Friday Delights

My favorite day is Friday. I love Friday's because they are full of promise, fresh optimism for the weekend. Any jobs or things to-do can be put off on Friday evening and procrastinated until Saturday or Sunday. This weekend is especially great because Monday is a bank holiday here in England so I have it off! Not so for my husband though. :( Here are a couple of things on my agenda this weekend:

Running at the Rowley Mile fields-

Current read (I live near the places the book sites!)-

Wine- Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza

This wine is featured in my "The Wine Trials" book:
Ranked #2 of light old world reds under $15
This wine is aged longer than most inexpensive reds and has an earthy taste that "transports you to a rustic place"- books words, I just really like it. :)

Challenge of the weekend: I may be having some people over for dinner Saturday night. I'm trying to decide on the menu... I know they are healthy so that throws many of my go-to-sure-to-love meals out the window. :) Any ideas?
Have a wonderful weekend!

A Great Assembly

Tuesday night was a busy night. I was preparing my home for my husbands return amongst many other to-do items. Folding clothes, cleaning rooms, washing dishes, etc. Its not that I live in a mess when he is gone, but for the pure enjoyment of seeing his content face when he walks through the door and is welcomed with all of his senses to our little happy home with nothing amiss. I want him to always be glad to come home, eat my home cooked meals, and rest all the worry of the world away. This is something that I learned form my mother. She would always have my sisters and I greet my father after work, with dinner ready. We would wait for him by the window and when his car pulled up we’d run out and hug and kiss him, happily knowing that our home was now complete.

For his return, I made his favourite meal, Chicken Enchiladas. I started them at 10 pm and finished about midnight. All the while knowing, that I would rest easy with him the following night.

Here are some pictures of my chicken enchilada assembly line:






Umm so good! After he took the first bite his reaction made all my hard work worth it! We relaxed, talked, ate, and watched a movie in each other's arms! In the end the month away only made us closer. :)

Ageless Look

It’s always daunting trying to establish a good, sustainable wardrobe. My view is, buy little, but buy quality. Here are a few essential items that I think every girl should have some version of:

1 trench coat like this
1 pair of heels like these
1 pair of boots seen here
1 pair of jeans
1 tailored blazer
1 quality leather handbag

These items provide a plethora of outfits, just mix and match what’s underneath, and accessories like jewellery, scarves, hats, sunglasses, belts etc.

The look in action:







You can even add a fur to add texture to your look:

Images found: The Satorialist, Anthropologie, JCrew, Banana Republic, Karla's Closet

A Summer Salad...

I know I've ranted and raved to those close to me about my love for a good balsamic vinegar, I thought I had tried it on all it could be edible on (salads, strawberries, ice cream), but today I found a new wonderful recipe! Perfect for a sunny afternoon picnic, or barbecue.

I had a surplus of peaches that were limited in their hours of living ripe so I did a little search for a good recipe and found the perfect one on Real Simple:

3 ripe peaches (peeled, if desired)
1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

I have a live basil plant that I eat off constantly and I also was in supply of fresh mozzarella so this recipe was perfect.

I drizzled balsamic vinegar instead of the olive oil, salt and pepper and thought it divine. The deep purple of the balsamic vinegar provided a visually beautiful salad.

Also, buying 'light' mozzarella tastes just a good as the real thing! Normally I try and eat healthy but I don't buy the diet or low fat versions if I really enjoy something, but for mozzarella there is no difference.

Enjoy!

In the Beginning

Hello, welcome to Calaimee Lifestyle!

I've decided to embark blogging after months of scouting other blogs, and continually feeling quilty for not staying in contact with our many friends and family. My husband and I have been living in England for the last two years, and although we love it, we miss our family.

With this blog I hope to share our thoughts, prayers and daily living. Great fun! I know you cannot wait to read! We have done a lot of traveling over the last two years, I hope to post old travels mixed with new events.

I have three fashionable sisters, who I hope will guest blog, each sharing their different life experiences.

BTW, I also love fashion, food, and art so it should be a busy blog.

These early posts may be a bit messy, but I promise to learn quickly and try and spell correctly! :)

As an ode to England, here is a bit of beautifully designed war propaganda that I have been eyeing and will get framed and matted before leaving this country.

Maybe I'll display it like this:

Have a wonderful weekend!