Mint Demode

Who Needs a New Dress???

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

I LOVE the Dorothy Perkins fashion website... they have tons of ADORABLE frocks and mostly all are priced under $100!

1.Navy heart print dress

2.Multi flared belted dress$89.00

3.Beige polka dot dress

4.Black spot sweetheart dress$59.00

5.Multi coloured jersey dress

6.Pink 2 in 1 dress

7.Blue spot tie back dress$59.00

XOXO

2012-02-13T08:06:00.000-06:00

Valentine's day is almost here and I'm not sure why I'm extra excited this time around. It could be that I'm still living in post-marital bliss... to be honest I hope this feeling never fades! Happy Valentines Day!

A photo Valentine I made for Lucas this year inspired by my favorite Wreckless Eric song

A super cute red & pink dress snapped up from Forever 21- Wiener dog approved

I'm in love with this Valentine from my friend Erin of Erin Pot Pie

This pic was actually sent with a Christmas card all the way from Austin, TX- but the message definitely transcends to V-day!

A very substantial tropical floral arrangement that was given to us a belated wedding present- I love the thick magenta flowers

This magnet makes me chuckle every time I see it!

Lucas gave me this postcard marked from 1909 last year for Valentine's Day- so cool!

Thirsty Valentine's Weekend: Bois de Rose

2012-02-10T07:19:00.002-06:00

Drinking a crafted cocktail is a really special thing for me; it rivals opening a present. The first surprising sip of a new concoction is a real treat. This weekend, I wanted to use St Germain's Elderflower Liqueur for something more unusual than just mixing it with the standard champagne. This cocktail is REALLY great and it's an amazing pink hue. Try making this pretty pink drink for your sweetie on V- day!

Ingredients:
3/4 parts St-Germain
1/4 part Cointreau (this drink usually calls for Aperol but I had Cointreau on hand)
1 part Gin
1/4 part fresh lemon
Rose Sparkling Wine

How to:
-Shake first four ingredients with ice and strain into a glass
-Top with Rose Sparkling Wine & garnish with a twist

A little Somthin for your Someone...

2012-02-08T03:00:00.000-06:00

1.Blue Strappy Lace Triangle Bra and Knickers-Topshop
2.Starry Night Self-Tie Robe$20.80-Forever21
3.Lace V-neck Strapping Body$70.00-Topshop
4.Va Va Voluminous Petticoat in Red $59.99-MOdcloth
5.Fetching Femme Bra in Rouge $19.99-MOdcloth
6.Peach Ladder Seam Slip$130.00-Topshop
7.Black Heart Spot Teddy$60.00-Topshop
8.Lace Trim Slip$15.80-Forever21

Mussels in Wine with Sausage, Fennel & Apple

2012-02-06T08:32:00.001-06:00

Lucas and I were lucky enough to get our much coveted Le Creuset dutch oven as a wedding gift from our good friend Eric. We knew right away that our first use of the oven had to be special, so we tried our hand at steamed mussels in white wine. I love a lot of 'extras' with my mussels so we added saussage, fennel and apple and they turned out perfect- rich, sweet & a little spicy. Thanks Eric!!!

Ingredients:

2 links sweet or hot Italian sausages (we used turkey sausages to keep it lighter)

1 large onion, sliced

1 large fennel bulb, sliced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 celery stalk, slices

½ apple, sliced

1 cup dry white wine

Olive oil

2 pounds mussels, scrubbed, debearded (We got our mussels at Whole Foods and they were already debearded and cleaned)

How to:

*serves 2-3 people

-Preheat oven to 450

-Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch oven or large cast iron skillet

-Remove casings from sausages and brown in the Dutch oven, about 3 minutes- leave any fat that cooks off in the pot

-Add onions, fennel, garlic, celery & apple to pot and cook, about 5 minutes

-Add 1 cup white wine to the pot and bring to boil

-Cover and simmer until sausages and vegetables are fully cooked through, about 12 minutes

-Add mussels to pot, cover and place in oven, about 10 minutes

-Remove from oven and discard any mussels that don’t open

-Serve immediately with crusty French bread

Thirsty Weekend: Gin Martini with Celery Bitters

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

A classic gin martini, a little dirty & on the rocks is my go-to cocktail. When a friend told me to try a little celery bitters to my next martini mixing, I was a little skeptical about messing with a good thing. But to my surprise- it was amazing! I omitted the olive juice and threw in a couple dashes of the unique bitters. This cocktail is a perfect compliment to some spicy buffalo wings at your Superbowl party!

