Spring Wino

A total self proclaimed Wino, I often love nothing more than opening a bottle and relaxing by the fire. However, with this warm weather creeping in—it seems I will have to start un-corking what my family calls “Porch Wines”. I look for a wine that reflects this time of year: crisp breezes, green lawns, budding flowers, and sunny days as well as the rainy ones. By this time, you’ve probably guessed that I don’t share T.S. Eliot’s view that "April [Erm, February] is the cruelest month…”

Chono Sauvignon Blanc, 09 Chile $11 Celler on Greene

Juicy aromas of grapefruit and lemon-lime flood the nose; flavors are mouth-watering, with just a touch of the exotic (think guava) with great acidic balance and concentration.

Reidel Stemless Glasses $18-$22 in Sets of Two

Wine tastings are great fun. Meeting other vino lovers is always an enjoyable experience, and depending on how many bottles we’re talking about, it can get messy. Wine glasses by definition are unstable, so to cut down on the “Cabernet-all-over-the-white-carpet” problem, Riedel has introduced the O Series Wine Tumblers. Available in four different styles for different wines, these are a great call when you have clumsy house guests and you’re worried about spilling that glass of Opus One you just poured.

Wine Save $39.99 per Can

Each container of Winesave relies on argon, an odorless, food-safe gas that's two and a half times heavier than air. Spray the argon into a bottle of open wine, then seal the bottle with a cork, cap or wine stopper. Due to its weight, the gas drops to the surface level of the remaining wine, where it acts as a protective shield, keeping the wine's nuances in--and oxidation and decay out. Every can contains enough gas for at least 50 uses and works equally well to preserve white, red and sparkling wines.

Coastal Blues

Because it’s a Girl’s Weekend you can assume that the participants are going to totally veg-out and splurge…And you’d be right. Although most of us are health conscious this bikini/wedding season, I am willing to bet the yogurt and granola is going to take a back-seat ride. The house is stocked, the drinks are on ice, and we have many things to discuss.

Some girls are swearing off men, others deeply in love, and one is even engaged! There are a few that are single, several applying to grad school and a couple that have simply lost their way.

Here’s to all Tri-Deltas, the silver, gold and blue! What are you going to do this weekend for YOU?

Francesca’s Depths of Ocean Necklace $28

Because who doesn’t need a layered necklace for spring?

Poach Pod by Fusion $10 (I got mine at the Gourmet Shop)

The poachpod is a flexible silicone cooking tool for poaching eggs, baking and molding. It allows you to float and poach an egg in boiling water like a lily pad on a pond. When the egg is ready, flip the nonstick pod inside out and gently push the perfectly domed shaped egg out. Place the pod in the dishwasher for easy clean up.

J.Crew Chambray Shirt $98

A true must-have for this season! I wore mine out last spring and have to order another one! Maybe with short sleeves this time? Plenty of styles at Jcrew.com

Blue Heron Pale Ale $16 at Earth Fare

Mendocino Brewing Company's seasonal spring ale! Blue Heron Pale Ale is a delightful medium bodied golden ale with a distinctive clean mouth-feel and a fresh hoppy finish. The emphasis is not on extremes but rather on balance.

Come Sea Me

I am so very excited to be going to Garden City this weekend so I thought I would bring a little of the beach to the blog. This restaurant is located right across from my house, and they serve up a mean bowl of She Crab Soup, appropriately complete with a jigger of sherry!

Gulfstream Cafe is the only restaurant on the Grand Strand where you can see the ocean on one side and Murrells Inlet on the other-- truly a comfortable and tasteful dining experience unlike any other. Start with a cocktail and enjoy the view from the upstairs bar, or step outdoors onto the deck and watch the sun set across Murrells Inlet. Enjoy low country classics featuring fresh seafood, steaks and pasta. Offering something for everyone: live music, seasonal Oyster Roasts, Sunday brunch and BYOBMB (Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar)!

