What is a Lifestylist® ?

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One of the questions I always get asked is exactly what is a Lifestylist®, and what is unique about the Lifestylist® Lifestyle. The second most asked question is what makes me a Trailer Diva!

The Lifestylist philosophy is about “Life Celebrating Style”. Our clients life and style is what dictates how a Lifestylist® works with you. My favorite example is I had a client in Phoenix, Arizona that was a major Phoenix Suns fan, and their team colors are orange and purple. The client wanted their entire home done in these colors. What they wanted is what they got, complete with a child’s room with a hardwood floor striped like a basketball court. They wanted to stylishly celebrate their interests and love of their home team and we did!

I just spoke to a friend who’s dog just dug up their entire garden and her daughter slammed the door on the neighbor’s hand – all in about 30 minutes time. Her needs and lifestyle are completely different from my son – no kids, no dogs, and lives in front of his computer. What my style is wouldn’t work well for either of them which is why I need to understand the client and what their “hot buttons” are. It’s takes extra time and sleuthing to achieve this – many times the client has trouble putting into words exactly what they are looking for but they know it when they see it. I take the responsibility very seriously – a person’s environment can truly change their lives in a positive or negative way. If someone is happy in their home their quality of life improves.

Next to being a mother, becoming a Lifestylist® is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I’m looking forward to expanding the concept and what it offers in the years to come. – we will be launching a new food line this Spring!

Here’s to a Tasty 2012

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Happy New Year from the Lifestylist® family! We are really excited about 2012 and the opportunities that will come with it.

A lot of being a Lifestylist® is about being a trend tracker and doing research. Today I read something that was written by someone else titled “Social Media Lifestylist Guidelines for 2012″ – boy does that sound dull! The first thing that comes to mind is a big dusty manual full of rules and regulations, and that is exactly what social media (and being a Lifestylist®) is not about.

The tag line I have always used for my Lifestylist® brand is “It’s All About You”. I didn’t want the brand to be about me telling people what to do – I wanted to listen to people’s wants, needs, and dreams, and help them achieve those even when they didn’t know that’s what they were really searching for. I don’t want to dictate, I want to educate. I’ve learned that listening is so much more important than anything I will ever have to say, because sometimes if you let people express their thoughts they will find their answers.

Social media is such an exciting new frontier because it gives everyone the chance to tell their story to the universe. It’s become a great equalizer because almost anyone  on any budget can get access to a computer and a free site and share their thoughts.

There’s a down side to this though as well -there’s not as much editing as we’ve seen in the past. We have to learn that even though someone may have written it, there is the possibility it might not be true. Before we share or depend on information we find we have to be sure and check the facts. As the guardian of the Lifestylist® trademark for almost 10 years now I’ve seen how many people want to tie into my brand but aren’t willing to go through the legal process to acquire a brand of their own.

So what are the real Lifestylist’s guidelines for 2012? Never call them guidelines, live your life to the fullest, listen to those around you and you can never laugh too much or have too much great food and wine!

Here’s to a boisterous 2012!

Lifestylist® Breakfast Biscuits

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Anyone who reads this blog knows this Lifestylist® is not keen on mixes, but I’m going to make an exception with this recipe.

Breakfast is a hard meal for me, and I know that my daughter has a tough time getting something healthy into my grandkids before they all head out to school. This is the LifestylistFood® version of a recipe I found on Pinterest, and I’m crazy about it! It’s easy enough that the kids can make them themselves. By adding the ham and cheese you get some nutrients that can hold you over until lunch, and these are so moist you don’t need butter or anything else on them. Be sure not to substitute something else for the buttermilk – it gives these the moistness and kick that makes these so special.

Breakfast Biscuits

Ingredients:

1/4 cup lean ham, sliced and chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups Bisquick®

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Put all ingredients into a bowl and stir just until combined. Scoop into buttered muffin tins, and bake 15-18 minutes or until tops are lightly browned.

Thermador and Sur La Table – The Perfect Pairing

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It’s hard to believe that this Lifestylist® made it  through another year of The State Fair of Texas cooking contests! I am thrilled with the ribbons I won, and even though I missed a few of the contests I usually enter so I could take part in the Thermador Design Council, the information I received (as well as being pampered and having a chef cook almost every meal for us) was better than any ribbon.

When I’m thinking about what I want to enter and I’m looking for those special tools, Sur La Table is always my first stop. After I bought a digital candy thermometer there I started winning in the candy contests and now I can’t imagine life without it. I also know they will always have the perfect pan, cruet, or sea salt to make my entries stand out.

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to get to photograph an event at the Dallas Sur La Table that was a book signing with Martha Stewart! For three hours I had a chance to see this icon in person, and for the record she could not have been more gracious. The Sur La Table team made the event go seamlessly, and everyone had a wonderful time.

When I was at the Thermador Culinary Center last week I heard great news – Sur La Table is now featuring Thermador appliances in many of their kitchens! Now you have the opportunity to take some of their cooking classes and be able to try out the steam oven and many of the other innovations that Thermador offers.

Thermador and Sur la Table – I can’t think of a better pairing!

It’s a Great Day for a Fair

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Today was one of those perfect days to visit the great State Fair of Texas. It’s something we look forward to every year – we even get season passes!

