Simple Rustic

I don't know how they do it, but Sundance always makes "rustic" look so cool. I love the Shaker influences in their styling and the way they mix up contemporary art with simple pieces like this platform bed.

Organic Chocolate Milk

If you love the taste of organic milk like I do, just imagine how delicious organic chocolate milk is. Despite the fact that I've never been a chocolate milk fan (didn't have it much growing up), I find that a small glass of this goodness takes care of my sweet craving for the day and puts me in a lip-smackin' mood :) I figure if you're gonna do chocolate milk...do it right.

p.s. my two favorite versions to date are Organic Valley, Horizon and if you're lucky, Strauss.

Menu of the Week

Fennel-crusted Pork, Spaghetti Squash with Jalopeno Cream, sauteed haricots verts

Wild Mushroom Risotto, green salad with garden peppers, baguette

Seared Tuna Pepper Steaks, oven roasted potatoes (tossed in sesame oil), steamed broccoli

Baked Ziti with Spinach & Tomatoes, ciabatta rolls, Salade de Maison, fresh fruit

Fritatta with Mozzarella, Parmesan & whatever vegetables need to be used up :)

Dessert: Sweet Breads (zucchini & banana)

Not Your Granny's Shoes

These shoes drew some attention last week so I thought I'd share them with you. You'll be surprised where I picked them up...Aerosoles. Shocked? The gals who liked them were too. When I told them where I purchased them, their jaws literally dropped. To most people "Aerosoles" = "what my grandma wears". Honestly though, I've been shopping there for years! What can I say? I like comfort and every now and again they come out with a shoe or two is both stylish and soft on my feet.

You can find the shoes they loved here at a great discount (and yes, they soooo comfortable).

For this upcoming season I like these boots at Aerosoles...they look similar to these far more expensive counterparts. Plus, I bet they are easier on my feet too. They'll be on sale at the beginning of November I'm guessing, so I'll hold firm.

Petit Elefant

I'll be doing a bit o' guest blogging over at Petit Elefant this week, as well as my usual daily posting over here. Hope to see you around!

Serene Interior

What I am inspired by, is often directly related to my mood. Today I feel like this room.



































via an old edition of Martha Stewart's Living

The Look for Less

Have you ever stumbled upon the TLC show "The Look for Less"? I have...and loved it. I decided to embark on my own little "episode", and even adhere to the $100 price limit they are required to stay under on the show.

Recently, I found myself drawn to these two fashion spreads featuring pretty white blouses, pleated black skirts, and accentuated waists. I decided to use these two pages as my inspiration for this quest. Given that one of these tops is priced higher than a RT ticket to France (can you imagine?), I could be biting off more than I can chew...but we'll see.

Off I go...

Etsy Pick of the Week: Cindy, Mindy Pindy

Loving these detailed, one-of-a-kind designs by a local designer named...you guessed it...Cindy. You can catch her etsy shop here and her blog "scherenschnitte" here.

Kisslock Tote

Yeah, I'm ready to lock lips with this beauty. Part modern...part granny. Love it.

Nie Nie Sale at Soel

My cute sister-in-law works at Soel, one of the cutest boutiques (& yoga studios) in Utah County. She clued me into this benefit sale being hosted this weekend in honor of the Nielsons. Here's a chance to bring something home and feel warm fuzzies :) To get an idea of what's in store, you can see their latest and greatest here.

Keep tabs on Stephanie's miraculous and ongoing recovery at C Jane.

J.Crew Outlet in Park City

Pretty much everything I own from J.Crew (and it's not much) is from the outlet :) So, you can imagine my excitement when Lisa relayed to me this news.

I'll be there at 10 a.m. thank you very much!

"the Ranch"

We spent last weekend with some wonderful friends in an exquisite natural setting. The scenery was so spectacular it made me want to sell our house and move to the country...for a few minutes anyway :) I took a zillion pictures but here are a few favorites...somehow I didn't end up with any of our sweet host & hostess...probably because they were too busy taking such good care of us all! They were the best!

Polaroid...Saved

Well...some of it. But, I think this is a GREAT step in a positive direction.

Click here to read more.

P.S. Why oh why did I sell my vintage Polaroid camera on Craigslist for the ridiculously low price of $5? Talk about an idiot moment :(

photo via Courtland {via flickr}

Lunch at Les Madeleines

When I think of "best lunch" in Salt Lake, I think of Les Madeleines. Why? It not only offers one of the best lunch menus in town, but it also touts some of the best desserts as well. I love a 2-for-1 kinda deal, don't you?

