What's In A Name

The other day I was walking through the store collecting items for recipes I wanted to try and was blown away by all the magnificent flowers that seemed to overwhelm the entrance like running the gauntlet. It got me to thinking about all the different men I have had the pleasure of sharing company with. Some for only one date, some a few, some sporadically over months, and even one that lasted a little while, that for a brief and fleeting moment, I thought just might stick. This time of year it is difficult for me not to become nostalgic and reminisce in my quiet moments on those times, the good and the bad. I fantasize sometimes that the right person will send me a bouquet of flowers and the card will read "Have dinner with me" and a signature. Wouldn't that be so romantic? It's funny what an open person I am considering I keep the names of the people I have dated a secret. I usually find a way to reference them without it. I like to feel like I am protecting the innocent. Here is a brief list of my favorites. In no specific order. Enjoy.

The Cat Guy.

Hall Pass.

Fifty Shades.

Good Stuff.

It Happens.

Law School.

The Photographer.

Road Rash.

Morning After Omelet

Have you ever had a great girls night out, maybe you drank a little too much, had to "cab-it" home even? On the flip side of that you may have even had that amazing Valentine's Day date that ended in a little "over-nighter". You get up and just want to dazzel your guest(s) with your culinary skills so they leave thinking that YOU are the coolest girl (or guy) ever. I know I do. We all do. The great thing about this recipe is that you can customize it to meet your or your guest(s) particular taste. My version here was very basic and right up my alley but if I get the opportunity to make it for someone else I would possibly add mushrooms, maybe onion or some sausage with a second type of cheese to add a little zip. Have them coming back for more.

Absent from the ingredients pictured here is Mozzarella cheese and fresh dill.

Beat six eggs (or just the whites) and one tbsp chopped dill.

I used a 12 inch cast iron skillet, which was a bit larger than needed, so the next time I will double the entire recipe (you can find different size skillets at WalMart). I combined the egg mixture, the chopped asparagus, and the baby spinach leaves in the skillet and covered it with 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese. I think in the future, I will add some sharp cheddar or goat cheese and sausage just to spice it up a bit. You could add a little salsa for that as well.

Bake in a 350 degree oven, uncovered, for six to eight minutes. It comes out looking like this. You can sprinkle with fresh dill if desired. While it is still warm, slice and serve. Add toast or two slices of whole-wheat English muffin if you prefer. 

Breakfast is served.

Smooth It Over

The gift giving holidays can put the pressure on anyone to spend a lot of money. There are stores brimming at the seems with all kinds of ideas if the price is right. I like gifts that are thoughtful and not super expensive. I had someone once search several stores just to find this beer I fell in love with the night before while I was having dinner with friends for my birthday. The effort and attention to detail meant more to me than what it cost. This year for some of the special women in my life I made an all natural body scrub that smells incredible and is my way of trying to pamper them in some small way this Valentine's Day. I found the recipe here.

{Ingredients you will need. The packaging is up to you}

For every two cups of sugar add one cup of either olive oil or coconut oil.

Then add two tablespoons honey and tablespoon lemon juice.

Stir well and scoop into desired container, decorate as you wish and VOILA!! What a sweet and fun gift for all the women in your life.

Literally good enough to eat.

Say Yes to The Dress

{Monogram necklace is from Baublebar}

My friends seem to get married in waves. A couple years ago as some of them got within range of the 30th birthday milestone it appeared as if either they were getting married or in a wedding literally every other weekend. A constant photo barrage of bachelorette parties and wedding showers and, as it would be plausible, the eventual nuptials. I myself was privy to a few of these said events and was truly enamored by the spectacular array of unique and personal touches that each couple made inclusive to their specific wedding experience. Most recently my very good friend got engaged, and much to my delighted surprise, I was asked to be a bridesmaid. I haven't been a bridesmaid in some time so when I was asked to accompany some of the bridal party to help my friend choose a dress, I didn't know what to wear. I didn't want to dress down too much and make her feel like it wasn't important to me, and I didn't want to dress up too much and look out of place. I opted for a long dress, jean jacket and booties. Had the weather been a lot warmer I would have paired the dress with nude strappy heels and a cardigan or blazer. I opted for the jean jacket because I didn't want to have to carry around a heavy coat all day long and the booties because of all the snow we have been getting. Regardless, I felt honored to be a part of her special day.

