BIRTHDAY!

Today I am turning the Big 2-8.  My wonderful husband baked me the cutest cupcakes ever.

Thanks Babe! Love You! xoxo

Strawberry, my fav!

Barefoot Contessa: Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Last week I attempted to make this salad when our good friend Natalie came over for dinner.  We all loved it however I felt like something was off in the dressing.  Tonight I made it again and manipulated the recipe slightly.  I decreased the maple syrup by one tablespoon, added one Truvia packet to the dressing and used candied pecans instead of walnuts.  Tonight it was perfect!  I definitely suggest you try it sometime.  It's quick and easy.  The bacon is so easy to cook in the oven, I never imagined cooking it like that, all the fat drips off and it's a super easy clean up.

Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Serves 4 to 5

8 slices (8 ounces) thick-cut bacon, such as Niman Ranch

8 ounces baby arugula

1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced

1/2 cup toasted walnut halves, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup dried cranberries

6 ounces blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled

For the Dressing:

3 tablespoons good apple-cider vinegar

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

2 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2/3 cup good olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and lay the bacon slices on the rack. Roast the bacon for about 20 minutes, until nicely browned. Allow to cool.

3. In a large bowl, toss together the arugula, apple, walnuts, cranberries, and blue cheese. For the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, mustard, maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.

4. Chop the bacon into large pieces and add it to the salad. Toss the salad with just enough dressing to moisten. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss well. Serve immediately.

My version

20's Inspired Fashion

Last night my husband and I watched the first episode of Boardwalk Empire.  We both, hands down loved it.  For me, something about it was so glamorous.  Obviously most of the Glamour came from the amazing 20's style fashion, I couldn't get enough of it.   As I was watching, it was becoming quite apparent we'll be seeing more of these glamorous looks on 2010 and 2011 runways and in stores.  Fashion in the 20s was pioneered by Coco Chanel...so it's no wonder that the styles are timeless.

See the resemblance?

Pucci

Armani runway 

 Versace runway

DVF

I absolutely love the accessories.  I die for pearls, feathers and SPARKLE.

all from anthropologie

Banana Republic

To end this post I'll leave you with one of my favorite Chanel quotes:

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."

Baroque

I've been searching for inspiration for our living room and pretty much obsessing over what to do in there. It's a complete blank canvas besides our recent sofa purchase from Restoration Hardware.  I am totally inspired by the baroque furniture I've been seeing everywhere.  Here are some great images I may try to emulate in our home, they are just so darn lovely.   Maybe not in pink but some other great pop of color.

If we obtain some of these baroque pieces we'll be broke.  Ah, My attempt at being funny...I know, I'm lame.

Saturday Sparkle

David Yurman Love

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I need a new cocktail ring.

Find of the week!

Yesterday my husband and I were browsing around TJ Maxx (yes, he is a saint) and we came across a   KEEP CALM plaque.  I had been stalking one on Zgallerie.com for months I just couldn't commit to the color.  I wanted a bright yellow one and there it was just sitting on the shelf at TJs.  Don't you just LOVE when that happens?  It was a major moment!

Zgallerie 79.99

TJ Maxx 12.99

Um, Yes I must have one

I'm currently in the process of decorating my whole house.  What a project, my head is spinning and so is my bank account.  I have recently been obsessing over ghost chairs.  I must have one in my home!  I think it will bring an elegant yet modern touch to the room.  Now what room will my new chair call home?  I'm thinking the office maybe?  More to come...

Here's my inspiration

Chic Outerwear

Someone very wise once told me, your coat is THE most important part of your outfit.  It's the one article of clothing that most will see you in.  It should be a definite statement piece.  With fall here I'm in search for some fabulous outerwear.

Soia & Kyo

Via Spiga

Kate Spade

J.Crew

Michael Kors

summer, i will miss you...

I can't believe summer is Over.  It went by so fast.  My favorite memory of this summer was our trip to Greece.  It was an absolutely amazing experience, I hope life allows us to go back next year.

Ballos, Crete

Athens

Meronas, Crete

My favorite part of our trip was meeting my new family.  They were the sweetest people ever.  If I could have fit them in my suitcase I would have taken them home with me.

Kamari, Santorini

Sad day, Leaving Greece.