A Lifestyle List by Lifestylist® Suzanne Felber

Lifestylist is a term that I trademarked over 20 years ago, and I own many domains that include my trademarked term. I have owned the domain Eco-Lifestylist for years, and I haven’t done much with it. Trying to live a sustainable lifestyle has always been important, but now it is becoming critical. It was 109 degrees yesterday, and there doesn’t look like there is an end in sight for over 100 degree days. Even getting up before the sun comes up to walk the dog isn’t working - it hasn’t gotten under 80 degrees in ages. My grass has dried up, they keep threatening to shut down our power grid… again… and the cost of food and gas just keeps getting higher.

I can’t be complacent anymore. Being on the Beko Healthy Kitchen Council has been such a gift. The council is made up of people in different disciplines including nutritionists, food bloggers, and of course some of the best kitchen designers in the business. I have been learning so much, and I am putting into practice what I have learned from them.

For the first time in ages, I have a garden! I got a wonderful gift box from Beko that had a countertop composter, and some containers with herb seeds to grow. That has grown from using those to planting some tomato plants, and some of my favorite herbs. It is such a treat to harvest vegetables and herbs that I have grown myself and to share them with others.

2021 was an exciting year. There were some highs and some real lows and lots of learning moments.

As a Lifestylist®, I spend a lot of time observing and hopefully learning, so I thought I would put some of these experiences into words and share them with you. Here's to an even better 2022!

Just Breathe This was important in two ways. First, many of you don't know this, but I had a severe case of COVID in the early days that I still am having issues with. For over two months, I knew something was really wrong, but I didn't know what because, at that point, they didn't know what the actual symptoms were. I am so lucky that no one around me got it and that I was finally diagnosed thanks to a great doctor and ultimately slowing down. Second, I honestly started looking at things differently. I now appreciate more of the smaller moments instead of focusing on, the larger ones that, after everything, might not have even been worth it. I can honestly say that having COVID and living through it has been life-changing, and I appreciate more than ever every day that I am blessed with.

Turn The Television Off This is a new one for me. I am always afraid of missing something. In the last few years, I have almost always had the television on in the background and on SIRIUS in my car. My sister and her family were kind enough to invite me to their home in Arizona for Thanksgiving. For five days, I never turned on the television and didn't miss it at all. And it felt so good to not be worrying about things that I can't control. My nephew re-introduced me to Pandora and the Hipster Cocktail Party Radio - who knew I was a Hipster? It has really helped me get a lot more done, and I enjoy writing again. Get ready to hear a lot more from this Lifestylist in 2022!

Live in the Moment It's incredible how many times I have had to stop and just take in extraordinary experiences all around me. You may not have seen me share as many of those as I would like to. Still, I finally realized that it is more important to enjoy and appreciate those special moments while they happen. Thinking about what would get me more followers on Instagram or TikTok was taking away from what was unfolding in front of me. This week I'm trying to organize the thousands of photos that I did take. It has been such a joy reliving those moments, and I can't wait to share them.

Don't Believe Everything You Read I should retitle this how I almost screwed up Thanksgiving. My sisters and their family are excellent cooks - we come from a long line of people who love to spend time in the kitchen. My younger sister and I are very much alike. We rarely plan and go with the flow, so when it was time (a few days before) to think about Thanksgiving dinner, neither of us had a plan. I wanted to introduce my family to sous vide cooking, which I have become a massive fan of thanks to Chef Nick and Signature Kitchen Suite. So I bought them a sous vide kit and went online to find some recipes for Thanksgiving classics. 

Even though they are at the top of the Google searches, almost every one of them was horrible and had a huge flaw. I don't even want to talk about the mashed potatoes - that will be another day. From now on, I will go to sources I trust, like Chef Nick and his recipes on the Signature Kitchen Suite website. I tried doing the sweet potatoes over this week with Chef Nicks recipe, and they were perfect! I'll be sharing some tried and true recipes on my website that I have cooked and tested so you won't be wasting time or food.

Seeing Stars When I started writing this post, I realized how many events that happened to me this year have been centered around the stars, open skies, and space. First, spending time with my grandkids again at the beach was exceptional, and we also spent a day at the Kennedy Space Center. We all learned a lot, and it made me appreciate the space race a lot more. Next, Beko Appliances took its newly formed Healthy Kitchen Council to Primland Resort in Virginia. They truly practice what they preach. Taking nature walks in the woods, eating produce grown right there, and talking about sustainability really opened my eyes to what is possible at any price point. Finally, finishing up this fantastic journey gazing at the planets and stars in the Primland Observatory reminded me how much we all have to learn. It is so essential to be guardians and protect the earth that has been entrusted to us. 

Spending time in Arizona again made me realize how much I miss those Arizona sunsets and star-filled skies. I found myself getting up every morning before the sun came up. Enjoying a serenade from the owl that lives in one of the Saguaro cactus and watching the mountains change color with the sun. I'm going to make sure that there are more of these sunsets to enjoy in 2022.

