Saturday, April 30, 2011

Tybee Island Turtle Trot 5K


I completed the first of the 5Ks I'm doing for my "Before I'm 30" tasks! I completed the Tybee Island Turtle Trot 5K with my coworker EK, a run on the beach to benefit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.

I took it easy for the first half of the run, getting my bearings running on the sand. I was kind of jealous of the people running in the "toe shoes" because it seemed like the perfect surface! There was a huge crowd and a narrow start, so it took a while to get a good position and avoid the dozens of dead jellyfish all over the place!

That being said, I ran the second half faster, and I enjoyed seeing them release a couple of rehabilitated sea turtles afterwards! How cool is that?

Friday, April 29, 2011

The Royal Wedding!

I haven't blogged about William & Kate (excuse me, Prince William & Catherine, Duke & Duchess of Cambridge!) since their engagement, but I HAD to join the hubbub surrounding the Royal Wedding this morning in London. I feel like the only person who's been waiting for this event as long as I have is Kate herself! I have been following their relationship for almost a decade now, as creepy as it sounds, and I was in love with this wedding.



First off, the DRESS. Love the dress from Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Everyone remarked on its resemblance to Princess Grace of Monaco's wedding dress. It was SUCH an appropriate choice, both the lace and the deep V-neck. I also LOVED the Cartier tiara, with her hair cascading down. It was both understated and fitting, because it wasn't overwhelming on her. She was beautiful in her own right, not just totally adorned. And I heard she did her own makeup! I feel like she embraced the 'blushing bride' modesty, and everyone agrees it was stunning.



Next up, the rest of the bridal party. LOVE that Prince William chose the Irish uniform, because the red was awesome. Next, Pippa Middleton's Alexander McQueen dress was almost as gorgeous as the bride's dress! Both of the sisters are stunning, and I think Pippa wore that dress like a model. (I'd get married in HER dress!) Last for the bridal party, Carole Middleton's hat and outfit were so pretty and appropriate as well.


Lastly, THE HATS. Oh, the hats! Some of them I hated (sorry, Princess Beatrice) but some were AWESOME. I kind of wish the hat thing were bigger in the U.S., outside of the Kentucky Derby. As I said before, I loved Carole Middleton's powder blue hat, as well as Princess Letizia of Spain's more traditional-looking pink hat. There were some crazy ones out there, but even some of the more modern ones looked cool (like Victoria Beckham's.)



On a side note, David Beckham looked AMAZING. Seriously, Google it. And print it. And frame it. And look at it every day.

(All photos are from ABC News' website! It was SO hard to choose which ones to use.)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

FIRST EVER Blog Giveaway!!!


That's right, folks! I'm doing my first ever BLOG GIVEAWAY. And let me tell you, the odds are good to win this one.

I blog a lot about baking, though I haven't posted all of my past baking endeavors. One of the things I am most known for among friends and coworkers is my CUPCAKES.

While I always strive to bake delicious recipes for my cupcakes, I really think it is the presentation that makes people love them so much. Just taking the extra time to pipe your frosting into a cute swirl, maybe adding some sprinkles, really makes an impact! I've even passed of boxed cake mix cupcakes (gasp!) as works of art that people assume I spent hours working on.

The secret? Books like Hello, Cupcake! The design ideas are simple but eye-popping and adorable. Since I have WAY too many cookbooks (and cupcake books) and have learned all the tricks/lessons this one has to offer, I am giving away my PERSONAL copy (in near-flawless condition) of this book, mailed directly to you! :)

All you have to do is follow these steps to be eligible!

1) Follow my blog. Look to the right, and find the "Followers" area. Using your Google/Twitter/Yahoo/AIM/OpenID/etc. log-in, choose to "Follow publicly" and you will be listed as a Follower!

2) Post a comment to this blog entry, telling me about the best cupcake (taste or design!) that you've ever had!

