MAKE... BETHENNY'S CLASSIC LASAGNA

I'm a fan of Bethenny Frankel, from her TV show to her cookbooks. Her lasagna recipe is a great go-to for dinner. It's healthy, filling, and a perfect meal with a salad and a glass of wine.  It can easily be jazzed up by adding spinach, fresh herbs, etc. It serves four so I sometimes make this for my hubby and I, then freeze the rest (it freezes really well).

Makes 4 servings

• 8 ounces whole wheat lasagna noodles (available at Whole Foods)
• 1 pound turkey sausage (take it out of the casing)
• 16 ounces any tomato sauce (don’t be a hero--just buy the kind in a jar)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 15 ounces part–skim ricotta cheese (If I can't find part-skim, I buy non-fat and add a little full-fat ricotta)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 4 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350.  Cook the noodles according to package directions.  Set them aside.
2. Brown the turkey sausage in a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Stir in the tomato sauce.  Set aside.
3. In a bowl, combine the parsley, basil, ricotta cheese, salt, and pepper.  Set aside.
4. Spray a baking pan (9x13 inches) with cooking spray.  Ladle about 1/3 of the tomato meat mixture into the bottom of the pan.  Cover with half the noodles.  Spread half the herb-ricotta mixture over the noodles.  Repeat with another 1/3 of the sauce, the remaining noodles, the remaining ricotta-herb mixture, then cover the whole thing with the remaining sauce.  Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese over the top.
5. Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbling.

THE PERFECT SCENT

This perfume sample was lying on my mom's bathroom counter and after one spritz, I was obsessed! I'm not a big perfume wearer, but this subtle, clean scent does not overpower. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis is a unisex fragrance and its name means Universal Water in Latin, "a water for all uses, for everyone and everything."


Notes include:
-Bergamote and Lemon
-White Bouquet (Lily of the Valley and Sweet Mock Orange)
-Light and Musky Wood 


Paris-born, Francis Kurkidigan, is a renowned perfumer who has created fragrances for fashion houses from Yves Saint Laurent to Jean Paul Gaultier. In September 2009 he opened his own fragrance house, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, in Paris.


What is your favorite fragrance?

HAIR HELPERS

Winter can bring out bad hair days. I'm talking dry strands, fried ends, dull color, and static. These products and tools will truly help revive your tresses and maybe even help turn a few heads.

I just purchased Fibre Architecte from Kerastase by the recommendation of my hair stylist. All of the Kerastase products are great, but I really wanted something that would keep my ends from getting fried by my flat iron. Hear more about this product here.

This hairdryer will change your life. I'm not kidding. I didn’t know what I was missing until I tried the T-3 at a friend’s. The next day, I immediately ordered one and recently turned my sister (a straight hair-aholic) onto it, as well. While it’s expensive, just think of it as an investment. 
A repeat Allure and InStyle beauty winner, the T-3 uses ionic and infrared heat so your hair dries in significantly less time. It leaves hair smooth, eliminates flyaways, and keeps hair healthy by not over-drying. Order it from a professional website so you’re guaranteed the product warrantee. Of the various models, I recommend the T3 Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer at the lightest 13 oz. weight. 

I am obsessed with this line of products. I've tried argan oil and moroccan oil based products, but I believe this macadamia line puts the others to shame. My hair is in the best condition when I use the deep repair masque and healing oil treatment. Read more about Macadamia Natural Oil Hair products here and purchase at Ulta.

The Rusk Hair Straightener heats up instantly and has various heat settings so you can adjust the temp. It’s infused with ceramic and titanium technology to straighten hair from roots to end without causing any frizziness. Your hair will look smooth and shiny!

One of these days I'm going to give in and buy a Mason Pearson brush. Supposedly these are the Rolls Royce of hairbrushes. The natural bristles are known to give hair shine and evenly distribute natural oils. There are a variety of brushes in the line so you can find the model that works best for your hair type. 

A POST THANKSGIVING RECIPE

Every Thanksgiving my mom makes her butternut squash soup (although it's good anytime of year). It's easy, healthy, and so yummy. She tops it with apple chips but I also like it sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. The leftovers make the perfect lunch on a chilly day. Below, you'll find the recipe.

