The Holiday

I was reminded this weekend of how much I like the movie The Holiday. It has a solid cast- Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black- and having two female protagonists adds extra interest to the chick flick formula. Cameron Diaz also has the most amazing hair throughout. TBS has been running it quite a lot, so check it out.

Wedding Wednesday: Coren Moore II

I have written about Coren Moore before, but I am really excited to be working with them now. First of all, I truly think they have the best navy dresses out there. Navy is a surprisingly tricky color because it can look much flatter than other colors in silk shantung. The Coren Moore navy has the perfect amount of depth. In addition, their new bridal collection is absolutely worth checking out. The dresses are made in great quality fabrics and are formal than the typical bridal alternative dresses made by most bridesmaid designers. You can feel good about buying an American made product from a female entrepreneur...plus, they send a nice handwritten thank you note after your first visit, which is a lovely touch.

Luck o'the Irish

With St. Patrick's Day fast approaching, my latest grocery list has all the ingredients for our traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage meal, complete with carrots, potatoes, and Irish soda bread. Growing up, my mother served this every year, and now I am making it a tradition our household (although mine is never as good as mom's).
Does anyone else remember their mother making this meal each St. Patrick's Day?

Food From Home

As it gets a bit warmer I have been thinking about tomato sandwiches, which I think of as a southern classic. My northern fiance definitely finds the idea of a tomato sandwich (toasted white bread, mayo, tomato slices, salt) weird, if not outright disgusting. For all of you displaced people out there, what is your comfort food from home?

Can we please discuss...

Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP?? I am going to reserve judgement until I hear what you all have to say about it.

Almost Spring...

Despite the snowy weather we have been having here on the East Coast, Spring is almost here.

J. Crew is definitely ready for the warm weather. How cute are their new flip flops?

Wedding Wednesday: The One

I am starting to think that this whole thing about "the one" is a myth...the one dress, that is! Did any of you really struggle with this? I have found two dresses that I love, but they are so very different. One is sophisticated and formal. The other is pretty and classic. Which am I?!? Which do I aspire to be?!? Do I actually need two wedding receptions? (That's a joke, no one worry.)

Sorry, I know this is a bit off topic, but I am interested to hear how others decided on a dress.

Kitchen Tip

Always on the lookout for kitchen shortcuts or tips, I was so happy to come across this FYI on The District Domestic. Next time your soup or sauce is a little salty - give it a try! I know I will!

Tasty Marinade

Flank steak is our fall-back cut of meat when we are looking for something quick to throw on the grill. This month's Cooking Light has a great 24-hour marinade that helped make tonight's dinner fabulous.

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed

Combine first 9 ingredients in a small bowl. Spoon mixture into a large zip-top plastic bag. Add steak to bag; seal and marinate in refrigerator 24 hours, turning bag occasionally. Remove steak from bag; discard marinade.
Prepare meat according to your liking. We threw it on the grill and served with a salad and roasted brussel sprouts.

Wedding Wednesday: Invitations

Aren't these pretty? They are William Arthur and I found them at Paper on the Avenue in Richmond. Not so sure about the ribbon though...