It's that easy! I will be picking a random winner MONDAY, May 2nd, at 5 p.m. Eastern time.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Gleek Peek: 'Night of Neglect' and 'Born This Way'

I'm a little frustrated with Glee lately. I'm not going to go into every issue I had with the past couple of episodes, but let's just say that I have many grievances. Thank goodness they've rid us of the Warblers, who I loved at first but now are kind of annoying. And don't get me started on the rushed exit of Holly (Gwyneth Paltrow), the beyond-ridiculous antics of the Lima adults (seriously, Sue, even you have stooped too low), and the rushed/anti-climactic re-arrival of Kurt to McKinley? And Mike's dancing being featured constantly?

But I digress. The BIG issue I had with this latest episode surrounds Quinn Fabray. #1, Rachel wanting her nose. #2, how the uber-confident Lauren Zizes went out of character. #3, her ugly duckling beginnings as Lucy Caboosey. Okay, so it's believable that Rachel might want Quinn's nose, thinking Quinn is everything that she wants to be, especially now that she and Finn are together. HOWEVER, what happened to Rachel's recent streak of confidence and niceness? Why the sudden insecurity resurgence?

Next, Lauren Zizes. She ROCKS because she's landed Puck and is super confident. It's natural she'd run against Quinn for prom queen, but why would she dig up 'dirt' on her past and call her out for being a former fat girl with glasses/acne/braces? That's not how Zizes would play, she'd fight fair and square. And what does Lauren gain from Quinn's ugly photo? Nothing.

Lastly, Lucy Caboosey. Look, Quinn is Queen Bee, and she's mean to other girls. Showing us that she used to be 'ugly' but got fit and a nose job and blonde doesn't help every girl out there suffering. I had glasses/acne/braces all at once, but I couldn't transfer school and change my face... nor would I even think to do that. It sends the wrong message, a message that you can become the pretty blond cheerleading captain if you work at it and alter your appearance and conform. How is THAT a part of what Glee is trying to tell us with its Lady Gaga 'Born This Way' message?

Sigh. I'm not even that into all the songs. The only one that stuck out in my mind the past couple of episodes is the Quinn/Rachel 'Unpretty' duet.

I want this show to redeem itself, BADLY. Back to basics, back to the characters being IN character, songs that match the storyline, and less over-produced BS. I love Glee, I just don't like it right now.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Before I'm 30: Get a facial!

Today, since it was my last day off of the long Easter weekend away from work, I decided it was a good day to get a facial. I go to two different salon/spas for various things. I love Lavender Hill, where I get my hair done, but I couldn't get an appointment this weekend. Closer to my house, I also love Hinesville Day Spa, where I get waxed, and they had an opening this morning for me!

This was my first facial, and I really can't believe I waited so long. I got their facial specifically geared towards evening skin tone and treating blemishes. It felt good to have someone take the time to do so many steps, and she even had some time to treat my trouble spots with some UV light. I can see a visible difference in my skin.

Also, the spa let me cash in my 'birthday gift' of a paraffin dip for my hands! I definitely feel pampered today.

So one more thing checked off my list, and I used three coupons yesterday. Progress!

In other news, I looked in my closet to see how I've been doing on my no-new-clothes-until-I-wear-everything-once kick. I only have about a dozen more items to go! The problem is most of the items are a bit dressy, so I am going to have to find a way to dress them down enough to wear them 'in real life.' But I'm making progress, and already thinking of things to set aside for a yard sale or donation trip.

Update: I took some of the cake balls I made to my next-door neighbors! Another task complete!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Gimme gimme gimme.

So, I've kept to my promise of not buying any more clothes/shoes/etc. until I've worn everything at least once. It's been a challenge, but I've stuck to my guns! I know it sounds super lame, but it makes me think every day about what I'm going to wear, so I can incorporate things I've never worn before into an outfit. Sometimes I'm actually pleasantly surprised!

