chocolate pots

For special occasions I always make my husband's favorite dessert-we forgot the real name long ago, and refer to them simply as "chocolate pots."  When I saw a post on Serious Eats, about Heidi Friedlander's Baked Hot Chocolate, I knew the recipe would be perfect for this weekend. It sounds pretty similar to our chocolate pots, but seriously upgraded. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Enchiladas

My husband campaigned pretty hard for me to make a buffalo chicken dip for the Super Bowl. We were both happy with the results, but I somehow shredded about 2 pounds of chicken more than the recipe required.  And thus the search for recipes involving shredded chicken began. We made chicken salad that will last all week and chicken enchiladas for dinner last night. I found the recipe on Serious Eats -but the original recipe is from America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. 

Here is the enchilada sauce simmering until it was rich and spicy. I've made enchiladas before, but this recipe produced my personal best -fresh flavors, and just spicy enough.  I will definitely be making it again soon!

Touch of Europe

Citron Du Sud Seda France Pagoda Candle

My friend just sent me a link to Touch of Europe's website. I spent just a few minutes browsing and already found some really cute things. As you can tell from the pictures, I am a sucker for pretty packaging.


Claus Porto Signature Guest Soap Box

Horoscopes

I just read my home horoscope for 2009 on Elle Decor. It is funny how horoscopes can sometimes hit really close to home! After you read mine, go and check out your own! 

"Cancers are born homebodies who instinctively kick into nesting mode during life's ups and downs, so establishing a design scheme that soothes your soul is vital. This year finds you exploring a diverse array of ideas and cultural influences, and your worldly sensibility is reflected in your interior environment. Although you may draw from widely disparate sources of inspiration, your space always feels, comfortingly, like home. 

2009 Keyword: Eclectic. Now isn't the time to seek out status symbol pieces: Offbeat finds with personal and cultural significance makes your place more charming and welcoming. Think ethnic crafts and textiles, folk art, and collectibles from distant lands." 

Wow

Loi Thai's beautiful home, featured in Traditional Home. I pretty much love everything about this room. I was originally focused on the fabulous striped chair, but quickly fell in love with the mirror, throw pillows, and basket under the table. The overall color scheme is beautiful. My dream is to have a white couch, but sadly I know my husband and I are both too clutzy to handle it!

Sick Sales

I just walked back from brunch and shopping-two of my favorite weekend activities. I just had to jump online and tell you about the crazy sales I enjoyed today. Banana Republic is offering an extra 30% off all sale items. I got three pairs of pants for work--each UNDER $10. TEN dollars people!! Crazy. I also have to note that the sales in the store were much better than the ones I saw on their website. 

Then I headed over to Paper Source and got a few packs of Christmas cards. They are all 75% off so my letterpress cards were about $3.50 per box.  

I felt like the lady on that Ikea commercial who runs out of the store screaming at her husband to "start the car, START THE CAAAAAAAR!"

Finished product

Let me just get one thing out of the way. I realized after I uploaded my photos that my silverware is on the wrong sides. Can I have a get out of jail free pass this one time? It has been a long week and I can't find the energy to take more pictures. 

Also, since I'm laying it all out there...I know that my coffee table is a sad excuse for a dining table, however my husband and I are still trying to find the perfect one. So it will just have to do for now. 

Now that my confession is out of the way...here is my finished product. As previously mentioned, I wanted to recreate the stone table runners that I saw and loved. However, I didn't have enough sea glass, which explains the non-table runner size. I still really like how it turned out and I can't wait to use it. 

One more thing, I think you'll agree that a white candle would be prettier and match better, but I couldn't find one that was the right height. Thus the handmade beeswax candle...

So, what do you think?