What's For Dinner?

What's For Dinner?  Why Nick and Toni's Penne Alla Vecchia Bettola of course! 

I have two favorite tomato sauce recipes, the one which I'm making tonight & first read about on The Amateur Gourmet, & another one that I found on Orangette but is actually a Marcella Hazan original. 

I was thinking about making the simpler recipe which is basically tomatoes, an onion, & butter, but when I realized that I had vodka & cream on hand it wasn't really a hard decision.   

I even splurged on the expensive & delicious San Marzano tomatoes, so I'm excited to see & taste how the dish differs from the last time I made it with regular old cheap tomatoes.

Find the recipe here & enjoy!


(Update:  It didn't taste any different with the San Marzano tomatoes.  But it was still delicious!)

 

(photo taken with Cross Process iPhone app)

The Best Thing To Wear For Today

The perfect outfit to wear for lounging about the house blogging & then perhaps running a few errands.  I'm always looking for the perfect highwater pants & I think this J. Crew pair fits the bill perfectly!  Click the photo above for details.

More

More unbelievably amazing ombre hair! Someday, someday.

(image via Jak & Jil)

Can This Catalog Be Turned Into A Room?

At this point, anything you could say about J. Crew has already been said, suffice it to say that I want everything in their new catalog & I couldn't be more in love with their color scheme (as seen above).

I'd love to actually paint/decorate a room with this palette, after stalking paint chips at Home Depot I think these would work marvelously!

Glidden paint in Coral, Sunbaked Orange, & Watermelon Smoothie

(image via J Crew)

Not Again!

Look at this fantastic soup tureen from Crate & Barrel!  It's so cute AND it's only $14.95!!!

You may have noticed that I have been bloggin' nonstop about C&B and there is a reason for that, namely that I just got a job there.  I will try not to talk about them all the time but sometimes things are so amazingly designed and such a mindbogglingly low price that I have to tell y'all.  Such is the case with the adorbs Brunswick Soup Pot.  It's stoneware and oven safe, with a glossy brown interior, and I think it would be perfect for serving my fav winter soup, recipe here.

(image via Crate & Barrel)

Classic With A Twist

Now that I live in Los Angeles away from my immediate family, I was invited to an "orphan's" Thanksgiving dinner.  I ended up bringing mashed potatoes (Martha's recipe, of course) & a chocolate bourbon pecan pie.  Both recipes turned out great, as did all the other dishes at the party, and a great time was had by all!

Recipe after the break.

Happy Thanksgiving!

If money, time, & table space were not a factor, I would be decorating my Thanksgiving table with this gorgeous & breathtaking centerpiece that was featured on Design Sponge this week. 

Have a great Thanksgiving y'all!

Picture Perfect

I have to admit, I'm not really a huge fan of holidays (except for the extra day off!) but if I could have this classic Eva Zeisel designed gravy boat on my Thanksgiving table, I may change my mind!
Crate & Barrel has the whole collection, buy here.  $47.95

(Remember when the coffee set was featured on Mad Men?  I almost died.  Just so you know, it's on ultra sale at the C&B Outlet.  Check it here.  $39.95)

Cross-Stitchery

My latest cross stitch project. 

I love this little frenchy beret wearing peacock so much I want to stitch it over & over!

I used PC Stitch software to turn a cute pic I found online into a cross stitch pattern, then modified it to make it simpler & to use only 4 colors instead of 30.  It was stitched with DMC thread on a 14 count fabric.  Super fun!

Insane Platforms by Jessica Simpson (sshhhhh!)

Don't you just hate it when you detest a celebrity & then they go & design a shoe that you just love?  THE WORST!  I guess I shouldn't be too upset because I know that J Simps doesn't actually design any of her stuff.  There is probably some genius Parsons graduate behind it all, dreaming of the day when they get to put their quality name on their own product.  Sigh. 

All the bloggers are wearing them!

Buy them here. $99

(images via Bleubird Vintage & Amazon)

What's For Dinner?

I frequently find inspiration from the pages of Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine and this month's issue was no exception.  This delicious "Carne Guisada" caught my eye but I thought I might tweak it a bit as I didn't have the ingredients for tacos on hand, nor did I have 6 hours to devote to the slow cooker method.  I eliminated the peppers and jalapenos, doubled the diced tomatoes, and added a dash of red wine vinegar before serving to brighten the flavor.  Then I served it over couscous with lemon and chopped cilantro and it was this lovely cozy comforting stew-like dish.  Just heaven on this cold night.  The dish was cooked perfectly after 3 hours at 350 degrees.

Recipe after the break.

Poehler Bear

I have been rewatching the second season of "Parks & Recreation" & I was reminded of the best thing I've seen on television in years.  Amy Poehler's character, Leslie Knope, goes on a hunting trip and things go awry.
Watch it here.
If you haven't seen the show it has some amazing characters, my favorites are Jean Ralphio & Duke Silver, Ron Swanson's alter ego. 

Long Hair?

For the first time in say, 15 years, I want me some long hair! 

I'm really loving the ombre effect that everyone and their mother are rocking.

(image via Stop It Right Now)

Marimekko Time

Crate & Barrel has awesome Marimekko wrapping paper! $7.95

Anna Della Russo's Holiday Rules!

Now begins the critical period for PARTIES to celebrate CHRISTMAS.

They involving not only the family and friends, as well as formal events.

I'm going to remember you my 10 RULES to be always on TOP!

1. Don't wear RED or GREEN outfits.  You will look alike a Christmas tree.

2. Forget any COATS (also if outside it's only 5 degrees).  You should make a big impact just with your dress.

3. Choose a GOLD.  You will emphasize the idea  to be a Christmas GIFT to unwrap.

4. Go to the hairdresser, facial, manicure and pedicure.  Don't be worry to be OVER-DONE!

5. Choose between HAT and MAKEUP, if you wear a hat keep fresh face otherwise you will looks like a transvestite.

6. Wearing lots of JEWELLERY.  The sound of JEWELLERY banish bad thoughts and bad ghosts.

7. Focus on the SHOES.  Generally at Christmas party you spend a lot of time seated on the sofa.


8. Shoes have to carry all the magical atmosphere of Christmas:  Choose sparkling, shiny, eccentric, metallic, decorative, precious, brocade, extravagant, color-full, magnificent, enchanting,... PAIR OF SHOES.


9. Don't be worry about your BAG, you immediately will forget it on some chairs.


10. Don't throw yourself on the drinks and on the food.  It's not POLITE!

Anna Della Russo

Have you seen the Anna Della Russo blog?  I sometimes use the word GENIUS a little lightly, but it's the real deal.