Divine Reinvention

Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich May 14th, 2012

This new take on a grilled cheese sandwich sounds divine!  I love every single ingredient!!

green goddess grilled cheese sandwich

Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

2 slices bread (we used a white bread, but one filled with lots of different whole grains and seeds would be *awesome*)
2-3 tablespoons Green Goddess Herb Pesto (recipe below)
2 slices mild white melty cheese like mozzarella
handful fresh baby spinach
¼ avocado, sliced
2 tablespoons goat cheese, crumbled
olive oil (and butter if you’re so inclined)

Directions

Spread about 1 tablespoon of Green Goddess Herb Pesto onto each slice of bread (2 tablespoons total, but if you’re sensitive, go light, the pesto is STRONG).

On one slice of bread, add 1 slice of cheese, sliced avocado, crumbled goat cheese, spinach, second slice of cheese, then top it with second slice of bread. Press together gently.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. (If you want to use butter, add it to the oil and let it melt). Add the sandwich to the oil and cook until bread is golden brown. Press down on the sandwich lightly, then flip the sandwich over and cook until second side is golden brown.

Green Goddess Herb Pesto

Ingredients

1 clove garlic
1 (or 2 if you’re ballsy) anchovy fillet (in oil)
½ small shallot, chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
handful chopped fresh Italian parsley
handful chopped kale
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped chives
¼ cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Pulse garlic, anchovy, and shallot in food processor until chopped. With the food processor running, add lemon juice, parsley, kale, tarragon and chives. (It won’t process very well yet, don’t worry).

Very slowly drizzle in olive oil until kale and herbs get sufficiently chopped and everything is the consistency of a pesto. You may need more or less of the olive oil depending on how big a “handful” of herbs is to you. You can also turn off the food processor and push herbs down the side of the bowl with a spatula every once in a while.

Season to taste with salt and pepper (You probably won’t need too much salt if you used 2 anchovies).

green goddess grilled cheese sandwich

recipe and images via tastespotting

That’s a Wrap!

bits and baubles May 11th, 2012

This weekend is Mother’s Day, so I hope that you’ll be spending time on Sunday lovin’ on your mother.  I certainly plan to!

For now…here’s what caught my attention this week!

owl pancakes

I’m such a sucker for “food art”!

I’m smitten with Kristine Mays’ Garment collection.

Paula Hayes’ gigantic terrariums are magnificent!

This pork tenderloin recipe with fresh herbs looks divine!

Here’s what 2000 calories looks like…

Does this stress anyone else out besides me?  Slow down, people!

I recently heard Andy Andrews speak.  Now I want to read every one of his books.  Best speaker ever!

Show your mom your love!  The very best gift…make her think you’ve sealed your love permanately….then make her happier by showing her that it’s temporary!

Ahhh, Paris!

I want to stay here.

Have a great weekend, lovelies!  XO!

New Wave

Driftwood April 14th, 2012

There’s a new seafood restaurant in the hood!  I can’t wait to visit…

driftwood restaurant

if anything, just to see these great driftwood wall installations!

Driftwood – 642 W Davis St, Dallas, TX  75208

image via thrillist

Grin And Bear It

breakfast fun March 23rd, 2012

Your little ones might be more excited to eat their breakfast if it looked like this…

teddy bear toast

via likecool

What’s your favorite way to play with your food?

Now You’re Cookin’

Ice Milk Aprons March 22nd, 2012

Chances are that you may have seen Ice Milk Aprons in O Magazine‘s January issue.  Like other “O approved” products, this created quiet a stir for the folks at Ice Milk Aprons.  The good news is that they are now able to pre-order those aprons that have recently been on back-order.

ice milk apron

I LOVE aprons!  I wish that someone out there would start the trend of wearing outside the kitchen!  These are certainly cute enough, don’t you think?

ice milk aprons

ice milk aprons

You’ve got to check out their adorable site!

Do you like aprons?  Does anyone else love aprons, but doesn’t really like to cook, like me?  Who has a kitchen drawer full?  I do!

 

The Vow Factor

March 18th, 2012

Amberly Washington (Jr League Event Coordinator and Sweethead accessories designer) has planned a different type of wedding market for all of you brides-to-be!  She’s rounded up 40 of the best earth-friendly vendors to create “The Swoon” that will take place on March 24 at South Side On Lamar from 4 to 9pm.

the swoon logo

Join others for sips, music and bites to see vendors including Anna Routh Photography, Southern Fried Paper, Blue Eye, Brown Eye, Vera Green Productions, F is for Frank, Sweethead and more!  Oak Cliff’s Oil and Cotton will be on hand hosting wedding themed DIY craft sessions!

new years eve wedding invitation southern fried paper

image via southern fried paper

You’ll want to stay for the fashion show at the end featuring The White Gown Showroom  and Cooper by Courtney Bridal, but don’t come late because the first 50 event shoppers will receive a swag bag full of goodies from the vendors that includes Emergency Bridal Kits and handmade jewelry by Cardinal House.

sweethead

image via sweethead

Tickets can be purchased here through March 23 for $8 and at the door for $10.  Complimentary parking is available in Lot A.  For additional information visit http://theswoonevent.com.

