Summer Wedding Looks

Hi, friends! Wedding season is upon us! While we only have one wedding on our calendar thus far, I was having so much fun creating a wedding guest outfit that I put together three for you! Since I absolutely love using Rent the Runway* (I rented dresses for the last two weddings we attended), each dress and some of the accessories are available through RTR.

 

Earrings, Clutch, and Dress via Rent the Runway, Wedges

 

The first outfit was inspired by my sister-in-law. She rented this very dress for a black tie wedding and looked gorgeous. While the wedding we'll be attending isn't this formal, it's fun to dream and hopefully inspire you.

 

Necklace and Dress via Rent the Runway, Clutch, Pumps

 

I'd say that this dress and ensemble is a little closer to what I'll actually wear to our friends' wedding. It's less formal than the pink dress, but still dressed up. I also love the colors and pattern of the dress. And that peek of pink on the pumps? Such a fun surprise!

Necklace and Dress via Rent the Runway, Clutch, Wedges

 

Finally, here's what I might wear if we were invited to an outdoor wedding. A bit more casual, but the necklace dresses things up. And the wedges will ensure that I don't sink into the ground while walking.

 

What will you be wearing to a summer wedding?

 

*No, this isn't a sponsored post, I just really like RTR. If you also have a wedding on the calendar and are looking for a lovely dress at a lovely price, you can sign up through my Rent the Runway referral link, and we'll both get $20 off our next orders. Muchas gracias!

 

for more wedding lovelies, visit {long distance loving}

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The Perfect Post-Baby Skirt

Earrings, Belt, Suede Flats, Linen Tee, Skirt

Friends! I just found the perfect post-baby skirt! Last weekend, we went shopping at the new outlet mall in Chicago. And of course I wanted to check out J. Crew Factory. I saw this skirt when crafting last week's post and tucked it away for future use and/or purchase. It looked so cute on the model that I had to try it on in person.

And I loved it.

John was waiting outside the dressing room with Monica while I was trying on clothes. When I emerged from the dressing room and asked for his opinion, one of the first things out of his mouth was, "Is that an elastic waistband?" And I proudly answered, "Yes!" 

The stretchy waistband is beyond comfortable and perfect for the post-baby body when things are still a little soft and figuring themselves out. It's also a great piece for those early in their pregnancy. And who am I kidding, wear this skirt and don't feel guilty for having a second scoop of ice cream this weekend :)

Some might argue that a maxi skirt is more forgiving and serves the same purpose. But I'm loving the slightly structured shape of this skirt because it automatically makes me feel more put together. And the cobalt is so fun! You can dress this girl up or down. I plan on wearing it on my first day back to work.

This weekend, my new favorite skirt it only $40.50 (45% off!). So go get one!

Have a fantastic, long holiday weekend!

see more Friday's Fancies at {long distance loving}

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Herbed Grilled Chicken

 

John and I don't have a huge list of must-watch TV shows, but once Fox's MasterChef rolls around, we record and watch every episode. And just like past summers, we're inspired by MasterChef to get in the kitchen and try new recipes! In a recent episode, the contestants were assigned different types of poultry to cook: pheasant, pigeon, quail, duck, turkey, and of course chicken.

 

After seeing the turkey, John declared that he wanted to grill some giant turkey legs. Think state fair-sized. Since the only turkey legs at the grocery store were frozen, we settled for chicken legs. They actually looked pretty comparable with the attached drumsticks and thighs.

 

Using ingredients picked fresh from our garden and on-hand in our spice cabinet and fridge, John assembled quite the tasty rub: sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, and pepper.

 

 

We liked the chicken so much we made it again this past weekend. This time, the rub included sage, rosemary, thyme, 3 Serrano peppers, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Mince everything up and mix in a bowl. 

 

Next, peel back the skin of the chicken. Using a knife made things a little faster and easier.

 

Take a big dollop of your rub and place it on your chicken.

 

Fold the skin back over, tucking in the rub for a little marinating nap. Placing the rub in between the skin and meat helps more flavor get into the meat and the prevents the herbs from burning on the grill. We let our chicken marinate in the fridge for 4 to 5 hours.

Grill it up! We prefer our charcoal grill, but propane or even a skillet on the stovetop will do!

