T.G.I.F.

T.G.I.F.

 It's been awhile since I acknowledged T.G.I.F. with a sweet weekend playlist

but the weather is just right here today and we had a bbq at my work

all of which has put me in a dreamy, summer-afternoon mood

which is oh-so-conducive to slacking off & playing cool tunes.

I think I'm going to try & go berry picking this weekend, taking a cue from Coeur de La

Find some nice juicy ones perfect for jamming.

 That or be a beach bum, bike down to the sand and take a long nap.

Whichever. :)

Happy Weekend!

Create a MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

what are you up to this weekend?

Tilapia + Escarole = Yum

Tilapia + Escarole = Yum

It's hard to get your leafy greens in.
Especially when you are dating someone
who considers cookies
leafy greens.
Yes he is that ridiculous! lol
But I have tricked my man with yet another
slight of hand.
Tilapia & Escarole from Foodnetwork.
A few hidden red potato wedges beneath the layer of escarole (I use spinach)
give it a really hearty flavor
Add some garlic, lemon & you have a delicious dish.
I used dill here, instead of the other herbs on the Tilapia.
Tricks him into eating healthy every time!

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 12 ounces baby fingerling potatoes, halved, or small red-skinned potatoes, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 head escarole (about 1 1/4 pounds), torn into pieces
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/4 pounds tilapia fillets, patted dry
• 2 sprigs fresh oregano, leaves torn
• Juice of 1 lemon

Directions

Heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a large deep skillet with a lid over medium heat. Place the potatoes in the pan cut-side down. Add the garlic and cook until the potatoes are slightly golden and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the escarole, season with salt and pepper, then add about 1/3 cup water. Cover and steam until the escarole wilts, about 5 minutes.
Season the fish with salt and pepper; place on top of the greens in the pan and sprinkle with the oregano leaves. Cover and steam until the fish is just cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk the lemon juice in a bowl with the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil; season with 1 teaspoon salt and plenty of pepper.
Carefully lift the fish off the greens and transfer to rimmed plates or bowls. Distribute the greens, potatoes and pan juices around the fish. Drizzle with the lemon-pepper oil.

and if he's good (or bad depending on my mood) he might just get his version of a leafy green. . .

O.M.G. Love; Jason Hackenwerth

O.M.G. Love; Jason Hackenwerth

I heart Nylon magazine. Because they turn me on to such cool things!
Like Jason Hackenwerth. And his big, awesome, somewhat unsettling (and sometimes phallic) balloon sculptures.
They are awe inspiring & shudder-inducing (as are many phallic objects)
Lol sorry I'm in a cheeky mood.
The colors are vibrant and the scale is impressive.
A lot of them look like something from a sci-fi horror
or science book sketch. It makes me uncomfortable!
But in the best way possible.
Like a movie that creeps you out
but you can't stop watching.
Did I mention they are balloons? Oh  right, I did.
Did I mention some of them are wearable? No? Well they are.
Which makes them even cooler lol.

Check out his site.

He has prints for sale

for those who aren't so faint of heart. . . .

Its Here Its Here Its Here

Its Here Its Here Its Here

New Lonny.

With tips on hanging art.

Which is what I'm obsessed with right now.

In case anyone forgot how sweet Lonny is.

As if that's possible. . .

Pearls of Wisdom

Pearls of Wisdom

 Source
I am no Jackie O.

If anything I'm a little Lucille Ball.

But I strive for grace.

 Effortless elegance.

Or should I say seemingly effortless.

Because I think that all great things require

at least a bit of effort

if only to get things going.

I am trying to consider myself

a work in progress

because so many times I forget

that I can change things and be different.

if I try!

Now I find advice on etiquette

can often be overbearing, unrealistic, & a wee it pretentious

But at the same there are rewards to be reaped

from putting an effort not only into your appreance

but your demeanor & manner as well.

Here are a few little tidbits I just loved (and some I added ) from 100 Ways to Be Elegant over at Live the Charmed Life

now like I said I'm not going to list all 100 here because frankly, there are many I just won't be able to work on. (I will never chew each bite 20 times, just not happening lol)

but some are just so simple and will make me feel

like I might just catch Grace Kelly.

1. Send thank you notes

2.  Practice good posture (I think my Pilates video has really been helping here!)

3.  Listen without interrupting

4.Have a signature wine that you serve guests

5.  Read on a variety of topics

6.  Maintain a budget (this one is really going to kick my butt)

7. Study & support the arts

8.  Have a signature perfume-- I love it when perfume reminds me of someone.

9.  Learn French-- I want to do this so I can recognize all these cooking terms I see!

10.  Practice quality over quantity. I need to learn this in building my wardrobe

11.  Remember birthdays

12. Go on picnics & bike rides!

13.  Simplify your home

14. Wear pearls

15. Remember that it's more important to be kind than to be right

16.  Serve coffee or tea after meals

17.  Don't complain (this one will also be a tough one)

18. Keep your home clean & uncluttered

19.  Learn how to host a small dinner party

20.  Learn how to make a martini

21.   Don't point out mistakes of others unnecessarily

22.  Be patient

23.  Limit cursing

24.  Sip your drink (my habit is to chug! must refrain lol)

25.   Accept compliments graciously (I am so bad at this)

26.  Have fresh flowers in your home

27.  Write letters

28. Keep your nails well manicured

29.  Maintain your shoes & clothing (this means do not leave things on the ground Rachel lol)

30.  Be well groomed (so maybe I need to wake up a bit earlier so I dont have like 10 mins to get ready lol)

40.  Remember that money does not equal elegance.

41. Get your clothes tailored--especially us shorties out there! lol

42. Spray lavender on your sheets.  I can tell you that it is very important to me to create the most welcoming bed ever. I spend so much time there I want it to be fabulous.

43.  Maintain your health!

44.  Think before you speak. Can anything good come from it?

45.  Light candles in your home.

46. Give others sincere compliments.

47.  Take responsibility for yourself & your own happiness.

48.  When you want to buy, create!

49.  Give thoughtful gifts, rather than expensive ones.

50.  Do things that make you excited about life.

Ok so I've limited the list to fifty. And really these are just little prompts for me.  The importance lies in sincerity, since anyone can spot an insincere gesture. Find inspiration in things that feel natural to you, not forced or fake :)

Hope you enjoyed these as much as I did. Thanks to Live the Charmed Life for inspiring me :)