That being said, every paycheck I've been buying something small that I want/need for the house. I already blogged about my practical birthday gifts, my new trashcan, and cake stand. But now, with a week before payday, I'm finding myself looking at the things I'd like... even though they are wants not needs!
Corelle Paper Shadows Dinnerware Set, $70. I have a Corelle set, but it is plain white with some black sketch patterns... I want something a bit more girly, and this reminds me of the colorful sofas I've bought. It fits my personality... but I think I need to sell my other set to make room for these.
Natural Square Folding Wood Bistro Set, $129. This whole set folds up, and would be perfect for my back "deck" (i.e. concrete slab). It would be a great excuse to eat/read outside, right? And this price makes it less than the countless Craigslist sets I've been hunting for.


Cuisinart Smart Power Duet Blender/Food Processor, $80. My blender is garbage. It looks nice, but I couldn't even get it to puree strawberries. I should have ditched it in the yard sale! I tend to use my little Cuisinart mini-chopper for everything; it's powerful and quick, but its capacity is too small for a big job. I found this blender/food processor duo online, and I love that I can basically get two appliances in one. It doesn't even take up that much counter space.

So... what should I get? Any? All? Not all at once, of course, but these are what I have my eye on lately.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Food lately...



I haven't posted about food in a little while, but I assure you I've been cooking a few things!

The other day was my coworker's birthday, and since he has a Nikon D300 that he loves, I carved a little cake for him. I am NOT a cake decorator! I can bake, but I have no decorating skills... hence my love for cupcakes. But I did it nonetheless.

I also tried a "healthier" burger recipe that I found in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine, Mediterranean Chickpea Burgers. They are definitely something else... not the juicy burger than I love, but something different to try. The chickpeas and bulgur made it very filling, and this burger would be excellent if made with ground lamb instead of beef.

A recipe I attempted that I really liked was Cluck à l’Orange, a recipe from Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine. It was a DELICIOUS weeknight meal, and something with an easy sauce I can make again and again. Definitely worth a try, because the sweet sauce over the chicken breast is perfect, and since you don't use heavy breading on the chicken it is actually pretty healthy recipe.

Enjoy!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

101 Things to Do Before I'm 30

For some reason, THIRTY is a big, scary birthday. Suddenly our youthful twenties are gone, and we can no longer avoid being recognized as real ADULTS. It's one of those milestone ages where we reflect back on our lives and hopefully have figured out what we want and the direction we're going. I don't think 30 is old at all... age is a number. But it's a milestone nonetheless!

As of now, I've been 26 for about a month, and the idea that I'm closer to 30 than 20 is kind of intimidating and awesome at the same time. I've had a lot of life experiences, but I still wonder where the time went and what the heck I'm doing! So I developed a list of 101 things, a "bucket list" of sorts, to be completed before I hit the big 3-0... Some of them will make you laugh! And for every single one, I am putting $5 into a Savings Account. That $505 will be mine to spend as I see fit upon turning 30. A birthday gift to my future (hopefully fabulous) self!

And I've already accomplished one task: Open a Savings Account. Only 100 more to go...

Keep track of my progress HERE! I will update you along the way.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Woman vs. Cat

I have a cat, named Cally. She is a "tortie" with an attitude, and it seems that as she gets older, she gets more and more brazen and weird. I love her, and she's been a part of my life for about 15 years, but lately the battle of Woman vs. Cat has escalated.

The most recent offenses:
-barfing on the bed
-no longer making the effort to bury poops in litterbox
-stealing half of my sandwich off the coffee table
-passing a hairball on the brand-new loveseat
-begging for food constantly

Everyone who has a cat knows that this kind of behavior just comes with the territory. From the moment you open your eyes, you're fair game.

My friend JM sent me a bunch of haikus (written from a cat's perspective) that had me rolling with laughter. If you're a cat owner, I'm pretty sure these will hit close to home for you too!




You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on your face.
That will sure show you.

You must scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold, elevator butt.

In deep sleep hear sound
cat vomit hairball somewhere
will find in morning.

You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
sitting on your hands.

Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes,
Fear vacuum cleaner

I want to be close
to you. Can I fit my head
inside your armpit?

Wanna go outside.
Oh, poop! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Show me the money!

Today was the local area yard sale day, and I was fortunate enough to score some prime real estate to sell the things collecting dust in my house! (Thanks to CH for letting me share her driveway!) I started super early, literally scavenging the closets and cabinets of my house for things to sell.My goal was to sell everything I could, with the leftover items going to Goodwill, and possibly finding a cake stand. I've been browsing cake stands for a while now online, but I couldn't find an adorable one that I really wanted for a good price.

Well, today I scored big time! Not only did I make $150 and sell nearly all of my items, but CH was selling an ADORABLE cake stand and gave it to me for FREE. It's so cute and retro.


I know I talked before about wanting a new kitchen trash can, which I was saving for by couponing when I grocery shop. Well, on my way home from the yard sale I bought one! Contrary to popular belief, nice trash cans do NOT come cheap. I bought a Canopy brand one at Wal-Mart, stainless steel, and I love it. It was totally worth the money I paid, and I have plenty left over to cover my groceries for the upcoming weeks.

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Cally likes the new trashcan. :)

Friday, April 15, 2011

Let's get spicy!

I love my collection of spices. I have a ton of them that I have acquired over time, stacked and organized in my cabinet using the SpiceCare system by TableFare. It's definitely not cheap, so I had to look at it as an investment in my spices; the sealed containers keep them fresher for longer. I have so much more space, and it is way easier to find my spices!

I also buy my spices from a local distributor, Spices Etc. They have a HUGE inventory and ship really fast; I keep meaning to stop in there the next time I'm in Pooler! I scored all of my Indian spices for a steal using a Groupon they did, and now I will be a loyal customer.


Do you have a growing spice collection? Need organizing tips? I definitely recommend you spend an afternoon dedicating yourself to getting your spices in order. It saves you so much time, and you can make your home-cooked meals SO much tastier (bang for your buck!) with the right combination of spices, without buying pre-made meals. If you like to buy whole spices, I recommend a small, cheap coffee grinder like my Krups one. Just don't use it for coffee after grinding your garam masala!


Love the look of those magnetic spice containers, but don't want to break the bank? My friend CM did this AWESOME DIY project to make her own! She includes all the instructions you need, and you can even store those magnetic bottles on the side of your fridge. It's one of the coolest DIYs I've seen in a while.


Important Thing to Know About Your Spices:

Spices don't last forever! Write a date on your container in a wax pen. Herbs last 1-3 years, seasoning blends 1-2 years, ground spices 2-3 years, whole spices and extracts 3-4 years. If the color fades, you don't smell the aroma (rub it in your hand), or the flavor weakens, it's probably not good anymore. I store my spices in a closed cabinet, away from heat/sunlight/moisture.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Mmmmm-meatloaf!

My friend DW had me over for dinner tonight, and I had a blast! She is cooking her way through two of Paula Deen's cookbooks, so tonight we had BBQ Meatloaf and an Italian pasta salad. I assisted where I could, but she was the main effort in this endeavor!

The meatloaf was AWESOME. We basted it throughout its cooking time, and it was so much tastier than the normal ketchup-laden meatloaf I've had in the past. I liked it so much that I took the leftovers home to make a sandwich for work tomorrow! Way to go, DW!!!

In case you want to try it yourself, here's Paula's recipe from Food Network/her book:

PAULA DEEN'S BBQ MEATLOAF

Ingredients:
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 onion, diced
1 egg, lightly beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
3 tablespoons vinegar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water, to thin sauce if necessary

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix together the beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce. Form this mixture into a loaf and place it in a shallow pan. Stir together the remaining tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, mustard, Worcestershire and the water (if too thick). Pour this sauce over the meatloaf. Bake for 1 hour, basting every 15 minutes with the pan juices.

