a LOVEly weekend...

Good Morning and happy Valentine's Day Lovelies!! I'm sitting here rocking out to newly minted Grammy winners Arcade Fire (isn't it amazing when great bands actually win??). How was your weekend?? I'm on a bit of a buzz because we hit 48 degrees in MPLS yesterday and went for walk, dodging puddles and listening to the heavenly sound of snow melting off our roof...oh the little things! AND I had a lovely date night with the MR at Bar La Grassa where I indulged in antipasti, primi, secondi and a small glass of bubbly...(believe the hype - BLG is pretty rad).

With Chris at shows Friday & Saturday night I had plenty of time to peruse all the goings on at NYFW - and while my infatuation with fashion is decidedly on the wane my obsession with personal style and REAL clothes is definitely a permanent love affair...so let's talk about this pretty lady in green and her Clare Vivier ipad case...good right?

I heart the little pops of color here - esp that blue ring!

and if I was tall I'd be totally into this Annie Hall/Bag Lady looks...although I can't decide if Jenna Lyons looks a little off kilter - I am crushing on the red/peach combo...

and it looks like Steven Alan will be populating my closet from spring into Fall...SWOON!

okay - off to check out Tina's paella for the recipe exchange - sounds like the perfect thing to share with your sweetie!!

xoxo, M

New Markdowns!

 Hello again! Just popping in quick to say I marked down the last of the Virginia Johnson resort scarves...to make way for the Spring Collection - whoohoo!!

and I'm scooping up this Matta Nadissa shawl if someone doesn't lay claim to it this weekend - it's 50% off and would also make a beautiful bed throw...

and you can still use "wintersale" at checkout for 25% off orders of $150 or more...

xoxo, M

ps - Is anyone else still a little choked up about the final episode of Friday Night Lights?? A classy end to one of the best and most underrated shows EVER...do your self a favor and get it on your Netflix queue asap if you aren't already a fan...

Short & Sweet

Where did this week go friends?   I'm ready to sit down to a pot of Grapefruit Tea (yes, my love affair with all things citrus continues) and a nice relaxing yoga session...(speaking of citrus + tea any NYCers know where Jin Soon gets theirs?)  

Hopefully this weekend will include some quiet time with a good read,  a little romance, a little culture (if you live in MPLS I highly recommend Family Day at the MIA)...

and a little something sweet via Torrie's Cake from the Recipe Exchange (I sure do like that Torrie - if you haven't had the pleasure of checking out her blog please do!)

Some highlights from the week: Lila's first Ballet Class (if you follow me on Twitter you know I almost collapsed from cuteness overload), first parent/teacher conference, wasted half a day playing with my new phone/toy...caught the new Strokes single and listened to a lot of Adele...

Well, blogger seems to have some bugs today but maybe that's the universe telling me to get off the computer and tackle the rest of my to do list -  Hope everyone has a lovely weekend ahead - and fun Vaelentine's plans?

xoxo, M

Brighter & Lighter Recipe Exchange - Couscous and a Cookie

 images by What Katie Ate

Hello! Welcome to our third recipe exchange...I'm so excited to see what everyone is cooking up...I just have to say that today I'm cheating a bit and bringing you two things...one which isn't even a recipe and one that totally deviates from the theme but something I think will make you pretty happy...the current schedule is at the bottom of the post and feel free to sign up here if you want to jump in...

When I was thinking about what makes me happy in February of course citrus came to mind...and my true soul mate in the kitchen, my ray of sunshine, that brightens up almost any dish, and works hard in every season is the ever loverly lemon...so here's my favorite and fast way to whip up a batch of summer...

Lemon & Mint Couscous 

I LOVE M'hamsa handrolled couscous but any large israeli style couscous is great - just cook according to directions...toss in some frozen peas with couscous - let it return to a boil and then cover, turn off heat and let sit for 8-10 minutes...in the meantime zest & juice one lemon, chop up a healthy handful of mint and add to couscous after it has absorbed the water along with a healthy glug of olive oil and a few generous pinches of super good sea salt ( I like the pink kind, of course)...done!

Totally easy to fancy up for a party dish...add any other veggies you like and/or some good feta or other salty cheese...YUM!

image - Food In Jars

Okay now on to my other kitchen obsession...(just in time for Valentine's Day!)...the humble Chocolate Chip Cookie (hey, I warned you I was going outside the theme but really is there anything better?)...I'm just going to say it...I make a damn good Chocolate Chip cookie...I've tried all the recipes, yes, that one from the New York Times, Jacques Torres is another favorite, and the infamous Neiman Marcus cookie but I think I've finally found my all time numero uno - Kim Boyce's Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie from Good To The Grain (an excellent cookbook - thanks Joy!)...the perfect chewy, can still taste the butter, not too heavy and perhaps a little heathy cookie - and seriously my husband practically swoons when he eats them...

