November 24, 2013

A Thanksgiving Brainstorm

OK. Thanksgiving. Oof. It’s less than a week away. Are we ready?? I just wrote out my TO-DO list and thankfully it’s not as bad because I got older/wiser and decided to divvy up responsibilities. I’ve got turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dinner roll & gravy duty this year. Oh and I’m gonna add a few appetizers as well. The cleaning the house part is what I’m worried about most. But that’s a whole other post all together! If you’re looking for some fail-proof/no fuss recipes, I dug into my archives for you.

Thanksgiving, WE GOT YOU!

my everyday life, Photography

November 23, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 47

Here’s what this past week looked like:

Wearing rain boots. Kind of exciting.

A quick trip to Coit tower.

Pink & blue.

November 22, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

We’re gonna be baking a lot soon. Don’t run out of brown sugar. MAKE IT.
I should make beans more often.
My friend Andrea takes the best pictures.
The Ultimate 90s Playlist!!
It would be fun to do this with all of Cooper’s Legos.
I HOPE I see one of these posters around….
This baby & this dog. I love it so much.
Dad jokes are my kinda jokes!
Sometimes I wish we could go back to the no cellphone days.
What to Say When You’re Asked to Work for Free.
The most inspiring film about building a bakery.
Another short film about being a stay at home mom. Wow.
I really want Emily Henderson to decorate my house!
Thanksgiving centerpiece inspiration HERE.
Deb! You had me at crispy onions.
Novembers are for DIY.
I’m having this pie this Thanksgiving. Made by Joy herself! (SO LUCKY)

There’s a new podcast this week!! CHECK IT OUT. I turn a conversation about Adam Levine into talk about Carrot Top. WHYYYYY?!

Hey!! Shutterbean is on Daily Tekk’s list for Top 100 Best Most Interesting Websites & Blogs of 2014. Exciting!

Domestocrat made my Hot Cocoa Popcorn

Squeaky Green Machine made my Sriracha Mac & Cheese

Just One More Row… made my Killer Garlic Bread

Hungry Hungry Hickok made my Spinach Tortellini Soup

Becksters Laboratory made my Carrot Coconut Soup

recipes

November 20, 2013

Sausage Jalapeño Hushpuppies

“The name “hushpuppies” is often attributed to hunters, fishermen, or other cooks who would fry some basic cornmeal mixture (possibly that they had been bread-coating or battering their own food with) and feed it to their dogs to “hush the puppies” during cook-outs or fish-fries.”

THANKS, WIKIPEDIA. I’ve never wanted to be a yapping dog until NOW.

Hello. Hey. Hi. I made us sausage hushpuppies. I’ve wanted to make these hushpuppies since June and I’m kicking myself that it took that long to make them. Sometimes I have an irrational fear of frying food. It’s not like I don’t like EATING fried food….I just know what I’m up against with hot oil and these big ole clumsy hands of mine. In the kitchen I make the most accidents when I’m trying to prevent accidents. Frying is literally a hot mess and the real miracle here is that I didn’t burn myself. WINNING.

Crispy cornmeal mixed with sausage, spicy jalapeños and green onions DIPPED IN HONEY BUTTER.

Forever and ever, AMEN.

Make them at a party (cuz this recipe makes a ton!!) and impress friends while keeping dogs quiet.

Inspiration, Outfitting

November 19, 2013

Outfitting: Black & White Cocktail Dresses

Holiday parties are upon us! I always like to get a new cocktail dress for the holidays. I like to go with something black (shocker!) or black & white (SHOCKER!) because I like to add a bit of sparkle in my accessories or a little color in my cardigan and/or tight pairing. When I make a dress purchase, I think about long term- Can I wear this again in another season by changing the accessories? YES, yes I can. So that’s why I usually go with my gut and my gut says BLACK & WHITE. Today, I’ve put together some of my favorites. I’m quite fond of number six. Which one do you love?

ONE/TWO/THREE/FOUR/FIVE/SIX/SEVEN/EIGHT

recipes

November 18, 2013

Country Italian Salad

Let’s make another one of my favorite Trader Joe’s salads. This Country Italian Salad is one of my go-to salads when I’m grabbing a quick lunch at work.

I usually pair it with a cup of Trader Joe’s Red Pepper Tomato Soup (which I add a little cheese & hot sauce up in).

Now I have meals for work the rest of the week. What I love about this salad is the crunch, the protein from the beans, the tangy dressing and the sweet peppers. It’s definitely good on its own, although you could add some tuna, chopped chicken or go wild and add avocado in there. You could also pair it with grilled sausage & grilled flatbread. That sounds good, right??! The garlicy parmesan dressing (that get’s even better on day two) is where it’s at. I want to put it on everything.

Other Trader Joe’s Salad I’ve Shutterbean-ified (totally a word) include: