November 23, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Jamie Oliver’s Milk Chicken

I realize it is odd to write about roasting a chicken when everyone is talking about roasting turkeys. Well, I will not be doing a turkey post, because Ina Garten has the best roasted turkey recipe. I have used it every single year, varying the ingredients slightly or not at all, and it is always excellent. I do take additional herbed butter and massage it under the skin. Anyway, that is what I recommend, maybe I will do a post about it one day, probably around The Fourth of July, because that is how organized I am. But let’s talk about chickens for today…

Pinterest is killing me.

I want to make all of the goodies. I want my house magically cleaned. Organized. And I want to do it all whilst wearing a caftan and simultaneously beading an area rug. Has anyone ever beaded a rug? Could you walk on it? Would it roll? Is it slippery? These are all the questions that Pinterest brings to mind. What does this have to do with chicken? Nothing. Except, I found Jamie Oliver’s Milk Chicken Recipe on Pinterest and I was intrigued.

I did not do Pinterest proud here.

My pictures are bad.
This made my heart sad.
I am not a type A.
Is there a type Z?
It’s a good thing…
I am not Martha Stewart.
Amen.

I have made roasted chickens before, but I don’t like having to deal with the roasting pan. It cannot be put in the dishwasher. Everything I use must be able to be put in the dishwasher. I wanted something easy. Something perfect for my lazy heart.

This chicken is it.

I do need to say that this chicken is cooked in milk. The milk becomes curd in the pan. This does not bother me. It does bother some people. Some people being my husband. My husband hates cottage cheese. So looking into the pan and seeing that I pretty much made my own cottage cheese chicken for dinner was basically his worst nightmare. And my perfect tear-laughing moment. But he did like the chicken. He agreed it had great flavor. He just would not touch the marvelous sauce the chicken cooked in because of this.

His loss.

This recipe is relatively inexpensive, especially since I made enough to have leftovers. There are not a lot of leftovers. However I can stretch them enough for one more dish the next night. I turned the leftovers into chicken noodle soup, chicken spaghetti and even just throwing it into a store-bought curry sauce. You can usually find a whole chicken on sale for around $1 a pound. This recipe called for a three pound bird. Dude. If I am going to be roasting a whole chicken and using up ingredients, I am going to make a bigger bird than that. I have used anywhere from a 4 pound bird to a 6 pound bird. I increased the cooking time around ten minutes per additional pound for the recipe (a la Julia Child but factoring in a lower cooking temperature than she uses). When I made the four pound bird, I just followed Jamie Oliver’s cooking time exactly.

Because this is not my recipe, I usually would not the write ingredients and directions, but according to the comments on The Kitchn (where I also learned to cover the chicken resulting in a more braising than roasting technique), Jamie Oliver made this chicken differently on his show. I tried to piece together the best way people said to make this and combined the advice here:

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (4-6 pounds)
2 lemons
1/2 stick cinnamon
2 1/3 cup whole milk
7-10 cloves of unpeeled garlic (the recipe calls for ten. I am cheap. I am not spending fifty cents for an additional head of garlic, so cut out as many cloves as you can from one head and use it. A great tutorial for removing the garlic cloves can be viewed here)
A handful of fresh sage
1 tsp salt + some sprinkled on chicken
1/4 tsp. ground pepper + some sprinkled on chicken
1/2 stick salted butter
3 Tbsp. Clarified butter (I buy mine in a jar at Trader Joe’s. Or you can use half butter and half olive oil)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

You can, if you are of the mind to, truss your chicken if you would like. I do not. Type Z, and all of that. But you can if you choose. Type Z doesn’t judge.

In a large pot (one that comes with a lid), heat clarified butter (or 1 1/2 Tbsp. Butter and 1 1/2 Tbsp. Olive oil) on medium high heat.

Remove giblets from the cavity of the chicken with tongs. Throw them away. Don’t gag.

Season one side of the chicken. Add seasoned side of chicken down into the pot and sear for three to five minutes until it has a nice golden color to it. Season other side and and very carefully rotate the chicken to the other side (I use two pairs of cooking tongs). Sear for three to five minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and carefully discard cooking oil.

