Lazy Sunday Omelet

Posted on April 11, 2011 by LiliBitting

To me there is nothing more delightful or rewarding than a classic Sunday brunch! It feels so all-American to take some time on Sunday to slow down and enjoy a protein packed brunch along side your paper.

This Sunday I was transported with the help of Applegate Farm’s Chicken and Sage Breakfast Sausage. These guys come frozen and fully cooked – so all you have to do is warm them up in the microwave, or my preferred method, in a pan with your choice of veggies (chopped asparagus).

Per my usual omelet method, I pulled out the sauteed ingredients and laid down my omelet base. Instead of adding Sunny Paris or another blend of spices to the egg mix I decided to go straight old-school and let the sage sausage really shine! In addition to asparagus and sausage the only other ingredient was a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese to add some creaminess as well as a little bit of bite.

Using my favorite edge of the pan trick and voilà, a lovely little omelet!

It’s amazing how flavors and smells can create an experience or bring back a memory. To me that is the biggest reason to take the time for classic Sunday brunch – what better way to end the week than to slow down and take a trip back in time!


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Round 2 with Wisteria

Posted on April 8, 2011 by LiliBitting

I received my second Wisteria catalogue earlier this week and again I was struck by nearly every page! Here are some of the highlights:

These two side tables are clearly special. Either would elevate any seating area into your new favorite spot!

Through the Looking Glass Table, $79

This rendition of an antique French side table also has an antiqued mirror top – oh là là!

Chinese Garden Stools, $129

While they may look like metal, these garden stools are actually ceramic so the reactive glaze will vary making each one unique!

In a dream world, both of these would be in my kitchen:

Rustic Trestle Console Table, $999

How amazing is this trestle console table! The top is made from vintage doors attached to a carved elm and iron base. However, because each one is unique the dimensions vary from 82-90″ wide – so you’ll need quite a wall for this table!

Rolling Console Cart, $899

Good looking and utilitarian this rolling cart could serve as an island with an iron structure, mango wood base and kota stone top.

These small accents are just enough to elevate any room, without breaking the bank:

An Inward-Looking Mirror, $99

This Cuban inspired inward-looking mirror would look darling in a hallway, bedroom or even bathroom!

Architectural Salt and Pepper Shakers, $19

These fun stainless steel architectural salt & pepper shakers would dress up any table!

Colorful Wooden Trays, $39

One of my favorite finds in the whole catalogue are these colorful wooden trays – restored and between 70 and 80 years old, their age paired with the bright color is the kind of juxtaposition I love!

Thank you Wisteria for more delightful finds to brighten my day!

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Super Easy Dinner – with a little help

Posted on April 6, 2011 by LiliBitting

I am a big believer that anyone can throw together a quick and healthy dinner in next to no time flat. Although, like everyone, some nights I simply lack the creativity and motivation to create a meal from nothing. Fortunately the world is filled with shortcuts! One of my favorites builds off the idea of “semi-homemade” – by using pre-made deli salads as a base for stir-fry!

Of course I’m not talking about just any deli-salad, my favorite is Fresh Direct’s Italian White Bean and Pearl Pasta Salad. It’s a mixture of white beans, Sardinian toasted pearl pasta called fregola, diced zucchini, roasted tomatoes and kalamata olives with a white balsamic vinaigrette.

To elevate the pasta salad into a meal I simply stir-fried about 1/3 cup of asparagus sliced cross-wise (4 large stalks) in 1 tsp of olive oil for about 4-5 minutes until soft. Then I added a heaping 1/2 cup of pasta salad with half a sliced grilled chicken breast and sauteed until warm. I “grill” my chicken on a George Foreman grill (no joke), but however you decide to prepare your protein be conscious of overcooking it during this second saute.

What’s so great about this dish is not only that you can add really any vegetables and protein you have on hand but also that the pasta salad flavors the whole dish – no additional seasonings (or thought) necessary! In my opinion there is nothing more mindless that I can throw together – and it beats the pants off Lean Cuisine any day!

At $6 a pint Fresh Direct’s pasta salad is decent deal to boot. I use it not only as an addition to salad’s and stir-fry’s but also plain as a healthy afternoon snack. Of course this idea can be leveraged with any pre-made bean/pasta/grain salad – use your imagination at the supermarket and you could be thanking yourself later in the week!

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Etsy Store Launched!

Posted on April 4, 2011 by LiliBitting

After lots of work and a fair amount of procrastination I have finally made the leap and launched my Etsy store! It went live on Sunday with 8 throw pillow covers that make up my Spring 2011 collection:

Not only am I so excited to have compleated this step but amazingly the feeling of accomplishment is driving me to actually want to make more!

