Dinner for You & Baby

After a few months of putting off making my own baby food, I have finally dived in and loving it. This kid is trying a lot of foods that I am not even sure he is quite ready for yet, but it is fun to have him taste everything. Since making dinner for yourself is hard enough, I wanted to put together an easy dinner for you that you could also whoorl up for your baby. Simple, delicious and healthy. 

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. 

In a roasting pan, add one chopped onion, three cubed sweet potatoes, one teaspoon of fresh thyme, and one clove of minced garlic. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. 

Place four bone in, skin on chicken breasts on top of vegetables. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper generously. 

Roast in oven for 30 to 45 minutes until chicken is done. Tossing vegetables a couple of times. 

Optional if you want to make a quick sauce: Transfer chicken and vegetables to a serving platter and cover with foil. Place roasting pan over high heat on the stove. Sprinkle a tablespoon of flour all over and whisk into pan drippings. Cook and stir for one minute. Add half cup of white wine, continue to whisk and reduce by half. Add a cup of stock, whisk and let reduce until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. 

Serve warm, drizzled with sauce if you make it, and enjoy. 

Any leftovers you have can be placed in a food processor, baby food maker, or blender (remove skin and bones from chicken). The ratio should be about one third chicken to two thirds vegetables. Process until the consistency your baby prefers. Add water or stock to help smooth it out. 

Baby food freezes really well. Beaba also makes these great silicone portioned storage containers. It can be placed in the freezer, then you pop the portion out when needed. You can also store the cubes and then reuse the container. My freezer is full of multi-colored cubes of baby food. It is hilarious. 

xo

Erin 

Birchbox

It seems that the product subscription business is everywhere. From flowers, to baby gear, to celebrity favorites, for a price you can receive a box of goodies every month in any form you would like. Since my product obsession borders on crazy, Birchbox seemed to be my next try in the "of-the-month" club. Plus, in October they partnered with Goop and we all know how I feel about Gwyneth. 

Birchbox is $10 a month, you can choose to try it out for just a month or commit to longer. It gives the opportunity to try a product and then visit their site to purchase, usually at a discounted price. If you travel, the sizes that everything comes in is perfect. 

The October Goop box included a mini bottle of Malin + Goetz peppermint shampoo, that smells so yummy. A little Jouer lip enhancer that is super moisturizing and has a glossy finish. Two samples of Supergoop SPF 30 serum which I have been wanting to try. A Luna fiber bar was an interesting addition. And lastly a full size bottle of Essie in Master Plan.  

It is a great Fall color. 

So now you know what to expect if you sign up for Birchbox. I am still up in the air on how long I want this delivered to my door. It could help my obsession or just make it worse! 

xo

Erin 

This Week

I have not felt quite like myself this week. Between the battle of a sore throat, to the weird change of weather, and my lack of creativity, it has been a week that seemed to just pass me by. There were a few highlights. 

The deer seem to know that we like them around in the evenings. 

Puffy baby jackets and boots make me excited for the first snow. 

Vitamin C, Green Tea, repeat. 

Matt built a fire pit in our woods that got it's inaugural s'mores roast before my Dad left. 

I made my favorite lasagna recipe and purposely made extra to enjoy all week. 

My Goop Birchbox arrived. More to come on that later. 

Trying to shop my own closet for a going away party tonight for one of my favorite people. 

Surprise, no reason at all, flowers are the best. 

Enjoy your weekend! 

xo

Erin 

PS: I am obsessed with this video from The Coveteur. Genius. 

Twinkle Toes

Wouldn't these just brighten your day? 

Tory Burch

Or maybe this bling-ed out soft suede pair...

Tory Burch

Something that sparkles looking up at you every day. 

Hope your day has some sparkle. 

xo

Erin 

Weekend Wishes

Another rainy day in Chicago. Tonight is the perfect night to go get Mexican food with my Dad, then tuck in early. Excited for better weather tomorrow and a crisp walk with the babe.

I am kind of obsessed with this bee wallpaper. It would be cute in a little girls room, fun in a powder room, and might be a contender for my dining room. 

Melissa over at Fonty Fest shared pictures of her mud room renovation. It incorporates great design and functionality. I am in love with the horse hooks she used.  

I can't decide if pink pants could work in the Fall and Winter. Maybe paired with a black leather bomber and boots? These have been a favorite for awhile...

I like to imagine that one day I will have a pool house like this. Rustic beams, a bar to belly up to, and a low circular table to play cards and sip margaritas at...

Old Navy has some cute baby clothes ($12). This ribbed one piece comes in a bunch of colors and patterns. 

These DVF wedges are on sale and such a pretty color. Lusting after them and I think they would look cute with colored tights.  

