LOVING: Alexa Chung's Fall Madewell collection

.

A Madewell store just opened up 3 minutes drive from my house. Dangerous. Especially since I'm gaga for Alexa Chung's Fall Madewell Collection. And poor timing since I just put myself on a spending freeze. Yesterday afternoon became a spending heat wave. Yikes.

.

Let's Hear It For The Youngs!

.

I recently had an amazing grilled panini sandwich from the Useless Bay Coffee Company on Whidbey Island. It was so good that (surprise surprise) I had to re-create it. I will call it "The Young Panini", because if it weren't for my friends getting married on Whidbey Island, I would never have been at that little coffee shop. I wish I had a photo of my creation but it was too warm and too good to stop eating for 2 seconds.

Once you make the panini, kick back and watch this adorable and hilarious serenade the bride performed for her adoring new hubby. Could she be any cuter?!

Let's hear it for the Youngs!

The Young Panini

Great foccacia bread (I got mine from La Panzanella at the University farmers market)

Pesto

Tapenade
Fresh basil

Tomatoes, sliced (I got Billy's tomatoes from the farmers market)

Mozzarella, sliced

Pepperocinis, seeded and drained, then sliced
Artichoke hearts, sliced (from a jar, not a can)

Olive oil

Spread pesto on one side and tapenade on the other. Layer basil, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, pepperocinins and artichoke hearts. Brush outside of foccaccia with olive oil and grill on a panini press until the sandwich is smooshed down and the bread is nice and toasty.

.

MadMen Yourself

.
.

While you and your friends are sipping on a Dark & Stormy cocktail, you might as well MadMen Yourself. All the more fun after a few Dark & Stormies.

.

Delicious & Refreshing

..
My friend Clare told me about a refreshing cocktail to sip on a hot summer's day. It's called a Dark and Stormy. It takes 2 seconds to make and an afternoon to enjoy. I served these and farmers market BLTs last night for my mom's birthday dinner. It couldn't have been easier to throw together and everyone loved it. I found the photo and an exact recipe on Cookography.

Dark & Stormy

Mix Gosling rum with ginger beer (not ale) and a wedge of lemon over lots of ice. Mint is optional.

Farmers Market BLTs

Skagit River Ranch Bacon
Billy's Tomatoes
Oxbow Farms Lettuce
Old Mill Bread Co.'s Oat Bran Bread

.

Looooooooola... L-O-L-A... Looooooooola

.

My friend Marly was raving about brunch at Tom Douglas' Lola. I'd never been for brunch and when I hear "best brunch in town" come out of a friend's mouth, I find a way to get there, fast. I had one of the most fantastic meals I've had for brunch in a very long time: salmon kebab with tarragon and capers served with warm pita bread, tzatziki, Jackie's Greek salad and smashed garlic fried potatoes. I was in heaven moving around the plate, making my perfect little bites until the plate was wiped clean. Delish. My husband's eggs benny was also fantastic piled high with Bavarian meats ham and dill hollandaise.

Last week at the farmer's market I got extra salmon from Wilson Fish for Broiled Salmon in Parchment Paper. The plan was to recreate the Lola brunch with the leftovers. I went to Vios for their incredible homemade tzatziki and some pita. I warmed the pita under the broiler until it was a little crisp, then ate it with the tzatziki and salmon, savoring every little perfect bite (tzatziki on pita in the left hand, salmon on fork in the right hand). It wasn't Lola, but it was still a little bit of heaven and is back on the menu this week.

Veggie Noodle Salad

.

My friend Tara was raving about this recipe for Asian Noodle Salad from The Pioneer Woman and when it comes to food, I trust Tara 100%. I knew she wouldn't make a fuss about it if it weren't "fuss-worthy" so I had to try it. Well goodness gracious this salad is so good. Who would have thought a cold, raw-veggie noodle salad could taste this good? And what a great way to get a few servings of veggies.

You can get a ton of the ingredients at the farmers market. I also added some sugar snap peas (blanched for 30 seconds) and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. This recipe makes a HUGE amount so it's a perfect salad for your next BBQ or potluck.

Stir-Fried Pork with Leeks

.

Get your hands on some good pork (like the pork stir-fry from Skagit River Ranch) and try this recipe from Saveur for Stir-Fried Pork with Leeks (Cong Bao Rou Si). Easy and good.

Driving While Drugged

..

While pharmaceutical drugs are becoming more easily accessible, and the new drug of choice for many, new problems arise...

From The New York Times: "Drivers on Prescription Drugs Are Hard to Convict"

Those Damn Endocrine Disruptors Strike Again

.

My friend Lynne sent me this article for the blog. If you didn't already have enough reasons to eat organic and avoid plastic - here's another one...

Why You Can't Lose Those Last 10 Pounds

.

(Thanks Lynnie!)

Aging Gracefully

.
Two quick reads for the day:

Aging Gracefully, the French Way
,
10 Ways to Age Like a Frenchwoman

Tres Magnifique!

.

Take 2 minutes to watch this slide slow: Kiki & Coco in Paris. It's the cutest thing, created by the amazing photographer Stephanie Rausser. After you watch the video, take 2 more minutes to go check out her photography. I love the vibrancy of the color and the playfulness of the poses. Found via Design Mom.

The Art of the Public Apology

.
Quick read from The New York Times: "The Art of the Public Apology"

New Obsession: Kale-Collard- Zucchini Chips

.
I came across these incredible House of the Sun Kale-Collard-Zucchini Chips at the Seattle MLK farmer's market. The first container was gone before I pulled my car out of the parking spot. They are so good you can't stop. A bit of spice, a bit of crunch, fantastic flavor. I was day dreaming about them when I came upon them at Madison Market. Hallelujah! I bought everything on the shelf. Surprisingly he showed up at the Ballard market this last Sunday. Thrilled, I loaded up again. If you see these around town, grab some. You won't be sorry.

House of the Sun Kale-Collard-Zucchini Chips

- kale
- collards
- zucchini
- sprouted sunflower seeds
- red bell peppers
- garlic
- lemons
- brazil nuts
- cayenne
- sea salt

Sucker for Fashion

.

.

And here I thought I was skipping the clog trend but I love these Steve Madden Carnee Clogs! Thanks Monica Rose for the style tip.

Farmers Market Dinner - Halibut, Brown Rice, Roasted Carrots

/
Tonight I made the Pioneer Woman's Bronzed Sea Bass with Lemon Shallot Butter using fresh halibut from the farmers market instead of sea bass. Going off her photo, I also made brown rice (which I like to cook with chicken stock instead of water for added flavor). I made Ina's recipe for roasted carrots using purple carrots and dill from the market. My carrots were on the small side so I didn't cut them and left an inch or so of the green tip so they'd look cute on the plate. It was a delicious dinner and pretty darn easy. Everything can be prepped and cooked while you wait for the brown rice.
.
.