Monthly Archives: December 2010

The Princess Shops Off the Rack

Posted on December 17, 2010 | Leave a comment

There is probably no more famous engaged couple than Prince William and Kate Middleton.  The soon to be marrieds will have a royal wedding on April 29, 2011.  She’s beautiful, he’s a prince it’s a perfect match… 

I am sure as there wedding date nears we’ll talk more about weddings and Cinderella, and the pomp and circumstance, but there is one thing to note about Kate, she really doesn’t seem to be a Cinderella.  Kate seems to have a really well put together, modern, sophisticated and yet approachable style.  

How approachable could the future Princess be?  Her engagement photo dress was from last season and from Reiss.  Last season… and from a store with online shopping?  That’s definitely more exciting than a “Kate and Will Forever” T-shirt.
Copyright 2010 Mario Testino / Reuters
Reiss will be re-releasing the dress that Kate wore, but in the meantime, let us see what else we like!
First, no one does coats better than the Brits.  Seriously, no one!  I love the sophistication, and the demure aesthetic of this Bally Coat.  It’s one part lady + one part sophisticated spy.
Bally Coat by Rei

This coat might be a little too Cruella DeVil for some, but I love it.  I love the fur detail, (hangs head in shame) and the slim and structured fit.  Minus the fur, it is quite similar to a coat Mark got for me at Zara last year, which is still fabulous.
Zetta Coat by Reiss
Maybe a dress for the honeymoon?  This dress is sort of the outlier from my favorites, but worth including because it is perfect for resort wear and travel, or everyday is you live in warmer climates.  It is also the Pantone color of the year, honeysuckle…  Delightful!
Aphrodite Draped Dress

Happy Shopping Kate!

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Posted in Budget, Fashion Inspiration, Her Closet, Shopping

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Christmas at the Movies

Posted on December 17, 2010 | Leave a comment

Growing up it was not uncommon to be at the movie theater on or around Christmas.  It is also not uncommon to find between my birthday (on Thanksgiving) and Christmas a LOT of Christmas themed movies.  Some of my favorites are A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Family Stone, Love, Actually, and A Mom for Christmas.  Adding to the seasonal line up, every TV Show does a Christmas special… last week’s Brothers & Sisters was especially over the top.

A few weeks ago I got into the Christmas spirit on Tuesday night with Glee.  I know this is not newsworthy, or even that relevant anymore, but the episode was just… PERFECT.  


Modeled after the Grinch Who Stole Christmas this episode just filled me with GLEE.  Also, anyone think that Artie is perhaps McKinley High School’s Tiny Tim?

Watch, enjoy, maybe cry a few tears! 

Merry (Early) Christmas!

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Posted in Her Home, Holidays

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Crafty for Christmas

Posted on December 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

This weekend I am going to endeavor into the world of Christmas crafts.  I have never had a Christmas tree, or hung stockings on a mantle, but as I told a colleague this week, when you have a real house and like decorating, it is hard to not get into the Christmas spirit.

I have spent weeks searching the Internet and have found many sources for pure decorating delight.  I find myself trending towards a vintage aesthetic, and really loving the soft, muted shades of silvers and golds that give the decor a little extra glamour.
Back in September I spotted this ornament in my regular Pottery Barn catalog.  Let me be real here, few companies, in my opinion, do holidays or “just perfect” seasonal decor better than Pottery Barn… Okay, so with that out of the way, I spotted this ornament in my regular Pottery Barn catalog in September, and then I was in love. 

Pottery Barn Ornament
It was a part of the Family Giving tree collection, and I was just captivated.  I love the sparkle, clearly, but more than that, I love the message of giving hope, peace and love, plus it reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books, The Giving Tree.

Pottery Barn Family Giving Collection Tree
 This is Pottery Barn’s perfectly designed tree.  That is fake snow, but knowing the magic of Pottery Barn’s catalog styling I am sure if they wanted to use real snow when they shot this catalog in May they could have done it — quick call to Santa, of course.

I am also loving this mantle collection.  While Pottery Barn sells everything you see here, this would be really easy to achieve a) for a lot less, or b) with items you already own.  The aesthetic is simple: glass, candles and shiny… 
Pottery Barn Vintage Silver Mantle Collection
If you want more directional, categorized and yes, last minute decor shopping, check out ZGallerie – they have it perfectly broken down by color groups so you can design with guidance.  For a more modern twist of the shiny, happy holiday decor, Crate and Barrel is filled with pieces that are as perfect in December as they are in June.

