Chantilly lace and a pretty face

Baby Shower and a Getaway

2012-02-04T18:41:00.000-08:00

I helped plan a baby shower for my dear Elizabeth this weekend. It was fun to get together, but I hadn't gotten much sleep in the last few days, through no fault but my own... But everything went off without a hitch! Even though it snowed about 4 inches while we were there. (No joke)

I made some mini quiche and mini cupcakes for the occasion.

We had cinnamon rolls and a yogurt parfait bar too!

Elizabeth got some great gifts! And she even has two more showers to go!

In other news... I'm headed to Sayulita Mexico on Tuesday! Check out the amazing view.

The more I read about the little coastal surfing town the more I love it!!

Fuel Up to Play for 60

2012-01-31T16:29:00.000-08:00

I love the Governor Branstad’s push for Iowa to be the healthiest state. Especially in the face of fewer recess and gym class hours for school kids.

They held a Fuel Up To Play 60 assembly at a middle school in the metro this week. I was shocked when I found out that one brave 4^th grader spoke at the assembly saying he was working to lose weight and eat healthy. I wouldn’t have dreamed of admitting to 4^th graders I was overweight when I was that age. Actually… I wouldn’t admit to 4^th graders that I am overweight TODAY! They’re mean!

If you don’t know what Fuel Up to Play 60 is, it’s a program supported by Michelle Obama that lets students decide how to make their school a healthier place. They let students come up with the ideas and challenges students to earn prizes for the work they do.

It’s a commitment to healthy eating and 60 minutes of physical activity every day…

…….wait……..

60 minutes? How many of us get 45 minutes 5 days a week and think we’re total gym rats.

This is a wake-up call to me. If we’re asking our kids to get 60 minutes of activity, why are we short changing ourselves?

Now they’re not asking these kids to do 60 minute intense cardio training for 7 days a week… that’s actually frowned upon. Our bodies need time to recover. But a recovery day or two can easily include a walk at a park, or a bike ride on some of Des Moines’ awesome trails.

Honestly, when I was just writing that, I was trying to think of things adults do to “play”. Kids fly kites, play on playgrounds, build sand castles, play in the pool, go sledding… When I was a kid, it was almost expected that I would go out every summer night and run around and play some version of tag in the dark. But now a night of “play” is ordering Chinese and watching a movie.

I challenge you (and myself) to really consider 60 minutes of “play” every day. Get outside, clean the house, heck… fly a kite! Play on a playground! Who says those things are for kids. Spend less time on Facebook and more time dancing. Spend more time chatting with your friends on the path around Gray’s lake and less time in front of the Real Housewives of wherever.

I’m ready to play. Who’s in?

http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/

Granola Bars That Taste Ah-MAZING

2012-01-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

I have made countless failed attempts at chewy granola bars. I spend a lot of money on granola bars, and I would love to know exactly what's going into them... but I could never find the right combo of ingredients I wanted to consume and taste.

I only had to pick up one ingredient for these... it was a trail mix of fruit, nuts, and chocolate chips. I call that "more bang for your buck".

One major problem... these are SO good. I could eat the whole batch.

Ingredients:

Granola cereal, 1 cup (Thanks to my mom, I had some delicious mom-made granola.)
Rolled Oats, 1 cup
Good Sense Trail Mix Caramel Nut Delite, 1 cup (or another fruit/nut mix)
Flour, white, 1/2 cup
Egg, fresh, 1 large
Brown Sugar, 3 tbsp packed
Vegetable Oil, 3 tbsp
Honey, 3 tbsp
Cinnamon, ground, 1/4 tsp

Mix the granola, rolled oats, fruit/nut mix and flour together in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix the egg, brown sugar, vegetable oil, honey and cinnamon.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and spread out into a 8x8 pan. Press the mixture down with your hands.

Bake at 325F for 25-30 minutes.

Makes 10

Nutrition Facts

Cals: 247.8

Fat: 13 g

Cholesterol: 18.5 mg

Sodium: 32.8 mg

Carbs: 28.9 g

Fiber: 2.9 g

Sugars: 13.7 g

Protein: 5.7 g

A few notes:
-I found that trail mix for pretty cheep at Dahl's, so I used it instead of buying mixed nuts and dried fruit. The nutrition facts reflect the change.
-I loosely followed a recipe from some magazine I cut out months ago... Sorry, I can't remember which mag.
-The recipe I loosely followed said this made 18 servings, but the photo made them look about as big as the ones I cut. Take that for what it is.

Shit Cyclists Say

2012-01-22T13:57:00.000-08:00

I would like to add a few:

Do you know where I can get some tacos?
I work at a shop.
I thought Iowa was flat...

Family Recipe: Blueberry Muffins

2012-01-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

We used to make these muffins all the time when I was younger, so I'll consider this a family recipe.

I only had a few blueberries that I had frozen this summer, so I got into my frozen mixed berries and literally picked out the blueberries... My friends always joke that I would go to great lengths to make something even if I didn't have the ingredients.

Don't mix these bad boys too much or you'll have flat dense muffins. Mine were perfectly fluffy and yummy.

Don't mind that there is one muffin missing... It's always a crap shoot finding the right amount of batter to fill each cup to equal exactly 12, so I just filled the cups and let them fall as they pleased. So it made 11. Get over it.

Basic Muffins

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup cooking oil

Oven 400°

In a large mixing bowl stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. make a well in the center. Combine egg, milk, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just till moistened; batter should be lumpy. Grease muffin cups or line with paper bake cups; fill 2/3 full. Bake in 400° oven for 20 to 25 minutes or till golden. Remove from pans; serve warm. Makes 10-12 muffins.

Blueberry Muffins

Prepare Basic Muffins as above, except combine 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed, and 2 tablespoons additional sugar. Carefully fold into batter.

Turkey Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

2012-01-16T18:23:00.000-08:00

AKA one of my favorite foods!

My roommate Allyson in New Orleans made this one time and I think I ate the leftovers for every meal for a week.

You can put any seasonings in this. I used basil, it called for parsley.

Get all of your separate parts and fill it up!

Pack them into that pot you boiled the cabbage in...

Cover with part cabbage boil water and part tomato spaghetti sauce and cook away. Yummers!

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

2 quarts water

1 large head of cabbage

2 tablespoons butter

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 lb. ground turkey (or pork or beef)

salt and pepper

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

1 green pepper, finely chopped

4 cups tomato puree

1. Remove the center core of the cabbage. (Not as easy as it sounds) Boil 2 quarts of the water in a stockpot that is not make of aluminum. Add the cabbage and cook for 2-3 minutes until the outer leaves are tender. Remove the outer elaves and continue cooking the rest, removing outer leaves and cooking the interior until all the leaves are cooked and removed. Reserve 2 cups of the cooking water.

2. Cut away the bottom of the center vein on each leaf. Place 4 large outer leaves at the bottom of the stockpot.

3. Melt the butter in a pan and add the onion and garlic, cooking until it is golden.

4. Mix onion/garlic misture in a bowl with ground meat, rice, salt, pepper, parsley, green pepper and celery.

5. Place 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the rice mixture on each cabbage leaf. To roll the leaves up, fold in the sides, then begin rolling from the bottom of the leaf, tucking the edge of the leaf under the finished roll. Place the rolled leaves in the stockpot.

6. Mix tomatoes and reserved cabbage water in a bowl. Pour enough into the stockpot to almost cover the cabbage. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover and simmer for 1 hour until the cabbage is tender. Add more reserved tomato/water mix while cabbage cooks if the level drops too far.

Substitution: feel free to swap out a jar of spaghetti suace for the pureed tomatoes. (I did this because I've read bad things about canned tomatoes. I generally try to avoid them in my own cooking.)

Lavender Cupcakes with Lemon Filling and a Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

2012-01-08T17:34:00.000-08:00

I've been holding on to some lavender I bought at Seed in the East Village before Christmas. I had a recipe for cookies, but I just hadn't had the perfect opportunity to make them.

Today when I was leaving church I concocted a crazy cupcake flavor no doubt swirling around my brain because I've been watching too much Cupcake Wars...

Lavender Cupcakes. Pretty cut and dry.

But then I thought about this amazing lemon curd I made in Florida when I was visiting some friends. mmmm. Lemon. But how do I top this prize? A purple cream cheese and honey frosting. Couldn't have made it better myself... er...

I pretty much followed the recipe from Yummy Mummy's blog with a few alterations.

Filled those suckers with some lemon pie filling. (cheaper than curd, but not as yummy... and it doesn't even touch the yummy-ness of homemade lemon curd. But I knew if I made homemade lemon curd that none of it would make it into the cupcakes.)

I didn't have lilac honey, but I had a honey bear from the downtown farmers market this summer. I would trade local honey for specialty store lilac honey any day. I added a little more powdered sugar because the frosting wasn't quite stiff enough to pipe.

They were a hit at the pot luck! (you can see the lilac specks in this picture! yum.)

I got plenty of tweets about them... And one of my co-workers even said she would serve this at her imaginary cupcake dream shop and call it the Alisa Cupcake.

In the future I might grind the lilac buds down a little to encorporate the lilac taste into the cupcake a little more. However, I'm not sure I would want a stronger lilac taste. They way it was, it just gave you that, "what is that? I think I like it" taste.

Lemon Filled Lavender Cupcakes (adapted from yummymummykitchen.com)

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
1 cup self-rising flour (or substitute all purpose flour + 1.5 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt)
2 tablespoons milk

Preheat the oven to 350°F; line a 12 count muffin pan with paper liners.
Put the sugar and lavender flowers in a food processor. Process briefly to combine.
Tip the lavender sugar into a bowl with the butter and beat together until pale and fluffy.
Beat the eggs into the butter mixture, one at a time, then sift in the flour and fold gently. Stir in the milk, then spoon the mixture into the muffin cups.
Bake for about 18 minutes until risen and golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Filling
lemon pie filling
Use a paring knife to remove a "plug" from your cupcakes. Fill hole with lemon filling.

Frosting
1 stick butter, room temperature
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1.5 teaspoons honey (available at gourmet food stores and lavender farms)
3 cups confectioners' sugar

Beat butter, cream cheese, and honey together until combined. Beat in sugar until stiff enough.
Frost cupcakes.

Upcoming Projects

2012-01-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

I love projects. I love working on new things, doing new activities. I get bored with the same old thing quickly.

I think that’s why I moved so much after college. I’ve been in Des Moines for over a year! That’s a pretty big deal to me.

That being said, when I find something that I love, I stick with it. I’m not totally afraid of commitment; I just happily keep adding and adding to my already full cup.

