May 18, 2012


  • There are 3 weeks left of school. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. 
 
  • I just purchased this dress from Sosie for a rehearsal dinner next week. I’m happy it has long sleeves because it is supposed to be in the low 60s the night of the rehearsal dinner. I am going to pair it with my Oia Jules necklace. 
via
  • I really, really want a 2nd mini schnauzer. Everyone I’ve met with mini schnauzers always has two. Or they say things like, “I had 2 mini schnauzers growing up”. I think they’re just meant to be in pairs. Plus there are so many ridiculously cute dog names out there like Gordon or Nelson.
Via Warren Photographic
  • I’m hosting a Memorial Day/Going Away Party next Sunday. I’ve done nothing for it. I should probably do something about that. 
 
  • The wedding we are attending next Friday kicks off the start of a really busy summer for us including our first anniversary trip that is a surprise for me(!) and a trip to California. Followed by my husband’s 30th birthday, possibly another trip to NYC, and a trip to Florida. I love life like this.
 

  • I recently bought 2 Vintage Cotton Tees from J.Crew. I seriously have a problem with buying tee shirts. I can’t stop. 
Vintage cotton V-neck tee
Via
  • I really want to embrace the floral trend but whenever I look at floral pieces, I think they are slightly hideous. I spent a large majority of my childhood in floral dresses that matched my sister’s. I think I’m scarred. 
Seriously. Flashbacks. (Via)
  • As I was drinking a glass of wine two nights ago, I came to the realization that I have weeknight drinking glasses and weekend drinking glasses. I use the stemless during the week and the stemmed on the weekends. Does anyone else do this?

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (via)

Thursday, Friday, Saturday (via)
  • I think I'm going to have to wait at least 3 to 6 months to read "Fifty Shades of Grey". Since I know so much about it due to all the media hype, I can barely pay attention to the storyline. I'm just waiting for them to have sex. Is there even a storyline? I went ahead and read one of the sex scenes and it was like over 20 pages. 

Happy Friday!!
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May 16, 2012

The one where we took our dog to the gym with us

Since this week is about airing all of our secrets and I recently admitted I don't work out as often as I should, I made a decision to hit the gym yesterday morning at the ungodly hour of 5 AM. I thought for sure when our alarms went off, G would bail and I could sleep for another 90 minutes. No such luck. I'm not sure what has gotten into my husband. He seriously loathes working out. I've always been the one going to gym, going to an aerobics class, running, walking, etc. The homily during our wedding even referenced on multiple occasions that I am the more athletic one. Recently, though, the tables have turned. I'm all, "Husband, what time do you want to go to dinner on Friday?" and he's all, "Probably around 8:30 or 9, I have to hit the gym" and then I'm all, "Uh, I was hoping to be drunk by then." At which point, he rolls his eyes at me via email. Anyway, you get the idea. He's the healthy, un-lazy one currently and I'm now, well, him. It's disconcerting.

As I was saying, Monday night G called and said he was going to go to the gym when he got home. I decided I was going to go with him even though I'd already changed into my after work clothes which, as I am sure you know, are the clothes that signify that you are not leaving the house except in case of a fire. But, G got home way later than expected and then suggested the dreaded, "Let's get up and go to the gym in the morning." I was like, yeah,  yeah, sure sounds good. He'll bail and it will be fine. 5 AM CAME AND HE DIDN'T BAIL. 

So, off to the gym we went. It was slightly less than disastrous. Because we are total suckers and super attached to our dog, we brought her with us (the gym is down the hall from our apt and there is never anyone in there in the morning). We get on our respective machines and start moving. The dog has a tennis ball and quickly discovers that it is super fun to knock her ball underneath the treadmill, causing me to get off the treadmill numerous times to retrieve it. After about 3 times of this, I take the ball away. This does not stop her. She takes her bone and starts dropping it on the treadmill behind my feet so that it flies off the treadmill and she can chase it. She does this for awhile and I'm thinking its totally fine because its not bothering me and she seems happy. Eventually, this bores her. So she starts prancing around in the mirror and I realize she's doing the potty dance and before I can even take one step off the treadmill to stop my dog, that hasn't gone to the bathroom in the house in who knows how long, she has done her business on the floor of a communal gym. Yeah. Not good. Mainly because for the past year, it has been a full-on war in this building of dog owners vs. non-dog owners and it has not been pretty. We cleaned it up the best we could but all in all, I'd say I spent about 25 minutes total working out. 

