The Friday Five 8.17.12

1. What I’m Reading: This month our book club chose to read Dare Me by Megan Abbott. I read it in 2 days because it was such an easy read. It was just okay. I need something a bit more thrilling. Have any of you read this?

2. What I’m Eating: As a huge fan of anything cinnamon-flavored (save Goldslager, vom), I was intrigued by Serious Eats’ article Could Cinnamon Chex Be Better than Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Chex was on sale at Publix yesterday, so I picked up a box and had some for dinner. It was as good as the article claimed -- a “masterpiece” if you will. Because there are plain rice Chex pieces mixed in with the cinnamon ones, it’s not overwhelmingly sweet. It’s just perfect. Don’t even get me started on the leftover milk.

3. What I’m Listening to:  This song is catchy. Enjoy!

4. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Campfire Cookies. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw these.

5. GIFs I’m Loving: Golden Girls!!

SHARING GOSSIP WITH MY BEST FRIENDS

WHEN I GET MY WAY

Last but not least, the winner of the Fringe Boutique Giveaway is…

Congrats to a long-time reader! Jessica, please email me your shipping information and shirt size. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed weekend! 

The Friday Five 7.20.12

1. What I’m Reading: Though I’m still reading Gone Girl for book club, I picked up a heavy stack of books that I had put on reserve at the library.

The one I’m most excited to peruse is The Naked Foods Cookbook.

2. What I’m Eating: We’re pretty fortunate to have a cafeteria at Blackbaud, even if it means that Rachel and I spend a silly amount of money there, just out of convenience. This week, I had a delicious lunch: sundried tomato wrap with turkey, feta, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, banana peppers, and hummus. Why does a wrap/sandwich always taste better when someone else makes it?

3. What I’m Listening to: Another good song by The Airborne Toxic Event.

4. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Carrot, Almond, and Raisin Energy Bites.

5. GIFs I’m Loving: 

WHEN I’M TOO LAZY TO PUT ON MASACARA

So true!

WHEN I FIND THE MOTIVATION TO GO TO THE GYM

BEFORE:

DURING:

Happy weekend, friends!

What I’m Loving Wednesday

1. It is very rare that I touch a cookie that isn’t homemade. To me, that’s a sin. Homemade cookies are too easy to make to justify ever eating cookies full of preservatives and, dare I say, trans fats? Thanks but no thanks. However, when Nabisco decides to celebrate their 100th birthday with Birthday Cake Oreos, well, that’s a sin I’d like to commit.

Thank you Mary for blogging about this!!

2. FitSugar’s article on The Worst Pickup Lines Used at the Gym.

Tell me: have you ever picked anyone up from the gym? I can’t flirt at the gym anymore. I realized at my last gym, then when you flirt with someone and then realize you don’t like them, you have to see them ALL THE TIME. Yikes.

3. Serious Eats’ recipe for Steamed Salmon with Chard, Pine Nuts, and Raisins.

4. I haven’t had any meat or poultry in a 1 full week! I love this. I can’t say that I feel any different, but I’ve enjoyed increasing my fruit & vegetable intake as well as experimenting with new foods. The Morning Star spicy black bean burgers are SO good. Not sure why they call them spicy though…

5. Another thing I refuse to consume is soda. La Croix sparkling water is a great alternative. Their water is free of sodium, sweetener, and calories. My two favorite flavors are Lemon and Grapefruit.

               

6. I am by no means a coffee connoisseur, but I must say I really enjoyed my sample of Starbuck’s Casi Cielo coffee. It’s so smooth! The Spanish major in me also loves its translation: “Almost Heaven.”

7. This Golden Girls Valentine’s Day cards:

8. Last week ABC News 4 and Charleston Wine Pairings elite matchmaking service offered a contest for a free consultation and wine pairing. A few of my friends suggested I sign up and I thought, oh what the heck? Um, I won. YIKES. This could be so fun or so scary…!! Buffie, you better match me up with someone nice!! : )

Don’t forget to enter my Sweet Potato Popchips giveaway!! You have until February 21st at noon!