Sweet Treat:: Root Beer Floats

Memorial Day weekend always reminds of going to the lake with my family. My sister and I would stand on the edge of the dock, and then jump in the water to see which one of us could brave the cold the longest (in Northern Minnesota, the ice usually melts in late-April, so that water is freezing!). Annie always won!

After our swim, we warmed up by the fire, roasting marshmallows and drinking root beer floats. They always tasted good!

Thinking about these memories made me realize how long it's been since I've made a root beer float. Who says you can't be a kid again, right?

{Photo via Lindsay Hunt}

Ingredients

• 1 pint good, vanilla ice cream
• 2 bottles very cold old-fashioned root beer (preferably Boylan's Root Beer)
• Freshly whipped cream

Directions

Place a few scoops of vanilla ice cream into 2 tall float glasses. Pour the root beer over the ice cream and top with a dollop of whipped cream.

For A Summertime Soiree

Memorial Day weekend is here and you know what that means: the official start of summer!

The Mr. and I couldn't be more excited for the warm weather because we finally have access to a rooftop.  Let's just say, we'll be doing our fair share of entertaining over the next few months... I can't wait!

When it comes to hosting a summer-time soiree, the simpler the better. But, that doesn't mean sacrificing style.

Here are a few festive details to make these impromptu get-togethers even more memorable.

Hot weather = Thirsty friends. Perfectly cubed ice will make your cocktails stand out from the rest. This is the only kind of ice used by trendy mixologists, for a reason.

And, nothing is cuter than serving beverages in mason jars with a fun straw!

Cheese plates are one of my favorite appetizers. Using flags to label the different varieties is a great way to inform guests of what their about to enjoy.

Always have dessert. My warm weather choice = Individual fruit pies. And surprise your guests with creative flatware... I love these plastic spoons from Anthropologie. Happy Summer!

The Tolix Chair

Ever since we moved into our new apartment, home decor has become my new hobby. I find myself looking for design inspiration everywhere I go... It's so fun!

My most recent furniture obsession (ahem, purchase) is the Tolix Chair. In France, this galvanized metal bistro chair is ubiquitous. It was born in the 1930s by Xavier Pauchard and has been a decor staple in cafes ever since. 

And, as our apartment was in desperate need of perfectly designed bar stools (obviously), nothing compared to Tolix. 

Et voila... My new furniture love!

Fresh Radishes with Butter and Sea Salt

I picked up some locally grown radishes at the Greenmarket in Union Square to make one of my favorite summertime hors d'oeurves: Radishes with butter and sea salt. This little plate is easy to make and pairs perfectly with a glass of wine on the deck.

To prepare, simply wash a handful of fresh radishes. Trim the greens and roots, and place the radishes over a bed of sea salt. (I use a small tray and sprinkle a very generous amount of sea salt to cover a portion of the the bottom). Whip one stick of unsalted, chilled butter, just until light and fluffy. Serve in a ramekin next to the sea salt and radishes.

To best enjoy, dip a radish first in the butter, and then the sea salt... And, you can't go wrong with a delicious slice of a french bread on the side.

I've Got My Eye On:: The Wedge Sneaker

One of my favorite things about living in New York is seeing trends emerge (or, not quite make it), before anywhere else in the country. You see everything in this city... And, to me, that's inspiring.

A few months ago, I began to notice the "wedge sneaker". This was mostly in SoHo, and the shoes tended to be brightly colored, almost neon. At that time, I tried really hard to embrace the hot orange shoe, but in the end, just didn't have the urge to buy into it. 

Fast forward a few months, and I've got my eye on these wedges again. This time, in more neutral, casual colors. Here are a few of my favourites, mostly from ASH. Oh la la!

{ASH Bowie Wedge Sneaker Sand/Multi Suede, $235} 

{ASH Gin Wedge Sneaker Desert Canvas, $155}

{ASH Bowie Wedge Sneaker Orange Suede, $255}

{See By Chloe Wedge Sneaker, $395}

{Ash Bowie Wedge Leather Sneaker, $255}

DIY:: Bright, White Towels and Sheets

When it comes to interiors and household items, I'm 'white obsessed'. There's nothing more classic. White dishes always showcase a beautiful meal, white sheets feel luxurious (and give me the best night's sleep), and white towels are a spa-like treat at home.

Many people fear white because they think it's impossible to keep clean. When in fact, white linens are quite easy to wash, brighten and transform into 'just like new'.

