Lovely Ladylike

The fam and I are scheduled to get our holiday pictures next weekend and I have been thinking about the overall look I want.  May daughter, Betsy, of course already has 3 wardrobe changes! My son Andrew will be sporting his signature Crewcuts look, and my husband will wear the requisite merino sweater.  So that leaves me...  What shall the matriarch wear???  Ha!  I have never seen an episode of Mad Men, but I love the recent years' influence it has had on fashion.  The early 60's were the epitome of casual elegance! Women were ladylike and polished without looking forced.  Think of all the Fashion Icon's from that time:  Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, any of the Hitchcock Heroines... These women had some serious fashion sense.  They could pull off a simple tee and capris and look just as fabulous as when dressed in designer gowns. They also knew how to work a good shirt dress.  And that is just the look I think I want for the family photo.  I LOVE the shirt dress! Its daytime elegance and I think it can be dressed down a bit for a hip look too!  I plan on wearing mine with a tweed blazer and some Frye riding boots!  Now, just which one to pick....  Too bad the gorgeous Gucci is out of the question... :(

Gucci

Madewell

Diane Von Furstenburg

Marc Jacobs

JCrew

Theory

Jcrew

club monaco

The Hubby's Favorite Soup & Sandwich- butternut squash soup and chicken salad

As you know, the family and I had a grand 'ole time at the orchard last week!  I loved apple picking, but seriously will I ever get through all these apples??? Between the apple pie I posted, and the apple crisp I made at the end of last week I don't think I can stomach another apple dessert. Even my kids are turning down my suggestions to make more pie or crisp; with a la mode to boot! That is just sad... especially when I still have a full basket of apples sitting on my counter!  Fortunately, I have some non-sweet related apple recipes up my sleeve. They also happen to be some of my husband's favorites!  Chicken Salad Sandwiches and Roasted Butternut Squash Soup; perfect for an Autumn evening!
And guess what??? I was actually somewhat organized and planned ahead by making Roasted Chicken last night so I would have leftovers to use!  Yeah Me! BTW, if you haven't tried the Roasted Chicken recipe on here yet, you are missing out!  It is delicious!!
Anyway, on to the recipes...

Chicken Salad Ingredients:

2 tbls light mayo
3 tbls sour cream
1-2 tsp stone ground or dijon mustard
pepper to tasteabout 2 cups of shredded chicken (leftover from roasted or rotissierie chicken)
1/2 of a medium size red onion, finely chopped
1 large apple,  finely chopped
2 handfuls of red grapes, cut in quarters
1/4 shaved almonds                                                      

french baguette ( I like the take and bakes so its nice and crusty)
arugula or mixed baby greens

In a medium size mixing bowl, mix mayo, sour cream, mustard and pepper.  Stir in remaining ingredients and stir till completely blended.  Serve on a baguette on top of a bed of arugula or mixed baby greens/  I personally prefer arugula.




Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Ingredients:
You will absolutely adore this soup!  I love it as a first course for Thanksgiving too!
 
 2- 2 1/2 pounds peeled and seeded butternut squash, cut into chunks
2 large tart apples, peeled and cut into slices
1 large sweet onion chopped (like a vidalia or walla walla)
1 tbls olive oil
salt and pepper
2 tbls butter, chopped into small slabs                       
5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup apple cider
1- 2 tbls curry powder                      
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup heavy cream
couple dashes of tabasco

crumbled blue cheese and chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 400.  Place squash, apples and onion on a non-stick baking sheet or one lined with foil. Drizzle olive oil evenly over the top and
place slabs of butter sporadically through out baking sheet.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast in oven for about 45 minutes or until squash is very tender and apples and onions begins to caramelize.  Remove from oven and move to a 4 quart soup pot.  Add stock, cider, curry powder and nutmeg and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat and blend until silky with hand blender or remove in batches and blend in a counter blender.  Once soup is completely smooth in pot, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream.  Add a few ashes of tabasco for a little kick.  I actually think the tabasco makes this soup so don't be afraid to try it!  Serve by itself or for a little extra flavor I like to sprinkle some chopped walnuts and blue cheese over the top.  The blue cheese melts perfectly in the soup and is a delicious complement to the sweetness of the soup!  The walnuts just add a nice texture to your bite!  Enjoy!

Not your Superhero's Cape!