(Semi) Extreme Couponing

When I was younger, I used to cringe at the grocery checkout as I watched my mother have the cashier scan dozen of coupons. I'd look back at the customers waiting in line and look apologetic as we took seemingly forever to complete our purchase.

I've been fortunate enough to not NEED to clip coupons, but watching the show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC changed my mind. I was absolutely fascinated with these people who send hours cutting coupons/planning shopping trips to haul in $1000 in merchandise for less than $10. I realized that while a lot of them seem to be compulsive shoppers/hoarders, their strategy actually makes a lot of sense!

I haven't received my first Sunday paper yet, but I am very excited about the prospect of having manufacturer's coupons to bring to the stores, hopefully scoring some double-coupon deals. In the past few weeks, I have saved almost $45 by combining store weekly sales with coupons, stocking up on things that I always use. I also use the Kroger app on my iPhone to automatically add coupons to my store card! These savings are money in the bank to purchase the things I need/want, like a new trash can for my kitchen, without guilt.

I texted my Mom about my coupon efforts, and she is super thrilled about it! She told me that now I understand why she never pays full price, and why sometimes she has four jars of mayo at once. You stock up (within reason) when things are on sale, and in time you have everything you need!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Home Economics?

Did anyone else take home economics? I just don't think the lessons they are teaching are the ones we really need before we go out into the world.


Like, how to sign a lease? How to buy a car? How to grocery shop? Where are those lessons? I've had to learn things the 'hard' way, now that I'm on my own.



Like today, for example. I've been sweating in my house since Saturday night, when my air conditioner froze. As in, BLOCKS OF ICE! I freaked out. The cost of replacing the unit ran through my head, and I nearly had a panic attack. I got a repairman to come to the house today, and do you know what the problem was? DIRTY AIR FILTER. NOBODY ever told me I have to check/clean that! How come they don't hand you a book when you buy/rent a place that tells you things like that? Price of lesson: $55.



A few other things the should teach in home economics...

*Maintain your car. Change the oil when you need to, check your tires/alignment, replace the fluids and windshield wipers. It will all make your car last longer! Also, make friends with someone who knows about cars, because it's a lot cheaper than taking it in to the shop.

*Kitchen odors can be solved with the most basic things. A box of baking soda in the fridge, grinding up a lemon in the garbage disposal, etc. With the garbage disposal, flush with hot water and baking soda monthly.

*MR. CLEAN MAGIC ERASER. My mother taught me this one... takes marks off walls, furniture, even shoes. Just add water! Also, Resolve is GREAT for when your cat barfs on the carpet, or when your sister decides to paint her nails and spill the bottle on the floor... :)

*Make a spreadsheet of all your expenses, especially all the bills you pay. WHO KNEW there were so many people to pay every month! No one told me this. Also, look at your bank statements regularly.

*Groceries are expensive! Getting the Sunday paper isn't just good for comics, but for getting coupons. Pair coupons with what's on sale in your grocery store's weekly ad (available online!) and you can save TONS of money on things you buy all the time. Make a list, and stick to it! I read the paper online, but subscribe for Sundays only; the coupon savings pay for the paper within a week.

*You can cook! Cooking is cheaper than takeout/delivery, and it's so much healthier because you don't cook with as much salt/butter/heavy cream as the restaurants do. I love the simple recipes I find online for FREE, plus you can read reviews. I love my cookbooks, but with the Internet you don't even need to buy them.

*You can save LOTS of money by not running your heater or air conditioner when you don't really need it. Just wear shorts when it's warm, or a sweatshirt when it's cool. I hated this growing up, but Mom was right.




Got any lessons learned to share? Leave a comment below!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Shopaholic Detox

Anyone who knows me will tell you I have a shopping problem. I keep buying clothes!!! (I think it's genetic... my mother and sister have extensive wardrobes like mine. We can't resist a good deal on a great piece!)

Well, as I was putting laundry into my closet, I realized there were tons of things hanging there with PRICE TAGS still on them, even as I was adding items on a regular basis. And if I removed the tags, I totally remember whether I wore something or not. Guilt.

