40. Comfort Food

Today was cold and wet and blustery. Everyone I know is sick including myself. Christmas decorations are up in the stores and I even heard...yes...Christmas music on the radio today. It seems like just yesterday that it was summer...but, alas, the cold is upon us. And when it starts to get colder, I like to hibernate. There's nothing better than cooking up something yummy that makes the house smell great and warms you up. Add in a great movie, a glass of wine and either good friends or a comfy pair of pajamas and you've got the ideal evening. Tonight's pick is chicken enchiladas--one of my all-time favorite comfort foods. A good mix of cheeses, chicken, Mexican spices and toppings like sour cream and fresh cilantro make for the perfect meal. Give it a try. It's easy and really satisfying. I took out the chiles that Tyler included in his recipe because I don't like it too spicy but you can always add them back in (5 canned whole green chiles, seeded and coarsely chopped and 4 canned chipotle chiles, seeded and minced. When you add in the corn, add in the chiles). Also to make the recipe even easier, buy a pre-roasted chicken at the grocery store and just use the meat rather than cooking the chicken yourself. Makes it really quick.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Adapted from a recipe by Tyler Florence

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast
• Salt and pepper
• 2 teaspoons cumin powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Mexican Spice Blend
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1 (28-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 16 corn tortillas
• 1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce, canned
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar and Jack cheeses
• Garnish: chopped cilantro leaves, chopped scallions, sour cream, chopped tomatoes

Directions

Coat large saute pan with oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken over medium heat, allow 7 minutes each side or until no longer pink. Sprinkle chicken with cumin, garlic powder and Mexican spices before turning. Remove chicken to a platter, allow to cool.

Saute onion and garlic in chicken drippings until tender. Add corn. Stir well to combine. Add canned tomatoes, saute 1 minute.

Pull chicken breasts apart by hand into shredded strips. Add shredded chicken to saute pan, combine with vegetables. Dust the mixture with flour to help set.

Microwave tortillas on high for 30 seconds. This softens them and makes them more pliable. Coat the bottom of 2 (13 by 9-inch) pans with a ladle of enchilada sauce. Using a large shallow bowl, dip each tortilla in enchilada sauce to lightly coat. Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each tortilla. Fold over filling, place 8 enchiladas in each pan with seam side down. Top with remaining enchilada sauce and cheese.

Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F oven until cheese melts. Garnish with cilantro, scallion, sour cream and chopped tomatoes before serving. Serve with Spanish rice and beans.

39. A Simple Gift

Bought myself flowers yesterday and arranged them in a pretty crystal bowl on my dining table. They're making me smile today. A simple gift to yourself can bring you a lot of happiness. Whether it's a box of your favorite chocolates, a pair of new shoes or a spa appointment, do something nice for yourself this week. You won't regret it. 

38. Alter Ego

Beyonce Knowles has said that, in her real life, she is extremely private, reserved and sometimes even shy. But something happens to her when she gets on stage. It's as if she has another personality--one that is sexy, fearless, athletic, and powerful. This is what she has said of her alter ego, Sasha Fierce:

“I have someone else that takes over when it’s time for me to work…When I’m on stage, this alter ego that I’ve created kind of protects me and who I really am. Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I’m working and when I’m on the stage...I have out-of-body experiences. If I cut my leg, if I fall, I don’t even feel it. I’m so fearless, I’m not aware of my face or my body.”

Check out this clip from the MTV Video Music Awards this year. Beyonce's performance was my favorite of the whole night. "Single Ladies" is a great song but what made it so entertaining was that Sasha made an appearance. From the first note to the last, she is powerful, sexy, strong and alluring. And frankly, there are dance moves in this performance that might put me into traction. She definitely lets you know who's boss.

