Chicken “No Pot Belly” Pie

March 9th, 2010 by Gretchen 2 comments »

Chicken pot pie is truly one of the classic comfort foods.  Delicious and damn tempting but by no means healthy.

» Read more: Chicken “No Pot Belly” Pie

Winter Kate

March 2nd, 2010 by Gretchen No comments »

Images courtesy of Nitrolicious.com

Since it’s launch a few years ago Nicole Richie’s jewelry line, House of Harlow, has become one of the most popular amongst celebs and the general public – it doesn’t hurt that the price points are so forgiving!       

» Read more: Winter Kate

Trend: Menswear

February 17th, 2010 by Gretchen 1 comment »

This trend is a lot of fun!  After all, who doesn’t like to borrow from the boys every now and then?  I’m not talking tranny here, just blurring the lines a bit….   

Photo courtesy of Glam.com

Photo courtesy of Glam.com

» Read more: Trend: Menswear

Cache~Cachet

February 2nd, 2010 by Gretchen No comments »

Owner, Rosemary Crites, has over 20 years of retail experience, specifically dealing in high-end women’s fashions.  Many of her clients, who spend good money on designer duds, had very few storage options to keep their luxury items looking new.  Sure, you can cedar, but it doesn’t hold it’s fragrance very long and who wants to smell like moth balls?  That’s when Rosemary came up with covertures!

» Read more: Cache~Cachet

Pono

January 26th, 2010 by Gretchen 1 comment »

Founded a few years back by designer Joan Goodman, Pono is a unique collection of jewelry that gets it’s name from a dear friend of Joan’s whom she met while living in Hawaii.   Pono is equal parts vintage, modernism and nature.  The entire line is very earth conscious incorporating natural elements such as wood, shells and natural horn.

Pono has been featured on Gossip Girl, in countless magazines and seen adorning the wrists of many celebs such as Paris Hilton, Beyonce and Julianne Moore.

» Read more: Pono

Very Peary Meatloaf with Sweet Potato “Fries”

January 21st, 2010 by Gretchen 4 comments »

French fries and meatloaf may sound like a calorie laden catastrophe but this dish is anything but!  We took out most of the fat, calories and cholesterol (we don’t need no stinkin’ egg!) but piled on the flavor!

» Read more: Very Peary Meatloaf with Sweet Potato “Fries”

Shooties

January 20th, 2010 by Gretchen 1 comment »

shoe + bootie = shootie

Think boots minus the shaft, usually ending at or near the ankle and having a great stacked heel.

You can rock shooties with just about anything.  I like to pair mine with boyfriend jeans or a yummy pair of skinnies.

Urban Studded Bootie

» Read more: Shooties

Lamb Lollichops

January 20th, 2010 by Gretchen No comments »

I was a vegetarian for years and when I finally caved and went back to eating meat again, the only one I never got around to was lamb.  I hadn’t had it since I was about 10 and for that reason, as the years went by, I sort of built up this weird fear of it.  James would always ask me to try a bite when he ordered it at restaurants and I always turned him down.  Until recently….  

  • 1 rack of lamb, frenched
  • 2 tbs honey
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp coriander
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp sumac
  • 1/2 tsp fresh chopped rosemary
  • 1 tbs fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 tbs fresh chopped mint
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil for marinade plus 2 tbs for searing

Place lamb and all other ingredients in a large casserole and toss to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate for 2 hours at room temp or overnight in the fridge.

Preheat oven to 375.

Get a large skillet going over high heat, add olive oil, then lamb, meat side down.  Allow lamb to sear for about 5 minutes and transfer to a foil lined baking sheet.

Roast until medium rare, about 15 minutes.  Allow the lamb to rest for 10 minutes so that the  juices can redistribute.

Wham bam, thank you lamb for being oh so tasty!

Middle Eastern Lettuce Wraps

January 20th, 2010 by Gretchen No comments »

I could seriously eat lettuce wraps every day.  I love the whole process of assembling each one.  The fact that you can customize and dress them up any way you please makes dinner time that much more fun!

