Martha Chartreuse: October 2014

Life Lessons {BluehourPDX}

In case you missed it on Instagram {@merecdavison} this week I had the opportunity to attend a dinner at Bluehour Portland and enjoy Chef Kyo Koo's creations! Not only did we get to eat delicious food, we had the opportunity to create!! The group of 10 bloggers and a few of the always lovely LGP Ladies split up and were able to spend time with the kitchen crew and drink masters--learning a few of their tricks.

My salad game is a disaster

Michelle, Pech and I teamed up with recent culinary grad and oh-so-nice Sarah, to make a frisee salad with crisp apple, hazelnuts, fried sweet potato and hazelnut vinaigrette. The best part?? It was topped with FRIED CELERY LEAVES!!! So amazing!!

After watching her take such care and consideration making the dish, I realized that my salad game is a disaster. 1.) I need to start hand tossing all of my ingredients. 2.) Plating rings help make things pretty. 3.) Again, fried celery leaves!

Haiga Rice

Chef Kyo came out several times to explain the dishes and his philosophy behind them.

I was a huge fan of the Haiga Rice Risotto with mushrooms, pinenuts and acorn squash. It was hard to pinpoint what made this different from traditional risotto until Kyo shared that he uses a Haiga Rice instead of traditional arborio. He described it as "not quite brown, but not quite white" rice. The just-in-between genealogy gives this a really unique flavor.

You know this is on my grocery list!

Smash the Rosemary

Gigi, mixologist extraordinaire, taught us all how to make the Templeton Abbey. When I say taught, I mean, taught! She explained the reasoning behind every step, why she selects the ingredients and how it all comes together.

Tip: This drink includes muddled cucumbers and rosemary. To dress the finished drink, we smashed a generous piece of rosemary to float on top. The smashing releases rosemary oils that will spread out on top of the drink and remind your nose of what you are drinking.

What to Order Next Time

While everything we tasted was really delicious I certainly had my favorites! Favorites that are worthy of ordering again.

Oysters

Because, love languages!

Smoked Duck Breast and Sausage

Why? The seasonings were on point!

The Boozy Collins

Berries, booze, plenty of rosemary and not-too-sweet!

Sansa Apple Cheesecake

This is in no way basic!! The textures and flavors were a perfect marriage of Fall flavors that I would eat year round!

Tique Box {Holiday Box Giveaway}

Photo Courtesy of Tique Box

Have you heard?? Tique Box is giving away one of their limited edition Holiday Boxes!! Just click over and enter to win. The giveaway closes in 2-days, so don't wait!!

Crafts {Canvas Painting}

Today's post is from a project I actually did in the Spring. As a lover of beautiful things, home decor, and, craft projects this canvas paintings has become one of the most talked about pieces in my home. While the final product is not what I had originally planned on making, it is one that I absolutely love. I layered colors and textures, while using different techniques.

Ultimately, I followed my gut and let go of the plan-- Isn't that the way all art is made?

{See the paintings process below}

Supplies

Stretched Canvas

Acrylic Paint {Lavender, Peach, White, Red, Navy, Silver, Gold}

Various Brushes

Disposable Plate

Techniques

Dry Brushing

Globs of Paint

Blowing

Striping

Sponge Painting

Thick Application

I selected colors that I enjoy and can be found in items I already own. I plan on doing something similar with darker hues for holiday and winter decor!

What kind of art do you keep in your home? Do you enjoy painting? How do you relax?

Favorite Fall Beauty Products

For those of you who know me, I am a woman of many interests.

Cooking.

Eating.

Crafting.

Group text messages.

Screen shots of online dating messages.

Jeopardy.

Trashy TV.

Celebrity Gossip.

Shoes.

Volunteering.

Commercials that make me cry.

My hair.

Eyeliner.

Social justice.

Pillows.

Pope Francis.

Hunky British Actors.

Love Languages.

You get the point. I get sucked in by many things.

I previously shared my favorite beauty products for the Summer Season. Since Fall has certainly arrived {Portland is set to get A FOOT of rain this week} I thought it was high time I share my favorite beauty products for the season.