Zest the lemons.

Place the chicken back into the pan. Cut the lemons in quarters and push them up into the chicken’s cavity. Place the garlic cloves around the pan. I really want to say, “riddle the garlic cloves around the pot,” but I feared it would not make sense. Plus every time I say the word, “riddle,” I think of Tom Riddle and then I get sidetracked daydreaming about Harry Potter.

Mix the milk and salt and pepper with a fork. ‘Cause you’re fancy. Pour in pan around chicken. Add cinnamon stick. Riddle the sage around the pan. Sprinkle the lemon zest over everything. Add 1/2 stick of butter into the pot.

Cover the pot and place into the oven for forty five minutes for a three-four pound bird. Increase cooking time ten minutes per pound for a larger bird.

After your cooking time has passed, remove lid. Cook an additional forty five minutes. And as Jamie Oliver says, “baste when you remember.”

Remove pot from oven. Check your chicken to make sure it is cooked thoroughly.

Remove chicken to a plate to rest for five minutes. Carve chicken. Serve. I serve a little bowl of the delicious sauce to dip it in. I serve my chicken with either baked potatoes, mashed potatoes or rice depending upon the laziness of the cook that day.

Pinterest, you win this round.

Because this chicken recipe was amazing. Of course, I made this in my pajamas, in a messy house, whilst browsing the Internet. But Pinterest doesn’t need to know that. Besides It’s too busy researching the next new thing… I’ve heard it’s beaded rugs. Be careful. I’ve also heard they’re slippery.

It’s Marvolo-us!

November 19, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

A Small Set Of Anthropologie Fall Reviews

I did some reviews a few weeks ago. And I also tried on the following items for this post at a different store.

This is what I wore the day I went to Anthropologie. The top is Free People’s Mixed Print Tunic (previously styled here).

In a miracle of all miracles, I am wearing pants (Old Navy’s Skinny Rockstars from a few years ago. Size up in these. I wear a 12 in them. I usually wear an 8 in pants. I wish they had better colors available right now. I want to scoop some more up on sale when they finally bring fun colors back. You can usually score them for less than $20 on a good sale).

So I decided to forgo my usual pantless pictures and try on some tops with actual bottoms on. This isn’t likely to happen again. I cannot seem to get away from pantless pictures. There is even one at the bottom of this post. Let’s blame the flu. Always. Forever.

Llamas, llamas everywhere but not a drop to drink.

They. Are. Everywhere. Suddenly I cannot look on a website without seeing the fuzzy creature. I don’t know how I feel about this. At first I was all, “Wheeee! Llamas! Whooo Hooooo!” And then I bought the llama skirt and was content.

We had established in our household many years ago that I am indeed not a llama when we would read the brilliant book, “Is Your Mama A Llama?,” every single night to our children.

So, no, I am not a llama. But I was not sure where I stood on being a llama lover. I am a lover of many things, but llamas? Hmmmmmm. They spit. And while that is gross, I have to give them props for it in a gross-awesome kind of way. There is such a thing. And llamas are a prime example of how awesome gross can be.

I can say I like them. I like them in a lukewarm, would smile if I saw one and not need to go up and pet it sort of way.

But The Moonflower Henley has pink in it. Bright pink. Suddenly llamas are looking very good indeed. I decided I did not need this shirt. I am wearing a size 8 in the picture which is my usual size in tops, but it did gape at the neckline. I tried it on in a different pattern below if you want to read more about the fit.

It is hard to tell, but The Highlands Coat has a lot of different textures going on. The front appears to be some sort of sherpa vest, there is embroidery, a smooth material. It was busy without being busy. It was also by a brand I am beginning to love this year (they made my vegan leather jacket), Hei Hei. I am wearing a size Medium here.

It looked more flattering in person.

Or at least that is what Myself told me.

She was all, “Da** girl, you look goooodd.”

But then she saw me staring in aghast at these pictures and was like, “Sweetie, don’t look at them. Don’t you know ~~Myself~~ cameras always lie?”

If I did not live in California, I would buy this in a heartbeat. I really like it.

