Mid week musings........

Hello and happy Wednesday. How has your week been going? Mine has been good and productive. I have been on a serious productivity binge lately and it feels great. I know when it slows down, it normally comes to a grinding halt so taking full advantage while these productivity juices are flowing! Lets get right down to business.......


I love to share cooking tips, recipes and ideas with you. I want to include the pesto cheese dip that is always and I do mean always such a huge hit.  Several of you asked for it so here it goes. It is easy as pie and wonderful for a small group or to double up and serve to a larger crowd. Served with crostinis...I could make a meal out of this alone!

Pesto cheese dip

1 8 oz cream cheese
A pinch of sea salt and fresh pepper

Pinch of salt and pinch of pepper

2 cloves garlic very thinly minced

1/4 cup pesto ( I add a little more)

1/2 cup feta

thinly sliced 1/2 red onion

About 3 tbsp olive oil

1 small roma tomato sliced thin

Mix together everything except the tomato in a pyrex dish.(or you can make a mold out of it as I did with the mini springform pan or any other small baking dish).  Add tomato on top. Cover and heat in preheated oven at 350 for about 25 min. Then remove aluminum and turn up oven to about 450 and let broil/slightly bubble for maybe 8-10 min. Take out. Spoon onto warmed crostinis or serve directly. This is sooooo good!


 Also made a really good and tasty meal a few nights ago (and my picky husband will second this) he looooved this dinner. My white clam sauce is a staple,  but have been searching for a good caesar salad recipe and I discovered a fabulous one from my buddy, Kate over at Party Resources. My personal benchmark for caesar salad is from the Waterlot Inn in Bermuda, they make it tableside and it is out of this world. This salad comes mighty close to that one and is one of the best I have eaten.  Delicious! So I have included a few pics and the caesar salad recipe that is a must make!

 
Here is Kate's recipe...and its a hit!
Funny I made it the first time without anchovies, becuase of my kids but she said to try it again and we wouldn't even taste them, and she was right...you must include them!

Caesar Salad

Ingredients
Small tin of anchovies
3 large garlic cloves
3 generous tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
Worcestershire Sauce to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups good mild olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional cheese to mix in to the salad
Croutons
Romaine hearts

For the dressing, place the garlic and anchovies (dump entire tin with the oil) in the food processor and blend until smooth. Then add mayo, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper and process until smooth. With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube and process until thick. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and pulse 3 times.

Toss the lettuce with enough dressing to moisten well. Add a generous amount of grated Parmesan and croutons. Toss and enjoy.

Lets move away from food, I am getting hungry again! I am in love with this leopard ottoman, I want it. I need it. I must have it. Period. Maybe for the library? I am doing a whole post on leopard soon so stay tuned......

Though the red looks beautiful I would pipe mine in moss green to match the gorgeous velvet moss green sofa I have visions in my head of for that room.....

And this is the idea for the luscious green sofa I have in mind.....

Hey what is Tory doing on MY sofa....lol. This one is a beauty.........

Antlers....do you like them? I don't know but  I have developed a real crush on them. So I impulsively bought a pair on One Kings Lane. Thinking of putting them above my stone hood in my kitchen or mounted somewhere in my family room. What do you think? Here they are! (these are faux antlers FYI) I remember seeing them all over in France, above doorways, in kitchens, libraries and foyers....they really captivated me. I like how the black base compliments my island.

On the house front.....working on my bedroom, dining room and loggia simultaneously. Its a lot of fun and I am making really good progress. Here's a mood board I designed for my loggia, the furniture has been ordered, unfortunately the lanterns from Currey I found out are not suitable for outdoor use to back to the drawing board on the lanterns. So here are my ideas (the furniture has been ordered)......

 I chose neutral furniture because this way I can switch out fun colored and patterned pillows and accessories to get a different feel. For winter I can go darker and for summer/spring light and airy.


Here is my new tole blue lamp that looks perfect in my little office/nook off my master bedroom .Its like it was made for this wallpaper! I love it..

I am also getting closer to making final decisions on my bedroom. Pulling the trigger and ordering the ivory background carpet with blue accents. If down the road I want to bring in another color its less limiting than the blue though both were winners in my book. Fell madly in love with the chinoiserie upper left fabric, its a linen and I am just determined to use it....spoke to my fabricator about possibly using it for the bed crown, I think it could be really pretty and line it with a softly toned mini silk check or solid can you visualize? Also love a rich velvet, maybe for an otttoman or bench........

The stripe on right I am considering for drapes...its a beautiful silk from Beacon Hill

Anyone out there a serial cookbook collector like myself? I tend to go on binges, won't buy anything then I will go on Amazon who makes it mighty easy with one click and buy 3 or 4 at a time. Here is what is due here anyday, anyone have them and if so what are your thoughts?