Ingredients:
2 parts Gin
1 part Dry Vermouth
2 shakes Celery Bitters
How To:
Shake ingredients & pour over ice
Garnish with celery slice & olive

DIY: Studded Fringe Boots

2012-02-01T07:42:00.001-06:00

I got these boots in the early fall and I LOVE them! A low heel and a comfy sole make these perfect for everyday wear with jeans or skirts. When I first put them on the extra long leather tassel really bothered me, especially when I walked. I wanted a more rock n' roll Beatle-esqe boot rather than a cowgirl fringe thing. Problem solved- I simply trimmed the tassel and added a few studs to the picture.

I have a trusty old studded belt that I refer to for any pyramid stud crisis. I easily pry them off with a pliers, straighten out the teeth and re-apply them to something new. In this case, the leather tassel is the same width as the stud, so I simply put the stud in the desired spot and pressed the two teeth around to the backside of the tassel and pressed firmly with the pliers to secure. (This would probably be even easier if you have a studder too) Happy studding!

Apple-Ginger Crisp with Macadamia Nuts

2012-01-30T08:23:00.005-06:00

This is a super good dessert that's perfect for a big group- maybe even a super bowl party??? I love the richness of the macadamia nuts combined with the tangy apples and spicy ginger. It's perfect served warm or even cold with ice cream or I made a nice thick whipped cream. You can find the original recipe here.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Salt
1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
3/4 cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped
7 large Granny Smith apples -peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Zest and juice of 1 lime
Whipped cream, for serving
How To:
-Preheat oven to 400 and position a rack in the lower third of the oven

-In a food processor, pulse flour, brown sugar, ground ginger, cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of salt

-Add the butter and pulse until it is the size of small peas

-Add the macadamia nuts and pulse just until combined
-In a large bowl, toss the apples with the crystallized ginger, granulated sugar, lime zest, lime juice and a pinch of salt

-Spread the apples in a shallow 3-quart baking dish

-Sprinkle the topping over the apples

-Bake for 50 minutes, or until bubbling and golden on top

-Let cool for at least 30 minutes & serve with whipped or ice cream

Hooray Weekend!

2012-01-27T07:48:00.002-06:00

I'm so glad for this weekend to come! I've been battleing a sinus infection for over a week now and the end is finally in sight; just in time for a family wedding in Ohio on Saturday. With this nagging illness I still found a chance to do a little new year updating around the house (see the pics below) Hopefully a little road trip is just the ticket...Hooray!

A cool Mexican skull fits in well with some African statues

A new spot for my favorite photograph- a 1970's Dolly by artist, Art Shay

The only dish that seemed appetizing this week being sick & all- My crock-pot favorite Slow cooked Chicken & Beans

I'm in LOVE with our new decanter with my new last name initial- Z!

A little bed side reading...

Summer for ALL seasons...

2012-01-25T07:36:00.001-06:00

It's resort wear season and there are so many cute warm-weather frocks out now, but last I checked it was still snowing. My advice is to buy now and wear now. Throw on a trusty cozy cardigan, opaque tights and some ankle boots & hit the cold, cold town! Plus, you'll be good & ready to unveil your 'new' frock when it hits 65, yay!

1.Green Dress with Lace Cross Back$71.62-ASOS
2.Gone for Glam Dress-$64.99-MOdcloth
3.Mixed Stripes Dress w/ Belt$22.90-Forever21
4.Abstract Keyhole Dress$24.80-Forever21
5.Sleeveless Crepe Dress$24.80-Forever21

Our Rad European Mount!

