Clever Girl Chronicle

September 28, 2011

Clever Q & A

Just what makes a"Clever Girl"? Turns out, it takes a lot! Kathy P. is a wife, mother to three kids, two dogs and one cat. Here are 16 other things you never knew...

Clever Q & A

Q. What's your favorite city?

A. Sarasota, FL

Q. Coffee or Tea?

A. Coffee. Heavy cream and sugar.
Fuel to rule the world (or at least my corner of it...)

Q. Celebrity Crush?

A. Daniel Craig. Adore him.

Q. What song do you crank up the volume for?

A. Crazy for You, by Madonna. Don't ask me why.

Q. Favorite cook book?

A. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook--can't beat it.

Q. What is your most prized possession?

A. Well, they aren't really a possession, but my children would have to be it.

Q. What's the best way to spend $3.oo?

A. Tall Starbucks Vanilla Latte.

Q. What is your favorite flower?

A. Irises: They really are so beautiful.

Q. If you could have a super hero "power", what would it be?

A. I'd love to be invisible! That could be quite handy...

Fill in the Blank....

My signature cocktail is........

Gray Goose & Tonic, with a lot of lime.

My all-time favorite food is.............

Cookies!

I am reading.......

In the Woods, by Tana French. Really good.

As a child I wanted to be........

A forensic scientist.

I'm addicted to......

Cookies!!

My perfume is......

Anything by Chanel

I'm most embarrassed by.......

Many of the things I say out loud. Oops!

Click {here} to visit the archives for Kathy's Christmas Q & A.

September 12, 2011

Please be sure to see the article on Clever Girl in the September issue of West Suburban Living. This magazine is a great resource for all good things in the 'burbs, and filled with interesting places to eat and things to do... like shopping at Clever Girl!
Sneak a peek, {click here} and happy fall!

August 31, 2011

Summer Scrapbook...

Well, I'm happy to report that all has returned to normal up here in Maine. Hurricane Irene was nice enough to drop by--she didn't do too much damage, and declined to stay for cocktails. The power is on, and the skys are back to being that yummy, late summer blue again. I'm heading home very soon to get us all ready for fall at the store; Labor Day signals the end of summer, and am ready for some cooler days and cozy nights. People always ask me what we do out here, so here's a little taste of Maine...

We made several stops at the farm stand for fresh corn, delicious tomatoes and fresh herbs. The pumpkins are getting ready to be harvested, and the garlic drying house was filled! Everything here is beautifully displayed and and they have heirloom vegetable varieties that I've never seen anywhere else.

The big Union Antiques show was filled with great antique finds. Some for Clever Girl, several that will stay with me...Plus, a few Christmas gifts were found (how's that for early?) I fell in love with several dozen vintage buttons in great colors at this wonderful booth. Such an array of styles and different shades to choose from...

Took in a film at the historic Lincoln Theater, formerly known as "Odd Fellows Hall"... (Midnight in Paris. Quite good, do go and see it.)

Soaked up a little of Maine's abundant history at Fort William Henry, which is just down the road. Originally built in 1692. Now that's old!

Took the Happy Hound on long walks...

And enjoyed all of the lovely views that Maine has to offer. Sad to leave, but very much looking forward to a fabulous fall back home...

August 19, 2011

It's trunk show time...

Who says boys don't make passes at girls that wear glasses???

Please join us, Thursday,

September 15th, 2011*

for a special trunk show featuring

the new fall eye bobs collection!

Every 8 seconds, someone turns 40. Eyes over the age of 40 begin to lose their flexibility which makes focusing at close range more difficult. No, you don’t need longer arms, more light or a menu written in larger type. Neither diet nor exercise will stave off this condition. We hate to break it to you; but reading glasses are inevitable. Now the good news! You are not doomed to wander the racks of drugstore readers in search of the least ugly pair of cheaters. It's eyebobs to the rescue...

Consider this: reading glasses are an opportunity to express yourself! You’re stylish, smart and a little bit sarcastic – your eyewear should be too. We’ve got styles and colors to suit every mood, from dignified classics to big, bold and bright. We’ve got sunglass readers to keep you looking stylish while reading outdoors. Prescription glasses? Convert your eyebobs into prescription eyewear. Be the envy of younger eyes everywhere with your funky glasses!

* Get out your glasses, here's the "fine print"...
Trunk show is Thursday, September 15th from 9:30 am-1:00pm. Representives from eyebobs will be on hand to show you the latest and greatest frames. Enjoy refreshments while you browse. Be sure and enter our drawing for a free pair of glasses too!

August 8, 2011

Summer Yum

If you're anything like me, you have a kitchen drawer (or two) filled with seldom used gadgets and gizmos that you thought you really needed, but didn't. They kind of mock you from a twisted jumble of spoons, tongs and zesters that are ~~rarely~~ never used. These, however, are different. This is a gadget that's actually going to become an indispensable friend. Girls, meet the new magic kitchen scissors....

