spring table settings...

It's finally that time of year! Time to get ready for some much needed time outdoors, soaking up the sun and enjoying a good meal. We are so lucky to have great weather all year round in San Diego, but once spring hits, we are outside all day, every day! So I have been rounding up everything we need for a festive spring table setting that will last all season!

✔ Hurricanes 

✔ Placemats 

✔ Flatware  

✔ Tablecloth  

Don't forget the flowers!  

glass hurricane/rattan placemat/bamboo flatware/tablecloth

monday {menu}

 

{recipe from... here}

Grilled Crostini with Burrata, Figs, & Prosciutto 

6-8 slices sourdough bread

Olive oil

1 garlic clove, halved

1 cup baby arugula

1 (8-oz) ball of burrata cheese, sliced

2-3 fresh figs, sliced

4 oz sliced prosciutto

Honey

Balsamic glaze

1. Preheat the grill to medium and drizzle the sliced bread with olive oil on both sides. Place the bread on the hot grill and cook for a couple minutes per side, until slightly charred and toasted. Remove from grill, and while still warm, rub the bread with the halved garlic.

2. Top the bread slices with the arugula, prosciutto, burrata, figs, a drizzle of honey, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Season with salt and pepper. Serve!

happy sunday...

 

xoxo

Alexandra 

today's the day

 

XOXO

Alexandra

going green...

 

via Home and Garden UK

via Matilda Goad

via Domino Magazine

Green is the color of spring, symbolizing life and hope. With everything around us coming back to life and starting anew, the color green is so invigorating and restorative. I don’t know about you, but I could use some rejuvenation! 

I love adding a bit of green to my home in the spring to welcome the season. Whether it be through plants or platters, green accessories can add a bit of natural warmth and charm to any space. 

Visit us at our COASTAL ALLEY SALE, tomorrow, SATURDAY, MARCH 27, from 9-11am 

to find the perfect green accessories for your home. See you there!

blue and white makes everything right...

If there were ever versatile home accessories, it would be blue and white ginger jars and temple jars. I have been using them for years in my designs, being that they can be used in so many ways, and work with so many different styles of décor. If you were to come over to my house, you would see them in almost every room! You can group them together in a vignette, use them to hold your favorite flowers, put them on opposite sides of the mantle… So many fun ways to use these beautiful pieces of art!

I have seen many different shapes, sizes, and designs over the years. 

Luckily, I have been able to get my hands on a few 

of my favorites and will have them available at our upcoming 

COASTAL ALLEY SALE on March 27, from 9-11am! 

Stop by and add a few ginger jars to your collection!

In the alley behind the old Rustic Rooster storefront.

930 South Coast Highway 101 Encinitas, California 92024

vintage seascapes...

via Habitually Chic

via Sea Roosts

via Sea Roosts

via Sea Roosts

Awhile back, I came across the perfect little cottage in Montauk, called Sea Roosts. Being that my family and I were not able to travel back east last year, I have been soaking up all of the east coast charm that I can online and making plans for future visits. This place is definitely on my list! 

 

As I sat drooling over the photos, I noticed that there was a beautiful collection of vintage seascapes that could be found throughout the home. Whether you live by the sea, or just love the water, vintage seascapes are a great way to add warmth, charm, and a sense of wonder to any room. 

I'm sure that this property is even more amazing in person. Something to look forward to...

To add a few vintage seascapes 

to your home, stop by our 

COASTAL ALLEY SALE on SATURDAY, 

MARCH 27, from 9-11am.

In the alley behind the old Rustic Rooster storefront.

930 South Coast Highway 101 Encinitas, California 92024

french market baskets...

French. Market. Baskets. Three little words. So many uses. I have had French market baskets for as long as I can remember. I use them as a beach bag, to haul around fabric samples, and to carry all of my farmer’s market goodies. I have also found numerous ways to use these versatile baskets in my home to help keep me organized. They can be used as a catchall in the entry, as small toy storage that can easily be transported around the house, and in the bathroom to hold extra towels. I even use one to hold all of my library books so that when I am ready to return them, they are already in the bag and ready to go! 

via Architectural Digest

Stop by our COASTAL ALLEY SALE on SATURDAY, MARCH 27, from 9-11am, 

and snag yourself a French Market basket{or two}!

