Essentials

I've always loved reading those articles in magazines and on blogs where you get a peek into someone's purse, or a smattering of the things they "just can't live without."  The people who do this are usually celebrities, and when I read these, I think to myself how much I would like to talk about my favorite products (weird, I know).  Well, I'll never get a chance to do one of those features (as far as I can tell), so I'll do one here.

1.  Iced Latte made with my Tassimo brewer.  My day literally cannot begin without one.

2.  Lululemon Braided Headband.  Restrains the mane while I crush miles.

3.  MacBook Air.  I'm fascinated by Apple and passionately love every product, software update, and accessory they contribute to this world.  I am weak and have mild scoliosis so I decided to get this over the 40-pound Pro.  It's lightning fast and I.  Love.  It.

4.  Kate Spade Organizer.  This was a graduation gift from Tassie.  I'm a thorough list-maker and enjoy the physicality of things on paper.  I'm more likely to remember my to-do's if they're written in ink.

5.  Mistral Provence Wild Blackberry Soap from Anthropologie.  Holy sweet smelling soap.  This will be the only thing in my shower for the rest of time.

6.  Always on my body: the heart necklace I got for my 21st birthday and my ring (Dad's birthstone bordered in mine, the diamond - obvi).  My dad got me the ring when we were in the Bahamas over Christmas and a few weeks ago he looks down at it and exclaims, "Where did you get that??!?!" ... Um, you bought it for me?

And now that this is looking like an excerpt from Stuff White People Like, I will sign off.

Home sweet home in Waco with a forecast of rain... grr.. even though the heat is excessive and never-ending, I saw enough gray skies in Ohio to last me a lifetime.

- CAR -

Busy week

Tonight I'm in a listing mood:

1. I have exactly two weeks left of my internship.  On Monday at the huddle meeting, they showed a newly completed D Brand video and who do I see in one of the flashing scenes but ME at a Dallas volunteer event I did with D in June.   

1. After the last intern breakfast at 8am Thursday August 11, I am going straight to the airport to fly to DC to visit Ned for a few days, then take a train to NYC to acclimate myself with the city and find a place to live.
2. Today I babysat some active kiddos at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine - 25 miles away = 60+ minute drive in Dallas traffic.  Exhausted.
3. Tomorrow I'm going back to the waterpark extravaganza and then driving home to hang out with my mom for a night then watch the doggies while they go to Austin to meet Drew's roommate's parents.
4. My mom has been faithfully sporting the bracelet I made her, which has apparently attracted enough attention from her friends to make them want to buy some from me.  So I'm ordering supplies online and getting back to the beading board in the next few weeks!
5. Visited Tassie in Fort Worth last night and did our usual dinner at Joe T. Garcia's.  It was just so hot I lost more fluid than I drank and I didn't even get into the marg pitcher.  Does she really have her own home?  I had to help her with the dishwasher last night...

1. I'm going to Foot Locker Run Club's first meeting on Monday to start their 10K plan.  I joined the Dallas chapter but I'm hoping I can transfer it to NYC once I'm settled.  4 miles in 105 degrees?  Sounds good, just need a portable water bottle (or IV).

So, trying to fill my hours with leisurely activities in this last month of carefree unemployment!  I'll leave with this picture that makes me laugh hysterically (found in a recent issue of People I was reading this afternoon).  

Suryia and Roscoe - the best of friends.

- CAR -

Farmers' Market Dinner

I realize that this is my third post in a row about farmers' markets.  It will be the last one for a while I promise.  Last night, I used the produce mentioned in my last post to make a delicious, fresh, vegetarian dinner.

Smooth Tomato Gazpacho

This recipe is from the August issue of Martha Stewart Living.  My food processor doesn't have a "puree" setting so my soup, while good on its own, was even better as a sauce for the fritters.  As with all recipes I use, I altered it a bit from the original recipe.

2 pounds cherry tomatoes, halved and cored

1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped

1/2 onion, coarsely chopped

1 small garlic clove

2 ounces blanched almonds, toasted

1/3 cup water

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Splash of balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper

• Puree (or grind) tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic, and almonds, water, vinegar, oil, and 2 1/4 teaspoons of salt in a blender until smooth; season with pepper.
• Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes (the flavor is so much better after it sits in the fridge for a while).  Drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper just before serving.

Zucchini Fritters

This is another Martha recipe.  I used yellow summer squash instead of zucchini.