2012-01-23T09:10:00.001-06:00

Most of our friends and family know how much Lucas and I LOVE taxidermy, and one of our wedding gifts was a super cool European mount, which means that it is just the skull mounted flush to a wood backing. What makes this mount so special is that the animal came from our friend's Harrison family land in rural Mississippi. Harrison & our other friend Severn had the skull prepared and mounted on a sleek piece of dark wood which gives it a very modern feel. When it arrived at our wedding venue we had to hang it right away out of pure excitement and it fit perfectly on the wall behind where the band set up. Thanks guys!!!

The funniest part of this story is that when we took it home and hung it in our livingroom, Penny our very boisterous dachshund, decided she hated the mount. She barks at our new friend pretty much once a day and even gives a few hearty jumps in his direction. At first we thought she was scared of it, but then we figured she was just plain mad that she didn't have access to the biggest bone she's ever seen! Check out the video below...

Penny vs. the Mount... from Kelly schmidt on Vimeo.

Our Honeymoon: Isla Mujeres Food & Drinks!

2012-01-18T21:03:00.004-06:00

We arrived on the island a little before check-in time and we took advantage of the extra time by grabbing a couple classic margaritas, on the rocks, with salt- salud! We ate & drank our way through the week with no regrets- fresh fruit, seafood, salsa, tacos, guacamole, LOTS of ceviche and a bevy of delicious beverages!

This was taken at Lola Cafe- a Caribbean & Mexican fusion restaurant- our fav eatery on the island.

Modelo Negra is extra good when you're in Mexico!

Tikin Xik is a traditional Mayan way to prepare fish, typically grouper, by wrapping the fish whole in a banana leaf and grilling it over an open flame. It's smothered in achiote paste & citrus and served with warm corn tortillas & rice. Tikin Xik is unique to Isla Mujeres and we enjoyed the fresh catch right on the beach!

Our favorite coffee shop...there are NO commercial chains on the island- very refreshing.

Mojitos please!

We came across the BEST little bar in town- Rock Bar. It's bright purple exterior and blasting 80's modern rock music defiantly made this place stand out amongst the standard mariachi. Obviously we had to go and it got even better when we met the owners- an Italian Robert Smith impersonator and his lovely wife. Needless to say we had a super fun night and met some really nice people!

'Robert Smith' even sang Just like Heaven!

Our Honeymoon! Isla Mujeres

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Our wedding was such an amazing whirlwind and our honeymoon was just as exciting. The Monday after NYE we hopped a plane straight to Cancun and then a quick ferry ride to Isla Mujeres, a small island off the Yucatan coast. The island was named 'island of women' by the Spanish due to the many statues of the Mayan goddess Ixchel which adorned the small 4 mile island, which coasts are both gulf & Caribbean.

We were referred to the island from our good friends Severn & Philip who visit isla annually and now I know why they go back every year...it's AWESOME! The island is the perfect combination of lazy white sand beachs mixed with a vibrant culture and town life. The guests of the island ranged from many couples- young, old, gay & straight, backpackers, families, and even a few beachy topless Germans. We met many locals who were so friendly and full of great tips to help us discover the best kept secrets of the island. We truly fell in love with this tiny paradise and are already planning our next trip- Did I mention it was SUPER cheap too??? Stay tuned for part II- Isla Mujeres food & drink!

We got some much needed post- wedding rest & relaxation

We had a hot tub on our balcony of our hotel room and we spent alot of time enjoying our view

Golf carts & scooters are the main mode of transportation on the island and we rented both- so fun!

This was the very most southern point of Isla- what an amazing view!

The island had some really cool older buildings in disrepair which made for some cool exploring

The Caribbean side of the island had very rocky beaches and rougher waters

A Mexican Corgi!

The island cemetery

If only all graffiti was positive slang sayings from the 90's....

Isla really just makes you smile

Best Cocktails of 2011...

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

It's the end of 2011- what a year! Enjoy this delicious round-up of my favorite 'Thirsty Weekend' Cocktails. Just click the link below each pic for the 'how-to'...CHEERS to 2012!

A Pink Gin Fizz- perfect for your sweetie!

Indian Spiced Lime & Gin -Super refreshing

Espresso Infused Vodka- A cocktail-pick-me-up!

