Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone!!!

I did my big nights out with costumes over the weekend, so tonight I am hanging with my family and seeing my nephew out the door to trick or treat.

My mom usually makes a nice dinner on Halloween and it's usually something filling that sticks to the ribs.

Here are some great recipes to try before the trick or treating commences:

Beef Stew

My mom has her own recipe that she uses but this one by Paula Deen is excellent as well.

Dragon's Breath Chili from Guy Fieri. Get the recipe here.

Linguini with Shrimp Scampi from Ina Garten. Get the recipe here.

I hope everyone has fun tonight! 

I am looking forward to a nice family dinner, some scary movies, and candy that I will be stealing from my nephews stash.

Donate to Hurricane Sandy Relief

I had planned on writing a post on great places for tea here in Boston, but my heart really isn't in it today. It doesn't seem right to go on about tea at the Bristol Lounge when so many people on the east coast are really hurting. 

So instead, I am going to post something that I normally never would. Below is a link the Red Cross website where you can donate to help disaster relief. 

I'm not asking anyone to donate, because it's not my place, but if anyone is interested, you can do so at:

https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002

Hurricane Sandy

                                                                   Photo by Matt Stone

The Waves in Scituate, MA

Things have been a bit hectic the last few days because of Hurricane Sandy. I found myself stuck inside all day because work and school were canceled. I wish I had been much more productive, but I spent most of the day relaxing with my family and catching up on my favorite TV shows. 

                                                                                           Lucas Jackson/REUTERS

Southampton, NY

The weather here in Boston has been windy and rainy, and they shut down the MBTA, which is UNHEARD OF. I've been lucky because we haven't lost power at my house, but plenty of my friends are in the dark this evening. 

To be honest, I'm most worried about NY and NJ. I have been following the storm and the pictures that I have been seeing are crazy. Half the city is dark and underwater and the subways have flooded. I don't think things will be back to normal in that area of the east coast for a while. 

                                                                                   AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

Lower Manhattan

Anyway, I just wanted to check in. I know weather isn't something that I would normally write about on this blog, but it didn't seem right to let it pass and ignore an event this big. 

To everyone who has been experiencing Sandy in the last few days:

 Stay Safe!!!

Shop the Sales

My friends often ask me how I am able to shop as much as I do and still manage to pay all my bills. It's easy! I shop the sales.

Some people hate shopping sales because they find it frustrating to wait for items to be marked down and don't enjoy the task of going through large, unorganized racks. I feel the same way, but the deals  make it all worthwhile.

When looking to save money by shopping the sale racks, keep these things in mind:

1. Shop Often. Stores are constantly getting in new merchandise and they make room for it by marking down items and moving them to the sale section. By stopping by your favorite stores every couple of weeks, you increase your chances of getting a deal.
2. Ask the salesperson when they mark items down. All stores mark items down on certain days each week after they close the store. Find out what night they do it, and plan on shopping the next morning so you get the best selection.
3. Sign up for store emails to receive special discounts and sale notices. Stores often give special discounts and information on sales to customers on their email list. I must get more than 20 emails per day from stores with sales and discount information. If you hate all the clutter in your inbox, set up a special account just for store emails.
4. Many stores will offer special discounts online only and are often selling that same item in the store for full price. Online shopping can be difficult if you are unsure of your size. I fixed this problem by heading into my favorite stores and trying on a dress, shirt, sweater, blazer, and pair of jeans. I record the correct size in my phone so that if I want to buy something online, I have the right size written down.
5. If you don't love it, don't buy it. It's easy to get caught up in the thrill of a bargain and purchase items that you will never wear. Many sales are final sales, so make sure you will actually wear it before you head to the register.

My Favorite Stores to Shop Sales

Lord & Taylor

Lord and Taylor is not as well known as Bloomingdales or Nordstrom, but they are great for sales, especially clearance sales. They almost always have a clearance rack in each department that offers and additional discount on top of the lowest marked price. I am a huge fan of their own line of high end costume jewelry and they often feature pieces at 50% the retail price.

