Unmotivated

I've been working quite a bit lately but I've felt relatively unmotivated to update my blog. its not that there aren't things out there I'd like to blog about, I'm just not sure anyone is interested in reading.  I'm sure i'll decide at some point that there is something I must write about that everyone must see.  For the time being, I'm signing off.

Eggplant puree with walnuts

For some reason I felt the need to buy an eggplant the last time I went grocery shopping but didn't really plan as to what I was going to do with it.



As it was going to go bad soon I decided to do something with it this evening.  I found a recipe for an eggplant puree that sounded tasty and easy so I decided to go for it.  It turned out quite tasty and would be a great healthy alternative to hummus or a sour cream based dip when you're having company.

Ingredients:
1 eggplant
1-2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup shelled walnuts
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp strained fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
salt to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Pierce eggplant all over with a fork.  Roast eggplant turning occasionally for 25 minutes until skin is blackened and bubbly.

2. While eggplant is roasting puree walnuts, garlic cloves, and two tbsp of olive oil until they have turned into a paste


3. Slice the stem off the eggplant and then slice it in half lengthwise

4. Scoop out the inside of the eggplant (or the pulp) discarding the seeds and blend in the food processor with the walnuts and garlic

5. Add lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and remaining olive oil into the food processor and continue to blend


6. Blend until puree is smooth and well mixed


I added some fresh basil in, because I love basil in everything and I liked the green specs of color that it gave the puree

Sticking with the mediterranean feel of the eggplant puree I made salmon with oregano and a lemon butter and used pita for the eggplant puree.

Quarter century crisis

Ok so i'm not actually have a quarter century crisis.  But my quarter century birthday celebration was quite enjoyable.  I spend friday night at public bar in dupont with some good friends and then went to the redskins game on my actual birthday (yesterday) with some good friends.  Both events were a blast.








Hot spiked apple cider for tailgating in the cold..

Get on the Wellie train

For those of you who don't have a pair of wellies yet I would highly recommend getting one.  Not only are they adorable and a great way to look stylish when the weather is oh so frightful, but they are incredibly useful.  I use my hunter boots at least once a week when i'm taking the dog out, or running errands while its raining.  Here are some fab, wallet friendly choices.

rain boots by JennyEisen featuring rubber shoes

Hunter Women's Original Classic Glossy Rain Boots - Violet
$115 - bloomingdales.com
Rubber shoes »

Lace-Up Rain Boot
$36 - charlotterusse.com
Lace up shoe »

Zip Back Rain Boot
$36 - charlotterusse.com
Welly boots »

Cinnamon sugar chocolate buns

Book club this week was holiday themed.  I decided to make a delicious dessert that i've been making for years.  Its so easy and tasty and absolutely loved by everyone who comes across them.  I mean really. Whats not to love?  Cinnamon, sugar, butter and chocolate!  I added a couple extra spices this time to make them more holidayesque

Ingredients:
Refrigerated pillsbury buttermilk biscuits
1 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 stick melter butter
Hershey's kisses or chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
3. flatten biscuit in between palms
4. Place chocolate chips or hersheys kiss in middle of biscuit
5.  Roll biscuit into a ball in between hands until seams are no longer visible
6.  Roll ball in melted butter then in sugar and spice mixture
7. place on baking sheet
8.  Back for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned
9.  Savor every bite

Outfit of the day

[Fur wrap- H&M, Sweater- free people, Dress- Urban outfitters, Tights- Nordstroms, Socks- Clothes swap (thanks Michelle!), Boots- bakers]

Holiday decorations

This is my first year attempting any kind of holiday decorating.  I'm Jewish, so I don't celebrate christmas and have never ventured to decorate because its not something my family ever did.  I decided this year however that I love the beautiful lights, colors and warm feeling of the holiday season so much that I would  do a bit of decorating.....here is what I came up with.  Probably not as fancy as most but its a start and I think it adds a nice warm holiday touch to our townhouse

My menorah on the mantle

Lights in glass jars and across the mantle

The sparkly themed coffee table tray



Since my decorations are relatively lackluster I found some images to inspire you....







Also check out my friend Michelle's blog entry on how she is decorating for the holidays here....http://thatssomichelle.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-costal-christmas.html

Clothes swap

Every year, well now twice a year, I gather my girlfriends for  a clothes swap.  Essentially the way it works is that everyone collects clothes, shoes, purses, hats, jewelry and other accessories that they no longer wear and brings them all to one persons house.  We lay out all the clothing and everyone gets to go through other peoples things and take what they want.  Ever wanted to shop in your friends closet?  Yeah its like that.  At the end of the swap all of the clothing and accessories that have not been claimed are bagged up and donated to charity.

This swap was the first ever winter swap and I think from now on, because of my own and my friends shopping habits we will continue to have swaps biannually as we all have enough clothing to support the swap.

Pictures from this years swap






Mimosa's with frozen blueberries

The spread (apps provided by participants)


What I wore to the swap

[Sweater- Free people, White silk button up- H&M, Turquoise pendant- street sale, Leggings- forever 21, boots- target]
Note the white tank under my loose shirt so I could try on things over it without totally exposing myself, and the leggings to go under skirts and dresses (roughly the same thing I'd wear for thirsting

pictures from swaps in years past