The Friday Five 1.11.13

1. What I’m Reading: How to Train a Wild Elephant. I am fascinated by this book. Each of the 53 short chapters teaches you to slow down and live more mindfully. One of my resolutions this year was to live more simply. I tend to get caught up in too many things and try to get so much done. I end up stretching myself way too thin and stressing out. I quickly read most of the book (typical), but now want to re-read each lesson with more focus and concentrate on each exercise for a week. Hopefully by this time next year I’ll have a much clearer, happier head!

2. What I’m Drinking: Speaking of de-stressing, I found another Yogi tea that I like: Kava Stress Relief. Is this post making me sound like a crazy woman?

I’ve been drinking a cup of this tea with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and honey.

3. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Not-Too-Virtuous Salad with Caramelized Apple Vinaigrette. I need you all to listen to me: making your own salad dressing is worth the effort. It usually only takes a few ingredients and most recipes are so much healthier than bottled dressings. Some of the ingredient lists on those things are downright scary. Know what you’re eating, people!

4. What I’m Listening to: I hope you want to dance this weekend. Virtually join me and listen in on this song while you’re getting ready to go out.

5. GIFs I’m Loving:

WHEN MY FRIENDS TELL ME I’M BEING INAPPROPRIATE

WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE AND AMOST FORGET MY PHONE

WHEN I HAVE STORIES FOR MY BESTIES

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!

What I’m Loving Wednesday 12.5.12

1. Danielle and I eat lunch together every Monday. For the past month, we’ve gone to Mi Xao each week, at least once. This week, we went back for our favorite items on the menu. Mine is the Tom Yum Kung, extra spicy.

See the coconut shrimp? The owner was being nice and brought us some samples. Naturally, I threw one back and then bam! It hit me. They were fried and I just got a damn strike for The NYE Challenge.

Boding said it counts. I say it doesn’t because it wasn’t a conscious decision. Ugh!! I immediately confessed when I got home, so he then asked Kaye how she was doing.

Pizza. Really, Kaye?!? That evening, Carter admitted to eating chips and I had to explain to Boding that chips are fried. Hahahah. WE SUCK!

2. To me, this is heaven.

(The cookbook section of The Coastal Cupboard)

3. Rachel found a tutorial on how to make monogram Iphone wallpapers here. Pretty, pretty.

4. I finally got my hair colored last Friday. It’s my natural color in the back, with gold lowlights…

…then gold & blonde in the front.

Don’t ask me how I am standing in that picture, or how the tree didn’t get knocked over. Christmas miracles!

5. Low-key arm parties. This is one of my bracelets from Peppermint Lollipops.

6. On Saturday, I went to a food truck rodeo at Whole Foods. Of course I had Roti Rolls.

Here’s the Funky Farmer: curried local butternut squash, carrots, red potatoes, and totsoi, pickled local beets, and an egg.

The Roti Roll kids are opening a restaurant downtown called The Green Door. It’ll focus on local goodies and have a similar concept to Roti Rolls. We’re going to the Friends & Family Dinner on Thursday and I’m so excited! I will tell you all about it. : )

Breaking Dawn: Part 2

Today’s the day!! Breaking Dawn Part 2 comes out TONIGHT! Amanda and I bought our tickets last week (nerd alert) and we’re so excited for the premiere!

Last year we went to the midnight showing at Cinebarre for Breaking Dawn Part 1. They had tents set up with people serving food, handing out free glow-in-the-dark fangs, holding giveaways, and doing fortune readings!

Watch the trailer and get excited!

Serious question of the day: Are you going to the premiere tonight?

Semi-serious question of the day: Team Edward or Team Jacob?  

What I’m Loving Wednesday 8.15.12

1. For the longest time, I thought that the monogram stickers on girls’ cars were awful. But not as awful as the “Salt Life” stickers. What the hell do those even mean?! However, when I saw a fancy X, my credit card flew out of my purse. All on its own, I swear!

I suppose one letter isn’t as awful as all three. Nancy, I know you are shaking your head.

2. The day before I left Flat Rock, something made me look up The Christmas Tree Shops, a store that I frequented while living in Massachusetts. To those who aren’t aware, this place is not a Christmas store. It is a mecca of bargain-priced “necessities.” My mom used to drag me to The Christmas Tree Shops when I was little, specifically when we were at the Cape. (The windmill location!! <---Danielle, you know this!) Much to my surprise, a store had opened in Greenville, SC. I almost had a heart attack and definitely made a point to stop there on my way home. Pure nostalgia.

3. When my grandmother took my brother clothes shopping, they brought me home a Hello Kitty pen. I don’t care how old I am, I will never be too old for anything Sanrio.

4. This picture. I believe this was circa 1991.

5. I’ve been on a cracker kick lately. The Trader Joe’s Roasted Gorgonzola flavored crackers did not disappoint. I foresee myself buying this regularly. Don't be afraid if you don’t like gorgonzola; they have just the slightest hint of cheese.

6. After posting about Casual: The Series on Monday, I got a tweet from Lauren, the actress who plays Girl. Brush with fame, what! If Brian tweeted me, I would probably pass out.