The owner, Romina Rasmussen, used to work in Asia, in the communications industry, before pursuing her true love...pastries! She found herself at the French Culinary Institute in New York and the rest is history. Her amazing menu is mostly French with a slight Asian flair. And it's all fresh, and pure, and made with high-quality ingredients. Right up my alley.

My favorite sandwich is the Sesame Chicken Wrap, (her fav too) but honestly you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. And don't forget to try the unique and delicious Lavender Lemonade. I cannot imagine a more refreshing drink. Be prepared to agonize over dessert...so many choices...and they all look divine. For the sake of jumpstarting things a little, I'll share my two favorites...the Kouing Aman & the Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart. Anyway, stop by for lunch or for an afternoon treat the next time you find yourself downtown and enjoy discovering a new culinary treasure. You'll see why Les Madeleines is always featured on the news, in Salt Lake magazine and on the Food Network. Don't miss it!

Paris on a Budget

I'm loving the latest issue of Gourmet magazine...Paris on a Budget...because that's the way we always do Paris :) If only this were out BEFORE we visited this summer. Sigh...

Honestly though, if you have plans to head to Paris anytime in the next year or two, get thee hence to your local Barnes & Noble and pick up this collector's issue. And don't forget to read the editor's letter. It is {surprisingly} loaded with great recommendations for both eating and lodging. Like I said, "if only....".

Peanut Butter Sandwiches

I made these a few nights ago for some peanut-butter-lovin' friends, but I must admit they are even better the next morning :) If you decide to make these I highly recommend a few things...

1) double the recipe while you're at it

2) double the filling too

3) after assembling the sandwiches, place in an airtight container for a few hours to allow cookies to soften...they taste more delicious this way

Make sure you have a lot of milk on hand! You'll want a TALL glass with these little treats :)

Letterpress Calendar

This letterpress calendar makes 2009 look just a little bit more exciting from afar. Maybe I could handle getting older if I had a pretty calendar like this to walk me through it...month-to-month-to-month :)

Coco Bonbons

I love discovering new adorable baby clothing companies...especially those created by women, mothers themselves. It's incredibly inspiring to me. Discovering Coco Bonbons brought on one of those inspiring moments and one look at these beautiful photographs and you'll see why. I'm especially drawn to the contrast trim tees & jackets...the red & gray color combos...and polka dots. Love those polka dots...

After being one of the many mothers who struggles finding "nice casual" clothes for her little guy, I was particularly pleased to see this collection...


So take a peek at the lovely, colorful clothing at Coco Bonbons. See for yourself. I think you'll find a few things to like...even love. Don't forget to check out the incredible sale section and stock up for next year. There are some fabulous tops you won't want to miss!

Snazzy Bunch

Check out these two...ready to tackle a new year of school. One is a "back-to-schooler" and the other, a "new-to-schooler". As predicted, it's a mental conflict for me. On one hand I love sending them off to have this multi-faceted experience; yet on the other hand I miss them so much...

p.s. clearly he is still loving the castle shirt!

the Lowdown on the Rubdown

A couple of friends asked for this recipe this week so I decided to just put it out there for everyone to enjoy! This recipe from the long-gone Blueprint mag (insert yet another sigh) is a real keeper for a few reasons...1) it's easy...2) it's delicious...and 3) it's something you can make ahead.


Last weekend I made dinner for 10 adults up at our friend's cabin (we all took turns cooking--super fun) and opted for the "Mediterranean" version indicated above. I used a few herbs and spices I brought back from France and so I cannot explain how to exactly replicate the rub I made, but I did adhere to the recipe above fairly closely.

Don't be tempted to substitute conventional table salt for the coarse salt. You can find coarse salt next to the regular table salts at the grocery store. I like the Whole Foods 365 brand version a lot but any coarse sea salt will do--both the flavor and texture are truly wonderful. Oh, and I used a large, freezer Ziploc bag for the "airtight container". Marinating meat in Ziploc bags keeps the marinade evenly distributed and allows you to massage the rub into the meat, without having to touch it. Make sure you eliminate as much air as possible out of the bag. I typically like to marinade meat for about 3-4 hours but this is a loose recommendation.

For side dishes I served the following (please share any ideas you might have too!)...

