Beautiful Christmas Decor, A Fresh Pasta Dish & More

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
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Today is my 70th Birthday! Happy Birthday to me. We are enjoying time with family and friends, and as usual I am joining my friends Mary Ann and Annie for our Sunday favorites. Let’s check out Beautiful Christmas Decor, a Fresh Pasta Dish and More.

Cara Brown’s Beautiful Home on Homeworthy

I have featured the beautiful designs by Cara Brown on the blog before. Cara lives in a 18th century home in New Jersey that is currently featured all decked out for the holidays on Homeworthy here. You can follow Cara on Instagram find her beautiful jewelry designs here.

cara brown's home decorated for Christmas on Homeworthy

Provencal Penne-Patricia Wells

Provencal Penne

I pitched a lot of cookbooks in the move, but I am so glad I saved Patricia Wells at Home in Provence. Her recipes are fresh and simple. This is a favorite weeknight recipe of ours. If you don’t care for fennel you might want to skip this one. We served it over Etto Pastificio’s rigatoni. We are so lucky to have Etto. If you are local and haven’t been you must go.

Provencal Penne-Patricia Wells
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5 from 3 votes

Patricia Wells Provencal Penne

Ingredients

  • 4 T extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 med onion minced
  • 2 plump fresh garlic cloves
  • 1/2 t crushed red pepper
  • 1 fresh bay leaf
  • sea salt to tast
  • 1 fennel bulb
  • 1 28 oz can crushed italian tomatoes
  • Grated zest of one orange
  • 1 lb tubular pasta
  • 1/4 c italian parsley
  • freshly grated parmesan or pecorino

Instructions

  • In an unheated skillet large enough to hold the pasta later on, combine the oil, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt, and toss to coat with the oil. Place over moderate heat, cooking just until the garlic turns golden but not brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the fennel, stirring so that the ingredients blend together and are evenly coated in the oil. Cover and sweat for 10 minutes over moderate heat. Toss the fennel with a wooden spoon from time to time to assure that none of the pieces stick or burn.
    Add the tomatoes and orange zest. Stir to blend and simmer uncovered until the sauce begins to thicken (about 15 min). Tast for seasoning, Remove and discard bay leaf.
    Meanwhile in a large pot bring 6 qts water to boil. Add 3 T salt and the penne, stirring to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. Cook until al dente. Drain thoroughly. Combine with pasta and serve with freshly grated parmesan.

Outfits of the Week

You know it is so interesting…any outfit of the week that involves leopard really makes the rounds on social media.

OUtfit of the Week Leopard Looks

This beautiful leopard blazer from L’agence is on super sale at Saks, but they are going like hotcakes! There are some from former seasons on eBay here. Theory has a beautiful one here also on sale but not quite the bargain.Everything but the machete jewelry is on sale. The black cashmere from Macy’s is really a buy. You can get a similar look with the popular J Crew Sophie Knit blazer (which I own). There are several on Poshmark here.

evening outfit with leopard blazer and leather pants

The faux leather pants are a favorite from Mersea, the red blouse from RL on sale, rhinestone earrings are from J Crew, the bracelet from Amazon , the pretty silver clutch from Anthro I have featured before, and the velvet birdies are a favorite.

Shop Outfits of the Week

Cindy La Ferle-The Gift of Quiet Time

Words of Wisdom from Cindy La Ferle during this busy season.

Sales of Note

J Crew 60% off nearly everything

Banana Republic 40% off Purchase

If you are still Christmas shopping (I am) you might enjoy:

Best Holiday Gifts for Everyone on your List from Quince

Curated Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Checking out my Amazon Storefront here

Thank you for reading Beautiful Christmas Decor, A Fresh Pasta Dish & More. I am off to enjoy my Birthday festivities. Follow me on Instagram here for more fun here. Now let’s pop over and visit Mary Ann and Annie,

classic casual home

most lovely things

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118 Comments

  1. Happy Birthday, Cindy! You’re the most stylish woman I know of any age. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! xo

  2. 5 stars
    Hope the birthfay was a wonderful day! You need to make it a birthday month- and special year! Putting this recipe on my list for the week! Love fennel. I think the leopard jacket is gorgeous. I hope you got it too. xo

  3. Happy Birthday Cindy! I hope you had a wonderful time yesterday. Cara Brown’s entry is SO stunning. Thanks for all the beauty you shared in 2024! Sincerely, Pat

  5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY…a very special one indeed. With your creativity and enthusiasm , the next decade will be excellent. I never miss a blog from you…always a great read !
    I will read Cindy La Ferle since I will be on my own for December 24 & 25 this year.
    My 75th is coming mid 2025…and after my last rather difficult year, I expect life will be very positive indeed. Here’s a toast to women of a certain decade who rock! 🥂

  6. Happy birthday to you!

    I regularly read your blog, and was particularly touched by the words of wisdom portion from Cindy La Ferle yesterday. This year has found me in a lingering season of sickness that has caused me to reevaluate the way I spend my time. I appreciated her comments that not being able to do and or be at all the events at this time of year doesn’t have to be a negative experience. On the contrary, it can indeed be rewarding.

