Color of the Season

"Orange" you glad it's Spring???

Call it what you will, the color of the season has a decidedly orange-y glow about it--but we love it!  Clever Girl has hints, and full on hits, of this sunny shade.  With our recent warm-and-balmy weather, these are pieces you can wear right now!!!  

Add some orange accents in your accessories, a pop of color in a new pen, or go bold with one of our darling new dresses. However you choose to try it, we've got some orange for you...

A Friendly Reminder...

We have all sorts of goodies to fill your Easter baskets, or decorate the table for Easter Brunch!

Rabbits, fluffy chicks, candies and toffee, soft slippers, pastel sparkly earrings, wonderful children's books, beautiful ribbons-by-the-yard for your baskets, and on and on...  

Let us help you gather items to make this year's bounty from the bunny extra good!

Tasty Tuesday

So.....the feedback we've had is that you want more Clever Girl Blogs; and we'll happily oblige!  You asked for more recipes, book reviews, fashion updates, decorating info and on and on.  Tasty Tuesdays will offer you something yummy to try from some of our best selling cookbooks, or from our own scrumptious flavor vaults.  (There are a lot of good gourmets here at Clever Girl.)  We'll even offer a few customer favorites if you're willing to share...so bring them in, or email us--we'd love to hear from you.

Today's dish is from the fabulous keepsake edition of The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook, written by the stars of the Planet Green show, The Fabulous Beekman Boys.  We love this cookbook, and it flies off of our shelves!  The fleeting asparagus season will soon be here, and this is a great way to use it...

ASPARAGUS TORTE

Gather the goods...This serves 6, and you will need:

• 2 pounds asparagus, tough ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch lengths
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter
• 3 large shallots, minced
• 3 green garlic stalks or scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 10 large eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons minced tarragon leaves
• pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded semi-hard cheese
• 1/2 cup cracker meal or crushed water crackers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a shallow 6 cup glass or ceramic baking dish.

Steam the asparagus until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.  In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic stalks and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots are tender, about 3 minutes. Add the asparagus, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and cook for 2 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, basil, tarragon, cayenne, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Whisk in 1 1/4 cups of cheese and the cracker meal.  Fold in the asparagus mixture.  Transfer to the casserole, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the center is just set.  

You're going to love this, great for brunch, or as a meatless meal, just add a big salad...YUM!

On the Hunt

It's that time of year again, when we go off hunting far and wide for all good things for Clever Girl.  Thus far, we've bagged the BEST!  There are new items from our favorite lines, great new designers, fresh spring scarves, hats and dresses, lots of terrific new books, and a few surprises mixed in along the way.  They will all be in the store very soon.  (Actually, many things, like our new stationary, cozy slippers, and brand new candle line are already in.)  It has, indeed, been a good hunting season.

Speaking of good things, I hope you have all been watching  Downton Abby Sunday nights on PBS.  The series focuses on that wonderful, Edwardian time period in England and is filled with all sorts of yummy treats that make it such fun to watch.  Maggie Smith is Violet, the Dowager Countess, and delivers her lines flawlessly.  There are butlers, maids, hats, dogs, lots of tea, great dialog, and words like "brouhaha", not to mention the amazing estate, Downton Abby, itself.  Don't miss it!

Fresh Starts

Once again, a Happy New Year to you all.  Are you off to a good start?  I am.  We celebrated Hogmanay, {the Scottish celebration of the last day of the year} in Michigan with a lively group, and feasted as the Italians do.  Lasagna, meatballs and all the trimmings.  We skipped the traditional fireballs they set alight in Edinburgh, and settled for some roaring logs in the fireplace instead.

A quiet day of "recovery" followed.  The good old puzzles came out, a few board games and several rounds of cards...We took the dogs for a long country walk and popped over to Mr. and Mrs. V's to watch the Rose Bowl.  (They are most excellent hosts, as they never run out of limes for the vodka, nor vodka for the limes.)  The question of New Year's resolutions came up, and mine is: out with the old, in with the new.  That's what's fun and fresh about a new year.  Time to mix things up a bit...

To that end, let me give you a bit of advance notice that the Clever Girl Winter sale begins this Tuesday, January 10th.  Enjoy savings of 25%-75% off selected clothing, accessories, and home goods.  (And hooray, no huge snowstorms to keep you trapped at home; you've no excuse not to make it in...)

New Year Wishes

To all of our wonderful, loyal, and clever customers, we send you best wishes

for a very Happy New Year in 2012.  

We thank you for making this a fantastic year at the store, and have a whole slate of clever, new, discoveries ready to share with you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

PS: Watch the web site, shopclevergirl.com for details on our upcoming February trunk show of Eyebobs.

Holiday Sale

Post-Holiday Greetings to you all...Just a quick reminder that it's time for our 1/2 off the Holidays Sale.
All Christmas items are now 50%-75% off.  Tuck a few ornaments away for next year, or get a jump on things with some cards and stationary....Only while supplies last, so don't delay!

A Little Christmas Poem...

'Twas only days before Christmas, and still at your house

online orders had failed you, with the click of  the mouse.

The "adorable" knit socks are hideous to behold, 

and the gourmet fruitcake looks like it has a greenish mold.

That blouse that you ordered is not such a delight, 

and the so-called "handmade" earrings are really quite a fright.

The purse is the wrong color, and no one seems to care,

customer service doesn't exist, so don't even go there. 

Such are the perils of Holiday ordering online,

whereas in person, it's right every time!

So in case the internet has failed you, and your deliveries have gone astray, 

let us now remind you that Clever Girl can still save the day!

***

Holiday Hours:

Thursday, December 22ond 9:30-8:00pm Shop Late!

Friday, December 23rd 9:30-5:30

Christmas Eve, 9:30-3:30

Still a Little Time

Fear not, Clever Girls--there is still time to make your list, and check it twice!  Our elves are standing by to help you find wonderful gifts, and wrap them all up in pretty pink ribbons and bows.  Purses, sweaters, jewelry, scarves, mittens, candles  are ready to nestle under the tree. We have great things for the stockings, too.   Avoid the madness of the mall, and "wrap" it all up right here in town...

PS  Don't forget, we're open until 8 pm this Thursday.