sandr077

Okay, usually I cook my "Meatless Monday" recipes on Sunday to ensure they are quality before I recommend to you my dear readers!  This week I am dishing it up untested.  The husband and I had the stomach flu all weekend and our sunday night meal was buttered noodles.  That was about all we could handle.  But, we will be having this for dinner tonight!    This recipe is similar to one that an old friend served to me which is why it caught my attention.   I have adjusted the recipe based on some reviewers feedback.  Reviews are my favorite part of finding recipes online... someone else has always made edits that benefit the rest of us! :)  The reviews here said cut back the brie.  It recommends 8 ounces- but I cut back to 6 ounces (based on feedback).    This recipe is meatless and easy! Ingredients 8 ounces spaghetti 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 bunch broccoli (about 1 1/4 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch flowerets,;reserving stems ...

Okay, I know I promised you capes last week after debuting my new green Gossip Girlesque cape .  I love capes.  They are so easy to throw on (literally).  I especially love wearing over a suit so I don't feel so stuffed into jackets... you know what I mean?  But, I live in my capes on the weekend.   In my book a cape is a must have right now.... although in Boston it is soon to be very cold so layer layer layer. Here are some great cape options! Kookai Cape at Asos J Crew Streetscape Cape $129 (now on sale) Tahari at Nordstroms ($148) Romwe Band Collar $58 Alice by Temperley at Net a Porter (on sale $325) DKNY Double Breasted Cape $219 (on sale now!) Romwe Navy Cape $60 Capes are everywhere... these are just a few of the options out there!  Go get one! :)  Until next time.....xoxo

Okay, I know I promised you capes today, but I am going to make you wait! :)  Instead I am sharing these REALLY cute posters .  I have several good friends having babies and so I have nurseries (for them) on the brain.  I  do not like over "theme" nurseries where everything comes out of one box and matches exactly.  I also prefer nurseries that are baby focused but somewhat "elegant" or "hip". These posters check bot the hip and elegant box and I think they would look awesome in most any nursery.  These are my favorites and would like great hung in a grouping. How cute are they?  So many cute and simple and clever options!  The prices are very reasonable too.   Until next time...xoxo

Yes, it arrived.  I love getting my pink box each month.  This month is .... okay.  Not great, not terrible. Here is the breakdown! 1.  Atelier Cologne (unknown size).   Full sized product 30ml. sells for $60.  TBD. 2.  Borghese Fango Active Mud (1 oz).  Full sized product 7 oz sells for $33.50.  Value of sample is $4.79. 3.  LaROCCA Champagne and Shimmer Supreme Creme (.05 oz).  Full sized product 6.76 oz sells for $35.  Value of sample is $.29. 4.  Zoya Nail Polish (.25 oz).  Full sized .5 oz sells for $8.  Value of sample is $4.00.  5. Two Paper Dolls Coasters (2).  Set of 6 sells for $15.  Value of sample is $5.00.  Total Value of November Birchbox is $14.08 (plus cost of cologne) and I got a Baublebar bracelet thrown in ($20).  Not bad.  I am not in love with any of my products this month.   The mud is probably my favorite, but not a must have in my book.   I do love ...

Okay, I will unveil my Birchbox.... promise!  Next post!  In the meantime, I have a meatless Monday to share.   It is comfort.... in a BIG way.  Drumroll please....... homemade mac and cheese.   I love the real deal, not out of a box, mac and cheese.   I had been to friends house a year or so ago and they made Giada De Laurentis' mac and cheese and I remember thinking it was the bomb.  So, I decided this would be my recipe... assuming it met my standards.  It came out amazing.... even the husband agreed.  I tweaked the recipe VERY slightly based on reviews on the Food Network website .  (I added more flour and used small shells instead of egg noodles.)  Here is the recipe! Ingredients Butter, for greasing dish 12 ounces shells (or elbows) 2 cups  heavy cream 2 1/2 cups whole milk 3 tablespoons  all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 cups (packed) grated...

Capes are hot right now. :)  I LOVED the green one that Blair Waldorf rocked on Gossip Girl.  When I was looking for some hot cape options online... I stumbled across a store that sold THE green cape , well a knock off.  SOLD!    (The polka dot scarf was an accident.  I stumbled across it for $3 at Target).  Now, Blair is a bit more colorful than I.... but I am loving my green cape!  I just had to share this silliness of me below... just to show you how much I love Gossip Girl fashion.   I am a bit more traditional than Blair (hence no yellow shoes), but I love Blair's style... always. This green cape is my 2nd cape.  My first I got last Christmas from my sister from Zara.  It gets a lot of wear! :)  Have you bought a cape?  Come back next week if you want to see some "Life and Style A to Z" approved capes!  Also.... my November Birchbox has arrived.  I will unveil it on Monday!    Lots of good stuff ne...

So, last week much of Masschusetts lost electricity becuase of a rare October snowstorm!  We only lost it for 15 hours... so we were amongst the lucky bunch.  But, many lost it for days and days.  I have to say we appreciated our fireplace in our living room.  It made me want a gas fireplace in our family room (for another time perhaps). My friend "B" is on a house search and has made her "wants" list and a fireplace is close to the top.  It was for us as well.  We went without a garage for said fireplace.   They are one of those things that you cannot add later.  (Well unless you can do a pretty significant addition).  The are so "homey" and can be practical. I am obsessed with both inside and outside fireplaces.  Here are a few of my favorites (from Pinterst)! How incredible are these photos?  It really makes me with I had a fireplace in everyroom!  Until next time...xoxo

I have another meatless Monday meal for you!  It is an oldie but a goodie.  I have developed a mild obsession with learning to cook classics that every mom should know how to make.  I hope someday that Avery will say "my mom made the best XX".    I recently made tomato sauce and meatballs for the first time.  I am still working on a few other "classics", but today is the true comfort food.... tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.    Now, I should say that I typically don't love tomato soup... I particularly don't love canned tomato soup. Ingredients: 1 cup onion, diced ½ cup carrot, peeled and diced ½ cup celery, diced ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 6-ounce can tomato paste 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 4 cups chicken broth ½ tablesoon dried dill ½ tablespoon dried basil 1 ½ teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1 cup heavy whipping cream ¼ cup cognac brandy 1 garlic clove, minced fresh ground pepper to taste (1) In a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over m...

Okay, have I mentioned how obsessed with Pinterest I am?  I love it.  As was flipping through Pinterest last night and came across this really cute idea.  I am saving his in my "file" for when we have a future finished playroom for Avery! This is the easiest DIT project ever.  Spray paint some cookie sheets in fun color and "BAM" you have yourself a colorful magnet board! That is my idea of the day!  If any of you do it- send me photos! :)  Have a great weekend.  Until next time...xoxo

When my husband wanted to buy a house in the suburbs- I agreed ... but insisted that I needed to be within walking distance of a Starbucks and a bar.  Check and check!  Although we love the suburbs.... more than I thought I would, we do dream of city living when we retire.  That is assuming we aren't too old to really enjoy city life.  :) I lived in the city before getting married ... the "good old days" which seem like forever ago!  Who would not love city living at least some time in their life? Someday... perhaps! :)  For those of you in Boston looking for the perfect city place, call my friend Mel !  She lives the posh city life in the city with her hubby and two boys and can find you your perfect city dwelling.  Ahh...city living. Until next time...xoxo