Eats: Cooking Barefoot

“If you’re going to wear pleats, wear them like you mean it!” This was the response of my dear friend and fellow gourmand, Meg Behl, when I told her about someone I had gone out with who, to my surprise, wore one-pleated pants – something I had not considered in almost 15 years. But her comment made me think about the level of intensity for which we commit to things, e.g., work, school, fitness, family, friends, and food!

These days when I cook for just myself at home, I stick to a bland diet: eggs, veggies, bananas, cinnamon raisin bagels, wheat pasta, and milk-free frozen boxed lunches. Do not be fooled – this is a new diet. In the past, my dailies included such deliciousness as pizzas of all kinds and Philly cheese steak sandwiches. And when I say daily, I mean daily.

However, when I have time to entertain and cook for friends, I like to cook like I mean it! I owe much thanks to my step-mother Madelyn Harris, Peter Nguyen, and Irvin Lin, who inspired this blog post about food due to the launch of his own blog, Eat the Love, and who I will get to see Tuesday. Yay! During the most recent years, these people have cultivated my culinary knowledge and sluggish knife skills; provided direction in menu planning with interesting yet contrasting temperatures and flavors; and helped me accept the fact that the food I serve may not look like the food in the photographs of some cookbooks.

But when I am not being supervised, I owe much thanks to the brilliant recipes of Barefoot Contessa. They are easy to follow, even for an amateur like me. And my food, more often than not, has actually looked the pictures in her cookbooks! Below are my favorite starters, soup and vegetable recipes I have tried: (1) Raspberry Royale, (2) Roasted-Tomato Basil Soup, (3) Chicken Chili, (4) Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread, and (5) Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Apples. The recipes come directly from the cookbooks.


Raspberry Royale (Makes 4 to 6 drinks)
Heaven! And if you do not believe in heaven then believe in this raspberry royale! I served this at a brunch last summer and it was a major hit. Major!

· 6 teaspoons raspberry liqueur
· ½ pint fresh raspberries
· 1 bottle of good Champagne, chilled

Pour 1 teaspoon of raspberry liqueur into each champagne glass and add 2 or 3 raspberries. When guests arrive, pop the cork and fill each glass with Champagne. Serve immediately.


Roasted-Tomato Basil Soup (Serves 6 to 8)
I served this last August for friends at a “last minute summer supper.” It was delicious and spicy. The recipe was perfect.

· 3 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
· ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil
· 1 tablespoon kosher salt
· 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
· 2 cups chopped yellow onions
· 6 garlic cloves, minced
· 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
· ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
· 28 ounces canned plum tomatoes with their juice
· 4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
· 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
· 1 quart chicken stock or water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Toss together the tomatoes, ¼ cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in one layer on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.

In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, sauté the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, butter, and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold.


Chicken Chili (Serves 12)
I served this in January for a dinner party for some colleauges. It was unpretentious, delicious and allowed the company to be the main entrée.

· 8 cups chopped yellow onions (6 small onions)
· ¼ cup good olive oil, plus extra for chicken
· ¼ cup minced garlic (8 cloves)
· 4 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and large-diced
· 4 yellow bell peppers, cored, seeded, and large-diced
· 2 teaspoons chili powder
· 2 teaspoons ground cumin
· ½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, or to taste
· ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
· 4 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for chicken
· 4 28-ounce cans whole peeled plum tomatoes in puree, undrained
· ½ cup minced fresh basil leaves
· 8 split chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
· Freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

· Chopped onions, corn chips, grated cheddar, sour cream

Cook the onions in the oil over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Crush the tomatoes by hand or in batches in a food processor fitted with a steel blade (pulse 6 to 8 times). Add to the pot with the basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken for 35 to 40 minutes, until just cooked. Let cool slightly. Separate the meat from the bones and skin and cut it into 3/4-inch chunks. Add to the chili and simmer, uncovered, for another 20 minutes. Serve with the toppings, or refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.


Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread (Makes 12 large pieces)
Flavorful, impactful, all kinds of goodness! I served this with the Chicken Chili above. Please note that I modified the original recipe. My version is below.

· 2 cups all-purpose flour
· 2 cups yellow cornmeal
· ½ cup sugar
· 2 tablespoons baking powder
· 2 teaspoons kosher salt
· 2 cups buttermilk
· 3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
· 1/2 pound (2 sticks) salted butter, melted, plus extra to grease the pan
· 8 ounces aged extra-sharp Cheddar, grated, divided
· 1/3 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts, plus extra for garnish (3 scallions)
· 4 oz diced jalapeño peppers
· Small can of Mexican corn

Combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and butter. With a wooden spoon, stir the wet ingredients into the dry until most of the lumps are dissolved. Don’t overmix! Mix in 2 cups of the grated Cheddar, the scallions and jalapeños, and allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle with the remaining grated Cheddar and extra chopped scallions. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool and cut into large squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Apples (Serves 8)
I think this was the first Barefoot Contessa recipe I ever cooked without supervision … Valentine’s Day 2008. This is also a family favorite.

