Archives for November 2014

SECOND RUNWAY – It featured a red carpet entrance, an on-site Goodwill boutique, a chance to bid on fabulous auction items, gourmet food and spirits from local businesses.  A big shout out to my very own Black Hog Bbq for food donation as well as great auction basket.  There was music, and a high energy runway fashion show, including models with “familiar” faces from the community.  That’s were I came in….. I used the term community model very loosely people.  HA
Guests were encouraged to bring a donation for Goodwill and be entered to win a prize.

The hair and makeup team were fantastic – thanks to you all from Jordan K Winn out of Urbana Maryland for some lovely Texas worthy curls!  It was FABULOUS DAHHHLING!

I found the dress at Goodwill and the jacket, tights and ankle boots were my own.  The dress was a little on the young side for me – but tried to make it work.  Reminded me of the Kate Spade number that was out last year.  Again it was my pleasure and honor to be a part of this event.  Lots of money was raised for the youth program!


Ok just touching base and playing catch up on events this past month!
CHEERS,
XOXO LORI

Hello,
Whew – home sweet home!  I always enjoy a quick getaway and adore nice hotels.  Four Seasons in Baltimore is no exception! 

After my birthday food extravaganza in Baltimore ….. my body went into shock.  I do not usually eat such rich foods or have so many rich items in such a short amount of time.  Seriously – Delicious Peking Duck Sunday night – Monday off to the Four Seasons for grilled bread with mascarpone cheese with ricotta & honey butter.  Than tuna tartare – dinner at chef Cindy Wolfe’s Charleston’s in Baltimore – amuse bouche of cauliflower soup.  Followed by steak tartare, snails on bed of grits with green butter sauce, foie gras and piece of birthday cake!  We are not done yet…. followed by the next morning of room service of Eggs Benedict and ending with lunch at Tio Peppi’s bread & butter and there famous snails in green butter and garlic, spicy camaron’s (shrimp).  By the time we were almost home I was as green as the snails.  Literelly so I am scaling back – doing my chinese herbal teas, smoothies and lots of veggies.  My body is not meant to eat like that – I don’t know anyone’s who’s is except for Mike’s.  He was fine – no problems there.  So he is not cleansing LOL.  I found this and thought it’s a happy medium. It’s a veggie entrée and thought it would be great this week as I wean off butter bread cheese and raw meat!  
TAAAH  DAAAAAHHHH! – more healthy foods and snacks to follow this week.  

Roasted cauliflower? Been there, done that. But roasting a whole head of cauliflower?  Now you have my attention Sir.  This recipe has me slathering cauliflower in a spicy yogurt marinade and roasting it at a high temperature. They say the result is an amazingly delicious dish that’s as dramatic in presentation as it is easy in preparation. Maybe I can serve it with a big green salad (lime juice and olive oil for the dressing) for an easy healthy supper or your next “Oh my – the vegetarians are coming to dinner”.


HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:


1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 head cauliflower
1½ cups plain Greek yogurt
1 lime, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons chile powder 
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper


Directions


1. Preheat the oven to 400° and lightly grease a small baking sheet with vegetable oil. Set aside.
2. Trim the base of the cauliflower to remove any green leaves and the woody stem.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt with the lime zest and juice, chile powder, cumin, garlic powder, curry powder, salt and pepper.
4. Dunk the cauliflower into the bowl and use a brush or your hands to smear the marinade evenly over its surface. (Excess marinade can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days and used with meat, fish or other veggies.)
5. Place the cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the surface is dry and lightly browned, 30 to 40 minutes. The marinade will make a crust on the surface of the cauliflower.
6. Let the cauliflower cool for 10 minutes before cutting it into wedges and serving alongside a big green salad.


BTW here is my birthday surprise from the hubby!  Can’t believe it – adore how great it looks in the house.  It’s something I’d never splurge and buy myself – so thanks baby!