Ingredients
4 Tbsp. butter
1 1b. carrots, peeled and sliced
1 lb. winter squash peeled, seeded and sliced
1/4 c. chopped onions
1/4 c. chopped walnuts
3 1/2 c. chicken stock or broth
Salt and pepper to test
Garnish of choice (chopped parsley, apple chips, pomegranate seeds, etc.)

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add carrots, squash, and onions. Cover pan and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Add walnuts, stir briefly, then add 2 1/2 cups chicken stock. Cover pan and cook at a simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

Transfer soup to a processor or blender. Add remaining 1 c. chicken stock and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be frozen or made ahead at this point). Taste and adjust seasoning before serving in bowls. Garnish with parsley, dried apple chips, or pomegranate seeds.

EAT... GRANGE HALL BURGER BAR

The other night, my friends and I tried Grange Hall Burger Bar, a new restaurant from the owners of De Cero and Sushi Wabi (in the old Veerasway spot). Although we waited a very long time for the food, everything we ate was fantastic. Probably the best turkey burger I've ever had. All of the burgers are grass-fed and hormone/antibiotic free.

Another highlight of this restaurant is the farm-style decor. I love the old-fashioned furniture, charming serving-ware, and floral quilts lining the wall. Grange Hall doesn't take reservations and unfortunately adheres to the communal seating trend, but the delicious food makes up for any misses.

WEB FIND

Emerson Made is a pretty big deal in the blog world. In fact, it seems like every blog I hit up, Emerson's line is listed as a favorite. This husband and wife duo only sell their items online and everything is made in the USA.

I love the polished dresses and shirts that are perfect for work, as well as the jeans and jackets that are ideal for the weekend. And, I'm obsessed with the cute table linens with EAT emblazoned on the napkins. I have yet to purchase anything from their site, but here are the items I'm currently debating.

Gunmetal Pins Grey Jeans

Low-rise Vintage Indigo Jeans

Black and Cream Ribbons Blouse

Olive Wool Day Coat

EAT Table Linens

GMD

Another Girl's Monthly Dinner last night at my friend, Lissi's. The hit of the dinner was definitely dessert. A Barefoot Contessa Mocha Ice Box Cake (made by Ashley). It was so yummy and supposedly really easy to make. Layer your favorite chocolate chip cookies with an espresso spiked chocolate whipped topping and refrigerate overnight. Here's the recipe.

GET IN SHAPE

I am a Tracy Anderson-aholic. You may be scratching your head, wondering who the hell is Tracy Anderson? Anderson is a tiny blonde who is the trainer to just about every celebrity in Hollywood. Her gyms in New York and Los Angeles cost a fortune but I've found that her DVDs and YouTube videos are a reasonable bet and work wonders if you want to tone up. Anderson combines dance, pilates, and strength training movements using your own body weight as resistance. While she has a new set of DVDs out called Metamorphosis, I still find that her original Mat Workout DVD is the best. I did this video five days a week leading up to my wedding and was in the best shape of my life. If you're curious or just want to shake up your usual routine, try out one of the online sequences below to see what it's all about.

DROOLING OVER DANNIJO

I am in love with Dannijo's fantastic jewelry. Each piece is so gorgeous and sure to add flair to any ensemble. Plus, have you checked out the Mr. Dannijo line (a collaboration with Man Repeller)?
Sister duo, Danielle and Jodie Synder, have been designing their collection since 2008 and it's often seen on many of Hollywood's most stylish celebs.
I like that their jewelry hasn't over-saturated the market. You can find Dannijo at select boutiques and I highly recommend consistently checking their website for great sales. Below a few items I covet.

This Lindsay bracelet reminds me of a take on the Frieda and Nellie bracelets.

Love the buckle and touch of multi-colored stones.

Favorite piece. Plus, it's on sale!

Cutest shoe clips ever

Mr. Dannijo Stella collar piece. Would be so cute over a crew-neck sweater or LBD

BABY BONANZA

I had the opportunity to attend my friend, Meghan's, beautiful Candyland themed baby shower.
The luncheon took place at Chicago's Peninsula Hotel. From the colorful tile path leading to the table, oversized candy-colored roses displayed in glass jars, and sweets galore, no detail was left out. It was truly an unforgettable event.

Champagne adorned with safety-pops

I love how all of the candy and desserts are displayed.

French macarons dipped in chocolate on sticks. Yum!

gumdrop topiary

Notice the white and brown sugar "sand" in the vases.

Huge roses in clear jars atop glass pebbles. I'm stealing this idea!