· 4 pounds sweet potatoes (about 6 large)
· ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
· ½ cup heavy cream
· 4 tablespoons (½ stick), melted
· ¼ cup light brown sugar
· 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
· ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 2 teaspoons kosher salt
· 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the topping:

· 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
· 3 McIntosh or Macoun apples, peeled, cored, and cut into eighths
· 3 tablespoons light brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Scrub the potatoes, prick them several times with a knife or fork, and bake them for 1 hour, or until very soft when pierced with a knife. Remove from the oven and scoop out the insides as soon as they are cool enough to handle. Place the sweet potato meat into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and add the orange juice, cream, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix together until combined but not smooth, and pour into a baking dish.

Bake the potatoes and apples for 20 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

Looks like I still have my work cut out for me to try some Barefoot Contessa salad, dinner, and dessert recipes!

Best,
Hadley

At the Moment: All About My Name

I just returned from a long weekend in New York City, where I had the pleasure of reuniting with friends from undergrad and those from St. Louis, who had moved there. I also met several delightful people who I hope to see again. I met my new and darling twin nieces and fed and unsuccessfully burped one of them.

I ate at Michelin starred restaurants Perry Street and Rouge Tomate, both which were delicious. I saw “West Side Story” on Broadway, my first time in Times Square. And I saw an outstanding dance performance by KEIGWIN + Company.

I may have overcompensated in activities for my eleven and a half year absence since this was my first real visit to the city since I moved away on August 20, 1999. A lot of memories came back to me including the history of my name. The following is that history. I figured it was time to get everyone on the same page.


Srisak Veggabul, 1975 – 1976
On September 11, 1975, I was born in an orphanage in Thailand. I remember at one point my (adoptive) mother told me that it was rumored that my biological father was a cop and my biological mother was a grad student from up-country Thailand. I was given the name Srisak Veggabul (to my understanding it was pronounced “See-sok Wech-a-boon”). I believe all of us orphans were given the last name of Veggabul either because that was the last name of the lady who ran the orphanage, the doctor who delivered us, or maybe it was for both reasons – sadly, I do not recall what my mother told me because I do not always do a good job at listening. :-)

Anyhow, I lived in the orphanage for six months before my paternal grandmother, Gram (a.k.a., Dorothy Wilson), visited my maternal aunt, Suchada Holmes, and grandmother, Yai (rhymes with “lie” and means grandmother in Thai). During Gram’s visit my parents had asked that Gram go to the orphanage to inquire about the adoption process. So, Gram went to the orphanage and unbeknownst to them all, was able to choose me right then and there. Gram said she chose me because I was the “longest baby in the orphanage” and she wanted to make sure I would fit in well back in the United States.


Brian Wilson, 1976 – 1998
In 1976, I was legally adopted by Peter and Pun Wilson in the United States and given the name Brian Wilson. I grew up my entire life with references to the Beach Boy Brian Wilson: “You don’t look like Brian Wilson” or “How’s Carnie?” But none of this made me think to change my name.

It was then in the fall of 1998 that my dear friend Peter Nguyen asked me what my initials were because he needed them for the monogrammed business card holder that he gave me as a graduation gift.

“B.W.,” I told him.
“What’s your middle initial?” he asked.
“I don’t a have one,” I replied.
“I guess they can monogram it with just B.W.”
“No, they can’t!” I quickly responded. “Give me a week! I’ll find a middle name!”


B. Hadley Wilson, 1998 – 2006
So for one week I researched names. The first thing I did was see how each letter looked straight forward, i.e., BHW, and then in an actual monogram format, i.e., BWH. But before selecting H, I had narrowed it down to G and D. So from there, I researched the meanings of names or found names that I thought sounded good with Brian and Wilson. By midweek I came up with Greer and Dean. I actually thought Greer was kind of cool for a middle name and I told another friend about Greer and she said, “No, you can’t use Greer. That was the name of that strange model I hooked up with.” Ha! So, I scratched that one and chose Dean.

However, before I committed to Dean, I sent an email to the Brian Wilson fan club and asked if Brian Wilson’s middle name was Dean and that I was hoping it was not because I wanted to differentiate our names. The president of the fan club replied and said, “It’s not Dean but close, it’s Douglas.” Well, here was an opportunity for me to end the Beach Boy jokes but with Dean our initials would have stayed the same, so I called Peter Nguyen and told him I needed another week to find a middle name.

So, the search continued until I found Hadley. It was also during this time that my schoolmates and I were researching prospective employers and providing feedback on each others’ resumes. I had changed my resume from Brian Wilson to Brian H. Wilson and my friends kept asking what the H stood for, so I told them and they all said they liked Hadley. So in 1998, I changed all my information to B. Hadley Wilson and started using Hadley as my primary name.


S. B. Hadley Wilson, 2006 – Present
After my mother passed away in 2005, I felt that I owed it to her to become more engaged with my Thai heritage. I thought about taking Thai lessons but that was just too much of a commitment for me. So, in the summer of 2005, I decided that I would integrate Srisak back into my name. I played around with the four names. Such combinations included B. S. Hadley Wilson – you can imagine my own reaction to that one – and B. Hadley S. Wilson, which looked weird to me. By the end of summer, I finally decided that Srisak should come first since it was my given name.

