Cape Cod Charm: Fashion And Food Inspiration

I’ve always been fortunate to live close to beautiful Hyannis Port, Massachusetts and spent lots of time there as a child. It’s always so nice to be there when the Art Show is going on. 

I really liked the Gyotaku artwork by Patrick Hogan. It made me excited to try this kind of art at home with the kids and with my students during September when we start our Scientists’ Notebooks and talk about animal observations. 

Although the art exhibits were so wonderful to see, we quickly found beauty everywhere we went during our time in Cape Cod. 

I loved this little garden, which was outside The Brewster Bookstore. 

We got a little exercise exploring Nauset Beach, which is a picturesque area with a lighthouse and other amenities. This is actually the lighthouse used on the Cape Cod Potato Chip bags ! We were also saw The Three Sisters Lighthouses. I thought it was really interesting that they were named ‘Three Sisters’ because someone, back in 1836, thought they looked like ladies wearing white dresses and black hats.

I was definitely channeling the ever so elegant Jackie O, who spent her golden years in Hyannis Port, when I choose this outfit for my last day exploring the ‘Cape.’ 

All the dresses were found on http://www.thredup.com. Accessories worn with these looks were found at http://www.burlingtonstyle.com , with the exception of the leopard bow hat which I created with my own ribbon and a hat from a local craft store. 

Being in Cape Cod reminded my daughter, who was an awesome photographer as well as companion last weekend,  of all the wonderful seafood we make at home this time of year. My mom has a few favorite recipes which she has perfected and passed down to her daughters. 

Ready to prepare a seafood feast ? 

Cape Cod Clam Chowder

Chowder made from quahogs, large hard shelled clams, has long been a tradition on Cape Cod.

You will need:

2 dozen quahogs

6 ounces meaty salt pork 

2 large red or Yukon gold potatoes 

1 large onion 

1/3 cup flour 

1 cup light cream or half-and-half

Salt and white pepper 

1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons butter 

Chopped parsley, for garnish 

Steps:

1. Scrub the clams well and rinse in cold water. In a large, heavy stockpot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the clams, cover, and boil until they are open, about 35 minutes. 

2. Strain through a colander set over a large heatproof bowl to catch the clam cooking liquid. Strain this liquid through a sieve lined with cheesecloth. Boil to reduce by about a third. Measure out and reserve 8 cups of the clam broth.

3. Rinse the clams under cold water until they are cool enough to handle. Remove the clams from their shells, rinsing them briefly to wash off any grit. Coarsely chop the clams, cover, and refrigerate. 

4. Rinse the salt pork, dry, and cut off the rind. Finely dice the salt pork. 

5. In a medium saucepan, boil the diced potatoes 8 to 10 minutes.

6. In a large soup pot, cook the salt pork over medium low heat until it begins to render it’s fat, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, raise the heat, and continue to cook, 5 to 7 minutes longer. 

7. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and salt pork and cook, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour reserved 8 cups clam liquid and half-and-half and bring to a boil, stirring until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

8. Add the diced clams and potatoes to the soup base and remove from heat. Ladle into bowls or large mugs, top with butter and a dusting of parsley. 

Cape Cod Clam Boil

A clambake is great when you begin with clam chowder and end with watermelon. Serve this clam boil with cole slaw and cornbread. Be sure to put out nutcrackers and you may even want to purchase disposable bibs!! 

You will need:

6 live lobsters 

6 dozen soft shell clams

6 ears of corn

18 small red new potatoes

6 knockwurst

Melted butter 

Steps:

1. Fill each of 6 pans with a handful of fresh seaweed and 1 inch of water. If you don’t use seaweed, increase water to 2 inches and salt it lightly. 

2. Place 1 lobster, 12 soft shelled clams, I ear of corn, 3 potatoes, and 1 knockwurst in each pan. Cover with the lid or with a double thickness of aluminum foil and crimp tightly so no steam can escape. Refrigerate for up to 3 hours.

3. About 45 minutes before you plan to serve, light a medium-hot fire in your charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill to medium. Cook for 25 minutes. The lobsters should be bright red with curled tails. Serve with plenty of melted butter. 

Cape Cod Mimosa

We certainly can’t leave this classic out.

For each drink:

1 part cranberry juice

2 parts Dom Perignon or other champagne 

Pour the cranberry juice into a glass. Then fill the glass with the sparkling wine. 

Ready to host your own Clam Bake ? 

What will you wear ? You can dress down a little black dress with a denim vest like I did here- 

Dress: thredUP

Jewelry: Burlington Coat Factory

Sunglasses : polarized Polaroid from Sun Time Grossmont –  https://www.sunglassesandwatches.com
Or go nautical-casual like I did here. 

Top: Lauren Moshi

Skirt: UK style 

Sandals: Target

Bracelet: connectionsbymaya (etsy)

Sunglasses: polarized Polaroid from Sun Time Grossmont  https://www.sunglassesandwatches.com

Looking for new good quality sunglasses that are also affordable ? Sun Time Grossmont carries all the best brands from Luxottica, which is the largest worldwide distributor of sunglasses. Luxottica also owns Sunglasses Hut and LensCrafters but you will never see prices like Grossmont offers at either of those locations. I’m not sure why , but I’m glad I found this site –  https://www.sunglassesandwatches.com

They offer free standard shipping.

Use my code: FASHIONISTA at checkout  to receive 20% off the already low prices. 

Look for the company and their story:

IG: @suntimegrossmont

FB: @SunTimeLaMesa

Twitter: @suntimelamesa 

Thanks for allowing me to share some of the beautiful sights I saw on Cape Cod, a few favorite family recipes, and this great new site I found for sunglasses ! 