2 medium yellow summer squash

1 medium onion

1/2 cup grated pecorino Romano cheese

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (recipe called for parsley)

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying

• Grate squash on the large holes of a box grater (I roughly chopped them and put them in the food processor for about 4 pulses).  Place squash in a paper towel and squeeze dry.  Repeat with onion.
• Mix together squash, onion, cheese, flour, and herbs.  Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Stir in eggs just before frying.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat.  Working in batches, coat skillet with 1 to 2 tablespoons oil.  Scoop mounds (2 tablespoons each) of the squash mixture into skillet; flatten slightly using a spatula.  Cook until golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Transfer fritters to paper-towel-lined plates to drain.

The recipe suggests serving these with plain yogurt and apricot jam, which I thought was too brunch-y for dinner, but sounds yummy.

Roasted Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Lime Butter

This one is from Food Network.  The farmers' market corn was absolutely incredible but oh how I wish we had a grill.

2 ears of corn, shucked

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves

1 lime, zested and juiced (or, if you have to shop at Kroger in Dallas, TX, 2 Tablespoons of bottled lime juice - don't they grow limes in Texas?)

2 teaspoons salt

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix butter, cilantro leaves, lime, and salt in a small bowl.
• Coat each ear of corn in the cilantro lime butter and wrap in foil.
• Roast until hot and steaming, about 30 minutes.

I've made Martha's homemade bread recipe and found that all of her recipes have a similar theme: they are labor-intensive (relative to most things I make) but very delicious!

- CAR -

Fresh produce

I love farmers' markets.  Actually, I love the Granville Farmers Market.  It has literally everything from ghost peppers and Japanese eggplant to fresh bread, jams, flowers, herbs, apples, cakes, pies, chocolates, crafts - everything.  I was looking for a good picture of it but I don't have one, so I was led to the "Village of Granville, Ohio" website.  Looked through all 63 photos and got sad that I won't be going back there in the fall.

I've been craving a blueberry bagel with plain cream cheese from Village and a scoop of Whit's vanilla with raspberry and chocolate syrup...or if Espresso Chip is the flavor of the week, two scoops of that, or Black Raspberry Chip...clearly I'm hungry and nostalgic.

The Dallas farmers market in West Village is not quite at the Granville level, but I feel better buying things in season that have been freshly picked.  

Someone was still in her outfit from last night at 1:30pm....

Cherry tomatoes, zucchini, corn on the cob.... Yum.

- CAR -

Farmers' Market Frittata

Farmers' Market Frittata

• In a medium pan, sauté chopped onion with minced garlic and olive oil over medium heat.  After 5 minutes, add asparagus and halved cherry tomatoes.  After another 5 minutes, add spinach.  Season with salt and pepper and stir until everything is tender.
• Arrange the vegetables in a layer on the bottom of the pan.  Preheat the oven's boiler.
• In a small bowl, whisk 5 eggs with a splash of milk.  Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.  Cook for about 7 minutes, or until the top is almost set.
• Place pan in boiler for 2 minutes.  Sprinkle 3/4 cup shredded cheese (I used a Mexican blend and goat crumbles) over the top and replace pan in broiler until cheese is bubbly and the top of the frittata is golden brown.
• Cool for 10 minutes, cut into slices and serve with Texas Texas Fire Roasted Serrano salsa.

- CAR -

Final sales are in the air

I braved NorthPark this afternoon to attempt to start my new work wardrobe.  It was a futile attempt until I was about to leave and decided to putz into GAP of all places... and I emerged with armfuls of perfect professional basics (plus a swimsuit) and only spent $100.

After that rewarding but long shopping experience, I came home and cooked an actual dinner for the first time in weeks.  I adapted this recipe from Food and Wine (the picture doesn't do it justice, although it isn't a "gorgeous" dish).

Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Butter

• Season asparagus and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Roast vegetables in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.
• Simmer 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar in a small pan for 15-ish minutes, or until reduced.  Add 2 teaspoons of honey and pepper to taste.
• Boil pasta for 13 minutes.  Drain, then add roasted asparagus and tomatoes, balsamic reduction, 1/4 cup of butter, 1/4 cup goat cheese, and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella.  Stir until blended and creamy.
• Serve over a bed of fresh spinach.

The balsamic butter was like a rich dressing and went well with the fresh spinach.  The recipe got mixed reviews on the website, but M and I loved it.

I want to go to the farmers market in West Village on Saturday and get some in-season, farm fresh produce.

And then I want to make the Blackberry Frozen Yogurt pops I pinned today from Wit & Whistle.  Last weekend was for crafting, this one is for cooking.

- CAR -

A weekend at home

Yesterday was a relaxing summer Sunday at home in Waco.  I got up early and went for a 15 mile bike ride.  Stopped for a water break to enjoy this lovely view.