So, a year later, I finally got around to submitting the name change request forms to the St. Louis courts where they reviewed it, filed it, and told me to come back to appear in front of a judge. They provided two dates for me to choose from to appear in court and the first date was September 11, 2006, which was my birthday, so I knew it was a sign.

And that is how S. B. Hadley Wilson was born!

Best,
Hadley

Leisure: Head-to-Toe Products

Imagine that you are a company. You have a board of directors who reviews your performance but then you have an advisory board who you have selected for when you want to seek advice to stay relevant. If my company were SBHW, Inc. and I had an advisory board that I could turn to for all things related to body, skin, hair, tools of the trade, fragrances, and grooming products other than my norm, I would most definitely seek the advice of Melissa Reel and Irvin Lin.

Melissa is the Chatecaille Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus – St. Louis but she can help you with anything throughout the entire store. Irvin’s knowledge base about historic and current trends, fads, and crazes ranging from pop culture to high culture is incomparable and beyond my level of comprehension. Anyhow, when shopping for your beauty needs or grooming products, here is a tip from Irvin:

“I highly suggest people go to their dept store cosmetic counter … find someone knowledgeable and describe their own skin. What works for me, doesn’t necessarily work for you, and every environment is different (what I would use in SF is totally different than what I would use in Minneapolis or in Hawaii).

Describe your skin type and describe what you are looking for to the person and then ask for samples. If you show a genuine interest in the product, and you are at a reputable cosmetic counter, chances are they will give you something to try out. Be sure to ask for their business card too, so if you like the product you can go back and purchase from the person that helps you.”


Body Care
Melissa says:

ReVive Sans Veines Body Repair Cream: “Deeply penetrating body moisturizer that helps skin maintain firm and supple appearance and also helps with spider veins.”
ReVive Neck Renewal Cream: “Smoothes out the décolletage area and the nasty creases we get on our neck.”

Irvin says:

“I use a glycerin based soap – usually Purely Natural,” which is inexpensive and good for sensitive skin types.

My dailies:

Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar
Jergens Ultra Healing
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish: This is a new product that Melissa just introduced to me the other week and I look forward to using it once a week. I'm such a believer in this product that even without having tried the Sugar Face Polish I am ready to order some.


Skin Care
Melissa says:

Chantecaille Nano-Gold Eye Cream: “Can’t live without it! Brightens, firms and smoothes fine lines almost immediately!”
Chantecaille Vital Essence: “Can’t live with out this either. Very, very hydrating and allows your moisturizer to penetrate more effectively into your skin.”

Irvin says:

“I also use Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15. I’m a fan of their Lip Balm SPF15 and I washed my face everyday with their Foaming Non-Detergent Washable Cleanser. It’s tough enough to clean out my pores but gentle enough that I can use it everyday, especially since I’ve got combination skin. I also use their Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub” for exfoliating.

My dailies:

La Mer The Cleansing Gel
La Mer The Tonic
La Mer The Eye Concentrate: Best ever!
Aquaphor Healing Ointment: For lips. Best ever!
La Mer The Moisturizing Lotion: Spring/summer.
La Mer Crème de la Mer: Fall/winter.
Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask with Rosemary and Honey: Once a week.


Hair Care
Melissa says:

Frédéric Fekkai: “I love the Brilliant Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner. I also use the Salon Technician Color Care Rapid Results Moisture Mask a couple of times a month. My hair feels and looks fabulous!”

Irvin says:

“I actually love using a variety of shampoos, and usually rotate between four to six of them. Which seems extreme, but I use a lot of product in my hair and if you use the same shampoo, your hair can get too use to it. Or so I tell myself. I’m usually way too lazy to use a different conditioner so I try to use a moisturizing shampoo. There is a local shop called Nancy Boy who’s signature shampoo is what I use most often. They also have the best shaving cream, something I am very loyal to.

Other shampoos I’ve used include Bumble and bumble Seaweed Shampoo which is great and I feel strengthens my hair a lot and Aveda Rosemary and Mint Shampoo.

For hairstyling, [my partner] AJ uses a Kiehl’s Leave-In Hair Conditioner when he has short hair, and something stronger when it gets a little longer. Here I just use a cheap product called Surf Hair by Fructis. It’s my little secret …” Not anymore! :-)

My daily:

Bumble and bumble Sumotech


Tools of the Trade
Melissa says:

neuLash: “Helps extend and thicken eye lashes within days! (I have used this and love it!)”
Clarisonic: “Electronic cleansing brush for face and body. Gently cleans pores so effectively that your skincare absorbs better into your skin. Removes 6x more makeup and reduces appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles. (I have not used this yet, but want to buy one. The people that have been using it swear by it!)”
Baby Quasar: “Stimulates the production of collagen diminishing appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. Firms and tones skin. (This is supposed to do what light therapy treatments do at the dermatologist, but A LOT less expensive.)”
Baby Quasar Blue Anti-Acne Light Therapy: “Anti-acne skincare device. Kills acne causing bacteria. It is a light therapy treatment.”


