Then go look at Tastespotting. I love this site. It is food styling at its finest. But I warn you now, looking at this site while hungry could have detrimental consequences.
Photo credit: Il Cavoletto di Bruxelles and La ciliegina sulla torta
Hello beautiful!
Want to fall in love over the internet? Need some inspiration for your next home cooked meal? Just bored and want to drool over pictures of beautiful food?
Then go look at Tastespotting. I love this site. It is food styling at its finest. But I warn you now, looking at this site while hungry could have detrimental consequences.
Photo credit: Il Cavoletto di Bruxelles and La ciliegina sulla torta
Then go look at Tastespotting. I love this site. It is food styling at its finest. But I warn you now, looking at this site while hungry could have detrimental consequences.
Photo credit: Il Cavoletto di Bruxelles and La ciliegina sulla torta
Oh happy face
I love this cute collection of pictures by misty bliss called the sixteen faces of a six month old. Sometimes I look at the photos that we have of Little B and think that they just do not do her justice. They don't capture all of her crazy expressions, raspberries, smiles, etc. So I love this idea of a collage that as a whole captures it all.
Woohoo it's the weekend!
This weekend I am going out on my first girls night out on the town since Little B was born. I am excited to get dressed up, wear "big girl shoes", and get a little tipsy all while enjoying a bit of girl talk. What are your plans this weekend?
Life lessons for Little B
Ask for what you want.
Whether it is for a raise or waffles for dinner, you must ask for what you want. If you wait for others to offer things to you, you could miss out on so many amazing opportunities.
Photo credit: Freja Beha by Karl Lagerfeld for Harper’s Bazaar US November
Happy, happy, joy, joy
So it seems that all those bright, shiny, happy thoughts that you sent my way the other week worked! You are looking at the new Director of Marketing at Yoga Yoga! Woohoo!!! It has been in the works for a while, but just became official this week. I am so excited.
A list a day
Over on hula seventy, Andrea is attempting to make a list per day until January 2011. I like this girl. She and I could definitely be friends.
From my kitchen: Peach Crisp
One of my most favorite desserts to make is peach crisp. It is as perfect for cold, blustery days as it is on hot scorching days of summer. I make sure that we always have the ingredients on hand so that I can whip up this dessert whenever the mood strikes. And sometimes when I am feeling especially sinful, I eat it for breakfast! Don't judge me... it has fruit in it.
Peach Crisp
1lb of peaches (frozen in the winter/fresh in the summer)
7 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp corn starch
7 tbsp flour
1/3 cup oats (sometimes I add more)
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)
4 tbsp butter (room temperature)
pinch of salt
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine peaches, 3 tbsp brown sugar, and corn starch. In a different bowl, combine flour, oats, the remaining brown sugar, regular sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cut the butter in. The mixture will still be pretty coarse. Layer the coarse mixture on top of the peaches. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
Photo credit: Betty Crocker
Hooray for pinwheels
My quest for baby shower ideas continues. Today, I came across this super-cute baby shower theme from Hostess with the Mostess via Style Notes. I love the concept of pinwheels... it is like they have no other purpose except to make you smile. And the color palette is gorgeous.
Quirky is good
So how quirky are you? In my experience, people fall into one of two categories... those that try to hide their quirks and those that choose to embrace them. I would like to think that I fall into that last category.
Here are a few of my quirks:
Photo credit: moiamoni
Here are a few of my quirks:
- I don't like honey.
- I love frosting, but not cake.
- I have a weird fear of sidewalk grates... alligators live down there.
- I don't know how to whistle.
- I like to rip out all the ads out of magazines... except for the ones I like.
- I like to eat bananas when they are still a little green.
- Not a big fan of surprises.
- I laugh really loud.
- I love the smell of books.
- I have to sleep with the sheets tucked in on the sides.
- Feet gross me out... ugh!
Photo credit: moiamoni
Daydreaming of...
Sometimes when I have this urge to get away, I daydream that we own a lake house. A perfect gem of a house that mixes both comfort with the simplicity and calmness of nature. A place where we could gather with friends over amazing dinners followed by smores beside an outdoor fire pit. Someday, someday.
Hope you have a lovely weekend
What are the plans this weekend? David and I are playing catch up this weekend. Not so glamorous, but needed. So our weekend will be filled with a bit of work, cleaning, errands, home improvement and, of course, football. If I get a spare moment, I hope to spend it catching up on some reading, my Netflix queue, and cooking. In order to kick it off right, I am planning a Saturday breakfast of cinnamon rolls, grapefruit, and coffee.
Whatever your plans, I hope you have a good one.
Little B is 4 months old!
- Big beaming grins
- Rolling over for this first time
- Little B's new favorite thing is to look at whatever is behind her. She has the "look over the shoulder" down!
- Holding court with all her stuffed animals
- Interesting conversations with that little girl in the mirror. Little B thinks that "mirror girl" is hilarious.
- Squealing and Shreeking - Trust me. It is cute when they are little.
- A case of mistaken identity when she tried to suck on mommy's nose while she was sleeping
- Lots of sitting in the Bumbo (which daddy often mistakenly calls the "Bimbo")
- Kicking and splashing in the bath tub
- Hanging out in the baby carrier
- Lots of laughing during playtime
Orange dress
Normally I am not a big fan of orange, but there is something about this dress that I love.
Need a smile today?
Do you need a little something to make you smile? Well if so, this photo should do the trick. If it doesn't, there is something seriously wrong with you.
Photo credit: Emily
Photo credit: Emily
Dreaming of summertime
The weather in Austin is in the 70s this week and I am loving it. Even though it is mid January, I am already dreaming of summertime. I am trying to enjoy this great weather while it lasts with longs walks, grilling outside, and opening all the windows of the house.
