Lindsay Loves It All

Super Bowl Highlights.

2012-02-07T09:05:00.002-06:00

Before we left for Spring Training, my little honey and I wanted to throw one more ~~little~~ party. We decided a Super Bowl party would be the perfect way to do that. Below are some of the recipes we used to make the party a huge success! These are recipes you can use throughout the year, at any gathering - not just for a Super Bowl party! I know I haven't been doing many "outfit posts" lately, and I'm sorry! Once Spring Training and baseball games start....and I am wearing more than Lululemon and Nike on a daily basis, I will take some outfit pictures! Ha! Enjoy the recipes! xx

Kahlua Brownies - If you make ONE thing from this post, make THESE!!! You guys know I love sweets, and I've had a lot of brownies in my day... but these rank among the best I've ever had! That says a lot!

Very rich, with a subtle taste of Kahlua. I also added some Kahlua to the brownie mix itself, too!

Note: To make the icing a little thicker, we added almost one more full cup of confectioners' sugar.

Brownies cut into the shape of footballs.

Rice crispies w/melted chocolate on top. Didn't have time to do all the white lacing before the party started.

More of the food, including Jalapeño Popper Dip, Captain Rodney dip (one of the easiest and best appetizers to make!), Simple Meatballs, Texas Caviar, Rotel, and tons of chips.

My sweet little mama!!

Our football themed goodies!

The meatballs are so easy to make! All you do is get frozen meatballs in the freezer section of your local grocery store & cook according to the directions on the package. Next, in your crockpot or over the stove on low heat, combine one jar of grape jelly and one jar of Heinz Chili Sauce. Mix well and add cooked meatballs. Stir to coat. You can double or triple this recipe with ease! I usually double it to feed a crowd of 15+. They are great left over, too!

{Picture and recipe via here.}

The hit of the night were these little Ham & Cheese Sliders.

I had been seeing them float around Pinterest for months before I pinned them, and I am SO glad I did!

No one could eat just one...they were THAT good! Make this using Hawaiian rolls like I did, and it's so much easier than using the little dinner rolls. You're welcome.

One more recipe I wanted to share with you guys is "Super Bowl Soup." We had it the week before Super Bowl, so that counts right?? The recipe takes a little time due to all the peeling/chopping, but IT.IS.SO.WORTH.IT!!!! TRUST ME!!! This is especially popular with the men and children ;)

I would double the recipe, at least...maybe even triple it so everyone can have seconds & still have some left over!

Here's the recipe... enjoy! xx

Super Bowl Soup (can be tripled)

1/2 lb ground beef

3/4 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup shredded carrots (or chopped)

3/4 cup of celery, chopped

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried parsley

1 tablespoon butter

1 32 oz box of chicken broth (or you can use bullion cubes or the powdered version)

4 cups of potatoes peeled and cubed (about 1 3/4 lbs)

3 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

8 oz. Velveeta cheese, cubed

1 1/2 cups milk

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup sour cream

Brown meat and drain - set aside. Large saucepan or in soup pot, sautee onions, carrots, celery, basil and parsley with 1 tbs butter until tender. Add broth, potatoes, and beef to that mixture & bring to boil. Reduce heat and cover to simmer for 10-12 mins or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile in a small sauce, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and stir in flour. Cook and stir 3-4 mins until bubbly. Blend flour mixture into soup, then bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 mins, then reduce heat to low. Stir in cheese, milk, and salt & pepper until cheese melts. Remove from heat then stir in sour cream (this is the last thing you do).

* Can chop all veggie the day before.

**Can add some heat to the soup, in the form of cayenne or red pepper flakes.

Happiness this week...

2012-01-31T10:31:00.000-06:00

Things that are currently putting a smile on my face....

The Layered Peppermint Cheesecake that my mom made for my (early) birthday celebration!

Beautiful days in the middle of winter & fur collars!

This picture of vintage bracelets makes me wish these were in my closet...

{via}

Stumbled upon this picture here and immediately started dreaming of the get togethers that could be had here.... I'm thinking good friends + good wine + fire.

LOVE this arm candy! This picture might be my most favorite web find ever...

Been experiment with this Chocolate Balsamic lately...

made an incredible pork dish with it! This is from a local Nashville company. (Find it here!)

{via}

Made Smitten Kitchen's "Red Wine Chocolate Cake" two nights ago....

WOW! Blown away by how simple it was to make & more over, how INCREDIBLE it was!

My little honey was over the moon for this cake!! Make this soon!

Recipes for the New Year.

2012-01-08T21:20:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIENDS!!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a fun-filled, safe New Years Eve! Since we will be leaving for Spring Training in AZ soon, we have been staying in our new house as much as we possibly can! Because of that, we've been entertaining like crazy! I love doing that because Chris and I both love to cook & have friends over. I wanted to start the blog year off by sharing some AMAZING recipes with you guys. These are recipes I have made/had over the holidays and wanted to share because they are all incredible and so simple! Everyone needs a few recipes in their back pocket to pull out to impress friends and family - or to whip up a last-minute meal. I really encourage you to try some - or ALL - of these!! I wouldn't take the time to post them if they didn't have my full "stamp of approval." Enjoy!! xx

Let me start out by saying that - surprise, surprise - I found these on Pinterest. (Follow me here!)

I had seen the recipe float by my feed again and again, without pinning it. Then I thought about ALL the times during the day that I need a little "pick me up snack"that is healthy and NOT apples and peanut butter (again). Then I thought about all the times, before a workout, that I needed some energy without eating a lot and making myself full. I immediately pinned them and made them the next day.

WOAH BABY! I AM SO GLAD I DID!!!! My husband and I are both obsessed with these little bites of heaven! They are very healthy, too, sweetened with just 1/3 cup of honey and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. (which, over the course of the entire recipe isn't a lot)

You have GOT to try these asap! Even kids will love them!

You can get the recipe by clicking here.

Another Pinterest find! Can you tell I live on that site??

I made this Pecan, Brown Sugar, and Kahlua Baked Brie this past weekend, and it was a hit!

Three ingredients plus a wheel of Brie cheese. You can't get any easier than that!

I served it with a sliced apple and whole wheat Ritz crackers. YUM-O!

Find the recipe here.

Pioneer Woman's Burgundy Mushrooms (recipe here)

I made these for Christmas dinner and WOW! These puppies were worth the time it took to cook them and even better the next day! They take a long time to cook, but at least once you've put them in the pot you can forget about them until dinner. Maybe make them in the crock pot!

Pioneer Woman's Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Cranberries (recipe here)

This recipe and the mushrooms were new recipes for me, which made me a little nervous to contribute them to our Christmas dinner. I didn't have to worry too long because they were both incredible! I know brussel sprouts aren't the most popular veggie on the block, but I want to (proudly) share with you guys that I turned THREE brussel sprout haters into fans that night! These are SO simple, too! Even if you aren't a fan, try them... you just might surprise yourself, while impressing everyone else ;)

Another new appetizer that I tried, thanks to my little mama! (THANKS MOM!)

This is "Sweet & Sassy Cheese." I will be adding this one to the top of my appetizer list!

Recipe below.

Peppermint Brownie Trifle (recipe here)

Took this to a dinner with 6 people, and everyone highly approved!

The only thing I would do differently is not make the brownies with the yogurt, make them as the box directs. It's not that much oil over the entire recipe, so don't worry!

************************************************************************************

Sweet & Sassy Cheese

1/2 cup white karo (corn syrup)

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dried fruit mix (I used cranberries, cherries, and apricots)

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 8oz. package cream cheese

Mix first 5 ingredients in sauce pan & heat to simmer. Stir. Remove from heat & Stir in almond extract. Cool to room temp & pour over cream cheese. Serve with crackers.

One more I wanted to share... These "Firecrackers" were another recipe my mom gave me and said I had to try. I made them for a Christmas party I threw, and people raved about them! They are perfect for an appetizer, served with cheese - or with soup on a cold night! This recipe makes a bunch, and they keep for a long time!

Firecrackers

1 box saltine crackers

1 1/2 cups oil (I used regular old veggie oil but you could use canola too)

2 tablespoons red pepper flakes

1 package ranch dressing mix (the powder kind in the little packet)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Mix all ingredients except cracker together and mix well in a ziplock bag or large bowl with a lid. Add crackers and toss to coat, making sure you get all the crackers coated. Every 15 mins, for 2 hours, mix or carefully toss the crackers around to make sure they are all equally and fully coated with the oil mixture. Let sit 24, then eat.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T08:19:00.000-06:00

Happy Holidays Everyone! I apologize for my long absence in the blogging world...buying a house & moving - then going into the holidays - makes a girl forget about her blog :) Not "forget" per se, but to be honest, I was just so busy with house stuff that there was nothing exciting to blog about. We are loving the new house and ALL the space!!! We have already had a couple of dinner parties, a great Christmas party, and we are hosting my mom's side of the family for Christmas on the 26th.

Just wanted to check by in and wish everyone a wonderful, safe holiday filled with special memories! Thank you for another year of reading my blog! It means the world to me!

Here's a few festive things that I've been doing lately.... Enjoy! xx

Table set for our first dinner party! Taken with iPhone..

Did a fun manicure on myself, with Sally Hansen "Gilty Pleasurese" and the copper glitter from Sephora for OPI

Love this color combo for the holidays!

The first gift I wrapped this year! Y'all know I had to add leopard in there some how!

Super cute & easy candy idea...

Take the old timey candy canes, dip them in melted chocolate, and sprinkle with any kind of sprinkles

Another version of the manicure I did on myself for our Christmas party!

I used Essie's "Marshmellow" and the red glitter from Sephora for OPI

I made this punch (from December's InStyle) for my Christmas party, and it was a HIT!

....and so easy! A definite crowd-pleaser!

Montage Jewelry One of A Kind Pieces.

2011-11-17T09:48:00.000-06:00

Remember when I posted about the "Knock Your Socks Off Jewelry" here? Well, the designer behind that fabulous collection has done it again - this time equally unique yet at a lower price point! And let's be honest, who among us doesn't love beautiful, unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry that is easy on our bank account? I wanted to feature a few pieces on my blog, but to see the rest of the collection, visit The Montage Collection website and click "One Of A Kind" on the top part of the site. Many of the long necklaces can also be looped around the neck twice for a shorter look. Check it out, and don't forget Christmas is right around the corner! Giving a gift so unique is an art - and a treasured surprise for the one receiving it! Enjoy! xx

The "Shari" Necklace

This is my favorite from the collection due to its eye-catching design & ability to turn a plain outfit into something special! It's a statement necklace without going overboard.

"Kate" Necklace

Long vintage-looking chain necklace with a woven piece at the end.

Would look great with brown, bronze, and grey!

"Babbie" necklace (look at the acorn hook it has!)

"Yvette" necklace

"Leticia" necklace

Love the bright orange color against the bronze chain!

You can wear this 3 or 4 different ways because the toggle in the middle of the necklace can come undone!

"Lynnie" long necklace

Another one of my faves!

This necklace can be worn looped around the neck twice, like it's shown here, or

worn very long and layered with other pieces.

"Yvette Agate Necklace"

This would look gorgeous against a plain white or black t-shirt, boyfriend jeans, and some heels!

Hammered Cuff

This would be a staple in any wardrobe!

Stretch bracelets - They look great alone or all together!

The "Fringe" bracelets

The "Bronze Bar" earrings

The "Double Drop" earring

"Knot" earrings

My favorite earring of the whole collection!

Go check out the rest at The Montage Collection website. Click "One Of A Kind" to shop the pieces I've featured today. Click "Shop" to get a link to shop other stunning collections from the same designer on Endless.com (Or you can click here and go straight to the Endless site) Do some Christmas shopping early! You will be glad you did :)

Everyone have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!

Riller and Fount Love.