J. Crew

I love J. Crew and would happily buy out the entire store if I could. They always have a great sale selection and I love how they organize it all by color. I have found some great sweaters on sale, as well as hair accessories. 

Banana Republic

I always have great luck finding pants on sale at Banana. They have a fairly decent sized sale section and I often find that they give an extra 30% the lowest sale price. That is why it pays to get their emails. They always send an email out when the sale is on sale! 

Bloomingdales

My love of bloomies started when I was a kid and my grandmother would let me tag along on her shopping trips. Several times a year they have major clearance sales and you can find enormous clearance racks in every department. I have scored some great items from Theory, Tory Burch, and Gucci while shopping the sales here.

Happy Shopping !!!!!

Gilt Sample Sale

Yesterday, my sisters and I went to the annual Gilt Group sample sale here in Boston and it was quite the experience. I had gone once before and enjoyed the bargain hunting, so I was glad to have the opportunity to go again. 

The way Gilt organizes the sale is by selling tickets on the Gilt City Boston website for 4 different     shopping times to choose from. They had a special opening event on Friday for people hoping to get first dibs on the discounted merchandise. Unfortunately, I didn't buy my ticket quickly enough, and that event was sold out. But, I was able to get a ticket for the first group on Saturday morning, which is great because they reorganized everything from the night before, so when we went in, everything was all neat and tidy. Nothing is worse than sifting through clothes and shoes that have already been picked through.

So my sisters arrived at the Revere Hotel for the sale around 9:45, with the doors opening at 10am. The line to get in was already around the block, but the line moved very quickly once they opened the doors.

The line stretched around the block

They had a great selection of women and men's shoes, clothing, and accessories. They also had a few home and children's clothing items. It was fairly crowded but I have seen much worse. I did not witness any pushing or grabbing, and the whole thing was very civilized. 

All told, my sisters and I left with 3 pairs of boots (one from Delman!), a Chloe blouse, and a black sweater.  We did not buy too much, but we certainly found a lot to try on! I almost bought a great pair of Chloe sunglasses, but while in line to pay, I realized a small piece of the frame was missing on one side. I was kind of bummed, but I wasn't going to buy something that was already damaged, and can't be fixed. 

My sister's new boots

I love sample sales and I wish they would feature more of them here in Boston. I would definitely attend more if I could. 

Here are my tips for getting the most out of a sample sale:

• Get there as early as possible. Many sales are not as organized as Gilt and everyone shows up at once and they let in a few people at a time. It's better to get their early and get in as soon as possible in order to get the best selection.
• Dress for the sale. Some sales do not have dressing rooms to try on clothing and you have to try something right there on the sales floor. My uniform is leggings, a tank top, a loose sweater and a pair of slip-on shoes. If I need to try something on, I can just take off my sweater and shoes, and throw on the item over my tank and leggings. 
• Don't buy it if you don't really love it. Sample sales are final sales, and so many people buy things on impulse because their so cheap and you can end up with a bunch of things you will never wear. 
• Check the payment policy. Most sample sales have strict payment rules like credit cards only. Call ahead and find out what you can use to purchase your items.
• Leave the big purses and coats at home. Most sales do not allow you to bring in your coat and bag and you will be forced to wait in line to check it. If it's not too cold, I like to leave the coat at home and just bring my keys, form of payment, and phone in a small wristlet that I can carry around with me while I shop.

All of us in our slip-on shoes

If anyone knows of all sample sales that happen in Boston, please leave a comment. One sample sale a year is not enough for me!!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Fall Weekend Fun

Fall is definitely one of the best times of year here in New England and there is no shortage of fun weekend things to do. Here are some places to check out this weekend.