I’ll be sure to share with you my successes with holiday decorating after the weekend!

How would you decorate for the holidays?

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Posted in Decor, Her Home, Holidays

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Stuff the Stockings

Posted on December 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

We have already found the perfect gifts for presumably everyone on your list – seriously, did I forget anyone?  Now it’s time to find the little items that fill a stocking and give the recipient glee.

Stocking gifts really should be on the smaller side in both size and price, but that doesn’t mean they can’t bring a whole lot of happy.

This is a big time favorite in our house.  If you live near a Trader Joe’s they also sell it, I am not sure of the price but probably less than the $9.99 at World Market and definitely less than the $26.50 at Williams Sonoma.  Shop smart!
Peppermint Bark Tin at World Market
He might be working on spreadsheets and going 9-5, but let this stocking stuffer of drumstick pencil tease his inner rock and roll star.
Drumstick Pencils at Paper Source



This is a sweet gift for the little girls on your list.  Maybe you have a neice (or four!) who would love a sweet treat.

Naughty Nice Lip Gloss at Paper Source

Treat your holiday host, or the hostess you know with the mostest with a charming gift like these cheese knives, appropriately themed with an “Eat, Drink and Be Merry” engraving.

Eat, Drink and be Merry Cheese Spreaders by Williams & Sonoma

Homemade treats are often the least expensive thing you can make, and certainly filled with the most love.  Great tips, recipes and of course jealousy inducing images are all available with our dear friend, Martha Stewart.
Chewy Molasses Cookies by Martha Stewart

Will you have stocking this year?  It is actually a craft that I am going to try and make this weekend – it seems like the right thing to do now that we have a fireplace!  Good luck shopping – and have fun!

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Posted in Her Home, Holidays

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Getting Ready for Christmas Morning

Posted on December 14, 2010 | Leave a comment

Christmas is probably the one day a year when company is almost always around: they are there to eat dinner on Christmas Eve, there to open presents in the morning, and hello, someone even sneaks in in the middle of the night to steal cookies.  Which means the opportunity for picture taking, and frankly looking cute, if not at least presentable always exists.

After a large meal, and any last minute gift wrapping on Christmas Eve the idea of being cute a few hours later when little kids come running to your room squealing with Christmas glee can be a bit daunting.  However, I think I have solved the problem.

We spend Christmas at my brother and sister in laws’ home, with their three kids.  So while I normally come down stairs in a cardigan and leggings, or a Juicy tracksuit (yes, it’s true, just like Gabrielle Solis [Desperate Housewives fans, anyone?]), I’d like to add some holiday spirit to my early morning attire.


Row 1:  I love this set; its playful and even a bit sexy.  This sleepwear collection might be better saved for a Christmas for deux, and happily all of these items are completely wearable and appropriate all year round.  I have loved this robe for a while, as I think it would look just as pretty on a hook as it would on.

Row 2: This set, to me, is like an idyllic Christmas morning.  The long-john inspired p.j.s, the bow detailed socks and the extra ruffly robe are all about having fun and being young, and that is totally Christmas.

Row 3: I love this set, because it feels a little bit extra special to me.  I could totally see these pieces being featured on an episode of Oprah’s favorite things (hey, O!).  The sparkle loungewear from Juicy Couture adds a little holiday shine as an alternative to sweats and a t-shirt, and the long robe is divine.

Some people say that there is nothing more luxurious than treating yourself to really nice pajamas, so maybe in all of your Christmas shopping, you pick something up for yourself too.  After all, you deserve it.

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Posted in Her Closet, Her Home, Holidays, Shopping

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Run, Carly, Run

Posted on December 13, 2010 | 1 comment


Almost two weeks ago I signed up for the lottery for the annual Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.  I have previously signed up for this event, and was not previously selected.  The longest race I have ever run is 3.2 miles.  I am challenging myself to run more than 3 times that long.

When I signed up the first time I, and didn’t get in, I told Mark that when I ran the ten miles I would treat myself to a pair of these…

Brian Atwood Maniac Pump

For now the goal is just to train and run the race.  I’ll worry about what my reward is when I cross the finish line.  But, in the interim between now and then I’ll keep you posted on the training, the ups and downs and what, besides shoes, is motivating me.  If you have any tips I’d love to hear from you!

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Posted in Fashion Inspiration, Her Closet, Her Inspiration, Personal, Shoes

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Baked Donuts, a Delight for the Holiday Season

Posted on December 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

There are two “traditional” Hanukkah foods: latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganyot, (donuts, fried dough balls).  This doesn’t really add up to the healthiest food choices.  For our Hanukkah party last weekend I knew I couldn’t skimp out on traditionally made latkes, but donuts…  that I could tweak.  

