The Pink Elephant

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Miso fish with brown rice & roasted balsamic broccoli

An is one of my very favorite restaurants in the triangle. Their miso seabass continues to be one of the best meals I've ever had -- melt in your mouth good. Tonight I attempted to recreate the miso sauce and it turned out very well and was so simple. I paired it with brown rice and roasted broccoli for a healthy Sunday supper. You should try it!

Miso Fish

1/4 c. brown sugar

2 T soy sauce

2 T miso paste (I couldn't find it at the smaller HT I went to, so I substituted and used one packet of the instant miso soup--it did the trick quite nicely!)

2 T hot water

Combine above ingredients. Pour over 3-4 fish fillets (we used tillapia because they were out of grouper - any white fish would work. Sea bass is so expensive, but is ideal.).

Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

We served with brown rice. Make sure you pour some of the miso "gravy" over the rice and cooked fish once it's plated.

Roasted Broccoli (courtesy of Bailey)

Cut broccoli florets in half so there is a flat side.

Lightly toss in olive oil.

Salt & pepper.

Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the broccoli.

Bake for 7-10 minutes at 400 degrees.

We really relaxed this weekend! It was so nice to have no plans and enjoy the spring-like weather. I can't believe I was taking down Christmas decorations with the front door open.

Off to Columbus for work Monday & Tuesday.

XO,

Whit

Friday, January 6, 2012

New Year, New House??

Well, for now we are settling for a freshly stripped, primed and painted Gray Lady.

Here is the house soon after Josh purchased it. Over the last few years the paint has looked HORRIBLE. 100 years of paint needed to be sanded down to the wooden boards -- quite the project.

This is how we left it when we headed to Charlotte before Christmas (primed).

We wanted to keep it gray, but a cleaner looking, less brown gray. See the difference in the before and after color on the right?

Here she is in her freshly painted glory (now we just need to get the porch back in order and remove the lovely dead geraniums!).

The paint really changes colors at different points in the day-- here it is this morning

Of course now we need a new tin roof over the porch. The joys of home ownership never end. :)

Have a great weekend!! We are excited to be in Raleigh with very little plans.

XO,

Whit

Monday, January 2, 2012

New Tradition for NYE

AB always makes for a fun NYE. There were about 16 of our friends down there and we had a blast! I didn't take many pictures, but did capture something that you should try -- it is going to be our new tradition!

Josh at first thought the entire idea was "corny" (sorry, Mom), but he came around! My mom bought flying Chinese lanterns for all of us for Christmas. I was hoping to have everyone write a little something...but that became too tricky logistically since we were staying at a few different houses.

Andrew & Laura were staying with us, so we each wrote our resolutions on one of the lanterns (this is the part that Josh refused to participate in...so Andrew and I made his up).

We went to dinner and the bar -- I only have a few pics of Kiki and Chris with us and then my camera died.

Then came back and released our lanterns around 1:30 a.m. These pics are courtesy of Laura and my iPhone.

(we ignored the "don't drink alcohol when operating" warning!)

The boys high-fiving. The Otto's condo is right next to a hotel and the balconies were full of people cheering as each lantern took off.

So fun and something I plan to do each NYE!

You can buy your own here.

Hope your 2012 is the best year yet!

XO,

Whit

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Sentimental Sofa & Other Charlotte Furnishing & Accessory Store Gems

In Charlotte I made time to check out a few old and new favorites for home furnishings & accessories. If you find yourself in Charlotte - be sure to check out the following places:

1. Sleepy Poet Antique Mall

A big warehouse (55,000 square feet!!) with tons of individual vendor booths. You can find anything from fur coats, fine antiques, old records, costume jewelry, gorgeous art....you name it. Many items are very reasonably priced. Link to website

I stopped by my aunt Leigh's booth (ask them where "Henn" is located) and saw her living room Duncan Phyfe sofa that I'd loved for years. She bought it when she lived in Atlanta 20+ years ago. I adore her home and over the years we spent countless hours discussing our love for decorating. Naturally, I nabbed it and can't wait until it has a place in our house.

I sent her this pic with "sold" as the message. So special for a sentimental girl like me. Now we just need a house with a formal living room!

Here is a picture of it in her gorgeous living room

Another item I was pining for were these lamps (got the lady down $225 for the pair!!).

2. Alexander Scott

Another shop with a host of vendors divided among the two story store. Most of the items are traditional and elegant. Items I was drawn to included - gold & crystal sconces, marble top french bedside tables, lots of mercury glass urns, alabaster lamps and art by Libby Smart. The items are pricier (although lots of booths had great sales), but lovely. BONUS: Angie Harmon shops there, so you might have a celebrity sighting as you browse the space.

Find them on Facebook

I didn't take any of my own pictures, but here are a few of my favorite items off their Facebook page (they update pretty frequently).

via Alexander Scott FB page

Love the pair of lamps

via Alexander Scott FB page

3. Slate Interiors

Sadly, I didn't make it there this trip...but I've heard rave reviews and plan to head over there in a few weeks when I'm back in Charlotte to pick up my sofa. Self described as "Paris flea market meets SoHo." Slate is a collection of 50 designers, merchants and artists.

Link to website.

My aunt Leigh has a booth here as well -- Hennessey House Interiors. Here she is looking adorable in her booth back in the summer.

Below are a few others from their website -- you can see there are lots of FUN items. I love the pops of color and a pop of modern to complement my traditional taste.

4. Mrs. Howard's

Run by husband and wife team of Phoebe & Jim Howard this space makes your feel like you are in a gorgeous home -- or walking through the pages of Veranda (which makes sense because they have graced the cover!). Each room is staged completely with exquisite floors, wallcoverings, draperies and furniture and accessories. It is unlike any place I've ever been and will leave you inspired and wanting to move in! Link to Phoebe's website

A sampling from the website -- there are LOTS of stunning photos and you can shop straight from her website, so go visit if you can't make it into the store.

A little more unconventional for home shopping, but I went to visit my grandparents at Sharon Towers Retirement Home and went down to their little second hand store, "The Treasure Chest," and came back with a pair of white porcelain Mottahedeh birds -- for $8!

I neglected to take a picture before we left for the beach -- but kind of similar to these.

Ok- off to enjoy lunch in Beaufort on this beautiful day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!!

XO,

Whit

Friday, December 30, 2011

Christmas in Charlotte

I have been slacking, no routine for the last week includes not blogging. Plus, I haven't been home to work on any projects.

So- in the meantime, I bring you another little picture montage...