Wedded Bliss

{Details}

Every time I get invited to someone's wedding I think I'll feel jaded and apathetic toward the ceremony because my marriage was unsuccessful. That is never ever the case. I tear up like a little school girl and I am honored by the invitation. That someone would think enough of our friendship to want me to be there for one of the most important days of their life gives me a feeling that is beyond measure. I am deeply touched. Being asked to be a bridesmaid is another thing entirely. I am always so transfixed on my own life that I don't think I even grasped that I could impact another person in such a way, that they not only wanted me there, but wanted me standing next to them. I don't think it hit me until we walked down the isle the magnitude of that days events. Seeing my good friend marry the man she loves not only made me swell up with pride knowing and loving them both but renewed my faith in a love that can last a lifetime.

Sunday Best

Easter came on quick this year. I wasn't truly prepared and I found myself scrambling to get it all together. Trying to do it all on my own has always been challenging but for some reason this year has been more difficult. Maybe it's the longevity of being on my own and having my plate so overfilled with things that need done, or maybe the stress of the everyday grind has worn me down a little. Either way once I finally got myself to bed I was able to wake refreshed and excited about my outfit for the day. I little something unexpected but very much me, I will forever love mixing my girly side with my tomboy roots. Leave it to me to never give people what they expect. I thrive on it.

Target hat (mens). Zara shoes (old). TOT jacket. LC top (old). Sheinside skirt. Clutch is vintage.

The Sweetest Things

Sometimes just the simplest things are simply just perfect. A little bit of sunshine, your favorite treat on a particularly rough day, a hug from someone who knows you need one, a funny text from friend who always knows how to make you laugh is enough. I am that kind of girl. Give me the little things and I am so much more than satisfied. This quick and easy desert took a little less than 20 minutes to put together, but was a great compliment to a heavier meal of pasta and meatballs (a favorite of mine as well). With the summer months right around the corner, who wants to have to fire up the oven when you can dip and deliver.

We melted dark chocolate chips in a bowl, in the microwave, for less than two minutes or until the chips began to breakdown from the heat. We then stirred vigorously until it was ready for the orange wedges. Peeled and seeded (if necessary) we dipped only 1/2 of each.

We sprinkled each with some sea salt and placed in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. 

In hindsight I would have placed a bit if waxed paper on the plate for easier transfer because they did tend to stick a bit. 

What a fun and easy way to get a bit if citrus in!!

Balls Out

Never to be bashful about what I like, I tend to go for it until I simply tire of it and move on. That's me with everything. Right at this moment I am into flowy tops, faux fur, booties in leu of flats, dark lipsticks of every shade, and the perfect clutch... most likely because I carry a bag every day to work that weighs more than a small child. There is nothing that motivates me more than feeling and looking my best. As we embark on the season full of short shorts, tight shirts, and flat sandals, let me step up to the plate one more time with a more transitional ensemble. From brisk spring mornings to sun saturated longer days, I feel it's fair to say I knocked this one out of the park.

Shoes are Sweedish Hasbeens I bought from Madewell. Denim, sunnies and necklace are Lauren Conrad for Kohls. Faux fur is Hollister. Rings are JCrew. Top is The Oxford Trunk.

Clutch is NeNe California.

Lip color is Revlon "Blase Apricot".

What I've Been Crushing On

{Finishing off what was left over}

{Edamame}

{Spring sunshine}

{Another new mug for 1.50 from Target}

{My Covergirl orange lip color "Hot Passion"}

Coffee Me Crazy

Tom's are not my shoe of choice. I have never claimed to be a hipster or even tried to take on any of those characteristically easy going, nature loving, organic consuming, free loving qualities. What I am in support of is their commitment to helping others. Even if it is in some small way I want to give a little back to someone less fortunate. It helps to keep me grounded and remind me of how good I really have it. It truly is a difficulty these days to keep yourself from being taken by all the things people around you have that you don't. It can be a relationship, a job opportunity, financial gain, friendship connections and so forth. It takes a ton of self respect to accept what you have and be proud of it, even when there are those who look down on you as if you have nothing. So every chance I get, I give a little. Here Tom's Coffee gives you that chance. For 11.99 a month you receive coffee beans from countries around the world and you, in turn, will help them have clean water. Hard to imagine not having that isn't it? So the next time you pour a cup of java let it be ONE FOR ONE.

