tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60890431572320207532024-03-05T06:30:52.324-05:00The Daily BatchThe Daily Batch a daily taste of food, fashion and style - with inside tips, tricks and recipes!The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-15181947785451072432011-05-18T08:28:00.000-04:002011-05-18T08:28:09.747-04:00Come on Over, Come on Over Blog Fans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's been a while my friends, but I haven't stopped blogging, I've just been moving.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please join me at my new and improved site, <a href="http://thedailybatch.com/">thedailybatch.com</a>! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thedailybatch.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynOLAgBkGDw/TdO6zZYxUvI/AAAAAAAAKKE/L3QbgOBiG2s/s400/tdb.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am very excited to share this with you and I think you'll enjoy having easier navigation and more access to the find what you're looking for: new recipes, shopping tips, fashion trends, wedding inspiration boards and advice and a glimpse of my life beyond the blog.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope to see you there! Thank you for supporting, reading (and loving) The Daily Batch!</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-62415784877398653762011-05-06T09:45:00.000-04:002011-05-06T10:20:59.532-04:00A Wild Trip for Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The weather is changing, the sun is out, flowers are popping up on every corner, and my Passport is asking to be used. It is saying, throw me in a bag with a flowing dress, some bejeweled sandals, radiant sunglasses, and lets find some far off land, where spices are sold in burlap sacks, the food is hot and the people are beautiful.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6KiO4BfN5c/TcP9hw1mzuI/AAAAAAAAKJ4/IzoX0WdMhwM/s1600/Ashika-Pratt-vogue_india_2011_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6KiO4BfN5c/TcP9hw1mzuI/AAAAAAAAKJ4/IzoX0WdMhwM/s400/Ashika-Pratt-vogue_india_2011_8.jpg" width="310" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ashika Pratt in Vogue India</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I pulled together these pieces that are all different but tied together but the vibrancy of the colors, the boldness of the print and the ease of wear. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoNE805bUrA/TcP9ozWA5hI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/odFEYvDRspA/s1600/28b5535ac5ab893e1d8ed3fb17b8fe69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoNE805bUrA/TcP9ozWA5hI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/odFEYvDRspA/s400/28b5535ac5ab893e1d8ed3fb17b8fe69.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20class=%22ShopStyleSpreadLook%22%20style=%22width:278px;position:relative;background-color:white;border:1px%20solid%20#b9b9b9;padding:0;%22%3E%3Cdiv%20style=%22width:100%;height:217px;position:relative%22%3E%3Cdiv%20style=%22position:absolute;left:11px;top:1px;padding:0;margin:0%22%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.shopstyle.com/action/viewLook?id=3087290&pid=uid8201-47851-90%22%20%20style=%22outline:none;border:none%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.shopstyle.com/action/spreadWidgetImage?look=3087290%22%20alt=%22Anthropologie,%20Tibi,%20Lacoste,%20Missoni,%20Bottega%20Veneta%22%20style=%22margin:0;border:0%20none;position:absolute;left:0;top:0%22%3E%3C/img%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20style=%22position:relative;height:38px;width:100%;bottom:0px;left:3px;line-height:normal;letter-spacing:normal;font:11px%20Verdana,sans-serif;color:#606060;%22%3E%3Cdiv%20style=%22position:absolute;left:3px;top:5px;width:265px%22%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/cocktail-dresses/Tibi#pid=uid8201-47851-90%22%20style=%22color:#606060;background-color:transparent;font:11px%20Verdana,sans-serif;text-decoration:none%22%3E%3Cspan%20style=%22text-decoration:underline%22%3ECocktail%20Dresses%3C/span%3E%20by%20Tibi%3C/a%3E%3Cbr/%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/sandals/Dollhouse#pid=uid8201-47851-90%22%20style=%22color:#606060;background-color:transparent;font:11px%20Verdana,sans-serif;text-decoration:none%22%3E%3Cspan%20style=%22text-decoration:underline%22%3ESandals%3C/span%3E%20by%20Dollhouse%3C/a%3E%3Cbr/%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E">A Tribal Spring</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Tribal Spring, from L to R: Shine on Dress at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20857330&catId=SHOPSALE-FRESHCUTS&pushId=SHOPSALE-FRESHCUTS&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=6&color=085&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E&cm_mmc=PJN-_-Affiliates-_-Placement=20648-_-ShopAnthropologie">Anthropologie</a>, Gibillterra scarf-embellished printed swimsuit by Missoni Mare at <a href="http://www.theoutnet.com/product/226387?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-Custom-_-Link-_-Builder&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-dPga1ykIuaV_jwWqgiIqQw">Outnet</a>, Belted Print Skirt at Barneys New York, Lottie patent-leather and raffia clutch by Jimmy Choo at <a href="http://www.net-a-porter.com/am/product/105828?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-ProductFeed-_-Jimmy_Choo-_-Clutch+Bags&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-8CqB.m890.xyeuYKPnV2aw">Net A Porter</a>, Frayed Straw Fedora at Forever 21</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bottom, from L to R: FALIERO SARTI Ios Sand/Multicolor Pompom Scarf at StyleBop, Alligator skin-print jersey dress by Tibi at <a href="http://www.theoutnet.com/product/92693?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-Custom-_-Link-_-Builder&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-o6vRlSOgW2R04SqsG2sWvw">Outnet</a>, Alba Mini Skirt at <a href="http://www.us.allsaints.com/women/skirts/alba-mini-skirt/vivid-coral/wsk039-2565?WT.mc_ev=click&WT.mc_id=AFF%7CCJ%7C2178999&partner=commission_junction">AllSaint Spitalfields</a>, Dollhouse Alfa Slingback Sandal at <a href="http://www.endless.com/dp/B003VAQIFC/177-9414096-0534410?ie=UTF8&creative=395033&suppressRedirect=1&linkCode=asn&tag=endlesscj-20&creativeASIN=B003VAQIFC">Endless</a>, Knot intrecciato snakeskin clutch by Bottega Veneta at <a href="http://www.net-a-porter.com/am/product/98702?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-ProductFeed-_-Bottega_Veneta-_-Clutch+Bags&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-viRC0TF7TpAsTXTTNoI4hQ">Net A Porter</a>, Melbourne Sunglasses by <a href="http://shop.lacoste.com/Lacoste-Womens-Melbourne/dp/B004JPM00A">Lacoste</a>, Rainbow Ring by Citrine by the Stones at <a href="http://www.charmandchain.com/products/rainbow-ring">Charm and Chain</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The trick for going big with color, prints and patterns is to not be afraid. Find a silhouette you typically gravitate towards, a slim pant, a waist cinching wrap dress, a pencil dress and go bold. Step away from the gray and black and add yellow, oranges, limes, cerulean, ruby.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love the idea making a splash in a bold and beautiful way, that's as wild as it is sophisticated.</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-88713429665223614032011-05-05T09:45:00.006-04:002011-05-05T15:02:46.390-04:00Setting the Stage, Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few weeks ago I shared my staging inspiration boards for a cute little house in DC. The house had been completely redone and needed fabulous furniture and decor to make someone's future house a home.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I loved this living room, it maintained the heritage of the home and yet felt very modern, clean and beyond livable. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dIeCYk4AHcs/TcLx4fAnECI/AAAAAAAAKJk/bsappfhpftY/s1600/475932_3.Jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dIeCYk4AHcs/TcLx4fAnECI/AAAAAAAAKJk/bsappfhpftY/s400/475932_3.Jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Living Room</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGxRAgFQ2lE/TaRJ_hIF6SI/AAAAAAAAKGw/QAzzMpGL5KE/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGxRAgFQ2lE/TaRJ_hIF6SI/AAAAAAAAKGw/QAzzMpGL5KE/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Living Room Inspiration</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who doesn't want to come here for dinner? Seriously, no one would turn down a seat at this table.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6XbtKm3XEIQ/TcLx41sKzZI/AAAAAAAAKJo/v9fcUsQFUqA/s1600/475932_4.Jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6XbtKm3XEIQ/TcLx41sKzZI/AAAAAAAAKJo/v9fcUsQFUqA/s400/475932_4.Jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dining Room</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWbtkDjzb4I/TaRKEX9AkXI/AAAAAAAAKHA/AjAI9pEzE9E/s1600/Picture5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWbtkDjzb4I/TaRKEX9AkXI/AAAAAAAAKHA/AjAI9pEzE9E/s400/Picture5.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dining Room Inspiration</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even the bathroom deserves some love, and I <i>love</i> how this little powder room came out - and I love those towels!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MZdValo-p6w/TcLx6hj73wI/AAAAAAAAKJw/5I9avwWwJ-0/s1600/475932_8.Jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MZdValo-p6w/TcLx6hj73wI/AAAAAAAAKJw/5I9avwWwJ-0/s400/475932_8.Jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Guest Bathroom</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHPhCwg6Z8/TaRKAbX0efI/AAAAAAAAKG0/gGYEaVbjOwE/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHPhCwg6Z8/TaRKAbX0efI/AAAAAAAAKG0/gGYEaVbjOwE/s400/Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Guest Bathroom Inspiration</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't share the inspiration photo for the Master Bedroom, but the real life photo is more than inspiring! The closet space, the clever office, the way the light floods the room, waking up in here would be a dream come true. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4pufjH6bUQ/TcLx7YxvtQI/AAAAAAAAKJ0/No6jeHuk1B8/s1600/475932_11.Jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4pufjH6bUQ/TcLx7YxvtQI/AAAAAAAAKJ0/No6jeHuk1B8/s400/475932_11.Jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Master Bedroom</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Very happily this house has already sold! If you like this style of home and live in the DC area, I'll point you in the direction of the developer </span><a href="http://wsd.com/sale/" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Walnut Street Development</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> They're mission is to create better homes, for better living, and this sweet little home illustrates it perfectly.