Home Made Junk Food

Remember when you were a little kid and every now and again your Mom would let you have something really bad for you, like a Twinkie or a Hostess cupcake? When I see those items on the shelves at the grocery store I cringe! They are so laden with chemicals and preservatives. 

Now, I love baked goods, and I have no problem with the sugar, flour and chocolate - it's all the added crap in the factory-made stuff that I have an issue with. So when I noticed recipes popping up on Pinterest that were home made versions of things like Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies and Ring Dings, I was super excited. It's a great way to enjoy the childhood treats that we remember without all the preservatives and chemicals that we should avoid. If anyone else has recipes like this, please share!

These are the ones I would like to try for my next party:

Ring Dings

 

Thin Mints

Street Chic: Miranda Kerr

 

Miranda Kerr never looks like she is trying too hard, yet always manages to look amazing coming off an airplane with a small child in tow. I don't know how she does it, but we should all take a page from her book. 

Supporting Back Bay Businesses

In the wake of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, many businesses in the Back Bay section of Boston were forced to close their doors for almost two weeks. Because of this, those local business lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue. Many of these great shops and restaurants have re-opened over the weekend, and they need all the patronage they can get!

These are some of my favorite neighborhood spots. If you are a Boston local or ever come to visit our fair city, head to the Back Bay and enjoy!

Atlantic Fish

 Great place for seafood! I am a big fan of their brunch and raw bar.

Lindt Chocolate

Their dark chocolate truffles are my favorite! I buy them by the bagful at this shop.

Max Brenner

Drop by after dinner for their amazing chocolate desserts and drinks.

Monday Morning Pick-me-up: Coco Chanel

Complaining is a waste of time. Focus your energies on solving the problem.

Via The Fresh Hues Blog

Casual Spring Sandals

It's finally that time of year when you can ditch the heavy boots and socks and break out the sandals. I love boots, and I wear them constantly through the fall and winter seasons, but I am sick to death of them. Maybe it's because I have way more sandals then boots. I guess I just miss the variety and wealth of options. 

Sadly, even though I am the proud owner of many, many pairs of sandals, I can't help but look for more. These are my top picks for casual spring sandals.

Jack Rogers Harper Wedge

DV Dolce Vita Flat

Personalized Stationery for the Novice

If you saw yesterdays post on stylish calling cards, you have figured out that I am on a bit of a stationery kick. I am a big fan of hand written correspondence and I love beautifully designed stationery. I am in the process of redesigning my own personal stationery stash so the topic is on my mind more than usual.

When I first looked into personalized notes, letter sheets and envelopes many years ago, I really had no idea what I was doing. I ended up getting help from my Mom and getting tips from Crane and Emily Post to figure out what all the terms meant and what was appropriate to order. I figure now is as good a time as any to do a post on the different types of stationery, printing styles and common terms. 

Stylish Calling Cards

I have been thinking about designing and ordering my own calling cards. I know everyone has business cards, but I don't want to hand someone that in a social situation and I am not a fan of whipping out my phone to exchange email addresses and phone numbers (especially with a guy!). A calling card is much easier and I love the old school feel to it. 

The only thing about calling cards is why on earth a child would need them. I have been researching online trying to decide what I like and I see these cards for kids (for setting up play dates). Maybe it's because I don't have children, but that seems ridiculous! Two mothers exchanging cards, yes. A five year old having his own engraved card, no.

OK, back to the design stuff. There are so many choices these days that it's hard to make a decision. I am torn between ordering something super classic and simple or going with something more intricate.

I think this is too simple for me.

Popcorn 10 Different Ways

I have been a fan of popcorn ever since I was a kid. At home my Mom would by microwaveable Pop Secret and make if for my siblings and I when we watched movies on Friday and Saturday nights. I was also obsessed with movie theater popcorn. You would think that a 10 year old girl would get a small popcorn at the movies, right? Um, NO! I use to get a LARGE popcorn with butter and eat it all myself. It actually grosses me out when I think about it now. I still love movie theater popcorn, but I stick with the smaller size and avoid the chemical laded fake butter.

Anyway, I have been coming across so many great popcorn recipes and ideas lately and I have been adding them to my Snacks board on Pinterest in preparation for my next big movie night. I figure they are too good to keep to myself, so I thought I would share. 

Tequila Spiked Caramel Corn

Summer Basics from J. Crew Factory

I took a trip to my local outlet mall, Wrentham Premium Outlets, on a mission for some summer basics. For a serious shopper, I am very bad about getting seasonal clothes before the season actually starts and all the good stuff is taken. When do they start getting rid of the summer stuff? July? I feel like when I look for stuff in June, there is nothing left. 

Determined not to be without cute, non-denim shorts this summer, I made a beeline straight for J. Crew Factory to scoop up some of their 3" chino shorts. It turns out I found a lot more than just shorts. 

Clare Cardigan

Monday Morning Pick-me-up

The Benefits of a Costco Membership

So I visited Costco last weekend for the first time in a while. I use to have a membership, but I let it lapse without renewing it. I decided to right that wrong on last Saturday when I headed to my local Costco warehouse just outside of Boston. I can't believe I stopped coming here! They have so many good deals!

