Stove & Style

Invisible Children has been on the periphery of my awareness since my time at Boston College, when many friends were involved in the cause and even went on service trips to Uganda. However, it has never captured my attention like the video that I, like many of you, saw today as it sweeps across the social media outlets.  If you haven’t seen the video yet, please take the time to watch it and spread the word.  I have a link to it in my previous blog post.  One way to help the cause is by going to the Invisible Children website, www.invisiblechildren.com, sign the pledge, and if you’d like to add to your arm candy while supporting a good cause, purchase one, or many, of these Kony Bracelets. Just click on the picture above. Help bring Kony to justice in 2012.  Every voice counts.

Invisible Children has been on the periphery of my awareness since my time at Boston College, when many friends were involved in the cause and even went on service trips to Uganda.

However, it has never captured my attention like the video that I, like many of you, saw today as it sweeps across the social media outlets.  If you haven’t seen the video yet, please take the time to watch it and spread the word.  I have a link to it in my previous blog post. 

One way to help the cause is by going to the Invisible Children website, www.invisiblechildren.com, sign the pledge, and if you’d like to add to your arm candy while supporting a good cause, purchase one, or many, of these Kony Bracelets. Just click on the picture above.

Help bring Kony to justice in 2012.  Every voice counts.

Nothing is more powerful than an idea.

KONY 2012.

WARNING: If you leave this Banana Bread out on your counter, it will be gone in a matter of hours…or minutes at my house! I love all things banana, and have been on the eternal search for the perfect banana bread recipe.  Well my friends, this is it.  I am constantly stashing away peeled ripe (and I mean ripe ripe, like with brown spots on the peel) bananas in a bag that I keep in my freezer, saving them for a day when I have a request, or craving, to make this. It’s the perfect way to not be caught off-guard without very ripe bananas on hand when you want to make this! Perfect to serve as a side for brunch, a daytime snack, or a just-walking-by-and-can’t-help-myself goody on the counter. I like my banana bread plain, but feel free to add walnuts or chocolate chips, or top with a shmear of peanut butter! Banana Bread Recipe Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 1 hour  Ingredients 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed (I obviously go for 4…the more the merrier!)1/3 cup melted butter1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)1 egg, beaten1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking sodaPinch of salt1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour Directions *If you use frozen bananas like I do, either let them thaw and pour off the extra liquid, or stick them in the microwave until they are soft and you are able to pour off most of the extra liquid* No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

WARNING: If you leave this Banana Bread out on your counter, it will be gone in a matter of hours…or minutes at my house!

I love all things banana, and have been on the eternal search for the perfect banana bread recipe.  Well my friends, this is it. 

I am constantly stashing away peeled ripe (and I mean ripe ripe, like with brown spots on the peel) bananas in a bag that I keep in my freezer, saving them for a day when I have a request, or craving, to make this. It’s the perfect way to not be caught off-guard without very ripe bananas on hand when you want to make this!

Perfect to serve as a side for brunch, a daytime snack, or a just-walking-by-and-can’t-help-myself goody on the counter. I like my banana bread plain, but feel free to add walnuts or chocolate chips, or top with a shmear of peanut butter!

Banana Bread Recipe

Prep time: 5 minutes 
Cook time: 1 hour 

Ingredients

3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed (I obviously go for 4…the more the merrier!)
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Directions

*If you use frozen bananas like I do, either let them thaw and pour off the extra liquid, or stick them in the microwave until they are soft and you are able to pour off most of the extra liquid*

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Asian Style Sea-Bass

After a few days of indulgence in the Bahamas, we are back to healthy eating in this household! Wanting to switch it up from the usual fish staple of salmon, I made this sea bass last night and it far exceeded my expectations! It is one of our favorite things to order when we go out to dinner, and we often get the sea bass at Eddie V’s, where they also do it with an Asian flair.