 

I’ve been entering the cooking contests for over 5 years now, and I’m proud to say I’ve gotten my share of blue ribbons. It has been so busy around here I haven’t had a chance to enter yet, but I think there are some categories that are calling my name. Last year I won in the Tricks with Mix Category, and I’m thinking I may have to see if I can get Best of Show this year. Be sure to check out some of our award winning (and not award winning) entries on our Fair Foodies site.

 

Because of our love of the State Fair of Texas, we have collected some really unusual items from the fair. This is what makes the Lifestylist® touch so unique – not only great items, but items with a story and history.

Portfolio Kitchen and Home Opens New Flagship Store

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Congratulations to Thermador and Geri Higgins for the opening of the Portfolio Flagship store in Kansas City. There will be a functioning Thermador Culinary Studio in the store and Thermador’s executive chef Brad Peterson will be conducting cooking classes and demonstrations during the opening.

Geri is on the Thermador National Design Council with Lifestylist® Suzanne Felber, and we are hoping an invitation comes our way so we can see this beautiful new location in person!

Fresh Mango Coconut Cobbler

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It’s mango season! I was just visiting the Volman family near Boca Raton FL and they had a mango tree in their backyard that was full of fruit. I promised I’d share this recipe with them – it’s one of my favorites. If you don’t have fresh mangos try frozen or one of the frozen tropical fruit mixes you can find at the store.

Mango Coconut Cobbler

Ingredients:
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
4 Cups Fresh or frozen mango, or Tropical Fruit – cubed (mango, papaya, pineapple and strawberries)
2 Cups Water
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Coconut, flaked

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl mic cake mix with softened butter – set aside.  In an oblong pan place tropical fruit, add water and sugar then stir. Crumble butter and cake mix mixture on top of fruit, then sprinkle with coconut.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Thermador Shares Recipe for all Ages

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As a Lifestylist®, I am always on the go. I have opportunities coat to coast, and often get to spend evenings with friends and family experiencing their homes and their lifestyles. There is nothing I enjoy more than an evening at home – either mine, or my friends. For these special evenings I like to have recipes that are my “go-to’s” that I can prepare and share.

I’m honored to be on the Design Council for Thermador Appliances, and on a recent visit to their amazing Thermador showroom in Scottsdale, AZ -they put us to work. We got to experience these appliances first hand, and prepared a fabulous dinner that we all enjoyed. My favorite item of all things that we prepared was the Creamed Spinach – who knew? Thermador shared the recipe with me, and since then it has become one of my favorite recipes to share. When I just got to spend some time with my grandkids we prepared this together and they loved it! Thank you Thermador for sharing this great, simple recipe that everyone enjoys. I’m going to return the favor and share it with you here.

 

Creamed Spinach

5 lbs. of fresh spinach, cleaned of stems and rinsed

1/4 cup butter

1 shallot, fine dice

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. nutmeg

1 C. heavy cream

shredded Parmesan cheese

salt & pepper to taste

Bring a large stockpot full of water to a boil. Blanche the spinach for only 10 seconds.

Put blanched spinach in a colander and press out as much liquid as possible, then chop.

Melt the butter in a large rimmed skillet over medium heat and add the shallot and garlic. Cook until tender, about 4 minutes.

To that, add the drained spinach, nutmeg and heavy cream. Bring to a light simmer.

Transfer to a bowl and using an immersion blender, blend the ingredients to a uniform consistency.

Place in a heat proof serving bowl and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Place under broiler until cheese is golden brown – enjoy!

 

Say Cheese!

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Summer is here, and Chef Joanne Bondy is giving us lots of ways to enjoy the 72 degree temperatures inside the Gaylord Texan.  Besides the very popular Jr Chef Camps, Chef Bondy will be hosting the Cheese and Beer Dinner on June 15th.

Joanne’s signature Habanero Corn will be featured in a new way – Habanero Cream Corn and Crab Soup. Author and Cheese Expert Liz Thorpe of Murray’s Cheese in NYC will be in attendance. This is the first in a series of dinners featuring artisan cheeses and great brews paired with of course… food and fun.

Here’s the menu for this amazing evening:

Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
French Feta Stuffed Green Olives
Salami & Fontina Fontal Panini’s
Bourbon Cured Pickles with Aged Gouda
Blonde Ale – Fireman’s # 4 Longneck – Blanco, Texas

First Course
Habanero Corn and Crab Soup with Satori Sarvecchio Parmesan Crostini
Pale Ale – Lost Gold IPA – Blanco, Texas

Second Course
Heirloom Tomato Salad with DiStefano Burrata
Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Hefeweizen – Widmer Wheat Beer – Portland, Oregon

Entrée
Beef Tenderloin with Smoke Haus Blue & Bacon Gratin
Warm Potato Salad
Herbed White Asparagus
Mustard Seed Braun Sauce
Ale – Brooklyn Brown Ale – Brooklyn, New York

Dessert
Blueberry Pie with Lavender Butter
VBC Cremont Cheese Ice Cream
Barleywine Style – Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale – Chico, California

Executive Chef Joanne Bondy                      Sous Chef Michael West