Roasted Yellow Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho

Last Sunday, V and I spent the afternoon at Chamard Vineyards where they invite neighbors to come and pick from their garden. The best part is they are only up a country road about 10 minutes away from our house so it  almost feels like heading out into our own garden. With a glass of sparkling wine in hand, we meandered through the fields of flowers, fruits and vegetables...

Citrusy Linguini with Sun Gold Tomatoes and Mizuna Greens

This time last year, I was getting ready for a two week trip to Italy. I have been looking back on all my photos (I will get around to posting them eventually), and felt like I needed some pasta to accompany my nostalgia. I was thinking about being under the Tuscan sun....

Honeydew Lemon Verbena Sparkler

We have a lot to celebrate on this beautiful Friday! The official relaunch of Intrinsic Beauty (yay!), the fact that the weekend is here and, well....it's still summer! We have plenty of time to enjoy pool parties, beach BBQ's and al fresco gatherings. To help celebrate...I have concocted a refreshingly light cocktail with an unusual flavor combination; honeydew melon and herbaceous lemon verbena. This little drink goes down very easily and can be quite the thirst quencher. If you are wanting to sip it alcohol free substitute the rum/prosecco with Pellegrino water. Cheers! Go to the jump for the recipe!

Relaunching: Intrinsic Beauty

I am thrilled to announce that after a year long hiatus, I am relaunching Intrinsic Beauty. Over the next coming weeks, you will see some aesthetic changes on the blog, as well as a lot more new and different content.

The brand combines my love for healthy living, eating, cooking and entertaining. The name stems from the philosophy that our health and well being are integrally connected to what we eat and how we live. It's about creating balance, feeling beautiful from the inside out and celebrating life with delicious food that makes you feel good.

Hope you will consider the Intrinsic Beauty blog a "go to" resource for easy entertaining ideas, fresh whole-based seasonal recipes, and inspiration for living an enriched and balanced life.

Thank you to all of the readers who kept checking in and welcome if you are visiting for the first time!

Hope you enjoy!

xoxo,

Ashley

Watermelon Radish and Fleur Verte Chèvre Crostini

I take great pleasure when asked -  "what is this - it looks so delicious?!"  It's music to my ears..I  love the compliment of course, but where the joy really comes from is being able to spout all about the food, the local source, and throw in some nutritional facts, as well. When featured in a recipe Watermelon radishes definitely stir-up conversation. Their vibrant pink hue (hence the name) is eye-catching and makes for a pretty presentation with very little effort.

Warm Summer Berries with Plums and Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

The farmers markets are bursting with big beautiful berries and I am taking full advantage of the bounty. I have been coming home with pints ensuring that my antioxidant quota is being met as well as my desire to cook with them...

Spicy Watermelon and Avocado Salsa

I tend to be a purist when it comes to watermelon  - I like slicing it up outside and sprinkling some sea salt on it. But lately I have been having fun experimenting with the juicy summer staple and it made its way into a fruit salsa. This colorful combination is both sweet and savory with a spicy kick. It's easy to throw together before friends come over. Also, perfect for fish tacos or simply as a side with grilled fish.

Cocktail Hour: Minty Peach Slush

Inspired by the bushels of peaches at the farmer's market yesterday, I promptly went home and concocted this cocktail for Friday night happy hour. The combination of freshly picked mint and ripe peaches created just the right summer sip. This is definitely going to be in rotation all weekend long. Follow the jump for the recipe. 

Avocado Toast Points with Garden Herbs and Radishes

Avocado toast tends to be a go-to of ours for breakfast. We never tire of it. How could we? There are so many different toppings you can pair with it and well, it just always tastes good. It's also an easy breakfast to serve when you are having house guests and the presentation gets mouths watering. Spread the avocado on toast points and serve on a cutting board for all to devour. Add hard boiled eggs to make the breakfast a little more filling. You will have happy guests - guaranteed! Go to the jump for the recipe...

Blueberries and Figs with Lavender Honey Yogurt

There is not much to this dish when it comes to ingredients yet every bite tastes oh so good. You may have noticed that I keep recipes pretty simple in the summer. I like to let the fresh produce take center stage and enjoy them as unadulterated as possible. Blueberry season is in full swing in CT and I have been including them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They combine beautifully with ripe figs, and the flavors are enhanced subtly with lavender and mint. While I made this recently for dessert, it's filling enough for breakfast and light enough for an afternoon snack.

