Entertaining: Irish Gold Cocktail

{Photo c/o Michael Majewski for Buffalo Magazine}

“The Irish Gold”

2 parts Southern Comfort
2 parts ginger ale
Splash of orange juice
Orange twist garnish
Ice

Prep:
Using a shaker, pour your Southern Comfort and ginger ale first, top off with a splash of orange juice, pour and garnish with an orange twist.

I’m so excited to share my St. Patrick’s Day cocktail, the “Irish Gold” as seen in my first entertaining column for Buffalo Magazine. Seeing as C & I have our own PR firm, it’s always a bit different when you see yourself publicized as opposed to a client. My next column releases March 25th, so stay tuned!

I wanted to change things up a bit, so instead of green beer, I came up with this gold recipe. A special thank you to Southern Comfort for sponsoring this delicious libation – Cheers!

Karina

Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

{Image Via}

Recently, I made dinner for the Team KC crew. The trick when choosing a recipe is deciding to make something using wine (Cooking with a wine that you’re drinking is something you should always do!). Of course I would levitate towards my favorite 20 minute recipe, shrimp scampi. My family has been eating shrimp scampi for as long as I can remember. It’s my go-to recipe for something bikini-friendly that the guys will still love. In fact, some of the guys were practically licking their plates!

What’s great about this recipe is its versatility. You can make it with brown rice, angel hair or flavored pasta. At a recent trip to Horsefeathers, on the West Side, I picked up a bag of garlic and parsley linguini from the Pasta Peddler. When serving this dish, if you have rice, you may prefer to portion out the rice and spoon on the shrimp and the rest of the goods. Or, if you’re serving it with pasta, keep the pasta in the pan that you cooked it in, and pour in your scampi when you’re all done. This will merge the flavors well, while allowing you to still portion the shrimp. Make sure to spoon on the yummy garlic flavor when you’re finished!

What You Need:

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon of butter, cut into cubes

3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 medium shallot, chopped

1 quart grape tomatoes, cut in half

1 medium shallot, chopped

¼ cup dry, white wine , such as Sauvignon Blanc

1/2 cup chopped parsley

¼ teaspoon roasted red pepper flakes, optional

2 lemons, one cut in half and one cut into equal pieces for garnish

1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

12 oz package of pasta (I used garlic and parsley linguini from the Pasta Peddler)

Fresh baguette

How to Make it:

1. Prepare pasta according to package instructions.
2. On a skillet over medium, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Add the garlic and shallots, stirring continuously until translucent.
4. Add ¾ of the tomatoes and crushed red pepper, and stir.
5. Squeeze lemon halves over sauté pan, keeping out the seeds.
6. Sauté the tomato mixture until stir until tomatoes are tender, about 3-4 minutes
7. Add wine and reduce for 1 minute.
8. Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter and shrimp.
9. Cook until completely pink.
10. Stir in parsley and serve.

A few tips: Be sure not to over-cook the shrimp. They will turn bright pink when fully cooked. This is the lower-calorie version. By all means, substitute unsalted butter for the extra virgin olive oil. It will give you a rich buttery flavor you will not regret!

I hope you enjoy this meal as much as we did! Tweet me @lindsaygregg and let me know if you have any questions. Don’t forget to snap pics!

Happy Cooking!

-LG

PS, The shrimp was $10.99 a pound, and the pasta was 3 for $10. So, including the wine (depending how much you want to spend) expect to spend around $20-$25 for this dish!

Pinspiration: Office Space

Exciting news! On Friday we signed the lease for our very first office in Buffalo, NY! The location is beyond perfect and the space, although small, is beautiful. We’re now in planning mode and looking for office space inspiration. Of course I lean towards sites like Pinterest and Apartment Therapy along with a few magazines like Elle Decor and House Beautiful.

I’ve been a fan of the “Do More of What Makes You Happy” sign for quite sometime now. I absolutely plan to print out a mini version and frame on my desk.

I have a serious obsession with all things Lucite (especially since it’s the cheaper version of glass). I’ve also had a long lasting obsession with the ghost chair. The desk space on the right pretty much exemplifies my favorite style. The desk lamp adds the perfect touch.

