| Channeling Contessa

Life Lately | Six Years |

May 24, 2013 by Clara

Happy Friday, friends! I’m mixing up today’s Life Lately post a bit as Sunday marks a big date on the calendar. Brandon and I will be ringing in six whole years! Six years?!? Where does the time go? This whole 20s period- yeah, too fast, people. TOO FAST.

The calendar aside, I thought I’d take a moment today to share some of my biggest lessons learned over the past six years, when it comes to being in a relationship. The two of us have come to make quite a team, and I really have to remind myself daily of how lucky I am! Of course, I also tell Brandon all the time how lucky he is to have me, naturally. That said, relationships don’t come without their ups and downs, and we’ve definitely had our fair share. The good news is that the longer we’re together, the easier it becomes to recognize those moments as opportunities that ultimately bring us closer together. So…. here goes!

Maintain Perspective A good friend of mine once said, “Don’t end a relationship over a sink of dirty dishes.” In other words, learn not to sweat the small stuff. Ok yes, dirty dishes should be a shared duty, but you get where I’m going with this. It’s so important to maintain perspective when it comes to the big picture of your relationship and learn to let go of the little things that don’t really matter in the long run. I’m a total work in progress here!

Truly Accept Each Other Like truly. I’ve found it’s really easy to gloss over this one. It’s so easy to be like yeah yeah we accept each other! And then constantly nitpick over the little things. The aha moment for me was realizing there are always going to be these little things for both of us. We’ve gotten really good at making fun of each other for our silly (aka annoying) habits and just moving on!

Maintain Your Independence Last year due to a combo of work and vacation travel, Brandon and I were apart for a whole month. I remember telling people this and getting the response, “How will you survive?!?!” I was so perplexed! Sure we’d miss each other, but I’m a firm believer that it’s a good thing to miss each other now and then in a relationship. And to maintain your independence. Along with doing things together, I think it’s also important for the health of a relationship to go out with friends from time to time on your own, engage in separate activities, and so forth.

Laugh. As much as you can. Admittedly a little corny, but truly, the more you can laugh, the easier it will be to weather the occasional storm. How’s that for a relationship metaphor.

And lastly, get yourself some good sounding boards! My go tos are my mom and a handful of friends in their mid 30s (<– those people are gold).

Any big relationship tips you guys have? I’d love to hear! Also, check back in tomorrow for a roundup of CC Memorial Day recipes to get you all prepped for the holiday weekend. Hope yours is a good one! xx

5 Comments

Introducing… CC Summer Office Hours!

May 23, 2013 by Clara

Illustration by Ann Shen for Channeling Contessa

I am beyond excited to announce a new CC project that’s been in the works for quite some time. As you guys may or may not know, along with executing events, the majority of my freelance work consists of helping companies and organizations develop their social and digital media strategies. That’s a fancy way of saying I teach them how to tweet, run a successful blog, brand their online personality, implement digital marketing campaigns, and so forth. Since I began doing this work, I always had it in the back of my mind that one day, I wanted to support individual bloggers, freelancers, and small business owners in the same way.

A few months back I got really serious about the idea. At the tail end of some business travel I finally put pen to paper and began jotting down ideas. How did I want to help individuals? What would the services look like? I knew when the words literally did not stop flowing, it was time to bite the bullet, swallow my fears and put a plan into place. Today I’m thrilled to see that plan come to fruition and launch CC Summer Office Hours! Here are the details:

What are CC Summer Office Hours? They’re one-on-one consulting sessions with yours truly, focused on helping you build a better blog and stronger online presence, as well as develop and refine your social and digital media strategies. The sessions are broken down into three distinct service areas:

Blogging for Business: Many people often think CC is my full time job, but it’s really only a small portion. Why devote so much time to something that isn’t paying all my bills? Aside from a deep seated love for blogging, CC continually serves as the biggest source of client work for my consulting business. This is my marketing platform. I firmly believe that a well executed blog can serve as a tool unlike any other to generate new business, increase sales, and grow revenue for any industry. This session is devoted to helping freelancers and small business owners (in a service or product based business) build or finesse a blog that acts to fully leverage your products and services, without making it something that eats up all your free time.

Build a Better Blog For You: All too often I see bloggers trying to mimic content that’s already out there, rather than build out their own individual online space. Blogging is only successful (and fun!), if you stay true to yourself. This session is meant for all bloggers (total newbies to seasoned veterans), who are looking to jumpstart their online space and assistance in developing original content that’s truly reflective of their personal brand. We’ll work through developing your “blog brand,” creating content that sets you apart, mapping out a manageable editorial calendar, and tweaking your social media strategy so it all works to your advantage. This session is highly customizable, and meant for both business owners and general bloggers alike who are looking to either start a blog the right way, or give their current one a makeover.