So here are a few things I’m throwing around in my mind:

-Vlogging. Or incorporating more vlogging into my current blogging.

-Tri a tri… again… I trained for a sprint triathlon last summer and I got mono and was hospitalized the week before the race. I’ve been nervous about tri-ing again. I’m sure it was a freak accident… but it worries me that I might not know how to properly train, rest and feed my body while I work toward that goal.

-Get serious about Chantilly Lace. We pushed for about a month and a half, and it all culminated with a profit-less Market Day… That, combined with my busy schedule and my mom’s ever changing (wonder where I get it?) list of activities, creates a stalled business.

-Decide whether or not I want to do RAGBRAI again. I had a dream last night that I went and I had forgotten all my gear. I didn’t have any shirts to wear and I had only brought high-heeled boots. If I were to analyze that dream, I would say it shows my anxiety about not being prepared for RAGBRAI.

Rediculous Resolutions

2012-01-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

My New Years resolution for 2011 was to finish a sprint triathlon. Well... let me tell you how that went.

I trained like a mad woman. I was in the pool so often that one of the ladies mentioned it just last week. I RAN. I hate running... but I was running more than I ever had. I was two weeks away from my triathlon and I got mono. Not just mono... In-the-hospital mono.

I was weak and lost most of my training... So I walked into the check-in and took my swag and left. It was a sad day. My friend brought me to Tasty Taco to make me feel better. It helped.

This year, I'm hesitant to set any resolutions. I usually resolve to make good decisions weekly, if not daily. I haven't decided if I want to tackle a tri again... and I haven't recovered from my traumatic RAGBRAI experience quite yet. And a whole year seems so daunting, if not easy to procrastinate.

So my resolutions for this year are monthly. I will:

-Try a new workout every month

-Give a little something every month

-Learn about something or someone new every month

-Pay off my debt (by paying a little each month.)

I was in the best shape of my life last summer. And I hope to mimic that this year with daily decisions to eat right and workout like I'm training for something.

P.S. Check out the new trails map by Des Moines Bike Collective: http://www.cyclecentraliowa.com/

Yoga Retribution

2011-12-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

So, if you read my blog regularly, or follow my tweets, or just happen to catch me on a Tuesday, you know that I've had a love-hate relationship with Yoga at the Y.
I LOVE it. Don't get me wrong. Drew, the usual instructor is AWESOME and his noon class is always packed to the brim.
However, the other instructor, who will remain nameless, just doesn't have that same je ne sais quoi...
The first time I took her class (a year ago!), she came to me after and said, I noticed you don't quite have the balance down yet. Keep working on that!
Ouch.
Now I know what you're thinking, it was your first time at that class! You would only get better with time!
I know this, but I felt awesome after that class and I felt like I had really held up my end of the namaste bargain. I really felt like the divine light within me was recognizing and affirming the divine light within her! But her divine light went ahead and blew my freshly lit light out with that little comment.
Well, the same lady came in and taught class today in Drew's absense. And I almost got up and left when I heard... (I wouldn't have been the only one! Two women said they were just going to go workout on a machine... Yikers.)
But I waited it out, and I gave her another chance, and afterwards she came up, and I was holding my breath, because I hadn't done that great with the balance poses, and my arms had gotten pretty tired during one of the extended planks and I dropped down to child's pose...
But she addressed another girl and myself and said, "You two girls are really getting good! I can tell you've been working hard at this. You've improved quite a bit!"
WHOA WHAT?! ME?! GOOD AT YOGA?! Dang right, lady!
The divine light within me is shining bright after that class. Namaste.

12 Ways of Giving: RECYCLE!

2011-12-27T16:00:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas, and I know I didn't post all 12 ways of giving before Christmas, but guess what folks, this is MAH BLOG, and I do what I want!
So there.
Friday my mom, dad, brother and I opened gifts as a little immediate family after a pretty stinkin' good dinner. I announced my desire to recycle our wrapping paper, and watched everyone unwrap their gifts.
Saturday we traveled to Nevada for a potluck and a few small gifts. I didn't collect the wrapping paper... mostly because I just forgot.
Sunday we opened gifts at my grandparents' in Ames and, even after setting the ground rules of no bags and no metallic wrappic paper, was asked 100 times if I was taking bags or metallic wrapping paper.
Much to the annoyance of my family, I banned all wrapping paper ball fights and neatly folded our wrapping waste and threw it in my recycling bin outside my apartment
Click Here to find out what you can and can't recycle this holiday season!

12 Ways of Giving: Email an Old Friend

2011-12-22T10:28:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about my friends back in New Orleans quite a bit lately. I keep up with a few of them on Facebook, but some of the older folks don't use social media as much as some of the others...

I got on my little lap top and sent an email to my old boss in New Orleans today. Donovan was the one who rallied to get me from Chicago down to NOLA, and when I called him last year to tell him I wasn't coming back for the season, he was understanding and encouraging.

I haven't talked to him since last year around this time, so I just sent him a little email. Didn't talk me long, but it keeps the lines of communication open with a friend I could have easily lost forever. That's more a gift to me than anything.

Just a few more days 'till Christmas, and I have a lot of giving left to do and an empty bank account. I'm excited to see what I come up with!

12 Ways of Giving: A Letter

2011-12-20T22:37:00.000-08:00

I wrote a letter to a soldier today.

I've always wanted to write one, but I never knew who to send it to. Until last week.
We did a story on a woman who was dressed as an angel in the skywalks of Des Moines asking people to send a Christmas card to her soldier son overseas. (click here for the story) (yeah... that's a shameless whotv.com plug)

I wouldn't have had the guts if I wasn't doing this project (and beginning to get desperate for things to do). But it took me more time to write this blog than it did to pen a thank-you card. Thank you for everything you do in the military!

I wrote about my project, I wrote a little about my job, I wrote about the unseasonably warm weather. Just filled up both sides of a thank-you card.

It was easy and pretty painless. Now I just have to figure out how many stamps I need...

UPDATE: I guess something labeled APO AE just goes to NY before being sent overseas! So I just need a stamp.

While I was looking for the postage info, I found this website: http://anysoldier.com/ It's a little cheesy... but there's a list of soldiers and what they would want in a care-package! I'm ABSOLUTELY going to send a package once Christmas is over and I have a little spending cash.

One thing that made me smile is that the soldier I spied on wants strawberry and cream oatmeal. :)
Can't wait to send a package!!!

12 Ways of Giving: It's Just a Plastic Bag

2011-12-20T15:43:00.000-08:00

Today I really felt awkward about my gifting... At church this weekend the pastor pointed out the resistance of Americans to accept a hand out. He said they were trying to give out tacos in downtown Des Moines and a surprising amount of people said no! (I will note that I was not aware of these free tacos... and I would have taken one.) But that was in the back of my mind as I went to offer a gift to a girl I didn't know.
I was at Dahls the other day shopping and I brought in the only bag I had in my car to load up my groceries in. It just happened to be a bag I got at Mood in New York.

http://www.ingredientsofa20something.com/

Mood is a fabric store that my mom and I specifically targeted during our latest trip to NYC to see my little brother. (I have to hold back from gushing about my favorite (only) brother. He just got home for Christmas and I can't wait to see him!)
Mood is also the fabric store that the contestants on Project Runway buy their fabric from, and their iconic (eh?) bags get a lot of air time.

http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com

Well, I brought that bag in, and the check-out girl perked up a little bit and made some conversation about Project Runway as she rung up my groceries. She asked if it was THE SAME Mood that they went to in PR. We talked about our love for the show.
Well, I was looking at the crumpled plastic bag last night and I thought to myself, I should give this to that girl at Dahls! But the more I thought about it, the dumber it seemed.

My Bag

Why would a girl I don't know want a plastic bag... Maybe she was just making conversation...
Anyway, I fought those little voices in my head that were saying, "she is just going to throw this away as soon as she gets home." "She is going to think you think she's a charity case." And walked into Dahls.
I grabbed a few things I needed and I went to her lane. I went to explain it to her, and she was a little confused. I've come through her lane before. She's deaf, and I know she reads lips pretty well... But I think there's only so much you can expect to converse about in the grocery lane, and "this is for you" isn't usually in there.
After a little "is this what you're saying?" She finally realized what I was getting at, and remembered the interaction. She said she would put it in a safe place, thanked me, and we talked a little about our favorite contestants. I was nervous, so I couldn't think of any details... So the conversation was a little awkward. But I did it. And ya know what? She can throw it away if she wants. That's probably what I would end up doing in a few months after one of the handles falls off and I drop my eggs in the parking lot...
But she might really like it. She might use it to carry her gifts to a Christmas party. Someone else might recognize it and she might have another conversation with a PR fan. Either way, I did it. And there's a chance I made her happy. And that's good enough for me.

12 Ways of Giving: Collection Plate

2011-12-18T14:31:00.000-08:00

Today I walked past an opportunity to "give" by scraping some windows before I headed to church. I didn't do it because I was afraid I'd get yelled at for touching someone's car... And turns out, it was 50 degrees today. So the frost melted by the time I got back anyways.
But I did put some cashola in the collection plate today. However... I wasn't listening very well. I thought I was contributing to the Christmas collection. But I guess I was just putting it in for the normal Sunday pass-the-plate. Which is fine. But it doesn't make for a very good blog.
I won't be there for the Christmas collection on Christmas Eve... But here are the details: 50% will go to start a benevolence fund to meet the needs of the people in our church, and the other 50% will go to the under served in our neighborhood through Hope Ministries, Freedom for Youth and Wildwood Hills Ranch. (This is at Gateway Church downtown.)
I'm a little nervous about my 12 deeds getting done. But I'm keeping my eyes open for ways to give back without spending too much money.

12 Ways of Giving: Christmas Goodies

2011-12-14T17:53:00.000-08:00

For my latest "act of goodness" I made some cookies for my neighbors. I hardly ever see the people across the hall, so I decided to drop some off to them and maybe extend the olive branch. There's also a guy who lives around the corner from me who has cancer. So I hung a bag of cookies on his door knob.

Tomorrow I'm going to drop a few more plates downstairs for the awesome maintenance guys in my building.
The cookies are a mix of some internet recipes and my grandma's recipes.
For those who don't know, my grandma passed away on Monday, and it seems like everyone went home and immediately made cookies. My grandma used to have a freezer in the garage full of perfectly packaged cookies. The whole town of Nevada would come and get cookies from her freezer. And her cookies won all kinds of awards at the Iowa State Fair.

The cookies of hers that I made were Sugar Roses, Nut Bars and German Chocolate Cookies. I found a Bobby Flay Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe on foodnetwork.com that I'm not in love with, but I like them enough for them to be dangerous in my freezer... And then I made some Almond Bark Covered Pretzels to pull it all together. The plates were full and looked delicious.

