5.31.2010

my weekend, in details

Pita Nachos...yummm.
Jack Carter Pool
Oatmeal Pancake!
Lumi Empanada & Dumpling Kitchen

Though I thoroughly enjoyed this long weekend, I couldn't help but feel that this was all too bittersweet. It was my last full weekend with A. here in grand ol' TX -- how did 5 months fly by so fast?! It boggles my mind. I'm trying to put these feelings aside and just enjoy this last week with my man as well as the final days at my internship.

Oh yeah, the weekend: pita chip nachos, Sunday afternoon at the pool (we couldn't get enough of that epic slide), oatmeal pancakes (any takers on the recipe?), date night at Lumi, packing (sucks, to be honest), designing my portfolio website (SO STOKED), and plenty of movie watching (Inglorious Bastards, Sherlock Holmes, Fantastic Mr. Fox). All in all, wonderful.

Enjoy Day 3 of your long weekend! xoxo



More Austin recap editions coming soon... 

5.28.2010

austin: movement

Our days in Austin were spent on the move - I'm not sure when I'll be back (in the near future), so ample exploring was chief. I love how incredible easy it is to pack up your swimsuit and set out on an impromptu kayaking adventure. Followed by a necessary game of soccer. And it barely cost us a dime. Life is good.

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[barton springs pool | lady bird lake | zilker park]

5.26.2010

austin: the food

Austin, once again, wowed us. I couldn't have asked for a more fun-filled trip, hence the need to break this recap up into multiple chapters. I'm starting off with food, since, well, food is usually our #1 priority when on vacation. And why wouldn't it be? :) Austin is such a foodie city, not in a fancy shmancy way, but in an honest, natural, down-to-earth way. Everywhere I looked stood a comfy cafe, mobile food trailer, authentic [insert country here] restaurant, or a hip coffee joint. Basically, everything was right in my world.

austin java
tropical vibrance
triumph cafe
kenichi sushi
sweet potato roll

+ brunch at Austin Java
+ to-die-for smoothies from Daily Juice (you must go here)
+ tofu vermicelli and spring rolls at Triumph Cafe
+ Kenichi (off 5th st.)
+ sweet potato roll from Kenichi

not pictured
+ beet and roasted chickpea salad and grapefruit juice from Woodland
+ latte and breakfast biscuit from Progress Cafe
+ dine-in salad bar and kombucha at Whole Foods (the master of all WFs)

5.21.2010

full steam ahead >> weekend

Polaroids
[ polaroids | austin | 03.10 ]

Happy Friday, lovelies. :)

I'm on my 3rd day back in Floral (woohoo!), which means I'm exhausted and so ready for the weekend. They don't mess around - the warehouse is go, go, go all the time. It's a love/hate relationship. But more love.

I wish I could show you pictures of some arrangements I was assigned/made, but for privacy reasons that I totally get, it's a no-no. Such is life. Just imagine lots of magenta orchids for one and yellow roses for another. Now add billy balls (gotta love that name...) to those roses. Pretty, right?

Tonight I planned a secret dinner party for A.'s parents as a huge Thank You for being so darn great. It's not often that your son's girlfriend comes to stay - for 6 MONTHS. So, I'm preparing a Greek feast complete with homemade pita chips, pea and mint soup, and pretty napkins. Not to worry, pictures to follow. :)

To top things off, we're road tripping to Austin this weekend, which makes me a very happy girl; most definitely the best remedy for my restless mind. Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

5.19.2010

re: time


There really aren't enough hours in a day. Or days in a week. Or even weeks in a month. Now is the time that I wish May had 60 days in it rather than 30. Anyone with me on that one?

I have less than 3 weeks left here in Dallas, which makes me seriously anxious. That means 18 days to sort through this apartment, pack a meager 2 suitcases (yes, everything has to fit those 2), wrap up work/school evaluations, paperwork, etc., and say goodbye to BF. Don't even get me started there.

I'm going to try my darnedest to keep it all together, but being that I'm a girl, I won't make any promises. Oh new beginnings, why so complicated? Wish me luck. :)

wants and needs


Items I desperately NEED:

ruffle tank
woven sandal
tier sandal
crossed tote

5.17.2010

my weekend, in details


Boy, oh, boy things have been pretty busy around here. Well, busy but not busy. A good busy...you get me? Anyway..........