To best wash your white linens, follow these simple tricks of the trade:

• Always launder sheets and towels first, before using them. 
• For towels, never use fabric softeners, as they will decrease the towel's ability to absorb water (to be honest, I never use fabric softeners).
• Use a mild detergent. Harsh formulas can thin the fabrics of the linens. I use Mrs. Meyers Clean Day. It smells wonderful.
• I love bleach. While nearly all my other cleaning supplies are eci-friendly, nothing brightens towels and sheets better than Clorox. Wash white towels and white sheets in hot water with 3/4 cup of bleach per regular load.
• Dry on medium-high heat.
• Fold towels and sheets right away.

Toasted Marshmallow Milkshakes

Every once in a while, I get a huge craving for a milkshake. And tonight was one of those times!

My husband and I have had a very busy week, so we were looking forward to enjoying an evening at home. I guess my sweet tooth, combined with a recipe I've wanted to try, and a relaxing night in with the Mr. made this dessert a reality.

The original Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake is from Stand4, a famous burger cafe in The Village. It's deliciously rich and has such a loyal following that the restaurant decided to release the recipe to Gourmet magazine. And, thank goodness they did!

Stand4 Toasted Marshmallow Milkshakes
4 scoops good quality vanilla bean ice cream or gelato
1 tablespoon milk, preferable whole milk
1 large dollop vanilla yogurt (to balance out the sweetness of the ice cream)
5 large marshmallows
Whipped cream (optional)
Chocolate squares (optional)

Toast marshmallows under a broiler in the oven (this only takes a couple minutes, so watch carefully!), until they are just evenly evenly toasted and dark, but not burnt.

Put the milk, yogurt and then ice cream in a blender. Blend just until combined.

Add three of the toasted marshmallows to the blender and whirl just until they are broken and evenly distributed. Do not over blend.

Pour shake into a glass, and top with the two remaining marshmallows and chocolate squares. Whipped cream is an added indulgence - go for it!

Serve with a straw, enjoy, and repeat if necessary (highly likely)!

Home (Apartment) Fragrance

Nothing makes a room more cozy than the look and smell of a beautiful candle. The ambiance of a small flame seems to always make our apartment more relaxing.

I like each room to have a very subtle, signature scent. Hints of bright citrus in the bathroom, more floral fragrances in the living room, and deeper, woody notes in the bedroom.

And, there's nothing worse than too strong, or artificial smelling candles. So invest in one that burns evenly and has a delicate scent that releases over time.

A bathroom should always have a clean and refreshing feel. I love the Orange Blossom Scented Candle by Jo Malone because it mixes the sweet smell of citrus with a warm, creamy note.

Floral and herbal candles are a perfect compliment to the living space because they tend to have inviting and familiar scents. You want people to feel welcome and at ease in your home. The very, very best living room candle is one I'm currently burning, as I write this post. Diptyque's Foincoupe candle has subtle notes of fresh greenery and almost smells like freshly washed linen, as it continues to burn.

Lastly, for the bedroom, deeper, more addictive candles are the best choice. Jason Wu's new collaborative candle with NEST is a favorite. The scent is beautiful wild orchid, and as it burns, the sensual background notes tend to become more pronounced. I also think the delicate, water-colour flowers painted on the vase make the candle look so pretty on a nightstand.

A Springtime Salad

After a weekend filled with Cinco de Mayo and Derby festivities, it's time to get back on the healthy bandwagon.

Tonight, I made a delicious summer salad, packed with a variety of veggies and a little bit of indulgence: Bacon.(Note, just a touch is needed to give this salad a hearty and flavourful edge).

This recipe serves approximately six people. And, can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately three days. Simply omit the dressing and drizzle just before serving.

Summer Salad
Salad:
5 Slices Thick Cut Bacon
2 Ears Fresh Corn
1/2 lb. Fresh Green Beans, Cut
1 Sweet Pepper (Red, Orange or Yellow), Diced
1 Cup Baby Tomatoes, Cut
3/4 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
1/3 Cup Fresh Basil, Chopped

Dressing:
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

To prepare the bacon, I prefer baking mine in the oven. It eliminates grease splattering all over the stove and tends to get a bit more crispy... Perfect for homemade bacon bits.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the bacon evenly on the pan.

Bake for approximately 18 minutes. Let cool on a plate lined with paper towels, to absorb excess grease. Break into small, bite size pieces.

For the salad, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the corn for 5 minutes. Add the fresh green beans and cook for three more minutes. Drain and let cool.

Once cool, slice the corn off the ears.

Combine corn, beans, peppers and tomatoes.

Whisk dressing ingredients and pour over vegetable mixture. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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!