Tuesday, August 30, 2011

In the Kitchen: Stuffed Poblanos



Yeah, they're kinda messy, but that means they're good, right? I've made these three times now (so am finally confident that the recipe is ready to be shared), but have never had a chance to take good photos of them. They just get eaten too fast! Seriously. They are best right out of the oven, bubbly and hot. No time to find good light, pose my pepper and shoot. So, this is what you get. Take it or leave it.

I suggest you take it.

Ingredients
6-8 poblano peppers, depending on size
3 large or 4 medium tomatoes
1/2 medium white onion
2 large garlic cloves
2 tsp dried oregano
2 1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
15 oz corn, fresh (cooked) frozen or canned (drained)
4 boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins or equivalent
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Juice of 1/2 lime

To prepare the filling, in a food processor puree the tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a simmer in a large, deep skillet and cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat until some of the liquid evaporates and the mixture is thick and pulpy.

In the meantime, cook and shred the chicken, cook the rice and prepare the corn. If using fresh, boil the cob and cut off the kernels. If using canned, drain well. If using frozen, no need to thaw.

Once the mixture has thickened, add the corn, rice and chicken and cook until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro, lime juice and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar.

To prepare the peppers, place them on a foil lined baking sheet and broil them on high, turning every few minutes, until they begin to blacken and the skins begin to bubble all over. Remove them from the oven and wrap them in the foil. Let them sit for a few minutes and then unwrap and let them cool.

Now you can easily peel off the skins. Be sure to handle the peppers carefully though, as they will be soft and can tear apart easily. Cut a slit up the middle of one side and cut out the seed core, scooping out any excess seeds, leaving the stem in place. I often rinse my peppers under light running water, I find it's the easiest way to get all the seeds out!

Now you're ready to stuff the peppers. Be generous! Don't worry if it's mounding up and over a little bit. Top with the remaining shredded cheese and bake at 350° for about 8 - 10 minutes. Broil for 2 -3 minutes to brown the cheese, serve with a side of black beans and enjoy!

This dish makes quite a hearty helping. Since it's just my husband and I, I usually make the filling and then prepare, stuff and bake half the peppers, using half the filling. Then we'll have it again later in the week or early the next. I reheat the filling a bit, prepare the peppers and pop them in the oven!

If you'd like to see step-by-step photos of this recipe, just leave me a comment below and I'll be sure to take some next time I make it. You can see some pics of broiling and skinning peppers in my previous Cinco de Mayo recipe post from last year here. Only difference is you're keeping the peppers whole, rather than cutting them into strips before broiling.

I'd love to hear what you think of this one, it's a new favorite in our house!

p.s. I'm just too busy this week to get a recipe card done up for this right now, but I should have it up by early next!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Bella-Bijou Giveaway Winner!



A big thanks to Jaime for being in the Spotlight this month and to all who stopped by to check out her interview!

Before I announce the giveaway winner, Jaime is offering 15% off all orders on her website, www.bella-bijou.com, when you enter coupon code lilly15! Valid through September 4.


Now onto the giveaway winner…

Congratulations to AMBER! She loves the Carry the Sky Druzy Necklace shown below (me, too!) and never leaves the house without her phone. I think we can all relate to that!

And for all of you who said chapstick, I'm right there with you! I'm hopelessly addicted to the stuff. Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers is my preference. It started in 1997 and I've been hooked ever since…

Thanks again for stopping by!

Couture du Jour


Inca Trail Dress Shabby Apple $66
Bent Wood Bracelet woodandwire $30
Zig Zag Tote Bag ModernVintageMarket $35
Belt Loop Cowboy Boots Anthropologie $358

So… can you tell I'm ready for fall?

Friday, August 26, 2011

just in case…

Hey all! I know, I've been MIA again. I'm alive! Just busy. Lots and lots to share, hopefully soon, but in the meantime, I'm hunkering down for my first hurricane. Woo hoo! Not expecting much as we're a couple hours inland, but better safe than sorry.

I'm planning on announcing the winner of the Bella-Bijou giveaway Monday morning, but just in case you don't see me for a few days, it probably means I don't have power! If that's the case, I'll be back as soon as possible.

