Hodgepodge

It was a beautiful weekend here - very hot and sunny days, but it is getting dark very early now and it is chilly at night. I'm a little sad because I'm one of the only people who likes spring/late winter better than fall. It's not that there is anything wrong with fall, but I love days that get longer and the promise of summer, not the gathering gloom of winter. Enough gloom though, because there are a few things that I am loving right now.

Hula Girl Sugar is delicious on my morning coffee. I love the strong vanilla flavor! It may have been a touristy gimmick that drew my eye toward it in the gift shop, but I'm a convert. No matter how surly my company is in the morning, I can close my eyes as I drink this and pretend I am back on Maui. My surly company loves a little of this sugar sprinkled over greek yogurt with frozen blueberries :)

My morning routine is pretty minimal these days - wash my face, lots of sunscreen, a little concealer and blush as needed, and then a little something pretty :) This is the perfect sheer candy apple color. I could use a few other instant pretty things - any recommendations?

Mcintosh apples are my favorites. Their crispy sweet tart flavor is simply the best in my book for cooking and eating. I will dice one up and toss with cinnamon and sugar, then bake in the oven for 15 minutes at about 350. This beautiful image is courtesy of New York Apple Association© New York Apple Association

I like to try one new recipe every week. It is fun for me to expand the repertoire, and I think it makes life more interesting for the other folks in our house when we have different things to eat. So, in the spirit of fall, I'm going to try this recipe, courtesy of Smitten Kitchen. Sounds delicious!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Fall Wishlist

We really did not have much of a summer in Los Angeles this year. So, it could be that September and October are hellishly hot, and I keep wearing summer clothing for the next few weeks. However, the fog rolled in last night, and it hasn't lifted. Baby K and I baked some raspberry coffee cake and enjoyed pizza for dinner. Fall is on the way.



Now that I have a toddler, I'm looking for comfy clothing that allows me to chase her around outside and inside, but that isn't just lululemon pants and hoodies. Don't get me wrong, if you run into me out and about doing errands, that is what I'm wearing most of the time, but I want a look for fall that is a little more together.



I have finally embraced the leggings and tunic trend, so here are some of my favorites:



Jcrew tunic - for a warm day at the park and farmer's market

A slightly more stylish tee for kicking back with jeans and boots during the day, and maybe cute enough for dinner with friends later.

I am obsessed with cable knit sweaters. I tried one on at Free People that had such potential, but it was the least flattering thing ever on. This one from Bloomingdales looks like it would be sleek and slimming, but still comfy and easy to move around in.

I'll have to do a separate post for Miss K. It's a little hard for me to find the traditional, smocked dresses that I like for her out here, but I think I've found some good contenders for fall.

projects

I feel that I'd be a lot more organized if I had a label maker. It's a round the clock clutter purge around here. I'm getting rid of stuff that I should have thrown away years ago, and starting to look at our place in a whole new light. I'd love to ask you how you all stay organized, and what your secrets are for purging your closets, kitchen and other places of all that clutter!

We had friends over for a big meal of spaghetti, salad and brownies on Saturday - it was great to catch up and enjoy some quality time. With this gloomy economy, and how much fun it is, I'm going to start having people over for dinner more often. This big Juliska platter caught my eye! Can't you just imagine it filled with pot roast or spaghetti and meatballs?

Grey. I am thinking about getting our living room and dining room repainted, and grey is my top color. I'm thinking a very pale, silvery blue grey. Any thoughts?

Things Sleepy Newish Parents Like

The last few weeks have had everyone a little under the weather here at Chez Icing. As a result, we've had to revisit sleep training. Unfortunately, K is sleep training mum and dad by being very angry every night between about 3 and 5. Tonight is the fourth night of sleep re-education, and we are really hoping it's the night we turn the corner. In the meantime, here are some of my likes for these sleepy January days:
Plum jam. SO good. And, it's made by monks!

This loft home office done by Kenneth Brown. Isn't it beautiful? I just need to figure out how to get something like that in our loft.

J. Crew's extra 30 percent off their final sale. My last winter coat was purchased in 2000 and had put in many years of noble service, but it was time for something new. I love this color.

This is a fantastic book about feeding babies. As we venture into the world of solids, I find it very useful.

Cross your fingers that tonight is the night where waking up with a wet diaper is just a prelude to more sleep - not an hour of fussing!