12 Ways of Giving: Starbucks with a Shot of Honesty

2011-12-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

Not all of my "giving" is for the less fortunate this holiday season. My recent "gift" was to some average joe (see what I did there?) in the drive-through line after me at Starbucks.
I'm sure he could afford coffee... or else he probably wouldn't be in line for it. But that's not what a "gift" always is. Especially during Christmas. For most of us, giving gifts during Christmas means giving something that someone doesn't need, but they might enjoy.
I figured the guy behind me might like some free coffee. So I told the lady to ring up the guy behind me too.
Then I drove away like a crazy person, afraid he was going to find me and think I was hitting on him...

This project was never intended to illicit praises... But I find myself wanting people to notice, and wondering in what ways I'll be "paid back". I say this because I feel like I'm supposed to do this out of the kindness of my heart... And that's what my intentions are! But I have to fight the desire to be "paid back" in some way. If anything, I hope that giving will become second nature to me. It will be come so normal that I won't think twice if I don't get a "good job" from anyone.
Just wanted to send out a little honesty.

12 Ways of Giving: Beza Threads

2011-12-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning dreaming of a few outfits I pinned on Pinterest yesterday.

(http://vintagestitch.tumblr.com/post/8109060859)

(http://couldihavethat.blogspot.com/)

I was thinking about how I would love a red scarf to accent some of my black and brown outfits, and how I should make sure to grab one while I’m Christmas shopping with Grandma next week.

I got ready for church and walked in (1/2 an hour early… but that’s another story) and they were selling scarves! Red ones, blue ones, cream ones, striped ones…

I waited to hear what the story was, and I could believe my ears.

Each scarf sold rescues a girl for one night from sex slavery.

It’s all part of a program called Beza Threads. (www.bezathreads.org) They save Ethiopian children from sex slavery and slave labor.

In our minds, slavery is a thing of the past, but in countries like Ethiopia, it’s fairly mainstream. In fact, they say there are 8.4 million child slaves in the world and 1.8 million kids sold into sex slavery.

You can read the whole story, but I was shocked to hear this stat: In 1850 a slave cost $40,000 in today’s standards. Now an average slave costs about $90.

For every 3,000 scarves sold, the program can save 10 girls from sex slavery. And taking them out of this life isn’t the end of it. This is the only job they’ve ever know, they have no way to provide for themselves or any family they may have. Many of the kids have been abandoned by their family, or taken far from them completely. Just thinking about it breaks my heart.

This is definitely a cause I hope to be more involved in.

PLEASE visit the website at www.bezathreads.org. Think about giving a scarf to someone for Christmas. They are amazing quality and a $20 gift with a heart wrenching story.

I bought two of them myself. A red one for myself and another for a Christmas gift. I’ll spend the next two nights being thankful that both me, and another little girl, are free from sex slavery.

12 Ways of Giving: Adopt-a-Family

2011-12-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

Project number two was quite an undertaking. I found out that the Boys and Girls Club still had 30 families who needed to be “adopted”. Basically, you buy them what’s on their wish list (usually coats and clothes) and drop it off before Christmas. Little did I know that I had about 4 days to get this all done. The last drop-off date was Friday!

I’ve done something similar called the Angel Tree where you chose one person and buy a few things on their list. But this was WAY bigger. I had a family of 5 to provide for. So I called on my friends and family for a little help.

The mother asked for a casual coat and a winter sweater. The father asked for a coat and socks. The 8 year old boy asked for a winter coat and a car toy. The 3 year old girl asked for a baby doll and a table and chair set. The family had another baby girl due this week! So they asked for a snow suit and some baby clothes for her.

I asked around and finally found a table and chairs set on Craigslist for $15! I tried to guilt the rich lady who sold it to me to hand it off for free… but she wasn’t getting it.

What a perfect table and chair set for a 3-year-old!

Along with what they asked for, I added a gift for each parent. My parents got them a purse and some gloves. For the kids, I found some cute long sleeved shirts that would make them the most adorable kiddos at the B&G Club.

Just a few of the things we gave the family

I had enough money left over to get them a gift card to Dahls!

Huge thanks to everyone who helped with this project, including my parents, grandparents, Autumn and Megan. And thanks to Amber who drove me out to the rich lady’s house to get that table and chairs!

I love that this project has sparked some conversation with other people around me about what the holidays are really about and what we can do, whether it be with our time or our money, to help out those who are less fortunate.

12 Ways of Giving: Middle School Concert

2011-12-09T18:05:00.000-08:00

My 12 ways of giving started at Merrill Middle School just down Grand. My friend is a talented music teacher and her students were having a concert. She had asked WEEKS ago if I would help. And I obliged (Even though I hadn’t yet committed to doing 12 acts of kindness).

Around noon I got a desperate text from my friend asking me to pick up a few necessities she was missing. I swung by Walgreens and happily secured the items she needed and dropped them off at the front office for “Mrs. Copic”. (How adult!)

Later that night, I arrived an hour before the concert and started to “decorate” the cafeteria where the cookie pot luck would be after the show. I say “decorate” because I taped up 30 snowflakes I had made from some recycled paper… Not exactly my finest interior decorating hour.

Once the show started, I sat front and center and taped the whole concert. The kids were pretty cute. I remember being that age and doing those concerts… I had no business being in choir.

The grand finale was a little number by the show choir complete with comedy commentary. “I know you’re thinking, why would ANYBODY want to spend more time with Mrs. Copic than we HAVE TO.”

I wouldn’t say this was the largest gesture of giving, but it was something my friend was relying on me to do, and I’d like to hope it gave her a sense of relief knowing she had an extra pair of hands (and eyes) if she needed them.

I've been working on a BIG "way of giving" all week. Blog coming tomorrow!

12 Ways of Giving.

2011-12-06T18:26:00.000-08:00

So I’ve been trying to get into the Christmas spirit… But it just isn’t working. I haven’t had the motivation to put my tree up, I haven’t made a list of what I want, or what I want to give people. I have some projects that people have asked me to do for Christmas and I just don’t feel like doing them.

Some of this is because I haven’t been home and awake for more than 45 minutes at a time for the past few weeks… Or it could be because I accidentally showed my mom a picture of the shoes I bought her for Christmas… But that’s another story for another day.

Either way, I was reflecting on my favorite part of Christmas and I remembered the Angel Tree. The Angel Tree was something I’ve looked forward to for YEARS. I picked an angel off the tree each year growing up and then in high school and college I helped the City of Ames organize their Angel Tree.

If you’re not familiar with the concept, basically you just take an “angel” off the tree. On the back of the angel is the info for a child, or sometimes an adult, and what they want and, more importantly, what they need! Boots, jackets, Legos… I always wanted to buy EVERYTHING.

This year I’ve decided to change my mindset from the hustle and bustle of Christmas spend, spend, spending to giving. It’s also going to cost me some $$, but I have faith that every penny I spend, wisely, will come back in some way or another. (Note the WISELY part… This isn’t coming out of my Visa.)

I’ve enlisted some of my friends and family to help with some of the things that will cost a little more. But a lot of the ideas I have won’t cost me anything, if just a little of my precious time.

If you got through this photo-less stimulation-free blog, then let me challenge you to give along with me this holiday season. Can you match my 12 ways of giving? Or can you pick just one?

If you’re interested in helping with the giving, let me know! Email me at alisa.link@gmail.com and I’ll let you know where the needs are and where I wish I could give more than what’s in my own pocket.

Trip to Chicago

2011-12-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

I took a Friday off and went on a long weekend to Chicago to visit my besties.

I lived in Chicago for two years and I have some of the best memories of that city. And I am SO lucky that I got to see Kaysie, Heather, Dave, Emily, Andy and AMARA! Pretty much an awesome vacation.

I didn't take as many pics as I should have... I just get distracted.
Here are a few of them:

Kitsch'n is a GREAT retro restaurant with AWESOME decor.

Glad that's not plugged in...

These two little gems took me on a walk Wednesday... Jemma and Elsa! My favorite doggies ever. Doesn't Jemma look like a statue? I can't help buy laugh at her posing for the pic...

My little love, Amara. She wanted to wear my jacket...

And this is for Desirée... You thought I wouldn't do it?! Full wheel baby! On Thanksgiving.

Guest Blogger: My Mom Makes Cupcakes!

2011-11-27T18:22:00.000-08:00

I’m Alisa’s mom. I taught her to bake. Then she took that skill and made it an art. She inspires me.

So today I channeled her and came up with the perfect Christmas confection: Candy Cane Cupcakes!

First, I made two cupcake batters: a vanilla and a red velvet. Yes, I could have put red food coloring in half of a white cake mix, but where’s the fun in that?

And I crushed two candy canes. A mortar and pestle would work better, but I made do with my chopper.

Into the cupcake pan, I spread a thin layer of red velvet batter.

Then a layer of vanilla batter.

Then a sprinkling of crushed candy cane.

Then another layer of red velvet batter, another layer of white batter, and a final layer of red velvet.

I baked them for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. With a large star tip, I piped cream cheese frosting and finished with a final sprinkle of crushed candy cane.

Inside, they look like candy canes:

And they taste like Christmas.

Thanks to Alisa for letting me be a guest blogger, and to the Huffs next door for being taste testers.

THE Apple Pie

2011-11-24T18:25:00.000-08:00

So, I found this awesometastic idea on Pinterest... And I HAD to try it. I usually make my own pie crust, but what with Market Day just 2 days away, I decided to get a pre-made pie crust to whip this crust out in no time.
I just took the crust and spread cinnamon and sugar all over it and then rolled it up like a cinnamon roll.
Cut the log into THIN rolls and placed them on my pie pan. I kinda pressed them down to fill in the holes between each roll.

The pie was just a simple apple pie with a crumb crust. mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

My dad thanked me for making him an apple pie. Yeah, right... it's for you...

Perfect with a dollop of whipped cream!

The apple part of this pie wasn't half bad either.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Parmesian Cheeese

2011-11-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

So my mama and I got into Market Day! Apparently they had some cancellations and we were next on the waiting list!

However, that means our little start-up business is balls to the walls right now making felt VW vans and wine bags.
Props to my mama who has made an INSANE amount of bags. I just sit on my bed cutting out tiny peace signs and conceptualizing felt bonfires and toasted marshmallows...

I was so excited to make that Cajun Chicken Pasta into lasagna this week... And while it's good enough, "good enough" isn't good enough for this blog. So it sits in pieces in my freezer and makes a good enough bring-to-work dinner.

I'm not always pleased when I go off recipe, and this was one of those times.