</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-79769844415491734552011-05-04T16:00:00.001-04:002011-05-04T16:01:38.890-04:00Why I love the Internet, Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I previously talked about <a href="http://thedailybatch.blogspot.com/2010/11/google-or-why-i-love-internet.html">why I love the Internet</a>, or Google (which for me, is the Internet), but now my love has gone to an all new level. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you have a heart of any kind/size, love to get emails, enjoy pictures, or are an over all sap (hello!) this quick video is worth a watch, and whatever tears may follow.</span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R4vkVHijdQk?fs=1" width="480"></iframe></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look, I cried at my desk - that is the power of Google!</span></div></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-75394663557124104672011-05-02T09:45:00.000-04:002011-05-02T11:51:20.539-04:00All the News That is Fit to Tweet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is how I learned last night that there was news to know. I'm on Twitter (@CRL26) and this tweet prompted me to visit CNN's website - which was not yet updated. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPnsv7eWYFs/Tb7PPjf45VI/AAAAAAAAKJA/b7nvZfi36qA/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPnsv7eWYFs/Tb7PPjf45VI/AAAAAAAAKJA/b7nvZfi36qA/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I continued to get my news from today's leading Twitter journalists (which aren't really journalists at all, at least not in the traditional sense). These are people who are digesting the Internet at a rate that makes keeping up a game and a challenge. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the next few minutes, without the use of television and only my little smartphone, I learned the following: </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rumors:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zktdmJUvFxE/Tb7P9selV3I/AAAAAAAAKJE/D6nYmPPNTlw/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zktdmJUvFxE/Tb7P9selV3I/AAAAAAAAKJE/D6nYmPPNTlw/s400/Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Sources:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLIgVdaJqUw/Tb7QmeeN_II/AAAAAAAAKJI/ExBpsqFCdDc/s1600/Picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLIgVdaJqUw/Tb7QmeeN_II/AAAAAAAAKJI/ExBpsqFCdDc/s400/Picture3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Facts:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodV6dx6RemP3zadVekkVocfU1YYShMmMtZ6OM47bFiBljYSPva4mnmZ_U6AgESVhODCz6sy3e9wOvbsqecfEJ7rU6OvJGi0cIq_Y8LBhn9fO50xg8i8Ze2nyCnRkSMLbYYPzfeYR12Os/s1600/Picture5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodV6dx6RemP3zadVekkVocfU1YYShMmMtZ6OM47bFiBljYSPva4mnmZ_U6AgESVhODCz6sy3e9wOvbsqecfEJ7rU6OvJGi0cIq_Y8LBhn9fO50xg8i8Ze2nyCnRkSMLbYYPzfeYR12Os/s400/Picture5.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During the Twitter news-cycle I saw a lot of people tweeting about "Where they were when..." They discussed where they were when they first head of 9/11, and now where they are as the President announces that Osama bin Laden had been captured and killed. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To me what is most interesting is <i>how </i>did you learn? In 2011 I was in high school, and I learned via the public address that something was wrong, and then watched on the morning news. Last night, I learned via Twitter.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The low barriers of the Internet make it possible for us all to be journalists and to be on the front lines and embedded within our own daily lives. Just ask @ReallyVirtual who unknowingly live-tweeted the assasination. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The low barriers of the Internet allow for us all to be published authors (hello, this blog!), leaders of movements (the 2008 election) and revolutionaries (Iran, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and so on). The Internet isn't going anywhere, and the technology is accelerated further because of the value that it adds to the potential for democracy and transparency for all people.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I look forward to seeing what makes the news next and when, I already know how...</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-40408574857472663172011-04-29T08:47:00.000-04:002011-04-29T08:47:54.604-04:00Inspired Princess Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If everything old is new again, we have to find inspiration somewhere. For Kate Middleton, there was no better inspiration than Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rasMGg5ucBc/Tbqxyb2sk1I/AAAAAAAAKI0/glX20zrjQGg/s1600/kate-middleton-royal-wedding-prince-william-dress-590jn042911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rasMGg5ucBc/Tbqxyb2sk1I/AAAAAAAAKI0/glX20zrjQGg/s400/kate-middleton-royal-wedding-prince-william-dress-590jn042911.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kate Middleton, April 29, 2011 - Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OGjNU8VmLn4/TbqyM_tgenI/AAAAAAAAKI4/lfWeR3d_2F8/s1600/grace-kelly-wedding-dress-pictures-96058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OGjNU8VmLn4/TbqyM_tgenI/AAAAAAAAKI4/lfWeR3d_2F8/s1600/grace-kelly-wedding-dress-pictures-96058.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Grace Kelly, April 19, 1956, Dress designed by MGM Costume designer, Helen Rose</span></span></td></tr>
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</div></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-359009934902119942011-04-28T20:01:00.000-04:002011-04-28T20:01:00.632-04:00Dress Like a Princess, Spend Like a Commoner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For as much as Kate loves Will, I've noticed a few other things that have really caught her fancy. Among them, tights, boots, blazers, and a great cocktail dress. Kate has a style that is contemporary and accessible. She knows her shape, colors, and what works best for a life in the limelight.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She favors deep v-necklines, which I suspect will become less deep after the "I do", cinched waists, and fabric details.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Want the Kate look for less? Try these on for size.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Z-7ZFZ_s3o/Tbn8UDzIn9I/AAAAAAAAKIw/M346mjhB9FE/s1600/cde4e30f94bf025a42fcef4d18c7f836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Z-7ZFZ_s3o/Tbn8UDzIn9I/AAAAAAAAKIw/M346mjhB9FE/s1600/cde4e30f94bf025a42fcef4d18c7f836.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like any good Brit, Kate often dons the trench coat, but like any savvy shopper we'll forgo the Burberry for a chic coat for less than $200. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Casual about Town, </i>Top Row:<i> </i></b>Macks Trench Coat via <a href="http://usa.frenchconnection.com/product.aspx?categoryid=Woman%20Collections%20Sale&productid=70OZ7&seoterm=macks%20trench%20coat&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-4lACsQ4tP3GoF1MEss9RXg&mscsmigrated=true">French Connection</a>, English Rose Kimono Blouse via <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20429361&catId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES&pushId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES&popId=CLOTHES&navAction=top&navCount=126&color=065&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES-PEASANT&templateType=subCategory&cm_mmc=PJN-_-Affiliates-_-Placement=20648-_-ShopAnthropologie">Anthropologie</a>, Broome Street Jeans via <a href="http://www.katespade.com/broome-street-jeans/NJMU1006,default,pd.html?dwvar_NJMU1006_color=429&start=8&cgid=clothing-pants-and-shorts&subid=20648&cm_mmc=pepperjam-_-text-_-generic-_-29302&utm_source=pepperjam&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=text&utm_content=generic&utm_term=29302">Kate Spade</a>, <a href="http://www.calvinklein.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11551989">Calvin Klein </a>Metallic Scarf, Heeled Stretch Boots via <a href="http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Clearance/Womens-Shoes-Boots/Heeled-Boots/AZ122-DBR/Womens-Chocolate-Heeled-Stretch-Boots.html?cm_mmc=CJ-_-1909792-_-2178999-_-Product%20Catalog">Boden</a>.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kate is often photographed in dresses, like the one in the original engagement photos, the highlight and accentuate her slender waist. Expect to see more dresses and conservative style in her new role. She also isn't afraid to shop off the rack - we should be no different!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Dress for the Occasion, </b></i><b>Middle Row:</b> BCBGMaxAzria Ruched Jersey Dress via <a href="http://www.bluefly.com/BCBGMAXAZRIA-blue-sapphire-ruched-jersey-v-neck-dress/sale-cat20114/307657801/detail.fly?cm_mmc=CJ-_-1909792-_-2178999-_-BCBGMAXAZRIA+blue+sapphire+ruched+jersey+v-neck+dress&referer=cjunction_2178999_10436858_305468688">Bluefly</a>, Tahari ASL Sheath Dress via <a href="http://www.bluefly.com/Tahari-ASL-tan-space-dyed-cotton-blend-Julie-belted-sheath-dress/cat20102/312320001/detail.fly?cm_mmc=CJ-_-1909792-_-2178999-_-Tahari+ASL+tan+space+dyed+cotton+blend+%27Julie%27+belted+sheath+dress&referer=cjunction_2178999_10436858_305468694">Bluefly</a>, Contrast Tank Sundress via <a href="http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=15&pageId=1&productId=570017873&viewAll=&prd=Contrast+Tank+Sundress&subCatId=cat6219291&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=6&catId=cat6219285&cat=Wear+to+Work+Dresses&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=&LkshrPID=J84DHJLQkR4&LkshrCID=1&CMP=AFC-LS_Affiliates">White House/Black Market</a>, Cole Haan Opaque Tights via <a href="http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-opaque-tights-espresso">Zappos</a>, Michael Michael Kors Flex Low Pump via <a href="http://www.zappos.com/michael-michael-kors-mk-flex-low-pump-black-leather">Zappos</a>, ASOS SUGAR Bow Court Shoe via <a href="http://us.asos.com/ASOS-ASOS-SUGAR-Bow-Court-Shoe/w3u79/?iid=1455116&MID=35719&affid=2135&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-RdOcWI4UZcd.4tIvWu8vRg&r=2&mporgp=L1Byb2Qv">Asos</a>.