Stylish Stools

How fabulous are these stools from Nest in Miami Beach?! Can you say instant pizzaz?!

Tangy Tomato Salad

I have long loved the traditional tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad for it's simplicity, but I've been yearning for a twist. I made my own version this weekend and it was delish! Serve it as an appetizer or as a light lunch with crusty bread. Hope you enjoy! 

Tangy Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese and Dill

Thinly sliced tomatoes
Goat Cheese
Fresh Dill
Olive Oil
Lemon
Salt & Pepper

Simply arrange tomato slices on platter and top each one with goat cheese and a few sprigs of fresh dill. Drizzle with some olive oil and squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top. Sprinkle with salt & pepper and refrigerate for about 10 minutes before serving.

Address Yourself

Does anyone else continually get address labels in the mail? You know the one's from various charities etc. With the concept of "snail mail" dwindling these days what's a girl to do with all these extra labels? Why not have a "label swap"?

I came up with this idea yesterday when I was addressing something to to my mom. I'm sure you all have a handful of people you regularly mail stuff to (for me, it's my sister, parents, and friends which are all across the country), so why not make it just a little more efficient to communicate. Next time you send out a thank you card, party invitation, birthday card, etc simply include a sheet of your labels so they can use them to send mail back to you! Invite all your friends and family to do the same and then next time you have to mail something out, it'll be that much easier. And with, dare I say it, Christmas right around the corner, imagine all the time you'll save!

Style Steal

Total design embraces all of your senses, so don't forget about smell! One of my fav ways to capture this sense is with scented candles. I love to change out the smells according to the season. Today's "style steal" is just in time for fall. At half price (reg. $19 now 2 for $20) these Slatkin 3-wick candles from Bath & Body Works are not only a fab way to scent your place for fall, but to pick up as gifts (think hostess, thank you, party favors, etc) so stock up now!

Some of my fav smells

Creamy Pumpkin - my fall staple, love, love, love this one!

Caramel Apple - burn this one in the kitchen after dinner and you'll feel like you ate dessert

Jasmine Vanilla - a rich distinct smell that's perfect for the bedroom or bathroom

Slender Caesar Salad

What's not to like about a classic Caesar salad? It's great for your labor day cookout or any night of the week! Try my lighter version adapted from my Mom's recipe.


Croutons

What You'll Need:

Bread
Olive Oil
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt & Pepper

Heat oven to 400. Cut bread into chunks and spread out on a foil lined baking sheet. Spritz or brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle them with the garlic & onion powder, s & p. Toss to combine and bake until golden. 


Note: I recommend older bread that's a bit too dry for sandwiches. I also like to mix it up with white, wheat, heals, rolls, pitas, whatever you have sitting around! 


You will want to make extras because trust me you'll be snacking on them while you're cooking!




Dressing

What You'll Need:


1 container of Greek yogurt
1 tbsp. of lemon juice
Splash of Worcester sauce
1/3 cup reduced fat parmesan cheese
1 tbsp. dijon or brown mustard
1 or 2 garlic gloves minced (depending on preference)
2 tbsp. half and half (more if you prefer thinner dressing)
Salt & Pepper

Put all ingredients into bowl except parmesan and whisk to combine. Once combined add parmesan and stir until mixed. Voila your done!


Note: Feel free to add more or less of certain ingredients depending on your preference. For example I like more lemon. 




Salad

What You'll Need:

Romaine lettuce chopped
Diced tomato
Croutons
Dressing
Parmesan cheese
Fresh ground pepper

In a large salad bowl toss lettuce with dressing. Add tomatoes and sprinkle on some parmesan and toss again. Add croutons and gently toss. Top with fresh ground pepper and garnish with lemon wedges if desired!


Notes: I like to wash and cut the lettuce first and let it sit in fridge wrapped in paper towel before I make dressing and croutons so it's nice and crisp when it's time to use. 


You'll probably have extra dressing so it's great in a chicken caesar wrap the next day!


Serving

How pretty would it look in one of these bowls!

Alessi harmonic basket: Velocity

Natural horn bowl: Jayson Home

Umbra ensalada wood bowl: Velocity

Tweet of the Week

Fashion__Quotes Fashion Quotes 

 by JL_Philbrook

Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style.

31 Aug 

Hope everyone has a great labor day weekend! 

Design Icon meets Fashion!

Kelly Wearstler has long been one of my fav interior designers. I love her funky, eclectic, yet effortlessly glamorous style. (See one of my fav spots in Miami below)

Viceroy lobby: Miami

Now my love has been taken to new levels as she reveals her latest fashion line debuting this month! It will be sold as at Bergdorf's, Neiman Marcus, her new boutique in NYC, and on her website. Check out some of my fav pieces from her collection below. I love that she uses tons of neutrals but also mixes in some brights which totally work in SoFlo!  I'm sure you'll agree it's fabulous! Congrats to you Ms. Wearstler!

P.S. Did I mention I was obsessed with this bracelet?! So cool!