How could Matt Boemer not be cast as Christian Grey? I think this picture pretty much locks it in for him. 

Have a great weekend! 

xo

Erin 

Braided Messy Bun

Top knots and buns make bad (dirty) hair days lovely. Wearing my hair down with a feisty, grabby baby is just not worth it. So I find myself piling my hair on top of my head almost daily. I also have been on the braid train for awhile, so combining my two favorite ways to pretend I did my hair was logical. And as it turns out, pretty. 

1. Gather hair into a high ponytail, using a paddle brush to smooth out any bumps. Secure with a tight elastic. 

2. Tease and "mess up" the pony a bit to give your hair some texture and extra thickness. 

3. Divide hair into three sections and braid. Secure end with a clear elastic. 

4. Wrap braid around pony tail holder, tucking the end in. Secure with hair pins. 

5. "Rough up" the hair around your face, to make it look more undone. 

The more texture you give your hair, the better! 

xo

Erin 

Shopbop Sale!

Shopbop has their Friends & Family Sale today! The site is full of too much goodness, but I have my wish list picked out. 

Use code WEAREFAMILY at check out and receive 20% off your purchase! 

1. House of Harlow nude sunglasses $125

2. Parker dotted dress $99 (on sale)

3. Joe's Jeans denim shirt $138

4. Jennifer Zeuner gold side cross necklace $138

5. Surface to Air gray coat $630

6. Alexander Wang blush clutch $295

7. Melissa + Jason Wu cut out flats $105

8. Goldsign boyfriend jeans $244

9. DANNIJO bracelet $115 (on sale)

10. Club Monaco color block sweater dress $170

11. Clover Canyon Baroque scarf blazer $473

12. One by Bardot leather panel leggings $80

13. Jeffrey Campbell suede booties $165

14. Joie flared sweater dress $328 

15. Missoni scarf $180

16. Alexander Wang duffel with rose gold studs $895

17. Eberjey pajama set $87

18. One by Krisa coated drapey jacket $258

19. One by Donna Mizani leather cut out skater dress $338

20. Sam Edelman suede loafers $90

21. J Brand skinny printed jeans $259

22. Jennifer Zeuner Love bracelet $121

23. Parker zig zag dress $352

24. DANNIJO earrings $198 (on sale)

25. Boutique 9 knee high boots $215

26 Vince cashmere oversized sweater $295

I know, clearly I am not great at narrowing things down. But it is all SO cute. 

What are you getting? 

xo

Erin 

Chorizo, Kale & White Bean Soup

The best season to cook has arrived. Cold weather stews, soups, and one pot meals are all I can think about making these days. Not to mention it makes dinner so easy and the days following with leftovers. This spicy little number is starch free, packed with protein, and every one's favorite super food, kale. Kale is so hot right now, right? If you are over kale, you can use spinach instead. You could also use any sausage you like if you are not into chorizo (you are missing out). 

Chorizo, Kale & White Bean Soup
Forks & Amusement 2012
serves 8-10 (can be halved easily)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 lbs chorizo or any sausage you like
1 large onion, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 - 15 oz cans of white beans (cannellini or navy)
1 cup white wine
2 lbs kale, roughly chopped (frozen or fresh spinach works too)
2 1/2 quarts chicken stock (10 cups)
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon sherry or balsamic vinegar
optional: Parmesan cheese for topping

Place a very large pot over medium high heat and add the oil. Cook the chorizo until browned and cooked through. Turn off the heat, remove the chorizo onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain. 

Turn heat back to medium high, add the onion and carrot. Saute the vegetables until tender, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. 

Add the beans to the pot and cook until heated through, stirring it all together. Pour in the wine and cook until reduced by half, scraping the bottom of the pot and stirring. Stir in the kale, season with salt and pepper. 

Pour in the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for ten minutes. Skim off any extra oil on top of the soup. Turn off the heat, add the vinegar and taste. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with grated Parmesan cheese. 

Freezes really well. 

xo
Erin 

Dining Room So Far

Sharing pictures of your home on your blog is way harder than I thought. We all look at design blogs and Pinterest all day, loving the perfectly designed and put together rooms of professional, fabulous designers. 

A professional, I am not. Not even close. 

Many of those photos are staged, just been cleaned and combed over for imperfection. So instead of sharing pictures of my "perfect" home, I would rather share ones of my ever changing, always a little messy one. And are rooms ever really "done?" Probably not. 

With that said, I will show you some pictures of the dining room so far. I have done nothing but move what we already have to the new space. 

The picture above the fireplace will most likely be moved to above the buffet. I love the idea of using that fireplace during holiday dinners. 

Those hideous drapes will be coming down. For some reason the previous owner put them up all over the house for showings. Now they are just a pain to take down, then patch and paint the wall. 

