Back to Work!

Just got back to Manhattan after a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! Will be back to blogging regularly soon...

Photo credit: Kate Spade via High-Heeled Foot in the Door

Loving: Ashley Olsen

How delicious are these images of Ashley Olsen from September issue of Marie Claire? I love how sensual they are without being too overdone or risqué. Simple. Beautiful. Magical. Enjoy!

Photos by Mark Abrahams

Last Minute Turkey Recipe

If any of you are looking for last minute turkey recipes for your Thanksgiving feast, give this one a try. I’ve started making it every year for my family and it’s a big hit (or at least they are nice enough to say it is)! 

Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage, Smoked Bacon, and Cornbread Stuffing
By Tyler Florence (of the Food Network)

Prep Time: 20 min

Inactive Prep Time: 20 min

Cook Time: 3 hr 25 min

Level: Intermediate

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1/2 bunch fresh sage, leaves finely chopped

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 large onions, finely chopped

• 1 loaf cornbread, cubed (about 6 cups)

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 3 cups chicken stock

• 1 (12 to 14 pound) fresh turkey

• 1 cup pure maple syrup

• 1/4 cup hot water

• 8 strips smoked bacon

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and remove the top rack.

Combine the butter and sage in a mixing bowl, mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated and the butter has flecks of green in it; season with salt and pepper.

In a saute pan, melt 4 tablespoons of the sage butter, add the onions, cook and stir for 15 minutes until soft and golden. Remove from heat. Put the cornbread in a large mixing bowl and scrape the sauteed onion mixture on top. Add the egg, heavy cream, and just enough chicken stock to moisten the stuffing without making it soggy (about 1/2 cup.) Toss well to combine, season with salt and pepper.

Remove the neck and gizzards from the inside of the turkey and discard. Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, pat dry. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the breast and legs, and slip pieces of the sage butter underneath; massaging it in as you go. Fill the bird with the cornbread stuffing without packing too tightly; cook the remaining stuffing separately in a buttered baking dish. Truss the turkey; place it on a rack in a large roasting pan, and put into the oven.

Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and hot water to thin the glaze out a bit; use this to baste the turkey every 30 minutes. The turkey should take about 3 hours to cook (i.e. 15 to 20 minutes per pound.) If the legs or breast brown too quickly, cover with foil. About 2 hours into cooking, shingle the strips of bacon oven the turkey breast to cover; continue to roast and baste for another hour or so. The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meatiest part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F (the thigh juices will also run clear when pricked with a knife.) Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest for 20 minutes before carving, so the juices can settle back into the meat.

Skim off the excess fat from the pan drippings with a spoon and place the roasting pan over 2 burners set on medium-high heat. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up brown bits stuck to bottom of pan. Whisk the flour into the drippings, stirring as it thickens to prevent lumps. Add the remaining chicken stock and bring to a simmer; season with salt and pepper and hit it with a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Simmer for 5 minutes and then strain to remove any particles. Serve the gravy with the maple-roasted turkey and cornbread stuffing.

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Photo from http://grooveefortune.wordpress.com/

Happy Monday!

How stylish is this little guy from Swagger 360?!

Cheap, Easy, and Fun – The Holidays Made Simple

Thanksgiving seems to be a time of year that always causes anxiety. Whether it’s the fact that you are expected to host an inordinate amount of guests, or that Christmas or Hanukkah are just around the corner, it can be a stressful time of year. In order to keep you sane, I’ve listed ten tips to help you have a happy holiday season perfect for any budget! After all, it is supposed to be a celebration...

1) Many people feel pressure to become the perfect host during the holidays, but it’s nothing to stress over. First of all, feel free to say “No,” when you start to feel overwhelmed. Secondly, make lists to keep yourself organized, and don’t be afraid to delegate!

2) If you are planning to cook, keep these few things in mind: Yes, this is supposed to be a season of delicious and impressive meals, but don’t over do it. Think about the size of your kitchen as you plan your menu, and don’t cook something you feel is over your head. Always feel free to ask for help or to ask friends and family to bring a dish. Make anything in advance if at all possible. This will help you stay sane as everyone starts gathering around the table.

