What's your Type?

There's just something universally appealing about letters... Doesn't it seem that we all like to wear our initials? Don't you love how your monogram looks on thick, creamy card stock?

Back in Medieval Times, long before PIN numbers and access codes, a personal wax seal was applied to insure important letters arrived securely, and were read only by those meant to see the written word. Kings and governments used elaborate wax seals on proclamations to give them their "stamp of approval". Individuals used their initials to "seal the deal". (The invention of the gummed envelope in the late 19th Century basically did away with the need for the seals.) Now, however, we have found a small Italian company that has put them to a new use. Pax Amor recreates charms from original wax seals that make for lovely jewelry! These are the perfect, personalized gift. They're rich and heavy and capture the rustic elegance of the old seals. Vintage and somehow modern all in one--we just love these!

Speaking of letters, here's something fun to try: click here http://pentagram.com/what-type-are-you/ to see what your "type" is. Oddly accurate...

Comfort Food for a Snowy Day

The weather man says 8-10 inches of snow today...

Surely something tasty is in order.

As many of you already know, the Clever Girls around here are a multi-talented bunch.

Michelle is our true foodie and most sophisticated epicurean (she got us all started watching Top Chef) and she has a great roster of fabulous recipes--super tasty with a gourmet twist. Case in point: her Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce. For a snowy supper this week, consider this tasty dish, and be sure to make enough for left-overs the next night...

Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce

Serves: 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour

Ingredients

1/3 cup white wine

1/3 cup soy sauce

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 lb. pork tenderloin

Mustard Sauce

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sour cream

1 1/2 tablespoons mustard powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon sliced green onion

Directions:

Combine wine, soy sauce and brown sugar in a large, resealable plastic bag. Place tenderloin in bag and refrigerate overnight.

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard powder, garlic powder and mix well. Refrigerate overnight and keep chilled until ready to serve.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place meat and marinade in a shallow baking dish and roast for one hour, basting occasionally. Temperature of meat should register 160 degrees F. Let meat rest for a few minutes, then cut into 1/2 inch thick slices. Serve with mustard sauce and sprinkle with the sliced green onion.

P.S. Next time you're in town and stumped for a good dinner idea, check with Michelle--she'll have something clever to suggest!

Perfect Pears

I won't pretend that winter is over yet--not even close--but I can tell you that lots of spring goodies are making their way into Clever Girl. Among our favorite new finds are these wonderful pear candles and slate serving boards. These charming beauties look lovely on the table and come in a bunch of beautiful colors like ice blue, tangerine, pale yellow, sea-foam and raspberry. The simple, rustic form of the pear looks terrific on the cool slate for a instant modern farmhouse look. Perhaps the best part? They're only $6.00!!! So instead of grabbing yet another bottle of wine for your hostess, why not have a few of these on hand? Stop in soon to pick some perfect pears and see all that's new...

It's Sale Time!

The Clever Girl Winter Sale Has Begun...

Savings of 50% on select

Clothing

Jewelry & Accessories
Homegoods

...and more

Shop early for the best selection of sizes and styles.

How cute is this?

Ok, check this out. A family in Florida built this teeny, tiny snowman in their front yard. The recent super cold weather has hit even sunny Florida. This little guy is about four inches tall, has chocolate chip eyes and a baby carrot nose. It's just too cute not to share...Stay warm everyone!

Too Long Away

Yes, I've been away a while--the Christmas season got the better of me. I apologize, and offer a brief update...

Clever Girl was happily buzzing with business all season, and our shelves have been in need of constant restocking. Many a gift was wrapped, and I must declare the men of Western Springs to be very good (if a bit last minute) shoppers. Scarves and mittens, cozy PJ's, sweaters, jewelry, books--you name it--we sold it. Santa did a lot of shopping...

Our Clever Girl open house back on December 10th was a great success. Tasty nibbles, cocktails and great Christmas music made for a cozy, candlelit evening that raised lots of money for the Anti-Cruelty Society, and put us all in a festive mood. Thank you to our great customers that braved the coldest night of the year to support the cause.

