Labor Day Eats

Labor Day Weekend is here. Thank goodness!
Today I’m heading to Charleston, South Carolina to meet CT and my parents for the long weekend. I'm super excited because we are going to be trying out a new restaurant in town, The Ordinary. If you've been to Charleston and are familiar with F.I.G. it’s a part of the same restaurant group, and its their new seafood and oyster bar.
A little preview of what I'm talking about...

Looks fantastic, right?? 

Don't worry, I'll be sharing photos and a recommendation from our visit next week! 

One thing I love about NYC is that people head out of the city on the weekends leaving some of the cities best restaurants with open tables! Check out my list of favorite NYC restaurants to try this Labor Day Weekend.

Latin American

Raymi or Yerba Buena

Seafood

Upstate

Sushi

Takahachi

Brunch

Boulton & Watt 

Hump Day Home Makeover - Ikat Curtains

A few years ago I bought these beige ikat curtains from West Elm for my bedroom. They ended up migrating to the living room and are now back in my bedroom in New York. To me this is the testament of a good home decor piece - the ability to mix and match with different styles and settings. For today's Hump Day Home Makeover, I wanted to do something a little bit different than usual and rethink what the living room could be with the same piece. Here are the curtains in the living room from about 3 years ago...

And here's the new look!

1. Ikat Ogee Linen Curtains - West Elm

2. Branching Out Pillow - Lulu & Georgia

3. Field of Gold Pillow - Lulu & Georgia

4. Manhattan Print - Rifle Paper Co.

5. Tripod Floor Lamp - Circa Lighting

6. Claybourne Sofa - Zinc Door

7. Industrial Age Coffee Table - Urban Outfitters

8. Brass Undulating Candle Holder - Jonathan Adler

9. Citrus Floral Print - Rifle Paper Co.

Hope you all have been having a great week! This week has been extra special for me because one of my very best friends got engaged yesterday during her trip to Croatia! 

A HUGE Congrats to Steph & Eric on your engagement!! Love you both.

Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe

By Corbin Page

Published: August 23, 2013

Mexican is my favorite food of all time and usually the number one cuisine I hit when I'm out for lunch or dinner. Seriously, obsessed. The other night I took a stab at an easy chicken enchilada recipe. I went for a green chicken enchilada dish and put a skinny twist on it. Who knew, sour cream is unnecessary. Cheese? Must-have.

Prep time: 20 min

Cook time: 10-20 min max

Total time: 30-40 min

Yield: 3 servings (6 enchiladas)

INGREDIENTS

Rotisserie Chicken : 1 

Salsa Verde : 1 can = 2 cups

Olive Oil : 2 tsp

Garlic, minced : 2 tsp
Mexican Blend Cheese, shredded : 1/2 cup

Greek Yogurt 0% : 1/2 cup
Cholula Hot Sauce : 5 dashes 

Cumin : 5 dashes

Chili Powder: 1 dash
Cilantro : 1/4 cup
Six-inch corn tortillas: 6
Optional for Garnish:

Green Onions, sliced : 2 
Jalepeno, fresh & sliced : 1/2 

 {adapted from Inspired Taste}

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, mix greek yogurt, cumin, hot sauce and chili powder and set aside.
3. Wash and chop cilantro and set aside.
4. Cut rotisserie chicken and break apart into shredded pieces and set aside.
5. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and minced garlic for about 30 seconds.
6. Add salsa verde and heat for about 1-2 minutes, stir occasionally. Remove from heat.
7. Add greek yogurt mixture, chicken, 1/4 cup cheese and 1/8 cup cilantro. Stir.
8. In a 9x9 casserole dish, spread about 2-3 spoonfuls of the mixture on the bottom.
9. Fill each center of the corn tortilla with about 3 spoons of the mixture. Roll around and place ends down in the baking dish. Do this for the 5 remaining tortillas.
10. Cover the tortillas with the remaining sauce and place in oven.
11. Cook time varies. All of the food is cooked so you are just trying to heat them up. The cheese is the best way to tell. Once the cheese is melted you are good to go. Mine only took 8 minutes.
12. While your enchiladas cook, chop 2 green onions and 1/2 a jalepeno for garnish if desired.
13. Remove enchiladas from oven, add desired garnish.
14. Serve two tortillas per person.

THE SKINNY

Nutritional Info

Calories: 353

Fat 17 g

Carbs 33 g

Fiber 5 g

Protein 19 g

New Points 9

Old Points 8

{With sour cream - new points are 11 and old are 9}

Let's Link Up!

I found these awesome state stationary and notepads from this cute Etsy shop, Blackbird Letterpress, and they made me think about all the wonderful bloggers I love following across the country.

It's always fun to find new blogs to read daily, so please drop me your blog in the comments below so I can check it out! If you wanna exchange links or buttons, you can find my button html on the right side of the page. Drop me an email at decoreatblog@gmail.com when you've added me and I'll add you back!