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Watermelon slices & mixed berries
Corn on the Cob
Junior League Salade de Maison (I eliminated the bacon)

Notes: This salad is the Husband's favorite. He begs for this too :) My sister-in-law Tiffany introduced us to it and we've never looked back! Also, next time I'd like to add fresh corn to the cornbread to give it more texture.

Geela GIVEAWAY Winners

Wow. I think we've all found a new love and its name is Geela. It turns out this has been the most popular giveaway yet. Apparently we all like baby gear that is both fun, functional and even stylish. What a killer combination! Anyway, I'm sure many of you are wondering the results of the giveaway. I won't keep you waiting any longer! Keep in mind that while these two gals win $40 gift certificates, you can have a piece of the pie yourself. Keep reading...

Winner #1: Susan who said, "I love the St. Petersburg diaper clutch and the Cannes sling!"
Winner #2: The Tak's who said, "I love the Giverny clutch and the Cannes sling!! I love the bright colors. So fun, and the price is definitely right too!!"

You two need to contact me asap so I can put you in contact with the Geela gals :) Please use the email address on my sidebar.

After all those wonderful comments Geela is really feelin' the love and would like to give some of that back to all you. Geela would like to offer any participants "free shipping" with any purchase. And, to sweeten the deal just a bit more, Geela is also including a "binkie bag" with the first 3 orders. Simply mention "stephmodo" in the "message to seller" section on your etsy receipt. I've noticed product in this shop sells fast so get in on the action while you can and enjoy these wonderful promotions. Enjoy!

Thank you again Geela!!

P.S. Forgive me folks on the announcement delay today. It's been the kind of day that keeps me away from my computer until 9:16 p.m. :)

Chocolate Pots de Cremes

Nicole shared an excellent suggestion here. When I saw these little pots at the grocery store in southern France, I knew just what to do with them...and just as she stated, it was truly delicious yogurt as well. Bonus.

You can find the recipe I used here. I just added whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings (use a peeler to make these and then chill). The Husband will attest this is his absolute favorite dessert. He begs me to make these all the time...and every now and again I give in :)

Oh, and one last thing...make sure you double the recipe if you want at least 6 custards. For some reason I can never get a full 4 out of just one recipe. Plus, I figure if I'm going to the effort, I might as well have a few extra :) Oh and another thing (I promise to stop after this!) make sure you use high quality chocolate like Callebaut, Valrhona, Guittard or Ghirardelli. You'll find the latter two in your local grocery store, in the baking aisle. The first two can be procured at specialty baking/cake supply stores (here in SLC that's Orson Gigi and Bakers C&C).

Enjoyed this Past Week...

Following Rachel's footsteps, I'm posting a few favorites of the week.

Nancy Gibb's editorial about Sarah Palin here. Hmmm...

Finding out that Martha has a line at Wal-mart here. While I don't love Wal-mart, I love Martha when she is reasonably priced :)

Rebekah's {of Ohio--my home state} home tour on Design Sponge. I found this archived post on AT. Love the simplicity, the neutrals and the warmth.

Tori's striped wallpaper and green cabinets here.

Remember...

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth

Kahlil Gibran

photograph by the amazing Justin Hackworth

Kitchen of the Month

I am so in love with this kitchen, it's not even funny. This is {for sure} going in my "dream kitchen" section of my design inspiration binder.

update: forgive me, I forgot to give Martha due props...pictures is from the September issue of MS Living.

Cooking Class No. 4: more Desserts

It looks like I am not the only one who loves desserts. Ya'll do too :)
















I'm opening up a second class (featuring the same 3 delicious desserts pictured above) on Thursday, October 16th at 7:30 p.m. You can view additional details here.

If you are interested, please contact me at stephmodo@gmail.com. As always, I'm limiting the class to 5 people. Thanks so much!

Marimekko Pouches

Oh the fun ways you could put these pouches to use!

Vintage Tie-Back Dress

Dreaming this dress will {at some point} go on sale...it's positively cheerful with all it's vintage appeal.

Bud Vases

Recently I cleaned out my tchotchke cabinet and rid it of all extraneous decorative objects. In return, I rewarded myself with a couple of new bud vases, the size I find I use most often. It felt so good to give away things I didn't use anymore and clear up some space. Oh the therapy in that!

Here are a few pretties that caught my eye lately:

Organic Bud Vases (see left)

Mouth Blown Glass Vase (I picked a few up in the clear glass option--can't beat the price!)

