Bon Voyage: Naples

Though Florida has long been the winter destination for most Midwesterners, my first experiences did not come until the last few years. Our visits are centered around family time, fresh seafood every night, and wine at sunset. Naples has a great one every night. Here are a few tips for your next trip there. 

There is nothing like being at the beach and next to the water. Vanderbilt Beach is great for laying out and playing with kids. We stay right next to the Turtle Club, which is a popular pace for dinner and sunsets. Make a reservation. It is also fun for lunch with your feet in the sand.  It is kid friendly if you go on the early side, plenty of high chairs. 

The Spa at the Waldorf Astoria is amazing. Very zen with an outdoor pool to relax before and after treatments. There are not too many options for spas not at hotels, which means it can get pricey, but this one was worth it. 

If you are traveling with kids, use Twinkle, Twinkle Little Store to rent equipment. They have cribs, bedding, strollers, high chairs, you name it. They will deliver it and pick it up. It makes for lighter travel and less headaches. 

This is a random tip, but if we are not eating out we are grilling and this butcher is unreal. Jimmy P's has fantastic meat and if you are celebrating get the Kobe skirt steak. Literally it melts in your mouth. Everything we have ever had has been delicious and the staff is super friendly. 

If you are looking to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and get some family photos taken, Kimberly Joy Photography does an amazing job. She is so friendly and great with the kids. She offers mini sessions that are so reasonably priced as well. 

I am really looking forward to warm weather, enjoying time with the grandparents, and watching the kids play in the sand. We are gone for three weeks this time around, the longest stretch we have ever taken and I plan on soaking it all up. Hopefully I will find time to write and check in while we are away. 

xo

Erin  

Crispy Chicken with Lemon Vinaigrette

This recipe is a staple. Matt loves schnitzel, Tommy loves chicken fingers, and Mom needs some salad, so everyone is happy. The tartness of the lemon vinaigrette is so delicious with the crisp chicken. This is easy, fairly healthy, and a crowd pleaser. You can make the chicken in advance and keep warm in the oven (place directly on the racks of the oven or on a cooling rack placed in a cookie sheet to keep crispy), so it also works for company well. Feel free to use whatever bread crumbs you like, I am a panko girl, but now the options are endless. Whole wheat, gluten free, low carb, whatever you like will work. 

Crispy Chicken with Lemon Vinaigrette

Forks & Amusement 2011

serves 4

2 lbs boneless, skinless, chicken breasts pounded to 1/2 inch thick between two pieces of parchment

1/4 cup of flour

2 eggs beaten lightly

2 cups panko bread crumbs (or whichever you prefer)

salt and pepper

1 tablespoon butter

1 shallot, minced (garlic works too)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

juice of one lemon (about 1/4 cup)

1 tablespoon plus 1/4 cup olive oil

6 cups mixed greens

1 cup chopped tomatoes 

Warm oven. Set out three dishes in a row and a platter at the end. Place the flour in the first dish, the eggs in the next, and the breadcrumbs in the third. Season all the plates with salt and pepper. 

Place a large skillet on the stove at medium heat. Add the butter and oil. Using tongs or your hands, dredge each chicken breast in the flour (shake off excess), then coat in the egg, then cover in the breadcrumbs. Place each piece on the platter. (This can be done in advance and refrigerated as long as overnight)

Place a large skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, make sure there is enough coating the bottom of the pan well. Add more as necessary. Once hot, place the chicken in the pan to brown in stages, leaving enough room in the pan so there is lots of room around them. Flip once browned on one side, repeat on other side, then place in warm oven directly on the racks of the oven or on a cooling rack placed in a cookie sheet to keep crispy. Repeat with the rest of the chicken. 

Meanwhile, whisk together the shallot, mustard and lemon juice. Salt and pepper to taste, then whisk in the oil. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Pour in the bottom of a large bowl and place the greens and tomatoes on top. 

To serve, toss the salad to coat with the dressing. Place a chicken breast on each plate and mound the salad on top. 

This chicken does well the next day for leftovers. Just warm in the oven at 300 degrees for ten minutes placed directly on the racks of the oven or on a cooling rack placed in a cookie sheet to keep crispy. 

Enjoy! 

xo

Erin 

Knock, Knock

First impressions are everything. And in the case of doormats, necessary since they are your first defense for more mess in the house than there already is. Ours did not survive the winter and is looking really sad. I have been looking around for a replacement and found these fun options. 

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7. / 8. / 9. 

If I go with customized one, I think I am leaning towards number 7. But I also love the key design of number 5. I actually might order both, since I need one for the back door too. Makes it a bit easier. 

xo

Erin 

What I am Packing: Spring Break

While I know it is much later than most, my Spring Break starts Saturday. Seriously, get me out of here. While it is getting warmer, it is that lame in between time when people think it is warm for good and then it snows. I am trying to pack light to this trip to Florida and hope to get lots of use out of these new additions...

1. I am totally obsessed with this J. Crew cover up for the beach. Can be worn as a tunic over a bikini or with shorts for walking around. 

2. Loving this Kate Sommerville SPF Serum. Super lightweight and SPF 55. 

3. I am big fan of Victoria's Secret for bikinis. They are inexpensive and come in great cuts that flatter. Have you tried the Bikini Mixer? It is so fun. 