But wait! Whaaaaa? No pockets?!?!?!

No, Jenni, they are there. Just on the side. Don’t pay attention to me, I obviously have never put on a coat before.

This shirt is the sister to the llama shirt.

I like it better.

The colors really pop. They are perfect for this season and the next. The animals are hidden but whimsical and pretty. I love this top. I tried on an 8, but the top gaped open at the buttons. I bought this top in a size 10 (with a 25% off code). I wish I would have stuck with the 8, because it is a little too big. So, I would stick with your usual size. I think busty ladies might be sized out of this. The top is very weirdly formed in front and low cut. But the pattern!… It is a conundrum.

I saw The Garden Lace Dress on the sale rack and decided to try it on. It was okay. There was nothing about it that spoke to me. The colors were not right for my complexion. This is a size small. I do think it is pretty on the right person, because I have seen the dress on girls on Instagram and admired it on them.

But I tried it on. “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

As my secret lover always says, “wrap it up like my favorite present.”

Forget “put a ring on it.” Put a bow in it and call it a day.

Okay. He doesn’t really say that. What he actually says is, “All right. All right. All right.” Wait. Whoa! What? Your secret boyfriend says that, too? What are the odds? And by secret boyfriend we mean in our heads, right? And that he has no idea that he is actually having conversations with you let alone dating you? Right. Perfect secret boyfriend. I’m lying. We broke up. I actually broke up with him. Those annoying car commercials where it feels like I am being smothered by boredom? Yea. It’s over.

What were we talking about?

Oh, yes. This amazing, gorgeous, fabulous blanket-like creation, The Tartan Blanket Coat, also by Hei Hei. Or sweater? Or jacket? It really is just like a big blanket you can wear. And who the heck doesn’t want that? I think the success of the Snuggie proved the appeal. I scoffed and scoffed at those infomercials. I thought to myself, who the heck would buy a blanket you can wear?

And then Christmas morning, a few years ago, my sister pulls out a present from my father. A present she has asked for. A complete family set of Snuggies. I think I drowned a family of mice that day with my tears of mirth.

But this blanket coat? Why, it’s completely different.

Because it is awesome. and I’m the one who likes it.

I am wearing the size M/L in the pictures. I tried both the XS/S and the M/L and ultimately decided on the XS/S for the fit in the shoulders. This is one of those pieces that Anthropologie makes that will look good on a multitude of body types. The colors and pattern are amazing. But it is VERY itchy so it will require it to be a layering piece. It is really good.

It has fringe.

Did the Snuggie have fringe? Don’t answer, I don’t want to know.

Did the Snuggie have multiple colors of happiness running through it? The answer is no, Mandi.

I originally bought this with my 25% off code for my husband to wrap up for me for Christmas. With a bow. Secret ex-boyfriend not included. However, I am having second thoughts about it and will probably be returning it to wait for a better sale price. We just do not get enough cold weather here to warrant it. But it is beautiful. I am a fickle indecisive creature.

And that is all right. All right. All right.

Hei, Hei, Hei, Hei, watch the leather man!

I forgot to include this The Composed Pintuck Top in my other set of reviews. Probably because I wanted to block out my no-pants picture from my mind. This top is too good not to show, though. We have an English Bulldog and my husband desperately wants a French Bulldog, too. And I desperately want a house that does not smell like dogs… Well, more dogs, at least.

So I bought this shirt.

That makes no sense.

I know. But I love the green. And the French Bulldogs on it. My husband can just look at my chest and dream of what he can’t have. Wait. That isn’t right either.

Sigh.

Let’s just all put on Snuggies and forget about it.

I purchased the size 8 in this top with a 25% off code. I could not get it out of my head ever since I saw Elsie rocking it on A Beautiful Mess. The reviews complain of the sides being high. I concur with this. I will have to wear high waisted pants (which really should be all I wear anyway) or layer a thin tank underneath to avoid any skin mishaps (I am thinking this tank because of the ruffled sides. It is sold out, but I would check Ebay if you like it. I previously wore it here). Different than the tights mishap occurring in the picture above.

