Breakfast Cravings

Doesn't this look like heaven in a ramekin? Ever since I started my cleanse a couple weeks ago, I've really been missing simple meals that include all my favorites like this easy Caprese Baked Egg Cup. I recently discovered this simple recipe on how sweet it is and I can't get it out of my mind. What a great dish for a quick morning meal or even a larger brunch get together!

My weekend is packed with farmer's markets, yoga, flea markets, movies, and friends. Couldn't ask for a better line up but am seriously looking forward to ending my cleanse so I can get back in the kitchen to cook up some yummy tomato, basil, mozzarella, and egg goodness! What are some of your favorite breakfast/brunch recipes??

Have an amazing weekend and enjoy the simple things!


Caprese Baked Egg Cups
(from how sweet it is)
makes 4 cups [2 x 3 1/2 in ramekins]

4 or 8 eggs (depending on if you want 1 or 2)
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
3-4 ounces mozzarella cheese, chopped (I used marinated mozz from Trader Joe’s, hence the seasoning)
8-10 fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons cream or milk
salt and pepper
softened butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter each ramekin and fill with a few pieces of tomato, cheese and basil. Crack one or two eggs into each and season with salt and pepper, then add 1/2 teaspoon of cream to each egg to prevent them from drying [used this tip from Ina Garten]. Add a few tomatoes, cheese and basil on top and set on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes, then turn on the broiler and bake for about 5 minutes more [this resulted in slightly firm yolks for me, broil less if you them runny]. Watch carefully to determine how runny/firm you want your yolks. Serve hot with toasted, crusty bread.

Ferries. Farmers. Friends.

Trips to the San Francisco Ferry Building's Farmer's Market have been integrated into my weekly routine since moving back to the Bay Area last fall. I've dubbed it my "me time" because nothing makes me happier than buying fresh produce and beautiful bundles of flowers. Luckily my friends are troopers and enjoy snacking and tasting while I go about my produce business. I've definitely learned that spending a little extra on organic, locally grown foods goes a long way in the end. Eating and living organically is hard to do, but making small changes can instrumentally change the way you feel on a daily basis. Buying from your local Farmer's Market is a great way to start. It doesn't need to be drastic, but I guarantee the price is worth the bite. Here are some pictures from today's visit.

(The Troopers)

Spring's Cravings

 

I've recently updated my Google Reader and am now completely obsessed with several amazing blogs. For a fun everyday mixture of color and inspiration I am loving Mrs. Lilien Styling House. She puts together such great finds and really makes even the dullest day full of life with all of her great color creations. As you can see from this collage I am also infatuated with several "out of my price range" items that have come up on several great fashion/style blogs like The Blonde Salad and Fashion Squad. As I spend my little free time browsing through these glam filled postings, I can't help but rethink my own daily routines and appearances. Black has been a staple for the winter, but spring is here and I'm dying to splash the color back into my life. The present gloomy San Francisco weather doesn't help, but as the days wind down, and the sun is enjoying another hour amongst us, I can almost feel the warmth of summer pouring back into our lives. Hang tight, and bring on the shades of Spring, because everything is always a little brighter with color.

Valentines and Funny Face

10 things Valentine's Day and a little Funny Face Taught me this year:

1. A Valentine's dinner with good friends, lots of wine, romantic comedies, and sugary treats is comparable to any date with a guy.

2. Until he's the right one, girlfriends are the only worthy Valentines.

3. A girl with brains, class, drive, and good bone structure can be the "Quality" woman of the moment, but only Audrey Hepburn could inspire fashionable elegance every decade.

4. Thinking pink makes each day brighter. From the flush of your cheeks to the paint on your fingertips, pink brings the girly girl out of anyone.

5. Cooking all day for the people you care about reminds you that Valentine's Day is more than just a couple's holiday.

6. "Don't be silly. Everybody wants to be kissed, even philosophers." - Dick Avery,Funny Face

7. Even the brightest men can be blind to what is right in front of them. They see pure beauty through the lens of a camera, but seeing love takes more than just a pretty picture.

