This week’s book club choice is a Reece Witherspoon pick and an instant New York Times bestseller. And I know how much you all love thrillers so The Guest List by Lucy Foley is my pick.
On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.
But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.
And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why? – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE.
If you have been following me for a while you know how much I LOVE my friend Karen Schultz’s tomato sauce affectionately known as Gramma Napoli. Soon after launching her sauce business, Karen decided to bottle her amazing Lemon Vinaigrette. I have known people all around Rye and beyond not only using this for salads but it also makes the best marinade for fish and chicken. AND I could never ever forget her Yummy crumb cake. My husband’s personal favorite ( and he will be getting one for Valentine’s). Karen also gives the best cooking classes. So if you get a group of friends together, Karen will put together a really great customized menu of 3 easy family-friendly dinners. It is AWESOME!! But honestly, everything Karen makes is “made with love” and every now and then she shares a recipe with us. I am dying to make her mom’s Chicken Scallopini. OMG! It looks delicious..Check out Karen’s website to learn more and shop all of her treats. She offers free home delivery to lower Westchester and Greenwich as well as shipping across the US.
Here is a special tip from Karen for you..The trick is to keep a couple of dozen pounded chicken cutlets shrink wrapped in your freezer for quick de-thawing. Karen’s favorite place to stock up is at Pete’s Meat Market on Arthur Ave! All you need to do is add rice and a green veggie for the perfect dinner!!!
Ingredients
6 pounded chicken breasts
¼ cup of flour
1 ½ tsp garlic salt
¼ tsp paprika
¼ cup butter
3 T water
1 T lemon juice
¼ tsp instant chicken bouillon
4 thin lemon slices
parsley
Directions
Mix flour, garlic salt and paprika.
Coat chicken with flour mixture. Brown chicken in butter in 10 inch skillet.
Remove chicken from skillet to serving platter and keep warm.
Stir water, lemon juice and bouillon into skillet, loosening brown particles on bottom. Add lemon slices and heat over low heat 1 minute. Pour broth on chicken garnish with lemon and parsley.
serves 4
Here is
Have you ever been to Hudson, NY? It has been on my wish list FOREVER. I read about this quaint, oh so popular, town with its many vintage and antique furniture stores, art galleries, restaurants, and cocktail bars. Enter my new friend, Hudson Babylon. Through the owner, Linda, I have learned so much about this unique area, only 120 miles from NYC. But most importantly, Linda has taught me so much about Vintage jewelry. She features the most wonderfully rare items, available to purchase through her INSTAGRAM. I am so impressed with the pieces that she curates. I am planning my own trip to Hudson soon but in the meanwhile, let me show you some of Linda’s beautiful jewelry.
I love these hearts…not only for Valentines day but heart earrings are all the rage these days…I love them with a cute blouse and jeans…
I love these art deco earrings…such a statement and the brushed gold color, OMG. I’m putting these on my wish list ASAP.
This is one of my favorite Napier charm bracelets, I love the combination of all the colored stones and of course the Asian influence.
I am obsessed with Turquoise rings and there is something about the black enamel setting that takes it to another level.
I have never seen such a cool tiger ring..I would love to try this on!!! Another wish list add!!!!! OH NO!!!
Here are more spectacular charm bracelets…They look so incredible worn 2 together.
I have so much love for this Givenchy perfume bottle necklace….It’s out of this world gorgeous.
Hudson Babylon does a great job finding the best art deco pieces. How incredible are these earrings??!!!…
I have had many requests for snake jewelry..I love this vintage wrap around bracelet. The detail is amazing.
Here is one of my favorite pieces, the elephant jeweled charm bracelet..this is so beautiful.
I also love their statement bracelets, this flame design is so unique..I have really not seen anything like this…
Another fabulous Givenchy pendant. We gave a similar one to a friend for her 50th birthday. This is such a classic treasure. It will never go out of style. Also love the bold colors of this piece.
Since circle earrings are also all the rage I thought I would show you these 2 pairs. I cannot decide which I love more but they both would look great with so many outfits all year round. They are just so hip looking…
You can never have too many hearts or too much chocolate!!!! That is why I love Valentine’s Day. It is such a wonderful holiday to celebrate all the ones that you love. Here are a bunch of sweet gifts for all the special people in your life. I am planning in buying that pretty agate cheese platter and making a yummy charcuterie platter for my family. My daughter would love that waffle maker for treats for her and her roommates. I have heard only amazing things about the new Dry Bar round hair drying brush. The new Diptyque candle had been on my list too. Happy Heart Shopping!!
Coat//Brush//Cotton Candy//Waffle Maker//Candle//Backgammon////Zip Front Sweater//Heart Ring//Pearl Ring//Nail Polish//Heart Sweater//Candy Box//Loop Earrings//Cheese Board
A friend recommended this week’s book to me. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover and I was at first hesitant to post about it. The storyline is tough and can be difficult to read but really grabs your heart and you will come away spellbound and loving it and also the characters, even the ones who are the most flawed.
Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.
Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.
As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened. – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE.
I am still in the soup making mode here. I have been dying for a really good pea soup recipe. The other day I found Ina’s recipe and was so intrigued since people said that it is the best version yet! If pea soup is not your thing, I am including my Chicken and Dumplings recipe…it is a staple in our house and a favorite for everyone who makes it. Back to the pea soup, it is so easy to make. It’s quick and comes out so thick and hearty. The secret is letting it simmer nice and slow. Bon Appetit!!!
1 cup chopped yellow onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 cup good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups medium-diced carrots (3 to 4 carrots)
1 cup medium-diced red boiling potatoes, unpeeled (3 small)
1 pound dried split green peas
8 cups chicken stock or water
In a 4-quart stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with the olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper until the onions are translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the carrots, potatoes, 1/2 pound of split peas, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Skim off the foam while cooking. Add the remaining split peas and continue to simmer for another 40 minutes, or until all the peas are soft. Stir frequently to keep the solids from burning on the bottom. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve hot.