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will and Kate got engaged while on Safari in Africa, and I am sure they will honeymoon somewhere fabulous. Whenever they get the chance for some R & R, expect more dresses and chic, simple resortwear.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Princess on Holiday, </b></i><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bottom Row:</b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Free People Tiered Lace Dress via </span><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/free-people-tiered-lace-dress/3160905?origin=category&cm_ven=Linkshare&cm_cat=partner&cm_pla=10&cm_ite=1&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-lgc5t7n8TLyz7TvvV9mCyw" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nordstrom</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, Crisp Chambray Blazer via </span><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20591079&catId=CLOTHES-COATS&pushId=CLOTHES-COATS&popId=CLOTHES&navAction=top&navCount=774&color=092&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=CLOTHES-COATS-BLAZERS&templateType=subCategory&cm_mmc=PJN-_-Affiliates-_-Placement=20648-_-ShopAnthropologie" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anthropologie</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, Off White Anglaise Bikini via </span><a href="http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2291367&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208585&parent_categoryId=208580&pageSize=20&refinements=category%7E[209413%7C208585]&noOfRefinements=1&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-RzTdbFjplVDONzL_vzARfg&cmpid=usls_deeplink&_$ja=tsid:19905" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TopShop</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, Sapphire and Diamond Ring via </span><a href="http://www.ice.com/rings/engagement-diamond-ring-prd_rdb_120192.jsp?srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=00-8946664-2" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ice.com<span id="goog_1691213848"></span><span id="goog_1691213849"></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, Melin T-Strap Pump via </span><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/melin-t-strap-pump/3148749?origin=category&cm_ven=Linkshare&cm_cat=partner&cm_pla=10&cm_ite=1&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-duuxnISdvFMtYXzkI_bywA" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nordstrom</a></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-9175533695192105042011-04-28T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-28T09:45:00.430-04:00On Being a Princess<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tomorrow, Waity Katy will wait no more. Tomorrow, Kate Middleton, the future Catherine, the Something of Somewhere will be a bride, and the most watched bride of all time.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IuFXGrgCSX0/Tblo1DCJ0QI/AAAAAAAAKIk/IIwuYLvSv8o/s1600/prince-william-2-435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IuFXGrgCSX0/Tblo1DCJ0QI/AAAAAAAAKIk/IIwuYLvSv8o/s400/prince-william-2-435.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kate and William via People.com</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I mentioned in conversation the other day that I sort of feel badly for Kate - yea, we're on a first name basis. It can be tough to be a bride, especially when your every move is scrutinized and then compared to one of the world's most beloved women, your groom's mother. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymrTrh2wtew/TbloX39_XaI/AAAAAAAAKIg/I407IQc4h7E/s1600/princess-diana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymrTrh2wtew/TbloX39_XaI/AAAAAAAAKIg/I407IQc4h7E/s400/princess-diana.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, July 29, 1981via People.com</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But, it also got me thinking, how unique is her situation, really? On her wedding day she will become a princess, and on your wedding day so will you. <i>Stay with me here...</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You might hate the idea of being a princess, and what is stands for: the patriarchy, and pomp and circumstance. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You might be a beach bride, a ballroom bride, a courtroom bride or a castle bride. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You might get your dress off the rack, at a sample sale, or have it be the most highly speculated gown of the year. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You might share donuts with your spouse, cupcakes, or a multi-tiered traditional English fruitcake (*yikes!).</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You might have a very small budget, be a DIY-er, or be employing a royal army of vendors for your wedding day.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>It makes no difference. </b>On the day you put on your dress <i>(maybe it's red, "diamond" white, ivory, or somewhere in between) </i>and walk towards your groom, <i>(up the stairs of the courthouse or down the long and storied aisle of Westminster Abbey)</i>, you will be the only person anyone looks at, the only person anyone talks about, and the only Princess for your Prince Charming.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lLqdob6aSs/TblqhwlQmKI/AAAAAAAAKIs/S7H3n1RM-ug/s1600/25359_634910152875_7400684_36577810_4248976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lLqdob6aSs/TblqhwlQmKI/AAAAAAAAKIs/S7H3n1RM-ug/s400/25359_634910152875_7400684_36577810_4248976_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mark and I on our Wedding Day, via 1313blog.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will be watching tomorrow as William and Kate say "I do" and share their awkward first public kiss as husband and wife. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're in need of more Royal Wedding info, <a href="http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20395222_20485427,00.html">People</a> has done a great job of pulling it all together, and you can watch it live online at 5 AM, EST. You can also follow the wedding news on Twitter with #rw2011.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now all that's left is seeing what she wears!</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-88748084932391770632011-04-27T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-27T09:54:33.966-04:00Welcome Back!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hopefully you're still here, and haven't wandered off. The last time we spoke we were talking <a href="http://thedailybatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/easy-passover-desserts.html">matzah</a>, and soups, and <a href="http://thedailybatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/menu-planning-for-passover.html">brisket</a> (and man, they were delicious!) and then Mark and I were jetting off to LAX for a week of fun and adventure.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h55h8I-uZ30/TbgfGUX928I/AAAAAAAAKIA/4bV6hihMtM4/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h55h8I-uZ30/TbgfGUX928I/AAAAAAAAKIA/4bV6hihMtM4/s640/photo1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Passover Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We flew into LAX (Los Angeles) and over the course of a week we snaked up Highway 1 to San Francisco. We stopped in 11 little towns, met up with old friends and made new friends and ate delicious food throughout. We also took some time to enjoy the view.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnyRbQVDq9Q/TbgfcG-8-hI/AAAAAAAAKIE/4ra2yAZyphc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnyRbQVDq9Q/TbgfcG-8-hI/AAAAAAAAKIE/4ra2yAZyphc/s640/photo.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Barbara</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I will regale you with a full review and recipes from our amazing trip, and share more daily posts on recipes, fashion, and life!</span></span></i><br />
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</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-15977086282663850382011-04-18T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-18T09:48:51.562-04:00Easy Passover Desserts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sG33ReOKPvA/Taw-eJnKWUI/AAAAAAAAKH8/PMFPfNLya-Y/s1600/310367a93a3c4e6b88ff1941e2e61a44_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sG33ReOKPvA/Taw-eJnKWUI/AAAAAAAAKH8/PMFPfNLya-Y/s320/310367a93a3c4e6b88ff1941e2e61a44_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, did you forget tonight was Passover? You forgot you were supposed to bring a dessert to your friend's/coworker's/cousin's/mother-in-law's house? Oh you're supposed to bring a dessert and you don't have like an extra 6,000 eggs lying around, and matzah cake meal?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do not worry. Walk away from the bakery counter. Matzah Toffee to the rescue!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The ingredients are simple, and because its basically sugar, butter and chocolate (and your creativity) it is hard to go wrong. And you can get ready at the same time!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5 sheets of matzah </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 stick of butter</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup of brown sugar (light or dark)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup of chocolate chips</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">pinch of salt</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cover a cookie sheet in tin foil, and lay out the matzah. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a medium size sauce pot, over low heat, melt the butter and then add the brown sugar. While stirring constantly, watch for the sugar to melt into the butter. When it starts to bubble remove from the heat. Off the stove add the vanilla, or other extract that you might like - or none at all, and the salt, and continue to stir.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With a heat-proof spatula spread the toffee mixture on top of the matzah getting as close to all four corners as possible. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Put the entire tray into a warm oven of 250 degrees for 10-15 minutes. <i>(Take a shower).</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Out of the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips onto the hot toffee'd matzah and then tent the entire tray with tin foil and let it sit for 15 minutes. When tented the heat will melt the chocolate and you're free to do other things. <i>(Go do your make up)</i>.