Blackbird Kitchen and Bar = Superb Seafood

Seriously, it is very difficult to find extremely high quality seafood here in Sacramento. And no, McCormick and Shmick is not quality. It is a high volume frozen fish factory.

But the husband and I seemed to have stumbled upon a gem with a capable staff and talented chef/owner. Blackbird is so extraordinary that it's worth the extra shift at work just so we can go once a week. The raw bar is amazing. They have created a mignonette for the oysters that is out of this world and the baked trout is mouthwatering. The thing that is so penultimate about this place is the expected good food of course, but the story behind the existence of it is really intense and worth a talk to the owner. Also, for a fresh seafood restaurant and an amazing atmosphere, the prices are reasonable. And, bonus, it's modern and hip without the hipster pretense. Needless to say, I love it!

Street Style - Anna

This one is a little cutie!

Her dress was thrifted as a long sheath and she hemmed it into a sixties, vintage amazement. Her shoes are Seychelles and are timeless and charming something you'd likely see on Zooey Deschanel. Her earrings are made by Shendoe Ceramics. But the sweetness of this ensemble is all Anna.

Et Voila! The finished product!

Orange Essence Butter Cake With Honey Buttercream

Yummy!

I made this delectable dessert for a holiday party and it was a smash. I'm a big fan of enhancing box cakes with other ingredients.

In this one, follow the directions on the back of the yellow butter cake box but instead of using water, use orange juice instead and add the zest of 1 orange to the batter. Bake as directed.

Also, I home made the candied oranges. It's a simple process which creates a marvelous presentation for this cake. But you can skip it if your short on time and use thinly sliced fresh oranges instead. Boil equal parts sugar and water. Simmer thinly sliced oranges for about 45 minutes. Remove slices from sugar water and dry on parchment. Arrange on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 250 for about 20 minutes checking often so as not to "cook" them. This step is simply to dry them.

Honey Buttercream

Ingredients

• 1 Cup butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 4 cups confectioners sugar 
• 1 Tbs whipping cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Take butter out of the fridge early to ensure that it is at room temperature when you begin making this icing.
2. Use your kitchen Aid if you have one and with the paddle attachment mix the butter and honey until it is smooth. (If you do not have one beat these two ingredients together with an electric beater).
3. Begin to slowly add the confectioners sugar. Continue beating until it's all been added to the consistency you like (you might use 3 cups or you may like a stiffer frosting and add and extra cup. 
4. If you've added that extra sugar, and it's too dense, add the heavy cream until its thinned to the consistency you want.

Street Style - Me Again!

Ok, so I don't ordinarily like it when bloggers post themselves in their own fashions. It is somehow narcissistic and self centered. But since I haven't posted in a while and I got a new top that begs a position on Poppies, I had to share. Do I think I'm some kind of fashion maven? Well, in an effort to exude humility I'll say no. But I can put myself together alright. See?

Top: Forever 21 (Only $9.99!) Jeans: Walmart (Only $11.99) Boots:  Naughty  Monkey ($99.00)

This jacket is one of my all time favorite wardrobe picks. My friend Charlene found it at Target. It was originally $99.00 and I left it. It was simply to dear for me to justify a purchase like this from Target. When I went back 3 days later, It was on clearance for $38.00! Needless to say, It's mine! 

I've taked about Cadi in posts past. I got these in Gumusluk , Turkey at the only Cadi store in the world. Turquoise and Gold with tiny seed pearls and onyx beads. I like them, but wish they weren't so heavy.

Good Stuff From Where?

For The Book Club - A Shopping Guide

Sometimes I visit The Folio Society just to eat my heart out! They have cloth and leather bound classics as well as modern tales with whimsical, colorful illustrations.

1.

Kate Baylay illustrated this. Her talent is priceless.

2.

I think these guys are super cute without lacking sophitication. The Literary Gift Company hails from the UK but ship all over the world! They have great gifty things like this candle, too.

Wild Heather - Emily Brontë Candle

"There was no moon, and everything beneath lay in misty darkness: not a light gleamed from any house, far or near all had been extinguished long ago: and those at Wuthering Heights were never visible—still she asserted she caught their shining.

'Look!' she cried eagerly, 'that's my room with the candle in it, and the trees swaying before it [...]" --- Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

3.

And then there is this. It's a scent called "In the Library." 

"In the Library is a warm blend of English Novel, Russian and Moroccan Leather Bindings, Worn Cloth and a hint of wood polish."

The scent is made by Christopher Brosius from Brooklyn New York whose story is more than interesting. I recommend you visit CB I Hate Perfume just to peruse his cleverness.

4. 

And finally, The Jane Austen umbrella from Literary Luminaries.

Christmas DIY - A Christmas Tree Flag

I found this super festive ribbon in green and white wide stripes that said "Lots of things merry and everything bright." It was too cute not to share so I made wee tree flags with the ribbon. I've included step by step photo instructions here. This DIY project is good for adults and kids for a couple reasons. First, it is very inexpensive and requires a walk outside. It's also a very fast project. Enjoy doing this and if you're inclined, share some photos of your own work with me!

The basics: Ribbon of your choice, very sharp scissors, tree twigs, hot glue and small ball ornaments.

Make sure the ribbon will go around the twig nicely so you know where to start your glue and how your flag will lay once you add it to your tree.

Here is the bowl of ornaments  collected. The best to use for this project are small glass ornaments that have the metal top (you'll remove the metal top eventually)l

This was my favorite to use.

Then remove the silver hanging loop.

After you've hot glued the flag on the stick, put a generous amount of hot glue on the stick and put the stick in the hole where the silver loop used to be.

Voila!

Here are some that are finished and placed. Cute, no?