I love Sundays! It’s time for Annie, Cindy, and I to share our favorite things! Last week, I met with some clients and wore this casual Spring work outfit, polished our silver the easy way, listened to two great audiobooks, and had a delicious dinner prepared by Howard.
My Casual Work Outfit
I don’t have to get too dressed up to meet clients in their homes. Sometimes/most times I’m running around accessorizing and adjusting things.
I have this J. Crew lightweight cashmere sweater in three different colors (and I’d like more 🙂 It’s a good layer to take off or on. I’m also a fan of these Madewell flat booties (half price right now–grab them as I paid full price). Also, love these Frame high-rise straight ankle jeans (which I had to have shortened to keep the look but Nordstorm did it for free–perhaps as they were full price or as I have a Nordstrom card…I didn’t ask). There is also my cheap thicker Gap T-shirt (I have a few of them stacked in my drawer).
My genuine leather Apple watch band from Amazon is inexpensive. The Tory Burch satchel is available in lots of colors (just not the one I have anymore–it’s the perfect size for my sunglasses, readers, wallet, phone, etc.). I like the crossbody strap, too.
I bought the Away backpack for travel but it’s great for work too as it has a padded compartment for a laptop and space for files, measuring tape, paint fans, etc. There are some affiliate links…thank you.
Kate Marker Interiors
Lately, on Instagram when I press “save” on a photo it seems to be an interior by Kate Marker. Love her work.
Vintage Runner From Turkey
See the cool vintage runner in the above Kate Marker kitchen? It reminds me that someone needs to buy this hand-tied runner straight from Turkey (it was too long for my client’s space). I can vouch for this vendor, Murat. The prices for his vintage wool rugs would be a lot more from retailers in the U.S. Lots from which to choose! My dining room rug is from him. It came clean and smelling like fresh air from DHL express from Turkey.
Polishing Silver The Easy Way
Life is short, so we started using our wedding sterling silver flatware every day. After a while, it was starting to look a bit tarnished, so I quickly shined it up with this method…
- Line a pan with aluminum foil. Fill the container with boiling water.
- Sprinkle in two tablespoons of table salt and two tablespoons of baking soda.
- Drop your silver pieces into the water and watch the tarnish fade for a few minutes.
- Use tongs to remove the silver pieces and dry with a soft cloth.
Books To Read Or Listen To
I get my books for free from the library as I have mentioned before with the Libby app.
Billy Crystal “Still Foolin’ ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys?” This was published in 2013 and somehow I missed it. You should listen to the audio version as Billy Crystal is so funny and his delivery is perfect. It would be good for a long car ride with your husband.
The House On Trad Street by Karen White
I liked listening to this book as it’s beautifully read in a Charleston southern voice but I think the reader version would be good too.
“Practical Melanie Middleton hates to admit she can see ghosts. But she’s going to have to accept it. An old man she recently met has died, leaving her his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her their secrets.”
Howard’s Chicken Marbella
Howard is such a chef! It used to be just on the weekends but since he’s been working from home, we have something awesome practically every night. I need to remember to take a photo so I can share his recipes with you once a week. I will try, but usually, the sight and smell make me forget.
This recipe was from the New York Times. Rick A. Martinez adapted it from The Silver Palate to make it easier for a weeknight. Howard serves it with a simple green salad.
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and freshly ground paper
- 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pitted prunes
- 1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives
- 1/4 cup drained capers, plus 1 tablespoon caper brine
- 3 fresh or dried bay leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano
- 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 cup dry white wine
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet on high heat about 2 minutes. Add chicken, skin side down, cover, and cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Flip chicken, cover again, and cook until golden brown on the second side, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook stirring one minute.
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Arrange prunes, olives and capers, brine, bay leaves, and oregano in between chicken pieces. Sprinkle with brown sugar, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour vinegar and wine over top and bring to a boil. Reduce to low and cover and simmer until is cooked through 15 to 20 minutes.