I know what you are thinking. What regular person needs 15 pound bags of flour and 4 dozen eggs? I know not everything at Costco is practical, but some stuff is just silly to buy anywhere else.

Style Icon: Babe Paley

Barbara "Babe" Paley was one of New York's biggest socialites in the 40's.50's and 60's and one of Truman Capote's Swans.

When asked about Babe, Capote had this to say:

"Babe Paley had only one fault, She was perfect. Otherwise, she was perfect."

She was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1958 and it is pretty easy to see why. Weather she was lunching at La Cote Basque or at her home in Jamaica, Babe was always dressed right for the occasion.

Babe at her first wedding to Stanley Mortimer in 1940

American Flag Tart

I usually save my red, white and blue for the 4th of July, but I am feeling patriotic!

Recipe via Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 recipes Pate Sucree 
• Creme Fraiche Filling
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup apricot jam, for glazing blueberries
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam, for glazing raspberries
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 pints red raspberries
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
• 1 pint blueberries, picked over

Directions

On a lightly floured surface, roll out a disc of pate sucree 1/8 inch thick to fit a 3 3/4-by-13 1/4-inch fluted, rectangular tart pan with a removable bottom. Brush off excess flour with a dry pastry brush. Carefully transfer dough to tart pan, tuck dough into the edges, gently pressing along sides, and allow excess dough to overhang the edges. Trim the dough by running your rolling pin over the dough against the edges. Gently shape the edges by pressing the length of your forefinger against each flute along the sides. Prick all over the bottom with the tines of a fork. Repeat with remaining disc of dough. Transfer to the refrigerator, and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove chilled tart shells from refrigerator, and line each with a piece of parchment paper that overhangs the edges by at least 2 inches. Fill parchment with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until just starting to color, about 20 minutes. Remove parchment and weights from tart shells, and return tart shells to oven. Continue baking until tart bottom is golden, about 20 minutes more. Transfer tart shells to a cooling rack, and allow to cool completely. Carefully remove tart shells from pan.

In a small bowl in the microwave or set over a pan of simmering water, heat chocolate until it is just melted, about 1 1/2 minutes; stir until smooth. Using the back of a spoon, line each tart shell with chocolate. Refrigerate to set, at least 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat apricot and raspberry jams in two separate saucepans with about 1 tablespoon water in each; strain into separate small bowls.

Make top tart: Remove one lined tart shell from refrigerator and spread 1/3 of the creme fraiche filling over the bottom. Arrange 3 rows of unglazed raspberries 2/3 the length of the tart, leaving space between each row and at the top and bottom edges for 4 more rows. Dust with confectioners' sugar until raspberries are completely coated. Toss blueberries in a bowl with strained apricot jam. Fill left third of tart shell with a layer of glazed blueberries arranged snugly in rows; top with another layer of blueberries. Toss half the remaining raspberries with the strained raspberry jam, and carefully fill empty rows with some of the glazed raspberries, rinsing your hands as needed.

Make bottom tart: Remove remaining tart shell from refrigerator, and spread a third of the creme fraiche filling over the bottom. Arrange 3 rows of remaining unglazed raspberries, starting at the top edge and leaving space between each and at the bottom edge for 4 more rows. Dust with confectioners' sugar until raspberries are completely coated. Fill empty rows with remaining glazed raspberries.

Arrange tarts on a large board or tray to resemble the flag, and serve with remaining creme fraiche filling on the side. Finished tarts will hold at room temperature for several hours.

Bombing at the Boston Marathon

As I am sure you are all aware, yesterday in my beloved hometown of Boston, two bombs where detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I cannot begin to express my sadness over what happened or how my heart breaks for all of those involved. What was suppose to be a great day for the city I love has now become a day of sadness and hurt.

I am in such a shock over what happened, and I can't make any sense of it. I wish I could be more eloquent, but right now all I can say is that my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people involved and I send my heartfelt thanks to the brave men and women who are working tirelessly to protect Boston and all of its citizens.

xoxo, Elizabeth

Patriot's Day Weekend

For those of you living in Massachusetts, enjoy the long weekend!

See you on Monday with new posts!

Image Credit

Curing Downton Abbey Withdrawal

Is anyone else suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawal like I am? I can't wait for season three to premiere, but since it will be quite a long wait before the show returns to PBS, I decided to check out some of the other great work from Julian Fellowes. First up: The film Gosford Park, which he wrote. 

I saw Gosford Park many years ago and absolutely loved it! A fantastic look at the British aristocracy between the first and second world wars. It somewhat resembles Downton Abbey but there is a murder mystery element to it and it is a bit naughtier than Downton, which I love. Also, Maggie Smith is in it, which is reason alone to watch the film. She is such a talent and so fun to watch. If you are interested, Gosford Park is currently on Netflix.