Bird Vase (Tamara, this is so you)

Merci Beaucoup

Did you read the latest and greatest on Design Mom? The blogging community (that's you!) raised about $117,000 during the Nie Nie Day auctions!!! Well done ladies...well done! I'm so grateful for the generosity of many of you and for the love and concern you've expressed for someone you don't even know. I cannot believe how you've come together, how you've rallied. I hope you sense my immense appreciation for your big, big hearts. xo


You can read Gabrielle's tribute here. Aren't we lucky she came up with a "Nie Nie Day"? Thanks to her, we were all given the chance to help in our own small way. I think that's just what we all needed...and Stephanie needed too.

Unbound: Springville Museum of Art

This would be an interesting event to attend today...especially if you are in the area of Utah county. What an opportunity to meet so many talented illustrators of children's books. You'll find people like James Christianson, J. Kirk Richards (who I worked with a little in college) and Cambria Evans, who works for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in New York. Talk about talent here!

If you are in the area, be sure to stop by for a little mix and mingling at the artists reception today from 12 until 3 p.m. at the Springville Museum of Art.

Read more insider information on the exhibition blog here.

Geela GIVEAWAY

Alright mommies, friends of mommies, sisters of mommies, and mothers of mommies. This is going to be one fantastic giveaway sponsored by Etsy fav Geela (what a cool name!). They create super stylish slings, wraps, and diaper clutches--the 3 essentials for any mom. The two talented gals behind Geela decided to put their sewing skills to use when they discovered the slings and wraps available to them lacked a few necessary features. What you see now in their Etsy shop are products that have been refined and perfected to accommodate mothers...and their comfort too.

You'll find hip Robert Kaufman fabrics mostly, with a few vintage pieces thrown in for good measure. After a long conversation with one of the business owners, I became completely sold on all three of these wonderful baby products. Why wouldn't I want to carry my baby close to me, comfortably? Why wouldn't I want the option to adjust baby easily? Why wouldn't I want to feel safer nursing in public with a pretty cover up? You mean I'm not going to have to sit on a toilet seat again? I'm sold.

In the past I've used Baby Bjorn carriers with my 3 little ones because it seemed like the best option out there. Yet, I always seemed to experience back pain after 20 minutes of carrying baby. Also, baby's head always bobbed if I leaned down to grab something, which made me and baby uncomfortable. I'm so happy to know about this simple, fun, & snuggly wrap. The added features of this wrap include less fabric (less wrapping!), no annoying knots or fasteners, and no bobbing heads to worry about. Feel free to bend over with ease when you use the Geela wrap.

And if all these things aren't causing you to fall in love with Geela yet (shocking!), then check out their reasonable prices. I can't believe the quality that comes along with these modest tags. Can you?

The talented twosome behind Geela are offering two lucky readers a $40 gift certificate to their Etsy shop. You heard me right...two! You get to pick the product, pattern and style of your choice. Oh you lucky girls! Find the perfect gift for you, your sister, your good friend, or your daughter. Start dreaming here ladies. What will you choose if you win? What is your favorite? If you have a specific something in mind, share it with me in your comment. I would love to know...hint, hint :)


As always, there are a few rules that you need to read carefully:

Giveaway Guidelines:

- You have 6 days to enter this giveaway (closes Wednesday, September 17th).
- Make a comment on THIS POST to enter.
- One entry per person please.
- All anonymous comments will be ignored.
- The winner will be announced on Thursday, September 18th. By the way, I use random.org.
- Winner must respond by Saturday, September 20th to secure prize. An alternate winner will be chosen otherwise.

Enjoy!

New in the Shop: Vintage Trims

They are:

* oh so sweet
* scalloped
* polka-dotted
* vintage
* French
* one-of-a-kind

...and they are for sale in my Etsy shop now. Limited quantities available.

Organizing Tip #16

Clean the bathroom while your children are taking a bath.

My sister taught this to me many years ago, and honestly, I think it is one of the most efficient uses of my time. You know the drill...you are bathing your kids...they require supervision...you wash up the kiddos and then they want to play (of course!)...you need to stay close...but don't want to sit on a hard toilet seat for 20 minutes (ouch!). Why not gussy up the bathroom while the kids play with Nemo & Co.?

