Good morning, time for my faves with Cindy and Annie. Today includes a coastal living room refresh for my friend in Atlantic Beach, Florida, a 40 euro Zara dress that four of us bought in Spain, another of Howard’s delicious recipes, and more!
Well, my friend, I’m back and a little bleary-eyed from that glorious trip where our daughter got married in Madrid. Then we spent a lovely time in Barcelona, Sitges and Cortona, Italy. I am starting a regular feature called Classic Casual Travel Design Files where I will feature my best tips and want to hear yours. So stay tuned!
My Friend’s Coastal Living Room Refresh
Having an empty nest is the best time to give your living room a refresh (or family room). This is what happened to my friends Mercedes and Mark (who were also on the Spain trip with us). They live steps from the beach!
Before:
Scene of a lot of great parties…
After:
With a new comfortable slipcovered sofa, pillows, coffee table (sold out), Serena and Lily tray (also no longer available), and cool hand-loomed rug (on sale)!
Howard’s Sheet Pan Chicken With Scallions, Capers, And Potatoes
This delicious recipe should go on permanent rotation. And since I clean up when Howard cooks, I like that it uses just one pan. Adapted from Poulos from the NY Times. Howard added steamed broccolini to the side of the dish for more vegetables.
- 12 scallions, trimmed
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 lb. or less small red potatoes
- 8 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp drained capers
- 1 tbsp lemon juice plus four lemon wedges for serving
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Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place scallions in a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan and drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, season potatoes with salt, pepper, and oil. Spread on top of the scallions. Season chicken with oil, salt and, pepper and place on top and around potatoes.
Roast chicken until cooked through and potatoes are trendy, 30 to 35 minutes.
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Transfer the chicken, potatoes, and scallions to serving plates. Scrape remaining pan juices and drippings into a small bowl, stir in capers and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Spoon over chicken and serve with lemon wedges.
The Sisterhood of The Traveling Dress!
At least we called this Zara dress that. I bought it and so did three of my friends! The Zara store in Barcelona feels like an upscale department store! I purchased this dress in black and white (so did Mercedes).
And Cathi (pictured below) and Dorothy bought it in green and white.
Since it was hot…I rolled the sleeves up. My packable wide-brimmed straw hat is from J. Crew and my sandals are by Tory Burch. I bought the crossbody bag in Barcelona (after mine was stolen in Madrid…long story to save for another day).
8 Pretty Ideas For A Small Garden
I just republished this popular post with new photos.
Lingerie Staples On Sale
I try to only buy my favorite bras when they are on sale like with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale going on now.
Annie introduced me to Natori (also her favorite). I like this pretty underwire bra (lots of colors) and this soft cup bra.
Also, I wore comfortable this soft bralette on the plane home from Europe for 18 hours!
Let’s check out what Cindy and Annie have for us!
Mary Ann, your trip sounds amazing. Sorry to hear about your purse, pick pockets are terrible all over Europe. LOVE the Zara dress, I have shopped at ZARA in Spain and in Paris and always find the best stuff there. The living room refresh is beautiful. I have copied the chicken recipe and am off to see the garden!
We love the Zara in Paris too, Elizabeth!
I THINK ZARA STARTED IN SPAIN!
I would LOVE TO VIST SOME DAY!
LOVELY DRESS………SO SORRY YOUR HANDBAG GOT STOLEN!NOT FUN!
BUT OVER ALL THE TRIP WAS GRAND!
Yes, Zara is headquartered in Spain. You are right that the trip overall WAS Grand!
Yes, to the chicken. I don’t have potatoes but maybe I can use pasta? The dress is fab. Love it all!!!
I made it for the kids here in LA last night, Sandra.
Oh my gosh you look adorable in that dress!! I Love it! Once again Howard scores with another great recipe, and I love the living room refresh! Great stuff this week!
Mary Ann,
Welcome home. I followed along with you and your friends and family during the wonderful wedding and trip that followed.
The 5 favs are always a favorite.
Karen
In the pastel living room refresh after picture, can you give me info on the floor lamp beside the sofa and the round side table on the other side. I love that table and must have it! THank you.
Loved all the wonderful wedding photos and stories…wanted to share that I had my bag stolen in Barcelona a few years ago…we sat in the park by the transportation center and took off my backpack bag for a second…well, it disappeared ! But it certainly did not spoil our trip. We got to visit the U.S. embassy where I was issued another, temporary passport b/c we were boarding a cruise to the Mediterranean in the next few days.
Fortunately, I always carry a paper copy of my passport, and had my new eyedrops in my carry-on. Luckily hubby carried all his own I.D. and $. I hope that your experience was easily remedied. The complicating factor in our experience was the on-going taxi strike but it all worked out and we even made it to the Sagrada Familia cathedral for our reservation time. Did you get to see the church?
We did have to ride the metro to the harbor to board our cruise ship which was quite an adventure. I want to hear about the loss of your purse. I’ve traveled all over Europe, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, up to Alaska, and Canada without a problem, but I let my guard down this one time…never again, (if we even travel out of the U.S. again).
Fortunately, my passport was in the hotel safe. Great tip to carry a paper copy! I am going to post about some other things I learned.
You’ve done it once again, posted 5 things that quickly became my 5 favs for today! The beautiful FL. Living room refresh is wonderful and Howard’s chicken dish looks heavenly and I’m printing it out as I type! I tried to join the sisterhood of the Zara dress as soon as I saw it posted I think on Instagram but it was sold out in my size. I wanted it so bad because I love summer dresses with sleeves. (Loved how you rolled yours up!)
And the second I saw that gorgeous small garden, I knew it was Debbie’s. If I could only live in her garden, I’d be a happy camper! And who doesn’t love a good, comfy bra…raise your hand.
So glad you’re back and recovering from jet lag, but like you said, it’s totally worth it and your trip look like it was definitely a 5 star experience.
Your new living room is so beautiful. I love that rug and coffee table. I would love to know where you got the coffee table even if it is sold out. Love your new outfit too!
Tracy
It was from Pottery Barn, Tracy.
It was a 5-star experience, Gail. We all bought the size medium…and it’s funny how it fit all of us. I hope it comes back as you would look gorgeous in it.
Yes, the Zara’s in Spain are fabulous – imagine you went to the main one in Barcelona in the incredible old bank building? I know the feeling with group purchases – my mother, sister and I have traveled together for years and always seem to end up with at least one of the same items after hitting Zara’s. Your post today reminds me how overdue we are for a stop in Barcelona!
Yes…isn’t that Zara amazing, Beth?