Dressed Down Chic for the the Weekend

I've been going back and forth about what I can wear on the weekends while running my errands that is comfortable, but still attractive looking. I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but I see women at the grocery store on Sunday morning that look like they wore their pajama's to run errands. And I'm not talking about the pretty silk pajama's from Stella McCartney. They literally look like they rolled out of bed.

So the issue is, how can you run errands on the weekends, without getting all dressed up, but still look put together? I admit, that I am a huge fan of leggings, but I don't consider them pants. I need the top to cover my bum if I am going to go out in a public place that isn't the gym. I don't have a lot of tunic-like tops that go a bit longer, but I think I have to invest in some for the spring and summer. Black leggings, colorful tunic and a pair of cute flats. What do you think?

Another option is to wear the leggings with a light spring jacket on top, so no one knows that you have just leggings underneath. All the credit for this fabulous idea belongs to Carly at College Prep. She did a great post on wearing leggings as pants and she mentioned that while running errands, she just would wear simple leggings and a t-shirt and just throw her long coat on top and no one was the wiser. Very smart!

Another hurdle to weekend errand wear is the lack of makeup. I wear a face of makeup 6 days a week but I like to let my face breath at least one day a week, so Sunday's is a makeup free day if I am just running errands around town and hanging around the house. I admit I hate being seen without makeup on, so I decided to take a page from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and just throw on a pair of dark, oversized sunglasses. Does anyone else do this? Also, do you still wear them when you walk in the store. I prefer to, but I always worry people will think this is strange. 

Does anyone else dress down on the weekends? If so, what do you wear running your errands? I would love some more ideas for cute but casual looks!

1/2/3/4

Spring Desserts

Now that spring is finally here, I find myself gravitating away from my usual dessert recipe choices like rich cakes and chocolate tarts. Don't get me wrong, I love all things rich and chocolate, but when the weather warms up and berry season starts, it's hard not to crave something a bit lighter.

 All I seem to want when I crave something sweet is fruit with ice cream or home made whipped cream. Is anyone else feeling this way? 

I also noticed that on Pinterest, I am seeing much lighter desserts as well. A lot more fruit and a lot less cake. I guess I'm not the only one switching to more seasonal dessert options.

I hope to make all of these recipes by the end of the spring season, but first up will be the lemon ice box pie, because my Dad is a huge fan of lemon and he is perfect to test the recipe out on.

Strawberry Napoleons

Buttermilk Pudding Cakes

Lilly Pulitzer: A Tribute to an Icon

The iconic fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau passed away yesterday at her home in Palm Beach at the age of 81.  As the women who brought the classic and colorful Palm Beach style to the entire world, I believe a tribute is in order. 

Spring Wedding Attire

Well ladies, the spring wedding season is officially upon us! I know some people hate weddings, but I love them because it's a good excuse to buy a brand new outfit!

The issue with spring weddings is that the weather can be so unpredictable. It can be 75 degrees and sunny one day and then 55 degrees and rainy the next. You want to try and strike a balance between dressing for the season and dressing for the weather.

First things first. We need to break down the dress code rules. I am pretty good at deciphering a wedding dress code based on the invitation and location of the reception but,  just to be safe,  I am going to reference the experts at The Emily Post Institute. 

Formal Wedding

Daytime: Cocktail or dressy afternoon dress

Evening: Depending on local customs, long evening dress or dressy cocktail dress; gloves optional. 

Semi-formal Wedding

Daytime: Dressy afternoon dress, suit or pantsuit

Evening: Cocktail dress, dressy pantsuit

Informal Wedding

Daytime: Afternoon dress; dressy skirt or pants and blouse

Evening: Afternoon or cocktail dress

All Information via Emily Post

Pink Lipstick

When people talk about lipstick, the first color that comes to mind is red, which I love. Unfortunately for me, my lips aren't exactly luscious, so red lipstick doesn't do too much for me. Pink I find to be much easier for most women to pull off and the lighter shades can actually add fullness to the lips when applied correctly.

There are just as many shades of pink as there are of red out there, so every women can find a shade that suits them best. I am loving the neon pink look above, especially for spring, but I am  not sure I can pull it off. I think I may need to get a serious tan first. 

Pastel Jewelry for Spring

I know that the super bright jewelry, like neon green and orange are all over the place right now, but I can't seem to get on board with the look, at least not on me. Other people seem to pull the look off beautifully.

Luckily for me, with spring here, so are tons of great options for pastel colored jewelry, which suits my tastes a much better than the neon.

Leftover Ham Recipes

Ham is a very popular choice for the Easter holidays and 9 times out of  10, we end up with plenty of leftovers. Here are a few recipes to help you use up the extra meat.

Ham & Broccoli Braid

Black Eyed Peas & Gumbo

Ham & Potato Soup

If you are too lazy to think about cooking, do what I do. Grab a leftover roll, a few slices of ham and some spicy mustard. No recipes or pans, just a tasty ham sandwich.

Brightly Painted Front Doors

So most front doors are painted or finished in some way, but I love the idea of a bright front door. It adds so much character to a home that you don't get from typical door colors.

It's as if you could say "We're number 242, but if you can't find us, just look for the bright red door."