via Pinterest.

Totally digging these casual gray + red summer ensembles. It's my Friday today, and I'm headed home to Spokane for some birthday and graduation festivities!

Happy Memorial Day!

You've gotta love friends who enjoy the same things you do. Especially ones who think walking around Whole Foods just to look at food is a good use of a Sunday morning. While we were walking around the bulk foods section, discussing our favorite grains, I was inspired to hunt down a quinoa recipe (or two) and give it a go. I used Not Without Salt's recipe for the savory batch and copied her again by using the FWDGF cookbook for the sweet batch.

I wasn't in love with the sweet version. The fruit was delicious and the mint and grapefruit juice smelled absolutely divine, however the texture of the quinoa with the fruit was just a little weird for me. The savory version was perfect with some (soy sauce and sesame) grilled chicken.

What's your experience with quinoa? Any favorite recipes? Do tell!

Dress: Forever 21 | Sweater: Nordstrom | Tights, flats: Target | Scarf: Macy*s | Earrings: Anthropologie

I had a really, really great weekend. It was full of friends and fun and lots of delicious food. I even flat ironed my hair for the occasion (a rare event due to the time it takes) and wore my new favorite outfit. I snagged this dress at Forever 21 for under $20 and I think it will serve me well this summer. I've been dying over this one, but couldn't justify the price, so when I saw this at Forever 21 I knew I had to have it.

How were your weekends?

1. Reading Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table, dreaming up an idea for a backyard dinner.
2. Beautiful peppers whose taste I have fallen in love with lately.
3. Popping open some Cupcake Chardonnay.
4. My love.
5-7. Our little picnic scene.
8. One of my favorite, go-to (sauceless!) pasta recipes.

Cardigan, flats: J.Crew | Top: LOFT | Jeans: 7FAM | Glasses: Warby Parker

This is one of my favorite outfits of late. I love these glasses and they felt so book-nerdery with this green cardi and tie-neck blouse. I have to admit, though I love the warm weather of summer, the mid-60's and 70's of spring is the easiest to dress for! I'm also proud of this look b/c nothing in it is new! And in the past it would have been rare of me to even take an outfit photo if I wasn't wearing something new and exciting. Go me! and my new lack of spending habits! :)

I'm not shopping at all right now 1) because I have more than enough clothes even after a major closet purge and 2) we're in super-duper budget mode as I've mentioned before. But there are a few things I've been a-craving. Patterned scarves to spice up the basic tees and tanks I usually sport in Spring/Summer. A pair of black crops. Some fresh, lemony Chucks and as many striped pieces as I can get my hands on. Anything and everything Emersonmade, especially this gorgeous silk blouse. However, this post is as far as my cravings can go, so I thought I'd share them with you. What are you stocking up on this Spring?

1. Yellow Woven Print Scarf, Target, $12.99.
2. Larait, Hallelu, $35.
3. Ribbons Blouse, Emersonmade, $178.
4. Yellow Chuck Taylors, Nordstrom, $39.95.
5. J.Crew Stripe Boatneck Sweater, J.Crew, $49.
6. Rugby Stripe Oblong Scarf, Urban Outfitters, $24.
7. MiH Black Paris Jean, MiH, $179.
8. Patent Wedge Sandals, Gap, $69.95.

Belt, Top: J.Crew | Scarf: Macy*s | Jeans, tank: Target | Flats: Target

Before I realized it, I had taken a bunch of photos with my white balance set all funky. Hence the black and white. But, I kind of liked them anyway. :) This outfit started out with the shirt tucked in and belt through the loops, but midway through the day, I switched things up and ended up liking this better. Gotta love a shirt that looks just as good wrinkled and perfectly ironed. Hee!

Salmon en Papillote, Garlic & Thyme Foccacia Bread, Wild Rice

After having a fantastic Friday night date with my husband last weekend and after reading some of Not Without Salt's old posts about dating her husband, I was inspired to start up a little Friday Night Dinner (a la Gilmore Girls, with less Emily) in our house. Since we're working with a rather strict budget and trying to stick to more simple meals during the week to cut costs, I wanted something a little more snazzy for our date night dinner.

This salmon recipe is from French Women Don't Get Fat, which is always a great source for healthy meals with LOTS of flavor. I wanted something with a little sweet/sour flavor and the combo of soy sauce, orange and garlic in this recipe really worked well! It was just perfect combined with this simple wild rice (rice + chicken stock and a dash of lemon juice). I also grabbed a loaf of foccacia at the store and a tiny bottle of prosecco. It was a truly fabulous meal and a wonderful evening! Who knew dating at home could be so fun? Can't wait until the next one!

Periodically, I like to do a little About Me (currently) post for the newbies who've come along. So...here's what's going on in my little world.

I'm watching...Gilmore Girls (I started at the beginning and am watching all the way through again). It's just the best show ever. My weekly shows: Vampire Diaries (with Kerri), Glee, How I Met Your Mother, Bones, Desperate Housewives and Gossip Girl, though they're all coming to an end for the season in about a month or so. That 70's Show on Netflix when I need a good laugh. Ratatouille...every singe night. Also, I ordered the first disc of Parenthood from Netflix, but haven't given it a shot yet. What's the word on that show? You know I only want to watch it because of Lauren Graham.

I've been reading...The Apprentice, My Life in France, The Sharper Your Knife the Less You Cry, Lunch in Paris, Eva's Kitchen and Miss Dahl's Voluptuos Delights. I've also traded in my Lucky magazine subscription for one to Food Network Magazine and Cook's Illustrated. And, as always, I'm trying to be better about reading my Bible.

