One way to achieve an endless summer is to set up an outdoor firepit. There are so many beautiful options around that is so easy to create a stylish yet comfortable look to extend outdoor living well into the fall months. I am going to rework my outdoor seating plan to include optimal seating around the fire pit on my own patio. It’s so nice to go out on a crisp evening and talk and entertain friends while the fire is glowing and keeping everyone warm. I found the following layouts in my search and I am swooning over all of them. Each one is better than the next, it is so hard to decide on a favorite!!!
When I was in London a couple of summers ago, I was invited to a showing of the Oliver winning play Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. I had heard it was the new smash sensation on the London theater scene so I was really curious about it. From the minute it started, I really loved everything about the show. Jamie was incredible. The story was heartwarming and the music terrific. Afterwards, we met with the actors and the directors and discussed the possibility of it coming to Broadway. They were hoping but then a little over a year later the pandemic hit and I had not heard much more. Until today, I just found out that the FILM ADAPTION IS COMING TO AMAZON PRIME next week.
With over 1,000 sold-out shows on London’s West End and making its debut on Amazon Prime on September 17th, MacRae’s passion project has been slated to run at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles for its national tour. Both the playwright and the screenwriter, British creative genius television writer, author, lyricist, television producer, and screenwriter Tom MacRae, is the next Ryan Murphy taking over from stage to screen with his Olivier Award-winning play that’s now a film.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tells the tale of Jamie New: sixteen, not quite fitting in on a council estate in Sheffield – but with big aspirations. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight to become a sensation, in a fearless, funny, fabulous musical.
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE
I know it’s a little early BUT there are only 113 days until Christmas…Last year I partnered with the most amazing Christmas decor company American Christmas. They create some of the most gorgeous Holiday decorations all over NYC from Saks to Cartier to Rock Center and so many more. Throughout December, they held a huge spectacular warehouse sale where our readers were invited to come and buy some of the most beautiful decorations that had been featured in previous years at some of their famous client locations.
In addition to the business-to-business side of American Christmas, they are about to open a gorgeous retail location, Christmas in America next month to the public Here they are planning a fabulous Christmas experience extravaganza. Not only will you be able to find everything to decorate your home but also they will be holding special event photos with Santa, holiday workshops, and decorating classes. Also starting in October, we will be hosting some special SAFE events with Christmas in America to help you get into the Holiday Spirit. If you have a minute, drop me an EMAIL letting me know what types of lectures, classes (wreath, Christmas trees, outdoor, etc) that you would be interested in. I luckily was given a sneak peek into their Holiday wonderland. I cannot wait until we can all go and see it together!!!
I just made this really good, really easy back to school family dinner..We made enchiladas so many times during the pandemic that I thought this would be a great alternative. We all loved it just as much. I did add some black beans as well and it came out perfect and all in under 30 minutes. This is definitely worth a try. Bon Appetit!
Ingredients
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 white onion, diced finely
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican-blend cheese
• toppings: sour cream, tomatoes, diced avocado, cilantro (optional)
Directions
Step 1
In a large skillet or pot, sauté the onions in two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Once the onions soften, increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken to the pan.
Brown the chicken pieces and add the garlic. Cook for about 1 more minute.
Push the chicken to one side of the pan and add an additional tablespoon of olive oil to the other side
Add the uncooked rice to the olive oil and saute it for a couple of minutes.
Add the enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.
Cover the pan. Cook the chicken and rice mixture, making sure to stir every once in a while, for about 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Sprinkle cheese on top and cover the pan with a lid, letting it sit for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Serve, sprinkle with desired toppings, and enjoy!
Many people spend a lot of time and money on their homes but don’t always consider how to make their homes the most comfortable place for them to live. This post will give you five tips on creating the most comfortable living environment for your family.
Image by Andy Giraud from Pixabay
1 Keep Your Home Neat and Tidy
When you are comfortable in your surroundings, it will let you relax and enjoy being at home. This may seem like a no-brainer, but many people don’t keep their homes clean or free of clutter because they feel too tired after work to do anything about the mess. Keeping your house tidy is an easy way to help make your home more comfortable. This will also give you far more peace of mind when you consider the amount of time you and your family will be spending at home.
2 Invest in Comfortable Furniture for Everyone
When you are comfortable, it will help you to relax and truly enjoy your time at home. This means that everyone should have a piece of furniture in the house where they can sit down comfortably and just be themselves without feeling like there is pressure on them to stand up straight or look perfect for other people. In addition, you should invest in family room furniture that is comfortable so the whole family can enjoy spending time together.
3 Keep Systems Up to Date and Maintained
When your systems in the house are up to date and maintained, you will feel much more comfortable at home. For example, if your air conditioner is old or broken, it can make the summer months uncomfortable when it’s hot outside. Consider air conditioning repair for a more comfortable temperature. In addition, keeping all of your appliances (and other systems) updated and well maintained helps keep everyone comfortable during different seasons.
4 Invest in Smart Home Technology
With the growing trend of innovative home technology, it’s easy to make your house a comfortable place for everyone. For example, using smart thermostats not only help keep your family comfortable with an adjustable temperature and save you money on energy costs. Other examples include sensors that turn lights off when no one is in a room and wifi-enabled appliances that can be controlled from anywhere (including outside the house).