Precision Cooking There is always (hopefully) tomorrow, and there is always a new product and appliance to try. I am fortunate to be involved with several appliance companies. The International Builders Show and attending the Kitchen and Bath Show have me always seeing the latest and greatest innovations which can be a blessing or a curse. Trying to cook on a range I hate for over 10 years that doesn't heat evenly has had me dreading cooking a meal or my favorite recipe. My dishwasher has been used for storage only for about as long. That is going to change. The Signature Kitchen Suite wall oven with a speed oven and convection steam has won me over, and I can't wait to have it in my own kitchen. Beko proved themselves to me with the Turkish coffee maker that has finally solved all of my coffee-making dilemmas. Their new to market dishwashers are more than I have ever dreamed of. That kitchen makeover at the Home Idea Factory is about to come true. I can't wait to replace all of those obsolete appliances. I have been putting up with wasting food and time long enough. These new precision cooking marvels have me excited about cooking again.

Family Style Being blessed with a close, loving family is something that I have always treasured. Still, now I appreciate that more than ever. Having my parents in their 90s and still enjoying life is a true blessing, and they are incredible role models. There is nothing more important than family and spending more time with them.

It's Never Too Late My mother is the perfect example that it is never too late to try new things. Being honored to work on a kitchen design for Signature Kitchen Suite in Architectural Digest was a dream come true. I'm learning that I can do things that I never thought would be possible. Learning about accessible design and how we can all live a healthier lifestyle is a goal that will be rolling over into 2022. I can't wait to learn more about Beko Appliances and all of the ways that they help make this a reality.

Discovering The Roads Less Traveled 2021 has been the year of road trips. I have been concentrating on styling clients that I can drive to, so there have been hours and hours spent driving back roads and through small towns, and I have loved with. I almost didn't take on a client in Amarillo because it was so far. Now Amarillo and Alexandria, Louisiana are two of my favorite trips. I have made many exciting finds and met many incredible people; I can't wait to return. Slowing down and not always taking the direct route has been a blast and the perfect time to wind down and enjoy myself for a change.

Sous Vide Limoncello Recipe Courtesy of Chef Nick Ritchie and Signature Kitchen Suite Makes 4-6 Portions

Ingredients:

1 Cup vodka 3 lemons, peel and juice 2 oz water 1/2 T sugar 1 T honey - preferably local

Directions:

Set the sous vide water bath to 140 degrees.

Carefully peel the lemons with a vegetable peeler making sure to get none or very little of the white pith. Juice the lemons, then strain the juice and reserve for later.

Combine the vodka, water, lemon peels, sugar, and honey in a pouch. Seal and place in the sous vide water bath for two-three hours. Shake the bag after being in the bath for an hour to make sure that the sugar is totally dissolved.

Remove from the water bath after two to three hours, and let cool to room temperature.

Strain the mixture into a jar or bottle, and place in the freezer until ready to serve.

Serve by itself as an aperitif, or add ice and sparkling water or champagne to create a Limoncello Spritzer.

LifeStyled

We have served this quite a few times now, and love giving this drink a Lifestylist Look that is easy and fun to do. What garnishes have you tried?

If you love Limoncello and have ever tried to make it at home, you know what a long, tedious task this can be.

Signature Kitchen Suite was the first appliance company to have a residential range with a built-in sous vide cavity, and ever since they brought this cooking technique front and center to the American market, I have been trying out new recipes and techniques with this precision form of cooking.

Chef Nick Ritchie with SKS is a wizard in the kitchen - he has videos available on YouTube that make cooking so much fun, and you feel like anything is possible, including making Limoncello in a few hours instead of a few weeks.

This Lifestylist decided to take this Limoncello recipe for a test drive and offered to make 100 Limoncello cocktails for an event that the Facets of Dallas appliance showroom in Dallas held for the Dallas Builders Association. I am happy to report that not only was this easy, but it was also a lot of fun! Using sous vide meant that there wasn’t a lot of pots and pans to clean up - you just strain the mixture out of the bags into a jar or whatever you want to keep it in until you serve it.

You can serve it chilled and by itself, or I prefer to add it to Champagne or sparkling water - depending on what strength you prefer.

For more of the Chef Nick and Signature Kitchen Suite recipes, visit their website.

Ingredients:

1 cup wine or champagne 1/4 cup sugar 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin

Equipment:

Small saucepan whisk eyedropper or dropper made for candy making (it is larger and holds more liquid) silicone candy molds -be sure that they are food safe and made for candy making

Directions:

Add 1/2 cup of your wine to the gelatin. Stir and put aside until the gelatin “blooms” or softens - usually about five minutes. Put the other 1/2 cup into your small saucepan over low heat and add sugar. Simmer until the liquid is about 1/2 of its original volume. Add your gelatin and wine mixture to this while still over your low heat and stir until the gelatin is completely melted, and the mixture thickens slightly.

