Leek Soup

Last night, I decided to make leek soup. I had been wanting to try it ever since reading French Women Don't Get Fat.

I am a huge fan of anything onion-based, and I'd never cooked with leeks, so I was anxious to give it a try.

Given the simple nature of the recipe and ingredients, I was surprised (and delighted) to find this broth both nourishing and satisfying. I wish I had made more!

I will definitely use this recipe again as a stock for potato soup or vegetable soup. Naturally, I used my china and silver. (I love this particular resolution. :) )

Ingredients

• 2-3 leeks
• water
• salt/pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. Chop leeks at the bottom leaving only the white and a hint of green. 
2. Cover with water and bring to a boil. 
3. Let simmer for about an hour. 
4. Season to taste and enjoy. 

(image via Framed In The Doorway)

FITD love!

xo,

B

Sweet Saturday

Enjoying pretty little pink things that make me smile...

Happy Saturday!

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xo

Friday Flights of Fancy...

How cute would this Nambe scoop be for throwing a fun little dinner party? I stumbled across it and thought I would share.

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 FITD love!

xo,

B

FITD: Wednesday Addendum

I had the most wonderful moment in my day today. A true FITD moment, if you will.

Today, when I arrived home from work, I noticed that there was a package in the mail addressed to me.

My first thought: "Oh, boy! It's a package in the mail addressed to ME!!" (Because I apparently, I am still a ten-year old at heart.)

My second thought: "Did I order something online and forget about it?"

When I opened the package, I discovered a beautiful scarf and sachet and bracelet from a friend of my Mom's. We are friends on Facebook and had been in touch regarding our mutual interest in crafts, and she had asked for my address.

To be the recipient of such generosity...I'll be honest and say that I have a lump in my throat.

To say thank you is not enough. 

To my Mom's Dear Friend, D: thank you!! The loving gesture is something my Mom would do, and it put such a smile on my face.

(images via Framed In The Doorway)

XOXOXO

Whimsy Wednesday...

When I was a little girl. I loved Fashion Plates. You could mix and match plates and design your own outfits and, using a pencil, press and trace your own designs.

Oh, having a fit of nostalgia and wondering if I'm too old to indulge in these...

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And just cause...

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To being elegant, fanciful, and whimsical...

FITD love!

xoxo,

B

Top-Drawer Tuesday

Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday!!

We're having a major (more so than usual) cold snap here in Minnesota, which makes me want to snuggle under the covers and hunker down until spring. (Or at least until Sunday when it's supposed to warm up.)

In the spirit of curling up and staying warm, I thought I would share some pictures of my new bed linens (featured here).

I love how the crisp, white linens highlight the pops of color (such as they are) that currently dress the bed.

It's so fun being a girl. :)

Happy Tuesday, my lovelies!!

FITD love!!

xo

Madewell Monday

Looking forward to adding these bad boys to the wardrobe....the best part?? 40% off!!!

Check out Madewell for details. (We have a Madewell here in Minnesota --finally!! But the online deals are just so good.)

Super excited for spring....

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And the final result!!

(image via Framed In The Doorway)

FITD love!!

xo,

B

Prime Rib Soup Recipe

My mom and I used to frequent Harrigan's, a restaurant in Texas that is (sadly) no longer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Our favorite thing to order was the prime rib and mushroom soup, and it is one of the best soups I have ever had.

Once the restaurant left the area, I made it my mission to track down this recipe and try it out.

Not only is the soup easy to make, but it is also an excellent way to use up leftovers from a standing rib roast. I like it because it includes ingredients that I already have on hand, and it's less labor-intensive than other soups I've made

You can find the recipe here, but just in case, I'm posting it on the blog as well.

Harrigan's Prime Rib and Mushroom Soup

4 cups water
8 teaspoons bovril powder
2 cups sour cream
2 cups chopped prime rib roast
1/2 cup mushroom
chives (optional)

1. Cook prime rib roast to desired doneness.

2. Pour any drippings into saucepan. Add water and Bovril. Heat.

3. Add sour cream and chopped prime rib roast and mushrooms. Heat**SLOWLY**. Do not boil. Serve and enjoy!

Note: Bovril is British; It's a beef extract that can be used in recipes such as the one above or spread on toast or used to make a "beef tea".

My Musings

I prefer to use fat-free sour cream and to top my soup with chives. If you have saved the rib bones, you can make a sort-of beef stock out of them along with the Bovril. As always, modify the recipe to taste. I made a bigger batch this time, so I used more of everything.

Simmering on  the stove...

A lovely meal: Wedgwood, silver, Jo Malone, and a glass of Pellegrino

(images via Framed in the Doorway)


My mom and I had some wonderful talks over this soup, so it makes me even happier to pass it along. :)

Enjoy!!