Are you ready for this cold weather? Have you purchased any sweaters or coats? I am not planning on purchasing any sweaters this year (besides my present and this sweater on sale). I have enough for California. So you will be seeing a lot of repeats in my outfit posts coming up in the next few months. What about you? Bought any boots? Dogs (Actual dogs, not dogs that parade in a tease across the chest for a significant other)? What are your thoughts on wearing llamas? And what is the most awesome-gross thing you can think of? Any comments of “your thighs” shall be deleted immediately and spit upon (in an awesome-gross way, of course).

*this post contains affiliate links. Clicking on product links will result in a small commission for ~~a ticket to go see my ex-secret boyfriend in the movie theater~~ this blog.

November 11, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Anthropologie Holiday Workshops 2014

I had the pleasure of going to two Anthropologie holiday workshops the last few weeks. Each one was a lot of fun. I did not take as many pictures as last year, because, honestly, I am super shy. I did not want anyone to know I was blogging about it. Which in not taking a lot of pictures, pretty much almost made that a sad reality. Sometimes I do not think things through.

The first holiday workshop I attended was in Corona, California. It was a very small crowd. There were just six of us plus the girl teaching the project.

At this workshop, we made pearblossoms that were going to go on a wreath. We took crumbled up butcher paper and rolled it into a rough shape. Then we taped around it with masking tape. We then painted the masking tape and added glitter and a stem to the finished project. I think this is a cool skill to learn because the wadded paper and tape trick would work for a number of projects (including bodies for Christmas critters). The glitter they use is so cool. Much better than regular ol’ glitter. It figures that Anthropologie would have awesome glitter. It very much looks like powdered magic. I want some of my very own.

I vow to get a picture of the finished window this time! I will place it in Keepin’ It Real. I was a dork and wore one of my favorite dresses to the workshop. That is because last year I wore clothes that were not my favorite and they did not do anything messy. This year, I wore an embroidered dress and the project could not have been messier. They kindly let me borrow their apron. Phew!

I only took one picture of the inside of the store. I did not get one of their cool atrium in the middle of the store. Last year I learned this was one of the most expensive Anthropologies to build because of the atrium. Next year, I promise!

I met two lovely ladies there and it has been fun getting to know them on Instagram. And the sweet girl who ran it, gosh I wish I could remember her name, was fantastic. Warm. Welcoming. Encouraging. Everyone loved her.

Here I am with one of the finished projects.

At the end of the session, they gifted each of us girls who participated in the workshop a miniature pumpkin and a 25% off coupon to use on a full price purchase. The generosity of the gift made my head explode. I had done some reviews in the dressing room prior to the workshop and had made a wishlist in my head. Well, all of that went out the window. Suddenly, I could not remember what I had yearned for. I ended up buying two of these Kantha pillows, The Fanned Flora Dress, floral tights, and the llama skirt. I was halfway home when I realized that the thing I actually came to the store to buy… the one item I had really, really wanted… I forgot to get. It was this shirt (in a happy ending, the shirt arrived last week. I bought it with a different code).

A week later I went to the workshop in San Diego. I had also wanted to participate in the one in Carlsbad, but their workshop started incredibly early in the morning and it would have been impossible to get there and get kids to school. I chose getting the kids to school. Where’s my Mother Of The Year Crown?

The San Diego Workshop had two different stations to pick from. One station was very crowded. It involved making the coolest pinecones. The other station was fairly empty. It was just cutting thin cardboard. My introverted self chose cutting cardboard.

Both Anthropologies had pretty little setups with food and drinks for the guests. I forgot to take a picture of the table in Corona. At this Anthropologie they had about four people helping out with the crafts. I met a lovely woman (I do not know if I can use her name here) who also participates in Effortless Anthropologie’s discussions and such. It was so nice to meet her. I would love to make plans to go again next year to chat with her again.

I took some pictures of the pretty store:

This is what I wore that day. My favorite Free People top, The Mix Print Tunic. And my mustard yellow Old Navy Rockstar Pants. I took these pictures in the dressing room, because I squeezed in a couple of reviews that will run later this week.