The extra built-in unit on the left was a nice addition for storage. The light fixture was from our old house. one of my favorite purchases. 

The table, buffet and break front are family heirlooms from the 20s that I was lucky enough to be gifted. The chairs are new, but I still have two of the original. I have been looking for fabric for awhile to reupholster them in, still searching.

I think one of these rugs would warm up the space and add some visual interest with a pattern since the wood floors and furniture is essentially the same color. Something in a light trellis, maybe. 

Since we live in such a rural area now, some faux taxidermy feels necessary. I LOVE this shop on Etsy. They have many different animals ($120) and it can be customized in different colors. Mint antlers seem perfect.  

The room needs paint, but I am actually kind of obsessed with wallpaper right now. I am thinking of painting below the chair rail white, then choosing a patterned paper to go above. These are my current favorites. Something traditional, yet slightly contemporary. 

I love hearing your input on what you like. Not quite ready to get after this room just yet, but I think I am on the right track. What do you think? 

xo

Erin 

A Few Things

My Dad is coming for a visit this weekend and I am so excited. Always fun to have grandpa around and a reason to cook lots of yummy stuff. 

I see a trip to the pumpkin patch in our future. Even though an eight month old could care less. 

I made a version of this soup last night that I will post about next week. I used white beans instead of potatoes. yum

I am such a sucker for off the shoulder dresses. Crushing on this Louis Vuitton look from Paris fashion week on Poppy Delevingne. 

via: Vogue.com

 A DKNY version ($335) is classic, this ASOS one is hot ($49), and this ASOS dress is flirty ($26). 

I am loving this spread on Because I'm Addicted of design firm The Apartment. White walls and lots of color. 

Obsessed with searching for coffee tables and console choices for the living room. This modern peekaboo piece is fun. 

Still not sure of your presidential choice? This site helps you make your decision. 

Tator tot breakfast casserole? Yes, please. 

I hope you have a lovely Fall weekend. 

xo

Erin  

News Break

Let's do a quick round up of what is happening in the world of celeb. There are a few things to discuss...

First off, I did not think I could be more devastated by a break up when I heard that Amy and Will were splitting. They have always kind of been my dream couple, as I would just imagine how they would crack each other up...

And then the Devito's announced their divorce. And for some reason I was floored. How could this vertically challenged couple move on from one another? You would think their sense of humors would help make this one last. 

I just don't get this couple. You're J Lo, get a real boyfriend. 

I think you can basically vote these two most popular couple right now. They seem cool and again, probably laugh a lot...

How are these two together? And how do they let people photograph them like this?? 

Oh hi, you're still fine...

Love you GP, but does it look like she may have had a little refresher? I like you au natural, lady...

I love how everyone is talking about how Lady Gaga gained so much weight and is HUGE. Yea, this is what huge looks like. Let's stop talking about it. 

Of course Sienna has a cute little babe. Still love her and now, her daughter Marlowe..

And finally, Jennifer Aniston showed off her ring for the first time. Wowza, it is huge. Nice work Justin. In bigger news, take a look at the strap of her purse....

Yep, JA likes to sport a banana clip. And she is not afraid to keep it on display while not in use.  Now that is a statement piece. 

xo

Erin 

images via: people.com

Zara Home is Stateside

Everyone has long coveted Zara Home overseas and the day has finally come when you can live the dream. Zara Home is now available in the States and it will now be your go to site for affordable bedding, accessories, linens, accent tables, rugs, tabletop, and a few furniture pieces. Think girlie, bright colored, and romantic themes throughout the collections and options you have never seen before. Especially at this price point. 

Check out all the gorgeous prints available for table linens and napkins...

Rugs and runners are available in some fantastic patterns (hello paisley runner) and I am obsessed with these accent tables and the bar stool (option for my basement bar now!)...

Glassware in fun shapes and colors, bright plate sets, gilded trays and wine holders, and check out the teapot dripping gold... 

There are so many bedding options and throw pillows. I kind of want to redo each guest room now. One girlie and gilded, one floral and pretty, and one classic with a Brit twist. They even have bathroom accessories and towels. 

The accessories and wall mirrors are perfect for the upcoming gift giving season. I kind of die for the gold box, perfect for jewelry...

It is always fun to have a new option when shopping for home goods (speaking of, I love that place too) online. This is going to be great for some of my upcoming purchases and I promise to share once I order something. Have you yet? 

xo

Erin 

Weekend at Barbie's

Sometimes something online just makes you smile. And how could you not at this dream house in Santa Monica. 

This is the house of Ruth Handler, the founder of Barbie. It was her real life dream house until her death in 2002. Even well into her later years, the woman was living the life of her beloved doll in this bubble gum pink and purple beach house. 

