Domestic

Recommendations of the Day

May 30, 2013

Mixing things up a little bit and wanted to share a few things making me smile/laugh/feel good… enjoy 🙂

Recommendations

Kiss Cam

Nothing makes me happier than a Kiss Cam… so to see David Beckham ON a Kiss Cam (with baby Harper no less) I basically died.  But I almost enjoyed what happened at the 33 second mark the most!

A Good Book

I love to read, and this past weekend I started reading “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me” by Mindy Kaling.  I know I am a little behind (the book came out last year) but it is so funny and so many parts are SO true.  Do yourself a favor and indulge in a great poolside read… I also am totally addicted to her show “The Mindy Project” (it is easing my pain of losing the office).

Wedding Season

The season is upon us… and what can make a person happier than seeing two people come together/having a reason to get a new dress (shoes, jewelry, purse)/hopefully have a little mini getaway for all of those destination weddings?

Bar Method

I never thought a workout would make any positive list that I would create… but the joke’s on me!  Three weeks ago I decided to get back in the workout groove and cleaned out my garage and have been doing workout DVDs (almost) every morning.  This workout is already showing benefits – a leaner, more toned physic and (my mom will love most) – better posture.  I bought a bar/weights/stretching strap, but honestly you can do these workouts with a chair on your living room floor.  Definitely worth a try!

Spring Rolls

We ate these a lot growing up, but once I moved out I was too intimidated to make them on my own… until recently! I realized what a quick and healthy meal this can be, and you can pretty much throw whatever you want into them!  My latest obsession is shrimp, butter lettuce, mango, cucumber, rice noodles, and mint… make or buy your peanut sauce and voila you are ready to go!  I also do this with leftovers for work the next day!

Ready for Love

My latest guilty pleasure, this Bachelor-esque show got canceled after the first episode and is only available online.  But don’t be deceived by one day of poor ratings… this show is amazing and last night’s episode took the cake.  Do yourself a favor and grab your laptop and a cocktail and catch up on this amazing matchmaking series!!!

Tasty

Strawberry Creme Fraiche Ice Cream

May 29, 2013

I bought these amazingly sweet, tiny organic strawberries and knew I needed to do something with them – and what is more decadent than creme fraiche meeting ice cream?!

037

Thanks to Cookstr I came across this great recipe… the combination of lemon, strawberries, vanilla and creme fraiche were enough to persuade my sweets-averse husband to come back for seconds!

Strawberry Ice Cream

Strawberry Creme Fraiche Ice Cream

Adopted from: Lori Longbotham – Luscious Berry Desserts

Ingredients

  • 1 pint ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup crème fraîche
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Directions

 1.

Puree the strawberries with the sugar in a blender or food processor (or just mash them with a muddler if you are too lazy to do dishes like I am – make sure the fruit is as pureed or chunky as you’d like it to be in your ice cream). Transfer to a large bowl and whisk in the cream, creme fraiche, lemon juice to taste, vanilla, and salt. Refrigerate, covered, until thoroughly chilled.

2. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to a Tupperware and freeze for at least 2 hours.

Strawberry Ice Cream

Domestic

The Happiness Files

May 28, 2013

Coffee from my favorite spot in Santa Cruz – Verve

MargaritasSunday afternoon drinks

Testarossa

Wine Tasting at Testarossa

TestarossaMy Love

 

Sharks Playoffs Round 2

PS. I’m very happy to report my website’s URL is officially LaundryinLouboutins.com (no WordPress needed! So exciting… for me at least 🙂

Tasty

Dinner for One

May 27, 2013

Chicken Milanese

J was out of town on business and unlike my usual dinner of Annie’s mac and cheese when he’s away, I decided to step it up and treat myself to something a little nicer.

I am a recipe junkie and love following them, so you will rarely find me “whipping” something up… but that is exactly what I did!  I found these awesome organic, thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the grocery store and swooped them up.  They came in a family pack of like 12 breasts, so I put a few aside for this week’s dinners then individually froze the rest in sandwich sized Ziploc bags for use later on.

So back to dinner…

Grown up Chicken Fingers aka Chicken Milanese 

Chicken Milanese

Serves: 1

  • 1 thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/3 bread crumbs
  • 1/4 olive oil
  1. I took the chicken breast and dipped it in milk, then dredged it in bread crumbs.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  3. Add chicken and cook for about 4 minutes on one side.
  4. Flip and cook about 2-3 more minutes
  5. I had nothing to serve it with so I garnished it with chives, but sauteing some cherry tomatoes in the pan with the chicken the serving atop spinach would be very yummy too.

Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Garlic Aioli 

103

  • 10-20 Brussel Sprouts cut into wedges
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Salt and Pepper
  1. Drizzle spouts with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper.  Toss to make sure everything is coated.
  2. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes until one side is golden brown.

Garlic Aioli 

Garlic Aioli

  • 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1-2 teaspoons chopped parsley
  1. Mix everything together and enjoy with the crispy brussel sprouts! 

Chicken Milanese