Hope you found this post worthwhile and hope you are having a wonderful summer! 

Yours truly,

Jennifer

Xoxo

A Classic Approach To Fun Fashion and Easy Entertaining

If fashion once dictated style (“Here’s the look you’ll wear this season”) , now the opposite is true. Style is our own look, the image we present to the world, and is as personal as a signature.

 When shopping, I look for good quality classic pieces that can serve as a eutral fashion canvas with tons of potential. I also look for unique, colorful shoes and accessories at affordable prices so I will always have a variety of options when putting an outfit together. 

I added fun , leopard pumps and a polka dot bag from http://www.target.com to basic gingham pants and a simple white blouse from http://www.express.com. The necklace is part of the Luluavenue collection from http://www.stylebyalana.com.

This is a classic summer floral dress by Jessica Simpson which I found at http://www.thredup.com , Dingo brand boots, and fun jewelry from http://www.target.com.

I paired a classic Max Studio dress from http://www.nordstromrack.com with gold glitter pumps and a bright red bag from http://www.target.com. I added a leopard ribbon to an ordinary straw hat just for fun.

I wore this dress with tights when it was colder outside. The necklaces are both from http://www.stylebyalana.com. Bracelets are from http://www.alexandani.com.

It’s easy to entertain family or friends when you take the same fun, classic approach to your menu as you do to your wardrobe. 

The following recipes involve classic foods made a bit more interesting and certainly a lot more tasty. 

Marinated Mushroom-Topped Burgers

You will need:

1 lb lean ground beef

1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning 

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms 

1/4 cup purchased balsamic vinaigrette 

4 Kaiser rolls, split 

4 slices Swiss cheese 

Steps:

1. Heat grill. In medium bowl, combine ground beef and 1 teaspoon of the lemon pepper seasoning; mix well. Shape mixture into 4 patties.

2. In medium bowl, combine mushrooms, remaining 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning and vinaigrette; toss to coat. Set aside.

3. When ready to grill, place patties on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium coals. Cook 11 to 13 minutes or until patties are thoroughly cooked, turning once. 

4. To toast buns, place cut sides down on grill during last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking time. Place 1 slice of cheese on each patty; cook an additional minute or until cheese is melted. 

5. Place patties on bottom halves of buns. Top each with mushroom mixture and top half of bun. 

Rosemary Corn

All you will need is 12 ears of sweet corn, 1 stick butter , melted , and 2 teaspoons of fresh rosemary, chopped. 

On each ear of corn, pull the husk back without completely removing it. Remove silk and rinse corn and husks thoroughly under cool water. Combine butter and rosemary, blending well. Using a basting brush, coat each ear of corn with butter mixture; pull the husks back over the ear of corn. Place corn on grill over medium heat and grill approximately 20 minutes. Turn ears frequently for even grilling.

Spicy Sea Scallops 

You will need:

2 T. lime juice 

1 T canola oil 

1 garlic clove, crushed 

1/2 t. ground cumin

1/8 t. Cayenne pepper

1 lb. sea scallops 

2 cups cherry tomatoes 

Steps:

Prepare marinade by combining lime juice, oil, garlic, cumin and pepper together in medium sized bowl. Whisk thoroughly. Alternately place scallops and tomatoes on metal skewers and brush on marinade. Place skewers on a platter, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Grill scallops 5 to 7 minutes, basting with marinade. 

Who can resist the aroma of fresh-baked cookies wafting through the house? Whatever recipe you choose, you are sure to please guests with these chocolate-filled delights. 

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

You will need:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 

1/3 cup cocoa 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 cup butter 

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

2 eggs 

2 cups chocolate chips or use 1 cup chocolate and 1 other flavor that you prefer 

1 cup chopped nuts ( optional )

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in large bowl on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in chips and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. 

Best Brownies 

You will need:

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla 

2 eggs 

1/2 cup flour 

1/3 cup cocoa 

1/4 teaspoon baking powder 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/2 nuts 

Creamy brownie frosting ( recipe follows)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 inch square baking pan. Stir butter, sugar, and vanilla in large bowl. Add eggs. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in nuts, if desired. Spread into pan.

2. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool. Frost with Creamy Brownie Frosting. Add small candies if desired. I like to add different small candies depending on the seasonal or holiday decor. 

Creamy Brownie Frosting 

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons cocoa 

1 tablespoon  honey 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

1 cup powdered sugar 

1-2 tablespoons milk

Steps:

1. Beat butter, honey, and vanilla.

2. Add powdered sugar and milk; beat to spreading consistency. 

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Shortcake

You will need:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

2 teaspoons vanilla 

1 1/2 cups flour 

1/2 teaspoon baking powder 

1 cup chocolate chips 

2 cups sour cream 

2 eggs

2 cups frozen non dairy whipped topping 

Fresh strawberries 

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.

2. Beat 1/2 cup sugar and butter. Add 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually add flour and baking powder, beating until smooth; stir in 1/2 cup chips. Press mixture into bottom of pan.

3. Stir sour cream, remaining sugar, 2 eggs, and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl; stir in remaining 1/2 cup small chocolate chips. Pour over mixture in pan. 

4. Bake 50-55 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack; remove side of pan. Spread whipped topping over top. Cover;refrigerate. Just before serving, arrange strawberry halves on top of cake; garnish as desired. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. 

I appreciate being able to share this fun, classic approach to fashion and simple entertaining. I hope you found it worthwhile. 

Yours truly,

Jennifer 

Xoxoxo