All that to say, the little time I did spend working out felt great and was just another reminder that I need to work out more regularly. I was so productive today it was ridiculous. I tackled so much grading and returning papers that I'd been putting off and I had less of an urge to get Peanut M&M's from the vending machine. Now, if we can get our puppy to learn proper gym etiquette I think going to the gym from here on out should be a piece of cake {pun intended}.




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May 14, 2012

Things I'm Afraid to Tell You

 Things I'm Afraid To Tell You - via Creature Comforts


I haven't been blogging long but I have been reading blogs for a long time and it's hard not to get jealous and ungrateful when you read about everyone's perfect lives every time you open Google Reader. It's hard not to wish you had more money, a better body, better clothes, better cooking skills, etc. It happens to me a lot when I read blogs. When I heard about the "Things I'm Afraid to Tell You" at Meg's BLOG, BIZ, + BUZZ event last week, I thought it would be a great post to participate in because my life is not perfect. It's messy and decidedly imperfect. The blogs that I enjoy the most are the blogs that are real and honest so I figured I should be real and honest on my own blog. So without further ado, here are my things I'm afraid to tell you: 

1. Teaching has made me cynical. Working with kids is grueling. This school year has been particularly hard and it has made me question why I work in this profession multiple times. Because I teach what is known as an "encore" class, my department teaches every student in the school and I've been given the hardest students in the school. I've gotten cynical about the nature of children and parenting. I think it is entirely possible that an 11 year old is just simply not a good person.Teaching is supposed to be a rewarding career but on most days I feel anything but rewarded. I hope this changes next school year but I'm not confident it will. 

2. I think marriage is really hard work. With our one year anniversary coming up, the one thing I have learned is that marriage is really hard work. I've heard people say the first year of marriage is the hardest and I've heard people say it's the easiest. I definitely agree with the former. It has been a lovely, beautiful year but it has also been incredibly tough. I would say this past year has been the hardest in our entire relationship. This shit just ain't easy but I'm glad I learned that now instead of ten years down the road. 

3. Motherhood terrifies me. I'm terrified of becoming a mom. It probably has something to do with number one and reading, "We Need to Talk about Kevin" but it completely terrifies me. Right now, I can't entertain the thought of giving all of my free time to a little human. Sometimes I resent that I have to take my dog for a walk, how will I ever not be resentful of having to spend a Saturday morning at a soccer game instead of lounging in bed? I'm also just worried I'll be a crap mother.

4. I can't keep my 900 sq. foot apartment clean. I can't. I don't know why, it's not even big! How do people keep 3 bedroom houses clean? Something in my house is always messy. Always. There's either dishes in the sink or laundry still in the washer.

5. I teach Health and Physical Education but I'm not always the best role model. I don't work out as often as I should. I have a candy drawer in my office. We have "Chipotle Sunday" in this house during which I house a Burrito Bol every Sunday. I eat Reese's minis on a fairly regular basis. Then, I go to work and tell my students to eat vegetables and get 60 minutes of physical activity everyday.


Phew. It feels good to put all that on paper. I feel lighter, somehow. If you feel like sharing things you're afraid to share, which I encourage you to do, join me all the other bloggers participating:

Cassie: Coco + Kelley / Christine: Court & Hudson / Caitlin: Sacramento Street / Roxy: My Cup of Te / Crystal: Blog / Meg: MIMI+MEG / Ashlina: The Decorista / Katie: Modern Eve / Erin: Apartment 34 / Erica: Design Blahg / Victoria: Vmac & Cheese / Christine: Miles to Style / Franki: Life in a Venti Cup  / Sue: The Zhush / Erika: Radiant Republic / Gabrielle: Savvy Home / Monika: The Doctor's Closet / Naomi: Design Manifest /Tobe: Because It's Awesome / Becca: {extra}ordinary wonders / Lynzy: Sparkling Footsteps / Hitha: Hitha On The Go / Sarah: Note To Self / Liz: So Much To Smile About / Sarah: Blogstar / Alissa: The Goods Design / Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio  / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me  / Jen: Concrete Jungle DC / Janelle: Food Fashion Fitness / Natalie: East Coast Chic

And a BIG thanks to these ladies for getting the ball rolling on the movement:






