Absolutely Not Martha's Picks at J. Crew

Jenna's picks. My picks...
ruffles and roses tissue tank, $42.50 and shadow facet necklace, $150
silk camisole, $55 and metallic suede espadrilles, $125
Belstaff leather bomber jacket, $1,195 and skinny pyramid-studded belt, $36.50
wool bungalow skirt, $98 and metallic Georgie tote, $278
tulle cascade wedding gown, $1,500 and crystal hair elastic, $16.50

Pretty good, no?

Weekly links closed for holiday.

Happy Holidays to all, and while there won't be any links today, I offer you these images...(Photos via here, here, here, here and here)

Everything old is new again.

This stretch floral lace unitard from American Apparel reminds me of this little number worn by Anita Morris in the 1982 Broadway show Nine. (Yes, mildly obsessed with musical lately.)

Is there new hope for celiac disease sufferers?

...in case you didn't read this article in today's L.A. Times.

(Photo via Flickr)

Weekly links

Tonight we have plans to see Nine which opens in Los Angeles and New York today. Believe it or not, I saw the original Broadway musical in 1982! (Watch the whole YouTube video when you get a chance.) Have a wonderful weekend! Here are your links...

make star lights out of manila envelopes at B.Light Design via Curbly via Dudecraft

make chocolate chai sherbet and curried lamb-and-lentil stew at MyRecipes (Both gluten free of course.)

make mini LP record gift tags at Dudecraft via WhipUp

make chalk cloth gift tags at Oilcloth Addict and Little Birdie Secrets via Apartment Therapy

make a printed burlap chair at Design Sponge

make your dishwasher run better at The Kitchn

take steps to relieve holiday stress at San Gabriel Valley Tribune

(Photo via ObsessionMIA)

French kissing

Paris in 1962. Oui.

(Photos via Tom Palumbo's photostream)

The family jewels

The other day I bought these four pairs of earrings and one golden ring at Forever 21 for my two daughters. Grand total: $15.40. (I'll be borrowing the ring.)Gem Tear Drop Earrings, $6.80.Pillow Ring, $3.80.Studded Hoop Trio, $4.80.

Racing to fill orders...

at Vanilla Spoons.
(Photos via Copenhagen Cycle Chic)

Holiday gift baskets at Vanilla Spoons

There's one way to take the stress out of your holiday shopping: Order a gluten free gift basket from Vanilla Spoons. If there's someone on your list who has gluten intolerance or a wheat allergy, you can feel confident in choosing one of our gourmet gift baskets which have movie-themed names like Close Encounters of the Sweet Kind and Mix and The City. (Cheeky, I know.)

(Photo via Google Images)

Weekly links

Nutcracker anyone? These fabulous photos taken by photographer Rachel Papo are of costumes from the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker (2006). If you have never seen this fairy tale-ballet (or if it's been a while), I suggest getting thee to a performance near you. Have a great weekend and happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate! Here are the links...

learn the ground rules of regifting at Apartment Therapy

make gluten free sweet potato latkes with ruby applesauce at Karina's Kitchen

learn how to remove smelly odors left behind as a result of potato pancake preparation at Apartment Therapy

learn 9 ways to shag at Apartment Therapy

make a super simple coffee sleeve wreath at Magpie and Cake via Craftzine

make fleece pom pom Hanukkah garland at Design Sponge

make a ruffly felt rosette wreath at Domestifluff via WhipUp

Feta walnut spread

Blog of Note A Hungry Bear Won't Dance has a gluten free recipe I thought I'd share with you:

2 cups walnuts
1 pound feta, crumbled
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons paprika
cayenne pepper, to taste

In a food processor, grind the walnuts until they are in very small pieces. Add the crumbled feta and the olive oil to the bowl of the processor and mix until a smooth paste forms. If it is too thick, add the water now, slowly, through the feed tube, until a smooth paste forms. The spread shouldn’t be too thick, nor too thin, so add the water slowly. You may need more than 1/4 cup. Add the paprika, and the cayenne pepper. Mix well. Spoon the spread out into a serving bowl and top with a drizzle of olive oil and some paprika.

New England winter landscapes

I believe this will be my first winter ever without the white stuff. (Faux snow at The Grove doesn't count.) I'm kind of looking forward to it.
(Photography via Peter Urbanski's photostream)

Yes, the picture in previous post is that of model Jessica Stam.