Then I hopped in the pool for a swim and to float and soak up some sun.  Every time I come home, something is different, or renovated, or re-decorated, etc.  This time it was the backyard.  We got a new grill, new stone on the outdoor kitchen counter, new tile border, new landscaping, new fence and new/more umbrellas.  

I don't think there are backyards like this in New York.

My mom's birthday was a success.  We wandered around the farm in the morning and bought some soaps, pasta, bread, honey, and granola.  I may take one of their knitting classes at the end of August.  I spent the rest of the afternoon getting a pedicure with my mom...

Summer and neon just seem so right for each other.  Then I took a few hours to make my mom a wrap bracelet.  I think it turned out pretty well - an upgrade from my $10 10-minute one I made last week.

Then a FEAST at 1424.  Lots to do this week, including beginning to figure out where I'm going to live.    The countdown begins... here's to making my last summer LAST.

- CAR -

I'm going to be a New....

Yorker!  A year ago, I never thought I would be excited about moving to Manhattan.  A year makes all the difference in the world, evidently.  Now, my Denison friends are there, I'm young, it's a city that has everything.  Now is the time for me to move to New York and I can't believe I'm going to be a city girl.  Applying to jobs and not even getting a confirmation e-mail that your resume has been received is so frustrating.  BUT, the feeling of getting a job offer that you're truly excited about makes the wait and the stress and the over-analyzing completely worthwhile.  This opportunity is beyond what I expected and better than what I thought I wanted.  Things really do work out for the best.

Is this really what I will call my city in just under two months?  A later post will be all about things I will miss about Texas.  Warning: the list will be long.  (Note that I said Texas, not Waco.  I'll miss Dallas more than Waco, excluding my home, family and doggies, of course).

I suppose it's time to go apartment shopping - for the actual apartment as well as furnishings because after four years of dorm living, I have very few belongings of my own.  I am going to have a heyday decorating.

I've been playing around with the unused camera.  It's a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, and it's a powerful piece of machinery.  After skimming the various user manuals and tip booklets, I did some shooting around my room but it's nighttime and there wasn't a lot to capture.  I like this close-up of an old champagne bottle that I use as a flower vase:

Tomorrow will be a busy day filled with Beshy-approved activities.  We're getting off to an early start with an 8am breakfast at Homestead Heritage, a self-sustaining farm here in Waco.  My mom is also loving the leather and pearl wrap bracelet I made earlier this week, so we may go to the craft store to get supplies to make more bracelets.  Then, dinner out.  I hope a cake is in the forecast but I haven't made one and that isn't really my dad's department... Needless to say, tomorrow will be a prime opportunity for photography experiments with the new camera.

Feeling lucky to have a day of great news to share with family and friends.

- CAR -

Pinterest Obsession

Last night a wonderful thing happened.  I received my e-mail invite to join Pinterest, a website that allows you to collect your favorite things from around the web and "pin" them to various "boards," organized by categories you choose yourself.  Have I ever been busy...

Simply perfect.  I love neutral white main pieces with vibrantly colored accents and accessories.

Currently obsessed with grey/citrus combination in a bedroom.  HGTV Design Star season 5 winner Emily Henderson designed this cozy nook bed.

Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Butter - what a fresh and healthy dinner from Food and Wine!

I found the perfect dessert to complete that meal...

Chocolate Chip Cookie n' Oreo Knock Your Socks Off Brownie Bars recipe from Betcha Can't Eat Just One will soon be made in my kitchen.  I won't even try to eat just one, thank you.

- CAR -

Evening craft: Wrap Bracelet

I've loved these Chan Luu bracelets since I first saw one but couldn't rationalize paying $200 for it (#UnpaidInternProblems).  They're perfect because they go with literally everything and can be worn as an everyday bracelet but there's something about the combination of the leather and the pearls... that made me think "I can make this."

Here's what the real deal looks like:

And here's my version that I made for around $10:

Much more conducive to an unpaid intern's budget.  Plus, I could make it a custom length to fit my very narrow wrist perfectly.  It's not bad for a first attempt but I think I can get closer to real Chan.

Sometimes the iPhone takes great pictures, but in inclement lighting it's awful.  My dad has this professional photographer-quality camera sitting at our house collecting dust in the coat closet so this weekend I plan to go home, read the user manual and learn how to take good pictures.  High hopes.

- CAR -

Productivity

I had three interviews today.  I was the interviewer in two which were for my work assignment and the third was my second round job interview.  I was so pleased with the way they all went - especially the third - and tomorrow will undoubtedly bring even more productivity.

