expedit bookcase

(all pics from Isuwannee)

My husband will be building the Ikea expedit bookcase this weekend. That is, after we return the 4 square for the 5 square. Every piece of furniture looks tiny in our condo.
I will post pictures soon!

chicken potpie casserole

This might be the first dinner I make at our new place. And it looks very easy, especially if I buy the chopped onion, carrot, and celery mix from Trader Joe's.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 large carrot, peeled, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
One 8-ounce container sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 store-bought rotisserie chicken, meat torn into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling
Six to eight 1/2-inch-thick slices Italian bread

Directions:
1. Arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 400°.

2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the mushrooms and cook until tender, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle the flour on top; stir for 1 minute. Stir in the cream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the chicken, parsley and parmesan; season with salt and pepper.

3. Transfer the chicken mixture to an 8-inch-by-10-inch baking dish. Trim the bread slices to fit on top of the chicken mixture in an even layer. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle parsley and the remaining parmesan on top. Bake until crispy, about 15 minutes.

(from Every Day with Rachel Ray December 2009)

Tori Spelling's kitchen

Black cabinets (in her old house)

or

White cabinets (in the new kitchen)

I am very tempted to paint our cherry shaker style cabinets white (or black), but everyone seems to think I am crazy. (they look like this)

bathroom organization

little magnetic canisters to hold bobby pins and ponytail holders

glass cylinder to hold TP
(this was also feature in Domino)

(pics from Martha Stewart)

Reese

Although I love Reese Witherspoon's red carpet style, what I really like is her every day look. She appears to wear most often a variety of 2 outfits:

• a dress/skirt and cardigan/jacket

or

• jeans and a cardigan/jacket/t-shirt

And her color palette is very basic (black, grey, brown, blue) with a few colors mixed in with accessories. The most important feature I like about her style (besides the Jcrew/Gap/Anthropologie vibe) is that she actually looks comfortable.

This is my favorite look:
t-shirt dress, cardigan, hat, long necklace, and neutral sandals with fringe (remember the moccasin sandals?)

rock garden

stones

+

boot tray

=

The lion, the witch and the wardrobe

I am a little obsessed with trying to find a space in our new place for this antique Italian wardrobe. (from Jayson Home and Garden)

PS: We are moving in on Friday!

Happy Anniversary!

12/31/07

All I want for Christmas

is Henry to come home.

vintage wreath

My mother made this wreath years ago and I love that each time I look at it, I see something new.

Santa

Christmas in the city

the Home Alone house

Macy's and the Walnut Room

Christkindlmarket

(and me with my boot of spiced wine)

Macy's on State Street

John Williams the People's Tree

(outside of the Tribune building)