I scoured the Internet for baked donuts, with ingredients that I had on hand and I lucked out with a recipe from Piece of Cake.  This rules out any recipe that calls for buttermilk powder, shortening, etc.  Which means, you probably have these ingredients too, and because they are baked and not fried you might want to enjoy this less guilty treat after Hanukkah, or Christmas morning.
Baked Donuts Ingredients
For the dough:
1/2 cup + 3 tbsp warm milk, 95 to 105 degrees
1 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tbsp melted unsalted butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Topping:
3 tbsps of unsalted butter
1/3 white sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon

So here is the thing, this recipe can look pretty intimidating.  It has yeast, it has a specific measurement for milk, yikes.  But here is the truth.  I made this recipe without a rolling pin, while preparing and serving a Hanukkah meal for 8 and with three adorable kids running around, in other words – these pictures, not so hot – but the donuts, out of this world.

Pour the yeast in the base of your Kitchenaid Mixer, or a large bowl, and then add 3 tbsps of the warm milk.  I used a thermometer to get this just right, and its important – in this case baking is more like delicious chemistry, than playtime.

 
While the warm milk and the yeast are dancing and expanding and doing their magic, you are melting some butter and combining it with the rest of the milk and the sugar.  Allow the yeast and milk to get to know each other for about five minutes, no less but, more is okay.  Then add the butter/sugar/milk combination to the mixer.

Now, in a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt and nutmeg and slowly pour the dry ingredients into the mixer all while mixing with the paddle on a low speed (I used 2).  Add one egg and let that continue to incorporate.  When the flour is fully mixed in, should take 3 minutes or so, remove the paddle mixer and attach the dough hook.


Let that hook do its work for a few minutes and pull the dough from the bowl and put some of your own muscle into it.  Sprinkle some flour on your workspace and knead the dough into a soft, smooth ball.  Place the ball into an oiled bowl and wrap the bowl with plastic and tuck it away into a warm space for at least an hour.
I did this at 11am, when family arrived at noon.  After about an hour roll the dough out to about 1/2″ thick and cut your donuts.  You do NOT need fancy tools.  I used a juice glass for the big rounds and a shot glass for the holes.  Once the donuts are all cut, cover with a clean kitchen towel and tuck the pan away for another 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes your donuts are soft, puffy and are ready to bake place them in a 375 degree oven for 8 – 10 minutes.  They should have a very soft golden glow, mine were very soft gold, but that just added to their super soft chewiness.


While the donuts are baking, melt three tablespoons of butter.  When fully baked dip each donut (top and bottom) into the butter mixture and then into the sugar and cinnamon mixture.

Yes, your fingers will get messy, and yes you will have used a lot of utensils and bowls, but you know what will also happen?  The twelve awesome donuts that you made will disappear, and your niece will return again and again to the table seeking out one more bite.  I think they even beat Dunkin’.

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Posted in Baking, Breakfast/Brunch, Comfort Food, Dessert, Hanukkah, Her Kitchen, Holiday Food

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Brussel Sprout Magic

Posted on December 9, 2010 | Leave a comment

Dear Dad,

I wish you weren’t so turned off by brussels sprouts, they’re really pretty good.  In fact, they are better than pretty good, they’re really good.  All those years of turning your nose up at them at Thanksgiving when Cousin Karen would bring them seems silly now.   In fact, I like them sauteed with bacon or even served up with Greek yogurt at DC favorite Zaytinya. 

But, dad, they are also good simply roasted.  Here, let me show you.
Love, Carly

True story friends, up until a few years ago I had never tried a brussels sprout.  If you were like me, or my sister up until this past weekend, it is time for a change.  I love this as an easy, low maintenance side dish that requires no effort after prep time.  We served it with out Hanukkah party, but its a mainstay throughout winter when they are in season.

Roasted (Parmigiana – or not) Brussels Sprouts
A bag of brussels sprouts (the quantity depends on how many you’re feeding
A drizzle of olive oil
A sprinkle of salt and pepper
A shaving of parmigiana, optional
 First things first, rinse off all of those little mini lettuce heads.  TO be fair, they just look like heads of lettuce, the flavor is far more rich and intense.  Now its time to prune the sprout, or head, or whatever, it’s time to peel leaves off of the green ball in your hand…

You might notice that there are some weird/yucky/unappetizing black blemishes or dots on the outside leaves.  Fear not!  You are just going to rub back the leaf and then rip it off.  Each sprout will shrink in size a bit, but it’s okay.  It will be pretty again soon.