2011-11-12T10:42:00.000-06:00

There are only a few brands that I own a lot of pieces from...J Brand, Missoni, Alexander Wang, Forever 21. Most of the time, I share the love with any brand and any clothing item that inspires me and/or is very flattering on my body type. One of the brands I truly love is Riller and Fount. I own 6 or 7 pieces from the line, and each one is comfortable, travels well, and can be dressed up or down with ease. You can't ask for much more in any clothing item, can you? Well...unless it hides my addiction to Halloween Oreos ;)

Below I've posted pictures of some of the pieces I have. They are styled for everything from a high school reunion, Seattle Mariners team dinner, get together with friends, days full of running errands, and a night on the town in Atlanta. So check out Riller and Fount online - or with the links below - and add a piece from this amazing line to your wardrobe! (Or add it to your Christmas wish list!) You will love this "work horse" piece!

This one-shoulder dress is my "go-to" dresses when I want to dress up yet be COMFY!

I added a big belt to give the dress some shape, but you could leave it loose for a drapey look.

Here are a couple of close ups, of the dress above. I blogged about it already, here.

Just change the belt to a more casual one & add flats or wedge booties...

and you've got a more casual look or a more laid-back dressed up look.

See how versatile this one is, even though it's one shouldered?

This is a plain little T-Shirt type dress. I have it in navy (shown here) and olive green.

I wore it super casual here, with flip flops and a cool belt.

Just add a casual belt and a couple bracelets, and you're good to go!

Another casual look with this dress, worn at a music industry event.

I added a plain white tank underneath, and wore the dress off one shoulder. I added fun sandals to punch up the look. It is casual and comfortable - yet looks put together.

These Riller and Fount dresses also cover a multitude of flaws ;)

Here is the same dress as above - but in olive green.

Here I left the belt off but added a statement necklace & platform shoes for a monochromatic look.

All of these dresses can be taken from summer to fall/winter by adding

A) a long cardigan over it & belting for a layered look, or

B) Put a sweater over the dress, add tights & boots...and poof! You've got a great winter look!

Get it in black here.

This is another basic black dress, with a bit of a dolman sleeve.

As you can see, I dressed it up a bit by adding black wedges.

I've also worn this more casual with layered gold necklaces and gold flats.

See? These pieces are a great staple to have in your wardrobe! The price point is great, but you can also find similar dresses at a lower price point if you do a google search for "T-shirt dresses." I know Express has some cute ones! I don't have anymore pictures of the other styles I own, but you get the idea. Any piece that can go in so many directions is a "MUST" for me! Here are some of my current favorite Riller and Fount pieces, below:

From the Fall 2011 collection, here.

Love this as it is, or with tights and booties/boots!

"Atlantis" Long Sleeve Drapey Tunic

Rosebud Maxi Dress

Would look great paired with a black or brown leather jacket and boots!

"Fiona" One Shoulder Kimono Dress

"Jinx" Draped Tunic - on Sale now!

One Year Anniversary!

2011-11-06T09:38:00.000-06:00

Today is our one year anniversary!

WOW!

This is exactly right :)

One year ago today, we were here...

I am thankful for a year of blessings with my perfect match!

I am thankful my little honey is so kind, thoughtful, and supportive.

I am thankful we both come from loving, supportive families.

I am thankful for our amazing friends.

I am thankful we have each other!

I am also thankful he doesn't know I call him "little honey." :)

Must Try Side.

2011-11-03T21:01:00.000-05:00

I know I've been posting a lot of recipes lately, but what can I say? It's the off-season, so my little honey and I have been cooking almost every night. I love to cook, and so does my other half...so let's just say our kitchen can ~~rival that of a Top Chef~~ get a little intense & busy sometimes! I tried a new side dish last night that we LOVED! As soon as the first bite was eaten, I knew I had to share it with y'all. You'll thank me later ;)

I have posted the recipe below, but I think you could definitely cut down on the sugar. Maybe even to 1 or 1 1/2 tablespoons - but that's just me. This recipe makes an 8x8 dish perfectly, so double it if you want more. Enjoy the recipe and a few other things that have made my week enjoyable so far!

Creamy Corn Pudding

SO AMAZING!

CREAMY CORN PUDDING

from Sunday in the South cookbook

2 rolls frozen white creamed corn, thawed

1/2 stick butter, melted

3 TBS sugar (or less, just adjust to taste)

1/2 cup milk

1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

2 TBS flour

3 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Pour into a greased 2 quart (8x8) baking dish. Bake for 45 mins or until set and golden. (It took an hour in my oven.)

Had this wine at a tasting recently and was blown away!

Great price and VERY tasty!

Most comfy PJs EVER... and in leopard, of course :)

Now that it's getting cold, these babies are my fave!

This candle is perfect for the upcoming holidays! Smells just like Christmas!

Got mine today & can't wait to burn it! Get it here.

Fall Cooking Part 2.

2011-10-25T09:53:00.000-05:00

Here is another wonderful fall recipe. My little honey LOVED this one!! Your kids will love it, too!!

Chicken with Roasted Pears & Cranberries

2 1/2 cups wild rice (or you could use brown rice but I think wild rice is better!)

2 1/3 cups apple juice

1 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

1 TBS olive oil

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 cup sliced green onions (or any kind of onion)

4 small (or 2 big) pears, cored and sliced

Cooking spray

1 cup dried cranberries

1 TBS sugar

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan & bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer rice mixture for 20 mins. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and onion, sauté 8 mins or until chicken is done. Preheat over to 450 degrees. Arrange pear slices in a single layer on baking sheet & coat with cooking spray. Bake pear slices at 450 degrees for 10 mins or until tender. Combine rice mixture, chicken mixture, pears, cranberries, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in large bowl. Toss gently.

All I did was add some veggies for a complete meal, but you could just pair this with a salad for a great and easy meal, too!

Picture from a wedding we attend this past weekend.

Wearing a Missoni dress and necklace from Kittie Kyle.

Not sure how I did this, but I accidentally took this pic! I like it, though, because it shows the details of this stunning dress that Chris got me for Christmas last year! Goes with my purple Loubs, too :)

Hope you all had a great weekend! xx

Fall Cooking.

2011-10-17T08:04:00.000-05:00

Look who's back in the blogging world? Sorry for my lengthy absence... after the baseball season ended, we went straight to Charleston for a wedding. Once we were back, we had an insane amount of packing/cleaning/closet cleaning out to do! And to top it all off, we've been looking at houses almost every day since we've been back in Nashville. May have some exciting new for you guys in the upcoming days, too, so stay tuned!!

Since it's October, I can officially start cooking with pumpkin, cinnamon, and cranberries without feeling like a nut. (Even though it's still in the 80s on some days here in Nashville!) I've made two AMAZING dinners this past week that I wanted to share with you. Fall-inspired and highly recommended by my little honey, these two recipes are easy to create - yet full of taste. No one will believe that these recipes are that simple...but they are! I will post one dish today and one dish later this week. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did! Happy Fall, Y'all!

Fall Meal: Stuffed Pork Loin Chops (Recipe below), baked sweet potato, and a fall-inspired salad

I was too lazy to write the whole recipe out, so I took a picture of it! Ha!

This one is GREAT! Try it for your "little honey" or group of friends.

These Crispy Sage and Garlic Mashed Potatoes go very well with the pork dish!

I didn't make them because I am trying to be (somewhat) healthy before my 10 Year High School reunion. (Gasp!)

Another fall dish I wanted to share with you guys is Pumpkin Oatmeal.

Truthfully, I've made a version of this every other day for the past 2 weeks. It's THAT good!

I use this recipe, then add my own ingredients.

I use skim or 1% milk to make the oats, and I add 1/2 of a mashed banana for sweetness.

Once it's done I add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, toasted pecans, cranberries, and a drizzle of almond butter over the top! So warm and satisfying!

Also LOVING the book "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls! Such a touching story!

My little honey and I went to "Grapes and Grains" this weekend, benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Wine and whiskey tasting?

Perfect for both of us... I taste the wine, he tastes the whiskey!

Since I am doing a MAJOR closet clean-out, I will be doing a sale on my blog with some amazing, gently used clothing and shoes. Keep checking back for that!

Follow me on Twitter here. (@lindsaykharper)

Follow me on Pintrest here.

The Perfect Topping.

2011-09-28T14:06:00.000-05:00

My mom made this fresh tomato salsa this past summer. We ate it with tortilla chips & put it on top of a pork tenderloin. It was SO good, with loads of flavor. The best part was that it was super healthy, too! The recipe is from Jimmy Buffet's sister's cookbook, Crazy Sista Cooking. My mom gave the cookbook to me as a little "happy gift" when I got engaged, and I love it! It has so many wonderful recipes. I cannot wait to cook out of it some more! I wanted to share it with you all, because it's so versatile. It can go on chicken, fish, or as a side dish. Enjoy! xx

P.S. Today is the end of baseball season! Woo hoo!! I've been busy packing up and cleaning. We are heading to Charleston tomorrow, for a wedding this weekend, so I am excited for some "down time" with my little honey! Have a good rest of the week and weekend! I won't post anymore until I return to Nashville next week!

dell'anima NYC.

2011-09-26T11:00:00.001-05:00

For the very last Orioles vs Yankees series of the season, I had one glorious night to have dinner with my husband in my favorite city. That never happens, so I wanted to be sure the night was special and the restaurant/food was amazing! My little honey always lets me pick the restaurants, for which I am very grateful because I love doing that! It's my little hobby :) This may seem dorky, but I keep a running list of restaurants that I want to try (or that I've found and loved) in almost every major city - and some not so major cities. So if you want any suggestions for your next trip, just ask! I've already given dozens and dozens of recommendations to my friends and family, with great feedback, so just let me know! I would be glad to point your fork in the right direction!

I decided that we would go to dell'anima, in the West Village. I had read about it on several blogs, so it was already on my NYC "list." We wanted something intimate, cozy, and nice - yet low key. This was the perfect choice! Dell'anima means "of the soul" in Italian. The service was wonderful, and our server gave us all the right food and wine suggestions. I would highly recommend this place to anyone, for a great date night or even dinner with your closest girlfriends. Along with Graffiti Food & Wine Bar, which I blogged about here, these two are my new favorite NYC places! Check it out...

The cozy West Village restaurant.

Inside.

We shared two appetizers... this is the Roasted Beet salad with hazelnuts, pecorino romano, roasted fennel, and an orange vinaigrette. SO AMAZING! I found a similar recipe here.

The second app we shared was the sea salt ricotta spread on toasted baguette slices.

This was such a simple recipe, but it was so flavorful! We really loved this one, too!

We each ordered the "Pollo Al Diavolo" after I read a rave review about it in this month's article of Bon Appetit. The food critic said it was his favorite restaurant meal. I cannot RAVE about this dish enough...WOW! Chris and I never order chicken at restaurants, but we made an exception here. We were so glad we did, because we both agreed this was the best chicken we've ever had out.

Here's the description the menu gave: Chicken with broccoli rabe, garlic, and chilies.

They under sold this chicken in the description, because it was crispy on the outside & perfectly juicy on the inside! I asked our waiter how they did that, and he said it was by searing it in a hot pan then sticking it in the oven to finish cooking. It was coated in paprika and fennel powder.

We're going to try and re-create this soon.

Our side dish was another hit: Smoked Corn with Italian peppers, poblano pepper, and pickled onion.

YUMMMMMMM! It had the perfect amount of "kick" to it!

My dessert (which I had already gotten into by the time I took the picture, ha!)

My little honey's dessert: Apple cake with a caramel sauce

What are your favorite NYC places? I would love add some more to my growing list!

Graffiti NYC.

2011-09-23T12:08:00.000-05:00

The last time I was in New York, I met my friend Tara at Graffiti Food & Wine Bar. It had been on my NYC "list" of places to go for a while now, and since I knew Tara and I both liked going to new places, we made reservations here. I had heard about the restaurant first on Martha Stewart, as it was one of her favorite places to eat in the city. I knew it had to be good if she made that kind of statement about it, out of ALL the restaurants in NYC! I thought it was one of the best dining experiences, and not just because of the food! The ambiance, kind & informative host/waitress, prices, and food were all part of the reason I give this restaurant a 10 out of 10!