Today, however, I made the NEW GREATEST THING I'VE EVER MADE. Step aside Cajun Chicken Pasta. There's a new sheriff in town.

Today I made Iowa Girl Eat's Sweet Potato Gnocchi.

It was EASY. I just took 2 smallish sweet potatoes, peeled and cut them up, boiled them till tender and then mashed em up.
I measured about 1/2 lb of sweet potato, so I mixed up 1/2 of an egg (That happens a lot when I'm cooking for 1; I just wisk it up and eyeball 1/2). Put the egg in, a pinch of salt and a few shakes of cinnamon. (this made the dish). Then I slowly added flour till I could kneed it.
I'd say a little less than 1 cup.
The dough is REALLY tender, but that makes a fluffy gnocchi, so try to work with it.
I divided it into 4 chunks and rolled them into ropes. I cut the ropes and popped them into some boiling water.

I did it in batches... I was only going to eat 1/2 of them and freeze the rest... Yeah right.
After they started to float, I gave them another 3-5 minutes of boiling and threw them in a hot pan of olive oil and a little bit of brown butter.
The butter will burn really easily, so keep an eye on it. The olive oil raises the burn temp so you can get the pan hotter without burning the heck out of that butter.
I used too much oil/butter in the first batch, so I would vary it. You can always add more if you want.

Keep in mind that if the gnocchi is wet, the oil will splatter, so keep an eye on that.
Once it was browned and crispy on both sides, I took it out and sprinkled a bit of parm on it. That cuts the sweetness of the potato and cinnamon.

Anyway, I LOVED this, and almost ate it all before I could get it out of the pan for a photo op!

http://iowagirleats.com/2010/03/18/how-to-make-gnocchi-gnocchi-recipe/

Orange Poppyseed Bundt Cake

2011-11-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

I'm going to admit... I made this at 1 am and forgot to put in the leavening agent... But you'll forgive me, right?

It's still pretty stinkin' good.

Ingredients Americanized.
120g poppy seed – ½ cup
250ml milk—1 cup
225g butter – 1 cup
220g sugar -- 1 cup + 2 T
3 eggs
300g flour – 2 1/3 cups
2 teaspoons baking powder (OOPS!)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tablespoon orange zest
4 tablespoons orange juice

Here's the original post:
http://junglefrog-cooking.com/orange-and-poppyseed-bundt-cake/

In hind sight I would have spent more time zesting oranges and added 2 or even 3 tablespoons. 1 just wasn't enough.

I also don't think I got quite 1/2 cup of poppy seeds in it. I had 2 Tones spices packages. I'd say it was maybe 1/3 cup... But that was plenty. In fact, I hope I don't get drug tested anytime soon... Because I've been eating a lot of this cake lately.

So the cake turned out pretty dense, but it freezes well and was the perfect weekend splurge.

Now, speaking of splurging. This woman needs to STOP! Just because I get my butt kicked in spin class doesn't mean I get a piece of cheesecake at the coffee shop.

I'm making a statement here, in front of family, friends and God that I am going to start kicking butt and taking names at this healthy living lifestyle. Logging my muchies on loseit.com (super user friendly and totally awesome and customizable) and adding pilates 3+x a week. Sticking with this pescatarian thing till at least the end of November. Working really hard to keep my carbs below 250g and my protein close to 100g.

(Can we also note that blogger wants to change pescatarian to caesarian...)

In a Baking Mood.

2011-11-11T23:00:00.000-08:00

I got the baking bug today, so I picked up some ingredients on my shopping trip today and got busy.

I always need something quick for breakfast on those days that I wake up at 11:30 for my 12:10 spin class... It might seem like I have all kinds of time, but I have to get there by 11:45 if I want to get into the lot. (Which I think is ridiculous... Also what's ridiculous-- That I have to pay 50 friggen cents to get OUT of the parking lot. What a sham.)

Anyway, I had some black bananas in the freezer so I mixed up some breakfast banana oatmeal muffins that I got from Madison at Espresso and Cream.

Madison is amazing. I want to be like her when I grow up. Even though I think she's younger than me...

Anyway. The muffins are amazing and I'm waiting on my poppyseed bundt now. Post to follow.

http://www.espressoandcream.com/2010/03/banana-oatmeal-breakfast-muffins.html

Pesto Pizza

2011-11-06T19:38:00.000-08:00

I found this idea on http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/ and I put my own little twist on it.

I found a simple focaccia recipe here and mixed it up in the morning and let it grow all day.

Half of the recipe got cut into buns because I'm working on a blackened chicken sandwich that my friend LOVES at the Continental here in Des Moines and it has a focaccia bun.

The other half got flattened out on my pizza stone and covered in goodies.

Instead of buying a jar of pesto, I bought a packet. I remember my mom having these pesto packets at home all the time and I HATED them. And now that I've actually tasted it (weird) I love it.

I would have obviously rather made fresh pesto from basil and pine nuts, however, I was on a tight budget and I figured the pesto wouldn't exactly be the star of this pizza... It was more like a collection of semi-famous stars equaling a yummy pizza.

The pesto was spread over my dough and then I put sliced roma tomatoes over that. The yummy mozzarella cheese (okay, maybe the star) covered that and I baked it till the edges were brown and the cheese looked sufficiently toasted.

I loved this pizza when it first came out of the oven, but it's not a killer left-over. Pizza usually isn't my favorite next-day lunch. And if I do it again I might just skip the tomatoes. November tomatoes leave much to be desired.

This was 100 times better than frozen fare, but not quite as good as Gusto. mmm.

Cajun Chicken Pasta. OUT OF CONTROL

2011-11-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been planning my meals a little better. This keeps me from eating the same cheese quesadilla every day... But I will gather 2 or 3 recipes before I go to the store and make sure I get all the ingredients.
This recipe is one of the dishes that caught my eye on the Pioneer Woman's blog. I lived in New Orleans for a bit so I LOVE cajun flavors.
I did, of course, adapt the recipe a little. I didn't want to buy heavy cream and I had a chunk of 1/3 less fat cream cheese... So why not, right? And I used far less chicken and skipped the wine. Not that I don't like cooking with wine, I just like drinking it more.

Ingredients

1 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into Cubes
Cajun Spice Mix, To Taste
3/4 lb pasta... I kept 1/4 lb because I have some leftover pesto.
1 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Tablespoons Butter
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
1/2 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
1/2 whole Large Onion, Sliced
Garlic, Minced, To Taste
~~4 whole Roma Tomatoes, Diced~~ Just wasn't in the mood
1 1/2 cups pasta water and 1 bullion cube
~~1/2 cup White Wine~~
1/3 block of Cream Cheese
Cayenne Pepper To Taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
Salt To Taste
Chopped Fresh Parsley, To Taste

For the step-by-step, go over to Pioneer woman's blog. I'm not in the mood to type that much.

But it was AMAZING. Probably one of the best things I've ever made. And I'm so excited that I have a TON of leftovers for the rest of the weekend.

Adapted from http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/09/cajun-chicken-pasta/

--Also, I did my 3 days of Pescatarian dining this week. Not bad at all! This dish might even rock with some tofu.

She's a vegetarian...

2011-10-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

I’ve been working out like a crazy person lately (pretty on par with my life) and I don’t seem to be losing any lbs.

I’ve always been very athletic, playing sports every season, bla bla bla… But I don’t really look like an athlete.

I will say I notice changes in my body when I’m committed to certain exercise regiments… like when I rode RAGBRAI I noticed my quads were solid gold. And I went to do one of my least favorite moves (pushups) on Wednesday and noticed I could actually do a real pushup! On my toes!

Now, I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I don’t know why I have a little extra junk in the trunk… I like sweets. I can take down a package of Halloween Oreos in 3.5 days. I just like food. I like looking at pictures of food, I like spending 2 hours cooking a meal for my parents, I like telling people about amazing restaurants…

One thing that makes me a little queasy however, meat that other people have cooked… I love a grilled steak or a curried salmon. I have an entire small chicken in my fridge sitting next to three chicken breasts… But I just like to know what the meat looks like before it gets cooked… It’s just a phobia. Carnophobia if you will.

I’ve always said I can’t go vegetarian because of my intense love for meat… But in my old age (I’m 26…) I’m starting to wonder if there’s a whole new world out there full of quinoa burgers and tofu that I’m missing out on!

Mean girl side note- there was a girl on my floor in college who was a vegan and ate vegan cookies and pizza and didn’t touch vegetables… She wasn’t fit and fabulous.

All this said, I’m considering a move to pescatarianism. (I’m a proud sushi junkie.)

So this is my plan: 3 days a week in November I’ll be a pescatarian, 5 days a week in December and if all goes to plan, a full-fledged pescatarian by New Years.

If you know me, I make crazy plans like this all the time… so stay tuned to see how long this lasts.

In other, but still slightly related news… here’s what’s on the menu for the next 2 weeks.

Pumpkin oatmeal- I can’t remember where I got this recipe. I’ll look for it and get back to you.

Roasted chicken- Hence the entire chicken in my fridge.

Cajun Chicken Pasta- thepioneerwoman.com

Sweet potato and onion hash with an egg- A pretty customary go-to

Pesto pizza- budgetbytes.blogspot.com

Quesadillas- Just cheese. Slightly over cooked. Love of my life.

ABCs for Me

2011-10-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

Age: 26... wait... right?

Bed size: Full... I think... This isn't starting off very promising.

Chores that you hate: Dishes.

Dogs: Don't have any. Unless you count Elsa and Emma who live with Emily and Andy in Chicago...

Essential to start your day: Snooze, Snooze, Snooze, Snooze... Spinning.

Favorite color: mustard

Gold or silver: Gold

Height: 5'9"

Instruments you play: Piano-ish, I played saxaphone in HS, but I tried a few years back and I couldn't get a sound out of it.

Job title: Multimedia Producer

Kids: I like kids, I don't like awkward kids.

Live: College Football. The touchdowns seem so exciting... And few and far between if you're a Cyclone fan.

Mothers name: Denise

Nicknames: Giggles, Crystle Beth...

Overnight hospital stays: We were just talking about this at work. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights in June when I got mono and tonsillitis and got super dehydrated. They had all you can eat ice cream, but they wouldn't let me eat it until the second night.

Pet peeves: Grammar

Quote from a movie or TV show: I don't know what to do with my hands!

Right or lefty: Righty

Siblings: Younger brother, Jonathan. Lives in NYC. :)

Time you wake up: I aim for 9, but usually 10:30... I work late people!

Underwear: Aerie from American Eagle.

Vegetable you hate: Celery

What makes you run late: Showers. So I don't always take them. I'm generally about 20 minutes early.