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday - Saturday 4:00pm to Close
Sunday Brunch 10:30-2:30
Dinner 2:30 to Close

1536 S. Waccamaw Dr.
Garden City, SC 29576
Link to Menu
http://www.centraarchy.com/pdf/Gulf_Stream_Menu/GS_menu.pdf

Orange You Glad?

Color Wheel Pro says orange represents “enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation”… Good. My law school application isn’t quite finished yet and therefore I could use any or all of the adjective help I can get! Thanks a million to all the support and encouragement along the application way. Good lord willing and the creek don’t rise, I will hit the SUBMIT button by midnight. And then I might reward myself with a Cupcake. Today’s flavors include Lemon Cheesecake, Turtle, Coconut and Mint Mocha Chip at all three Cupcake Locations! I have a handy buy one, get one free coupon that has been staring and wearing me down since Monday. We will see how strong my will is at 5:30…

This message is brought to you by the color orange.

Rosebud Salve $6 from Sephora

Great for flyaway hair, taming eyebrows, softening ashy elbows and heels, diaper rash, dry skin, eczema, chapped lips, and as a topical healing salve for minor cuts, burns and abrasions. Can't beat that!

Francesca’s By the Sea Cuff $12

Small Orange Lizard Desk File $18.50 from Caspari

Mimosa Champagne and Orange Juice Cocktail Soap $4.50 from EpicallyEpicSoap

Citrus Marinade
1/2 cup orange juice (juice of 1 orange)
1/2 cup lemon juice (juice of 2 lemons)
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage or several leaves fresh, chopped
1 1/2 inch section fresh ginger, peeled, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
a few drops Tabasco or 1/4 teaspoon hot salt
Combine ingredients (a blender makes a good emulsion and eliminates the need to mince or chop).
Marinate cut chicken pieces in a Ziploc bag for several hours or overnight.
Broil or grill until chicken until done using your preferred cooking method.

Neutrality

Foraging for mushrooms, while adventurous, also poses a very real risk. The familiar-looking growths you find in shady spots may well turn out to be lethal. Now, Park Seed offers Button mushroom kits that provide access to homegrown, fresh mycelium--minus the edible Russian roulette. Each kit yields about 3lbs of mushrooms!

Mushroom Starter Kit $25

Anyone else thankful for this weather? I have been sending praise to my little furry friend for not seeing his shadow for the past two weeks! I can already picture afternoons on the porch of Salty Nut, patio dinners at Momo’s Bistro, and piles of Fro-Yo at Yoghut! Regardless of what the weatherman says, spring has definitely sprung in the hearts of South Carolinians!

Madden Girl Tambrey Sandals $39.95


Saki Tumi lures me in with their pink Hawaiian salted edamame; and every time I order it, I wonder why I have purchased my own yet! Featured is a gourmet salt trio composed of Hawaiian Black Lava, Hawaiian Pink and Lime Fresco-- great addition for the salt lover, foodie or chef in your life!

Gourmet Salt from Craig’s Market on Etsy $7.99

You Don't Know Jacques! OPI Nail Polish is part of the OPI La Collection De France. I would describe this as a richly deep warm grey – the epitome of a true greige. It’s completely matte crème, without any shimmer. Very chic and pervasive in modern trends and very appropriate for the transitioning months. You Don’t Know Jacques probably isn’t the most expressively pretty color, but it’s different and is a nice departure from the typical hues.

OPI Bottle from Sally Beauty Supply $8

Purpling

Having worked at a co-ed summer camp, I distinctly remember the purpling rule. If girls are pink and boys are blue, there should be no purple in the cabins! So in honor of president’s day, and the whole red, white and blue concept, I have chosen to highlight some purple rain people eater nonsense that I have n my life.

Rosemary Roasted Purple Potatoes
5-6 medium-sized purple or tri-colored potatoes
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees. Scrub the potatoes well. Dry and quarter them.

COMBINE olive oil, garlic, dried rosemary, and Dijon mustard, whisking well.