If it isn't, this little machine and frother have been life savers! The coffee is phenomenal, and the frother is great as well. Highly recommended. The coffee comes in the cutest little tubs, and the shipping is incredibly fast.

The Best Marinade In The World (I am not joking about this)

I found this recipe in a Glamour magazine (don't laugh). It is hands down one of the easiest and most delicious ways to spice up chicken breasts, and if you marinate a flank steak, I guarantee you'll have a main course fancy enough for company!

Marinade Ingredients

4 cloves minced garlic
1 TBS minced ginger - if I don't have a ginger root - I throw in a little powdered ginger
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. sugar
2 TBS freshly squeezed lime juice (I tend to use a little more - about two whole limes squeezed)
1 TBS roasted sesame oil (I substitute regular olive oil if I'm out)
4 grinds fresh pepper
(Lately I've been adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little extra heat too)

1 flank steak (approximately 1 lb to serve four)

Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl and then add steak/chicken. If you're using a steak, I'd opt to marinate overnight for maximum flavor and then grill to your liking (we tend to go medium rare). If you're using chicken, I like to use the breasts with the skin and the ribs for grilling, and you can make this marinade the day you're going to cook.

I've served this so many different times and everyone always loves it. I like it with a big green salad with goat cheese, pecans and cranberries with vinagrette (aka my "pregnancy salad") and with mashed potatoes in the winter or rice in the summer. It's really delicious with a pinot noir or a syrah - but it is also good with rose/pink champagne.

New Mama Favorites

Hi there! It's finally summer here in LA - and I'm recovering from some sort of weird 24 hour fever. I thought being sick and pregnant was bad, but being sick with a newborn wins hands down. Baby K is in her swing, and I'm posting and on the mend.

I finally made it to see "The Hangover" this weekend and it was hilarious! We were able to sneak out thanks to some kind babysitters for a matinee.

Baby K is getting so big and so alert - she's turning into a real little person now.

I used to love getting facials every few months, but I'm thinking I don't have time to do that anymore :). Here's my solution. Bliss Steep Clean mask is perfect. It is gentle enough so that you aren't red and raw after using, but gets deep enough to really get the glow and make you feel like you've had a pretty serious cleaning. With all the dirt in the air now that it's hot, I think a more thorough cleaning is in order and this fits the bill!

The Joe's socialite jean - my answer to skinny. I don't do skinny jeans (I have really big feet and I think they emphasize my size 10's :). These are pretty much straight - and so comfy and flattering. I'm thrilled that they fit me again! They are also fantastically soft and stretchy!

Japanese Weekend - so soft, so comfy, and so easy to nurse in. This top I have in blue, and it's perfect. I use a nursing apron too (I'm a huge prude), but these tops make it really easy for first time moms to discretely feed babies and then get dressed again.

Ahem - PSA about skin cancer and the sun. My obstetrician recommended going to the dermatologist after Baby K was born, because pregnancy can trigger changes in your skin which may be precancerous. (You should go to the dermatologist every year for a skin cancer evaluation anyway - Icing loves you and doesn't want you to get melanoma:). Here's what I'm wearing on my face and arms this summer. It's fantastic. So light, oil free and doesn't drip in your eyes even on a long walk. Please be sun safe and careful out there!

So now, it's almost time for the 4th of July. I'm thinking that Baby K and I may just need to go up to Malibu during this week for a little adventure at the beach before it gets too crowded. What are you all up to?

Things The Newly Non-Pregnant Like

Baby K has the lung capacity and volume of a full-grown hyena. (We also have hardwood floors through the house, which may explain why she's so resonant). However, even when she's shrieking like a banshee and flailing her tiny and adorable limbs, the swaddleme blanket keeps her wrapped down and cozy, so she can eventually fall asleep. Yes, it does look like a tiny strait jacket (Nana Icing kept calling it a strait jacket), but it works. I will be buying this as a practical baby present along with fun stuff for friends from here on out. (In fact, this post was brought to you courtesy of the swaddleme!)

Eclat du Jour is another favorite magical product. My makeup routine these days is sunscreen, tinted moisturizer and concealer with a little lipgloss and blush thrown in on the side. Some days though, that's a bit too much. So, that's where Eclat du Jour comes in. You pat a little dollop of this peachy cream on your face, and you are magically glowing and rosy, not haggard and shrew like. Plus, it has that nice "European" floral but not sweet smell (I can't describe it, but I LOVE it). I bought a bunch the last time I was in the duty free shop in the Paris airport, but I think it's wonderful enough to justify retail in the US too. BTW, it also works as a primer under foundation if you're more together than I am these days. :)

(Since I'm not pregnant anymore, I figured I needed to update the title of my likes and dislikes posts - it isn't quite as catchy as the previous version, but it is more accurate.)

