Wednesday Wisdom

Just a little reminder...


{photo via heyamberrae}

Gifts That Give Back

I love gifts that give.

A cover that cares - All proceeds go to pediatric patient programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. ($35-$40)



Ethical Accessories- 100% of proceeds to women in Uganda to establish an income. ($20)



Seeds of Change - Ten trees are planted for every purchase. ($20)



Virtuous Vino - A portion of all sales goes to Dress for Success. ($10)



I hope you have some great people to give these great gifts to!
k.o

Chicken Pot Pie

Ever since my Dad ordered Chicken Pot Pie at Friend of a Farmer, I've been slightly obsessed with finding the perfect recipe to make at home.

I found several; here, here, and here. However, I think I settled on this one which combines easy and homemade into one.

Katie Lee's Chicken Pot Pie



INGREDIENTS
1 14- to 17-ounce good-quality puff pastry (such as Dufour), thawed according to package instructions
1 quart low-sodium chicken broth
1 large yellow onion, quartered
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
3 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1 tablespoon chopped
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup peeled fresh pearl onions
2 medium carrots, diced
1 cup sliced white mushrooms
1 cup fresh, or thawed frozen peas
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Find the full recipe here

Or try a Chicken Pot Pie Soup or a Curried Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

k.o

Successful Saturday

With my parents in town and a beautiful long weekend, it was hard to tell which day was Saturday. However, just like every week, it came and offered several experiences; different and special in their own way.

I love these new signs on the trains via Freelancers Union.



Can Central Park get any prettier?



Quick drink with my good friend D and her husband at Freeman's . How could I not order a drink called The Dakota?



I hope everyone had a very nice weekend full of thankfulness, family and friends.
k.o

Carole King

In a random experience this past week, I saw Carole King in concert. She sang her classics and I can't get them out of my head!

She hasn't lost her touch; her performance the other day was just as fantastic as back in the day.



I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
k.o

Thankful

{photo via insidetheloop}

Thanksgiving Parade Inflation

I love to see how things are made; the beginning of the story always interests me the most. (I blame it on Mr. Rogers and his sneak peak into the Crayon factory.)

Which is why, with my parents in town, a trip to the Macy's Balloon Inflation was a must. It was crazy busy, but being able to see Kermit, Snoopy, and the Smurfs brought back childhood memories that made the crowds disappear.




I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for family in town this year which creates a nice blend of different worlds.
k.o

Wednesday Wisdom

Just a little reminder...

Yesterday on Today

"It's on my bucket list"

I was shocked at how many people uttered this phrase while standing in the crowd at the Today Show.

My parents were in town, and a stop at The Rock at 6am and a stop at Radio City Music Hall at 8pm to see The Christmas Spectacular were the bookends to a wonderful day.

The sign my Dad displayed while in the crowd at the Today Show.



Chicken Pot Pie at Friend of a Farmer - Sooooo good!



I gasped. Such a beautiful chandelier at Radio City Music Hall.



Classic drink while seeing Christmas Spectacular. Perfect way to end this fantastic day.

Thanksgiving Cocktails

When I think of Thanksgiving cocktails, I start to applaud. Now, I know that seems a little bizarre, but there are such unique possibilities.

Like these -

Spiced Brandy Wine



Ingredients

1 bottle (750 mL) light-bodied red wine (such as Beaujolais)
3 ounces brandy
1/2 cup sugar
6 whole cloves
4 strips lemon zest (3 inches each)
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise

Cranberry Cosmopolitan



Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Cranberry-and-Orange Vodka
1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 ounce orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau
Ice cubes
Orange peel, for garnish
Cranberries, for garnish

*You can make your own Cranberry-and-Orange Vodka here

Cognac Sparklers



Ingredients

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Cognac
1 cup chilled sparkling apple cider
A few dashes bitters

Cheers!
k.o

Successful Saturday

This successful Saturday was made possible by nice surprises around the city.

Lord & Taylor 2011 Holiday Window Display




Nice little reminders about living life.



Stumbling across the cutest Belgian restaurant in Chelsea- Petite Abeille. Their waffles are nothing short of amazing.