Several of my friends from high school have gotten engaged and married within the past few months (terrifying!) which has made me aware of wedding things such as registries, place settings, and these beautiful gowns...

They're all made by the same designer - Watters?  Not that these are relevant to my life at any point in the near future.  I have other life milestones to figure out first.

I love summer bracelets, like forearms full of them, and I think I may try to craft these Wrap Bracelets this weekend when I go home to celebrate my mom's birthday.

A trip to Hobby Lobby is in store!

- CAR -

Feeling hot, hot, hot

- CAR -

Monday inspiration

First of all, I got a very exciting e-mail this morning as I was getting ready for work.  I'm doing a second round interview at my dream company this week!  Not getting too ahead of myself but I am oh-so proud of myself!

I have seen Pinterest mentioned on some of my favorite blogs over the past several days.  Just submitted my e-mail address so hopefully I will get an invite soon.  It's a website (and app) where you can create different "boards" and pin project ideas, inspiration, cool things you want to try, etc.  It has also led me to these creative wonders:

Cable and Cotton string lights can be bought with pre-selected colors or you can design your own strand.  I would pay any amount to ship these beauties across the pond.

I've seen this idea re-appearing on various inspiration blogs I regularly check.  Ahh chalkboard paint.  It could also be fun on wine glasses, recycling crates (paper, plastic, glass), terra cotta pots, mason jars in the bathroom....

I absolutely love scrapbook paper art.  Easy, cheap, customizable, pretty... this look was created by decoupaging paper to canvas.  I assume they just painted the edges a coordinating color but I would try gluing ribbon, moulding or even twigs to frame the canvas.

An adorable gift or birthday party favor for kids!

Happy Monday!

- CAR -

Fresh summer dinner

Made this recipe from Real Simple's blog, Simply Stated, for dinner tonight.

Quick Summer Pasta

I substituted yellow summer squash for the zucchini and shredded mozzarella for the parm.  I also added minced garlic, halved cherry tomatoes and a splash of dry white wine during cooking.  It's a winner!

- CAR -

Worst pickup lines ever

Heard last night in Uptown:

3.  "Oh my God are you ok?  Your arm..."  Apparently, I was standing in such a way that it appeared my arm was broken and in a sling.  No, I was actually just clutching my beer close to my person and standing in an off-putting way to deter you.  And yes, I'm fine.

2. "Are you a maniac?"  This wasn't even followed with a traditional pickup remark like, "Cause you're driving me crazy!"  A guy actually came up to M, who was howling like a hyena with laughter, and asked if she was a maniac.  With a start like that, at least the conversation can only go uphill from there.

1.  "I have a friend that wants to know, have you ever tasted shit?"  Turns out "shit" is a shot they wanted to buy for us.  One that we never tried because I'm pretty sure I screamed and tried to run away.

Before becoming victims to offensive and moronic pickup lines, M and I had the greatest dinner at Campania.

One word: BYOB.  We split a pizza; half carnivore (prosciutto, arugula, tomatoes and mozz), half herbivore (mountain of veggies).  Delicious start to what was a strange but spontaneous and fun night.

Just found this picture I took in Cabo with my PHONE with the Camera+ app.

Bonita.

- CAR -

Good morning

Thought I'd do something healthy for my body this Saturday morning so I made Crunchy Oatmeal with Blueberries and Bananas.  Just whipped up some oats, mixed frozen organic blueberries in at the end of cooking then added sliced banana and this new cereal I found at Kroger the other day - Uncle Sam cereal.  It's made with whole wheat oats and flaxseed so there's lots of protein and fiber.  I didn't even sweeten it which is a big deal for me.


Yesterday, after doing some work from home, I thought I would go to the HP library and then lay out at the pool.  I got to the beautiful library...

...found my books and tried to open up a card when I was checking them out.  Well, it seems like they've amped up "security" in HP public places because, long story short, I wasn't allowed to open a card with the electric bill I brought that is in the name of the girl we're subleasing from.  OK, I get that.  Made a note to next time bring a copy of our sublease with the real renter of our place.  Then I got an invite to go to another pool so I got over the library fiasco pretty quickly.

When M and I were working at the kitchen table yesterday we noticed that our arms are looking pretty identical these days (besides the tan)

Same ring, hairband, rubber bracelets (hers were a gift from moi!  Paper Source sells these Made With Love bracelets singly for 95 cents each).  It's like when couples have been dating a while and start to look alike.

Last night did not go as planned - no Ghost Bar even though we heard from an insider that Rihanna and Cee Lo Green would be there.  If only we could have pooled $800 to reserve a booth and get bottle service.  It was a night of firsts for me - first saki bomb and 5-Hour Energy!  Hence, the oatmeal.

