Sunday, February 13, 2011

Let's Paint.

After much debate we've decided to purchase paint for the bathroom, and get a sample for the bedroom. We're actually going to take on this project ourselves, scary! Since hubby and I aren't the handiest it should be fun.

Here's the color we purchased for the bathroom. It's Purple Mauve. We actually got the paint from Sherwin Williams instead of Home Depot because the quality is better.


It's the perfect shade of purple for my shabby chic bathroom. I cannot wait to show you the progress after it's painted. It's going to kick ass! I honestly think it's my favorite room in the house.

We also purchased a color sample for our bedroom, it's a pretty light grey color based on the color "Beyond" 42D4 from True Value.

Other colors to be posted as we make progress :)



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Saturday, February 12, 2011

Day of LOVE

I'm a HUGE fan of Valentine's Day. Most people say it's a Hallmark holiday, and I can't argue- technically it is. I just think it's fabulous to have a day dedicated to love. I'm not saying I don't feel loved everyday, I just think in it deserves to have it's own day.

In celebration this year, hubby and I went all out. We started with a couples massage at One Respe on Friday. I just love this place. If I could go weekly, I would. Let's say my gift to my hubby was a little selfish just because I love this place so much, and I was able to participate :)

Since his gift came a little early, so did mine.


Obsessed with my fabulous new piece from Hyla Dewitt Jewelry ,  a local Charleston designer. These fabulous pieces can be picked up at my favorite boutique Sally Bettes . No worries my friends, pieces can be ordered from Sally Bettes if your not in Charleston. Just give Justin a call and he'll ship directly to you.

Love and Kisses,

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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

This Place Deserves a Post of It's Own

In my opinion, it's too superior to even have on the Best of Charleston list because it's seriously that amazing.

Wild Flour deserves a post of their own for their fabulousness. Other then the amazing tea selection and scones, they have cupcakes, cookies, mmm.. and yes, Raspberry Nutella turnovers. They are hard to come by since people stalk them out like I do, but man once you get your hands on one... no words. Lauren has been written up in various publications for her work, see one write up here in the New York Times  and some delicious, mouth watering pictures!

Take a look at how my meetings look for today, it's beautiful. Loose herbal tea, Mozzarella Pesto & Sun Dried Tomato Scone and my e-mails. It makes me feel better.





On a completely different note, please say a little prayer for my baby girl Miss Paris. She had to go in for testing this morning and we'll get results tomorrow. I'm a nervous wreck, so I'm eating scones.


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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Holy Guacamole!

In honor of the Super Bowl this past Sunday I'm posting one of my favorite easy to make snacks!

What you'll need:
2 Medium Sized Ripe Avocados
1 Medium Sized Vine Ripened Tomato
1 Small Lime
1 Clove Minced Garlic

Cut and scoop out avocados into a small bowl. If you've never cut an avocado check out how to here- I'm serious! Cook Think . When you take out the pit, do it by puncturing the knife in the middle {like picture below} then slowly twist. If it's ripe it should come right out.



Smash avocado with fork in bowl. Next, dice up your tomato. Add to avocado in bowl. Let sit, add in minced garlic and juice from a small lime. Combine with fork & enjoy!



Enjoy!

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Sunday, February 6, 2011

Rosemary Chicken Baked Orzo with Fontina & Peas

I can't take complete full responsibility of this recipe, as I used one out of Giada's Kitchen  {Baked Orzo with Fontina & Peas}for inspiration and added my own twist to it.



What you'll need for Step 1:
2 Large Chicken Breasts
1 Tablespoon Rosemary
2 Cloves Minced Garlic
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Pepper
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees
In a large bowl combine rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper & olive oil. Toss in chicken so it's covered with mixture.
Place chicken in oven for 45 minutes.
Once chicken is finished dice in small pieces and set aside in a large metal or glass bowl.

What you'll need for Step 2:
4 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 Pound Orzo Pasta
3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
1 Onion, Chopped
8 oz. Sliced White Mushrooms
1 Cup Marsala Wine
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
4 oz. Shredded Fontina Cheese
4 oz. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Cup Peas, Thawed
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Pepper
1/2 Cup Plain Bread Crumbs
1/4 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Teaspoon Rosemary

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Bring Chicken Broth to a boil over a medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add orzo and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Pour the orzo and the broth into the bowl with the chicken. Toss with chicken.