This dinner seems fancy shmancy, but it literally takes 5 minutes to put together, and 10 minutes to cook. The flavor of the scallions, ginger and soy mix together perfectly, and the bites literally melted in our mouths. Yum!

Ingredients

1 lb. uncooked sea bass (you can cook as one whole piece or separate filets)

1 cup uncooked scallions (about 3 scallions) thinly sliced (I used a little less than a cup since that seemed like so much!)

2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce, divided

1 tbsp. fresh ginger root, minced (I was in a hurry…and lazy…so I used a tablespoon of my jarred chopped ginger)

2 tbsp. sesame oil

Directions

Cut out a 12 x 18-inch rectangle of foil. Put the sea bass filet(s) on the foil; top with the scallions, 1 Tbsp of the soy sauce, the ginger, and oil.  I did the soy sauce, then scallions, then ginger, but next time I will spread the jarred ginger on first to distribute the flavor more evenly and make it look a little prettier)

Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a large skillet. Add the packet to the water; reduce the heat, cover tightly, and cook about 10 minutes. (I forgot to turn the heat down here, but the fish turned out perfectly anyway.  Ours was a pretty thick filet, so it may be better to keep that heat up if yours is thick too!)

Open the packet and check the fish; it should be just opaque in the center. If the fish is not fully cooked, reseal the packet and return it to skillet until cooked through. Serve, drizzled with the remaining 1 Tbsp soy sauce and any juices.

We ate ours with steamed veggies to steer clear of nighttime starches, but it would be great with rice too!

*recipe is lightly adapted from Weight Watchers!

Hi friends! Just got back from a great trip to the Bahamas - apologies for my radio silence the past few days! Unfortunately, however, my silence continues…as I am rendered completely speechless by this Chanel bag I spotted in the Nordstrom designer lookbook that I got in the mounds of mail that was awaiting my return.  It. Is. Perfection. In the words of Rachel Zoe…I die.

Hi friends! Just got back from a great trip to the Bahamas - apologies for my radio silence the past few days!

Unfortunately, however, my silence continues…as I am rendered completely speechless by this Chanel bag I spotted in the Nordstrom designer lookbook that I got in the mounds of mail that was awaiting my return. 

It. Is. Perfection. In the words of Rachel Zoe…I die.

Ok, so I have been on a little bit of a necklace binge lately.  The good news - not one of these necklaces costs more than $30! Here are some of the ones I have snatched up lately.

In the top left photo, the blue necklaces are from Forever 21 here, the gold from H&M and the wood & gold bead one from a small boutique in Houston, identical one can be found here.

In the top right photo, the silver mesh one is also from Forever 21 here, the gold and cream enamel one from ThreadSence here, and the blue one from Francesca’s Collections.

My favorite by far is the Aztec Sun Necklace, and as you can see, I have found so many ways to wear it - paired with colored denim and a chambray shirt, with a navy and white striped top and navy blazer, and with a coral colored dress!  And, I plan on pairing many of these with simple dresses during my Bahamas trip this weekend!

I know I have posted about statement necklaces before, but get used to it! I love them too much. Go out and get some for yourself!

Happy Friday All! I hope everyone has some exciting plans on their plates for this weekend!  One thing you should have on your plate in the near future is this flank steak with chimichurri sauce. I know. When I first heard the word “chimichurri” my free association basically went like this: What? Is that South American? Must be hard. Weird. Sounds like it has strange spices. No. However, when I looked at the actual recipe, it wasn’t at all what I expected! This recipe is so easy and SERIOUSLY delicious, and doesn’t use any crazy hard to find ingredients. Best of all, this is another meal that is totally waistline-friendly, and looks and tastes “fancy” enough for entertaining or dinner for your beau!  Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce Ingredients 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp. white whine vinegar 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice 3 tbsp. minced fresh Italian parsley 2 tbsp. uncooked scallions (green parts only) minced 1 medium clove of garlic, minced 1/8 tsp. table salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper 1 lb. uncooked lean flank steak, trimmed of all fat, at room temperature 1 medium clove of garlic, peeled and smashed with side of knife 1/8 tsp. table salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper Directions To prepare sauce, combine first 8 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well.  **It is best to make the sauce at least 30 minutes in advance so the flavors really have a chance to combine! And if you want a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Place oven rack 4 inches from broiler; preheat broiler. Rub both sides of steak with smashed garlic clove; discard garlic. Season steak with salt and pepper. Broil steak for 4 to 6 minutes on one side; flip and broil on second side until well-browned on outside and still pink in center, about 4 to 6 minutes more. Start testing steak for doneness after a total of 8 minutes. To serve, remove steak from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes (to reabsorb juices) before thinly slicing against grain; serve with sauce on the side. If you’re watching your portions or counting points, it yields about 3 ounces of steak and 1 1/2 tablespoons of sauce per serving, at 5 WW points a serving.  Enjoy!