PLACE potatoes on baking sheet to form a single layer.

DRIZZLE mizture over the potatoes and TOSS to coat.

SALT & PEPPER

BAKE for 30 minutes or until tender, STIRING and ROTATING potatoes often.*

NOTE: Size of potatoes will effect baking time. I prefer to use a bag of the small tots.


Banana Republic Silk Halter Top $69.50

Blueberry Cobbler from Cupcake $2.75

J.Crew Factory 5" chino short $34.50

Avon Lip Luster $8

Wedding Season

I have the really bad habit of over committing myself. Does anyone else do that? Well, while I was out last night, hobnobbing with politicos, my teenage dogs threw a house party! I came home to the biggest mess I have literally ever seen. (And I went to Wofford College, #4 in the Nation for Greek Life!) Every edible item and some mystery blue goo was consumed, shredded, or strewn about the house and furniture. My favorite was the Hansel and Gretel trail of Grape Nuts running from the love seat to the master bedroom. In their defense, I don’t like Grape Nuts either so I probably would have redecorated with them as well… So here I am, trying to focus on something more positive than my law school interview and the blue goo.

What’s the best season you ask? Why, wedding season of course! I have three weddings to attend in March alone, which means the fever or love is upon us. I adore weddings and often say that if wedding crashing was a legitimate pastime, I would eagerly partake. A little reminder of the personalities in the 2005 film:

Jeremy Grey: Hello, Red! Dibs.
John Beckwith: She's all yours. I ain't gonna fight you.

Hello Incanto Vietri!, the perfect addition to a southern bride’s registry! Though I am nowhere near getting married, I will confess that I have my own registry of gifts. Say what you will, but while you were taking people for another set of stationary upon graduation, I was collecting peices of china on which to throw dinner parties! A hidden bonus-- the cost is about the same.

Though this is an Italian themed collection with De Medici dots, baroque curves, antique lace, olive branches and wildflowers, the set has been featured in Southern Living, Paula Deen, Bon Appetite, and Taste of the South just to name a few. The mix and match style displays revolutionary strength and classic beauty inspired by Italian art and history. After all, Incanto means enchanting individuality!

Here are some pieces from my own collection of Incanto and Incanto Mare:

Incanto Lace Cake Stand

Incanto Mare Starfish Footed Serving Bowl

Incanto Stripe Square Handeled Server

Incanto Assorted Canape Plates

Mac-Up

If you haven’t noticed, I am taking this week off from recipes to get in the mood for the PDA festival. I am adjudicating the costume and make-up entries which have me thinking about my own collections. I have been an avid Mac user for quite some time, however when I worked for Spoleto, I became a fanatic! I have been slowly building my Mac Anthology, buying one new and interesting product at a time, however, last night I came home with full greedy little hands.

According to the designer I apprenticed under, the most important items in your arsenal are the powder products. Mascara and eyeliner, for example, are generally the same chemistry and therefore can be bought at cost—but powders, like paint, need to be rich in color pigment. During my on-stage years, the only make-up I heard about was Ben Nye and therefore I assumed that theater professionals would use such products; but it seems that even the highest-paid opera singers prefer the lightweight feel of Mac. In turn, the designers prefer the products because they are highly pigmented, apply evenly, and blend well. This of course means that a little can go a long way which helps toward the investment of a good set of powder.

Recent additions to my collection include:

Cublic Powder Blush $19.50

Mega Metal Eye Shadow in Peek at You , Frosted Yellow White $19.50 (Lid)

Tartan Eye Shadow in Golden Crown $14.50 (Inner Crease)

Mega Metal Eye Shadow in Center Stage, Frosted Chocolate Brown $19.50 (Brow Bone)

Eye Shadow in Antiqued, Ash Brown with Bronze Veluxe Pearl $14.50 (Outer Crease)

Girls Night Out Fashion Show

Columbia’s favorite fashion event is back - bigger and better than ever! The popular runway show was the talk of the town after last year’s sellout crowd of local fashionistas gathered for an exciting night of lights, music, fashion, food and fun!