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Come back to the matzah and spread the chocolate with a knife or spatula and then be creative, sprinkle with a little sea salt, some chopped pistachios or almonds, or candied ginger.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Put the tray in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or longer. <i>(Dry your hair). </i>When you're ready to go, break into candy bar sized pieces.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoy with family and friends - this sweet treat is perfect as a Passover dessert, hosting gift, or a quick snack.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy Passover!</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-9841245626248476852011-04-15T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-15T09:55:21.695-04:00Menu Planning for Passover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On Monday night our family will come over for a Passover Seder. I am excited to start cooking and have been assembling a menu for weeks.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you were eating at my house, this is what you'd get!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Herbed Salad</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Mark's Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs</span></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk2_3RJPUvg/TahNXapjkYI/AAAAAAAAKH4/zue2DyIbFck/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk2_3RJPUvg/TahNXapjkYI/AAAAAAAAKH4/zue2DyIbFck/s320/DSC_0210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">via The Daily Batch</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Julie's Charoset</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Matzah Ball Soup</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Homemade Matzah </b></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wAhm2VbLIFI/TahNF82QRnI/AAAAAAAAKH0/OXm4qOP816A/s1600/DSC_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wAhm2VbLIFI/TahNF82QRnI/AAAAAAAAKH0/OXm4qOP816A/s320/DSC_0401.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">via The Daily Batch</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Smitten Kitchen's Slow Cooked Brisket</span></b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dH3wsxhzSSA/TahMgH-Sp6I/AAAAAAAAKHw/hbEx4FkbMKo/s1600/4479663496_cd315b761c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dH3wsxhzSSA/TahMgH-Sp6I/AAAAAAAAKHw/hbEx4FkbMKo/s320/4479663496_cd315b761c.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>via Smitten Kitchen</i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Herbed Potatoes</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Roasted Asparagus</span></b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6weGGanPQs/TahMMXET0fI/AAAAAAAAKHs/6lDI0HxL6as/s1600/mare-roasted-asparagus-h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6weGGanPQs/TahMMXET0fI/AAAAAAAAKHs/6lDI0HxL6as/s320/mare-roasted-asparagus-h.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>via Bon Appetit</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roasted Carrots</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Chocolate Mousse Pie in Coconut Macaroon Shell</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Knowing myself I am sure there will be a few more items that sneak onto the table... What are you favorite Passover foods? If you've never celebrated is there anything you're interested in trying?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </div></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-86932672368360233312011-04-14T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-14T12:38:11.320-04:00Go Green for Weddings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My standout favorite in the color category was the Oscar de la Renta dress with a sage belt and cotton candy like confection wrapping the model's shoulders. It has since inspired a Green and White Wedding Board with a focus on texture, color and a bit of whimsy. Green tulle calls for whimsy!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTMIftal4Ck/TachkbQO2PI/AAAAAAAAKHo/hWEhl4wL8O8/s1600/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTMIftal4Ck/TachkbQO2PI/AAAAAAAAKHo/hWEhl4wL8O8/s400/green.jpg" width="366" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really wanted to incorporate the satin-bow as seen on the bride, and featured it on the flower girl and the flower "embroidered" cake. I wanted lots of texture so I loved the olive tree centerpiece for the escort card table and the freshness of the florals and drink. And of course for a touch of sweetness and whimsy is there anything more whimsical than cotton candy?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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shadowcolor="#ccc [4]"/> </o:shapedefaults><o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;">Row 1: </span></b>Oscar de la Renta Spring 2010, Cake via Brides.com</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Row 2:</span></b> Real Weddings Invitation, via Brides.com, Real Weddings Florals, via Brides.com</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Row 3:</span></b> </span><span lang="en-US">Fox N’ Lily Flower Girl Dress, via Brides.com, </span><span lang="en-US">Escort Card Table by David Stark Design, via Brides.com, Plaza Pinnacle Drink by CPS Events at The Plaza, via Brides.com, Green Apple Cotton Candy by AIX NYC, via Brides.com, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What color combinations are you loving for now, or later? It's okay to dream (plan) ahead!</span></span></span></div></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-6407774736980920372011-04-13T09:45:00.001-04:002011-04-13T10:53:13.935-04:00Seeing Green, Pink and Blue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This past week was Bridal Market in New York, my invitation was lost in the mail but thanks to the various people I follow on Twitter and Brides.com I had a virtual front row seat. A few trends really stuck out to me, and the first was the presence of color in a sea of white.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a conversation I had last night I told someone there is no right or wrong way to get married, only your way. These dresses are the visual illustration of that theme. You can wear whatever you want, and now in whatever color. Here are some of my favorites:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For Spring I love the bold, and the slight touches of soft sage green. It is fresh, light and a really lovely take for a bold bride.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5_W7VKrZu8/TaUAN615oJI/AAAAAAAAKHI/BIpHLHGqHfQ/s1600/new-oscar-de-la-renta-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5_W7VKrZu8/TaUAN615oJI/AAAAAAAAKHI/BIpHLHGqHfQ/s320/new-oscar-de-la-renta-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-006.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oscar de la Renta - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jlMTrFHrO4/TaUAWIrfJDI/AAAAAAAAKHY/RT6VUz_jqOE/s1600/new-vera-wang-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jlMTrFHrO4/TaUAWIrfJDI/AAAAAAAAKHY/RT6VUz_jqOE/s320/new-vera-wang-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-003.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vera Wang - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Two trends that I loved were the surprising supersized stripes on Carolina Herrera's runway, and the ombre dyed Oscar de la Renta in radiant blue.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddNcpBNx0SE/TaUAP3c2TPI/AAAAAAAAKHM/A2vOnlLp23o/s1600/new-oscar-de-la-renta-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddNcpBNx0SE/TaUAP3c2TPI/AAAAAAAAKHM/A2vOnlLp23o/s320/new-oscar-de-la-renta-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-024.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oscar de la Renta - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDTDkActEOY/TaUASVfl3vI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/LlPY8YFkK0Q/s1600/new-carolina-herrera-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDTDkActEOY/TaUASVfl3vI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/LlPY8YFkK0Q/s320/new-carolina-herrera-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-004.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Carolina Herrera - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">In a more classical turn, the runways were filled with swaths of blush, mauve, pinks and lavenders. The beauty of the bridal bouquet and some ballerina style have influenced the wedding gown.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSghkkNxSbo/TaUAMlpEPKI/AAAAAAAAKHE/713jAFkqV6w/s1600/new-monique-lhuillier-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSghkkNxSbo/TaUAMlpEPKI/AAAAAAAAKHE/713jAFkqV6w/s320/new-monique-lhuillier-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-012.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Monique Lhuillier - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoUDA9gHDms/TaUAUVyYqKI/AAAAAAAAKHU/BA6xxS64N5E/s1600/new-reem-acra-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoUDA9gHDms/TaUAUVyYqKI/AAAAAAAAKHU/BA6xxS64N5E/s320/new-reem-acra-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-023.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reem Acra - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3idiFMWY0dM/TaUAa0ofgWI/AAAAAAAAKHc/mZYzC7RB0k0/s1600/new-rivini-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3idiFMWY0dM/TaUAa0ofgWI/AAAAAAAAKHc/mZYzC7RB0k0/s320/new-rivini-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-006.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rivini - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sf3kEdnGR6g/TaUAdh5boaI/AAAAAAAAKHg/WsVAdszmwvw/s1600/new-vera-wang-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sf3kEdnGR6g/TaUAdh5boaI/AAAAAAAAKHg/WsVAdszmwvw/s320/new-vera-wang-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-008.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vera Wang - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RA3X_JlAE08/TaUAesg7XGI/AAAAAAAAKHk/LGWrMkxssfA/s1600/new-WToo-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RA3X_JlAE08/TaUAesg7XGI/AAAAAAAAKHk/LGWrMkxssfA/s320/new-WToo-wedding-dresses-spring-2012-011.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Watters - Spring 2012, via Brides.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-4785723112473508442011-04-12T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-12T09:45:00.122-04:00Setting the Stage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Normally I think of home decorating and collecting furniture as sort of a piecemeal process; you pick up great pieces when and where you can. The process is organic as you sort of figure out what works in your space, and what doesn't.