Bahhahahahhahahahahahha

A wearable planter.

"FML"

That's OK Etsy, I ain't mad atcha.




-Bethany

Fall Foods: Apple Inspired

This post comes to courtesy of one of my favorite things (EVER!!), the apple. These American fruit are especially top of mind these days… what with the passing of Steve Jobs (I’m not ashamed to say the news put me in a total funk yesterday and I’m experiencing a bit of a hangover from it today), and for all the happy reasons – like fall, crimson reds, bold flavors, ciders, hard ciders (my fav alcoholic bev), crisp crunching and amazing food stuffs.

I did a little searching on etsy (what’s new?) and put together a quick cache of some lovely apple art. Great for hanging in the kitchen if you like to display seasonal art or food inspired art.

LEFT | CENTER | RIGHT

Now, my real gift to you though is my Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Glaze recipe. Now I’ve been making this for years, so my apologize to the originator of this recipe (be it friend, family, or cook book). I’ve long since lost that detail. But what I do have is a delicious entrée that will certainly stay in my cool-weather cooking rotation.

ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN with APPLE CIDER GLAZE

Ingredients:

2              1lb pork tenderloins, trimmed

6              shallots, quartered

1/2 c        golden raisins

3 tbsp      fresh thyme leaves (5-6 sprigs)

Pinch       ground cloves

3/4 c        apple cider

1/3 c        dry white wine

1/2 tsp     salt

1/2 tsp     ground pepper

1 tbsp      olive oil

1 tbsp      unsalted butter

2              mcintosh apples, peeled & chopped

Directions:

1.     Rinse pork, pat dry, and place in a large zip-top heavy-duty plastic bag or shallow dish

2.     Stir together shallots and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour over pork, cover or seal, and chill at least 4 hours, turning occasionally.

3.     Preheat oven to 375*. Remove pork from marinade, reserving marinade. Sprinkle pork evenly with ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Cook in hot oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove pork, and add butter to skillet, stirring until melted. Add apples, and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in reserved marinade. Bring to a boil, and boil 2 minutes, stirring often. Return pork to skillet.

4.     Bake for 20-30 minutes, basting occasionally. Slice pork, and serve immediately with glaze.

You’re welcome.

--Kate

Week in Review AND Favorite Etsy Finds

It's time again to find out WHAT WENT DOWN THIS WEEK. 
(non-local blog followers, scroll down for Etsy Faves)


First and probably most important, we have many new followers on our blog!  Welcome everyone, we can't wait to share our inner most ramblings, cravings and obsessions with you.  We like to keep it pretty.  There are plenty of other blogs that share the news and all the bad stuff going on out there.  We chose to write a lifestyle blog filled with pretty pictures, the latest trends and lots of style.  Please join in and share with us, we're thrilled to have you.


#2- I just saw some sweet-ass pumpkin plants at Trader Joe's tonight.  I don't know why I didn't buy them because all I've done is think about them since I left.  They kinda looked like tomato plants at first glance, but such a great idea for a pop of color.

3.  All of the awesomesauce fall sitcoms are back on.  Thank GOD for Modern Family and Parks and Rec.  

4.  Check out the insane list of to-do's in our area this weekend.  I'm fairly certain there's something for everyone. 

     - Old Towne Manassas Fall Jubilee

     - Montclair Community Yard Sale

     - Fall Festival at Cox Farms

     - Okra's Louisiana Bistro's Pig Roast

     - Kids Fest at Fall for Fairfax

5.  I re-hired my assistant, only to find her sleeping on the job…

Finally, here's the weeks favorite Etsy finds (if you're just tuning in, we can't get enough of etsy.com).

Wood iPhone Cover | Handpainted Leather Clutch | Lightbult Aquarium | Chinois Pillow | Schumacher Lamp Shade | Brass Quail | Quatrefoil Business Cards | 

Happy Friday, folks!

