Delicious Roasted Beets

Image via Southern Living This image is slightly different from what I describe below, I used green onions instead of red onion!

I have always loved beets, but until recently I had never tried to make them myself. After a quick search at my "go to" foodnetwork, I realized that it was actually quite easy. While its not great for a weeknight dinner, because they need to cook for 45 min to an hour, then rest for 10-15 minutes before you peel them. I don't know about you, but I usually don't get home till almost 7, and eating dinner at 8:30 doesn't work for me, but if you make them ahead they are just as good cold.

The first time I made them, I had them simply with goat cheese, a little bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. It was quite tasty and very easy. Then, Thursday night I went to Bar Jules, a fabulous restaurant in Hayes Valley. It is a small restaurant and the menu changes daily according to fresh local foods. I have been there twice and each time it has been DELICIOUS! Thursday, I started with a butter lettuce salad with green onions, golden beets and avocado. It was so good, I decided I had to make it myself.

I bought golden and red beets. To roast them, pre-heat the oven to 375. Lightly coat the beets in olive oil, and a little bit of salt and pepper. Wrap them in tinfoil and place them on a baking sheet. Roast them for 45-60 minutes. Pull them out and check if a knife goes easily through, they are done. Be sure to check smaller ones after 45 minutes. Once you remove them from the oven, let them rest for 10-15 minutes, as this makes them easier to handle and remove the skin. I use a spoon to peel the skin off and then slice then into wedges.

I bought a spring mix, and next time I would definitely stick with the butter lettuce. I made a quick sherry vinegar- olive oil, sherry vinegar, dijon, salt and pepper, and tossed it with the lettuce, avocado and green onions, then placed the beets around. It was delicious, I quickly grilled a center cut boneless pork chop and dinner was served!

Shopping

Hello! Yes, it has been forever, I am sorry, I have been traveling every weekend this month, I am finally home and am spending my weekend catching up on all the things I have missed. So there will likely be several posts this weekend! First though, I want to talk about all of the great websites I receive emails from that have the best shopping. While I can't indulge on a regular basis, I have found some great deals!

1. Rue La La

2. Gilt Group

3. Swirl by Daily Candy

I have bought things from Gilt and Rue Lala, and they are great, the shipping time tends to be a little longer with Gilt Group, but all three have great sales.

I also love Daily Candy- each day they send a great snippet about a new boutique, restaurant or store opening. They also have a weekly travel edition and "what to do this weekend." They have different editions for different cities, when I found it when I was living in Boston and switched my edition to San Francisco when I moved here.

I am sure these sites are familiar to most of you, but just in case someone missed one, I had to share!

I have several more post ideas so I will be returning soon....happy weekend!

xoxo

Mother's Day

Hello! I have been MIA, I have been fighting the same flu for almost two weeks, ugh. I am also still working on figuring out the photo thing. There have been several things I wanted to post on, my fabulous new white VINCE jeans (couldn't find a photo), the sequin tunic I bought to go over the top and the newest thing I am looking for- the perfect pair of nude pumps. Alas, I haven't yet mastered finding photos on the web and transferring them here. I likely could read directions somewhere, but that would be too easy. I also am in dire need of new camera ( I could at least then take some of my own photos) and the iphone camera just doesn't quite cut it.

I digress....the original point of this post was Mother's Day! I am thrilled to be able to fly home to see my Mom, my grandma and my step-mom ( you have no idea how many cards I need to get). Being a mother is a challenging, amazing and sometimes thankless job. I am so lucky to have all of the wonderful women in my life who have supported, prodded, laughed, cried and grown with me. To all the Mom's and Grandma's- you are amazing and loved!

Happy Mother's Day

xoxo

Image via Today

I LOVE The Today Show. The little chime at 7 am tells me my day has started, I make sure my TV is on the right channel before I hop in the shower so I can rewind the DVR and catch the beginning. I watch it every morning and it prepares me for my day. I must admit, when Katie left, I was apprehensive about Meredith, but she won me over quickly. She has a great rapport with Matt and is a big dog lover- girl after my own heart!

What I wanted to talk about today is Ann Curry. Sometimes I love her, sometimes she drives me nuts. Can she say "Good Morning" enough when they hand it over to her for the day's top stories? "Good Morning Matt, Good Morning Everyone, and in the news this Morning." Its a bit much at 7:04 am.

However, the girl can dress! Some days I think she is completely off, she is prone to wearing items with bizarre collars, but whens he gets it right!!! I am sure she has stylists at the Today Show, but really....that is a closet I could do some damage in.

The most recent item I am coveting is her hot pink coat, it is fabulous! I tried to find a picture of it, or at least who makes it, but to no avail. It has an amazing collar and great cut, with a perfect cinch at the waist. I would love to get my hands on that coat!

A Few of My Favorite Things

These are just some things that always make me smile.....

Beautiful flowers

A happy Christmas dog
My 87 year old grandparents who have been married almost 67 years holding hands

Cuddling cats and dogs (can you tell I'm a dog person?)

Perfectly painted short red nails...

A happily sprawled cat, waiting for a belly rub

These are just some of the things that always bring a smile to my face....what are the everyday things that make you smile?

Sunday Fun Day

I love Sunday! This past weekend in San Francisco was amazing! It was beautiful outside an I spent most of the day Sunday outside with a cocktail in hand. It was a great way to recover from the Bachelorette weekend. I am always game for brunch, a mimosa makes everything better. So this weekend is supposed to be beautiful again, who knows what kind of trouble I will get into this Sunday.

What do you all like to do on Sunday?

Bachelorette Parties

The bachelorette party. I have to admit, I dread them. Now, don't get me wrong, if your idea of a bachelorette party is a fabulous dinner with a ton of wine and some good story telling, then I'm all in. Its the large group with those horrible veil hats, shirts that say "bride to be" and the penis straws....nope can't stand that. I have a bachelorette party this weekend, yes weekend. When did these parties move from a fun night out to an entire weekend, at a getaway destination? I mean, weddings are expensive enough when you are a bridesmaid, let alone these weekend extravaganza's!

The "weekend" begins Thursday and starts with the hope of a nice dinner and one drink out....I'm not so sure that will happen, but fingers crossed. The rest of the weekend is TBD, but 15 women, San Francisco and the dreaded penis straws. Wish me luck....