Remove from heat, and using your dropper carefully fill your molds with the mixture. We prefer just the natural color of the wines, but you can also add food coloring to the mixture if you would like the colors to be more intense before putting them into the molds.

Refrigerate until they are firm enough to easily remove from the molds - at least 30 minutes.

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use for up to one week.

LifeStyled

Have you ever opened up a bottle of wine or champagne and you didn’t drink all of it? Believe it or not this Lifestylist has, especially Champagne. I hate to waste things so I have been looking for some great solutions on how to use these that might not be optimum for drinking, but still have a lot of taste and bubbles left in them.

A few years ago I discovered Champagne gummies on a visit to the Oakville Grocery in Napa. These were so yummy, and they weren’t super sweet - they truly tasted like the champagne that they were made with.

On a recent visit to Napa, the Signature Kitchen Suite Design Council was invited to a beautiful afternoon at the home of the founders and winemakers for Gentleman Farmer Wines. Their philosophy is “The gentleman’s farm, an idealized farmstead, designed for personal pleasure and satisfaction. It kindles a way of living. It rouses our thinking on winemaking.”

What a memorable afternoon enjoying treats made by Joe in their kitchen, Jeff pouring the perfect wine pairings for us, a fire roaring in their fireplace, and the Polish roosters and hens enjoying a beautiful Napa day outside. One of the treats that Joe shared with us was Gummy treats made with their wines while we were toasting homemade marshmallows in the fireplace - the perfect ending to a perfect day.

It is hard to believe that it has been over 20 years since I trademarked Lifestylist®. What a ride it has been. Lots of highs and lows, more adventures than I can count, and an ever-evolving brand mission statement that has changed with my personal interests as well as business opportunities.

Being a Lifestylist has always been about staying true to myself and what I wanted the brand to be - the hardest part was coming up with a concise way to share that message with others. When I was doing styling for Home Depot, the wonderful design manager there told me that I needed to come up with a better term to explain what I do. I was more than just an interior designer or a stylist - my focus has always been incorporating a person’s lifestyle into their homes, an advertising campaign that a company was creating, or helping someone live their best life. That is how I became a Lifestylist and how my brand was born.

Signature Kitchen Suite is the luxury appliance division of LG Appliances. It is fairly new, and I still remember when I saw the brand for the first time at the International Builders Show. The booth’s focus was on contemporary art and fashion - they were trying to set their brand apart, but instead, you couldn’t figure out what they were selling - the appliances weren’t as exciting as the art.

A few years later they made some changes, especially with how they were positioning the brand. The new advertising and media company came up with two brilliant, short, and sweet terms to get the message across: True to Food® and Technicurean®. Signature Kitchen Suite was to become more than a pretty face - these beautiful appliances helped consumers get excited about cooking in their own homes again, and I believe helped make sous vide and sous vide cooking a household name. The brand really has stayed True to Food, and the stunning True to Food videos that they shot that are available on their website helped you understand that passion and talent that was behind the name.

When they opened the Experience and Design Center in Napa, they asked this Lifestylist to curate art and accessories to bring their mission statement to life. After working all night before the opening, seeing the Technicureans who were in the videos see the space for the first time and to see how we tied them into the various kitchens was one of my biggest accomplishments.

I used my collection of rolling pins to create an installation on one wall - I never get tired of seeing people get excited about this unique way to showcase their collections and to take photos with it.

The Innocean team knew that I was working on building my Lifestylist brand, and have been very generous with their time mentoring me on how to improve what I am accomplishing. They also invited me to take part in some trend seminars that they held. Having access to the talent at one of the top ad agencies in the world has been a wonderful gift.

With their help, I have finally been able to come up with a way to describe what the Lifestylist Brand is all about: Wine Dine and Design. Sustainability and living a healthier lifestyle are very important to me, and we have now opened up two physical vintage shops in Dallas as well as having an expanding online presence on ebay and Poshmark. Finding items at nonprofit thrift shops and estate sales, then selling them in our shops has been the perfect way to recycle items that always have a story behind them, and lots of life left.

The Las Vegas Market at World Market Center Las Vegas used to be a design and furniture resource that I would never miss. I think from the first show, I may have only missed one or two. Their customer service and the wonderful team always took such good care of us, but something has changed. When they were too busy “being at lunch” to find out what had happened to my photographer’s pass and wouldn’t let her in, I decided it was time to do my shopping someplace else.

We have so many great memories from the Las Vegas Market, and since Lisa Stewart of Lisa Stewart Photography has agreed to go as my photographer we have captured some very special moments. Her resume is incredible. She was an official photographer for the Super Bowl in Dallas and was even hired to be the photographer at a party with Prince. She also has been the photographer for the USA Film Festival for over 15 years and has photographed such greats as John Travolta, Sally Field, Anthony Hopkins the list goes on and on.

