point your toes

For me, one of the most fun parts of getting a manicure/pedicure is picking out the nail color.  I am a total sucker for the names.  I have been known, on more than one occasion, to pick the color based on how much I love the name.  The more witty and fun, the more I love it.  

Well, OPI has really got me with this one.  As a former dancer and a prima ballerina at heart, I am dying to try their new collection which is coming out in April.  OPI has teamed up with the New York City Ballet to bring all of us dreamers this whimsical, feminine and oh so pretty collection of Spring polishes.  

With names like Barre My Soul, Don't Touch My Tutu and My Pointe Exactly...I'll be pointing my toes all the way to the nail salon for this one!  

keep calm

I don't know about you, but personally I am terribly sick of seeing those "Keep Calm and Carry On" prints.  They took off like wildfire and then they were everywhere all the time.  However, I saw a version of one the other day that I simply had to snap a picture of.

It was just an advertisement but it really struck a chord with me.  See, I've recently gone on some medication that makes me a little bit crazy.  I was on it a few years ago and I hated myself when I was taking it.  Now I'm back on it and am really terrified of becoming that crazy, hormonal lady again.

It's no secret that women are emotional.  Some more than others.  So, for myself and those of you that are reading this feeling a little ornery this morning, remember this....

I know I am going to BE strong and keep telling myself this.  

XO, 

Jessi 

the debate

When Spring 2006 rolled around, I found myself enjoying my first taste of LA Springtime.  The weather, always great, had a special crispness about it.  Then the girl scout cookies began to roll out.  Who doesn't love this time of year?  As I went to order some, I was looking and asking for the perennial favorite, "Carmel deLites."  However, they were no where to be found.  "Samoas" were what I saw in its place. The box looked the same, I was assured that the cookie was the same and that I just called it a funny name.

I wasn't happy about it because I don't have an affinity for Samoas, I like Carmel deLites.  I chalked it up to the Girl Scouts deciding they they would just change the name.

And then....a package came in the mail.  A care package from my mother-in-law arrived from Wisconsin last week and the Springtime debate for the last six years (the one in my head, I guess) has been settled.  It must be a regional thing.

Please forge the terrible picture, I was too excited for the taste test, I didn't even have time to focus my camera!  

Check it out.  They even look different.  My husband and I did a taste test, naturally, and found that the Samoas are a little more coconut-y and toasted.  While the Carmel deLites have way more carmel.

Now you know.

Carmel deLites or Samoas?  What's your pick?

inspiration everywhere

Over the weekend, I walked by this new stand in the Farmer's Market and noticed how adorable the decor and styling was.  And then I noticed something too cute for words.  Can you see those "wall hangings"?  Do you know what those are?  

Bundt pans!  Painted bundt pans.  

Too cute and clever for words.  This would be so easy and fun for either some kitchen decor for yourself...or of course I immediately styled an event (in my mind) around these fun little darlings!  How cute would this be for a dessert backdrop?  What a wonderful way to bring some color into an event, especially one for someone who loves to bake.  

Have you read The Baker Chick blog?  She pretty much rocks and is like a little sister to me.  She's getting married in August and if I was planning her bridal shower, you can bet that I'd be collecting and spray painting bundt pans until I was blue in the face!  

Inspiration is truly everywhere...what did you see this weekend that inspired you?  

eat something

I just have to say one negative thing that I took away from the Oscar ceremony and red carpet on Sunday.  For the love of all things delicious, I wish some of these ladies would just start eating.  

I love Rose Byrne and think she's a fabulous actress, but she needs to eat.  Please Rose, eat something.   

And I am so tired of Angelina Jolie.  Tired of the same red carpet looks and really tired of her extra bony frame.  That leg sticking out of your dress would have been sexy if it had any sort of muscle to it.  All bones and skin.  Gross.  And her arms are just as bad.  

Here's the thing.  The women in Hollywood have to remember that they are inspirations to millions of girls and woman around the world.  Why do they need to keep sending the message that looking emaciated is hot.  I bought into this thinking for a really long time and I have worked like hell to get over this.  Seeing these examples of what can only be malnourishment is not a friendly reminder.  It's unnatural and it's unreal.  