The other night I followed this tip and cleaned everything but the tub in 15 minutes flat (including mopping). While the kids dried off and retrieved their pajamas I scrubbed the tub for 5 more minutes making it the best-utilized-20-minutes-of-my-day. Anyway, props to you Cher~

I wish this were my bathroom :)

Recap

#1 Make your bed each day (you'll be surprised how good this will make you feel!)
#2 Clean out your closet (take out everything not worn in past 12 months)
#3 Clear off kitchen counter tops (remove anything you don't use 2x weekly)
#4 Clean out your car
#5 Unclutter your mind--start writing thoughts down right away to relieve stress
#6 Find ways to organize in one minute or less (purse, drawer, etc.)
#7 Place a pretty dish on dresser tops and nightstands to collect jewelry, loose change, and pocket paraphernalia.
#8 Gather up recipes and clipped magazine pages and throw them all into one accessible binder for easy meal-organizing.
#9 Sort mail immediately...preferably over the trash :)
#10 Clean out your car weekly
# 11 Do a 5-minute nightly sweep
#12 Take just a few minutes to walk through your home with a garbage bag, gathering all the unused items you can.
# 13 Replace all your random plastic and metal hangers with wood hangers for a unified look in your closet.
#14 Simple ways to remember important things to do while you are out--Put objects that need to leave the room or house with you near the door or on the driver's seat of your car; Post a sticky note on the door leading to your car (be it the front door or garage door); Post a sticky note on the dashboard of your car as a reminder.
#15 Change the sheets on your bed before you leave on vacation; when you arrive home again you'll feel like you're still in a hotel.

Lunch Box Envy No.2

Some more fun ideas from Donna...

Etsy Pick of the Week: Labokoff

I added this seller to my favorites long ago; but recently became re-enamored with her work when I discovered she added mini-prints of her fabulous works of art. Part photograph, part painting, the art you'll find in her shop is one-of-a-kind. Plus, I love that they depict scenes in France...I can't imagine why? :)

You can view her mini-prints here and the rest of her lovely Etsy shop here.

Cooking Class No.3: Desserts

This class is going to be a good one...well, only if you like chocolate, cream, lemons, berries, more chocolate...

More specifically, think "glazed chocolate cake", "lemon curd", and "molten lava cakes"--all from scratch. Yes ladies, we'll be making {and eating} all three of these delicious and {best of all} simple, desserts. I promise these are recipes you'll be able to replicate on your own--without me around telling you what to do :) I also have an inkling we'll be able to send each "student" home with a container of goodies to enjoy the next day too...breakfast anyone?

1) photo via yumsugar...a very yummy food blog 2) photo via moi 3) photo via Jaqueline Hopkins at Epicurious

Cooking Class No.3: Desserts!
Thursday, October 9th
7:30 p.m.
my home, Salt Lake City

Please email me (stephmodo@gmail.com) if you would like to sign up for this class. The price for the class is $30. I'll pass along specific directions just prior to the class (unless you're a repeat student!). As always, I'm limiting the class to 5 people for the best possible experience. I hope to see you there!

P.S. Why am I offering cooking classes? Click here.

Banana Republic Birthday Sale - Today Only

Heads up...

Today BR is celebrating their 30th birthday (I doubt it is as depressing for them to turn 30 as it was for me to turn 30!) Anyway, if you have your eye on something, this might be a good time to take advantage of 30% off and free shipping online! Or, you can drop by any BR store and receive 30% off your entire purchase as well. They say it's today only so here is what you need to know:

Carey, I know you don't read blogs, including mine, but thank you anyway for passing along this info :)

Roasted Tomato Soup

Nothing beats a garden tomato and this is the time of year to enjoy these sweet, plump, delicious vegetables...well, technically it's a fruit but since the Supreme Court officially deemed it a veggie almost one hundred years ago, we'll go with that :)

A few days ago I purchased a bucket of beautiful, ripe tomatoes from a local farm stand for $3 (Harward Farms on 21st S. and 13th E.) and made a large batch of this soup. My oldest daughter declared it the "best soup I've ever had". I'm not sure I'd go that far but it was a delicious recipe and is now my standby tomato soup recipe. As an added bonus this recipe is quite easy to make. I opted to forgo the parmesan crisps for the sake of time but I'm sure they would be delicious. Maybe next time...

Thank you Epicurious! (and all you nice people who take the time to write accurate reviews so that I don't have to play the guessing game)

I Accept...and I will Enjoy!

Occasionally over the past several years (when I'm struggling with motherhood, parenting, etc.), the Husband offers that "I need to accept the life I chose". Honestly, I've always thought it a silly comment. I mean really, I've brought 3 children into this world, endured sick-the-whole-9-month pregnancies, and left a budding career behind--one I enjoyed a lot. Like a lot.

