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My roomie signed on with Le Creuset to participate in a Pass It On Potluck and asked me to do it too. If I’m being honest, it brought back the best kind of nostalgia to simpler times… when people hand wrote mail and had pen pals in other states (sometimes even other countries! Oooo! Aaaahh!) and the only way you could get ahold of anyone was to pick up the phone and call (and risk long-distance charges) or send them a letter. Remember that? Anyone? No? Well, it was fun stuff.

Anywho back to the Potluck. Le Creuset is sponsoring the really fun concept of a Pass It On Potluck. It’s really kind of awesome. This gorgeous Le Creuset Dutch oven in Lapis (that’s the beautiful blue color you see on your screen) arrives at your doorstep eager for you to cook up something delightful in it! The only rules are you blog about it or document it in the journal that also comes with it, then pass it on to the next person (the brand will send you the shipping label to print)! So all you have to do is enjoy cooking!



Oh, and clean the pot.



Easy enough, right? Right.

Another truth. I’ve never cooked anything in a Dutch oven so this was 75% exciting, 25% scary. Fortunately the chilly weather in Chicago’s been having has me all excited for fall so I opted to try a new recipe, something I’ve always wanted to do: a risotto. A baked mushroom risotto to be exact. With dried porcini mushrooms and cremini mushrooms and garlic and white wine… Mmm can you practically smell it? It was good stuff.



I found the recipe at The Kitchn, and it ended up being really easy! I opted to forgo the caramelized onions and craime freche on top like the recipe suggests – it tasted good enough as is. Will definitely be making this again come colder weather. Cozy up on the sofa with a blanket, a glass of Pinot Noir, and all the new fall shows.

Hey gang! I am selling my Pottery Barn English roll arm sofa. I bought it almost 2 years ago for $1800 plus shipping and am selling for $600 or best offer, cash and carry! It will be available in mid-late September. The only reason I am selling is because I have a new sofa (that The Everygirl designed with Chicago-based Interior Define) arriving next month! See more product details here and on PB’s site here.



Email me at alaina.lcy@gmail.com if interested with subject line ENGLISH ROLL ARM!