And I don't usually eat chicken skin, but it gets so herby and crispy on the grill that I couldn't help but indulge in the fatty goodness.
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Inspired by Tomatoes

Earrings, Tomato Tote, Sandals, Lace Top, Shorts

Friends....we have a situation on our hands. And that would be the obscene amount of tomatoes coming from our garden. Yes, we partially brought it on ourselves with the four cherry tomato plants. Between those and the plants that randomly popped up from last year's tomatoes and the compost we have more tomato plants than I'd care to count.

In addition to sharing our bumper crop, we've been preparing all sorts of tomato-heavy dishes: caprese salad (I'd also love to try this version with peaches), caprese burgers, roasted veggie pasta, and Mediterranean quinoa. Also on the list of recipes to try are Portillo's chopped salad (so what if the tomato is more of a garnish?), linguine with clams and blistered tomatoes, and a tomato tart.

Help a girl out. Do you have a favorite tomato recipe to share?

see more Friday's Fancies at {long distance loving}

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Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Necklace, Earrings, Clutch, Sandals, Maxi Dress

Hi there! How has your week been? It's brutally hot in Chicago (like so many other places), so most of my time has been spent in the air conditioning. That would be standard during a typical work week, but I'm having a little cabin fever since I'm on maternity leave.

Fortunately, we have plans to get out of the house by volunteering (and attending) SummerFest at our church this weekend. A few local bands played last night with the final act playing the likes of Santana and bluesy George Thorogood and Stevie Ray Vaughn. The next few nights should be fun with some great 80's cover bands.

As for my Friday's Fancies outfit, I kept things realistic this time around. All of the pieces are on sale and less than $50 a piece! Not bad for an easy summer outfit.

Have a great weekend!

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Red, White, and Blueberries

Cisco Brewers Whale Tale Pale Ale, Berry Crostini from Damn Delicious,
Berry Sangria from Kitchen Confidante, Shiner Ruby Redbird bottle cap (personal photo),
Blueberry BBQ Sauce from The Diva Dish, Flowers from Design*Sponge

 
Happy Independence Day! We don't have much planned for today besides catching up on sleep and (possibly) straightening up the house. The neighbors have been setting off fireworks the past few nights, so I'd imagine we'll also enjoy a beer while watching fireworks from our patio.

Enjoy the holiday!
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Summer Reading with Melissa of Inspiration and Rough Drafts

Today's guest post is from Melissa of Inspiration and Rough Drafts. We first "met" when my college roommate (and friend of Melissa) emailed me about Melissa's blog. And then it turned out we lived down the street from one another in Chicago. Yes, I'll say it....it's a small world!

Hi, everyone! I'm Melissa of Inspiration and Rough Drafts. When Cathy invited me to write a guest post for her maternity leave, I was happy to help. Not only have our blogs "grown up" together, but I'm also expecting a baby in August. So thank you to Cathy for having me today... and a big congratulations to Cathy and John on their new addition!

Summer is shaping up to be a busy time. Along with baby showers, a couple of weekend trips, and lots of preparation to get ready for our baby's arrival, I'm also looking forward to some down time. I know a baby will change how much time I have to relax and how often I get to enjoy a quiet moment -- so in the meantime, I plan to indulge in one of my favorite summer activities: summer reading.

I love to get book recommendations from other people, especially ones from a close friend who knows what I enjoy or from someone who enjoys good writing as much as I do.

To help you start your own summer reading list, here are three books I've read (or are currently reading!) that would be great for lounging poolside, relaxing on a patio, or enjoying some sunshine. They are all beautifully written and hard to put down -- perfect for a summer escape!

Alys, Always: A Novel by Harriet Lane

A friend of mine passed along this book with a glowing review, and once I read the first page, I flew through the rest. The plot is intriguing, the imagery is rich, but the unique characters are what really pulled me in. Deciphering their various motivations and relationships keeps readers guessing. With a dose of mystery and a dash of manipulation, this book made me feel like I was watching the drama unfold with a behind-the-scenes view.

Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother by Beth Ann Fennelly

When I came across an old post on A Cup of Jo that deemed this book "the best book for mothers-to-be," I had to check it out. In the midst of all the advice and warnings people like to give expecting mamas, this is a refreshing collection of letters about the joys of pregnancy and motherhood. This lovely book kept me company during my two-hour glucose screening -- and I was delighted to find out the author attended my alma mater too!

Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life by Shauna Niequist

I'll be honest, I just started this book. But its beautiful reflections on the small but important moments in life speak to my soul. It's just plain good, especially in this crazy-busy world -- a reminder to slow down, savor the everyday, and recognize how wonderful life really is (even when everything seems to be going wrong!). I have to credit Bethany for introducing me to Shauna's writing.

What are you all reading these days? Any books I should add to my own summer reading list?
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Vacation Packing with Intention with Jess Lively

Anyone going on a vacation this summer? If so, today's post from my friend and all-around inspiring lady, Jess Lively, is for you! She'll help you pack your suitcase, as well as design a life and business, with intention. Just be sure to save a little room for me to sneak in your suitcase.

This post was originally published on jesslively.com on January 31, 2012 when Jess and Mr. Lively were preparing for a long weekend trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Yes, she's a lucky lady!

As most people start to prepare for this week’s Super Bowl parties, Mr. Lively and I are starting to get ready for our trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! We will be gone Friday through Monday for a romantic weekend trip that doubles as my Christmas and Valentine’s Day present (I’m a lucky lady!).

I have already got my passport renewed and the rest of the preparation lies mostly in packing for the trip. But rather than waiting until Thursday night at midnight (we have done that before, much to my chagrin), I decided to get on the ball days ahead.

And in true Jess fashion, I’ve decided to see if I can create a more intentional packing process to help me stay prepared, but not burdened by a heavy suitcase full of unused items.

When I travel home for Christmas for a week to see my family I usually find that I have under-packed and feel forced to wear items that aren’t really ideal. But since I’m only heading to Cabo for three days and two nights, I also want to make sure I don’t over-pack due to my excitement to be somewhere warm and tropical.

So here’s what I did today to make sure I have a properly planned wardrobe while I’m away.

The first thing I did was talk with Mr. Lively about what activities we wanted to do while we were at the resort. We debated about whether we wanted to work out while there or not. Since my running shoes and gym clothes could easily take up a decent amount of my checked suitcase, I didn’t want to bring the gear if we weren’t going to really do a workout.

After discussing the workout idea, we nixed it in favor of swimming and relaxing. I have done a great job working out very consistently all month and I think a few days off to enjoy my hard work is ideal. So out went the workout gear from the packing list.

Above you can see what we do intend to do over the long weekend: lots of relaxing, swimming, and dining.

I also checked the weather forecast for Cabo this week. It looks to be about 75*-80* with cooler nights. So I knew that I needed to prepare for warm weather with layering at night.

Then, I pulled out most of my summer wardrobe and looked at all of my options.

Usually when packing, I get about this far and just throw my favorite items into my suitcase. But the end result is usually under or over packing and a lackluster array of outfits during the trip.

Next, I started to try on each item and created my favorite looks. Above you can see the outfits that could be great for dinner, dancing, or exploring. Each one has a layering piece as well in case of air conditioning or cooler temps.

I also made sure I had an outfit to fly back to Chicago in as well as a few other pieces that could be mixed in if I feel a bit more causal during the trip.

One bonus of this step I found was that there were a few items that needed to be steamed or cleaned. Those have been put in a special pile for me to attend to in the next few days so I’m not worried about them while on vacation.

And of course, I couldn’t forget the main event: swimsuits. I had the navy polka dot bikini from J.Crew last year but find that the top is a bit precarious for my chest and is best used only when laying out. So the new orange and black suits will be much better suited to fun at the beach or pool. I got both of the new suits at a huge discount from Lands End Canvas thanks to a recommendation from Jill.

So there you have it! I feel much better prepared for anything that might come up. I plan to use this same process to pack the other peripherals for the trip as well. This will include sunnies, beach towel, books, music, etc.

Viva la Mexico!

This post was originally published on jesslively.com on January 31, 2012.
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Summer Entertaining with Brittany of Marie Callender's Meals

I know it's only Monday, but it's never too early to think about the upcoming weekend. If you're thinking about throwing a backyard BBQ or outdoor dinner party, there's plenty of time to send out a few invites and make some plans. Brittany of Marie Callender's Meals has some budget-friendly entertaining tips to get you started.

