GREAT DESIGN PICKS

There is a big misconception that great design must be expensive. On the contrary, great design can be found in all shapes, sizes, and price points. Especially with the inception of big-name designers creating product lines for budget friendly stores such as Target, great design has truly become accessible to the masses. Here are a few of my favorite finds recently:

Johnny Lamp from CB2 199.00 Beautiful lines reminiscent of an architect's desk lamp. Artemede Tolomeo Floor Lamp, Retail $540 : Slightly different shade & finish, same industrial feel. West Elm Zig Zag Rug that adds a dramatic ethnic punch to a room Retail: $229.00 for a 5'x8' Madeleine Weinrib Zig Zag rug: thousands! Chiasso Miami Sofa $1198, looks fun and incredibly modern B&B Italia starting at $2009.00 Sleeker than the Chiasso version but not necessarily in every man's budget. This style is so fun, a traditional chandelier demurely encased within a sleek shade. This version is available at Chiasso for 298.00. Another version can also be found at Z Gallerie but this looks more expensive. Neiman Marcus's version with a hefty $3125.00 price tag.


A pair of Louis XVI chairs that retail for $6400, or $3200 each again with a gorgeous limed wood finish. Similar armless chairs in the Louis XVI with the same limed finish are available at Wisteria for $379.00 each.

This is a fabulous Eileen Gray inspired side table with a removable tray available at West Elm for 199.00 The chic Eileen Gray original, available through 1stdibs.com or $550.00 if you would like a authorized reproduction from DWR. Again another Art Deco inspired piece from West Elm. This one is clearly influenced by the incredible pendant fixture design by Jean Perzel in the 1930s.
Original Jean Perzel fixture as featured in Elle Decor, April 2008 Woodsy chic, as featured in this shelter magazine spread. Cheyenne Horn side table, sexy lines with a rugged inspiration available at Z Gallerie for only 199.00 Gorgeous Sheepskin rug/throw to add to the woodsy spirit. West Elm 249.00 Another fabulous find at West Elm, antler lamp $149.00. Lars Bolander also carries a similar table lamp for $250.00 Antler Floor lamp featured in a Domino Magazine spread, retail $2530.00 Z Gallerie side table with a Moroccan feel, $199.00 Odegard Jour table made out of marble and available in various stones, as well as wood. West Elm animal skin rug. stunning attention grabber for only $329.00! Similar rug as seen in the apartment of famed interior designer Laura Bohn. If you love Danish modern but can't afford the high end designs, Ikea is undoubtedly your friend. Granted, I am typically not a proponent of MDF furniture, they do carry some fun designs worthy of a test. This chair is all wood and only $39.99!
Svedese Chair, upholstered seat and back, $250 each. While not expensive, not as fun and versetile as the simple wood version at Ikea. Great pendant fixture from CB2, great for a dining room or kitchen, currently on sale for $79.99 A similar pendant fixture as seen in Domino Magazine and painted in crisp glossy white.

Websites to visit for fabulous furniture and inspiration:

www.westelm.com
www.zgallerie.com
www.chiasso.com
www.target.com
www.wisteria.com

RECIPE FILE: CURRY CHICKEN POT PIE

This recipe I came up with combines two of my favorite chicken dishes: chicken pot pie and curried chicken. Don't be intimidated by the extensive spices required, they are great to have in your cabinet. Otherwise a pre-made curry rub can be used for the chicken. Trader Joe's supplies a fantastic pre-marinated curry chicken as well. Curry Marinade For Chicken:

1 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP tomato paste
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground tumeric
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mixing thoroughly.

Chicken Curry Filling:

2-1/2 c. diced cooked marinated chicken breast (about 1-1/2 lbs or 3-4 chicken breasts)
3 TBSP butter
3 TBSP vegetable oil
3 c. chicken broth
1 c. sliced carrots
1 c. cubed yams
3/4 c. cut green beans OR peas
3/4 c. coarsely chopped tri colored peppers
3/4 c. chopped Spanish onions
1 TBSP ground ginger
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 TBSP curry powder
1/2 TSP ground cumin
1/4 TSP ground cinnamon
1/4c. flour
1/2.c plain yogurt
1-1/2 TBSP tomato paste
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. unsweetened coconut milk
1 bunch fresh cilantro sprigs

1thawed puff pastry dough sheet 1/2 pound
1 egg mixed with 1 TBSP water

Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour (one day is preferable). Steam veggies until al dente. Cut chicken into small bite size pieces, and cook through over a skillet coated with olive oil.