    Thank you for, including this timely article in your blog.

    1. Hi Kathy

      Cindy Laferle is such a great writer. I hope that the new year finds you feeling stronger and happy!

  10. Happiest of Birthdays to you, Cindy! Love your blog and appreciate all the work you put into this endeavor for the benefit of your readers + fans!
    Love leopard and it looks great and classic on just about everyone. I don’t do red so I substitute emerald green for an accent color this time of year and it gives a similar vibe.
    Some of my best purchases over the years are leopard and they are timeless and elegant and a little goes a long way.
    Thanks for all you do!

  12. Happy Birthday, Cindy! Welcome to the 70’s – enjoy all the joy that you can wring out of the coming years.
    Thank you for your beautiful blog, all the great tips, articles, recipes, outfits and ideas you share with your readers. I especially am glad that you recommend vintage/ preloved/artistic items; how to combine existing pieces in new ways! Your outfits are so good on you – great personal style. Happy Birthday, with best wishes for many more wonderful years.

  15. Happy Birthday, Cindy!

    May this be the best decade of your life! Enjoy every moment, and keep growing and sharing your fabulous finds and good life.

  16. Happy Birthday, Cindy….enjoy your very special day! Wishing you and family a Merry Christmas. Love your blog and beautiful style, thank you for sharing. 💗

  18. HappyBirthday, Cindy! I hit the big seven zero a couple of years ago. It’s a milestone in a good way! Look forward to hearing how you celebrate.

    I read Cindy La Ferle – The Gift of Quiet Time. So good! We all need some alone quiet time especially around the holidays. Cindy La Ferle also has some other good posts relating to the busy holiday season. Thanks for sharing!

    I love your blog and your style! Merry Christmas! 🎄

    1. Hi Catherine

      I enourage everyone to subscribe to Cindy LaFerle’s life lines. She is a wonderful writer.

  22. Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoy your special day and everything to come this year! I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog and taste in fashion and design!

  24. Happy birthday, Cindy. I love reading your blog and envy your style; you’ve got it all going on at 70!

  25. Wishing you the very happiest of birthdays (shared with my dear Dad) – and thank you for all the thought/work you put into your blog all year long. Celebrate yourself – big birthdays should last at least a month, n’est ce pas?

  26. Happiest of birthday wishes to you!
    I am right behind you with my 70th on New Year’s Day!
    The best is yet to come!
    Sending you and the whole family Happy Christmas wishes and Cheers to the New Year.

    1. Holly happy upcoming birthday! I know this has been a rough year or so for you. I admire your positivity and grace!

  28. Happiest of Birthday wishes to you! It’s a biggie and I am right behind you, turning 70 on New Year’s Day. I feel rather serene about this one. While there are many adventures ahead, I am calmer and more reflective on the passage of time. Gratitude rises for everything and everyone in my past—those here and those no longer. How are you feeling at this turning of the decade?
    I hope your birthday and holidays ahead are like golden sunshine on your face, warm and soothing.

  29. Happy Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!Thanks so much for your blog. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

  33. Happy 70th birthday, Cindy. May your day be filled with delightful surprises and memorable pleasures.
    Loving hugs, Diney

  35. Happy Birthday! Your blog is just the right fit for me and I’ve so enjoyed growing older with you! Your a wonderful inspiration! Thank you for sharing with me..all of us:0)
    Lori

  38. Happiest of happy birthdays to you! Welcome to 70. Life could not better Always enjoy your posts.

  42. Happy Birthday Cindy
    Love your outfit compilations & your recipes & decorating tips.
    Thank you for all the beauty you show us.
    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you
    and all your family.

  43. Happy Birthday!! You’re the most stylish lady I know and so inspiring!
    So happy to call you my friend. Xo

  45. Happy birthday Cindy! Hope this decade is the best ever for you and your family! Thanks for all the beautiful content you share with your readers. Merry Christmas, too!

  49. Happy Birthday from Chicago! I so enjoy your posts. You are a kind, generous lady with great style. Cheers!

    1. Hi Roberta

      Love Chicago!! My friend Phil lives in Chicago and came out for my birthday!

  51. 5 stars
    Happy 70th …I too have ditched boxes of cookbooks but saved Patricia Wells’…I think I could eat pasta daily.

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