Photo credit: Real Simple
B is for Baby
Yeah! We are going to have a baby shower. My good friend, Stacy, is due with her first little one in April and we could not be more excited. So of course, now a baby shower is in the works. I have been hunting around for inspiration and came across these amazing pictures on Lolliblog. This cute baby shower has a bee theme. I love that there is not a stitch of baby blue or pink anywhere!
Spinach Mushroom Quiche
In an attempt to "clean out the fridge", I think I am going to make Spinach Mushroom Quiche for Sunday brunch this weekend. What do you think? Does that sound good?
Spinach Mushroom Quiche
1/2 cup butter
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 bunch chopped spinach
1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
8 ounces shredded Gruyere cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Saute garlic and onion in butter until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Stir in spinach, mushrooms, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Spoon mixture into pie crust.
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into the pastry shell, allowing egg mixture to thoroughly combine with spinach mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining cheese, and bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes, until set in center. Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.
Good guests bring dessert
This weekend we have been invited over to dinner at our friends' house We have been asked to bring the wine and dessert. Since those are our 2 favorite food groups, we are more than happy to oblige. I think I am going to whip up one of my favorite desserts... Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake - an oldie, but goodie.
CHOCOLATE SWIRL CHEESECAKE
Crust:
1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. butter, melted
Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. granulated sugar
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted, cooled
In small bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and melted butter. Press onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch pie plate. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and flour for 2 minutes. Beat in egg.
Gradually beat in milk and vanilla and blend 1 cup batter into melted chocolate. Pour chocolate mixture into crumb crust. Carefully pour remaining vanilla mixture over top.
With a spoon, swirl chocolate mixture up from bottom. Bake at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely. Chill; serve. Makes one 9-inch cheesecake (8-10 servings).
Heavy heart
Photo credit: CNN
New addiction
The other day David wanted to show me a game called Scramble on his iPhone. He is now regretting that day. I am addicted! I love this game. The premise is that you are to find as many words as possible using letters in a 4x4 box display, all within a certain amount of time. I rock word games so this is right up my alley. I also think I like this game because you can play it in tiny time increments. Which let's face it, 2 minutes is about all I get with Little B around.
Now here is where the problem comes in... I think about this game all the time... when I am driving, when I am falling asleep, when I should be listening to the very long story that my husband is telling me about window installation. And the game is only on David's iPhone. I don't have an iPhone. So the minute that I have a free moment and he is not on the phone, I snag it. I wore the battery completely down the other night. David was not happy. Guess it might be time that I get my very own iPhone!
Now here is where the problem comes in... I think about this game all the time... when I am driving, when I am falling asleep, when I should be listening to the very long story that my husband is telling me about window installation. And the game is only on David's iPhone. I don't have an iPhone. So the minute that I have a free moment and he is not on the phone, I snag it. I wore the battery completely down the other night. David was not happy. Guess it might be time that I get my very own iPhone!
Truffle Oil
Favorite card
The inside says "Happy Birthday. Please disregard Stephanie."
I have a favorite birthday card. I give it to everyone, sometimes a few years in a row. I don't know why I like it so much except that it makes me laugh. If a card could represent my humor as a whole, this would be the one.
Bright, shiny happy thoughts
Both David and I have some big things happening this week with respect to our careers. So everyone think bright, shiny, happy thoughts this week!
Nap strike
Look who has been on nap strike recently. Apparently she thinks that she might miss something important. I don't have the heart to tell her that her parents are just not that interesting.
House envy: It's Complicated
This past weekend I went to see the movie It's Complicated with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. This movie is like porn, but for women. In one of the first scenes of the movie, you see Jane's (Meryl Streep) kitchen. It is breathtaking. I think that I started drooling thinking about all the amazing morsels of goodness that I could whip up in that kitchen while looking like the awesome kitchen goddess that I am in my mind.
The fantasy does not end with the kitchen. It extends into the bathroom, the garden, the whole house. By the end of the movie, you want to be a confused, divorced woman that runs a bakery just so that you can live there.
Favorite Quotes
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one."
C.S. Lewis
Purple risotto
Note to self, when you are making risotto and you run out of chicken broth, red wine is not a good substitution. Not only did the risotto become purple, I think I was a little tipsy after eating a bowl. Let's file this one under the "oops" category.
Brrrr weekend
This weekend we are doing our best to stay warm. The weather is supposed to dip into the teens and, as Texans, we have no idea what to think about that. Yesterday the power went out for a few hours. And the cold water faucet in the kitchen was frozen this morning. Good times.
What are you doing this weekend? Whatever it is, stay warm!
Hanes breaks up with Charlie
On December 28th, after Charlie Sheen was arrested yet again for hitting his girlfriend, Hanes decided that they have had enough of his antics and dropped him as their ad spokesman. Good for Hanes. Why Charlie was ever chosen to market their "wife beaters" is beyond me.
Busy, busy, busy
Sorry for the lack of posts. I have been very busy this last week or so. I have a new gig in the works that I am super excited about. Not sure if I will get it. But I am giving it my best shot. So keep your fingers crossed.
Gone to her head
So Little B has her 1st modeling gig today. But before you get too excited, it is with her pediatrician's office. Our doctor sends out holiday cards and newsletters throughout the year and in those has photographs of the staff with some of the patients. Apparently Little B was chosen to be the 4th month old baby due to her hair and big blue eyes... go figure. You just can't help but love that hair.
My job is to make sure that this does not all go to Little B's head. We don't want a big ego! Now she will probably think that she is entitled to a later bedtime, more partying with her friends, and keys to the mini cooper. Fat chance!
My job is to make sure that this does not all go to Little B's head. We don't want a big ego! Now she will probably think that she is entitled to a later bedtime, more partying with her friends, and keys to the mini cooper. Fat chance!
Favorite Quotes
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
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