X-rays you've had: arms, legs, joints, head, jaw...

Yummy food you make :Everything. I frequent Tastespotting.com for ideas.

Zoo animal: Elephants. :)

Pinterest Crayon Project

2011-10-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

I saw a picture on Pinterest that said, 'I Actually Made Something I Found On Pinterest!'. Well, I've made a lot of food I've found on Pinterest. And this Crayon project is ALL OVER Pinterest. I fell in love with it the moment I found it. And I had some white-washed boards that had been sitting around for MONTHS just waiting for a painting.

So I started by hot-gluing the crayons to the top of the board. I bought a 64 pack plus another 24 pack and took out most of the blacks and browns. I used some grays to flank each side of the picture and I kinda wish I didn't. But I still love it.

Then I used the blowdryer on high and hot and melted the Crayons. They start to get shiney and start to drip. I had to adjust the angle of the board so it didn't drip as quickly.

My mom thought the hot glue was going to melt, but it held up.

I went over the big glops with the dryer to kinda break them up.

I love the way it looks. My friend called while I was doing it and she said one of our other friends did it last week... So maybe everyone will have one. But I still love it. And it was easy as pie.

Not sure if I'm going to leave it on my stand or hang it.

More Pinterest projects to come!

Freaking Favorites

2011-10-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

It's not Friday, nor is it "my Friday". But I want to post pictures of my favorite things. And it's my freaking blog! So I'm going to freaking do whatever I freaking want!

I like this print.
http://polishartaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/04/giraffe-print-tutorial.html

I freaking LOVE this idea. However, keep in mind that I will need to be able to stuff my wedding dress into my underwear because I'm NOT getting left out of this one.
http://conflictingheart.tumblr.com/post/10508469728

Two nail pics in one blog. Freaking get over it.
http://weheartit.com/entry/9470038

They used stickers. Perfect.
http://www.heatherlynnphotographie.com/blog/2011/08/26/un-amore-custom-designs-pioneer-woman/

Love this bag
http://champagneandheels.com/uncategorized/mulberry-bag/

These prints alone-favorites. These prints together- FREAKING FAVORITES
http://sidewalkready.com

Love these dresses. I freaking love sparkles.
http://ruffles-n-sequins.tumblr.com/post/4311377109/which-dress-to-choose

Pumpkin Pie Blizzards and Full Wheel

2011-10-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

I have a few updates to some of my latest blogs.

First of all, HUGE thanks to Elizabeth who brought me a perfectly portioned Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. Along with some yummy meatloaf.

Next item of business: My YMCA challenge card...

I'm rocking it. 21 classes to go. And my Wednesday spin instructor was impressed with my numbers. However, he keeps telling me how many people he knows have started going to classes regularly and lost a TON OF WEIGHT!... Listen hippy, I need you to shut your mouth and teach spin class. And furthermore, your spin class is nothing compared to Friday's spin class... the one where the instructor gave me 2 signatures. That's right! He's my favorite.

Ahem.... Sorry about that...

I also have a word for my yoga instructor, the one that I desperately want to be accepted by for some reason... He remembers everyone's names, but mine. He engages in conversation with everyone, but me. He corrects people's form and encourages them when they finally get a pose right, except ME!

I was the only one in full wheel (backbend) on Tuesday, and I get out of it and he says, "no one's going to even try?" WHAT THE?! Even the old lady next to me stood up for me. She told him I did it. And then asked if I was a gymnast... Why yes little old lady who can put her leg behind her head, I am a gymnast. a 5'9" gymnast with hips.

Anyway, I did it 4 more times and still got no love. I also almost had handstand last week and got no love. What's up with that Drew?

Tie Dye Cupcakes with multicolored frosting

2011-10-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

Today was my cousin Olivia's birthday, and I LOVE Olivia. I lay in bed at night thinking about what I should get her and what would make her happy. She turned 12 this year and is rocking the Ames Middle School.

My mom and I decided to give Olivia one of the first prototypes for our new craft business. So my mom made the tote while I designed and created the felt cat.

I'd say that's a pretty sweet library bag for a 12 year old!

Much more on our business to come in the days ahead... But today I took a craft time-out to make some cupcakes for our family birthday party for Olivia.

I had made tie dye cupcakes before for my dad's birthday. I only made 4 of them though, not the whole batch, because I didn't know if my dad would like them. Turns out he LOVED them, and I wished I had made a whole tin. This time I was ready to tackle 12 rainbow bright cupcakes.

I started with a normal cake batter and divided it into 5 bowls.

After I colored each bowl like a rainbow, red, orange, yellow, green, blue. I learned last time that purple just gets lost in blue. No point in having both colors.

Then I spooned equal amounts of the blue batter into each cupcake paper. An easy way to make sure you're using the same amount is to use a cookie scoop. Make sure to not overfill because it's easier to go back and put more of one color in each hole than it is to take some out.

Then came a scoop of green.

Yellow, orange, red... you get the idea.

They got slightly overfilled... That's a little bit like being "over-served." nothing inherently bad about it...

They came out of the oven looking perfect!

The frosting was the part I hadn't tried before. Last time I made the rainbow cupcakes I just frosted them in white. This time I took red, yellow, green and blue food coloring and painted a thick line on the inside of the pastry bag. Then I carefully spooned the frosting in the bag.

The end result was a perfect multicolored stack of frosting! Pretty professional if I do say so myself.

Next time I'll probably use a little less food coloring with the frosting. A little goes a long way.

Olivia ended up with a rainbow face after going to town on the fluffy frosting.

Everyone was pretty impressed.

That's just how I roll.

I love how vivid the colors come out after it's baked.

I'd say another birthday under the belt. (the slightly looser belt)...

Fall Into Fitness

2011-10-07T16:04:00.000-07:00

This isn’t really a Friday Favs. I kinda did a Friday favs thing yesterday… plus, this is my blog! So shut up!

Anyway. What I’m SO excited about today is completely endorphin fueled. I was fully planning on going to a 10:00 am workout class at the Walnut Creek YMCA, but I couldn’t fall asleep last night after I got off work… So I just ended up going to a spin class at noon.

I admit, I pledged to walk 1K for the “Start Somewhere” walk… And I didn’t. Instead, I took an intense spin class with 3 guys discussing Ironman Madison… I will also admit that I keep calling it the “Start Something” walk and I envision people on the streets of downtown DSM getting into it over parking spaces and spilled mochas.

So the Des Moines Y is having a fall challenge where you get a signature for every class you take in October and November, and if you take 30 classes in 60 days you get a T-shirt. Well… I am SO freaking motivated by free stuff it’s not even funny.

So I found out about this challenge on Tuesday during my Yoga class, so I immediately got a card and got my first signature. Since then, I took a spin class on Wednesday, went to an intense Y-Pump class on Thursday that I usually go to, and then took a spin class today when I would have usually just gone for a walk or done my own ‘stationary bike with a mag’ thing.

As I’m walking out I’m counting my 4 signatures over and over again and I keep getting 5… Tuesday… Wednesday… Thursday… Friday… AND ONE MORE?! What the heck? So as I get to my car in the parking lot I finally look at the signatures. The spin dude today signed it twice! Just because it was my lucky day! I know he did it on purpose because… well, I just know! I was totally geeking out in my car. Clearly, I’m still geeking out.

Thanks for making my day spin dude.

Whoa... They Have What?

2011-10-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

I don't often get excited about packaged food... Mostly because I can make the same thing with real food and less of that unpronounceable mish mash... But in the last few days, I've stumbled upon some new fall foods I MUST try! Don't worry, I promise to share. :)

First of all, my dear friend Natalie told me about these White Chocolate Candy Corn M&Ms... They're sold exclusively at Walmart... Which I also don't frequent. In fact I had to Google a location for a Walmart in Des Moines. Alas, they didn't have any. And when I asked the friendly Walmart staff member, she said, "I don't know... did you look in the candy isle? Well then we don't have them..."

.......................

Thanks!

Then, I was unassumingly checking Facebook when a little add popped up! for Chex Mix Muddy Buddies! Aka Puppy Chow! Who knew Chex Mix made puppy chow... Not me.

Actually, one time I got an especially disgusting flavor of Chex Mix and penned a ~~letter~~ email to let them know what a mistake it was. They promptly sent me coupons to try another flavor. Wish they had these back then!

AND THEN, I was reading a blog and found these puppies... Trader Joe's S'mores Ice Cream Sandwiches. I mean, COME ON. Graham crackers with marshmallow-chocolate swirl gelato and milk chocolate flakes! If it were me I'd mix in some charred mallow. mmm.

And then there are the old standbys that come around this time every year...

Pumpkin Pie Blizzards! Gotta have at least one. It's like the Shamrock Shake... Totally wrong, but seasonally appropriate.

AND Halloween Oreos. For some reason the orange double stuff tastes better than white...

I don't even really like Oreos... Call me crazy.

Sushi Night

2011-10-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

Sushi night was a big success. I had some girls I've met through my dear friend Emily and her workout classes.

When they showed up, they all said the same thing... You live in a SHADY apartment building! And then when they got in my actual apartment they all agreed that it wasn't so bad. Maybe even quaint.

I made the white puff-balls from some tissue paper I got at the dollar store, and those lanterns were from the dollar store too. All in all, this banner cost me $4.

I've been so excited to use my cart, and there just wasn't enough room on the rolling table for plates and utensils. Perfect!

Emily picked up some sushi-grade tuna from Gateway Market that just melted in your mouth! A fancy change from my usual cheap-as-dirt veggi/crab homemade sushi rolls.

Notice her shirt says, "got food?" We definitely had food. Lots and lots of it. We all recovered with a sushi coma siesta.

I've had a few folks interested in attending a future fiesta, so I'll definitely be holding another event.

Dessert Sushi

2011-10-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

I love making homemade sushi. It's so easy to make and so fun to have a bunch of people over for a sushi rolling party. One thing that's always eluded me though, is a dessert to serve at a sushi party.

One time I tried to serve fruit sushi, but it didn't taste good and it all fell apart.

I don't like green tea ice cream and I don't feel like a fortune cookie is fun enough. Dessert is my favorite part of the meal, so I like to do it up.

So today I got up the courage to tackle some dessert sushi.

I mixed up the rice krispy treats (as the rice).

I am well versed in the art of the rice krispy treat. It's my dad's favorite food.

Once the rice krispy treats start to set up, I took half of the batch and I used a cookie scoop to make even sizes and then pinched them into a nigiri shaped oval.

The other half I pressed into a thin sheet in the pan. (later I use those for the rolls)

I topped the "rice" with a swedish fish (mwa haha) and a strip of fruit roll up.

