I slurped down some of this coconut water today in an effort to get more potassium and alleviate some leg cramping I've been experiencing (thank you, pilates). Because we all know I'm not getting my potassium from bananas. In other news, it's currently snowing outside. And if that's not bad enough, my sister is laying on a beach in Cabo somewhere sipping a tropical umbrella drink.
How rude.
Meet my new favorite yogurt: Dannon Light & Fit in toasted coconut vanilla. Weird, right? I thought so too when I first spotted it, but it's delicious. It would be even better with some mini chocolate chips mixed in! Can you tell I'm missing chocolate just a little? Only 25 more days until Easter, when I'll be guzzling coffee and chocolate all day long.
These beauties were waiting on my doorstep when I got home today, which made today a million times better than yesterday! I love their worn-in look and rich color. I can't wait to take them out for a spin!
You know what's really fun to do after a particularly bad Monday? Come home and start planning your summer vacation! I cannot wait for warm weather, hot dogs, Wrigley Field, Millennium Park, and everything else Chicago has to offer! This Luxe guide is a good place to start, but I need your help! I'm open to any and all suggestions for places to see/eat/play/drink/shop and generally have a good time.
Spill! What should be at the top of my Chicago to-do list?
This afternoon I ran out to the grocery store to pick up a couple things for dinner. Totally normal, not anything out of the ordinary. When I came back, I walked into a semi-intervention, staged by my lovely boyfriend. He took the liberty of stacking every magazine I own on the dining room table, separated by issue and type. It was astonishing, even for me. Now I know exactly how those addicts on Intervention feel when they walk into the room and realize they're not really there to give their 'final interview'. Ouch. I took a picture of the entire table (by standing on a dining room chair) that I'm too mortified to post here.
I subscribe to a (generous) handful of magazines, which I really enjoy reading, especially while at the gym. The problem I have is getting rid of them (obviously). There's always a recipe, an exercise routine, or a pair of shoes that makes me dog ear the corner and hold on to it for later. Much later. Like years. Scary. Well, today I faced my hoarder-like tendencies and purged a huge chunk of my magazine stockpile. They went out with the recycling. I neatly organized and stacked the issues I allowed myself to keep and now I feel a lot better. I guess sometimes you just have to get ambushed! Talk about a productive Sunday.
I learned three things on my date night tonight: 1. Korean food is not as intimidating as it sounds. It's actually quite good if you find a friendly, authentic spot to try (like we did). And it doesn't hurt that they also serve decent sashimi. 2. My chopstick skills are getting really good. I didn't even need to ask for utensils once throughout dinner! 3. Finding a delicious crepe that doesn't involve chocolate is kinda hard. And disappointing. I did settle on the Nori (pictured above), a tasty crepe filled with sweetened apples and topped with brown sugar and cinnamon. Not bad, but the nutella one was calling my name.
I can't wait to have a productive Sunday! I have lots of errands planned.
How was your Saturday?
I love my Friday nights. It's the perfect time for me to unwind with take-out, catch up on my favorite blogs and new magazines, and decompress from the work week. Tonight is no exception! I'm armed with my laptop and chopsticks and enjoying some pretty tulips I couldn't pass up at Whole Foods. This weekend I'm planning on spending some quality time with M and not cooking (since I've made dinner for the past five consecutive nights). Hopefully that means we can try somewhere new tomorrow night-always exciting! I may even try to sneak in a Pinkberry/Nordstrom run on Sunday afternoon. Hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend!
How do you unwind after an exhausting week?
I'm pretty sure I need some fresh flowers to brighten up my apartment this weekend. I can't take this cold, snowy weather anymore. The temperature isn't going to get above 40 for the next 10 days (at least). I thought the arrival of April meant warmer weather and rain showers, not snow flurries! I wish my sister could stuff me in her suitcase when she goes to Cabo next week.
I attended my first Yelp event tonight and it was so much fun to meet a group of new people! The event was held at the Avery, a small, easy-to-miss neighborhood joint full of gorgeous details, like these wooden carvings. I love trying new places!
Today I noticed a new addition to the loft space where I go for pilates. This huge hanging sculpture was suspended in the corridor outside one of the art studios. It was massive and must have weighed a ton. It reminded me of a huge bunch of grapes or some weird coral reef formation! Wouldn't it be cool if you turned each orb into a fishbowl and had goldfish swimming around in them? That's what I would have done.
