lunch with lizzybeth

Jilly and I have a dear friend named Elizabeth Banks who radiates goodness in every way.  She has noteworthy taste, she's a marvelous hostess, and she's the most stylish grandma we know.  Jilly introduced me to Elizabeth the night of her oldest daughter's wedding and it was definitely love at first sight. 

Last week she had us over for an Easter lunch.  She served Monte Cristo sandwiches with strawberry jam, fresh fruit, and lemon sour cream pie.  Mmmmmm.
 

While we were there, we got to see the new changes she's made to her home.  Last December Elizabeth was in the midst of decorating for Christmas (which is no small task at the Banks home) and while stringing lights, she had an unfortunate attic fire.  Don't worry, the fire fighters showed up in good time and most of the house was salvaged.   But sadly, she lost the entire contents of her living room, and her 60 dollar/ yard, animal print ribbon.  Elizabeth and her family moved out of their home for four months while the insurance company made sense of the rubble.

On the bright side, she got to check off one of her 2011goals - update the living room. She went from deep burgundy, traditional furniture to this light, more streamlined furniture.  Look at the yummy butter yellow leather on these new sofas!  I'm worshiping it.

Jilly and I love the new and updated changes from the 24" crown molding on her 20' vaulted ceiling down to the one-of-a-kind flooring.   Elizabeth is pretty much the only girl we know who can pull off leopard print carpet, and zebra striped ottomans.  Do not attempt this at home unless your grandkids call you Nana Sass.

Elizabeth is an extraordinary mother of six.  I am constantly learning how to be a better mom through her example.  Her kids think she walks on water, and well, she pretty much does.  I thought this gallery wall was a fun and inexpensive way to share her family with all who enter her home. 

Elizabeth splurged on this button tufted settee, formerly housed in the dressing room of Anthropologie.  LUCKY!  She added some great splashes of color to her family room with these whimsical pillows.

Her kitchen is entirely black and white with accents of red.  She spends a LOT of time there so it needs to be functional as well as aesthetic.  Just so ya know, Elizabeth recently released her second edition cookbook.  It is full of wonderful family style recipes for anyone you know who loves to eat well.  It's the perfect Mother's Day gift.  Order her cookbook {here}.  You won't be disappointed!

While we were there, I had to take a peek into her youngest two daughters' rooms. 

Why does the Aladdin Bedding I grew up with suddenly seem so uncool?

And here's the little dear sitting comfortably in her new living room with her puppy, Snow White.  Doesn't it look like she's posing for her own spread in Better Homes and Gardens?  Well when it happens, just remember, we saw it first!

We absolutely adore you Lizzybeth!  Thanks for inviting us over for a most wonderful afternoon.  It was such a treat!

all the single ladies

On Wednesday Jilly and I hosted the "single ladies" for lunch.
How do I begin to describe them? They're beautiful, smart, kind, and they set the example for single mothers everywhere. Each one has a unique story and each have gained strength from the past and are looking forward to a brilliant future.
It all began with this.



We decided the menu would include a salad of mixed greens, pink grapefruit, avocado, candied pecans, pomegranate seeds, and a pink vinaigrette.

We grilled hot paninis with peppered turkey, homemade Alfredo sauce, artichoke hearts, caramelized onion, tomato, and fresh basil, dripping with Havarti cheese...

...and served it with pomegranate Italian sodas. It all ended with chocolate baby cakes and raspberry sauce, topped with creme fresh.

Ooooooooh the goodness!

Besides tasting our creations, the best part is setting the table. We wanted this love fest to be sweet, simple, and all girl.

I love layers on a table. This event called for a white table drape paired with soft pink, ruched fabric and a sheer, horizontal, runner laden with vintage blossoms.

The goblets were adorned with sugared rims by dipping them in Karo syrup and again in sanding sugar.

So sweet!

What's a party without a favor? We used these baby roses as center pieces and then gave each friend one to take home.

Jilly created burlap cozies with soft pink ribbon and staked them with love notes.




And the party guests...

Angela Beason was the first to arrive. She recently moved here from Cali with her three cutie pie girls and handsome boy. She is kind, soft spoken, and still weighs as much as she did in Jr. high.

Nicole Bluth. This girl is as sweet as candy. She has a contagious laugh that comes in handy every night when she tucks her four tiny boys into bed. She has incredible faith and a mane of gorgeous hair!

(only in AZ would it be so sunny in Feb you had to break out the sunglasses, love it!)

Camie Burgi showed up dressed to the nines in her party attire and pearl accessories. She is always great company and is toying with the idea of dating again. If you know a man who is freakishly good looking and stable in every way, please let us know and we'll gladly pass on his info.
This girl deserves nothing less then perfection!

Lacey Brimmer.....this lady grew up around the corner from me (good memories!) and now she lives right down the street from Jilly. Coincidence, I think not. She is a girl with a big personality and an even bigger heart. It's impossible to be around Lacey with out feeling good. She is working really hard on a Phsycology degree while juggling the demands of three little peanuts. WARRIOR.

There was one couple at the table. No, me and Jilly are not leaving our husbands, but for all intents and purposes we're a pair. I love everything about Jilly from her insanely crafty mind to her positive attitude and her storytelling skills. As far as I'm concerned, we're in it for the long haul.

We loved every minute of this afternoon together, and felt uplifted and encouraged in the presence of these outstanding women.

Hope this gives you a little inspiration to make Valentines Day a memorable one.

......now put your hands up!

xoxo

j+m

asian inspired

Today I hosted lunch for six great friends. The table was inspired by these Asian plates and bowls Jilly scored from a local thrift store. In fact everything except the glasses and pink runners, came from Savers or Goodwill. We both grew up shopping second hand stores, never dreaming it would someday be cool. In our minds, we've always been ahead of the times!

I served won ton soup with mushrooms and bamboo shoots, lettuce wraps, avocado egg rolls with tamarind dipping sauce, and a key lime tart for dessert. Here's the recipe for the egg rolls. These little babies do not disappoint!

Tamarind Sauce

1/4 C cashews
2/3 C fresh cilantro leaves
2 cloves garlic
2 green onions
1 T sugar
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp cumin
4 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 C honey
1/2 tsp tamarind pulp (or substitute 1/4 C raisins)
1/4 C olive oil

Combine all in food processor until smooth. You can freeze leftovers for up to 8 weeks.

Egg rolls

2 T sun dried tomatoes
1 large avocado
2 T minced red onion
chopped, fresh cilantro
pinch of salt
egg roll wrappers

Gently combine the avocado with the tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and pinch of salt. Be careful not to smash the avocados. Place 1/3 of the filling into an egg roll wrapper. Look at the back of the egg roll wrapper package for more directions. Fry egg rolls in a deep fryer or pan over med heat for 3-4 minutes.