{Dress from Target}

{Old jacket from JCrew}

Sweet Surrender

I love the movies. You can lose yourself in someone else's idea of reality even if it's only for a couple hours. Serendipity, or a fortuitous happenstance, would pretty much sum up my romantic sensibility (or lack thereof). The movie, as depicted above, involves two people, John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. The two meet by chance and there is immediate chemistry. Unfortunately both are already taken, and find themselves in quite the predicament. Kate's character decides that she will write her phone number on a five dollar bill and tells John's character that if it comes back to him that their meeting was meant to be. Totally and completely unrealistic and I loved it. I like to think of myself as dangling in that small space right between reality and fantasy, the "what if". In real life people meet and feel that undefinable connection and it never evolves into anything. Have you ever watched the television series The Bachelor? Need I say more? But I wholeheartedly surrender myself to the idea of destiny, of true love, and the idea that someone could love another so much that nothing could ever repress it. Not time, not distance, not circumstance.

In addition to that, someone recently asked me who my favorite Disney princess was. I chose Snow White. I will always be the girl who believes in the idea of Prince Charming, sweeping me off my feet, and with a simple kiss, breathing new life into what was once a cold and quiet heart.

Over the Top

{Hayden Run Falls/Griggs Nature Preserve}

 Living in a bustling city can feel like a coagulation of people, cars, fast food chains, retail shops, and the like. It can be hard to imagine that something so beautiful is so close to home and is so accessible. I found this waterfall after a friend posted about it a couple years ago on Facebook. I have been there twice, once in the winter of last year on a warmer day and once this winter on one of our coldest days. The walk to get to it will leave you feeling anxious. Its magnificent majesty is nothing in comparison to the sound of what must be hundreds, maybe even thousands, of gallons of rushing water cascading over the top with a thunderous roar to its finite endpoint, or the bitter silence of it truly frozen in time. I think it is one of the most beautiful and romantic places I have ever seen, and it is right here in the Buckeye state.

{The steps that lead down to the waterfall}

Skin Deep

I don't wear a ton of makeup. In fact, unless it is a special occasion, I keep my routine very, very light and simple. I never wear foundation over my entire face because to me it feels like I am wearing a mask, and I want my skin to breathe. I only ever use it to even out my skin tone or to cover blemishes. I was an avid MaryKay user for many years but found, that over time, it was hard to have to wait for products. I have the habit of not paying any attention to the fact that I am running out of foundation until it's already gone. Then having to wait a few days or even a week for the product to come in was too frustrating for me. So I went on the hunt for a new one. I don't like to go to high end retailers to purchase makeup products. Companies like L'Oreal also own Giorgio Armani Cosmetics, for example. I came across these two and for different reasons, I like them both. 

The Sonia foundation is a bit thicker and gives long lasting, one coat coverage. Without question, a flawless finish. You can see above how it comes out in a little "pearl". The Fit foundation is smooth and silky, and very, very light in consistency. It is great for layering to cover blemishes, or I think would feel better if you prefer full face coverage. I would use the Fit more during warm weather months possibly, because there is nothing worse than sweating and feeling like you're face is melting off. Neither brands "cake" on my face when applied, and feel like I am wearing absolutely nothing. Like being naked without the awkwardness. 

I will say that I much prefer the applicator on the Sonia version. The Fit bottle is much easier to spill or to take too much when you go to apply it, which is wasteful.  Fit has a better price point at just over five dollars where the Sonia version is around twelve. The Fit also has SPF where Sonia does not. Sonia Kashuk can be found at Target  and the Maybelline can be found pretty much anywhere makeup is sold.