Fabulously Feminine New Orleans Home

In honor of my trip to New Orleans this weekend (leaving tonight!) I thought I’d share this decadent, beautiful home of “a Southern-born media executive in New York who wears clothes with great silhouettes and really fun modern jewelry from Africa or France. She collects contemporary photographs and art. Her husband is a food and wine writer, and at the drop of a hat they’ll give a party for 60 to 70.” from House Beautiful. I’m drooling. That’s who I want to be.

The homeowner shares, “I think I dreamed the house. When you bump into something that’s in your mind’s eye, you recognize it. What’s the French term? Coup de foudre— love at first sight. The house is like a character in our lives. In New York, our home is a condo. It’s mostly where we retreat to plug in our batteries. But this is a real house, big enough to gather all our friends into, with a dining room table sturdy enough to hold a suckling pig. This is so Southern — in my walled courtyard, I have my late grandmother’s gardenias planted. We brought them over from Alabama, stem by stem, with the roots in little jars of water. To sit near them reading the newspaper in my pajamas while listening to the New Orleans soundtrack of crickets, steamboat whistles, children playing, cathedral bells, and the pie lady selling pies — it’s divine.” Divinity indeed.

Yummy Spring Pasta

Spring Pasta

I saw this recipe on 101 Cookbooks and immediately decided to make it last night. I changed a few things and it turned out so yummy/easy!

Spring Pasta Recipe

I used angel hair but thin, egg noodles, spaghetti, or fettuccine would all work as well.

8 ounces / 225 g cooked, leftover pasta
3 eggs
fine grain sea salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 big handfuls of sliced asparagus, and/or pea shoots, or tiny broccoli trees, or shredded greens, or green beans, or spinach – anything quick cooking and fresh

chopped avocado
chopped herbs

Optional: 1 tablespoon cream, Parmesan cheese, Breadcrumbs

Use your fingers to fluff up the leftover pasta a bit, so its not clumpy or stuck together. Set aside.

In a small bowl crack the eggs and beat them really well with a pinch of salt.

In a big skillet melt the oil and butter over medium high heat. If you’re using a vegetable that might take longer to cook than others, add those to the pan – for example, asparagus or broccoli. Add a couple pinches of salt, stir, cover, and cook for a couple minutes. Until the vegetables are bright, and just cooked. Now stir in anything that just needs a quick flash of cooking – in this case pea greens, but chopped greens would go in at this point if you’re using those. Stir, and cook just until tender – a minute or so. Pull about 1/3 of the vegetables out of the pan and set them aside.

Now, add the pasta to the skillet, and toss well. Once the pasta is hot, turn down the heat, wait a moment, then quickly stir in the eggs (optional – stir in cream, pasta water). Stir well, then cover the pan, remove from heat, and let everything sit for a minute. Uncover, give everything another toss, the egg should be cooked through. Taste, and adjust the seasoning before dividing between two plates. Top with the reserved vegetables, and some chopped avocado (optional – top with breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese).

Serves 3.

Prep time: 5 min – Cook time: 5 min

Here’s how mine turned out:

So Inspired.

Lily Aldridge styled by Kate Lanphear for ELLE US.

I cannot get enough of Pinterest these days. The amount of inspiration is almost overwhelming. Here are a few things I’ve pinned.

love-along-the-seinenuevo-es-eclecchic

At Home with The Man Repeller

Leandra Medine (The Man Repeller). Love her, love her sharp tongue, love her blog, love all the recognition she’s getting and now am completely jealous of her clothes/shoes/bags/abode.

Images via The Coveteur. Top Image via The Man Repeller

Moving & Marrying

Tumblr_kzuvq2qukb1qza0fjo1_400_large

As of Friday morning (the same day I woke up at 4am to watch the royal wedding) there was nothing packed in either Robert’s or my house. As of today, we are living in the new house. So… a lot went down over the last few days. There was rain, there was 40 degree weather, there were floods and not everything is complete… BUT! we spent the night there last night! I cannot put into words the relief I feel today as I think about my new home with the guy I love and our little doggies. More to come about decorating and the like…

I hope you had a good weekend!

Images: here & here

I Love Gallery Walls

Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. I don’t believe that applies to art on the walls. When done right, a gallery wall can be spectacular. It can be done in any room, with or without a theme. It can cover a blank wall or a busy one, a small room or a large one…just make sure you’re happy when you walk in and don’t be afraid to take a few decorating chances.

via The Decorista

Vanity

pale-blue-vanity

I am lucky enough to have a vanity. It’s a very special piece of furniture that was given to me by a dear friend of the family. It’s the essential piece for a lady that loves to get ready. That may not be every day but it does happen. I stumbled upon some gorgeous vanities on {this is glamorous}. I prefer the mirrored versions, you?

mirrored-vanitycountry-living-decorology

via {this is glamorous}, The Decorista

My sweet little vanity :)

Home (Dreams & Musings)

Jan/Feb 2010

I’m house-hunting again. Robert and I are trying to find a place for June 1 and I’m getting antsy. I’m hoping for a big backyard, a front porch, a cozy kitchen and lots of closet space. We’ll see what we end up with. Here are some (dream) spaces I’m loving…I’m trying to keep in mind I’ll be living with a boy. It should be interesting. All images via decor supersite Lonny. What are some of your favorite sites for decor inspiration?

Kitchen

Mar/Apr 2011Dec 2010

Jun/Jul 2010

Bath

Bedroom

Living

Dining

Office

Can You Call an Ottoman Sexy?

I think you can.

This was stolen from my rediscovered college friend (and accomplished interior designer) Tina. She’s going to help us find out where to purchase. Check out her blog – Sweet on Design.

Bar Carts…

The sun always makes me want to roll out my bar cart.

via {this is glamorous}