3) Try not to overeat, but don’t sweat if you break a few of your diet rules over the holidays. Cherish the time you have with family and friends and savor the food that they’ve prepared. There will be plenty of time to get back on track after the holiday season.

4) Instead of spending money on wrapping paper, wrap your gifts in brown paper bags and accessorize with a colorful ribbon. This will help the environment and your wallet! Just remember to recycle the paper after your fun fête has ended.

5) Can’t decide what to give the person that has everything? Give them a gift that gives back. On websites like The Hunger Site and The Heifer Project you can purchase things like livestock that helps families support themselves or immunizations for children in third world countries.

6) Set a budget to spend on gifts, or even suggest gifting “Secret Santa” style in order to cut down on anxiety about finances during this busy and expensive time of year.

7) Don’t focus on trying to make your holiday perfect, but instead focus on taking in all the fun moments. Laugh, cry, embrace each other, but don’t worry if you burn the turkey. That’s what take-out is there for!

8) If you had a successful holiday season, make a file of all the things that worked well so that it will be there for a quick reference next year. Turkey recipes, hotel contact information, and Gramma’s food allergies will be right at your fingertips whenever you need it.

9) Take the time to think about what you are thankful for and enjoy the company of your family and friends. If you have more tips, be sure to comment below. I would love to hear what you have to say!
 
10) Listen to Mariah Carey’s Christmas Album – it will put you in a merry mood!

Be sure to share your own tips in the comment section below. I would love to hear what you have to say!

Photo from zen's photostream

Love this Quote!

I just came across this quote on A Life More Fabulous, and I had to share. It pretty much sums up my life philosophy! What do you think?

Photo by ermarie 9

"I Spy with My Little Eye"... Something Incredible by Willard Wigan!

Just a little (no pun intended) something to blow your mind today... I had a chance to see an exhibit by Willard Wigan this summer in London and was amazed by his incredible “microsculptures.”Originally from the UK, Wigan has made a career out of sculpting tiny people, animals, buildings, etc in the eyes of needles and on the heads of pins. To do this, he has perfected a type of meditating that slows his heart rate so that he can work through his pulses. He uses the hair from a fly to paint his sculptures and has carved things like dust to make some of his creations taking months to complete each one. At times has even inhaled the whole thing! My sister and I had to use microscopes to view the sculptures that are barely visible to the human eye, but amazingly he has no problem with his sight. I have never stopped being impressed by Wigan and I hope you enjoy taking a closer look at some of his work. If you get a chance, check out his new book "I Spy with My Little Eye," released October 1.

Wigan with "The Thinker" sculpted on the head of a pin (Photo from chipchick.com)

Wigan's rendition of the Obama family inside the eye of a needle (Photo from telegraph.co.uk)

"Miss Muffet" by Willard Wigan - How impressive is the spiderweb? This was by far my favorite sculpture by Wigan at the exhibit I saw this summer. (Photo from www.environmentalgrafitti.com)

Daily Uniform: Restricting or Liberating?

The other day as I was looking through Gwyneth Paltrow’s blog GOOP, I found an amazingly clever post about her “daily uniform.” GOOP is always chock full of great information, and this post was no different. I loved not only the way Gwyneth went about explaining her concept of the daily uniform and how she got started wearing one, but also what goes into putting her daily uniform together. I have to admit though, that as a lover of fashion from an early age (at five I started bawling my eyes out, not because I had to stay in the hospital, but because I had to wear a hospital gown) the idea of a uniform threw me off at first. Doesn’t it seem a bit restricting, especially when there are so many options out there?

Maybe, but then I started thinking about what my uniform would be if I had one and I actually had a lot of fun putting one together. It made me think about the pieces in my wardrobe that I love, that are comfortable, and that I could build off of. It was a great creative exercise and I think by having done this, it will be easier on those “I don’t have anything to wear!” days. Now I can just throw on my uniform. I also think that having a uniform will make it easier to pack lightly when I travel. I know to start with those key pieces, and then build off of them with fun accessories. Also, if I ever need to clean out my closet, I know which things to hold on to and which pieces I can live without.