Happy Friday All!

I hope everyone has some exciting plans on their plates for this weekend!  One thing you should have on your plate in the near future is this flank steak with chimichurri sauce.

I know. When I first heard the word “chimichurri” my free association basically went like this: What? Is that South American? Must be hard. Weird. Sounds like it has strange spices. No.

However, when I looked at the actual recipe, it wasn’t at all what I expected! This recipe is so easy and SERIOUSLY delicious, and doesn’t use any crazy hard to find ingredients.

Best of all, this is another meal that is totally waistline-friendly, and looks and tastes “fancy” enough for entertaining or dinner for your beau! 

Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Ingredients

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. white whine vinegar

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

3 tbsp. minced fresh Italian parsley

2 tbsp. uncooked scallions (green parts only) minced

1 medium clove of garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. table salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

1 lb. uncooked lean flank steak, trimmed of all fat, at room temperature

1 medium clove of garlic, peeled and smashed with side of knife

1/8 tsp. table salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

Directions

To prepare sauce, combine first 8 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well.  **It is best to make the sauce at least 30 minutes in advance so the flavors really have a chance to combine! And if you want a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Place oven rack 4 inches from broiler; preheat broiler.

Rub both sides of steak with smashed garlic clove; discard garlic. Season steak with salt and pepper. Broil steak for 4 to 6 minutes on one side; flip and broil on second side until well-browned on outside and still pink in center, about 4 to 6 minutes more. Start testing steak for doneness after a total of 8 minutes.

To serve, remove steak from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes (to reabsorb juices) before thinly slicing against grain; serve with sauce on the side.

If you’re watching your portions or counting points, it yields about 3 ounces of steak and 1 1/2 tablespoons of sauce per serving, at 5 WW points a serving. 

Enjoy!

Attention Houstonians!

For those of you whose basic life necessities, like mine, are in this order:

1. Food and water
2. Shelter
3. Joie Tops

Run, don’t walk, to Nordstrom Rack across from the Galleria!!

I dragged the hubby there today to shop for some stuff for him for our upcoming trips, since they often have a better than normal selection of things in his size. However, I made it about 10 steps inside the door before I found myself bee-lining to racks overflowing with tops by two of my all time faves, Joie and Vince, something I haven’t before seen in that store. I buy tops by these designers frequently at full price, so to see them at NR naturally set my heart a-racing…and I felt no guilt about leaving my guy to fend for himself amongst the racks so that I could get my hands on them.

I snatched up these four tops for…get ready for it…$594 off total retail price!!!! All except the Vince were under $100 each.

The bottom left corner is a great silk Vince top that drapes beautifully, and I am already envisioning all of the different statement necklaces and jewelry I can pile on and wear with it. The other three are Joie, and will be paired w a cami and again, complementary jewelry. I also think that the sleveless one at the top right will look great under a navy blazer with the sleeves pushed up and gold, gold, and more gold on the neck and wrists.

Have at ‘em, ladies!

