I tune in every year. And feel like I'm eight years old again. Sitting in my pjs. Counting down. It's official...

...Happy Holidays!

{ Acrylic Tile Sculpture }

This SPROUT STUDIO project has become one of my very favorites. 

Swirls of color, interesting textures, and beautiful results every time. 

The oh, so loved Thanksgiving holiday just blew through like a wild, feast-filled hurricane, but I happily survived and couldn't be more grateful for another holiday spent with the people I love. I laughed until I cried, ate until I couldn't eat another bite, cooked and baked until my stove locked me out, and thought...like I do every year...how the word "thankful" doesn't even begin to describe what I feel at the end of that perfectly, magical day. Hope yours was one to remember...

Came across a painting by Thomas Nozkowski in a recent issue of Elle Decor...looked him up, fell in love, and decided to share. Enjoy! 

Another food post! Can't WAIT to visit Senate Pub next week! I've heard/read so many great things about this spot, and since I'll be in the neighborhood (Family = Cincinnati), it's the perfect opportunity to swing by, sample a few eats, and love every minute of it. Decisions, decisions, decisions....xoxo 

Oh, Domino...how I miss you. Good thing this amazing book is ready and waiting.

{via }

Coffee + Magazine = Sunday Morning

The perfect article to read this time of year when there might just be a party or two to plan and/or attend. The November issue of House Beautiful is all about entertaining! Designers, food critics, and authors have given their two cents about what to do and what not to do when you're the special guest or the lovely host. 101 great things to keep in mind this holiday season. One of my favorites...

#34

Don't be afraid to throw a party because you think it will cost too much.You can have a good time for $10 with a bottle of wine and a bag of nuts. - Thomas Jayne, Designer

Do I have a small {big} obsession with dots? Guilty. There's something about a circle that gets me every time. Wallpaper, linens, rugs, paper, shoes, jewelry, clothes...and art! For these pieces, I painted sheets of canvas, cut them into dots, layered, arranged, and adhered them to a white stretched canvas. Love the dimension that they have...thinking that it would be great to use this concept on a much larger scale...hmmm. I'm envisioning metallics and maybe a little black {another obsession}. 
I'll keep you posted...

I am extremely blessed to come from a long line of talented, passionate, incredible cooks. There's hardly a day that passes in which I don't think of how very lucky I am to have been born into a family that respects and appreciates food the way that mine does. A bunch of fiery Italians that sit around discussing anything worth talking about (and some things that possibly aren't) while we sip, snack, and taste our way through breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As much as I love to cook, sometimes finding the perfect cocktail or bottle of wine is just as fun. Very excited to serve this one up to friends and family soon..and I'm thinking it would go pretty well with a big turkey, too.

Pear and Sparkling Cider Cocktail

2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled

2 cups seltzer, chilled

4 ounces (1/2 cup) bourbon

1 pear, cut into wedges

Stir together pear nectar, cider, seltzer, and bourbon in a pitcher. Divide pear wedges among glasses and pour in cocktail. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Many thanks to Jen at MadebyGirl for creating this post. I recently had someone shoot a photo of my work while my back was turned...the nerve! Ironically, I'd just read this piece when I heard the camera behind me. Seriously, people, imitation is NOT always the highest form of flattery...stay original.

I love a good Wish List...

xoxo

{ Anthropologie }

NADA is serving brunch!?!? Sure beats my blueberry bagel. Crazy good...can't wait to dig it. xoxo

brunch

chorizo & egg enchiladas 11

chorizo, egg & cheese filled flour tortillias + diablo salsa

eggs benedicto 12

english muffin + poached egg + spicy crab hollandaise

huevos rancheros 9

chorizo & eggs + black beans + crispy tortilla + citrus habenero salsa + lime crema

steak & egg fajita 19

nada spiced grilled tenderloin + 2 fried eggs + rajas & queso fresco

french toast 11

bananas in caramel + canadian maple syrup + whipped cream

pork green chili burrito 12

egg & potato filled burrito + braised pork in green chili sauce + crema

tinga & eggs 11

braised chicken & spicy tomato chorizo sauce + fried egg + poblano rice

carnitas tamal & egg 11

braised pork + pickled onions + guacamole + sweet corn tamal