 Wilson Farm

Wilson Farm is a family run farm stand with locations in Lexington, MA and Litchfield, NH.  Most of the action can be found at it's Lexington location where during the fall season, in addition to their extensive array of produce, bakery items, and gourmet foods, they also feature:

Pumpkins

Cider Donuts 

Caramel Apples

Fall Decor

Free Haunted Hayrides

This is a great place to check out on a weekend afternoon where you can  gorge on hot coder donuts before taking a trip around the farm on the haunted hayride, and then finish up by stopping inside the stand to purchase some great fruit and veggies. Be sure to check out the prepared foods section too! They have a great selection and no one needs to know that you didn't make those mashed potatoes. The best part: It's only about 40 minutes outside of Boston, so all you city peeps who are looking for a day of fall fun that's close by, this is the place. 

Apple Picking

There are tons of great places in the New England area to go apple picking, but my favorite spot is Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, MA. There they allow you to pick your own apples and they have a variety to choose from including MacIntosh, Cortland, Empire, and Red Delicious.

They also feature barnyard animals you can pet (who doesn't like a cute bunny!), a variety of mazes for kids and adults, and hayrides. 

They also have an apple shop where you can stop in and choose from 25 differed varieties of apples, as well as cider, produce, apple pie, jams, jellies, and more. There is something for everyone here and it's definitely worth the trip. 

If you are interested in finding other placing to pick your own apples, check out this great feature from Boston.com.

Visit Salem, MA

Salem, MA is a mecca for fall fun in New England, especially during Halloween time, because of their historical ties to witches and the Salem Witch Trials. 

Because of this, during the month of October, there are no shortage of fun activities to check out in this north shore town. The even have a website devoted to all they have to offer during October called Haunted Happenings. This is a great resource to help plan your trip.

Some highlights include: 

The House of the Seven Gables 

The New England Pirate Museum

A special Halloween carnival

The Salem Witch Museum

There are so many different things to do here and you could certainly make a weekend out of it by staying in one of the local inn's or hotels.

 My top choice: The historic Hawthorne Hotel that is close to all the attractions and features two great restaurants. 

For more information on places to stay, click here. 

These are just a few of my favorite fall activities. What are some of your favorite places for Fall fun?

The Well Stocked Bar

Every since I got my first apartment in college I have been obsessed with having a home bar  set-up. Half of the appeal for me is the cute bar carts that you get to have in the living room. It's all very Mad Men, which I love. 

Even if you don't find yourself entertaining a lot, it's always nice to have a little of everything on hand so that if you have an unexpected guest, you can offer him or her something to drink. My drink of choice has always been either gin and ginger ale or champagne, and I'm not a big fan of much else, but I would hate to have my friends stop by and not have something to offer them. 

A plus to have a home bar set-up: When you get home after a long day at work, everything you need to make yourself a nice drink is ready and waiting. 

Below is a general list of the things you will need to stock your bar.

The Alcohol

Vodka, Grey Goose or Absolut

Gin, Tangueray or Bombay

Bourbon, Basil Hayden or Makers Mark

Rum, Mount Gay or Goslings

Tequila, Patron or Don Julio

Single Malt Scotch, Macallan or Glenlivet

Imported Beer, Heineken or Guinness

Domestic Beer, Harpoon or Sam Adams

 Liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream and Southern Comfort

Red Wine

White Wine

Champagne or Sparkling Wine

The Mixers

Red Vermouth

White Vermouth

Tonic Water

Soda Water

Bitters

Campari

Coke

Ginger Ale

The Garnishes

Lemons

Limes

Maraschino Cherries

Cocktail Onions

Green Olives

Mint

Cubed Ice

Sugar

Salt

The Tools

Jigger

Muddler

Bar Spoon

Shaker

Strainer
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Ice Bucket

The Glassware

The Highball

The Old Fashioned

The Wine Glass

The Cocktail Glass

The Champagne Glass

The Beer Glass

The Classic Recipes

Dark & Stormy

1. 2 ounces dark rum
2. 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice (optional)
3. Ice
4. 1 candied ginger slice
5. 3 ounces chilled ginger beer
6. 1 lime wheel
7. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the rum and lime juice and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled collins glass. Stir in the ginger beer. Skewer the ginger slice and lime wheel and garnish the cocktail

The Martini

1. Ice
2. 3 ounces gin
3. 1 ounce dry vermouth
4. 1 lemon twist, for garnish

Fill a pint glass with ice. Add the gin and vermouth and stir well. Strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe and garnish with the lemon twist.

