Tuesday, November 23, 2010

How to Pack for Thanksgiving Travel

As we all travel to our family and friends homes this Thanksgiving, most of us will be doing over-nighters which means packing.  Generally this is a 3 or 4 night trip so nothing epic, but still you don't want to use your giant tote bag either.

Today we will talk about fabulous suitcases fit for flying, busing, driving, or however else you may be getting to your destination.  Tomorrow I will feature what to wear to Thanksgiving dinner....think elastic!


Some people have a severe aversion to Vera but love her or hate her this duffel is the BEST carry on in the world because you can shove it under your seat on the plane if the overhead storage runs out.  And let me tell you from experience, it's ultra-durable!


Rockland, Giraffe Pink, $29
Feeling sassy? Try this rolling duffle bag!


SO many pattern options to choose from, this bag will never be mistaken for someone else's!

If you REALLY need a roller bag I just love this one.  The handle is curved too so its easier to maneuver. 

Monday, November 22, 2010

A shoe with room

Today's post is going to be a little selfish, as I need your help.

I went to the foot doc this morning and I have good news and bad news:
Good News: I can start to wear "roomy" shoes
Bad News: these shoes are clogs, crocs, an sneakers.

So, I'm going to put up what I consider roomy and comfortable shoes that are work appropriate and are not made of rubber or Birkenstock.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

Also- early calls for Friday Foodday, I know you have recipes ready for Thanksgiving!

Minnetonka, Suede Skimmer, $40
I like these because they have a nice sole for walking and they can be easily disguised under black slacks.

Easy Spirit, Junee, $39.99
Nice roomy toe box, this could work

Ugg, Retreat, $85
I'm having trouble with the idea of spending $85 for a rehab shoe...

Airwalk, Flurry, $24
Oh payless, I think we may have a winner. However, I may be mistaken for the abdominal snowman with this weird fur!!! 


**Note: please do not judge me on these choices, they are by no means reflective of what my shoe collection looks like.  This is a temporary option! 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Friday Foodday

Its the best day of the week lovebugs! Thank you so much for sending me your recipes, and please keep them coming!!!

Spiced Apple Galette
c/o Nikki
  • 1 large apple (I think this one is a honey crisp), sliced
  • 1 frozen pie crust
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice mix (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lemon peel, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom)
  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Mix apple slices with sugar, flour and spices.
  3. Arrange apples on pie crust.
  4. Fold the edge of crust in, around the fruit creating folds.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes.



Chicken Divan Soup
c/o M&SJ+C


  • 2  tablespoons  butter
  • 1  garlic clove, chopped
  • 1/4  teaspoon  dried crushed red pepper
  • 1  (48-oz.) container chicken broth
  • 2  (12-oz.) packages fresh broccoli florets (about 12 cups)
  • 1  (8-oz.) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 4  cups  chopped cooked chicken (I cooked four chicken breasts in the crock pot all day then shredded and added to the soup).
  • 8-oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Salt and pepper to taste
1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add garlic and red pepper, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth and broccoli. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Stir in cream cheese.
2. Process mixture with a handheld blender until smooth. Add chicken, shredded cheese, and noodles. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Note: If you don’t have a handheld immersion blender, let mixture cool slightly; process mixture, in batches, in a regular blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Return mixture to Dutch oven, and proceed as directed.

  • 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes 
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened 
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons onion soup mix 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 
  • 1 dash pepper 
  • 1 egg, beaten 
  • 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs 
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese into the potatoes until smooth. Stir in Parmesan cheese, soup mix, salt, hot pepper sauce and pepper. Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls. Place the egg and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip potato balls in egg, then roll in crumbs. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 for 15-18 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.



3 whole boneless chicken breasts with skin (about 2 1/2 pounds),
halved
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, sliced thin
3/4 pound mushrooms, sliced thin
1/2 cup Marsala
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. 


In a large heavy skillet heat oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown chicken in 2 batches, transferring with tongs to a large plate as browned.


Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet and sauté onion and mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated. Add Marsala and cook mixture, stirring, until Marsala is almost evaporated. Add broth and chicken with any juices that have accumulated on plate and simmer, turning chicken once, until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken with tongs to a platter.


Simmer mushroom sauce until liquid is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Remove skillet from heat and stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter and salt and pepper to taste, stirring until butter is just incorporated. Spoon mushroom sauce around chicken and sprinkle with parsley.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Your Essential Winter Gloves

People, who noticed Kate Middelton's BLUE dress on Tuesday?  What did I tell you? She looked gorgeous.  Oh and the engagement ring helped too...


Also- tomorrow is Friday Foodday so please send me your recipes to post!

As the weather gets colder, I find myself needing a pair of gloves to walk to work in.  While the options are endless, I find I need 3 different pairs in my rotation: the leather, the embellished, and the texter.  Let me show you:

Nordstrom, Lined Leather Gloves, $60
Gloves are like umbrellas, you always lose them.  If you invest some money into them you are more likely to keep track of them! These are beautiful gloves that are long enough to go inside your coat so the wind doesn't go up your arm!  Very classic and versatile.


Ralph Lauren, Triple Ruffle Knit Glove, $35
The embellished glove I consider my fun glove.  You can pick a cable knit in a great bright color, maybe some detailing.  I like these because they're super girly.


The texting glove.  Sometimes you just need a pair!  And this one coverts into a mitten when you're all done.  Love the pattern and the bright colors.

What are your favorite types of gloves? Fleece lined, mittens?