In its ninth year, Girls Night Out has become a signature fundraiser for the museum and a premier fashion event for the Midlands. Each year, Coplon’s presents the season’s hottest new fashions and accessories in an elegant, high-energy runway show.

Get tickets now for this year’s show on February 17, 2011 at EdVenture. The evening includes music from DJ Chris Wenner, delicious hors d’oeuvres and specialty drinks from local favorites such as Mo Mo’s Bistro, Cupcake, and Cantina 76. Top it off with fabulous goodie bags and of course, a night out with your best girlfriends.

Tickets are available for purchase online or by phone at (803) 400-1152. The evening starts with VIP Cocktails at 7:00pm then General & Reserved Seating are admitted at 7:30pm. Ticket prices per person are $45 general admission, $65 reserved seating and $95 VIP runway seating. Don’t miss out!

Here Comes the Sun!

For those of you that aren’t followers of Groupon, a daily deal that is e-mailed for your convenience, today’s find was for my favorite shoe stores in Columbia, “Kicks”. By 8:32am over 206 coupons had been purchased for this exceptional store. A frequent Groupon groupie, I know that I have to wait to use my voucher until the following day—but that didn’t stop me from rushing to their on-line look book!

It seems a new IT color for the spring is yellow; very apropos since I started my day with a poached egg over an English muffin! And since I am willing the season to be so already, I thought I would take a break from recipe posting and talk a little about another fab fav of mine—fashion.

So with Picasso in mind this sunny day, “some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot; others transform a yellow spot into the sun” here are some big and small ticket items that will find their way into my home and heart.

J.Crew Lemlem Split Scarf in Lacquer Yellow $130

Old Navy Ruffle Silk Top in Golden Oldie $14.99

Sacha London Shoes in Baby Yellow $155

Ray-Ban Wayfarer in Yellow with Crystal Grey Lens $119

Poached Egg over English Muffin $.79

Cupid Shuffle

Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love; which is fitting since love makes us blind-- and since Valentine’s Day is all about fun surprises anyway. This little winged archer and his buddies have been making deliveries amongst my friends today. Goodies left at home for your love, flowers sent to the office of your sweetie, a sensual card left under the pillow for your husband? What did your Valentine steal your heart with this time?

In my 9-5 world, this seems to be the year of unusual trinkets galore. Some of these were wishful thinking, others were actually gifted; some were purchased as personal gifts for themselves, others were sent with love. I’ll let you decide as to the truth. Xoxo Coastal Girl.

J. Crew Shoes $275

Bieber Fever Bouquet $49.99

Marc Jacobs Watch $150

Old Navy Rose Scarf $12.50

Le Crueset Heart Ramekins $39.95

Starbucks Card $100

Insomnia Cookie

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you have someone special to share it with; however, in a politically correct effort to cater to ALL readers-- whether you’re tangled in your partner’s embrace in a satin sheeted bed OR you’re, clad in black; co-worker and cheery people avoidist, I think you can enjoy the topic of today’s post.

I rarely support food delivery services. I always have a frozen pizza on hand, and am almost appalled at the idea that you can have most any restaurant delivered via http://www.256togo.com/ Between that and fast food drive thru’s, no wonder South Carolina has one of the largest obesity rates in the nation! However, in an effort to recognize my own faults and to get off my soap box—There is a new truck in town!

Insomnia Cookie is a franchise that specializes in late night snacks with delivery to boot! The online menu boasts of ice cream, milkshakes, brownies and cupcakes… But I can only attest to the warm gooey centers of the cookies!

For a mere $1, you can have freshly made treats at your door. The following cookies can be purchased for a singular bill: Chocolate chunk, Peanut butter, Sugar, White chocolate macadamia, Oatmeal raisin, M&Ms, Double Chocolate chunk, Snickerdoodle, & Coconut pecan.