Student to Blogger: My only regret when it comes to blogging is that I wish I had started sooner, as in during college! Because of that, when dreaming up these sessions, I knew I wanted to devote one session to current undergrads. A well curated blog can take you farther than you ever imagined when it comes to building your career. This session is dedicated to college students looking to start and run a blog during their undergraduate years that can work to their advantage when it comes to applying for jobs and entering the work force, or planting the seed for their future business ventures. Please note, if you’re a student and currently have a blog- this session applies to you as well.

How do the sessions work? After scheduling your session, I’ll send you a detailed questionnaire via email so I can learn more about your business, current blog, or long terms goals (depending on your situation). Once you’ve completed the questionnaire we’ll schedule a 75 minute call and get to work!

What do I get?

One 75-minute one-on-one phone consultation (international clients will use Skype)
A detailed outline of notes from our call, including a customized set of action items to put your plan for creating a successful blog into place

How do I set up a session? Send me an email at clara@clarapersis.com with a summary of your needs, reasons for setting up a session, and the session you’d like to purchase. If you’re not sure which session is best for you- that’s fine! Once you’ve sent along your background I can help you determine which one is most appropriate based upon your needs.

I’ll be offering sessions from Monday, June 3rd through Friday, August 30th. Since I’ll be balancing things with my regular clients, I’ll be offering a limited number of sessions each month, so sign up sooner rather than later to reserve your spot! To schedule a session, get the lowdown on costs, and access a laundry list of FAQs around these consultations, head over to the CC Summer Office Hours page.

It goes without saying none of the above would be possible without all of you. The sweet devoted people who come back day after to day to say hello and see what we’ve been writing about- you make all the difference! So if I haven’t said thank you enough- thank you thank you thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Now let’s get this summer started- shall we?

6 Comments

Coffee Coconut Milk Ice Cream & Hot Fudge Sundaes

May 20, 2013 by Clara

I’ve been on a major coconut product kick, as made clear by my instagram feed. I now make all my granola with coconut oil, we’ve started throwing a dollop of coconut milk into our smoothies instead of using yogurt, and this weekend marked my first foray into coconut milk ice cream. This seemed like a no brainer to me. I mean, is it just me or it is really hard to believe coconut milk is dairy free when you first open a can? It’s so rich and thick! Of course you’d make ice cream with it. This recipe is incredibly simple and yields great results. The coconut milk churned just like regular ice cream, and once frozen became the farthest thing from your typical vegan dessert. A key thing to note is that the ice cream doesn’t have a strong coconut flavor, like you would think. So if you’re not a coconut lover, I’m gonna venture to say you’ll still like it- especially if you add the coffee. This hot fudge sauce is not vegan, but you could easily forego it and mess around with other chocolate based ice cream mix ins. But if you aren’t vegan, you better be making this hot fudge sauce.

Here’s to a great week and the first CC ice cream recipe of the season! We’ve got so many good posts across the next few days and an especially exciting announcement on Thursday. Let’s do this!

Coffee Coconut Milk Ice Cream from The Minimalist Baker
Serves 6

2 15 oz cans full fat coconut milk
3/4 cup regular sugar
3/4 strong brewed coffee
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine coconut milk, coffee and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until well combined – about 5 minutes.Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Transfer to a bowl to let cool completely in the fridge – at least 6 hours, overnight being preferable.Transfer to ice cream maker and prepare according to manufacturer instructions (I let mine churn for about 20 minutes, at which point it was done). Pour into tupperware container, smooth out top, and press plastic wrap directly to the ice cream. Cover with tupperware lid. Let harden fro several ours in freezer. Let stand for 15 minutes at room temperature before serving. Top with hot fudge, sprinkles, etc!

Hot Fudge Sauce adapted slightly from Smitten Kitchen
Yields 2 1/2 cups

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
6 tablespoons corn syrup
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee (optional)

Melt the chocolate and butter very slowly in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring frequently until combined. Meanwhile, heat the water to boiling in the small, heavy saucepan. When the butter and chocolate have melted, stir the mixture into the boiling water. Add the sugar, corn syrup and salt and mix until smooth. Turn the heat up and stir until mixture starts to boil; adjust heat so that sauce is just maintained at the boiling point, stirring occasionally. Allow sauce to boil for nine minutes.

Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and coffee and serve warm over ice cream.