Beer popsicle from Bakers Royale, Rooftop party from Jess Lively, Bruschetta from Fiscally Chic,
Nautical crab boil party from Design*Sponge, Clubhouse turkey burger from Iowa Girl Eats

After a long and arduous winter, summer has finally arrived. That means flip-flops, sundresses and all the BBQ your heart desires. From cook outs and picnics to outdoor dinner parties and mixers, the summer is one of the best times to entertain; and it starts to add up quickly. Food and party supplies can get pretty expensive, but with some creativity (and little common sense) you can save quite a bit on summer entertaining.

Always Get a Head Count

If you don’t want to be stuck if an extra five pounds of potato salad and twenty cheeseburgers too many then be sure to get an estimate before you grocery shop. You can also minimize unnecessary spending by taking into account what different people will eat. Find out how many vegetarians will attend, how many people will bring their children, who doesn’t eat red meat, etc. Such thorough meal planning may seem like a lot of work, but it will help insure that you have something for everyone without going over budget.

Use Seasonal Produce

This is a good rule of thumb for cooking year round. You can save quite a bit of money by purchasing seasonal produce at the grocery store or local farmers’ market. Try grilling recipes with summer squashes, artichoke hearts, eggplant, red onions, sweet potatoes or peppers. Most of these veggies can also be roasted in the oven. Loading up on fruits and vegetables will not only save you money, but it’s a healthier alternative to some of the more traditional (and caloric) BBQ side dishes.

Make Your Own Marinades

You can save quite a bit in the long run by buying the spices and oils to make your own dressing and marinades, rather purchasing ones that are premade. It also gives you the opportunity to experiment with more flavors. There are a handful of ingredients you should have on hand all summer to do so, including: sea salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, soy sauce, sesame oil, cumin, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Chances are you already have half of these items in your pantry, so it will just be a matter of experimenting with different recipes or concocting your own!

Be Smart about Stock Piling

So many frugal living gurus push the practice of stock piling, but if you’re buying products that will sit in the pantry until they expire, than it’s a waste of money. If you do a fair amount of entertaining then stocking up on popular products can save you a lot in the long run. Keeping extra burger patties or dessert pies in the freezer will save money buy buying in bulk and help you avoid emergency grocery runs. But be weary of stocking up on things, simply because it’s on sale. If you don’t think you’ll use it, don’t even think about buying it.

DIY Décor

Decorations can add a lot to the ambiance of your party. Be it an assortment of flowers or interesting lighting, you can really transform your home and make it even more memorable. But rather than spending a ton of money at a party supply store, spend a small amount at a craft or hardware store. There are numerous ways to upcycle household items to create interesting decorations. For example, spray paint wine and beer bottles to create small vases or make your own paper lanterns for fun outdoor lightening.

Brittany writes about frugal living and family meal ideas on behalf of Marie Callender's Meals. For more about easy meals, like chicken pot pie and comfort bakes, visit www.mariecallendersmeals.com.

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Summer Memories with Helena of SweeterCPA

Today's guest post is from a gal that I enjoy geeking out with about accounting ;) When she's not saving the world one tax return at a time, you can find her sharing stories about her trips across the US and life in Chicago with her husband and cats.

Hi, Fiscally Chic readers! I'm Helena from SweeterCPA and I'm excited to share my summer memories with you!

Ocean City, Maryland, will forever mean summer for me. While I've spent most of my life in Chicago, both sides of my family live on the east coast and I've been swimming in the Atlantic every August since I was four months old.

Well, there probably wasn't much swimming that summer.

Ocean City was a place of traditions. My grandmother would rent the same condo each summer and my sister and I would spend months ahead of time arguing over who would get to sleep on the top bunk in the room we always shared. (Spoiler alert: I generally won. I am older, after all.)

From the condo, we were steps from the beach where we spent most of our days. My grandmother would watch the horizon for dolphins as my sister and I dug in the shallow surf for sand crabs to trap in our yellow, plastic bucket. As a fair skinned child, I spent a lot of time under an umbrella, coated with Bullfrog sunblock. When I was allowed out in the sun, it was always with a t-shirt over my swim suit.