GIVE IT A TRY AND LET ME KNOW!  
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY,
XOXO LORI

GOOD MONDAY MORNING,
So I have a little over 3 weeks before Mike tuns 50 and I was able to finally lock him down (only took a year) as to what we would do.  (BTW – my bday, my daughters bday and thanksgiving all before this event…..)  We are going to have about 30 people here at the house for hors d’oeurve’s – cocktails – mocktails – possibly with some kind of “Roast“.  Than later that weekend – small family party at his mom’s house – than topping it off with a fishing trip for Mike and his buddies – not too shabby MR.T!

For the party I am going to go with subtle 70’s theme.

He loves the music from the 70’s and we will be dressing with a little nod to that era.  ( just a little) I am looking online now for a velour track suit for him to wear in Navy or dark brown.  That says 70’s Italian right?  “Forget about it!” We are trying to locate his white gold necklace I bought years ago a little snug now & expand it.  Thinking I will try and add links to top the look off.  Ooooo Pinky ring – will hit pawn shop for that little gem.

However it’s been a little hectic planning this with our people due to the time of year, but it will all come together Im sure.

So on my agenda today
1.  emailing/txt/calling with save the date info.
2.  Working on the invitations (handmade by yours truly) from things I purchased at +Paper Source
3.  Arranging the hanging & installation of new light fixture + dimmers everywhere
4.  Talking to staff for that night  (Julie and our Exec. Chef Daniel from TR)
5.  Tee Shirts Made up for Staff
5.  Creating music playlist
6.  Hunting for accessories for the house (vases, side tables hanging some pictures).
7.  Getting the Bar set up.
8.  Starting video birthday journal for Mike – shhhhhhhhhhh (using my new +GoPro )
So I thought this would be a good time to share these great things I have stubbled across…..

How To: Style A Vintage Bar
I can’t hide my love for a good bar setup: we go absolutely nuts for good, old fashioned, vintage-inspired bar carts and barware–and love pairing them with a well thought-out cocktail menu. Your place need not be a Draper-style penthouse to host a classy bar: a simple bar cart doesn’t take up much space and is an essential for any festive home or apartment. Here I bring you our 3 easy steps to outfitting your bar, and a recipe or two to celebrate the finished look with! 

 This is what you will need for the dressing:

Mix the lime juice of 1 1/2 limes – add tsp chili paste, ( add’s sodium) 1Tb vinegar, 1tea garlic pwdr, 1/2 tea ginger pwdr, 1/2 tea soy, (go light on soy always you add more later)1small Tb of Sriracha, 1lg tsp of honey, 10 grinds black pepper, 1 1/2 Tb of sesame seeds and 8-10 dashes of fish sauce (go sparingly add more to taste – this is a key ingredient really gives that great flavor). 1 tea + of sesame oil.

Ok – So it’s Novemeber 4th and I am on day 3 of my 2nd round of a #30dayworkoutchallenge.  Trying to “amp it up” this time.  Yet I don’t have the same “mojo” as before.  Maybe I should’ve really bought myself those shoes after I completed the first one but I felt like it was sooo much.  I couldn’t pull the trigger on $1K for shoes.  Anyway, I digress….. here are some of the talks I have with myself when getting up and trying to make myself workout.  It is a constant battle.   Here is a  peak inside & the battle in my mind……

13. The SUN isn’t even out yet.

14. Coffee… must get coffee…

I Fumble through closet.

15. Does this even match? Whatever, at least I’m going. 

16. Thank GOD for caffeine.

Still half outta it from melatonin, workout begins.

17. This sucks. Why am I doing this?

18. Okay, just go slow. Better than nothing! (this is my catch phase…like it?)

Halfway through the workout

19. Ah, yes, finally: Endorphins!

20. This song rocks—totally going to Spotify it.

Workout ends

21. I’m awesome!

22. Life is great!

23. I love everyone!

24. So glad I didn’t stay in bed!

25.Oh Man … did I really wear that?

So gang – this is my daily conversation in my head – if you see me out and about talking to no one don’t be scared I’m fine – just probably trying to talk myself into or out of something…..

CHEERS & THANKS FOR STOPPING BY,

XOXO LORI