{pause}

 

why the long pause?

we've been busy relocating to beautiful state of tennessee!

see y'all very soon! 

{just practicing}

{my list: winter}

let's go out on a limb here...i bet i'm not the only one wondering where the last three months went. yes? in that case, i will just lump all my favorite things from the past few months together. here are my top picks during this winter season...

• the selby {is in your place} - do you ever wish you knew what someone's house looked like on the inside? not just the fancy decor or how it looks when they're expecting company, but how they actual live in it? i want to see how the kitchen works...crumbs and all...the morning light reflecting on the stairs, and the dog sleeping in his favorite chair. todd selby is renown photographer and social historian making waves with his website theselby.com and now this goooorgeous coffee table book. he captures the essence of artists, designers, small business owners, and more inside this colorful memoir. luckily, i scored a copy for my birthday!

  

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•  perpetualkid.com - say hello to a quirky shopping experience! this website was my perfect solution for little stocking stuffers and funny gifts during the holiday season.

• talenti gelato - i've never been a real "vanilla" girl.  when it comes to sweets, i head straight to dark chocolate, peanut butter, cookie dough...maybe some raspberry sauce. mix-ins are my weakness. i'm simply not a plain-jane-dessert kind of person...until i tried talenti's "tahitian vanilla bean" gelato. this little container is a slap in the face to all other vanilla-flavored desserts.

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• caress body wash - confessions of a product junkie...i love to try new bath items, but caress is one of those brands i continue to purchase through the years. it's silky and wonderful for dull winter skin!

• campbell's tomato & sweet basil bisque - have you seen the commercials for campbell's slow kettle soups? maybe i watch too many food network shows, but i swear these commercials play in my dreams. on a recent cold, damp day when nothing but "fancy pants grilled cheese sandwiches" {recipe below} and soup would do, i went to the store to purchase something quick and easy. i immediately remembered these new soups and made a bee-line toward them. 

mmm mmm good!

{recipe}

fancy pants grilled cheese sandwiches {serves two hungry people}

ingredients:

• 4 pieces of multi-grain bread
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 2 tbsp pesto*
• 1/2 cup freshly grated smoked gouda cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated fontina cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar {i prefer white cheddar, but orange will do}
• 1-2 tsp. of butter 

step-by-step:

• put on your best pair of stretchy pants
• prep all your ingredients {slicing, grating, etc...} in advance
• heat a large skillet to medium heat on the stove
• lightly butter one side of your bread and place it in the pan, butter-side-down, until golden brown
• remove toast from the pan and add your toppings to the buttery, toasted sides
• pesto and tomatoes on one piece / glorious cheese medley on the other
• after your sandwich is assembled, add a bit more butter to the pan and let it melt
• place your sandwich back in the pan, flipping occasionally until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted

*i often cheat and buy pre-made pesto, but you can whip up your own in a food processor with pine nuts, fresh basil, crushed garlic, olive oil, and salt/pepper to taste. say MMMM with me!