I's A New Dawn, It's A New Day, It's A New Life

Blouse: Old Navy, Dress (worn as a skirt): F21, Sweater: Old Navy, Belt: thrifted, Leg Warmers: F21, Boots: Madden Girl, Ring: Charlotte Russe

I broke a lot of rules with this outfit. Black and Brown, white in the winter, dress as skirt (if, in fact, that is a rule). But guess what, the fashion police never showed up and I felt fun and springy in the 70 degree weather all day yesterday. So it was totally worth it. And it rocked.

I don't know what it is with me and song titles, but when I'm trying to drum up something in my head for a blog, it's the only thing that comes to me. And that Jenifer Hudson commercial for Weight Watchers has been eerily ringing in my head since last night (google it). This is why I don't watch much TV. I pay too much attention to the commercials. And I don't have TiVo. Poor me. Have you ever noticed how commercials get increasingly cruel around the holidays? All through Christmas and Thanksgiving they tell us to eat eat eat...then New Years rolls around and they say you're fat, you're fat, you're fat. Downright dirty I tell you.

So, yesterday, we went BACK to Thomasville because we had no agenda. It was the most fun and relaxing day ever! We went antiquing, ate hot dogs in a smoky pool hall from the world-famous Billiards, repulsed those around us with our smoky chili aroma, enjoyed coffee from the cutest little organic cafe (Grassroots) , and generally just wasted a plethora of time. My favorite way to see an afternoon go.

So I hope you all rung in the new year with the ones you love. We stuck to our little tradition and cooked dinner in last night {recipe below}. It was delish...and super relaxing...and Dusty brought me flowers...which makes every meal better. After we stuffed our bellies with an ungodly amount of red meat, we retired into a food coma and watched a House marathon. I woke up about five minutes after midnight to give Dusty a kiss and wish him happy New Year. I think. Or maybe I just dreamed that, but I fully intended to. But if last night was any indication of how the new year will go, it should be swell. Relax, Eat, Chill. Kinda my New Years resolutions. I intend to do less this year, which is somewhat contradictory to most resolutions, but I'm trying to stop cramming every day with an overwhelming amount of self-inflicted responsibilities and just chill. I'll let ya know how that goes.

So recipe:

Beef Fillet with Seasoned Butter

2 Fillets

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

1/4 cup butter

2 tbsp finely chopped onion

Favorite seasoning

Season fillets with salt and pepper and sear in a hot cast iron pan (or something that can go from stove to oven) over medium heat in hot olive oil for two minutes on each side. Transfer pan to 400 degree oven for ten to twelve minutes. (If you don't have a pan that can go from stove to oven, just transfer the meat to a baking dish.) Allow meat to sit and rest for about 10 minutes. Stir together softened 1/4 cup butter with seasoning. Saute onion in beef pan until softened (about 5 minutes). Add onion to butter and slather onto fillets. Pure amazingness I tell you. I served this up with mashed potatoes and sauteed green beans.

So whip this up the next time you want an impressively fancy dinner with minimal kitchen skills and effort. And let me know how it goes.

Much love and Happy New Year!!!

Ramsey