Things I Am Learning

I'm still here, and in the trenches of figuring out Baby K. We've had a few bad nights, but thanks to Nana Icing, I'm able to nap during the day, which is wonderful. Here is a top ten list of the last few days:

1. Cloth diapers are great to use as burp cloths and to line the changing table pad, the car seat, and pretty much anything else that Baby K may mess up - thus limiting washing to easy little cloths, not taking apart the car seat.

2. Setting up a changing station upstairs (our bedrooms are downstairs) has saved me so much time during the day. I keep a little canvas basket with diapers, wipes, Desitin and cloth diapers by an old towel laid out on a window seat. It is a life saver.

3. The Boppy. I had no idea I could love a pillow this much - but I do. I'm buying another one to leave downstairs. It really helps with nursing!

4. Leftovers/Food Gifts. We are blessed to have friends who make delicious food for us! This week I have not cooked at all, other than to reheat in the microwave! It is fantastic. We are able to eat nutritiously without a major expenditure of time! Today we got a most delightful surprise; a messenger arrived with a dozen Sprinkles cupcakes for us from a dear friend. How fun is that? I'll try not to eat them all!

5. Nursing clothing - great idea. I highly recommend Japanese Weekend - their tops are really cute and comfy! The nursing pjs are going to be one of my top picks for gifts to new mums!

6. Getting confirmation from Pottery Barn Kids that our glider has shipped! FINALLY! I'm really sick of nursing on a little stool in the nursery!

7. TIVO/DVR. Wonderful for those late night feedings, or when I'm trying to rock Baby K to sleep. I'm now caught up on all my episodes of Barefoot Countessa and Everyday Italian. CSI too!

8. My stroller. The Chameleon has been perfect for our daily walks around the neighborhood - and the bassinet has plenty of room for Baby K and some groceries/errands/letters. Plus, it is bright pink, so all the maniacal Westside drivers will hopefully see it before running us down!

9. Nana Icing - she lets me sleep in and take naps. She has been there done that for every possible childhood crisis, and keeps a cool head. And, she has magical powers over fussy babies.

10. Showers. I've been setting a goal of taking a shower every day. It feels so good to be nice and clean - even if my hair isn't blown out. I should also thank Nana for allowing me to do this!

I'm still trying to read all your lovely blogs, but tend to do it in the middle of the night, so I'm not commenting as much as before. I'll be back full force once we get some sort of schedule underway that is more than just feeding Baby K every 2.5-3 hours :)

Things Pregnant People Love When It's Really Hot!

It is still rather disgustingly hot here. And, though today is the "due day" I think Baby Icing is too overcome with heat to even think of coming out until it cools off. So, we are lying low, watching Food Network and doing a little cleaning. I'm scheduled for an induction next Monday if she doesn't come out on her own...but I sure would like her to show up on the early side of that!

This morning an appraiser came over to evaluate our townhouse so that if/when Baby Icing starts getting into trouble with all our wide open spaces and dangerous stairs, we can be ready to put this on the market. I think I'm a little hormonal, because even thinking about moving makes me weepy.

So as not to completely waste the day, I did drag myself back to Trader Joe's for more sorbets and other cool foods. I have to say, I'm in love with Double Rainbow - their chocolate and raspberry sorbets are to die for! TJ's makes a pretty good mango sorbet too. Plus, that parking lot in Westwood is so nice and easy during the week - how could I not take advantage of it.


And, I want to do a plug for the hardest-working maternity dress on the block - my short sleeve black wrap from Isabella Oliver. I don't have a lot of summery maternity stuff, because it generally doesn't get hot around here till later, and often April and May are quite cool and cloudy. That is obviously not the case this week, and this black dress is flattering and cool. I have a black summer dress from Old Navy that literally looks like a hospital gown or a sack, but I won't wear that if people have to see me, because it looks like I'm carrying at least four toddlers!

So, that's all the news from the home front. The cats are camped out on the tile floors downstairs, and I'm looking forward to the heatwave breaking so that I can go out for a little walk or something soon! If you would send "baby hurry up vibes" I certainly would appreciate it - as you can imagine, I'm getting really curious and can't wait to meet her!

