Summer Wishlist

I've been in the mood to shop for myself (not our home) this week. I think it may be the return of warm weather... I'll choose a cute skirt or dress over jeans any day, and the temperature is finally making that possible!

Unfortunately, everything I want is wayyy out of my budget.  Here is my current wish list for summer...

Skirt: Field Scout skirt in motif green from Anthropologie
Blouse: Badminton & Bouffant shell from Anthropologie
Bag: Alfresco bag from Anthropologie
Necklace: Anthology necklace from Anthropologie
Sandals: Tory Burch Emmy Thong sandals via shopbop.com
Rings: Etsy

I think this would be the perfect outfit for a summer night out... Maybe for a splurge, dinner & wine on the outside patio at Arooji's Wine Room?

To hold myself over, I may just indulge on those amazing gold stacking rings from my Etsy wish list...

Does this warm weather have anyone else wanting to splurge?  On clothes, sandals, dinners out on a patio? I'm in for all three!

For You Hipsters

I am not a hipster, but apparently George Costanza (yes, that George from Seinfeld) was the original... Check out this hilarious blog post with side-by-side comparisons of Costanza and hipster styles.

I think I'm more of an Elaine... especially on the dance floor.

W²: Mexican-Style Stuffed Potatoes

We've been trying out some new W² recipes, and last night I made one from my Weight Watcher's Take-Out Tonight! 150 Restaurant Favorites to Make at Home cookbook.  It was basically twice-baked potatoes with a twist, and using the hand mixer really gave a fluffy texture to them.

It was a really easy and relatively quick weeknight dinner... We put the potatoes in the oven as soon as we got home from work, then took Ellie for a run.  By the time we got back, they were ready to be stuffed! The only thing I would change is adding a little more hot sauce next time.

Dinner was potatoes and a big salad... I was worried it wouldn't be enough for Jeff, but even he was full after 1 whole potato (2 halves). I plan to keep this one on the list for easy, meatless dinners!

{image via The Newlywed Diaries}

Mexican-Style Stuffed Potatoes

2 (3/4-pound) baking potatoes, scrubbed

6 tablespoons nonfat sour cream
1/4 cup low-fat (1%) milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 drops of hot pepper sauce
4 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/4 cup prepared salsa
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place potatoes on middle oven rack and bake until fork-tender, about 45 minutes.
2. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, and scoop out the pulp (leaving 1/2 inch border attach to the skins). Reserve the shells on a baking sheet.
3. With an electric hand mixer, beat the potato pulp, sour cream, milk, salt, and hot sauce until smooth and creamy. Stir in scallions.
4. Spoon the potato mixture back into the shells and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake until filling is hot and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Top with salsa and cilantro.
5. Enjoy for 3 points per stuffed potato half!

Cake Boss

A big thank you to the girls who left cake suggestions for my mom's birthday! Over the weekend, I decided to make the Lady Strawberry Cake. I cannot say enough about this cake recipe... It looks beautiful, and tastes amazing too! 

I followed Jen's recipe exactly... The only difference was that I was able to find cake flour at Harris Teeter, so I didn't need to substitute there.  While I don't think mine came out nearly as pretty, I was still very happy with the end result... And more importantly, everyone else loved it too!

Wouldn't it be perfect for a shower? (not-so-subtle hint to married friends: I'm talking a shower of the baby variety)  I must have been in a baking mood, because with the extra butter cream frosting, I decided to make a few quick carrot cake cupcakes...

Thank goodness there was no shortage of volunteers to take home leftovers!  Although, Jeff did manage to save a few cupcakes and a slice of cake to snack on throughout the rest of our weekend!

Pencil Me In

This weekend is the last before my final class this semester!  I have a few projects to wrap up by Tuesday, so I'll be spending most of the weekend at my desk - working away with the wonderful urgency of procrastination. 

Then I'll have two fun-filled weeks of vacation, and spend the rest of the summer juggling 2 classes.  Best news of it all though?  After these 2 summer courses, I have a fall & spring semester... then graduation!  Yes, I've confirmed it with my advisor at Queens today, and I'll have my master's degree in Strategic Communication next May, almost 1 year from now (given, of course, that I pass my classes & thesis... sorry, but didn't want to risk jinxing it).  Pencil in the date folks... big graduation celebration next spring! 

{image via oh happy day}

Have a great weekend!

One for the Blog Roll

My major renovation/project house itch is back... Mostly due to Ericka's twin sister's blog, Fly Through Our Window.  Their current house renovations are incredible! 

Not to mention the fact that their kitchen renovation still has me drooling.  My dream kitchen is black granite counter-tops (check), white cabinets (check), some open or glass shelving up top (check), breakfast bar (check)... The only thing that would make their kitchen my absolute dream would be a blue recycled glass backsplash and a farm sink.

Then I stumbled upon this new-to-me show on HGTV (definitely not helping with my renovation itch)  Sarah's House chronicles designer Sarah Richardson's purchase and complete renovation of an old farmhouse!

Jeff & I were both wishing we'd jumped on the old plantation home out in Union, South Carolina when we saw this... could've been the perfect major renovation project, with a little funding from our dedicated blog readers of course!

Soap Box

*Disclaimer:* I went back-and-forth on whether or not to post this, as I know people have strong views on either side of the spectrum. But in the words of John Prine, “you are who you are, and you ain’t who you ain’t” – So I’m posting with the disclaimer that you are free to skip over this little blog post if you feel firmly anti-organic.

In honor of Earth Day, I’ve been thinking (a lot) about going organic. It started with a brief conversation with a friend on Saturday about knowing where your meat comes from… Then on Tuesday, I shared with the hubby this short internet film, The Meatrix, on the same subject – courtesy of one of my anthropology classes in undergrad (*another disclaimer:* while this is a cartoon spoof of The Matrix, the content can be disturbing, especially if you’ve never considered where your food really comes from)

Then, for the ultimate sign-from-the-cosmos-that-we-need-to-make-a-change, Jeff was randomly flipping through the channels last night, and found the documentary, Food, Inc. on PBS. This was an eye-opener! As I watched and gestured and lamented my past ways, Jeff laughed at me (he has always championed veggies from a home garden, meatless dishes & other points raised in the film). Visit the website to learn more, and check out the film if you can.

You can also visit the Eat Well Guide for Charlotte, highlighting local organic grocery stores (Trader Joes, Home Economist, & Whole Foods) and restaurants (Pewter Rose, Nobles, & Ratcliffe On The Green - although not mentioned, Good Food on Montford should also be added to your list), as well as a table of fruits & veggies in season for our area (so that we’re not eating food that has been trucked 1500 miles to get here).

Okay, off my Earth Day soap box now… The views expressed here are solely my own, and I encourage ya’ll to explore all the information that is available to make your own informed decision. Now cue the ‘Everyday is Earth Day’ song and sign language that I learned in 3rd grade… Or the Captain Planet theme song, you can decide.

*NOTE: Food, Inc. will be streaming online at PBS in its entirety from now until Thursday, April 29th! Check it out. I’m hoping that Jeff can hook up our laptop to the tv for a second viewing, especially if anyone else is interested in a little viewing party (feel free to comment on my level of craziness or dorky-ness… just don't actually post those, pretty please).