Fun times this weekend included an impromptu concert at The Loft downtown where we didn't actually stay for the lead band (Petree, anyone?) because the openers totally satisfied our craving for live rock music. Ok, and we were tired of waiting. :)

Saturday, I worked another wedding! Even minor celebs were in attendance. (queue the ooohs and ahhhhs...totally JK.) It was so much fun and went super smoothly. Definitely a very positive experience for me.

Oh, and can't forget some out-of-this-world pesto pasta. But really, anything pesto touches is gold, am I right?

5.12.2010

building my portfolio

If you cant tell already, I love design. Growing up, I was always redesigning and rearranging my room, going to sewing classes, asking my mom how to knit, filling my sketchbook with scribbles, and I even started my own jewelry and belt businesses (I guess it makes sense that I'm a business major...). Plus, I'll admit I watched way too much HGTV as a teenager. :)

Mock | Beach Bash

I didn't really pick up graphic design until college, and since then it's really only been a hobby.  Taking it on as a career path hadn't popped into my head until recently because I looked at it as just that - a hobby. However, after a few internships worth of little design projects, I can't say it's out of the question.

Sex And The City Soiree

In fact, a flier job fell into my lap about a month ago, which amused me to no end. Me? Design your company flier? Are you sure? I mean, I'd love to and all...ok, ok, ok. Yes, I'll do it! I was flattered, to say the least. And super excited to get all my ideas out onto paper (err, screen). In the end, the client loved it, and my self-esteem as a designer bumped up a little notch. Though, I have a LONG way to go...

Fit City Training

As of now, I have no expectations. I'm just glad I get to do things I love, and this is one of them. Enjoy a few snippets from my portfolio. :) I can't wait to add more.

5.10.2010

my weekend, in details

goji berries
pretty napkins
a new friend
veggie dinners

I had such a wonderful weekend! The best word we came up with to describe our days is efficient, from big (packing lots of fun things into each day) to small (cooking lots at once without making a huge mess).

A. and I met up with a few new friends on Friday night to see an improv show, had dinner with A.'s parents (homemade quiche...drool), bought supplies for an upcoming secret dinner party (see aloe vera plant & napkins above - from World Market - love that place), ate lots of veggies, bought a new french press, bought and soon-to-be-planted begonias for A.'s mom, and baked 2 (unsuccessful whole wheat) baguettes, another batch of those oatmeal raisin cookies*, and trail mix cookies**. Oh and of course one morning of spinach & egg pancakes. :)

Off to plant begonias! Have a wonderful Monday!






* i used half the sugar and 3/4 the butter (1/2 cup and 3/4 stick). they tasted great on the first day but definitely lost some crunch by the second day, likely because of the decrease in butter. still a worthy substitution in my book!
**recipe coming soon!

5.09.2010

a mixtape for my best friend :)


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!!!
You really are the best Mom ever. I love you so much!
♥ HUGS ♥








Everyone else, have a listen! A collection of songs I can't stop playing...

5.07.2010

sweet, sweet color

Like velvet
Creams
Yellows
Yellows
Pinks
[a continuation of snapshots from my stroll the other week.]

P.S. I know this is totally late, but THANK YOU all for your sweet responses to my post the other day. It's so lovely how such simple acts of kindness can touch everyone else, too! Sharing the love makes it that much more powerful.

5.06.2010

what made today great | 05.06.10

  1. a strong 10 mile bike ride
  2. the weather being hot but not too hot
  3. a slight tan
  4. picking rosemary from A.'s mom's garden
  5. date night at a new-to-us italian restaurant

inspired by films: a single man



What I noticed most: the strong contrast of colors throughout the film. His life subtle and neutral; hers masked by vivid color. Despite the somber backdrop, I was really inspired by the beauty of both the story and the brilliant sense of fashion sewn into every scene. Mr. Tom Ford didn't miss a beat.