Stay safe all!
~nicole

Friday, August 12, 2011

people cry



I had to interrupt my Friday of frantic cleaning to post this image. I stumbled upon it on Pinterest while enjoying a lunch break of Salt & Vinegar Pop Chips and a mini can of root beer (awesome, right?).

It really struck a chord with me, reflecting on everything I've been through recently. So much so that it brought tears to my eyes. I didn't take time to google it or find the origin of the saying. It's probably one of those things that's been around forever, but as I've said before, I'm usually a little late to the party.

Regardless, if this is the first time I'm seeing it, chances are it will be for some of you as well, and it was too perfect not to share.

Have a fabulous weekend all, I'll be back around more soon, promise.

xo ~ nicole

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Spotlight: Bella-Bijou Jewellery



Since I am a jewelry artist myself, I especially admire other jewelry artists who possess skills I strive for and a style I personally love. It would be hard for anyone to fit those categories more than Jaime of Bella-Bijou Jewellery.

Read on to learn about how she got started, where her shop name came from and just how she feels about spiders. You can also enter to win one of her gorgeous necklaces!


Tell us a bit about you and what you create
Well, my name is Jaime – and everyone always spells it wrong. Random Fact.

I grew up wanting to be an artist, and dabbled in every crafty DIY project I could get my hands on. I stumbled into jewellery completely by fluke one day though - went for a walk in a neighborhood I had just moved to, and found a little gem shop just down the road. From there on I was hooked, and my love went from simple beaded creations to full blown metalwork, by the power of self teaching. These days I like to use my smithing skills to make large artsy pieces that tell a story. Often they are inspired by childhood memories, the beautiful great outdoors, or poems I write.

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
I am from North Vancouver, BC, Canada and still call it my home! I love this gorgeous, clean city. I live right at the base of a mountain, with the ocean 10 minutes down the road, and the city 20 minutes down the road.



How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I am an oldtimer! I started my first etsy shop back in Oct 2005, just months after Etsy was born.

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
When I started on etsy I worked full time, and it was a way to make a little spending cash. Over the years my hours have gradually decreased at the "day job" and Etsy has kind of taken over. I dream of the day when I can call it my one and only full time job!

What, if any, formal training have you had in the arts?
How about none? I guess that isn't entirely true - I did take a workshop on soldering years ago when I was transitioning into metalsmithing. I can honestly say though, other than that I am completely self taught, and pretty darn proud of it!



What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
At the time I needed something in my life that was all mine. My little corner of the world where I could make things and find homes for them. I had just been selling my stuff to coworkers, friends and family ( thanks Mom!) and I was just at the right point in my life to take a leap of faith in myself, hoping others would think the stuff I made was pretty too.

How did you come up with your shop name?
To be honest, one day it just rolled off my tongue! Bella means beautiful, and Bijou is French for "tiny jewel or delicate thing" - It just kind of worked!

Tell us about your decision to split your work into two separate shops
For years I kept all my designs in one shop, regardless of their design concept, inspiration or style, but as my taste for one of a kind work really grew, I knew that my tried and true made to order pieces needed to be together in their own environment. I wanted two distinct styles, and for each shop to have it's own cohesiveness.



Do you find it challenging or beneficial to have two shops?
I pondered and mulled over the idea for months before going for it, wondering if it would be a ton more work, but honestly, it isn't. I enjoy having a clear cohesive feeling in each shop, and would suggest it to anyone who feels that they just can't be pigeon holed into one clear style.

What inspires you?
My surroundings most definitely, I live in a truly beautiful corner of the world full of lush evergreens, mountains and oceans - that is where the nature infusion comes into play. I am also inspired by vintage aesthetic, I love the look of jewellery that tells a story; a piece that looks like it was someone's grandmothers.



What do you like least about your craft?
Probably the whole "she copied me, he copied her, they copied us, somebody copied somebody" schtick. I focus on my work, and making each and every piece special, and try not to pay attention to the other side of things.