Grapefruit & Rosemary Punch-The perfect party punch

Bourbon & Sour Cherry Iced Tea-Hello Friday night!

Watermelon & Rose Margaritas-Why not?

The Income Tax Cocktail-I'll take 3 please!

Best Food of 2011...

2011-12-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

2011 is just about over and it's been a food filled adventure! I went through and picked out my favorite dishes- YAY FOOD!


Slow Roasted Chicken in Red Wine- My Favorite Weekend Dinner


Quinoa with Dried berries, Avocado & Honey -A super delicious breakfast

Pan roasted Salmon & Ciabatta Salad- My favorite weeknight meal- very easy & fast!

THE best soup ever! -Start your year out healthy!

Homemade Vegetarian Bean Burgers - Even as a carnivore, I LOVE these!

White Bean & Avocado dip -So easy to make & perfect for last minute guests!

Blackberry Cobbler -Need I say more?

Thirsty Holiday Weekend: Homemade EggNog

2011-12-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

I've always loved the tradition of eggnog, but then when it comes to actually consuming it, I find it really hard to choke down. It's the thick gluey sugar infused texture and artificial taste of the store-bought version that has turned me off, so this year I decided to make my own. Fresh eggs, light cream, skim milk (I made this version for the calorie conscious) and a spicy rich flavor makes this nog the BEST! No joke, this stuff is worth making from scratch.

Ingredients:

Serves 6

2 cups skim milk

3 whole cloves

½ tsp vanilla extract

6 egg yolks

¾ cup sugar

2 cups light rum

2 cups fat free half & half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (reserved for later)

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

How to:

-Combine milk, cloves, ½ tsp vanilla extract & cinnamon in a sauce pan

-Heat mixture on low for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally & slowly bringing to a boil

-In the meantime, in a large mixing bowl, combine egg yolks & sugar, whisking until fluffy

-Pour egg mixture into the hot milk, whisking slowly

-Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes or until thick- do not let mixture boil-

-Remove cloves and cool for an hour

-Once cooled, stir in rum, half & half, remaining 1teaspoon of vanilla and nutmeg

-Refrigerate overnight or for at least 3 hours

Sneaky-Peak! Wedding Worthy Attire

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

Thought I'd give a little preview of my wedding look! It's very reminiscent of the 1960's...

A few selections from my collection of vintage gloves & fur - undecided on the final pick

Sweet & spiky earrings

Sneaky peak of my dress- I opted for a champagne-blush skirt with a white bodice

My 'Something Blue' big enamel ring...

The weenies seem unimpressed with the whole wedding thing...lol!

Wedding Worthy Decor

2011-12-17T09:44:00.002-06:00

YIKES! Ok, so the wedding is less than 2 weeks away and crunch time has set in. I think we have a pretty good handle on what is left to be done and this past weekend we spent alot of time organizing and finishing up the DIY decor stuff. We are sticking to a classic New Years 'countdown' theme and using huge 36in balloons as our staple decorations.

We made over 100 New Years Eve party hats...phew!

Vintage road sign numbers to go with our 'countdown theme'

We made this 'clock' garland with vintage time-telling flashcards

One of many 'tissue fringe' pieces we made to adorn a dozen 36in balloons

A sea of milkglass ready to be filled with many carnations- simple & sweet

I love looking at this water color portrait of me as a blushing bride- Thank you Hattie Winternheimer, you are a GREAT artist!!

Spicey Pumpkin Hummus

2011-12-16T07:51:00.000-06:00

I've sampled a variety of delicious pumpkin hummus dips at parties this fall and I came up with my own version that's a combination of both spicy and slightly sweet. I LOVE hummus in general and by adding pureed pumpkin it changes the flavor and it cuts calories- I found I don't have to use as much olive oil. I make a big batch of this and keep it in the fridge for weekday snacking and its a sure crowd pleaser for any party.

Ingredients:

1 15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 heaping cup pumpkin puree

The juice of one lemon

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon white pepper

A few drops Siraaccha hot sauce

Salt to taste

How to:

-Simply combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth

-Serve chilled

Holiday Dress Galore!

