Lemon Ice Cream Sandwiches with Blueberry Swirl

I do not know what has come over me lately, I am normally the worst cook and I cannot stand the sight of recipes.  (If you have ever tasted my cooking, you would understand why...) While I am in New Orleans, I always call my mom for her to give me step by step directions as to how to make dinner...Bless her heart, she is normally on the phone with me the WHOLE time answering how-to questions.  However, as of late, I am drawn to these wonderful recipes in Gourmet Magazine.  I have the biggest urge to COOK! Very odd...but after you read this recipe from the August issue of Gourmet, you might understand where I am coming from!

Makes 8

Active Time: 45 minutes   

Start to finish: 4 1/2 hours (includes freezing)

For Lemon Ice Cream: 

2 pints vanilla ice cream

1 Tbsp grated lemon zest

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

For Blueberry Compote:

2 cups blueberries (10 oz)

1/4 cup sugar

2 (3-by-2 1/2-inch) strips lemon zest

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp cornstarch

For Sandwich Layers:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Equipment:

2 (8-inch) square baking pans (2 inches deep)

a small offset spatula

Make Lemon Ice Cream:

• Transfer ice cream to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 30 percent power in 10 second intervals, stirring, until softened, about 50 seconds total 
• Stir in lemon zest and juice.  Spread ice cream thinly in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and freeze while making compote and sandwich layers.  

Make Blueberry Compote:

• Cook blueberries, sugar and zest in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly crushing blueberries with a potato masher, until juices are released and sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes.  
• Stir together lemon juice and corn starch, then stir into blueberry mixture.  Boil, stirring, 1 minute  (mixture will thicken). 
• Transfer blueberry compote to a bowl and chill until cold, about 1 hour. Discard lemon zest.

Make Sandwich Layers while Compote Chills:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F with rack in middle.  Butter baking pans and line with foil,  leaving a 1-inch overhang on each side, then butter foil.  
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.  Beat together butter and brown sugar in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  At low speed, add flower mixture in two batches, mixing until just combined.  
• Divide batter between baking pans and spread into thin, even layers with offset spatula.  Bake until golden brown but still tender, 10 to 12 minutes.  Cool completely in pans, about 30 minutes.  

Assemble Sandwiches:

• Dollop tablespoons of blueberry compote all over ice cream, then swirl it gently through ice cream with a spoon.  Spoon all of ice cream over one sandwich layer (in pan) and spread evenly using clean offset spatula.  Invert second sandwich layer over ice cream, pressing gently to form an even sandwich.  Wrap baking pan in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.  
• Transfer sandwich to a cutting board using overhang.  Trim edges if desired, then cut into 8 pieces.  

Cooks Note:

If you don't have a microwave, ice cream can be softened at room temperature.  

Ice Cream sandwich (before cutting) can be made 1 week ahead and frozen in pan, wrapped in plastic wrap and then in foil.  

*Images and Recipe compliments of Gourmet Magazine

Dog Days of Summer

"King" Wellington on his "throne" stump

I couldn't resist myself. I am sure if Lars was a person he would hate me for putting this up!

Miami Viceroy

I LOVE hotels. Whenever we travel, I always research hotels I want to visit and stay at so I can see the lobby and rooms. It is a way of sightseeing for me, even if we are staying at a rented home, smaller guest house or staying with friends. The Viceroy hotels have been on my radar for years! Sometimes I will email or text the girls about a hotel I want them to visit if they are traveling to the area that I have found a fun hotel. Twice I have done this to Cassandra. She searched for hours for this Miami Viceroy but never found it. I also sent her to the original Viceroy in Santa Monica but of course, she was busy and did not get a chance to go to the hotel. So until I can visit these hotels myself, I will have to photocopy and make posts about them.

Below are the pictures of the Miami Viceroy, the new hotel decorated by Kelly Wearstler. I was so surprised to see the color combinations of sage green and turquoise blues, instead of dark blues and bright greens. The colors are used in a very sophisticated, unique and chic way and really works with the design of the hotel.

Everything about this bedroom is beautiful and elegant, especially the white leather suitcase and Audubon print of the whopping crane. I would love to stay here!

Main lobby in the Miami Viceroy-these raspberry pink chairs are to die for!

Another view of the lobby in the Viceroy- love the paintings of the birds on the wall.

Pool and image of the surrounding city of Miami

*Images compliments of Style Court, Kelly Wearstler, Miami Viceroy Hotel

Moroccan Poufs!

I just LOVE Moroccan Poufs! Not only are they extremely comfortable to sit on, they add a design element to any room that is fun and depending on the color you use, add a pop of color! I love the metallic ones as well as the turquoise, pink and purple ones! You can use one them as a mini-table, ottoman or as an accessory in your living room!

Tazi Turquoise Moroccan Pouf

White Leather Moroccan Pouf from Amazon.com

The Glam Lamb Blog did a great post on Moroccan Poufs HERE

Tell us: where would you put a moroccan pouf or where do you have one?

*Images compliments of Amazon.com, Tazi Designs, Elle Decor, Dovecote, Kelly Wearstler, John Derian.

Pimlico

One advantage to living in Darien, CT is the amazing talent that surrounds us. One store that we love is Pimlico, located at 7 Elm Street in New Canaan, CT. It is a very stylish boutique that has home style down to a T. It features furniture and accessories for home, garden and pied-A-terres. Named after Pimlico Road in London, they state that Pimlico, "Has an essence reminiscent of the eclectic and stylish British shopping area. The shop caters to those who appreciate the chic blending of antique and contemporary, traditional and unexpected, and comfort with style." They have three lavender walls with one accent chocolate brown wall, which is such a great color combination! The boutique shows off their amazing selection of chic furniture and accessories. One of Pimlico's newest lines is the sought after Beehive Home furniture by Bunnie Williams. They have also framed a fabulous wallpaper from Cole & Son on one wall to give the Palm Beach style meets West Coast Chic. Pimlico also offers services in interior design, allowing all of your design needs to be in house and very convenient! Pimlico New Canaan Storefront

Always with a welcome and helfpul smile; Melissa Linsday(right) and Jill Saunders(left)- co-owners of Pimlico

These pillows on the leather nail head sofa are my absolute favorite! Especially the one with the ruffles. I love the gray and silver accent colors together.

