Super fun...

Being from the South generally means that you grew up a college football fan.  As a child it was a rare occasion that I heard my dad and his friends talking about which NFL team had the best offensive line, or who they thought would go all the way that season.  However, this same conversation applied to SEC football could be overheard everyday of my life...college football was real tradition, and I grew up knowing nothing but that. 

As a result I know very little about professional football and have never followed a team (sorry Falcons).  But now that I live in New York I am learning to embrace professional football and have even started to follow a couple of teams...sort of.  

Anywho, it has become somewhat of a tradition for D and I host a little Super Bowl party, and this year was no different, complete with a lots of food, drink and plenty of merry making among friends.  We had quite the spread, if I do say so myself, and no southern child in the city gathering would be complete without a few touches from home, including fried chicken and biscuits from Hill Country Chicken...

and deviled eggs a la moi...

It was just what the doctor ordered after a long, dark and cold January...for those few hours we all forgot how cold and damp New York has been and just enjoyed each other's company and watched the game.  A perfect Sunday, no doubt. 

Here's the deviled egg recipe for all of you who asked last night.  Super simple.  I mean, ridiculously simple... 

ingredients:

6 hard boiled eggs

1/4 cup light mayo

1/2 teaspoon dry ground mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

paprika for garnish

Split the hardboiled eggs in half and carefully remove the yokes from the whites.  Mix the yolks with all of the ingredients except paprika.  Fill the egg whites and garnish with paprika. (I put the filling in a ziploc and cut a corner out, creating a little pastry bag.  It's faster than using a spoon.)  

They can be refrigerated for up to one day.  

et voila...the easiest deviled eggs ever!  This recipe easily doubles and triples (or in yesterday's case, quadruples...)

Enjoy!

xo...

ki

resolution recap...week 2

I made it through the second week of my spending freeze basically unfazed...
Well, besides a small snacking meltdown.  I didn't realize how many snacks I bought each week until I didn't buy any at all.  By mid-week I really wanted--scratch that: needed--a little piece of candy (I love Twizzlers, Sour Patch Kids, and recently, Swedish Fish...basically any form of chewy sugar)  or just a couple of chips (any kind.  I never met a potato I didn't like).  I tried being responsible and eating fruit instead of candy and almonds instead of chips.  Didn't work.  It just made me want the bad stuff even more.

Anyways, here's a quick look at a few highlights from this past week. Thanks to the snow and frigid temps, it has been a quiet week...

Friday:  BFF and I made breakfast plans, and I almost immediately remember I can't eat out.  Boo...I haven't seen her in a month.  Fortunately, she was willing to come over my apartment (in the middle of a freaking blizzard, I might add).  I made a spinach and mushroom quiche, and she brought soy lattes.  It was delightful.  Actually, it was really nice to have a cozy breakfast without rude waiters and a crowded restaurant.  We could actually hear each other.  Plus, I made a few healthy changes to the quiche recipe, and it was delicious, if I do say so myself...
Healthier breakfast, girl bonding, money saving...this is easy!  Yay!

quiche a la ki...

Saturday:  While primping for the wedding, I notice I'm at least two months over due for a cut and color.  Three actually.  More like four.  I look like a witch.  I momentarily think about covering my grey roots with mascara but remember it is snowing and have a mental image of me hailing a cab in a storm with black stuff running down my forehead and shoulders.  Decide to just deal with it...

Wednesday:  It's 3pm and I really want a snack.  There is literally no junk food in this house!  What I wouldn't give for a salt and vinegar potato chip right about now...Note to self: in the future, plan in advance for ridiculous personal experiments.  In other words, stash emergency junk food in the closet.
(hmm...maybe I'm a little crankier than I thought...)

Thursday:  I. NEED. CANDY!  grrr...If it wasn't so cold outside, I would've probably already broken the rules.  I guess this frigid weather is good for something...
(I think I know what next month's resolution needs to be)  I wonder how much money I spend on afternoon snacks every week???