5 Create a Comfy Patio for Family Time
There’s nothing like enjoying the fantastic weather from a comfortable place. If you don’t have one already, consider building or purchasing a patio for your home where everyone can enjoy spending time outside together in the summer months. This is an easy way to make your entire house more comfortable and create lasting memories with family and friends!
One final tip: Remember Your Garden! Nobody wants to come to work or relax at home after spending hours taking care of their yard and garden all day long – if there isn’t any grass or flowers, then what’s even the point? Also, investing time into making sure your outdoor space is clean and free from debris will help make your house a comfortable place to be.
It’s been a long long pandemic and people are getting excited about the possibility of traveling again. I am so looking forward to discovering new places with my own family and friends. I recently was flattered to be asked to share the wonderful centrally located Hotel Mediterrano in Rome with you. This hotel is rich in history and style and the perfect addition to your must-visit list.
Boasting nearly 150 years of Italian hospitality in Rome, Bettoja Hotels just announced the reopening of the iconic Hotel Mediterraneo featuring recent renovations and stylish new additions including a new rooftop panoramic terrace and lounge bar!
After a year of being closed during the pandemic, 4-star Hotel Mediterraneo has reopened its doors Celebrating the inauguration of the reopening, the hotel now features a beautiful, renovated panoramic rooftop terrace with breathtaking city views of the Eternal City. Soaring 50 meters high, the hotel’s Roof Garden Restaurant and Terrace also welcomes a new addition with its Ligea Lounge Bar. With an elegant vintage atmosphere, the new lounge bar serves as a prime meeting point for guests and non-guests from around the world to gather in its eclectic indoor and outdoor areas.
Precious 1940’s lamps and restored Art Deco interior design pieces designed by Mario Loreti and Gustavo Pulitzer Finali furnish the Ligea Lounge Bar on the tenth floor of the Hotel Mediterraneo, creating a new location to be discovered during the magical days and evenings of one of the best cities in the world. The lounge is adorned with velvet sofas, mirrors, and fine vintage pieces with exotic plants that create an exclusive green nest in which to take refuge, all with a spectacular 180 ° view of the capital.
Chef Antonio Vitale completes the gastronomic offer of the new Ligea Lounge Bar with and fresh snacks, with menus that will follow the seasons. A robust list of cocktails and wines offering fine labels will accompany the evening and dinner menus daily from 5 pm until midnight. Guests can also experience this space by choosing to reserve it completely for private events, gala dinners, or standing cocktails.
The Bettoja flagship property, Hotel Mediterraneo, was designed in 1938 by the architect Loreti and has recently been restored following a careful collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, featuring the participation of master artisans and the most meticulous of Italian restorers. The timeline of restorations began in 2018 and recently concluded with the restoration of the Mosaic Room featuring the “Medieval Hunt” by Franco d’Urso, a beautiful mosaic based on a sketch by the painter Achille Capizzano. These restorations have brought the historical heritage of the Hotel Mediterraneo to the forefront, highlighting the charm of its monumental architectural feats and the value of its artistic elements. As part of the restoration of the hotel, the rooms feature carefully restored and preserved period furniture.
This is so amazing…..Thanks to the deep love and dedication for hospitality, the Bettoja family has always kept the hotels open through the two World Wars and the pandemic and remains a true point of reference in Rome.
About Bettoja Hotels
Located in the heart of Rome, surrounded by the famous artistic and cultural wonders of the Eternal City, Bettoja Hotels is a family-run hotel chain born from the passion of the Bettoja family for hospitality. The Bettoja group was born in Rome in 1875 and has borne witness to the history of Italy since its Unification. With its four facilities, 650 rooms in total, and a number of business meeting rooms, Bettoja Hotels are the perfect mix of tradition and innovation. Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio, the first property to be acquired by the group, maintains its “Umbertino” style and exudes all the charm of the Risorgimento: it boasts a precious cellar of fine wines where the suggestive Italian atmosphere of the turn of the century reigns supreme. The Hotel features one historic restaurant- the Ristorante Massimo D’Azeglio which is part of the Italian Historical Places Association, and three modern meeting rooms which can accommodate up to 180 people theater style. The Hotel Mediterraneo stands out for its severe and monumental luxury and is amongst the best examples of Art Déco in the capital. A classic example of 1940s architecture, the interiors are dominated by wood and marble and the recurring sea theme, from which the hotel takes its name, is clearly evident throughout the structure. With its seven meeting rooms that accommodate up to 120 people theater-style, two restaurants, and a Roof Garden that boasts a 360 ° view of the capital, it is the largest building of the group, and one of the tallest in Rome. The Hotel Atlantico, also located on the Esquiline, welcomes guests in a charming building from 1935 with 3 meeting rooms with natural light with a maximum capacity of 45 pax theater-style. The Bettoja offer has now added the presence of Hotel Nord Nuova Roma, a 3-star hotel, which boasts cozy rooms, three meeting rooms for up to 50 people, and a splendid terrace overlooking the Baths of Diocletian. www.bettojahotels.it