I'm trying to be more smart about money these days. I requested practical birthday gifts, knowing it would save me money. I subscribed to the local paper's Sunday edition for coupons, I read my grocery circular weekly, and I buy what's on sale and plan menus around that. (I was inspired by MTM and the people on Extreme Couponing... though I am still learning!) This week, without the Sunday paper coupons, I saved $17 on my groceries! I'm already planning my next shopping trip around coupons/sales. I also sold video games I don't play for $30 cash, plus I'm gathering items for a big local yard sale.

As for my personal shopping, I am finally budgeting my purchases. I buy something small for the house only after I receive a paycheck, or wait until the end of a month for a slightly bigger purchase. Example, I want a new trashcan for the kitchen. I'm not sure what I want for next paycheck, but something will come up for the house (like new oven mitts, or some fancy foodstuffs from Fresh Market or World Market!) that isn't part of my normal home maintenance/grocery budget. It's good to help keep me on track to only focus on a little something every two weeks versus losing control in between.

Now, for clothes. I am kind of embarrassed by the unworn clothes in my closet... so I am going on a clothing "fast" for a definite/indefinite amount of time. What do I mean? NO MORE CLOTHES, PURSES, or SHOES until I have wore EVERY ITEM at least once. I know, that shouldn't be too difficult, right? Well, I have dozens. DOZENS. Sick, huh? So I'll definitely be reading Girl at the Mirror and What I Wore religiously for ideas on how to wear my clothes. And if I come across an item I refuse to wear? It gets donated to Goodwill. A lot of people thought my last shopping detox had too many loopholes, but this time it's for real.

So until I wear every item once, I'll be shopping in my own closet. Wish me luck! I'll likely have to distract myself studying for the GMAT, baking, or sewing to stay on the wagon. Today I wore a grey romper from NY & Co. that I had never worn before, just to start off on the right foot. Woohoo!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

My Panera


I love Panera Bread! Unfortunately, the closest one to me is about 45 minutes away in Savannah. But that doesn't stop me from eating there whenever I can, and using my rewards card!

I'm not a huge fan of rewards cards. Or in-store credit cards, for that matter. Blah. But Panera's My Panera rewards program is legit. My friend LC convinced me to register, and I get something for free nearly every time I go to the store! Espressos, smoothies, pastries... The more you visit, the more you get... even if you stop by for a little snack or coffee. SO much better than your normal fast food.

My favorites at Panera?
-Iced Green Tea
-Creamy Tomato Soup (w/ a sourdough BREADBOWL)
-(new!) Steak & White Cheddar Panini
-Smoked Ham & Swiss Sandwich
-French Toast or Asiago Bagel Breakfast Sandwich
-Bagels, Croissants, Scones!
-Mac & Cheese (creamy white cheddar!)

I just wish I lived close enough to buy my breads there instead of the grocery store.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Sewing Machine Cozy

After reading a "crafty" shoutout on my friend JT's blog, I realized I haven't sewn anything since my St. Patrick's Day dress. Looking at my scrap fabric, I decided to thread the machine and see what I could come up with on a weeknight. (I should be studying for the GMAT, however this was a great opportunity to procrastinate!)

I had some thin pink cotton from my Mom, and some scraps from my very first sewing project. So I decided to attempt a free pattern from Spool that my friend CM sent me to try. After all, I didn't have anything protecting my machine from dust. An hour later, VOILA! My sewing machine cozy is complete.

The fabric is a bit see-through, but I was too lazy to make multiple layers. I used my rotary cutter for the first time, and I can definitely see how it will be a valuable tool. I think the decorate scrap patches are cute, though I would like to learn to applique like CM does! Also, I shouldn't sew while watching Sex & the City because I don't really pay attention to what I'm doing...

All in all, not too shabby for an hour's effort with some fabric scraps on a Tuesday night. Got to keep myself in practice!

ABCs of Me

(Read this on EE's blog, and followed suit!)