- CAR -

Love this idea

I was doing some research for work today and I came across this wonderful idea from Shutterfly: A customized Recipe Photo Book

I want to do this for my dad, the chef, for his birthday.

- CAR -

Poor Viv

Gigantic venomous spiders form nightly resting spots on her roof, she roasts in a parking lot in 108 degree heat all day, and in that parking lot, other obnoxious and monstrous vehicles back into her poor little rump and give her volleyball-size dents.  It wasn't easy living up in Ohio where hooligans smashed out her back windshield during a blizzard and she sat abandoned in the Sunset lot for months over breaks but now this?  Maybe I just have really bad luck with this poor car... WHICH I saw a commercial for for the first time ever last night!  In searching for the right Venza commercial, I stumbled across a couple other ads I had never seen before... all of which market the car to a 30-something trendy black male.  I'll leave it at that.

After a much needed lengthy jaunt on the dreadmill, I came back to the rare full refrigerator because M and I went to Kroger last night.  I made a delicious Greek Veggie Wrap that I now wish I had taken a picture of.  Next time.  If you'd like to try it for your next Meatless Monday, here's what I did:

• Sautee chopped red onion, garlic, halved cherry tomatoes and zucchini with olive oil, white wine and herbs de provence.  After they were mostly cooked, I sprinkled some balsamic vinegar (my favorite condiment) over the veggies to let them soak it up
• Cook quinoa
• Mix cooked veggies and some raw sliced bell peppers into the quinoa
• Spread quinoa-veggie mix onto a tortilla with sliced cheese (feta or goat cheese would have been good, too)
• Spoon some tzatziki over the top, then wrap and scarf!

Ok so I linked tzatziki to a Real Simple recipe but I used the store-bought kind.  But the sauce is so easy I don't know why I haven't made it myself yet.  Meanwhile, M wrestled with what looked like an 8 pound bloody block of New York Strip and made beef fajitas.  Ehh...

Now for a quiet night of enjoying my last few days of my Netflix free trial.  Whatever shall I watch?  

- CAR -

Books glorious books

Long ago, I eagerly began a blog of book reviews on Tumblr.  It started strong (when I was home from college for winter break) but began to fizzle when the thought of reviewing Benito Cereno and Beowulf became unappealing - imagine that!  I am an avid devourer of books and although I'm immersed in the publishing world and fully recognize that written content is in the midst of a mass migration into digital space, I simply love printed pages.  I may be the only person under 60 who regularly visits a local library (haven't joined the Highland Park branch yet because I have received many books on loan so far this summer!).

The first thing I did when I got home from school though was traipse into the Waco library that has been newly renovated and rent two books for my week off and my Cabo vacation.

I read Yann Martel's Beatrice and Virgil (he also wrote Life of Pi, which is a fascinating read as well).  Finished B&V in a day.  It was really different from what I normally read, I typically pick strong female heroines, first person, realism, set in mid-century America, and this was kind of like that but the end was so creepy and you feel that ending creeping up and then out it comes - yikes!  It's a thriller.  Worth a quick read on the beach.

Then I dove headfirst into The Gravedigger's Daughter, by an author I had always heard of but never read, Joyce Carol Oates.  I had no idea when I was checking out my books that both had Holocaust themes but it was strange that two completely different novels by different authors set in different eras involved that.

I loved this book.  It was a coming-of-age novel that was depressing but hopeful by the end.  Also, this novel had the best ending I've read in a while.  Can't wait to read more Joyce.

In the airport bookstore, I convinced my mom to buy Emma Donoghue's novel Room.  Because I really wanted to read it.  I read essentially the entire book while I was on my flight from Dallas to New York on Friday, talk about a thriller!  I was totally enthralled and the four hours flew by.  It's been on the New York Times Best Sellers list for a while now.

I had stolen The Lovely Bones from Doyce but stopped reading it for circumstantial reasons.  I need a cheerful book. 

The rest of my summer reading list looks like this:

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.  Definitely not cheerful but all of my favorite books are slightly depressing (like my #1 White Oleander by Janet Fitch)

Also, Ishmael and Breaking Her Fall were recommended by a friend.  The HP "public" pool beckons - I call it the peasant pool because all of my fabulous Highland Park neighbors go to the pool at their club.

Speaking of the pool, sun, and lounging, I'm wishing I was here right now...

My family relaxing in the pool at beautiful Playa Grande, don't we look cute.

Fabulous place to unwind with a thick library hardcover.

- CAR -