Thursday, June 9, 2011

Read, Watch, Listen

It's been awhile since I did one of these posts so I thought I would share what I am reading, watching and listening to!

READ
One Day by David Nicholls

I read reviews about this book in several of my magazines so I finally picked it up to read. It is a love story that spans 20 years and I adore the premise of it. They meet have one wonderful night together and then the book touches on where their lives are on that exact same day every year. I have not finished it yet, so not sure of the ending but I am really enjoying it! It is a perfect summer read.



WATCH
The Next Foodnetwork Star

I am not working with many shows to watch this summer since most of my favorites are on hiatus til September! It is probably lame I watch this but, I honestly love any cooking show. I have been watching this show for years and it is always entertaining although sometimes it's stars are not! Most of the past winners besides Guy I have not been impressed with but I still watch. I don't have any favorites yet in the new cast but I am sure I will as the season goes on!






LISTEN
My Morning Jacket Circuital CD

I have loved MMJ for years, my brother actually introduced me to them. I have been to a few of their concerts and they are always fun. Their new CD is really good! It is great "chill" music.



Any book, music or tv recommendations send them my way!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Egg, Sausage, and Sun-Dried Tomato Casserole




This breakfast casserole is amazing. It is always a crowd pleaser and perfect for company! Both my mom and I made it last weekend for our guests and everyone absolutely loved it! If you want to, you can cook the sausage, onions and tomatoes a day early and then just assemble the casserole the day of to save time. Make this dish, I promise your guests and family will be asking for seconds!


EGG, SAUSAGE AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO CASSEROLE
- 1 pound Italian sweet sausage (I used Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage)
- 1/2 cup chopped shallots )about 3 shallots)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup chopped and drained sun dried tomatoes
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 5 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 cup half and half (I substituted skim milk)
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 2 cups grated mozzarella (I did half mozzarella half Gruyere)

DIRECTIONS1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2) Saute sausage until brown

3) Add shallots and garlic and saute about 5 minutes. Add in sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tbls parsley. Cook for 1-3 minutes. Spread sausage mixture into bottom of baking dish.

4) Whisk eggs, egg yolks, half and half, whipping cream, and 1.5 cups mozzarella. Pour over sausage mixture.

5) Sprinkle with remaining cheese and parsley.

6) Bake 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.

Enjoy!


Print Recipe HERE

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Obsessions


ORCHIDS
I adore an orchid. They are so easy to care for and look gorgeous. I used them at my wedding and I still am obsessed with them. I am staying with my parents this week before my brother's wedding and I am so envious of my mom's orchid. How beautiful is it (and yes it is real!)? If you live in Charlotte Jesse Campbell is the man to call he does amazing orchid and plant arrangements!





FOREVER 21 DRESS
Just found this adorable dress online. Normally I don't have too much luck at F21 since most of the clothes are made for rail thin 15 years old but occasionally I find cute stuff like this.




EAT WELL ENJOY LIFE HUMMUS
This hummus is amazing. I have tried the edamame hummus with roasted red pepper and sesame and the spicy yellow lentil with apricots and sunflower seeds and they both knocked my socks off. I just bought the Tuscan white bean hummus to try next. They sell them at Harris Teeter. They are delicious!





PHYSIQUE 57 DVDS
I am pretty loyal to my Tracey Anderson DVDS, but they get really boring sometimes so I like to switch it up. My brother gave me these Physique 57 DVDs for my birthday and I love them. They are a great workout. I like that two of the DVDs are only 30 minutes so if you don't want to do an hour you can do the 30 minute one! I am always sore the day after I do these which I think is a good thing!





ST. IVES APRICOT FACE WASH
I love this stuff. It is one of the best exfoliating face washes I have tried. Best part it is dirt cheap like $4! It smells great and really makes your skin so smooth!





What are you loving this week? xoxo

Monday, June 6, 2011

Monday Eye Candy

What better way to start the week than with some gorgeous eye candy!


Kelly Wearstler's Agate fabric.
How fabulous is this??



Lindsay Adams Adelman Blow Light Fixture

The Theodore Sofa from Jayson Home.
Perfection. Now if only I had an extra $4,000 I would buy it.

Living Room Makeover by Allison Royer of BDG Style
My girl Julia first alerted me to this gorgeous room make-over on her blog and it is truly amazeballs. I can't stop thinking about it!




Lastly I leave you with Eric Dane.
I just finished watching all my DVRED Grey's Anatomy's from this season and man is he gorgeous!



Photos via: Matters of Style, Elle Decor, Jayson Home, BDG Style

**I treid to post links for all these beauties but my blogger is acting up again and will not let me post links:(**

Friday, June 3, 2011

Friday Musings

So, last Friday I told you all I was guest posting over at a Dose of Pretty about my favorite Accessories. Well blogger went haywire and Sara wasn't able to run my post so it will be running today. Please go check out her lovely blog and my post HERE!

I am super excited because while I was at TJMaxx yesterday searching for silver shoes to wear in my brother's wedding, I found these Joe's Jean Shorts for $39.99. A real steal considering they retail for $140 and I have been searching for some cute white shorts. (Note to Matt who I know is reading this, I used a gift card).

I had no luck in the shoe department but thank goodness for piperline, I found these silver beauties to wear for the rehearsal dinner and wedding.

I decided on Dress # 1 for the party tomorrow night. It was by far everyone's favorite. I will post some pictures next week from the party.





Tonight my hubby and I are making tacos our favorite meal and I can't wait. We honestly eat tacos at least once a week. I am obsessed with Mexican food! We do it original style- ground beef, hard shells, cheese, jalapenos, salsa and lots of sour cream.



I am pretty sure we will be enjoying some skinny ritas with our tacos. Which by, the way my friend Erin brought me a bottle of Bethenny's skinnygirl margaritas last weekend to try. It was good, better than I expected actually. Was it good enough for her to be bought out for $120 million? No, not that good. They had kind of a funny taste and I much prefer my own fresh mixture. However, in a bind if I was headed to the beach or on the boat and needed an easy drink to-go I would buy this again.



I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! xoxo

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Nate Love


It is no secret that I have a huge crush on Nate Berkus. I need him in my life. I really wish he lived nearby and we could be besties (do I sound like a stalker yet?). Besides being insanely gorgeous, I think he is one seriously talented designer. Here are a few of his spaces I saved for inspiration. Not only is he eye candy but his rooms are too!











Oh, and he dates Brian Atwood, the fabulous shoe designer. Do couples get any more gorgeous than this?



Here is a sneak peak inside their Milan Home. The zebra rug and shoes make me swoon!



I think I really need both these men in my life! Nate to help me decorate and Brian to design me beautiful shoes!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Oreo Truffle Balls


As promised here is the recipe for the Oreo Truffle Balls I made over the weekend. These were insanely good and so easy to make! I think they would be adorable to serve at a shower or birthday party. Although beware this is what happens when a hungry baby gets his hands on the Oreo balls.


My oreo balls don't look quite as pretty as the above picture but I can assure you they tasted amaze.



OREO TRUFFLE BALLS


1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (16.6 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 4-1/4 cups), divided
2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted (i used mini chocolate chips)

MIX cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended. (I crushed the oreos in my food processor and then blended in the cream cheese)

SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls. Refrigerate about 30 minutes.
Dip in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.


**The original recipe I used called for 2 tablespoons of Crisco melted in with the chocolate chips. I did this in a double broiler. All the recipes I found online didn't call for Crisco, so make as you like. You could also use white chocolate instead if you prefer.**

Print Recipe HERE