Author Archives: adaymay

In the Kitchen

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I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather these past few weeks and can’t quite seem to kick it. I don’t know why but whenever I’m sick, I lose my appetite, which doesn’t help the whole getting better process. Last night I decided I needed a meal that felt like a big hug. And don’t you just agree that soup does that! I found this flu fighter soup on Pinterest and it has since become by go-to. Feeling under the weather? Give this a try. The broth will instantly make you feel better, I promise!

Flu Fighter Chicken Noodle Soup

For the chicken:

  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast tenders
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
  2. Place chicken tenders in a large baking dish lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of oil and sprinkle with spices. Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, flipping the chicken at the half way point.
  3. Once cooked, pull into small chunks using two forks and set aside.

For the soup:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 very large onion, finely diced
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • Big pinch of salt
  • (1) 32 oz containers chicken stock
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups of pasta noodles (your choice)
  • Juice of 1 lemon, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
 Directions
  1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed soup pan over a medium flame. Add carrots, celery, and onion, and cook – stirring occasionally – for 8-9 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and salt and cook for another minute before adding the bay leaf, water and chicken stock.
  3. Increase heat to high, bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, stir in noodles, and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.
  4. Stir in cooked chicken, dill, and lemon juice. Taste soup to adjust seasonings.

How To

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Hello, dear readers! I was a bit under the weather yesterday so my sincerest apologies for yesterday’s silence. Today, I wanted to share with you my second How To column. And quite an important one, I think. How to write a thank you note. At a young age, I was taught the importance of saying thank you. Before a gift could be enjoyed, I had to sit at the kitchen table, put pen to paper and write out a card. Today, I do my best to follow the same protocol. Here are a few tips or rather how to’s to help you out.

  1. Timing is everything. I always try to write a thank you note within 24 hours. Timeliness is also key as I can’t tell you how many times I send a gift and don’t hear from the recipient. Its always nice to know a gift was received!
  2. Keep a supply. Keeping a supply of cards on hand makes the writing that much easier. From these postcards to these cheerful cards, having inventory is key to getting a thank you card in the mail pronto! I tend to shy away from a thank you text.
  3. Be you. There is no need to overthink a thank you card. Simply be gracious, thank the sender for their kindness and generosity, indicate how the item or experience was received or how it will be used and sign off with a sweet salutation. It really is that simple!
  4. Plan ahead. During the holiday season, writing cards can be time consuming so sometimes I try and address envelopes ahead of time. Same is true for birthday and/or weddings and showers.

Found

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This was a very good week for my design book collection. Wednesday Emily Henderson’s Styled book arrived on my door step, K surprised me with The Monocle Guide to a Cosy Homes and last night I met Eddie Ross at his Modern Mix book signing at one of my favorite stores in Boston! Looking for inspiration or a little color to add to your bookshelves? I suggest checking out these found items.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

In the Kitchen

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Apple picking really has become my favorite way to welcome fall. Last Sunday, K and I traveled to South Natick to meet up with my sister and her family to enjoy the day at Lookout Farm. And what a day we had: a train ride, camel ride, cider donuts and some of the most beautiful apple trees I’ve ever seen! With the help of my little pickers {my nephews}, we came back to the city with one giant bag of apples. Not wanting any to go to waste, I got myself into the kitchen to do some baking and thus far have made a cake and these muffins, which were super easy and super delicious.

Apple Muffins

  • 1 1/2 cups of sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1 Tbs. vanilla extract
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 3 cups peeled, cored and diced apples (about 3 apples)
  • Brown sugar for topping

Directions

  1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with paper liners.
  2. Cream together sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla.
  3. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
  4. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture until combined. Note that the batter will be very thick.
  5. Add in diced apples and incorporate.
  6. Fill muffin liners to the top and sprinkle with brown sugar.
  7. Bake for 22- 24 minutes.

Yield is about 18 muffins. Next time, I may add just a bit more cinnamon to the mix. Oh and if you’d like to know, the ceramic muffin pan and napkins are from Anthropologie.

Found

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Happy Friday, dear readers! Any big plans for this holiday weekend? Apple picking, movie watching and closet cleaning are on our itinerary. Why the closet cleaning, you might ask? In looking at my calendar, I realize that this will be our only weekend in Boston till November 14. Can you believe it? The good news is that with all these weekends away, I have been an excuse to treat myself to a new weekend travel bag. Yesterday, I received an email from Lo & Sons letting me know that my top contender {in forest green} was on sale. Yahoo! And thus I am thrilled to share this week’s found item, The Catalina. It will be arriving next week and I can’t wait to travel with it to Durham, Baltimore, and Nantucket over the coming weekends.

Image Credit: Lo & Sons

Book Club

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Mindy Kaling seems to be everywhere these days. The fall cover of Domino, streaming on Hulu, selling out a book signing in Brookline in minutes {sorry we missed this, Jamie}. It looks like this Boston girl has certainly made it. I have to say, I loved her first book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me. Upon completion, I just knew Mindy and I could be best friends. And so, when her second book Why Not Me hit book shelves on September 15, I knew I had to pick myself up a copy. Truth be told, I was a little worried it wouldn’t live up to the first but I’m happy to report, it does!

This collection of short stories {really personal essays} is broken into four categories: For the Ladies, Take This Job and Love It; Love, Dating, and Boys Who Ru(i) the World; and All The Opinions You Will Ever Need.

