We switched things up this past weekend and were guests at our friends’ lovely lake cabin instead of hosts at our own. My list for food prep was a lot shorter in that role, as I was only to bring a summer cocktail and some snacks. I went the easy route with some tortilla chips and a couple of good salsas, but also wanted to bring something fun to pair with the relatively sweet cocktail I had planned. These chili lime cashews were easy to whip up, and a perfect accompaniment for a drink before dinner. If you are uncertain of the spice sensitivity of the group, this is a great option as the spice is mild, especially when mixed with the sweetness of the brown sugar.
August 2015 archive
Summer Sale Dresses
Trevor and I returned home late last week from a brief but lovely trip to Napa with friends. This trip (we first went to the Valley with our friends ten years ago) always provides a good excuse for shopping for a new outfit or two. It’s a bit of a tough time to do so, since many retailers are turning over their inventory to fall items (something I am definitely NOT ready to see). But there are still great options out there, especially if you have the time to search through some of the great sales going on right now (see side bar for some of my favorite sale options). The bright pink of this dress caught my eye in that it reminded me of the bougainvillea plant that is so beautiful and common in the Napa Valley area.
Eliza J dress (now on sale) | J Crew belt (old, similar here and the dress comes with a gold belt that also works well) | Tory Burch clutch | Lilly Pulitzer shoes | Michael Kors watch | Hermes bracelet | Madewell bracelet | Banana Republic sunglasses (not available online – similar here and love these) | Kate Spade earrings
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Herbed Summer Squash Pasta Bake
At a recent get together of friends, I found myself trying to think of a menu for lots of different tastes, including a few vegetarians. I asked my mom to help me come up with a summertime dish to serve a large crowd – one that would pair nicely as a side to the protein but be hearty enough to work well on its own. As usual she came through with the perfect dish, fitting for the occasion. When hosting I prefer to have dishes that I can prepare the evening in advance and simply pop in the oven – especially if we have to pay attention to something on the grill just prior to serving.
