Autumn is here!

I had such a great time putting my autumn display together on our console table by the front door. I loved this display in the Pottery Barn catalog and decided to re-create it with various apothecary jars filled autumn leaves, twigs, cranberries, nuts and my infamous $4 pomegranates and pears. Tonight I baked some pumpkin-chocolate chip brownies and decided to add them into the photo... just so I could feel like a housewife when I'm really not. : )

The Ice Cream Parlour

I have died and gone to heaven... this ice cream parlour personifies the cute confections I aspire to with Confection.  I found it on www.i-do-it-yourself.com. The darling pennants (like the ones I made for the paper + cloth + sugar event), the pink and white striped wallpaper,  rose-tinted sundae glasses, the argyle cups (be still my heart!) and the quaint labels on everything make this irresistible in my eyes!  I may have to try this for Mother's Day next year or if I can't wait, maybe at Christmas!

Etsy: LinenMe

This Etsy shop features beautifully crafted items made from Lithuanian linen and are all French quality.  I especially love the striped French blue table linen pictured above.  Absolutely beautiful on a rustic farm table or in clean Belgian interiors.  Below are photos of LinenMe's crisp and simple housewares, including baskets, bedding, bath linens and more.

Bella Bean Couture

My days of frustration are over: finally, a pet collar manufacturer that makes cat collars as well as dog collars!  Bella Bean has been around for some time but they have recently added a Wee Ones line to include fashions for felines.  I am tickled over the cupcake collar above, and below are some of my other favorites:

I have to have the Slice

After several months of deliberation I have decided to purchase a Slice.  I have embarked on a new project that will debut at Confection's next sale in November: alphabet flash cards!  Anyone who knows me knows how much I loved the animal flash cards I made and this one promises to be as cute and sweet as those!  Stay tuned for photos of the ongoing project.

Try this recipe!

If you try one recipe this summer make it this one!  I made it tonight along side steaks that Rod put on the grill.  It was beyond delicious.  So full of flavor with the basil and tangy vinaigrette... and who doesn't love warm croutons?  This is a Barefoot Contessa recipe modified by moi.

PANZAZELLA - serves 12

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 small French baguette or Italian bread cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 large, ripe tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes (or half cherry tomatoes; about 2 1/2 cups)

1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded and sliced 1/2 an inch thick

2 yellow bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes

6 scallions chopped, white and light green parts

20 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped

For the vinaigrette:

1 close garlic, finely minced and grinded into a paste using kosher salt

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons champagne vinegar

3/4 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a large saute pan.  Add the bread and salt; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 10 minutes, or until nicely browned.  Add more oil as needed.

For the vinaigrette, whisk together the ingredients.

In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, yellow bell peppers, scallions and basil.  Add the bread cubes and toss with the vinaigrette.  Season liberally with salt and pepper.  Serve immediately to keep the croutons crunchy, or allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes while the flavors blend.

Enjoy!

Labor Day BBQ

I am gearing up for our Labor Day BBQ this coming weekend.  We are headed down to Rod's mom's to celebrate the holiday poolside.  Here is the menu I will be cooking up!

White Cheddar Stuffed Burgers

Matchstick Potatoes with Sun Dried Tomato Aioli

Quogue Beach Club Coleslaw

Ice Cream Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Fresh Raspberries and Raspberry Sauce