For Curry:
Melt butter, whisk in flour to form a paste. This is called a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken soup, stir constantly. Simmer for 10 min, continue to whisk, season with salt and pepper. In a separate deep saute pan heat oil over medium heat, add onions and saute until golden (about 15 min). Add ginger and garlic, sauteefor 1 min. Add curry, cumin, and cinnamon, saute until fragrant, about 1 min. Add roux from 1st pot, continuing to stir. Then add yogurt, tomato paste, whisking until sauce is smooth (about 1 min). Finally, add apple sauce and allow mixture to reach a boil. At this point, reduce heat to medium low. Add chicken and veggies, stirring occasionally. Allow to simmer until sauce coats the spoon. If sauce over - cooks, add water and allow to reduce to desired consistency. Chop cilantro and add once curry has been removed from heat.

Pour mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish
Roll out prepared pastry dough on a floured surface into a circle that extends roughly 2 inches beyond casserole dish.Lay the pastry over the top, trim the overhang to 1 inch, and crimp the edges around the rim to seal. Cut several slits in the pastry to release the steam, then brush with remaining egg wash. Bake until crust is golden, 40 to 45 minutes.

RECIPE FILE: CAJUN CREAMED CORN & BROCCOLI

This recipe can be made with just corn or with cauliflower. For a more substantial meal, substitute broccoli with a spicy sausage such as andouille or kielbasa that has been sliced, quartered and sauteed.

2 c. yellow corn (canned will work, but fresh is better, and will require about 3 ears)
1 c. steamed broccoli (chopped)
2 TBSP unsalted butter (1/4 cup)
1/2 c. chopped red bell pepper (sauteed until soft)
1 finely chopped large onion (Spanish is best, and should can be sauteed with bell pepper)
1/2c. half & half
3/4 c. milk
1/2 TBSP powdered thyme
1/4 TSP sweet Spanish paprika
1/4 TSP powdered garlic
1/4 TSP cardamom
1/4 TSP coriander
1 TBSP crushed chilis (gradually add and test for preferred heat)
1/2 TBSP granulated sugar
salt & pepper to taste
2-3 TBSP flour

In a saute pan, melt 2 TBSP butter over med heat.Combine half & half, milk, and spices (except for crushed chili), increasing temperature to med-high heat. When mixture begins to bubble, reduce to low. Gradually add chili. Once desired heat is achieved, salt, pepper to taste. Slowly add flour one TBSP at a time stirring constantly until mixture is slightly thickened. Fold in corn, onions, and bell pepper. Allow flavors to combine over low heat for about 10 min. stirring occasionally. Finally, add broccoli, keeping over heat for another 5 min. Remove from heat, and serve immediately.

ELEGANT FLOWERS ON THE CHEAP

There is absolutely nothing more I love than fresh flowers, particularly hydrangeas. However, as many of you know, a fresh stock of flowers every week can really add up. Hydrangeas are especially frustrating because they are not only costly, but they rarely last longer than a couple of days. Yet I am completely obsessed with the look of a bundle of voluptuous monochromatic hydrangeas. To alleviate this problem between cost effectiveness and aesthetic, I spent some time scouring flower shops for an alternative. After trips to high end florists and exotic shops in the flower district, I found my solution outside the local deli.

Now, I not only can have the look of hydrangeas but also some other fun elements to scatter about my apartment. My flora and fauna extravaganza comes courtesy of the lame grocery store bouquet and all of its frowned upon elements. Rethinking each piece of that heinous bouquet, you will find some surprisingly elegant results that are quite cost effective (not to mention long lasting!!!)

The ugly commonplace carnation/baby's breath/palm leaf disaster available at your local grocer

Monochromatic confection of just red carnations, in a vase, carnations in a single color give the effect of a 3 dozen red roses in full bloom, or a large grouping of hydrangeas.
Outrageously simple. Like its name indicates, baby's breath is so light and effervescent, it creates a soft romanticism wherever it is placed. Great bouquet for a bedroom or bathroom.
As a single leaf in a statement vase, such as that in this image, or many in a tall vase, palm leaves add a tropical flare to any space. An arrangement such as this also suggests a certain Asian influence that is great in a minimal modern space.

The clean white hydrangea alternative in a crisp silver mint julep cup. Gorgeous and cheap!!!!

WALLET FRIENDLY DECOR

I have an addiction to art. I have signed up to a number of online sites, such as Sotheby's, that have information and images on art auctions that I can't afford, but I can certainly admire. I often find browsing these various catalogues as a sort of casual education on not just that which is considered "fine art" but also on what it is I am truly attracted to. One of my favorite discoveries was sculptor Anish Kapoor, who has done a variety of installations on a variety of scales. I was particularly intrigued by this concave mirror, that she has shown in a multitude of colors from silver to blue, violet to black. As a piece in a home it suggests the form of the old convex mirrors popular in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
After seeing a fabulous article in April 2007's House & Garden featuring the palazzo of Alessia Bianchi in which an enormous Anish Kapoor sculpture hangs, I decided that I must find a budget friendly way to mimick this eyecatching piece in my own apartment. Hello Target. , in general, you will hard pressed to find me EVER condoning a knock off, but I think this interpretation skates safely around that label. The result of my $20 Target decorative bowl is a playful pop of color in my little foyer that really adds dramatic contrast to the deep gray. If you would like to create a similar look just hunt for an oversized bowl, at least 18" in diameter, with a mirrored or high gloss finish. You can grab a large plate hanger at your local Home Depot or any larger hardware store.