So cute!

The thin layer of krispy treat got cut into strips and placed on thick strips of fruit roll up. The middle of the "sushi" is just sour gummy worms.

I left a little fruit roll up on the top so it would come all the way around and overlap once I rolled it. That way it stays together and doesn't try to unroll.

Rainbow rolls anyone?

I had a pretty domestic day. I finished altering a bridesmaids dress for a girl I work with and dropped it off. And then my friend Angie needed help getting her VINTAGE sewing machine working. She couldn't quite figure out how to thread it. I got it threaded pretty easily, but the stitch just wasn't working. I searched the interwebs and finally found out that the needle was in wrong! I was SO happy I could get it working for her. I really felt like I'm pretty good at this sewing thing.

Friday Favs: Interwebs edition.

2011-09-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

I nearly forgot about Friday Favs... Again, it's not my Friday, so it's easy to forget.
So here are a few of my favorite things! Interwebs edition.

Favorite Social Media:

Pinterest

Not sure if you're into Pinterest, but it basically brings the "best of" the interwebs and organizes it into thumbnails. It's a feast for sore eyes, and after 8 hours of politics, weather and crime, I'm ready for some DIY, desserts and fancy dresses.

Favorite Wedding Blog:
Style Me Pretty

Amazing (and quite a few DIY) weddings with whimsical colors and crazy-awesome photography. I've planned my wedding 10 times over. And everytime I get hooked on this blog I have dreams of becoming a wedding planner.

Fav Street Photog:
The Sartorialist

He takes photos of people he sees on the street wherever he goes. He's a professional style photographer, so he's all over the world, but mostly in NYC. The styles are often outrageous, but a lot of the time it gives me a little motivation to up my game.

Fav Local Blogger
Iowa Girl Eats!

She is just an Iowa girl just like me making yummy food and hanging out with her stinkin' adorable hubby! Not a chef, but dang, this girl makes some mouthwatering fare.

Bobby Flay's Corn and Wild Rice Pancakes

2011-09-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

I was searching Tastespotting.com for a side for my Salmon. I searched wild rice and came across Last Call for Corn's blog posting of Bobby Flay's Corn and Wild Rice Pancakes. I had everything I needed but milk... So I ran to Dahls and got some milk.

The batter is mostly like a regular pancake batter without sugar and with just a squeeze of the honey bear.

Add in some herbs, roasted corn and cooked wild rice.

Bake them up just like pancakes. (In a non-stick pan... I learned that the hard way) They're perfect with my salt and pepper salmon. The pancakes only need a little pat of butter since they're so flavorful.

MMM, look at that corn and the chives!

For the full recipe, check out Last Call for Corn

Let's Get Physical...

2011-09-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

A recent report ranked Iowa as the 20th most obese state in the US.

I’ve always been a fan of physical fitness. Especially competitive sports.

We aren’t really sure where my love of all things sports came from. My family loved to ride bikes, riding in RAGBRAI several times growing up, but other than a few beer-league softball teams, they weren’t really the “sit down and watch football” type.

When I was old enough I started playing softball, volleyball and basketball competitively, playing on club and school teams of each sport.

In college I worked at a gym and participated in as many intermural sports as I could, and after college continued to play sports and hit the gym for regular workouts.

This being said, I’ve never been a skinny-mini, opting rather for descriptive words that make me gag, like curvy and voluptuous. (Seriously, did you hear me gag there?)

I’ve been on off and on “diets” where I write down everything that goes in my mouth, or swear off white bread and sugar… But the one thing that always makes me feel like I’m “doing things right” is when I sweat.

Recently I trained for RAGBRAI and loved the way it felt to go on a 2 hour bike ride before I even got my day started. Now that the ride is over though, and the leaves are starting to drop, along with the temperatures, I find myself looking for another challenge. Something that will make me feel like I’m contributing to the health of my state.

I haven’t pinpointed a specific training plan, or schedule. But, this week, I’ve gone to the gym each day, (thanks for coining me a “gym rat” FourSquare! You made my day) and done something a little different each day. And I must say, I’m hooked!

Here’s my schedule:

Mondays: Ride the stationary for an hour and read magazines. (One of my favorite activities EVER) (I’m singlehandedly keeping print media afloat)

Tuesdays: Noon YOGA! This is my absolute favorite workout. Drew at the Downtown YMCA is the greatest yoga instructor I’ve ever had. He makes it tough but attainable. And everyone knows everyone… It’s like my Cheers.

Tuesday Round Two: “2 workouts in one day? Are you crazy?!” You say?... Yes, I am. But the second class was later in the evening, and I didn’t have any plans, so I went to Y Pump at the Downtown Y. Butterfly presses, mountainclimbers… No, it wasn’t put on by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources… But I’ll tell you one thing… The blind, 200 pound, 60 year old lady in front of me was kicking my ass.

Wednesdays: Attack with my dear friend Emily! She teaches at a local gym and sneaks me in each Wednesday for her KILLER class. 5 minutes each of pushups and sit-ups interspersed between 40 minutes of cardio. Kicking, punching, jumping, jacks, shuffles… The list goes on…. For 50 minutes!

Thursday: Y Fall Challenge. A coworker who also goes to the Yoga class encouraged me to come to this class that basically consisted of massive amounts of pushups and squats with some jumping in-between.

Thursday Round Two: Well… It was a 2 mile walk with my fitness friend Emily… And we got a beer half way through.

Friday: I’m thinking another class or a round on the bike. Maybe even a swim to soothe my aching muscles. It’s still TBD, but I’ll find something, because I’ve renewed my desire for physical fitness and it feels GOOD!

Dinner Time: Angel Hair Pasta with Veggies

2011-09-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

I had a beautiful red pepper from my grandma's garden, so I decided to saute up some other veggies with chicken for a perfectly delicious, healthy meal.

I put the pepper under the broiler and charred it on each side. After the onion came out, I put it in a plastic bag and let it cool for a bit. When you take it out of the bag, the charred, tough skin comes off easily and you're left with delicious slimy roasted red pepper. Yummers!

I put the chicken in a pan and cooked it through, and added a splash of olive oil to the veggies I had in my crisper. (Onion and some broccoli)

I threw it all together with some angel hair pasta and salt and pepper.

The soft pepper and onion were enough of that wet texture to not need any sauce.

And just as I was plating my dinner... I got a phone call from my friend. Threw my dinner in a Tupperware and took off to the bar! Yeah, I'm classy like that.

Emmy Night

2011-09-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went to Minneapolis to attend the Upper Midwest Emmy's with some of my coworkers who were nominated. It was just an opportunity to celebrate the great work my friends do, and have a few drinks with the golden statues.

Source

The evening started with drinks and dinner at Crave in downtown Minneapolis and then we went over to the theater and listened to names being read for HOURS.

Source

Luckly we were nominated for 20 awards, so it wasn't too long before we heard WHO-TV being announced. We were absolutely the loudest crowd there.
After we collected the 9 awards we won and headed to the afterparty. The rooftop of Crave was just too cold, so we traveled over to Prohibition at the top of the W hotel where we finished the night.
Congrats to all my amazing co-workers who were nominated and won. Nothing like a little recognition to make you want to go above and beyond.

SPORTS – SPORTSCAST

“Keith Murphy Sportscast” WHO-TV
- Keith Murphy, Sports Director
- Chris Hassel, Sports Reporter

PHOTOGRAPHER – SPORTS – WITHIN 24 HOURS (SINGLE CAMERA ONLY)

“Water Changes Everything” WHO-TV
- Randy Schumacher, Photojournalist

CONTINUING COVERAGE

“Apollo: We Have A Problem” WHO-TV
- Sonya Heitshusen, Reporter
- Jeff Felton, Photojournalist
- Mike Borland, Photographer

BUSINESS/CONSUMER – PROGRAM/SPECIAL/SERIES

“Fitness Frauds & Deceptive Diets” WHO-TV
- Erin Kiernan, Reporter
- Jeff Felton, Photojournalist
- Randy Schumacher, Photojournalist
- Brandon McCauley, Photojournalist

INFORMATIONAL/INSTRUCTIONAL – SINGLE STORY/FEATURE/SEGMENT

“Trading Street Shoes for Snow Shoes” WHO-TV
- Erin Kiernan, Reporter
- Sonya Heitshusen, Reporter
- Randy Schumacher, Photojournalist

MILITARY – PROGRAM/SPECIAL/SERIES

“Iowans At War” WHO-TV
- Sonya Heitshusen, Reporter
- Brandon Bingham, Photojournalist

HISTORIC/CULTURAL/NOSTALGIC – PROGRAM/SPECIAL/SERIES

“Behind the Walls” WHO-TV
- Sonya Heitshusen, Reporter
- Jeff Felton, Photojournalist

TEEN (13 AND UP) – PROGRAM/SPECIAL/SERIES

“Dating Violence” WHO-TV
- Lynn Melling, Reporter
- Brandon McCauley, Photojournalist
- Randy Schumacher, Photojournalist
- Lee Rouse, Photojournalist
- Mike Borland, Photojournalist

CHILDREN (12 & UNDER) – SINGLE STORY/FEATURE/SEGMENT

“Helping Hand” WHO-TV
- Megan Brown, Multimedia Journalist

Friday Favorites:

2011-09-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

It's not my Friday, but I have an affinity for alliterations. Thus, Friday favorites.

Favorite Flowers:
Favorite Quote:

Favorite Print:

(Source)

Favorite Pup.

ELSA WAGNER!

My Fantasy Football Obsession

2011-09-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

I've become completely obsessed with Fantasy Football... I have never been interested in it because I knew once I started, it would consume my life. And it has.
I'm also a VERY competitive person, and I HATE losing. So my introduction to Fantasy Football has been a welcome surprise. BECAUSE I'M A WINNER!!! Like the name? PS my Fantasy team killed BearsWillDestroy on the same day my Saints beat his Bears... WHO DAT?!?!

I've won my first two games and I feel good about my team.

I have a few injuries, and I'm looking to make some trades, but I think everyone's in that boat. Players are getting hurt quickly this season. I think it's because they weren't conditioned and ready for the season. Hopefully my QB Drew Brees kept the pressure on during the off season. I can't afford to be starting Sam Bradford...

So now that I've gone on a rant about the #1 thing people don't care about...

Pella Road Trip

2011-09-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

Called my friend Amber today to go for a walk at Gray's Lake. She had an even better idea. ROAD TRIP! We made a quick loop around the lake and headed to Pella. She wanted to get some bakery items at their yummy Jaarsma Bakery and just get out of town for a while.
She saw this little lonely tree on the way there and demanded I take a picture.Once we got the bakery it was packed! Surprising for a Monday. But we browsed the almond flavored goodies and picked out our share.My favorite part of the trip were the windmills.