What a pro! It's for this very reason I can't wear five-inch platform heels. (Or any kind of heels for that matter.)

Visit Vanilla Spoons. It's my [gluten free] bread and butter.

Vanilla Spoons. For all your gluten free gift giving needs.

(Photo via weheartit)

Got chairs?

It seems like a while since I've posted some inspirational interiors. These are actually all from one residence. There's a womb chair, an Eames rocker and even a chair designed for IKEA. (For the record, I adore IKEA.) Don't you just love the variety of styles all under one roof?

(Photos via Design Sponge)

Charlie bit me. (auto-tune version)

For some reason, my kids have been watching this over. And over. Again. For the past 48 hours.

Les femmes de fashion

Each of these girls brings a certain, shall we say je ne sais quoi, to the fashion blogging world. Their sites possess personality, style and some rather wonderful photography. (Even recipes and the occasional hair-to.) I seldom skip my daily dose of these women of wardrobe. So I'm curious to know. Which one are you?

Are you a Karla? (Karla's Closet)A Maegan? (...love Maegan)An Emily? (Cupcakes and Cashmere)Or a Rumi? (Fashion Toast)

Congratulations to giveaway winner A Little Birdie Told Me!

Weekly links

How was your Thanksgiving? I forgot to make the mashed potatoes, and somehow I managed to feel quite full without eating any turkey. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend! Links...

turn tablecloths into curtains at Apartment Therapy

make gluten free chocolate snow eggs at La Tartine Gourmande

order a gluten free gift basket at Vanilla Spoons

build a stowable upholstery workbench at Curbly

use decorative pillows to make a headboard at Apartment Therapy

make lots of cards from just two punches at Crafty Pod via Craftzine

sew a ruffled messenger bag at Between The Lines via WhipUp

(Photo via Apartment Therapy)

One premium customer security entrance, please.

Do you have travel plans this week?

(Photo via Olsens Anonymous)

A few gluten free Thanksgiving recipes...

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
(6-8 servings)

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound gluten free Italian sausage
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 cup (3 ounces) Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
24 large mushrooms, stemmed
1/3 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease 15-by-10-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add sausage and oregano, cook. Break sausage into small pieces, cook until sausage is brown and no pink traces remain. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage into large bowl, let cool. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire, and garlic powder. Stir to combine. Stir in cream cheese; salt and pepper to taste. Stir in egg yolk.

Place mushroom caps in prepared baking dish, stemmed side up. Brush each with white wine. Fill with about 1 tablespoon filling, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. (Can be prepared ahead, covered and chilled.)

Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Place under broiler 5 minutes until tops are lightly browned. Serve.

Roasted Parsnips with Horseradish Herb Butter
(6 servings)

3 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 2-by-1/2-inch pieces
large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup gluten free chicken stock
1/4 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon prepared gluten free horseradish sauce
1 tablespoon Italian parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon chives, chopped
1 small garlic clove, minced

Preheat oven to 400 F. In medium baking dish, toss parsnips and carrots with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add chicken stock; cover with aluminum foil and roast. Stir once or twice until parsnips and carrots are tender and the stock has evaporated (about 45 minutes). Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix butter, horseradish sauce, herbs, and garlic. Adjust seasonings to taste with salt and pepper. Toss roasted vegetables with horseradish butter. Serve.

Two additional recipes (Roast Turkey with Apples and Deep Dish Cranberry Pie) can be found at The Saturday Evening Post.

Is there a special dish you particularly enjoy at Thanksgiving?

(Photo via Flickr)

Weekly links

Have a fab weekend! Here are your links...

live like stylish vampire Edward Cullen of The Twilight Saga: New Moon at Apartment Therapy (The house is for sale and movie opens today!)

make gluten free Thanksgiving cranberry cobbler at Ginger Lemon Girl

crochet flower fridgies at Salihan Crafts via WhipUp

learn the art of giving good directions at Apartment Therapy (Useful if you will be entertaining during the holidays.)

stump your guests with turkey trivia place cards at Martha Stewart

make a beefy bolster pillow from old towels at Curbly

use drinking straws to make a contemporary pendant light at Addicted 2 Decorating via Curbly

(Photo via weheartit)

What's your lip color of choice?

I used to have a collection of red lipsticks ranging from drugstore brands to MAC and Chanel, and everything in between. These days I'm happy if I can get out the door with a swipe of Burt's Bees lip balm.

(Photo via The Sartorialist)