Here's a little bit of background on the restaurant that I pulled from its website: The Next Iron Chef 2010 runner up chef/owner Jehangir Mehta, has pushed palates - with this sweet-and-savory spot Graffiti, in the East Village. This eclectic shoebox-size restaurant which he designed himself, serves up eclectic, international small plates that feature his trademark affinity for bold flavors and spices such as chilies, fennel, turmeric and star anise. The harmony of Asian ingredients with French/American cuisine, makes Graffiti a truly unique dining paradise.

And they aren't lying when they said it's a "shoebox-sized" restaurant! Tara and I were both surprised at how small it was, but that didn't matter to us...the restaurant just had a relaxed, special vibe that we automatically loved. Be sure and call for a reservation, because it fills up fast due to its small size and amazing (and amazingly priced) menu!

This is the whole restaurant!!

As you can see here, the menu is divided up into four sections. NOTHING is over $15! I was shocked, yet very glad, to see that you could still get a gourmet meal from a "celebrity" chef without spending a ton. The difference in price, the waitress explained, was not quantity or quality of food - it just reflected the items on the menu with more expensive ingredients, thus resulting in a little higher price. My friend and I chose to share several things so we could taste more of the menu. So glad we did! Every single thing was mouth watering and so beautifully presented!

Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint Sorbet (our fave)

For the life of me, I cannot remember what this was! LOL. It was good though!!

Chickpea Crusted Skate, with Mint Yogurt Sauce

Graffiti Burger with garlic fingerling potatoes, with chipotle mayo

I loved how the check arrived in this envelop with graffiti all over it.

A very charming way to end our delicious night!

Definitely go here on your next NYC visit! Here are some of my fave NYC places:

(will do another big NYC favorites post soon!)

-Spice Market (located in the Meatpacking District)

-Orso (one of my favorite restaurants of all time!) Did a post on it here.

-Coolhaus (gourmet ice cream sandwich food truck) Check out their website to find out their daily locations in the cities they are in.

-Beauty & Essex (see my post on it here)

-Locanda Verde

-The Pump Energy Food (healthy "fast food" for a quick lunch or dinner)

-Plaza Hotel - Love going here for drinks and weekend brunch

-Boom Boom Room at The Standard

-Dell'anima (just recently found this place; Chris and I LOVED it! Post to come soon!)

-Antique Garage (in Soho; see post here)

-La Bonne Soupe (My favorite lunch place in all of NYC!)

FALLing for Shoes.

2011-09-13T18:51:00.000-05:00

Whether I'm ready or not, fall is coming! I am not quite ready to put away my summer sandals, bright nail polish, and trusty flip flops. Luckily, we will start the off-season in Tennessee, so I can look forward to warmer temperatures for at least another month or so! However, between all the September issues of magazines, blog posts, and NY Fashion Week, I've been getting a little excited about the fall weather! I have already made a few fall/winter purchases, but I will wait until it truly starts getting cooler before I bring those babies out! I stumbled on this Glamour article titled "52 Cute Summer to Fall Shoes Under $150." I loved the article and the shoes featured in it! I want about half of the shoes they featured, ha! Check out the article, for sure, to get some ideas. Here were some of my favorites:

Topshop Boots.

LOVE these! I have these that look a lot like them & wear them all the time!

Old Navy boots for only $35! They come in 2 colors! LOVE!

Nude Sam Edelman pumps. Classic.

Target pumps for $25!

A friend got these for me in black. They also come in red.

They are very good looking & look like a much more expensive shoe!

This is a great buy!

Sam Edelman "Smoking Shoe"

I absolutely love this one! Should I order it??

Steve Madden has a similar one, too.

Been loving these Jessica Simpson shoes since I saw her wearing them in a mag.

They come in several different colors.

These are fab! Rachel Roy sandals.

Or you can find them here for cheaper!

Gianni Bini platform wedge.

MICHAEL Michael Kors sandal.

Comes in 3 different colors.

Topshop Wedges in a perfect-for-fall shade!

Speaking of fall, here are some recipes I plan on making once the temps drop...

Red Wine Chocolate Cake (two of my fave things in ONE dessert?!? yes please!)
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili
Chicken Pot Pie
Baked Oatmeal with Fruit (using fall flavors and fruits)
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Fig Blue Cheese Appetizer Tarts (these are a MUST make for fall get-togethers or tailgating)***
Butternut Squash & Goat Cheese Lasagna (My uncle made this for me last year, and it was -by far- the best I've EVER had! Try this one for your husband and family!)***
Pumpkin French Toast Stuffed with Blackberry Caramel Mascarpone
A Good Ol' Chocolate Cake
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mini Pumpkin Whoppie Pies
Classic Chili w/a few twists (Chris and I loveeeee to make chili & cornbread!)

What fall recipes do YOU like cooking when the leaves start to fall?

San Francisco.

2011-09-10T15:35:00.000-05:00

I went to San Francisco a couple of weeks ago! I had been dying to get there, for many reasons. I wanted to see the beautiful city and sights, of course. But you guys know me... you know I love to eat. I was also excited to sample all the great things San Fran had to offer, food wise, too! Since Chris has to be at the field right around lunch - and since that field was in Oakland, 20-30 mins away from downtown San Fran where we were staying - he had to leave every day around 1pm. That left me to do a lot of exploring on my own. I don't mind that, but I definitely want to go back and ~~eat~~ explore the city with him soon! I had a list of places I wanted to go, including both touristy things, shopping, and restaurants to try. I did a lot of it, and below I have outlined the entire list that I have. Please feel free to write them down for yourself, or pass them along! I've already given my San Francisco "list" to about 6 people, so I hope they found it as useful, fun, and tasty as I did! Enjoy my post on one of my new favorite cities! If you have any San Fran recommendations, please leave them in the comments below!

This was my first stop on the trip. My friend Melina took me to to the Balboa Cafe for brunch. It was FABULOUS! Her family owns some wineries you definitely need to check out here.

Their bloody mary is probably the best one I've ever had, to date!

We both ordered the Eggs Florentine, which was wonderful!

I would recommend this spot to anyone! Their dinner is great, too, I hear!

Such a beautiful view from Ghirardelli Square!

Do you think I would come to Ghirardelli Square and NOT have a hot fudge sundae???

You all know me better than that now! ;)

I had heard so many great things about this place, I had to go! It didn't disappoint!

Their menu is on the wall when you walk in. The wait was 30-45 minutes, which wasn't that bad considering you can't make reservations.

They offered me a glass of wine while I waited, too!

LOVED these warm marinated olives!!

We chose the Broccoli Raab pizza, which was a unique departure from what I usually order.

I liked it a lot! Next time I want to try the clam pie or the prosciutto pie! I heard rave reviews on both!

My little honey and I did make it to brunch at Zazie. This cute place came highly recommended to me by my sweet, foodie friend Tara. (Thanks Tara!) Really loved this place! I had the BIGGEST cappuccino I've ever had! Look at the size of that mug, bigger than my face!

I had the eggs benedict "la mer" which was incredibly tasty!

Chris had the "Greece" eggs. YUM!

If the weather is nice, be sure and sit on their back patio! It's so charming, like a secret garden!

You have to make it into Chinatown while in San Fran at least once!!

Upon the recommendation of my friend Tara - who RAVED about this place - I went to

R&G Lounge in Chinatown. She said there were two things I "Had" to get:

1. The Lychee Martini (above) and 2. The Salt & Pepper Crab (below)

The martini was great, with the unique flavor the the lychee being the perfect amount of sweet!

Here is the main course. I wasn't expecting the WHOLE crab, shell and all. The waiter laughed at my reaction but assured me that this was one of the most popular things on their menu. I asked him the best way to go about eating it, then DUG IN! Wowza! It was amazing! SO full of flavor! Glad I went to R&G Lounge for such a unique meal!

Out of all the places I had on my list to go in San Fan, this was #1, The Press Club.

Their motto says it perfectly: The Press Club is a wine bar and lounge that offers California's finest wines and beers in a sophisticated and social atmosphere. Press Club's seasonal menu of small plates and thoughtful pairings offer the ultimate wine experience in one of San Francisco's most notable destinations.

Each month, Press Club features 2 vintners in addition to their normal wine menu.

When I was there, the above menu was one of two being featured. I love sparking wines and champagne, so I wanted to try this flight.

My favorite of the 3 was the brut rose!

I was asking about the "Hell or High Watermelon" beer that was on the menu, because I had read about it in a magazine. I was curious, so they let me try it! It was SO good, and I am not usually a beer drinker!

I was getting hungry, so we ordered something that went well with the beer....

A cheese plate, with fresh fruit and their house-made plum jam! I chose 2 cheeses:

The Humboldt Fog (which they had paired with the Watermelon beer) and the Flagship Cheddar.

AMAZING!! What a perfect pairing! They know their stuff at the Press Club, for sure!

A small section of the cheese menu.

Look at this cute little street I happened upon while shopping!

It's completely closed off, and there is a restaurant in the middle with outdoor seating!

Here are my other San Francisco suggestions, in addition to the ones above:

- RN74 (A Michael Minas restaurant)

- The Slanted Door: This was another recommendation that came HIGHLY recommended by many, many people and blogs. It's located in the Ferry Building, which I will tell you more about later. Go here for lunch, drinks, or dinner! They have a creative cocktail menu and great food, so I hear/read.

- Hog Island Oyster Company (also located in the Ferry Building)

- 21st Amendment Brewery: Enjoy craft beer here; this is where the "Hell or High Watermelon" beer is from! Also try the "Monks Blood beer"

- Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery (located in the Haight-Ashberry district) Great food & unique beers. Try the "Pride of Brant Hill Beer"

- City Beer: Good place to find interesting craft beers, but you can also sit and have some wine & cheese, too, if that's more your thing!

- Le Trappe: One of Anthony Bourdain's picks!!

- Bourbon & Branch: A speakeasy type bar with cool cocktails.

- Amarena: Read about this place on a blog and really wanted to go here, but I just didn't have the time! It has a great happy hour, but instead of drink specials, there is a free pasta bar! Yummy food!

- Tartine Bakery: Visit the famous bakery for their treats and baked goods. Also heard their "Fromage blanc, banana, and membrillo" sandwich is amazing!

- A16 (wine bar): My friend Melina recommended this place, as it is one of her fave places in the city!

- Red Door Cafe (per my friend Tara) : Go to this place, if only to see/meet the owner, who is said to be VERY fun and entertaining! This was Tara & her friends' favorite dining experience on their visit! Plus there are great views of the city!

- The Ferry Building Marketplace: I absolutely LOVED coming here! It's basically an upscale certified California Farmer's Market. The market is widely acclaimed for both the quality and diversity of its fresh farm products, and artisan and prepared foods. It is renowned throughout the country as one of the top farmers markets to visit. On any day, especially Saturdays, some of San Francisco’s best known chefs, and most famous farmers, can be seen at the market. Chris and I browsed and tasted our way through the entire market! Definitely stop by Blue Bottle Coffee Company for a cafe au lait... the best cup of coffee I've EVER had! No joke!

What's Old is New.

2011-09-06T08:35:00.000-05:00

Here is a shoe my aunt Carol gave me last year. She wore these in the 70s...

Lately I've been seeing similar styles pop up for fall. Check it out...

DVF

Nine West

Don't you love when things you own, or have lovingly been given by a family member, are in style again... only YOU have a vintage version of it? I do! Just thought that was a fun little tidbit I wanted to share with you guys. I'm in NYC now, after having spent Labor Day weekend in the Hamptons! SO FUN! Looking forward to sharing both trips with you guys! xx

P.S. I often share pictures of my travels, meals I'm having, and products I'm loving on Twitter. It's usually things I don't post on my blog, so you get a little "Extra" if you follow me on Twitter. Follow me here. I'm @lindsaykharper. Thanks yall :)

Summer Salad.

2011-08-31T12:14:00.001-05:00

Taking cues from here (#2) and here, I finally made this amazing salad about a month ago. I've made it about 5 times since, and it never disappoints! This has been my go-to lunch and dinner for days when I just don't feel like making dinner for one, since my little honey is always at the field by 1 or 1:30pm. Do yourself a favor before peaches and tomatoes stop being so abundant and fresh... and make this! Enjoy! xx

Click the above links for the recipe and note I also added avocado.

