THURSDAYS Blog

TND: Greek Easter/Passover Dinner

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:15:00 +0000

Happy Thursday! A few weeks ago my darling Jewish boyfriend, Dave, and I had a combined Greek Easter/Belated Passover holiday dinner.

We've been having many conversations lately about what it means to have a reformed interfaith relationship and this was our first attempt at really coming together and combining our two family traditions. We both dug out our family recipes, I got on the phone with my Uncle Greg for grilling instructions, and we spent two full days preparing for our giant feast. Our friends arrived one by one, I put on Shovels & Rope (because obviously that is the perfect Greek Easter/Passover music), we poured wine, and it began.

After some of the more complex discussions we've had about what our possible, future family would look like we took all that we had learned thus far and came together and shared our favorite traditions with our nearest and dearest. We spoke Hebrew and Greek and ended the night with our favorite American dessert, s'mores.

By the end of the night, we were all making plans for the next one.

Enjoy!

stephania

Grilled Greek Lamb
by Stephania Stanley

What you need:

lamb (1/2 lb per person)
olive oil
fresh oregano
salt and pepper

What to do:

Coat the lamb with olive oil and generously salt and pepper both sides.

Assemble charcoal around the edges of the grill (so that the heat will be around the edges of the grill and not directly in the center). Place an disposable aluminum pan with 1" of water in the center. Heat up the grill. Grill lamb until the center of the meat reads 140°F. We grilled a butterflied 7Lb lamb and it took a little over an hour.

Once the lamb is ready, let it rest for about 20 minutes and slice diagonally in 1/4" thick slices. Pour the liquid from the aluminum pan into a serving bowl (now au jus) and add a spoonful or so over the lamb when serving.

TND: Decoupage Frames

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:19:21 +0000

Happy Thursday! If it's been a little quiet around here, one of the reasons is I just started a new job. I think that I am really going to like it, but the process of starting a new routine and learning a new gig is seriously wiping me out! I am sooo tired. But it's a good kind of tired.

Here's a craft that I am really liking right now. I made these frames for my girlfriends as 30th birthday presents and gave them to them when we were all together on vacation in Miami. I tried to pick colors that would go with their houses and personalities. The only problem is, I forgot to make one for me, so I still have to do that.

Enjoy!

Decoupage Frames
by colleen reilly

What you need:

plain 4x6 frame (choose one that is flat and doesn't have ridges or decorations on it)
craft paper
scissors
x-acto knife
craft glue
mod podge
paint brush

What to do:

Choose a color of paper for the front of your frame. Choose a coordinating color of paper for the back of your frame. Lie the frame face down on the paper you choose for the front (place both on a piece of cardboard so you don't ruin your surface. Cut the piece of paper with the x-acto knife to the size of the frame by tracing along the outside of the frame with the knife and cutting out the inside. Do the same for the back and sides. Glue paper on to frame with craft glue. When dry, brush over entire surface with mod podge to make it shiny.

Triple Braid, Triple Fun!

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:31:52 +0000

Triple Braid, Triple Fun!

By Megan Kramer

I've been showing you guys a bunch of braids lately; I'm still seeing them everywhere (and I'm not over them yet) so I'll keep showing you tutorials until we move onto the next trend! To keep myself from getting bored, I'm always trying to practice different twists on the standard braid. My good sported friend was patient with me while I tried about 8 things on her; some that were not so cute, until we tried one that was. Point being that you can always come up with a different way to style a braid. They are completely versatile and with a little creativity, can have people wondering, "how the heck did she do that?" So get creative, and I would love to see what you come up with!

What you need:

small rubber bands

What you do:

Start by putting your hair in a pony tail where you want the braid to begin.
Separate the pony tail into 3 equal sections.
Braid each of the sections and secure with a small rubber band (I think it looks better when the braids aren't too tight). You will have 3 separate braids.
Braid the 3 separate braids together to make one big braid.
Secure with a rubber band.
Use your hands to pull the braid a part just a bit and make it a little bigger.
Take out the top rubber band and the 3 rubber bands that were holding the separate braids together, but leave the one holding the main braid together.

Xo,

Megan

Spring Fever: Wardrobe Remedy

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:03:31 +0000

I don't know about you all, but Spring always makes me want to remove everything from my closets and start all over. I would never know how to go about starting all over, but I think these ladies that Jana will introduce us to could help with that. Oh, and you're going to want to read all the way to the end because they have an AMAZING giveway for you!