First, a few tips...use the best organic ingredients - especially the butter because it really shines here,  take the cookies out before they look completely done (if you like them soft and chewy like I do), use the big chocolate discs that they sell at Whole Foods etc, and a little sprinkling of sea salt on the top never hurts...heaven!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies - adapted from Good To The Grain
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup white all purpose flour (Kim uses 3 cups ww flour but I like to lighten it up a little)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 sticks cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 ounces chocolate, chopped into bits (Kim calls for bittersweet, I used semi-sweet, because it was what I had)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment or Silpats.
Whisk the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl in which you can use a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugars. Once they are creamy, add the eggs and vanilla. Beat to combine.
Add the dry ingredients in two batches and mix. Finally, add the chopped chocolate and just stir to incorporate.
Scoop balls of dough that are approximately 3 tablespoons worth. I used a quarter cup scoop to make it easy. These are big cookies, so six per sheet is plenty. Bake for 16-20 minutes (*I make mine a tiny bit smaller and cook for 12 minutes*), rotating the pans so that they each spend half the bake time on top and half the time on the bottom.

Brighter Lighter Recipe Exchange Schedule - thanks everyone for participating!!


Feb 9 - Michelle, Pretty Mommy
Feb 10 - Carlie, Twinkling Along
Feb 11 - Torrie, a place to share...

Feb 14 - Tina, Bull in a China Shop Mama
Feb 15 - Carina, nonchalantmom
Feb 16 - Stephanie, scrumptious
Feb 17 - Elizabeth sophisticated pie
Feb 18 - Myndi The Naming of Things

Feb 21 - Barbie, Birds of a Lovely Feather,
Feb 22 -  J.P. Archie, C’est La Vie
Feb 25 - Samantha, Vintage is for Lovers

In Progress

I'm too embarrassed to post the pictures here but the girls at Revelry put up some before & phase 1 photos of my soon to be office/bedroom spaces...the loft area used to serve as a catchall/junk room/office/guest area and honestly resembled an episode of hoarders (although the before pics were taken in the middle of holiday craziness and I promise at it's absolute worst)...it's such a nice clean space now without anything in it so I'm trying to keep a cool head when deciding on what to put back...having fun dreaming of what the finished space will look like though...this light fixture is on the way and long coveted window shades from Delia...plus really cool wallpaper for one wall by Cavern...would love to find a place for this amazing coral & gold tree paper (via Mrs French), the arteriors lamp is all kinds of awesome and a Hadley Holliday painting is on my someday please wishlist...Thoughts friends?

xoxo, M

ps - Did anyone catch the Dana Carvey SNL this weekend?? Loved the Wayne's World/Church Lady nostalgia trip

pps - apologies from here on out for any and all random nonsensical posts - 30 weeks pregnant is kind of kicking my butt these days (no complaints - all healthy,happy, knock on wood) - just general creakiness, can't wait to get out of these maternity jeans, really I'm going to get bigger?, and OMG my to do list is insane, can I please, please take a nap, I feel like I'm in the weeds 24/7, and only 10 weeks left panic setting in...whew!

Frivolous Friday

image via Mrs French (I know I've used it before but I just find it endlessly satisfying)

Happy Friday!!  I've had so many things rattling around in my brain this week but just can't quite seem to put pen to paper and write them out eloquently so instead just a few frivolous favorites...

First, though I wanted to get everyone on board for the new Recipe Exchange...I was kind of vague when I mentioned it so here's the full spiel...Sign up here for a date to post a recipe on your blog and everyday of the exchange I'll post a link so we can all get inspired in the kitchen...to see it in action check out the Fall Recipe Exchange, and Holiday Recipe Exchange

This month's theme is lighter & brighter - something yummy but fresh to get us through the last of winter...smoothies, cocktails, citrusy dishes - you name it! 

Okay, now a few things to brighten up your weekend...

 Can't stop looking at this entire layout from Vogue Australia via the stylish girls at WhoWhatWear - don't you want to just jump on a plane to Mexico and wear your most vibrant ensemble?

this house just screams Austin...which always loves a good mix of old & funky...Hatchworks via Design Sponge

Top of my Post pregnancy wishlist? Wide leg flares...these by Mother Denim look pretty rad...

