1. Before I forget – remember those DVF Wedges I was obsessed with before – well Nordstrom is featuring them in their Half-Yearly Sale so don’t sleep on that deal – they are too cute to pass up. Another great deal from the sale – these VC Signature Nadine Wedges. Another other lust item from the sale – the Stuart Weitzman Alex Espadrilles – you know, the ones that Jennifer Aniston and a host of other celebs rock come spring/summer and they are 40% off.

2. If you are looking for a flat sandal, you can’t go wrong with these Cole Haan Air Bridget sandals with the Nike Air technology built in – perfect for the shore!

3. With Memorial Day comes the start of the grill season. I plan on firing up the grill this weekend to make a few things – like my grilled veggie salad, perhaps some salmon (either with Mojo de Ajo or Citrus Salsa Verde) and whatever else strikes my fancy. One thing that I find vital when grilling – a thermometer. I’m so tempted to pick up this Thermometer Fork from Williams Sonoma.  I’m a bit obsessive when it comes to making sure that everything is the right temperature.  I also have a laser thermometer that I use often but I haven’t tried it on the grill just yet – I’m afraid I’d shoot the grill and not the food with that laser.

4. My grill is a standing George Forman – namely because we are not allowed to have gas or charcoal at the apartment complex. It works well and I can’t complain. I have never attempted to vertically roast a chicken in it but I think perhaps I should give it a whirl this weekend – what do you think? I have this vertical roaster from Sur La Table in the cookware cabinet – might as well attempt and, if it doesn’t work – I’m slippin’ this puppy in the oven.

5.With recent events, I think I’m going to have to break out the Sous Pug’s Zoku Maker – yes, you read that right. His Grandpa saw this in either Sur La Table or Williams Sonoma last year and thought that Wiggs should have his very own Quick Pop Maker. Since the little guy had to undergo another surgery this week and he’s feeling a bit sad, I figure I can whip him up a couple Watermelon & Honeydew Quick Pops to cheer the pup up.

6. In addition to the quick pops, I think it’s time to make some blueberry ricotta ice cream. I love the new bright colors of these Cuisinart Ice Cream Makers that Sur La Table has – especially the blue and the raspberry colors!

7. This is going to be one cookbook that will be used often this summer – The Hungry Mouse’s Slushed!: More Than 150 Frozen, Boozy Treats for the Coolest Happy Hour Ever. If you don’t read Jessie’s site, you really should. Actually – every blogger should read her site to see what happened to her when The Hungry Mouse got hijacked and how you can protect your blog from being hacked. I thought she was busy doing promo for the book when she stopped writing – I was horrified to hear how her domain was basically taken hostage and she had to wrangle with China to get it back. Kudos to her, the FBI and Senator Kerry (I knew there was a reason why I liked him!) on bringing the Hungry Mouse home!

What’s on your agenda this Memorial Day weekend?

[Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.  My opinions, as always, are 100% my own]

I visited Whole Paychex and talked to the butchers about this recipe and they were kind enough to give another tried and true tip. When buying meats – not only should you keep it in the back, but only use the 1st or 3rd shelf – never the middle. It stays fresher that way. I had to do a bit of rearranging in my fridge because I always stored the meat on the second shelf. Also, I’m officially obsessed with this Honey Apple Cider Vinegar that I found at Crate & Barrel and, if I can use it, I do. I love the flavor it imparts and, combined with the other ingredients in this dish, it was the perfect compliment.  I served it with some roasted apples and dinner was an absolute success.

There are some other recipes that are bookmarked to try like Lemony Mustard Roast Chicken, Slightly Honeyed Couscous, Any Night Baked Rice, French Apple Crumble and let me shush before I just totally type out the recipe index.  When you are in the bookstore, check this book out and give it a shot.  These are solid recipes that are perfect for entertaining and for weeknights.

Gather the ingredients

Let the veggies support the pork

Such a beautiful cut of pork, no?