P.S. Click here for my interview with Just Another Shopoholic. Thanks for the feature, Tiffany! I appreciate it very much!

LOBSTER MANIA!

2011-08-29T09:21:00.000-05:00

My husband plays for the Baltimore Orioles. I am "over the moon" happy for him - as he is living a childhood dream!!! It makes me tear up and cry each time I read an article dedicated to his hard work and success. He is amazing, and there is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful to the good Lord that our paths crossed. (One of my best friends introduced us when he was in the minor leagues.) All that to say, that is why I travel so much... because we're newly married, and I like to go to as many games/cities as possible while we're "foot loose and fancy free" as my mom says :)

My little honey's agent sent us some fresh Maine lobster a month or so ago... I have yet to blog/document the experience, but it's a funny and entertaining one to say the least.

Note: In this video, I am on the phone with his agent getting directions.... while videoing the whole process... while making Chris burn himself. (Oppps!) Let's just say there were some sacrifices made in order to get a video for you guys!! :) I hope this little video shows everyone how EASY cooking live lobster can be. Order some from here - or get some from your local seafood store - and have a date night tonight! Chris and I had a blast cooking live lobster for the first time! Even though it was a little weird at first, it turned out fabulous! Plus, I am still proud of myself for making homemade clarified butter! Just call me Martha!

Hope this works!

Here are the lobsters before we cooked them. There were 4, but one died in transit.

Word to the wise: Do not eat, over even cook, a lobster if it has died.

I had to :)

How to cook lobsters:

1. In a big pot, like the one pictured in the video, bring 2-3 inches of water to a rolling boil.

2. Put the lobsters in, head first, as shown in video. Do this for about 4-6 seconds before dropping them into the pot.

3. Let boil for about 15-20 mins, until the lobsters turn bright red.

4. Crack and enjoy!

All pink and pretty after 20 mins of steaming!

Our amazing meal of surf & turf!

My clarified butter!

Steak, Lobster, caesar salad, grilled zucchini & squash, and baked potato!

I think I hear the Food Network calling us to be the next Pat & Gina Neeley!

The Bold & The Beautifully Nude. Part 6.

2011-08-25T08:30:00.002-05:00

THE BOLD: Lush's lip tint in "It Started With a Kiss" (picture below)

Really loving this one this summer! So easy to put on & you control how much or how little you wear.

That depends on how BOLD you want to go ;)

THE NUDE: Le Metier De Beaute's gloss called Vanilla Rose

LOVE the smell of this one... the perfect nude gloss!

Paired it with MAC's lip liner in Stripdown.

Check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

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Stay tuned for some restaurant and traveling posts! :)

All Time Favorite Recipe!

2011-08-23T16:16:00.000-05:00

This is the recipe that defines my childhood.

This is the recipe that conjures up countless special family memories.

This is my favorite recipe ever.

HOMEMADE PEACH ICE CREAM

Each summer, between Memorial and Labor Day, my family goes to our house on the TN River/KY lake. Each weekend, my whole family fills the brightly-colored home to spend time together, play on the water or go boating, and enjoy good home cooked meals. (By the way, when I say my "whole" family, I mean it! Both sets of grandparents come up, as my dad's parents have a house near us, too. My brother, his friends, my friends, cousins, and my aunts and uncles... the whole shebang!) These moments have been etched into my memory as some of the best in my life. Since most of this time revolves around the kitchen and food, it's no small wonder I've become such a lover of food :) It's important to me, mostly, because of the family and friends you are sharing the meal with. This recipe has been served as long as I can remember. On birthdays, anniversaries, and summertime holidays, anyone at our lake house can count on this being served! I wanted to share the recipe with you because of how much I love it and what a big part it has played, not only in my childhood, but my life with my family. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Best if using home-grown peaches.

This is the BEST ice cream maker. Hands down. It's a little more expensive than your regular ice cream makers, but it lasts a lifetime & is SO worth it!

Pardon my pictures... this stuff is so out-of-this-world AMAZING that I forgot to snap some good pictures. Trust me. You would forget too.

In case you can't read it, we also add 8 oz of Cool Whip to this recipe. Makes it SO creamy!

If you like the chunks of peaches like we do, roughly chop them. If not, you can certainly blend them in the blender.

Picture of our lake house :)

I would love to hear about - or see the recipes - for some of your favorite family recipes. I love seeing and hearing about other people's fond memories surrounding food! Enjoy! xx

Summer Brights.

2011-08-19T16:02:00.000-05:00

I am usually in all-black....or close to it. I can't help it. I just love the color. (Or lack thereof.) However, in the summer months, I crave bright colors and patterns. Here is a Trina Turk dress that I got in Sarasota, FL, during spring training. I love how it can be dressed up (as I did her with purple Louboutins) or dressed down (as I've done most of the time) with a cute pair of jeweled flat sandals. It's a go-to summer outfit, because it's so simple to just throw on and go! Minimal jewelry required, too!

No idea why my shoes look black here.... they are purple. Promise :)

Wearing Diana Warner earrings.

With my little honey, before dinner one night!

The Bold & The Beautifully Nude. Part 5.

2011-08-11T10:34:00.000-05:00

THE BOLD: Revlon's "Hot Coral"

THE NUDE: MAC's "Lustre 3N"

Click to read the other "Bold & Beautifully Nudes" Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

Next two posts are an outfit post and a recipe for one of my favorite recipes of all time!

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5 Minute Pimento Cheese.

2011-08-08T13:19:00.000-05:00

Today my mom whipped up a batch of amazing pimento cheese in about 5 minutes!! I saw her start to make it, and by the time I cleaned off the table for lunch, it was DONE! Now maybe I am easily impressed, but I was blown away with how EASY and QUICK this was!! The best part? It lasts up to 2 weeks - or more!! My mom has no set recipe, but loosely follow the recipe below - adding/subtracting to your taste - and you'll have an easy lunch or dinner ready and waiting in no time! Pair with crackers and a salad for a light meal. So good!

My Mom's Pimento Cheese

1/2 block Velveeta cheese, cubed

1 4 oz. jar of pimentos

2 heaping tablespoons of mayo

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons of jalapeno slices

Hot sauce, to taste (mom uses 2-3 shakes of the bottle)

instead of using hot sauce, you can substitute a few sprinkles of cayenne pepper

Put everything in the food processor. Pulse until you get the consistency you prefer. DONE!

My nail polish is Essie "Fiji"

Got some GREAT posts coming up!!! Several outfit posts.... a post about a baby shower my mom, some friends, and I threw for one of my best friends...a post on my new favorite, healthy summer salad & lots more! Stay tuned!

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Pretty Cookbooks.

2011-08-04T10:59:00.001-05:00

I love cookbooks! I inherited that quality from my mom, without a doubt. She owns between 400 and 500 cookbooks....no joke!! I don't care what kind of cookbook it is, if it has recipes that look good to me, I will buy it. My favorite kind come from my childhood hometown. I am from a very small town in West Tennessee, about 80 miles northeast of Memphis, and there are tons of cookbooks that have come out of my town - believe it or not! Most are from churches that put together cookbooks with recipes from members. These are the cookbook "bibles" in which my mom has cooked from since I was a little girl. The worn pages are splattered with grease, and the margins have notes about the substitutions or additions my mom used. Those recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, and my mother lovingly made them for my dad, brother, and me. Those kind of cookbooks hold a special place in my heart because they remind me of where I'm from & the nightly suppers we had around the dinner table when I was growing up. (Thanks Mom!!)

My second favorite kind of cookbook are Junior League cookbooks. I have started collecting those, as well, from different Junior Leagues all over the U.S. The recipes in these cookbooks are more modern versions of classics & loaded with tips and recipes on entertaining!

Last, are the new type of "celebrity" cookbooks. Any actor/celeb chef/hip restaurant owner can write a best selling cookbook these days, but there are a few that really outshine the others. I love the Magnolia Bakery cookbooks, Paula Deen's, Thomas Keller's, Ina Garten, Pioneer Woman, etc. Here are a few I am wanting to add to my collection from this category....

This one from Miette Bakery in San Francisco... how cute!

This one looks wonderful... I love making cookies, especially during the holidays!

I cannot wait to get this one!! She just opened an ice cream shop in Nashville, and I am dying to go!

I've heard nothing but GREAT things about Jenni's ice cream!

I wouldn't have bought this one, but I read about her new cookbook in the May issue of SELF magazine article recently. That article totally sold me on the cookbook, especially when I saw 4 of the recipes within the book. They look yummy - pretty healthy and comforting!

Loaded with healthy - yet tasty - recipes. I need more of this type of cookbook in my collection!

See it here.

Heard this one was so good! And very southern, which I love ;)

She has another cookbook, too, here.

My mom told me about this one, and just by reading about it on Amazon, I can tell it's written in true Southern fashion! Must get!

All the Momofuku cookbooks are supposed to be great! This one looks the best to me.

I've been to both the Momofuku places and really liked them!

I read about this one a lot. There are supposed to be great pizza recipes in this one!

Wanted to share a little something with you guys... Both of the "Simply" cookbooks by Jennifer Chandler are WONDERFUL! The two cookbooks are "Simply Suppers" and "Simply Salads." I adore the Suppers one, and every single thing I've made has been amazing - and you guessed it, simple! :) I cook from that one almost weekly. Find them here and here.

What are YOUR favorite go-to cookbooks? I'd love to know, so I can share with my mom too!

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The White Barn Inn.

2011-08-02T14:32:00.000-05:00

The most amazing meal I've ever had at a restaurant, I had here, at The White Barn Inn. The White Barn Inn, located in Kennebunk, Maine, is an award winning hotel, restaurant, and spa. For over 150 years, it has been in existence as part of the exclusive Relais & Chateaux collection of the finest hotels and restaurants in the world! The restaurant at The White Barn Inn offers the only combined AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star dining experience north of New York City! (Yes, it is THAT good!) It has been described by Conde Nast Traveler as "one of the great places to stay and eat in the world."I would have to say I agree 100%! I was visiting some good friends that live outside of Boston, over the 4th of July. They have a beach house in Wells, Maine, so we went there for the weekend. This was one of the highlights of my stay, and I wanted to be sure and share it with you guys! Y'all know how I love to eat out, and this is now at the top of my list! Enjoy the pics! xx

1st course: Scallop Ceviche w/Passion fruit coulis

Paired with: Cade by Plumpjack Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2008

*Loved this wine! I already loved the Plumpjack cab, and this wine did not disappoint! (especially because I am not a white wine drinker!)

2nd course: Crispy Braised Pork, Pickled Shitake Mushrooms & Spiced reduction

Paired with: John Duval "Plexus" Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend, Barossa Valley 2007

*This was my favorite wine of the night! This is a must try!

3rd course: Butter Poached Smoked Lobster

Paired with: Chateau Montelena 2008, Napa Valley Chardonnay

*Don't really like Chardonnay, but this one blew me away! I just bought a bottle that I found in a wine store here in Baltimore! Can't wait to have it again!

Loved the presentation of this dish... It was served with silver dome covering the plate. To present the dish, the server took off the dome, and smoke flew out of the inside! They had put a hose under the silver dome, filled the inside with smoke, and then quickly jerked the hose out so the smoke would still be underneath. It left the lobster with a wonderful smokey flavor that was evident in each yummy bite!

4th course: Foie Gras & fig torchon

Paired with: "Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre" Alsace, Gewurztraminer, F.E. Trimbach 2004

*My favorite wine/food pairing of the night; not necessarily my fave dish or wine - but the pairing together was INCREDIBLE! This made me realize how good a food and wine pairing can be!

5th course: Parmesan "Bon Bon" w/Prosciutto Foam

Paired with: Taittinger Champagne

*LOVED this one! This champagne is fantastic! Also looking for a bottle of this one....

Half way through the meal, they served this palate cleanser. It was a "Lemon and Thyme Granite."

Very refreshing!

6th course: This was the "main" meal; Horseradish Crusted Local Beef Filet & Braised Short Rib in Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce

Paired with: Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2006

*If you love big, bold reds like I do, THIS ONE is for you! Loved it!