I'm so excited for this week! I have visitors and I can't wait to have them experience the wonderful ways of the city.
k.o

Julia Child Thanksgiving

I love Julia Child. I love her because she was unconventional and fabulous and walked to the beat of her own drummer (even when there was no drummer playing.)

With Thanksgiving planning in full effect, I couldn't help but look up WWJCD (What Julia Child Would Do) in a Thanksgiving situation.

Here's what I found:





Roast Turkey: Most of her technique is pretty classic, but she does add a twist with a slow-simmered giblet gravy.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Regular mashed taters are fine, but Julia knew long ago that a little garlic would make them divine.

Stuffed Pumpkin: Rather than stuffing your turkey, you could stuff and roast a nice, orange pumpkin.

Dressing: Julia preferred to keep the dressing out of the turkey, so pull out a casserole dish for this one -- or the pumpkin above.

Brussels Sprouts Browned with Cheese: A favorite among many.

Apple Tart: When the meal is good and done, wrap it up with a classic apple tart.

And don't forget the wine!

Yay for the weekend!
k.o

Bed-Novative

I find myself being a creature of habit in many areas of my life. One area, being my choice of bedroom furniture. Maybe I should break the cycle and try one of these innovative designs:


Tree Bed


LOMME Bed


Letto Zip Bed


Housefish Suspended Bed

Find more here.

What do you think?

I hope everyone has a great day!
k.o

Wednesday Wisdom

Just a little reminder...



k.o

Oh, Pretty

Oh, pretty.








{photo via parisinpink}

Pearl Barley and Puy Lentil Salad

I'm still trying to narrow down the sides that will be served at Thanksgiving this year, however, in the interim, I'm hopelessly trying to find ways to cook the bags of lentils I have stashed in my cupboards.

I'm not sure what I love more: this recipe or the beautiful pictures of the dish.





Pearl barley and puy lentil salad with roasted heirloom baby tomatoes, chorizo, green beans and baby radish

- - - - - - - -

1 cup pear barley
1 cup puy (or French) lentils
Large handful heirloom baby tomatoes
Handful green beans
Handful baby radish, thinly sliced
2 medium-sized whole chorizo sausage
Juice 2 lemons
Olive oil & EVOO
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Extra lemon wedges to serve
Baby basil leaves

k.o

Successful Saturday

This past Saturday was a little bit of a retail overload. I seem to need (okay, want) a little bit of everything. The new shiny colors and patterns are blinding me into wish list heaven.



Ash Sparrow Suede 'Iman' chain detail boot- $144

Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia Cologne - $55/$110

Zaftig Drops - $34

Andrew Marc Conquer Wool Trench - $405

Ruby Colorblock Ponte Dress - $158

Whatever kind of therapy you got this weekend, I hope it worked!
k.o

11.11.11

Have a great weekend!
k.o

Modern Love

I think some of the best things in life are simple.

I found this great article on relationships that says "...it’s boring to say that things don’t work out like they do in the movies. Everyone knows that. Even 21-year-olds. But it’s hard to resist a great story."

Read the rest of this simple, great story here.

I hope everyone has a great Friday! A friend of mine is appearing in Girls Night: The Musical tonight (and other nights) so if you are in NYC, defiantly check it out!

The very best,
k.o

Renovation Style

Inspiring products to make any room better.

A different kind of room improvement that I just love:)
k.o

Inspired by 1970s Italian design, the Container Store’s sleek five-bin storage tower is an ode to form and function.



Modeled on a clay chiminea found in a Barcelona home, Nestor Martin’s Algarve suspended fireplace—part of Fiamma’s ultramodern TraforArt collection—is fashioned from steel and cast iron.



Famed architect Robert A.M. Stern has collaborated with Lualdi to create the American Door collection, a contemporary take on prewar New York apartment doors.



With its glazed-porcelain base, the Ion Lamp by Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. echoes designs Thomas Edison used to test the first light bulb.

Wednesday Wisdom

Just a little reminder...


{photo via thedame}

Rolf's

I have a slight obsession with Rolf's.

Rolf's is a German restaurant on the corner of 3rd/22nd. During the holiday's they go mad and decorate like a hoarder with ADD and I can't get enough!

I love it. The German beer, kitschy atmosphere and built-in memory maker.
k.o