French Food Made Simple

[Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links - my opinions, as always, are 100% my own]

I had one of my culinary “aha” moments when I happened to look at the fruit basket and saw some gorgeous apples just sitting there waiting for some attention.  Thankfully, there’s always Ms. Martha to the rescue with a recipe for Roasted Apples.  A quick slice with my favorite apple slicer/corer (I seriously love this Dial A Slice Apple Slicer that I discovered at William Sonoma), a quick toss with some warm cinnamon and a little sugar, followed by a sauna in the oven and these apples were ready to accept their Supporting Side Dish Award.

Next time you are looking for something outside of the typical roasted potatoes, why not give these apples a whirl.  I can pretty much guarantee you are going to want to make double – there will be no leftovers.

Gather the ingredients

Freshly cored and sliced.  A piece may or may not have been slipped to the Sous Pug.

And The Supporting Side Dish Award Goes To…

[Disclosure:  This post contains an affiliate link.  My opinion, as always, is 100% my own]

She also provided me with a recipe that solved my takeout dilemma. See – every week, I normally order Sesame Chicken from a local Chinese restaurant so when I saw that she had a super simple Sesame Ginger Chicken could come to life from a few simple pantry ingredients, how could I not give it a shot, right?  Well, after making this, I have come to the conclusion that this Sesame Ginger Chicken will kick any take-out version and it’s much healthier as it’s baked – not fried. The sauce is a sweet and spicy that doesn’t feel glopped on like the takeout version and, served with your favorite rice, this Sesame Ginger Chicken will have you throwing out those old takeout menus for good.

Many thanks to Erin for letting us share in her culinary adventures!

Gather the Ingredients

Make the Marinade

Time to let the chicken rest for  a spell.

Fresh from the oven

Bringing the Sauce to a Furious Boil

Sorry local delivery – this is my new Sesame Ginger Chicken now

1. In any blog conference, comfort is key and, while flats and I are far from BFF until I get clearance, I still think they are an excellent choice for a blog conference because, stilettos for 8 hours in sessions and then to parties after – not a good look, imo. I love these Cole Haan Air Reesa Leather and Patent Ballet Flats – the neutral is perfect to rock with any outfit.

2. I know at some blog conferences, there are more laptops than outlets. I often bring my iPad (in addition to a small notebook) and having a cute case is always a plus. I love this kate spade new york iPad sleeve in this chick black and white floral. There is even a matching iPhone case.

3. Business cards are a must at these conferences.   I love these bright business card holders from Graphic Image that are functional and won’t get lost in a crowded bag.

4.  If pen and paper are more to your liking, I really love this kate spade new york organizer – such a great pop of color!  The girls at kate spade in King of Prussia must laugh because whenever I’m in there, I can’t resist heading to the back and looking at the organizers going “Hmmm… should I?” – maybe this summer I might treat myself – if I ever get out of these daggone sneakers.

5. Jen from One Curly Fry reminded me of the most important necessity for a blog conference – COFFEE! How could I have forgotten that (and, while I’m thinking of it – I better check to see where Starbucks is in relation to the hotel because me – that early in the am without coffee – oy vey!) I love this snazzy hot pink OXO Soft Works LiquiSeal™ Travel Mug.

6. There are some seriously great blogging books on the market. I have a few of them and have told you before about my adoration of Food Blogging for Dummies. Some others that are fabulous are ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, Professional Blogging For Dummies, and The Digital Mom Handbook: How to Blog, Vlog, Tweet, and Facebook Your Way to a Dream Career at Home. Both Audra McClellan and Colleen Padilla will be speaking at Bloggy Boot Camp tomorrow along with some fabulous speakers.

7. One of the things on my to-do list for June is to get another bookshelf because my cookbook collection is seriously out of control. One of my latest additions A Country Cook’s Kitchen: Time-Tested Kitchen Skills is focused on making things from scratch but not in a way that will make you scream for the hills (like the time I ruined the pie crust). In all seriousness, I can tell you their egg and bacon tart will be on the menu in the very near future (including a from-scratch pie crust that I hope to not kill). Who knows – I might even attempt to make my own puff pastry this year!

Have you attended a blog conference? What are some of your must-have necessities and any advice for anyone attending a blog conference?

[Disclosure – this post contains some affiliate links. My opinions, as always, are 100% my own]