A Miniature Rose Bush & Stew

Yesterday was perfect in the way that only gloomy Sundays can be.    I went to the grocery store to get ingredients for stew - it doesn't call for anything fancy - and it's simplicity is the sort of meat and potatoes goodness that is healthy but still filling.   I was also excited to find a miniature rose bush in the prettiest light pink.  The perfect find to brighten up a dreary day.  Rose bush and groceries in tow, I headed home to make my stew.

Stew has always been my favorite meal to have when the weather gets chilly.
This is my grandma's recipe that my mom always made us growing up and this was my first time attempting it.  It was easy, and turned out perfectly.  I made it on the stove, but you can make it in a slow cooker as well.

Ingredients:
1 lb stew meat or round steak cubes
1 can beef consomme
1 yellow onion chopped
4-5 carrots
2-3 potatoes

Directions:
Shake the meat in flour until it's coated.
Brown the meat.
Add the can of consomme, 3/4 cup of water, and the onion to the meat and let simmer 1 hour.
Add the potatoes and carrots and simmer one more hour.

By the time the stew is done, the meat and vegetables will be coated in a delicious gravy.  For a more thin gravy, cook for less time.  Serve with crusty French bread and enjoy.

Link Love on a Sunday

One of my favorite blogs The Beauty File has made me remember how much I love when bloggers share their favorite links.  So I thought I'd give it a whirl.  Here are some lusts and distractions that have been keeping me entertained while the weather is cold and rainy.

1)  Dreary weather screams for comfort food - this recipe for Spanish chicken  is one I've been dying to try for a while now.

2) You all know -  I'm obsessed with Downton Abbey, I'm fairly certain I need the cookbook.

3)  Need some giftspiration for the men in your life? Try Wharf Clothing and Wares.  Amazing customer service, unique leather goods, and clothing you don't find every day.

4) I'm ready for spring!  This makeup from Lancome is the perfect way to welcome warmer weather with apricot cheeks, candy colored pouts, and shimmery shadows.

5) For all you crazy cat people out there.  Even if you're not, it's pretty funny.

6)  Wanderlust has set in - it's the end of January - I'm sure most of us have it.  I'd be okay with a getaway here.  Definitely okay with that.

Merry Christmas, Dear Friends!

It's been awfully quiet around here - and for that apologize.  But it's Christmas!  And I've been able to partake in lots of festive activities and really enjoy the season.  There are some years that Christmas comes and goes so quickly, it feels like there wasn't enough time to really embrace the holidays.  I'm happy to say that hasn't been the case this year - and between decorating, baking, and spending time with friends and family, my heart is full of Christmas cheer.  Here is hoping yours is too and that your holidays are wonderful!

Hot Toddies

Last week I was sick.  The kind of sick where it's an effort to move from the bed to the couch, and several days were spent in a cocoon of blankets and pillows drifting in and out of sleep.  When my throat was sore and I couldn't stop coughing, I decided it was time for a hot toddy.  When I was little my parents would make them for me - and drinking them now leaves me feeling instantly comforted.  Of course, back then they were mostly lemon and honey (and just enough brandy to make it easy to fall asleep).   I've enjoyed several of these in the past week and have tweaked the recipe to a fine perfection.  I've substituted whiskey for the brandy, added a cinnamon stick and a few cloves and am certain this will be a drink I'll be enjoying all winter.

Here is how I make mine...

- 3/4 cup of green tea
- 1 shot brandy or whiskey
- Juice of a quarter to a half of a lemon (depending on size)
- Honey to sweeten (I use around a spoonful)
- A cinnamon stick to stir
- A few whole cloves

PS, how cute is this idea for a winter party? 

A Winter Dress

Maxi skirts and dresses are one of my favorite things to wear.  They add a touch of glamour and elegance to everyday outfits, and you can find me living in them in the summer months.  However, when winter rolls around, they generally go into hibernation.  But this year I'm determined to keep my favorite floor-grazing frocks in heavy rotation.  Below are some inspirational looks and some trends I'm dying to try.

Winterizing Your Maxi 

• The most important thing is proportions!  Take a look at yourself in the mirror and make sure there isn't too much going on.  Define your waist so you don't look like you're swimming in a sea of fabric.
• Layers are key.  Throw on a button down over your favorite maxi, then a leather jacket.  Play around with it!
• Mix materials.  Pair a chunky wool knit with your airy, chiffon skirt and finish it off with tall riding boots.  The more contrast the better. 
• Invest in a simple long sleeve maxi that can simply be worn with tights and booties.  Afterall, it's the ease of a maxi dress that makes it so great!  I really want this dress and know I would wear it all the time!

Winter Shorts

Tights and shorts are a trend I always forget about.  I pack away my shorts when the weather gets cold and come January I'm completely bored with jeans and leggings.  This year, however, I'm making a point to remember this cute lil' combo.  While living in London, Kate Moss would be in literally every tabloid.   While I struggled to dress for the chilly summer weather I took cues from my favorite fashionista who made use of her shorts by pairing them with prim tights.  A look I've found is equally appropriate for this blah weather we're experiencing in the midwest (sorry, but I'm not exactly appreciative of the 40 degree, sunny, and snowless climate we have here.)

Images via Pinterest, Atlantic-Pacific, and Google

Cozy in December

~ Things to look Forward to in December ~
Going to the ballet.Attending Christmas parties.Baking, baking, & more baking.Cuddling up with hot toddies.Reading my new book "The Greenlanders".Investing in flannel sheets.Do I even have to put Christmas?Starting to plan a wedding ;)

At the Chalet

I headed over to Net-a-Porter yesterday and had one of those experiences where I made myself step away from my laptop.  This week's e-magazine is "Chalet Chic" and to say I have been craving ski-worthy sweaters would be the understatement of the year.  I went into Abercrombie and Fitch yesterday and left smelling of horrid cologne and gravely disappointed that all their sweaters looked... well, too "Abercrombie".  On my way home today I stopped at the Ralph Lauren outlet and was equally disappointed in the selection.  There were a few that were "okay", but who wants to buy something "okay"?   My third and final strike out was picking up my mom's copy of Gorsuch.   Yeah, you bet I found about ten sweaters I loved, but alas, not a one was under $700.   So you can imagine my horror/excitement when finding this Chalet Chic collection.   But I think a couple of these might be Christmas list-worthy and if nothing else provided some great inspiration as to what it is I'm looking for.   Below were my favorites and I even managed to find some other gems at different online sites.  Which would you choose?

French Connection

Moschino

Jonathan Saunders

3.1 Phillip Lim

Aubin and Wills

Stella McCartney

Sandro

Paul and Joe Sister

Snow!

When I no longer thrill to the 1st snow of the season, I'll know I'm growing old.

Lady Bird Johnson 

We got our first snow last night!  And although it's incredibly damp and will probably be mostly gone by noon, I can't help but get excited over it.