She is the photographer for the Manufactured Housing Institute and The Texas Manufactured Housing Association and has shot for Dallas Market Center, yet the Las Vegas Market didn’t think that she was worthy of getting a pass for their show. After we registered online, paid for airfare, hotel, and a car we waited and waited to pick up her pass and we were told that the person who had to take care of it was at lunch and wouldn’t be available for over an hour. When we tried to register her for this show that is happening now we were told that she had never been registered with them, wasn’t in the system and would have to mail in a ridiculous amount of credentials. All they would have had to do is Google Lisa Stewart Photography and they would have seen how well known she is, including magazine covers with her work featured on them. Even though we had made all of our reservations for the trip, after all of this she canceled so I canceled. What does this have to do with ebay? Everything.

With all of the COVID concerns, ebay took their annual ebay Open online this year. I am fairly new to ebay, but when everything started to shut down last year and it made it impossible to do my model homes and design business, I decided to sell online.

I tried almost every online shopping resource - ebay, Poshmark, Etsy, Mercari and more, but my best experiences have been with ebay and Mercari. When they both announced their online conferences I signed up immediately and learned so much at both of them. All of them have great social media groups of resellers that are so helpful and are always willing to share advice and resources, and before both conferences, I got great swag bags of thoughtful, branded gifts like coffee mugs, specialty teas, and collectible pins to get me excited about the event.

Even though they have millions of visitors a day, they made me feel special by making the effort to do exactly that, and it is appreciated. I have been thinking about writing about my Vegas market experience for a while, and just as I started writing this the doorbell rang and there was a package from ebay for me! It had in it a thank you note and QR code where I could access all of the sessions that happened, a t-shirt, hat, and pin - all branded and collectible from the event. They understand that their success depends on our loyalty and successes - a fact that the Las Vegas market seems to have forgotten. You can buy almost everything online these days from manufacturers from the safety of your own home, so making the investment to attend a show should be even more appreciated and not taken lightly by the event management. I always loved this show, but unless things change I won’t be going back.

Reselling and having our Lifestylist Look shops online and at Lula B’s has taught me a lot about making sure that your customers know how much you appreciate them. I write a personalized thank you note and include it with every item I sell - it’s amazing how much that means to people and how often it is mentioned in our reviews. Many have become friends, and have introduced me to their art and collections as well.

I am so glad that June is finally behind us! We have as many new and existing customers as we can handle, but there is truly no furniture to be found to design with! Then on the way home from the models that we were able to install for Reliable Homes my car sounded funny. When I purchased my car I splurged and bought a Dodge lifetime, bumper to bumper warranty so I thought that I would finally use it. After the dealership refusing to honor it because Dodge said that it was all “normal wear and tear” I spent 10 days making phone calls and arguing with people - what a lesson in customer service!

I finally got through to the GM at the dealership where I bought my car from and he become my ally and made things happen. He said we sold you the car, we will make this right no matter what it takes. And he did. If you ever need to buy a car from a reputable dealer that stands behind what they sell, check out Huffines Dodge.

And while all of this was going on, another designer chose to take credit for work that I have done. I am fine with people using my ideas - inspiring people is what I love doing, but she went too far.

But I knew that while all of this was happening, better days would follow and they have. I have a milestone birthday coming up, and all of this has made me realize that it is time to make some changes. It has been a lot of fun to travel all over the world for work, but now I’m ready to spend more time at home and work on my own home. Don’t get me wrong - we already have exciting projects going on in Napa and other places, but I am going to be a lot more selective about where I work and who I work for. I have always had incredible clients, but now I’m going to set aside more time for me to spend time doing what I enjoy doing, especially with family and friends.

I’ve also realized that some of you that are new to the Lifestylist Brands might not be aware of the amazing clients and projects that we have been fortunate enough to work on. That changes now.

Over 20 years ago when I was moving back to Dallas from Tucson and NYC I purchased The Home Idea Factory. I call it that because I have always wanted to have a loft building but on land so I could garden, and something big enough that I would never have to add on to it. Mission accomplished! We are only a few miles from downtown Dallas and The Dallas Market and Design Centers, and my acreage has huge trees and lots of privacy. It was built in the 40’s as a printing factory - they published an aviation magazine called On The Beam. There’s lots more to tell, but you will have to come back to learn more.

With a property this old there is always something to work on, and a lot of it I have done myself. When I was looking at homes to buy, the Relator® did everything she could to talk me out of it. Even having a bathroom that was in the middle of the kitchen and a heat and air system that was installed in 1956 wouldn’t keep my from calling this my own home.

The Better Homes and Gardens One Room Challenge is an event that I really look forward to every year, and this year a lot of my fellow Designhounds really outdid themselves. Beautiful, creative solutions that make you rethink your own living spaces - I know that has me rethinking mine.