 

We could also walk from the condo to a putt-putt golf course where we'd take turns trying to hit our brightly-colored balls hard enough that they'd fly into the parking lot (potential damage to cars in said parking lot never seemed to be a concern).

Also in walking distance was the waterslide park where we'd ignore the lifeguards and attempt to connect all of our mats to make long trains down the man-made hill.

Food was also subject to strict tradition. We had to make at least one trip to Candy Kitchen where we would gorge on the largest sundae bar I'd ever seen. While there, we'd pick out boxes of salt water taffy for our friends back home.

We also had to have dinner at Phillip's where the family would eat our weight in crabs from the Chesapeake so covered in Old Bay that the corners of your mouth would start to burn.

Most importantly, Ocean City is where the family would converge.

My family is very heavily female and the condo (and, later, the Holiday Inn after our party grew too large) would erupt with aunts and cousins. With my immediate family moving frequently in those years and our oldest cousin living in Houston, this time at the beach was the one time a year we were guaranteed to see one another. We cousins smooshed into bed together and stayed up all night watching movies rented from the place across the street. Later, we did one anothers' make-up and made googly eyes at boys at the hotel pool over virgin strawberry daiquiris.

Ocean City is the setting of so many of the stories my family tells when we gather. We talk about the summer my sister discovered purple eyeshadow. We talk about renting (and crashing) bikes on the Boardwalk. We talk about jellyfish and their single-minded determination to sting no one but my youngest cousin.

Ocean City has an almost mystic, golden tinge. As someone with a deep appreciation of traditions, I hope my own children one day have an Ocean City of their own.

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Enjoying Summer with Lisa of Elembee

Hi, friends! With the upcoming arrival of our baby girl, I've decided to take a little maternity leave from blogging. But don't you worry, you're in good hands with some stellar guest posts. With my due date being so close to Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, you can look forward to posts about warm weather activities, summer memories, and more. I'll also pop in on occasion with updates and posts of my own. 

 

First up is Lisa of Elembee. You can count on Lisa for great tips about blogging and fab graphic design. Thanks, Lisa!

 

Coconut creamsicle margaritas from How Sweet It Is, Penguin from Brett Morrison,
Lake from Lisa's Instagram, Guacamole salad from Simply Delicious

Hi, Fiscally Chic readers! I'm Lisa from Elembee, and I have a confession to make. I hate summer. The heat and humidity make me miserable! But this summer, I'm going to put a little more effort into enjoying it. Here are a few ways I'd like to enjoy the summer:

1. Be a tourist at home. I'm visiting NYC in June, and I feel like I'm going to have the worst case of travel bug after that! But there's plenty to do within driving distance, and I'd like to take advantage of that. It can be as simple as an afternoon at the local zoo — why not spend the afternoon visiting the penguins and sea lions? It's an inexpensive way to get out and explore.

2. Relax at the lake. I went to the lake a lot last summer with my aunt and her family. It's really the best thing to do on a hot summer day!

3. Take advantage of summer produce. I recently started a new blog to encourage myself to be more mindful of healthy habits. I struggle in the summer because, honestly, I just don't feel like doing anything in the heat, especially not cooking. But summer produce is amazing, and salads require very little effort!

4. Mix the perfect summer drink. There's nothing more refreshing or relaxing than a crisp, cool drink on the patio on a summer evening, if I can just get over wanting to avoid the heat altogether. Sometimes it's better to embrace it, and just try enjoy it. It can't be that bad with a cocktail in hand, right?

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Flip Flop Weather

This post is sponsored by Havaianas.

Ella Moss Lila chevron maxi dress, Havaianas Freedom flip flops,
Kate Spade cluster earrings and popsicle necklace, Gap straw clutch and leather belt

We're finally having consistent flip flop weather in Chicago and I couldn't be more excited! Maybe it's all the years of swimming, but I love being able to walk around in flip flops all.the.time! And I'm really loving flip flops and sandals this year because my feet don't always fit into regular shoes. That's what warm weather and the third trimester can do to a girl.

Not only is this Friday's post inspired by the warmer weather and flip flops, but it's also a nod to the adorable and colorful dress gifted to our baby girl by Jess and Mr. Lively.

