CSN Stores Review!

a few weeks ago i was approached by CSN Stores asking if i would like to do a review of something from one of their many stores! CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish handbags, a corner TV stand or great cookware! of course i said yes, so now i'm just trying to figure out what it is i'm going to review. i will be getting $35 towards anything at one of their many stores.

so, what do you think?

• cookware (they have Rachael Ray...though not much more than i already have)
• bakeware (i'm sure i could use something...)
• shoes
• home decor
• a gift for my niece's upcoming 1st birthday??
• handbags (i'm actually looking at this bag...)

anyway. my goal is something i will really USE. like, a lot. because it's hard to write a review of some wall art. or a hanging clock. as much as we want some other piece of decor on the one wall in our living room, i'm not sure that is what i want to get.

looking for suggestions! hopefully i'll have something picked by the end of the week.

books galore

i'm extremely proud of myself, for i have finished three books in less than a month and a half. after horribly failing my "goal" from early last year to read six books throughout the year (i read a whopping ZERO), i am proud to say i'm on track this year to make up for it!

the first book i started/finished is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. this is the first in the SKANK book club that we just started. i finished a month ago...and we still have at least a month before meeting to discuss the book. i have a problem of reading a little too fast when i enjoy something, probably missing important parts, but just so anxious to find answers and the next exciting bit. needless to say, i really enjoyed this book, but i'm not going to elaborate more on this as i will probably post to our book club blog after we've discussed it.

the second two books i finished were in a series my sister gave to me many months ago, before the wedding. i finally got around to reading them, and finished both within about three weeks. i must say, i really enjoyed the books, specifically the second. the books are something borrowed and something blue. i loved the main character's transformation in the second book. ugh. gosh. i would definitely say these are chick books, but i still think they were great. i don't feel like giving a review of the books, but i'll just say they are above love and friendship and two girls' journey to find what each mean. okay, i know that sounds cheesy, but the books aren't! i swear. plus, it just so happens that the one of the main character's has the exact name i've wanted to give one of our children - a girl - if we have one. though, josh isn't too keen on the idea...Darcy Jane. love it. Darcy cause i love pride & prejudice, Jane after my gramma.

AND oh.my.gosh, i didn't know they were making a MOVIE out of it! something borrowed is coming to theaters May 6th of this year! yippee!

anyway, now that i'm done reading those books and still waiting to start the next in our book club, i need to find something new to read! i'm tempted to stop by the library as i can't afford to buy books all the time (i'd rather save it for clothes + shoes).

fabric friday: 2-4-11

hello, readers! in an attempt to spruce up and be more interesting and design-focused on my blog, i decided to implement a new feature - FABRIC FRIDAY. i probably need some super cute logo-type thing to make this idea a super awesome idea, but for now, this is what you get.


fabric friday will include fabric finds from vendors i've worked with or sites i love, fun or out-of-the-box ways to use fabrics, fabrics relating to projects i've worked on or am currently working on or even a fabric tip that i've found.

i thought i would kick off this feature with a favorite fabric design idea that was posted on one of the blogs i visit daily. joy from joy ever after posted several months ago this awesome wall decor using fabric and stretcher bars. i have been contemplating attempting this type of DIY for our bedroom, which has grey and yellow theme.

(photo from joy's site)

check out the link above to view her DIY and for more images. love!

chargrilled chicken + risotto

risotto has been a favorite dish of mine ever since i've tried it. i haven't had it or made it in quite a while, but finally, after weeks of having all my ingredients i made my recipe. i've been dying to make this recipe ever since i bought this book on risotto for $5.00 on clearance at a kitchen gadgets store. 

the recipe is chargrilled chicken + risotto. in my attempt at healthier dishes for two people, i made a few alterations and small additions to this fairly basic recipe, and it turned out AMAZING. the recipe called for white wine, which i did not have, so i substituted white cooking wine. i also added a few chopped sun-dried tomatoes, more chicken stock (+ a little water) than called for and less cheese. i'm telling you - i was sampling this as i was making it, before the cheese went in - and thought it was so good i almost didn't put in the parm. but then i did. and holy. it made it amazing. 

 

i'm trying to work on "healthier" meals for two people, with no leftovers.  i usually eat leftovers for lunch, but in an attempt to lower my weight i've found i can't afford the calories at lunch that usually are okay at dinner. the end result of this recipe is a for about two people, so that's what the ingredients below will get you. i had a few leftovers, but only because i didn't eat as much as i probably could, as i'm really attempting to monitor portion control for myself in meals. risotto isn't the healthiest of meals, but it's better than a side of Velveeta mac and cheese or a loaded baked potato.

recipe:

~marinade for chicken~

juice and zest of 1/2 a lemon

1-2 T olive oil

4-5 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed and chopped (i buy fresh then freeze. it's a great way to have fresh herbs whenever)

1 clove garlic (i had minced, so about 1-2 tsp)

S + P

~risotto ingredients~

1-2 T olive oil

2 T butter, separated

1/2 small onion, chopped fine

3 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped fine (if you can measure them in quantities, and they don't have to be in oil)

generous 3/4 cup arborio rice

1/3 c white wine (or white cooking wine)

2 1/2 - 3 c chicken stock

2-3 T Parmesan cheese

S + P, to taste

~instructions~

1. season chicken w/ S + P. mix together marinade ingredients and rub into chicken. let sit 4-6 hours (i had about 2 1/2 hours, which i think was plenty). cook chicken about 10-15 min per side, till juices run clear. let sit 5 min before slicing.
2. heat chicken stock, keep simmering while cooking risotto.
3. heat oil and 1 T butter in pan. add onion, cook to soften, do not brown. add sun-dried tomatoes, cook till warm. this is where i seasoned with S + P
4. add arborio rice, cook till translucent, about 2-3 minutes. 
5. add white wine / white cooking wine. cook till reduced.
6. add chicken stock, a ladleful at a time, waiting until absorbed before adding more. cooking takes about 20-30 minutes. 
7. once rice is finished absorbing, remove from heat. add remaining butter and cheese, to taste, and more S + P if desired.
8. serve chicken atop risotto.

delish!

fun finds: pens

i'm a huge fan of all things MoMA and these pens are no exception.

MoMA Color Dots Pen
MoMA Store

a few other favs...

Voile Spaghetti Measure

Box Appetit Lunch Container

Blip Spoon Rest