As many of you are aware, several of the Clever Girls around here are absolutely no slouch when it comes to the cooking department: If they say it's good, it is. These herb scissors have the "CG" stamp of approval all over them. The multi-blades make quick, neat work of even the most tender herbs; and this is the perfect tool to assist you in putting the summer's delicious and bountiful yield to good use. Snip the herbs you need neatly, quickly and right where you want them with this great gadget. Basil, scallions, parsley, mint and dill are our summer favorites; but these babies work on just about anything.
To get you started, two of our top clever, culinary girls offer you some recipes to get cookin' with.

WATERMELON SALAD with MINT LEAVES

Ingredients
1 (5-pound) watermelon
1 Vidalia or other sweet onion (I use red, and a bit less than this calls for)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint (use the scissors!)
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
6 whole mint sprigs
Directions
Remove the melon from the rind. Discard rind. Remove seeds from melon and cut into bite size pieces.
Peel and slice the onion into paperthin rings or finely chop.
In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, salt and pepper and whisk until salt is dissolved. Slowly whisk in olive oil, a few drops at a time. Add in the chopped mint, and adjust seasonings.
In a large bowl combine the melon, onion and feta. Pour the dressing over the melon mixture and gently toss until coated. Garnish with mint springs.
*Note, this does not keep well. I'd recommend making only the amount you will be enjoying at the time. Also, I cut back on the oil just a little.Perfect during this upcoming hot August!
~Lynn D.
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Michelle offers this scrumptious, herb infused dish (use your new scissors!) and it is a perfect way to serve up some of the seasons delicious, sun-ripened tomatoes ...
SLICED TOMATOES with FRESH HERB DRESSING

Ingredients

4 large, ripe tomatoes, sliced
1/4c. good quality olive oil
1 1/2 T. good quality red wine vinegar (St. Julian)
2 T. chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 T. chopped fresh oregano leaves
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
2 T. chopped fresh chives
2 T. minced garlic
1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
Arrange the tomato slices in a shallow casserole dish. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, thyme, oregano, parsley, chives and garlic in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour herb mixture over the tomatoes, covering evenly. Top with Parmesan cheese.
*This recipe improves by letting the flavors meld together. Be sure you have some great, crusty bread to dip into the dressing. Enjoy! ~Michelle M.

One last tip from Michelle: Don't be intimidated by using fresh herbs in place of dried. Here's her secret: Substitutions can be made in many recipes using a simple 1:3 ratio of dried to fresh herbs. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of dried thyme, use 3 tablespoons of fresh.

Clever, right? Happy cooking!

July 22, 2011

Exclusive: For Subscribers Only!

Pre-Sale starts today,
Friday, July 22, 2011

Blog subscribers (that's clever girls, like you) are receiving advanced notice of our Summer Sale. We won't let the cat out of the bag to everybody else until Tuesday... Shop early for the best selection of sizes and colors.

There's still A LOT of time to wear our cute summer clothing...

July 14, 2011

Bonne Fete de la Bastille!

Happy Bastille Day! To celebrate the revolution, today we become Clever French Girls for 24 hours. Live as the French do....... So what, exactly, should one do, you ask? Suggestions follow...

Start the day leisurely; there's no need to rush. Have good strong coffee along with a flaky croissant, or perhaps some crepes, non? Read the papers. Take your dog with you everywhere--even into restaurants. Wear something impossibly chic and black.

Drive le Automobile as if you are insane. Rev your engine, ignore road signs, speed limits and pedestrians. Employ the horn frequently. Work up a few hand gestures to have at the ready. Remember, today you are French! You own the road.

Aah, and then there is la vin. Wine with lunch? Oui! More wine during the afternoon? Oui, oui, s'il vous plait. Let's add a baguette and some great fromage into the mix as well--quite French to do so.......

If you should feel the sudden urge for a cigarette: indulge. Do some shopping in a boutique...Perhaps aquire a new hat....Catch a French Foreign film (Although, if you're French, it isn't foreign, now is it? Well...so just go see a movie, but make it a drama; no action films.)

Purchase armloads of fresh flowers. Listen to some jazz...Head out to dinner around 9:30 at the absolute earliest with only your most interesting and clever friends. Enjoy steak au poivre, and those cute little pommes frites, tres delicieux!

Savor a wee bit more le vin, and call it a perfect French day. Au revoir......Viva La Bastille!

July 7, 2011

Pick a color...

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COLORFUL (adj.): Vibrant, eye-catching, dynamic, unique and vivid.

Are you a COLORFUL Clever Girl? (Note: The opposite of colorful is colorless, defined as: dull, lacking in variety and interest, and we know that's not you!) So, for summer, a bit of spontaneous color awaits your wrist. Our silicone watches are the most popular item in the store right now; and we just got in a fresh batch. These are a perfect mid-summer treat at only $24.oo. Really, the only problem is choosing which of the 15 colors is best for you...and we can help with that too; read on....

If you want to do a wee bit of leg work ahead of time, take this color quiz, to see what your best color is. The match is based on how you think (hue), how much you do about it (saturation) and the effect you think it has (lightness). Give it a try... {click here} to take the quiz, and see if you agree with the results. If you want a peak at the full color chart, {click here} Whatever the result, scoot on in and pick out your watch!