How fun would a girls weekend in this house be? Everyone packs with Barbie in mind and your suitcase is full of pink, sparkle, lace, pastels, girlie prints and that fun loving spirit that only she could inspire. If only...

1. Wide leg pants by J. Crew $85

2. Hot pink fit and flare with gold belt Asos $202 (obsessed)

3. White and floral print bikini Mara Hoffman $195

4. Sweater dress Heidi Merrick $218

5. Ribbon flats by Melissa + Jason Wu $108 (obsessed)

6. Bib necklace in fun colors by Adia Kibur $50

7. Louise Grey sequin tank dress Topshop $350

8. Metallic and lace skater dress Topshop $82

9.  Lace back romper Topshop $92 (obsessed)

10. Retro bikini Topshop $64

11. Ikat print cover up Topshop $68

12. Envelope clutch J. Crew $98 (obsessed)

13. Nude patent bow wedges by Prada $510

14. Ruffle skirt Topshop $64

15. Essie Forget Me Nots $8

16. Oversized cat eye glasses by Stella McCartney $225 (obsessed)

What would you pack? 

xo

Erin 

Skin Recovery

After a skin ravaging nine months of pregnancy and months of hormone levels trying to find some sort of normalcy, I feel like I have my skin back. Although dotted with the remains of acne past and present, I at least feel like I have a handle on it. 

Being in your thirties and fighting acne while also trying to fight wrinkles is a lot of work for one face to handle. From what I can tell from readers and other beauty blogs is that almost every girl out there is having the same problems. 

I am on two prescriptions that are very strong and not for everyone. A benzoyl peroxide gel that is mixed in house by my doctor and a retinoid gel that fights acne and wrinkles, Ziana. My skin can take a lot and is not sensitive. I have done some research and testing and there are plenty of OTC alternatives to try if you do not want to see your doctor. 

The key is retinols to fight lines and help turn over skin cell production, salicylic acid to blast bacteria, benzoyl peroxide to clean pores, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin moisturized without being oily. 

Look for products with those ingredients. Luckily there are a few that have a combination of them. 

In addition to my prescriptions, I use Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Night as my moisturizer when I go to bed. This has retinols and hyaluronic acid so you wake up with super smooth and moisturized skin. 

An over the counter benzoyl peroxide lotion from Clinque would be a great alternative to a prescription strength. Use on pimples you already have and problem areas that usually break out at night. Apply as your last product. 

Clear Days Ahead from Philosophy is a great cleanser that gets your skin super clean with salicylic acid. 

No one's skin is perfect, but my obsession with it will never die. In a couple of weeks, I will be getting a laser treatment to try and zap some of the acne scars on my face. Before and after pictures will hopefully show some results. Fingers crossed that it will be worth it. 

xo

Erin 

RH Lighting Sale

I have settled on a light fixture for the great room in the house. Three of these nineteen inch pendants will be hanging in between the high beams in satin nickel. 

Best part is that Restoration Hardware is having their lighting sale until October 18th on ALL lighting. Take advantage if you are looking to get any of their fantastic pieces. 

Another tip that I learned is that you can lock in that price for 90 days without actually having purchased it yet. So if you are in a bit of a pinch for the cash right now, you can call before the 18th of October, place your order, then call back within 90 days to be charged and have them shipped. 

This worked great for me this week since we placed the carpet order and painted this week for the basement. Almost done! 

Then of course I started looking for other places to take advantage of this sale. I am liking this flush mount for our hallway. Very nautical and maybe I will order as well. I have two more weeks to decide...

Here is to a weekend of lots of little surprises that make your day better. 

xo

Erin 

Back to Black

Though black has never been far from fashion week, there seemed to much more of it this time around in New York, London, and Paris.  

Crazy prints, neon, ornate brocade, sparkly pumps, all have their place, but sometimes it is nice to go black on black. Slimming, classic, and always with an edge, there is always a reason to go dark.  

1. Tibi $345

2. Marc Jacobs $598

3. J. Crew $118

4. Rag & Bone $168

5. Asos $89

6. Asos $60

7. Asos $62

8. BB Dakota $102

9. Alice + Olivia $398

10. Madewell $145

11. Topshop $96

12. Sabine $59

13. Marc Jacobs $34

14. Topshop $110

15. Madewell $168

16. Bauble bar $38

17. Report $99

18. J. Crew $89

19. All Saints $135

20. Christian Louboutin $1,495 

I had to include those Loubs. They are kind of out of control. I love how every other piece could easily fit into your favorite look and your budget. Eyeing those Sabine booties, drapey BB Dakota jacket, and Bauble Bar statement necklace. 

Which are your favorite? 

xo

Erin