goodbye august...

 

The weather is starting to change... I feel a cool breeze in the air, and the days are getting shorter. Saying goodbye to August means another chapter is closing, especially for mothers. Their babies are getting older and entering a new phase... School is starting, or a new milestone will begin. Bittersweet!

Goodbye August... Thank you for so many wonderful memories... Until we meet again!

 

monday {menu}

 

{recipe from... h e r e}

gRILLED zUCCHINI WITH fETA & pINE NUTS

INGREDIENTS:

• 1-2 large zucchini, sliced at an angle 1/4-inches thick
• Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
• 3 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
• 3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 3 teaspoons dried parsley
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup pine nuts

DIRECTIONS:

1. Slice the zucchini at an angle about 1/4 inch thick. Brush each side with olive oil and arrange the slices on a plate. Season with the zucchini with red pepper flakes, garlic, oregano and parsley.
2. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Grill the zucchini slices for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until see grill marks. Arrange the grilled slices on a platter and top with the feta cheese and pine nuts.

• 

happy sunday...

 

back-to-school essentials for mom...

I got the kids to school for the second week in a row! I braved the carpool line, packed the lunches, prepped the outfits, gathered the supplies, read the emails... After having the kids at home for so long, I forgot about all of the things that go into having them actually go to  school. 

There are countless articles about back-to-school essentials for kids. But what about back-to-school essentials for the moms (and dads) who are also trying to successfully navigate this transition? I think its only fair that we too have a few goodies to get us through the days of early mornings, roasting ourselves in the carpool line, nagging our children about doing their homework, and for all of the other amazing things that we get to do on a daily basis. 

It may sound like I am complaining... Well, maybe a little. But I would do this forever, if that's what it takes. I'm just looking for a few tips and tricks that may help ease the process. If you have any, please, do share. In the meantime, here are a few of the little things that help get me through the school day with my sanity intact...

the striped shirt (fall edition)...

I feel as if it was just yesterday that I was putting my summer wardrobe together, and today I am already thinking about how to transition some of those pieces into the fall. Where did the summer go? 

Regardless of the season, there is one piece that I am never without. The blue and white striped shirt. It is a versatile piece that looks great with everything from denim shorts on the beach to trousers and a blazer at work. Here are a few ways that you can make blue and white stripes work for you this fall...

via Shot From the Street

via Habitually Chic

via Who What Wear

via Le Fashion

wandering wednesdays (mad for macarons)

Lately, I have had a craving for macarons. These delicious, colorful treats always brighten up my day! Praline, raspberry, vanilla... I love them all! So today, I thought I would share my favorite spots in LA to grab a box, or two... 

Ladurée

via Thirsty for Tea

via Thirsty for Tea

via Love Beverly Hills

311 N Beverly Drive

Los Angeles

www.laduree.us

Bottega Louie

via Bottega Louis

via Food and the City

via Female Foodie

700 S Grand Avenue

Los Angeles

www.bottegalouis.com

                        

cozy attic bedrooms...

I am all for maximizing space. Converting your attic into a bedroom is a great way to make the most out of what may otherwise only be used as dusty storage space. In smaller homes, where space is a premium, converting your attic into livable space is a great way to add value to your home. Some attics have architectural details such as sloped ceilings, wood beams, and windows that may add to the coziness and charm of the space. Take a peek at these amazing attics!

via Architectural Digest

via Magz House

via Central London Loft

via Remodelista

via House and Garden

 

monday {menu}

 

{recipe from... here}

Lemony Arugula Salad with Couscous, Cucumbers & Feta

FOR THE SALAD

1 1/2 cups dried pearl (Israeli) couscous (about 3 cups cooked)

3 ounces baby arugula or tender salad greens, about 4 cups

1/2 hothouse (seedless) cucumber, chopped

2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled, about 1/2 cup

FOR THE DRESSING

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, about 1/2 large lemon

4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon honey

1 tablespoon minced preserved lemon, optional

1 teaspoon dried basil or a handful chopped fresh basil leaves, optional

Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add couscous and cook until tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain then add to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, make the dressing. Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, honey, preserved lemon and basil together until it looks thick and blended. Season to taste with salt and fresh ground black pepper (we add a generous pinch of each).