So today I started my own one room challenge. I have a room that was one of my favorites when I bought this home, and even though I have remodeled it a few times, it never felt right. So after a full demolition of the interior thanks to a pipe leak, I am going to do it for me.

I think that when we put 2020 behind us we could put “pivoting” behind us as well. 2021 was off to a hopeful start, but this Lifestylist® is realizing that 2021 may be the year of Plan B. The International Builders Show and The Kitchen and Bath Show were scheduled to start yesterday as virtual shows, but the technology gods weren’t having it. But we have found some ways that might make this year better than ever.

Today should be day two of The International Builders Show and the Kitchen and Bath Shows - events that I have been attending for decades, and wouldn’t think of missing. Behind the scenes, because of the pandemic, all year long show planners have been trying to decide how to make the 2021 show work. By the time the decision was made in late October to change to a virtual show, a lot of the manufacturers had already invested a huge amount of time, money, and energy in their displays.

When I spoke to the Wellborn Cabinets team on Monday they shared that most of their booth had been built by the time the decision was made to turn the shows into a virtual experience. This company makes beautiful, American made cabinets and had to quickly come up with a Plan B. They used what they had built to provide videos and photography to do virtual tours. These could be shared to highlight their new colors and styles. They had also supplied cabinets to The New American Home and The New American Remodel. These two homes are full of innovative ideas that usually are toured by thousands of builders and attendees of the show. I was the Lifestylist® for the 2011 New American Home and even though it’s great to be able to touch and feel, seeing the home virtually will be a great option. The home can be shared for eternity now, not just for three days.

This year I have been more involved with The Designhounds - a group of designers and influencers founded by Veronika Eagleson of Modenus. She has been a great conduit to amazing brands like Signature Kitchen Suite, Plum Wine Dispenser, and others. It has given us direct access to companies that we can learn from and share their stories and what makes them special. Trade shows have always been about educating the masses in a short amount of time. Maybe it’s time for a more personal, targeted approach.

As I’m waiting for what should be day two of the show to start, I’m reminded that an experience is what you make of it, and I’m going to make this into a positive experience. First of all, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the staff of The National Association of Home Builders and the National Kitchen and Bath Association. They spent 2020 doing their “day jobs” providing the same services they have always provided and more while quarantining and social distancing. A show as large as KBIS and IBS literally takes years to plan and every day things have been changing and they have had to change course constantly. I refuse to use the word pivot - that can stay in 2020! We need to support them, and never forget how much they have been trying to do for our industries as well as each and every one of us. I’m thinking it might be time to get back involved with my local chapters and associations.

I will also be forever loyal to the companies that are participating this year. Even though the show was changed to a virtual show they stepped and came up with ways to make this year even more special. Doing what you always do is one thing, but figuring out all of this technology has been challenging for most of us. These shows are not only about educating their members, they are critical sources of income to keep these organizations running. I’m looking forward to making even more of an effort this year to share who the sponsors of the shows are and to talk about the great products and companies that took a risk to support the shows and the associations.

Another positive is that I am loving not having to fight all of the traffic and walking miles every day, but I am missing spending time with my industry friends in person. Sitting at my desk with my slippers on and writing at a desk instead of in a mass of people has been wonderful. And whoever came up with the Pets and Prosecco idea for a virtual happy hour was brilliant! My creatures have been learning with me from their prime spots on my lap.

I remember it well. In 2018 at KBIS which is the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, an appliance company that had been in the background for a few years decided to make a splash and arrived at the show with this stunning, two-story booth. They hosted the Champagne and Cupcakes event that is always a sought-after ticket, and while we were there, told us about a new range they had that was going to change the way consumers cook.

They had done their homework, and their advertising agency which has always created some of the best campaigns that I have ever experienced had renowned chef and author Mark Bittman there to explain why Signature Kitchen Suite was going to be different from the rest - they were True To Food®. They would appeal to Techincureans® who loved to cook, but also wanted smart technology to be part of the cooking experience. After doing extensive research, they were launching a Pro Range with Sous Vide - the first in the residential market. I had no idea what sous vide was and why I needed another gadget in my kitchen, so I was skeptical. Obviously, the SKS team was much wiser than I was.

In 2019 when I got an unexpected phone call and was asked to help LifeStyle the new Signature Kitchen Suite Experience and Design Center in Napa - a place that I had never been to but was at the top of my bucket list. Of course, I said yes, and it was an incredible experience to be behind the scenes and really learn about this company and what drove them to do what they did. They never waivered -they stayed True To Food and designing products that made it a joy to spend time in the kitchen was always their first priority. They created a series of short films featuring people who were artists in the kitchen that helped design their appliances including Dr Bruno Goussault who is considered the Father of Modern sous vide and Jean-Charles Boisset who is one of the most passionate, creative winemakers that I have ever met.

At the opening, I got to hear firsthand about why these top people in their fields not only chose to endorse these new innovations, but they even used them in their own homes.