This Anthropologie gave away the sweetest ornament made of bark and with a burnt “A” for Anthropologie on the wood. Of course, I could take it as my Mother Of The Year Award. They also gifted the 25% off code to participants.

The year before, neither Anthropologie gave participants gifts, so I would not go to a workshop hoping for something. It was a sweet unexpected gesture this year, but next year might be different. I would go for other reasons. I went to learn a new craft. Meet new people. And step outside of my comfort zone. I feel like I did all of those things. Probably not well. I was still too shy. I am still the Amelia Bedilia of crafts. However I did meet new people in spite of those things.

Did you go to one of the workshops this year? What craft did you get to do? Do you plan to attend one next year? They are usually held in the middle to end of October so check the website at the beginning of next October to call and register for a spot.

Last year’s workshop posts can be found here and here.

this post contains affiliate links. Clicking on or purchasing from a link will result in a small commission for ~~glitter~~ this site.

October 27, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Anthropologie Fall Reviews

I went to an Anthropologie Holiday Workshop the other day. It was a lot of fun. I plan on combining the two workshops I am going to into one post this year. I have so many posts on backlog that I have to cram everything in. This is what I wore that day (other post with this dress can be found here).

I decided to cram some reviews in at the same time I did the workshop. I also decided to keep the word “cram” twice in two paragraphs. I like that word. I imagine it being said with a twang and anything said with a twang is better. Except for the actual word, “twang.” There is no helping that one. How did this post get so off track? This post contains so many pictures. I apologize for the length of this post, but I did not want to exclude anything or make two posts.

Without further ado, the reviews:

I saw this knit chemise hanging on the hanger with its grey twin. I have enough grey (please remind me of this post the next time I whine about not having enough grey. It is bound to happen. And, of course, I will deny it). So I decided to try on the wine color.

I thought it was a dress.

But now I am not so sure. Did I inadvertently try on another top without pants? This seems to be a too common occurrence. I tried on the small. It fit fine. I have enough of these types of pieces in my closet, so I passed on it. But I would recommend it (with leggings or skinny jeans if you are 5’4″ and taller, and if you are shorter than 5’4″, I think you will be able to get away with tights. I am 5’6″. I am wearing tights. I do not recommend doing that) if you are looking for an easy layering thermal piece in your closet. I also think the different color at the cuff is a cute touch.

I saw The Sherbet Handknit Vest and I was intrigued by the loops. I am not a fuzzy sweater type of gal. I remember when my daughter was two, my sister bought her a bright blue fuzzy sweater. She. Would. Not. Take. It. Off. That was the end of me having any influence in her wardrobe.

She must be rubbing off on me. I like this vest, but I do not have enough colors to match this vest in my closet to purchase it.

This coat. This Mesilla Jacquard Coat is everything (bear with me. This seems to be my phrase of the month). But it is.

The texture. The material. The pattern. The hood. I love it.

You know what would be helpful? If I could remember what size I tried on. I believe it was M/L, but I could be wrong. I know I tried the vest above and this coat in two different sizes. One was an XS/S and one was a M/L. And never shall I know which is which.

I am sorry about my lack of information, naked thighs and bad hair. If I see it in the next store I am in, I will try it on and correct the size issue. I can make no promises on the status of thighs and hair at that time.

If I did not all ready have a similar sweater in almost this exact pattern and color, this would be at the top of my wishlist. But I do (one from long ago and I cannot find its name). I highly recommend this coat. It is gorgeous.

The last picture is me realizing my hair looks ridiculous and my dress might not be a dress afterall. It is good times in the dressing room with me.

I had lusted after The Risen Sun Sweater Dress online. And I mean lusted. Okay. Maybe I don’t mean lusted. That might be too strong of a word (and image), but I could not wait to see it in real life. My store had two in stock. This is a size small. I am sad to say it is not my favorite. I am not a huge fan of the open weave sweater material. It was a lot of fabric on me. The pattern is fun. But this was just not a love for me. I took it off of my wishlist.

I have seen a lot of girls rock this dress on Instagram so I think this will be an individualized dress decision. Best to try it on to see if it works for your body type.

