4.29.2016

New Favorite Salad

I have a new obsession in the form of dates. Yep, it is strange but I swear you will to once you start adding them to salads. I love the combination of a tart dressing, sweet dates, crunchy nuts or seeds, and leafy greens. You get all those flavors in one mouthful and I swear you will want to eat salad way more than you ever thought. Here is the current combo: 

                        

Place leafy greens in a big bowl. 
Cut up a creamy avocado and add that in. 
Slice some hearts of palm and thrown them in because you're so fancy.
Add a palm full of nuts or seeds (pepitas, almonds, pine nuts). 
Chop up some sweet dates (remove pit if there) and sprinkle in.
 Dice or shred some chicken if you have it leftover from the other night. 
Drizzle on your favorite vinaigrette
Toss and enjoy. This is restaurant quality non-cooking here. 
Love you. 
xo
Erin 


4.28.2016

Jumpsuit & Romper Round Up

The one piece wonder. 
How great does it feel to put on just one article of clothing that instantly makes you feel chic regardless if you are going to the grocery store or the fanciest restaurant? After sporting a fab DVF version (similar options here) that I shared on Instagram last weekend, I wanted to round up all the best jumpsuits and rompers for every occasion. 

 First, here are some daytime jumpsuits that are comfy, but keep it pulled together...
1.  This Mara Hoffman  is made in a crepe that could go to day to night.
2. I want to live in this Coolchange printed one. 
3. Everything Wildfox does is comfy and this looks perfect. 
4. This BB Dakota one has an open back for warm summer days. 

Breezy daytime rompers that kind of feel like pajamas, but look so much more dressed up...
1. LOVE this oxford Caroline Constas that could easy be worn into the evening. 
2. A pretty print from Soft Joie
3. DVF really knows her one pieces and I love the tassel. 
4. This Splendid looks like two pieces, but just kidding it is one. ha

A nighttime jumpsuit will always bring on the compliments and is so flattering...
1. This Ali & Joe is not too fitted with a silky feel. (also comes in taupe)
2. This J. Crew jumpsuit could be worn with a blazer for work, then jeweled up for nighttime. 
3. This long sleeve one from Asos has such a great 70s vibe. 
4. This is very similar to the DVF I wore, but in a halter style. 

A flirty romper makes wearing something short a little less involved...
1. I love a white peplum and this Asos has a sweet tie in the back too. 
2. Combining three of of the biggest trends: Romper, Off the Shoulder, and Black Floral. Parker
3. Love this playful print from Parker
4. Even the over thirty can get away with a little open back action. Club Monaco 

And another huge trend right now is culottes. Have you tried them? These versions are convincing me that it is doable and not a big investment at low prices...
1. This Asos pink number is giving me Alicia Viklander vibes. 
2. I love this sweet bird print from Warehouse
3. This silhouette is universally flattering and in a classic black it is great. Asks

xo
Erin 

4.25.2016

Weeknight Dinner: Sausage & Sweet Potato Fries

This dinner is one we have A LOT. The reason being that everyone eats all the components and it takes very little time and brain power. So everyone wins. The oven fries feel like a cheat, even though they are not. And the crazy good variety of sausages available these days can bring some variety to this meal.  I serve a salad on the side most nights. Really throw together whatever salad ingredients you like (current fave: arugula, avocado, pepita) and either make your own dressing or grab a bottle. I cut up avocado for the kids, too. 


                     

Ingredients
Enough sausage for all the mouths in your house (love a spicy Italian and a sweet chicken sausage right now. Use whatever you like)
Sweet potatoes (about 1 per person)
olive oil
salt and pepper
cornstarch
brown sugar

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Place some foil on three big baking sheets.

Step 2: 
Cut the sweet potatoes into fries. About 1/3 inch thick, but don't torture yourself about it. And place on 2 of the baking sheets. You want some space between each of them, hence the two pans. If you run out of space use an additional pan. Drizzle with some olive oil, again don't torture yourself on measuring. Just enough to coat all of the fries. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, a little brown sugar, and enough cornstarch that each fry gets some. Then toss with your hands so everything gets coated evenly. You cannot screw this up, just make sure to give the fries some space. Put in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes, tossing a couple times in between. They are done when they are browned on the outside and tender on the inside. Then let cool a bit to crisp/firm up. 

Step 3: 
Place the sausage on one of the other baking sheets. For regular sized sausage, roast in the oven for about 30 minutes. Smaller sausages, less time. When they are firm, they are done. You can also grill if you want! Grill over medium high heat until firm, about 20 minutes. 