Image Via

Aussie 3-Minute

I first learned about the Aussie 3-Minute Deep Conditioner on Kate's Blog and immediately put it on my must find list. You see, Kate is the queen of hair blogging and always makes really great suggestions. It just so happens that her suggestions are usually salon-only products. So, when she recommended a drug store find that comes in under $4, is super moisturizing and beat out all of the fancy brands, I knew I had to have it. I have been swimming a lot recently and it has been drying my hair out. So much so that I actually cut off a few inches of hair. This drug store deep conditioner has been keeping my hair super shiny, healthy and protected!

Supreme Creme

While I have some really exciting things to share about Okamura Farmacopia and Urbaca salon, I can't wait another moment tell you about Supreme Creme!!! This is, without a doubt, the best face cream I have ever used. You see, I have extremely dry skin and am always struggling to find a moisturizer that 1} is like a tall drink of water for my skin 2} is kind and doesn't attack my contact wearing eyes, and, 3} doesn't smell like a flower shop, or, pharmacy. The Supreme Creme is extremely nourishing and blends into the skin really well. It also smells amazing--light and slightly masculine. Best part, it is made less than 1/4 mile from my house!! Talk about farm-to-face!!

Dark Lipsticks

Hikari: Cabernet Revlon Colorburst: Crush

Maybelline Color Sensation: Deepest Cherry

Truth Time. Until recent years, I never really liked my hair color. I know, that is insulting to say! I always wanted it to be lighter or redder. Thankfully, my mom wasn't on board with streaky highlights, and, so, raven I stayed. While it took quite a few years to fall in love with my locks I now understand the perks. One of which is the ability to pull off many lipstick shades! From movie star red to bright tangerine, I wear them all! This Fall, I am absolutely loving oxblood, mulberry and shades of wine. This beautiful and sophisticated look is not only stylish, but, it conceals red wine mouth! The key to pulling this off is a well exfoliated and moisturized lip. I am still on the hunt for a great liner, any suggestions??

Image Via

Serious Serum

Without getting into too much detail, but still keeping it real, I am always looking for an ingrown hair solution. So, when I was gifted the Serious Serum at a recent event, I couldn't wait to see how it works. After several weeks of daily use, the difference is undeniable. In case you suffer from keratosis pilaris {those pesky red, dry bumps on your upper arms} this is a great treatment option! This product also comes from a local beauty staple, Urban Waxx,

Dreamgirls at Portland Center Stage {All of my love languages!!!}

In case you haven't picked up on it before, I am a big believer in love languages. My Instagram bio is actually dedicated to my love languages.

Some of my favorite LL's are

friends + dance parties + local magic.

So, when Rachel asked if I would be interested in attending Dreamgirls at Portland Center Stage, I made sure my calender was clear!!

Obviously, the evening was going to be filled with some of my favorite people, great music and local artists.

I am a big fan of musicals and really loved all of the songs from Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson's film version. Since B&J weren't headlining this production I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I knew it was going to be great but wasn't anticipating Oscar-worthy performances.

I was w-r-o-n-g!

Everything about this performance was top notch!

The sets were beautiful, the costumes were inspiring and the artists were so talented!!

Seriously, I have decided I need a chiffon and feather poncho, a geometric turban and an ice blue wrap dress.

The singing was what really stood out to me. I may or may not have danced in my seat and lip synced along. My favorite songs were When I First Saw You, And I am Telling You I'm Not Going, One Night Only, and, Hard To Say Goodbye.

Dreamgirls runs through November 2nd. As a special treat for Martha Chartreuse readers, use the code PDXBLOGS to get $20 tickets on Tuesdays and Halloween. If you can't make it on those days, use the code for $5 off any other ticket.

When a Craving Strikes {Chocolate Chip Cookies}

In case you don't follow me on Instagram, last week I had a serious craving for Chocolate Chip Cookies. A nearly 24-hour craving. And, I finally caved at 10pm on a Tuesday night. When I realized that I was without pecans my go-to recipe was out. I quickly popped over to Joy the Baker and searched her CCC archives. All of which were impressive but the Dark Chocolate, Pistachio & Smoked Sea Salt really stood out to me. Not only because it called for sea salt, but, because it uses less flour than most recipes. Something I am always drawn to. Since I was fresh out of pistachios and my sea salt wasn't smoked --Portlander FAIL-- I decided to play with the recipe. Why didn't I just save some time and do this with my go-to recipe?? Because, I love that recipe and would never make it without toasted pecans.