Fragrances
Melissa says:

Chloe: “My favorite right now is Chloe.”

Irvin says:

“… my absolutely favorite fragrance is Odeur 53 by Comme de Garçons. It smells like no other fragrance out there, angular, contemporary and very avant garde (just like their clothes). It’s completely unique and though it’s been on the market for 10 years, I have yet to find another smell that comes close to what they were able to achieve with it. It’s not for everyone, and it’s definitely not a traditional smell, but I love it.”

Irvin adds a tip:

“Just as an FYI, fragrances do break down … If you own a large bottle and don’t go through the scent very fast, I suggest storing the fragrance in the refrigerator. It will help preserve the scent.” Who knew?!


Men’s Grooming
Melissa’s fellow colleague Ryan Britton can sum up his choices in one word: Kiehl’s. Below are his favorites:

Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion: “Use once a week, good for very oily skin.”
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Moisturizer with SPF 18
Kiehl’s Razor Bump Relief
Kiehl’s Grapefruit Body Scrub
ReVive Sensitif Oil Free Lotion SPF 15

Irvin says:

“I used Art of Shaving Unscented After-Shave Balm as it is a good balming feel without stickiness or weird smells. It’s expensive, but a little bit goes a long way.”

My daily:

Gilette Shave Gel for Sensitive Skin

On that note, play around, see what works for you. Just remember, it is our responsibility to maintain what our parents (or plastic surgeons) gave us.

Best,
Hadley

* All of Melissa’s and Ryan’s recommended products are available at Neiman Marcus.
* All of Irvin’s recommended products are available at Aveda, Nancy Boy, Neiman Marcus, Target, and Walgreens.

At the Moment: 10 Guilty Pleasures

The term “guilty pleasure” seems like a contradiction to me because if something is devilishly joyful then why should we feel guilt? What is the definition of a guilty pleasure anyway? Is it something that we enjoy so much that we become braggarts? Is it something that we covet so much that we turn it into an addiction? Or is it something that we engage in but fear others may find it lowbrow or taboo? I do not know about you but my guilty pleasures encompass all of the above! Here are 10 of mine (in alphabetical order):

1. “All I Want For Christmas Is You”: If I were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one CD, it would be Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas” album for the sole purpose of “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” I love, love, love this song and do in fact play it year round. You can ask any of my friends who have been in my house or car during the winter or summer months – January, June, you name it, it will be played. This song is so cheerful, so loving – how could you not want someone to sing (or even say) this to you? I am actually smiling as I am listing to it now. :-) Click here for the goodness.

2. American Express Platinum Card: The rules of the Total Money Makeover instruct me not to use my credit card, and I follow that rule 99.7% of the time, I really truly do, but when I go to a fancy dinner I use my American Express card because I do not like to carry that much cash with me. But if I may, the American Express Platinum Card is pretty. Plain and simple. It is fun to use for show. :-) But in all seriousness, it keeps you responsible because you have to pay it off in full, and even more impressively, it has the Platinum Card Concierge service that handles restaurant reservations, assistance in travel planning, and gifts; and the representatives even provide their last names. That is how committed it is to customer service! Oh, and its Departures magazine is filled with gorgeous pictures and worthwhile lifestyle and travel information. Plus you gain access to several airport lounges around the world.

3. Dairy Queen Butterscotch dip cone: I had a butterscotch dip cone in 2009 and the last time before that was 1989. It was as heavenly as I remembered: the sweetness of butter, the honey-like color, the rich and smooth texture of the hard shell. It also reminded me of my childhood and middle school because if we had perfect attendance for a number of consecutive days (I forget how many) we were rewarded with the privilege of having an off-campus lunch and Dairy Queen was right around the corner from school. I often think about it since there is a Dairy Queen only a few blocks away from my house and there are Dairy Queens all over Minneapolis but I have will power, darn it. Thank goodness!

4. Doritos Nacho Cheese: If Jerry McGuire had Dorothy Boyd at “hello,” you could have me at “Doritos Nacho Cheese.” Is it me or is it impossible to eat only one Dorito? I love Doritos Nacho Cheese so much that I actually cannot have them in my house because I will eat the entire bag in one sitting. In fact, that has actually happened. The first time I went to the house of life-long friend Tali Light, I sat on that purple sectional in the living room watching TV and before I knew it, I ate her entire bag of full-sized Doritos Nacho Cheese. Oops.

5. Louis Vuitton: I have learned over the years that consumers are the true owners of a brand’s identity, but to be fair, a company has some control over its brand. Some choose to dilute their brands with sales to gain short-term market share or revenue, and others never discount their brands to maintain “brand integrity” (thank you very much, Louis Vuitton St. Louis Store Manager Debbie Stueckel). I have yet to ever experience a sale at Louis Vuitton; in fact, its prices have only gone up in the recent years. I LoVe Louis Vuitton as much as I love the four aforementioned guilty pleasures and as much as I love the subsequent five. Even if you buy something outside of its Monogram collection, it will still have a dominant presence on your accessory wall. The Kiowa tote that I use for traveling is amazing.