Free People- Maple Leaf Cardi in black

 The other day a friend emailed me this picture asking me what I thought of all the boho inspired wraps we are seeing.  Immediately, it made me think about the abundance of cute ponchos and capes that are out there. The great thing about these types of sweaters are that they the perfect alternative to a coat this time of year!  They can be the standout star in your outfit or just what you need to keep you warm when you leave the indoors; much like a good blazer but with a more relaxed feel!  Below are some examples of versions I think would be great!  Of course, my fav has to be the Stella McCartney and much too expensive... sigh... :(

Free People- Maple Leaf Cari in Cream

ALC- Wool Poncho

Stella McCartney- Long Knit Sweater Cape

Anthropologie- Hallstadt Plaid Cape

Funktion- Maya Draped Cardigan

Patterson J Kinkaid- Fiona Square Poncho

Anthropologie- Aleutian Sweater

Welcome!!!

I am a Chicago native recently transferred to Indianapolis. Ever since I can remember, I have had a passion for GOOD food and GREAT Fashion.
I love to cook and I love to entertain! I am that nerdy friend who obsesses over a menu and then puts out full place settings when you were just coming over for a casual dinner - in my feeble attempt to be a little like the beloved Martha. When my Seattle-native husband and I informed our foodie friends that we were being transferred to Indianapolis, many of them were aghast at where and what we would eat!  Would we be subjected to a life of casseroles and Applebees???  I mocked them at their snobbery and assured them they were wrong about the heartland, but a small part of me shared those very same fears. Until I quickly remembered, hey, his is ME they are talking about!  I can find good food anywhere and if I can't, then, well...I will just make it myself!
My other love: FASHION.  One of my first memories as a young girl is obsessing over a pair of red clogs that I wore everyday until they virtually fell apart! I was probably the wise old age of 5.  But when you know something looks good, you just know! And those clogs rocked!
I love classic, timeless pieces with a bit of an edge.  I am not one to run away from trends but I certainly do not bulldoze into them either.  In my opinion, fashion is being true to yourself and finding looks that make you feel confident.  Because, just like any good ladies magazine will tell you, confidence is what makes any outfit work!
So there you have it.  This blog contains my completely biased opinions on food and fashion. However, every once in a while I may sprinkle in some posts about things like home design, my beautiful family, travel, etc...   Now I just need to find enough of you who actually care what I think about any of it! :)

MK

Bacon, Sweet Onion, and Arugula Quiche

I have a love/ hate relationship with Costco.  There is certainly more love, but I hate how I get suckered into buying bulk items that I will never in a million years finish.  One prime example, the massive jar of kimchi I bought after having a pork and kimchi burger at Taylor's Refresher in Napa Valley. (Best burger joint in the world btw!!!)  Even if I was to try to replicate that burger, I would at most need a few tablespoons of kimichi.  At Costco, I bought a gallon.  Ridiculous! 
More recently, I bought the 2 dozen package of organic eggs without looking at the expiration date; a week and a half.  Of course buying 2 dozen eggs for your family of 4 is not absurd, but trying to eat them all within a week and a half is a bit more challenging... Which brings me to Quiche!
I make quiche all the time.  Its great for brunch, its great for dinner, and its one of the few leftovers my family will actually eat.  Like most of my recipes it is very simple to make and you can change out ingredients depending on what you feel like.  I made this one off of what I already had in the fridge!  Which of course included bacon... Hmm, writing this is making me realize so many of my recipes have bacon in them!!!  I am going to need to step away from the bacon for a while! YIKES!


Ingredients:
1 pie dough ( pre-made if you don't feel like making your own.  I like trader joe's)
5 slices of cooked bacon, chopped into small pieces
1 medium size sweet onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of butter
about 3 cups of arugula
about 2 cups of shredded gruyere (you can use swiss if you don't want to splurge on gruyere)
5 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper

Mixed greens

Bring pie dough to room temperature and set aside.  Preheat oven to 375 F.
Cook bacon to desired crispness and chop into small pieces, set aside
In a medium size skillet, melt butter and add onions.  Saute until they turn golden.  Add arugula and continuing cooking until arugula becomes just wilted.  Remove from heat.
In a medium size bowl, whip eggs, heavy cream and some salt and pepper together until completely blended.  Place dough in 9 inch pie pan.  Spread onion and arugula mixture over the bottom and sprinkle bacon pieces over the top.  Layer shredded cheese on top and pour egg and cream mix over.
If need be, use a spoon to press down and make sure egg is comletey covering all the other ingredients.
Bake quiche at 375 F for about 45 minutes or until it is puffy and slightly golden.

I like mine with simple mixed greens dressed with balsamic vinaigrette and a good hefeweizen!

Yum!

Still Hip to Wrap it Up!