BE a real woman, don't let these images cloud your brain with what is beautiful.  What is beautiful is YOU.  Always remember that.  

oscar wrap up

I've blogged about it before and I'll blog about it again.  I love the Oscars.  Absolutely love them.  When we have a home that can fit more than five people, I plan on starting an annual Oscar party.  Dresses and baubles might be required...just saying.  

Last night did not disappoint.  While I didn't love every single thing about the show, there was a lot that I loved and here is my wrap up of all that made my heart sing last night.  

One word.  Meryl.  What a beautiful, human, authentic woman.  I thought the most touching moment of the night came just after they announced her name for Best Actress.  

"First I’m going to thank Don because when you thank your husband at the end of the speech they play him out with the music and I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives you’ve given me," 

I was pleasantly surprised by the many wonderful women that I put on my best dressed list (which I'm sure is the same as many of yours).  There were a lot this year!  These ladies worked it all night long!  

Stop it right now Miss Michelle.  She killed it in every way possible.  That pink clutch with possibly the most perfect dress?  That little whimsical bow brooch.  The delicate yet stunning diamond necklace.  Amazing.  

So simple, so striking.  She remains one of my favorite women in Hollywood.  But was anyone else wondering how that cape stayed on so well?  She must have not done any waving to the fans of America as she walked the red carpet.  

Viola, you inspire me.  I love the color, I love the jewels and I admire the "take me for who I am" hair.  

I loved this color and natural yet completely elegant feeling that this hilarious woman brought to the table. On a personal note, I loved that she went with dark nails.  

Loved it.  Loved the chunky bracelet.  Loved her as a presenter.  

Fierce.  Elegant.  Timeless.  

My favorite hair of the evening.  

It was a good year for Mr. Oscar.  Though I have one complaint but I'll blog about that tomorrow.  This post has way too much goodness and beautiful eye candy to bring up anything negative.  

What did you all think of the show?  The gowns?  The winners?  

It's exciting to think that a new year of movies and dreams of Oscars begin today.  

Be a chef week - grilled pizzas

This is a family favorite in our house.  And by family I mean, my husband and I really love these pizzas.  Who would ever think that making your own pizza dough would be so easy?  And honestly the tastiest pizza dough ever.

It's as easy as mix, knead, rise and grill.  

The pizza dough recipe is from my dear friend Ina.  You might have heard of her.  You can see how she does it HERE.  I do everything the same as she does until it comes time for the cooking.

In her recipe, she only uses the garlic oil on her pizzas.  I like to cover mine in pizza sauce.  I am not a fan of sauce-less pizza, so I sauce it up.

Follow her recipe, but here are a few tried and true tips:

- Make the garlic oil that she mentions.  It is one of the things that makes this pizza special.  Here's how:

Bring 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil and 6 large garlic cloves to a boil, once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Carefully remove the garlic and slice it into a bowl.  Pour the oil over the garlic.  Rather than sprinkling it over the top like Ina mentions, I brush this on the pizza just before I put on the sauce.  And my best secret is to sprinkle the garlic slices over the sauce as your first topping.  Mmmm.

- DON'T skip the step of letting the dough rest an additional 10 minutes after you have separated it into shaped balls.  I know it's tempting to just start flattening it out and get going, but don't do it.  If you let it rest that additional 10 minutes, it will be pillowy and soft and so delicious.

- We have a gas grill, so I just keep the grill as low as it will go for the entire time I'm cooking them.

- I freeze the dough balls that we don't use.  They don't turn out as amazing when you take them out of the freezer, but they are still really yummy!  Just make sure they come to room temp. before you start trying to shape them.

- Have fun with your toppings!  This particular night, I was a little lazy with the toppings because usually we pile them high with anything and everything you can imagine.  Get crazy, it's your very own grilled pizza so top it with whatever the heck you like.  But I do HIGHLY recommend using fresh mozzarella.

ENJOY!  It is a perfect Friday night dinner!

And here's a behind the scenes picture for your viewing enjoyment...

What do you do when your grilling at night and your porch light is out?  Well, you obviously put on your husband's head lamp.  Duh.  Nice head lamp lady.