Enjoy!

colleen

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Remedy Your Wardrobe for Spring

My closet is in major need of a deep Spring cleaning. I have articles of clothing that have not seen the light of day since the 90's. Why they even remain in my possession is beyond me; but Michelle Sackson and Missy Renkosik from Wardrobe Remedy, a Los Angeles-based personal styling and consulting business are here to help with that. (Check out their website to learn more about their services). Below, Michelle, reveals the ONE clothing item she will never, ever ever get rid of, and her absolute FAVORITE new Spring trend.

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Hello gorgeous! Wardrobe Remedy is giving a free spring tank dress out to one lucky Thursdays reader! Details follow the interview below.

-Jana

photo by Amy Tierney

Q: Tell me about your company, Wardrobe Remedy?

Wardrobe Remedy is a personal styling service. Our goal in creating the company is to help people feel empowered by helping to reveal and uncover their best assets in the easiest way possible. Often, people have an idea of how they would like to dress, but either don't have the time, hate to shop, are overwhelmed by the idea of shopping, or are just at a loss as to how to change their wardrobes, so they default to what is comfortable - old stand-by's. We like to come along and shake things up a bit, push boundaries and help our clients discover how updating their wardrobe can help them to feel empowered, confident and attractive. Our service is about our clients, it's not about creating duplicate copies of how we believe people should dress. When first meeting with a client, we are very intuitive about what we do, making sure to match our clients' hair color, skin tone, body shape as well as personality and interests to create a very individualized and very specific look tailored to that person.

Q: How did you get started in the fashion industry?

I first got started in the fashion industry as a wardrobe stylist. I loved styling and I loved how I could create a character and tell a story using clothing. I loved watching people's faces light up when I fit them with something so uniquely tailored to them. I saw how great people felt when something as small as finding the perfect pair of denim jeans could make such an impact on mood and self confidence. I wanted to bring that feeling to the everyday consumer. I also had a good friend who kept coming to me asking where she could find this skirt, or that pair of shoes, or a specific colored dress. I found myself thinking, now this would be a great service! This is stuff that I know and love to hunt for, and it brings me great joy to provide this service for friends and for professional shoots. My partner Melissa, started out as a clothing designer and has an impeccable eye for fit, color, trends and designer knowledge. Together we are able to offer our clients the best possible service. We work incredibly fast together, bouncing ideas off of each other to find the most perfect, complementary pieces. We bridge our very different ideas and visions together to blend seamlessly.

Q: What fashion item will you never spring clean from your closet?

I can say that the one item i'll never go without is the basic heather grey tri-blend tank from American Apparel. It's the single item I use more than anything. It works great under sheer blouses to toughen up a girly top, and it's great on its own as a stylish, easy piece that never goes out of style. It can be dressed up by pairing with a pencil skirt or worn with denim shorts, sandals and a hat for the perfect, easy, weekend-running-errands cuteness.

Q: What is your favorite new trend for Spring?

My favorite new trend for spring is the strappy mid-heel wedge sandal. I love these sandals and can't get enough of them. For years we have been subjected to really only two summer sandal choices - flat, with no support, that kind of makes us walk as if we have flippers on, or incredibly high 4" wedges that are a bit ridiculous, not to mention uncomfortable, for errand running. This new mid-heel wedge sandal is so perfect at about two inches high. It's also easy enough to go with everything from shorts to sundresses, comfortable enough to run around in, and they have just enough of a heel to make you feel feminine and sexy while still being completely practical. Here are a few super cute examples from Loeffler Randall, Rebecca Minkoff, Anthropologie, and Matt Bernson.

And here's the Giveaway!!

Wardrobe Remedy is giving away a FREE red, mid-length, Spring tank dress by Luv4Anouka. The dress features a shelf-bra, adjustable straps and a braided belt. Enter for a chance to win! Here are the details:

Visit Wardrobe Remedy's Facebook Page "like" it, and add a comment telling them why your wardrobe could use some remedy-ing with this new tank dress. The winner will be chosen based on the most thoughtful and insightful comment. Wardrobe Remedy will announce the winner on their FB page and ship the dress out the next day!