Why else would she send snow on the first official day of spring? I tried to ignore it most of the day, but at one point I was driving on the highway and it was like a whiteout! Luckily it only stuck to the grass, but I really miss those mild temps we got a taste of last week.
Come back, spring!
Meet my newest snacking obsession: roasted green beans. I've roasted lots of veggies (mostly peppers, onions, potatoes, and the like), but I've never thought to roast green beans. I usually steam them or throw them into a stir fry. Then I stumbled on this recipe at How Sweet It Is (which is an amazing blog that usually has nothing to do with vegetables and everything to do with chocolate & outrageously decadent desserts). I tested the super simple recipe for the first time a few weeks ago and I was hooked! Now I make them for a quick snack or a dinner side at least three times a week. They're really that good! I love trying different spices on them like grill seasoning or red pepper flakes. Next on my list to roast is kale. Sounds like it could be interesting.
How do you like your veggies?
After a delicious dinner at one of our favorite Greek restaurants, M and I decided to check out Juniper, a little frozen yogurt shop on Thayer Street (read: I forced him to go with me). It's basically a complete ripoff of Pinkberry, except slightly less cute and a little simpler (think fewer toppings and flavor choices). The lighting is also slightly blinding (see photo). I tried their blueberry/original swirl with coconut flakes and raspberries, which was actually really tasty. M had an original swirl with Oreos and yogurt chips. I didn't really get to try his because of my Lenten chocolate ban (what was I thinking?), but it looked good and he gave it two thumbs up. Juniper is a tiny shop, but it's a convenient local substitute for Pinkberry (the closest one is 45 minutes away). It's also ten times better than the Red Mango experience we had a couple weeks ago. I'll definitely be back once they start swirling some more seasonal fruit flavors!
After the rough winter we had here in New England, it seemed as if 70 degrees would never come again. Luckily, it did come again. Today. I know, I was surprised too! And it's only the middle of March, which is a good sign, right? It was so wonderful. I drove around with my windows down and even saw some people dining al fresco. I am more excited for spring than I can ever remember. Let's hope the warming trend continues!
Today was the perfect sunny, spring day! I had to break out my new camouflage Toms to celebrate the occasion and incorporate a little green into my outfit. I love these Toms in particular because they're made from twill that's produced from recycled plastic bottles and hemp fiber. Plus, they support Tom's great one-for-one cause!
Hope you all have a lucky St. Paddy's Day!
This is getting out of control, especially for those of us who spend a lot of time on the road for work (i.e. moi). I paid $3.42 per gallon today for regular with a fifteen cent per gallon discount (from grocery points). I can't even imagine what it'll be like this summer when more people are traveling.
Can you say staycation?!
I was so happy to come home from my trip home to a stack of new magazines and another book by Steve Martin (gifted from M, of course)! I've been a fan of his ever since he starred in Father of the Bride (and the subsequent sequels). I just finished reading An Object of Beauty and I must say, Steve Martin is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. The newest book in my collection is actually a memoir that Steve wrote about his own career in stand-up comedy. I'm only a few pages in and I can already tell I'm going to love it. Side note: doesn't Kate Winslet look amazing on the cover of Glamour? Love her hair!
Disclaimer: I have two photos today! I couldn't narrow it down to just one.
I managed to squeeze in a quick trip to Sprinkles before catching my plane this afternoon. Their cupcakes are just so good! Apparently, Monday morning is a good time to go. There was no line and I was able to browse around the shop a little more than when I was there Friday afternoon. The staff is great and they have so many cute products, including these take-home mixes in a variety of flavors, t-shirts, and even doggie cupcake treats. I can't wait to go back during my next trip home.
Cinnamon sugar is my favorite flavor. For now though, I'm on a serious cupcake break.
Can you spot the pink balloons?
I saw them while taking a stroll in the cemetery behind my house. They seemed somewhat lively in comparison to the surroundings. I like how this picture turned out.
It feels hopeful.