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Transfer chicken to a serving platter and return pan to high heat. Cook sauce, swirling occasionally until reduced and slightly thickened about 5 minutes. Spoon pan sauce over chicken and serve.
Those are my fave things…like easy silver polish, a casual Spring work outfit, Chicken Marbella, vintage rugs, and Kate Marker Interiors.
You may also like Mix and Match Floral Outfits and Mothers Day Ideas. Thanks so much for being here!
Lets’ see what Cindy and Annie have for us!
Hi Mary Ann,
I’m sorry you lost your beautiful earring. I hope you will be able to replace it. I stopped wearing anything but studs with screw backs while we are wearing our masks. So much easier and not as worrisome. Love the cashmere sweater on you, that color is great! You look perfect for a day with clients, or anything else for that matter!
I would like to trade you husbands for a day. I can’t imagine how lovely it must be to sit down to a meal in my own house that I didn’t have to prepare myself! Howards stir fry recipe is on regularly rotation here now, I use all sorts of different veggies and we all love it!
I’m glad you’re finally able to get out and about in the big city!
Xo Heidi
Heidi, I stopped wearing those earrings for almost a year…but then made the mistake!
Howard is a good guy and I’m sure your husband has some fine attributes, too!
I’m reluctant to be critical of others, but would like to caution you not to use y our silver polishing method with your knives because the heat may compromise the two-part handle. I’ve known that to happen.
Thanks so much. I hadn’t heard that. I’ve had my silver for 36 years and it’s been good…but then I only polish them once or twice a year. But I will consider this in the future regarding the knives. So nice of you to comment.
Hi Mary Ann , I made Howard’s chicken last night it was a big hit ! What a great recipe for entertaining
I think it could be made just before guest arrive and rest in the oven ( all good chickens need a rest )
I to have lost many earrings because of the masks issue fortunately mine weren’t diamonds or
sentimental.
I had two different diamond earrings with lost mates made into brooches with slides for chains
if I want to use as necklaces , I add a third small brooch and use a scatter pins always get lots of
Complements .
Great advice, Alexis. Thanks so much!
LOVE BROWN AND WHITE TOGETHER!
TRES CHIC!
LUCKY YOU GETTING DINNER MADE…………
YES, LIFE IS SHORT USE THE GOOD STUFF!!!!THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY MOTTO!!!
You have lots of great stuff to use!!
Mary Ann, Fun post! I first have to say I am going to try Howard’s chicken! Max has been cooking a lot too now that he is at home and it is nice. I love your outfit, and the boots..I may need to get them and save for fall! I also am popping over to get that watch band so cute! My grandma taught me how to do that with silver and I forget it’s so much easier than polishing… Also love Nordy’s for the free alterations! Have a good week . xo
I miss you, Kim!! Hope you like the watch band. I like the stitching on it.
Hi Mary Ann,
There are so many ‘I want this’ in this post. I started by ordering the watch band and may go back and get it in one other color. Thanks for that. I wanted to mention one cautionary note about the silver cleaning method you mentioned. It works a little too well on silver flatware patterns that have the look of aging going on. My Grand Baroque for example. The method removed all of the dark spaces around the pattern and makes it look faux. Fortunately, I only did one piece to test how it worked.
I hope you can get your earring replaced by your jeweler. That is so disappointing to have lost it.
xo,
Karen
Oh that’s a good point, Karen. My mom (now my sister’s) pattern has a lot going on but she still likes cleaning hers this way (the tarnish comes back anyway as you know). But that isn’t for everyone!
I may order another watch band, too. Such a good price.
Hi Cindy
Love karen White. She has a new book The Last Night in London. The Tradd street book that you’ ve shown is a wonderful series of five or six books.
Howards meal looks delish.
Honestly don’t know how you do it! There is something interesting and useful in each of your posts!
My only complaint is that my hubs cannot cook a thing and I get so jealous knowing that Howard spoils you with his delicious cooking! You are a lucky girl!