They reminded me of this picture I took on my trip to Holland.

Sequins for the Emmys

2011-09-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to get better at blogging every day, in hopes that I'll begin to participate in blog-worthy activities.
Today I went looking for a dress for the Emmys. No, not THOSE Emmys... The Upper Midwest Emmys in Minneapolis next weekend.
Luckily Younkers was having a Goodwill sale! (I can hear my mom now... "She actually brought clothes to Goodwill instead of shopping there!)
You bring in some clothes for Goodwill to Younkers and they give you a 20% off coupon for each item of clothing. I had just edited my wardrobe so I brought a pair of jeans, a shirt and 3 t-shirts I was planning to bring to GW anyway.
I wandered around because there was a Jessica Simpson dress I had my eye on, but it was $168.I ended up getting a similar $129 Calvin Klein dress (similar only because it's sequined) for $40. I'm morning the lack of sleeves, and I wish it was a smidge shorter. But I love it more and more every time I show it to someone.

Now if only I could get my hands on these babies:

Zombie Burger and Back to School?

2011-09-15T18:21:00.001-07:00

Today I finally got to check out the new Zombie Burger in the East Village. My old friend Katie and I relived the college rec center glory days while my friend Jason ate as quickly as he could.
The burgers were okay. And the shake was alright. But I think I was expecting more because of all the hype. It's definitely the new "it" place.
The burgers seemed like Smashburger burgers, with the same flavor combos (fried stuff and blue cheese, caramelized onions...) but not quite as juicy. And the fries were shoestring (just like Smashburger) but they didn't have that delicious Smashburger butter/herb sauce all over them. I'll also say, I had a hard time finding a "healthy" burger. And by that I mean, a burger with bacon=healthy compared to their bacon=chicken fried. I would have opted for more fresh ingredients and less cheese balls (literally and figuratively). PS, neither a fried macaroni and cheese bun nor 2 grilled cheese sandwiches are acceptable for a lunch burger in my book.
The shake was a "chocolate cake shake" and I was expecting bits of chocolate cake and icing ala Portillo's in Chicagoland.
Anyway, I think the lesson learned is; Hungry? Go to Smashburger. Less of a crowd and more of what I want.
Want to see and be seen? Go to Zombie Burger.
I won't make less of this one little factoid though... They have a full bar at Zombie Burger.

I got to work today and my coworker said I looked like a back to school ad. I suppose my outfit is pretty "All American".

"Back to School" by alisalink featuring locket jewelry

Wednesday Market

2011-09-14T16:22:00.001-07:00

I know it's probably blasphemy to say this, but I like the fall Wednesday DSM Farmers Market WAY more than I like the Saturday morning Downtown Farmer's Market.

They just started it up a few weeks ago in hopes that yuppies would go down during their lunch break and snatch up some local produce. If all goes well, it might be a summer staple next year.

I like it for a few reasons.
1. There aren't as many people. The DTFM just gets too crowded, and 7 a.m. isn't exactly my finest hour as far as patience goes.
2. There were less "fake farmers". Less of those people who buy the same chile-grown limes and bananas that the local grocery stores buy. (really? limes and bananas in Iowa?) And more "yeah this is definitely from Iowa" produce.
3. It's not nearly as massive. It's comparable to the Ames farmers market (which I love). I can get through it and choose my produce without worrying I'll miss something or having to climb over some lady with a dog in a stroller to get to the 17th tomato stand.

I had taken out some cash-o-la to last me till payday, so I snatched up about $6 worth of perfect Iowa produce. 2 sweet potatoes, 1 giant onion, a little plump eggplant and my first squash of the fall.Don't worry, most of it's already gone...

Trip to Chicago

2011-08-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

I went to Chicago for a much needed visit. My friend's baby, Amara, is almost a teenager! She's 2... But she talks in full sentences. Like, "Can I hold you?" When she wants you to hold her. Too presh.

I had a list of people to visit and I'd like to say, I did pretty well for my short visit. I got there by noon (Emily said if I didn't, she'd murder me) after leaving DSM at 6:30 am. We had lunch and headed to our fav thrift store, Unique. When we got back we waited for Andy (Emily's husband) and Aunt Feather (the 3rd of our Three Musketeers) and ordered burritos as large as our heads.
We ordered 3 for the 4 of us, and ended up eating about 1...

On Tuesday I had plans for breakfast with Kelly, but she slept through her alarm, so I got my eyebrows waxed on the cheep at my favorite Chicago nail salon. My flesh colored eyebrows were so unruly that the lady gave me a super discount, gave me a card and told me to come back in 3 weeks. Thanks lady!
So I headed to Longman and Eagle, a trendy up-and-coming place in Logan Square with my friend Kaysie, where Kelly (her sister and my aforementioned breakfast date) came for a drink.
Longman and Eagle had a great feel and a full page of whiskey on their drink menu, but I had a few quams.

1. The tables were so close together that my ample rear end knocked over the hot sauce on the next table.
2. My chicken wasn't quite done, and the Chicago food scene is so pretentious I didn't want to say anything for fear that I just always overcook Chicken... After I left I came to my senses and realized a "rare" drumstick isn't ever trendy. Needless to say I didn't eat much of it.
3. The place was 1/2 empty and the lady wouldn't seat us because Kelly wasn't there yet, even though she had just jumped in the shower and wasn't going to be there for a while... I told the waitress Kelly ditched so she finally seated us, and then she looked annoyed when Kelly plopped down an hour later at the (empty) table next to us...

The things I LOVED about this place
1. The amaretto stone sour wasn't overly acidic, and it was perfect with an egg white.
2. The Gin Fizz I had changed my life
3. The soap in the ladies room smelled intoxicatingly pepperminty.

After lunch Kaysie and I stopped for some coffee at the Worm Hole, a super hipstery coffee shop in Wicker Park, and I dropped her off downtown at work.

I headed back to Wicker Park and hit all my favorite thrift stores and stumbled on some great finds. A few of my favorite shops were gone. :( But there were some new surprises that I would have checked out had I not been on a gently-used mission.

I met Emily, Heather and Andy back at home base and went to Caponies for yummy pizza. Em had a Groupon, and we chatted about the coupon mogul over dinner because miss Heather just got a full time job there after temping for months! woot! Ah 9-5 Mon-Fri... How I miss you...

After dinner I met up with Kaysie, Kelly, HapNerd, Joel (awesome friend from England who was in Chicago for a wedding and convinced me to visit while he was visiting) and some new friends at... You guessed it... Longman and Eagle.

Wild Turkey Honey and fancy desserts welcomed me back to Chicago night life.

At midnight Kelly and her crew ditched out and Kaysie, Joel and I went to a few late night bars, one of which had applique pictures on the walls.

It was fun to see everyone in Chicago, and I was reminded why I loved living there. It also inspired me to make more of this CITY I live in right now! I can go to trendy dinner spots and drink Whiskey with the best of them, right here in Des Moines

LIFE photos I love

2011-05-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

Summer Eye Shadow Dilemma

2010-06-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

I've run into a dilemma I don't remember having in past summers... have I not worn eye shadow in the sweltering heat of Iowa or Illinois? Have I kept my winter hues and inadvertently clashed with the spring flowers? Why, oh WHY are all my shades dark and gloomy? This will just not do. I'm in the market for a new summer tint.

But I'm being pulled in a million different directions! (Well, 4 really...)

1. Metallics. Really? in the summer? I'm a little bit afraid they will draw the sun to my face like a tanning reflector a la 1953.

2. Bridget Bardot cat eyes. MEOW! However, I'm usually "the bomb" at makeup application but I just can't do the cat eye! I don't have any liquid liner right now, but even when I do, I do the cat eye and move back to look at my handy work, and the corner comes to a point in the strangest place! But I am leaning toward this look...

3. Apricot. This or any orangey tone might be really cute! But will it give me the pink eye look? Sure, it looks good here on Scarlett Johansen, but come on! Perfect skin, perfect eye brows...

4. Lilac! I just happen to HATE the color purple, but I LOVE to wear it! It looks great on me (red hair- like the chick on the right) and I find all my favorite clothes in that color. I think this may be the winner folks, but what do you think?

Foot Fetish

2010-05-28T12:13:00.001-07:00

I'm starting off pretty tame, so if this is out of your comfort zone,

I suggest skipping this racy entry...

I've loved these for YEARS since the fashion industry started to play Picasso with shoe styles. However I picture myself standing up and circling my arms back... back... back... as I topple back onto the chair.

These little gems look like some sort of torture device. I remember twirling my pencil around on the ground in 2nd grade and trying to grab it before it fell only to stab myself and come up with a pencil sticking out of my palm. That's a little how I feel about these shoes...

This girl looks like she's having a TON of fun at this party, and she might just stop by a disco tech later tonight.

Lets get serious here, you have to be a ballerina to even balance on these bad boys and I dropped out of ballet at a young age when it was clear I couldn't even point my finger... That being said, I covet them, I lust for them and I want them bad...

Bing Bang BOOM! DANG! I love these shoes. This is Madonna sporting what I assume is some Chanel footwear... Do you need a permit to wear these?

This is a model from my own collection... Kidding. A shoe called the Mojito designed by an architect. I haven't had so much trouble figuring out which shoe goes on which foot since I was in preschool!

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WARNING: Parents, send your kids out of the room... this is about to get frightening.

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First of all, I'm not sure if those are walkers or WHAT with the crazy black tennis balls on the bottom of them... If you have to buy a 25 cent bouncy ball to stick to the bottom of your shoes so you don't slip and slide on stage trying to get to the pole, you have problems.

There's a reason she's sitting.

I love this post tattoooooooo much

2010-05-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

According to "New York Fashion" website, You can now purchase Chanel's own line of temporary tattoos. They're $75 for five sheets of 55 tattoos, but I'm expecting them to hit Canal Street pretty soon for $10

....

would you take $5?

...

How about $7.

Deal.

Chanel models sported the edgy look in the Spring 2010 fashion show as well as models from the Rodarte and Jean Paul Gautier runway shows. Recently Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted wearing a temp tat bracelet, and SURPRISE! All of David Beckham's tattoos are fake Chanel tattoos too!
Just Kidding... But would we ever really know?

I ran to the dollar store over lunch to grab some of the body bling but this is all they had...

(For the record, I DON'T condone knock off designer stuff... It costs the fashion industry tons of money and they don't pay the workers very well for the work they do.)

She Obsesses over Dresses...