Mojito

1. 8 mint leaves, plus 1 mint sprig for garnish
2. Ice
3. 2 ounces white rum
4. 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
5. 1 ounce Simple Syrup
6. 1/2 ounce chilled club soda
7. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves. Add ice and the rum, lime juice and Simple Syrup and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled tall glass, stir in the club soda and garnish with the mint sprig.

Champagne Cocktail

1. 1 sugar cube
2. Angostura bitters
3. Sparkling wine
4. Lemon twist for garnish
5. Put sugar cube in a Champagne glass. Lightly sprinkle the sugar cube with Angostura bitters and pour in enough sparkling wine to fill the glass. Garnish with a lemon twist before serving.

What are your favorite drink recipes? Are there any other home bar essential that I left off my list?

Thanks to FoodandWine.com for the great recipes. More can be found here.

All featured glasses can be found at Crate and Barrel

East Coast Girl in the Kitchen

Blythe's Blueberry Muffins

Self.com

I am a big fan of blueberry anything and I am always on the lookout for new recipes to try. I came across a story on Self.com that featured Gwyneth Paltrow's favorite recipes. 

One of them is her mother's blueberry muffin recipe and they looked so good I had to try it.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 2 eggs (preferably organic)
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tsp sugar, divided
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Directions

• 
  

1. Heat oven to 375°. 
   Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. 
   Whisk butter, eggs and milk in a bowl. 
   Combine flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt in another bowl. 
   Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredient; fold in blueberries. 
   Divide batter evenly among muffin cups; sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp sugar. 
   Bake until muffins are golden brown and a knife comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. 
   Serve warm.
   
   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   Nutrition Information
   
   
   232 calories per muffin, 10 g fat (6 g saturated), 33 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein
   
   These were pretty easy to make and they turned out delicious. I will definitely be making these again soon. I think next time I will try whole wheat flour to see how it affects the taste. Whole wheat flour is much better than white, but with some baked goods, the taste isn't nearly as good. I will make sure to post about it when I make them.
   
   

Rainy Day Style

Well, it's a rainy day in Boston, and if you are in school like me, that means spending a lot of time  outside walking around campus. 

Rainy weather can create a bit of a problem when it comes to picking out an outfit but five years of school (undergrad and grad) in New England has given me plenty of time to perfect my rainy weather style. Yes, that's right, you can still be stylish in the rain!

Footwear

The key is keeping your feet dry. Nothing is worse than walking around all day with wet feet. Rubber boots are the best option and there are plenty of styles and colors to choose from.

My picks:

Hunter Original rain boot $135.00

L.L. Bean rain boots $69.00

Outerwear

 As kids we all wore those rain coats covered in plastic that made noise whenever we moved (you know what i'm talking about!) but luckily, as adults, we can choose are own rain coats. I like the trench coat because it looks super polished but is still very functional as a rain coat. It's also a classic wardrobe piece that can be worn for years because it never goes out of style. Definitely worth the investment.

My picks:

Burberry Brit double breasted trench coat $895.00

DKNY Trench Coat with Belt $284.00

The Rest of the Outfit

The best pants for a rainy day are skinny pants or jeans because they tuck into the rain boots easily and create a smoother line. There is something about trying to get flared jeans into boots that looks so bulky and awkward.

You know that feeling when you are hot and cold all at the same time? I feel like all rainy days are like that. One minute the rain is making things muggy and sticky, the next it's cold and raw. This is wear layering comes in. I like to have a light sweater with another shirt underneath so that I can keep as warm or cool as I need.

The last thing you need to remember are socks. Rain boots are great for keeping your feet dry, but they don't keep your feet warm. I usually go for a pair of wool socks that my Mom knits for me but another option are "welly" socks. Hunter makes them in several colors and fabrics but I am sure you can find similar socks at other stores.

Hunter “Welly” Socks $35.00

OK, you are now dressed and ready to go out and face the rain. Don't forget your umbrella!