Here is to a busy spring filled with the whirling sound of the sewing machine!

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2 Tips to a Perfect Omelet

Posted on March 30, 2011 by LiliBitting

By this point I think it’s clear that I love eggs and everything breakfast inspired. So, here are two tips to help you make an omelet that may spark some love of your own!

Here are the ingredients:

  • 2 eggs beaten with 1 Tbs water and 1 tsp Penzey’s Sunny Paris Seasoning
  • 4 Asparagus stalks sliced cross-wise
  • 3 Aidells Chicken & Apple Mini Sausage, cut into rounds
  • 1 Slice Deli Swiss
  • 1 cup baby arugula

The first big tip is to saute any appropriate ingredient not only to get a good looking brown but also to help heat your omelet from the inside. After the sausage is warm and asparagus is starting to soften set to the side and continue to use this one pan.

The next tip is to not worry so much about keeping your ingredients to half the pan in preparation for flipping your omelet. After the eggs have just started to set in the pan I layered in the sauteed sausage and asparagus followed by the slice of Swiss and topped with arugula. Once it comes time to flip, push your omelet into the rounded edge of your pan with a large spatula. As you flip allow all your ingredients inside to shift and use that spatula to press the whole thing down into a perfect omelet crescent!

I know that’s not the clearest explanation but I swear, use that rounded edge and you’ll get a perfect omelet every time!

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Sweet Accomplishment

Posted on March 28, 2011 by LiliBitting

Last night I finally finished the 8 throw pillow covers that comprise my first ever Etsy collection! After I get the shipping costs figured out I’ll launch the store, hopefully later this week!

When I saw the pile of 5 covers above, basking in the warm sunset light, I couldn’t help but take a picture. Unfortuantely the same light posed quite a challenge for the attempted product shoot!

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Have I finally found it?

Posted on March 25, 2011 by LiliBitting

Could this be the piece to fill my naked living room wall?

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Chicken Wrap Quesadilla

Posted on March 25, 2011 by LiliBitting

Similar to my reinterpreted ham and swiss wrap, this version with honey mustard, deli sliced chicken, swiss and spinach definitely pleased. With a side of carrot chips and hummus in the background my lunch was made!

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Score!

Posted on March 24, 2011 by LiliBitting

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The Quest for the Perfect File Cabinet

Posted on March 23, 2011 by LiliBitting

While I admit searching for the perfect file cabinet is not the sexiest furniture shopping around, sometimes it’s a necessary evil. I have been going back and forth on getting a file cabinet/drawer combo since I moved in back in the fall. My desk is by far the least organized of everything, I see it as the final frontier in becoming an adult – getting all those old bills filed!

One of the reasons I haven’t moved forward with a file cabinet is that I simply have yet to find one that I like enough. For such a utilitarian object I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised there is not a lot of variety – these are the best styles I’ve found:

The Classic Pedestal: There are many versions of cabinets that can be used alone or combined with other pieces to form a desk, console or wall of storage. Although I am a fan of the modular desk idea, I think a pedestal can look a little odd on its own in a room, which is what I’m looking for.

Ballard Designs: Original Home Office™ 3-Drawer File Cabinet $189

The Classic Chest: The next most standard style I found is mission or traditional style chest cabinets, usually with only one drawer – low and inconspicuous.

Crate & Barrel: Landon Filing Cabinet $229

Modern Home Office: While tempered glass and clean lines are appealing, I imagine it would be difficult to incorporate this look into an open layout (like a studio apartment). However for a sleek, and quite masculine look, this style could really transform a home office.

Crate & Barrel: Drake Filing Cabinet $299

Retro-School House Vibe: I was surprised I didn’t see more in this style, CB2 has the market nearly cornered for quirky-bright-industrial.

CB2: TPS chartreuse file cabinet: $149

Uber-Mod: No review is complete without a quick visit to the world of modern metal…personally, not really my style.

Design Within Reach: cBox Single Drawer $495

Real Retro: Of all of my searching, the coolest thing I found was Retro Office. This company refurbishes vintage steel office furniture with the pop-art colors of your choosing!

Retro Office: McDowell Craig Vintage Steel Vertical File Cabinet $399

Even more awesome than their file cabinets are the vintage tank desks! These are completely customizable, you could even make it a rainbow if you actually wanted. They even have a color changer to help you design your steel masterpiece that is quite fun to play with!

Retro Office: Steelcase Vintage Steel Petite Tank Desk $1,864.00

Unfortunately it seems my quest for the perfect file cabinet is still on – envelope files will have to be good enough for a little while longer…

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