4. Cut offs in a dark wash go with everything. Gap

5. Digging original Wayfayers for Florida. 

6. I got this Joie top to go with my new white jeans. 

7. When on vacay, I bring three pairs of shoes. Havianas, nude wedges that go with everything, and running shoes. 

8. I have written about this Rebecca Minkoff bag many times. The versatility of it is perfect for packing. Clutch, cross body, and shoulder bag all in one. Comes in a ton of colors. 

Still have to wait the week out. Will need that much time to get the kids organized to go. It feels like I am moving an entire city when I start packing and making lists for them. It will be totally worth it. 

xo

Erin 

It's The Little Things

Sometimes the simplest of addition to the house can be the most rewarding. If you have been following me for awhile, you know that I installed this in our previous laundry room and now I finally have it up in our new one. 

                 

It is just a mounted drying rack. 

A good looking one at that and something that made me so happy while doing laundry this week. I finally got to ditch the nasty metal one I have been using, which was broken. It was so so satisfying. It just goes to show that functional design is probably the most important part of your home. While pillows, art, and side tables are fun, the items that you will actually use in your home are most important. And there are good looking options out there. 

What do you need at your home desperately that you will use every day? I would love to help you out with the search. 

My next would be a tv console that hides all those damn boxes that my kids cannot get into. 

Have a great weekend. 

xo

Erin 

3 Minute Make Up

Since having kids, taking my sweet time to get ready has disappeared. How I miss experimenting with make up, starting over if necessary, long showers, and trying all the products that I have. Now it is more of a race than an enjoyable past time. In the two years since my time was cut so short, I have gotten my make up routine down to three minutes. Mostly because I have found products that really work and that less is more for me make up wise. Here is my quick, but effective routine. 

1. Swipe on Garnier BB cream with my fingers. Make sure it is well blended. 

2. Cover any blemishes and those lovely dark under eye circles with Benefit Erase Paste with a small brush. 

3. Again with my fingers, rub some Bobbi Brown cream blush on my cheeks. 

4. Brush on Bobbi Brown bronzer. I like to use it on the places where the sun hits you: top of forehead, top of cheek bones, jawline, and just a touch on the nose. 

5. Anastasia Brow Gel. So necessary in my world. 

6. Curl Lashes with Shu Uemura curler. 

7. Swipe on a coat of super black mascara, like Dior. 

It is not like I come out looking perfect, but a slightly more put together version of myself. Which to me, is what any make up routine should entail. 

xo

Erin 

Making a Comeback: The Denim Dress

Remember that denim dress you sported in the nineties? You know, that one from the Gap that you wore all Spring and most of that summer? Well, it is time to relive that time, but I promise it will be so much better. Instead of scrunch socks and keds, pair with booties or ballet flats and your fav tote. Loving this and really did they ever go out of style? 

1. I bought this one from J. Crew. It is crazy soft and comfortable. It feels like I am wearing a nightgown all day. $122

2. The dark wash of this Current Elliot could make it dressy enough for a night out $220

3. I love the wash of this L'agence style $154

4. I know a lot of ladies who would rock this Asos Maternity dress with their bumps this Spring $$75

5. Worship this MiH shirt dress with the longer hem in the back $285 

6. The bow back of this Asos smock dress is sweet  $76

xo

Erin 

Bottlefork Mediterranean Salad

For a fun dinner with my friends last week, we decided to try the new restaurant, Bottlefork, in River North. The menu looked creative and different, with fun plays on classics. It is the perfect place for a group as there is much to share and taste. The best way to eat in my opinion. Next to the "bag" of chips (freshly made potato chips in a paper bag, sprinkled with malt vinegar powder, then a poached egg is dumped in, bag is closed up and shaken, which results in yummy runny egg all over the chips. heaven) this Mediterranean Salad was my favorite dish. 

It was so mind blowing to me that I never thought of putting saganaki ON a Greek salad since my friends I hit up Greektown on a regular basis. They also smeared a healthy portion of hummus on the bottom of the plate so it got mixed up in the salad. It was dreamy and I knew I would want to try to recreate it at home. If you can go to Bottlefork for the real deal, I highly suggest it, but this version is a delicious at home alternative. I served it with warm pita, tzatziki, and grilled chicken (marinade in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dried oregano).  

Mediterranean Salad with Saganaki

Forks & Amusement 2014

serves 4 

dressing: 

1/4 cup red wine vinegar 

2 tablespoons of light mayo

1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano

1/4 cup olive oil 

salt and pepper to taste

Whisk together until well blended. Set aside. This makes a bit more than you might need, but keep in the fridge for a few days. 

salad: 

3 heads of romaine hearts, chopped

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup tomatoes, chopped (use any kind you like)

handful of Greek olives, black or green or both! 

3/4 cup your favorite store bought hummus

Toss all the ingredients (except the hummus) with enough dressing to coat. Spread the hummus on the bottom of a large platter. Pile the salad on top. 

cheese: 

16 oz of Kaseri or Halloumi cheese, sliced to 1/2 in slices

flour

olive oil

1 lemon, halved

Heat a large pan or skillet to medium high heat. Once hot, dust each of the cheese slices with a little flour and place in the pan. Do not crowd.  Flip each slice once browned and bubbly on one side and repeat. Place on top of the salad and squeeze the lemon on the top of each cheese slice generously. 

Enjoy! 

xoxo