Garden in the City

April showers bring May flowers... True, even for urban apartment dwellers!

My sister-in-law and I spent Saturday afternoon 'gardening away' in hopes of turning their urban rooftop into a more zen-like space. The area receives direct sunlight all day... Perfect conditions for many flowers and most vegetables and herbs. 

As we had a lot of ground ('rooftop') to cover, we divided our tasks accordingly. I focused on the vegetables and herbs, and Trish handled all the flowers. 

The vegetables were planted in a large bed of organic soil and peat moss, mixed with Miracle Grow fertilizer. 

Twine divided the bed into 12 inch sections, to ensure proper spacing for growth. We decided to use seeds for the vegetables: Radishes, Green Beans, Green Peas and Butter Lettuce. Since tomatoes grow quite large, those were placed in their own large pot.

For the herbs, we purchased seedlings. I can't wait to have an abundance of fresh basil on-hand for all my summer-time recipes! 

What I love most about Trish's rooftop garden is her use of vertical greenery and flowers to cover the, otherwise boring, cement walls. These vines are very young, but just imagine what they will look like mid-summer!

Happy Gardening!

Neon and Polka Dot Presents

As I've mentioned previously on the blog, probably several times, I absolutely LOVE all things paper. Let's be honest, don't we all agree that the prettiness of a package truly makes a present more memorable? Ahem, that's what I thought.


Homemade wrapping paper has recently become very trendy. And, this little number caught my eye because of it's pop-of-color and simplicity. The only supplies needed include:


Kraft Paper (Brown or white)
Stickers (Neon office dots are perfect, but any bright sticker will do)
Twine or Ribbon
Scissors
Tape
(Present... Obviously!)


Another fun variation on this DIY is decorating with colourful Washi tape. 

Simply use different lengths and patterns to decorate your gift box. And, be sure to tie with a brightly coloured ribbon or natural twine. 


*Image via Project Wedding

BIG CITY, small world

Moving is always extremely overwhelming… No matter how well you organize, and pack, and then unpack. It almost seems never-ending.

But, good news, I’m happy to announce, it’s almost complete! A few of our key furniture pieces will be delivered tomorrow morning (which is wonderful, since we’ve only had a mattress for a week) and our downtown space will start to feel a little more like home. More styling and décor tips to come!

…

One thing has always surprised me about New York: How can it be so big, yet seem so small?

This thought has entered my mind a few times now, since we’ve arrived and it’s only been one week. I guess, in a city filled with 8 million people, you learn to appreciate the little things that truly make a place your own.

Last Saturday, we were invited over to our brother and sister-in-law’s apartment for dinner. It was a gorgeous night, so we lit the BBQ and enjoyed some good wine and fun company on the rooftop. After several hours, the street noise started to quiet down, but yet, the dull roar of our conversations continued. Sometimes, the city can be the most memorable when you feel like you’re the only ones in it.

Another instance... Monday was our first night in our new apartment in Tribeca. As mentioned above, we had a slight hiccup with deliveries over the weekend, so the only piece to arrive was the mattress. I wanted to check my email and watch a little TV after work, so I situated myself in a nice chair in the lounge of our building (because our cable and Internet have yet to be connected). In the lounge, who do I see? A sorority sister from college watching the hockey games with her husband. Such a welcoming surprise and a very, very small world! We're so looking forward to spending time with our friendly neighbors soon!

*Image via Lion is the New Black

Buyers Remorse (Or Not)

I know it's a good thing, but rarely do I impulse shop. I think it's often because when I do, I usually suffer from the agonizing feeling of 'buyers remorse'.

That changed a couple weeks ago as I was casually browsing through Sephora. There I spotted it. The Clarisonic. Immediately, I grabbed the Mia and proceeded to the checkout counter, and never looked back.

(Well, this probably wasn't entirely an impulse purchase since I'd done significant research on the product and had only heard outstanding reviews on the fast-acting results. But still, I didn't have any intention on buying it that day. It just happened. Oops).

Granted I've only been using the Clarisonic for two weeks, I'm already in love! My skin is clean, soft and more hydrated than it's ever been in the past. The gentle exfoliation really allows moisturizers to deeply penetrate the surface. I actually find myself using less night cream, as well. Huge bonus!

If you're interested in trying the Clarisonic for yourself, check out the official website HERE.

I know I'm a beauty product junkie (good thing I work in the industry)... But, I'm thrilled to say, this is a skin saving game changer!

A New Venture:: MAC Cosmetics

I've got some big news for all of you on this lovely Tuesday... I got the job!

Next week, I will be starting a new chapter in my career at MAC Cosmetics in New York, working as Global Marketing Manager - Color Collections and Collaborations in their head office in SoHo.

My responsibilities will be focused on Global Marketing, Product Development and Brand Management for all the color cosmetic collaborations within the company. I'm so looking forward to the opportunity and couldn't be more excited about such a dynamic brand!

The past few weeks have been a little busy, as you can imagine, so I haven't been keeping my blogging schedule as "daily", as I usually do. Give me one more week and I'll be back on track!

The Mr. and I are currently packing all our things for the big move into our new apartment downtown. He'll continue to commute between Calgary and the city for work... So delicious cooking posts will be focused on weekends :) More on that later... And, keep an eye out for an upcoming feature "How to Decorate Small Spaces" in NYC.

Have a great day!

5 Ingredients or Less... Curry and Fig Salmon

A few weeks back, I wrote about Pam Powell and her delicious line of natural, organic salad dressings available at Whole Foods. Take a look back at the post HERE!

I've tried, and love, every single one of them, but my absolute favorite is the Curry and Fig. It's sweet with just the perfect amount of spice. In fact I like it so much, I've started using it as a sauce on more than just veggies.

Last week, I was making pan seared salmon for the Mr. and me... One of our favorite dinners. I wanted to try something a little different, so drizzled the Curry and Fig dressing over the top of the fish, just before serving. The flavors complimented each other perfectly. I'm pretty confident in saying this is my new "go to" recipe. And, the best part is, only five ingredients are required. Enjoy!

Curry and Fig Salmon
Fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillets, Skin Removed
Salad Girl Curry and Fig Salad Dressing
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Dry the salmon with paper towels to remove any excess moisture on the fish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides.

Heat 3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, place the salmon in the pan and cook for a couple minutes on each side.

Remove the fish from the pan and place in a serving dish. Drizzle the Curry and Fig dressing over the top of the salmon, according to taste.

For a little garnish, add some fresh Italian Parsley, as well.

Signs of Spring

Tulips in the City

Aside from the very near April showers, this is my second favorite (behind fall) time of year. And, I don't want to speak too soon, but I really think Spring is here to stay!

Bright colors and budding flowers. Green grass and fresh veggies. Lovely sunny weather. These are some wonderful, sweet signs of Spring.

Fresh Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

Coffee and the Paper in the Park

Brown Farm Eggs

A Pretty Bicycle for the Greenmarket

Dinner Party Simplicity:: Mustard Roasted Fish

Last weekend, we hosted a dinner party and I was itching to try a new recipe. I had been eyeing Ina's Mustard Roasted Fish for a long time, but for some reason had never tried making it.

Since our gathering was the evening of "Spring Ahead" and we were experiencing unseasonably warm weather, I felt it would be the perfect main course for the occasion. Paired with steamed asparagus and herbed cous cous, obviously I couldn't go wrong.

What I liked most about this recipe (and to be honest, the entire menu), was that it could be prepared in advance of guests arriving. There's nothing worse than not attending to your company because you're slaving away in the kitchen preparing dinner.

I planned dinner for 7:30PM that evening. Ten minutes before that, I snuck away for the "oh so very last minute" preparations. I simply put the fish in oven for 8 minutes, ccooked the asparagus for 4 minutes, and heated my cous cous (which I had made beforehand).

The fish turned out wonderfully. In fact, we didn't even have leftovers! And for dessert, we had stewed fresh berries with vanilla bean ice cream. Simple and delicious.

Everyone asked for the recipe when they left. Therefore, a worthwhile blog post! Enjoy!

Weekend Notes

Hello, Monday. It's hard to get back to reality after spending a few days last week in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. It was our first time there and we will definitely be going back during the summer!

We stayed right by the water in a quaint, new hotel called Forty 1 Degrees.

Many of the hotels in the area are small and family owned. The service was wonderful and the space was very modern and cozy. The view from the room looked out on the water... Simply stunning!

The rooms were open and airy, complete with a fireplace and modern amenities.

This Grill was a great spot to sip a glass of wine and look out at the gorgeous view.

I loved all the flags and pennants: most situated on hotels and historic buildings. All in all, what a charming beach town!

Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Whiskey Infused Ganache and Baileys Buttercream

Time to break out the Guinness, St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner!

I was in a baking mood this weekend and came across a recipe for chocolate cake made with Stout. Dark beer tends to have cocoa notes, so I figured the addition would intensify the richness of the cake. And, it sure did!

These cupcakes are fantastic. You can make them without the ganache filling to save time, but I don't recommend.

I tend to love little desserts, so I made these bite-size treats using a mini-tart pan... Enjoy!