My favorite stories: Mindy As A Sorority Girl; One of the President’s Men; Soup Snakes and Why Not Me. Throughout these stories, Mindy let’s her true self shine through… vulnerable, anxious, worried, and sometimes lonely. Looking for an easy, up-lifting read? Pick up Why Not Me. The diagram on the back cover of Mindy’s heart is worth the money alone!

“Work hard, know your shit, show your shit, and then feel entitled. Listen to no one except the two smartest and kindest adults you know, and that doesn’t always mean your parents. If you do that, you will be fine.”

Design Crush

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Have you all heard of Amber Lewis? If not, I suggest you open up your Instagram account and begin following her immediately!

I stumbled upon Amber’s blog a few years back and became and instant fan. Fast forward just a few years and it seems like everywhere you turn, Amber is receiving well-deserved kudos for her interiors. Known for her laid-back, California cool aesthetic, Amber launched an online shoppe about a year ago {her pillow selection is insane}. As you can imagine, the e-store was an overwhelming success {most of the items sold out within hours} and thus when the opportunity came along for a brick and mortar, Amber jumped at the opportunity. Located in Old Town, Calabasas {yes, the land of the Kardashians}, Amber’s store is on the top of my list of reasons to get myself back out to Cali.

Here is just one vignette of a dreamy couch.

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And look at that wall of pillows.

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Amber… thank you for the endless inspiration!

*Image credit: All photos from Amber Interiors

Tuesday Travel

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For the longest time, I thought New York City was the place I was suppose to be. A city where the streets will make you feel brand new and the lights will inspire you {name that song?!}. There is a pulse and energy to New York that always draws me in. As luck would have it, my big plans of relocating to NYC never did work out {life is all about timing}. Lucky for me, New York is a quick and easy weekend getaway from Beantown.

 Stay

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The Marlton Hotel – K and I stayed here over the summer and absolutely fell in-love with this chic hotel nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village. Although the rooms are small {we stayed in a Queen Deluxe}, our bathroom was insane with a big tub complete with Cote Bastide products and plush robes. And the lounge in the lobby is the perfect place to meet friends for a pre-dinner cocktail. I guarantee we will be staying here again.

The High Line Hotel is also on my list of places to stay. The location is ideal and they have an Intelligentsia coffee truck outside. I’m sold!

Do + See

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Whitney – You must visit the Whitney’s new home in the Meatpacking District. Designed by Renzo Piano and situated between the High Line and the Hudson River, this space is breathtaking and the views of the city well worth the price of admission. Plus, the art collection is insane. I suggest starting on the top floor and working your way down.

The High Line – A park like no other. This nearly 1.5 mile park, built on a long abandoned railway in Chelsea, is a delightful combination of wild, natural foliage, original and restored rails, breath-taking views, benches, and areas to relax. A New York City must!

Eat

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Many of my trips to NYC are planned around where I’m eating. Some favorites include:

ABC Kitchen – My absolute favorite spot in the city. The carrot and avocado salad is a must! Their sister restaurant ABC Cocina is on my list for our next visit.

Craft Bar – Located around the corner from Tom Colicchio’s Craft, Craft Bar is my go-to for a late afternoon bite and cocktail.

Jack’s Wife Freda – If you’re on Instagram, I’m sure you have come across a photo or two of this delightful cafe with two city locations. The poached eggs with grilled tomato and haloumi cheese is delicious! And be sure to check out their sugar packets. The cutest!

The Butcher’s Daughter – A vegetarian and vegan haven with a yummy juice bar next door. Their patio in the summer is where you want to be!

Clinton Street Baking Company – Blueberry pancakes is all you need to know… Oh and go early!

Dough – In my opinion, the donut has replaced the cupcake craze and Dough has some of the best. You must try the hibiscus.

Maman NYC – The cafe of my dreams. The blue paper coffee cups are just the icing on the cake at this quaint French cafe.

Haven’s Kitchen – Cafe, cooking school, event space. Haven’s Kitchen is not to be missed.

A few places on my list still to try: Russ & Daughters Cafe, Egg Shop, and Cafe Clover.

Let’s hear it for New York! 

Pink

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breast cancer

October. Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We have all been touched by someone with breast cancer. A sister, mother, friend, co-worker. This disease still hits close to home for too many of us. And while we are moving closer and closer to a cure, research is still needed. I’ve skimmed a few articles of late encouraging consumers to “think before they pink” and my response is this. If you like these items, buy them and know that some of the proceeds are going to a worthy cause. I believe is awareness and I believe in doing good. I hope you do too!

Survivor Charm – I love this charm from Stella and Dot and it is a great base to layer many charms to.

Cosmetic case – Tory Burch just has the most beautiful prints and lucky for us she is offering 20% off the purchase of this Kerrington cosmetic case to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® mission to end breast cancer in our lifetime.

St. Frank Pillow – This suzani pillow would be the perfect addition to my pillow collection and with 20% of the proceeds going to support breast cancer treatment for women living in under-resoucred settings, I think I might just take two!

Wear the Ribbon – North Face has created six items that will not only warm us up this fall but support a worthy cause.

Lace Up for a Cure – I mentioned I wanted to run a 5K this fall and these New Balance sneakers may just help me check that off my list.