6. MICHELIN (Michelin) starred restaurants: This is my most recent guilty pleasure and it is challenging for me to talk about because I really am ignorant to the methodologies in reviewing restaurants and I am not a foodie by any means. But, I love first-time experiences and the Michelin starred restaurants on the San Francisco and New York City lists are meant to be enjoyed with those you love. My first experience was in 2009 at the French Laundry. Being there had fulfilled my America dining experience but it reminded me of when I finally saw Whitney Houston live in 1999 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. My expectations were so high that I was nervous and skeptical. But the result was euphoric. I will be in New York City in two weeks and have the opportunity to experience Rouge Tomate, and in a few months I will be in San Francisco again and hopefully get the chance to dine at Coi (pronounced “kwah”). I am determined to eat my way through their lists.

7. Target Merona 3-pack socks: Last year in an effort to be more efficient and take out the guess work in matching my black dress socks, I threw away all of my dress socks and started over with socks that were striped, in an argyle pattern, or a colorful solid. But I did end up with one solid black pair of socks by default because they came in a 3-pack with some other styles. The Merona socks by Target are ridiculously inexpensive but stylish enough to pair with your Valentino suit.

8. “Sister Act 2”: As side from Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount’s melodic rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and even Ms. Hill’s “Joyful Joyful,” I did not realize I had a strong affection for this movie. However, I blame my NYU roommate, Saurabh Monga, on this guilty pleasure because it was his video that we watched over and over again. Also, when I lived in St. Louis there were numerous weekend afternoons that I would lie on the sofa and watch “Sister Act 2” in its entirety. Who knew?!

9. Slatkin & Co. Bamboo & Jasmine candle: It saddens me that I am allergic to most fragrances but I could burn this candle in my house forever. It has a luxuriously fresh, welcoming scent that is above the rest and its simple packaging is so velvety. I have given this candle as gifts to many and in turn they have gifted it, as well.

10. Whitney Houston: I fell in love with her back in 1985 when I was 10 years old and still love her. To this day, it is not uncommon for me to listen to all her albums on shuffle, on repeat, on my iPod throughout the weekend. We all can read about her history but none of that affects me nor do I find any of it that interesting actually. By no means does it adulterate my adoration for her. My top 10 songs of hers are:

“All the Man That I Need”
“A Song for You”
“The Greatest Love of All”
“I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”
“I Have Nothing”
“I Will Always Love You”
“One Moment in Time”
“Try It On My Own”
“Until You Come Back”
“You Light Up My Life”

And of course, her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” is brill.

Travel: Minneapolis

I have never been to the Minnesota state fair. I have never eaten walleye. I just tried cheese curds last summer and have yet to see curling. I still own a rear-wheel drive auto, which is horrible in this snow-heavy climate, just horrible, and I still print out directions to navigate around Minneapolis proper.

Normally I would not consider putting my favorite hotels, restaurants, spas, and shops that reside in the same city as where I live in a “travel” post but even after two years of living in Minneapolis, it seems fitting. I do own a home here but I feel like a tourist. I have yet to really enjoy Minneapolis and cultivate my love affair with it. However, my ignorance about Minneapolis brings me bliss. On a weekly basis, more often than not, I learn something new about this city. I do desire many new experiences here but I have acquired some favorites along the way.


Hotels (and their lounges)
I have not yet stayed at either of these hotels but if I were visiting I would most definitely stay at one of them.

Hotel Ivy: From what I hear, the hotel is gorge – it is a Mobil Four-Star, AAA Four Diamond hotel. Yes, I have not even been inside but I have friends who expressed interest in having their wedding there. I want to try Tea at Ivy, an afternoon (or low) tea. Tea at Ivy is from 3 – 5pm daily and for more information other than what is on its website, you can check out a City Pages blog post (please note the blog post is answering a question about “high tea,” which is generally served from 5 – 7pm and much meatier, thus, taking the place of dinner; thankfully the blogger was able to decipher the intent of the question).

The Living Room at the W Minneapolis – The Foshay: This place is decadent and its Art Deco interior is fabulous. I have enjoyed The Living Room several times for after-work drinks with friends and have on the occasional Saturday evening swooped in for some merriment and libation. The scene has always been lively and stylish, people were lounging and mixing it up, and on Saturdays, the crowd danced away to the musical selections of the DJ. Much fun was had. Oh yes!


Restaurants
Even with my newly-implemented dairy-free diet, my love for food is still a main priority. However, I would not consider myself a foodie. (I actually do not even know the true definition of a foodie. Irvin, if you are reading this, can you please define?) I can certainly appreciate good food and good service, though. A few favorites in a few words:

La Belle Vie: Top contender for my graduation dinner! ’Nuff said.

La Grolla: This St. Paul restaurant is hands down my favorite Italian restaurant in the entire Twin Cities area. But here is my caveat: Sadly, I cannot recommend any one dish because both times I was there I was too distracted conversing with my dining companions that my recollection of the food is feeble. However, at a high-level, I remember my friends all commenting how delicious their meals were. Also, the ambiance was lively and the staff was charming.

