Mmm….Still Summer? I wish.

This morning I had time and energy enough to make some pumpkin spice muffins – yum! No pictures, however, as my food is never as beautiful as others. I’m just happy they taste good.

I’ve come across a few new, delicious recipes that are helping me hang on to summer just a little bit more – let me know if you try any! I will definitely be putting these into rotation.

TOMATO TARLET – recipe from the kitchn

Serves 4 as entrée, 8 as appetizer

2 ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/8-inch slices
1 sheet frozen puff pastry
3 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to taste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400°.

Lay out the tomato slices on a large sheet of paper towels. Cover with more paper towels and allow to drain for approximately 30 minutes (this is crucial to not getting a watery tart). Meanwhile, remove the sheet of puff pastry from the freezer and allow to thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Unfold the puff pastry onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, pinching to close any holes in the seams. Using a fork, prick the dough all over to prevent it from puffing up during baking.

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the entire puff pastry. Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Arrange the tomato slices over the cheese. Season generously with kosher salt and pepper. Grate a generous amount of Parmesan cheese on top and garnish with freshly chopped basil.

Bake for 30 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove the pastry from the baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Cut into 9 squares and serve immediately.

STRAWBERRY GOAT CHEESE BRUSCHETTA, recipe from Annie’s Eats

 

* 1 cup strawberries, hulled and diced
* 1 tbsp. sugar
* 1 French baguette, sliced on a bias
* 4 oz. goat cheese
* 1 tbsp. olive oil
* 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
* ¼ cup minced basil leaves
* Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
1. Combine the strawberries and sugar in a small bowl; toss to combine.
2. Let the berries macerate for about 30 minutes so that they begin to release their juices.
3. Spread a thin layer of goat cheese on top of each baguette slice. Top each slice with spoonfuls of the strawberry mixture.
4. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top each slice with the basil leaves and cracked pepper, to taste.

Jenny Packham on Gossip Girl

{photo credit: Fashion Roll Call}

Jenny Packham’s SS11, above, was featured on Gossip Girl on Monday night on Blair Waldorf and I nearly had a conniption over two things so perfect coming together. Not that I’m in any position to even think about marriage, but how gorgeous would this be as a wedding dress in white? My fantasy wedding dress was stolen by Duchess Catherine, so I have to rethink my dream dress and this is so far winning…good news is, I have a long, long way off before it comes to fruition!

Fashion Month Roundup

 

{ugh so preeeeetty…Ralph Lauren SS12 via From Me to You}

Will NOT be hosted here…instead, head over to my Pinterest board and see my favorite shots on and off the runway from New York, London, Milan, & Paris! xx

We Need to Have a Talk.

We need to have a talk…about Wes Gordon, Atlanta native and New York’s newest darling in the fashion area. He attended Lovett (shout out to Kemps!), and went through Central St Martins in London plus did internships with the revered Oscar de la Renta and formidable Tom Ford. I have had the pleasure of meeting with him in person and he is just a dear! I told him I could see myself running around Atlanta in every single last piece he showed. He’s so gracious, so personable, and so damned good at what he does.  (See examples below.)

 

{all images Wes Gordon Spring/Summer 2012 via style.com}

And now, a little piece of Wes Gordon can be yours through Wes Gordon x Jones New York – which made me super ridiculous happy giddy that I could get a little piece of Wes. (His main collection, made entirely in New York, is so worth the money, but I just don’t have that money right this second.) So, at $99 to $475, the Wes Gordon x Jones New York collection is priced just right for someone wanting to get her feet wet with Wes – and then you’ll be saving money for things like this like me.  Exclusive to Bloomingdale’s, the collection will be available March 2012. Which is your favorite piece?

 

{all images Wes Gordon x Jones New York via Fashionologie}

Oh, also, he has a really, really, really nice head of hair.