But what really sold me was when the chef did a demo with a steak and I got to have a bite… or two… I may have even stayed behind to see if there were any leftovers!

Sous Vide cooking combines vacuum sealing and precision cooking to create perfect results every time. For the busy cook, if you don’t take your vacuum sealed pouch out of the water bath at the exact time it’s OK - you will still have the results you had hoped for. With meat it creates “edge to edge cooking” - when you order a steak at a restaurant you can tell if they used sous vide if it is the same color edge to edge. If it is raw in the center and brown at the edge they should have sous vide’d it!

So fast-forwarding to the last KBIS… Chef Nick had standing-room-only crowds at his sous vide demos, Champagne and Cupcakes at Signature Kitchen Suite was sold out immediately and the SKS Pro Range with sous vide was what everyone was talking about at Design and Construction Week. Other companies have tried to tap into the sous vide Tsunami (did you know they are featuring sous vide options at Costco now?) but no one has been able to stay as True To Food as Signature Kitchen Suite has.

I am hooked! My Candied bacon recipe has become a family favorite, I won five ribbons including two blue ribbons at the State Fair of Texas this year, and my sous vide tools have taken a permanent spot on my countertop. I’m saving up to replace the range that I have (and hate!) with a Signature Kitchen Suite Pro Range.

The other day I got a wonderful package that just seemed to bring everything full circle - Veronika Eagleson the founder of Modenus and Designhounds had invited me to be part of the launch of her Designhounds AT HOME launch and Signature Kitchen Suites was sponsoring the launch party! I received a beautiful box of goodies that included a recipe from Chef Nick to make Limoncello sous vide style and everything that I would need to make it. It was so easy, and of course this Lifestylist had to take it to the next level and I started playing with making margaritas, Aperol Spritzers and Gin and Tonics sous vide style -the possibilities are endless! Boozy Sous Vide Pops are next on the list!

The best part of this entire experience though has been how even though we aren’t able to travel and be at KBIS in person this year, I already feel like I my get more out of the virtual experience than I did being there in person. Being in touch with other Designhounds and hearing about their joy in discovering SKS and sous vide, not having to fight 100,000 plus people to be close enough to hear what someone has to share with you, and being up close and personal with brands and their newest developments I think may have advantages.

Let’s face it. Cooking beets can be a very messy process, especially since red beets tend to stain everything they come into contact with. But beets are so good for you, are low calorie, full of fiber, and may help lower your blood pressure.

When Chef Nick at the Signature Kitchen Suite Experience and Design Center introduced me to sous vide cooking, one of the first things we made was a beet salad. Sous vide means “under vacuum” in French, and you vacuum seal the food in a bag, then cook it in a precisely temperature-controlled water bath. It sounds complicated, but this type of cooking can help anyone be a pro in the kitchen if you have the right tools. The SKS Pro Range is the only residential range on the market, but you can also purchase a wand or a countertop model.

Beets come in different colors with different varieties. The dark red beets are most common and have a more earthy flavor, while the yellow beets are more mellow. I love to cook my beets then pickle my red beets using canning which will keep them yummy for up to a year.

Keep your different colored beets separate until plating - if you cook them together the juice from the red beets will turn everything that color.

One of our favorite ways to enjoy beets is in a Pickled Egg sandwich - recipe coming soon!

Ingredients

3 Pounds Fresh, Smaller Beets 4 Cups Cider Vinegar with 5% acidity 2/3 Cup Texas Honey 1 1/2 Cups Water 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt 4 teaspoons Pickling Spices 1/2 teaspoon Whole Black Peppercorns 4 Star Anise Seeds 1/2 Teaspoon Cloves

Directions

Sous Vide Method For Cooking Beets: Heat your sous vide water to 185 degrees. Wash beets, trim off the top and bottom. Place in a bag that will seal, and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. The sous vide method makes the most of seasonings and locks in the flavors, so a little goes a long way. Vacuum seal your bag and place it in the heated sous vide bath. Cook for three hours, then take the bag and place it in a bowl of ice water.

Wash four pint canning jars and lids, and place the jars into a large pot of boiling water that will cover the jars by at least more than 2”. Put the lids and rings into a separate small pot of hot water.

Combine water, vinegar, honey, salt, cloves, and peppercorns in a large pot and bring to a rolling boil, then let simmer.

Prepare beets by removing from the bag and taking off skins. By using the sous vide method they should slip off easily. Cut into your choice of shapes - we like slices or cubes the best.

Remove jars from the water bath. Keep the water bath boiling so it will be ready when you fill your jars. Add 1 teaspoon of the pickling spices, at the bottom of each jar. Fill with beet slices and the anise star and pack tightly.

Pour your vinegar mixture into the jars over the beets leaving 1/4” headspace at the top. Use a knife or chopstick to remove any air bubbles that may be in the jar. Carefully wipe and dry the top of the jar removing any of the liquid that may have spilled, and screw on lids and rings to finger tight - you don’t want to over tighten.