Toss the cooked and drained couscous with the dressing then set aside for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooled slightly. Finish the salad by adding the arugula, cucumbers and feta. Toss well then serve.

 TIPS

• The salad will keep overnight in the fridge. As it sits, the greens may wilt slightly, but still will taste great.
• If you cannot find pearl (Israeli) couscous, substitute with a regular couscous, small pasta shape such as orzo or cooked grains like quinoa, wheat berries and barley.
• Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Super tracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values. We assumed 1/2 teaspoon of added salt.

happy sunday...

 

friday finds (willow bough)...

Being that I am a fan of both wallpaper and William Morris, it comes as no surprise that I would fall in love with Morris & Co's, "Willow Bough". It is a timeless and sophisticated design that brings your walls to life. I hope you love it as much as I do... Happy weekend! 

via @home_stead

via Femkeido

via Dekko Bird

via Fastighetsbyran

 

decorating with maps...

Choosing what to put on your walls can sometimes be a bit of a daunting task. If you have no idea how to fill a space, what about a map? To personalize your space, choose maps from the place that you live, or places that you have traveled to. I especially love the look of vintage maps. In a time when it's a bit challenging to travel the world, bring the world to you!  

via Maison & Demeure

via Remodelista

via Fermina Daza's Newspaper

pew benches for the entry...

Happy Tuesday! I hope that your week is off to an amazing start! It is hard to believe that summer will soon be coming to an end, with the kids heading back-to-school. It's been a frenzy of emails, clothes and supply shopping, lunch planning, and everything else that goes along with this hectic, but exciting time. 

One of the things that I am always focused on during this time is finding ways to get organized. With all of the school drop-offs and pick-ups, sports practices, and other things that pop-up, we are constantly in and out of the house, picking up and dropping off things as we come and go. The entry is definitely one of the spots that need to be addressed. 

One of my favorite entryway pieces are pew benches. They are great for catching bags and miscellany, as well as serving as a seat to quickly get in and out of your shoes when you are in a hurry. Plus, they just look amazing! If you are going to be running around like a headless chicken, you may as well have something lovely to look at while you're doing it! Here are some examples of wonderful pew benches that may inspire you to find one for your entry...

via Houzz

via Studio McGee

via Meg's Old Farmhouse

 

monday {menu}

 

{recipe from... here}

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 - 3 cups white whole wheat or all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast (see notes for no yeast option)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup warm water or warm milk
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 7 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Glaze (optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

• 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine 2 1/2 cups flour, the instant yeast, and salt. Add the milk or water, honey, and 1 tablespoon butter. Knead on medium speed until the dough comes together, 1-2 minutes, adding in additional flour, as needed, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

  2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

  3. In a bowl, combine the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

  4. On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, adding flour to the dough if it is sticky. Spread the dough with 4 tablespoons butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Fold the dough in half and cut into 12 strips. Twist each strip and then tie into a loose knot, it doesn't need to be perfect. Place on the prepared baking sheet. 

  5. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir the melted butter together with the remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon and the brown sugar. Spoon clumps of the brown sugar mix over the knots (see above photo). This is going to be your "crunch" layer.

  6. Transfer to the oven and bake 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and working quickly, carefully spoon any of the brown sugar that has melted off back over the rolls. It doesn't need to look perfect. Return to the oven and continue baking another 8-10 minutes, until golden.

  7. Meanwhile, make the Glaze. In a medium bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth and combined. If needed, thin the glaze by adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. 

  8. Drizzle glaze over the knots, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

No Yeast Option: If you do not have access to yeast or simply cannot use, you can omit the yeast and instead use 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon baking soda, added with the flour. You can skip the rising and instead just let the dough rest 30 minutes, then roll, rest again another 15-20 minutes, then bake. The rolls will be a little less fluffy, but will be great!