Creature Comforts

Whenever I have the time, I pop into Bloomingdale’s Home Store downtown Chicago.  Housed in a renovated Medinah temple, shopping under the gorgeous dome and amongst the stain glass windows transcends the browsing experience.  From linens, to silver and china, to kitchen cookery and appliances, you will find it there.  But at Bloomingdale’s the opulent shares shelf space with the whimsy, as evident by this charming dog dish from Alessi that I fell in love with. 

Admittedly, I could not make peace with the $90 piece tag.  But this jar I found for $40 may soon make its way to my shopping cart.  Can’t you just imagine it holding mini dog treats?  

What do you think – design for the dogs taking things too far?

Banana Bread Oatmeal

Last week, I brought you my New Year's resolution-friendly lunch time special.  Today, in honor of the snow dump the Midwest received yesterday, I bring you banana bread oatmeal.  This is just what you want to eat on a wintry "I don't want to, but have to" go to work kind of morning.  It has all the flavor of banana bread, but the oatmeal makes it more satisfying for the first meal of the day.  And yes, once again if your New Year's resolution had the word "healthy" in it, this one's for you.

In a microwave- safe, pretty bowl, place:

1/3 cup quick-cooking oatmeal1 small, ripe banana, broken into large pieces
1/3 cup water (note, if using an over-ripe banana use slightly less water)
1 dash of nutmeg
1 dash of salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Microwave on high for 1.5 minutes
Stir vigorously until ingredients are blended and oatmeal is fully cooked.
Add a splash of milk (if desired)
Stir in 1/4 cup walnuts

Enjoy!  Much tastier than any pre-packaged store bought brand and healthier too.  Do you have any favorite weekday morning breakfasts to share?

Pantone® Passion

       My first job out of college required a small bit of pre-production work; hence I was awarded a Pantone swatch book to verify color breaks.  As a Communications major, I had never taken a color theory class, let alone saw a Pantone swatch book.  I quickly became obsessed with flipping through the book, picking out everything from potential home décor colors to color combinations I simply thought looked fantastic.  Ever since then, Pantone always makes me smile.

      Whitbread Wilkinson - W2, a London based design firm, sells Pantone giftware globally online with items such as purses, book bags, notebooks and more.  But my personal favorite is their mugs.  I mean, how can your day be anything less than fantastic when it begins with coffee from your very own Pantone Mug in Egg Yolk 137 C?  Enjoy a 10% discount on orders placed in January.

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A Clutch Worth Holding On To

      anthropologie - $58 -  5.5"H, 7.5"W, 0.5"D

While buying Miroslav Sasek’s This is Paris for my niece at anthropologie, this coin-dusted clutch stopped me in my tracks.  Completely versatile, put it next to jeans and your distressed boots, and it does the “tough-luxe” look to perfection.  It also will go equally well with any LBD in your closet.  Plus, the coin detail is a nice alternative to ubiquitous sequins yet still maintains a degree of delicacy.  The wrist strap (love when they have those) lets it hang at cocktail parties with ease. 

Me?  I would stow my make-up in it and toss it in my carry-on tote for a weekend get away.  Then, when I arrived at my final destination, I would swap the make-up for wallet and mobile and hit the town.

Sugar Mama

Maybe I am trying to rush to Spring, but lately I can’t get Fresh’s lemon sugar scent out of my mind.  Recommending perfume for someone is always a risky proposition; it’s such a personal choice!  But this scent is so light and fresh and delicious, it works for anyone and everyone.  Try it for yourself and see. 

If perfume is too much of a commitment, pick up another of their scented goodies. 



SUGAR LEMON BATH & SHOWER GEL, SUGARBATH LEMON CUBES, SUGAR LEMON BODY LOTION, SUGAR LEMON SOAP



My advice is to stay clear of the sugar cubes though- they just fizzle out.  Do any of you have a signature scent to share?

What's in my lunchbox?

Happy 2011!  I am back from a vacationing in Germany and Italy and hope you all had a chance to relax and enjoy your holidays.  In the coming days, I will be posting details from my trip including wines to try and a great place to stay if you are ever in Sorrento, Italy.  But for today, it was all about getting back to work and shaking off the jet lag with my latest grain obsession – quinoa.  If any of you made New Year’s resolutions about losing weight and eating healthy, this post is for you.

If you have yet to try quinoa, you must.  This tasty grain has 10 essential amino acids, is loaded with minerals and has high protein content — between 14 and 18 percent and is gluten free.  I find it very versatile (use it as an alternative to rice or couscous in recipes) easy to prepare and quick-cooking (it takes about 10-15 minutes).  Never able to just run on greens, I add a scoop to spinach salad for lunch and I am satisfied until dinner.  Quinoa would also be great for breakfast with mixed berries and a dollop of yogurt.

Here is how I ate it today for lunch:

In a medium saucepan, toast a half cup of quinoa in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant and light brown.

Add a cup of water and salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to boil, cover and reduce to simmer.

While quinoa cooks, chop:

• ¼ of a seeded cucumber
• ¼ pint cherry tomatoes
• ½  kale leaf (rib removed, chop fine)
• 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley (chop fine)

Add kale to cooking quinoa.

In a medium bowl, squeeze juice from one quarter of a lemon, whisk in about 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to make vinaigrette (you will need to adjust to taste depending on the oil you use, how juicy your lemon is, etc).

Once all of the water has been absorbed into the quinoa, fluff with a fork, add to the vinaigrette, add parsley and toss.

Then add chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, toss again, top with toasted almonds (if desired) and enjoy!  Do any of you have quinoa ideas or recipes to share?

Wrap your Wrist in Chan Luu

Right now, I am really crushing on Chan Luu’s beaded bracelets.  Reminiscent of the string friendship bracelets I wore in my younger days; these beaded bracelets will pair well with what’s already in your jewelry box.  Free expedited shipping at Chan Luu make these great last minute shopping gifts as well.   Available at Chan Luu, Bloomingdales, Net-a-Porter.