11 Comments

Life Lately | May 17th |

May 17, 2013 by Clara

{ 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:

I’ve been very focused on being easier on myself lately. This is sort of a constant struggle for me, something I’m always working to be better at- placing less guilt, pressure, and expectation on myself. All those things can serve as great motivation, but I tend to let them get the best of me more often than not. Does that ever happen to you guys? Any tips on letting go of some of those feelings?
I was reminded of the how important is it to catch up and talk shop with my “colleagues,” freelance or entrepreneurial folks who are in the same boat as me. I had an amazing brunch with my dear Jessie and the sweet ladies of Verily Magazine earlier this week. I’m still feeling fueled and inspired by our conversation. Love that!
Ps if you haven’t subscribed to Verily, you definitely should! You can get a taste of the content on their website, but you don’t want to miss out on the print version of this beauty- what these ladies have created is pretty incredible.
One more thing on this brunch- we ate at Peels on Bowery, which I had never been to. Food was incredible (I got the spring vegetable hash), and the decor was just darling. Definitely going back there.
Loved the feedback and comments on this post about taking pride in your work. It’s nice to know I’m not alone here, and I so appreciate all the advice you guys provided! It’s also given me some ideas on future (interactive) Biz Notes post… so stay tuned for that!
Speaking of being proud- I’m so proud (yes, proud!) of a project that came to fruition this week! I helped create a video for one of my recent clients, M.M. LAFLEUR. We showed the video at their launch party a few weeks back, but the video is now available online. It features the amazing story of some truly inspiring ladies- I tear up every time I watch it. You can view it here.
Like many of you I’m sure, I was incredibly touched by this refreshingly honest post from Kendi. It’s made me think a lot about some areas I’ve been hesitant to discuss on CC, and made me realize it might actually be better to be open and honest about them rather than excluding them from this space… we shall see.

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

1 Comment

Cacio e Pepe Popcorn

May 16, 2013 by Clara

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

1/2 cup popcorn kernels
olive oil
1/2 heaping tsp sea salt
1 1/4 cups grated romano cheese
freshly ground black pepper

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.

7 Comments

Biz Notes: Are you taking pride in your work?

May 15, 2013 by Clara

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!

Image Via

18 Comments

Baked Ranchero Eggs with Blistered Jack Cheese and Lime Crema

May 13, 2013 by Clara

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:

1 28 oz. can whole fire roasted tomatoes
1 medium white onion, roughly chopped
1 jalapeño, roughly chopped
1 large garlic clove, crushed and peeled
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
several pinches salt
handful of fresh cilantro

Crisp Tortilla Chips:

2 T olive oil
4 small (6 inch) corn tortillas, cut into strips
salt

Remaining Ingredients:

12 eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded jack cheese
1 cup sour cream
juice of 1 lime
fresh cilantro

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.

4 Comments

Life Lately | May 10th |

May 10, 2013 by Clara

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…

Kicked off the week sick in bed which prompted me to purchase the new season of Real Housewives of Orange County. So trashy, but so good. Aaaand I kind of love Heather.
Jessica made blueberry muffin ice cream. Blueberry muffin ice cream people! There are no words.
I purchased tickets to my 10 year high school reunion this week. 10 years? How how how did we get here?
This bullet is just a friendly reminder to listen to the Joy the Baker podcast if you don’t already. Joy and Tracy are the best. They make me laugh endlessly, and make cleaning up the kitchen a breeze.
Coconut oil spray- my latest Trader Joe’s product obsession. I’m thrilled to have a convenient cooking spray that isn’t whatever the hell is in Pam. Speaking of Trader Joe’s, would you guys be interested in a post about my favorite products from the store? Been thinking about that one…
This sweet Flavor Story from Joy has me wanting to do cooking videos so so badly. Add that to my summer bucket list!
Heart you Jon Hamm.
I’m getting my haaaair done tomorrow. So ready to freshen up my locks, get my trusty bangs back, and get rid of this look.
Drooling over this Mother’s Day brunch from SMP Home. That blueberry sour cream coffee cake with lemon glaze has my name written all over it.

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

Rhubarb Float by the lovely Ashley of Not Without Salt

9 Comments

Getting to Know My Mom

May 8, 2013 by Clara

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!

7 Comments

Taking A Little Breather

May 6, 2013 by Clara

You know those moments when life just really takes it all out of you? Well, I’m there! So I’m taking today to recoup from a weekend cold, get my to do list organized, hit the grocery store, and just give my brain and mind the full time it needs to get back to tip top condition. I’ll be back here tomorrow with a fun Mother’s Day inspired post. Til then! xx

Photo by Rachel of Elephant (I LOVE her blog)

Life Lately | Six Years |

Introducing… CC Summer Office Hours!

Coffee Coconut Milk Ice Cream & Hot Fudge Sundaes

Life Lately | May 17th |

Cacio e Pepe Popcorn

Biz Notes: Are you taking pride in your work?

Baked Ranchero Eggs with Blistered Jack Cheese and Lime Crema

Life Lately | May 10th |

Getting to Know My Mom

Taking A Little Breather

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