----------------------------------


Five things I would have bought this week:

1. new watercolor brushes... I have somehow lost all but a really grungy one.
2. these gorgeous red shoes...  (well, maybe not.  but a girl can dream, can't she???)
3. Sushi. Dying for it.
4. Nivea Goodbye Cellulite Serum.  If you haven't tried it yet, go now!  Immediately!  And buy it (and one for me).  I don't know what it does, but I can't live without it...and I'm out.  Thinking about declaring a medical/hygiene emergency, but I'm trying my hardest to be honest.
5. Candy.  Lots of it.  (clearly)


---------------------------------


Lesson of the week:  I eat too much junk food.  Boo.
I promise to try harder...double boo.


sigh...


xo...
ki

what is the best gift a girl could get???

Cupcakes!!!!

and not just any cupcakes....

Baked by Melissa cupcakes!!!

100 of them!

100!

(I ate almost an entire row before I remembered to take a picture)

After a long and wintery day, I was met at home with this fantastic box o'fun!  Oh what a surprise!

My amazing friend from college, Partner in Crime, sent me this over the top display of deliciousness as a thank you for her holiday adventure in the city.  An completely unnecessary thank you as it was one of the most fun weeks I've had in a while...I should have sent her cupcakes!
Even better, she knows her dear friend so well...50 were red velvet (a southern child's favorite cake in the whole world.)

She is the very best!
Thanks so much EB!!!

xo...
ki

wish I was eating these right now...

Not only are these marshmallows covered in chocolate and candy sprinkles, but they also look like cupcakes! (all of my favorite things have finally come together...marshmallows, chocolate and cupcakes)  

I could eat the whole box right now.  Plus, they come on a handy little stick, preventing sticky marshmallow fingers...

marshmallow cupcakes
$12

Yummers...

xo...
ki

I need some more...

of these oh so delicious cookies.

I made the mistake of buying them for our little tree trimming fiesta with the family this weekend. 

(Well...it wasn't exactly a fiesta.  Thanks to the worst cold ever, I've  basically been hacking, sniffling and sneezing on everyone's holiday spirit...anyways, fiesta sounds a little more entertaining than ki hacking on the Christmas tree...sorry family.) 

don't they look yummy?
dark chocolate chipn'etzel

Chipn'etzels, by Sara Snacker, are cookies made with potato chips and pretzels in the batter...

All of my favorite foods mixed into one bite...completely brilliant!

And to add to the over indulgence, I bought the ones that are drizzled with dark chocolate. Once I started I couldn't stop.  

I already ate the entire batch.

What is it they say about feeding a cold?

I think I should get some more...

For the cold, of course.

xo...

ki

brownies!

'Tis the season for eating...

a lot!  

How delicious do these salted fudge brownies from Food and Wine look?

click here for this & more brownie recipes from F&W

I'm soooo hungry...

xo...

ki

partaaay...

So I haven't mentioned it because I don't really like to make a big deal out of them, but Wednesday was my birthday...

I'm not the biggest of celebrators...I sort of have to be forced into my birthday parties.  I don't know why that is because I always end up having a great time...but anyone who knows me well will tell you that I become incredibly whiny and grouchy just before my birthday and then magically excited when the party actually commences. (BFF is probably laughing out loud right now...she has had to endure this ritual more than anyone.)

Well, this year was no exception.  I did not want anything to do with a party.  Not even a little one...
But D has never been one to take my whining seriously, so he planned a party anyway.  Under the guise of a quiet dinner for two, he lured me out of the house and into the fantastic Gottino, where I was met by about twenty of our closest friends and spent the most amazing evening eating, drinking and celebrating...

There was so much food and wine...it was absolutely dizzying.

Everyone got dressed up for the occasion...

(Kay's fabulous bracelet and RGA's dapper pocket square)

And BFF (D's partner in crime) made me cupcakes!!!

I have to give a very big thank you to Gottino's most amazing staff (the nicest guys I've ever met)...  

They even gave me a present!

