Mandarin and Walnut Salad

Holly — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:13:40 +0000

This salad works great as an easy lunch, a great weeknight side dish or even a weekend meal starter. Most of the ingredients are from the farmer’s market, so if you live in Texas (or southern Texas at least) the entire salad is in season!

This salad includes:

Arugula/Mixed Winter Greens

Mandarin Oranges

Walnuts

Gorgonzola Cheese

There is no exact amount of each ingredient, just add as you see fit. I would recommend using the gorgonzola sparingly as the taste is very strong.

I discovered making my own dressing about a year ago. It’s so easy, and a much healthier option. For this salad I used a very basic Vinaigrette:

Mix together:

1/2 cup olive oil

4 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp maple syrup

6 tsp dijon mustard

Add salt and pepper to taste

Shake well!

Last week I picked up this great salad dressing mixer from Crate and Barrel. At a price of only $14.95, it is a really great investment. It’s great for mixing, serving and storing!

Winter is okay too.

Holly — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:28:30 +0000

It has never been a secret that I am not much of a winter fan, it gets dark early, everything is dead, and its cold cold cold! So I thought in attempt to change my view of Winter I’d come up with a series of posts about Winter’s redeeming qualities. I hope this will help me (and you?)!

When its cold and dark in the early evening, it is so easy to sit and read and not feel guilty! I’ve already been spending many evening hours reading. I recently finished reading “I’d Know you Anywhere” by Laura Lippman and I really enjoyed it, The Austin Statesmen counted it as one of the best books for 2010.

Now I am reading “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese, with my new Book Club. It is already quite good I’m just a few chapters in, I’ll be sure to let you know more once I complete it.

Next on the list? Claire Dederer’s new book “Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses.” Can’t wait to read it!

(And yes, I am going to pretend like it hasn’t been 3 months since I’ve posted!)

Apples!

Holly — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:24:51 +0000

I took this picture of my in-laws apple tree. They have had a great crop so far this year, and have been so generous giving us bags and bags of apples. This week I’ll be posting lots of apple recipes. Check back for Stuffed Acorn Squash, Apple Chutney and a great Apple and Walnut Salad.

This Time Last Year Part 1.

Holly — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:06:49 +0000

This post is long overdue, but I wanted to get up a few pictures before the end of the month. Here are a few DIY projects and other favorite details from our wedding last year October 3, 2009.

This favor was easy to pull together. I bought these burlap packets of wildflower seeds at Target for only $1 each, then fastened a new tag with a personalized stamp from Modern Art Stamps on etsy.

I really wanted to have a fall wedding but stay away from harvest colors, so I chose natural greens, browns and dark yellows. These bouquets by Cindy Davis Designs were so beautiful, they really worked to pull the wedding together.

All photographs by Allison Davis Photography. We were so blown away with how well Allison was able to capture the overall spirit of our wedding and our commitment. Especially if you are in the Dallas area, you’ll want to check out Allison Davis and her inspiring photography.

You can also check out more pictures of our wedding on TheKnot.com.

Happy Anniversary dear.

This time last year. Part 2

Holly — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:33:42 +0000

(Part 1 will follow Part 2…You’ll see why later)

This time last year (give or take a week) I was surrounded by beautiful fall foliage, and on my honeymoon. Looking at pictures from our trip gets me excited for the weather to grow cooler and the leaves to change. Enjoy these beautiful photos from our trip to New England as you wait for Autumn to arrive.

Yummy Granola!

Holly — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:36:59 +0000

As promised here is my very tasty (and easy) Crunchy Granola Recipe:

Mix together:

4 cups old-fashioned oats

1 tbsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. salt

In a separate bowl mix together:

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

Mix the two bowls together. Spread flat on greased cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees for 10 minutes. Stir and add desired amount of chopped walnuts. Bake 5 minutes. Stir once again and bake 5-10 more minutes. Granola should still be slightly sticky as its cooling. After it has cooled add raisins or other dried fruit, nuts, seeds etc.

Our favorite way to serve this granola is over vanilla yogurt!

My Apologies!

Holly — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:43:06 +0000

To my lovely readers,

I’m sorry it has been so long since I last posted. I have been working on a new exciting project that you are going to love. More information to come soon!

Also, check back this week for posts on homemade granola, great fall decorating ideas and some pictures from my trip to Round Top, Texas.

Cheers,

Holly

Janet Hill Studio

Holly — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:35:57 +0000

Leona and the Yellow Bird

Francine and her Frenchie

Paige in a Green Dress

The Flowering Orange Tree

I am so in love! Janet Hill Studio is such a great find that you wont want to miss. You can find Hill’s beautiful paintings and prints on her etsy site. I hope you fall in love too.

Cartolina

Holly — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:34:48 +0000

You are you going to love this beautiful line of recycled paper products from designer Fiona Richards. She gets inspiration from memories of her grandparents world travels, and her own. Cartolina is charming and clever, you’ll become as obsessed as me in no time!

Cartolina also has a beautiful app for smart phones. It includes a calendar and 8 beautiful designs ready to text or e-mail. I downloaded mine over the weekend!

The Reliques @ Pozo Hondo Studios

Holly — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:35:27 +0000

My husband, Brian Douglas Phillips, is a musician/producer and spent last weekend working on a new album with some good friends of ours, The Reliques. They were at Pozo Hondo Studios in Round Top, Texas. The studio is styled so well … you don’t want to miss these dreamy shots:

If you don’t know about The Reliques, you need to check them out. They have a new EP coming out soon that you wont want to miss!