8. Empathy means putting yourself in someone else's shoes. Hopefully those shoes include Coco Chanel, Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik.

9. Romance is never lost as long as you have 3 things: a tv, a dvd player, and tissues.

10. I will forever be in love with Paris.

Fashion Forward Book Club

Too early for spring cleaning? Never. The sunny California weather has everyone itching for summer, but it just so happens that our shorts, dresses and skirts are buried deep beneath our winter and fall collections. This perplexing February heat has drawn us to our closets and as we dig through the sweaters and overcoats, it's hard to resist the urge to purge those unwanted items! My friends and I recently started a book club. We meet once a month to discuss our readings, talk about our current life indulgences and of course we enjoy an occasional bottle of wine. That being said, last night's meeting transformed from an intimate gathering of women discussing David Nichols' fabulous novel "One Day" (highly recommended) into a sales boutique in the middle of my living room. Several of us had recently cleaned out our closets and wanted to participate in a clothing exchange before donating the remaining items to charity. For those of us who don't have the money, time or energy to go shopping on a consistent basis, this was a great way to acquire pieces of your friends' wardrobes without spending a dime. If you're looking for a way to slim down your wardrobe to make room for those spring and summer lines hitting the runways as we speak, I would definitely consider hosting a clothing exchange. You never know which items your friends are willing to give up. Could even be that incredible Joie top you've been coveting since she bought it. I'd also love to push this exchange a bit farther next time to include everything from jewelry and shoes to artwork and books. You could potentially restyle your life in one sitting without completely blowing your checkbook. Something to think about.

In any case, things like exchanges and book clubs serve one universally important purpose: to bring people together. Our lives are hectic enough, as we try to navigate through the hours of work we put in everyday to feel successful. If we can make time for each other, even if it is for one night a month, I guarantee everything else will be that much more enjoyable.

(*The photos used in this post were taken from http://weheartit.com. Thanks to all who post great photography!)

Long Time Longchamp

Maybe it's because my bus line runs straight into the ever preppy Marina district. Maybe it's because I'm living in a particularly fashionable city. Or maybe it's because I've become increasingly aware of the stylish indulgences around me, but I've honestly seen more and more women carrying around the fabulous Longchamp "Le Pliage" bag, and I'm quite excited about it. In case you don't know, the "Le Pliage" bag may possibly the most fashionably useful bag ever created. While Longchamp has been producing leather and luxury goods for well over 50 years now, the "Le Pliage" is by far it's best product yet. It's simplistic elegance is unmatched by any other product.

I was first introduced to the "Le Pliage" bag when the girls of my sorority began styling their class wardrobes with this reliable tote (shocking, I know.) Soon, it felt like the entire community of Greek women were sporting this classy carry on. Big enough to hold a laptop, but chic enough to maintain your level of classy sophistication. Another great aspect of this tote is that it's semi water proof, which is great for any fickle weather situation. It actually doesn't surprise me that so many women finally discovered the greatness of this tote. It's only a matter a time, and this bag isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. 

Keeping It Classy

Class. Playful Sophistication. Wit. Glamour. Decadence.

With these invaluable characteristics in mind, I give you {a la mode}. I recently started a tumblr page and decided to elaborate my "quick fix" posts here. What you'll find is that I am a sucker for modern sophistication. My closet is filled with J.Crew and my purse with Kate Spade. This clip from Kate Spade's new "Live Colorfully" campaign says it all:

Since I moved to San Francisco, I've learned a thing or two about people expressing themselves. I express myself through lively color, pearls, ballet flats and cardigans. For the city girl in me, I'll throw on the occasional edgy black top and boots, but never without the likes of a simple clutch in hand. I finally have a quaint, little apartment to call my own, which thankfully has opened my eyes to the amazing world of cooking.  I've fallen in love with photography, hence the tumblr page, and am thoroughly enjoying the distinctive features of editing and reblogging. I'm finally exploring what it means to "keep it classy" in this incredible city.