In the alley behind the old Rustic Rooster storefront.

930 South Coast Highway 101 Encinitas, California 92024

 

write this down...

XOXO

Alexandra 

 

happy sunday...

 

XOXO 

Alexandra 

monday {menu}

Quina Power Bowl

{recipe from... here}

Ingredients

• ▢14 to 16 oz. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• ▢2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided (sub avocado oil)
• ▢1 Tbsp. adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)
• ▢1 Tbsp. maple syrup
• ▢1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• ▢3 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash (from 1 small squash)
• ▢1 tsp. smoked paprika
• ▢1 tsp. garlic powder
• ▢1 cup dry quinoa
• ▢2 cups lower-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• ▢2 to 3 handfuls of chopped kale
• ▢Sliced avocado for topping (optional)

Honey-Dijon Dressing

• ▢1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ▢1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• ▢1 Tbsp. honey (sub maple syrup)
• ▢2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• ▢1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Arrange Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet and toss with 1 Tbsp. oil, adobo sauce, maple syrup, and 1/2 tsp. salt. On a separate baking sheet, toss butternut squash with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Place both baking sheets in the oven, and roast for ~25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender.
• Meanwhile, combine quinoa and broth in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until quinoa is fluffy and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Uncover, and stir in kale, letting residual heat wilt down the leaves.
• Prepare dressing by combining olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, and salt in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.
• Assemble bowls by dividing quinoa and kale mixture evenly into each of 4 bowls. Divide roasted vegetables over top, and drizzle with dressing. Garnish with sliced avocado and/or toppings of choice.

xoxo

Alexandra 

happy sunday...

 

monday {menu}

 

Blood Orange Ricotta Toast Recipe

{recipe from... here}

Ingredients

• 2 blood oranges
• 2/3 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1-inch thick slices brioche bread
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Honey
• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Cut off the top and bottom of each blood orange just until the pulp is exposed. Stand the blood orange up on one of the flat ends. Working from top to bottom, cut away the the peel and pith, following the curve of the fruit. Cut the fruit into slices and set aside.
2. In a small food processor, blitz together ricotta and vanilla until mostly smooth. You can also just mix them together in a bowl, but it won't be as smooth.
3. Warm a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the brioche with melted butter. Place brioche in the skillet, and cook until golden and charred in spots on each side (about 1 to 2 minutes per side).
4. To assemble, top each slice of toast with an even layer of ricotta. Arrange blood orange slices on top of the ricotta, then finish with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of sea salt. Enjoy immediately!

YUM

Alexandra

happy sunday...

 

xoxo

Alexandra

next... coastal alley s a l e

 

xoxo

Alexandra 

monday {menu}

 

{recipe from... here}

New York Style Blueberry Bagels

Ingredients

• 1 package of active dry yeast
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 cups of warm water
• 3 1/2 cups of AP flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup of blueberries {tossed in 1/4 cup of flour}

Instructions

• dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup of warm water {let rest 5 minutes}
• mix together the salt and the flour - making a well in the center
• add the yeast and the additional water to the flour
• gently fold in the berries
• knead until you have a soft and elastic dough {either by hand or using the dough hook of a stand mixer}
• don't worry - the dough will look quite purple
• cover the dough and let rise until doubled {about 1 - 1/2 hours}
• divide the dough into 8 balls
• press into the center of each ball forming a hole, and stretch to form the bagel shape
• let rest 30 minutes
• pre-heat the oven 425 degrees
• bring a large pot of water to a boil
• boil the bagels - 1 or 2 at a time for 3 - 4 minutes {they will float to the top when ready}
• place on baking sheet and bake 20 minutes

By boiling the blueberry bagels before baking, you end up with a crispy crunchy crust and  a soft and chewy center.  Just like a true bagel shop bagel {only a whole lot cheaper}, only better if you ask me.

Of course if blueberries aren’t your thing, just leave them out. But blueberry bagels are a must in my house, so we added plenty.

XOXO

Alexandra