7th course was the cheese display!! Love me some wine and cheese :)

They brought out this whole display, and each person had their own personal cheese board! You picked as many as you wanted. My picks are below...

I can't remember what all I picked, but I got 5 cheeses ranging in different firmness and region. (My two favorites were from Spain!) It was served with a wide array of breads, flat breads, and crackers....and spicy peach chutney! YUM.O.

Last course: Grand Marnier Souffle w/Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

Paired with: Chateau Prost, Sauternes 2006

*What an amazing dessert! I love how they poked a hole in the souffle and poured hot fudge down into the center of it. Hot fudge makes anything better, no?

Close up of all the goodness.

As if we hadn't had enough already, they brought out this "tree" of handmade goodies...

Homemade marshmallows, truffles, and little confections. Perfect way to end the night!

A beautiful bouquet of flowers sat on the piano, welcoming us into the restaurant.

Right before dinner!

Chocolate Cobbler.

2011-07-27T18:19:00.000-05:00

Just made this amazing Chocolate Cobbler recipe for dessert the other night. My husband and I both LOVED it! It was rich, warm, and fudgey! I also put two big scoops of vanilla ice cream on top of it. Woah. I'm making myself excited just blogging about it. Please make this for your special someone or your fam. Or even yourself. I won't judge.

*All pictures from here.

New purchase!

2011-07-22T15:18:00.000-05:00

When I was in Atlanta, right before the 4th of July, I found these amazing Valentino wedges on sale at Saks! I got them for a GREAT price! I love wearing wedges in the summer, because you get the height of a heel without all the foot pain :) So excited about my find! I've worn them a ton since I got them!

The Bold & the Beautifully Nude. Part 4.

2011-07-19T14:35:00.000-05:00

THE BOLD: Revlon's "24k Orange"

THE NUDE: Dolce Gabbana lipsticks in "Perfection" and "Rosebud"

(I put Perfection on first, then topped it with Rosebud)

Excuse my bad hair and no make up...

I had just gotten done laying out & put on lipstick to go grab lunch.

Same lipstick combo as above, but I added Dolce Gabbana gloss in "glossy" over it.

I just have to share this with yall..... When I was home at my parent's house last month, we found some old home videos of when I was a baby. We were all laughing so hard we were crying!

Especially because I am chewing gum AND eating bacon & pancakes at the same time. Classic.

I recorded with my iPhone, so the volume might not be that loud. My mom is 8 months pregnant in this video, with my brother, and she's asking me about it. So funny!

Lindsay's Loving...

2011-07-14T08:48:00.000-05:00

A couple of months ago, when I was doing the Tracy Anderson Method, I read about this recipe in her "30 Day Method" book. One of the hardest things about eating healthy, to me, is finding good snacks. Sometimes plain ol' apples and bananas just don't cut it. That gets boring. Enter this easy and super-healthy recipe:

BLUEBERRY APPLESAUCE (pictured)

1 medium to large apple, quartered, cored, and steamed

1 cup fresh blueberries

Blend the steamed apple in the food processor, or blender, with the blueberries. Enjoy!

Here are two other of her recipes that I enjoy during the afternoons for a healthy snack...

PEAR APPLE SPICE

2 pears (Bosc or red), halved and cored

2 sweet apples (my favorites are Fuji apples)

Pinch of nutmeg

Pinch of cinnamon

Steam pears and apples until soft. Peel fruit (if desired; I didn't) and blend it in a food processor (or blender), adding spices as it purees.

KIWI DESSERT

4 kiwis, peeled

12 basil leaves

Juice of 1/2 orange

Puree everything together, then chill. (This was another favorite recipe of mine!)

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D.C. Foodie.

2011-07-07T11:40:00.000-05:00

Hi! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! I wanted to share with you guys a little bit of my Washington D.C. trip, that I took about 2 weeks ago. I had never been to D.C., and I really loved it! It's got a lot of great shopping and amazing restaurants! Which I found surprising in such a seemingly uptight place :)

Here are a few places I went, along with some amazing recommendations from friends, family, and blogs I read. Enjoy!

Being goofy before dinner... Wearing jewelry that I posted about here.

After dinner drinks at Co co Sala. AMAZING!

I've also heard the food is great here, too!

The Co Cojito, one of the BEST drinks I've ever had!

Read the description on the menu above.

The "Fetish" drink, which was also very good! See above for description!

All the drinks were very unique and fresh... and when you add chocolate, you've won me over!

Dinner on the 2nd night, after a day game, at Blue Duck Tavern.

I wanted to be sure and write about these two places, because they really blew me away!

Our dinner at Blue Duck Tavern was one of the best meals we had had in a LONG time!

When in D.C., you MUST try this wonderful little restaurant!

For appetizer we were adventurous. We had the "Oven Roasted Bone Marrow, with ramp butter." It came perfectly roasted with tons of rosemary, freshly roasted garlic, and toasted baguettes. The texture took a little getting used to, but I can easily say this was one of the most flavorful appetizers I've ever had at a restaurant! We both loved it this interesting dish that is one of Blue Duck's specialties.

We also shared the "Roasted Beet salad with endive, apples, walnuts, and Humbolt Fog goat cheese."

The dishes came family style, so we ordered several things and shared. This was the "Muscovy Duck Breast with Duck Leg Ragout w/Huckleberries."

This was one of our fave dishes of the whole night....a stand out, for sure!

The "Wood Burning Oven Roasted Scallops with lemon & thyme." SO GOOD!

We ordered 3 sides, but this is the only one I got a picture of for some reason...

This is the "Warm Pie of Sheeps' Milk, Ricotta, Swiss Chard, and Anise Hyssop."

Other stands outs were the "Potato Puree with Soft Garlic" and

the "Wood Oven Roasted Creamed Corn with Tarragon." (our fave)

We were stuffed, so dessert was their trio of homemade ice creams. Which were - as you can imagine - INCREDIBLE! Espresso, chocolate cinnamon, and vanilla bean/honey.

Other places that came highly recommended:

*The Gibson - a hip, speakeasy style bar with great specialty cocktails

*The Passenger - go for drinks; within The Passenger is a reservation-only bar called the "Columbia Room"; try the "Ricky Bobby" and "Violet Eyes" drinks

*Rasika- wonderful, trendy Indian restaurant

*Zaytinya - Many people recommended this to me, so I hate we didn't get there. Upscale restaurant with Greek, Lebanese, and Turkish food.

*PS 7 - restaurant that you can order a la carte or try the 7 course food and cocktail pairing!

*Jaleo

*Vidalia

*DC Coast

*Filomena's - another Italian restaurant that came highly recommended by many people!

*Oya

*Aqua al 2 - new location just opened in D.C.; original in Italy!

*Go to the top of the W Hotel for drinks. Amazing views!

Follow me on TWITTER here! Thank you so much for continuing to read my blog :)

Happy 4th of July!!

2011-07-04T17:52:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!

Hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday! I will be eating here tonight, overlooking the water and seeing fireworks from the Marginal Way and here tomorrow night, and I cannot wait to share it with you guys! Especially excited about the White Barn Inn!

Picture from 2007, when my fam when to Boston for the 4th of July! So fun!

The Bold & the Beautifully Nude. Part 3.

2011-06-30T09:30:00.000-05:00

THE BOLD: Revlon's "Love That Red"

THE NUDE: YSL lipstick: Rouge Pur Shine #26 (in the square tube)

YSL gloss: Gloss Pur #3 (a sheer coral shade)

*Both pictures taken in car, on the way to baseball games, so that explains that ;)

Knock Your Socks Off Jewelry.

2011-06-22T20:53:00.000-05:00

Fact: I love jewelry.

I see so much of it from looking at blogs, store websites, magazines, and going shopping, that it takes a lot to knock my socks off.

However, I've found a jewelry line that can do just that... THE MONTAGE COLLECTION.

One look at the website will show you just what I am talking about! The designer, Myrna Halpern, has taken her passion for creating jewelry to an impressive level. The story behind Montage is that of a curious collector and keenly observant world traveler who draws inspiration from the beauty she discovers on her journeys. Who wouldn't want to add a piece of jewelry from a designer like that to their collection?!? I've recently started representing her jewelry line because I think each piece is so versatile and SO unique! My husband's job allows us to travel quite frequently, so I am all over the place - it seems like multiple times a week! I decided I wanted to take her jewelry with me, when I could, and visit boutiques along the way, selling her jewelry....and exposing new people I meet to such a stunning, one-of-a-kind jewelry line. (You'll thank me later!) There are two lines that I currently work with: The "One Of A Kind Collection" and the "Hand Woven Collection."

I will post later on the "One of a Kind Collection." It needs its own special post because let's just say these pieces are all hand-made using vintage materials (think glass beads, rhinestone brooches, etc.) that the designer found on her many travels. Taking a quote from her website, "Vintage accents are often used to punctuate the designs with a whimsical sense of nostalgia and to add distinction. Montage jewelry stands about the humdrum of mainstream fashion with its combination of Old World Charm and and contemporary edge." Isn't that what we all strive to be when it comes to style: Distinctive? I know I do!

This post is dedicated to the jaw-dropping "Hand Woven Collection." Below are some pictures, but please go to her website here and become her Facebook friend here. You can see many more pictures in both places of her incredible jewels. I can say one thing about her collections...You will be the talk of the town in any of these pieces and get stopped where ever you go! (Trust me!)

My fashion motto has always been: It's better to be stared at than ignored. Start living that motto with jewelry from The Montage Collection!

Original picture the designer sent me. (This is when I flipped over the collection!)

This is the entire "Hand Woven Collection."

Individual pictures to follow & more on her website under "Photo Gallery."

Woven bracelet. Middle one in the picture above.

The woven bracelets come in standard 7 inch lengths but can be special ordered larger or smaller.

I LOVE THIS ONE! The closure (seen below) is stunning!

And how many times can you say that about a closure on a bracelet??

This lariat necklace can be worn so many ways! Even as a belt!

This pic & the one below showcase my favorite pieces from the collection!

Wearing these two pieces together is out of this world fabulous!

This charm bracelet is adjustable!

Close up on the several small charms on the closure.

Don't you love the special attention to detail??

The "Angel" necklace is my fave necklace.

I love it worn, just like this, when the hand woven part is on one side.

SO stunningly unique!

Close up of the Angel necklace.

The chain used on both necklaces is called anchor chain, and it is styled after the chain used on boats to attach to anchors. Gucci has also used this style chain!

Had dinner last night & wore this new combo!

To purchase any of this pieces, go here & click on "Shop."

Only one of each piece is currently made, so if you place your order after that one is sold, please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. (Remember: Every piece is hand made to order!)

The Bold & the Beautifully Nude. Part 2.

2011-06-20T16:40:00.000-05:00

THE BOLD: Revlon lipstick in "Siren"

Another one I am loving this summer! It's more of a true orange.

THE NUDE LIP: .L’Oreal Passion Fruit by Colour Juice.

The Bold and the Beautifully Nude.

2011-06-11T15:25:00.000-05:00

I want to start a little series of posts called "The Bold and the Beautifully Nude" because since the spring, I have been wearing bright, bold lips and creamy, glossy nude lipsticks equally as much. I will be doing a post like this, showing two opposite lip colors, once a week. I love all of these lip colors, from both ends of the spectrum! Whether it's a true orange...fiery red...red/orange...bright pink... or somewhere in between, I LOVE bright colored lips! I'd have to say they are my favorite! For the times when I do a smokey/dramatic eye though, you can't beat a beautiful nude shade of lipstick. Because of that, I want to share them all with you - in hopes it will inspire you to go bold....or go nude ;)

Just a disclaimer... most of these pictures are taken with my iPhone, in the car. I want to be sure I remember to take them, so it's usually after I've gotten in the car and am running (late) somewhere. Also, I am a smiler. Always. However, when you are trying to show off a lipstick color, smiling just isn't the best way to do that. Unless you have Angelina Jolie lips, and alas - I do not. Enjoy! xx

BOLD: One of my all-time faves: "Orange Flip" by Revlon.