Corbin

Seared Tuna Salad with Wasabi, Soy, Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

Seared Tuna Salad With Wasabi Soy Vinaigrette

By Corbin Page

Published: August 21, 2013

This tuna salad recipe is becoming one of my favorite recipes for a healthy seafood dish. I love seared Tuna and the wasabi soy and lime vinaigrette is a tangy mix of unique flavors. My roommate made this for our Shark Week celebration and I've been hooked ever since.

Prep time: 22 min

Cook time: 3 min max

Total time: 25 min

Yield: 2 servings

INGREDIENTS

Tuna Steak : 1/2 lb

Mixed Baby Lettuce : 2 cups - 2 large handfulls

Avocado, sliced : 1/2

Tomatoes : 1
Asparagus : 1 bunch

Lime, zested : 1
Lime, squeezed : 3 tbsp ( about 1-2 limes)

Wasabi Powder :1/2 teaspoon 

Soy Sauce, Light Sodium : 1 tsp 
Tabasco Hot Sauce : 5 dashes
Olive Oil : 2 tbsp
Ginger for garnish

Salt & Pepper: To Taste
 {adapted from Barefoot Contessa}

DIRECTIONS

1. On two dinner plates, start to compile the desired amount lettuce.
2. Slice avocado and tomato and add to the lettuce.
3. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat a dollop of olive oil. Cut the bottom inch off of the asparagus, add to the saucepan, cover and cook for 10 mins. Stir occasionally.
5. In a medium bowl mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp wasabi powder, 1 tsp soy sauce, 5 dashes hot sauce, 1 lime zested, 3 tbsp squeezed lime juice. Stir and set aside.
4. Rinse and pat tuna dry. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Heat a medium sized saucepan over high heat. Drop water on pan until it sizzles to tell if it's hot enough.
6. Cook tuna for 1 minute on each side.
7. Slide seared tuna in 1/4 inch slices and lay on top of the two salads.
8. Divvy out asparagus to each salad.
9. Top with ginger and desired amount of dressing.

Get In My Closet / Fall Fashion

I am getting really excited for Fall Fashion this year. Refinery 29 is doing an amazing job of feeding the addiction with recaps of Fall Fashion lines from J.Crew, Zara and Phillip Lim For Target. I love color in the fashion, but couldn't overlook a really good neutral piece...or 8. 

1. Purse - J.Crew (on sale, September) - pre-order

2. Skies Are Blue Moto Jacket - Piperlime $79

3. Silk Blouse - Zara $79.90

4. Coated Pleated Skirt - Zara $79.90

5. Seychelles Scoundrel - Piperlime $130

6. Block Ankle Heel Boot - Zara $99.90

7. Fitted Utility Jacket - Free People $148

8. Elisa Suede Bow Pump - Sole Society $59.99

20 Picks For Your Fall Wardrobe

I now understand what people have been talking about when they say they love seasons. Atlanta seasons are pretty much hot and warm, so it can be impractical to follow the rest of the countries fashion trends. I love New York weather and the style that comes along with Fall even more. I've already been suckered in to making a few preemptive Fall purchases, so here are 20 of my favorite picks for the upcoming season.

What are you most excited about for Fall?

Hump Day Home Makeover / Durable Living Room

I have never thought about buying a leather couch, let alone buying a black couch. Growing up in a southern home, couches were patterned, and I envied the pristine white couches in decor magazines. White fabric looks amazing and chic in home decor, but I am definitely a spiller. I can hardly get through a full day wearing a white shirt without searching for a Tide pen. So for today's Hump Day Home Makeover, I challenged myself to pull together a room around a black leather couch that I would want in my own home. Here's what I came up with.

1. Tea Light Holder - H&M

2. Black Striped Vase - Emilia Ceramics

3. Camel Framed Art  - Furbish Studio

4. BRASA Lamp - IKEA

5. Black Leather Chesterfield Sofa - Shop | ten | 25

6. John Robshaw Lichen Decorative Pillow - Bloomingdales

7. Green Throw Pillow - BHDecor Etsy

8. Stockholm, Mosta Green Chair - IKEA

9. Austin Hide Rug - Furbish Studio

10. Lack Coffee Table - IKEA

I can't take full credit for the room as I did some inspiration searching. Aren't these rooms awesome?? Black couches = win, win.
Chic and durable!

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Serena & Lily Sale + Dot & Army Giveaway Winner!

Serena & Lily has snuck it's way into becoming one of my favorite stores. Since it's usually out of my price range, I'm super excited to see that they are having a Big Deal Sale with 50% off select items! Gotta love a great deal.
 Some of my favorites:

Now on to the winner. First off a huge thank you to Jennifer from Dot & Army for making this giveaway happen, and thank you to everyone who participated! I am loving my set of vintage napkins, so I hope you do too!

And the winner is...

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Congratulations Elisabeth! I will be emailing you today to get your new napkin set to you!

summer treats / friday's fancies

I spent this past weekend in Ocean City, Maryland celebrating a friend's bachelorette, and it did not disappoint.

sunset at Seacrets

I missed last week's Friday's Fancies, but loved the theme and am sharing mine today. {AV} from Long Distance Loving translated her favorite drink, a Dark & Stormy, into an outfit. My favorite drink this summer was a Cucumber Cocktail, recipe here, and here's the look to go with it.

