Have: a French breakfast (Doesn’t a cappuccino and a croissant sound amazing? I’ve just discovered a wonderful crepe place nearby. Their lemon sugar crepes are my favorite.)
Wear: dressed up basics (I love how using an unexpected fabric or print can update such a basic item. This charcoal silk shirt would get a lot of use in my closet.)
Dine: outdoors (It really does makes any meal better.)
Have a relaxing weekend!
{ The perfect ice cream for your weekend }
Is it me or did it really kind of start to feel like summer this week? Perhaps it’s the warmer temps we’ve had towards the end of this week, or the fact that we watched fireworks in lower Manhattan from the balcony of our Brooklyn apartment last night (anyone know what those were for?!?), but it really is starting to feel like summer. In true CC form I whipped out the ice cream maker last night- look forward to a recipe from that foray on Monday! Here’s what else has been on my mind this week:
And with that, I’m off. I leave for a quick 24 hour trip to Dallas tonight for a project with Real Simple, and then it’s back to enjoy the rest of my weekend with a Sunday dinner party. Happy weekend, everyone! xx
We’ve got a ritual when I go home, a ritual firmly implemented by my mom. At 4 or 4:30ish, no matter the day, she makes a big batch of homemade popcorn. And goodness, is this popcorn good. I don’t even need to be hungry- if the popcorn’s there, I will inevitably eat the whole bowl! Yesterday I finally got around to asking my mom for her popcorn technique so I could start making some at home. I had a light bulb moment and decided to take the flavor profile of one of my all time favorite pasta dishes, Cacio e Pepe, and transfer it to the popcorn. Think hot kernels with a bite of pepper and salty cheese. OMGsogood. But the cool thing is that the options are endless. At home my mom tops the popcorn with sea salt and nutritional yeast- to die for. But she’s also added in things like Tumeric in the past, which was surprisingly good. And that’s just savory side of things… think about the sweet options! Yum.
Cacio e Pepe Popcorn
Makes about 16 cups popped
Coat the bottom of a large pot with olive oil- you want just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Add in the popcorn kernels and shake pot to distribute into an even layer. Sprinkle with sea salt. Put the lid on and crank your burner to the highest. Keep heat on until you hear no more popping. I like to remove my pot from the heat when the popping has really slowed down, so the popcorn at the bottom of the pan doesn’t burn.
Once off the heat, pour the popcorn into a large bowl. Drizzle with a bit more olive, give it a solid 10+ grinds of fresh pepper, and add in the cheese. Toss well to combine. Devour immediately.
Often times I feel I am almost humble to a fault about my work. Sure, no one likes a bragger (oof, especially me), but I have a feeling that my go to response of “Oh it’s nothing,” or “It’s no big deal, really!” when someone is complimenting me about my work is not the best response. I’m horrible at accepting compliments, can you tell? I have a feeling many of you fall into this category, too. It’s hard, no? It is, but I know it’s important for me (and all of us ladies) to take more pride in our work. Yes, sorry for calling out the ladies. I really do appreciate the men who read this blog (!), but let’s face it- it’s mostly females around these parts 
In any event, how do we do this? How do we take more pride in our work without leaving a bad taste in someone’s mouth? I’m calling out to you guys today! It probably starts off with a simple thank you when receiving a compliment, but I think it goes beyond that. I’d like to reach that sweet spot where I can confidently discuss my strengths and skills (and really own it), while still maintaining a humble sensibility.
So, let’s dish. Have you guys figured out how to strike that balance? Do you struggle with this, too? Have any tips on how we can find that confident sweet spot? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
floppy hat, bathing suit (steal), sunglasses, tunic, tote, bracelet, sandals, sunscreen
Isn’t that tiny house by the beach just perfect? It’s in Greece, which is somewhere I’ve been dying to visit.
While summer days at the beach are still just a dream in mid-May, I love using this sandy color palette as inspiration. Pastels work perfectly here, while touches of darker leather work to keep the outfit grounded. That striped linen tunic would be great for both the beach and for exploring a city. In other words, the perfect travel companion. The only things missing are an icy drink, and a wonderfully trashy novel!
