Artist Addiction: Lulie Wallace

 I came across this artist, Lulie Wallace, out of Charleston, SC and I just love her work!

The colors are so fun, and her unique style of painting everyday flowers with all of the textures is great. 

She does commissioned paintings, her most popular are of wedding bouquets, i love that idea!

To see more of Lulie's work, her blog or to order a painting, check out her Web site.

-Whitney

Cute Cacti

I mean could these crocheted cactus get any cuter? They would be perfect for a Cinco de Mayo Party or even just for everyday entertaining.  No watering is required so what a great gift for a friend who lacks a certain green thumb. 

Crocheted Cactus Amigurumi Plant by Lazymuse $15

and just when you thought you were at capacity with cuteness...

Conch Sea Shell Crochet Ornament $29

Citrus Grilled Salmon

Ingredients

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 cloves of minced garlic

1 Tbsp minced ginger

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp mustard seed

salt and pepper to taste

4- 6 oz salmon fillets

3 Tbsp diced green onions 

Mix together orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, mustard and mustard seed in a glass baking dish.

Add the salmon and cover. Refrigerate for 1-4 hours, turning salmon once or twice if not fully covered in the marinade.

Heat grill to medium high heat, and spray the grate with cooking spray (we use Pam spray for Grilling). Cook salmon about 5 minutes per side. 

If you want some sauce to pour over your salmon, you can use the marinade that you used before cooking, but you need to bring it to a boil in a saucepan (you must do this if you want to reuse the sauce, because it has had raw fish in it). Garnish with green onions and serve. 

NASCAR Newbie

This weekend was my first NASCAR experience at the Kansas Speedway for the STP 400 race. Man was it an experience unlike any sporting event I had ever been to. Before the race we were able to walk down in the middle of the track, and look at some of the cars being weighed; we went through the Victory Lane where the winners are awarded; and we got to watch all of the racers be announced on stage.  

The race itself was louder and faster than I had imagined. Ear plugs/headphones were a must, and unfortunately it was difficult for us to even talk to each other with them in. Despite the windy and chilly weather that we were not dressed appropriately for, it was a fun day at the race!

 Here are some pics from our day at the Kansas Speedway

-Whitney

Pork Piccata

The word Piccata is usually connected with chicken but the lemon, butter and caper flavor works really well with pork also.  Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite proteins so when I came across this figure-friendly version I couldn't resist. 

Ingredients :

3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 pound uncooked lean pork tenderloin, cut into thin slices

2 teaspoon olive oil

3/4 cup canned chicken broth, reduced sodium

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons cornstarch

2 teaspoon salted butter

1 Tablespoon capers, drained

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper.  Sprinkle over both sides of pork, shaking off excess.

2. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add pork (can be done in 2 batches) and cook until just cooked through and golden, about 1 1/2 minutes per side, set aside on a serving plate and cover to keep warm. 

3. Whisk together broth, lemon juice, cornstarch, salt and pepper until blended.  Pour into same skillet and combine with pan drippings ; simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat and stir in butter until melted.  Stir in capers and spoon over pork. 

Enjoy!

-Megan

Funny Four Twenty

Leave it to Jonathan Adler , totally glamming up 420. 

Hemp, Mary Jane, Hashish, Dope and Ganja who knew they could look so cute!

Dope, Vice $128

Ganja, Vice (also available in black) $98

Hashish Candle $68

Happy Holi-daze.

-Megan 

Artist Addiction: Nancy Ramirez

Can't get enough of Nancy Ramirez's colorful art! Here are some of my favorites:

Nancy runs COZAMIA, an art print shop, where you can look at her collection of work, and purchase them as well (they are very reasonable). She also has a blog full of her work,  interior decor and inspiration.