True…but it’s also hard to lose weight!!
Is it still cool there? We are past sweaters and booties here. We still have some up and down temps, so on cooler days I will wear cute flat pointed toe mules.
Do you have a jewelry rider on your insurance? I learned the hard way to do that.
Yes, 50’s in the morning but it warms up. I am going to check our insurance…I know we have a lump sum for it.
Mary Ann,
You look gorgeous in the walnut J Crew sweater. Thanks for highlighting the lighter weight cashmere as an excellent choice in climates with cooler spring and summer. I love the other colors and wonder if you wear petite or not. I’m short waisted and find myself gravitating to your choices.
Howard’s recipe is on the calendar for Wednesday night’s dinner. It smells delicious already.
Sorry about your earring but glad you are replacing such a beautiful sentimental piece.
Hugs from Camano Island as you anticipate your first Mother’s Day without your mother, Diney
It’s not a petite, Diney. I am long-waisted though and wearing a size small.
Hi Mary Ann,
I am so thankful to get the directions for easy silver cleaning. Wow, i can’t believe i have never heard about that before now.
You look adorable in that outfit! Really cute.
Oh, to have a man who cooks is the epitome of WONDERFUL……….can I have Howard for atleast one home cooked meal? And he shops too. He’s a KEEPER!
I worked in the yard today and then baked a pound cake, iced it, and fixed a pot roast for dinner tonight’s diner. Now, I am exhausted.
It will all taste terrific, but i was just thinking today that I need a cook for maybe two days a week. oh well, tonight is Atlantic Crossing, so all is good.
Wow! What a productive day!!! You are a dynamo!!!
Love the book suggestion thank you!
I always have one book in progress…sometimes it takes longer than others to finish depending on how busy I am.
Sorry about losing your earring Mary Ann. That’s a good reminder about being careful removing masks, hadn’t even thought of that! I do the same method cleaning silver but don’t use the salt. Still works great.
It’s great isn’t it, Susan?
You could make the remaining earring into a necklace
Mary Ann, I love the Sunday outfits you put together, you always look so polished, classic and cute! I am well over 50, but strive to be stylish and fashionable without dressing too young for my age. I’m reading another of the books about Italy from Frances Mayes, “See You in the Piazza”, really makes me want to travel to Italy someday and eat all the delicious food! The New York Times Book Review says “Reading this book is a vacation n itself”. I agree!
Thanks for your Sunday posts!
Thanks, Kathy!!!
We are going to Cortona this summer!
I have the same silver pattern and also decided to use every day. I will try this method since it is so much faster than rubbing each with silver polish, rinsing, and polishing.
Way easier, Patricia!
Dear Mary Ann,
I so look forward to your posts!!
Thinking a zoom Howard dinner with our kids would be fun, and you always have the best ideas!!!
So sorry about your earring … appreciate your
words about masks…I know we will all be more careful
Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer!
So happy to see someone else polish silver this way! We also use our “wedding silver” as well as my mother’s often. This does such a great job and you are right — life is to short to leave it in the drawer! Always enjoy your Sunday posts. I my try Howard’s chicken tonight. Have a great week!
It’s a good recipe, Janet. I asked Howard to make this fish dish again tonight so I can feature it next week. I told him that I’d love to feature one of his outstanding recipes each week this morning…and off to the grocery store he went!
Your remaining anniversary earring would make a lovely pendant – perhaps your jeweler can remove the earring back and add a loop or something so it can slide on a slender chain.
That’s not a bad idea, Stacy! Especially if getting a new one is cost prohibitive. Thanks.
I haven’t read a darn thing lately. I need to get with it once we move. Love Billy I am sure I would enjoy that one. Howards Chicken Marbella looks wonderful, I need to add that to my rotation this week. Love your cute work outfit as well!
I can’t imagine that you would even have time to cook, Cindy, with all the moving you are doing. You must be burning calories!!!