Wine Cork Trivet

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:51:24 +0000

Wine Cork Trivet

By Megan Kramer

I'm sure that plenty of you ladies, like me, love a glass of wine after a long day. Turns out those glasses add up, and we have a lot of corks! I always throw them in a bowl that sits on our wine shelf. When the bowl starts to overflow, it's time for a project. This weekend it was that time again, and I ran into a cute tutorial on Apartment Therapy. They made theirs into coasters, but I decided to make mine into a trivet-which is good because I recently realized that until now, I only owned one trivet. So I used up my corks and can now serve 2 hot dishes at once without the aid of a dish towel; win win!

What you need:

wine corks(I used 37)
ribbon
glue gun

What you do:

You can cut the corks to whatever size you like. I left mine full size. If you are going to cut them, you can use a mini hacksaw or even a knife(be careful). You can sand them a little if you need to. Then start gluing. I started with the center cork and then glued around it, and then did 2 more rows around. Once that part is all set, glue a ribbon around it. Now that your done, go get a glass of wine and start replenishing those corks for the next project!

Xo,

Megan

TND: The Perfect Iced Coffee

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:20:00 +0000

It is finally feeling like spring around here and it seems like overnight you can spot bright yellows, pinks, and reds all over the city. We've all taken out our peep toe wedges and have even been able to wear dresses without tights...it's just lovely. I'm already starting to crave BBQ (specifically BBQ ribs with mac 'n cheese) and this week I've developed a strong craving for iced coffee. I hate the thought of buying coffee each and every day, but have tried and failed miserably to make a really good iced coffee over the years. It's either not cold enough, too weak, or far too sweet, so I decided to do a little research to find out the best way to make it at home and just as good as my favorite spots in Brooklyn.

I found that there are two ways to approach iced coffee: hot drip and cold drip. The cold drip is less acidic and slightly sweeter and then the hot drip is a stronger cup of joe. Being that Ophelia keeps me on my toes every waking minute, I went with the latter and found the perfect balance of cold, strong cup of coffee. I like my coffee on the stronger side, but feel free to add milk and sugar to taste.

The Perfect Iced Coffee
by Stephania Stanley

What you need:

coffee ice cubes (make a fresh cup of coffee the night before and use it to make coffee ice cubes throughout the week)
8 tbsp coffee
6 cups water
milk and sugar to taste

What to do:

I used a french press to make my coffee, but a drip coffee machine will work just fine. Make your coffee with the extra scoops with your chosen hot drip method. Once the coffee has brewed, fill your heat safe coffee glass (or cup) half way with ice and pour the brewed coffee. Give it a couple of stirs and enjoy!

Fishtail Bangs

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:54:00 +0000

Fishtail Bangs

By Megan Kramer

You love them, I love them, who doesn't love braids? I'm so happy that the trend is still hot! Braids are fun to do, there is always something new you can create, and they are one of the best ways to easily get your hair out of your face, but still have it look cool. Not to mention, it's a great way to stretch a blow out one more day! The fishtail is one of my favorites, so my friend Anna let me try a few things on her last week. It was a rainy disgusting day that made good hair nearly impossible... unless you fishtail your bangs that is!

What you need:

small rubber band
bobby pins

What you do:

Section off the hair that you want to be in the braid and clip it away from the rest of the hair. It's cute to create a deep side part with this style. Now clip the rest of the hair out of the way and then take out the clip from the bang section. We are doing a french braid, but will be using 2 strands (a fishtail). Take two little sections of hair right next to the part. Cross one over the other. It doesn't matter which way you go, but for the sake of explaining, let's say right over left. Now take another little piece from the left side and cross it over the piece that you just brought over to the left side and join it with the hair on the right side. Now take a little piece from the right side and cross it over to the left side and join it with that hair. Continue this pattern until you reach the end. Secure with a rubber band. Next just see where you want you braid to be and pin it there. I usually use at least two bobby pins and criss-cross them so it stays in. You can take the rubber ban out now if it's showing. Cute hair in under 5 minutes!

Xo,

Megan

TND: Spring Fever Crafting

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:01:01 +0000

I hate sounding like a spoiled brat, but ever since I've gotten back from our girlfriends vacation that we took to Miami a couple of weeks ago, I've been struggling to get back into the swing of things (the weather has finally started to warm up, so that's helping). But I so miss lying on the beach, hanging out with my girlfriends all day, and having no schedule for an entire week. Since I've been feeling a little blue about being back to reality, what a nice treat to come home today to a card from Emily and a few snapshots from our mimi-vacay.

