Recipe - Italian Potato Salad

I love  a new recipe - especially one that is this easy. I'm not a big mayonnaise fan, so a mayonnaise based potato salad will not be found in our fridge. I heard through the grapevine this Paula Deen recipe for "Italian Potatoes" tastes exactly like Zoe's potato salad, of which I'm a HUGE fan. Memorial Day was the perfect weekend to break it out.

Put 5 lbs of red potatoes in a large pot, just covering with water.

Bring to a boil. Let them boil for 30-40 minutes. I did mine for 30, and they were perfect.

Drain and let cool - cool enough to handle.

While you're waiting for them to cool, whisk together:

3 large cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

1 heaping teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1 scant tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup tarragon vinegar

Slightly peel the potatoes, leaving some skin on. Cut into bite size cubes.

Top with parsley and green onions. I left out the green onions, because someone in our house doesn't like them. Pour oil mixture over potatoes.

Isn't it pretty? In the way only carbs mixed with olive oil are.

This recipe is a little funny - you leave it out for 4 hours. I covered mine with a towel, for peace of mind. Stir it every hour. Your food safety red flags might go off - but I promise we had no issues.

We had enough to serve for company twice. The second day I chopped up some marinated feta to mix in - it was a great addition. This paired well with chicken both nights - fried and bbq.

Memorial in Pictures

We had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend. Isn't it amazing what a difference an extra day makes? Makes for plenty of time to do all my chores (makes it sound like I live on a farm) and still have plenty of time to relax with our nearest and dearest.



1. Drinks on the patio Friday to toast 9 years of gainful employment. How am I old enough to have been working at the same place almost a decade?!

2. Grilled chicken with tzatziki sauce, sauteed spinach and grilled vegetables from the farmers market. I like the vegetables a little on the crispy side.

3. Date night at Five. Five reds, five whites, five beers, five cocktails, five appetizers and five entrees. Get it? The food was incredible, and it has a great atmosphere. Even though I had to look at everyone's beach and lake pictures all weekend, it just about paid off when there was no wait.  It was a beautiful night, so all the doors were open. We sat by the patio and dined semi al fresco. It may just be my new favorite spot.

4. Someone I love had a solo Sunday morning. Nailed it. I think I was more nervous than he was.

5. We broke out the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment for our family dinner Monday night. Why haven't we used this before? So easy and we had homemade ice cream in 30 minutes. This could be a problem.

6. I was inspired by one of my favorite Washington D.C. spots for a Memorial Day quote for the chalkboard.

Friday Favorites - Budget Beauty Edition

Last Friday I took a lunchtime stroll around Target and ran across the ELF display and found myself fascinated at all the goodies. I remember when ELF (eyes, lips, face) came on the market several years ago, and there was a lot of buzz about the products and the prices, but haven't thought much about it since.

I'm big on reading the reveiws of just about everything. So I was pumped to read this, this, and this review.

All Over Color Stick - I got this in Pink Lemonade. I've never used a cream blush - and that's what I use it for. It says you can use on eyes and lips (hence the all over verbiage), but I cannot imagine the atrocity of me having pink lemonade on my lids. And I prefer a gloss for my lips. It's worked great thrown in my makeup bag to touch up blush during the day.

Eyelid Primer - I bought the Urban Decay Naked Basics pallete a few weeks ago. I've loved playing around with all the colors, but didn't love the look of it sliding off my eyes by  2 p.m. This stuff has worked wonderfully and made my shadow last all the live long day.

HD Powder - I was running low on my Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, and read on the reviews this was a good replacement. I think it gives a nice soft focus finish - if you know what that means, you're a product junkie like me. Or a photographer.

The best part? I think my grand total was under $10 for all three products at my local Target. A steal. If you hate it, you're barely out your lunch money. As if you needed an excuse to go to Target.

The weather forecast is looking beautiful for the weekend - so we are looking forward to breaking in the neighborhood pool and getting in some time with friends. Hope your weekend is full of much of the same!

Come On In...Foyer Decorating

After we moved in last year and had an entire house to fill and furniture to fit in a 900 sq. ft. apartment, I went to work decorating - but mainly just the necessities. Couches, dining room table, a bed. A picture here and there in the main living space. After a long hiatus, I'm jumping back in.

We have a good size foyer that has sat totally empty since July. This bothered me zero until I got last months edition of Southern Living with an article that droned on about the entryway being the introduction to your house, blah, blah, blah. Well, it was enough for me to get off my tail and move forward with the never ending process of making the house a home.

I love looking at furniture and decorations. Actually pulling the trigger, I get gun shy. Here's a few things I'm eyeing.

Sources: Rugs from overstock.com. We got our living room rug there and it's held up really well, and you can't beat the price. Or the $2.95 shipping.The antique dresser is from a local antique shop. If you live in Birmingham, you need to check it out. They have some really cool stuff. Chairs from Target and World Market. As you can see, I'm not a decorating snob.

It's sitting in my foyer now on approval, and I'm about 98% sure it'll stay there. It was a steal. The wall it sits on is pretty long, so for this piece to work, I'm thinking it needs to be flanked by chairs. Aka, more shopping, more decisions.

Foyer wall on right. Excuse the total disaster - this was the best picture I could find and it is from move in weekend.

I was sold on the morrocan patterened rug, but then I found the patterened chairs I loved. Can you mix patterns? This space needs a little color, as the walls are gray as well.

What's a girl to do? Does anyone have any decoarting savvy they want to loan me? I'll take it on approval as well.