2010-05-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

This, my friend, is an adorable print on a perfect little dress. I can't even explain why it's so perfect! Just look at it. Yellow+Teal+Geometry+cute little neck line+cinched waist+not too short= Can someone get me a graphing calculator... TI-84 anyone?

---------------------------------->

This little number is a nod to Saturday mornings. Drawstring waist, feather grey... Can I sleep in this? Adorable accents at the waist band and I'm good to go. Love it with Chucks, Love it with gladiators, flip flops, heels, or barefoot eating quiche and drinking mimosas on my back porch. <3>

I love the casual gathering on the side of this gem. It kind of has the same look ask those t-shirts we (yes, we) wore in the 90's that we tied on the side to expose our midriff... BUT this doesn't expose belly buttons and its not gathered because it's ENORMOUSLY over sized, just comfortably skimming the curves. I also love the short sleeves. Not every event I go to do I feel comfortable bearing arms like the First Lady... I haven't done my bicep curls yet lady!

This dress KILLS me, I LOVE it. I love the way the stripes point to the illusion of a thin waist, I love the way the material looks like it keeps it's integrity when I'm feeling a bit plump in the center. I love the colors, I love the neckline... I just don't love that it costs like $400 at JCrew... RECESSION people... Jump on the "frugalista" bandwagon. gez.

It's a little tough to see, but I love the colors. Brown and yellow. I LOVE mustard yellow right now. Especially with muted neutrals like Grey and brown. Dude, Muted Neutrals is a SWEET band name. Anyway... The neckline has some detail that makes necklaces obsolete. Good for me because my necklaces are heavy duty and I start to sweat under the weight of them in the Iowa summer...

Me Gusta this little number. The watercolor thing is SO in right now and this dress is like someone wrapped up this little nugget of a model in some watercolor ribbon and sent her packing. The belt perfects it.

If only I could add a "happy little tree... riiiiiiight about here."

"Tommy Hilfiger Denim" Silk "Lizzie" Dress, "3.1 Philip Lim" Drawstring Dress-Summer 2010 collection, "Jones New York" Floral-Print Sheath Dress, "JCrew" Raj Stripe Dress, Embellished Two-Tone Dress at "Newport-News.com", "JCrew" Garden Ribbon Shift Dress.

1...2...3... my life

2009-08-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

I’d like to bring everyone (which means myself because noone reads this blog) up to speed with what’s going on with a few of my favorite things. Warning: this blog is random, so I’ve included a table of contents to keep you informed:
Project Runway
Moving to New Orleans
Injured Jockeys

Okay, Project Runway has started, or as I like to call it, LIFE. Life doesn’t stand for anything, I’m just saying that I’m obsessed with Project Runway and it’s great and my life revolves around it, and I capitalized it for special effects.
I’m not sure if I’m impressed yet. I haven’t seen anything I’m going to die without, and some of the “love it/hate it” choices by Heidi and the other judges has made me a little like, “wha?”

This I was shocked that they liked! I thought it was shapeless and poorly constructed. The bottom looked awful, it all looked like a cheap, red, polyester bag. The only thing this is good for is to pack your groceries and take them home.

This one, however, I thought was SUPER cute. They hated it. It was in the bottom 3. I would definitely wear it. Especially pregnant. They said it was “pointing to the belly… but I say, HELLO, the protruding belly points to the belly. The thick straps are perfect for wearing a bra, the colors are SO cute, it’s short but not too short, it’s not scandalous like some of the others… it’s SO CUTE. I want it. Okay, it was possibly poorly constructed, but nothing a few more days couldn’t fix. Seriously, what’d they have 12 minutes and $5 to construct this? SO cute anyways.

Now, I know I shouldn’t… but I LOVED this. Loved it. The top’s amazing, the color is a shimmery off white/eggshell. Loved it. Shorry....

Moving to New Orleans!
So… I’m moving to New Orleans… but you already knew that, because you’re either me or my mom (we’re the only ones who read this). I’m pretty excited. Here are a few of the places we’re looking at! This one might be a bit out of our price range… but I’m hoping we luck out.

While I’m there I have a list of “must do’s” and this list will grow until I leave. So here goes:
Meet Brad Pitt
Eat a Beniet
Get a drive-through daiquiri
Go to a Crawfish Broil (or is it boil?)
Find out if it’s “broil” or “boil”
Contract a southern accent (I say contract because I hear you get it the same way you get diseases… dirty needles and sex) (I’m kidding mom)

No worries, this list will get longer the closer I get to moving out there, and the more I learn about the place. As of now that’s all I know about New Orleans…

Injured Jockeys
This is the least upbeat of my topics, as well as the only topic I actually want people to read. We recently had a second Jockey fall during a race and he was seriously injured. His name is Michael Straight.

He’s a really great guy, I’ve met him a few times, and we shared a love of College Basketball and he told me about New York.
A few months ago Allyson here at work put together a REALLY successful golf outing for Rene Douglas, another jockey who was seriously injured here at Arlington.
The outing raised over $100,000 for him and his family. In this economy, that’s amazing to me. But it leaves a lot of people with empty pockets this time around. There are some ideas being thrown around involving marathons and poker tournaments, and whatever happens I’ll for sure be involved. Another issue is the time… We only have a month left of racing, and then everyone leaves for different tracks, and it makes it difficult to rally the troops.

Anyways, Donations to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockeys Fund, earmarked for Michael Straight should be sent to P.O. Box 18470/Encino, CA 91416. For more information on the MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund, please visit: http://www.macbethfund.org/

And, A bank account to receive donations specific for severely injured jockey Rene Douglas and his family has been established and this information was released this evening by the office of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.To send donations please make them payable to Rene Douglas and mail to Citibank, 539 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

So, I hope you were able to track with the many things on my mind. Maybe I’ll try to blog more often so my posts don’t get this jumbled.

Loves!

Black Bean and Goat Cheese Heaven in a Tortilla

2009-07-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

Tonight I got home and Keighty was busy with her wedding invites, so I started thinking about dinner. All I could think of was this recipe from Geraldine at work, so I dug it up and we ran around to get some goat cheese and I set sail.

Keighty had no idea how easy it was to make homemade tortillas, so I edumicated her.
I had to call my mama first to get the exact recipe.

Tortillas:

3 c. flour
1/3 c. Veg Oil
1 t Salt
1 C warm water

Mix everything together
Let it rest (if ya want)

make into 12 balls and flatten them with a tortilla press (which I left at Andy and Em's) or put it between 2 WELL OILED pieces of wax paper and roll into flat disks

fry 'em up in a pan!

I made a half a batch, and it made 6 tortillas (perfect for me, Keighty and Raul)

Next up, the quesadillas!

mind you, I'm making quesadillas while Raul is on the couch making guacamole and Keighty is making zucchini bread (yum!). mylifeinfood-keighty.blogspot.com

I cut up some onion and sauteed it with oil for about 5 minutes. I added a can of black beans and 1/2 cup water. Cook it down till it gets thick and take it off the heat.

smash up those black beans into a lumpy paste that looks like it might be delicious on a quesadilla. I added some cayenne pepper and cumin, and some crushed red peppers for Raul.

Slather it on 3 of the tortillas

Get a sweet 2 for 1 deal on Goat cheese. Store one package of it, and crumble up the other package and put it on the black bean mixture. Keep in mind that goat cheese is a strong flavor, so don't go overboard on this.

throw these in a pan and cook on each side for a little bit till everything melts and melds together.

cut 'em up and serve them with some guacamole and cervesas!

DELISH.

Thanks GG for the awesome recipe. It was a hit and it's definitely a fav. now.

The best and worst day everrrrrrrrr

2009-06-24T20:40:00.001-07:00

Dear Blog,
Today was the best and worst day ever. The first call I got today was from a lady who was inquiring about the 3rd of July Fireworks at the track, here's how the conversation went:

Lady: I listened to your recording about the Fireworks, is this true? is this true? is this true?
Me: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Lady: Why are you doing them on the 3rd of July this year?
Me: Well, we don't want to compete with the other communities
Lady: WHAT?! (spinning head and throwing up everywhere) DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME THAT, EVERYONE COMES TO YOURS ANYWAYS, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, WHY WHY WHY?!
Me: Well, we did it last year and it worked well
Lady: NO YOU DIDN'T THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR AND I HATE IT AND YOU BETTER ADVERTISE OR MY FRIENDS WON'T KNOW. PS I HATE YOU
Me: well I'll let Paul Revere know that this weekend isn't good for you... biotch. (not really, I mumbled something about letting the people in charge know that she wanted it on the 4th...)
click.
10 minutes later:
SAME LADY! ugh.
Her: What time is the last race
Me: around 8:30, I'm not completely sure
Her: well make an assessment.
Me: My assessment is 8:30...
Her: well is that when the race is over, or when it's starting, like is there going to be a race going on at 8:30?
Me: It's a 2 minute race... and if I'm just guessing...
Her: I don't know if I talked to you before, but, WHY ARE YOU DOING THE 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS ON THE 3RD?! THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I HATE IT (EATING BABIES)
Me: well, actually, I asked around, and it has been on the 3rd for quite some time, in fact no one remembers it ever being on the 4th
Her: YOU'RE LYING TO ME, YOU'RE AN IDIOT, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ON THE 4TH, BLA BLA BLA, BLARNEY BLARNEY. I'M HANGING UP NOW
Click
Me: (crying)

So then I had a phone interview about a job I might take in New Orleans! It's just for the winter, and it's at a track called Fairgrounds. I'm not sure what job it will be, but basically, if I want it, I can have it! (More details to come... I'm just really tired)

Then I had an interview for the Direct Marketing job at AP. It went well, but basically Ken told me what I was expecting to hear, they want someone with more experience... experience with a budget (um... talk to a girl with credit card debt about a budget) and profit/loss crap (again with the credit cards sir...)

At lunch I bought a fan from Meier, and I was SO excited to put it together, so I got home, dropped everything, changed into the shortest shorts I have and a tank top because it's hella hot here... 100 degrees is what my Jeep says. So anyways, drop everything, take it out of the box, and HELLO! It's missing the stand part of it... so I cried some more and called my mom. PS did I mention I haven't slept in 3 days because it's SO HOT in my room.

So, I went to target because I had to get some other stuff- and I got a bunch of other stuff and no fan... they were picked over and I wasn't about to buy a $60 stainless steel fan.

So, I came home, made dinner, and went to Kmart... Dear weather, you can EAT MY SHORTS, because I found a fan and it's amazing. It's actually blowing on me right now. It's a good thing I didn't have to use my back up plan, which was to employ one of those guys selling tube socks on Division and Western to blow on me all night.

I'm ready for a restful night.

Truly yours forever,

Alisa R. L.