Spring Panzanella

Hi Friends!  It's so good to be back!  I can't wait to catch up on all your blogs and see what you've been up to!  Thanks again to {av} and Lauren for filling in for me while I was gone.  I'll post some Scottsdale pictures and shopping soon!

Until then...I've been dying to share our first recipe from Gwyneth's new cookbook, My Father's Daughter.  I last posted on her cookbook here and have since gotten the book delivered.  I'm very excited about a lot of her recipes, but the panzanella looked divine!  It incorporates a lot of my favorite ingredients...roasted peppers and basil!  The final product and was light and perfect for spring!

 

Recipe:

• 6 ounces stale country bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups of cubes)
• 1 yellow Roasted Red Pepper (recipe to follow), roughly diced
• 1 red Roasted Red Pepper  (recipe to follow), roughly diced
• 1 1/2  cups cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• Coarse salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 olive oil-packed Spanish anchovies, finely chopped (we did not do this)
• Large handful fresh basil leaves

To roast the peppers...according to Gwyneth, you must roast whole bell peppers over an open gas flame on high heat, rotating with tongs, until completely blackened all over.  Be patient--you want the flesh to soften and the skin to be totally, totally charred: it should take 15-20 minutes.  After the peppers are cooked, put them in a large metal or glass bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let them sit until they're cooled enough to handle (the covered bowl creates steam which makes it super easy to peel the peppers).  Incidentally, a plastic bag works too.

When they're cook, slip off and discard the charred skins, running them under water as needed to remove all the skin.

For the panzanella...combine the bread, peppers, and tomatoes together in a large bowl.  Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper (and anchovies) together in a small bowl and drizzle over the salad.  Tear in the basil, toss everything together with your hands, and let sit for at least 15 minute before serving.  Distribute the panzanella on plates, drizzling each serving with a little extra virgin olive oil.

Look!  It even looks like the picture!  :)  This recipe serves 4 and is a great side or perfect light dinner.  The flavors were amazing...even the hubby was satisfied!

Have you been serving any light spring meals lately?  

Hope you enjoy!  Bon Appetit!

xo natasha

PS...be sure to check out the Tasty Tuesday party today...I'm linked up and she's featuring Key Lime Pie!  Which is one of my all-time favorites!!!

{Guest Post} Spring Obsessions with tickled.

Happy Monday!  Well...it's happy for me, since I am still on vacation!  :)

I'm very excited to have Lauren from tickled. fill in for me today!  She is one of my absolute favorite bloggy friends and I can't get enough of her blog!  We have a lot in common and I know you'll love her style just as much as I do, so be sure to check her out!

Take it away Lauren!

Hey Y'all! It's Lauren from tickled. and I am so excited to be guest posting for the LOVELY Miss Natasha while she's soaking up the sun in AZ! 

{even if I am a TAD jealous of her vacay! ;)}

Today I'd like to share my current obsessions with y'all ... 

I need to warn you though this list is a LEETLE bit random ... 

There's a little bit of fashion and a little bit of home ... Are you ready for it!?! 

First I am LOVING this outdoor serving-ware from Pottery Barn! All of the dishes and serving pieces are melamine ... {read can't be broken!} 

And with me ... this is a MUST when transporting things from the kitchen to the patio! :) 

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I'm seriously obsessing over wedges right now too ... I'm not at all particular about them! 

LOVE wooden soles, espadrilles, neutrals, and bright colors! 

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I have been eyeing mirrored furniture and accessories for some time now but I have recently REALLY started diggin' it! 

{that mirrored chest needs to be in my house!} 

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And finally ... flowy tops! I think these would be perfect with some wide-leg jeans and some wedges 

{I told you I'm OBSESSED with them right now!}

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So I know it's random but those are some of my current obsessions! I'm excited for Spring to finally be here and can't wait to start hosting dinner parties outside! 

Don't you think that means I 'need' that PB serving-ware and of course a cute hostess outfit {ahem ... flowy top & wedges}?!?