Meritage: This French restaurant in St. Paul reminds me of a small Balthazar in New York City. I have always been fully engaged with the food here but French food is my favorite, thus, I am biased. Meritage is extremely energetic yet simultaneously romantic. If you go for brunch before a show at the Ordway, consider the croque madame. It is delicious yet not too heavy like how many of them are made, so you will not feel full and uncomfortable during your show.

Nicollet Island Inn’s Champagne Sunday Brunch: I have had a lot of brunches in my day but this is by far the best I have had in Minneapolis and quite possibly one of the best I have ever had anywhere. It is a fabulous five-course menu champagne brunch. The first course is an assortment of pastries. The second course is where the fun begins. If I remember correctly, I had the crème brûlée French toast, petit croquet monsieur, strip steak (which could have been a meal in and of itself), and the German chocolate cake. I remember being a little overwhelmed with the choices and champagne but without a doubt, you will love it like a fat kid loves cake.

Pizza Luce: For years I have sworn by the X-Pepperoni pizza at Dewey’s in St. Louis but I now can also swear by the Pizza Athena made vegan by Pizza Luce. It is made with spinach, tomatoes, calamata olives, artichoke hearts, red onions, Greek oregano and toasted garlic with soy cheese on bianca sauce. It is so tasty; there are so many flavors. It probably is a good thing that I do not live within Pizza Luce’s delivery area otherwise the Athena would become a staple in my diet.

Salut in Edina: Aside from serving my favorite cuisine, there is something about Salut in Edina that brings me pure joy. Perhaps because it is conveniently located near my house, perhaps because the food is consistent, or perhaps because its croque madame is my utmost favorite? “I’ll have the croque madame with a side of Lipitor, s’il vous plaît.” Heaven! Three friends swear by the steaks.

Sea Change: There are only three things I know about this restaurant: It is a sustainable seafood restaurant. The chef is a James Beard award winner. And, the braised beef shortrib is brilliant! Back in August 2009, my friends and I experienced the lip-smacking goodness of Sea Change but my friend’s shortrib tasted like the good life. Yums! But another friend, who was coincidentally at a nearby table, said his arctic char was the best he had ever had, so that sounds worthwhile, as well. The next time I dine there, I may have to order both!

Wilde Roast Cafe: This coffeeshop is my favorite place to study when I need a change in scenery. I have spent hours in this café doing homework and enjoyed several of its goodies. It has a lovely selection of teas, sandwiches, and breakfast/brunch items. But really, it just serves as a nice escape, and the friendly staff and cute clientele are bonuses. :-)


Shops
Classic Retro @ Pete’s: There is an area in the Twin Cities called the St. Paul Retro Loop, which is a consortium of mid-century modern shops. And within the loop is Classic Retro @ Pete’s, which has some awesome pieces. I purchased this little Florence Knoll chair that I use in my dressing room and a brilliant Danish wooden bowl. Pete’s does not have a website, so its information is below:

2145 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55114
(651) 224-5235
Hours: Wed–Sat 11–5; Sun 12–4

Intoto: Hands down one of my favorite boutiques in any city. The clothes are hip yet appropriate. I think Intoto buys one full run of each piece (do not quote me on that), so you risk someone else buying it if you do not buy it then. Trust me; I missed out on the opportunity to purchase this awesome green plaid Paul Smith jacket but I consoled myself with three cashmere Inhabit sweaters, which by the way, is the best cashmere I have ever owned. It feels like money. Anyhow, Intoto has (re-)introduced me to some fantastic brands: A.G. Jeans (its jeans are baby-making worthy and can make anyone look good!), Citizens of Humanity, Etro (guiltiest pleasure, more so than La Mer or Louis Vuitton), C.P. Company, Rag & Bone, and others. And store manager Michael B. and his team are super nice.


Art & Culture
Minneapolis has an amazing arts community which includes well-known visual arts institutions (Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Walker, Weisman), music venues (Orchestra Hall, First Avenue), and tons of theatre, I mean tons – it is second to New York City in terms of live theatre per capita. I have two absolute favorite ways of supporting the arts, both of which are at the Ordway and I would participate in either of them even without their young professional membership programs:

The Minnesota Opera: Enjoying opera is something that I have always aspired to and am finally mature enough to appreciate it. Without much thought, I realized that this is the first season that I am seeing all the operas (“The Pearl Fishers,” “Casanova’s Homecoming,” “Roberto Devereux,” and this Saturday is “La bohème” and in April is “Salome”) of a company within one season. The Minnesota Opera allows persons aged 21 – 39 to join its Tempo membership program and to purchase a pair of opening night tickets for each opera at a ridiculously discounted price of $30 each. This program is so generous.

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra: The way I felt about opera is the same I felt about classical music and luckily I can ease into it with SPCO concerts through its club2030. This membership program is available for 18 – 39 year olds and you can get a pair of tickets for selected concerts for $10 each. Since joining this program, I have only been to the “Welcoming Christian Zacharias” concert and it was super delightful. Prior to club2030, I saw “Beethoven’s 5th Symphony” and a concert with Dawn Upshaw but both were equally enjoyable.