Another very big thank you to all of my friends who so very kindly came out to celebrate with me, in spite of my recent grouchiness, whining and eye rolling :)
Your love and friendship is the reason New York City has evolved from a crazy little post-college experiment into my home of eight years.  You are and always will be my family!    

And an even bigger thank you to my most loving, caring, wonderful boyfriend and bestest friend, D.  You never cease to amaze me and make me feel more and more loved!
Don't know what I'd do without you...

xoxoxoxoxo...
ki

gifts and wishes: extending an olive branch...

missed another day of gifting...
sorry.
It must officially be the holiday season because all of a sudden there is way too much to do...
This weekend has been beyond a blur...I can't believe it is already Sunday.

Anyways...

After traveling around the Mediterranean together for the past couple of years, D and I have become lovers all things olive--oil, trees, the fruit--love it all.  We actually stayed in the middle of an olive grove in Mallorca...it was amazing (trust me).

So you can imagine that we were both hooked when D ran across Nudo the other night.
Nudo is an olive grove in Italy where you can adopt your own olive tree.  Upon adoption you'll receive a certificate of adoption, an informational book about your tree and two shipments a year of produce.  Not only is it an extra-super-special gift for all of the foodies out there (how cool would it be to serve your own olive oil at a dinner party?) it is also a great way to contribute to small farming operations.
Yummy olive oil and a contribution to small farms and the environment...everybody wins!

Nudo also has a great store for those of you not ready to buy the whole tree, plus a great recipes section and blog.

Enjoy!

xo...
ki


  

gifts and wishes: baby cakes...

I love these adorable cupcake kits from Layer Cake Shop.  They are the perfect gifts for bakers and cupcake lovers, like me (cupcake lover, that is...a baker I am not).

Christmas Cupcake Kit
$12

They come with everything you need including toppers, baking cups, sprinkles, and baking labels (with enough of everything to make two dozen cupcakes).  There are 11 themes to choose from including "Happy Homemaker," "Baby Cakes," and "Happy Hula."

Click here to see all of the themes...

(I would love some Happy Hula cupcakes, if anyone is interested in making them for me.)

xo...
ki

la dolce vida...

Wish I was eating these yummy Macarons from Panna Dolce...

macaron collection 16 pack

I could eat all sixteen at once...
Don't they just look delicious???

xo...
ki

city sights...

Sunday D and I had brunch at the famous Little Owl.  As we waited outside for a table, I snapped a couple pics of our surroundings...

It was another perfect October day.

I took a few more once we were seated. 

(much to the embarrassment of D...he said I looked like a tourist.)

I love the mismatched table tops the crowded shelves in this teeny weeny little restaurant...

it feels so homey and comforting.

The food is delicious too...I love their brussel sprout home fries :)

I am so grateful for this wonderfully friendly October.  Every weekend has been picture perfect.  

Two years ago it snowed in October.  I remember because my old apartment on Perry St had a fireplace and D tried to build a fire.  Someone (I'm not blaming anyone, but it wasn't me) accidentally bought damp wood and instead of a cozy fire, we ended up with the perfect conditions for a BBQ pit.  The thick hickory smoke blanketed my little 500 sq ft loft.  My curtains smelled like baby-back ribs for a year...

  

I hope November is just as friendly...

(fortunately, we don't have a fireplace anymore if it's not)

xo...

ki

oh sugar! cookies

How cute are those cookies?
They're southern spookies (spooky cookies) in the city...

(yep...I said spookies.)

Happy Monday!

xo...
ki

the big (caramel) apple...

I really wanted to go apple picking this fall...it sounds like so much fun.  We don't have apple picking in Georgia...

But football season always seems to get in the way.  We do, however, have lots of football in Georgia.

So I did what I normally do and went apple picking at Dean and Deluca in Soho...it's not quite the same thing (coffee carrying NYers trying to push their way through the throngs of tourists taking pictures of produce and scones, ever so slightly disgruntled employees, $6 apples...)

(big loud sigh)

Anyways, back on topic...here's a super simple caramel apple recipe, whether your apples are fresh from the orchard or the Big Apple: 

caramel apples

Great for an old fashion Halloween party.