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H & G April 2007 Cover & My Budget Interpretation

RECIPE FILE: PROCIUTTO PIZZA

This is a wonderful recipe I came up with for a rich and delicious prociutto pizza. I've added grilled chicken to this recipe as well to give it a bit more substance, but it is delicious by itself. Make sure that you have a pizza pan, disposable ones are available at your local grocery store.

Pizza Sauce:
28 oz can of crushed tomatoes in puree
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp dried rosmary
1 tbsp dried thyme
2 tbsp dried basil
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. red cooking wine
3 cloves of garlic, chopped and sauteed until soft and golden
salt & pepper to taste

combine all ingredients over med heat stirring constantly. Once sauce begins to bubble, reduce to low heat and cover allowing all the flavors to blend.

Pizza Topping:
1 bunch of asparagus, ends trimmed
approx. 1 1/2 - 2 oz of thinly sliced prosciutto torn into pieces
about 1 c. fresh grated mozzarella
1/2 c. ricotta
1 6oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts chopped
1/2 c. sundried tomatoes chopped
1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil
1/2-2/3 c. arugula
olive oil for drizzle


Raspberry Balsamic Drissle:
1/2 c. balsamic vinegar
2/3 c. seedless raspberry jam

Briskly simmer jam and vinegar in a small saucepan, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until glaze is reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature (glaze will thicken slightly as it cools). Prepare ahead.

In a grill pan pour a small amount of olive oil so that the surface is thinly covered and turn on stove to medium heat. Place trimmed asparagus in pan, and generally season with salt and pepper. Drizzle about 2 tbsp. of balsamic glaze on asparagus and allow asparagus to slightly char. When charred remove asparagus from pan and transfer to a towel to absorb excess olive oil. Finally cut asparagus halfway down the sprig, as you want to utilize, in particular, the asparagus tips.

Roll pizza dough out into a 14-16" circle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer dough to a 12-14" pizza pan and roll edges to create the crusty ends. Next spread a thin coating of your pizza sauce (approx 2/3 c. of sauce) over the dough. Sprinkle fresh mozzarella and distribute ricotta on top in silver dollar sized balls. Evenly distribute remaining vegetables (asparagus, sundried tomatoes,& artichoke hearts) along with prociutto. Sprinkle chopped basil and drizzle remaining basamic glaze atop the pizza.

Place pizza into a preheated 450 degree oven and allow to bake for about 20 minutes, or as long as indicated by pizza dough packaging until edges are golden and crisping. Once you remove pizza from oven finish with fresh arugula and serve immediately. This recipe also is great when portioned out into individual mini pizzas. ENJOY!!!!

THE JOYS OF LAUNDRY

With the amount of laundry that I require to get done each week, I could personally sustain a single laundry facility with my patronage. I am a mess. I spill things on myself with such frequency that my wedding, and the idea of having to sport a white gown all day, inspired a tremendous amount of anxiety in anticipation of the variety of food and drink that would pass before my glinty white confection. I digress....
As a result of my innumerable accidents, I have gathered together a large recipe file of cure - alls for a wide variety of stains. Here are a few laundry maladies (and believe me I have personally experienced all of these), to which I have either developed or acquired a remedy;

INK STAINS
First and foremost: do not put your article in the the dryer until the stain is out or you have given up and conceded to the fact that you must dye your clothing item black.

Oxyclean & Rubbing Alcohol, applied in circular scrubbing motions. Make sure that there is a disposable rag underneath the stain to absorb penetrating ink. Hairspray also works as does nail polish remover. Keep in mind that if the item tends to bleed, the alcohol will also cause bleeding. Therefore, after focusing on the stain, soak the entire garment in rubbing alcohol to even out any color fading.

RED WINE
I have seen so many people treat red wine with hot water and it makes me want to cringe! Red wine should be treated like blood or ketchup: COLD WATER. Also, I have been told to treat red wine stains with white wine, but unless you want to smell like a raging alcoholic, here is a tried and true alternative that has never failed me:

Equal parts dishsoap and hydrogen peroxide, again rubbed in a circular fashion building inward to the center of the stain with a disposable cloth on the underside of the stain. For those of you who see peroxide and think bleach, fear not, hydrogen peroxide doesn't strip color.