I had such an amazing spa getaway at The Homestead with my sisters. It was sad to pack up and leave today, but I can't wait until our next relaxing trip. I do think they're slightly overdue to come visit me in New England. I suggest they fly up this summer so we can have fun beach trips and clam bakes.
Thanks for a fabulous weekend, girls!
road trip. mimosas. spa. sister bonding time. presidents lounge. champagne. minibar snacks. oldies. bliss.
I am one lucky girl.
My first day home was so much fun! I went out to lunch and did some shopping with my mom and then visited my sisters in Georgetown at their offices. The shopping here is a thousand times better than in Rhode Island! I love it. My sisters and I went out for a casual dinner and came home to sample some cupcakes from Sprinkles. My favorite was the cinnamon sugar. It's hard to judge though, because I'm on a self-imposed chocolate hiatus for 37 more days.
I'm beyond excited for our sisters' spa day tomorrow!
I treated myself to some green tea the airport while waiting for my insanely delayed flight. Day two of no coffee and I kind of miss it, but not in that 'I haven't had caffeine so I'm a psycho' way...yet.
Happy to finally be home and get my picture in before midnight!
It was a close one.
I'm a horrible packer. I always bring too much and don't end up wearing half of what I have planned. I'm trying to overcome this vice as I throw together my bag for this weekend's getaway. I'm just ecstatic to be headed home for a long weekend, catching up with friends and family, and going for my very first massage. Yes, ever. I'm also overly excited about trying Sprinkles in Georgetown!
How do you pack all the essentials for a quick trip?
I just polished off a short stack in celebration of Mardi Gras. When I was a kid, we always went to my grandma's house for a huge pancake dinner. I'm trying to keep the tradition going (I not-so-secretly adore traditions). I forgot how good pancakes can be, especially at dinner time. Also, I'm not the religious type, but in a moment of sheer weakness, (and because I love a good challenge) I agreed to give up coffee for the next 40 days. It was Tiane's idea. At least we'll be miserable together!
Are you making any Lenten sacrifices or resolutions?
Confession: my pancakes were made from scratch-loosely based on this recipe-but I forgot to take a picture. Oops!
My shopping trip yesterday was fun, but totally unproductive. I went to lots of stores, but only left with this hot class bra from lululemon. I fell in love with the flashback pullover (which looked much cuter in person) but they didn't have it in my size. I feel like this is happening more and more at lululemon. To top it off, it's sold out online too. I'm going to check out a few of the stores when I'm home later this week. I'm looking forward to my long getaway weekend and hopefully some warmer weather!
At least Monday is finally over!
My weekend was full of...sugar! I had an insatiable sweet tooth, which happens from time to time. Here's what I indulged in (thankfully not all at once):
freshly baked cookies from a local sandwich shop
flavorful cupcakes from a cute spot on Federal Hill
my favorite flavor was the rich choco dream
espresso frozen yogurt break after browsing at Nordstrom
It's back to the gym for me tonight! Did you enjoy any special treats this weekend?
Neiman Marcus always has the most unique and over-the-top window displays and installments. Check out these pretty iridescent butterflies hanging from the ceiling above the escalators. There were thousands of them. I felt like I was in Alice in Wonderland or somewhere magical (and far, far outside of Boston).
If you're in to all things retro, (and who isn't these days?), you should check out the cereal aisle of your local Target. They're having a special promotion with General Mills this month that features old-school designs from the 50s, 60s, and 80s on select boxes of cereal. I really like the Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Honey Nut Cheerios ones (both from 1984). It's amazing to see how much the logos and graphics have changed throughout the decades. Of course, they're only available for a limited amount of time, so hurry!
I'd like to find this Justin fellow and give him a hug because this stuff is magical.
Note to self: never, ever bring a jar of this home.
At first, I was interested in trying the original Moroccanoil treatment to strengthen my hair and shorten blow drying time. It was helpful, but now that I've combined the oil with the repair shampoo and conditioner, I've noticed a major difference. My hair seems to get softer and shinier with each use (which never happens in these dry winter conditions).
Plus, the products all smell so good!
Have you tried any of their goodies? Next on my list is one of the hair masks.
I've been getting incredible, noticeable results in just a few pilates classes! I think it's my new favorite workout. And to think it all started by purchasing a Groupon.
More proof that it pays to take a step outside your comfort zone.
