Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Monday mornings with five things/ideas/events for the week:
I. Guests often ask me where I purchased the curtains in my living and dining rooms. Unfortunately, Pottery Barn no longer makes the style. But not to worry! I recently stumbled upon Jonathan Adler’s collection for the newly revamped JCP (néeJ.C. Penney). These panels have a similar aesthetic, and the price is unbeatable.
II. I am completely in love with everything in this Etsy shop. From gilded zebras to resin crocodiles, you can find any taxidermied animal your heart desires. It looks like I’ll be adding to my collection…
III. A friend introduced me to bourbon smoked sea salt over the weekend, and I’m smitten! As you likely already know, my penchant for bourbon borders on addiction - and I’m convinced that this salt was made for me. Sprinkle it over filet mignon, add it to homemade salad dressings, or use it to rim the glass of your favorite bourbon cocktail.
IV. It’s ice cream making weather!! I’ll be whipping up a batch of burnt orange ice cream this week. The citrus combined with caramel create a deliciously icy confection. Much chicer than old-fashioned orange sherbert.
V. Speaking of warm weather, check out The Chronicle’s guide to outdoor Bay Area bars. The comprehensive list provides a plethora of options for wetting your whistle in the sunshine this week - including my personal favorite, Park Chalet.
Have a wonderful week!! xx tt
My impetus for creating this blog was to provide people like me, with no culinary training, recipes that are delicious and easy to make. While I’ve veered off-track at times with overly complex dishes, for the most part I believe that anyone can make the recipes I post on Table + Teaspoon.
Despite my constant affirmations of ease, I hear the same feedback every time someone mentions this blog: “everything looks delicious, but I could never make any of it. Can you do a really simple recipe?” Well, my dear readers, ask and you shall receive. Here is the easiest meal that I make on a regular basis: Black Bean Shredded Chicken Salad.
Involving little more than heating up legumes (canned!) and chopping a few greens, this salad is one of my most oft-requested dishes. The secret is the classic French vinaigrette (store-bought) paired with tart citrus-dressed arugula. Warmed black beans and chicken slightly wilt the arugula, while cherry tomatoes, avocado, and scallions contribute fresh flavors.
This mouth-watering salad is so straight-forward, it’s difficult to even classify it as a “recipe.” So, my darling friends who claim to only be able to follow cocktail recipes – this one’s for you. You’ll put it together faster than the time it takes you to sip your first glass of sauv blanc. Now go out to the market and pick up the ingredients tout de suite! xx tt
FINISHING TOUCHES…
t+tSTYLE: showcase the fruits of your salad-eating labor in this effortlessly chic backless broderie anglaise cotton minidress. Perfect for every occasion through Labor Day!
Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Monday mornings with five things/ideas/events for the week:
I. It’s the best day of the year!! National Top Gun Day. I’m sure you’ve already planned something special to commemorate the holiday, but if not - do one or more of the following: 1. speak only in Top Gun quotes (your boss will LOVE this), 2. rock sexy aviators, 3. serenade a hot chick/dude with your best rendition of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” 4. play topless volleyball in tight jeans, 5. borrow an F-14 from your nearest naval base and pretend you’re a fighter pilot!
II. My favorite hike in the Bay Area is just over the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin. If you haven’t checked it out (or if you are planning your next visit to San Francisco) you must! An off-shoot of the Marin Headlands, Tennessee Valley is a 3-mile loop-hike, culminating in a breath-taking beach. Stop by Comforts in San Anselmo for picnic-fare before your adventure.
III. I’m obsessed with this oak coffee table from Wisteria. A sucker for anything involving trays, this piece caught my eye over the weekend. The clean lines and weathered wood will anchor my otherwise contemporary living room decor.
IV. Though I’ve been familiar with fashion icon Lauren Santo Domingo’s brainchild, Moda Operandi, since its inception - I haven’t purchased anything until today. The company offers members the ability to preorder items from the runway (like an online trunkshow). Typically, the merchandise is a bit above my payscale, but I was thrilled to find these stunning aquamarine earrings by Ek Thongprasert with an affordable price-tag. They will be perfect for the summer wedding circuit.
