Beautiful Life and Style

Tag Archives: Summer


by Leave a comment

Easy Entertaining: Bean Salad

Beans are a food group that remind a lot of people of silly childhood rhymes, but in my family, beans are the main ingredient of my mom’s signature potluck dish. (well, one of them at least) This is the one she goes to for summer barbeques and picnics- and its become such a staple, friends have specifically requested it by name on many occasions! It is also a favorite for how quick and easy it is to make! If you know how to use a can opener, then you should have no trouble with this one!

Bean Salad

What you need:

  • 1 can of black beans, navy beans (which are actually white), and pink beans
  • 1 bag/box of frozen peas
  • handful of chopped cilantro
  • 1 chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup each of balsamic vinegar, white vinegar, olive oil and safflower oil

Rinse the beans. Put all of the ingredients in a bowl. Stir to combine. Move to a prettier serving bowl.

Was that not the easiest thing ever? If you have time to let the flavors marinate in the fridge for a few hours it definitely adds to the flavor- but don’t stress if you don’t have the time! I hope you test it out for any upcoming end of summer parties!

Have a great weekend!

ps I’m sorry for the grainy quality of this photo- I had a lot of trouble with the flash reflecting off the oil.. anyone have any tips?


by 1 Comment

Seasonal Cookbooks

Summer is sadly winding down, but this means it’s harvest season- and the availability of fresh, local organic produce is growing everyday. It’s a great excuse to try a new recipe or use an ingredient you’ve never even seen before (sunchokes? what ARE those?) While I’m always up for making up recipes on the fly, sometimes its best to leave the creativity to the experts. Which is why an arsenal of quality cookbooks is SO important. In our family, cookbooks are treated like treasures, each one is a memory a shared meal, a holiday tradition. So I’ve amassed a collection here of some of my favorites. They all highlight seasonal recipes and a locavore approach to eating. Are there any of your favorites I”m missing?

 


by 1 Comment

Art Adventures on the Greenway

If there was one good thing to come out of the Big Dig in Boston, it was that all of the extra space once taken up by the elevated highways has now been turned into a beautiful park known as the Rose Kennedy Greenway. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, Nick and I took a trip there this past weekend to take in the new Os Gemeos Mural, and of course we also had time to enjoy the other public art installations. They are all definitely more subdue than the bold and colorful street art, but that doesn’t mean its not unique and creative! Here were a few of my favorites:

Boston has a great tradition of putting aside land for public parks. This started back in the 19th century with “the Emerald Necklace” and continues today in the creation of the greenway. Parks are so important for the city- they infuse the otherwise busy urban area with a healthy freshness for residents to enjoy- a health benefit. Parks also bring together so many different people from different backgrounds in the same place- an economic benefit. And of course they are filled with beautiful plantings and sculpture that inspire and educate its visitors- an artistic benefit. I hope we continue to fund and appreciate their importance. As a city dweller- the parks are so important for our sanity!


by 1 Comment

End of Summer Countdown

Can you believe there are only 2 more weeks until Labor Day?! I seriously make the worst kind of cringing face as I write this. I feel like yesterday was Memorial Day, I blinked and now all of a sudden the stores are full of sweaters and Back to School commercials started playing on TV…. I’m event starting to notice the change in the weather…. :( Summer is my favorite season so I am less than amused- there is still so much I want to do! Here is my quick list of things that MUST happen in the next two weeks!

1. Make Infused Vodka. There are so many fruits and veggies that only come around once a year- the smart kids know to preserve them for winter months, the geniuses know to make infused vodka:

2. Find the perfect Lobster Roll. I’ve been told Neptune Oyster is the gold standard, but then Island Creek Oyster just got named Best of Boston. In an ideal world- we’ll try both!

3. Spot a shark on the Cape. (from a safe distance thank you! I do NOT want to end up in a headline like this!)

4. Visit the Josiah Mcelheny Exhibit “Some pictures of the Infinite” at the ICA

5. Try Paddle-boarding. Nick has been begging me to do this and I’m starting to be very intrigued- there are a few places to do it on the Charles River although I’m worried about falling in the water! Would much prefer waters like these:

6. Get a perfect tan- although, I’ve been trying this for years and I STILL can’t get one- too white and pasty. Maybe its because I need this ridiculous swan float to lounge on? Yes. I think that’s definitely it.

7. Have a beach bonfire party. There is this amazing beach on the Cape with perfect west facing views- every time we go there is at least one family setting up a bonfire with a corresponding amazing spread of food and I am determined to make it happen ourselves!

As you can see, most are food related, so they shouldn’t be too hard to accomplish – right? I better get going (read: eating)!

What are on your end of summer lists? Anything I’m missing???

Sources: 1//2//3//4//5//6//7


by 1 Comment

Apparent Sour

Have you ever had Aperol? Its my new favorite alcohol- oranges + rhubarb and spices- its like drinking summer in a tall glass. It’s simple on its own, or topped off with champagne to make an Aperol Spritz- but I also love this recipe with my other favorite liqueur St. Germain. I’m also loving these bright summery glasses and coasters from Jonathan Adler. Test it out and tell me its not your new favorite for now through Labor Day!

Apparent Sour

.

3oz Aperol

1.5oz St. Germain

Juice of one lime

Shake with ice

Serve

Bobby Heugel, Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston

.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 198 other followers