Things Pregnant People Like When They Are About To Pop

Hi there friends - I'm still pregnant, and here are some of my new passions as I celebrate a week of resting at home. I have to say, I'm feeling better at 38.5 weeks not working than I did at 36.5 weeks when I was still trekking to the office every day!

1. Annick Goutal L'Eau D'Hadrien - it is the lightest and most citrusy scent - I'm using the soap in the shower, and may need to pick up the eau de parfum for this summer. Delicious and not sweet at all!


2. Grapefruit - I guess there's sort of a citrus thing going on right now for me, but it's one of my favorite snacks these days - so sweet and refreshing!

3. For Easter Brunch, what could be tastier for dessert than Boston Cream Pie? I hope I can make one, or find a good recipe - I love the custard filling!

4. This pretty top from Pea in the Pod (I think it's on sale now). It's perfectly springy, and it still fits me now. I think it will come in useful after Baby Icing arrives as well.

5. My maternity 7s. I bought them at about 15 weeks, and am still wearing them at 38 plus weeks. I strongly urge the potential preggos out there - buy a really nice pair of jeans that are really comfy...because if you work in an office, you probably only need one pair, and it's so worth it to have a pair that are flattering and comfortable!

Today I met a friend at Babies R Us and got a bunch of last minute necessities, and then headed up to the valley to have lunch with another friend and her beautiful baby boy. She looks gorgeous, and so does he! Now I'm lounging on the couch with big kitty and trying to work up the energy to do some pregnancy yoga. It really helps with my back pain, and it seems to really entertain my cats - I'm not the most graceful practitioner at the moment :)

Tomorrow, I have my weekly doctor's appointment, and need to get my nails done. I also need to start preparing for Easter brunch and that involves giving the silver a very good polish. Any suggestions for a good movie to watch while polishing and ironing?

Reads

People keep telling me that I'll never have time to read a book again once Baby Icing arrives. I understand they are trying to prepare me, but really - never again? I remember my mum reading while we played at the beach or at the park...but I digress. In the event that I won't read anything other than Goodnight Moon for the next 5 years (I can see how you wouldn't do a lot of reading with pre-elementary school children)...here are some books that I've been enjoying recently. I've included the Domino decorating book, because it's mostly pictures, but there are a lot of inspirational home decor and organizational ideas in there!

The above book by Norman Mailer was fantastically long, so I read it over a month about a chapter each night. If you liked In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, this will be similarly appealing, because it's another true crime book. However, it is incredibly well written as it explains the psychology of a murderer, along with the impact that his actions have on his entire community. It's riveting.

Julie and Julia was HILARIOUS. I grew up watching Julia Child on t.v. while my mum made dinner (or just watched). I own Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and highly recommend it as a great book for learning about French cooking techniques. Plus, she's sort of the Paula Deen of French food - and is LAVISH with the butter. But, Julie tries to cook the entire oeuvre in a year, in a tiny New York kitchen. She has such a great sense of humor and it's hysterical.

My all time favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. I love it and reread it every year. I'll even curl up with it more frequently when I'm having a bad day. A pot of tea, a few biscotti and P & P can fix pretty much any mood. Not to mention, it's pretty funny for being about 200 years old!

This is a sad book...I'm too hormonal and pregnant to read it right now, because it deals with illness and death among family members. It is beautifully written, and I'm looking forward to finishing it when I'm feeling like myself again.

So, have you read anything good lately? Any funny chick lit? I'm a big Marian Keyes fan, but I'm saving a couple of her books for my last month when I'm stuck at home with nothing to do.

Even More Things Pregnant People Like

Here are some goodies I got (hopefully the LAST order of maternity clothing, other than stuff for the home stretch when I am lying on the couch like a beached whale). Gap Maternity makes the most lovely and soft long sleeved tee shirts - I got this in yellow and lilac, and highly recommend it.



Babies need lots of calcium, and so do pregnant mamas. That said, I don't really like all sorts of yogurt. This Greek yogurt is thick, delicious and creamy. It's plain, so you can add your own frozen fruit or honey. It also has a lot of protein. I love it, and will even brave the dreaded Trader Joe's parking lot to pick it up. I think most Whole Foods carry it too - I've never seen a Trader Joe's in any city with decent parking!

This cotton and wool blend dress from Gap Maternity. Super comfy, and really cute for work. I'd even wear it on date night or out to brunch with friends. And, right now it is on sale for $24.00. Recommended!