I found these adorable Bauble necklaces on A Beautiful Mess, and I've been having so much fun making them. They make great spring accessories, and I'm going to give some to some girls for little spring gifts. We made them at our Glue Gun Mafia class last night, and the ladies loved it! I encourage to make some of your own. I've also been making them into bracelets.

Enjoy!

colleen

Bauble Necklace and Bracelet

photo from a beautiful mess

Necklace

Bracelet

photo by colleen

What you need:

craft paint
wood beads (in whatever size you choose)
gloss (triple thick or gloss spray)
paintbrushes
leather cord or ribbon

What to do:

Choose the beads you want to use and a color scheme. To paint and gloss mine, I cut off the bottom of a Q-tip and placed the bead on the cotton end of the Q-tip and then painted the beads. I then stuck the Q-tips into a scrap piece of styrofoam to let the beads dry. Paint beads with a second coat of paint. When the beads are dry, spray or paint with gloss to make the beads shiny. When the gloss is dry, string beads on leather cord or ribbon and you're ready to wear!

Quinoa Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Mint

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:09:18 +0000

Happy hump day! Spring is finally showing her lovely face and I could not be happier about it.

As the weather gets warmer, Colleen and I both crave lighter, zestier meals. For me this usually means leaner meat and rosé instead of Pinot Noir, but this year I thought I would finally dive into the world of quinoa. This is a great salad for lunch and can be made to be a little bit heavier with mini turkey meatballs mixed in.

Enjoy!

Stephania

Quinoa Salad with Cucumbers, Tomato, and Mint
by Stephania Stanley (adapted from Bon Appetit)

What you need:

1 cup quinoa, cooked
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 English cucumber, peeled, chopped into 1/4" pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 cup mint, roughly chopped
2/3 cup parsley, roughly chopped
2 scallions, sliced thinly
1 garlic clove, minced

What you do:

Combine olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Whisk together. Stir in quinoa. Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix.

Jeanette's Healthy Living: Chinese Shrimp Fried Rice
Devour: Farro Salad With Greek Yogurt
Dishin & Dishes: Kale, Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
The Cultural Dish: Lemon Risotto
The Sensitive Epicure: Stir-Fried Quinoa With Chinese Vegetables
Virtually Homemade: Spring Couscous Salad With a Citrus Vinaigrette
Made By Michelle: Really Good Granola
Cooking With Elise: Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Weelicious: Mushroom Barley
Thursday Night Dinner: Quinoa Salad With Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Mint
FN Dish: Good Grains Make for Balanced Meals

Feed Me Phoebe: Millet Salad With Roasted Fennel and Tomatoes

DIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:53:09 +0000

DIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

By Megan Kramer

I love the idea of natural DIY beauty products; knowing just what you are putting on your skin and being in control of how many chemicals go into it. Whenever I find one that sounds semi interesting, I always try it, but I often find myself disappointed. It doesn't work, leaves a weird film, makes a huge mess... but I have been hearing so much about coconut oil lately, that I had to try yet another. This one... amazing. Totally, completely amazing. I don't know about you guys, but I'm always on the lookout for that one magic product that will be life changing. Apparently coconut oil comes kind of close. It has tons of uses. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, fights wrinkles, is a natural moisturizer, can reduce cholesterol... the list goes on and on. But back to my DIY. I made a scrub with it and it really is my new favorite! It left my skin so soft and smooth, plus my legs were shiny for hours! This is the perfect way to get ready for summer. Now if only the DIY self tanner I tried a few weeks ago had worked, I would be totally set...

What you need:

1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice

What you do:

Combine all ingredients. Mix Well. That's it. Now you're ready to exfoliate. I started out using it on my legs. Wet them with warm water and apply the scrub in circular motions. Give yourself a little massage and work the scrub in until you feel like you've exfoliated enough. You can let it sit for a bit, 10 minutes or so, so that the coconut oil absorbs. It's a good reason to relax and just do nothing for a few minutes! Rinse with warm water and pat dry. If you want, you can apply straight coconut oil (without the sugar and lemon juice) as a moisturizer. Trust me, you won't be able to stop touching your legs!

Xo,

Megan