Place the jars back into the water bath for 30 minutes, then place on a cooling rack or towel for at least 12 hours. Do not move because this could affect your seal.

If after an hour or so the middle of the lid has not inverted where you can push down on the middle and it can be pushed down your jars did not seal properly so these will need to be refrigerated instead.

Label, store, and enjoy!

I love an opportunity to make a fashion statement, and right now, I don’t feel comfortable leaving the house without a mask on. Instead of fighting it, I’ve decided to have some fun with it, and I am working on having a statement mask for every occasion. Here are some of my favorites. I would love to hear about what your favorites are as well!

Valentines Day is right around the corner, so we thought some love and hearts masks would be ideal. We love shopping through Etsy.com - they always have a great selection that many times feature small business owners like our Lifestylist Brands.

This gold heart mask from FimaDesignCrafts looks very well made, and it has a nose wire and you can get it with a filter pocket. One of the most important things when choosing a mask is finding one that is comfortable for you - everyone is different. I wear glasses so I like the ones with the nose wire so they don’t fog up my glasses so much. I also prefer this style which is more fitted, but some people swear by the pleated ones. The good news is that there are lots of choices now so everyone should be able to be comfortable and stylish at the same time.

These would be great everyday masks, and have you noticed if you are wearing a mask that is fun and unique, people tend to relate to it in a very positive way? Just looking at these makes me happy. TyiaMillsStudio has lots of choices including these, and they offer multiple sizes including kids sized ones.

We recently did a road trip to Arizona, and had to tell this delightful park ranger and volunteer how much I loved his mask. It started a delightful conversation and I learned that he has a drawer full of masks that he has started collecting themed around working at the park, and it is always a way to start a conversation with someone. He is right - it worked with me!

I did some digging and found a similar Camping Mask by ButtonsMaskBoutique. It says it is an anti-fog style so I’m going to have to order one for myself!

I am so tired of seeing people use the “disposable” masks and disposing of them in the street, or in my front yard. They are starting to fill up the landfills as well. Please do the right thing and wear a properly fitted mask to protect all of us, and have some fun with it while you do!

Thank the heavens that 2020 is finally in our rearview mirror! There were some really good things that happened though at the Lifestylist® Brands that we don’t want to overlook.

Alex and Andrew got Married!

Our kitchen design was chosen to be included in the Signature Kitchen Suite Design Guide

Our designs are being shared by others on social media

We had a cover photo on MHInsider

And we have continued to write for various national publications including MHInsider, CandysDirt.com, and MHVillage.com - not too bad for a very disruptive year.

We have learned a lot as well. I’ve been holding back on embracing Smart technology, but now I’m all in. Being able to wake up every morning and to cook a perfectly cooked French omelet using my Hestan Cue has been a delight. Having RING at my doors has been a great safety feature, and I have to say I love being able to see my feral colony of cats come to my porch at night to eat.

We have been traveling by car instead of plane, and have been focusing on more clients that I can drive to. As a result, I have seen things that I have never seen, met people that I would have never met, and I’ve developed a new appreciation for American made products and supporting local businesses.

When I was lucky enough to visit the Buena Vista Winery last year, I saw my first pomegranate in its native habitat. I’m such a Texan I had no idea they grew on trees!

I’ve missed traveling to Napa this year, so I thought I would work on some recipes that used Napa Valley ingredients, or reminded of the wonderful times that I had there.

This jelly has a little tartness to it and is a great replacement for cranberry jelly for the holidays, or slathered on a thick piece of San Francisco sourdough bread. It also works well on top of a wheel of brie paired with a great bottle of Otelia’s Selection Pinot Noir.

This year I entered this into the State Fair of Texas Canning competition and won third place! I can’t wait for you to try it and let me know what you think.

Ingredients

2 Cups Fresh Pomegranate Juice 2 Cups Pomegranate Juice From Concentrate 1/4 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice 5 Cups Sugar 6 Tablespoons Powdered Fruit Pectin

Directions

Wash six half-pint (8 oz) canning jars and lids, and place the jars into a large pot of boiling water that will cover the jars by at least more than 2”. Put the lids and rings into a separate small pot of hot water.

Juice the pomegranates to get 2 cups of juice, and stain to get out all of teh seeds and membranes. In a large pot, stir together pomegranate juices, lemon juice, and pectin over high heat, stirring until it comes to a boil. Be sure to constantly stir to avoid scorching the mix.

When it comes to a rolling boil that you can’t stir down, add the sugar. Continuing cooking and stirring until it comes to a boil again, and cook it at a boil again for exactly two minutes. Remove from the heat and skim off the foam from the top of the mixture.

Remove jars from the water bath. Keep the water bath boiling so it will be ready when you fill your jars.

Pour the mixture into the jars leaving 1/4” headspace at the top. Carefully wipe and dry the top of the jar removing any of the liquid that may have spilled, and screw on lids and rings to finger tight - you don’t want to over tighten.