Meanwhile, melt butter over medium heat in medium skillet. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue to saute until golden around the edges. Add the Marsala. Cook until Marsala has reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the mushroom mixture to the orzo and chicken, combine. Add the cream, fontina, mozzarella, peas, salt & pepper to the mixture. Combine. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl combine bread crumbs, Parmesan and rosemary. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the pasta. Bake until golden on the top about 25 minutes.




Enjoy!



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Friday, February 4, 2011

Best of Charleston

It's time for a public service announcement for my picks for Best of Charleston 2011 through the Charleston City Paper. I won't drag you through all 30 of them, but we'll pick the best of the best, and I'll tell you why.

Best Charleston Festival: Charleston Wine + Food Festival
Why: I love food. Well, not just that. This festival highlights the fabulous culinary scene of Charleston. So many fantastic restaurants, chefs and catering companies all in one space with different events. It also supports local charity. WHOOP!

Best Local Website: Read Charlie
Why: The perfect combination of my favorite things; fashion, food & wine, music and social. You can't beat it. Charlie always knows what's going on in Charleston.

Best Local Twitter Feed: Erika Jackson aka Calendar_Girl
Why: She's hilarious. Just follow and watch daily.

Best Charleston Restaurant: Cypress
Why: Hands down best service, wine list and menu. Hubs and I frequent the cocktail lounge for a quick bite and beverage. We usually end up ordering dinner. One of my favorites is the Wasabi encrusted Tuna. YUM. Just made reservations for Valentine's Day. Obsessed.

Best Charleston Waitstaff: Hank's
Why: Exhibit A: Christmas Dinner. I think we had 4 waiters to our table of two. No kidding. I'm a stickler for service because I'm in the food & beverage industry. I love Cypress, but even they are no comparison to Hank's. The food was good, but the service made it fabulous. A little over-priced,  but worth being waited on hand and foot.

Best Charleston Burger: Triangle Char & Bar
Why: I can't stand pre-made burger patties. They are smooshed down and not juicy. These are made fresh and delicious. Slightly obsessed with the Pimento Cheese Burger & Pork Belly Burger. Wow, that just made me sound REALLY southern.

Best Charleston Boutique: Sally Bettes
Why: Shop Local! Always a great variety of designer duds to choose from. Amazing owners & fabulous local designers in store. Truck shows every month showcasing new product and you can sip some bubbles and snack some sweets too!

Best Charleston Caterer: Newton Farms Catering
Why: Selfish promotion. No lie, I do rock at my job.

Come to Charleston and you must try these favorites, they are guaranteed to please.

For some friendly competition of opinion, check out another local's voice of Best Of here .

Voting is closed, but there will be another blog when winners are announced.

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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Making Progress!

We've officially physically been in our new home for a week now. What a process! I'm proud to say we're pretty unpacked, with the exception of 1 box. For whatever reason, it's still not real to me. Maybe it's because we still haven't hung pictures on the walls, or maybe because you can see from the street into the ENTIRE house. I feel like I'm on display to the contractors. Annoying to say the least. Needless to say, we finally ordered our blinds! Let's play the pricing game.. how much would you think it would cost to blind the entire house?

I just love love love the idea of Plantation Style Shutters inside of the house. It's a major southern thing, but they are so killer.


But, they are way more expensive then I would have ever thought. Let's say $4,000 for the entire house. INSANE.

So, we found another alternative that look similar called Plantation Blinds, but aren't the same. Let's just say these are about 1/3 of the price of the others.



I've also finally ordered the chandelier for the bathroom. The original one from my previous post from Lowe's didn't match the chrome finish of the bathroom accessories, so I've been on the lookout. I found this little beauty from Overstock which is my new guilty pleasure for online shopping.



Blinds should be arriving within 2 weeks, and the chandelier by February 11th. I'll post pictures once we're complete.

Happy Decorating!
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