Wouldn't it be great to have an alter ego that picks up for you in the areas where you think you might be lacking? A side of your personality that comes out when you need her most and helps you steal the show? What would you name your alter ego? Picture yourself at your most confident, most beautiful, most self-assured, and most comfortable. How would she dress, speak, act, walk? Try to channel your own Sasha Fierce the next time you're feeling like you need a boost--job interview, Friday night date, meeting new people, making eye contact in the grocery store. Wherever it is and with whomever it might be, call on your alter ego to fill in the blanks. 

37. Magic Closet

Mariah Carey's CRAZY NYC closet

What is it about women and their closets? There's some kind of love affair that goes on between a woman and that sacred space where she keeps her shoes, clothes and accessories. Whether it's a tiny little closet or a spacious walk-in monster, a good plan can come in handy to organize all of your stuff. Lately, I've been dreaming about my closet. As you know, I've recently moved into a new apartment and, for the first time, I have my own walk-in closet. Mind you, it's not huge. I can walk in, take three steps and turn around but it still provides ample room for creativity.

Eva Longoria and her jeans collection

So I've been trying to get inspired by some examples of other people's closets. Even though it's WAY OVER THE TOP, you can't help staring with your mouth wide open when you look at photos of Mariah Carey's closet. I'm not sure "closet" is even the right word. Maybe "clothing airport?" It's gorgeous and spacious and so well organized. We can all dream, can't we?

And then there's the cute photo of Eva Longoria's closet. I love the way she's organized her many pairs of jeans. I think I might actually borrow that idea. Instead of folding my jeans into drawers, I'm thinking of hanging them in the closet according to wash color. Where do you keep your jeans?

This space is pretty cool

I love the idea of decorating on the inside of your closet. Whether it's using beautiful boxes to keep your scarves, belts or swimsuits together, or creating a clean line with all matching velvet hangers, adding some design elements inside your closet can make you smile every time you open the door. I like how the closet above seems like just another comfy room in the house with a rug, a chandelier and those cool geometric doors.

I like the color organization in this one

Taking inventory of all of your things first can help you in organizing your space. What will take up the most room? Do you have a wild amount of shoes but not so many sweaters? Do you really need a place for jewelry or a tall space for boots? Do you keep all of your shoes in their boxes or will shoe racks work? What things will go in your dressers and what things need to be in the closet? Separate areas of the closet for shoes, pants, skirts, dresses, sweaters, shirts, accessories like handbags, scarves, hosiery, belts and hats. Place the items you use the most in the most convenient area of the closet. Once you know where everything will go, then you can decide what storage items you'll need to buy--decorative boxes, organizational dividers, lucite containers, shoe shelves, back of the door organizers, etc.

Recognize this famous closet from Sex and the City? Carrie Bradshaw and her vintage

Take inspiration from magazines, websites and catalogues. There are some great organizational sites to get ideas and to purchase the things you'll need to help you plan out your dream closet. Even the smallest space can be well-organized, efficient and make you feel great. When all of your things are placed in their optimum location, you'll be able to find them at the start of your day and you'll know immediately where they go at the end of your day. It saves you time and makes putting outfits together so simple.

Aerin Lauder and her beautiful dressing room

And lastly, remember to have fun with it. Make it your own...use your signature color or a favorite print on the wall. If you have a small space, get the most out of it with a good organizational plan and if have a bit more to play around with, get creative by decorating and filling the space with both beautiful and functional things.

I thought I would leave you today with a really creative closet idea. This is what I envision as "thinking outside the box." I love fashion designer Anna Sui's closet (above)--inspired by The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, Sui had the back of a large armoire taken off and then she placed it in front of her closet doorway. Instant magic. When you open the armoire, you step into another world. An amazingly creative idea. Take inspiration from these beautiful closets and create your ideal space this week. It takes some time, but it's well worth it.

36. Portrait of a Lady

I came across a slide show of Mario Testino's most beautiful celebrity photos on Vanity Fair's website. I love his work because he manages to take photographs that are gorgeous but also real. You get a sense of who each individual actually is. Whether it was Diana, Princess of Wales looking right out at us with those beautiful blue eyes, Jennifer Connelly in high fashion or Jennifer Aniston in barely anything, Testino managed to capture each woman's essence. 