Gifts
If I were a florist I would be Bastian + Skoog. Without ever having met Liz Bastian and Heidi Skoog, I have been able to just convey a few adjectives and known facts about those that I have sent arrangements to and Bastian + Skoog was able to create floral arrangements that were gorge. I cannot wait until my Total Money Makeover days are over so that I can order weekly arrangements for my house from Bastian + Skoog.

So, thanks letting me share a few of my favorite things about Minneapolis. I look forward to discovering more things about this city and its fabulousness.

Best,
Hadley

At the Moment: Personal Mission Statements

Performance reviews are brilliant things. For some, they are fabulous. For others, not so much. Good or bad, they serve as a reminder that our perceptions are our own reality. But this time during the self-evaluation process, I was able to (off the record) commit a personal mission statement to my performance review, my center, and my purpose, both professionally and personally.

I found creating my personal mission statement to be a cathartic experience. It provided self-discovery, is unique to me, and constitutes my values, vision, and purpose. However, it will evolve.


My Personal Mission Statement

Overall Statement of My Life’s Mission
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw

My life’s mission is to come upon my undiscovered talents that best bring about perfection in the material and spiritual worlds, as well as be a giving and loving person in my important relationships and even in those that may extend beyond my immediate circle.


My Guide
“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.” – Mikhail Baryshnikov

I believe that where I am right now is the right place for me to be; this does not suggest I take a passive role in my life.


Important Relationships
“To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Partner: The relationship with my partner shall be of mutual respect and where I can love and differentiate between that which is satisfactory and that which is perfect.

Child/Next Generation: Believe it or not, I do enjoy children, even though I talk to them as I talk to you. So until I have a child of my own, I extend myself to my nieces, nephew and Godson any way that I can but wish that I were physically closer to celebrate their birthdays, holidays, and special occasions with them.

Parents: I love all of my parents. I warmly welcome their unconditional love and advice. You would be surprised how right they are most of the time, but if you repeat that, I will deny it. :-) I shall continue to work toward transitioning our parent-child relationships into adult-adult relationships.

Siblings: I could afford to strengthen my relationships with my two sisters (on my father’s side) and brother (on my late mother’s side). Presently, my knowledge of the events in each of their respective lives remains at a high-level.

Friends: My friends are an extension of my family. I love to converse and explore new things with them, will always offer to bring them chicken soup if they are sick, and work harder to not be heavy-handed with advice.

Employer: I will use the power of communication, industriousness, and efficiency to get my work done and rise to any challenge, hopefully whilst ensuring that my goals and values are aligned with the mission, vision, and values of my employer.

Community: In August 2007, I moved to Minneapolis but have yet to engage in volunteer opportunities within the health and/or arts communities. I look forward to resuming my volunteering efforts upon the completion of graduate school.


Learning
“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

I consider myself a work in progress and a love of learning assists in my quest for self-improvement. By keeping an open mind and appreciating thoughtful academic research, well scripted television banter, provocative articles, friendly social networking sites, books of interest, and smart and funny conversations during hours of happiness, I hope to have a more tolerant, imaginative, and positive approach to my life, personally, socially, and professionally.


Self-Esteem and Security
“Be yourself. There is something that you can do better than any other. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are many ups and downs in life but as the above quote says, there is something that I can do better than anyone else. Now it is just a matter of inducing this competitive advantage and sustaining it.

I derive my worth from the quality of my relationships, the material and spiritual things in my life, and knowing that I have faith – all of which are measurable by my smile. I try my hardest not to compare myself to others since we are different persons with different experiences; but that is usually not the case, therefore, I seek to turn insecurities into opportunities or discard them as irrelevant.


Strength
“Anger is only one letter short of danger.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Two primary sources where I draw strength to achieve my life’s mission are from the feedback and interactions with my family, friends, and colleagues, and the ideas that challenge my existing way of thinking. Also, by being versatile in my communications with others and sympathetic to my surroundings, I can learn to be less demanding of myself and others – decreasing the disappointment when my demands are not met and reducing the potential for pessimism.


My Personal Mission Statement and My Daily Life

“The success of any great moral enterprise does not depend upon numbers.” – William Lloyd Garrison

It is through my daily observation, insight, and capacity that I try to apply conscientious care to all aspects of my life. The life choices I have made have contributed to my current way of thinking and approach to life, albeit right or wrong in the opinions of others. But part of my life’s mission knows that as an educated individual, it is my responsibility to give back to the community not only monetarily or by volunteering but also by working for a company to improve and sustain its ethical standards.

So I leave you now with the challenge to create your own personal mission statement. You never know, it may just help you keep the end in mind. You can find samples and templates online but you will be pleased with how yours reflects your own uniqueness. Good luck!

Best,
Hadley

Leisure: Renew Yourself

I love corporate America and its ladder. I love my family, friends, food, and the arts. I also love renewing myself regularly so that I can continue living and contributing to all of these things that are important to me. So, to ensure that I take care of myself, every morning I look in the mirror and repeat after Vanilla Ice: “All right, stop, collaborate, and listen.” Joking! However, I do enjoy very much taking a few moments out of the day or week to take care of my soul, mind, and body (and face).