Little Hip Squeaks headbands, Havaianas Baby Top flip flops,
Gap flutter chevron dress 

Seriously. Isn't that the cutest dress ever? I love all the bright colors and wish it (or at least a shirt) came in my size. Jess bought it in a size for our baby girl to wear next summer (super smart), so I'm OK with creating a "Cathy-sized" outfit that doesn't need to accommodate a belly. And of course her little outfit needed some mini accessories. Those headbands by Little Hip Squeaks are currently sold out and sell like hotcakes once they're available. I managed to snag a set in different colors/patterns and can't wait for them to arrive. And what about those baby Havaianas? Adorbs.

By the way, Havaianas has recently started shipping all orders at a $1 flat rate which has been reduced from $8. Baby-sized shipping costs for baby-, kid-, and adult-sized flip flops and shoes...sign me up!

Pinata by Oh Happy Day

 

Now that we have outfits covered for next year's Mother's Day/summer, how about an activity? Oh Happy Day posted DIY instructions for making a giant popsicle pinata. And wouldn't you know, it coordinates perfectly!

 

As for this Mother's Day, we're getting together with family for a bunch/lunch. How about you? 

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Mediterranean Quinoa

One of the things I love about the great US of A, beyond our independence, is the diversity. Not just the people; the diversity of flavors. America really is a melting pot. And if you've ever been to an international grocery store, you know what I mean.

When the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, do you think they could imagine the multitude of cuisines present here today? Obviously Ben Franklin and John Adams spent time in Paris, but what about food from the farflung lands in South America, Asia, and Africa? Or even the regional flavors that evolved over time?

I'm thankful that I was exposed to all sorts of cuisines growing up: Italian, Greek, Polish, Mexican, Chinese, and so on. I was never really a picky eater and loooove spicy foods. It was way more than bland meat and potatoes. Sometimes John wonders where my palate come from.

So when I can't hop on a plane during the middle of the week, at least my tastebuds can go on a culinary adventure.

Mediterranean Quinoa

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water or chicken broth

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 14 oz. can of quartered artichoke hearts, drained

1 cucumber, diced

1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered

1/2 cup kalamata olives, drained

2 tablespoons pinenuts (toasted)

4 oz. container of feta cheese

Handful of basil (rough chopped or cut into a chiffonade)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Pour quinoa into a strainer and rinse.

In a medium pot, bring broth or water to boil. Stir in quinoa. Cover and reduce heat to low, simmering about 15 minutes, until quinoa expands and absorbs all liquid.

While the quinoa is simmering, prep the rest of the ingredients.

Once the quinoa has absorbed the water or chicken broth, pour in the lemon juice and fluff quinoa with a fork.

Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Garnish with additional feta cheese and basil.

May be served hot or chilled. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

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Happy Birthday, 'Merica!

Happy 4th of July! I hope you enjoy some good food, good times, and independence. I'll be back tomorrow with a tasty recipe!

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How You Feelin'? hot, Hot, HOT!

{Have you entered the Fiscally Chic giveaway on Cornflake Dreams yet? $50 can be yours for new bright and happy pillow covers!}

Striped Turkish bath towel (Etsy seller Turkish Towel Village), Old Navy flip flops, J. Crew polka dot bikini top and bottom, TOMS Kathmandu 301 sunglasses, Beach bag (Etsy seller Banyan Hippo)

Oh boy! It is HOT in Chicago! If it wasn't so darn hot, I'd consider going to the beach. But then I'd probably run to for the A/C in about 20 minutes. Speaking of, we had a little technical difficulty with our A/C and I was praying we wouldn't have to call and get it serviced on the hottest day of the summer. All is well for now, so fingers crossed it keeps working.

By the way, I saw that solid colored Old Navy flips flops (which are usually a bargain at $4/pair) are going to be $1 in stores on Saturday! [That excludes wedges, embellished, printed, and leather styles. 5 per customer.] So if you lost or broke your last pair of flippy floppies....stock up! These are also great as part of a bridesmaid gifts or summer wedding favors.

Do you have anything exciting going on this weekend? We have a neighborhood party on Saturday and I plan on baking some blueberry rhubarb cobbler. Have a great Friday!

