simple pleasures, long walks

[snippets from my walks throughout boston]

I try not to let technology take over. I adore this little blog with all of my heart, but I know for a fact that days without "the noise" are crucial in my life. Days feel so much longer when I'm outside, connecting with the earth, breathing fresh air. I feel more spontaneous, more alive.

For instance, sometimes I leave my phone at home just so I can have some uninterrupted time by myself. I also rarely bring my ipod with me on short runs (< 3mi...on longer runs, I face the possibility of boredom ☺) so I can really clear my mind.

Long walks are the perfect remedy. I've been experiencing this nostalgia for my walks along the cobblestone streets of Boston. They became a ritual for me; each outing, I felt more and more enamored by the city. It's those simple pleasures that I keep in my memory.

chocolate almond oatmeal cookies

I'm revisiting some old recipes, and I thought I'd share this one concocted last summer. Chunky and crunchy, just like I like 'em. They were too good. Like, I'll-go-run-5-miles-just-so-I-can-eat-more-of-these GOOD. :)


Choco-Almond Oatmeal Cookies 

2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 lightly beaten egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 chocolate-covered almonds

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and add brown sugar. Stir until smooth. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, oats, and salt. Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients, and add egg and vanilla. Fold in chopped chocolate-covered almonds. Spoon mixture by tablespoon-fulls onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes.

Nutrition Facts: 90 calories, 3g fat, 13g carb, 1g fiber, 5g sugar, 2g protein.

Also, I've started a food page to document recipes that emerge from my little kitchen. I hope you enjoy it!

flowers are everywhere

[bells of ireland]

[mini orchids]

[hydrangea]

Work's leftovers are my treasures. Here are a few flowers I got to take home last week. How could I ever refuse these beauties?! Especially those orchids - my current job is nursing them back to health, and they're doing quite well. I have this affinity for orchids because my mom (a wonderfully talented gardener - something I aspire to!) has always filled our home with many different types. Aren't they so elegant?

my weekend, in details

I had such a glorious weekend, filled with delicious food, good company, and beautiful weather. Mornings started out with my new favorite (and A's usual) breakfast of an egg and spinach "pancake" atop a wheat tortilla. This hearty breakfast fueled a trip to Lake Lewisville, TX with a few friends. And to top it all off, A and I got all dressed up on Sunday for a lovely date: dinner on the porch and a trip to the theatre.

granola, improvised

Nothing reminds me more of summer days than waking up early to a cool morning breeze and a light and nutritious breakfast that livens up your senses for the day. Top some Greek yogurt with this lightly-sweet and crunchy granola, and I'm ready for the day.

I improvised and used what we had left in the pantry: sunflower seeds, walnuts, cranberries, raisins, coconut flakes, cinnamon, and oats. Next went a drizzle of agave nectar and some olive oil (from a pump-spray can; it gives a perfectly even and light mist). No real measuring is necessary; just scoop and toss.

So natural, so delicious. The coconut is crispy, and the raisins and cranberries got really chewy, which I love. I'll wake up to this any day.

spaghetti and meatball(s)

I sure do miss these guys. Babysitting Saso and Meatball was more like wrangling in two UFC fighters with the living room as their ring. Don't worry, they're buds. All in good fun. :) Now if only I could sneak that adorable Rhodesian Ridgeback home with me. Love that big guy.

follow the music

 all photos taken with my mini diana

I can already tell that being in Austin for the South by Southwest music festival has landed itself on my list of experiences I will always remember. I also loved that the city was still littered with remnants of a fun St. Paddy's Day. Our trip consisted of some of my favorite things: breakfast pit-stops at a local hangout/coffee joint (Progress Coffee), discovering new bands (the aviation orange), biking to brunch at a little French cafe (Blue Dahlia Bistro), and simply "following the music" (our mantra) while wandering the streets of downtown Austin.

Lots of my pictures are yet to be developed - I have to finish that roll! I can't wait to develop those and show you more fun stuff from the trip.

4-step ciabatta

1. Mix these 4 ingredients together in a bowl. In the words of Kitchen Hack, "No need to be particular, just dump and slosh."
      + 1 tsp salt
      + 1/4 tsp dry yeast
      + 2 cups warm water
      + 4 cups flour

2. After ingredients are thoroughly mixed, cover with a cloth, and let sit 8 to 12 hours. It should about double in size.

[doubled in size]

3. Butter pan, sprinkle corn meal, and pour batter.

[batter poured]

4. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

[oh so steamy & golden]

Optional, but suggested: enjoy with butter and jam.