Most of you are probably already familiar with Chan Luu wrap bracelets; in case you are not, here is your introduction!  Chan Luu pretty much brought the trend of wrap bracelets back in vogue. They are just about everywhere, have been completely mass marketed, and knocked off a million different ways. This begs the question,  are they or not they are still in fact hip???  My humble opinion says, YES!  I actually think they are pretty timeless look and I still regularly wear my brown mother of pearl version. In fact, I am even wearing it in my "about me" photo taken this past spring!  What's so great about wrap bracelets is that they can be worn alone for a simple, everyday look or paired with more wraps and/or bangles for a more "accessorized" look.  Even greater, there are so many more styles and different designers putting out their versions! The blog, Girl Obsessed, just did a post on Wear Love bracelets and I have already put my order in for the Snake Wrap!

Here are a few pics of some wraps I like, hope you like too!!

Chan Luu- RhinestoneWrap

Chan Luu- Multi GreenGypsie Leather

Chan Luu-Section Wrap in Pyrite

Nakamol- Stone Leather Wrap

Nakamol- Stud Bracelet

Wear Love- Mauve Wrap

Asha Patel- 3 Stone Wrap

Wear Love- Snake Wrap

Nothing Sweeter than Apple Pie

This past weekend, my family and I went apple picking at the local orchard.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE apple picking!  It screams wholesome, family fun!  It has a way of transporting you into a mindset that is straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting! Of course, all this nostalgia makes for the best tasting apples as well. This is 100% proven!  Go to any Whole Foods and purchase the biggest, prettiest apple in the entire store, and it will not taste even half as good as an apple you picked off the tree yourself!  Better yet, as my husband would say, the apples your children picked.  My kids love apple picking even more than me and they are not even old enough to yearn for simpler times.  They just know the pure fun of it! Just look at them; if there is something sweeter than apple pie than it is certainly my children! 

the loves of my life

sweet girl

my cute family

That brings us to the recipe... Baking and me have never been the best of friends.  For the most part, I think of myself as a confident cook.  One who can come up with or modify a recipe somewhat simply.  When it comes to baking; not so much...  That is why whenever I do post a recipe for something sweeter, it will always be from somewhere else.  Like this insanely delicious apple pie from Gourmet Magazine!  What makes this pie so killer is the Walnut Streusel on top!  Most likely, you will never bake another recipe again... It is that good!

Ingredients:

 For pastry dough:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• 4 to 6 tablespoons ice water

For topping:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

For filling:

• 3 pounds Golden Delicious and/ or Jonagold apples (about 6 medium)
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

To make pastry dough:
In a large bowl with a pastry blender or in a food processor blend or pulse together flour, sugar, salt, and butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons ice water and toss with a fork or pulse until incorporated. Add enough remaining ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing or pulsing to incorporate, until mixture begins to form a dough. On a work surface smear dough in 3 or 4 forward motions with heel of hand to slightly develop gluten in flour and make dough easier to work with. Form dough into a ball and flatten to form a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill 30 minutes.

To make topping:
In a small bowl with your fingertips blend butter, brown sugar, and flour until smooth and blend in nuts. Chill topping, covered. 

 

To make filling:
Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 1/2-inch wedges and in a bowl toss with remaining filling ingredients to coat.

Preheat oven to 350°F. 

On a lightly floured surface roll out dough into a 15-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick) and fold into quarters for ease of handling. Unfold dough in a well-seasoned 10-inch cast-iron skillet or 10-inch deep-dish (1 1/2-quart) pie plate, easing to fit and letting dough overhang rim of skillet or pie plate. Spoon filling into shell and fold pastry overhang over filling, leaving center uncovered. Bake pie in middle of oven 1 hour (pie will not be completely cooked) and remove from oven.

Crumble topping over center of pie, breaking up any large chunks. Brush crust with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake pie in middle of oven 30 minutes more, or until crust is golden and filling is bubbling. Cool pie on a rack. 

Serve pie warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

Don't these look pretty??

Beef Chuck Chili

I've already expressed my complete obsession with the Autumn season! One of the many reasons I love this time of year so much is suorisingly enough, Football! I don't know if it's because I grew up with two older brothers, or because I like any excuse to lounge in front of the tv and eat comfort foods! Chili is the ultimate comfort food, and it is completely synonymous with football. Think about it, how often outside of football season do you eat chili? Most likely, not that often. So you better be sure you are enjoying it, especially if you are only eating it a handful of times a year!

**Good chili is pretty easy to make. A good chili recipe; not quite as easy to relay. Good chili is all about personal taste... I am going to try to provide a base, but how thick or how spicy you make it is up to you! This is definitely a "taste as you go" recipe, as I personally have never followed a recipe when making chili. With that said, know that any measurements I provide are just a starting point and more than likely you will need to increase most of the spices**

Ingredients

6 slices bacon, cut in small pieces
1 pound chuck roast, cut into small pieces
1 large white onion, diced
1/2 a red pepper, diced
1/2 a yellow pepper, diced
16 oz can of tomato sauce
8 oz can of diced tomatoes
4 oz water
3 tbls chili powder
2 tbls cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
8 oz can of chili beans, medium spice

sour cream
shredded cheddar
green onions


In a 4-5 quart pot, cook bacon over medium-high heat until it begins to crisp. Add chuck and brown. Add onions and peppers and cook until they soften and turn golden. Addtomato sauce diced tomatoes, and water. Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika and oregano. Taste and add more chili powder, cumin or garlic powder as needed. Bring to boil, then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for about 30 minutes then add chili beans, continue simmering for an additional hour.