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Or, you can do what I did this weekend and stage an entire house in a matter of hours, with the help of our good old friend, the Internet. I had the chance to stage to coordinate the staging (furniture/accessories) of a newly remodeled DC row home.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a great exercise in design, but it's also provided some great tips for anyone setting out to make their first home, especially those with a limited budget. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the bathroom: have fun! The entire concept for both bathrooms came from the towels. Towels (from World Market) are a really affordable way to add personality in a small space. Then, because I am like this, I matched the wastebasket and soap to the towels - that is clearly not mandatory. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHPhCwg6Z8/TaRKAbX0efI/AAAAAAAAKG0/gGYEaVbjOwE/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHPhCwg6Z8/TaRKAbX0efI/AAAAAAAAKG0/gGYEaVbjOwE/s400/Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yAqnqgFFJQ/TaRKBLzkxwI/AAAAAAAAKG4/HHdp6vm-HjQ/s1600/Picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yAqnqgFFJQ/TaRKBLzkxwI/AAAAAAAAKG4/HHdp6vm-HjQ/s400/Picture3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's a tip: in designing for staging and open houses, or for any high trafficked guest bathroom, skip the soft white floor rug. I went with gray, it will be more durable underfoot.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the living room I went with the bold choice of a light colored sofa. In theory it is safe for a staging house, or a house without kids or pets (like ours, in real life!), but what you forget about is the times when the furniture needs to be moved by movers, and not with your tender loving care from house to house. No worries, this sofa (also from World Market) is completely slip covered to allow for ease when changing styles, or hiding spills. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGxRAgFQ2lE/TaRJ_hIF6SI/AAAAAAAAKGw/QAzzMpGL5KE/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGxRAgFQ2lE/TaRJ_hIF6SI/AAAAAAAAKGw/QAzzMpGL5KE/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the kitchen allow yourself to make a statement. For me it was these cute little stacked coffee cups (World Market), that inspired the rest of the color palette and semi-retro aesthetic. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l47_Bc42vw8/TaRKCNBDLPI/AAAAAAAAKG8/AQ7HntjX23U/s1600/Picture4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l47_Bc42vw8/TaRKCNBDLPI/AAAAAAAAKG8/AQ7HntjX23U/s400/Picture4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had a few challenges: make it affordable, make it fabulous, and make it livable. I am not an interior designer, but I learned a few tricks along the way, that were worth sharing. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're in home set-up mode here were my favorite places to search and shop: </span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://worldmarket.com/">World Market</a>, great for accessories and unusual items, textiles, that sofa!</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://pier1.com/">Pier 1</a>, great for vases, candles, kitchen kitsch</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://target.com/">Target</a>, great for lamps, rugs, bedding, affordable accent furniture</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://jcpenney.com/">JCPenney</a>, great sales on large furniture, rugs, dining</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://walmart.com/">Wal-Mart</a>, great for lamps, affordable accent furniture, bedding</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://crateandbarrel.com/">Crate & Barrel</a>, great sales on dishes, table linens</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon</a>, great for price checking</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://overstock.com/">Overstock</a>, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">great for price checking, rugs</span></span></span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><br />
</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-71410759175382059812011-04-11T09:45:00.001-04:002011-04-11T10:12:17.066-04:00Passover Humor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've got Passover on the brain; I am menu planning, I am planning to clean, and I am writing/revising a Haggadah (the book that is read during the Passover meal). Least of my worries is what to wear for Passover.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Which is why I got a good laugh when my friend forwarded me this email from Rent the Runway:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0hm7rjOZD10/TaMLs5ymFXI/AAAAAAAAKGs/XZvRFVXyBKM/s1600/Passover+Humor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0hm7rjOZD10/TaMLs5ymFXI/AAAAAAAAKGs/XZvRFVXyBKM/s640/Passover+Humor.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friends, there are few guarantees in life, but of this I can be sure. I will not be wearing the <a href="http://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/dianevonfurstenberg_dresses/tasteelegancedress?login=true">Diane Von Furstenberg Taste of Elegance Dress</a> for my taste of matzah. It's a beauty but you'd probably be better off wearing it to the next J-Date "Matzah Madness" Happy Hour.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more Passover humor, with a techie twist, please watch this, laugh, and talk amongst yourself (in the comments!).</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><center><br />
<object height="400" width="500"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BIxToZmJwdI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BIxToZmJwdI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="400"> </embed> </object></center></span><br />
</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-38224037264137453492011-04-08T09:45:00.001-04:002011-04-08T10:26:14.430-04:00Red Hot, Orange Crush<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The other day my colleague swung by my desk to show off her new lipstick. It was bold, bright and a very happy shade of orangey-red. I really liked it. And in my excitement, which fed off of her excitement, I asked, "Where did you get it from?" She said, "a little boutique called CVS." Yea for funny girls!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you look around orange and red are popping up everywhere: the fresh strawberries, the tart citrus, the tulips sprouting in the neighbor's flowerbeds, and the Spring 2011 runways.</span><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d8k7ZQrUOTE/TZ75jtaohKI/AAAAAAAAKGc/LBZNLyud1MI/s1600/2011_1_orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d8k7ZQrUOTE/TZ75jtaohKI/AAAAAAAAKGc/LBZNLyud1MI/s400/2011_1_orange.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="credit" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://la.racked.com/archives/2011/01/25/orange_you_glad_its_almost_spring.php">LA Racked</a>: Spring 2011 looks from (l-r): Prada, Vena Cava, Halston. Images via <a href="http://style.com/" target="_blank">Style.com</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For spring there are endless ways to this bright and vibrant hue; it speaks loudly and with confidence and requires an equally glowing smile. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT96Obmp8mvJ1XCKtMkHArqENpE-PEVHTM96-pG33sOHkJ7lRE5LbFs3_rvubNJUYo2EwCYyV5e4V_U8wwi63fLalVEQNGh-vAKB9wZtQn0T1wPcc_AzYfqiz43Xc_-kAyNvYdpzgtwtk/s1600/4614dbf5b80daa4aaf87229a24502deb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT96Obmp8mvJ1XCKtMkHArqENpE-PEVHTM96-pG33sOHkJ7lRE5LbFs3_rvubNJUYo2EwCYyV5e4V_U8wwi63fLalVEQNGh-vAKB9wZtQn0T1wPcc_AzYfqiz43Xc_-kAyNvYdpzgtwtk/s1600/4614dbf5b80daa4aaf87229a24502deb.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Red Hot, Orange Crush From L-R:</b> <i>Rouge Pur Couture by <a href="http://www.yslbeautyus.com/Rouge-Pur-Couture/194YSL,default,pd.html?dwvar_194YSL_color=1%20Le%20Rouge&start=1&cgid=makeup-lipstick">Yves St. Laurent</a>; Acne Pearl Skirt at <a href="http://www.yslbeautyus.com/Rouge-Pur-Couture/194YSL,default,pd.html?dwvar_194YSL_color=1%20Le%20Rouge&start=1&cgid=makeup-lipstick">My Theresa</a>; Tangerine Belted Paper Bag Skirt at <a href="http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2245517&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208649&parent_categoryId=208580&pageSize=20&refinements=category%7E[222536%7C208649]&noOfRefinements=1&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-GPRa0aDlJSwe9s4u3XU7HQ&cmpid=usls_deeplink&_$ja=tsid:19905">Asos</a>; Diane Von Furstenberg Gyls Dress at <a href="http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=529427&CategoryID=8685&cm_mmc=LINKSHARE-_-ShopStyle-_-Crawl-_-Crawl&LinkshareID=J84DHJLQkR4-_30NrnAGC3uDskI06pb0dw">Bloomingdale's</a>; Lenny Deep V Mailot at <a href="http://www.barneys.com/Deep-V-Maillot-Bikini/501164672,default,pd.html?utm_source=shopstyle&utm_medium=cse">Barneys</a>; 811 Mid Rise Skinny Jean at <a href="http://www.jbrandjeans.com/811_MidRise_Skinny_Leg_in_Bright_Red/pd/np/135/p/1859.html">J Brand</a>; Le Prairies le Paris Silk Crepe Blouse at <a href="http://www.lagarconne.com/store/item.htm?itemid=11090&sid=7&pid=">La Garconne</a>; Juicy Couture Fernanda at <a href="http://couture.zappos.com/n/p/dp/70632518/c/37885.html">Zappos Couture</a>; Kate Spade New York Straw Fedora at <a href="http://www.zappos.com/kate-spade-new-york-straw-fedora-vine-natural">Zappos</a>; Kenneth Cole Reaction Slip Around at <a href="http://www.zappos.com/kenneth-cole-reaction-slip-around-indian-coral">Zappos</a>; Beaded Bracelet at <a href="http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=whatsnew_acc_jewelry&product_id=1070221914&Page=3&pgcount=100&cookie_test=1">Forever 21</a></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">So how to wear red/orange in real life... </span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be confident in the shape of what you're wearing, the silhouette will make a huge difference. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Start with something small and work into larger statements. In makeup maybe test nails before lipstick, in fashion shoes before a sheath</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Find the right shade for your shade, and find complimenting shades to pair it with</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look to nature for inspiration, this is a color that if you're looking for it you'll find everywhere. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be happy - these are HAPPY colors!</span><i><br />
