Guilty: Of Wearing Comfortable Clothing

Yesterday after the collective gasp and guttural screams commenced upon a 'not guilty' (still can't believe it) verdict being read in the Casey Anthony trial I curled up in the fetal and screamed, "Damn you OJ Simpson NOT AGAIN!!".

That's all I'm gonna say about that for 5 minutes.

Instinctively I wanted to get as far away from the television as possible.  What if Nancy Grace had a stroke and was no longer able to entertain me every day??  Strolling racing into my room I tossed on clothes that gave me comfort (like comfort food only in clothing form) and took to the beach to block it all out.  Fortunately I had spun by Brandy & Melville last week and hit the jackpot in the cotton department.  Seeing as we have been given an Ashley Bachelorette bye this week I took it upon myself to wear something reminiscent of her not wearing pants--although let the record show I had a one piece romper on beneath.  *oh no the google searches that are gonna come in off this one*  I have to say the grey maxi alone is likely to become a new go-to piece.  

~Brandy and Melville-Top, Maxi and Fringe Bag, Free People Romper, Matt Bernson-Gladiators~

Doesn't count as a butt shot if you have a seamless romper on beneath.

Close-up on the accessories: Flea Market Turquoise (jackpot) cuff, Marc x Marc coil ring, and

the usual Bhati Beads, PANYC and Motif 56 bracelets.

Close-up on the shirt:  no-brainer with the fringe and Navajo-esque + Flashdance vibe.

I opted for overkill with the Dean Davidson turquoise and Melinda Maria link oxidized in gold.

silver + gold = a good thing in my opinion

Proof that you can't always see through the skirt, but even if you can there's a one piece romper

saving me from ho-ville.  The maxi would also be a fab beach cover-up.

As I'm glancing through the pictures I realize I've committed the cardinal sin of fashion:  I've worn an outfit of almost entirely one brand--except the romper and the shoes.  Oh well, I guess I'll live.  It all worked together and if the fashion police try to haul me over I'll just avoid them for 31 days and then make up piles and piles and piles of lies to get off scott free.  Seemed to work just marvelously yesterday.   *slap, slap, slap infinity* 

Fourth of July Recap

Let's see now.  I donned my star spangled shoes and matching bikini...nah! haha!

Truth of the matter is the Chef worked every day except Monday the 4th which left me doing a wee bit of window shopping, organizing my closet and continuing the purge (yawn), testing the new gluten-free pizza crust at CPK (ixnay and just get the zPizza), meeting Jamie for an all-nighter dinner at The Corner (hehe), and laying out reading a book...until the crazy neighbors invited 75 of their own wingnuts over in the middle of the afternoon for a shakedown (when I left to meet Jamie one guy was racing around the backyard with a gigantic pea pod on his head).

All in all I can't complain--and even if I could complain I'd just rather not.  On Monday the Chef had his first day off in over 3 months.  Even though he pretty much slept the day away after we prepped and grilled it was so great to see him get to relax without being pulled in multiple directions.  I'm mortified to admit that despite his exhaustion he beat my a** at Boggle (hangs head).  I blame it entirely on having stayed up the night before until 5am bawling to watching E.T. and the wicked lemonade drink concoction we dreamed up in the kitchen--after the verdict this afternoon I've allowed myself to dip back in for a couple more.  Thank heaven for small mercies.

Boho barbecue

One closet organized and purged.  *pats self on back*

I'll drink to that!

Chef gets a day off to enjoy his own cooking boho style.  Yahoo!

I'll drink to that!

Naps on the couch with the world's best blanket while the cat scratches just outside the door.

I'll drink to that...with a side of Boggle in a twisted yoga pose.

Notice there are zero pictures of my face.  That is because my hair has been a wonderful, glorious fuzz mop for the past 5 days (ask Jamie--she saw it firsthand).  I'm in operation 'do as little as possible' and trying to soak up every second of it.  So far so good....

Hope you had a great 4th!  Any crazy tales?

Roasted Beets (with burrata cheese) Salad

Happy Canada day to all my Canadian peeps!! I started the long weekend a lit-tle early yesterday lounging in the sun (with spf 70) and an iced *ahem* lemonade to rest my wrist.  I have to say sitting still is not my forte, but it's a skill I'm working hard to perfect. Ha! Despite the fact that there are things to be tidied, closets still to be cleaned (whole bag full of clothes purged so far) and other tasks sure to be found I'm thinking this will be the weekend of nothing.  The Chef's up to his eyeballs at the restaurant and it just may be the perfect time for me to sample a few new cocktails to ensure they're just right.   Perhaps this is my new calling--Cocktail Taster Extraordinaire.  Has a certain ring to it don't you think?

One of my fave dishes on the menu right now is the Roasted Beets Salad.  It is out of this world with arugula and burrata cheese.  In case you're looking for a little something special to whip up this weekend we've included the recipe below.  Hope you enjoy!

Roasted Beets - burrata, arugula, whipped olive oil
Serves 4

Ingredients
2ea large red beets
2ea large gold beets
1 ea ball of burrata cut in 16 pieces
2C arugula
1 egg yolk
1 lemon
1/2C+2T extra virgin olive oil
Salt & Pepper to taste

Method
Season  beets (not peeled) with salt, pepper and olive oil. Roast at 375 for 30-45minutes or till a knife slides out of the beet.  Once cooked set in refrigerator to chill. Once chilled peel and cut into large chunks.  Toss chunks with olive oil salt and pepper.

Whipped olive oil: place shallot, lemon juice, water, in blender and mix on high for 30 seconds.  Then slowly drizzle in olive oil.  It should get thick and creamy, season w/salt.

To plate arrange beets on plate, top each beet with cheese, spoon whipped olive oil on cheese and around plate.  Toss arugula with oil, salt and pepper, and sprinkle leaves over salad.

On that note I think it's time for a snack...famous last words.  I am so looking forward to the 4th--the Chef is off that day and we're going to mix cocktails, grill our faves and sun all day long.  Pure bliss!  Any special plans on your agenda?  All I know is the holiday traffic started up yesterday afternoon when it took 45 minutes to go 4 miles and there wasn't an accident in sight.  *practices deep breathing* 'Tis the season of the tourist so look for me losing my beans when I'm late yet again, or better yet just putting myself on lockdown with the margarita blender.  Now there's a plan...