Age: 26! I used to think 26 was old... I can't believe it snuck up on me like that.
Bed size: Queen... for the queen!
Chore you hate: Vacuuming. I don't know why, but I hate it!
Dogs: I would love a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I have a cat, though! Love my girl Cally.
Essential start to your day: Groaning. Seriously, I groan.
Favorite color: Anything bright- pink, yellow, green... and black. Okay, I love the rainbow.
Gold or silver: Silver is my favorite, but I dabble in gold.
Height: 5’4”
Instrument you play: Clarinet, and a little piano
Job title: Military Officer... I think that's the first time I've confessed this on my blog!
Kids: Someday! Possibly adoption.
Live: House, w/cat.
Mom’s name: K... a Korean name. I don't give out first names on this blog besides my own!
Nicknames: Aubs, or Aub... but only my family and real friends can call me that!
Overnight hospital stays: For my wisdom teeth, since they put me under... and since I got out of school, I enjoyed it!
Pet peeves: A lot! Knuckles cracking, people who clear their throats all the time, dripping faucets, dogs that behave badly, children crying/misbehaving in nice restaurants/the theatre/etc.
Quote from a movie: “I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special." -Shelby, in Steel Magnolias
Righty or lefty: Righty.
Siblings: 1 younger sister AW (age 22), 1 younger cousin SS (age 23) who is my other sister... we're the Three Musketeers!
Time you wake up: 5:30a.m. on weekdays, usually by 8:00a.m. on weekends.
Underwear: Victoria's Secret cotton briefs! They are the best!
Vegetables you dislike: ALL.OF.THEM. Yuck yuck yucky.
What makes you run late: Facebook! :-)
X-rays you’ve had: Not sure... mostly just teeth!
Yummy food you make: Everyone loves my cupcakes, cake balls, and orange chicken!
Zoo (favorite animal): Giraffes, but I also love elephants and pandas. And dolphins!

Weekday Breakfast


I've talked about my love for breakfast food before, but today was the first time in a while I've cooked a 'real' breakfast on a weekday. Usually I am rushing, grabbing a Lean Pocket or a bowl of cereal on my way out the door. I used to pride myself in getting a good breakfast, even on a busy work day, so today I decided to make a point to do so. It really helps me to avoid snacking or binging on junk food at lunch time, when I'm starving from a lack of real breakfast.

I love the Fiber One buttermilk pancake mix, because I can portion it out to make enough pancakes for just me. I added two tablespoons of milled flax seed for added fiber, just to make me feel more full. With two scrambled eggs on the side, it was a great start to my day!

I grew up eating pancakes every Sunday; my Dad cooked that meal as a family tradition. That being said, our family always used "light" syrup at the behest of Mom. At my house, I only keep pure maple syrup on hand, because it is used in baking/other recipes. Also, I like that the only ingredient on the bottle is "maple syrup". Even though there is a lot of sugar, it's natural sugar and not filled with other stuff I can't identify. I use 1-2 tablespoons of syrup; a little bit goes a long way!

Starting off your day with a good breakfast is a definite must! I'm going to do a better job of cooking on busy days.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Two Women and a Warehouse

My friend LC recently told me about one of Savannah's best-kept secrets in furniture shopping... Two Women and a Warehouse. I was looking for some small pieces of furniture, but at a good price, scouring Craigslist and stores for a deal but coming up empty-handed. A self-taught decorating guru, the wise LC suggested I check out the store, since I love vintage-looking things and colorful items. She was right... I found the perfect celery-colored end table for my living room there, for less than a cheap DIY-assembly one would cost at a big box store. I LOVED it.

The women who own the store spend tons of time picking out pieces at auctions and estate sales, and they bring their favorites to their store and sometimes restore/paint them. It is a labor of love, and I could spend tons of time scoping out every little item in there!

If you're in the Savannah area, or even just passing through, I urge you to check it out. It's a treasure, and it makes me wish I had an entire house to furnish all over again with their vintage finds!


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