</i></span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TZvxu2R8krM/TZ8Z6t1_UYI/AAAAAAAAKGg/63wSuglml-g/s1600/colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TZvxu2R8krM/TZ8Z6t1_UYI/AAAAAAAAKGg/63wSuglml-g/s400/colors.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Daily Batch Red Hot, Orange Crush Color Board</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><br />
</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-3864011540298129462011-04-07T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-07T09:45:00.061-04:00Berry Good Breakfast Muffins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">True story, inspired by "If You Give a Moose a Muffin", if you're coming to my house, I am going to make sure that there is coffee. And if there is coffee you'll probably want something to eat. And if you're going to eat something it might as well be a muffin. And if people are going to be eating muffins, I am going to be baking them.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That is the story behind these Berry Good Breakfast Muffins, we had people coming over at 7am (*I know! That is crazy early!) and I thought 7am visits deserve muffins. But, these muffins shouldn't be cloyingly sweet, or filled with butter and chocolate. They should be a healthy breakfast is a small paper cup.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BC7CDxfT2ks/TZ21H3f-9II/AAAAAAAAKFw/DWNy06UOpUU/s1600/muffins+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BC7CDxfT2ks/TZ21H3f-9II/AAAAAAAAKFw/DWNy06UOpUU/s320/muffins+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Berry Good Breakfast Muffins Ingredients</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>adapted from Joy the Baker's <a href="http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2009/05/raspberry-and-jam-muffins/">Raspberry and Jam Muffins</a></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 1/4 cups dry oatmeal</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 tsp baking powder</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 tsp salt</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup unsweetened apple sauce</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup nonfat Greek Yogurt</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup brown sugar</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 egg</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 tablespoons raspberry jam (I use no sugar added)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup chopped blackberries</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a large bowl add all of the dry ingredients, flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and with fork blend together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQZ2ZSn3aVA/TZ21KBY9eoI/AAAAAAAAKF4/LnHq3uCFBfU/s1600/muffins+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQZ2ZSn3aVA/TZ21KBY9eoI/AAAAAAAAKF4/LnHq3uCFBfU/s320/muffins+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a separate bowl add all of the wet ingredients, egg, yogurt, apple sauce and sugar. With that same trusty fork blend these ingredients. There is something to be said about a recipe that doesn't require, or isn't made any easier by using an electric blender.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_mCLT7ZRfA/TZ21JA2CLhI/AAAAAAAAKF0/o3urDVgmEYQ/s1600/muffins+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_mCLT7ZRfA/TZ21JA2CLhI/AAAAAAAAKF0/o3urDVgmEYQ/s320/muffins+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When the wet ingredients are blended all the pieces will be fully incorporated and smooth. Slowly add the wet to the dry and incorporate together and whisk together so everything is one big batter.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1O5uFyNEFuE/TZ21LW1EhRI/AAAAAAAAKF8/Nq0Ob6z3-W4/s1600/muffins+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1O5uFyNEFuE/TZ21LW1EhRI/AAAAAAAAKF8/Nq0Ob6z3-W4/s320/muffins+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I used blackberries because that is what I had on hand. I chopped them up so that the juice would flow throughout each bit and because blackberries are bigger and have a stronger flavor than blueberries (another delicious option). Really any fruit works here. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With each scoop of jam I broke it apart into smaller chunks within the batter and very gently folded it in without turning the batter a pretty shade of pinkish purple. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXgJrF0U6Lw/TZ21MesjUhI/AAAAAAAAKGA/WeHL5pvmo0Q/s1600/muffins+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXgJrF0U6Lw/TZ21MesjUhI/AAAAAAAAKGA/WeHL5pvmo0Q/s320/muffins+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Set these little breakfast bites into a 375 degree oven for 16 minutes. The batter makes 18 muffins, so you might want to invite people over at 7am to share these with and enjoy!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-i9Y1GINWg/TZ23As872XI/AAAAAAAAKGE/d_EM2Lf8zOQ/s1600/012f82e4ddfb498193ec23cc0a75643b_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-i9Y1GINWg/TZ23As872XI/AAAAAAAAKGE/d_EM2Lf8zOQ/s320/012f82e4ddfb498193ec23cc0a75643b_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-37320152164253030082011-04-06T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-06T15:50:48.385-04:00I'll Meet You at the Bar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am not a big drinker, but I love a bar. I love a cookie dunking, cheese cutting, drink making, ice cream cone stacking, pie slicing bar. I love it so much that for our wedding I recruited family to make our favorite cookies which were artfully displayed in beautiful glass domes and trays. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyFYRjS29-Y/TZy7TcDoIbI/AAAAAAAAKFY/9VIDpjoZ0pw/s1600/ariel022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyFYRjS29-Y/TZy7TcDoIbI/AAAAAAAAKFY/9VIDpjoZ0pw/s400/ariel022.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What inspired my cookie bar - Ariel Yve Wedding via <a href="http://stylemepretty.com/">StyleMePretty.com</a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Viennese table of my bat mitzvah youth, and the all-you-can-eat buffet of my worst nightmares have been elevated to a chic level of sophistication and grace. You can blame it on food bloggers, food stylists, but Amy Atlas is the pro who has made it an art. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gone are over flowing trays of cheddar cheese cubs and sad excuses for French pastries. In their places are authentic foods, comfort foods, real foods in smaller portions and beautifully displayed.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ice Cream is amazing, but how much sweeter do you think it tastes when this is how it looks? Probably a thousand times sweeter is my guess. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7D-69oUjhg/TZy7hHXmJcI/AAAAAAAAKFc/d0oauRR56Ws/s1600/DIY_ice-cream_parlour_buffet_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7D-69oUjhg/TZy7hHXmJcI/AAAAAAAAKFc/d0oauRR56Ws/s400/DIY_ice-cream_parlour_buffet_big.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ice Cream Parlour Chic by<a href="http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/diy-ice-cream-parlour-make-your-own-sundaes-buffet-concept-for-wedding-or-party"> Eat Drink Chic</a></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don't know too many studs who would be plussed by a spud bar, but perhaps the happy homemaker in all of us would make this for her spud loving stud (or little spud stud baby). </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U4W3J-JNkfA/TZy7jAPPgUI/AAAAAAAAKFg/skFf8e33wQU/s1600/botanica+florals+and+tiny+water+photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U4W3J-JNkfA/TZy7jAPPgUI/AAAAAAAAKFg/skFf8e33wQU/s400/botanica+florals+and+tiny+water+photography.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spud Bar by Botanic Flowers, Photo by <a href="http://www.tinywaterblog.com/">TinyWater</a></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ahh, the cheese plate has grown into a cheese table! Is this not the most simple and elegant display of some of nature and man's best creations (honey and cheese)? </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBPVtV8NtLg/TZy8ImX9-FI/AAAAAAAAKFs/2QSAnvd9GaI/s1600/SS_cheesetable_001-e1266361370706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBPVtV8NtLg/TZy8ImX9-FI/AAAAAAAAKFs/2QSAnvd9GaI/s400/SS_cheesetable_001-e1266361370706.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cheese Table by <a href="http://sunday-suppers.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-suppers-martha-stewart-feature.html">Sunday Suppers</a></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We see a lot of cookies, cakes and pies, but how absolutely delightful to see fruits and vegetables (and their favorite dips) all beautifully displayed and taking center stage? This shows that eating whole and healthily is beautiful. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjXBqwSFEnI/TZy7kuzErzI/AAAAAAAAKFk/nFFhCKHClwA/s1600/111910-veggiebar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjXBqwSFEnI/TZy7kuzErzI/AAAAAAAAKFk/nFFhCKHClwA/s400/111910-veggiebar.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fruit and Veggie Bar at <a href="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/entertaining/-try-a-fruit-veggie-bar-at-your-next-birthday-bash-amy-atlas-132863">Ohdeedoh</a></span></td></tr>
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</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I menu plan for the upcoming Passover holiday I can't help but be inspired by the creative presentations and artful edibles. </span></span><br />
