Think Outside the Box

Being a slightly Type A personality, I'm all about organization! But being organized doesn't mean you can't be creative! Check out these fun ways to make jewelry boxes a thing of the past!

Provides frilly hooks for necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets! Urban Outfitters, $24

www.UrbanOutfitters.com

Aluminum branches hold necklaces and bracelets of all sizes! Urban Outfitters, $28

www.UrbanOutfitters.com

A frame-worthy display in three different sizes! Pottery Barn, $29-$49

www.PotteryBarn.com

Guest Bartending at D.B.A. Barbecue

If you live in Atlanta and feel like drinking away your Monday Blues, I have just the place for you! I'll be guest bartending at my favorite barbecue joint in the Virginia-Highlands, D.B.A. Barbecue. Come by tonight from 6-10pm to see me pouring beers and mixing my "special cocktail" with Managing Partner Matt Coggin! Don't know what to order? Check out my D.B.A. Restaurant Review for some amazing suggestions! 

Hope to see you tonight! :-)

D.B.A. Barbecue

1190 N. Highland Ave NE Ste B

Atlanta, GA 30306

404-249-5000
www.dbabarbecue.com

The Girls Are Back!

I love New York City! What girl doesn't really? More importantly, what girl doesn't like "Sex and the City"? Well if you're even a fraction as obsessed as I am, then you'll love when May 28th rolls around this year, because the girls are back for round 2! I cannot wait!!

Who is officially excited?

Eye of the Tiger

Happy Chinese New Year! 

2010 is the year of the Tiger and we're already seeing it in a big way! Tigers symbolize physical power, independence, bravery, and attention. Check out these recent finds that represent the spirit of the tiger! 

This imported crouching tiger rug is characterized by it's neutral colors, which go great in any room! Love it!

Anthropologie, $298

Tiger-eye earrings are a beautiful addition to any jewelry collection! These 14K gold fill earrings are strung with aquamarine and tiger eye stones. Beautiful!  

Anthropologie, $98

Fierce KORS by Michael Kors pumps!

Nordstroms, $260

"...That's OK, I Make Lamb!"

One of my all-time favorite movies is My Big Fat Greek Wedding! People don't really believe me, but this is REALLY my life! I have a very large Middle-Eastern family that bases it's existence on it's heritage, which includes frequent family gatherings, blaring Arabic music, and lots of food!! And if that didn't convince you that this movie is based on my life, my mother even calls me "Natoula"!

My favorite quote from this movie comes from Toula's crazy little aunt, Aunt Voula, who asks her niece's new American boyfriend to come over for dinner, hoping to convince him that she is the best cook in the family (another typical trait from the women in my family). Toula explains to her aunt that her boyfriend is a vegetarian and doesn't eat any meat. "What do you mean you don't eat no meat?!" In complete shock, the entire room stops and stares at the couple, however, Aunt Voula cuts the tension by saying, "Oh, it's ok, I make lamb." HAHAHA!

As disappointed as Aunt Voula would be at me for saying this, I think she would've understood that I won't be eating meat today. It's Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lent season. I'm not only giving up eating meat on Wednesdays and Fridays for the next 40 days, I'm also giving up fried foods. Yes, I said it, ALL fried foods. While I don't think of myself as a poor eater, I do enjoy my chips, fries, and chicken fingers every so often! I will have to think before ordering at a restaurant or shopping down the chips aisle at the grocery store, this act of penance and discipline is really alright by me!

Have you seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? What are you giving up for lent?

Recipe: Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp

Courtesy of The Neelys

Filling:

5 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped small

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Topping:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoon chilled butter, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup coursely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix all the ingredients for the filling together. Place into 7-8 ounce ramekins, or in large casserole baker.

Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Blend the butter into the mixture until it forms pea size lumps. Stir in pecans and sprinkle over filling. 

Bake crisps for 35-40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before serving with scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!

All You Need Is Love

It is that time of the year to celebrate your loved ones, and eat those cute little conversational hearts! Whether you're single, dating, or married, this holiday is all about the love! Here are just a few things that help me get into the Valentine's Day spirit, well besides those cute heart-shaped chocolates! 

Sometimes all it takes is a little color to brighten up your life, and with OPI's various new collections, you have plenty of options to choose from! These three colors are my personal picks for the season! They are perfect for celebrating Valentine's Day with that special someone! 

Great romantic movies can completely transform your mood, and sometimes even your beliefs on the idea of love in general! Movies surrounded by the theme of love such as "Romeo and Juliet", "The Notebook", and "He's Just Not That Into You" are true classics and some of my personal favorites! Arriving in theaters February 12th is "Valentine's Day". With an all-star cast, I would venture to say it is a definite must-see this Valentine's Day!

*Warning: Always watch romantic movies with a large box of tissues! 

Nothing, I mean absolutely nothing, beats chocolates on Valentine's Day! Whether you go with Godiva, Ghiradelli, Peterbrooke's, or Nestle, chocolate steals the show everytime! 

Remember... Valentine's Day is just about love, because in the end, all you need IS love!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Restaurant Review: D.B.A. Barbecue

Located in the Virginia-Highlands, D.B.A. Barbecue is a casual neighborhood restaurant characterized by it's southern hospitality! Managing partner Matt Coggin and Chef Drew Kirkland have created the perfect menu and atmosphere to enjoy a true southern experience! 

Start your night with a basket of Warm White Cheese and Corn Muffins with Honey butter. Oh so yummy, fluffy, and flavorful! Straight from the Smokehouse, my plate included All Natural Free Range Pulled Chicken, Sweet Potato Fries, and the cheesiest Mac and Cheese I've ever had! I also got to steal some bites from my friends and I can honestly say the Southern Style Potato Salad and Red Beans and Rice were mouth-watering! Best Potato Salad I've ever had...period! To finish off the night, try the Banana Pudding served with whipped cream and Vanilla Wafers! The Bourbon Ice Cream is also extremely flavorful and addicting! 

All-in-all, you really can't go wrong with the amazing selections at D.B.A. Barbecue! The incredible service and hospitality paired with their wide variety of appetizing plates, snacks, and sides make for a perfect casual night down south!

Check the D.B.A. Barbecue website for menu, business hours, and specials! www.dbabarbecue.com

Recipe: Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Courtesy of AllRecipes.com

1 cup unsalted butter or unsalted margarine

8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, or bars, cut into bite-size chunks

5 large eggs

1/2 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

4 teaspoons flour 

8 extra-large paper muffin cups (or use 4 ramekins)

1 (6-ounce) container rasberries

1/2 cup confection sugar 

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F and adjust oven rack to middle position. Melt butter and chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water; remove from heat. Beat eggs, sugar and salt with a hand mixer in a medium bowl until sugar dissolved. Beat egg mixture into chocolate until smooth. Beat in flour until combined.*

Spray muffin papers, or ramekins, with vegetable cooking spray. Fill 4 ramekins or 8 extra-large muffin papers with chocolate mixture, about 3/4 of the way. 

Bake until batter puffs but center isn't set, about 8-10 minutes. Carefully lift cakes from tin and pull paper lining off of cake, or serve in the ramekin (as shown above). Top each cake with sifted confection sugar and a couple of rasberries. ENJOY!

*The great part about this recipe is that you can make it in advance! Just refrigerate and return mixture into room temperature an hour before baking! 

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