For a twist sprinkle the finished apples with sea salt, or try dipping pears in caramel to change it up...

(Just make sure your dental work is in tact before you bite into them.  Lesson learned the hard way...)

xo...

ki

eeek!

Super cute Halloween cupcakes!

Click on the links provided for details and recipes...

cupcake blog

sweetest kitchen

tiffin tales

yum!

xo...

ki

pretty little things...

Pretty cappuccinos taste so much better... 

my very pretty cappuccino
Cafe Minerva, W Village

xo...
ki

I've never been happier!

How did I not know that there is Pickle Day?  

And, this is the Tenth Annual Pickle Day, which means there has been a pickle celebration every year since BFF and I moved to New York...We love pickles! (when we first moved to NY it was the only grocery we could afford.)

I'm always the last one to know about everything...



Actually...if lil' Miss B was here to join me at the pickle tastings, it would be even better. 

That kid, like her oldest sister, loves a good pickle (maybe even more...she can polish off a jar in an afternoon if you aren't watching her).  She actually yelled from the bathtub one night when I was staying with her, "I want a pickle when I get out of the bath!  Go get my pickle ready!!!" 

Such a delicate flower...

Anyways...

(back to the present...)

D is heading South for more football this weekend and I have been mulling over entertainment options for Saturday and Sunday.

Well, that's taken care of now.

Ha!

click here for International Pickle Day information 

xo...

ki

don't these look delicious???

Elle Decor has a great recipe for macaroons....

If only I could find someone to make them for me.

xo...
ki

yum!!!

How delicious does this little guy look?

sticky fingers

Check out these ideas for super cute and fun cupcakes from realsimple.com. 

(There seems to be a cupcake theme today...)

xo...

ki

date night rewind...who are these people?

We had a great (unusual....a little strange) date night dinner at Mr Chow last night.

The "fun" started the moment we arrived when this tiny little old guy with weird hair and a bunch of young women in sexy dresses gave me the most perverted look I have ever received from a man who barely comes up to my shoulders.  I thought to myself as I walked through the door, "Take it easy little guy...I could squash you like a bug in these shoes.  ick."

When we got inside D leaned over and said, "You know who that is, right?"
"Who?  Teeny Weeny?  No.  Who is he?"
"Ron Wood"
Blank Stare....
"You don't know who that is?"
"D...we were born in different decades.  Break it down for me."
"Guitarist, bassist for the Rolling Stones.  Hellooo?!"
"Ah.  Explains the hair...."
"Ron Wood just mentally undressed my girlfriend right in front of me....how cool is that?"

I seriously doubt that I was getting any special treatment...I think that might just be his normal gaze after all these years...
I looked him up this morning and it turns out that he is an artist too...quite talented actually.  I feel a little less violated now...sort of.

Anywho, we had the most delicious dinner...Mr Chow has the best scallion pancakes I've ever eaten...I get them every time.  And the black cod and green prawns (named after a portrait Keith Haring did of Mr. Chow) are must haves.  Most of all, it was great to just sit and eat and talk with my D...I have missed him so much.  

Meanwhile, there was a huge round table with about 12 people sitting directly behind us.  They, like everyone else, seemed to be having a great time.  Lots of laughter, wine, etc etc...I really didn't pay attention to them.
 (Actually, I was more stunned that the people on either side of us were paying with Amex black cards.  I am not, repeat not, the kind of girl that normally notices junk like that--I really don't care--but come on! Where on earth were we last night?  Ron Woods, black cards...Who are these people?  If I had known that we were going to be rubbing elbows with the rich and fabulous, I would have blown out my hair or something...)
We walked by the aforementioned round table on the way out, where the Housewife, formally known as the Countess, was apparently holding court with her friends.  According to D she did not like my outfit (body-con mini dress, long blazer, booties and tons of jewelry, naturally) and made it known with a face that said "tramp."

Bless her heart...life must be tough for the poor thing without her title...

We laughed the whole walk home...So strange.  So fun.

Just your average date night in the city...  


xo...
ki