2011-12-13T11:50:00.000-06:00

It's holiday dress season and I picked out a few options that will certainly make you a merry hit!

Blue bird ruched waist dress $55.00-Dorothy Perkins
Black spot gorgette dress $69.00-Dorothy Perkins
Yellow Fit N Flare Dress$81.81-ASOS

Green Pleated Strapless Sweetheart Dress$34.80-Forever21
Hazelnut Niche Dress$119.99-Modcloth
Cream rose corsage dress $59.00-Dorothy Perkins
Blue Contrast Lace Body-Conscious Dress $57.27-ASOS
Black sequin fringe dress$79.00-Dorothy Perkins
Zig Zag Shift Dress$24.80-Forever21
Brown jacquard dress $95.00-Dorothy Perkins
Licorice Cordial Dress$79.00-Modcloth
Red Swing Dress with Stud Detailing $99.99-ASOS

Vintage Supreme: A Unique Ceramic Lamp

2011-12-12T08:21:00.000-06:00

We got SO many amazing wedding shower & engagement gifts, including this super cool vintage ceramic lamp. I love the lounging yet anticipatory posture of the women- I haven't seen a lamp like this anywhere! It found it's final landing place in our dining room and it adds just the right amount of mood lighting when the overhead fixture is turned off. Thanks Sherri!

Cookie Time! Classic Chocolate Chip

2011-12-08T19:11:00.001-06:00

I've said before that I'm not super keen on baking, but I do make my all time favorite cookies every holiday season. I grew up with the classic Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies and as an adult I still continue with the recipe with some alterations- less flour & better chips (Ghiradelli is a good option). I consulted the Toll House recipe, found on the back of the chip bag, as well as my favorite cookbook, How to cook Everything by Mark Bittman. The only difference in the recipes is a matter of 1/4 cup flour. I took Bittman's advice and only used 2 cups flour and the cookies came out just right- crispy bottoms, slight chew and a good thickness.

Ingredients:

1/2pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

3/4cup granulated sugar

3/4cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2teaspoon baking soda

1/2teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups good-quality semisweet chocolate chips

How To:

Heat the oven to 375°F

-Use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugars

-Add the eggs one at a time and beat until well blended

-Mix the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl

-Add the dry ingredients to the dough, beat for a moment, then add the vanilla and stir in the chocolate chips

-Drop tablespoon-size mounds of dough about 3 inches apart in rows and columns on ungreased baking sheets

-Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes

-Cool for about 2 minutes on the sheets before using a spatula to transfer the cookies to a rack to finish cooling

-Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature for no more than a day or two

A Super Rad Holiday Playlist!

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

I really enjoy some fun Holiday music so I put together a playlist of some of my fave tunes...enjoy!

Merry, Merry! by kelly schmidt on Grooveshark

A Potted Christmas Tree, Perfect for Apartment Life!

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

Just last week I know I said that I was going to go tree-less this year, but on a quick trip to Home Depot I spotted these awesome potted pines for $17.00! I had a large empty planter at home that was in need of a new tree and this pine was perfect! I've always wanted a potted Christmas tree because of the renewable aspect and I love that this little tree is perfect for any space big or small!

Thirsty Weekend: The Hallin Family GLOGG Recipe

2011-12-01T16:37:00.001-06:00

GLOGG is a long time Sweedish holiday boozin tradition and my friend & matron of honor, Cindy, carries on the tradition every year. This time around she made the special spiced wine brew for my wedding shower and made little make-your-own GLOGG spice packs as the favor....Cheers!

Ingredients:

1 bag Glogg Spice & Fruit Mix (found at Ikea)

3 liters port wine

2 quarts water

1 cup sugar

.75 liters brandy or spiced rum

.25 liters Everclear

1 bottle beer of choice

How to:

-In a large stock pot, simmer water, fruit mixture & sugar for at least 1 hour

-Add port wine and heat until just before boiling

-Add Rum & Everclear, heat 30 seconds

-Throw in a lit match, burn 30 seconds & cover

-Add beer

-Serve warm or chilled!