Happy Valentine’s Day lovers!! Here are some of my favorite festive finds. Sending lots of love your way today! xoxo

Happy Valentine’s Day lovers!! Here are some of my favorite festive finds. Sending lots of love your way today! xoxo

There are certain classic and timeless pieces that I have on my life’s list of things I just must get my hands on. The Cartier Love Bracelet is one of those things. My penchant for this bracelet began over a decade ago, during a conversation with my best friend one day as we walked home from high school.  She said, “OMG…____’s mom has the Cartier Love Bracelet!”  She explained that the bracelet comes with a little screwdriver that your love is supposed to keep, and only he can take the bracelet off of you.  Oh, the romance! (More on that below.) This was my first introduction to a bracelet that would settle into a certain part of my brain and stay there, a little arm candy dream that will lay and wait until it comes true.  Fun fact: The Cartier Love Bracelet was first seen in the summer of 1969, created by the late Aldo Cipullo, whose early work for Cartier focused on modern interpretations of ancient designs and legends. The Love Bracelet was Cipullo’s interpretation of the Chastity Belt, a device husbands are said to have locked around their wive’s waists to ensure fidelity while the men were away. (Interesting source of inspiration, but I’ll take it!) So, Cipullo designed a two piece bracelet that bolts together around the wrist. It comes with a tiny screwdriver to take it on and off, symbolizing a “locked up,” committed relationship. Cartier loved the bracelet and implemented a policy: customers could not buy a Love Bracelet for themselves. The company presented his-and-hers bracelets to 25 famous couples. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Cary Grant and Dyan Cannon, Ali McGraw and Steve McQueen, Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor—all participated in the fun. Unfortunately, not all of the marriages “took,” but I’m sure the bracelets are still lovely.  It now comes in a variety of metals and with or without diamonds, but I still think the plain gold one is the most beautiful and classic. My best friend and I are still lusting for that bracelet.  With her birthday on Valentine’s Day next week, and my one-year anniversary just a month a way, our fingers are crossed… P.S. Cartier Love Bracelet = CLB = my new married initials.  Coincidence? I. Think. Not. Ahhh, a girl can dream! Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

There are certain classic and timeless pieces that I have on my life’s list of things I just must get my hands on. The Cartier Love Bracelet is one of those things.

My penchant for this bracelet began over a decade ago, during a conversation with my best friend one day as we walked home from high school.  She said, “OMG…____’s mom has the Cartier Love Bracelet!”  She explained that the bracelet comes with a little screwdriver that your love is supposed to keep, and only he can take the bracelet off of you.  Oh, the romance! (More on that below.) This was my first introduction to a bracelet that would settle into a certain part of my brain and stay there, a little arm candy dream that will lay and wait until it comes true. 

Fun fact: The Cartier Love Bracelet was first seen in the summer of 1969, created by the late Aldo Cipullo, whose early work for Cartier focused on modern interpretations of ancient designs and legends.

The Love Bracelet was Cipullo’s interpretation of the Chastity Belt, a device husbands are said to have locked around their wive’s waists to ensure fidelity while the men were away. (Interesting source of inspiration, but I’ll take it!) So, Cipullo designed a two piece bracelet that bolts together around the wrist. It comes with a tiny screwdriver to take it on and off, symbolizing a “locked up,” committed relationship.

Cartier loved the bracelet and implemented a policy: customers could not buy a Love Bracelet for themselves. The company presented his-and-hers bracelets to 25 famous couples. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Cary Grant and Dyan Cannon, Ali McGraw and Steve McQueen, Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor—all participated in the fun. Unfortunately, not all of the marriages “took,” but I’m sure the bracelets are still lovely.  It now comes in a variety of metals and with or without diamonds, but I still think the plain gold one is the most beautiful and classic.

My best friend and I are still lusting for that bracelet.  With her birthday on Valentine’s Day next week, and my one-year anniversary just a month a way, our fingers are crossed…

P.S. Cartier Love Bracelet = CLB = my new married initials.  Coincidence? I. Think. Not.

Ahhh, a girl can dream!

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!