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Dressed to Grill

J. Crew double crystal brulee necklace, TOMS red canvas wedges, Xenotees pet lobster tee,
J. Crew striped shorts, TOMS sunglasses, Weber charcoal grill

Hurray for another Friday and 3 day weekend! Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, which means lots of grilling on the horizon! But around our house, once the weather gets warm, we John can't help but break out the grill. And our Weber charcoal grill has already seen plenty of action this spring.

Hamburger print by lucileskitchen

One way to have a little more fun with grilling is to create a signature spice rub to use on meat or fish. We have several grilling cookbooks, so we've tried several concoctions over the years. In general, a spice rub is a combination of:

• Salty: Plain, kosher, sea, or flavored salts.
• Sweet: White, brown, or turbinado sugar; molasses; cinnamon; cloves; nutmeg.
• Spicy/hot: Black, chili, or cayenne pepper; red pepper flakes; chili powder.
• Herbal: Oregano, thyme, sage, fennel seeds, basil, bay leaves, dill, marjoram, parsley, rosemary.
• Earthy: Cumin, coriander, paprika, celery seed
• Sharp: Garlic, onion, mustard powder, mustard seed, tumeric

One of my favorite rubs is from the cookbook Dressed to Grill: Savvy Recipes for Girls Who Play with Fire by Karen Brooks, Reed Darmon, and Diane Morgan. One of my college roommates had a copy of the book and it "appeals to the way women cook today: fast and furious, with, of course, a healthy nod to low-fat ingredients." The recipes have all sorts of sassy names, as you'll see with this spice rub :)

Hot Girls Spice Rub
From Dressed to Grill: Savvy Recipes for Girls Who Play with Fire by Karen Brooks, Reed Darmon, and Diane Morgan.

Ingredients
1/4 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons coarsely ground pepper
1 tablespoon ground coriander
3 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons each: paprika, dried thyme, and chili powder
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, stirring well to blend.

Store in an airtight container away from heat or light. The rub will keep for up to 6 months.

 Massage the rub into the meat or fish and let marinate:

• Shrimp and scallops: 15 minutes
• Chicken and thicker cuts of seafood: 30 - 60 minutes
• Pork chops or tenderloin: 45 - 60 minutes
• Beef or lamb: 1 hour
• Big or tough cuts of meat (racks of ribs, pork shoulders, turkeys): 2 - 8 hours

Refrigerate meat that is marinating for more than an hour.

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Guac it Out

Hi there! Did everyone enjoy the long weekend? I sure did. Plenty of sleeping in, my first concert at Ravinia (Guster was great!), and time spent on fun projects. Plus, I finally ran on the trail by our house wearing a new pair of running shoes. Oh, and I decided to join Twitter. You can find me @FiscallyChic.

So back to Ravinia. It's a great outdoor concert venue. There are lawn seats and pavilion seats. I went with John's sisters and their friends and we sat on the lawn and enjoyed a picnic dinner while listening to the music.

John's family makes guacamole for almost every get together. There's Christmas guac, Easter guac, Thanksgiving guac, etc. One year, they even had a "Guac Off." I was in charge of bringing the guac this time, so I guess you could say it was Labor Day guac.

The key to great guacamole is having the perfect avocados. The skin of ripe ones can be almost purple-y brown. If you squeeze one gently, there will be a little bit of give, but it won't be overly mushy.

As for the ingredients, the only requirements (in my book) are avocados, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, and salt. Tomato, onion, and garlic are also fair game. You can also get a little crazy and add tequila, corn, or black beans. Or you can make a very basic version with only avocado, lime juice, garlic, and salt. The bite of raw garlic mimics the heat of the jalapeno pepper.

To mash the avocados, I use our trusty potato masher. That thing gets way more mileage with avocados than with potatoes.

I'm really excited to share this recipe because I've been dying to share this food/fashion pairing. The combination has been dancing in my head, waiting for some guac. The green and white fabric of my EmersonMade clutch* matches perfectly with the guacamole and white serving bowl. And the blue flower and blue corn tortilla chips make wonderful accents :)

By the way, I can't wait to share tomorrow's amazeballs post! Don't miss it!

Guacamole

Note: Guac is all about personal preference. I like mine with lots of lime juice and a bit of a kick. And there's no set ratio for the ingredients. If you're unsure, start with only a little bit of one ingredient and add more to taste.

