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Braise That Endive

I haven't attempted to photograph food until tonight, and I have to say that it's hard to remember to stop and photograph things when you're so darn hungry!

Tonight we made a dish that we've tried a few times, and I am always impressed by the unusual combination of ingredients that compliment one another so well.  I'll start by showing you where the recipe came from: a great cookbook by Celia Brooks Brown entitled New Vegetarian.  

The recipe begins some some major potato peeling for some mashed potatoes with smoked cheddar.  While making the potatoes, cut the endives longways, like this:

Two large endives are braised in butter for about 10 minutes, then lots of other goodies are added:

• 4 leeks
• 1 cup of port
• 1 cup of vegetable stock
• 1 can of Great Northern beans (the recipe calls for cannelloni beans)
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1 bay leaf, red pepper flakes, s&p

All of this cooks down for almost 1/2 an hour, and turns into a sweet, aromatic gravy.  The mashed potatoes hide underneath of the chicory/bean mixture, and it is so strange!... but also savory, hearty, sweet, and extremely satisfying!

Throw it in a bowl, and before you know it, you already started eating and made a mess of the plate before you remembered to take a final photo!  Aw shucks...

Ohhhh well.  The down side to this dish is that it isn't very pretty.  By the time everything cooks down into the port, you can't possibly photograph anything that looks as good as it tastes!

So have you ever tried a dish similar to this? Or anything else that seemed like an unlikely combination? Did you end up loving it or hating it?

Day 19

Shirt and Shoes: J.Crew // Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft // Belt: Gap

Bracelet: Vintage // Earrings: HK Street Vendor

While I understand that my mother (or anyone, for that matter) might have an issue with bare legs in February, this day was particularly warm and beautiful... so I had to give it a try for at least a few hours!   

Day 18

Bracelet: gift from Ross Simons // Shirt & Shoes: J.Crew // 

Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft // Jeans: Gap // Belt: Urban Outfitters

Happy Sunday! I have to admit it was difficult to actually get dressed into "real clothes" on a lazy Sunday morning....though I am excited about this bright pink manicure.  The weather is hinting at Spring, so I thought some bright pink was certainly necessary! 

Day 17

Mmmmmmmm, mustard!! While I despise the condiment, I love the color!  My favorite thing to do is pair it with another bold color... especially this berry-colored jewelry.  Then, voila!... berries and mustard, the perfect pair.   Okay, the food connection isn't really what had me smiling so big in these photos.  I actually couldn't stop laughing because we had just seen a minivan drive by that was covered in flame decals.  

So I ask you this... 

What's worse?  Berries in mustard, or flames on a minivan? Discuss.

Day 16

shirt: H&M // skirt: Ann Taylor Loft // necklace: F21 // bracelet: Ann Taylor Loft // belt: Gap

I like how the red looks in these photos, too bad it's on a car and bird feeder rather than my outfit.

Lesson learned.

Day 15

Ahhh, my Monday pants.  They feel like pajamas, so they are the perfect staple for when you have a "case of the MUNdays."  And we all know exactly how that feels....

  

Day 14

Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft // Tank: GapBody // Jeans: Gap // Boots: Nine West

This outfit is part serious part grunge.  Yeah, I know what you're thinking... just like a mullet!  I like the bottom half because it reminds me of my days as a true basement show fanatic.  The top half is what happens when you move away from a college town, get a real job, and buy clothes only appropriate for work.  Mixing the two ideas together seems to be the best of both worlds!  

Now, on to the jewelry.  The earrings and large bracelet are from your everyday H&M, but this beaded bracelet is something very special.  I bought this bracelet inside one of the world's largest Buddha statues.  I kid you not... it's from this big guy right here:

See, he's waving! He must like you!  Inside the Tian Tan Buddha is a gift shop, and tadaaaaa... it's where I found this beautiful bracelet.  But it wasn't all easy.  First, I had to travel to Lantau Island in Hong Kong, and drive through these gorgeous mountains:

Then I had to climb up 268 stairs.  (I know that because Wikipedia told me.)

In all seriousness, I made this trip in 2005, and I am constantly thinking about returning for a second visit.  Not only was Hong Kong a beautiful city, but the Po Lin Monastery was a truly unforgettable trip.

