A Busy Holiday Season

The holidays, they come and go so quickly....and so has the past month. The last several weeks have been spent in Portland, eating out.....movies.....ballets......and a few coffee's here and there. As a creature of habit (and a vegetarian) sometimes branching out and trying new places is a challenge, but I have 2 delicious recommendations. The Irving Street Kitchen in The Pearl District has a comforting feeling of rustic elegance. I enjoyed my salmon entree which was slow baked and had a cauliflower-walnut sauce. The salmon was like butter and the presentation of the food was so artistic and I look forward to going back again soon. Our waitress was one of the kindest and most genuine I'd ever had and truly provided wonderful service.

Earlier this holiday season, I enjoyed the butternut squash ravioli at Southpark Seafood. Ravioli is one of my favorite foods, and what makes this one so special is that its actually stuffed and flavorful. So often, ravioli are stuffed and pressed and have no flavor...this one is amazing and has a Marsala sauce. Check it out.

Even though the reviews were average, I loved The Tourist. The scenery in Venice is breathtaking, the story was a fun chase and Angelina's wardrobe was beautiful! On the other end of the movie spectrum, I saw Little Fockers. Its just what you expect...laugh out loud funny with outrageous scenes and DeNiro and Hoffman....classic and funny as ever.

This time of year, its always so festive to see live theater. Whether its a ballet or a play or the symphony, its romantic, elegant and a wonderful way to spend an evening while its raining outside. Get there a little early....have a glass of wine in the lobby first or you can be sneaky like me and smuggle a latte under your pashmina. I love sipping a latte during a performance...but don't tell anyone...

Wishing you all a blissful new year....

Every Gal Needs a Little Sparkle...

My latest obsession carries some serious sparkle. The latest tote from Loft is a beautiful charcoal gray with rows of black sequins. I purchased one the day they came into the store and I've used it almost everyday since. I wear mine with leggings, these gray Uggs and an over-sized top and I've also worn it with one of my favorite LBD's and a long cardigan. This bag is great to dress-up or wear casual. I'll be carrying mine to coffee tomorrow at my favorite cafe in The Pearl District, Caffe Umbria. Visit the Loft and pick up a little sparkle for the winter.

Winter Comfort...

Winter is all about comfort, from what we wear, to what we eat and drink. Today I will sport my favorite Uggs when I head out to see a movie. A few days ago, my winter comfort came in the form of one of my favorite recipes: Poppy Seed Bread. Its one of the easiest recipes I have. So, for the gal on the go who wants to make a good impression when visiting family...I recommend this recipe. It makes 2 loaves......goes very well with hot chocolate....and a pair of Uggs.


POPPY SEED BREAD

3 cups of flour
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
2 tablespoons of poppy seeds
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 cup of vegetable or canola oil
3 eggs (I used egg beaters)
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla

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Pre-heat oven to 325. The bread will cook for 55-65 minutes (take it out of the oven when the middle comes clean with a fork and the sides are a light golden brown)

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and blend well. Add all liquids - mix- then add eggs and mix with a beater until well combined. Bake in 2 greased bread pans....and enjoy.

Fall's Favorites.....

Fall is the time of year when I look for the elegant but cozy in my life. Its is also football season, which I love so much. And I also have my season tickets to the Portland Ballet. As you can see, Fall is the time of year to mix all your passions in one season: the arts, sports, reading....and whatever else comes your way. The other day, I was discussing one of my all-time favorite films that I haven't seen in quite sometime: Love Story. And every autumn, I remind myself that I should rent it and every year I fail to do so. This year I ordered Love Story from Amazon. Its the combination of the east coast college atmosphere combined with Ali MacGraw's plaid skirts and boots that make me feel I should watch this film in the fall, in front of the fire (with a box of tissues!) There's just certain things in life that remind us of a certain time in our lives and some things just affect me more in the fall. I reflect a lot in the fall too. I think the fall foliage and the smell of jasmine that looms in the air cause me to analyze my life and reflect more. But for now, I'll just leave you with some of my favorite things. The photo frame above reminds me of something you would have found in the 20's. I love it on my black and tan marble kitchen counters. It adds elegance and simplicity to my kitchen. I just need to decide which photo to put in it. Audrey....well, she affects me no matter what season it is, but even more so in the fall. Maybe it was her fabulous wardrobe that gets me excited for cords and a simple black sweater or my ever loving LBD. Some of you tweeted about the pumpkin muffin recipe I posted earlier. I'm glad you enjoyed them. As I continue to search my files for another great recipe, don't forget to tweet me your favorite fall things and what you love the most...

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Anything with pumpkin is outstanding......and these muffins are one of my fall favorite treats - enjoy and let me know how yours turned out!


3 1/3 cups of flour
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2 T. pumpkin pie spice
2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup of butter (I actually use a bit less then that)
2 cups of canned pumpkin
1 1/2 cups of milk chocolate chips

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Thoroughly mix together: flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda & baking powder

In a smaller bowl, mix the eggs, butter and pumpkin. Blend well and stir in the chocolate chips.

Pour the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients and fold in with a spatula until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon into greased muffin tins & bake for approximately 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

My Favorite Things......

Fall always brings out the comfortable and the familiar along with the new and exciting. I remember when cardigans were considered "granny clothes". Now, cardigans are essential and should be part of every woman's wardrobe. There are cropped, open cardigans to wear with LBD's, and there are long "boyfriend" cardigans to pair with skinny jeans and boots. No matter how you wear your cardigan remember, its versatile, fun to layer and accessorize and its a must-have in every woman's wardrobe.

Add to your wardrobe, my latest nail color obsession for fall by Chanel. Its a gorgeous stone/taupe that looks incredible with all black and adds dimension to an ivory/taupe/gold outfit. This color is rich and deep and will take you into the holidays and will pair well with your office cocktail dress.....and even New Year's.

Finally...the shoes....the beautiful footwear to piece the outfit together. My latest shoe obsession is by Classiques Entier. I've worn these shoes with the perfect LBD, to the opera and to an elegant dinner. These shoes can also be worn with skinny jeans and a blazer or with a black skinny pant and a longer top, preferably one with a ruffle.

These are just some of my favorites...fall is a great time of year to piece together the old with something new and don't forget to add a splash of color...just to keep it fun!

The Yankees sweep....

I'm loving that the Yankees swept Minnesota on my birthday weekend. We are now headed to the ALCS to face either Tampa or Texas. October is certainly moving quickly....and so far, its been a wonderful month. Here are a few fun pics from the weekend. And yes, my weekend included a lot of cupcakes. Best place in Portland to get cupcakes - Saint Cupcake. Check out their website and enjoy.