Pimlico always has a great selection of mirrors and sconces as seen in the picture below.

The nail headed embossed croc trays, side tables and waste paper basket are so elegant. To see the Chic Coles' other favorite nail heads click HERE. A number of the items we highlight are available at Pimlico.

The following images are highlighting Pimlico interior Design Work. They were featured in the publications of "At Home" and "Connecticut Cottage"

This mirrored console is to die for!

We love the sunburst mirror, mirrored cocktail table and the navy pillows with the standing lamp next to the sofa.

*Images compliments of Pimlico, At Home and Connecticut Cottage.

MMR Interiors

On my trip down to New Orleans in April to visit my daughter, I gathered a collection of interior designers I wanted to check out while I was down there.  One of these designers is the extremely talented design firm MMR Interiors. 

Located at 3806 Magazine Street, New Orleans Melissa Rufty's design firm provides design services to a wide range of clientele.  What drew me to Melissa's work was her unexpected mixing of materials and fabrics.  Melissa uses a balance of  modern and traditional designs and her final interiors always look amazing. Graduating from Tulane University, she has gained inspiration from everything New Orleans, but has transformed the traditional into chic style to keep it fresh, fun and young.  Below are some of my favorite interiors of Melissa's.  

These twin beds are spectacular.  The height of the room really makes a grand statement paired with the bed coronas and drapes.  

Love this material for the Roman Shades.

I love the animal print upholstery on these chairs.  

I love the pink headboards with the Manuel Canovas wallpaper!

This settee is to die for! Love the color of the fabric by Ashley Hicks and the furniture with the matching wallpaper and drapes.  The color combination of orange and pink is so chic!  

This is my favorite interior; with the patent leather bench and Ikat pillows along with the antique sconce on the pink damask wallpaper.

*Images compliments of MMR Design

Stawberry-Vanilla Swirled Frozen Pops

I was just going through the old issue of Gourmet Magazine (May 2009) and saw the most delicious looking desert that I am definitely going to try to make! They are called "Strawberry-Vanilla" Swirled Frozen Pops. Enjoy!!

Serves 12 Active prep time: 15 min. Start to finish: 1 1/2 hours Ingredients: 1lb Strawberries, hulled and halved 1/2 Cup Sugar 2 tsp fresh lemon juice 2 pints premium vanilla ice cream Equipment: 12 (1/3 cup) ice pop molds or 12 paper cups and 12 wooden sticks
Preparation:

1.Mash strawberries in a large bowl with a potato masher or a fork. Transfer to a 12-inch nonstick skillet along with sugar and lemon juice and boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, then freeze, uncovered, until cold, about 10 minutes.

2. Transfer ice cream to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 30 percent power in 10-second intervals, stirring, until softened, about 50 seconds total. Spread evenly in a 13- by 9-inch baking dish and freeze while strawberry mixture chills.

3. Dollop tablespoons of strawberry mixture all over ice cream, then swirl it gently through ice cream with a spoon. Spoon into molds (or into cups) and add sticks. Freeze until firm, about 1 1/4 hours (and up to 4 days, covered).

Cooks’ note: If you don’t want to make pops, freeze strawberry-topped ice cream until firm, then scoop into bowls.

*Images and Recipe compliments of Gourmet.com

Dog Days of Summer

This is what we mean when we say Dog Days of Summer...naps in bed and fun car rides in the country!

Wellington in bed...with his head on the pillow.

Lars going for a joyride in the car...I swear he's human.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Nail Head Extravaganza

One of our favorite design elements is nail heads. Having nail heads used on furniture is fun but I absolutely love when they are used on walls or doors. They just give such a sophisticated and tailored look to any room. When nail heads are used on furniture, they give a finished look, like a trim but metal. Nail heads come in many different shapes and sizes. They also come in many different finishes from polished to distressed. They look great paired with leather or fabric and can always be incorporated into a room.

Miles Redd has a theatrical background, which can be seen in this interiors that featuring zebra nail headed doors. Wow! Thank you to New York Social Diaries for the images.

Love these green lacquered nail headed doors in his second apartment.

Oly is known for its nail headed furniture. The following pieces are stunning!

Barclay Butera is another designer that makes great use of nail heads on his furniture designs.

Suzanne Kasler's furniture line for Hickory Chair uses a palate of grays and white linens with beautiful nail heads.

Love the comfy, relaxed feel of this nail head, linen wing chair. Thank you to COTE DE TEXAS for the image!

What a great idea for a mantle! This is grass cloth wallpaper with nail heads-Madagascar by Phillip Jeffries and the family room is designed by Robert Stilin featured in House Beautiful and gives a very innovative and sophisticated look!

Jeffery Bilhuber nail head walls.

John Saladino is the master of the relaxed linen with nail heads look. This sofa would look great in any living room and is so unique!

Bobo...how intriguing!

I absolutely adore this embossed croc nail headed waste paper basket from Dransfield and Ross! I'll take one please!

Lacquered Cabinet from Bungalow5 that would great in a bedroom beside a bed, or in a living room!

Where do you like seeing or using Nail heads?

*Images compliments of New York Social Diary, COTE DE TEXAS, John Saladino, Suzanne Kasler, Barclay Butera, Oly, House Beautiful, Bungalow5 and Dransfield and Ross.