Wait... M.... didn't you notice that Joy's recipe is just an adaptation of Deb's recipe?? The recipe you love and would never alter!! Yes, I noticed this AFTER I ate so many cookies. I think it is safe to say I have a cookie type.

And, that Joy and Deb are amazing!!!

I did make a few modifications. I increased the amount of chocolate. Took out the pistachios. Used standard sea salt. Less fancy with my baking instructions.

Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Joy the Baker

Makes 10 large cookies.

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups dark chocolate chunks
Sea Salt for Topping

1. Preheat oven to 300 Degrees. Spray or butter cookie sheets.

2. In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars for 4-5 minutes. Add egg and extract. Beat for another 4 minutes.

3. In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Add in half of flour mixture to butter mixture. Incorporate with the mixer on low. Add remaining flour. Mix until incorporated. Add chocolate and beat until just incorporated.

4. Using a large ice cream scoop, space dough 2 inches apart. Sprinkle sea salt on each cookie.

5. Bake cookies for 18-20 minutes, or, until just golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack or platter.

Tique Box + Levo League 12-Month Giveaway!!

Hello Lovelies!!! I hope you are all doing well and pushing through this week.

Wanted to let you all know that my beloved Tique Box has teamed up with Levo League and will be giving away a 12-month subscription!!!

Run over and register before the giveaway closes on October 12th, 2014.

Supper Club PDX {La Taq + Eb & Bean}

This month's Supper Club PDX was much smaller than our regular group. Thanks Zac Brown, next time we will just invite you!!!

Originally scheduled to try Double Dragon, Erin, Maria and I decided to go rogue and try out La Taq followed by Eb & Bean. Honestly, it didn't feel right going to a ramen place without Rachel!!

La Taq is part of the Podnah's Pit family and right next door. This small space does not have a website and reservations aren't an option. The space is beautiful and the largest table can hold six comfortably.

Despite there only being three of us we tried as many menu items as possible. Some items, I loved. Others, I could do without. Overall, I will be back for drinks, crispy tuna tacos and queso!

For dessert, we headed to my newest obsession, Eb & Bean, for some fro-yo!!

It was a lovely night filled with great conversation and stories.

Maria and I both had their traditional margaritas. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Homemade chips and queso! I was a HUGE fan of their tortilla chips. Crispy, thick and perfectly salted. I have had multiple thoughts about these chips since leaving.

We ordered four tacos to share. From the top left clockwise {Cactus, Butternut Squash, Carne Asada and Crispy Tuna}

We all agreed the butternut squash was our favorites. Personally, I could eat an entire plate of the crispy tuna. We also agreed the carne asada was a bit dry.

Next, we shared a pork puffy taco. This was absolutely amazing!! The fried and crunchy shell was the perfect home for the saucy filling. It was a smidge messy sharing but we pulled it off.

I was so excited to see a torta sandwich on the menu. I have loved torta sandwiches since a very wild and outrageous road trip years ago. Sadly, the meat was very dry. Some kind of sauce or spread would have helped pull this sandwich together.

The very handsome and kind waiter sweetly treated us to mini-cups of the watermelon water. As he said, we either have this or tequila shots for dessert! The watermelon water was refreshing and perfectly sweetened.

Afterwards, we headed to Eb + Bean for froyo. This small shop in NE is all about local, healthy, high quality and accommodating. They have vegan and gluten-free options that are quite yummy. As a self-proclaimed glutenista I feel that is saying something!! I had the seasonal base of Maple froyo with sugar donuts, bakeshop molasses cookies and fresh whipped cream. Delicious and perfectly for the changing weather!

September Recap {As Reported By My Phone}

Hello Darlings!! Can you believe that it is already October?!?! This time of year is always so wonderful-changing leaves, cozy sweaters, delicious food. I must admit, I am happy to see the hot summer days retire {despite the forecast for this weekend} and welcome in cooler temperatures that allow for plenty of baking, roasting veggies and fall craft projects. I have a few things planned for the month that I hope you will enjoy!

But, until we move forward with all of that, let's revisit the highlights from September. It involved a lot of work, friends, eating and celebrating. I had the opportunity to attend Feast's High Comfort, try a few new restaurants, and, connect with some great people.

What exciting things happened to you in September? Big plans for October? I would love to hear!