Single Shots for Love

Single and cringing at the thought of Valentine's day? Well here is an idea for you-The Black Hearts Party at the Village Pourhouse.

{image via New York Magazine}

Every girl gets a rose with a numbered heart on it and every guy gets a number - Find your match, get a free shot

{via Saks fifth Avenue }

Too forward for you? Then may I suggest brunch and shopping with your bestest girls...nothing soothes the soul like a new pair of Choo's- oops I mean Shoes!

Snow at the Beach

After being "snowed in" all weekend- I have to say-it's pretty hard to get back to the swing of things today. 

Here is a view of the swamp lands across from our house and the beautiful sunset after the storm!

I am wishing everyone a wonderfully productive week, and stay tuned for some fabulous Valentine's Day ideas that I will post throughout the week :)

Photo Love

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend. While I was reading Joanna's blog, Cup of Joe, I came across her engagement and wedding photos taken by Mark Wanger. I instantly fell in love with his style of photography and had to share some with you all...

I love the simplicity of these photos....

What are everyone's Super Bowl plans? We are staying in and I am making sliders and chorizo "pigs in a blanket." Enjoy the rest of the weekend :)

xxC

Snowed In!

{image via Miller and Miller}

If you are over here on the east coast - we are supposed to have "blizzard" conditions here tomorrow. Snow days are perfect days to catch up on reading, cleaning, getting organized, and my personal favorite, trying new recipes. 

Here are some easy and fun recipes to try:

Bobby Flay's Sauteed Mushroom and Fontina Cheese Quesadilla with White Truffle Oil

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil plus 2 tablespoons
• 12 cremini mushrooms, sliced in half
• 2 portobello mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas
• 10 cloves roasted garlic, pureed
• 1 pound fontina cheese, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons white truffle oil

Directions

Preheat grill or grill pan. Brush the mushrooms with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill the mushrooms until golden brown and cooked through, remove from grill and coarsely chop. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place 8 tortillas on an ungreased baking sheet. Spread some of the roasted garlic puree on each. Divide the cheese among the tortillas, then the mushrooms and thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stack to make 4 (2 layer) tortillas and cover with remaining tortilla, brush the tops with olive oil. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake or until the tortillas are lightly golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and drizzle with white truffle oil.

Martha Stewart's Molten Mocha Cakes

INGREDIENTS

Serves 2.

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for ramekins
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for ramekins and serving
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• Pinch salt
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 
  
  

  DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter two 6-ounce ramekins, then dust with sugar. Place butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 20-second increments, stirring after each, until melted. Let cool slightly.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together egg, egg yolk, sugar, espresso powder, and salt. Add chocolate mixture; whisk to combine. Add flour, and whisk just until combined (do not overmix). Pour batter into prepared ramekins. (Recipe can be made ahead up to this point.)
  3. Bake until a toothpick inserted 1/2 inch from edge of ramekins comes out clean, and a toothpick inserted in center comes out wet, 10 to 12 minutes (do not overbake). Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Run a knife around inside of ramekins to loosen. Invert cakes onto serving plates. Dust with sugar; serve immediately. 
  What are everyone's plan's for a "snowed in" saturday? Who is going to try a new recipe? What recipe are you going to try? I would love to hear from you!
  
  
  
  

Yantra Mat

I am all about health and wellness, and when I saw this over at Daily Candy, I had to post it here! It's called Yantra Mat...

I am sure you are wondering by now what the heck this mat does and why it's so special....well-once you lie down on it, you’ll feel warmth along the parts of your body touching the mat – that’s an increase in blood flow, a natural response to acupressure.

Improved circulation means lower blood pressure and better nutrient delivery. Additionally. the Yantra mat's 8.820 accupressure points provoke the kind of clarity and focus that comes with prolonged meditation or intense physical activity. A more relaxed state further improves circulation (yantraway.com)

Low Key Valentine's Day

{image via Weekend Host}

What better way to spend Valentine's Day then in bed-breakfast in bed that is! Want to plan a low key day? Start off with breakfast in bed-followed by renting a bunch of movies-and cuddling on the couch.  Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year-so its a perfect day to just lay around the house.

Kevin and I stayed at a Finger Lakes, NY Bed and Breakfast a few years back- we have been ranting and raving about their french toast ever since! Here is their recipe....

Recipe from the Acorn Inn

FRENCH TOAST CRÈME BRULEE 1 loaf Challa or Cinnamon Bread 1 stick Butter 1 cup Brown Sugar 2 tbsp. Light Corn Syrup 8 Eggs 1 cups Half and Half 1 tbsp. Grand Marnier 1 tbsp. Vanilla 1 tspn. Salt Thickly slice bread, remove crust. Spray eight shallow, oval ramkeins with Pam. Melt butter in large microwave-proof measuring cup. Add brown sugar and corn syrup. Microwave until smooth and thick (about five minutes). Pour evenly into oval ramekins. Combine eggs, Half and Half, vanilla, Grand Marnier and salt. Soak bread and place in ramekin on top of sugar mixture. Cover. Refrigerate overnight or freeze. If frozen, defrost in refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Turn bread over. Line cookie sheet with foil. Place ramekins on sheet and bake 30 minutes. Remove from ramekin, pour remaining crème brulee over toast, sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and serve. This dish can also be prepared in a large baking dish. Fruit can also be added between sugar mixture and bread prior to baking. Baking apples and bananas work well. For those with dietary restrictions, egg whites can be used instead of whole eggs. Lowfat milk can be used instead of heavy cream or whole milk. The strata will not rise as high, but will taste delicious.

Style Icon- Carolina Herrera

This week's pick for Style Icon is famed designer Carolina Herrera.

{image via Harper's Bazaar}

She is always so polished and put together. If I had to use one word to describe her style it would be crisp.

{image via Addicted 2 Fashion}

    {image via Ethian Hugo}

I loooove her signature look- Crisp white button down, and skirt.

    {image via Pop Culture Post}

Carolina and her daughter (equally as stylish). I love how lady like and uncomplicated their style is....