How to Wear Gray

It is gray outside and I find I'm wearing a lot of gray.  Gray needs a punch of color. 

 I found this color chart for wearing gray from Trinny and Susannah of the BBC, What Not To Wear  tv show so I put together two outfits utilizing the chart. 

Gray and warm colors

1 Camel cable knit cowl jumper $46 dorothyperkins.com 

2 Helmut Lang / Cracked Stovepipe Pants $498  lagarconne.com

3 Suede flat riding boots $476 - theoutnet.com

4 Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Medium Tote  $198 - couture.zappos.com

5 Pearlised Wood Bangles $23 - missselfridge.com

6 Gris City Dior Nailpolish | AnOther | Lovesanothermag.com

Gray and cool colors

1  Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Crepe Sheath Dress $58 nordstrom.com
2 Midnight Runner Tights $18 anthropologie.com

3 Taylor hobo $995 tiffany.com

4 Nymph Net Necklace $30 anthropologie.com

5 Ivy & Moon Cardigan (Big Girls) $9.90 nordstrom.com

6 Bruno Magli  shoeblogs.com 

What do you think?  How do you wear gray?

Color Inspiration

Post-holiday color palette

pillow covers and vase Pottery Barn

antique silver tray and late-to-bloom amaryllis

Happy Monday

Flavor of the Week: Meyer Lemon

I'm a big fan of Meyer Lemons

These citrus beauties are available November through May

Thought to be a cross between a lemon and an orange, Meyer lemons are less acidic and sweeter that a than a regular lemon.  Meyer lemons have smooth, deep yellow skin and are very heavy with juice.  These lemons have a bit of a floral taste.  When substituting Meyer lemons in a recipe, use less sugar than called for.  


Try Meyer lemons:

• in salad dressings
• squirt juice on fish or vegetables
• use in baking
• make a Meyer lemon martini
• place slices of lemon under the skin of chicken before roasting
• use Meyer lemons in baked goods

I am so excited to share two recipes with you.  One is for potatoes and the other is for muffins.

Lemon Potatoes  Food Network

I made this recipe for Lemon Potatoes on Tuesday with roasted salmon.  Hubby loved them and told me he was thinking about them on the drive home from work on Wednesday.  How's that for a recommendation?  Prep time is about as long as it takes to peel the potatoes and then roast for 30 minutes.  They are crispy on the outside and creamy smooth inside.  They'd be fabulous for brunch and were perfect with fish.  You've got to try them

Lemon Potatoes

Slice 4 peeled potatoes into 1 1/2 inch rounds.  Toss in an ovenproof skillet with 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 4 oregano sprigs, and salt and pepper.  Add enough water to come halfway up the sides of the potatoes.  Cover, bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes.  Uncover and roast at 500 degrees F, 30 more minutes.  Serve.

Ricotta and lemon is the winning combination in these fluffy delicacies.  Click here for the Giada De Laurentis recipe called Nonna's Lemon Ricotta Biscuits.  Not a traditional biscuit, they are more of a cross between a muffin and a cupcake.  They are a wonderful treat with tea or coffee and would be great  for brunch.

Coping with Cold

Just how cold is it?  These colorful enamel outdoor thermometers will let you know.

Enamel Thermometers. $26

Solar Sipper for birds $19.95

Ice Dozer Mini Ice Scraper $11.95 for your car

Heated Car Seat Cushion $19.95

Heated Stair Mats $139.99

Colorful Organization

Probably one of the top New Year resolutions made each year is to become more organized.  I decided that the beginning of 2011 would be a good time to re-evaluate my record keeping.  I purchased some colorful office supplies to make the task more pleasurable.  Office Depot markets a line of otherwise mundane office products in vibrant hues and patterns.  Fuchsia rubber bands, teal paper clips, orange binder clips, and animal print magnets are just a few of the tempting options.  

What are your tricks for being organized?

Beef Barley Soup

What's better on a cold day than a hearty soup?

beef-barley soup

This soup couldn't be more simple to make.  Prep time is quick and then you just let it simmer for 2 hours.  You'll need to plan ahead to start preparation so it is ready when you want to eat it.  The whole grain goodness of barley is a plus in this soup.  It adds protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber.  

Make a pot soon.

Recipe          8 servings   274 cal/serving

2 lbs lean boneless beef chuck, cut into 3/4 inch peices

6 cups water

1 28oz can tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved

2 ribs celery, sliced

4 medium carrots, medium dice

1 large onion, medium dice

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon dried thyme, or to taste

2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup medium-grain barley

2 cups frozen cut green beans (9oz)  or mixed vegetables

Place beef, water and tomato liquid in Dutch oven or large pot.  Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.  Skim foam from top.  Add celery, onion, carrots, salt, thyme, pepper and barley; return to boil.  Cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer 2 hours or until meat is tender.  Add green bean (mixed vegetables) and tomatoes; simmer uncovered 30 minutes longer.  Serve.

Feel free to use vegetable that you like, perhaps some mushrooms.  Add some fresh herbs of your choice.   

A New Year and a New Begining

Holiday decorations are tucked away in boxes, the kitchen is purged of rich indulgences and memories are alive with photos of family and friends.  Time to carry through on those resolutions.  

I had to share this fun gift I received.  It's a revolving fountain and "light show" for our Bahamas pool.  I dropped lots of not-so-subtle hints that I really wanted it.  It doesn't look like much during the daylight but is lots of fun at night.

So now instead of this...

...I'm seeing this. 

 Actually the photo is deceiving because it is quite gray here.  Well, no worries, fewer distractions so that I'll get busy in the jewelry studio and come up with some new designs for Valentine's Day.  I'll have more time for the gym too.  Look for some new recipes in the next few days and the return of Flavor of the Week.  

Thanks for following Spiral Style.  I'm looking forward to 2011.  I love to read any and all comments.  It really helps me know what is working.  Have you made any resolutions?  What are you looking forward to in 2011?