If you are feeling adventurous and particularly hungry, for $2.25, you can enjoy a larger cookie with more diverse combinations. Smores, Triple chocolate chunk, Peanut butter chocolate, and everyone’s personal favorite, Ménage a trios!

The ménage a trios is a combination of your three favorite dough’s, all baked to a sinful perfection.

Of course, once you place this order; which does come cheaper by the dozen, you’ll need something to wash it down with—so don’t forget the Milk! Incase you’re wondering, you can also have a chilled carton delivered. They really did think of everything! (1% and 2% Milk, Chocolate Milk, Coke Products, and for the purist, Bottled water.)

So have yourself a lovely pink heart of a Valentine's dinner — or a no-holds-barred I Hate Valentine's Day party if you prefer, but when you’re done—call Insomnia Cookie!

University of South Carolina Location Hours
Retail Times: 12:00pm-3:00am
Delivery Times: 7:00pm-3:00am

I recommend the Smores and Coconut Pecan.

Freaky Friday

You know it’s a good day when you can use one hand to silently state “Uh ugh, not now” and the other to whip off your red Ray Bans. Good morning Starbucks construction workers. So nice of you to greet me with a whistle while you’re impeding the entire Lincoln/Gervais block! One of my favorite movies The Family Stone, encourages those to “let their freak flag fly”. I struggle with this concept ad nauseam--all the time. I don’t blame my upbringing per se but I was raised with a certain level of decorum that was expected to be maintained. Which generally means when the Hearnicane strikes, you can be sure it will leave a path of destruction. However, if asked, my parents will freely offer up the notion that the worst thing I’ve ever done, was to adopt 4 animals and bring them into the loving embrace of Hearn Manor. So here it is: it’s Friday and against better judgment, I agreed to adjudicate a design competition. The festival is a branch of the Palmetto Dramatic Association… for those of you that aren’t as adept at reading acronyms, that’s PDA. So why not show some public displays of affection and indulge in your freak side?



Jello Shot Spoons ($.75 a spoon at Pier 1)

If sweet confections are cupid's most famous culinary love child, let me tempt you with these creations! Just because your college years might be over doesn’t mean you can’t still make these little gems! They could actually be kid-friendly this time around but who are we kidding? No one eats plain Jello outside of the hospital.

MIX the Strawberry Jello according to the package, SUBSTITUTING 1/2 cup of vodka for a 1/2 cup of cold water. It will take time, but eventually these too will set up.



It seems the holiday has dreamed up a siren of experimentation with Edible Underware. I recently attended a bachelorette party in which the bride requested a singular pair. Whether she got strawberry fruit leather or strung candy I don’t remember—but in an effort to legitimize this post, here’s the background. A witty fool like myself appreciated the exhibition all the more.

The invention of edible underwear apparently came about in a 1975 late night conversation among friends who were sophomorically discussing colloquialisms in the English language, specifically “eat my shorts!” Thus the inventors started the company Cosmorotics, Inc. to manufacture and market edible underwear under the name “Candypants, the original 100% edible underwear.” At first, the patent was denied but later when granted; hundreds of thousands of pairs were distributed out of their food manufacturing plant in Chicago.



If that doesn’t float your boat, and diversity is accepted here at SeaSalt, how about another edible gift? The new “IT” company is headed by Tariq Farid, who partnered with his brothers in 1999 to open the first Edible Arrangements in Hamden, Connecticut. Having been a boarding school brat in a neighboring town, I have experienced the culinary genius behind these masterpieces for some time. But if you are simply unfamiliar with the television jingle, they arrange fruit flowers in lieu of carnations. The company began franchising the concept in 2001 and as of 2008, the business had grown to more than 900 stores reporting to have annual revenues of $195 million. That’s a lotta fruit folks.

So whether you give or get this holiday, and I for one really would love a bouquet of cherries, carrots, or freshly sharpened pencils, remember to do it with gourmet gusto! XOXO.