Today on Weekend Meanderings a favorite winter sheet pan recipe, a swoon-worthy Southern California home tour, ‘Fool Me Once’ quiet luxury pieces and … I’m on a cruise!
Happy Weekend Friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for our weekend roundup.
All manner of inspiration and going on.
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We made it through January!
Hopefully all our New Year’s resolutions and intentions are on track.
Today I woke up in Virgin Gorda.
In the British Virgin Islands.
Jim and I are on a winter vacation.
And for that reason today’s dispatch is a bit more mumble jumble than usual.
Let’s get right into it …
THE RITZ-CARLTON YACHT COLLECTION
In 2022, Ritz Carlton debuted their first yacht (ahem, small cruise ship) the Evirma. Jim’s been following along and trying to talk me into a ‘yachting experience’ as Ritz Carlton likes to refer to it. Come on … it’s a cruise. Albeit on a smaller boat with fewer passengers than your average cruise. And therein lies my resistance. As a true introvert, with occasional outbursts of extroversion, the idea of being on a small ship with lots of people I don’t know feels intimidating. And I fear the age group on this type of adventure will skew way older (older than me) and will be a snoozefest. I like a traditional cruise on a larger ship where I can get lost in the crowd, all age groups roam the expansive decks and there is lots of activity swirling around me. And I can choose to join in or sit back and observe. Jim abhors this type of scenario. Although while he says that, when we took all the kids and their significant others on a ginormous cruise ship several years ago he appeared to be having the time of his life. In any event, I’m writing this prior to our departure so the jury is still out on what our experience will be. I’m cautiously optimistic. Stay tuned.
Here’s what I do know, the Evrima accommodates 289 guests … a lot of people if you’re at a wedding, but not so many on a cruise ship. Unlike a traditional cruise, there is no main dining room. There are six restaurants and round the clock in-suite dining. Only one restaurant, S.E.A., requires reservations and offers a European tasting menu. Read small portions of ‘adventurous’ foods paired with ridiculously expensive wines. AKA snooty. Jim, of course, is thrilled.
Our 5-Night Itinerary
When we’re back I’ll provide a full and detailed report. In the interim, if you’ve been on the Evirma or its ilk, please chime in the comments. I’d love to hear about your experience.
A major advantage to a cruise is that Jim doesn’t bitch about my luggage. I can throw caution to the wind and pack whatever I want into the biggest suitcase I own. Of course, we still have to deal with the airline weight limits … but this is a warm weather vacation so I feel pretty confident it won’t be a problem. If you’re interested in Ritz Carlton’s Yacht Collection check it out here.
MINTY GINGER GREEN JUICE
A week ago Monday, Jim asked me about my plans for the week. I said, ‘my plans are to lose 10 lbs.’ Really? he responded. No, not really … it’s a little late for that. But maybe with a little increase in exercise and strict adherence to my standard 8-hour eating window, I might drop two. And that brings me to this nutritious and delicious Minty Ginger Green Juice from one of my favorite cookbooks, Lush Life, by Valerie Rice. Sadly I can’t link to the recipe … but I encourage you to buy the book. Here’s how I make it – 2 servings – 1 cup chopped up pineapple, 1 cup arugula, 1 cup water, 1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice, 1/8 cup fresh, peeled ginger. Throw it all in a blender then pour over ice and garnish with lime wheels.
Recipe from Lush Life: Food & Drinks From the Garden
FOOL ME ONCE
Last week Jim and I watched Fool Me Once, a wildly popular 8-part Netflix series adapted from a Harlan Coben novel. We didn’t love it but persevered to the end and the final episodes were intense. Maybe you need to read the novel to understand what’s happening. But it’s easy entertainment so no need to overthink.
What I did love was the main character, Maya Stern’s, quiet luxury wardrobe. She wore some fabulous jackets and coats, my favorite being a Dolce & Gabanna single breasted tweed coat. She wore it over a cream knit top (similar), with black trousers (my Alo trousers are very similar), and white sneaks (reportedly Nike Air Max).
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- Netflix
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- Netflix
Similar coats ~
Other stand outs in her extraordinary coat collection were a Maje quilted leather bomber jacket, Toteme’s shearling aviator jacket, Veronica Beard’s classic navy Miller blazer, and a matte black puffer jacket I can’t identify that she wore in the flying scenes. Alo makes a similar puffer I’ve had my eye on, linked below.
Similar looks for less ~
I wish I had time for a deeper dive, but I’m trying to get packed for our trip and the clock is tick tick ticking and Jim keeps coming in to ask how much longer I’m going to be.
ROASTED CHICKEN, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, PANCETTA SHEET PAN MEAL
Back to my pre-cruise health spurt, who doesn’t love a sheet pan meal? This chicken, Brussels sprouts, pancetta recipe is so good. I don’t recall where it came from. I think I tore it out of a magazine 10 or more years ago and it’s become a fall and winter staple at our house. And yes, I consider it healthy and it’s ketogenic which is so popular right now.
These are the best sheet pans … for baking and sheet pan meals.
Roasted Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Pancetta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
- 1/2 tsp ground fennel seed
- salt & pepper to taste
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 lb Brussels sprouts, halved and quartered
- 1/4 cup diced pancetta
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 lemon thinly sliced into rounds, then halved
- 1 shallot, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp sage leaves, julienned
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°
- In a large bowl, combine half the olive oil, rosemary, ground fennel, salt and pepper. Add chicken and turn to coat.
- In another large bowl, add Brussels sprouts, pancetta, wine, lemon, shallots, garlic and sage.
- Drizzle over remaining olive oil, season with salt and pepper and toss together.
- Pour Brussels sprout mixture onto sheet pan. If mixture has excess liquid, drain it off first. The spouts can't roast properly if too wet.
- Place chicken thighs into Brussels sprouts skin side up.
- Roast until sprouts are tender and juices in chicken run clear. About 30-40 minutes.
GET-READY-TO-SWOON HOUSE TOUR
Every once in a while I stumble across a house that captures my imagination in such a way I can’t stop thinking – and dreaming – about it. And last week Homeworthy did just that. Get ready to swoon over this La Jolla masterpiece, owned and designed by Leslie Martin of M + M Interior Design.
Odds & Socks ~
The Sisters Market Valentine Gift Boxes are ready to roll and I think there’s still time. You can also order a box of Cara Cara’s for your sweetheart … my Valentine dream, just in case you’re reading, Jim.
Last week I shared some Valentine gift ideas, a winter outfit, and a little zhushing around the house. If you missed it catch up here.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you this week.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth …
Until next time, cheers from the Caribbean!
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