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May 9, 2012

BLOG BIZ + BUZZ by Meg of MIMI + MEG

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a workshop called BLOG BIZ + BUZZ put on by the fabulous and oh-so-relatable Meg from MIMI + MEG. The workshop was so insightful. I am really interested in the blog community and have come to really love blogging. When I blogged before, from 08-10, I didn't really dedicate any time to it and it felt like a chore most of the time. This time around, I am enjoying taking the time to put up meaningful and quality posts (although I still have a long way to go in terms of quality! I know I can do better!). I learned a lot from Meg and plan on keeping the packet we received last night as a go to reference on my desk.
While I got some great tips and ideas from the workshop, what I found to be most valuable is the inspiration. Meg is inspiring. The other ladies in attendance are inspiring. She talked a lot about putting yourself out there and not being afraid. She talked about working hard and making yourself visible. Honestly, it was exactly what I needed to hear last night. A few weeks ago I posted about diving in and I feel like attending Meg's workshop was the first step.  I am definitely hoping to grow this blog and with Meg's advice, I think it's possible:) If you have a chance to catch one of her workshops, I wholeheartedly recommend you do ! 

#blogbizbuzz by Meg of MIMI +MEG
Decandent treats!!
Goodies by Stephanie Johnson & Design Darling
I was the lucky winner of the Oia Jules giveaway! I am in love with this necklace!

 Thanks again to Meg and to all the wonderful sponsors of this event:


Can't wait to catch another one of Meg's great events!



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May 8, 2012

Turkey Meatballs

Since I've talked a lot on this blog about cooking and learning to cook, I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite recipes to cook. Turkey meatballs adapted from the recipe below by one of my favorite TV chefs, Giada de Laurentiis. The prep time is a bit longer but the recipes makes so many meatballs that you will have dinner for at least four nights. My favorite thing to do when I cook is put on music and pour myself a glass of wine. It makes the process that much more enjoyable for me so I love it when a recipe has a longer prep time because that means more music & wine! 

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves*
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano*
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ground dark turkey meat
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil  *
Ingredients {forgot to get the bread crumbs out for the pic}

All the scrumptious seasonings in the bowl!

Ready to go in the oven!


Finished but looking lonely on the plate. I served these with a little pasta sauce for dipping and asparagus.


Directions

Add the onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, ketchup, parsley, Parmesan, Pecorino, salt and pepper to a large bowl and blend. Mix in the turkey. Shape the turkey mixture into 1 1/4-inch-diameter meatballs. Place on a large plate or baking sheet. 

Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and saute until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Pour off any excess oil. Add the marinara sauce, about 3 cups. Return all the meatballs to the pan. Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors blend, 15 to 20 minutes. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper. *

Transfer the meatball mixture to a serving bowl. Serve with toothpicks. 
 
*My Adaptations
  •  I use dried basil instead of parsley leaves and I don't adjust it. I just 1/4 cup of dried basil leaves
  • Instead of Pecorino Romano, I use Goat Cheese. 
  • I don't use olive oil because I don't saute the meatballs. Instead, I cook them in the oven on a greased cookie sheet for about 15 minutes, flip them, and cook them for 10 minutes more. I just find it to be easier than sauteing them.  Do whatever your little heart desires!
These meatballs are soooo good! I love the flavor and they are not too heavy for being meatballs. I usually just serve the meatballs by themselves with a little sauce and some veggies, but I'm sure they'd be good with pasta as well.
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May 1, 2012

Working on my camera

Remember when I said I have a fancy pants camera and that over spring break I was going to start learning to use it? Yeah, that didn't happen. Spring break was consumed with cleaning and redecorating and no camera learning to be had. My camera was acting a bit suspect last week so when I went to my parents' house this past weekend, I took it with me to get my dad's advice. He's a brilliant photographer and well-versed in all things camera. He'd recommended that I get a polarizer and a UV filter, which I did, but then I was too scared to put them on the actual camera. He put them on for me and played around with the functions for a bit and voila- it was back in working order! Love parents. After that was cleared up, I decided to take a few pictures around the house to start getting used to the camera since I rarely use it. We have two big trips coming up and I want to be able to use the camera so it's time I start learning! I bought the Canon Rebel T1i for Dummies and I have been slowly going through that to learn. Anyway, it was fun taking pictures around my parents house as they have great landscaping perfect for practicing! 



someone needs a haircut
not flowers but still pretty, yes?
my loves
peony blooms! peonies are my most favorite flower every and I am so pumped my mom has one in her yard now!
the husband got ahold of the camera and caught me and my mom fawning over the flora...see what I did there?


 So there is my first real attempt at getting used to using my camera. If you are a DSLR user please pass along any tips you  have for a newbie like me!

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