- Bethany

For The Love of Stamps

Not much to say here but check out Lettergirl’s shop on Etsy. I’ll take one of everything please!! And also, can someone teach me to print like this as well? I feel inadequate ;)

- Kate

Busy Bee

On a day-to-day basis I find my type B personality trying to live a type A lifestyle. Lately I’m finding that I just can’t juggle everything because like the movie “I don’t know how she does it” (warning: wait for this one to come out on DVD) I’ve got too long of a list for one person. For those of us with husbands, roommates, kids… it’s okay to make a list for them and share the responsibility every once in a while. Also known as asking for help.

These asks get lost a lot in my household because the hubby and I get so freak’n busy. This weekend I went searching online to find a great little printed list to pencil in things for my honey to do - won’t he be so excited by this?! Here are some fun finds I came across on Etsy and Paper Source.

- Kate

Favorite Finds: Photography Fashion

While I’m on the path of prattling on about things I like/love/obsess over, I’m just gonna keep going and take you a long with me. This week’s Favorite Find comes to you from my recent search for my very first digital SLR camera. I love photography and while I think I’ve done a pretty good job snapping my amateur pics with a less than brag-worthy Cannon PowerShot, it’s time for an upgrade.

Like any eager shopper, I’ve also been on the hunt to accessorize said camera once I’ve got it in my hot little hands. I found this amazeballs shop, SizzleStrapz, on Etsy and am completely crushing on everything that’s features.

- Kate

About SizzleStrapz: "We make high quality DSLR camera straps and camera bags for women and men which are geared towards the serious camera fashion photographer in you . We cater to the professional, modern and everyone in between photographer in you, to make you feel comfortable and bold behind the lense. "

Some of my photos

Berry Obsessed

There are a lot of things in life that I love and then there are those things that I just have a total obsession with – blueberries are one of these things. Besides tasting amazing (on top of ice cream, as homemade syrup for pancakes, in pancakes, as beer, in pies, on cereal, on their own, in muffins… should I continue?) they have a wonderful nostalgia for me. They remind me of family, summer vacations in Maine (downeast) where for a week we live(d) the most carefree existence surrounded by the people we love most. Too sappy… deal with it ;)

Let us know, what are you head-over-heals about!

- Kate

Favorite Finds: Mason Jar Lighting

I stumbled on these this week when I was clicking through Etsy (yes, I know... we browse Etsy a lot!). And because I love mason jars - we use them as glasses at my house - I instantly fell in love.

- Kate

A Virginia Thing

While I had a "case-of-the-Monday's" hangover today, I think it's finally starting to wear off. It was a big help that I got my most recent purchase from 1canoe2's Etsy shop. I've ordered the letterpress recipe cards and box, and now a stylish little Virginia print for my home office redo. Please check them out and see if there's a special little something for your home/office :)

- Kate

Favorite Etsy Finds: Week in Review

Kate and I love to scan Etsy to see what awesome things we're missing out on.  I know, I know, it's like asking for trouble, but my treasure hunting isn't always for selfish reasons. I actually bought many a Christmas present this past year (see post here) and so did Kate!  So in keeping with the spirit of all things Etsy, we are starting a weekly column to showcase our finds.

When I first joined Etsy in 2005, it was by accident and rather a means to an end.  I was trying to track down a necklace I was coveting at the time and in full-disclosure I'll share with you that it was this necklace in the movie Monster-in-Law (don't hate). I found a seller on Etsy that made a replica of it and it was super affordable. Score!

 [I still wear it]

And so began my love for the online boutique. So this week's favorites are a combination of things I've purchased and things I want to purchase. I'm pretty sure if I don't stop getting so many packages at the front door (that my husband fields), I may get a talkin' to in the near future :)

#1 - Pair of vintage brass chests

#2 - Turquoise ring

#3 - Photograph of the beach at Assateague Island

#4 - Driftwood dog bowl

#5 - David Hicks pillow (i.die.)

#6 - Purple peacock pumps

#7 - La Jolla Beach oil painting

#8 - Greek key dog collar

#9 - Rose gold Aquamarine ring (HINT HINT, it's my birthstone...would make a great X-mas gift!)

#10 - Chinoiserie wall decal

#11 - slate address plaque

#12 - Giclee print

Have a great weekend, all!

-Bethany