There’s something about this glass desk that makes me happy. Not having a color, you can change-up accessories to make the look different when you get bored with your current desk decor.

I love the idea of an accent wall in a small space. One of our walls has a gorgeous over-sized fire-place, but if we had all 4 walls, I would absolutely try this idea.

Thankfully we have amazing shops in Buffalo like Room, Reimagine, OffBeat Emporium and more. Of course, we’ll look for help from places like Home Goods and Ikea!

Next up, the perfect Manhattan office space!

K & C

A Few Shots from CW’s Winging It! Buffalo Style’s LIVE Wedding

{With our favorite host & producer, Matt and Allie of CW’s Winging It! Buffalo Style, post ceremony}

{How adorable is this gift to the couple c/o Trinkets818}

{Champagne & Cake, the best way to start any day! Cake created by Creative Creations Cakery. The cupcakes were baked in mini mason jars by Lola Pearl Bake Shoppe. Of course the table would not have been complete with out the amazing garland c/o Studio Mucci! } 

{Table details: A Southern Bucket custom buckets & table accessories from The Pink Orange}

{After the 5am & all was said & done, sipping champs at 9am was dignified especially with these super cute straws c/o The Pink Orange}

{Beautiful bridesmaids in Sorrelli jewels & Compliment rings}

{An extra detail with a custom aisle runner c/o Certainly Chic. The couple plans to frame their monogram!}

Just sharing a few iPhone & Instagram shots from Friday’s LIVE wedding that aired on The CW’s Winging It! Buffalo Style. If you missed it, you can watch the segment online here! Stay tuned for pictures from the professional wedding photographer as well as a list of the amazing shops that worked closely with us to make this 2 weeks of planning super smooth.

K & C

Boutique. Bridal. Party.

Guests at the Boutique Bridal Party

Last Thursday I attended the first Boutique Bridal Party at the gorgeous Hotel Lafayette in Buffalo, NY. Founded by creative minds Ali Eagen of Anatomy and Erica Eichelkraut Zilbauer of City Lights Photography (with help from fellow event organizer Shannon Lach of PEAR Planning) I knew it was going to be an amazing event! I had avoided bridal shows up until this point, but I knew this would be a completely different vibe and full of vendors who “got” my style. I was also lucky enough to win a bridal portrait session from Onion Studio! Scroll through for photos from the event and a chat with Ali Eagen.

#PartyonBrides

Buffalo based Bella Belle shoes

My invitation designer: Rust Belt Love

How did the Boutique. Bridal. Party come about?

Ali: Erica Eichelkraut Zilbauer (owner of City Lights Photography) and I planned a photo shoot together to portray the New Buffalo Bride. It’s a concept that exemplifies the emerging individual woman who won’t settle for the typical wedding. We agreed that there was a real need for a more distinctive and independent gathering of the talent that Buffalo has to offer the wedding industry, but stressed the need to stand out from any other bridal event. Hence the “party!”

What do you hope brides took away from the event?

Ali: We hope that brides found everything they are looking for to create the most personally unique wedding possible. From table settings to head pieces and favors, our goal is to provide the highest standard of quality in the locally made products and services found at the Boutique Bridal Party. We want every bride to leave feeling inspired.

Ali (in her own design) and Erin

What aspect do you feel is the most important part of planning a wedding?

Ali: A wedding is a celebration of two people’s love for each other bringing them to the next step in their lives together. A celebration meaning a party! I believe the most important aspect of wedding planning is staying true to the bride and groom’s love and creating the best event for your friends and family to celebrate and have a great time.

Anything else?

Ali: All of the proceeds from the event are going to support the Compass House Youth Shelter. The shelter gives troubles youth a place to feel safe and support to help them through the tough situations they unfortunately face. The children that come to Compass House are supported by the caring staff and volunteers through counseling and activities. We are overjoyed that we can help support their efforts and extraordinary work.

Anatomy designs

Boutique Bridal Party inside the Hotel Lafayette

LeeAndi’s Purple Roses Accessories

Stay tuned to KC You There tomorrow for a post on the live wedding on the CW that K & C planned (in 2 weeks!).

Erin