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 white onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp sumac*
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1 head butter lettuce (sometimes called bib or Boston lettuce)
  • 1/4 cups pine nuts, toasted
  • handful fresh mint, chopped

Yogurt Sauce:

  • 3/4 cup plain, fat free yogurt
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/8 tsp cumin
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp sumac
  • salt and pepper

For sauce, simply combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.  It’s best if made a few hours ahead.

Spray your pan with non-stick spray over medium – high heat and toss in garlic and onions.  After about a minute, add in your chicken.  Season with spices, break up the meat a bit with a wooden spoon and then add in your apricots.  Continue to cook until chicken is browned, about 10 minutes.

To assemble, lay a lettuce leaf out on your plate and top with chicken mixture, finish off with a bit of your yogurt sauce, pine nuts and some fresh mint.

These were a big hit as is but I think next time I make them I’ll throw in some golden raisins too for extra sweetness.

*sumac can be found in Middle Eastern grocery stores or at a variety of places online.

Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows

January 12th, 2010 by Gretchen No comments »

Photo courtesy of Maquillage Lover blogspot

Upon first spotting this in the February issue of Marie Claire, and then finding little snip pits about it on the web, I must say I’m getting curiouser and curiouser….  

» Read more: Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows

Fashionspiration: Rachel Bilson

January 8th, 2010 by Gretchen 2 comments »
Images courtesy of Stylehop.com

Images courtesy of Stylehop.com

 

She’s the pint sized fashion power house who’s become one of the most sought after celebs for style inspiration.   She’s always on the best dressed list and is all over the celebrity blogs.    

» Read more: Fashionspiration: Rachel Bilson

2009: A look back at the year in fashion

December 30th, 2009 by Gretchen No comments »

Fashionally speaking (yes, I just made up a word)  2009 was filled with many fun surprises.  Embellishments were huge as were bold, architectural, statement pieces.  The 90’s made an appearance (cursing the fact that I ditched all of my Doc Martens a few years back) but the 80’s still held strong with leggings galore, pleated pants and lots of structured shoulders – minus the “Working Girl” vibe.  

Trends that will carry over into 2010 –   exposed zippers, sequins, studs, lace, leather and faux fur.  

Trends that should say goodbye with 09′  – paisley, fringe (in large doses anyway) anything Ed Hardy related (gross!) and Lady Gaga.  Okay so she’s not so much a trend as a pet peeve.  I”m sorry but put some damn pants on already!  

Below are some of my favorite looks from 09′.  

Photo courtesy of Fabsugar.com

Photo courtesy of Fabsugar.com

  » Read more: 2009: A look back at the year in fashion

Beet’ini cocktail

December 29th, 2009 by James 1 comment »

beetini

A recent search of the dark reaches of our fridge inspired a new cocktail for us the other day.  Gretchen’s favorite martini has always been a Ketle One, extra dirty martini, but I couldn’t find a jar of olives in the fridge with enough leftover juice to make a cocktail.

» Read more: Beet’ini cocktail

Bleu Cheese and Grape Crostini

December 23rd, 2009 by Gretchen 1 comment »

crustini

James treated us to some of his delicious bread this Thanksgiving and with the leftovers (which are rare!)  I decided to make crostini.

» Read more: Bleu Cheese and Grape Crostini

Bristols 6

December 17th, 2009 by Gretchen 1 comment »

Got a problem that needs fixin’?  Well Bristols 6 has got you covered – literally!

Let’s be honest, some LBD’s, depending on their slink factor, don’t leave room for much else and require a more au natural look.  However, you don’t want the entire world to know you’re going braless either.  Enter Nippies!  The discreet patches that will camouflage your assests on those cold dance floors and will still have heads turning  — for all the right reasons.

Nippies X Patch of Freedom

» Read more: Bristols 6