The Little Market latte mug you see above and other items found on this site are made by women artisans from around the world. Help those women do better and have better. 

Steak Connected

Childhood memories associated with food seem to permeate my mind every time I begin a new recipe. I'll have flash backs to arguments with my parents about what I didn't want to eat, and fondly remember those meals that triumphed my appetite. I didn't begin to enjoy steak until my 20's and then only in certain forms...a stir fry being one of those. As I matured I liked more expansive types of vegetables and spices which only made meal time that much more exciting. I owe that to my step mom, who was always one for trying new things, and switching it up every now and then. She could make leftovers seem like a gourmet meal. Unlike my father, who loved everything swimming in tomato paste. I see that side of her in me sometimes when I get all stoked on a new recipe. Must be genetic.

Combine in a zip top gallon bag

4 tbsp sugar

6 tbsp soy sauce

3 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp dried red pepper

8 tsp minced garlic

Add the steak (10 oz) to this mixture and let stand 15 minutes. 

Take out the steak and set aside the marinade for the end.

Pour into a wok or large frying pan over medium heat until browned.

Add peppers (2) and green beans (1 lb) to the pan and fry for 3 minutes.

Whisk the 2 tsp cornstarch into the left over marinade and add to the mixture until it thickens.

My family is pretty particular on what they like so this recipe was a bit too spicy for them. The recipe calls for rice but they prefer pasta and that was a good substitute.

Days later I enjoyed what was left over just on its own,

Pi Perfect

Well Pi Day has come and gone and I had full intention to make this recipe that day in celebration but failed miserably. Life gets in the way sometimes, or shall I say that sometimes recipes look too complicated so we wait?? I just found the idea of making my own crust again so daunting. If it's off even a little it gets gooey...then you add more flour and it's too dry and crumbly, then you add more water... and so on. Roll it out and it wants to fold back up. That is a lot like me on a Monday morning BC (before coffee). But I went for it and it was perfection. Give it to Ikea to come out with a cookbook full of delicious, gorgeous and flavorful recipes that are so easy it is almost insulting. If it wasn't for the fact that the specific cheese needed is only sold in specialty stores, and is rare and hard to some by even then, I would say that this is a perfect pie. Which is, in fact, mathematically impossible. See you in a century.

The crust is as simple as it gets. Mix together 1 1/4 cups flour, 3 tsp water, and 2/3 cup butter.

Mix well on medium speed.

Once you spread it in the pan prick with a fork.

The filing is just as easy. Use 1 1/4 c heavy cream, 3 eggs, 5 1/2 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese. 

Vasterbotten is the cheese I needed but could not find.

Pre-bake crust at 440 degrees for 10 minutes.

Add the cheese mixture then bake at 390 degrees for 30 minutes.

The crust is so good I want to try it with a fruit filling. I think had I found the cheese the taste would have been more unique, but the web page that describes it states that using the cheddar is a good alternative. 

Happy Easter

When I was a kid...old enough to know better but still young enough to enjoy the holiday, and the fantasy, my step-mom gave my brother and sister and myself the best possible surprise. The Easter Bunny left notes every year, but this particular year he covered the house in yarn. COVERED THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF OUR SPLIT LEVEL with yarn. We were each given a color and told to follow it until we came upon our respective baskets. It is one of my most cherished memories. I would say that I have never done anything so creative as that for my own holiday, but I do love the idea of hiding the baskets and doing it well. This year was no exception with two not able to locate theirs without help from me which made it the best one yet. 

Easy Breazy

Casual for most people is sneakers and jeans and a tee, maybe add a baseball cap. There are some days that that works for me, but more often than not, I like to add a little punch. Instead of a sneaker, I wear a bootie. Instead of a baseball cap, I wear a structured hat. Instead of a hoodie, I think this kimono from Target is a really fun option. Lightweight and feminine, with a bit of florescent orange, it has a fringed edge and is just as comfy as that cotton alternative we all have hanging in our closets at home. Why wear the usual when you can just as easily add a little something extra. Cover your lips in this rich red-orange shade, and we can kiss ordinary goodbye. 

Tee and bracelet are old JCrew. Kimono is Target. Jeans are Blanc from 6pm. Booties are Freebird by Steve Madden. Necklace is The Oxford Trunk c/o Hat is Urban Outfitters.

Lip color is Covergirl in Hot Passion. Available at Target, Wal Mart and many drugstores.