Recipe Review: Bon Appetit's Lemon Oregano Aioli

I love to cook but I really only get the chance to take on new recipes on the weekends. With my husband away on business tonight, it gave me the perfect chance to whip up something I've had my eye on for a few days.

Bon Appetit's June issue has an amazing feature on mix-and-match summer entertaining menus. It's full of great ideas but the one I wanted to test first was the Roasted Asparagus and Baby Artichokes with Lemon-Oregano Aioli. (I opted to nix the asparagus.)

Aioli is a creamy, garlicky mayonnaise and one of my favorite dips. I love how this recipe added fresh oregano and lemon juice into the mix. Somehow cooking with fresh ingredients just makes everything taste better and brighter and this one certainly did.

If you try this recipe, and I highly recommend you do so for your next summer dinner party or girls lunch, I would cut back to maybe 3/4 cup of mayo instead of just one. This had a little too much mayo for me. And be sure to taste it as you whisk the aioli, you may want more lemon juice, salt, pepper, etc. And finally, you must use fresh oregano...dried just won't do here!

Click here for the full recipe...enjoy!

In the Garden

If you're looking for a fun and easy way to spruce up your yard, think gardening.

For my May column in LI Pulse, I spoke with celebrity Hamptons designer Kenny Davis (who designed the apartment Paris Hilton lived in while filming Paris Hilton’s My New BFF) about how to make the most of your home by creating a "garden room." I loved his idea of setting up something as simple has bench and gorgeous flowers to create a peaceful retreat.

Kenny also spent a lot of time talking about making the most of where you live and for us, that means Long Island. Hydrangeas are one of his favorite flowers, and mine too....plus, they grow well here.

My interview with him inspired me to plant a trio of colorful hydrangea bushes in our yard next to the boring shed we have) So about a month ago my hubby and I got to it...digging up grass and planting three bushes. Look how they started out in April...

Now they are really growing nicely, even with the rocky, sandy dirt we have going on here on Long Island (oops, gotta get those weeds back there!):

We're hoping to add some flowers in between for a little extra color until the bushes bloom this summer...oh, and yes, we will be getting rid of the bricks too...I'm thinking of swapping them out for a short white fence like this. But for now, we're using them to keep critters away

How about you? Do you enjoy gardening? What were or are your summer projects?

They Say it's Your Birthday....

Hooray! My birthday weekend is finally here. Since the big day is on a boring Monday this year, I have decided to celebrate all weekend long :) I'll be popping in with updates, but for now, here is how I have celebrated so far:

Thursday evening...yes, weekends can start on Thursdays! A fantastic mani-pedi...the foot massage was heaven as is the pretty new color on my fingers and toes: Splash of Grenadine by Essie. I highly recommend it!

Friday yielded a quick trip into NYC this afternoon. A quick stop at Tom Colicchio's 'wichcraft for a decadent hazelnut iced latte and peanut butter cream 'wich (yum!).

Then I was off for some fun trying on makeup at Sephora. I even purchased a delicious new perfume (Vanilla Coconut, anyone?)

and a fab new Nars lip gloss - the new Coup de Cour, which will go great with a tan this summer.

Well, back at home now, the hubby and I are kicking back, gearing up for a fun filled weekend of relaxation, good food, good friends and good wine...oh, and for me...I'm hoping for some fun b-day presents! :)

happy weekend everyone!

NY Gift Show Preview!

I am so excited to be attending the NY International Gift Fair on Sunday! Held twice a year at the Javits Center in NYC, this show is THE place to be for trend-spotting in everything from home, design, accessories, general gifts, tabletop and so much more!

I'll be posting all about it next week, so be sure to check back here Monday! Until then here is a glimpse of my favorite booths that I'll be visiting! Have a great weekend!

Kim Seybert Tabletop: Her placemats, napkin rings and other accessories are like little jewels for your next dinner party. So on-trend, so fabulous!

Roost. Amazing home accesssories. Walking through their booth is like walking through the coolest, hippest, prop house...everything has a rustic spin - it is one of my favorites.

Company C Rugs. I'm really excited to see the new colorful, amazing designs they'll have to offer. Their rugs are high-quality, handcrafted and gorgeous.

Two's Company. Think of the coolest, most on-trend goods from your favorite shops, boutiques and online stores and it is probably manufactured by Two's Company. Their booth is an amazing journey to walk through and it's always packed. I can't wait to see this little guy in person! This photo is from their "Le Soilel" look. Love.

All photos via nyigf.com

Paper Splurge

I definitely had the online shopping bug this weekend! To curb my spending, I limited my purchases to a few small treats from Paper Source. They're colorful, fun, useful and I know they'll make me happy when the arrive!

Fuschia Business Cards and Gold Baby Envelopes (above): I love the new fuschia color they're using! Especially paired with these gold envelopes. They'll be so fun to play with.


I also decided I needed new correspondence cards. I picked up a pack of the strawberry A4 size notecards with coordinating poppy envelopes. And then I HAD to get these adorable poppy and strawberry labels (below) to match. So fun!


Did you treat yourself this weekend? What did you buy?

Afterglow...

This is how the sky looks outside my window right now...a cool combination of purples and pinks. It's right before sunset and this was the "afterglow" after yet another torrential rainstorm here in NY...sunshine, where are you?

Happy Friday, everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Inspiration Files

I'm thinking of starting a new "column" every Friday...Friday Inspiration Files. Just a round-up of images, ideas, links and/or other goodies from my files to carry us all into the weekend!

First up...gorgeous shoes from an old Nordstrom catalog that I adore...



...fluffy coconut cupcakes (sorry I don't remember where this clip was from)...



and this exotic tablescape from the Real Simple web site. I love the floating orchids and candlelight...

Happy Weekend!!