I've been loving...adding a slew of food blogs to my reader (Eat Live Run, Not Without Salt and more!). Don't tell my Mom, but I've been loving going to bed a little earlier, and getting up a little earlier. A LITTLE. Also been loving snuggling up with my husband on the couch and setting aside Friday night as "date night," whether we're in or out.

I've been dreading...the super busyness that early summer always brings at work.

I've been eating...leftover Easter candy, homemade cookies when I get the motivation to make them and lots of pizza-type creations. Also, I've eaten at two fantastic Portland restaurants in the last two weeks: Little Bird and St. Jack.

I've been dreaming of...Paris. What else is new? Oh, and owning a ridiculously successful catering company someday. :) And selling our house (pretty please?).

I've been buying...NOTHING! Nothing but the essentials. We're in super budget mode and man does it feel good to see that savings account building. Ok, I confess, I bought a $15 dress and $5 skirt at a consignment shop with the money that I made of selling clothes there. Does that count?

I've been looking forward to...seeing Midnight in Paris, heading on vacation with my three best friends and their husbands at the end of the summer and seeing my family a little more frequently since my little brother will be going to school down here next year!

I've been worrying about...an old friend, my hair and the fact that I hate running, but know it's good for me.

I've been creating...a lot for work, and a great dinner whenever I have an excuse.

I've been wearing...dresses and cardigans to work, leggings, slippers and t-shirts at home. Lazy bum. Also, my camera remote battery died which explains the lack of outfit posts. And...I can't get the little lever to open so I can get the microscopic battery out. I've also been wearing the crap out of my new Warby Parkers.

I've been listening to...the Warbler's Glee CD which my darling bought me, Taylor Swift's "Mean," Pandora (at work), Lady Antebellum and various Soundtracks (Life As We Know It, Julie and Julia, Twilight, Something's Gotta Give).

So....what's new with you?

Finger Lickin' Chicken | Rice Pilaf

Sometimes, no matter how many things you give a red wine reduction, or add truffles to, or order from the South of wherever, the very best food comes from a simple family recipe. My mom's recipe for Finger Lickin' Chicken is definitely a family favorite. I think it came from a Sunset magazine originally, and I request it for my birthday every year without fail. And even though I've finally mastered it in my kitchen, it still tastes better coming from hers. This rice is another birthday meal staple. I love the simple, sweet flavors of butter, the carrots and celery, and a dash of salt and pepper. I added some onion last night since I had it in the fridge, but it was a little overpowering.

Taylor and I are headed to Portland tonight for a special date! We bought a Groupon last fall for a stay in a hotel downtown, so we're heading out for a fancy French dinner then back to watch Food Network snuggle in our hotel.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Maeshow Shirtdress: Anthropologie | Cardigan: J.Crew | Boots: Dolce Vita

Sometimes your flat iron breaks. And it takes 3-4 days for the next one to arrive. And your hair is rarely agreeable without some kind of heat coercion. So you cross your fingers, put on one of your favorite dresses and braid your little heart out. Disaster averted. 

Pasta Primavera via Food Network Magazine.

I have a weird relationship with vegetables. I love them raw, but rarely do I like them cooked. But I love the way they LOOK cooked. This recipe, which I found in my newest magazine obsession- Food Network Magazine- was a perfect compromise to my veggie issues. You cook them with the pasta for only two minutes, leaving them with a light, fresh flavor. And the tomatoes, well they just looked so lovely sautéing away that I just had to snap a shot.

We made this dish for one of Taylor's co-workers who just had a baby. Apparently they're rating the dishes that people bring them, so I must admit, I'm curious what grade we'll get. This dish is a little on the spicy side with some garlic and red pepper flakes, but the cool fresh mint helps balance it out. We'll definitely be making this dish again, we'll see if the new parents like it! :)

via Matchbook.

Pizza Tart.

Another crazy thing about cooking is that sometimes something can look so good...and taste so bad. Ha! Actually there wasn't anything too bad about this tart except for the lemon. I've seen lemon on pizza before, but typically it's paired with hearty pieces like potatoes or chicken. The sour slices of lemon with the sweet tomatoes was a little too much. Live and learn!

However, I can say that after using both leftover Mozarella and Fontina, more leeks, the tomatoes, thyme and lemon, our fridge is officially cleaned out. I'll snag some basics Wednesday night and then we plan on hitting the Portland Farmer's Market for some fresh veggies and meat on Saturday. I love being able to buy meat straight from the farm!

Had any recipe flops recently?

One of the things I love most about cooking (and eating) is seeing something gray and lifeless like this....


Become something golden and delicious, like this...


Ham, Leek and Fontina Pizza by Me!

We've begun a journey at our house. A budget journey. Sure we've made budgets before, pretty much since we've been married. But this one, this one has a goal, a real, exciting, tangible goal, and so we're slashing our expenses and stashing away our income.

Which is where this lovely, cheesy creation comes in. In an effort to use up all the leftovers in the fridge before I go out and get groceries, I threw together some leftover Barefoot Contessa recipe pizza dough, one leek, two pieces of deli ham (sliced), a little garlic and olive oil, and a small chuck of leftover Fontina. I sprinkled some thyme on at the end and it was absolutely delicious! So much so, that I ate the entire thing by myself.

Tonight's challenge: more leeks, pie crust dough, tomatoes, mozarella and thyme. I smell a tomato tart...I can't even wait!