Spaghetti puttanesca

Some of my favorite foods are those extremely divisive ones: olives, pickled anything, sauerkraut, radicchio, capers, red onions, pungent blue cheese and its drier/sharper counterparts. I could actually devour any of the aforementioned things by the bowlful, especially olives. This brings me to a tangential point which is that Jon recently told me, after my proclamation of loving Campari, that a fondness and preference for bitter foods is "a robust predictor for Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism and everyday sadism." (How weird/interesting is that?!) Never having fancied myself a Machiavellian, I'm choosing to ignore this study and continue on with my eating habits...

FoodThe PasticheMay 16, 2016dinner, pasta, spaghetti, olives, tomatoes, parmesan, summer, spring, vegetarian Comments

In the market for: home decor

I'm here with another installment of In the Market For, a series featuring affordable finds of a particular trend or theme. This week's roundup is near and dear to my heart, mostly because of my knack for home decor and design on a budget.

PeriodicalsThe PasticheMay 13, 2016in the market for, home decor, shopping Comments

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheMay 12, 2016worthy reads, links, articles, pregnancy, alcohol, humor, friendship, parentingComment

Grilled portobellos with bacon, Swiss, roasted red pepper, and garlic mayo

Give me summer or give me death. - Patrick Henry.

FoodThe PasticheMay 11, 2016dinner, sandwiches, burger, cheese, grilled, summer, mushrooms, BBQ Comments

Gin thyme lemonade

Lemonade is a summer no-brainer, and this cocktail is effortless, sophisticated-cool lemonade. It’s the French girl of lemonade—which, who couldn't use a little more je ne sais quoi?

FoodThe PasticheMay 9, 2016drinks, cocktails, lemonade, gin, spring, summer, party, thyme Comments

Things I learned from my Mom

Happy (early) Mother's Day to my favorite person on earth...

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheMay 5, 2016worthy reads, articles, linksComment

Dining Out: My favorite places for “dinner and drinks” in Rochester

My very favorite thing to do on earth is go out to dinner. I love eating delicious food. I love sharing good conversation with good people and feeling like there’s nowhere else in the world I’d rather be or nowhere else I need to be...

Click to read the first post in a new series about all the places I love to eat in Rochester!

In the market for: stripes

This is the second installment of a new series featuring affordable finds of a particular trend or theme. This week's roundup is covered in stripes, one of my favorite classic looks for all hours of the day and all seasons of the year, but particularly in the warmer months filled with market mornings, pool days, and wine nights under patio string lights.

And as always, everything is under $50...

My favorite salsa

I make this salsa all the time, but especially in the warmer months. I've made it for summer weekends away at my family’s camp, potluck get-togethers, Fourth of July, barbecues, tailgates, and… Cinco de Mayo, which is only three days away (but can’t come soon enough)!

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheApril 28, 2016worthy reads, links, articles, relationships, makeup, humor, self improvement, cooking tipsComment

Perfecting a couple of dishes for seamless entertaining

Entertaining is intimidating for a reason. It’s really difficult to feel like you need to be in two rooms at once, providing your guests with entertainment of some kind, all the while knowing that you have to serve them food that tastes good in a timely manner that didn’t completely stress you out to make. Entertaining is the scariest, though, when you try to tackle things that are far beyond the scope of what you’re (honestly) capable of. That’s why I think that the best trick is to serve something that you’ve already perfected and are proud of...

Food, HomeThe PasticheApril 27, 2016entertaining, cooking, self improvement Comments

In the market for: all white everything

This is the first installment of a new series featuring affordable finds of a particular trend or theme. This week's picks are all about white, one of my favorite looks that seems especially relevant this year. White is so chic, and yet I love that it never feels too serious or severe. It's light and playful due to its association with summertime and its natural pairing with linen, eyelet, and lace.

And as will always be the case, everything is under $50...

PeriodicalsThe PasticheApril 26, 2016style, style picks, shopping, white, summer, clothes, in the market forComment

Poached egg over lemony avocado toast (+ feta + basil olive oil + sunflower seeds)

This is one of those meals directly derived from an unforgettable restaurant experience that I had...

FoodThe PasticheApril 25, 2016breakfast, brunch, avocado, lemon, feta, poached egg, eggs, avocado toast, spring, summerComment

Currently listening

PeriodicalsThe PasticheApril 22, 2016music, playlist, spotify, the lumineers, indie, currently listening Comments

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheApril 21, 2016photography, life hacks, self improvement, positivity, articles, links, worthy readsComment

Crisped-cheese quesadilla

You've heard me talk about Dorado before. The important takeaways have been: 1. we never have a bad night at Dorado, 2. the Mexican Car Crash... and now 3. the crisped-cheese quesadilla.

Halibut en papillote

En papillote is a French term for "in parchment," which refers to one of my favorite cooking methods, especially for fish.

FoodThe PasticheApril 18, 2016fish, halibut, parchment, en papillote, dinner, spring, summer, pesto, healthy, light Comments

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheApril 14, 2016sex, articles, links, worthy reads, thoughts, reflection, loveComment

Open safari shirtdress

I love those pieces that somehow strike the perfect balance between structure and flow. It’s easily my favorite way to dress, especially in the spring and summer when breezy materials, even when layered, are a perfect match for hot sunny days and cooler nights...

StyleThe PasticheApril 13, 2016style, outfit of the day, outfits, Old Navy, Gap, Madewell, spring, shirt dress Comments

Good Food, Good People, New Places