CRISPY BREAKFAST PITA W/ ARUGULA & PROSCIUTTO

So - are you missing the last two days as much as I am?? Although I was running around from start to finish, the weather was pretty, I slept in, and I treated myself to a good breakfast (something other than my spinach and berry smoothie) - on both Saturday and Sunday. AND I had it in bed. Heaven. This crispy breakfast pita was my Sunday breakfast and I just have to share it with you! 

Breakfast is truly my favorite meal of the day and I like to really do it up on the weekends if time permits. I often treat myself during one or two of my weekend meals since I eat really clean during the week. This weekend, I made this breakfast pita that I recently ran across in one of Giada De Laurentiis's cookbooks. It looked super good and really fresh. Most importantly, it looked like it was easy to make. I don't eat pork very often, but sometimes I treat myself to thinly sliced prosciutto because I LOVE it. That's another reason I wanted to make this recipe. And of course I thought it was delish! The pita is crispy, the mascarpone cheese is slightly creamy, the proscioutto is a little salty, the arugula is peppery & lemony, and the egg is savory and saucy. All of that made for the most unexpected, yet perfect combination of flavors. I honestly think that this would be perfect for brunch (a part of Easter brunch maybe?), lunch, or dinner. It's also one of those recipes that's easy to make your own by using what you have on hand. You can substitute the mascarpone cheese for cream cheese, arugula for spinach, and the prosciutto for turkey, bacon, or ham. It's just super good and something I know I will be making again!! 

Here is what you need and what to do (makes 6 pitas):

6 pita breads (I used whole wheat pitas)
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 large eggs (I always use organic eggs. They taste so much better!)
3/4 cup mascarpone cheese (cream cheese works, too)
Grated zest of 1/2 lemon
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups packed arugula (spinach works, too)
8 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat a grill pan over medium heat - or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Brush each side of the pita lightly with olive oil and grill each side for about 2-3 minutes until crisp. Set aside.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Crack the eggs in the pan and cook until the eggs are set, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Stir until everything is completely combined.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until combined. Pour the dressing over the arugula and toss.

To assemble the pitas, spread about 2 tablespoons of the mascarpone cheese mixture on to each pita. Add a few slices of the prosciutto on top of the cheese. Add a handful of the arugula on top of the prosciutto. Top each pita with a fried egg. Season the eggs with a little salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Images by me

DOORS ON THE BEACH + LINKS...

Happy Friday! This week was BUSY, so I'm quite excited about the next few days. What are your plans?? I'll be running some errands (see the first link of the READ section below), doing a little work, hopefully photographing a few recipes for the blog, and catching up with a good friend here over the freshest margaritas (the best I've had in Atlanta) and tacos. Can't wait! Have a great weekend!
                                           

EAT

I'm not a coffee drinker, but my coffee drinking friends LOVE this...

I love chocolate and a good smoothie, so I'm definitely trying this...

A creative spin on a classic dessert... 

READ

If you want a peek into my personality, then read this. Me to a tee...

I can't WAIT to add this to my cookbook collection...

How Oprah spent the best night of her life...

WEAR

Quite a good sale...
And this is a pretty good sale, too...

On order for summer: These sandals & this dress... 

WATCH

I'm not one of her biggest fans, but I always enjoy watching these...

Image via The Blue Bijou

HOME TOUR: LIGHT AND EARTHY...

Some mornings on my way to work, I drive through the neighborhood where this gorgeous home is located. It's one of those neighborhoods where driving through gives me extreme motivation - motivation that makes me work harder that day in hopes that the hard work will one day enable me to have a home even remotely like the ones I see. The owners of this particular home decided that they wanted a little big change. So they tore down their old home and decided to build a new one on the same property that reflected their current desires in a home. They hired architect Gregg Palmer and interior designer Amy Morris to bring their desires to life. I find the finished product to be lovely. Of course I love the bright walls and mixed with the warm tones of the lighting and furniture. I adore the windows (I have GOT to have windows like that in my dream home), those little sconces flanked on each side of the window in the kitchen, and the simple artwork in the entry. It's just a pretty and warm space that I wouldn't mind having myself one day... :)

Images by Erica George Dines

ZUCCHINI RIBBON SALAD W/ PARMESAN & LEMON

Hi there! I hope you had a great weekend. I spent most of my weekend just preparing for spring. Spring cleaning was on full effect here - dusting, mopping, organizing- the works. Starting the week off with a super clean house feel so good. Now if it would stay that way... I also spent a lot of time in the kitchen doing lots of meal prep for the week. Meal prep has becoming a big thing for me lately - especially on Sundays. I've found that cooking during the week after a long day at work is not really my thing, so lately I've been spending anywhere from 2-3 hrs on Sunday afternoons cooking things that keep well in the fridge and are easy to assemble for lunch and/or dinner...

