3.27.2012

Hiatus

This is so not like me.
But, in case it wasn’t obvious, I’m taking a little blog hiatus.
And I obviously have been since last week.
A mixture of a nasty cold and general lack of inspiration led me to this place.
But it’s good…the more I’m away, the more I’ve been plotting and planning for future posts.
Sometimes you just need a breather. I’m hoping to be back in the game next week.
But this isn’t the end!

3.21.2012

Love Love Love (Love Love)

I love Pinterest for so many reasons, and a large part of that is the adorable, lovey dovey pictures I see daily.
Is there anything sweeter than love?

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(All pictures from Pinterest)

3.19.2012

Take Care

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This past weekend was filled with high highs and low lows. Instead of dwelling on the low parts, I’ve decided to try and learn from everything and really take a new approach to my life. There is no doubt that I could take way better care of myself. I don’t know if it’s winter or what.
The gym-going stopped, I took comfort in the greasiest and fattiest of foods, I stayed up too late sometimes (not always a bad thing, but usually quite painful the next day), and drank more than I’d like to admit.

I always make silly little lists and hopes and wishes for myself. But truly, I think that caring about your health and well-being is one of the smartest things you can ever do. So that’s what I want to do. The things I want to do include, but are not limited to, …

Eating frequent, filling, little meals so that I don’t gorge on the bad stuff later.
Exercising as often as possible, and not just for the vanity of it. Endorphins are the best.
Getting as much sleep as possible. Not just sleeping in on weekends. Calling it a night early on work nights.
Practicing positivity and making responsible choices.

 

Here’s to better days!

3.16.2012

Dinner Last Night: Pulled Pork

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I’ve been wanting to make some slow cooked pulled pork for a while now. The idea was so intoxicating… I love pulled pork, the way it falls apart, the tangy and sweet flavors. Add in the idea that I throw everything in the crock pot and it’s ready when I come home from work. SOLD.

Next time, I’m probably going to get a bigger roast/shoulder and add some more ingredients. I like it super saucy and tender. This was still delicious, especially with the addition of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce on top. And, because the bun and the meat are so melt-in-your-mouth, I love the added crunch of broccoli slaw. It’s so easy to make. Just get a bag of the slaw, mix in some cider vinegar, sugar, and oil, and you have a perfectly dressed and crunchy, yummy slaw that compliments the pork!

Instead of a eating our sandwiches with boring ol’ French fries, I bought a bag of mixed fingerling potatoes, cut them in halves and quarters, and roasted them with oil, salt, and pepper. Hello yum! Overall, great meal. Making dinner once a week has been helping me build confidence in my cooking. I’m still very by-the-book, following recipes to the last direction. But I’m expanding my horizons, and it feels good!

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So, it’s finally Friday! I don’t know about you, but Daylight Savings Time made this week tough. I have the whole weekend to myself, which will be nice. Unfortunately, come April, I will be working every other Saturday. It’s going to be tough, but whatever.
I’ll enjoy whatever time I’m given.

Have a great weekend all!

3.15.2012

Happy Things

I’ve been a downer this week. I just don’t feel like myself. And it doesn’t help that Brad is in Texas, since I could really use a cuddle.
Ever have those moments when you just can’t shake the funk?
I think it’s important to focus on the pretty little things when that happens. Here are some happy photos from the iPhone that make me smile.

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P.S. Tomorrow is Friday already!!!

3.14.2012

Canteen 900

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I’m hoping it becomes routine, trying out new (to us) places around NEPA. In an area where chain restaurants often reign supreme, there are so many sweet little “off-the-beaten-path” places to uncover. First, we enjoyed State Street Grill. Next, we finally (I’ve been wanting to go for months, after a friend recommended it to me) hit up Canteen 900. It was the original plan for our “Sun-Date,” but it turns out Canteen 900 isn’t open on Sundays. So Saturday lunch with my boy? Don’t mind if I do.

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The atmosphere is excellent. One large room with white walls, chandeliers and light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, mismatched tables and chairs, great music in the background, and a lot of natural light. As soon as I stepped into the hallway before the restaurant (it’s in a big factory building that holds lots of different businesses), I was in love. Exposed brick, tiny tables, chalkboard paint, strange art.

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And let’s not forget the food. The menu has a lot of great options. Unfortunately, breakfast is only served until 11:30 am and we missed that. But we didn’t miss out on their special of the day, which happened to be a Big Bad Brunch sandwich (Buttermilk Fried Chicken topped w/ Fried Eggs, Hashbrowns, Smoked Gouda, & Honey Drizzle on Texas Toast) with homemade potato chips. Needless to say, it was amazing.
As for beverages, Brad enjoyed their House Blend coffee and I sipped on a Salted Caramel Latte. So. Good.

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There are quite a few other places we want to check out in the near future, but I already can’t wait to head back to Canteen 900, bring some friends with us, and taste as much as possible! What a seriously great place, and a great way to kick off my Saturday.

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3.13.2012

Happy Birthday, Sissy!

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It’s my one and only lovely sister’s birthday!!! She turns 23, and I just can’t believe how much time as flown.
The best thing is, as time goes on, we just get closer. I am so happy to have an amazing sister who I can also call my best friend!!!