5.05.2010

INCREDIBLE oatmeal raisin cookies


Oats have to be one of my favorite foods in the world. Though, I'll admit, I have many favorite foods. Dark chocolate, broccoli, butternut squash, tomatoes, mushrooms, apples, bananas, dates, spinach, zucchini, greek yogurt, almonds...ok, ok, back to the subject. :)

Cookies, in progress


I honestly think oats have the restorative powers to flush just about anything bad out of the body, which is why I've eaten them for breakfast almost every day for the last 4 years. And no, not just because they're healthy, because they're delicious. I also eat them in my favorite granola, on top of yogurt, blended into smoothies, baked into energy bars, and as seen here, in the form of yummy oatmeal cookies. 

Cookies, in progress
Cookies, in progress

Using milk + honey cafe's oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe as the base, A. and I whipped up the best batch of oatmeal raisin cookies that has ever graced our palates. I'm surely not going to take all the credit on this one, since it was miss sarah the baker yoon who  tipped the recipe; however, I did health-it-up a bit...less sugar and the substitution of whole wheat flour. You might even use less butter - let me know if anyone tries that! I'll probably test it out on my second batch. Because there will be a second batch... :)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies


OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES
makes about 24 cookies

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 stick unsalted butter
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup seedless raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and rolled oats.
3. In another bowl, mix together the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until no clumps remain.
5. Mix in raisins.
6. Scoop dough by tablespoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart.
7. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

Note: You may need to flatten the dough balls before putting the batch into the oven. Ours didn't expand much, so we took a fork to them halfway through the first batch.

The. Best. Ever.

5.04.2010

tomatoy quinoa bowl

tomatoy quinoa bowl

Including adequate (vegetarian) protein sources is very important when I'm conjuring up plans for dinner. In that case, quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse! Not only does it contain 6g protein and 3g fiber per 1/4 cup (uncooked), it is high in omega 3 fatty acids, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and lysine. I. love. amazing. foods.

Here's what was on the menu last night: quinoa, zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes. So simple it probably doesn't really need a recipe page, but I loved it so much (and it kept me full!) that I'm going to give it one. I realize this recipe is very self-explanatory; I kind of feel silly writing it, haha. But here it goes!


Tomatoy Quinoa Bowl

3/4 cup cooked quinoa
1/2T olive oil
1 small zucchini
3 cremini mushrooms
5 cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup your favorite tomato sauce
1 tsp sesame seeds

Cook quinoa according to label - usually 1.5 cups boiling water to 1 cup quinoa. While quinoa is cooking, slice mushrooms and zucchini into medallions. Slice grape tomatoes in half. Heat 1/2T olive oil over the stove in a small pan. Cook all veggies until tender. Pour heated tomato sauce on veggies, and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Devour.

Serves one.


P.S. I just realized I hit 100 followers! It's so flattering! Thank you, thank you ALL so much for continuing to read. This is just too much fun. :)

caught my eye

caught my eye

5.03.2010

my weekend, in details

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Color of Spring
Rough Creek Lodge

My wedding experience this weekend was G R E A T. I loved being able to see a wedding from conception to execution. The reception space was bare when we got there, but it was soon (or rather 9 hours later...) transformed into a gorgeous flower-filled, party-ready dining room. I didn't actually get to see the ceremony location, since it was off-site, and I was in charge of herding guests into shuttles to take them over there. With a couple of glasses of wine in them, it wasn't too easy. Haha. But I worked it out. :)

It sure was a long day. I have a newfound appreciation for wedding planners; not only do they have to manage the bridal party (i.e. keep them relaxed and happy), they must direct every vendor, communicate the placement of tables/chairs/floral/etc., memorize the layout and every single detail, manage unexpected changes, and be very, very FLEXIBLE. I could list a million more things...no joke. I think that's what made it so exhilarating for me - there are so many details to pay attention to that it's kind of like a puzzle; and I like a challenge. :) I can definitely see myself doing this some day (hopefully soon).

Needless to say, I was exhausted when I got home late Saturday night. All I wanted was a shower, a glass of wine, some salad in my belly, and an episode of glee. I didn't even finish the episode because I was dozing off half way through. And when my head hit the pillow, I was...



....OUT.


P.S. The flowers above were a little reward for Friday's hard work. Brilliant colors, huh?
P.P.S. Anyone know where I can get a cute USB stick? It's on my need list and I want something fun!