This Iguazu Pencil Skirt was another item that had made it to my wishlist when I spotted it online. I wanted it so badly to work. But, alas, it was too long for me and my saddlebags showed much too much. This skirt will be fantastic on the right body shape. I am wearing a size medium. Another item that was removed from my wishlist. Darn.

I did not have anything to try on with this adorable bunny shirt, called sweetly enough, Hop Along Top, except for the skirt above. I love this shirt. I am wearing a size six. I have very large arms so this type of sleeve is usually a pass for me. It was not the most flattering but it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I love the pattern. Who can resist adorable bunnies? I will watch this one for a sale.

This skirt. This skirt is everything (I did warn you). It has llamas and ~~cheetahs~~ ~~cats~~ or dogs? I cannot figure out the last animal but I do think they are two animals that go so ~~oddly~~ well together.

I also could not figure out the sizing in this skirt. I tried on the medium and the large. I ended up going with the medium. The sweet gals at this Anthropologie generously gave the participants of the holiday workshop 25% off purchase cards. I know! Those girls are everything. I used mine for a few things. This skirt was one of them.

I like to be as confusing as possible. I am wearing two different sweaters in the photos above. The sweater I am wearing in the first picture is the same as the one in the third. It is called The Icehouse Pullover. I added it to my wishlist. I do not have enough grey… sweaters. I need this one. I really liked the fit. I took a medium. The middle picture is The Novelty Pullover on sale (also seen in The Iguazu Pencil Skirt photo). I tried on a medium and it was fine. That one was too busy for me.

What do you think about the headband/turban? I ended up purchasing it and giving it to my daughter. I may or may not borrow it. I am not sure if I look silly in it. More silly than a woman in her late thirties wearing a skirt with prideful llamas and resting cheecatdogs.

I loved The Tiled Amethyst Dress when I first tried it on. I am wearing a small in the picture. Even afterwards I was thinking about it. As I waited for the paint to dry (how often do you get to use that phrase in its correct form?) on the project I was working on for the workshop, I scanned through these pictures. And I noticed this v in the front of the pattern for the first time. This really bothers me. For this reason this dress did not make it to my wishlist.

I have a confession. When I bought this jacket (post wearing it here), I also purchased this sweater. It is called The Downy Cocoon Cardi. I wanted to see which one I liked better. I knew I would return one. Hands down the jacket won. Arms all in. The jacket. This is an XS/S. The material is gorgeous. But it is very delicate and I found it to be too bulky on my frame. This was removed from my wishlist. I did have the sweet woman checking me out take a picture of it as I was returning it so I could show the fit. I am weird.

The girls there loved this sweater, so I suggest trying this one on to see if it will work for you. I think it can be great on the right person.

Let’s just get to it. Everything. Yep. Anthropologie’s Fanned Flora Dress was the other item of clothing I purchased with my 25% off. The dress that I actually bought I did not get a picture of. (I tried on three). I was in a hurry. The first two pictures (same dress) are a small (and the size I purchased) and the bottom one is a medium. This is something that I highly recommend going to the store and trying on in person. Every single dress had a different pattern placement. I much prefer the pattern not next to the face (as is shown in the small. The medium has the busy pattern on the neckline. I do not think that placement is as flattering). The dress I purchased is a mixture of these two. It has a plain top but the shoulder and middle on down are full of pattern.

This dress has such pretty colors. The blue is vibrant. I think it would look good belted, too (my store had the mannequin dressed that way). I prefer the loose swing dress look.

Have you tried on anything good lately? Anything in your wishlist worth sharing? Have you ever tried on a top and thought it was a dress or vice versa? Did you share those pictures on the internet?

*this post contains affiliate links. Clicking on a link will result in a small commission for ~~the research of the mating habits of cheecatdogs~~ this blog.

These pictures were edited using VSCO’s C1 filter on level 3.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

review

Jamie Oliver’s Milk Chicken

A Small Set Of Anthropologie Fall Reviews

Anthropologie Holiday Workshops 2014

Anthropologie Fall Reviews