All these great shots got me thinking about my own photos. Because I recently moved, I've been going through a lot of old photo albums and boxes. And what I noticed is that there aren't any shots in which I think I look like my true self. Don't get me wrong. I have plenty of photos from my school days, with friends and family and random travel pics. But none of them jumps out at me as being a really good photo that truly embodies my spirit. I think I've decided what my birthday gift to myself is going to be--a photography session to get a really good portrait taken.

 

What do you think? Do u have any photos that really look like "you"? Any photos that you're really proud of? Any shots where u look happy, energized, healthy or sexy? What's ur favorite shot?? Do u have one? What does it make you think of when you look at it? 

If u don't have a favorite photo, dress up, glam up, get your hair done and have someone take a really nice photo of you that you can frame and be proud of. Passing by a great photo of yourself on the mantle or side table can remind you every day of your optimum, amazing self. 

All photographs by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair

35. Advice from the First Lady

Next month, Michelle Obama will become the first First Lady to grace the cover of Glamour magazine in recognition of her work mentoring young women. I've admired the First lady's style, intellect and cool demeanor since she first hit the campaign trail with her husband. And so I was really interested to hear her advice to women in the sneak peek excerpt of her interview with Katie Couric for the magazine. Thought you might want to check it out too. Here are the highlights:

Don't put yourself last in line: In answer to a reader question about how she keeps her sanity, the First Lady told Katie, "I have always tried to put my kids first, and then...put myself a really close second, as opposed to fifth or seventh. One thing that I've learned from male role models is that they don't hesitate to invest in themselves."

When it comes to looks and style, set your own standards: “People are always going to have opinions, and people have a right to their opinions, particularly when you’re the First Lady; you’re representing the nation. So I can’t be surprised that people are interested. But I’ve tried to be at peace with the choices that I make first, and then be open to everyone else’s reflection.”



With men, don’t be swayed by “cute”: “Cute’s good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it’s, Who are you as a person? Don’t look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul...When you’re dating a man, you should always feel good...You shouldn’t be in a relationship with somebody who doesn’t make you completely happy and make you feel whole.”

Don’t wait to be “discovered” by a mentor: “I was blessed throughout my entire career. I had people rooting for me. It started with my parents, but it extended to almost every teacher that I had. When I was a young lawyer, there were other women and men in the firm who took me under their wing. Look for those mentors, because sometimes mentors don’t find you--sometimes you seek them out. Oftentimes, they’re flattered and glad to lend a hand.”

34. Alone Time

Photography by Simply Recipes

The plans that I had for tonight fell through at the last minute and, I have to admit, I sat here in a bit of a stupor for a good 20 minutes thinking about what else I could do. I ran through the contacts list in my phone wondering who might be available to have dinner without any notice. I called my brother but he had plans. My parents always love me to stop by but did I really want to resort to that? I even thought of running to Barnes and Noble just so that I wouldn't be the dreaded ALONE. 

But then I looked around at this new little space by the beach that I'm renting and I thought, "Would it be the worst thing in the world to get in my pajamas, make myself a nice dinner, pour a glass of wine and watch a movie...
by myself?" And the answer was resoundingly, "Doesn't sound that bad actually." So that's what I did. I also lined all of my kitchen and bathroom cabinets, did a load of laundry, organized my books on my new shelves and read a chapter of the book I'm working on finishing by the end of this week. And none of that would have gotten done had I phoned a friend to rescue me. Instead I rescued myself. 

And now, I'm sitting here on my new couch listening to the raindrops tapping against my living room windows and I'm thankful for relaxing, cozy, rainy nights with just me, myself and I.

And just in case you're wondering what yummy thing I made for dinner...the perfect meal for staying in by yourself...here's the recipe. And yes, I did have a glass of wine after eating french toast...it's my party and I'll do what I want to :)