After putting together my own uniform, my thoughts about them have changed completely. I now find having a uniform can actually be quite liberating. Obviously, you’re not restricted to it every day, but having it to pull out whenever you need it is a huge help. Here’s the fall uniform that I came up with. I’m sure it will change some from season to season, but this seems to be a great starting place!

1) My uniform starts with a great pair of “matchstick” jeans in a dark wash that can be dressed up or down (JCrew $98).

2) Next is a basic blouse in a neutral with a little bit of fun detailing (Both tops are from Anthropologie, Left: Chambray Tunic $88; Right: Dewpoint Blouse $68).

3) Shoes can change with my mood or for the occasion so I stuck with three pairs that could work for any situation. Flats are great for everyday and I love that these add a pop of color (Repetto Ballet Flats $252). Motorcycle boots make me feel tough (Frye Motorcycle Boots $300 – mine are of the $30 flea market variety) and black suede ankle boots give off a sophisticated vibe (JCrew $250).

4) I added a basic bag in a light neutral that helps to brighten up the outfit, and is big enough to tote everything I need (Kate Spade $395).

5) This wool wrap in “sweet papaya” adds some much needed color (and a bit of warmth!) to an otherwise neutral outfit (JCrew $50).

6) Delicate accessories add a bit of sparkle, but are still suitable for everyday wear (Filigree Necklace: Forever21 $5; Teardrop Earrings: Nordstrom $350).

Collage made with Polyvore

Happy Weekend

Hope you all are having a wonderful start to a fabulous weekend! I am loving this photo from The Satorialist called "Garance at Work." I just realized that Scott Schuman of The Satorialist (documenting street style around the world) and Garance of garance doré (documenting fashion on the streets of Paris) are dating. I know that I'm probably the last one to hear about this, but I think it's absolutely incredible that these two very vibrant people are together! I don't know why it's so shocking; it actually makes a lot of sense, but I'm still thrilled.

I love the article in The Guardian by Alice Fisher about them as a power couple. It notes that right now they are dating long distance with Garance in Paris and Scott in New York, but Scott seems okay with it and laughs "I'm only interesting for two or three days – I need the distance so she doesn't discover that."

The article concludes with details about upcoming plans for the dynamic duo:

"Next they intend to travel and photograph together. 'We want to go to countries that have folkloric costumes,' says Schuman. 'In India I want to shoot girls wearing saris in great colour combinations or in an unusual way.'

Any other dream projects?

'I'd like to convince Garance to become my wife,' says Schuman.

Doré sighs: 'Oh baby, that's so cute.'"

Photo from The Satorialist

Shopbop.com Giveaway

If you love Marc Jacobs as much as I do, you have got to check out High-Heeled Foot in the Door’s recent post! She’ll choose one winner from the followers that comment about their favorite Marc Jacobs bag from shopbop.com to win a $100 giveaway to their site. Is that not the easiest money you’ve ever made? Check out her amazing design blog, leave a comment, and best of luck. (Hurry – you only have until November 11 to enter!) Rules and conditions apply, see post for details.


Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Tate Tote in Clementine is one of my favorites. (Photo from shopbop.com)

Outdoor Urban Living

Yesterday as I was helping my friend clean up the giant mess our friends made over the Halloween weekend (10 guests in a New York apartment!), we started talking about the potential for her backyard. Yes, in New York City (Hell’s Kitchen no less), she has some outdoor space to call her own. First of all, I’m super jealous. Secondly, I love entertaining, and seeing an unused space like that, even in November, gives me the blues. So after promising to help her (she knows that I’m good for my word – we took out 6 bags of trash yesterday), I started researching some ideas for a fabulous New York outdoor entertaining space that we could use throughout the year. Here’s the first round-up of (ambitious) photos for a little inspiration. I’ll keep you posted on our progress, and hopefully include some DIY projects along the way (like how to boy-proof the backyard)!

