ingredient of the moment: grape tomatoes

grape tomatoes are such an ideal way to get your tomato fix: tiny, juicy, and sweet, these little guys pack a flavor punch without all of the mess that can come from slicing larger tomatoes.

lately i seem to be incorporating grape tomatoes into as many dishes as i can, and if possible i love to use both the red and yellow varieties!

this past weekend i made a riff on my trusty shrimp and israeli couscous dish:

i added both yellow and red grape tomatoes, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, and capers for a summery mediterranean flavor!

a few weekends ago i debuted a tomato and fennel salad that became a fast favorite:

i sliced red and yellow grape tomatoes in half, added slivers of fennel, and tossed everything in a vinaigrette made with lemon juice and olive oil - fresh and light!

up next: my mom's corn and tomato salad - a summer staple in our house! usually we use normal-sized tomatoes, but i am going to sub grape tomatoes :)

here's what you'll need:

1. slice your grape tomatoes in half.

2. slice red onion into slivers.

3. cook corn (i don't have a microwave so i steam mine) and cut it off the cob.

4. chiffonade the basil (click here for a chiffonade how-to.)

add all of your ingredients (except the basil) into a bowl.

whisk together olive oil and red wine vinegar (or balsamic works, too!)

toss the vinaigrette over the salad, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with the basil.

voila! 

you can see the finished result in the blue bowl on the left from a summer BBQ last year!

asian influence

i have noticed chinese garden stools popping up everywhere, and it makes me wonder if i need one for the new digs!

from living rooms:

via

via

via

via

to bathrooms:

via

via

via

they can be seating or tables, and the wide range of styles and finishes make them a possible fit for any space.

here are a few i love:

1. west elm $129           2. overstock $109.99         3. wisteria $129

seeing green

pinterest is one of my favorite spots for inspiration, whether it's for personal style or personal space. i saw this picture months ago and i fell in love with the color/pattern combo:

[via]

emerald and ivory, accented with leopard print - love.

here's my spin on it, with an office-chic slant:

dress / blazer (old - anthropologie) / belt (old - j.crew)


that subtle pop of coral from the cocktail ring is a great addition, as well! 
bright nails would be a frugal and effective way to get the effect :)

covered up

happy monday! so sorry for the radio silence last week - i am still getting used to my new work schedule! hopefully i will be more consistent from here on out, but bear with me if i only have a couple posts a week here and there!

the boyfriend came home last week and gleefully announced that he was getting a new ipad through work. i smiled and was secondhand-excited for him (and maybe a little jealous since i don't even have one ipad, much less two!) until he added, "now you can have my old one!"

GUYS: I AM JOINING THE IPAD GENERATION! 

they are such cool tools, and i feel like everyone has one except me (including my parents.)

now, the caveat with inheriting the old ipad is that it needs a new case. i am trying to decide between these two:

out of office / polka dots

polka dots would be the obvious renée choice, but perhaps the out of office is quippy and cute?