact that when I drink bourbon, I start craving things like Cheez-Its and Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits. And when I’m drinking bourbon, my guard is down and I absolutely inhale said cheesy things. But it’s cool. No! I’ve accepted this.

What I haven’t accepted is the fact that I can’t eat just one Coconut Lime Bar…

That’s gonna take awhile.

my everyday life, Photography

May 12, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 19

Here’s what this past week looked like.

My brother Ryan is in town from NYC.

Uncategorized

May 11, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

Helen Jane has really good solutions for a painful internet. She’s a genius.
I love LOVE love outfit #1. My mom would have worn that when she was younger.
This blog makes me want to travel soooo bad.
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake…for when Mondays are hard.
Speaking of travel. Bri’s trip to Mexico looked so fun and that video!! WOW.
Mini envelopes from catalogs! What a cute DIY!!
OMG! It’s the dude from UP!
Can you imagine having a fridge this color? It would be super fun.
Lessons About Motherhood & Business. Great read! I just ordered Mom, Inc. too.
Oh, Honey Balsamic Strawberry Galette…let’s make out!
Kids plates DIY. I know a few grownups (ahem, cough…points finger at self) who would have fun w/ this.
Wear it NOW!! I’m totally guilty of thinking of my clothes this way…Good motivation to dress better!
I have watched this video at least 10 times. It’s the most epic music video in a car EVER.
Man + Babies= MANBABIES. Equally creepy & hilarious.

On this week’s episode of the Joy the Baker Podcast, we talk about packing, siren songs, moms & our favorite Trader Joe’s items. Episode #48 is called Brushing My Teeth with Cookies!

I’m in the middle of moving…I give you some tips & tricks on packing over at High Straightenence this week. Check it out!

Did you check out Joy’s new website redesign??! It sure is pretty!

around the home

May 10, 2012

House Tour: The Guest Bedroom

Some of you may already know that we’re moving! When I started showing you parts of my house, I never imagined that we would be packing everything up. If things work as planned, Casey & I will be buying the house I grew up in from my parents in Marin County. We’re excited because there are so many great features to the house; I know it well. The light there is beautiful and I know Cooper will have a wonderful childhood there because I did.

So having said that, I’m going to show you the rest of our current house. I tried to take as many pictures of the rooms as possible before we took things down. I am sad because it took us almost 6 years to feel 100% at home here. We truly poured our hearts into this house and in the end it was all worth it. It was our first house! I’m really proud at how things turned out and I am excited for many new design challenges to come!

Uncategorized

May 9, 2012

Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas!

I’m a mom, so I can say this with authority: Moms Love Brunch!

Let me tell you why!

Mother’s Day Brunch means:

We don’t have to cook and we’d BETTER NOT have to clean up.
For the love of God! Someone finally let us sleep in. That’s all we ever want, am I right? Well.. that and a day alone with a good book and a box of chocolates.
YOU get to decide if we want savory OR sweet for brunch. That’s usually the hardest decision EVER. But whatever you feed us must be something WE like. It’s our day after all!

If you’re a mother and you want brunch time awesomeness this Sunday, please direct this post to your family. If you want to make brunch for your mother, ask her her thoughts on eating in bed and then take it from there. Breakfast in bed is kind of a tricky thing…especially when there’s maple syrup involved. I remember it being a bit awkward when I brought my mom french toast in bed one Mother’s day…

Maybe you just wanna take Mom on a spa day and then share three plates of fries afteward? You hear that, Cooper??!

recipes

May 7, 2012

Cilantro Limeade

There was a time in my life when I didn’t really care for cilantro. WHAT?! Fortunately I made it through the dark ages and found an affinity for the leafy goodness. Yes, it totally is possible to overcome food aversions. Just don’t get me to try mayo. That might take me at least 3 decades to figure out.

If you want to make a fancy beverage, add this one to your repertoire. It would be great at parties, lovely at a Mexican themed baby shower (we had one!) and just plain refreshing if you’re sitting outside on a hot day. The cilantro isn’t too pungent, so I’m pretty sure you could fool a few cilantro haters into drinking some. And who knows…you might convert a few people to Team Cilantro.

Try it and report back!