Deborah Needleman's home from the pages of Lonny, photographed by Patrick Cline

Maybe this fire pit shown in domino* will help us stay warm through New York's cold winters!

Martha Stewart is always full of great ideas, and I'm thinking this canopy, in a cool fabric, could be a DIY project

* Not sure which issue of domino this shot was in. If anyone knows, I would love to credit it!

Lady Gray gets a Makeover

Nicole (left) and me hard at work on the set of Charleston Weddings magazine

Hopefully all of you have noticed the fabulous new header for Lady Gray, designed by the very talented Nicole Warren from {well-worn}! I am so excited about Lady Gray's new look and so thankful for the ongoing support from my readers. I always want Lady Gray to be a place you can come to for inspiration and ideas, and hopefully the aesthetic of the new design continues to do that. I always welcome feedback as Lady Gray grows into her shoes and appreciate any bits of advice I can pick up along the way. Thank you Nicole, and thank you sweet readers for helping to make Lady Gray a success every time you visit!

Obsessed... with a Water Bottle?

The other day at Target as I was getting a few last items for life in the Big Apple, I picked up one of these bad boys – a Sigg 1 liter reusable water bottle (for a mere $25). Let me tell you, I have taken this thing with me everywhere, and besides helping me save money (the original intent) by not buying water bottles while I’m out, it also helps to save the environment, and ensures that I get all the water I need each day. Plus, how cute is it?! They have a few different designs but I especially love this one. I know they sell these types of water bottles everywhere, so if you haven’t gotten one I highly recommend them – it will change your life!

(Photo from www.target.com)

Tips to Shoe Savviness

Buying new shoes has always been a love hate relationship for me, and probably for most women. As bruised and blistered as my feet generally are, people might assume that I’m a hard-core ballerina. After an extra serious bout of foot injuries the other week, I decided to do some research that might make all of our lives a little easier. So here I present to you some amazing tips on breaking in new shoes (paraphrased from an article by K. Jessie Austin on Associated Content):

1) If possible, plan to buy shoes in the afternoon or later in the day as your feet tend to swell as the day goes on. This will ensure that you are buying shoes that are your true size and will fit you no matter when you choose to wear them.

2) Make sure you try on both shoes and walk in them at least for a few minutes, and on hard floors and carpeting if at all possible.

3) For maximum sex appeal, walk around the house with your new shoes on while wearing socks. Tube socks if you have them… or even toe socks if you want to get extra fancy. In all seriousness, this will help stretch out the shoes a little and prevent blisters later.

4) Along the same lines, and if your shoes are especially uncomfortable, try to walk around in them for at least an hour everyday. This will help your feet get used to them without the pain of wearing them for the entire day.

5) If the shoes are a little loose, add gel or padded insoles to make them fit properly. Actually, just add them anyway because a little extra padding never hurt anyone.

6) If you find shoes that fit you well and are actually comfortable, look for shoes by the same designer, because chances are they will work well for you too.

7) As a last ditch effort, carry band-aids and (depending on how big of a purse you carry) flats with you whenever possible. Yes, beauty is pain, but you can only deal with so much pain until you just don’t care anymore.

Hope this helps, and happy shoe shopping!

(Photo from la doleur exquise)

Vogue Russia Makes my Day(light Savings Time)

Daylight savings time always makes me a little sad. It means that winter really is on its way and those late sweltering summer nights are a thing of the past. It’s starting to get colder and all I really want to do is hibernate, but I keep coming back to these photos from Vogue Russia's November 2008 issue (via {a glamorous little side project}) that seem to make days like today all the more well… glamorous. The espionage-esque images seem so full of mystery, anticipation, and intrigue and make me want to throw on my finest furs and hit the town. Thank you Vogue Russia for making this time of year exciting too!

(Editorial: Cave Dwellers, Vlada Roslyakova by Yelena Yemchuk for Vogue Russia November 2008)