This zucchini salad is one of the things I made yesterday and gosh it was surprisingly delicious! I've always thought zucchini ribbon salads were pretty and an interesting way to get in a good vegetable, but have been a little iffy about eating raw zucchini. But I researched a few recipes to try and liked this one the best. The zucchini was good, crisp, and fresh - BUT it was the herbs, the lemon and the Parmesan cheese that really made this salad so very good. The herbs add a good earthiness to the salad and the dijon mustard in the dressing and the lemon adds this zing that is really needed to wake the salad up. The saltiness of the Parmesan cheese really brings everything together and compliments the other ingredients of the salad incredibly well. This salad is definitely a keeper for me!

Here is what you need and what to do (makes 4 servings):

2 medium zucchini
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
Juice of one lemon
1/3 cup extra-virgin oil
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
Shaved Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Wash and trim the ends off of the zucchini. Use a y-shaped vegetable peeler (like this one) to shave the zucchini into ribbons. Add the zucchini to a bowl and toss it with the fresh thyme, oregano, and lemon juice.

2. Add the olive oil and dijon mustard to a small bowl and whisk them together. Pour the dressing over the zucchini and toss.

3. Add shaved Parmesan to the top. I like LOTS of it, but you can add however much you like. Season with salt and pepper as it is served - not any sooner. Salt draws the liquid out of the zucchini, so the salad will be get watered down if you add it too soon.

Enjoy!

Images by me

PATIO PERFECTION + LINKS...

Happy first day of spring!! I adore fall and winter - I do - but I couldn't be more excited for spring. I'm ready for warmer - but not too warm - temps, light trench coats, and brunches, lunches, and dinners on the patio. How are you bringing in spring this weekend? My brother and I have decided to take our first annual "brother-sister" trip together this summer. We'll be beachin' it somewhere on Florida's coast, so I will be spending some of the weekend making plans for that. We are now grown-ups who are settled into our careers and life - which means we can now spend lots of time together without wanting to kill each other, so I'm quite excited! Ha. Other than that, I look forward to a nap, a mani/pedi, and hanging out in my kitchen cooking up something fresh and good for the first week of spring. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the links!

Good Laughs

These kids say the darndest things... 

I've played this over and over and over. So addictive!

Good Spaces

This kitchen makeover makes navy look beautiful...
Small can be good - and very pretty.

Good Reads

A frank discussion about negativity online.
10 everyday secrets of happy, healthy women

Oh Sweet Paul... 

Good Eats

A genius slow cooker meal plan. 

French Toast in a mug. Genius, too.  

I've made this 3 times this week. So good and refreshing. 

Good Things

In case you are looking to reduce your cable bill. I certainly am...

Perfect for summer, your home, or trip to the farmers market...
And perfect for your next vacation - and several vacations after that.
Everything in this pretty little shop is 20% off using code OHYOUFANCY...

Image via Lonny

ON MY COFFEE TABLE: SEGRETO STYLE

If you been a doll and have stuck with my blog for a while, then the name "Segreto" might be slightly familiar. I ran across Segreto Finishes back in 2011 (here is my post) and have been an admirer of their work since then. Segreto Finishes is a Houston-based company that specializes in custom finishes for walls, cabinetry, furnishings, and ceilings. Owner Leslie Sinclair turned her passion for architecture, interior design, and art into a successful niche business that makes the homes she works in unique and beautiful. Leslie recently sent me a copy of her second design book, Segreto Style, which features over thirty homes (and 300 pages!) that include her stunning finishes. The finishes provide the most lovely backdrop for the homes' interiors - which are also amazing. The book is literally page after page of beautiful photos that are artfully described by Leslie. She perfectly describes the craftsmanship of the homes and the decision-making process behind the plastering and decor. It's quite involved and she and her team have mastered it perfectly.