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</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-12648374827758260022011-04-05T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-05T09:45:01.791-04:00All About the Race<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7428q0KEkqc/TZsa5yBSt7I/AAAAAAAAKFQ/sAfo3RaqHlI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7428q0KEkqc/TZsa5yBSt7I/AAAAAAAAKFQ/sAfo3RaqHlI/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On Saturday night Mark and I went to dinner at Paolo's (spaghetti dinner, you know) and went to bed at around 11:30pm. I was definitely nervous, nervous about waking up on time, nervous about how cold it would be in the morning, nervous if I had trained enough, or in the right way. Nervous!</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunday morning at 5am came earlier than I anticipated. But, after a night of much interrupted sleep I was feeling a sense of now or never. I made my pre-race breakfast, oatmeal and almond butter, and a banana and drank, and drank, and drank (lots of water).</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're wondering what to wear if you're running 10 miles and it is 33 degrees outside, you may follow my lead: long leggings (cotton/spandex), a wicking sports bra, a base layer long sleeve t-shirt, a Marmot zip up jacket, and a headband. It is cold at 5am, but around mile 3 it really does start to warm up as evidenced by the trail of jackets, gloves, a shirts on the street.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I have said, this was my first race. Sometime in the early morning hours as I wandered around the base of the Washington Monument, my nerves dissipated and were replaced with excitement (as well as an urgency to pee - see above about the water). I felt my muscles warm up and relax, and that sense of fear about not being able to do this thing, this race, turned into excitement as a smile spread across my face.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't run the best race, I got a cramp, I had to walk for a portion. But, I finished. I came running into the finish line as my husband and sister watched and cheered me on and finished in just under 2 hours. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pDcpiEn7C8/TZsb7bisOzI/AAAAAAAAKFU/pZt9DN954_8/s1600/191221_888305840864_5321282_43975925_1972_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pDcpiEn7C8/TZsb7bisOzI/AAAAAAAAKFU/pZt9DN954_8/s320/191221_888305840864_5321282_43975925_1972_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I ran faster towards the finish line, I wasn't thinking anything. I was just running (I know, very Forrest Gump). When I crossed I felt everything. I felt salt on my forehead, the cold chill on sweat soaked clothes, and absolute joy. I wasn't tired. I was proud.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope you'll take some time to make a goal, whatever it is, and train towards it. That feeling at the end, it's amazing.</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-4011061013929136592011-04-01T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-01T14:48:30.771-04:00Final Stretch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6aSdnrOVVQ/TZYbcPa8URI/AAAAAAAAKFM/kiPiDDB5j0s/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6aSdnrOVVQ/TZYbcPa8URI/AAAAAAAAKFM/kiPiDDB5j0s/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This weekend I am running the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Race. I am clearly not the first person to run this race, and I'll be running it with thousands of other people, but I am excited about this race. And by excited I mean pretty nervous.</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am not a runner. In fact, when I went to the running store two weeks ago to buy new sneakers, I emphatically told the employee, "I am running in the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile, but I'm not a runner or anything". And the truth is, I wasn't a runner. I didn't look forward to running the trails near our apartment in Virginia, and I often stood on the side of the track while Mark ran (and fast). </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This past fall, I knew I needed to find a mental and physical challenge to compete with the various other challenges in life. I needed something to focus on, to aspire to and to complete.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am generally competitive by nature, but the only person I have been competing with has been me. Over the course of the last two months, during my training program, I have gone from dreading the 3 miles I needed to run, to saying now, "Oh, it's just three miles."</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before I ever started running I told myself that if I ran<a href="http://thedailybatch.blogspot.com/2010/08/realizing-resolutions.html"> 5 miles</a> my gift to myself would be the Maniac pumps from Brian Atwood, it is no longer about the shoes. It is about knowing that I set a goal, I went after it, and in a few days I will do it. I am not running for time, I am running for me.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll report back on Monday with the results. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you need a reason to take on a new challenge, the reason should be because you can, and so you have to.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have a great weekend. </span></span><br />
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</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-27748811926764590962011-03-31T09:45:00.007-04:002011-03-31T09:45:00.676-04:00It Won't be Cold Forever, Spring Will Come<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Say what you will about the traffic, the economy, the politics; Florida is a special kind of place, it is sunny, fresh, embraces rhinestones and diamonds for daytime, has a lot of love, and takes pride in its sunshiney-ness with streets named after flowers, fruits and tropical birds like Flamingo Road and Orange Drive. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJZuFDiTI1o/TZR3gDfhWPI/AAAAAAAAKFA/aOSWLLHgk9s/s1600/crab+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJZuFDiTI1o/TZR3gDfhWPI/AAAAAAAAKFA/aOSWLLHgk9s/s320/crab+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hollywood Beach</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I <a href="http://thedailybatch.blogspot.com/2011/03/crab-cake-appetizers.html">mentioned</a> I spent the weekend at home visiting my parents. I flew in Friday evening and had dinner with my parents at home. Saturday morning I went for a training run for my upcoming race (it's 3 days away!), and then I spent lunch with my dad's parents for lunch and a baking lesson, <i>recipe coming soon</i>. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5WUHlsHCIA/TZR3fPnKkpI/AAAAAAAAKE8/GnzACEeIT1Y/s1600/crab+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5WUHlsHCIA/TZR3fPnKkpI/AAAAAAAAKE8/GnzACEeIT1Y/s320/crab+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lunch at Nanny and Poppy's</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On Sunday I went to my mom's favorite place, the beach.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3SAcj0SVsE/TZR3hIOgoTI/AAAAAAAAKFE/q22TlqRJchY/s1600/crab+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3SAcj0SVsE/TZR3hIOgoTI/AAAAAAAAKFE/q22TlqRJchY/s320/crab+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hollywood Beach</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D14E4teicBE/TZR3iGiCGuI/AAAAAAAAKFI/mQ_5f88UEko/s1600/crab+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D14E4teicBE/TZR3iGiCGuI/AAAAAAAAKFI/mQ_5f88UEko/s320/crab+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hollywood Beach</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I haven't been in 80+ degree weather in quite some time, and I haven't been to the beach since Thanksgiving. It was a good reminder of what is to come. So, my friends in cold locations, please know it won't be cold forever, the rain will stop, you'll be able to put your coats, scarves, and wellies away.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sun will come out soon, and it will be beautiful.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And when it does, please don't forget your sunscreen.</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-38862692678573979772011-03-30T09:45:00.000-04:002011-03-30T12:25:16.526-04:00Lucky Charms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I like stars, horseshoes and rainbows in the marshmallow form, but I love evil eyes, wishbones and clovers in silver, gold and platinum.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What can I say? I have a sweet tooth and like nice things!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Yoga, Kabbalah, and good fashion superstition sharing the limelight with the ancient and traditional faiths, the way we find luck, good favor, and a little bit of blessings now comes with bling. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These tokens and charms veer from the traditional and favor the fashionable, so they are more Saturday errands than Saturday's sacred texts, but I love finding a personal way to accessorize. Here are some of my favorites:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlKB4lm3kKY/TZNXzn2XgJI/AAAAAAAAKE0/kIBpnnVqVQU/s1600/483295f6e795b62e8826a10dbcdd9709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YlKB4lm3kKY/TZNXzn2XgJI/AAAAAAAAKE0/kIBpnnVqVQU/s1600/483295f6e795b62e8826a10dbcdd9709.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Lucky Charms</i> from L-R:</b> <img alt="" src="http://images.singer22.com/static/singer22/images/pix.gif" style="height: 1px; width: 2px;" /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Jennifer Zeuner Long Skinny Good Luck Hamsa Necklace at <a href="http://www.singer22.com/ss23v.html?source=shopstyle">Singer22</a>,</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Alex and Ani - Lifetime of Luck Expandable Wire Bangles at <a href="http://www.couturecandy.com/alex-and-ani/lifetime-of-luck-expandable-wire-bangles-/product.html">Couture Candy</a>,</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Anna Beck 'Gili' Clover Necklace at <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/anna-beck-gili-clover-necklace/3128343?origin=category&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-6W3F0WhIJEMs9gpx6QiS1w">Nordstrom</a>, Jennifer Zeuner Mini Hamsa Curb Bracelet at <a href="http://www.charmandchain.com/products/mini-hamsa-curb-chain-bracelet-silver">Charm & Chain</a>, Ileana Makri Evil Eye Bracelet at <a href="http://www.barneys.com/Evil-Eye-Bracelet/00469601067865,default,pd.html?source=shopstyle">Barneys New York</a>, Dream Mullick Wise One Bangle at <a href="http://www.maxandchloe.com/fulldetails/9189/2?PID=2178999">Max & Chloe</a>, Jennifer Meyer Wishbone Studs at <a href="http://www.ylang23.com/shop_prodDetail.cfm?ShopBy=Designers&DesignerID=0&ShowList=1&CurrentPage=291&ItemID=19814&source=shopstyle">Ylang23</a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where do you find your luck?</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-20367104262206254352011-03-29T09:45:00.000-04:002011-03-29T11:01:17.560-04:00Crab Cake Appetizers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Crab cakes and football, that's what Maryland does!" - Wedding Crashers</span></i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To live near Maryland is to know (and love) crabs: steamed, dipped in butter, made into cakes. When I was home for the weekend I made a crab cake appetizers for my parents and grandparents. It was so fun to cook for people who have cooked for me my whole life, and to make something that doesn't show up too often in South Florida. Florida is all about stone crabs, not Maryland crabs.