How to make my Mac and Cheese grilled cheese.

I'm really into this new grilled cheese that I made for my son. He's a pretty picky eater so I try and add flavor without turning him off. My hope is one day he'll be a foodie like his father and I. Contrary to it's name there isn't Mac and Cheese in the sandwhich but, it has the M&C flavor both Escher and I love.

I start with bakery bread, mostly a Chicago style or Italian. My favorite places for bread are Publix bakery or the Dekalb farmers market. Grilled cheese actually works best if the bread is a least a day old so that it get a bit more of a crunch to it. So, here's my secret to "Mac and Cheese grilled cheese"- Trader Joe's "Pub Cheese". This spreadable tangy cheese is good for so many things. You can spread it on a baggette for a quick snack or you can dip you veggies in it. However, my favorite thing about this cheese is how gooy and delious it gets when melted. I feel a good complement to the Pub cheese is a munster (I use two slices). Munster also melts really well and does that stringy melty cheese thing that I like.

So here's how you make the simple yet delicious sandwich:

-Put your nonstick pan on the stove at medium heat to get warm while you prep your sandwich.

-Spread butter or margarin on one side of both pieces of bread.

-On one piece of your bread place it on your work surface butter down and spread about a tablespoon of Pub cheese on it.

-Put this piece of bread butter side down in your warm pan, place two slices of munster cheese on top of your spread of Pub cheese. Then place the other buttered piece of bread butter side out on top.

- Turn heat up slightly and don't touch it for a few minutes. To check if it's ready to flip I lift the corner up with my spatula and see if it's golden brown. When it is flip and smash down (not too much so that your cheese doesn't seep out).

-The second side doesn't take as long as the first so be ready.

And there you go. Super simple yet super delicious!

Public Atlas Project

This weekend my husband and I participated in the Wonderoot and Fallen Fruit's "Public Atlas Project". Each artist was given a location in the Cabbagetown/Reynoldstown area of Atlanta, Georgia to create a piece of artwork for. The artwork was printed and placed in a tube located in that spot. Participants picked up maps and walked the neighborhood collecting the art. When done with their collections the artwork was bond into an Atlas. It was a really cool project and I had a lot of fun being a part of this event.

This is the piece that I created for my location, Manigault Park.

This is my husband, Mike's project.

Get inside my head.

La Reshea Jones interviewed me for Doobious' "Local Artist Highlight" series.  I really like how it turned out!

http://doobious.org/local-artist-highlight-•-kacee-friedman/

Picture by La Reshea Jones.

My Relationship with J.Crew

I love J.Crew clothes. They work well into my wardrobe, they have a good quality, and they have a good fit. However, I'm only wealthy enough to shop mostly their sales right now.  At J.Crew this isn't too much of a draw back because if you ever checked out their site or store you'll see there is always a lot to choose from. I have a few good tips to on shopping the Crew. Plus, I'll show you the pieces I'd like for this fall.

Since most of the time I'm with a two year old I don't get a lot of in-store shopping done before he's over it.  So, when have some time to actually try things on I test out their basics. This gives me an idea of which of their styles and colors look best on me. This also is a time to see what size fits you best (every store is slightly different).  I find that J. Crew is pretty consistent on their sizing which is especially helpful when shopping online. Just make sure to read the "description" of online purchases for descriptives on the article's fit. For example, now that I'm picking up a child all the time, "sit's low on the hip" is normally too low for me. I like a mid to high rise on my most of my pants.

My J. Crew basics are their vintage cotton v-neck tee shirts, their printed "popovers", their toothpick jeans, and their soft cashmere sweaters. So, when they are on great sale I snatch up my size. J. Crew is also a great store for some wild-card additions (things that make my wardrobe anything but basic). If you want a statement necklace this is your place. Fashion won't forget the explosion of the bobble necklace any time soon. I'm also a huge fan of the Lulu Frost jewelry they carry. On that note the "J. Crew in Good Company" section features all of the outside brands that J. Crew sells and all of them are great compliments to their clothing.