I love a well-written, high-quality design book that I can enjoy looking at over and over again - and actually learn from! This book is just that. The photos are high-quality and Leslie's writing is quite inspiring. She even provides the sources of the items in the photos - which is something that not all design books include. It certainly has a place on my coffee table! Lucky for you, you can purchase it here for your coffee table and receive 20% off through March 23rd! Just enter "savorhome" as the coupon code at checkout! 

These are just a few photos from the book that display Leslie and her team's incredible talents. You can see more their work by visiting their website and Leslie's blog!

Images 1 & 6, by me, Remaining photos provided by Segreto

MY 6 FAVORITE HEALTHY WORKDAY SNACKS...

Happy Monday! So I thought I would start the week off on a bit of a healthy note... Many of you have asked me about my diet, so I thought I would share a little more about it today. Eating healthy 90% of the time became a necessity for me when I was officially diagnosed with chronic migraines a few years ago. I've had migraines for 18 years, but not chronically until then. Right after I was diagnosed, I took a hard look at my diet and made it a point to eliminate pretty much anything that was processed or made with MSG or artificial sweeteners - all things that are triggers for my migraines. That exercise pretty much wiped out every snack I had in my pantry! Snacking is big for me because getting the least bit hungry and staying hungry for more than 30 minutes or so is also trigger for a migraine. Therefore, I've always got a little snack in my purse and a stash at work full of simple, yet all-natural snacks just in case hunger strikes. Here are a few things I always have... Oh and I'm happy to report that these changes in my diet have significantly helped reduce my migraines!! :)

Plain Greek Yogurt w/ Vanilla Extract, Honey, Strawberries, and Chia Seeds - Greek yogurt is full of protein, which means it fills me up quite quickly - and I love that. Some yogurt is also full of artificial sweeteners and other fake stuff, so I like to buy plain, real Greek yogurt and dress it up myself. This is my favorite yogurt, but any natural plain Greek yogurt works. I add a splash of good quality vanilla extract, honey, organic strawberries (totally worth the extra cost because they taste 100% better than the non-organic strawberries), and a tablespoon of chia seeds. Chia seeds are a super easy way to get a huge dose of nutrition in one sitting. They are tiny little black flavorless seeds that are full of fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. I add them to salads and smoothies in addition to yogurt.

Trail Mix - Crunchy things help me think better and relieve stress for me, so I always keep something crunchy around. My favorite crunchy snack is trail mix. This particular trail mix is a pre-mixed savory and sweet antioxidant energy trail mix I buy at Whole Foods that includes raw walnuts, raw almonds, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, raisins, raw pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and gogi berries. I try to stay away from salted trail mix to avoid the extra sodium. A little of this trail mix goes a long way and is super portable, so this is the one thing that I always have in my purse as well as in my office drawer.

Hummus & Carrots - I only eat meat a few times a week - if that, so I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate protein in my diet. Hummus is something that I recently starting eating regularly and I LOVE IT! Hummus is made of chickpeas, which are full of protein. It's hard to mess up hummus, so I buy this roasted red pepper hummus right from the grocery store. Even though hummus is good, it can be high in calories. To control my portions, I put a few tablespoons of it in a container along with a few carrot sticks. Sometimes I use the Food Should Taste Good Multigrain chips/crackers (that I mentioned here) as a dipping agent. Either way, the hummus is completely satisfying... 

Peanut Butter & Apple Wedges- I LOVE peanut butter, so apple wedges dipped in peanut butter are one of my favorite snacks. Peanut butter is also high in protein, so it's a snack that I have often. I always use an all-natural peanut chunky peanut butter. This brand is my favorite. The only ingredients are peanuts and very small amount of salt. That is the way it should be! If I have that snack at work, I cut up the apple wedges, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over them (to keep them from turning brown) and store them in a sandwich bag in the refrigerator. Those with a tablespoon or two of peanut butter always hits the spot. 

Fresh Fruit - Fresh fruit is thought of by some as a boring snack, but they are really one of my favorite snacks. I think the key to making fresh fruit fun is finding different ways to eat them. I love bananas and how fast they fill you up, so I have one - sometimes two - every day. Sometimes I eat them plain, but I like them the most with peanut butter on whole wheat toast, mixed in my yogurt or homemade oatmeal, and in my daily breakfast smoothie. I do the same with apples... 