Soul
Sometimes we put ourselves in cruise control and we just go, but where does that get us? We run around in circles, as they say, and we exhaust ourselves and start to lose our sense of self-confidence, self-control, and concentration. When I was in this state of mind last summer, my friend Erin Murdock suggested I see an energy healer, so I went to Tanya Sowards at Dharma Wellness & Spa (thank you for the recommendation, Jennifer David!). Tanya was fantastic. She helped me identify which chakras were unbalanced and for a month we managed my intentions. Being more self-aware of how I treated others, as well as myself, allowed me to be more compassionate, and from compassion came balance and then harmony.

Interestingly, wanting to find balance and harmony led me to dabble in yoga, golf, and even served as the catalyst for taking cello lessons. The goal was not to master each of these activities (which would have been in typical fashion for a Virgo) but rather to put myself in challenging situations where failure was likely. The goal also was for me to learn how to be empathetic toward others when they did not meet my expectations. Even though these activities were very different in nature, each questioned my confidence, control, and concentration. Each humbled and centered me, mentally and physically. Each impacted my soul, mind, and body.

And, for those who may be curious about the progress of these activities: I fell off the yoga wagon but am looking for a class that fits my schedule. It really was rewarding. Golf will be resumed when the weather permits. And cello, well, my lessons are postponed until I am done with school at the end of summer. Learning how to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on the cello was a challenging yet rewarding experience; however, my guess is that for me to play the cello well will require developing a little bit of an obsession. But watch out Yo-Yo Ma!


Mind
My best mornings start off when I can sit in silence for a few minutes, plan out the week, and drink a cup of Tazo Zen tea. My best afternoons and evenings are when I have a group of friends over because those moments come with good food, good drinks, and good conversation.

The food is always good thanks to many of the Barefoot Contessa recipes, which are predictably delicious but more importantly, manageable. The drinks are always good and plentiful, and serving a non-vintage Veuve Yellow Label or even a Gloria Ferrer is always a perfect and affordable way to start a party. But it is the conversation, the discussions about ideas, rather than people, that I value most, that make me laugh, or even challenge my dispositions. However, my last two events at my house were intimate but meaningful: afternoon tea and pre-opera bubbly. You know, simple. “Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Cover Girl.”


Body
As I mentioned above, yoga and golf were great for helping me find balance and harmony but for a rigorous, aerobic work out, OMG, there is no other place for me than the group fitness classes at Life Time Fitness. FIT, Strictly Strength, STRIKE!, and Total Conditioning are my favorites so far. Man do these classes work me. They push me, they shock my body, they are awesome, and they are perfect for someone like me who is not disciplined to do cardio and weights on his own.

LTF offers over 30 different classes varying in level and focus, and they are taught by instructors who are effective, enthusiastic, and entertaining. Where else will you hear an instructor countdown the reps by using the names of The Housewives of Atlanta (“Kim, Sheree, NeNe …” instead of “8, 7, 6 …”? (If you want a tour of the St. Louis Park or Bloomington facility, ask for Ryan Lewis or Tyson Norman, respectively.)

And if you prefer the outdoors, walk or run around a lake! Let it just be you, the concrete, and the fresh air. No frills, no money. But maybe wait until spring.

But for a more decadent way of renewing (and rewarding) yourself, try Sprinkles cupcakes. My dear friend Jocely Bowman – wife, mother of two little ones, member of the Junior League, and a buyer of beautiful cabinetry for an international manufacturer – introduced me to Sprinkles the last time I was in Dallas. Prior to managing her domestics, she renewed herself by shopping. But now with limited time, a quick stop into Sprinkles will do the trick. (My favorite Sprinkles cupcake is either the peanut butter chip or the vanilla.)

Or sometimes Jocely will do quick spa treatments for busy moms. However, if you are in St. Louis and want a new do and relaxing manicure and pedicure, I highly recommend David Brown and Kieu Connell, respectively, of Christopher’s on Clayton Road across from the Galleria. I followed both of them from their previous salons and was fortunate they ended up at the same salon. Quality and convenience are key drivers for me!


Face
I really only have one thing that I do to renew my skin and that is once a week I use the Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask that my dear friend Melissa “SFM” Reel, a real life Mirabelle, introduced to me. It is so delicious. It is soothing and soft and does not dry and crackle like old school clay-based masks that my mother used to use.

However, even though this post is about renewing ourselves, I just have to mention La Mer, which I love and use daily. For the last five years, SFM has been my La Mer “dealer,” if you will, and I have since converted two friends to using La Mer products, as well. My daily regimen is to use The Cleansing Gel, The Tonic, and either The Moisturizing Lotion during the summers or Crème de la Mer during the winters. But The Eye Concentrate is my absolute favorite La Mer product. I think I actually look younger today at 34 years old than I did at 29 years old. Seriously.

But for the budget-friendly consumer, Consumer Reports has recommended Neutrogena’s Fresh Foaming Cleanser and Olay’s Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Booster Eye Transforming Cream. I have yet to try either of them, though.

So on that note, sometimes you just need to take the day off from being fabulous to take care of yourself, to renew yourself.

Best,
Hadley