GREASE
Contrary to popular belief, seltzer is very rarely a reliable source of stain relief. Your better off using it for an upset stomach. Here is the best recipe for cutting through oil in a garment, even if it has been run through a drying cycle:

Detergent (Zout is even better), Iodized Salt, and the hottest water your garment can handle.

Again, you will need a disposable towel underneath. I highly recommend allowing your garment to sit with salt on the stain, overnight.

WHITENING
Bleach should never be your automatic go to for whitening clothing or bedding. Not only does bleach break down fabric over time, the chemicals in bleach react with body persperation, causing that annoying yellowing. Here are some fantastic, old school remedies that you can add directly to the washer along with your detergent:

lemon juice (think about it as a natural bleach)- you must use real fresh lemon juice
laundry bluing (Mrs. Stewart's for example) - don't be afraid of the saturated color, its best for counteracting yellowing in whites.
If you have space and time, take your whites and place them in a simmering (not boiling) bath of hot water over the stove with fresh lemon juice.

I hope that these tips will give your fabrics an extended life. They certainly have acted as the defibrilators to my clothes and upholstery after many a nasty spill.

SHOPPING ON A BUDGET

I'm a cheap bitch. I admit it. I look for a deal wherever I can get it and I generally refuse to pay full price for anything. My problem is, I have expensive taste. My solution? Pay low - end prices and get high end goods. Besides ebay, which is most anyone's go to source of all things discount, there are many fabulous finds to be discovered without venturing into the somewhat unreliable territory of internet auctions. For one, designer consignment is your friend. However, before you jump on that steeply discounted designer dud, look around and compare consignment shops. Quickly you will discover big differences in the prices of like designer items. Also, some designer consignment stores are better for certain types of pieces.
If consignment isn't your cup of tea, you can sign up for online newsletters that will give you an in on local sample sales. My favorite for the New York/Los Angeles area is TopButton.com.
If you are an avid magazine reader of either the fashion or gossip sort, they will often promote online discount stores that are otherwise earmarked as invite only. A few that I visit everyday are giltgroup.com, hautelook.com, and ideeli.com. My most recent purchase from Gilt Group was an $800 Malo cashmere sweater for my husband (for $40) and a hand engraved calendar with a lucite base from the exclusive (read: wildly expensive) stationary artisans at Mrs. John L. Strong for only $50.
If there is anything I want to pass on in this post it would be this: never skimp on quality, not only will it last longer, but you will appreciate it more. No one needs to spend a bundle to get quality, unthinkable steals do exist. Trust me, they are out there, just waiting to be discovered.


New York Consignment Shops I LOVE:
Upper Eastside consignment shops are generally amazing. Two in particular stand out to me and have provided me with years worth of luxury goods

Designer ReSale
designerresaleconsignment.com
Fantastic spot to get unbelievable clothes and shoes. They have a huge selection of Walter clothing, and many high end gems. They also have a killer sale (even more savings!) twice a year, and every month certain items are further reduced.

A Second Chance Boutique
asecondchanceresale.com
Not the best for shoes or clothing. However, if you are looking for Chanel, Louis Vuitton, or Balenciaga bags, this is your spot. They have a fantastic selection of accessories in general including jewelry, sunglasses, watches and belts.

Enjoy!!!

WORDS AND PHRASES THAT I HATE

In our growing society of ever expanding phrases, euphemisms, and otherwise nonsense words, I have developed an absolute aversion to particular words and other combinations therof that I felt I should share. Some you'll find aren't even real words at all, but still seem to pollute our communication structures on a day to day basis. I invite anyone to go ahead and please add any additional words or phrases that generally irritate the hell out of you. Here are mine:

• moist

• supper

• panties

• chunky

• wifey, hubby, fiancee

• prego or preggers

• ointment

• titties

• vajayjay

• dog, yo, whack, da bomb and just about every overused word/phrase by Randy Jackson

• bff, omg, e.v.o.o.,ttyl, lbd, tmi;wtf, how lazy can our society get, really????

• the entire menu of starbucks except for drinks that are universally recognizable such as "coffee" and "espresso"

• twitter

• economic stimulus

• fondle (closely related to economic stimulus if you ask me)

• UGG (they are fucking UUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGLY, and do not constitute a fashion statement)

• Go Green

• "....is the new black"

• whateves

• discharge

• chipper

• guestimate

• irregardless

• hearty

• tush

• hottie

• folks

• chip & dip

• lard

• perky

• "procciutt, moozarell, bruchett..."

• ay (sorry Canada)

• gee, golly (sorry Beaver)

• Maverick

• Brangelina, Bennifer, etc.

• Anywho and Alrighty

• Joe the Plumber, Joe Six Pack, and Joe Mamma (haha)

• Hate Crime (aren't MOST violent crimes based on some element of Hate? Seriously, specify "Love Crimes" next time.)

• Subprime Mortgage

I feel mutch better getting that off my chest. Really, you should try it some time