While not necessarily related, reading this article (and this article too) caused an epiphany to occur...I chose this life, this role, but I truly hadn't accepted it...yet. The Husband was right after all (don't tell him that!) and I finally understood, after 7 years, that I needed to change my perspective, my paradigm (Covey would refer to this as a "paradigm shift" I believe). Man, it felt good to do that...to suddenly realize this is where I would find my true happiness, should I choose to accept this challenge wholeheartedly, and with joy, not just endurance.

Doing this doesn't mean I have to give up my outside interests, it just means I need to change the way I react to my daily life. While these past few days haven't necessarily been easier, I have felt greater peace within myself. I know I have a large sphere of influence in my home and making a greater effort to make that influence more positive makes all the difference in the world.

When my kids are being grumpy, I often ask them to go to a private space and find their "happy face". It's about time I did that myself, don't you think? :)

Unexpected Space

Maybe it's just me, but making a window bench into file storage never crossed my mind. Look how accessible all that important information is...brilliant I say.

While this is one of those things you want to know about before building a new home, I'd bet that your local carpenter (the kind that install built-in bookcases) could easily replicate this system in any home...new or not-so-new. If you don't have a bay window in your home, perhaps a storage banquette would do.

Girl with the Pearl...Ring

This ring would make the perfect gift for that special friend. Who knew you could still find beautiful {and affordable} jewelry at Sundance?

Lunch Box Envy No.1

With school in session, making a lunch is now part of our morning routine. I'm new at this whole gig and have not been very creative so far...I'm hoping that changes with a little "guidance" :) What better place to glean inspiration than from the colorful pages of a Donna Hay magazine?

This photo is the first of my little "Lunch Box Envy" series...more eye candy from DH to come soon.

Puddle Jumpers Warehouse Sale

Love the fabulous little shoes, but not in the mood to spend $35-$45 ? Head straight to the Puddle Jumpers warehouse sale in Sugarhouse. It's a two-day sale, ending today, but I assure you there are still many sizes and styles available. Hopefully you haven't done all of your back-to-school shopping...

9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
2681 S. Preston Street (1935 E.)
Salt Lake City




photograph courtesy Heather Bailey's flickr page

Hazelnut-Encrusted Salmon

This is the week for discovering recipes. I've been in "cooking/baking mode" big time. My in-laws made this recipe for us the night before we left France. The Husband offered that it was his "new favorite salmon recipe" and I'd have to agree. It's the perfect blend of smoothness & crunch. Served atop a generous bed of greens and a light vinaigrette, it's the perfect, light, low-fat summer meal. Next time I'll add a little more salt...

Below the salmon recipe I included our "house vinaigrette". It is great basic vinaigrette the Husband learned of when living in France on his mission. It is particularly delicious with this recipe {we think}. As an added note, I like to use mason jars or sippy cups when making a vinaigrette because they are 1) the ideal size and 2) can withstand vigorous shaking without making a mess.


Hazelnut-Encrusted Salmon (adapted from the Whole Food Bible)

Makes 4 Servings

1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1 T. grated organic lemon zest
Dash of sea salt and fresh pepper
4 skinless salmon fillets, 6 ounces each
2 T. olive oil
4 cups mixed organic baby greens (I prefer a combination of red & green lettuces)
Lemon wedges

Grind the hazelnuts in a food processor-do not over grind and turn into a
paste. Mix the hazelnuts, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper on a plate.

Dry the salmon; dredge the fillets on both sides in the nut mixture.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the salmon and cook
for about 5 minutes on each side, making sure that the salmon is cooked
through.

Arrange 1 cup of greens per plate. Transfer the hot salmon fillets to the
plates. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve immediately.


"House" Vinaigrette

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (Maille or Grey Poupon)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
sea salt and fresh ground pepper
squeeze of a half lemon (optional)

Mix and shake well before tossing lightly on greens. Add a little bit at a time to avoid overdressing.

Enjoy!

Knit Dresses

I love knits...and when they come in the form of a dress, I'm an especially big fan. To be able to dress up and still be cozy and comfortable is a good thing in my book. Paired with some tights and boots and perhaps a scarf, you'll be tempted to never wear anything else again.


From top left going clockwise:

Black dress with button tabs

Chocolate brown tiered dress

3/4 Sleeve Black dress

Orange dress with Belt