Dining Room Evolution

Our dining room furniture was delivered last Tuesday.  Now that there is something actually in there the room is starting to come together. The wall color is Connecticut Blue, the Chandelier is from Pottery Barn, the furniture is from Havertys and our beautiful China is Kate Spade.  Here is the evolution so far.

I still have lots to do to complete this room. I need to find artwork and window treatments next.  I plan on someday having the chairs reupholstered.  I will share the transformation as it happens, stay tuned.  Below are some of the images I'm using for inspiration.

Barefoot Contessa: Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

This past weekend while my friends were in town we consumed lots of wine and somehow managed to make dinner both nights they were here.  One of the recipes we made was orzo with roasted vegetables.  It is so delicious I have to share the recipe.  It is from the Barefoot Contessa Parties cookbook.

Ingredients

• 1 small eggplant, peeled and 3/4-inch diced
• 1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced
• 1 red onion, peeled and 1-inch diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup good olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 pound orzo or rice-shaped pasta

For the dressing:

• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1/3 cup good olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To assemble:

• 4 scallions, minced (white and green parts)
• 1/4 cup pignolis (pine nuts), toasted
• 3/4 pound good feta, 1/2-inch diced (not crumbled)
• 15 fresh basil leaves, cut into julienne

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large sheet pan. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.

Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.

For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add the scallions, pignolis, feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature.

My version

The recipe says to serve at room temperature, I enjoyed it slightly warm.  In addition to the yellow and red pepper I used an orange one for more color.  And I did not peel the eggplant because I was being lazy.  The orzo is great for left overs too.  You can find this recipe in Barefoot Parties and on the foodnetwork.com

Enjoy!

Closet Craving

Rachel Zoe's studio

Ahh, I think that is what heaven looks like, or my heaven at least.  I'm sad this seasons Rachel Zoe Project is over, I love her and I LOVED the clothes.  I guess you could say styling would be my dream job.  I don't know if I'd be any good at it but I would LOVE IT.  It's playing dress up, who wouldn't?  Clothes and Accessories to me are wearable art.  Each piece evokes an expression, an emotion or tries to convey a message.   I need to update my closet so my wardrobe expresses who I am now or trying to be.  If I had a disposable income I'd want these in my closet.

Christian Louboutin nude patent peep toe pumps says polished

Chanel double strand pearl and shell necklace says classy

Blue Chloe Heloise says I'm carrying a lot of important stuff 

This sequin skirt says fun and sassy

Xmas

It always has kind of erkked me to see Christmas merchandise in stores before Halloween.  But this year I'll be hosting my very first big girl holiday in our new home.  All of the new merchandise is giving me inspiration, so I guess I can't be annoyed this year.  I feel like I have so much to prepare for, tablescape, menu, decorations, seating. I need to start planning asap if I want everything to go smooth.  I'm thinking for the tablescape I need to decide on a color palette first.  Our formal dining room is navy so I'm going to stay away from red and green and go with a cream, silver and a gold look.  More to come on all the Holiday details.

Check out these great holiday tablescapes, maybe you'll be inspired.

Greek Key Inspiration

There are a  few different patterns I adore and want to include in our home. One of them being the greek key.  

It's an ancient pattern that can be very bold and eye catching. Even though it has been around for centuries it can still appear to be very modern.  The keys will forever remind me of Greece, a place I love and would visit every year if I could.  So for sure I need to find the perfect piece for our home.

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Weekend Off

I will be taking a few days off to spend some QT with my Gorgeous Girlfriends who are visiting this weekend.  I'll be back Tuesday.