Recovery Soup

After a long and barely comfortable red eye flight back to the east coast, I knew that a good homemade soup would help us recover from our weary travels.  The soup of choice:  borscht.  A mixture of gold and ruby red beets,  this Russian favorite is perfect to cleanse the blood and regulate one's system.   Topping the soup with sour cream and fresh dill adds the right bit of freshness and lightness a winter day requires.  Take a look at the not so measured ingredients and remember to make it your own.  I sauté cubed beef and then deglaze the pan with red wine to give the broth depth and richness, but you can easily prepare this soup vegetarian style.

Ingredients- cubed beef, canola oil, red wine, onions, beets, celery, carrots, broth of choice, sour cream, dill, salt and pepper.

Brown cubed beef and remove, deglaze pan with red wine, sauté onions, add chopped beets and broth. Simmer and return beef to pot.  When beets are tender, blend the soup leaving a few beets whole.  Add salt and pepper, then top with sour cream and dill.  Enjoy!

If you ever have questions about my not so precise cooking techniques please do not hesitate in asking.

Clever and Stylish Storage

This is so cool.  Metro shelving completely decked out to be both functional and stylish.  It's a simple and effective way to create storage when actual closet space is limited or non-existent.  Check out how easy it is to put it all together:

above images: Decorati

Metro shelves are available at most hardware stores and Amazon.

The Land of Nod and Bed Bath & Beyond have lots of canvas totes' colors to match your particular scheme.

I love the geometric pattern on Denyse Schimdt's cranberry voile fabric.  Line the inside of the curtain in a soft botanical print for contrast.

Looking through fabric samples is one of my favorite things to do.  Quilt Home is a great web source for unique patterns and color combinations.  While searching for the red version I found some blue fabric that I loved just as well.  Take a peek at how this color storage story would look:

Who would have thought that being organized could be this stylish?

'Til Monday

This week's 'Til Monday is coming to you a bit late and from up in the air.  Last minute travel plans disrupted my schedule, but it's all good...  Off to sunnier horizons!

Hope you all had a wonderful week-end!

Spring's Must Have Necklace

If you’re like me, wearing actual "color" is often times intimidating.  This Italian designed necklace can bring the trendiest fashionista’s closet or even my safe, neutral toned wardrobe to Spring 2011 in a flash.   Available at Flock.

To see more of the 2011 spring color palette click here.

Let The Games Begin

During a recent visit to The Conran Shop I fell in love with this foosball table.   The high gloss white frame and stainless steel player poles make it perfect for just about any interior.  The players are hand painted in Spain and can be custom ordered to represent your favorite teams.  In my house the competition would be fierce between Brazil and Italy.

This stylish foosball table incited me to search for other high design game tables.  Take a look a few others and see my all time nostalgic favorite.   Above images: Cocoon Home Design

above images: Waylou

I grew up with a pinball machine in our basement and spent hours playing with it.  It was great entertainment for kids and adults alike.  Recently, I asked my dad is he remembered the year and make of it in hopes of finding the same one for my children.  Let's face it, and for me too,  I love a good pinball game!  There's something so satisfying about flipping those side buttons, seeing the lights and hearing the bells mimic one's excitement.

What are your favorite games?