Dark Chocolate - As much as I've talked about the all-natural stuff, the one thing I don't deprive myself of is chocolate. Yes, chocolate is a migraine trigger. For me however, I have learned that I can have it - just not in large doses. So when I need a little hit of chocolate (which is pretty much daily), I have a piece or two of that Dove Dark Chocolate and it completely eases my craving. I keep a stash of these in my desk drawer and pantry BEHIND my trail mix. Placing it there makes me think of a slightly healthier option before reaching for the chocolate. It doesn't always work, but sometimes it does... :)

What are your favorite healthy snacks??

Images by me

KITCHEN CHRONICLES | HEIDI PIRON

I get so excited when I run across a designer that was previously unknown to me. I recently ran across kitchen designer Heidi Piron's website and I'm quite sure my eyes remained wide as I viewed her portfolio. Everything I saw was clean, crisp, precise, and warm mixed in with lots of style - and that's just what I LOVE! She has a way of perfectly mixing colors, textures, metals, and lighting. There are so many elements in a kitchen, so getting all of that right is difficult to do in my opinion. Her cabinetry design is amazing - and did you notice that the subway tile in these photos aren't the standard size?? I think that is one strong thing that sets her kitchens apart from lots of kitchens I see. Heidi's story in addition to her portfolio is also inspiring. She is a woman who worked in the corporate arena for years, designed a few of her own kitchens, noticed she had a passion for kitchen design, then pursued that passion using the skills she learned in the corporate world. I just love it. These are just a few photos of some of her kitchens in her portfolio, so be sure to check out the rest!

WEEKEND IN THREE PICS...

So did you spring forward??? I did, but am wishing there was a way for me to get my hour of sleep back all while having an extra hour of daylight. Tall order I know... So how was your weekend? I was constantly running around most of the weekend, so I don't have much for you today other than these pretty tulips (that were for 3 big bunches for $10 at Whole Foods- deal!) and a few quotes that I'm loving. The quotes are on the sides of some of my Domino magazines - quotes that I just noticed as I was reading the new spring issue. I particularly loved the quote on that issue by Christian Dior that says, "After women, flowers are the most divine creations." I might just have to agree with him... Anyway, I also made this soup that I linked to on Friday's post and it was SO GOOD!!! I highly recommend it! I hope you have a great week! 

BREAKFAST IN BED + LINKS...

Hi there! My favorite day of the week is here! How was your week? My week was good. Other than a great week at work, I focused a lot of my time at home just changing things up and trying new things - simple things, but good things. I purchased this brush and added this COMPLETELY invigorating exercise to my morning routine. I'll be sure to do a blog post in the future on my experience! I started accessorizing my home office and prepping my closet for spring and summer. I also did some research and started taking this much-needed multivitamin - something that has been on my to-do list for quite some time! And speaking of changing things up, I thought I would change up my Links post this week - just to do a little something different. I hope you enjoy them! Have a great weekend.

WISHLISTED

(VIA THIS SALE!)

A soft new set of pjs for summer

A desk-to-dinner dress

Affordable stylish brown sandals

A cute spring trench coat

NEW-TO-ME BLOGS I'M LOVING

Little Upside Down Cake

Design For Mankind

Sugary & Buttery

GOOD ADVICE

Don't Take It Personally

Eight Reasons Every Woman Should Try Pilates 

The Fascinating World of Blog Monetization

How Not To Embarrass People Who Use Your Bathroom

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Quinoa, Sweet Potato, & Black Bean Quesadillas - SO GOOD!

Slow Cooker Braised Mexican Chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
(I heart Mexican food!)

Image via Little Upside Down Cake

INSPIRED BY...

{Simply framed artwork that is flanked by that leather camp stool. I love that stool..} 

{How lovely all those basic pieces look together... }

{The tile in that bathroom along with the simple geometric vase... Quite lovely. }

{That simple walk-in closet with the simple and minimal wardrobe... }

I'm just inspired by simplicity today... :)

Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

WEEKEND IN FIVE PICS...

Happy March!! I hope your weekend was wonderful... I'm on a roll with two really relaxing weekends in a row, so life is good in these parts. I did some shopping for some classic black pumps and got lucky and found these (see below). I had an amazing burger from here, got through most of House of Cards (see my comments on that below), and made this soup for the second time in a few weeks for my Sunday dinner. It's just that darn good! Anyway, below are a few more additional thoughts I had over the weekend. I hope you all have a great week!

J. Crew Elsie pumps | J. Crew Tube Bracelet | Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Tortilla Chips (sold on Amazon.com, at most regular grocery stores, and Whole Foods)

Images by me