1. Rebecca Minkoff Mini 5-Zip - Piperlime

2. Kate Spade Sailors Knot Earring - Piperlime

3. Eight Six Rosarita Dress in Coral - Revolve Clothing

4. Cucumber Cocktail Recipe

5. Patmos Salads with Lucite Heels - DVF

The Dot & Army Giveaway ends at midnight, so don't forget to enter!

hump day home makeover / a room to think in

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And my craze for a trip out West continues...

Despite this room being in designer Ursula Mascaro's Spanish bungalow, I love the western look mixing bohemian and naturalistic accents. The simplicity, neutral colors and subtle patterned accents make this space feel relaxing, yet inspiring. Anyone else dying to spend some time in this room to decompress??

Get the look:

1. Swing Arm Floor Lamp - Lamps Plus

2. Congo Pillow (set of 2) - Joy & Revelry

3. Gold Embroidered Flower Pillow - Cost Plus World Market

4. Andy Warhol Pop Box Art Book - Amazon

5. Hans Wegner Chairs - Scandanavian Modern

6. Gold Plated Barnacles - Joy & Revelry

7. Indian Rose Wood Coffee Table - West Elm

8. Moroccan Leather Pouf Ottoman - Wayfair

9. Southwest Classic Dhurrie Rug - Shades of Light

Dot & Army Giveaway!

I'm so excited to be hosting a Dot & Army giveaway today! Dot & Army is an Etsy store owned by Georgia resident, Jennifer, where she makes eco-friendly, cloth napkins from vintage fabrics. I may not have told y'all this before, but I have a big thing against unnecessary waste like plastic bags you get at the drugstore, grocery, etc. and...paper napkins! Not only are Jennifer's napkins eco-friendly, but the vintage patterns and colors are fun and eclectic. Jennifer was nice enough to send me a set, and I am obsessed with the purple and orange fabrics. 

Today, I'm giving away a Kitchen Starter Set in the colors of your choice!! There are so many awesome patterns and colors to choose from, so I've shared my favorites below to help get you started.

Check out all of the starter sets on the Dot & Army Etsy page, here, and enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Shark Week / Deck Out

1. Shark Pillow - Etsy

2. Sharkfin CupCake Recipe -Spoonful

3. Shark Sweatshirt - Unraveled Clothing

4. Shark Fin Bracelet - Alex and Ani

5. Shark Bottle Opener - Urban Outfitters

Are you watching Shark Week this year?

Shark Week is one of those pop-culture phenomenons that you just can't quite put your finger on. But then something like Sharknado blows up, and it all makes sense.

People are intrigued by sharks. 

If not proven by the fact that Shark Week pretty much sucks everyone (myself included) on to their couches for the next 5 days, then by the variety of shark gear out there - some of it is trendy too!  I love the Alex and Ani Shark Fin bracelet and bite me sweatshirt. Check out my picks, and come back tomorrow for a fun giveaway from Dot & Army!

friday's fancies + link love for the weekend

rose point shorts - Anthropologie | tile jacquard shorts - J.Crew

printed shorts - ZARA | ikat shorts - Anthropologie

I was pretty excited to see that today's Friday's Fancies topic was shorts. I have been a long time loyal dress wearer, but this year's shorts have been so cute I couldn't stay away. Anthropologie has an awesome selection of unique, patterned shorts this season and a lot of them are currently on sale! I picked up the Rose Point Shorts for only $29.99, and have been living in them. Online most of the sizes are sold out but you can still find some in the sale section at your local store. I have also been really impressed by J.Crew's new Fall line. I loved it during Fashion Week and now that it's out I can't wait to buy some of their silky patterns.

What are your go-to shorts and where are they from?

I've seen so many cool things on the interweb this week, that I couldn't leave you to the weekend without sharing my favorite.

If you click on one link today, it should be this one.

 Photographer Chrisse White's Flickr Stream 

This girl takes some really breath taking and intriguing photographs!

Check back next week for a new giveaway!

new mexico art + scenery

Georgia O'Keffe's Home

For the past few days, I've a huge urge to get out West. CT and I have been plotting our next rendez-vous (Oh, the joys of long distance dating), which almost always turns into wishful trip thinking. Back in high school, my art class took a trip to New Mexico, and I was remembering how beautiful and down to earth the place was. I'm going to art nerd geek out on you for a second, but there is a reason why renowned artists like Georgia O'Keefe set up shop there. It has a surprisingly vibrant art scene with more galleries per capita than New York City! I came back from that trip truly feeling inspired to paint, and hooked on a sienna brown gesso.

Unfortunately, I went to Sante Fe before digital cameras were big, but I wanted to share some beautiful pictures of the state.

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Georgia O'Keefe's house - Architectural Digest

Bandelier National Park 

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Beautiful, am I right?