Anybody out there a stationary fanatic like me? I would throw a party every month just to have an excuse to go out and pick and buy a beautiful invitation if it wasn't so much work to host one. I LOVE stationary and am shocked that I have not opened up a stationary business at this point in my life. One of the lines I love is Lobird, have spoken of them before.....just ordered some of these notecards. They offer a lot of customization, and their selections are fabulous and sophisticated. I ordered one for me (wonder if you can guess which) and a few for gifts.......click here to visit them.

Last order of biz...here are the latest and greatest items just added to my online store. Some are available in limited quantities. As usual if you have any questions just ask! Email me here.

New chargers! These are beautiful nickel and such an easy way to dress up even a simple dish. I snagged a large lot (85 pieces) and these are officially up under new additions, click here to visit.

 
And how pretty is this two tiered garland silver serving piece? Its a love for me! Also under new additions.......such a beautiful serving piece for desserts, petit fours, any kind of appetizer, etc.....

When I find unusual and beautiful things, I get very excited.  Here are a few new cake dishes that I am just getting in, in addition to the spectacular new addition featured first. Are these not the most beautiful cake dishes!! Heirloom quality, and soooo classically elegant.

And how about this sensational ginger jar!! LOOOOVE it.... standing at a whopping 30" tall this is what I call a serious statement piece!!

Gorgeous painted tole bracket....a real showstopper!

In love with this absolutely breathtaking wastepaper basket...only 3! This is exceptional for any tole lovers!

All of these pretties can be found under my new additions on my online store. Click here to visit.


 I love when i get your pictures and thank you all for sending them. I had put together a new album to upload of customer pictures and somehow the album totally disappeared, literally have no idea where it went. So.....if anyone cares to send in pictures of their bell jars, dough bowls, blue and whites, napkin rings, or any other Enchanted home item in use...sure would love to see them and add them to my online collection of customers homes! Click here to email me your pictures. And thanks in advance and apologies if you sent me them and they were lost:(

Well that wraps up things over here. Wishing you a wonderful day, will be back in a day or two on a wonderful post all about one of my favorite subjects.........until then!

Midweek musings.....

Good morning to you! Ever feel like there simply are not enough hours in your day? Well, that's how I have felt all week and I suspect its only going to get worse as we near the holiday craziness. Thank God for coffee!  This is another all over the map post but its a fun excuse for me to talk about this and that.  On the home front, I am awaiting pillows and a dust ruffle to be done for the guest room which I cannot wait for, its coming out so  pretty! Will share as soon as its all together! I have included a few pics taken with my camera this time of the loggia all done. (taken on a dreary morning...)

Just had the floor cleaned and grouted......cannot wait to furnish this space and light that fire!

I just have to say again how honored I am to have been chosen by Homegoods as their blog of choice for the classic look!! It was so exciting to partner with them for the wonderful giveaway from last week. More to come!! Seeing my name on their website gives me such a thrill and truly is a wonderful validation of what I am doing....thank you Homegoods. You rock!
Click here to take their Stylescope quiz and see what style you are!

Saw two movies this past weekend, both which I really really enjoyed. The first one, The Intouchables I was supposed to see two weekends ago but plans changed and we didn't go, I was bummed. I was happy we got to see it and it did not disappoint. A wonderful typically European film that touches the heart and moves the soul. I so enjoyed it as I do many foreign films.
The second one, Arbitrage with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon centered around a filthy rich but very corrupt wall street tycoon and the story rings true about what has gone on for so long, its well done, riveting and I also enjoyed it for different reasons.

There are two movies coming that I cannot wait to see! Besides Le Mis of course:) I have included the trailers because I am not sure they will be considered "mainstream movies' that you will see in every theater, but the previews have me waiting in bated breath to see them! Here they are....

WAR OF THE BUTTONS.....

RUST AND BONE..... 

 Seen anything good on your end lately? I have never talked about of all things,  a brush before,  but seriously this brush saved my hair:) I have the most sensitive scalp on the planet, ever since I was a little I cried and cried whenever my hair was brushed. To this day when I am getting my hair done I normally wash my hair at home before going to the salon just to avoid the dreadful shampoo/scrub  that so many crave. Well........this little brush is a miracle, I am not kidding! I venture to say I even look forward to brushing my hair, crazy? No, its incredible and for anyone who has a sensitive scalp like me or possibly girls with one....cannot recommend this enough. I call this the miracle brush but its real name is the wet brush.....the link is included under the picture. Yes, its that good!  http://www.mywetbrush.com/  I love to cook during the cozy season.....fall and winter. When its cold outside, nothing beats a warm something cooking away on the stove inside. I have posted about this soup before but its worth repeating, this is a very hearty soup for all you soup lovers. If could stand on its own as a meal, served with crusty french bread, yum! This is a staple in our home and it never disappoints on a cold wintry day.   