Have you purchased a bathing suit for the season yet? I’ve been tempted many, many times while putting this post together.
I procrastinate about the strangest things- namely, buying things for myself. This is not a budet thing. This is a laziness thing. And it applies to all objects I consume in my life- clothing, body products, household items, you name it (well, except for food- that clearly does not apply). For instance, I have been planning to buy this hat from Emerson Fry for a good month. Four whole weeks, people! What’s stopping me? Hard to say. I should probably stop writing this blog post and just buy it right now, but I won’t. I will get to it… at some point.
So this little annoying scenario? Same thing happened with The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook. That thing has been on my to buy list since the darn book came out and I just got around to throwing it in my Amazon cart last week. I’m a good six months late, right? And the worst part is that every single recipe in this book is pure gold. My meals over the last few months would have been far tastier had I only had Deb’s brilliant book in my hands. I have a feeling we’re going to need to re-name Mondays “the day Clara shares her next favorite recipe from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook” day.
First recipe up- these killer Baked Ranchero Eggs. I love this recipe for many reasons. First, it’s approachable. This sentiment really applies to the entire book. One of the things I love and appreciate most about Deb’s recipes is that she has this way of making all her dishes feel incredibly doable. Not all cookbooks do that for me. Does that ever happen to you? I find most Mexican recipes either feel tricky or have a laundry list of ingredients, too daunting to even attempt to tackle. This recipe totally trumps both those concerns.
Second, this dish is awesome for a brunch crowd. You know I love anything with components that can be made ahead, and that can be easily brought together at the last minute before guests arrive. It also keeps really well and it super satisfying is leftovers.
Lastly, homemade tortilla chips. Why in the world have I not made these before?!?! They’s so incredibly easy and truly better than anything I’ve ever had out of a bag. Thanks, Deb, for waking me up to that phenomenon (among other things)!
Here’s to a great week, friends!
Baked Ranchero Eggs with Blistered Jack Cheese and Lime Crema slightly adapted from the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
Serves 6
Ranchero Sauce:
Crisp Tortilla Chips:
Remaining Ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 450°.
Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and salt to your blender, and blend until smooth. Pour sauce into a 12 inch skillet and add in black beans. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 10-15 minutes until sauce has slightly reduced.
Meanwhile brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Place the tortilla strips in a single layer- brush with the rest of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Baked for 4-6 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Remove from oven and preheat broiler.
Make the crema: In a separate bowl mix together the sour cream, juice of one lime, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove from the heat. Crack the eggs individually into the pan, distributing them as evenly as possible. Return to heat, cover pan, and simmer for about 10-12 minutes, until the whites are nearly but not completely opaque. Sprinkle the surface with the cheese and place plan under broiler for 2-3 minutes, just until cheese is blistered and bubbly.
Garnish with dollops of crema, broken pieces of tortilla, and fresh cilantro.
Embrace: spring’s details (Right now, it’s things like lace and sheer fabrics that are catching my eye, not necessarily bold colors.)
Make: your mom breakfast (I love doing this, but for some reason, this year I’m stumped! Any ideas? Everything I think of seems much too ordinary.)
Give: A thoughtful card (I’m in love with this idea from A Daily Something. It really makes you think, and your mom will be so appreciative.)
Last night we kicked off the weekend a little early and had a cook out with friends in the neighborhood. I made a big batch of gauc, we grilled hot dogs (secret hot dog lover right here), and hung out with their sweet pup- it was the best. I’m beginning to believe May is my favorite month of the year. Maybe it’s because April was so darn cold, but the mild temps and sunny skies really make everyday feel a little bit like a vacation.
Here are a few bits from my week…
And that about does it friends. I’ve got a weekend to get to! Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas, and especially to mine. See you next week! xx
Have you guys noticed the rise of healthy, home meal-delivery services? Maybe you’ve tried one of these programs for yourself? They just recently started popping up on my radar online, and then Gwyneth featured a round-up of her favorite food delivery options on Goop last week. I (Lauren) totally get the allure. Most of us are crunched for time these days, caught in a constant cycle of busyness but also a desire to eat healthy. So enter the food delivery program that allows you to skip all the prep and the trip (or more) each week to the store. Instead you get perfectly-portioned, nutritionally-balanced ingredients delivered right to your door. Some options let you DIY, making the chef-designed meal with the exact items included; others just come ready made.
