Monday, December 28, 2009

Daily Wear: "Winter" Months

Thank goodness it hasn't gotten too cold around here.. yet.. (not compared to what I see S$ wear in NYC, oh boy).. but you still can't be running around in a sundress and a cardigan (I did get yelled at for that one when S$ saw me doing that mess in November. whoops.)

So here's what I got for the few days that I documented in November/early December:
Jacket: JCrew
Skirt: JCrew
Tights: H&M

Dress: Vintage
Belt: Vintage
Shoes: Reaction by Kenneth Cole
(footless tights would've been worn, but the weather was just a cool 50s.)

Poor and Hungry.

This probably describes the majority of my friends at this stage in our lives. We want to eat healthy, we're broke, and we're always starving. Us in a nutshell when it comes to nourishment.

Earlier in the year, when it came to the days when I could barely afford to feed my dog, I'd stick to the basics. (I tend to be a little bourgeois when it comes to Coop -- Iam's organic is the way to go, even though my dad insists the Sam's Club (Costco, same thing) "Old Yeller" food is just fine. This coming from the man who used to buy his jeans at Sam's Club.. err.)

PB&J. Chef Boyardee. Cereal. Those were staples of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meals of a 10-year-old. Since the habits I get now are the majority of the ones I will keep for the rest of my life, I need to start eating like a grown-up. Even though I'm living off a research tech's paycheck (poor, thanks Duke).

Here's something even the hippies like S$ can try (no microwaving!):

Experiment: Turkey Tacos

These are a snap, and the majority of it you can buy in larger quantities and keep in the fridge. On my way home from work, I swung by Whole Foods and picked up some ground turkey (cheap!). Dark meat is more flavorful, but the white meat is a little leaner. It's all pretty lean to begin with, so I splurged on calories. If you're making a lot to eat as leftovers, try half dark and half white.

Then pick up the avocados and use them the SAME day. Here's my mistake below. I was so stoked for fresh guacamole, and then saw this: Gross. They rot so fast.

And onto the good stuff:
About 10 minutes before you begin, set the oven to warm and put some tortillas between 2 oven safe plates. This way, they'll warm without drying out. If they're stiff (as sometimes the whole foods ones are), add a sprinkle of water.

Brown the turkey, add some taco seasoning from the packet (99 cents -- and you don't have to use it all), and remove any of the grease from it once you're done.

Then, since I found out I love corn (I wasn't much of a veggie eater as a kid), I added a few handfuls of the frozen Trader Joe's roasted corn to the mix. Let that warm up, and then we're all done!

Assemble as you wish -- cheese, salsa, beans? Delicious. Easy. Cheap. Check to all.


And a good wine pairing:


What's the difference between a pink wine and a rose? Pink is a combo of red and white wines. Rose is a result of the process -- they keep the skins on the grapes (done in red wines) for only part of the wine making process, then they remove them in later steps (done in the beginning for white wines typically) producing the pink color. Who knew? (via the lesson I learned at whole foods.)

Back at it.

It appears I may have fallen back from everything for the past few weeks -- this blog, cleaning/organizing my apartment, emails, work -- however, I'm back.

For at least a few days. It's been a whirlwind, and I apologize for the back posting, but I should have finished and queued these up before I left for the holidays.

and since I'm the only one really here at work until Wednesday (slackers) I'll be updating my blog ad nauseum. get pummpppeddd.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Gift Giving!

I love this time of year -- I get to spend some time with my friends and family, drink hot toddies (egg nog just isn't my thing), and have an excuse to do mass amounts of baking.

This year, however, I'm going to be traveling (to Mexico!) with my Dad, Becky, and brother Andy right up until just before Christmas. Last year, I spent the week prior to Christmas baking, wrapping, and doing last minute shopping, but I won't have that luxury this time around.

One great buy/make way ahead of time, and still give a great gift?

Preserves/Jams/Jellies
[via Mirasol Farms]
If you have canning experience (which I do not), this would be the perfect way to put some leftover fruit to great use. Check the farmer's market or local grocers for some preserves made from locally grown fruit. Etsy is also carrying some delicious looking homemade treats as well. The prices are great, and I know I would be thrilled to find these in my stocking. These are made to keep well, and can be made well in advance of when you're giving your gifts.

Wanna try canning for yourself? (I know I do -- but I am a little nervous about it!) The blog Food in Jars is absolutely perfect for canning tips/tricks (make sure to seal it correctly so that your food isn't contaminated by botulism), and some great gift giving ideas as well.

Etsy is jam-packed (pun intended?) with all kinds of farmers and canners who are selling delicious, and inexpensive treats! I just got my first order in last week from one seller, and I almost don't want to give it away.. err..

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Photographer Obsession: Flickr Finds



[*Cinnamon]


[AbbyTrysAgain]

Monday, December 7, 2009

Big Boss.

One thing I'm sure to miss from the Triangle -- local beer. One of my favs is from Big Boss Brewery, Helle's Belles. And they've got a great design team.

I'm going to have to take a couple six packs down with me to NoLa when I move.

Wall Decor I Love

Now that I'm moving in about 6 months (!) I'm starting to think of what I want in a new home. Ideally, I want to pick a place I'm going to live in for the whole 4 years -- which would be the longest place I've ever lived in since I was 15. I'm really looking forward to painting the walls -- something I never did before b/c I didn't want to have to repaint it 11 months later -- and really moving in and making it home.

I wish I could have done that with apartments past, but once I know it's very temporary, I stop decorating and focus on the move. My current apartment is all unpacked, but barely decorated -- I've just lost motivation on getting it together since I'm out the door in a few months.

So, in the effort to living like an adult, and making the big move, I found some cute (and most is diy!) wall decor I would love to utilize in my new place. I love all the possibilities of having a new place!
[Living with Lindsay]
[Apartment Therapy]

[Apartment Therapy]

[Ravenhill]
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