Fields of Flowers

The beauty surrounding us in CT is staggering. There is so much visual eye candy and the different areas to explore seems endless. We usually begin our summer mornings with a leisurely walk on the beach and then a swim in the Long Island Sound. After that we don't know where the day will take us. We relish in being unscheduled and unplanned, which is how we ended up at Scott's Flower Farm recently. We took a detour home after having lunch in Essex and stumbled upon fields of flowers right off the side of the country road.

Twenty-Four Hours in Islamorada

After going to a wedding in Key West, we left room on the back end of the trip to explore other parts of the Keys. We rented a convertible (of course) with no particular destination in mind and before we took off a local told us to check out Islamorada. We opened up the guide book - it looked good to us...off we went....

Picnic for Three

When it comes to picnics my philosophy is to have them as often as possible. Whether it's at the beach, your local park or just in your front yard, there is something so childlike and freeing about packing up a meal to be eaten while frolicking outdoors...

Farm to Table: Summer Tomatoes with Garlic Chives and Basil

Tomatoes are my absolute favorite summer produce and they don't need much to make them delicious. A little sea salt, ground pepper, fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive - it's magic! Once tomato season hits, I include them in almost every meal - and they are always a crowd pleaser. Mix an array of varieties and colors for an eye catching presentation.

Tabletop: A Green and White Country Brunch

Last weekend our friend Jessica was visiting us from Florida. It was such a treat to have her at "Pond View," and to indulge in all things country together. On Sunday, I cooked up a big brunch that was full of our fresh finds from the local farmer's market. I set an inviting green and white tabletop to tie in with the expansive green surroundings. I find it always makes guests feel special when you take the time to style a tabletop just for them. I layered two different patterns and finished the table with simple fresh cut cosmos and hydrangeas from the garden. I arranged the hydrangeas in three separate vases and then pushed them close together - this helps create scale without fuss, and afterwards the arrangements can be spread throughout the house.  We sipped mimosa's (a mix of pink grapefruit and orange juice - fresh squeezed) and lingered for hours as we took in the quietness of the countryside.

Snapshots from Victor's Birthday Party

I am a big believer of birthday parties! Each new year, deserves to be recognized and celebrated properly. So as you can imagine, I love celebrating my darling hubby's birthday. He turned a year older not too long ago and to celebrate, we had close friends and family over for a cocktail party on our terrace. Here are a few fun snapshots of the evening....

Destination: Brimfield Antique Show

I love antiques because they always have a story to tell. Whether it is a family heirloom passed down for many generations, or simply a recent find from the local flea market, I get great satisfaction combining the past with the present. Sure, new and modern have their place, but something old and beautiful makes for great conversation.

On the weekends, you will often find me at estate sales or perusing the nearby antique stores. Recently, I made the trek to Brimfield, Massachusetts, which is the site of the largest outdoor antique show in New England, with over 5,000 dealers from all over the country. There are three shows a year in May, July, and September. The shows are all located within a one mile stretch and expand about 3 to 5 acres.  It's a an overwhelming amount of stuff even for the savvy shopper, but well worth the visit just once...

Good Morning: Stewed Plums and Blueberries Over Greek Yogurt

Stone fruit and berries make for a delicious and healthy morning combination, and when stewed together breakfast suddenly feels indulgent. Served over Greek yogurt and topped with coconut flakes, this sweet treat will put you in a good mood even on a Monday morning......

Cocktail Hour: Strawberry Basil Daiquiris

Last Sunday, as we were heading to the beach, I quickly threw together this cocktail recipe. I combined strawberries, basil, rum, lime juice, agave syrup and some ice into a blender. Then poured the mix into mason jars, and screwed the lids on tightly. When we got to the beach, we added a few more ice cubs, and some basil for garnish. We then watched the sunset with our no-fuss cocktail in hand. It was absolutely delightful!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Fourth of July. Here is to our great nation and our independence! Read more for the recipe...

Tabletop: Classic Blue and White

Blue and white is my ultimate favorite color combination. It always looks chic and classic. With the Fourth of July upon us, I set-up a small patriotic garden party on the lawn.....