I'm so honored that Natasha asked me to fill in her for her! I absolutely adore her and her uber cute blog and am so happy to have been able to share my obsessions with y'all! 

Hope y'all will stop by tickled. and say HEY! :) 

Happy Monday! xo, Lauren

***

Lauren!  I love EVERYTHING you're obsessing over!  PB {check!} Cute Wedges {check!} Mirrored furniture {check!} Flowy Blouses {definite check!}  See...I told you you would love her!  Thanks again for filling in for me!  I'll be back online tomorrow!

xo natasha

{Guest Post} Friday Fancies with long distance loving

  Hi Friends!  I'm sure I'm busy laying by the pool, drinking a fruity cocktail by now.  So I'm having my very first guest post today!  I'm thrilled to introduce the lovely {av} from long distance loving!  I absolutely adore her blog, especially her Friday's Fancies

series where everyone gets to join in the fun and share anything fun and fancy you want to wear!  Definitely stop by today to show her some love today...and perhaps share what you fancy this Friday!

 

Hi! My name is {av}! Most days, you can find me at {long distance loving}--but I'm honored to appear on the pages of Schue Love! With Natasha heading to Arizona this weekend, I pulled together this Friday's Fancies for her southwestern getaway. 

{all images are screenshots of the corresponding links below}

1) With the temperatures already climbing in the southwest, I wanted to pick a light and airy top. This Club Monaco Morgan Lace Tank filled those requirements--and then some. I especially loved the soft lace detail!

2) You can't go wrong with a pair of these Ray-Ban Original Wayfarers for a day of exploring! They just exude charm from days gone by...

3) Playing to the southwestern vibe, I thought this Chloé Marcie Large Braided Hobo worked perfectly--without being too fringy or overly cowboy-ish.

4) Shorts have become my warm weather go-to...and I would love to sport these 7 for All Mankind Belted Twill Shorts this summer. The lace tank would look so fun tucked into these beauties!

5) I toyed with a bigger necklace, but this Kenneth Jay Lane Elephant Magnifying Glass Necklace won its place in this outfit because I liked the subtlety of the turquoise and I didn't want to distract from the beautiful lace detail on the tank. 

6) Both stylish and presumably comfortable, these Chloé Cork Wedge Sandals complemented the bag perfectly...and let's be honest: sightseeing isn't made for real heels anyway. Wedges all the way!

Have you ever brought fun {but not functional} shoes for sightseeing? 

Want to join in the Friday's Fancies fun? 

Click here for more information on how to link up!

Thanks again for having me, Natasha! Soak up the sun for my little cold New England heart ;) 

Have a great Friday! xoxo {av}

 ***

Thank you for stopping by {av}!!!  I love this outfit...wish I was wearing it now!  :)

Have a great weekend loves!

xo natasha

Going Native

This weekend, I'm taking off to Scottsdale and I am SO excited to soak up some sun and relax.  {Especially since it just starting SNOWING here and is expected to through Saturday...blah!}

Whenever I go to Arizona, I can't help but notice the distinct style there.  The soaring saguaro cactus are magnificent and the southwestern flair is eminent throughout.  I'm getting inspired by this distinct look today and wanted to share my take on this style:

Love this tablescape inspired by the desert...beautiful for any occasion!

 What's not to love about this inspiration?  Little starburst, little ikat, little chevron?  Pretty much in love!

I love this mix of patterns...notice that amazing rug, seat cushion and pillows.  The chairs are pretty great too.

Can we say "turquoise"?  I just love that cuff especially...

I want to be this girl...that sweater coat and hat are amazing!  So effortless.

This colorful Navajo inspired rug is perfection in this otherwise understated room.

Feathers epitomize that southwestern flair...just gorgeous!

All images via Pinterest

What do you think of the southwestern flair?  Would you use rock it in your home or wear it out?  I quite like it...it's a little different and cool, if you ask me!  :)

While I'm away, {av} from long distance loving and Lauren from tickled. have graciously offered to step in!  So be sure to welcome them and show them some love!

I'll definitely report on my trip when I get back!

xo natasha