Shopping on the DL

So I recently did some shopping! YAY! No, I didn't break the 30 for 30 rules, I simply bended them.  With winter accessories around the house finally coming down, I knew it was time to finally take a Home Goods trip to get a few things.  For very little cash, I found several things for our place, and I am loving every one of them!  Here are 2 of my favorites...

Home Goods actually has a fun little page designated to customers' finds, and just like fashion blogs, I love fishing through other people's fun design ideas!  Where are your favorite places for home shopping?

Day 13

This week was busy, so now I have to catch up with this 30 for 30 business! Earlier this week, I pulled out this printed shirt from the Gap for the first time.  It's incredibly soft fabric, and I love the print.  Unfortunately the tie on the back of the shirt is definitely complicating things... but don't worry. Mr. Tie-Dye will be baaaack.  

Do you have any clothing pieces that insist on being difficult?  You know... a knit with hyperactivity, or a moody pair of jeans?

Ski Country

Alright, so the Poconos aren't truly ski country, but last weekend was fantastic, and I'm dying to share a photo of our little journey.  We rarely get a real vacation, so this weekend away was extra special.  Plus, E got to hone in on his newly acquired skiing skills... which was extra fun for the whole group!!  Do you ski?  If so, where are you favorite destinations?

Camelback

Day 12

         

Blazer and Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft // Shirt: H&M // Pants: Gap // Shoes: J.Crew

 Today was the first time in a loooooooong time that I broke away from boots and wore flats.  I'm really excited about these shoes because I love the idea of mixing metallics.  On the down side, as much as I am loving this warm weather, my feet need some serious tlc after the long day.  

Day 11

Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft // Earrings: DreamyVintage on Etsy // Scarf: Gift // Pants: H&M

Red earrings from my love!! Yay, these earrings are amazing!  I think they are the perfect size for me, and the deep red is incredibly versatile.  This gift came from our favorite website, Etsy!  The seller, DreamyVintage has such incredible jewelry, which is pretty much my favorite thing in the world.  Take a closer look at these puppies:

Photo compliments of DreamyVintage

I really can't wait to finish this 30 for 30 challenge of no shopping....because I'm heading straight for this little spot of online-vintage-jewelry-heaven at the end of the month!

Thanks, DreamyVintage!

Day 10

Shirt: J.Crew Outlet // Necklace: J.Crew Outlet // Tights: Gap // Boots: Nine West

Forgive me for this wrinkled mess.  Also forgive me for cheating a bit on the 30 for 30 and putting a comfy shirt under my white button down.  We spent the afternoon driving home from the mountains and exploring an old "forgotten about" town.  After a weekend away from my pup, B, I was more than thrilled to come home and put him in a picture!

Day 9

   

 Dress: Gap // Necklace: F21 // Belt: Gap // Boots: Macy's

This weekend I'm running away to the mountains to ski with some friends.  Guess I can't stay true to the 30 for 30 commitment unless I'm willing to get some really awkward stares in the lift lines....

Day 8

Blazer: Ann Taylor Loft // Scarf: Gap // Shirt: H&M // Pants: Gap // Belt: Gap  // Boots: Macy's  // Ring: Vintage

This blazer is THE BEST when it's in full force, but it's okay like this too.  It has a wonderful faux fur collar that is removable.  It's actually the first time that I ever bought faux fur, and I've certainly never purchased any real fur.  As a proud vegetarian, I never realized that I might have an issue with wearing the faux fur collar, but after a few weird looks (and a lot of paranoia) I realized that faux or not, I'm not totally comfortable in it unless I can walk down the street yelling, "It's FAAAAUUUUXXX, people, RELAX!"

...and I just can't do that.

Everybody Everywhere

I forgot to explain whhhhat I was doing with my Day 6 post! Hop over to this fun site to see how everyone is wearing their blazers 'round town!

www.everybodyeverywear.com

Day 7

      

Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft // T-Shirt: H&M // Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft // Tights: Gap

The fact that it was so hard to photograph this outfit should be a serious lesson to me.... a lesson in not wearing blue, gray, and black all at the same time.

I wish you could see from the photo how this skirt has a soft velvety feel and a cute layered look on the front.

Sigh....hopefully I can start taking more outdoor photos before this 30 for 30 challenge gets to me!