Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Entertaining Made Easy

One of my most favorite things to do is entertain our friends at our home. It makes me incredibly happy when our home is filled with people we love and yummy food to share. I love preparing easy to eat finger food that can be set out and eaten through out the evening. It is rare if we have a formal sit down meal so generally it is all about casual, simple and delicious food at our house. Here are a few of my favorite go to recipes.


Turkey Sliders
These are great because you can put them out on a tray and let people add there own condiments. They are also a small plate with some substance.
Ingredients
  • 2 slices white sandwich bread (about 1 ounce each)
  • 1 pound (93 percent lean) ground turkey
  • 2 ounces cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 small onion, coarsely grated
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 12 party-size rolls
  • Lettuce, sliced tomatoes, avocado, ketchup, and mustard, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. In a food processor, pulse bread until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a medium bowl; add turkey, cheese, and onion. Season with salt and pepper, and mix gently just until combined. Form twelve 2-inch patties (about 3 tablespoons each).
  2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook patties until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Serve on rolls with lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard, if desired.



Flatbreads
I love these because you can accommodate to different people's likings. I usually do a plain pepperoni, a mushroom, leek and truffle oil, as well as a barbecue chicken flatbread. Here is the recipe!


  • Olive oil, for baking sheet
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 pound store-bought frozen pizza dough, thawed
  • 1/2 cooked chicken, (about 1 1/4 pounds), shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup store-bought barbecue sauce
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 large zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly oil a large baking sheet; set aside.
  2. On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin and your hands to roll and stretch dough to a 15-by-10-inch oval (if dough becomes too elastic to work with, let rest a few minutes). Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine chicken and barbecue sauce. Leaving a 1-inch border, scatter chicken mixture evenly over dough; sprinkle with cheese, then zucchini and onion. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Bake until crust is golden and cheese is melted, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
 

Ingredients

  • Olive oil, for baking sheet
  • 3 slices white sandwich bread
  • 1 small garlic clove, coarsely chopped
  • 1 log (5 ounces) soft goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
  • Coarse salt
  • 2 packages (10 ounces each) white button mushrooms, stems removed

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet.
  2. In a food processor, pulse bread and garlic until fine crumbs form; set 1/2 cup aside. To food processor, add goat cheese, parsley, and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt, and pulse filling until combined.
  3. Spoon filling into each mushroom, and roll filled side in reserved breadcrumbs. Place on prepared baking sheet; bake until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Lovely, delicious, and simple entertaining at its finest! Grab a couple bottles of wine and enjoy!

XO

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Birthday Boy

Today is my sweet boyfriend's birthday. I want to make it as special as I can, so I have been on a search for some inspiration! I am beginning to think I should have started sooner considering the only thing done is the cake:)

Simple DIY Birthday Banner



A little cheesy I know, but also very sweet and creative. I am always trying to think of gifts that I can personalize and make our own. I think I may have to do this for him.
Directions @
 papervinenz.blogspot.com

I have to admit, due to lack of planning on my behalf,  B is getting a homemade cake straight from the box:) however I did splurge on the funfetti frosting with sprinkles, so it ended up looking just like this!

Happy Birthday, B!

XO


Friday, February 17, 2012

An Organized Life

This past week I have been working on getting things a little bit more organized. I realized that having clothes scattered across my entire room is kind of unacceptable at this point in my life, so I decided to do something about it.

I am very fortunate to have an entire room in our house that is basically utilized as a big walk in closet/workspace just for me. I should have more than enough space and storage to keep my things nice and tidy however I am finding a few spots in the room still very cluttered. Here are few ideas I have come across that I think may help solve my last couple organizational issues.


Problem:
Too many books. not enough space


Solution:
Be more efficient with shelf space and hang my boots

Problem:
Unorganized bags on top of shelves

Solution:
 Hang on back of door


Problem:
Limited space on desk

Solution:
Hang more pin boards and shelves above

Problem:
My jewelry mess!

Solution:
Love this idea of repurposing an old frame


The only space in the room that is perfect as is:)
XO

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Fashion Week

Hello NYC Fashion Week. It's good to see you again! Here are a few trends I have spotted and loved thus far. Enjoy your weekend everyone!


Fur!
Jason Wu

Jason Wu


Black and White Combo
Jill Stuart
 
Marron Accents
Rag and Bone

All White
Peter Som

Leather
Ruffian
All images via http://www.style.com/ 

XO





Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Vintage Finds

I am in love with the nostalgia of vintage pieces, so when a friend asked me to go to the Randolph Street Vintage Market in the city, I of course said yes, please! Not only was it a great afternoon with friends but was also the perfect treasure hunt for unique pieces for our own, JEM Designs.

I was impressed but the amount of vendors that were at the market. A great selection of vintage clothing, large bins full of earrings and brooches as well as delicious street food vendors. I will definitely be coming back for the caprese empanadas! Yum!

Amongst the beautiful clothing and delicious food, there was one vendor in particular who's pieces I took to as soon as I spotted them. The company is called Jewels in Bloom. They scout out amazing vintage pieces, repurpose them and create gorgeous pieces of jewelry. I enjoy supporting businesses such as this, and couldn't resist getting the cutest pair of 60's inspired earrings. I had a wonderful time at this market and very much look forward to it again next month!

Some pieces from Jewels in Bloom...

The earrings I couldn't resist!




Find more pieces at her site http://jewelsinbloom.vpweb.com/

XO

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Trend Report:Pops of Red!

I have to admit that I did my fair share of shopping while I was in L.A. As I bounced from shop to shop I couldn't help but notice the constant pops of red through out. I gave in, and ended up getting a cool red blazer, that I am currently obsessed with. Some may think red is a difficult color to pull off, but here are a few ways to wear it and still look uber chic.


Throwing a pop of red with your purse

As simple as wearing a red lip

An all black outfit with a red shoe

Saw colored jeans everywhere! I especially love the red.






My new red blazer, paired with an unexpected pair of boots
Images via pinterest and polyvore

XO