I wear MAC's "Redd" liner with this.

NUDE: This is everything I wore on my wedding day, so I really love this whole lip!

Everything by MAC.

Lipstick: Brave

Liner: Stripdown

Gloss: Cremesheen Glass in "Partial to Pink"

What are some of the bold and nude lipsticks that you swear by? Would love to hear your faves!

Wedding Portrait.

2011-06-07T09:11:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned here, I love Brittany Fuson paper products! I've ordered several sets of notecards from her, but what I really wanted her to do was draw a wedding portrait for me. I just got it this past weekend, and I LOVE IT! She did such an amazing job capturing the intricate details of my wedding dress, my up-do, and my Louboutins! There are also hints of gray in my bouquet, just like the real thing! (which may or may not be still hanging upside down in my shower....)

I am just smitten over this drawing and cannot wait to display it in my house! Any ideas for a great, unique way to display it...please let me know! Visit Brittany Fuson's store here. See pictures from my wedding here and here.

Happy Tuesday! xx

Summer Statement Pieces.

2011-06-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

I think these Assad Mounser necklaces are the perfect summer statement piece!

Throw one on over a basic white t-shirt or tank, add your favorite pair of jeans, and jeweled flats...

And BAM! You look like a million bucks!

Other fun, bright options found here, here, here, here, and here!

Been obsessed with these babies since I laid eyes on them, but I think it's ridic to spend almost $500 on a pair of earrings. Thinking about ordering these though!

Have a great upcoming week! xx

Summer Brights.

2011-06-03T11:00:00.016-05:00

LOVE LOVE LOVE Essie's newest collection, Braziliant! I am tempted to buy every.single.one. ;)

L to R: Absolutely Shore, Smooth Sailing, Super Bossa Nova, Braziliant, Meet me At Sunset, Too Too Hot.

Sheer Blue.

2011-05-31T22:04:00.000-05:00

My new sheer royal blue LF skirt is becoming a fast favorite! I've worn it so much my little honey thinks I've abandoned all my other clothes for this jewel. Rightly so! It's color screams "summer," and it's sheer enough to be cool during the hot summer months. I've starting knotting the dress up in different places, too, depending on my ~~mood~~ shoes. It was a little cool when I wore this a couple of weeks ago, so I threw on a slouchy sweater. Underneath is nothing more than a vintage southwestern-y skirt because I wanted color. I mean... coverage ;)

Wearing my favorite necklace, the brown version....

These Dior sunnies are an updated version of the classic Aviator.

My Ravel bracelet, paired with my all-time fave Chan Luu wrap bracelet!

Love day games, because that means I get to have dinner with my "little" honey! :)

Salted Fudge Brownies.

2011-05-27T14:36:00.000-05:00

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My mom collects cookbooks. She has hundreds and hundreds of them, all neatly organized in a little room off from the kitchen. Now that she has gotten to be ~~somewhat~~ computer savvy, she's finding even more amazing recipes from cooking websites and blogs. So when she finds and tries a recipe that really blows her away, people should sit up and take notice... then they should promptly make the recipe! She was raving about this Salted Fudge Brownie recipe, so we whipped up a batch this morning at the lake house. Needless to say, I've already had 3 brownies already... and it's only 2:30pm. They are the perfect combination of sweet, with a touch of saltiness. If you make these, definitely follow the directions and take them out of the oven when a toothpick inserted into the brownies comes out with a little of the batter still on it. That way, they are nice and fudge-y and don't get too hard once you put them in the refrigerator to cool. Happy baking!

Salted Fudge Brownies

(from Food and Wine)

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. sea salt (Make sure you're using sea salt, not kosher salt.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9″ square baking pan with foil. Butter or spray with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate over very low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Whisking them in one at a time until thoroughly incorporated, add the cocoa, sugar, eggs, vanilla and flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the batter. Using a butter knife, swirl the salt into the batter.

Bake the fudge brownies in the center of the oven for about 35 minutes, until the edge is set but the center is still a bit soft and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out coated with a little of the batter. Let the brownies cool at room temperature in the pan for 1 hour, then refrigerate just until they are firm, about 1 hour. Lift the brownies from the pan and peel off the foil. Cut the brownies into 16 squares. Serve at room temperature.

Denim Jackets are back!

2011-05-22T09:55:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Hope everyone had a good weekend! Slowly but surely, the return of the denim jacket is here. Not that it was ever "out of style," but it hasn't been as cool as it once was (circa mid 90s) to don a denim jacket. Lately - thank goodness - the trend has returned in full force. I truly don't think one could ever call denim a trend - it always has been and always will be in style. However, the denim jacket lost its luster several years ago. I, for one, am very glad the luster is back :) When worn right, it can look laid back yet very "with it" - as my mom says. Here are a couple of pictures that have grabbed my attention lately... So dust your denim jacket off, and bring it back into regular rotation!

This is probably my favorite way to wear the denim jacket right now:

Over dresses. Maxi dresses especially.

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Love Michelle Williams in this pic!

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Print Pants.

2011-05-15T19:09:00.000-05:00

I would LOVE to have these Celine pants for the upcoming summer months and for the currently unplanned - but definitely happening - vacation that my little honey and I are taking later this year! I think I'll start the search for the perfect pair of light, flowy printed pants. If anyone has any suggestions on a brand I should look into, please let me know!

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The winner of the Ravel bracelet giveaway is.......... Comment #7, Veronica!!!!! Congrats!! I will be emailing you with details shortly! I want to thank everyone who commented and for checking out the Ravel Etsy shop!

Jewelry Spotlight: RAVEL

2011-05-08T09:49:00.000-05:00

When I stumble upon a jewelry line that's hip, versatile, and unique - I jump for joy! When said jewelry line is designed and handmade by a good friend, well... that makes it even BETTER! One of my friends from college and her current roommate have started Ravel, a handmade jewelry line that is equal parts edgy and delicate. Based in New York City, the line incorporates nuts & bolts hardware and many colors & textures to create amazingly cool wrap bracelets and necklaces. Their current collection is called "The Fishbone Collection." I am obsessed with it and have already ordered one...and thinking about ordering another one to layer with it! I have worn it every day for a week, and I can confidently say it goes with EVERYTHING! On my wrist most days: my white Toy watch, Hermes bracelet, and a Chan Luu (or two), and the bracelet I purchased goes along perfectly with all the above. (pictures below) Check out the store here to see what I am talking about!

GOOD NEWS...The sweet girls at Ravel are partnering with me to do a giveaway!! They are so excited about it, and so am I! Details on how to win one of their insanely cool bracelets, below.

This is the bracelet that the Ravel girls are giving away on my blog! One of my favorites!

Here's how I've been wearing mine...

Both pics taken from iPhone.

Now for the good news... To be entered in the Ravel giveaway, head over to their Etsy store & pick out your favorite piece. Leave a comment below letting me know which one you love best! The giveaway ends a week from today, on Saturday May 14th. After that, we'll pick a winner and announce on the blog. Along with your favorite Ravel pick, please leave your email address so we can notify you and get your shipping address!

Also, if you want to purchase something from their site, they are offering Lindsay Loves It All readers 10% off! Just type in the code "LindsayLoves10" at checkout! Enjoy your purchase! You'll LOVE it!

Visit the Ravel website here.

Visit their Etsy store here.

Dreamy.

2011-05-01T21:58:00.000-05:00

I need this dress in my life. Like yesterday.

Problem is, I really don't have anywhere to wear it.

It's kind of pointless to wear this to baseball games :)

Mother's Day Ideas.

2011-04-29T18:58:00.000-05:00

Each year, a few weeks before Mother's Day, I always start thinking about what to get my mom. She is a very gracious gift receiver, (Case in point: She opened up a men's watch one Christmas, because we had mis-tagged it, and GUSHED at how much she loved it before we told her it was dad's.) so anything given with thought and love would be ok with her. However, I like going that extra mile to search out that perfect gift for her. Something she wouldn't buy for herself, or something she hasn't gotten that has to do with one of her hobbies. Something that says thank you for being you....thank you for loving me unconditionally...

I've put together a list of unique, thoughtful, and fun ideas. Hopefully something on this page inspires you and that each of your lovely mothers has a special day!

How about these beautiful Jerome Rouesseau yellow ostrich sandals?

Or this adorable cheese dome? (Love!)

What about going with a unique terra cotta pot in a stunning turquoise color?

Even better? Plant a flower in there for her! (or get someone else, to! Ha!)

Does your mom love to send hand-written notes? If so, this adorable return address stamp is perfect!

Head over to Luxury Monograms and choose between dozens of patterns and fonts for placemats, pillows, napkins, and more! The most beautiful monogramming website I've ever seen!

Here are a few of Luxury Monogram's amazing pillows!

A statement ring for the jewelry loving moms? Looks a lot like the YSL Arty rings, no?

My mom and I both collection Annie Glass.

This might be a great thing to start collecting for your mom!

There are several styles, and they come in gold and silver.

They are gorgeous on their own and paired with other plates!

I hope this list helped you and gave you some good ideas! Enjoy the day with your mom! xx

NYC Trip. Part Two.

2011-04-26T09:24:00.000-05:00

Here is my favorite of the NYC posts, because I want to share with you lovely readers one of my new found favorite NYC places... Beauty & Essex. (Read about it more here and here.) Urban Daddy (one of my fave sites) is how I found out about it in the first place, but my friend over at The Honeybee blog sold me on it with her fabulous post about it!

You enter this restaurant/bar through a pawn shop! All you do is walk to the back of the pawn shop, to be let in by the "bouncer." Then descend into a glamorous 3 story restaurant!

This was the entrance to the restaurant/bar, which I thought was stunning.

There is free champagne served in the ladies bathroom/lounge, which itself is a must-see!

Go to Beauty and Essex, if only to see this!

Chris and I just went for dessert and drinks. This was our favorite dessert, the Black Bottomed Butterscotch Pot De Crème with coconut chantillY. (Those were edible gingerbread spoons!)

Our other dessert was the Devil’s Food Layer Cake vanilla mascarpone filling, with milk ice cream.

Even the menus were glam! By the way, try their cocktails, too. They are amazing!

Another night we had drinks at the Plaza Hotel, which is always a fun & classy thing to do!

(Brunch there is amazing, too!) I couldn't resist taking a picture of the beautiful table of flowers in the lobby. The Plaza always has the most gorgeous flower displays!

My drink at The Plaza was wonderful! Very light & refreshing.

Can't remember what it was called, but it had gin, ginger beer, and lemon or lime juice. It was topped with fresh mint & candied ginger, too. SO good!

The last place I want to share with you is Antique Garage, in Soho.

I was shopping in Soho one afternoon and happened upon this adorable little place.

I judged a book by it's cover, as they say, and make the decision this place looked too cute not to go in!

Turns out I was right. This tiny Greek & Middle Eastern restaurant has a polite and informative staff, great food, and unbeatable prices! Go here if you are ever in Soho and find yourself a little hungry from all that shopping :)

Inside the restaurant. Exposed brick walls and ornate crystal chandeliers give this place a neat vibe.

I was eating dinner in a couple of hours, so I kept it light by ordering from their large appetizer and salad menu. I ordered the Tzatziki, which was a yogurt spread with cucumbers and fresh dill. It was served with their warm, homemade bread... PERFECT! I ordered a nice glass of white wine, at the suggestion of my server. It ended up being the perfect mid-afternoon snack, adding to the perfection was the fact that all the windows were open due to the unseasonably warm day!

Hope you enjoyed my other NYC post! Please let me know YOUR favorite NYC places! xx

Stoked.

2011-04-21T17:11:00.000-05:00

Just got these babies last week in NYC! So. Stoked.

These will be summer staples, as evidenced by the mountain of people that worn these short boots this past week at Coachella - as seen here, here, and here.

Random thought of the day: I am thinking about stealing on of my little honey's shirts and doing this...

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NYC Trip. Part One.