Also, jalapenos get most of their heat from their seeds. More seeds = more heat. If you want a mild guac, leave out the seeds. Be sure to wash your hand thoroughly after chopping the jalapeno and don't touch your eyes for several hours

Ingredients

8 avocados

1/4 cup lime juice

1 small bunch of cilantro, finely chopped (this was a small package from Trader Joe's)

1 jalapeno pepper, minced

1 small tomato, diced

salt, to taste

Directions

Slice the avocados in half and remove the pits. (Here's a video on removing the pits) Scoop the avocado pulp into your bowl.

At this point, I like to pour a some of the lime juice over the avocado pulp and mash the two together. The acid in the lime juice will help prevent the guac from turning brown.

Mix in the chopped cilantro, minced jalapeno pepper, and tomato. Add more lime juice, as you see fit.

Add salt to taste, mixing everything one last time.  I like my guac chunky, so I try not to overmix things.

Enjoy!

*Currently, EmersonMade doesn't have clutches on their site. You can purchase other styles of their clutch from One Sydney Road.

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Labor Day Weekend Fun

Loft hoops, J. Crew belt, Toms Morocco Classics, Lands End Canvas chambray shirt,
J. Crew shorts, Schlafly pumpkin ale, California avocado, Crate and Barrel table in a bag

It might be September, but I'm holding on to summer for as long as possible. Since it's Labor Day weekend, I have an extra day to relax and enjoy the warm weather. That means grilling, sipping wine or beer from a picnic blanket while listening to live music, and snacking on guacamole. I might also sew the curtains and some pillow covers.

Then again, September signals the beginning of all things pumpkin, starting with Schlafly's Pumpkin Ale. And I'm pretty excited about it! Schlafly is a great microbrewery out of St. Louis, MO. Unfortunately, their beer is not available in Chicago. Though we're in St. Louis so often, and have family that can drive it to us, that we can get our fix pretty easily. If you're ever in St. Louis, I definitely recommend having a beer and meal at either the Tap Room or Bottleworks, where the beer is brewed. Tours are also available at the Bottleworks.

What are you up to this holiday weekend?

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Blueberry Rhubarb Cobbler

And I'm back in the kitchen! After a short moving-imposed baking hiatus, I'm happy to say that desserts are back on the table. This blueberry rhubarb cobbler is the first "real" baked item in the new house. I made a frozen pizza a few weeks ago, but that didn't turn out very well. The oven started smoking and the smoke detector went off. After closer inspection, there were some unidentifiable black crusty things hidden underneath the grate in the oven, which caused it to smoke ...ooops. Now that we have a clean oven, I can bake all the cobblers and cakes I want!

Not pictured: baking powder

As I've said before, I'm a sucker for farmer's markets. I picked up the rhubarb the same day I bought the peonies. Strawberries are the typical first choice when using rhubarb, but there's no reason they should hold a monopoly on rhubarb. Blueberries pair just as nicely with the tart rhubarb. Plus, I already had a great recipe for peach and blueberry cobbler. Therefore, substituting rhubarb was an easy choice.

 

I also love the contrasting colors. Red strawberries and red rhubarb would look bland in comparison.

Blueberry Rhubarb Cobbler

Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens: Peach-a-Berry Cobbler

Filling

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 cups sliced fresh rhubarb
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 tablesppon butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For filling, in a medium saucepan stir together brown sugar and cornstarch; stir in water. Add rhubarb and blueberries. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add the 1 tablespoon butter and the lemon juice; stir until butter melts. Pour into an ungreased 1-1/2-quart casserole. (I used an 8 x 8 inch Pyrex pan.)

While the filling is cooking, make the topping.

Topping

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, softened

• 2 tablespoons coarse granulated sugar (or 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon brown sugar)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or cinnamon (or both if you love spices like me!)

For topping, stir together flour, the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and the baking powder. Add milk and the 1/4 cup butter all at once. Stir until smooth.

Spoon topping in mounds over hot filling; spread evenly over filling. Sprinkle with a mixture of the 2 tablespoons coarse sugar and the nutmeg and/or cinnamon.

Bake cobbler in a 350 degree F. oven about 35 minutes or until bubbly and a toothpick inserted into topper comes out clean. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

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