review: january dinners

Here is how the dinners turned out- click here for a refresher

Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza- Very good, I highly recommend it!

Orange Marinated Chicken- Definitely not an Asian orange chicken like I thought. It was okay. Personally, I probably won't make it again.

Baked Brie- So good! A couple of tips, a round brie would have been better, make sure you have lots of people to help eat it, have apples or crackers to eat it with and make sure you cook it long enough so the pastry dough isn't doughy. Delicious.

Homemade Falafel- So much better than from the box falafel! So much better, a world of difference. I just need to figure out how to serve it. Any suggestions?

Roasted garlic and sundried tomato pizza (pictured)- Amazing, probably my favorite of the month. The pizzas took the cake this month they were both so good. This is one of my new favorite recipes though, it was divine.

Empanadas- I ended up making chicken empanadas not beef, but they were very good too! I added some feta to the chicken mixture, which I really liked.

valentines crafts

Crayon Wax hearts and Cockscomb Valentine Wreath

I love the melted crayon wax on the hearts and although I don't really know what cockscomb is, it looks pretty...

Quilling Valentine Cards and Hand-stitched Valentines

Antique Style Valentines

I love the idea of sending valentines (sans Hannah Montana) to family and friends. These seem like some fun and not too difficult, I already tried the Antique style and it turned out pretty well, a couple more and I will be a pro!

valentine decor

I was reading an interview with Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day on Stephmodo today and this question got me to thinking "

5. What are some simple ways that non-event planners can do to dress up a living space or table for a party? Two things that can transform a space fast 1. Make everything monochromatic or else do small variation on color (everything different versions of green.) and 2. Hang things from the ceiling:lanterns streamers, banners, balloons.

So I thought well what if you had a Valentines Day Dinner using the monochromatic theory? Here is what I came up with...

Pink lanterns to hang...

Pink Depression Glass can be found on Ebay or thrift stores, and it is cheap and pink! And now that I think of it I think my Grandma has some, to bad she live many, many states away.

Williams Sonoma has some nice pink table linens that I liked.

Pink flowers (poppies pictured) and lots of candles, white or pink.

I feel quite confident in saying that at this point my husband is thinking, "oh boy." He loves pink that much.

etsy finds

Flower Ring and Valentine Cards

Map pendant and Lemon Topaz

istanbul not constantinople

Istanbul seems to be a wonderful mix old and new. A true melting pot of history, religion and culture.

French Street reminds me of the French Quarter in New Orleans. It is listed as the place to go for pubs, cafes and restaurants. Picture on the right found here.

Grand Baazar and around the city

These are smaller than I anticipated, but you get the idea.

what every convalescing patient needs...

My Mom broke an ankle and a heel this week, on different feet. Needless to say she will be laid up for a while, so I bought her some romance/mystery novellas that were written in the 30's and 40's. She loves these things, just what the doctor ordered, pretty, fun fluff.

bookshelves

All wall and Secret door

I knew someone once who had a secret passage way through the bookshelves. It was awesome, I want one someday.

Around a window seat

I think this one is my favorite, it looks like such a cozy reading spot.

on sale

This cardigan is on sale at JCrew. For $20! It comes in Navy too, my new favorite color. Next to red.

my reward

My reward is just three days of exercise away. When January ends, if I have exercised at least 4 days a week every week then I get a reward. (this may have to become a monthly thing because I love being rewarded for my efforts) This is what I choose, a new swimsuit. I am excited because this will enable me to partake in one of my favorite forms of exercise again, swimming laps.

personalized stamp

I bought one of these stamps on Etsy last week (the one on the left). It came in the mail yesterday and I love it. So much. I am now looking for excuses to send things in the mail.

super bowl sunday

The only reason I like the super bowl is for the company and the food. Pro football holds little to no interest to me.

Roasted Corn Quesadillas and the BEST guacamole (make sure to add cilantro and frozen corn)

Bite sized burgers and Cheese Queso

Swedish meatballs

dear husband

Dear Husband,

Valentines day is coming up, your favorite day of the year! Other than my birthday and our anniversary of course. Anyway just in case you needed any ideas about flowers here are some I really, really like.

Ranunculas- it says they are $0.00, right up your alley!

Calla Lilly

big windows

I love the feel and look of this room. And this bathroom too...

I love this kitchen, except the floors, I'm not feeling the floors.

heat shaped cake

I wonder if this comes with the recipe for that cake?

P.S. I am going to do another giveaway sometime next week...

inaugural fashion

I loved this picture of our new President and his wife dancing. I am coveting her bracelets, they are awesome. On to Inaugural fashions. I found pictures of the last three administrations and the dresses worn to the Inaugural Balls (because tuxedos all look the same to me, except Dick Cheney's doesn't his remind of the father on Peter Pan?) Vote on who you think did the best job.

The Bush II Years

The Obama Administration

The Clinton Years