Then there are their shoes. They have so many styles, patterns, and colors I could probably go broke if I bought every shoe I want there. Below I made a very hard choice narrowing it down to three fall essentials.

So, in my perfect world here's what I would get from J. Crew for fall.

This is a seasonal item I would love as much off season. I need something to tote around my son's out-door toy (balls, shovel, pail, Octonauts) and I think this bag is the perfect size and material for that. 

I tried this dress on in black and I think it was one of the best looking shifts I ever tried on.  I waited and they ran out of the black but this bright blue is one of the best colors on me and completely on trend for fall. I'll probably through a tights and blazer on it in winter.

It's a good looking silk button down. It's basic and is also a perfect layer peice.

I love this bag for fall. It's slouchy but it has two strap options and a zipper.  It's pretty necessary.

I would feel like Kristen Dunst in the beautiful film "Mari Antoinette".

Yes, it's technically the same as the black shirt but, it has a completely different vibe to it due to the oxblood color. I would order the black one first, make sure I like the fit, and then order the other since they are final sale.

It's not a pricey addition but I always like a cute teeshirt. This one would also look adorable under a jacket.

I need a basic gold bangle set. These are not your "investment" bracelet but they will layer well with my higher end pieces.

The bracelett is an outfit maker. Black jeans and a white tee look dressy when you add this bracelet, some great heals and a bright lipstick.

I like studs if I have on a heavy or layer necklace on. These are a fun option. 

You need to see this necklace closeup to really appreciate it. The length is idea for a v neckline.

This is another wow piece. Just so you know I need jewelry and they are also a cheap way to change up the wardrobe you already have. 

I have a navy pair and they are so comfortable and versital. I wear a ton of grey and the wedge is good for carrying my son around.

I have stalked everything in this print. Truth be told I want them all. Not to mention the amazing price tag. I wold like this over skinny jeans or under a v neck cashmere sweater. I also can't wait to wear it next summer with shorts or as a bathing suit coverup.

On the mornings I don't have time to "perfect" my outfit I throw a lipstick color like this on and hope no one notices.

This scarf is adorable and the colors are on-trend this season so there will be a lot of things out that it will go well with. I think it might be cute over the Hawaiian popover above.

It's cashmere, chevron, and grey. Enough said.

This dress it pretty basic but definitely not boring. I would probably throw the black silk shirt above under it for a cool weather option. It would also look pretty hot with a black leather jacket, black tights, and black studded ankle booties. 

As it's getting cooler I like to just snuggle up in a sweatshirt.  I love that the fit of this makes it flattering and transitionl. It's adorable with jeans or a black skirt.

I'm a boot person. This one is lovely. I love that it has a small heel and the toe is a good fit for my foot.

Speaking of black skirts, this one is a shape that I don't already have and looks like it holds it's shape which is flattering.

Lastly, each year I like to buy a type of coat that I don't already have. This is a different silhouette and color for me yet it would work well with what I have. 

Things my Husband and I love about Nashville

Here are a few things that we like about Nashville, Tennessee.

These are from a trip we took a while back. We went for the Predator's game and made it a romantic weekend. Pictures are taken by husband, Mike, and I.

We are Predator fans. Well, Mike is so now I am too. 

This is why we come. 

I love wine. Mike may have taken this one as well but, it's a toss up.

I think I took this picture but I was coping a picture Mike took a while ago that I loved. His is still better.

No comment needed. 

It's where the fancy people bank.

I kinda wish we had bought this.

Who?

I could live in this house.

I think this is amazing. 

Didn't go to the show just liked the flyer. I also like the "fine goods" sign. Hmmm, "fine goods" huh?

I want this pan.

We brought a loaf home for my Parents as a "thank you for watching our baby" gift.

Mike's photo (I think).

Mmmmmm coffee.

This was my favorite thing I ate that trip.

I love when the sky looks like this.

Tree house: looks safe enough.