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Category: General

Summer Garden Pasta

I recently saw this recipe on the Barefoot Contessa’s Facebook page.  I thought it was a perfect way to use all the cherry tomatoes and basil that I have seen at the farmers market and grocery stores this summer.  It’s easy, full of flavor and everyone in my family loves it.  Another WIN from Ina!!!!   Bon Appetit!!!!!!



4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
Good Olive Oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
18 large basil leaves julienned,  plus extra for serving
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried angel hair
1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese


Combine the cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper in a large bowl.    Set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours.  


Just before you are ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with a splash of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of salt to a boil and add the pasta.  Cook al dente according to the directions on the package.  Drain the pasta well and add to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes.  Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well.  Serve in big bowls with extra cheese on each serving.

Peacock Blue For Fall

I really love peacock blue.   It is one of the new colors for fall.  From home decor, to fashion pieces and accessories, peacock blue will be appearing everywhere.  I am thinking of a peacock blouse with dark jeans or black pants or a black blouse with peacock earrings or necklace.  I am still on the look out!!!  As for in the home, I would love to set a peacock and green table. Perhaps for Thanksgiving!!!  Stay tuned!!!!

Peacock Blue For Fall

Bottega Veneta metallic top
$510 – net-a-porter.com

Diane Von Furstenberg ruffle blouse
$275 – stylebop.com

Diane Von Furstenberg tie blouse
$325 – net-a-porter.com

Gucci Princetown Velvet Slipper
$635 – gucci.com

Fendi handbags tote
$2,790 – farfetch.com

Leather swivel chair
neimanmarcus.com

Gold home decor
burkedecor.com

Awesome Instagram Outfits

I absolutely love Instagram.  I use it as a resource for everything, travel ideas, recipes, home decor tips but mostly for fashion pointers.  I “like” photos of outfits all week long so I can revisit them later for inspiration.  I decided to share some of my favorite looks with you.  I hope you like them as much as I do…..Enjoy!!!!

image zara world

image lionnlibra

image liketoknowit

image shistrup

image catherineprevostjewels

image blankitinerary

image jackrogersusa

 image marlienrentmeester

image aerin

image themrsgibby

image thehappilyeva

image shistrup
image blankitinerary

Book Club Monday

Today’s Book Club Monday is The Girls by Emma Cline.  It has been chosen by Amazon as one of the best books of the summer.  I hear the storyline is spellbinding, addictive and shocking.  I am on the fence about reading this one but since there has been so much hype, I thought I would post about it and let you decide.  The reviews are beyond!!!!  The story goes like this…..

Northern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence.



Emma Cline’s remarkable debut novel is gorgeously written and spellbinding, with razor-sharp precision and startling psychological insight. The Girls is a brilliant work of fiction. Review Amazon.com


To purchase this book click HERE.

image Amazon.com

Weekend Real Estate Staking

This week’s Weekend Real Estate Stalking is a renovated home in the heart of Sconset, on Nantucket by Clare Rooney Butler Interiors and it is fabulous.  If I ever buy a beach house, I want it to look just like this.  The decor is incredible, as is all of the amazing renovations of this Historic home.  There is even a second-floor balcony to whale watch and star gaze!  Every aspect of this home is painstaking gorgeous.  When can we move in!!!!  For more information, click HERE.

Frose´

Here’s a great drink to celebrate the end of summer or perhaps you are like me and just dropped off kids to college and need a stiff drink.  Either way this Frose recipe will not disappoint.   Rose has become a favorite drink of the summer and this recipe takes it to the next level.  Cheers!!! Bon Weekend!!!!

image allure

1 bottle of dry rose
10 ounces fresh strawberries plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 cup vodka
2 teaspoons grenadine

Pour the rose´ into ice cube trays and freeze until solid, 8 hours or overnight

Combine the strawberries and the sugar in the bowl of a blender and let sit a room temperature for about 10 minutes until the berries begin to release their juices

Add the Vodka, grenadine and rose´ cubes.  Blend the mixture on high until smooth.  Pour into glasses and garnish with strawberries.