Place the jars back into the water bath for five minutes, then place on a cooling rack or towel for at least 12 hours. Do not move because this could affect your seal.

If after an hour or so the middle of the lid has not inverted where you can push down on the middle and it can be pushed down your jars did not seal properly so these will need to be refrigerated instead.

Label, store, and enjoy!

What a weird year this has been. It started out so well with new clients, great projects to work on and lots of hope.

With the arrival of COVID that changed quickly. after years of flying somewhere almost every week, I can’t tell you when the last time was that I flew.

At first it was kind of nice to have an excuse to stay home and I spent lots of time in the kitchen working on new recipes. I’m in love with the Strawberry Pop Ups that I perfected using my collection of cast iron skillets, then moved on to bread, also in my cast iron. I think at that point we all thought it would be a few weeks, but months later I’m resigned to the fact that our world has probably changed forever. I now have a serious collection of masks for every mood and every day, and my favorite appliance - my LG Styler is used daily to sanitize not only my masks but a lot of my other clothing and bedding. I don’t know what I would do without it.

It’s so hard to believe that the holidays are almost here! Usually if I get my tree up and decorated it’s the week before Christmas, but this year we have not one, but four trees up and decorated with our favorite family and vintage ornaments. There is something peaceful about having the light of the tree on every night -things almost feel normal.

What a difference a year makes. Over a year ago I went to Napa Valley for the first time to do the art curating for the new Signature Kitchen Suite Experience and Design Center. I met a charming Frenchman named Jean-Charles Boisset who is the vision behind the Boisset Collection. Since then I have been fortunate enough to get to know him and his incredible wines which has been a real treat.

When I met him he told me about his talented, wife, and twins - “The Ladies.” Gina his wife is also in the wine business and has her own brands. I still haven’t met her, but I was fortunate enough to taste and learn about her wines at TEXSOM including this very special Gallo Signature Series Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It was love at first taste, and the thought of these two dynamic individuals making wine together would change the wine world. No sign of that happening yet, but today Jean-Charles did one of his Facebook Happy Hours in his own kitchen with Gina and The Ladies. What amazing parents and role models. It was so fun to see the girls in the kitchen with their parents, and they have inherited their parents love of food and the earth.

It seemed only appropriate to share this special wine made by a woman winemaker that is also a mother for Mothers Day.

The Gallo Signature Series “Cherish our traditions and look forward to the future.”The grapes come from their estate vineyards, and third-generation winemaker Gina Gallo truly makes a lasting impression with these. Gallo describes this wine as “A vivid and complex wine, our Gallo Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautifully fragrant, penetrating wine. Its rich, vivid fruit flavors include raspberry bramble and concentrated blackberry, which weave through dried herbs and a touch of melted licorice. The assertive tannins melt smoothly into a long, toasty oak finish streaked with Tahitian vanilla. Gina blended the Cabernet grapes with a bit of Petit Verdot and Petit Sirah to enhance the overall structure and add a deep richness to the mouthfeel.

These are uneasy times for all of us right now, and I wanted to use my Wine Wednesday post to share how Jean-Charles Boisset and the Boisset Collection are giving back to two very important causes.

The Victory Day 1945 wine was released to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II on May 8th, 1945. Jean-Charles shared “ We feel it is so important to remember the day when the free world joined together to celebrate peace, and that is why we are proud to release Victory Day.” He was born in France, and shares some of teh history that his family shared with him about this important moment in time here.

Looking at all of these really has me missing being in Napa - I can’t wait to get back! Oakville Grocery has turned into something really special, and the stunning Victorian next to it has been turned into the Oakville Wine Merchant where you can sample more than 50 wines that you have only read and dreamt about by the taste, half or full glass. The Victory Day Wine is available for purchase there, or you can also order it online. Boisset will be donating $1 for every bottle sold to support our veterans.

As always, Jean-Charles has a unique approach for selling this very special wine. The cost is $45 each, but you need to buy in multiples of three -one to taste, one to save, and one to share with friends. Wine is so much about the experiences you have when you enjoy and share it - buying it this way makes sure that you can make new memories all the way around.

Every year Raymond Vineyards gather together a group of influential sommeliers from around the country to travel to Napa and be inspired by the world-renowned Napa Valley wine-growing region. They then work together to create the Sommelier Selection Cabernet Sauvignon.

Typically you can only enjoy this wine at your favorite restaurant, but with the hard times that restaurants are having right now, Boisset has decided to make the 2017 release available for retail and consumer sales and to donate a portion of the proceeds to the United Sommeliers Foundation to support out of work wine professionals..

The suggested retail is only $20, and can be purchased on the Raymond Vineyards website here.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties. It has aromas of cherry and plum with floral undertones and lush flavors of raspberry, black current, nutmeg and a sweet cocoa characteristic that is completed by white pepper. The best of all tastes in one bottle!