2011-04-19T23:51:00.000-05:00

My husband's job is crazy and can change at a moment's notice. So now that I am a wifey, I have to be ready to go/move/travel at a moment's notice! I love it, but sometimes gets a little nuts, seeing myself coming and going! Last week, I found out he was going to New York. So what did I do when I learned my little honey was going to be in my favorite city? I booked a flight to meet him, of course! We were only there for 4 days, but I packed a lot into those 96 hours! I decided to hit up a couple of my NYC staples but also try a couple of new places that I've been dying to try!

The day we got there was a day off for him, so we went to one of my top 3 favorite NYC restaurants: Orso. My aunt has been coming to this place for YEARS, every time she comes to NYC to go to market for Kittie Kyle. It never disappoints.

The wine list is great and peppered with many affordable -yet amazing - bottle options.

The one we had, above, was great!

Some stand outs on the Orso menu:

Arugula, Trevisano, and Endive Salad with red wine vinaigrette

Escargot in White wine, bacon, tomato, and truffle oil Brodetto

Sauteed Calf's Liver with Crispy Onions & pine nuts

Don't knock it until you try it. It's surprisingly amazing!

Other stand outs are: Blood orange, shaved fennel, and red lettuce salad with shaved ricotta salata; any of their pizzas; Oven Roasted Quail stuffed with sweet italian sausage, broccoli rabe, pine nuts, and raisins with marsala wine sauce; and the pork chop. This place is small, intimate, and dimly lit - right on Restaurant Row - at 322 W. 46th St. between 8th and 9th. A must-eat for every time I'm in NYC!

This was right across the street from our hotel, and I had been wanting to try it!

The burgers were great & really fresh!

Chris and I liked them almost as much as our beloved In-n-Out burgers! Ha!

We were in the mood for something sweet and ordered the "Pretzel! The Concrete" milkshake.

It was chocolate custard, peanut butter sauce, chocolate covered pretzels, and marshmallow sauce.

Chelsea Market = Great place to go, eat, walk around, and eat some more.

This a foodie's paradise!

Saved the BEST for last...

My favorite NYC lunch place: La Bonne Soupe!

Again, I found this place thanks to my aunt. She's been coming here for years, too!

An adorable little French restaurant with the best soups I've ever had!

I always order from the "Les Bonnes Soupes" section of the menu.

One of my favorite soups is their Soupe Paysanne a l'Orge, which is a mushroom and barley soup with lamb. It's one of the tastiest soups I've ever had, which says a lot, because I'm a huge soup fan! This place is small, yet ALWAYS crowded. I highly recommend going here for a great, comforting lunch or light dinner. Amazing soup, warm bread, and a glass of wine? You can't beat it! By the way, you can get way more than soup here. I just stick to the soup because it's that good!

La Bonne Soupe is located at 48 West 55th Street, between 5th & 6th Ave.

Hope you guys enjoyed my little NYC re-cap, part one. Part two coming soon! If you have any NYC places you love to go, please let me know! I love learning about new places!

Fig & Blue Cheese Appetizer Tarts

2011-04-16T18:07:00.000-05:00

Everyone needs to have an arsenal of recipes that can be called upon at a moment's notice, or when you really need to impress ~~your mother-in-law~~ your friends. I've got several main course and dessert recipes that are staples, but until recently I hadn't found a stand-out appetizer recipe. About a month ago, I went to visit my aunt and uncle in Memphis. They are both AMAZING cooks, especially my uncle, who likes to cook with exotic ingredients & is always on the hunt for a new, off-the-beaten-path recipe. While doing one of the wine tastings I mentioned here, they served these Fig & Blue Cheese Tarts. With one bite, I knew this would be added to my recipe collection! Recipe is below. Try them for yourself, or make them for your next get together and bask in the glow of every one's praise!

Fig & Blue Cheese Appetizer Tarts

4 oz. cream cheese

1 cup crumbled blue cheese

1/3 cup sweet orange marmalade

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

6 oz. dried mission figs, coarsely chopped

2 cans crescent roll sheets

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash cream cheese & blue cheese with a fork. In a small saucepan, mix marmalade & balsamic vinegar on low heat, whisking to blend. Stir in figs, and simmer over low until figs are soft and most of liquid is absorbed - around 10 mins. Without unrolling dough, cut into 16 slices and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press in center of dough, making a deep indention/pocket. Put around 1 teaspoon of the cheese & fig mixture into the indention, making sure it's far enough into the dough that it won't overflow once baked. Sprinkle with the nuts. Bake until golden brown, around 11-15 mins. Serve warm. Enjoy!

Earring Obsession.

2011-04-09T08:36:00.000-05:00

My favorite accessory of all time has to be bracelets. Cuffs, bangles, big, small, (but mostly big, ha), metal, wood, plastic, Lucite, rhinestone, gold, silver.... you get the picture. I love it all! To me, that is the perfect accessory. No doubt, my mom's love of a statement bracelet - or in her case, an armful of them - helped me arrive at my decision. I've mentioned it before on here, but almost everyday since I can remember, she wears 3 gorgeous sterling cuffs from the Indian Market in Santa Fe. She purchased those classics on a trip she took with my dad almost 20 years ago, and they have rarely left her left arm since! (Picture below)

My deep love for an armful of bracelets still stands, but lately I've been drawn to statement earrings just as much! My hair is naturally curly, and I live in the South. Sooooo that means...

Curly hair + humid weather = bad hair days

Because of that nice little equation, I wear my hair up a lot. I just can't stand for my hair to be down when it's hot and windy or when I'm on the water during the summer months. When my hair is up, I like to have a big pair of earrings to offset the up do. (And by up do, I mean a high ponytail or "knot.") Lately, I've been packing up some things in my apartment, so I can go live with my husband for the season, and in doing so I've found I have quite a collection of statement earrings. Since the summer is coming up & humid weather is headed our way, I would encourage you to ~~let your hair down~~ put your hair up, have some fun, and try the statement earring trend! Here is some of my recent collection!

These sliced agate earrings, dipped in silver around the edges, are so unique!

They are Ethereal earrings by Sarah Richey, which I purchased at H. Audrey in Nashville.

Lucky you, starting May 1st, you can order from her website.

I had the chance to meet her, and she's LOVELY! Definitely check out her site!

Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane. Can't wait to wear these this summer with a tan,

flowy maxi dress, and some jeweled flats!

Vintage earrings from East India. These are very old, which adds a ton of character!

Some of my new faves, from the new Anthropologie Accessories Store in Nashville!

As I mentioned on Twitter, if you are near Nashville, you MUST visit the store!

Love the turquoise & gold color combination!

My friend Rachel introduced me to Diana Warner jewlery, and now I'm hooked!

These were my first pair of her earrings, and they are stunning on the ear!

Earrings from Kittie Kyle, the store my aunts & mom started in the 70s.

If you are ever in Memphis, TN, this store should be on your list!

The buyers are so good at finding affordable, yet incredibly unique jewelry designers!

I didn't have a single pair of earrings with hot pink, so I added them to my collection asap!

These will look great with anything black!

I don't wear silver that often,

but these captured my attention while shopping in L.A. this past December.

Got them at the cutest store on Robertson called undrest.

Love their small collections of swim suits, lingerie, sleepwear, and jewelry!

I got into collecting vintage jewelry because of my love for rhinestone bracelets/earrings.

Here is my most recent find! They make a huge statement, trust me!

They "crawl" up the side of the ear, giving a dramatic effect for evening.

I recently won these earrings on my first blog giveaway at A Sequin Dress At Breakfast!

The earrings are designed by "Inspired by Elizabeth."

Check out her Etsy store for more beautiful jewelry! She also does custom pieces!

Here are my mom's cuffs from the Indian Market in Santa Fe!

That's all for now! Hope you guys enjoyed this post! My next post will be some statement earring picks from me, so come back and check those out!

Heads up: Just found out I'm going to Baltimore tonight, then onto NYC for next week!!! (Yay!) Because of that, I may not post as much in the next week. Will return soon, though, with details from my trips! Have a great weekend! xx

Yes Please.

2011-04-05T09:29:00.000-05:00

I will be wearing a version of this look a lot this spring and summer. Mark my words. I am short (5'2"), and when I wear a great-fitting pair of wider leg jeans with high heels...my legs look a mile long! Would YOU wear this trend?

Wine & Cheese Pairings.

2011-04-02T12:31:00.000-05:00

It's no secret how much I love wine. I love learning about it just as much as I love the fun times with family or friends that come with sharing a ~~bottle~~ glass. Pairing wine and cheese has always been easy to me, because I feel like ALL wine goes with ALL cheese.... right?? Well, it all depends on your own personal taste, but in tasting some of the pairings below, I've found there is an art to pairing wine and cheese. The cheeses below came from specialty cheese shops, but I would think Trader Joes and/or Whole Foods would have them (or something very close) in stock. Just ask the guy behind the counter, especially at Whole Foods, as they are always so knowledgeable and helpful! Here are two of my favorites...

Valckenberg Dornfelder 2009 wine paired with Cambazola Blue Cheese

Tip: Add toasted walnuts to the mix. The flavors go so well together!

The wine is a lighter red, but it pairs so well with the bolder blue cheese.

This is a perfect pairing for the upcoming warmer nights!

Oveja Negra Carmenere 2008 wine, paired with Pickwick English Cheddar w/caramelized onions.

(the cheese pictured is not the English Cheddar, because we ate it all! HA!)

This is, by far, the best wine/cheese pairing I've ever had! The caramelized onions in the cheese impart

such a rich flavor... trust me, you need to have this pairing!

Both the wine and cheese are bold and full of flavor!

Other pairings I would recommend:

-Lot 3 Port (Marietta Cellars) paired with Point Reyes blue cheese

-Chianti Classico paired with Percorino Toscano cheese

-Sauvee classico paired with Tallegio

-Alexander Valley Dry Rose of Sangiovese paired with Cocoa Cardona

-Rocca Vermentino 2009 paired with Brinata del Megello

-Bunratty Meade paired with Cahill Irish Porter Cheese

All pairing ideas from here. They do online tasting every Wednesday, so tune in if you're interested! My aunt & uncle, who are big time foodies, turned me onto this, and I love it! Enjoy! xx

Shape Wear.

2011-03-29T21:10:00.000-05:00

In the past few years, I've really been drawn to clothes with interesting and unique shapes. Even a black pair of pants can stand out if they have a unique shape to them! As I posted here, the white dress has a shape to it that I've never seen before. It drapes out on both sides, giving the dress some character. Even though it's just a plain white dress, the structure of it takes it to a whole new level! I've loved these LF pants since the second I laid eyes on them in the store! They are perfectly slouchy, yet extremely lady-like...hands down, my favorite pair of pants in my closet right now! Don't be afraid of clothing with unique structure! If worn right, it can transform your look!

Love the details of the waist line & pleating down the front!

Incredible "Monies" necklace & earrings

Same designer of necklaces seen here and here (the last pic)

Mom and I both have the cross necklace in black and brown...

And LOVE it!!

Bebe shoes; Karen Zambos Vintage Couture blouse; Hermes bracelet

Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes.

2011-03-27T11:40:00.000-05:00

I'm not usually a breakfast person. Never have been. My sweet mama had to search high and low for creative ways to make me eat breakfast as a kid. I know it's the healthy thing to do and all, but I still don't wake up in the AM thrilled chow down on my morning meal. However, call it "brunch" and move it back a couple of hours, and I am SOLD! I love finding great brunch places, leisurely spending my mornings eating and drinking with loved ones. But I also love to cook my own breakfast/brunch foods every now and then. This morning I was in the mood to do just that and made these Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes. I added craisins, instead of raisins - and it was just as good! I've added this recipe to my list of morning favorites!

Lindsay's Loving...

2011-03-23T12:09:00.000-05:00

....this WHOLE look by TWELFTH STREET BY CYNTHIA VINCENT!!!

The oversized, slouchy cream button up is perfection, paired with the long, sleek black skirt! That brown belt is the cherry-on-top and pulls together the whole look. And we ALL know how much I love statement jewelry!! Wish I was a foot taller with a birthday coming up! ;)

Lindsay's Loving...

2011-03-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

SUPER Sunglasses Basic Wayfarer in Black

SUPER sunglasses "Lucia" Deep Black Translucent

SUPER Sunglasses Basic Wayfarer in Summer Safari Puma

I am obsessed with these sunglasses. All 3 pair.