Makes 20 to 24 cupcakes (50 mini cupcakes)

Chocolate Stout Cupcakes
1 cup stout (such as Guinness)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sour cream

Whiskey Infused Ganache
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 to 2 teaspoons Irish whiskey (optional)

Baileys Buttercream
3 to 4 cups confections sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperate
3 to 4 tablespoons Baileys (or milk, or heavy cream, or a combination thereof)

Gather your key ingredients...

Make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 24 cupcake cups with liners. Bring 1 cup stout and 1 cup butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend. Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Using rubber spatula, fold batter until completely combined. Divide batter among cupcake liners, filling them 2/3 to 3/4 of the way. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, rotating them once front to back if your oven bakes unevenly, about 17 minutes. Cool cupcakes on a rack completely.

Make the filling: Chop the chocolate and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for one minute and then stir until smooth. (If this has not sufficiently melted the chocolate, you can return it to a double-boiler to gently melt what remains. 20 seconds in the microwave, watching carefully, will also work.) Add the butter and whiskey (if you’re using it) and stir until combined.

Fill the cupcakes: Let the ganache cool until thick but still soft enough to be piped (the fridge will speed this along but you must stir it every 10 minutes). Meanwhile, using your 1-inch round cookie cutter or an apple corer, cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes. You want to go most of the way down the cupcake but not cut through the bottom — aim for 2/3 of the way. A slim spoon or grapefruit knife will help you get the center out. Those are your “tasters”. Put the ganache into a piping bag with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top.

Make the frosting: Whip the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, for several minutes. You want to get it very light and fluffy. Slowly add the powdered sugar, a few tablespoons at a time.

'Takeaway' Homemade Chicken Chili

Just two days ago, I was sitting by the pool at the Wynn in Las Vegas, sipping Peach Palmer's and adoring the sun. Oh it was wonderful!

Back at home, however, winter wants to stick around a little longer. So, as the snow fell last night, I made a giant pot of spicy, chicken chili, adapted from THIS recipe. The flavor tasted so fresh because of the peppers and the basil really added an interesting twist. But, be warned, this recipe makes a lot!

With our excessive leftovers, I decided to portion out individual servings. Simply store these jars in the refrigerator, or freezer, and you'll have a quick, healthy lunch to enjoy at the office.

For a little extra indulgence, top with a dollop of sour cream and some shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese.

L'amour Vrai:: Kristen and Philip

I'm thrilled to introduce you to Kristen and Philip! They were married on April 16, 2011, in Pittsburgh, Kristen's hometown.

Kristen and I met in New York through a mutual college friend. However, after her wedding, she and her husband relocated to Paris (amazing, I know)!

Their wedding pictures are stunning, so I hope you enjoy!

The wedding ceremony was held at Heinz Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh. The church dates back to the 1930s and houses the tallest stained glass windows in the United States.

Even with a few drops of rain, the bridal party looks fantastic! Coordinating umbrellas are the perfect accessory for this black tie affair.

The bride chose to wear an Amy Kuschel gown and a chapel length veil. Each bridesmaid chose her own black dress and gold shoes. Kristen loved how this added personality to the wedding day look!

The reception took place across the street from the church at the Carnegie Art Museum. 



When Kristen and Philip began planning their dream wedding, they had a clear vision of how it would come to live. Elegant, yet simple, with a vintage inspired theme throughout every detail. The groom, and groomsmen, even wore tuxedos with tails. A traditional choice of attire in England, where Philip is from.



I loved seeing Kristen and Philip's inspiration come to life! And, their first anniversary is quickly approaching, so the biggest congratulations to you both!

Rifle Paper Co.

Even though this winter has been unseasonably warm, I'm really in the mood for Spring! So, for a little pop of color, I like to turn to Rifle Paper Co., one of my absolute favorite stationary lines.

These bright items are certainly on my Springtime wish list:

1. New York City Print, $40. I love maps and shots of city skylines. This whimsical illustration would be a great addition to any apartment.

2. Botanical Coaster Set, $18. Over the holidays, I used my Kate Spade New York Gold Confetti Coasters. They're always a hit at any gathering. These would be a colorful update for Springtime brunch.

3. Heirloom Recipe Card Box, $135. Organizing my recipes is a top priority for Spring cleaning this year. This beautiful box will be a pretty addition to our kitchen. And, the recipe cards are adorable!

4. Vintage Telephone Notepad, $8. I always carry a notepad to jot down thoughts and ideas when I'm on the go. You just can't get any cuter than this one.

Vegas Style

{Alice+Olivia Barret Sequins Blouse, Reiss Marli Storm Flap Biker Jacket, Rebecca Minkoff Black Clutch, DVF Tunis Button Dress, TAG Heuer Watch, J Brand Skinny Jeans, Theory Semra Printed Silk Chiffon Tank, Equipment Earl Shirt, Christian Louboutin Simple Pump, Timmy Woods Red Lips Clutch}

We're Vegas bound this weekend with two other couples and I couldn't be more excited!