Have you watched it yet? Get on it!

7. Thanks to Klout, I received a great perk: free business cards from Moo! (Add me as an influencer!) Though the options were very limited, I managed to make some adorable two-sided cards. Here’s the proof:

FRONT

BACK

And just like that I got a craving for cookies.

 

xo!

Links I Loved This Week 8/4

Geek Sugar

• 9 Geeky Toys from the 90s – Pogs and Digital Pets again?
• Geek Heartthrobs from the 90s – I had a HUGE crush on Preston Meyers  (Ethan Embry) from Can’t Hardly Wait. I’ve also adored Paul Rudd ever since he played Josh in Clueless.

Yum Sugar

• Taste the Rainbow: The Green Veggies – my favorite color!

Serious Eats

• How to Make Your Herbs Last Longer
• An All-Avocado Meal

Food 52

• The 40-Second Egg

I Love Charts

Bits of Truth

The Friday Five

1. What I’m Reading: More cookbooks. I don’t think I’ve ever borrowed an American food cookbook from the library. What’s the point when I can go eat a Chick-fil-A? Haha, just kidding. Sort of.

2. What I’m Listening to: Another old, but awesome song.

3. What I’m Eating: My very favorite Greek yogurt. Nothing compares to the thickness and creaminess that is Fage! I eat one almost every day. Yay protein!

I typically don’t like cherry-flavored things, but this is just dreamy. My second favorite flavor is blueberry.

4. What I’m Re-Tweeting:

5. What I’m Pinning: This is quite possibly the coolest beach chair I’ve ever seen. Truly made for nerds.

So…are you guys enjoying the Friday Five posts?

Any blog post topics are welcome! Share your ideas.

HAPPY WEEKEND! XO!

What I’m Loving Wednesday

1. Since eating more like a pescatarian, I get asked a lot of questions. Many of those I will answer in an upcoming post, but for now, I will leave you with this pie chart I made on Sunday.
Yup. The most typical reaction people have is shock that I will no longer be eating my beloved Chick-fil-A chicken. I can, however, eat their oatmeal, Icedream, fruit cup, and drink my favorite Diet Lemonade. :) Just imagine the money I’m saving…
2. Firefly makes a skinny tea vodka using Truvia sweetener. I picked up 2 of these mini bottles last Friday  for my roommate and me. I bet they’d be delicious with a Diet lemonade from you know where…
3. I might actually be obsessed with Ali Baba on Daniel Island. Their vegetarian options  are incredible. Everything I’ve ever eaten is so fresh, and I try  at least one new item each time I go. Last week’s lunch consisted of (clockwise from top left): foul madamas, orzo salad w/ golden raisins and apples, grilled vegetables, and fattoush salad. The orzo salad may have been my favorite just for the name.
4. In a crossword puzzle I was doing the other night, clue # made me laugh.
The answer? Geeks. Funny though, because there is a difference between nerds and geeks.
5. I TOLD YOU!!
Chocolate before a workout is my favorite type of motivation/energy enhancer. Even nasty 100% cacao.
What are youuuuuuuuu loving?

Why Do Weekends End?

I just want one more day.

This past weekend was pretty tame and I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m starting to prefer nights in. What has become of me? I’m 27 1/2 acting like I’m 54. I say that today, and watch, next weekend I’ll be all over the place again.

Despite my “AARP status”, as my friend Justin called it when I strayed away from the bar scene on Saturday, I had plenty of fun. I read three books, spent time in the sunshine, worked out both days, and ate good food.

READ. I went to the library and did the same thing I always do. I pile as many books in my left arm as I possibly can, browse all the aisles until I’ve had a mini bicep workout, and then decide to check out before my arm falls off. This visit I came home with:

Hmmm. I like food, grammar, and things that are awesome. Shocking. I tore through The Book of Awesome first, then Food Matters (read this!), and then perused the Greek cookbook.

SHOP. A visit to Ann Taylor left me with two purchases:

That picture doesn’t show it all, so here’s a pic I sent for a friend’s approval:

and this:

Whoa, mama.

WORK OUT: I revisited this workout.

I completed it 3x as is, then 1x doubling the reps. Doubling the reps makes it so much better of a workout.  I love knowing that I did 100 pushups. My fave.

One of the trainers gave me this bracelet. Hideous colors, but I like representing. :)

EAT: On Sunday, I ate at The Macintosh for the first time. I’ve been there plenty of times for drinks, but never to eat. I have read many excellent reviews, so I suggested to my friend Logan that we go for brunch. For the first time ever, I had rabbit. Yep, you read that right. Little Peter Cottontail was in my gratin dish.

Sweet Potato & Rabbit Hash, Arugula, Poached Eggs 12

I loved every bite and was thankful for the aforementioned pushups.

I also scored a little plate of their homemade pickles from one of the bartenders.

Have I ever mentioned how great their bar staff is? They are wonderful! They’re friendly, creative, and always seem to know a good drink for you. Go see them!

See you tomorrow with a delicious and super clean recipe!