Apricot Chicken Recipe

I love a good chicken dish, and this week I was definitely in the mood for one. I randomly came across Lauren Conrad's Easy Apricot Chicken and I knew it was meant to be. The recipe calls for a Lipton Onion Packet, but I thought I'd add my own twist and create one from scratch...
Heavenly Homemaker's has a great recipe for a Homemade Onion Soup Mix. It's such a better alternative to Lipton's packet because being homemade means no MSG! Yay!

Onion Soup Mix

You need:

2/3 cup dried, minced onion

3 teaspoons parsley flakes
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in a jar, then give the jar a couple good shakes.

4 tablespoons is equivalent to 1 Lipton packet.

Store in a cool place and use whenever a recipe calls for a Lipton's Onion Soup Packet. Just like the Apricot Chicken Recipe below!

Apricot Chicken
This dish is super easy and is one I will make time and time again.

You need:
1 pound of organic chicken breast
1 Lipton Onion Soup packet 4 tablespoons of Homemade Onion Soup Mix
1 jar or apricot preserves (about 1 cup)
1 bottle of Russian Dressing

How to do it:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375-degrees
2. Mix the onion soup mix, apricot preserves, and dressing in a bowl. Beat the clumps out with a fork.
3. Put the chicken in a baking dish, and lather them with the mixture.
4. Let the chicken soak the marinate for about 10-20 minutes.
5. Cook for 40 minutes or until your chicken is cooked all the way through.
6. Serve with rice and your favorite veggies and bon appétit!

Fall Fox Fashion

I love everything about fall, the leaves, food, football, new beginnings, etc. But without a doubt fall fashion my most favorite thing. I don't know if I'm the only one who gets excited when the weather starts to cool, but I definitely think it's something to do with all the sweaters and scarves I have locked away in my closet... And I'm always on the hunt for more!  I handpicked this outfit to show off my personal fall-casual style.  (Not to mention that the fox sweater is perfect for me...)

GET THE LOOK!

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster

Scarf: 'Touch of Sparkle' Cashmere Infinity Scarf

Handbag: Marc Jacobs 'Classic Q Natasha' Mini Crossbody Flap Bag

Shoes: Steve Madden Raspy Cognac Leather Bootie High Platform

Hat: Empyre Belgium Burgundy Beanie  

Sweater: Wildfox Fox Baggy Beach Sweatshirt

Pants: AG The Farrah Skinny - Raven

My Future Kitchen - Designed by Jeff Lewis

As I was doing my daily procrastination routine (perusing House Beautiful, Dwell, etc),  I found my future kitchen.

via

Designed by one of my favorite interior designers and television personalities, Jeff Lewis - as seen on Bravo TV's Flipping Out (seriously watch the show; he's hilarious). It's my dream to work for him one day... 

This kitchen was named House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year for 2010. And rightly so! For one exciting week in July, this gorgeous kitchen was open to the public at Rockefeller Center for product and cooking demonstrations. "I feel so comfortable in this kitchen," Lewis says. "I want to move in. They'll have to find another place for the Christmas tree." 

Personally, I think I'd be able to live with the Christmas tree...

This kitchen features all of the latest in appliances and technology. Push a button and the 24-inch Jenn-Air microwave (under the island counter) opens like a drawer, for easy access. The Jenn-Air TriFecta dishwasher has a top-rack-only option, to save energy. Plus, top of the line refrigerator and double wall oven, with full-color LCD touch screens. Although Jeff Lewis admits he isn't much of a cook (actually he doesn't cook at all...), this kitchen is a chef's dream.

via

What first caught my eye was the very contemporary and sleek California modern look. The hard contrast between the dark Peppercorn finished cabinetry and pure white Caesar Stone countertops is toned down by the natural Elm wood floor. Lewis is able to make this a more inviting and warm space with out being too overtly modern or cold, but still keep it clean and clutter-free. 

via

The open floor plan creates more than enough space to move freely and the encompassing glass walls let natural light shine through. 

via

via

via

Just press a button and water washes food scraps down this elegant Crevasse prep sink. It even lights up!

via

The custom made wine rack doubles as a room divider. Even though you're in the living room, you still feel apart of the action happening in the kitchen. 

via

via

So chic!

via

This light fixture is my new obsession. Made in Germany by Licht im Raum.

via

via

The dining table is made of reclaimed wood by Jeff Soderbergh. 

via

 via

via

Everything has a place with these multitiered drawers and adjustable cooking storage.

 "I don't like chaos, I don't like clutter, I don't over accessorize. I really like things clean, neat, and minimal, and one of the reasons why I do keep accessories to a minimum is because I don't want things to gather dust."

Amen to that! 

P.S. If you would like to see more on Jeff Lewis and this awesome kitchen, watch this YouTube video: 

The Elephant Room - Providence

The fastest way to wake me up in the morning is to announce that we're eating out for breakfast. These are by far the best mornings, when you're able to relax your way into the day with good food and good company. The Elephant Room is the perfect place to start your morning off right. With tea and crêpes of course!

The decor is very relaxing and minimalist. The main focal points of the space are the gorgeous hanging chandeliers. Which gives the place a more contemporary vibe while drinking something as timeless as tea. 

via

First off, the selection of tea is amazing, almost overwhelming! They have every type of tea you could ever dream of.  From English Breakfast to Ginger Ginseng and from Egyptian Chamomile to Royal Chrysanthemum Blossoms, they've got it all.  Not to mention how beautiful it is.

via

Tali's Masala Chai

Delectable candied ginger to accompany your tea.

"The Perfect Tea Timer" lets you decide how long to let it steep whether you prefer it light, medium or strong. (Personally, I think the stronger the better). Talk about high-tech tea!

Prosciutto Crêpe

"New England herbed goat cheese & roasted peppers, topped with lemon dressed arugula"

I am a sucker for any thing with prosciutto and goat cheese so I instantly decided on this selection. And my instincts didn't fail me. Everything about this dish blends beautifully. The cheese, the arugula, the dressing, the peppers, the prosciutto. So good! So fresh!

The Elephant Room not only is a great place to have breakfast, but is also a comfortable and relaxing place to bring your laptop and be productive. There is a separate lounge area over looking the bistro area just for curling up with a book/laptop and some tea. Who knows, I could be writing my next blog post on those comfy couches! 

The Elephant Room 

2170 Broad St., Cranston, RI 02905

(401) 261-2170

Tue - Thurs: 8 am - 8 pm

Fri - Sat: 8 am - 10 pm 

Sun: 8 am - 3 pm

menu