As they say, all work and no play, well, that's not good. I was happy to sneak out one day to celebrate the December birthday of a dear friend and raise a glass of Christmas cheer. We gathered at Roberto's in Elmhurst, (click here) and were taken care of by the most delightfully charming Italian gentleman...he added to the fun, good food, and good friends. If you haven't been there, get going!

Several trips into the city this season were great outings as well. There are a lot of terrific exhibits at the Art Institute right now, and the Victorian Photo Collage was at the top of my list. (click here) This did NOT disappoint, and if you hurry, you can still see it. I found it very inspiring... Lunch in the Modern Wing at Terzo Piano was an added bonus.

Our annual Clever Girl Christmas party was a ROARING good time (Just imagine all those clever girls gathered together at once!) We laughed, had a marvelous party, and greatly enjoyed exchanging gifts and relaxing together. The Clever crew is simply the best--and I love them all!

At home, our family tree was trimmed with the hundreds of ornaments we've collected over the years, and I think it was the most lovely we've ever had. The tree twinkles in the front window and is simply beautiful. The sweet scent of pine has filled the entire house all season, and I so cherish the ritual of putting it up with my Mom each year. Her whole house is an English Christmas dream come true, and seeing her beautiful decorations can't help but make me happy and ready for Christmas.

As we close out the year, new items are already arriving at the store. We've got fresh deliveries of all sorts of goodies and will continue to bring you the very best a clever girl could want. Thank you all for your support and friendship this past year, and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2010.

Happy New Year!!!

Holiday "Jam"

Well girls, Thanksgiving is one week from today--as if you didn't already know that. In an ongoing effort to assist the Clever Hostesses of the world, we offer a recipe that's sure to please, tastes delicious, and looks like great effort was put forth--yet is SUPER simple. If you can hold a spoon, you can make this recipe. Seriously.

Rich, creamy goat cheese pairs perfectly with the ripe pears, tart cranberries and sweet raspberries in our favorite Stonewall Kitchen Holiday Jam, and the little hint of orange liqueur flavor in the jam adds a wonderful richness. Make this and you'll instantly become a superhero hostess. Grab the little tart shells as you do your Thanksgiving Day preparation, and pop in to pick up some of this oh-so-tasty-jam here at Clever Girl. Chill a nice bottle of Riesling and let the good times roll. Trust us--you'll be a holiday hero!

Fruit & Goat Cheese Mini Tarts

Makes 30 mini tarts

Ingredients:

3 oz. mild goat cheese

5 Tbsp. Holiday Jam

30 mini phyllo shells

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Fill each phyllo shell with 1/2 teaspoon of goat cheese and top with 1/2 teaspoon of Holiday Jam

Bake until filling is hot, 8-10 minutes

Serve

Here we go again...

Oops, I did it again. Yes, yet another copy of Pride and Prejudice has been added to my collection. But really, how could I be expected to resist this cover? I was just milling about in a book stall, at O'hare Airport of all places, when this caught my eye. Ruben Toledo has done the artwork, and it perfectly captures Elizabeth Bennet's rejection of Mr. Darcy. Toledo has done drawings for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue among others, and I just LOVE what he's done here. If you don't have our dear Jane on your bookshelf, you're in for one of the best stories ever told. Get this book!!!

Happy Orange Day!

Trick or Treat!

Perhaps it's the season we are now in, but it seems that orange is popping up everywhere I turn, and I'm talking about more than just pumpkins. I've always rather liked orange in its more subdued tones. Melon, Terracotta, and Sunset variations of orange do have a certain richness to them. It's amazing how the color orange, used properly, and in the right shade can be quite sophisticated. Hermes has know this since 1837, when they chose a burnt orange as their signature color for their iconic boxes. Great mixed with the dark brown, right?

Or, to see how just a single, well placed piece of orange, perhaps mixed with pink, can keep a room or an outfit from becoming too sugary and bubblegum sweet. It adds just the right punch.

How pretty is this room? The orange trunk really does the trick here, doesn't it? Keeps the pink at bay and grounds everything around it. Love it! So, while Halloween may soon be over, I don't think the orange needs to depart just yet...there's a lot we can do with this interesting hue. For now, a happy and safe Halloween to you all.