Monday, August 31, 2009

dreamy : : nyc wine & food festival

October 8-11, 2009 ~ Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival ~ I'm loving the whole subway map/wine bottle logo. So clever!

Look at the NINE pages of events. I think I may swoon. A couple of particularly fun choices: Anthony Bourdain and David Chang present 'I Call Bullshit!;' Godiva Chocolatier presents SWEET sponsored by Absolut Vodka, Kahlua and Perrier-Jouët hosted by Duff Goldman; and Chelsea Wine Vault Tasting: Viva Italiano ... Wines from the Boot!

And how about the line-up of personalities: Ina Garten , Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Anthony Bourdain -- the seemingly endless list of brilliant foodies is ridiculous.

If anyone wants to take [pay for] me, I'm happy to serve as a travel companion.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

harvest hues

A little over a month ago I blogged about the prevalence of orange and purple this summer. Well guess what three colors In Style Magazine is touting as fall's hottest? Teal, papaya, and amethyst (must we use such esoteric terms as "papaya" and "amethyst" to describe orange and purple? So silly).

I'm still somewhat uncertain about these trends. Who originates them, anyway? I didn't get a vote (I'd have gone with a mustard gold, tawny port red, and chocolate brown [notice my food/beverage common thread?]); but here are a few of In Style's suggestions for "working fall's best colors:"

Teal:

Papaya:

Amethyst:
Lauren by Ralph Lauren Polyester faille coat

Wendy Mink Jewelry - Gold vermeil, resin, amethyst and agate necklace

Maybelline New York Expert Wear eye shadow in Night Sky & Nars nail polish in Tokaido Express

Take 'em for what they're worth. I'll probably channel my fashion advice through Robert Frost and take the road" less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." :)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

nine west : : fall pre-orders

Some great items from Nine West hitting the stores this fall ....

Timeless look -- Fun legs with a short wool skirt:
Mixed Pattern Open Work Stocking

Excellent color combo:
Fuchsia (in Natural Multi Suede)

Red shoes. What can I say?
Bonfire (in red suede)

I think these are my faves:
Jargon

So cute:
Gabby Clutch

I want. I want. I want:

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

turns out carbs don't suck after all!

Best news this carb addict has heard in forever.

Low-carb diets damage arteries

Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president, UK Faculty of Public Health, said: "This research helps to back up the basic message that our diet should contain more starchy carbohydrate, not less.

"For long-term health at least one-third of what we eat should be bread, rice, potatoes, pasta or other starchy food."

WOO HOO! Now excuse me, while I go make Ina Garten's Linguine with Shrimp Scampi.

glossy goodness

Houstonian Lauren Bush is introducing her latest FEED product in collaboration with Bobbi Brown. The canvas makeup bag, made from sustainable materials, is filled with three Bobbi Brown lip glosses (Petal, Rose Sugar, and Aubergine) and will be available for purchase in October. The cost is $50.

Proceeds are slated to help ten disadvantaged women receive food and job training through the United Nations World Food Program. Available October.

Great colors. Great bag. Great mission.

Monday, August 24, 2009

furry & feathery wine enthusiasts

Today's update from Messina Hof Winery's blog made me chuckle:

"Harvest is over at the Bryan vineyard. Though the volume of grapes were low due to hundreds of Mockingbirds and 20 resident deer, the quality this year was phenomenal due to the dry conditions and good sunlight. 2009 should be an excellent vintage."

Mental images aplenty, huh? I guess man and beast love the ol' fermented grape.

Lifting my glass to an "excellent 2009 vintage."

doing 'shrooms

I love grilling. I love mushrooms. I love Williams-Sonoma. So when my mom recently gave me WS's Appetizer Grill Rack, I was tickled! I broke it in yesterday, via some Sunday afternoon grilling. Top notch results, if I do say so myself.

STUFFED CREMINI MUSHROOMS
18 cremini mushrooms, each about 1 3/4 inches in diameter
2 oz. bacon, diced
3 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp. dry white wine
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 1/2 Tbsp. sour cream
1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3/4 tsp. minced fresh sage
2 Tbsp. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
olive oil for brushing

Trim off the rough base of each mushroom stem, then remove the stems and chop finely, set aside.


In a fry pan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.


Discard all but 1 Tbsp. of the fat from the pan. Add the shallot and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add the chopped mushroom stems and cook until any moisture that has been released has evaporated, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook until evaporated, about 1 minute.


Transfer the mushroom mixture to a bowl. Add the bacon, bread crumbs, sour cream, parsley, sage, and cheese and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper.




Prepare a grill for indirect grilling over medium-high heat.


Brush the mushroom caps on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Place the caps, gill side down, on the Appetizer Grill Rack. Place the rack over direct heat, cover the grill and cook until the mushrooms begin to release some moisture, about 5 minutes.

Remove the rack from the grill, turn the mushrooms over and stuff each cap with 1 tsp. of the bacon-mushroom mixture. Place rack over indirect heat, cover the grill, and cook until the mushrooms are tender and the stuffing is golden and crisp on top, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Makes 18 stuffed mushrooms.


Tasty.


Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Colection Series, Hors d'oeuvre, by Brigit L. Binns (Simon & Schuster, 2001)

Sunday, August 23, 2009

sale stuff at anthropologie

Out with the old, in with the new = some fantastic deals right now:

Half Moon Hobo - was $68, now $39.95


Nimble Bikini - was $18, now $9.95


Prohibition Bangle - was $68, now $49.95

Essential Peasant Blouse - was $68, now $29.95


Raffia Rosette Bag - was $82, now $39.95

Tapered Flow Tee - was $49, now $29.95

Jumbo Pearl Bracelet - was $48, now $29.95