Here's the scoop on these impossibly cool shades...

The founders of SUPER sunglasses, Daniel and Simon Beckerman, wanted to create "sunglasses for the people" (lucky us) that are inspired by different cultures and street couture. They design sunglasses with a modern take on vintage style and shape. I couldn't have described a more perfect pair of sunglasses!

Check out all there styles here.

BY THE WAY... Would love for you guys to follow me on TWITTA! :)

Follow me here.

Vintage Jewelry Coming Soon!

2011-03-16T21:20:00.000-05:00

As you guys know, I've been traveling a TON lately. On my travels across the U.S., I've been collecting some great vintage jewelry. Some I've kept for myself (hehe), but some I've saved and put back to sell here on my blog. I wanted to collect a few stunning -and very unique- pieces before unveiling them on here. I've looked everywhere and been very picky about what I bought. Here are a few pieces I've gotten recently. The picture was taken with my iPhone, so I apologize if it's not the best! Enjoy the pre-view of what's to come!

Skin: According to Me.

2011-03-11T14:21:00.000-06:00

Hello friends! I had an idea for a post, due to a friend asking me what products I used on my face. She is just as much into finding the right products for her skin and taking care of her face as I am, so she asked me what my favorite products were. I just composed a LONG email (sorry, Jill!) outlining everything I've found that WORKS, so I thought I would share it with you all. I love finding out what skincare routines people use, in hopes I can learn something from them and the journey they took to find their "Perfect skin." Plus, I'm not going to lie.... I am still waiting on someone to tell me they found the miracle product that made their lines go away completely and their skin to glow like a baby's behind!! Don't laugh. NASA has made a hunk of metal that can go to space, so why can't someone invent a little creme that makes expression lines vanish?

Without going too deep into my skin woes and giving you every last detail of my skin since I was 13, here's the skinny on what I've used that WORKS. (And I've tried a lot of things, people. Too many to name. So many that you'd think I have a problem hoarding facial products. In fact, my dad thinks I do have a problem with that, but that's whole different post. Sorry Dad.)

1. I use Pro-Active. I use all three of their "basic" kit, plus my favorite daytime moisturizer ever: Their oil-free moisturizer with SPF 15! I love it, and it doesn't break me out or clog my pores. (which says a lot, because it seemed like every single thing I tried made me break out or clogged my pores) I realize this system may not work for everyone, and I probably need to try and find another system since I am not in my teens or early twenties anymore. (Wow, that's a harsh reality.) But it works for me, and I never have breakouts so I am sticking with it for now.

2. Decleor Paris "Aromessence Neroli oil" - I just started using this about 2 weeks ago, after I had it put on my face during a facial. I was a little nervous because I have never used an "oil" on my face, and I was worried that it would break me out. The lady giving me my facial said that oils are the BEST thing to put on your skin for moisture and to get that "glow" that everyone wants. Here's something about me: I love for my skin to "glow" and that kind of sold me on the product. That and her amazing accent. If something promises that it makes skin "glow," I am all over it. Even if it's slug slime in a bottle. Gross but true. This oil has not broken me out ONE TIME, and it does not clog my pores! It's amazing and leaves my skin so soft... and with a nice glow, from the moisture that's being put back into my skin. Added bonus: It also smells great. Any of the oils in that line are supposedly great, and they address a number of skin concerns, so pick the one that's best for you. The one that I am now using is a new product that is now on my "must-have" list.

3. I started using Retinols about a year and a half ago, and they have changed my skin!! Retinols are chemical exfoliants that work to remove dead skin cells to reveal newer/brighter/younger looking skin. I started off with the La Roche Posay .30%. I absolutely loved it, but I am not sure where you can buy it anymore. Someone said at CVS, but I haven't seen it. It never irritated my skin, and I (try) to use it 3-4 times a week. I've recently upped my dosage, to a .5% though. I am using Skinceuticals brand now. See it here. I am a BIG fan of retinol, and it's something you want to start using in your mid to late 20s from what every skin care person tells me. Just make sure you're using a sunscreen during the day if you're using them!

4. My skin would be a little dry when using Pro-Active, and I was looking everywhere for a good moisturizer that wouldn't break me out. I finally found one I love, after reading about it in a magazine. It's by Nicholas Perricone (his original line is AMAZING but very $$$), but he's come out with a new line that's more affordable and based on super foods. His new line is called "Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone." I use the "Super O-Mega Moisture with Chia." I love it! It's made such a difference to my skin not being as dry, but it's not a heavy moisturizer... so don't worry about that. I've been using it for a little over a month, and I have not broken out once!

5. I use the Clarisonic brush, which is a MUST for me now. I think that adding this to my skincare routine is the best thing I've ever done!

6. Once I got engaged last Feb. I started getting facials once a month, until the wedding. That was the ONE THING that made my skin look flawless on a regular basis. Now I don't do that as much now, because it is $$ to do it that often, but it is worth it. I would suggest maybe getting a facial every 2-4 months. My facialist (who is the best one I've found in Nashville - and she's affordable) told me that I didn't need to be using Pro-Active all the time, after using it all these years. She said since I am not breaking out anymore that I could use it less. I am afraid to stop using it all together, since it's made such a difference in my skin. She told me about a line called "Therapy Systems" that had 2 products that I might like:

Therapy Systems Balancing Gel Cleanser

Therapy Systems Sensitive Glycolic Cleanser

I use those two products when I want to take a break from the Pro-Active, and they are both SO gentle...so I would not worry about them being "too much." I love them, and they are now both staples in my skin care routine! Glycolic is something that also exfoliates your skin very gently and removes dirt and impurities from skin. It really cleans out your pores, which I need because the pores on my nose get clogged really easily. I use the balancing gel morning and night, but I only use the glycolic wash at night.

7. Two other products I've used and loved are:

Ole Henrikson "Truth Serum Collagen Booster"

This is a high potency vitamin C serum that helps prevent aging and promotes brightness.

Also gives that "glow"

Bliss "Peeling Groovy Facial Serum"

This is a liquid exfoliant, and I used this about 2-3 years ago and

really saw a difference in how smooth and soft my skin was.

Both of those products I used together, along with the Pro-Active, and so many people commented on how great my skin looked! I would say the two times in my life my skin has looked the best (after college, when I was in the "real world" and the stresses of everyday life start to ~~work their magic~~ take their toll, ha) was when a) when I used those two things, above, along with the Pro-Active and b) Using what I use now: the Decleor oil & Super O-Mega Moisturizer along with the Pro-Active and alternating with the Therapy Systems products.

I know that's a lot of info, but I love talking about this kind of thing. I think it's really important for people to take care of their skin, and the earlier....the better! Every time I go to get a facial, they tell me my skin looks really good when they get it underneath that bright light (which shows all major and minor imperfections). I am so glad, because it can get to the point of no-return if you're not careful. I love hearing about other people's miracle products, so please please please leave me a comment with what works for you guys! I really love hearing about it, and let's be honest.... I will probably have to buy them and try them out for myself. Maybe my dad was right....... I might have a problem..... :)

Wedding Shower Style.

2011-03-08T17:39:00.000-06:00

....Better late than never! I was going through all my blog pictures today and saw all the ones from my bridal showers. I thought, "Surely you posted all these BACK IN OCTOBER.... BEFORE the wedding." I looked like a mad woman all through my blog archives. Nothing. Could it be I forgot to do this post entirely?? After I'd nagged people to take the pictures for me?? Welp. I did. Welcome to my world.

So here's the deal... I had a lot going on before my November wedding, then Thanksgiving, then moving to CA for the months of Dec. and Jan. Then coming back for Christmas....then back to CA. That gives me a free pass, right? Well, I am taking that as a "yes" and posting pictures from my wedding showers today. Even though it's a good 4-5 months later. I am so proud of all the hard work & love everyone put into these showers, and I wanted to share that with all my lovely followers! Hope you enjoy these pictures! These were some amazing times! :)

This was my first shower, hosted by two of my neighbors in my hometown! It was a "Recipe Shower," where people brought their favorite recipes & the kitchen utensils in order to make them.

Such a clever idea!

Food Network called. They need a new tv star.

Wait.... Did I say Food Network...?

I meant Comedy Central.

Cute themed corsage for the shower. It had a dish scrubber on it!

Petro Zillia top & skirt. Gucci sunglasses. Two metallic bracelets my mom got me in Charleston, SC.

This was my second shower, which was a "Family Shower," hosted by one of my best friends.

In this picture, one of my other best friends (from pre-school!) and her baby!

Best picture I could find of what I wore that afternoon...

These are my grandparents (Mom's side).

I wore a Missoni maxi dress and one vintage bracelet of my mom's.

Such a special shower!

We had all of our family & close friends there, minus a few,

so it was very touching to see everyone there...supporting us!

My third shower was thrown outdoors by a few neighbors and friends.

(One of the hostess was my 6th grade teacher! Must have been good that year.)

This picture is with my sweet mama, who looks AMAZING!

I am wearing a dress from Barney's NY (can't remember the designer) and gold sandals from Nordstrom (also can't remember the brand). Sorry y'all!

My mom is wearing BCBG sandals, blue skirt from Barney's (might be Vince or ALC??),

tank and shrug from BCBG, Amanda Beck cuff, vintage gold belt, and necklace from a boutique in Chicago.

This is one of my other best friends, the one that hosted the family shower for me!

The beautiful mimosa station!

My 4th shower was an afternoon tea, at the City Hall in my hometown.

It was thrown by 2 of my mom's best friends from college and 7 more of her other close friends.

I chose to finally wear white to one of my bridal showers, ha.

I wore a silk dupioni tiered skirt that I had custom made for me back during my "pageant days." (Oy.)

The lace top is my mom's from Kittie Kyle (the clothing line my mom and aunts designed back in the day), and the belt is from Arden B.

Let's not even talk about what I'm wearing... Look at my little mama!!

Mom is wearing (from what I can remember) a Banana Republic top and skirt, leather obi belt from Kittie Kyle, vintage earrings, and a cuff I designed for her!

With my grandmother (Dad's side)

Doesn't she look amazing??

Y'all, it was decorated so beautifully, it took my breath away!

To the right of the table, there was a violin player, playing throughout the entire shower!

A little over a hundred people from my hometown came to say hello that day.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude!

My last shower was a "Stock the Cellar" party,

thrown by my best friend from childhood & her parents.

I wore black top from Kittie Kyle, black Bebe shorts, two sets of vintage necklaces,

and my favorite part of the outfit.... THE SHOES! (below)

I saved and saved and saved for these puppies!

A lot of people asked me if they were Betsy Johnson shoes, but they aren't.

I am not at my house in Nashville, so I can't remember the brand.

They are show-stoppers though! Wanted to wear all black with them so they made a PUNCH!

Again, look at my little mama!! Loved the pops of red and mustard yellow.

My bff, Ashley, is so creative. We loved this so much that it hung up in our living room until

about a 2 months ago!

My best friends from college!

Getting some Waterford crystal... I feel like royalty. Chris feels excited, too,

but probably doesn't know why ;)

This was when you walked in. You signed the guest book and wrote a piece of advice for us,

as a newly married couple, and then tied it to the tree. Such a fun idea!

Once we got home and read what everyone said, we laughed, cried, and might have

been a little embarrassed. Thanks to my brother and dad! haha

My last shower was the morning of my wedding. My 2 grandmothers and 3 aunts threw me a

Brides and Bridesmaids Brunch at the Hutton Hotel. (Same place the wedding reception was)

It was stunning, as you can see!

I wore a black one-shoulder Riller & Fount dress, rhinestone belt, Wolford leopard tights,

and Rock & Republic heels.

Me & all the hostesses.

Everyone who came.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures! I wanted to mix things up and not wear white to all of my bridal showers. I choose to wear bold prints & color schemes, and also another favorite look of mine: All black with bold accent jewelry or shoes. Can't go wrong with that - to any event! :) As always, thank you for reading my little blog. It means SO MUCH to me!!! xx