Serve with a spoonful of sour cream, cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions

Sit yourself in front of the tv and/or fireplace and enjoy!

Faux Fur? Yes, Please!

Juicy Couture Polar Faux Fur Vest- Nordstom

Lately, I have been coveting all the the faux fur vests I am seeing online and in magazines!  While they are certainly not a new trend,  the current styles seem slightly more subtle than years past...  I have never been able to embrace the "over-fluffed" BEBE-esque styles that scream street-walker couture!  I am loving the longer lengths and the natural color palletes that make them great to wear in the daytime as well! Done the right way, I even think the fur vest could replace the ever popular puffer vest! Faux Fur at a tailgate??? Heck Yeah!

Here are a few I found online that I think would be great assets to anyone's wardrobe!  For myself, I am leaning towards purchasing Anthroplogie's Plush Pretender Vest.  What do you think???

Collection XIIX Long Faux Vest- Nordstrom

Sanctuary Rockin Natalie Vest- Piperlime

Sanctuary Rockin Natalie Vest in Fox

Anthropologie Frozen City Vest

Anthropologie Plush Pretender Vest

Milly Kira Faux Fur Vest- Saks Fifth Ave

Zara Sheepskin Gilet

Bacon Potato Hash

Good Morning!!!  Its Sunday morning, so that means a breakfast with the family that doesn't involve the microwave!  We can actually lounge in our pjs a bit longer, take our time making a meal, and eat as a family at an hour earlier than 6pm!  I love the weekends!
In earlier posts, I have mentioned my weakness for carbs; the only other ingredient I could quite possibly love even more is pork.  So, the combination of potato and bacon???  Fantastic! Most of my closest friends know this about me and its a bit of running joke. When out to eat, I typically order pork, my lunch time staple; salami (which of course is made of pork), and if I am trying to perfect a recipe, what would I add?  Most likely, pork!  You put bacon on just about anything and it is instantly delicious!  Just ask comedian, Jim Gaffigan:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaK9bjLy3v4  Hilarious!

This recipe is a little piece of Heaven for your Sunday morning. Not to mention, ridiculously easy!  (Easy, is usually the common theme with any of my recipes)

Ingredients:

6-8 slices of bacon, cut into small pieces
approx. 1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves of finely minced garlic
approx. 10-12 small yellow fleshed potatoes (like a yukon gold)
1 medium sized sweet onion, diced
1/2 of a red onion, diced
salt and pepper to taste

fried egg(s)

In a large skillet,  cook bacon and garlic in olive oil until bacon begins to crisp.  Add potatoes and onions and cook for approx. 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft and crispy and onions have caramelized.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve with a fried egg, over easy.

Enjoy!

Must Have Leggings!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a bit of a love affair with J.CREW. It is my "when in doubt" shop and their clothing supplies almost half my entire wardrobe! That's a bit ridiculous I know, but I love the timelessness of their pieces and their ability to be so, while still being very current. When the legging trend presented itself a few years back, I was hesitant to jump on the band wagon. I didn't want to look like a teenager; nor could I after having birthed two kids! But I also didn't want to miss out on having such a versatile staple in my wardrobe! That's when I discovered J.CREW's pixie pant! OMG!!! A legging that flattered everyone's ass! Not just a teenage girl's! And better yet, one that was thick enough to wear with something other than a tunic or extra long tee! The perfect balance of form fitting on top with a little extra width at the bottom to be ultra flattering while also giving them a slightly more refined look. They currently come in grey and black and I am keeping my fingers crossed for a denim version!

Flash forward to present time, JCREW has created another must have legging!!! The Saturday pant is the more casual alternative to the the pixie. A high-end sweat so to say! I love that it's as soft and comfortable as your pajamas, but stylish enough to pair with a button down or sweater! It too is also considerably more flattering than your average teen's legging! I wore my moss colored one's today with a chambray button down and my beloved wing-tips! So cute!

Check them both out!!!

Black Pixie Pant

Black Saturday Pant

Moss Saturday Pant

 Now, I know not everyone loves J.CREW's fit as much as me; so for that reason I am also including a pic of some fun stir-ups from Club Monaco that are super flattering as well!