Wish List 2011 {semi} Wordless Wednesday

Indulge me in posting my Christmas wish list. It's not fancy...by any means!

#1 ~ I'd like to receive and not kill a Norfolk Island Pine or two...

#2 ~ Salad Spinner

#3 ~ Steam Vacuum

#4 ~ A new dishwasher

#5 ~ THIS custom bag by Ella Pearl Designs. Seleta from SimplySeleta recently featured this bag for a giveaway and I fell in love. Go here for more options http://ellapearldesigns.com/, but this green tweed and royal blue trim is my absolute FAVE!

{All photos courtesy of Pinterest except Ella Pearl clutch, that is from SimplySeleta}

What's on your wish list? Is it an extravagant or practical year for you? Thanks for visting & sharing! xoxo Traci

Christmas Tour {via NYSD House}

Visit the New York Social Diary for this beautifully decorated New York City apartment belonging to designer Benjamin Bradley. It's lovely. To view the tour, click here: http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1389908

Lobster Pot Christmas Tree {Rockland, Maine}

Saw this on a Christmas special over the weekend. How lovely is this??? Every lobsterman family in Rockland, Maine is represented on this unique tree. For more information go to: http://rocklandmainstreet.com/

As for me, I am slowly getting into the spirit. I'm very lax with my decorating this year (which is why I am spotlighting others efforts). I'm shopped, wrapped and as decorated as I am going to be. Time for baking, cooking and entertaining....maybe that will help. Can you guys blow some Christmas inspiration dust my way?

Thanks for visiting! xoxo Traci

Going Coastal

My former house was completely beachy. Living by the shore it's so hard not decorate in such a fashion with all of our stores dedicated to the style. In our current home I've tried to avoid coastal decor, but sometimes its hard as deep down I'm drawn to it.

...Especially when seeing subtle gems such as these from Kirkland. My mom is moving into a new home; it's a blank slate and also double the size of her previous home. I'm hoping to incorporate some of the above-pictured products...especially the finial and glass mosiac ball. Love.

All photos courtesy of Kirklands website which can be found here: http://www.kirklands.com/

Have a lovely weekend ~ Thanks for visiting! xoxo Traci

Caesar Roasted Fish {Recipe Swap}

So lucky to live on the coast and have a husband that fishes! This recipe is so easy, it's almost obscene...For this recipe I used blackfish caught off the Jersey Shore.

You will need:

Fish, Fresh or Frozen (thawed)

Caesar Dressing, your own or I used http://www.maries.com/product-detail.aspx?productID=25&catID=6&pcatID=1

Salt & Pepper

Lemons

Capers

Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Wash fish, pat dry and liberally salt & pepper

Give your fish a caesar massage and let sit in roasting pan for 10-12 minutes

Roast fish for 10-12 minutes

Let fish rest in pan for 10-12 minutes under a foil tent

While the fish is resting, heat olive oil in small saute pan

Cook capers in very hot oil for 30-60 seconds (they'll pop and sizzle, be careful)

Serve fish hot with capers, lemon wedges and additional caesar dressing if you prefer.

That's it, so easy & yummy and a great way to incorporate fish into your diet. I'm going to try this with frozen tilapia from Costco next week. It was a weeknite, so I skimped on the sides, buttered noodle and steamed green beans, but it would be FAB over romaine with a crusty bread :)

Full recipe was adapted and can be found here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/caesar-roasted-fish-recipe/index.html (obviously, I took some shortcuts)

Thanks for visiting! xoxo Traci

OBX Aquarium

We had a touch of rain when we arrived on the Outer Banks, so we headed to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. http://www.ncaquariums.com/

They loved every second. There was an employee scuba-diving and wiping down the insides of of the windows. Brennan was in awe of the "human" swimming with the sharks!

They also rehabbed sea turtles and released them back into the ocean.

It was a lovely little aquarium that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area. Although I'm thinking that in season this place would be packed to the gills.

Pun Intended!

OBX Sunsets

More trip pics to follow...