Do you have any advice for other sellers or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
I was say the biggest thing is to be persistent! It is HARD work running your own business, the hours never end, and the pay sometimes stinks, but the love for your craft should outweigh all of that. That is the most important thing - love what you do and treat it that way. Have faith in yourself, and what you are capable of.



Five Etsy shops you love
Just 5!?
cgwhitfield is one heck of a nice guy, and makes the most amazing timeless silver jewellery, I own one of his bracelets and it gorgeous.
UmberDoveStudios - Kelly's talent blows me away, I have a small collection of her painted sea stones on my mantel that put a smile on my face each time I see them.
CrashingBison - Vita is a true friend, and her beaded designs are fresh and full of great colour pairings, I am wearing a pair as I type this!
haveitconfections for their AMAZING Fleur de Sel Caramels (seriously, they don't last long around here)
novaofsweden - Tess is a friend of mine who makes gorgeous and fabulous jewellery as well. Her designs are whimsical and flirty and inspired by her home in Sweden.


Five things you love
Tucker, my family's Shorkie. He makes me smile on the dullest of days.
My supportive family who always remind me to keep my chin up and do what I do best.
The smell of the first rain after a long hot summer.
My mom's blackberry pie
The ocean - the smell of it, swimming it it, the sound of it. I don't know if I could ever move away from it.

Five things you don't
Peanut butter - I actually HATE this, with a passion only to be followed by:
Mayonnaise
SPIDERS *shudders*
Bullies
Closed minded people

What is your favorite leisure time activity?
What is leisure time? ;-p


Share some of your guilty pleasures
Watching Days of Our Lives religiously ( I have literally been watching this since the days of mom and I at home when I was a kid)
Jelly Donuts
Makeup/Hair products

Favorite junk food
I kind of like it all {too bad my waist doesn't!} but good ole chips with dill pickle dip is a favorite. I am a bit of a carb freak.

Share some of your favorite music
Classic rock - Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, CSNY, The Beatles, Queen, Neil Young, Heart, Simon and Garfunkle, etc

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I'd love to say something like "the power to create world peace" but I think I'd love to be able to fly. To soar through the air with the wind on my face would be a pretty amazing feeling.



What would you like to learn?
I'd love to learn to work with leather, but I fear my honey might never forgive me if I take up any more space in our home with work!

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
I hope the future holds a great many things for me and my shop. I hope it can enable me to quit my "day job" and live the way I knew from the time I was a kid I wanted to : by being my own boss. I hope I can continue to develop a customer base all over the world, and make the people who wear my work feel special, knowing it carries my story behind it, which now becomes part of their story :-)

You can keep up with Jaime and her work by visiting her sparkly new website, bella-bijou.com! You also stop by her blog or follow her on twitter and facebook.


GIVEAWAY!
One lucky winner will receive Jaime's new Pebble Necklace shown above in their choice of Swiss Blue Topaz, Amethyst or Peridot.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from either Bella Bijou's One of a Kind Collection or Catalog collection and also answer the following question: What don't you like to leave the house without?

You may enter once per day and
YOU MUST INCLUDE your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. (If you are worried about email spam, you can spell out the 'at' and 'dot' rather than using the standard email format.)

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:
Follow or subscribe to this blog, my twitter or my facebook
Follow or subscribe to Jaime's blog, twitter or facebook
(You DO NOT need to leave separate comments for additional entries, just list which apply)

You have until Sunday, August 28 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Monday afternoon. Thanks for visiting!

Couture du Jour



Madison Ave Dress Shabby Apple $76
Valentine Satin Brooch DinkybirdBoutique $20
The Black Sea Cocktail Ring AllThingsTinsel $24
Jasmine Pump endless $149

Monday, August 1, 2011

db boutique giveaway winner!



A big thanks to Stephanie for being in the Spotlight last month and to all who stopped by to check out her interview!

Before I announce the giveaway winner, Stephanie is offering 10% off all orders in her shop when you enter coupon code lillyella at checkout!


Now onto the giveaway winner…

Congratulations to STACEY! She loves the Champagne Wishes Satin Flower Pin and would like to see more bobby pins in Stephanie's shop. (I would, too!)

Thanks again for stopping by! Keep your eye open for a new Spotlight interview next Monday!