Lake Weekend

 I had big plans for a festive Friday lunch, but I decided to forgo eating out in favor of shopping at Target. Which is also festive and fun. More on those purchases later...

I've never been a big sandwich fan. So have never been a big Momma Goldberg's fan. I ate it a lot when we lived in the apartment out of convenience (it's located downstairs), but Friday the Momma's Love was calling my name. It more than hit the spot.

Saturday we left the rainy weather in Birmingham, hoping for bluer skies on the lake. After a few showers Saturday, it cleared up and did not dissapoint.

By Sunday, everyone was enjoying the sun. Even Macy! Macy was the only one that enjoyed the water as well.

Especially Matt. Asleep? I'll let you make the call.

We cleaned up a little and headed to dinner.

Good views, and good company. Minus the Auburn sweatshirt.

Sometimes a couple days away from town are just what the doctor ordered.

Blog Lovin'

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I'm jumping on the boat. Come along, won't you?

Not sure about this crazy link - but the button is on the right.

Wordless Wednesday: Sunbathing Edition

Boat Drinks and Bubbly

One of the things we've tried to be intentional about this year is building friendships. So, we feel so blessed that we've found a group of friends through Sunday School to run around with, per se.

This weekend we got together for supper club, and to celebrate Jessica entering the 30s. We welcomed her with open arms with food and drink.

Nancy centered the meal around boat drinks - tropical and pina coladas - to go with jerk chicken and pork and roasted vegetables.

I'm not sure why I look like an oompa loompa in this picture. I hope its a weird shot and not the makeup I just bought...time will tell.

And of course birthday cake. Always cake.

You have to bring in 30 with some bubbly.

Man's best friend wanted to join the celebration.

Just to prove we're old, we all ended up around the TV for Rock Center with Brian Williams by 10:30.

Thursday Ramblings

You know you were drawn in by that post title. A few things to share, because sharing is caring.

1. I don't know if I've mentioned this, and it almost deserves a blog post of its own, but we were PICKED TO BE A NIELSEN FAMILY. I hold this as an esteemed honor. Justification for the embarrassing amount of TV, mostly bad TV, I watch. MS almost threw the packet away and didn't even know what it was. My mind cannot comprehend. I mean, so far we've made $12 off the deal. What's not to be excited about? Lest you worry, I've been logging some good TV. You know there's an app for that.

2. That $12 could not have come at a better time. After handing over my paycheck and my keys to the repair shop mere weeks ago, some substance (oil? fluid?) is leaking so I bit the bullet and dropped it off again this morning. Is there anything worse than waiting on the phone call? Is there anything else that makes me feel dumber? "What? I need a new tork compression rotator? It's $834? Well, I guess I do need compressed torks. And it's important they rotate. Sounds good." I DON'T KNOW. I need a mechanic friend. And a vet friend. I digress.

3. We turned the fire on Sunday night. In May. Just thought that was worth mentioning.

See that gap of missing rocks? Those would be the one's Namath has eaten/hid away to eat later. He's quite the scholar.

4. It was donut day at work Monday. Also worth mentioning. Fresh made from the fry daddy, with a homemade orange glaze.

Wordless Wednesday - Haters Gonna Hate

On the As Seen on TV cat toy.

Celebrating 60

 This weekend we celebrated my father-in-law's 60th.

I truly, truly hit the jackpot when it comes to in-laws. I don't think anyone would argue with me that they are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Thankful I get to call them family.

We were excited to celebrate the birthday with food, drinks and dancing. And of course cake. Always cake.

The Searson's are not afraid to be the first one's on the dance floor. Even in 5 inch stilletto heels.

Cheers to Mental Health

Last week we decided a day off would do the soul good. I was hoping for a day reading by the pool, but
1.  The forecast was rainy
2.  Appparently our pool doesn't open until Memorial Day weekend.

I'm still nursing my hurt about both of these. We made the best of it.

MS was tasked with bringing home a treat Thursday night to kick off the long weekend. He did good.

 Naturally, since I could sleep as late as I wanted Friday, I woke up at 6:30 and couldnt go back to sleep. Sigh.

I always wonder who the people are drinking at lunch on a weekday.

Friday it was us! It was a nice lunch in the sun with my boo. Who is looking super skinny these days.

Pizza was much deserved after this 5 miler from the day before. Who is this person?

After being dragged to buy makeup and maxi dresses, we went to one of his favorite places. Also much deserved.

It's amazing what some good beer and retail therapy will do for the spirit. I almost don't mind it's Monday.

PSA

I usually employ this space to talk about products I love. But I feel its my due diligence to warn others.

I found these at Target a few weeks ago. Specifally, the tan pair. My tan wedges are slowly falling apart, and hey! These were super cute and $30! I rung them up and went on my merry way.

And then I wore them and the merriment ended.

Insert tears and me dragging around what felt like bloody stumps of feet the majority of the evening. Bloody stumps is an exxageration. Blood is not. That cute little 'leather' backing literally cut tears in the back of my achiles tendon. Which got reopened on every run. I probably shed a tear or two as I waddled down 20th street.

Which brings me to these. They are heavenly, if this happens to you. Which hopefully, this PSA will prevent.

Despite being worn, I had no shame in taking these back to Target. I even was willing to show them my bloody feet, if it came to that. Fortunately, we didn't have to stoop to that level.
ETA: I've bought lots of wedges from Target with no problems whatsoever. So I don't think this is a get what you pay for lesson. I don't know that there's any lesson here except pain. And the importance of keeping your receipts.