I've only bought one pair of maternity jeans. These Seven for All Mankind from A Pea in the Pod. They are a nice dark wash, flattering, and incredibly comfy to wear. I bought them at about week 14, and didn't really wear them until week 20/21, but have been wearing them all weekend every weekend since! I did buy two sizes up, so they have been a little big and droopy. That said, I think I'll be able to wear them to the bitter end and probably afterwards! They are on sale right now, so you might want to pick up a pair.

Happy Things

Today was a pretty good day. I had a good ruling on a matter, and actually got a decent amount of work done. In that spirit, here are a few of my favorite things:

1. Florence - DH and I got engaged here - almost 5 years ago! I can't wait to go back, maybe for our fifth wedding anniversary?


2. This adorable little cat paperweight from the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Wouldn't it look cute on a desk?

3. The new show - Homeland Security USA. I'm a true crime TV junkie (I get sucked into the marathon 48 Hours), and this has that happy mix of crime and reality.

Public Service Announcement

When I studied abroad in Paris, I lived with the loveliest host family. My French mama even came to my wedding (French Papa does exciting/stressful work as a chemist for the Paris Fire Dept figuring out how fires started/anti terrorism stuff, so he could not get leave). Living in Paris, after a smokey Saturday night at the bars, I would wake up on Sunday morning to find a little paper bag of a plain croissant and a pain au chocolat sitting on a pretty plate, with my place setting left out. It always brightened my morning, and I especially liked eating them at home.

Although there are great bakeries in LA that make decent croissants (Amandine and Susina come to mind), I have a weakness for croissants in my own house. And, that's where Trader Joe's comes in. They make a little box in their freezer section of frozen pain au chocolat. You simply place the little pains on a tray, leave out overnight to defrost and rise, then pop in the oven to bake. Williams Sonoma does the same thing on a larger scale, but 12 croissants is a big commitment, whereas 4 is perfect for this little family! I feel less wasteful if two or one get stale, though they do make a delicious bread pudding. Check them out. I'm posting this because I woke up at 6:30 for no good reason, enjoyed an illicit cup of coffee, and am now thinking about how nice a croissant would be as I work on the nursery ideas!

Again With The Things Pregnant People Like

I am a chocoholic. It runs in my mother's family, as all of my Nana's five children, and all the grandchildren (regardless of the other families we marry into) LOVE Chocolate. And, for me, it's the darker the better. This is my favorite. You can buy it at Trader Joe's, and it is great for everything - baking in brownies, eating on its own, or crushing and sprinkling over vanilla ice cream. I hope Baby will like chocolate, and considering how much I enjoy it right now, I think the odds are good :). I've even got my husband liking it much more these days! I don't think I can justify it as a pregnancy craving, because I've always loved it. One of my favorite snacks as a little girl was "chochit bits" (chocolate bits).

Woolly socks with my tall boots. I feel like my cat in the above picture in non-maternity tights these days, but I haven't found any maternity tights that work. So, it's been the tall boots and wool socks for these last few chilly days. Any recommendations on maternity tights? It doesn't get too cold in LA, but a girl needs something! Despite being from Boston, I run cold year round, and I really need some! (and this was a way to gratuitously show again one of my kitties).

I LOVE this salad. Please don't ask me why, it's not fancy, and it's not difficult, but it's the perfect mix of salty, sweet, savory and what ever flavor lettuce is. I dump salad from the bag with dried sweetened cranberries, roasted pecans, goat cheese (or whatever sort of cheese is around, but I'm really into the goat cheese) and then add a home made vinaigrette made with really nice olive oil. Honestly, I wasn't a huge salad person outside of summer prior to pregnancy. Now, I think they taste so good

My belly is getting bigger, but my interest in purses is definitely tending toward the small. Why is this? And, I'm obsessed with teal. I love teal accents with a black dress. Sigh.

Brrrr

All of a sudden, there is a chill in the air. When I stepped out of the office tonight, it smelled like smokey leaves and winter coming. So, here are my favorite things for the cold weather:

1. Mariebelle Dark Aztec Hot Chocolate. This is the closest that I've come to Angelina-style chocolate in the US. Be warned, it is very rich! I just make an espresso cup and it is PERFECT.

2. My new tall boots. A tiny wedge heel keeps them comfy for walking all day, while the caramel color is perfect with my fall clothing.

3. My Lily Mcneal kimono sweater. Perfect for padding around in the morning with my oatmeal, or as a light jacket.