Pasta e Fagiole Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (2 turns around the pan) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/8 pound (about 4 slices) pancetta, chopped (I do not chop it, it naturally falls apart while cooking)
• 1 (4 to 6-inch) sprig thyme with several sprigs on it, left intact (use sparingly)
• 1 large fresh bay leaf or 2 dried bay leaves (I use 3 fresh)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, finely chopped
• 1 rib celery, finely chopped
• 4 large cloves garlic, chopped
• Coarse salt and pepper
• 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans
• 1 cup canned tomato sauce or canned crushed tomatoes or fresh tomato sauce
• 2 cups water
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cups ditalini
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Grated Parmigiano or Romano, for the table

Directions

Heat a deep pot over medium high heat and add oil and pancetta. Brown the pancetta bits lightly, and add herb stems, bay leaf, chopped vegetables, and garlic. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomato sauce, water, and stock to pot and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid boil and then simmer. Rosemary and thyme leaves will separate from stems as soup cooks. Remove herb stems and bay leaf from soup and place pot on table on a trivet. At this point, once you have removed your pot from heat, set aside and then put in your pasta. The heat will naturally cook the pasta but just perfectly, not too hot..and will result in a soup with al dente pasta as it should be. Is anything worse than a great soup with mushy pasta? Let soup rest and begin to cool for a few minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and top with lots of grated cheese. Serve with bread and enjoy......this is a real treat!

Its fun sharing the results of which Would you choose and this weeks was particularly fun, so want to know who took top prize? Well there were several who vied for top spot, and a few ties. I am happy to say everyone got at least one vote, I was feeling sorry for poor Steven Spielberg but finally he got two votes, so he can sleep tonight:) Here's the top four......... 

Bill Clinton with 25 votes

 Princess Diana with 23 votes

Thomas Jefferson (oh yea)  with 17 votes

Leonardo Da Vinci and Meryl with 15 votes And Mother Teresa, Maya and Coco were right behind Leonardo in a dead tie.
A fascinating bunch to say the least! Did you know Isaac Mizrahi came out with a shoe line? I fell in love with these darling pumps, am a sucker for anything with bows. Love the combinations...ordered them in two combinations and will likely keep just one unless I happen to fall in love with both. Aren't  these so much fun? Shop  news......a few of the planters/statuary items are being phased out and some beautiful new pieces added. Two of the new additions are pieces I already own and love!  All new ones will be added as of tomorrow. This is one of my favorite lines, so versatile and love that you can pick them up and carry them around, the look of real stone with the ease of fiberglass. These will all be offered in one of six finishes, so you can truly customize it to your liking! Click here to visit my shop. I cannot wait to fill mine with sprigs of holiday greenery and pinecones! 

The popular white moss finish

Love this pine cone topiary....ordered a pair in the white moss finish, so perfect for a holiday console table! Stands about 22" tall.

 

 

 And one of mine filled with artichokes......

  Napkin rings...oh those napkin rings are such a hit. It is so funny because as soon as people get them they want to order more. They are like a healthy addiction.  They are one of those things you have to see in person, to feel and touch, they are truly special. I got in a few new styles. I cannot wait to set my holiday table with these babies! Here's a few of the new ones....... 

 

One of the Santas holding a tree

 

Sly fox pulling a cart

 

The adorable whimsical conga line (can be made with virtually any animal or breed of dog)

 

The hare atop the tortoise

 

The owl and bunny on a moving see saw

 

Bunny pulling the cart

 

Bunny in the garden

Sly fox with pinecones

Another adorable version of an amimal conga line

A Basset Hound next to two birdies

Humm...is this a Scottish terrier with his dog bowl? I need to know all you dog experts!

A type of Terrier

The hare atop the tortoise

Pretty awesome aren't they? They are soon going to have their own section on my online store but for now can be found under new additions, click here to visit.

   You know I love showing off my customers homes that are featured in "Your enchanted homes" on my store site where I feature my customers homes and the items they bought from me, here's a few new additions..pretty gorgeous! Click here if you want to see the rest of them. Keep em coming!  

Another dough bowl finds its way to a happy home:)

Love this amazingly beautiful vignette....soooo pretty!

 

My silver planter with horn handles being used in all the gorgeous bathrooms in a super elegant new bed and breakfast (more on this next week)!

 How about this gorgeous gracious hallway/entrance with the floral etched lantern? Stunning!

OK, time to fess up. How many of you have gotten a new phone or were very tempted to get a new phone just because you totally fell in love with a phone case that is not made for your current phone? My hands way up in the air. I cannot wait to get my new phone.....all so I can order one of these amazingly cute, chic phone cases from the ever so talented The Pink Pagoda. I mean seriously, people...is this not the cutest phone EVER? Click here to visit and get one for yourself. Forewarning, she makes a boatload of other AMAZING items like stunning prints, pillows,etc......don't say I didn't warn you:)

 

Well that's about it over here. I will probably be back on Friday to wrap up the week. What's new with you? Are you enjoying beautiful fall foliage where you are? Here, things are really starting to rev up and its looking spectacular. I will be sure to share some of my pictures next week. We are headed up north this weekend and I will be sure my camera is charged and ready for what I know will be plenty of photo ops, I think the further north we travel the more " peak" the foliage will be...cannot wait! Wishing you a wonderful day!