Friday, October 30, 2009

Team Jeff

After finally getting around to watching my DVR'd episode of Bravo's Flipping Out Reunion - how obvious is it that Ryan was totally being shady behind Jeff's back? I'm totally on team Jeff and not just because I find him hilarious or talented... mostly because I find him to be sincere, especially in the wake of being betrayed by close friends. Sorry Ryan, you are SOL this season.



Thursday, October 29, 2009

Oui, Oui - Birthday Wish #1

This fabulous Dior ring has been on my list since I walked by it in the window of a shop in Nancy during my trip to France. It stopped me in my tracks. What a perfect reminder of my time in the land of wine and cheese, besides the 5 lbs I finally got rid of.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Finding the Holiday Spirit

For the last few years, it has been my job to inspire others into the Holiday spirit. And an odd thing has happened in that process, it zapped all my energy for finding my own. Not for lack of trying, but I feel as if I didn't get to experience my own version of the holiday festivities, as I was busy backstage making sure Santa showed up on time and the elves were in place. So this year, I fully intend on lingering in my own version of holiday spirit, this includes:

drinking lots of spiced cider



wearing a scarf on a regular basis,


ice skating,


attending a tree lighting
(or possibly getting my first real married couple tree)


And of course, plenty of Christmas Shopping, am I the only one who likes the mall during the holidays? Christmas music and decorations, lovin it! So here is to my official kick-off, I plan on sharing my many attempts at Holiday Cheer!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

To Regret...or not to regret...

The fear of starting a new job is sometimes paralyzing. For those who assume the grass is always greener, you have an optimism that I have never understood. I painstakingly pour over every last detail of both my current existence and my proposed upgrade. I heard some great advice recently. Do not make your decision based upon your fear of regret. I realized that many of my decisions heavily weigh on my fear of impulse. As a planner, it is not only my nature but my current job to pinpoint every detail and prepare for it. I micro-manage most processes and the fear of not knowing what I am getting into is literally too overwhelming to comprehend. With that said, I have never gained anything truly life-changing without first risking everything. From moving away for college, departing to foreign lands to marrying the love of my life...the road less traveled is usually always worth it.

So I took the plunge. I chose adventure over routine and freedom of choice over fear of regret.

Baked Pears with Toasted Almonds, Cranberries, & White Chocolate Drizzle

This weekend I am going to try these: As a self proclaimed choc-o-holic, I must admit giving up calories to anything other than full blown chocolaty goodnees seems silly. However, they do make the house smell so yummy. I might substitute the white chocolate for dark, just because!



Ingredients:
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar2 teaspoons
McCormick® Gourmet Collection Cinnamon, Saigon1 teaspoon
McCormick® Gourmet Collection Nutmeg, Ground1/4 teaspoon
McCormick® Gourmet Collection Cloves, Ground
4 firm ripe pears, such as Bosc or Anjou, halved and cored1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1/3 cup heavy cream
4 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped


Directions


1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in small bowl. Place pear halves, cut-side up, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture.
2. Bake 30 minutes or until pears are tender, spooning brown sugar mixture over pears halfway through baking. Cool slightly.
3. Bring cream just to boil in small saucepan on medium heat. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate; stir until chocolate is melted and sauce is smooth.
4. To serve, place a pear half on each of 8 dessert plates. Stir brown sugar mixture in baking dish. Spoon over pear halves. Sprinkle with almonds and cranberries. Drizzle generously with white chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.
Test Kitchen Tip: Stir 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Saigon Cinnamon into the white chocolate sauce.

This recipe was created by Cat Cora, Bon Appetit Executive Chef, for the McCormick® Gourmet Collection.


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Coming to California...

Because I can't live without my Top 40, I unfortunately must endure a Mylie Cyrus song on occasion. While I don't understand why she is having a Party in the USA, it reminded me of my first few days living in Los Angeles. First impressions are amazing to look back on, how I was awed by the never ending concrete jungle, the explosion of eye candy, and the beautiful Malibu coast that went on for miles. (27 to be exact). Within the first 3 days of living here, I met my husband and my best friend. I couldn't have known it then, but my life changed forever in those moments. I can't imagine my life without either of those two, and though I have days where I wonder why I live in LA and I scheme up ways to leave, I know that I was meant to land here, in this beautiful mess of a place, even if only for a while.

We don't always know or recognize the exact moment that our life has changed forever. Moving to LA was one of mine.


Thursday, October 15, 2009

He's Back!

Dear Garth,

You have been gone too long. We knew you couldn't stay away forever, but it was starting to feel like you would. Welcome back!

ps. do not bring back Chris Gaines, that was weird.

Check out the Big News here!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Swoon...

I have found the one that would be perfect in my new and improved home office. But at $1,499 she shall have to wait. fyi, I'm referring to the charcoal velvet tufted ottoman, not the chandelier.



Something To Look Forward To

We did it! We booked our first Caribbean vacation. I couldn't be more excited to lay on the beach, snorkel with the fishes and drink fruity cocktails. We will be visiting: St. Thomas, St. Marten, Grand Turk and Princess Cays. I realize that we have yet to hit the holidays, but isn't it nice to have something to look forward to....









I'm daydreaming already...

Monday, October 12, 2009

Launch Pad

This is my first post. I write it as I begin to contemplate the next steps in my journey. As a fiercely private person, this is the ultimate challenge. To create a visual journey, to create memories that can be recalled, to repeat the thoughts that plague my mind on a daily basis and hopefully connect with the world in a way I have yet to. This first image just makes me happy, what can I say? How do I get there? Under that tree with a picnic.