Serve with salad and enjoy the very limited amount of dishes, hence the foil! 
xo
Erin 

4.20.2016

Skin Savers

You know what might be one of my biggest regret in life? Laying in the sun and getting tan way beyond my Irish heritage should allow, until I was just brown enough to head on over to the tanning salon. At the time it felt so good and I thought looked so good (it didn't). Now I want to cry for my aging self and the battle of reversing it all. You could say this is what sparks my insane product interest and the motivation to try it all. 


Not that I do not enjoy being a bit sun kissed, because I find nothing wrong with that (in moderation of course). But only if I have slathered sunscreen on all day and somehow the sun gods have found a way. Is that wrong? (insert cringing emoji) 

After being in the sun a few weeks, I wanted to share my current arsenal. Both for me and the kids. 

1. This Coola sunscreen is made with almost all organic products and smells divine. Also comes in a SPF 50 Sport lotion. They all smell like vacation heaven. 
2. I WORSHIP this Sunscience Mineral Sunscreen Powder. First of all it is SPF 50, second it is water proof and lasts forever, and it gives you a little coverage to even out your skin. 
3. These little Neutrogena sticks for the kids face were perfect pool side. I could reapply without having to make sure they were dry. I used it fairly often as well. 
4. I starting seeing a dark line on my top lip (melasma) and thought it very uncool. This is a lip screen that can even go over lipstick from Supergoop
5. I have been looking for a lightweight sunscreen that doesn't leave a white mask. This one does that and it is formulated for sensitive skin and should help with redness. Elta MD
6. I went through two of these Supergoop cans in Florida. Easy to spray on the kids and not one red spot in sight. 

What do you swear by in the sun? Would love to hear! 
xo
Erin 

4.19.2016

Weeknight Dinner

                      How many nights do you cook dinner? Kind of depends on the week, right? I am at about three to four nights right now. That does not count the nights that I am alone with the kids and we have "snack" dinner (hummus, crackers, fruit, hard eggs, salami, etc.) or I just make some spaghetti and cut up fruit (kind of my fave night). The other nights we are out or get take out. Three to four feels good to me, and that usually gets upped as it gets warmer and its easy throwing burgers on the grill and roasting some sweet potato fries. 

But making dinner can be hard, even for the most seasoned cooks, even when you have planned it way in advance, even if your kids will eat everything (bless you if they do). So no judgment here if you have eaten leftovers all week or have to throw out food in your fridge you were certain you would cook one night. We are all doing it and it is totally fine. 

I am going to try and share more of our simple weeknight meals to hopefully give you some ideas and share timing. You will see these are simply prepared, mostly healthy, and not that adventurous. Because when 5pm rolls around the last thing you want to do is dive into a complicated recipe. That is what Sundays are for. Or your favorite restaurant.  

First up is this meal from last night. 

         
Grilled Flank Steak with Cauliflower Rice and Grilled Asparagus

Ingredients you need: 
Enough Flank Steak to feed all the mouths in your house 
white wine (that old bottle in your fridge is totally fine)
Dijon mustard
garlic
shallot (optional)
olive oil
salt & pepper
1 head of cauliflower
Asparagus (1 bunch for every 2-3 people)

Step 1. 
Marinate the steak: Whisk together 1/3 cup each wine, mustard, and olive oil. Smash a couple garlic cloves and chop up a shallot if using. Add it to the marinade . Using a small knife, score the very top of steak in a pattern like this ###.  Place the steak in a plastic bag, pour the marinade in and seal up attempting to get all the air out. Massage in the marinade and refrigerate. This is enough marinade for up to 2 lbs of steak. If making more, just add more of each ingredient, you cannot really mess it up. You can do this the day before all the way to 20 min before grilling. 

Step 2. 
Make the "Rice" (if you are over fake rice, just grab a couple of those brown rice packs that cook in 90 seconds and season yourself. Do it all the time): Working in batches, add raw cauliflower to a food processor or Vitamix, or whatever you have that blends things. Pulse until the cauliflower magically turns into the size of rice. Place in a bowl and repeat with the rest of the cauliflower. Can be done in advance, just refrigerate. 

Step 3. 
Prep the asparagus: Cut the ends off the asparagus and place in a plastic bag. Add enough olive oil to lightly coat them and season with salt and pepper. Close bag and shake it to make sure everything gets seasoned. Toss in the fridge. 

Step 4. 
Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Take meat out of the fridge.

Step 5. 
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a few slugs of olive oil. Smash two garlic cloves and add to the hot oil, cook for a minute or so, then add the rice. Sauté for fifteens minutes and season with salt and pepper. Remove the garlic before serving. Set aside and keep warm while you make the other food. 

Step 6. 
While the rice cooks, put the steak (throw some salt and pepper on it) and asparagus on the grill. The steak should cook about 5-8 minutes on each side depending on thickness and how you like it cooked. The firmer it gets, the more cooked it gets. The asparagus cooks for about 10-15 minutes and just flip once or twice. It is done the it is tender. Let meat rest on your cutting board for ten minutes. Keep asparagus warm in oven or put some foil on it. 