Enjoy your birthday, Maria! Love you very much!!!!

(Check her out with some of her adorable friends right over here!!!)

3.12.2012

Weekend

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This one went by too fast. Unfortunately, I’ve been having a hard time on Sunday nights.
I almost always have the Sunday night blues, but it’s getting tougher. I think I need a vacation. Or some sort of life change.
It was a great weekend, and we had astoundingly beautiful weather yesterday.
However, Brad’s off to Texas until next Sunday and I heard some bittersweet news, so I’m feeling a little gloomy.

At least Spring is around the corner.

3.09.2012

Dinner Last Night: Mexican Lasagna

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Dinner last night was another Rachael Ray recipe. I’ve been dying to try this for a while now, and I’m so glad I did. It is one of the quickest, easiest, tastiest meals I’ve had. And the ‘rents were obsessed. Mexican Lasagna is one of my new favorite things.
I know the picture above isn’t the prettiest thing, but lasagna is a messy meal.

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This was my first time working with ground chicken. I absolutely love it. It’s so much easier than cutting chicken breasts. The recipe is so basic, and you can honestly add or subtract whatever you want. I stuck with the basics: ground chicken, black beans, corn, and taco sauce.
Once everything is all cooked and blended together, the layering begins:
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This bad boy gets baked for about 15 minutes in the oven and comes out melty and crispy and wonderful.

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Seriously, guys. TRY THIS MEAL!

By the way…in case you weren’t aware…it’s Friday!
No work tomorrow! Sleeping in. Relaxing. Doing nothing. Free time.

Are you guys ready for the weekend?
Hope it’s a good one!

3.08.2012

Etsy Lust List

It’s that time again! Here are some things I’ve been lusting over on Etsy…

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Safety Pin Hoop Earrings by Mu-Yin Jewelry

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Gold Wire Love Ring by Fabulous Wire

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Sailor Girl Necklace by Violet Bella

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Nautical Knot Rope Bracelet by Pardes

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Brown Leather Envelope Necklace by Ampris Loves…

 

Click the picture for a direct link to the item!

3.07.2012

Outfit: Swirl and Twirl

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This is the outfit I wore for my Sun-date with Brad. I am in love with this dress. It was only my second time wearing it.
I bought it on sale from ASOS during my massive shopping phase on that site.
The print, at first, seemed really intimidating. But I loved the shape and flow of this dress.
I bought it when I was first watching Mad Men, and it reminded me of something Betty Draper would wear, if she were a badass punk rocker.

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It’s so swingy and fun to wear.  And I love the fruit and flower print on top of the otherwise simple Houndstooth.
I paired it with simple black accessories. Opaque tights, my favorite 5 dollar spiky flats (that recently lost a spike…boo), and my “weekend purse,” a little satchel I bought at H&M almost two years ago.

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Dress – ASOS/Tights – Target/Flats – Target/Purse – H&M

I just can’t help but twirl around in this dress!
It’s been a while since I wore a dress.
And even though I was cold, it was fun. I’ve missed it.

Spring needs to get here and fast. I miss skirts and dresses and bare legs.

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Brad had me take a picture of him modeling his Sun-date outfit. Innit he cute?

3.06.2012

“Sun-Date”

Who said dates have to take place at night?
I guess no one really said that, but it’s kind of an unspoken rule.
I mean, there’s a reason for “dinner and a movie” and the line, “I’ll pick you up at 8.”
Brad and I have been doing a lot of entertaining and socializing lately. I absolutely love being surrounded by all my friends as much as possible. There’s also been a lot of penny pinching as well. But it has meant pushing aside our once weekly date nights.
I’ve missed them. But things have been crazy with work/money/life that it was hard to pick that pattern back up.
I still see him, obviously, as much as possible. But there’s just something about getting a little dressed up and hitting the town with your loved one. Enter the “Sun-date.” I decided, instead of a Friday/Saturday night dinner and movie, we would do a brunch date and catch a matinee, thus making it a little lighter on the wallet and trying something a little different.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to find what I classify as a good brunch spot around these parts. We have a fair share of tasty diners, but I was in the mood for a legitimate brunch. Classy salads and inventive breakfasts and Bloody Marys and Mimosas. I did a lot of research on Yelp and narrowed our choice down to the State Street Grill. I must say, I absolutely fell in love with the place.
The food was amazing and the atmosphere was darling. I wanted to try everything on the menu.

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Brad is in love with Bloody Marys, so that was his drink of choice. I settled for a nice cup of coffee. To eat, Brad got Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, which he absolutely adored. I was overwhelmed with some choices, but the first item on the menu, the Huevos Rancheros, spoke to me. Chili, fried eggs, cheese, tortilla chips…it was a huge meal and I loved every bite that I could handle.

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I would highly recommend this place. It was cozy and delicious, with excellent service. I want to go back as soon as possible.
But, I also want to keep on looking for great brunch places around the area.

After brunch, we headed to the movies and saw Wanderlust, which I thought was funny and cute. Paul Rudd can do no wrong in my eyes.

It was nice to have a great date and still have the rest of the evening to relax and enjoy. This won’t be the last “Sun-date” we enjoy, for sure.