(okay, I know...I'm 5'0 tall and these NEVER look good on me...but a girl can dream right??)

and finally this airy room with the fab pink/orange rug via The Marion House Book...

okay, off to package up a million boxes....thanks for cleaning out the SALE (only a few excellent things left so hurry!)...

xoxo, M

Positive Vibrations

image by Cannelle & Vanille (does anyone take prettier pictures?)

February is when I start to get a little nutty...my little Texas girl heart says that spring is just a couple of weeks away but the Minnesota reality just sneers and says "Spring? you'll be lucky to see green grass by May!" So I tear at my hair, beat my chest and call a travel agent...(okay, working on those Palm Springs dates...thinking late Feb now)...But when a getaway isn't in the cards here are a few tricks I have up my sleeve for my fellow snowpacalypse survivors...

Of course, you need some tunes to set the right mood...It seems serendipitous that Bob Marley was born in February - just the month that I seem to play him nonstop, Toots and the Maytals are a much needed addition and some funky Meters round out the play list...
 

Next, stow away your soup pot and tea kettle and indulge in a Cuban pork sandwich and a tall glass of lemonade...(if you live in MPLS it's a toss up between Brasa's version and Grand Cafe's...seriously I think I've had at least one a week)...and please Lemonade can you open one in my neck of the woods?

Paint your nails orange fizz, wear some yellow and pretend you are this girl

photo - Hanneli

 

Finally, ditch the grey & black, throw on that scarf you bought the last time you were in Mexico (actually I scored mine at Mohawk General Store) and crack a Bohemia...

photo via flickr

and to keep the party rolling let's start a new recipe exchange - your favorite ways to ditch the cold...smoothies, grapefruits, lemons galore, cocktails, something colorful, lighter, more fun!...you know the drill...sign up here and I'll link up everyday!! Yeah! Can't wait...in the meantime how are keeping cabin fever at bay?

xoxo, M

PS - I think I'm finally getting the hang of Twitter if you just need more of my random thoughts....

Everyday Obsessions {23} - Cheryl Taylor, Still The Sky Is Blue

 I think I'm about to give away one of my biggest style resources but Cheryl of Still the sky is Blue is just too good not to share...California girl, artist, mama and all around cool girl, I swear my credit card starts to get hot every time she posts one of her great finds...so enjoy her Everyday Obsessions and then peruse her excellent blog for more must haves!! Thanks Cheryl!!

In My Closet:
jeans - MiH Jeans
on my feet - Isabel Marant Ankle boots, Repetto ballet flats, and Bensimon tennis shoes.
accessory - My Mayle bags, and my new favorite is my Clare Vivier Mini Sac.
jewelry - My antique gold snake ring with ruby eyes, BRVTVS Porcia bracelet from my best friend, My Grandmother's watch, and a large blue druzy agate ring I bought in Italy.

Beauty Secrets:
Skin -I can not go a day with out using Weleda Iris bar soap, Jurlique Calendula Cream, and Jurlique Sun Lotion SPF 30.
makeup - Jane Iredale mineral powder, Shu Uemura painting gel liner, and lipstick queen lipstick in Rose Sinner.
scent - Saffron James Ume
Hair- My shampoo and conditioner are by Bumble + Bumble (Seaweed), and I use Weleda's Rosemary Hair Oil once a week.

In My Kitchen:
cookbook - La Cuisine by Francoise Bernard, I Know How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot, and Chez Panisse cookbooks.
gadget - Espresso machine...without it i would be lost.
30 min easy recipe - Carrot Ginger Soup
can't live w/o ingredient - Butter!

Home:
walls - I am picky about the Art I end up putting on the walls.  My Husband and I are artists, and we both feel weird about putting our own work up. We mostly put up thrifted paintings and prints, art work from our friends, and my daughter's art work, of course!
bedding - Waiting for the day to buy a John Robshaw set!
flowers - Sweet Peas, Poppies,  and Peonies.
favorite design source - Movie's from the 60's and 70's

Pop Culture Extra Credit:
on my nightstand - The current issue of The Paris Review and The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen.
on my tivo - Pretty much every Bravo show (bad habit), Dexter, Fashion Police on E! i do balance those wonderful, but mindless shows with the occasional Masterpiece Theatre and Nova.
in my ipod - Nick Cave, Jens Lekman, Hem, Brigitte Bardot, Francoise Hardy, Broadcast, Nick Drake...