Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

While I was out of the city for Easter I had the most delicious appetizer on Easter Sunday and finally tried replicating the recipe on my own. These goat cheese stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto with basil are bite-size, mouth-watering and so easy to make.

Ingredients:

Pitted Dates

Goat Cheese

Prosicutto

Basil Leaves

Cut the dates in half and stuff with goat cheese

Cut the basil leaves in small thin pieces and lay on top of the goat cheese

Wrap in prosciutto and you are all done! These crowd pleasing appetizers are so quick and simple, yet addicting. Perfect for any summer BBQ or dinner party!

Happy {Trellis} Friday!

Happy Friday friends! I am currently posting from jury duty and apologize for the lack of posts this week. I am also moving to a new apartment next weekend so it has been a bit of a whirlwind. I hope to be posting more regularly soon!

Since I got a new phone case a few months ago with a trellis print background I have been noticing the print everywhere. From furniture to wallpaper and in a variety of colors, the trellis print brings character to any room. Here are some favorite pictures in bright colors. TGIF and lets hope that I get dismissed from jury duty early today!

Blue Hue

When I was back in Charlottesville a few weekends ago I made all my favorite stops including Scarpa, my go to boutique for shoes and bags. I had been in the market for a new tote that I could use for work as well as on the weekends that was light and held a fair amount. I had looked at some Tod's bags but did not find anything that seemed like the perfect fit. 

I was browsing Scarpa's selection and saw the Isabella Item tote by Annabel Ingall, an Australian designer. I loved the simplicity of the bag and the fact that there were no labels flashing the brand. What I loved the most? The cobalt blue color. It is not too bright so I can bring it to work but it is not another black bag in the collection of many.The tote also comes in basic colors as well so there is an option for everyone's taste.

I have been so happy with my new bag and have received many compliments. Versatile, light weight, spacious and the perfect blue hue. Be sure to check out what else Annabel Ingall has to offer. I love her understated style that will remain a classic.

Book Club Pick

This past weekend one of my book clubs met for a delicious brunch at Zampa. Although we did not spend too much time discussing The House at Riverton {which I ended up enjoying}, we selected our next book, Defending Jacob.

"Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

Every parental instinct Andy has rallies to protect his boy. Jacob insists that he is innocent, and Andy believes him. Andy must. He’s his father. But as damning facts and shocking revelations surface, as a marriage threatens to crumble and the trial intensifies, as the crisis reveals how little a father knows about his son, Andy will face a trial of his own—between loyalty and justice, between truth and allegation, between a past he’s tried to bury and a future he cannot conceive.

Award-winning author William Landay has written the consummate novel of an embattled family in crisis—a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt, betrayal, and the terrifying speed at which our lives can spin out of control."

I am looking forward to starting this page turner and hope that it lives up to its reviews. Let me know if you have any additional suggestions for our next book!

Happy {Mint} Friday!

Besides all of the electric neon colors that are filling stores for spring and summer, I am also seeing the color mint everywhere. From pants to dresses to shorts to bags, mint seems to be the new "it" color. I love how it is suitable for the office or a cocktail party and it instantly makes an outfit pop. Here is some mintspiration for your Friday!

Enjoy the weekend, happy Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby!

Corkcicle

While I was in Charlottesville last week I popped into my favorite home goods store Creme de la Creme. As I was perusing the store I picked up a rectangular box that said "Corkcicle: For perfect wine". Anything with wine typically calls my name so I asked the sales lady for more information.

The corkcicle fits easily in any wine bottle and is used in place of a wine bucket to keep wine chilled. Simply place the corckcicle in the freezer and once you open your bottle of white, put the corkcicle in the bottle to keep it at an even temperature.

I tested the corkcicle out for myself and it definitely kept my white wine cool and crisp without having to go back and forth to the fridge. This is a great gift for any wine lover especially now that the warmer months are coming. Perfect to take to the rooftop to enjoy the evening or to take for a picnic in the park.

Anorak

Waking up to showers on the first of May was certainly not what I had hoped for today, but I was excited to wear my new Ali Ro anorak jacket. I finally decided it was time to get a more fitted rain coat that wasn't a baggy North Face that I have had since high school. The Ali Ro jacket was the perfect find: light weight, tailored and lots of pockets.

Although I loved all the spring colors, I opted for the the classic navy. Not only is this a great jacket for the rain {there is a hood hidden in the collar), it is also perfect for spring and fall weather when you still need that extra layer. Stay dry today in NYC!