FITD love!

xoxo,

B

Makeover: An FITD Declutter

Today, I took Duchess Elizabeth to the vet for her annual checkup. Naturally, I felt just horrible because she was shaking the entire time, but all went well, and she is now curled up by me.

(I guess she has forgiven me. :) )

So, today I did a couple of nice things for myself: I put on a super cute outfit to take Dutchie to the vet. I also stopped on the way home and picked up a bottle of fresh-squeezed orange juice and some Pellegrino.

I also decided to start my (sometimes semi) annual decluttering process.

I am, by nature, a packrat. I tend to associate many of my good memories with the things that I have, and sometimes it's hard for me to part with them.

(Also, if the Zombie Apocalypse should still happen, I'm at the ready. :) )

So, let's talk about my (small) project for the day: organizing the drawer that houses my undergarments.

I was tired of pawing through an endless number of tights to find ones without a run. (Do the Zombies really need 10 pairs of black tights?) Keeping socks without mates in the hopes that the dryer would magically return them. Searching frantically for a swimsuit top.

So, in the vein of Wearing what I Love/Loving what I wear, I had a little Come-to-Jesus with my wardrobe.

How scary is this?

The Before Pile

Organizing by color...

Black, White/pastels, Colors

 Allows me to enjoy....

Whites and Brights

 The things I love...

My grandmother's vintage slip

(images via Framed In The Doorway)

FITD love!!

xoxo,

B

FITD: How To

Set a Table Properly 

One of my favorite things...

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Launder White Linens

Always looking for a better way...

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Walk in High Heels

Still learning...

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Tie a Scarf

My favorite accessory...

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Remove Candle Wax from a Container

Given my recent candle-making hobby...most useful. :)

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FITD love! Hope you find these tips as useful as I do!!

xoxo,

B

La Vie en Rose

To my Mom...
Mommy: 1/17/2011

(images via Framed In The Doorway)

FITD love and Mom love,

xoxo,

B

FITD: French Style

When I think of FITD style, I think of all things French. I was--and continue--to remain a huge Francophile, and growing up, I magically hoped I would speak fluent French and turn into a Parisian woman.

At age eight, I decided that the key to learning French was to go to the library and check out a French-English dictionary and memorize the words. It would be another few years before I would take my first French class.

As an awkward teenager, I devoured Seventeen magazine scouring articles on French style.

As an adult: what inspires me--especially when I'm feeling "less than" and not myself.

 Remind myself to keep my space simple.

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 Appreciate the grace and beauty of little things.

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Nourish my body: simple recipes with fresh ingredients.

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Enjoy my beautiful pieces of china, silver, and crystal: each day is special.

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Treat my skin gently.

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Love what I wear. Wear what I love: tailored, classic pieces.

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And to remember: Fashion fades, only style remains the same.

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Finally: red lipstick doesn't fix all, but it helps. :)

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FITD love!

xoxo,

B

FITD: Vignette Fancy

A chance to display some things near and dear to my heart...



A favorite book...



A single rose

Jo Malone candle...



Just because it makes me happy

 FITD love!

xoxo,

B

(images courtesy of Framed In The Doorway)

FITD: Sweet Saturday

A wonderful day: cold outside but so warm and cozy inside.

Homemade split-pea soup to warm my insides...

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Footie pajamas to warm my outsides...

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 A new book to nourish my brain...

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Crisp new linens to curl up in...

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A Yorkshire Terrier to make me laugh...

(image courtesy of the Canine Club and Spa)

A new adventure (vacay!) on the horizon...

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Happy Sweet Saturday to everyone! How did you spend yours?

FITD love!

xoxo

State of Grace: The Art of the Thank You 2013

One thing I would like to be better about this year is responding to gifts and nice gestures with handwritten thank you notes.

Certainly, it was a practice I grew up with. "You need to start on your thank you notes," was an oft-repeated phrase by my mother. To her, a measure (and grace) of a lady was in her ability to write a timely, thoughtful thank you note--a true FITD concept.

And, yet, over the past couple of years, it has been sometimes easier to respond with an email, Facebook message, or phone call. Or, regrettably, not at all.

I am ending that.

A hobby my mom and I shared was collecting different kinds of paper goods and crafts

A heavy cardstock or a nice, heavyweight linen paper brings me an enormous amount of joy, and as I look forward to 2013, I'm wondering what papers I can add to my collection.

What do you think of these? :)

Classic Crane: Paper

Classic Crane: Envelope

Ladybug Love

Fun and Fetching

FITD and lady-like love!

xoxo,

Bran