Step 7. 
Slice the meat in the opposite direction of the grain (those are the lines running across it). Serve up with the rice and asparagus and pour yourself some wine. 

Does that feel doable? Do you like the format I am writing this in? Suggestions more than welcome. And share your results with me! 
xo
Erin 

Note: Flank Steak recipe adapted from Barefoot Contessa 








4.15.2016

Spring Dresses: Derby, Weddings, & Everything In Between

Spring always brings a flurry of invitations and save the dates. All those weddings, parties, or even just a night out with your main squeeze is the perfect excuse to shop for a dress that makes the occasion feel special. 

Derby Day has had a special meaning to me over the last ten (10!) years as Matt and I met at a charity Derby party (this one) and have been together ever since. Now that we are in the suburbs we will be attending the Barrington Children's Charity Derby Party, and it will feel extra sweet this year with that ten years to celebrate. Deciding between this and this to wear this year. 

And there is always the flurry of wedding showers, receptions, and (hopefully) warm date nights out to snag a new dress for. So here are twenty-four colorful options for all of the above. 

Pink pretties...
1. Love a ballet nod. Black Halo $190
2. The perfect palette to add your fave jewelry. Banana Republic $78
3.  Off shoulder and hot pink. love. Black Halo $298
4. When you want a little length. Black Halo $390
5. Obsessed with the laser cut. Elizabeth & James $365

Fun brights...
1. Love the scallop trim.  J. Crew $128
2. Pretty and looks comfy. Milly $350 (many other colors)
3. LOVE this. Delicate and interesting. Tracy Reese $348
4. Sporty and would look great with gold jewelry. Elizabeth & James $385

Love the off shoulder trend...
1. A pretty print, love this. Rebecca Taylor $371
2. Sweet yellow. Cupcakes & Cashmere $105
3. A sexy boho action. Asos $187
4. Breezy navy Alice + Olivia $368

 Some sweet prints...
1. Banana has upped their game. This is so pretty. Banana Republic $98
2. This is crazy flattering. Parker $265
3. A sweet brocade. Alice + Olivia $440
4. I want to live in this all Spring. Asos $55

Stripes and geometrics...
1. Classic and uber flattering. Milly $375
2. LOVE the pastel stripes. Ted Baker $225
3. A modern cut in soft colors. Elizabeth & James $395

Not right for a wedding, but certainly for anything else...
1. Seriously, Banana. this is beyond cute. Banana Republic $168
2. Love a ruffled drop waist. ST Olcay Gulsen $150
3. This breezy dress has great volume. Asos $51
4. This looks like you could live in it. BB Dakota $90

Happy celebrating and hopefully Spring. 
xo
Erin 

4.14.2016

Edamame Hummus

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day (yes, I realize this was over a month ago), I made some green food to bring to a friend's. Besides rolling up some spinach tortillas and adding a little green food coloring to chocolate chip cookies, I made this easy dip. It took 5 minutes and comes together with ingredients you might already have. Or at least most of them. The edamame gives this hummus a new spin since we have all had the same boring one a billion times. Plus, I am sure there are some health benefits of the edamame, so there's that. 

                  

Edamame Hummus
Imperfect Polish 2016

1 bag of frozen edamame, defrosted 
1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
juice of two lemons
1/2 cup tahini 
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
water and/or olive oil
salt and pepper

Place the first five ingredients in a blender/food processor/bullet/vitamix and process until smooth. Add in some water and/or olive oil to desired consistency (start with a little, process, add more if you need it, repeat until you get to what you like). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Can be store in the fridge for 5 or so days. 

Enjoy! 
xo
Erin 


4.13.2016

Bathroom Renovation: Wet Room

Hi there. So I was away for awhile, got some sun, avoided reality, and am now back and settling back into it. Posting has been spotty, but this warmer weather and sunny days always motivates me to write more. So here is to hoping. 

A huge project on my mind right now is one that will hopefully be happening this Summer (let the permit gods bless us with a fast turnaround). We are doing a few small additions to the house, one of which will expand our master bath. I have been pouring over images for inspiration and ideas and working through sketches with the architect. One idea that came up was a wet room. Or really a huge shower with a small tub in it. I maybe use our current tub 3 times a year, maybe. So a tub is not a huge priority, but we still need one. The idea of a wet room seems like a good space saver for our particular floor plan. Here are some ideas: 

source unknown 









via: Glass Doctor

What do you think??? 
Our layout would be a steam shower with glass with the tub towards the back, two shower heads on each side. And don't even get started on tile and finishes, plenty of narrowing down to do before I start sharing. One step at a time. 

xo
Erin 

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