Recipe: Nice Salad

I've been on a bit of a salad kick lately, which was much needed after eating lots of heavy stuffing and casseroles for thanksgiving.  I made an awesome homemade green bean casserole for thanksgiving (from this recipe) and ended up overbuying green beans. This simplified version of a Niçoise salad was a great way to use up some of them. I adapted the traditional salad (which would sometimes include anchovies, potatoes, and capers) to what I had in my fridge and pantry. 

My salad includes: Black Olives, Eggs (hard boiled and quartered), tomatoes (wedged), green beans (blanched), canned tuna, iceburg lettuce, spinach, salt, pepper, and dried parsley. The salad is easily finished off with a drizzle of olive oil or any vinaigrette. 

Super easy and there are so many variations! Are you a salad lover? What are some of your favorite salads?

Shop Small Saturday

I chose to stay in for the traditional black friday craziness and instead click around the deals and shops online. Don't forget to get out (or stay in & shop online) for small business Saturday, tomorrow. Remember to support your favorite small boutiques, artisans, etsy shops, farmers, book sellers, record stores, restaurants & more. Above are some pretty things that caught my eye around the internet--each photo links to it's source. Do you have a favorite small business? Feel free to shamelessly link your heart out in the comments below to your favorite online small shops, artisans, and boutiques.

Life : Currently Reading & Re-reading

1. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak // 2. Teaching my Mother how to give Birth - Warsan Shire // 3. The Creative Habit - Twyla Tharp // 4. Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I don't blog much about what I'm reading, but I recently picked up some new books that I have been eager to get into:  

1. I, again, opened up The Book Theif by Markus Zusak since I never finished it. I saw that it has been made into a major motion picture, so I'm determined to finish it then go and see the movie.  

2. I have blogged about poet, Warsan Shire before (here) and I adore her work. I'd been planning to order this collection, Teaching my Mother how to give Birth, for months and finally did. It was a good move. 

3. I love to read books on creativity by creative people. I've only heard great reviews of The Creative Habit by famous dancer & choreographer Twyla Tharp. 

4. Since I saw her Tedx Talks (here & here), I've been itching to read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's most recent novel Americanah and I can't wait to get into it. 

What books have been on your reading list lately?