 

Dye Another Day

doodle Easter eggs March 16th, 2012

Skip the dye!  Blogger Alisa Burke‘s beautiful doodles eggs are pretty enough in black and white!  Go grab a black Sharpie and go for it!

doodle eggs

The hardest part will be poking the tiny holes and blowing the yolk out!

eggs

doodle eggs

doodle eggs

images via AlisaBurke

Would you be willing to skip the dye this year?  Do you make Easter Eggs every year?  How do you make your Easter Eggs special?

Two Times A Charm!

2nd Private Blogger's Luncheon March 8th, 2012

OK, blogging friends…I’m happy to announce the 2nd Annual Private Bloggers Luncheon to kick off Round Top Antique Week!

Bloggers Luncheon Invitation

If you attended last luncheon at Rachel Ashwell’s The Prairie, you know what a special time this is to gather together with other creative bloggers for amazing Texas design inspiration!  This time we’ll gather at Bud’s Royers Cafe to have another delicious lunch and hear the iconic Carol Hicks Bolton talk about what inspires her and hear the latest about her new shop, Carol Hicks Bolton’s Antiquities Laboratoire de Design in Fredricksburg!

carol hicks bolton

carol hicks bolton fredricksburg

Dallas Market Center is a sponsor of this event and will share about the new section at Dallas Market Center dedicated to vintage sales that I recently participated  in at the last show (info posted here).  Bud Royer was also a part of this show and I can assure you, it’s going to do nothing but grow to be a place where people come from across the country to purchase quality vintage finds.  It’s a great opportunity for any vintage dealers to get in on the ground floor of something very special!

I’m also happy that this event will support Dwell With Dignity again!  You won’t believe the amazing things that have happened since Lisa and Kim spoke at the last luncheon!

Be sure to sign up fast with Michaela…some of you may have met her at The Praire…from Dallas Market Center.  Space is limited!   I hope to see you at Bud’s!

Who’s going to come?  Do you have a friend that sells quality vintage products that you will share this opportunity with?

image credits (1), (2)

Low and Slow

Off-Site Kitchen March 7th, 2012

h at a low price? Then get yourself to Off-Site Kitchen!  It tops my list of new food finds!!

Off-Site Kitchen

If you’re in the Dallas area, it’s likely that you’ll salivate at the mention of  Nick Badovinus name.  He’s been part of some of Dallas’ most successful restaurants…Cuba Libre, Hibiscus, Fireside Pies, Porch…and a few years ago went out on his own to create Neighborhood Services, a small but flavor-packed restaurant on Lover’s Lane, where T Boone Pickens is said to be a regular.

Nick Bodavinus

I had lunch on Saturday at On-Site Kitchen and was amazed at the menu and prices!  The prices are similar to fast food, but pack a powerful flavor punch!

Check out this menu!!

on-site kitchen menu

on-site kitchen menu

It’s just a notch above take-out…as they have outdoor tables and limited seating inside…

on-site kitchen

I had a burger…basically the Murph-style burger, minus the bacon (I know…I was trying to be good since I was indulging in a delicious burger!!) and fries (see…you shouldn’t have given me so much credit for not having the bacon!!).  They had several sauces to use to enhance your feast and whatever I had was amazing!  It was spicy, but I can’t remember the name…

on-site kitchen

OK…everything was amazing!  They have these cute little deserts that they put in little snap-top plastic containers that are adorable and delicious!  The cute guy taking my order gave me one of them to try.  I’m from East Texas and have had the best of the best pecan pies and this one did not disappoint!  Get over to the Design District and try On-Site Kitchen asap!  You’ll thank me!

Images 1 (me), (2), (3), (4)

 

 

Packing Eat

salad in a jar February 18th, 2012

salad in a jar

Stack it right and it will last up to four days!  What a great way to bring your lunch!

Stacking order:

1) dressing

2) Hearty items: tomatoes, beans, onions, carrots

3) Then lighter bits: quinoa, sunflower seeds, mushrooms

4) Lettuce or spinach

salad in a jar

When it’s time to eat…shake and enjoy!

via likecool