V. With a busy week ahead (Symphony Spring Gala and my first trip to Vegas!!) I made a big batch of crock-pot al pastor last night to turn into tacos, top salads, and throw into breakfast eggs. The versatility and minimal effort required to produce this spicy-sweet pork recipe make it an excellent weekday go-to.
Have a wonderful week!! xx tt
Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Monday mornings with five things/ideas/events for the week:
I. Meet Willy. He protects my apartment, and I’m completely smitten with him. I picked up Willy from Z Gallerie, and decided to hang him in my foyer to frighten away intruders. (…Or maybe just because the modern take on taxidermy is super chic).
II. Style Me Pretty, the gurus behind all things wedding, recently launched a companion lifestyle website. Style Me Pretty Living brings you beautifully curated pictures and posts of parties, interior design, fashion and recipes.
III. This weekend, I headed down to Palm Springs to celebrate my best friend’s bachelorette. Triple digit temperatures called for lots of popsicles by the pool. To make the cool treats more festive, we served them in cups filled with champagne! Major crowd pleaser.
IV. You definitely don’t want to miss the chance to see two Grammy winners perform together in one night! The San Francisco Symphony is working to rearrange Janelle Monae’s pieces for her concert on May 16th. Buy tickets to the entire gala (including dinner) or just the concert and afterparty. It’s going to be an evening to remember.
V. In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I’ll be making filet mignon tacos this weekend. The soy sauce lemon pepper marinade compliments the tender meat perfectly. Keep toppings simple with cilantro, avocado black beans, white onion, and a dash of lime.
Have a wonderful week!! xx tt
The rituals surrounding weddings elude me. I attended only two weddings as a child, and didn’t receive my first wedding shower invitation until post-college. As it turns out, I am very bad at showers. If it’s possible to do something wrong (wear inappropriate attire, forget to RSVP, ship rather than bring a gift, arrive late) I will surely do it. You’d think that someone who spends so much time partying would be better at this sort of thing…
Unfortunately, simply acknowledging and accepting this short-coming isn’t going to cut it this year. This year, my best friend is getting married. And this best friend happens to be the queen of social graces (no pressure). As maid-of-honor, it’s my responsibility to host several forms of pre-wedding festivities: engagement toast, engagement party, bachelorette party, and a cooking shower.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, and determined to make my best friend the happiest bride in the world, I’ve immersed myself in all things bridal. Emily Post proved invaluable in this department, with an entire collection of wedding etiquette books for daft people like me.
Miraculously, the celebrations have gone off without a hitch – my favorite being the cooking shower (big surprise). The co-ed party took place on a particularly gorgeous day in Marin. My co-host, the bride’s sister-in-law, and I planned everything out to the most infinitesimal detail: individual Chinese chicken salads in monogrammed take-out boxes, gourmet pigs in a blanket tucked in grass, personalized striped straws, twinkle lights and paper lanterns, champagne and wine tasting competitions, wooden spoons to write notes to the happy couple, and bocce ball on the sprawling lawn.
The only element that I put off was the cupcake dessert that the bride specifically requested. Feeling a bit burned out on cupcakes (a sentiment I’m not alone in), I avoided the issue until day-of. On my way to the store to pick up ingredients, I weighed the options: chocolate - too heavy, strawberry - too saccharine, vanilla - too boring.
Suddenly it hit me! The bride’s a major grapefruit fanatic, and with temperatures in the 80’s the refreshing fruit complimented the weather perfectly. Though I’ve never tasted the flavor, I decided that it wouldn’t be too difficult to doctor white cake and buttercream recipes by adding fresh grapefruit and a sprinkle of lemon zest.
The shower was a huge success, and the bride and groom-to be were thrilled. Perhaps there’s hope for me (and the cupcake trend) after all! xx tt
FINISHING TOUCHES…
t+tTOOLS: My grapefruit infatuation in full-effect, I couldn’t stop at confections. Greyhounds are even more delicious imbibed via these darling mini-mason jar sippers - serve with a slice of fruit and a pink paper straw.