The Mr. and I don't have too much planned because we think it's kind of fun to go on vacation care free. But, that certainly makes packing a little more difficult.

So, I've already started putting a few staples in my suitcase, which I think will be perfect pieces for whatever comes our way. I'm thinking I may have to add my cowboy boots, as well... We secured Garth Brooks tickets for Friday night!

This will be my first trip to Las Vegas, so if anyone has restaurant recommendations or other "must-see" suggestions, be sure to let me know!

2012 Oscar Bingo

The 'Red Carpet' is only a few days away. And, if you're planning an Oscar's Party, I've got the perfect surprise for your guests: Oscar Bingo!

I mean, what's more fun than adding a little friendly competition to an award-filled night?

The templates were designed by this talented graphic designer. She's created 10 different bingo boards for this year's show. And, they all can be downloaded HERE.

There is even a cute Oscar's ballot to add to the fun. Find it HERE.

And the Oscar goes to... Good luck!

Chocolate Covered Potato Chips

It's finally the weekend... Happy Friday, lovelies!

I saw this sweet and savory recipe for fun take on cocktail party nibbles and I had to share. I think this may rival last week's White Chocolate Confetti Popcorn. I mean, isn't the combination of potato chips and chocolate at the heart of Momofuku Milk Bar's famous Compost Cookie? Ahem... Yes, it sure is! Enjoy and have a wonderfully relaxing long weekend!

Chocolate Covered Potato Chips

1½ cups chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark is your choice)
1 (15.25 ounce bag) bag ridge-cut potato chips

1. Place chocolate chips in a heat resistant bowl and place over a pot of simmering water. (Make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl)
2. Completely melt chocolate until smooth and begin dipping the chips, about ½ way.
3. Shake off any excess chocolate and place chips onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
4. Allow chocolate covered chips to dry completely before serving.
5. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

*Recipe and image via spoon fork bacon

Honeymoon:: Ravello, Italy

I hope all of you had a love-filled Valentine's Day! My husband and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at home, complete with champagne and chocolate dessert. He surprised me with beautiful long-stem roses and a gorgeous Ippolita necklace, which I can't wait to wear! We also spent the evening looking through the latest compilation of our wedding pictures. Our photographer put together a keepsake photo journal filled with our favorite shots... It's such a great way to relive the most wonderful day of our lives!

While I have shared some of our wedding photographs on Ella Modern, I realized haven't posted any pictures from our AMAZING honeymoon! We spent more than two weeks relaxing in London, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. The trip was unbelievable and unforgettable!

So, over the next month, I'll share our favorite highlights from the trip. If any of you are considering an Amalfi Coast vacation, be sure to send me a note for a full list of recommendations. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Ravello, the Amalfi Coast's most peaceful and charming town, has an air of sophistication, glamour, elegance. The town is situated high in the cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast and the Bay of Salerno.

We stayed at the luxurious Palazzo Sasso, a five-star hotel converted from a 12th-century palazzo. The views from almost every point on the property were mesmerizing! Here, we savored a true taste of Italian cuisine, as the hotel is home to a two-Michelin star rated restaurant, one of the best in the Amalfi Coast.

We were lucky to be in Ravello during the annual music festival. The renowned Ravello Concert Society was hosting a performance in an outdoor, castle-like setting, just a few minutes from the Palazzo Sasso. We decided to have a quick cocktail and antipasto before our night out.

Ravello is situated high, high up in the cliffs. Sitting by the pool, in the manicured garden, was the most relaxing way to spend the morning.

And, if the afternoon, we would venture to our private beach club down on the water. Trust me when I say, it was extremely hard to leave!

Beautiful gardens, lush greenery and family-owned vineyards fill Ravello's landscape. The colors of the flowers against the cliffs and pastel buildings were simply stunning. I found myself in awe as I explored the quaint town.

We enjoyed one last lunch on the patio before having to leave this magical place... Ciao, Ravello!

DIY Harper's BAZAAR Chain Bow Necklace

One trend I haven't fully embraced (but know for sure isn't going away) is the embellished Peter Pan collar. It's been spotted on the runway for a few seasons now and continues to be a coveted design element of top designers.

I've decided I should slowly ease into this look, so when I spotted this necklace online at Harper's BAZAAR, I knew it would be the perfect style transition!

Last week's DIY Charm Necklace tutorial was so popular, I know you'll love this one too! The detailed instructions for the DIY Harper's BAZAAR Chain Bow Necklace can be found HERE. Have fun!

*Images via Who What Wear and Harpers BAZAAR