{Instagram}

I was hesitant to join Instagram basically because my life is already on social media overdrive. But during the holidays, me and my sisters all started taking pics and I couldn’t resist jumping in. I’m still getting the hang of things, but let’s follow each other {I'm jessica_flourish} as I'm committed to posting at least one picture a day. Also, I just joined ink361.com where you can view everyone’s instagram photos larger on the web - it’s pretty cool!

1. My sisters dog Bailey - isn't he a cutie patootie - I love that little guy!
2. My mom's favorite mac-n-cheese. If I told you the recipe I would have to kill you!
3. A few of my favorite Christmas gifts from my friends at work!
4. I made this soup on Monday and have been eating it all week - I'm obsessed!
5. My sister Tara won the Christmas packaging award this year - this is her wrapping.

*Instagram is a free app that you can use on your phone. Snap a photo, choose a filter to transform the look and feel, send to Facebook, Twitter or Flickr – it’s all as easy as pie. It’s photo sharing, reinvented. Follow me!

{A Necessary Accessory: Scarves}

Over Christmas break it seems all I bought were scarves - in fact I purchased 3. Don't you agree that a scarf can completely make even the plainest outfit work? I literally wear them all the time, and while searching for some new ways to tie them over the weekend, I came across this post over at WWW where you can click through five ways to make your scarf an essential piece this season! The City is my fave.

{Red Wine Braised Short Ribs}

While perusing Pinterest, I came across this recipe and immediately my mouth started to water. Braised short ribs is one of my favorite meals and I can't wait to make this in the crockpot. Who's coming over?

Traditional Red Wine Braised Short Ribs {via}


1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 large onion, finely diced
3 celery ribs, finely diced
3 carrots, finely diced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons flour
One 750 ml bottle of red wine (I used a Beaujolais nouveau)
1 cup veal or chicken stock
2.5 pounds bone in beef short ribs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
salt and pepper

In a large enameled Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil. Add the onions, celery and carrot. Cover and cook over moderate heat until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until the vegetables are browned, 3 more minutes. Store in the tomato paste and flour. Cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly. Add the wine and stock and bring to a simmer.

Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet. Season the ribs on all sides with salt and pepper. Add the to the pan and cook over medium-high heat, turning onto all sides until they are browned, about 15 minutes.

Transfer to the Dutch oven. Partially cover and cook on 350 degrees for 2.5 hours

Transfer the ribs to plate and remove the bones. Strain the sauce into a heatproof measuring cup and skim off the fat. Return the sauce to the Dutch oven and boil until reduced to 2 cups, about 10 minutes. return the meat to the sauce and simmer over low heat until heated through. Serve with mashed potatoes, polenta or buttered noodles.

Crock Pot Braised Short Ribs


2.5 pounds short ribs, seared on all sides (see above)

3 large shallots, diced
2 ribs celery, diced large
2 cloves garlic, minced fine

2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
One 750 ml bottle of red wine

Place all the ingredients into a large crock pot. Stir gently to combine the tomato paste and barbecue sauce with red wine. Cook on low for 4 hours.

Transfer short ribs to a plate and remove bones. You can strain the sauce and reduce it at this point. I threw mine away because I am only intending to use the meat for a few dishes the next few days and I had extra sauce from the oven ribs.

Amazing right?

{January Picks: Fave Things For The New Year}

It's the beginning of the month {and new year} and you know what that means - time for my January Picks:

1. I purchased a new leopard scarf during the after Christmas sales, and I love it. Every girl should have one!

2. I purchased this burger press from Williams-Sonoma to spice up my turkey burgers. I haven't used it yet but I know it's going to be genius!

3. My sister Laura purchased this sweater Anthro skirt for me, and it fits like a glove. {enter whisper voice here: it's a size M - woohoo}. While it's not available online anymore, the stores still have them and they are 50% off = $25!!!

4. My sister Tara purchased these boots for me for Christmas and I'm obsessed with them. I can run miles in these bad boys!

5. Yep - I'm thinking of getting a tiny heart tattoo. My sister Tara will be here in a couple of weeks and we're thinking of getting one. Now gotta get the other sisters on board!

6. My new mantra - I will be placing this in my office and my house.

{Looking Forward, Looking Back}

As I sit here reflecting on the last year, 2011 was certainly trying. While I had a lot of things occur that tested my faith, patience, and health, in the end, 2011 taught me that optimism and positivity do reign supreme. I believe that, in everything, every day is a chance to reach for something greater and that every moment holds opportunities available to enrich our lives. If life is truly 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it, we essentially have two choices when we wake each morning: we can either be someone who lets difficulty defeat us or be someone who recognizes that it is our attitude, or our passion, that will take us to the next level. I'm blessed to have gone through all I have this year as it has definitely made me stronger and ready to face all the delicious things that are in store for me in 2012. So in preparation - I'm keeping my goals this year pretty simple - take care of my health, my finances, and my spirituality, as I believe everything else will fall into place. So here it goes:

1. Continue on my journey of a healthy life and body by:

- continuing my success with Weight Watchers (tracking what I eat & drinking lots of water)

- continuing my fitness training with my trainer and by running more

- minimizing salt and sugar intake

- eating mainly whole, local, and organic foods 

2. Travel more.  
I didn't go on a big trip in 2011 as I was still recovering from my 2010 trip to Italy. This year I would like to go on a cruise, and take several weekend trips to NYC and the beach.

3. Spend less. Save more.
While you know I love to shop - this year I'm going to try and be more mindful and less impulsive. The goal is quality over quantity - and a bigger bank account.

4. Exfoliate anything and anyone that isn’t serving a positive purpose in my life.
As I spent several hours in the car over the holidays, I listened to many of Oprah's Life classes. The class that resonated with me the most was the one on Putting Out Positive Energy. I learned that we are all responsible for our own causes and the energy we put into the world. When you do a loving thing, when you put out positive energy, you feel happy. This is how human beings are wired. So the goal is not to put out positive energy in order to get some positive energy back. The goal is to put out positive energy and feel positive about your life. That's where the work is.

5. Push myself past the scary bits more often and not let comfort and complacency hold me back from really exciting places on the horizon. 

Another Life class of Oprah's that spoke to me was the one on Stepping Out of the Box. It talked about what keeps you from leaving your comfort zone and how a sense of adventure is really about waking up every day not with a sense of dread but with a sense of possibility. Most of us are extremely fearful about life, we're constantly trying to protect and defend ourselves. This year the goal is to build up my sense of self-reliance and enjoy the possibilities.

I feel so much gratitude for being able to blog. Thank you so much for the support this year and here's to a happy 2012!

{Pinatas | Glitter Party Horns}