Style File: Pleats & {faux} Leather

I wore this outfit to a business dinner this week.  Its always a challenge finding pieces that ensembles classy, professional and yet unbearably chic.  I think a good pleated skirt, leopard accents and a fancy {faux} leather-sleeved blazer might just be the right combo!

This outfit easily takes me from boardroom to happy hour!

 Blazer: H&M {Its on Sale today!} / Skirt: Old, similar here / Leopard Top: Olivaceous / Bag: Prada Saffiano Tote / Shoes: Nordstorm Halogen Bootie / Sunglasses: Mui Mui {old, similar here}

Wine Wednesday: Alma Mora Malbec

Oh hey, our first wine post on the blog!  Cheers to that!

Last weekend we uncorked a bottle of this malbec.  

Honestly, you can never go wrong with Malbec.  The Argentinian red wine mostly resembles the love child of a pinot noir and cabernet - generally light but also full of body.  This complexity is largely due to the low humidity experienced across Argentina wine country, and the proximity to the Andes Mountains and glacial regions in the south provides superb conditions for organic wines as well.  

This particular bottle is the Finca Las Moras (Alma Mora) Malbec from the Pedernal Valley of Argentina. 

The hint of fresh florals on the nose gives ample curiosity for this relatively unknown wine.  True to traditional Malbecs, it balances the rich and initial spice with hints of vanilla in the finish.  I would love to pair this wine with an asian beef dish; perhaps mongolian beef or spicy stir fry to elevate the wine's jammy boldness.  

Overall it was great wine for the average price.  Vague online results suggests this bottle would go for $12-15...what a deal!

Don’t know about you but I’m so ready for happy hour!  What are you drinking this week? 

Best Pesto (dairy free, gluten free & paleo friendly)

It’s only Wednesday and I am looking forward to a weekend of festivities.  The first being the largest American sport, which I only really enjoy on this one particular day *the Super bowl.  The other a great volunteering opportunity, I will be styling hair for a photo shoot.  The models are not big and famous, they are quite the opposite, small, brave and strong special needs children.  This photo shoot will be on display during a fund raising event Saturday March 2^nd 2014. 

With this coming weekends activities I wanted to make sure I was prepared for all the cooking I will be doing on Sunday.  I secretly love making appetizers; they make the best dinner too!  One necessity is pesto, use it to dip veggies, top chicken or pizza and blend with pasta.  I have been known to bake some crostini’s and top them with pesto and fresh ricotta cheese, Amazing!

Ready set Pesto!

Pesto (diary free, gluten free & paleo friendly)

2 Cup Fresh basil

4 Cloves garlic

¼ Cup EVOO

½ teaspoon Black pepper

¼ teaspoon Sea Salt

¼ Cup Chopped walnuts

2 teaspoon Lemon juice

Rinse the basil; break off any stems and pat dry.  Place basil, garlic, pepper, salt, walnuts and lemon juice in food processer, pulsing for about 30 seconds. Add in EVOO and pulse until well blended and smooth.

*In the market for a food processor find a great selection at Macy's click HERE to see my favorite.  Unless you are blending large quantities look for one that holds 4-7 cups, that will be large enough for daily use.

XoXo
ML

Park City: Stein Eriksen Lodge

Every January, hundreds of Hollywood types (along with those aspiring to be such types) and movie buffs flock to Park City, Utah for the film festival.  I was lucky enough to be among them this year to experience all the action.  Its the most exciting time for the mountain town.

While I spent most of my 5 days exploring what PC and Sundance Festival had to offer, I think I could have spent every minute lounging and indulging in the luxurious fabulousness of Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley. In my opinion, this is THE best place to stay.  Albeit my view is slightly skewed and limited as it is the ONLY place I've ever stayed in PC…but nonetheless, I'm pretty sure I'm right (ha!).

The full Stein experience surely deserves a novel, but here, I'll just jump to what's Good, Great and what I'll definitely Do Again.

Good - Food & Wine selection.  The main restaurant, Glitretind, has an amazing selection for every meal:  Brunch and lunch buffets are nothing less than overwhelming with the best of pretty much EVERYTHING my little foodie heart desires…salad, seafood, waffles, wagyu beef, and of course, a dessert bar with the most amazing cakes I've ever seen!

And the Wine - the list would please any sommelier.  

Great - Accommodations.  We were upgraded to the Viking suite.  I mean, no words to explain this 3 bedroom abode, complete with fireplace and direct access to the slopes via the balcony.  I'm not going to lie…I did feel a little like part of Vincent Chase's Entourage. (Love that show!)

Will Do Again - the SPA.  The spa facilities are insane.  I might have gotten lost in the maze a few times but was quickly found by the capable hands of my massage therapist just in time for the best 50 minutes of day.  And of course, any good massage should be immediately followed by the steam room.  And if a cold plunge pool suits your fancy...yes, they have that too! 

And I love when a hotel offers fitness classes…for FREE!  I took advantage of the Yoga, pilates and Zumba classes so I could partake in the previously mentioned buffets. Guilt-free.  

Of course the lodge has other amazing things to offer - Ski-in / Ski-out access, Wine Cellar, Shuttle service to Park City, and Molton Brown of London bath products...…just check it out for yourself, here!

Till next time Park City!

Banana carrot muffins (Gluten free & paleo friendly)

The weekend is over and the busy work week begins yet again.  These sweet muffins give you the taste of the weekend during the week. Grab one for quick breakfast or savor this low calorie (140 cals. per muffin) treat at night. Whip them up within 30 minutes and place half of them in the freezer to enjoy the following week.  This recipe has not only been a crowd pleaser for more then 3 years, but a staple in our house. Go ahead and show off your baking skills to family and friends and let us know what you think.  Need to find almond flour/meal click here

Banana carrot muffins (Gluten free & paleo friendly)

2 C almond meal (or almond flour)

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

1 Tbs cinnamon

1 C dates, pitted

3 ripe bananas

3 eggs

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

¼ C coconut oil – softened

1 ½ C carrots, chopped/shredded

Preheat oven to 350

Combined Almond flour/meal, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon in large mixing bowl.  Add in shredded or chopped carrots. Set aside.

In a food processor add bananas, eggs, dates, vinegar, coconut oil.  Pulse until you have a creamy batter.  Pour batter into dry mix and combine. 

Pour mixture into greased muffin trays. Fill cups almost all the way to the top leaving a ½’ for expansion. Bake at 350 for 20 min or until the toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool on rack.

These are great for a quick sweet treat or grab and go breakfast.  The muffins freeze really well.