Ta Da!

Then you’re going to cut the brussels sprouts into thirds.  Insider secret, if after peeling off ugly leaves there is a bit of a white “stem” you can cut that off too.


With all of your sprouts laid out on a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, give them a gentle drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Check after 30, I like mine a little browner, if you’re wanting gold then 30 minutes should be just right.

Here is some extra flavor magic: sprinkle on fresh grated parmigiana, or some truffle salt, or perhaps both.  Delicious!

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Posted in Christmas, dinner, Easy Recipe, healthy, Her Kitchen, Holiday Food, New Year's Eve, Seasonal, Thanksgiving, Winter

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Basic Brisket, and so good!

Posted on December 8, 2010 | 3 comments

When you want an authentically Jewish brisket recipe, (not barbecue brisket, or pulled brisket, just you the familiar brisket found on Hanukkah, Passover, and Rosh Hashanah tables),  you’ll probably need to call a mom, or grandma or aunt.  If you want a different variation, visit Food and Wine.

Anyway, so I found myself in Whole Foods standing in the meat refrigerator looking at some huge pieces of meat.  That is step 1 to making a brisket, the meat is huge.  Understanding that, getting over it, and knowing that it will shrink to half it’s original size is critical.

I called my cousin Amy first – she gave a list of her ingredients.  Then I called my mom, and she gave a similiar list of her ingredients.  When it came time to go, I just did everything.

 Jewish Style Brisket Ingredients, serve 8-10
3.5 – 4 lb brisket
1 onion
4 carrots, chopped
4 stalks of celery, chopped
1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup starter (crazy, I know)
1/2 can of San Marzano Pureed Tomato
1/2 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup of red wine
2 tbsp of Ketchup
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tbsp of butter
Salt and Pepper
Cooks for at least 3-4 hours, at 325 degrees.

In a very large non-stick pan on medium-low heat melt some butter and add the chopped onion.  Let the onion simmer and add a sprinkle of salt.  When the onion are closer to translucent than white add the brisket to the pan.


 
Let the brisket cook on both sides for 3 minutes.  You’re not really cooking here, you’re just browning.  Here’s the warning, brisket has a strip of fat on one side, seeing it can be a little overwhelming and gross, keep moving, don’t worry about.
After the brisket has browned on both sides place it in a large baking pan with the raw chopped vegetables and the cooked onions.   Make sure the fat part of the brisket is on the top.

 
In a medium bowl mix the ingredients, onion soup starter, tomato, wine, vinegar, ketchup and sugar. 
Then pour all over the brisket.  You may need to use some muscle to lift the brisket to get the sauce in every little spot.  Yep, just like that.  To be fair, I texted this image to my parents to get a virtual thumbs up.  You don’t have to text my parents, you don’t even have to text your parents.  This is what it should look like.
Find a roll of aluminum foil and start wrapping.  The pan needs to be completely covered and secured. Now, you can put it in the oven for 3 – 4 hours.  Walk away.  Try not to worry, definitely do not open the oven and play with the foil.   
After removing the brisket from the oven, keep it covered for an additional 30 minutes.  This will give you enough time to make a side dish or two, maybe Kasha, or potatoes?  We made kasha and bow-ties.  Seriously good.

When you unwrap the pan, you slice against the grain.  You can let it cool completely and remove the fat, or  you can go authentic, and keep the fat on.  It’s a holiday, its going to be okay.  Enjoy the sauce, the carrots will be full of a sweet and tangy flavor and the meat will be very tender.


It’s a holiday tradition, and one that is easy to be creative with.  I think when you make it for many years, like your aunt, grandma and mom, you’ll tell someone else just add some of this and some of that.  But if you need a recipe, now you’ve got it!

Happy Hanukkah!

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Posted in Comfort Food, dinner, Hanukkah, Her Kitchen, Holiday Food, Jewish Holidays, Passover, Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur

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Holiday Shopping Wrap Up: The Daily Batch Gift Guide

Posted on December 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

For the past few weeks I have been featuring my favorite gift selections for nearly everyone on your list.  Did I miss someone?  I am still taking requests!  Anyway, I am really proud to have found multiple options at large range of price points that I would be truly proud to give and receive. 



I hope these gifts provide you with inspiration for your own list.

Happy Shopping!

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Posted in gifts, Her Home, Holiday Food, Holidays, Shopping

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