This is definitely the easiest bread I've ever made. No kneading, only a couple minutes prep, hardly any clean-up. Yep, easy as heck. If you try the recipe, let me know!

Orignial recipe here.






P.S. That butter above is actually goat butter...first time trying it - very yum! Much creamier, I think. Has anyone ever tried it?

coconut tea and local honey

At the moment, I'm reminiscing about sunny, clear days in Austin spent sipping honey-sweetened coconut tea while waiting eagerly for homemade ciabatta bread to pop out of the oven. I'm also trying to get over the fact that it snowed here on what was supposed to be the first day of Spring. I'll be getting back to my daydreams now...

current favorites from anthro

My entire spring wardrobe could come from Anthro's racks. Anyone else in the same boat?

meditation through flowers

 [mom's college textbook, grandma's photo envelope]

I'm back in the Lone Star State and loving the Spring weather and longer days! That extra hour of sunlight brings me so much happiness. So much. Extra time to jog after work, to try new recipes, to blog with you guys!

Speaking of work, I've had the BEST time since starting my floral department rotation. Working with flowers and soil is like meditation in the middle of my busy day. On Monday, it was orchids and succulents, two of my favorites. I can't tell you how excited I am to learn more, more, more.

The boy and I have something exciting planned for the weekend. It involves a 3-hour drive to one of my favorite cities, indie rock bands, and some serious fun. Can you guess where we're going?

lunching in laguna

 [basking in the sun]

 [lunch at las brisas]

 [gorgeous views]

[charming home decor shops]

Since my parents are moving up north, taking advantage of everything near home has become a major priority. Today, my Mom and I did just that: lunch at Las Brisas, walking along main beach, browsing through little shops, and soaking in the sun. It was much warmer than last time. My less-than-tan skin sure did appreciate the California sun. Ha!

socal and sun

 [a camellia from mom's garden]

I have certainly been MIA for the past week, but with good reason, I assure you! This girl flew home on Sunday (Spring Break, technically), and Orange County sure did welcome me with sun and greenery. Boy, it's green around here! It's amazing what a little rain can do for this SoCal desert.

You could probably guess what's occupied my time so far: sleeping, jogging, eating, and watching (tv & 500 Days of Summer). I also got to grab a coffee with (and pick the brain of) the uber-stylish and so, so sweet Angel (aka wedding-planner-extraordinaire behind Events of Love and Splendor). Angel, you give the greatest advice. :) Can't wait to do it again sometime!

My trip out here did include a special mission: sorting through my room/closet to prepare for my parents' move up north (Northern CA, that is). No easy task. I have, however, come across (and asked to steal, hehe) some AMAZING treasures from my parents, including my Dad's vintage Levi's jacket, navy Talbots blazer with oh-so-80s shoulder pads, and some of Mom's old jewelry that I'm so glad to take off her hands. :)

Don't worry, I'll be splashing photos of all my finds across the pages of LID very soon. :)

Toodles,

the days of long bike rides

The days of long bike rides in the sun, picnics in the park, and relaxing in the sun are HERE! A has already taken me on a path that runs alongside a dog park and pretty creek filled with ducks. I smile with every dog I zoom past - its so obvious to see how happy they are to be out in the sunshine and fresh air.

1  Pashley bikes. So classic-looking. Wouldn't the aforementioned picnic lunch fit so perfectly in that basket?

2  Me with my beloved Peugeot in Boston (see July). Sadly, I couldn't get my bike from MA to TX, so I left Nala (yes, she has a name) with my roommate who is taking good care of her. I miss it so.

Who else out there bikes?

what made today great | 03.04.10

1. morning walk with lucy (a's dog)
2. homemade guacamole
3. nbc's comedy block (pam!)
4. 3 loads of laundry - check!
5. hour-long, tough bike ride

sewing and dolly pearl

 Gorgeous, handmade fashions by Dolly Pearl. Buy here.

(via Lipstick&Lumber)

Designs like these really make me want to get back into sewing. I took sewing classes for a few years with the most amazing teacher. (She made costumes for MJ's Thriller music video!) I learned so much in that class, and I looked forward to going every week. I've made a vest, grey suit jacket, babydoll blouse, floral skirt, tube top, and lots of other mini projects.

Isn't fashion so fun? :)

vogue nippon

I can't think of anything better to describe these photos than soft.
(via design.love.fest)

which supplements do you take?

Another health post! This time, an awesome graphic showing which health supplements are backed by science and which are based on hype.

I currently take a multivitamin, vitamin D, fish oil, and B12. A pretty good start!

Which supplements do you take?