I think it’s a fabulous concept…for some people, especially those who don’t enjoy cooking. But to me, I just couldn’t do it! My mom instilled in me a love for cooking, even though it didn’t really kick in until my mid-20s. I love the research, menu creating, list making, shopping, preparing and cooking–all of it–that goes into serving an enjoyable meal. I love to taste the fruits of my labor, and especially to have others enjoy my efforts with me. Now doing the dishes afterward? That’s another story. I’d definitely be open to a service for that! A clean-up-my-cooking-mess service anyone? Yes, please. So what do YOU think about the whole home meal-delivery trend–would you or wouldn’t you?
Images: Fullosophie & Plated
We’re just five days shy of Mother’s Day! What do you guys have planned? My mom is one of my favorite people to shop for. It didn’t always used to be that way but over the years I’ve learned to really nail a gift with her, and I can’t wait for her to see what’s in store this year. But before we get to all of that, I decided to do something a little extra special. A few weeks back Joanna challenged readers to interview their parents. I immediately attached to the idea and thought an interview with my mom would be so fun- and make for perfect blog content around Mother’s day. Below are seven questions I posed to my mom all about getting pregnant, being a parent and raising kids:
Did you always know you wanted to have kids?
Yes, I always thought that I would like to have children and being an only child made me want to have at least two kids. It’s funny only children often wish they had siblings and children from big families dream of being only children. I think I would have had more children, but since I got started a bit late and Dad was older we stopped at two. It wasn’t until Aunt Kathryn passed away that I got serious about having children. At the time I think I was channeling her and I know she regretted not having any. Of course, Grandma was also nudging me.
Who was the first person you told when you were pregnant?
Dad was the first person I told. My first pregnancy was a surprise, not that I wasn’t intending to get pregnant, but that it happened much sooner than I expected. Dad had a show in Rome so we took the opportunity to travel to Egypt and Turkey before going to Rome. It wasn’t unitl we got home that I realized something was up. I thought my cycle was off because of the traveling, it never occurred to me that I might be pregnant. I didn’t go through the awful periods of nausea that trouble many women. I was lucky, most of the time I felt wonderful being pregnant.
When you first found out you were pregnant, did you hope for a boy or a girl? Be honest!
The first time, honestly, it did not matter and not to Dad either. Because of my “advanced maternal age” I did the amniocentesis test and we opted to find out the gender. You know me, I’m not fond of surprises. The second time I did entertain a very small and secret hope for a boy thinking it would be nice to have one of each.
Were you scared to become a mom?
I don’t think I was scared to become a mom, I think I was unprepared, but that is fairly typical of first time moms. Once you arrived I think I was nervous about some things. A newborn baby is a fragile little person so I felt super protective. Those instincts you observe in creatures on the Animal Planet suddenly become very real and personal. It’s fascinating how so many feelings like that suddenly come into play.
What’s one thing you wished you knew before becoming a mom?
Gosh, hindsight is a huge topic. The first thing that comes to mind is how children are ever-evolving. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up, just when you feel like you have a handle on a certain stage, kids are onto the next thing.
What’s the best part about being a mom?
Having children is an incredible journey. As corny as it sounds, the whole process of being pregnant and giving birth gave me a sense of awe. It really put me in touch with the process of life in such a visceral way, one that I never imagined. But I think the best thing of all is the mother/child bond. It’s the stuff of legends, I guess, but it’s really true. It’s unconditional love.
What’s the hardest part?
One of the most difficult parts is finding a balance in your life while raising children. The demands can be all consuming at times. I think it’s important to step away, to get some down time. Grandmothers are great subs!
I loved reading through these. My mom and I are really close, but there were definitely a few surprises in here! Like the fact that her first pregnancy was sort of a surprise and that she secretly hoped for a boy her second time around. Do you know your mom’s answers to these questions? What would she say? Ugh, moms are just the best. Huge thanks to mine for doing this!