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ez4K0SZm6Yc/TZHtdyfOZFI/AAAAAAAAKEc/uw0MN5UJg2E/s1600/IMG_0586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ez4K0SZm6Yc/TZHtdyfOZFI/AAAAAAAAKEc/uw0MN5UJg2E/s200/IMG_0586.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Crab Cake Appetizer,</b> <i>makes 14</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 containers of 8oz crab meat (I used lump and claw)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 egg, gently beaten</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 tbsp Dijon mustard</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/8 cup of Panko breadcrumbs</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 lemon juiced</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon Old Bay <i>(this is not exact*)</i></span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 shakes of Worcestershire sauce </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 cracks of fresh black pepper</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sprinkle of salt</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sauce</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 tablespoons of mayonaisse</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon Old Bay</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 lemon juice</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">chopped chives</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a medium sized bowl empty the crab and with a gentle hand and wooden spoon mix the different kinds of meat together. You can use all the same kind of meat, but generally one is considerably more expensive than the other, and they have a different flavor, so I combine for more depth.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the empty crab cup, beat the egg and then add it to the crab. Add the mustard, and a couple of squirts of the Worcestershire sauce, the lemon juice and the Panko. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3AyPZ6XWI4/TZHv4bnhqwI/AAAAAAAAKEg/3EVH3poBRMU/s1600/IMG_0587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3AyPZ6XWI4/TZHv4bnhqwI/AAAAAAAAKEg/3EVH3poBRMU/s320/IMG_0587.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You're probably noticing that the measurements for these ingredients are not overly specific, that's because we're cooking and not baking, and because flavor and spice is personal. Mark loves Old Bay so I tend to go stronger with that, and I don't care for salt so I tend to go lighter. If you want spicy crab cakes, add more red pepper - it's that simple!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Again with the wooden spoon, very gently incorporate all of the ingredients, being careful to not pulverize the crab. A great crab cake is full of big, pump pieces of meat. I usually take a sniff of the crab mixture to see if it seems balanced, and then maybe add more spices if necessary.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, form small balls of the crab mixture is the well of the palm of your hand. These just need to be gently formed, not packing them too tightly. Place all of the uncooked cakes on a plate and cover with plastic to refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Refrigeration lets the crab cakes firm up before they are cooked.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkOy2pFhYkQ/TZHxwbK2XGI/AAAAAAAAKEk/T83bJs9-B4E/s1600/IMG_0588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkOy2pFhYkQ/TZHxwbK2XGI/AAAAAAAAKEk/T83bJs9-B4E/s320/IMG_0588.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a large pan over low/medium heat add a touch of butter and get to cooking. Each side takes 3-4 minutes.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zN59Rh7Efwo/TZHyA_LnACI/AAAAAAAAKEo/4VUoymJQTXs/s1600/IMG_0590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zN59Rh7Efwo/TZHyA_LnACI/AAAAAAAAKEo/4VUoymJQTXs/s320/IMG_0590.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When the crab cakes are out of the pan, give them a few moments to cool and mix up the sauce (mayonnaise, lemon juice and Old Bay) and chop up some chives. For an extra kick you can add a dash of Tabasco to the sauce.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Place all of the crab cakes on a platter and give some (or all) a small dollop of sauce and a sprinkle of chives, serve with fresh lemon, oh and Enjoy!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMzccaHdBVw/TZHyNL9vmpI/AAAAAAAAKEs/oq1HVNhomx8/s1600/IMG_0591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMzccaHdBVw/TZHyNL9vmpI/AAAAAAAAKEs/oq1HVNhomx8/s320/IMG_0591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-88435280560094643592011-03-28T09:45:00.000-04:002011-03-28T14:11:56.589-04:00First Signs of Spring in DC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I spent the weekend in Florida with family, and I have lots of recipes and photos to share of what is perenially 85 degrees and sunny (my hometown). </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But, before I left I snapped this picture of cherry blossoms along Logan Circle in DC. The arrival of cherry blossoms, a gift from the Japanese, is the highlight of the year because it is a reminder that even though it is still 40 degrees, that spring will come and it will be lovely.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dsgMJc5B3ZA/TZDN6WVqmfI/AAAAAAAAKEY/2Wl9_QZiVH8/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dsgMJc5B3ZA/TZDN6WVqmfI/AAAAAAAAKEY/2Wl9_QZiVH8/s400/photo1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wishing you a pink filled, lovely start to your week!</span></span></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6089043157232020753.post-18156335740398044312011-03-25T09:45:00.002-04:002011-03-25T11:01:03.197-04:00Be Engaging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, you're engaged. Mazel Tov! Now what?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was once engaged, and now have friends who are or who will be, and maybe you are, or you have friends/sisters/daughters who are or will be. Here is where I am going to share some frank advice.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">When you are engaged to be married, that is the time between "Will you marry me?" and "I do". You might have one of these on your finger, or a string, or maybe you're not a ring kind of girl - hey, Carrie wanted a closet, no judgement.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody style="text-align: left;">
<tr style="text-align: left;"><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BXjipLyq1M4/TYyg9vcLXhI/AAAAAAAAKEQ/8RVWPSnZGAc/s1600/neil-lane-ring-from-last-bachelor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BXjipLyq1M4/TYyg9vcLXhI/AAAAAAAAKEQ/8RVWPSnZGAc/s200/neil-lane-ring-from-last-bachelor.jpg" width="191" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: left;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ali Fedotowsky's Neil Lane Engagement Ring via <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2011/03/14/the-bachelor-winner-ring/">Stylist.com</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, after you move beyond the proposal and calling your parents, siblings, friends and families, there is a lot to do and consider. <i>The first thing to remember, tell people before posting on Facebook - some news is worthy of a phone call!</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take the time to enjoy your engagement. Before buying a magazine, looking at dresses (this might be hard to resist), before even booking a date, take time to enjoy your engagement. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be silly, take kissy face pictures, talk with your hands more than normal, tell people you're affianced, introduce your "fiancee", get a manicure.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody style="text-align: left;">
<tr style="text-align: left;"><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ENskAzddw1U/TYyl7J1WFuI/AAAAAAAAKEU/mF2kuSdaTA0/s1600/1product_thumb.php.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ENskAzddw1U/TYyl7J1WFuI/AAAAAAAAKEU/mF2kuSdaTA0/s200/1product_thumb.php.png" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: left;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happily Ever After by <a href="http://www.essie.com/nail-colors/">Essie</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Taking time helps get you ready to plan, which can sometimes feel like the other definitions of "engaged" such as:</span></div><ul class="std" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;" type="disc"><li><span style="font-size: small;">having ones attention or mind or energy engaged; "she keeps herself fully occupied with vendor phone calls and magazines" </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">involved in military hostilities; "she was engaged in a heated battle for the perfectly pink peony bouquet" </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">booked: reserved in advance; "she has engaged a room block at every hotel within a 10 mile radius of her reception" </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">busy; "she was engaged in all the planning, she forgot to work out, see friends, relax"</span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">To the newly engaged meet some of my favorite friends on the Internet:</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For honest, funny, sad, stress inducing/relieving stories from real brides: <a href="http://weddingbee.com/">Weddingbee.com</a> and <a href="http://apracticalwedding.com/">APracticalWedding.com</a></span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the traditional wedding resources, and helpful tips on calendars, budgets, etc: <a href="http://theknot.com/">theknot.com</a>, <a href="http://brides.com/">brides.com</a>, <a href="http://weddingchannel.com/">weddingchannel.com</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the drop dead images and inspiration: <a href="http://kissthegroom.co/">kissthegroom.co</a>m, <a href="http://stylemepretty.com/">stylemepretty.com</a> and local favorite <a href="http://ritzybee.com/">ritzybee.com</a></span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And when you're ready to start planning and talking and looking for inspiration, don't forget to come <a href="http://thedailybatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Wedding">here</a>!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div></div>The Daily Batchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04824216507411666519noreply@blogger.com1