make a statement

I keep hearing about these “statement” necklaces that are the gotta-have accessory right now. And I feel like I need one. But what kind of statement do I want to make? The ones I’ve seen and loved in the JCrew catalog are upwards of $150. Don’t think so. But I adore these from Etsy:
This one is absolutely stunning. Check it out on etsy in raquelcastillo's shop.

How pretty is this from the LieblingDesigns etsy shop?


Wouldn’t they be a lovely addition to your closet?

birthday wishes and fitness dreams

Happy birthday to literary icon, Dr. Seuss! For my money no one can match his creativity – even J.K. Rowling. I mean, Dr. Seuss created crazy worlds and made up words, all with a moral lesson and in rhyme. He’s also on my invitation list for my interesting dead people dinner party, but more on that another day. Check out Google’s tribute to the Seuss-man.

He will never be matched. Ever.

On a completely unrelated note, I have to confess something: I am lazy. Really lazy. There is nothing I like more than hanging out at home on the couch watching House or Law and Order, NOT exerting myself. And for a while, just Weight Watchers was enough. But I’ve gotten tired of my belly hanging over my jeans and not wearing shorts when it’s sweltering outside. I’d love to be able to wear skirts and dresses and not worry about my legs. I want to make a change.

Drum roll, please… I think I may join a gym. Really. Pick yourself up off the floor.

I’m just not happy with myself, and I think I want to really try this time. I’ve decided to try for 3-4 days a week and see how it goes – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (can’t on Tuesdays – I have WW). And going before work is out of the question, so don’t even try. Now I’ve reached a quandary – which one? Should I join for a year or pay month-to-month to keep myself from wasting $? Any tips for staying with it? If I can get to the point where I’m comfortable in a swimsuit (notice I said “comfortable,” not “Gisele”), Kell and I are taking a beach trip!

home is where your style is

This will be fun for all you fans of home decorating out there. Take this quiz I found on How About Orange to find out your decorating style. Turns out, I'm a mix between Modern Elegance and French Eclectic. What are you?

are you a balla?

An eyeballa, that is. As for myself? Guilty as charged. Take this quiz and see how good your eye is.

My average was 4.27 out of 25, with my lowest being 0.5. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

monday fun

Stolen from yaya’s blog…

1. Who was your FIRST prom date? his name is Jeff
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Frankly, I can’t remember who my first love was. I’m sure it was some ridiculous crush that I thought was true love. It obviously was not because I don’t even remember. Plus, Kell is cooler than whoever that guy was.
3. What was your 1st alcoholic drink? Can’t remember for sure – either white zin or an amaretto sour. Again, ridiculous.
4. What was your FIRST job? I worked at Giggleswick Fine Gifts and Interiors for like 2 years in high school. Taught me everything I know about fine china and gift wrap.
5. What was your FIRST car? 1989 BMW 525. I adored that car.
6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? MDOT. I have tried desperately to unsubscribe to their traffic alerts, but alas, I have been unsuccessful.
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? My doggy, Charlie – not really a person, but he was wedged up next to me in the bed.
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Williams – she was also my kindergarten teacher as well.
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? I visited Kell in Vail, CO when he worked there one summer.
10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Yaya my friend. Yes, we talk AND text.
11. Where was your FIRST sleep over? I'm sure this was yaya as well.
12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Kell
13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? I was in Marie Bailey’s wedding when I was a junior in high school.
14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Turned the heat on in our house. It was 58 degrees in our bedroom. brrrrrr
15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Garth Brooks, I think.
16. FIRST tattoo? There is none
17. First piercing? Ears. It was a huge deal for us to get our ears pierced – our 12th birthday gift.
18. First foreign country you've been to? England in 2007. I love it there.
19. FIRST movie you remember seeing? Not sure. I remember watching the original Winnie the Pooh cartoon movie quite a bit. I bet it would make me sad to see it now.
20. When was your FIRST detention? Don’t remember. I’m sure it was for something like forgetting to get my assignment pad or stapled papers signed
21. What was the first state you lived in? Mississippi
22. Who was your FIRST roommate? My dear friend Ashley. We were roomies our first year at State in Rice Hall. Such great memories…even though she did not want me to hang up my Beatles poster. However, since I allowed her to put the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff magnet on our fridge, she obliged. Don’t ask me how I remember that.
23. If you had one wish what would it be? For my family and me to be healthy for the rest of our lives.
24. What is something you would learn if you had the chance? To sing well. And to be a great photographer.
25. Who was your first kiss? My high school boyfriend.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. A few points on the Oscars, even though I’m not finished watching:
1. Hugh Jackman is amazing.
2. Anne Hathaway was a great “Nixon.” Who knew she could sing? And her dress was my fave.
3. I’m really glad for Kate Winslet. She’s deserved an Oscar way before now.
4. I felt sorry for the men nominated for Best Supporting Actor who weren’t Heath Ledger. They had no chance.
5. Did anyone notice Mickey Rourke had his dog’s picture on a necklace he was wearing?
6. Can someone please tell me why the High School Musical kids were there?
7. Did anyone hear Miley Cyrus say she hoped to win an Oscar for the Hannah Montana movie? Seriously, she said that. And with a straight face.
8. Sean Penn? Really?
9. Did people actually think Angelina and Jennifer would get into a cat fight on the red carpet? They are adults, people.
10. I still want to see Slumdog Millionaire.

i am the walrus

Ooo, this was fun. Borrowed from Claire and Yaya…

What to do: Pick one singer/artist and use only one song title to answer each question

The band/artist: The Beatles

1. Are you a male or female: “Girl”

2. Describe yourself: “Everybody’s Trying to be My Baby”

3. How do you feel about yourself: “I’ll Follow the Sun”

4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: “Don’t Bother Me”

5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: “Two of Us”

6. Describe your current location: “Penny Lane”

7. Describe where you want to be: “Octopus’s Garden”

8. Your best friend is: “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

9. Your favorite color is: “Mean Mr. Mustard”

10. You know that: “We Can Work It Out”

11. What’s the weather like: “Good Day Sunshine”

12. If your life was a television show what would it be called? “A Day in the Life”

13. What is life to you: “Free As a Bird”

14. If you could change your name what would you change it to: “Eleanor Rigby”

15. What is the best advice you have to give: “All You Need Is Love”

Your turn.

oh, for the love...

I hate that it’s been so long since my last post. Time to rectify that, eh?

Since I last chronicled my happenings, a lot has gone on. Well not a LOT, per se, but a lot for me. I know some of you hate Valentine’s Day, so for those that do, this is not really dedicated to love, just the love of food.


Kell and I haven’t gone out to eat on Valentine’s Day in probably 5 years. Restaurants are crowded, the service is usually not that hot, and the price tag is typically staggering. Instead, we cook at home, and Kell brings flowers that are NOT roses (yippee). And this year, I got crazy – if you call eating on fine china and sterling that has never been used crazy. It was a perfect opportunity to try out recipes for the Delicious Dish:

Seared Ahi Tuna
2 ahi tuna steaks
2 Tbsp dark sesame oil (I could not find dark, so I just used regular sesame oil)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp of grated fresh ginger (this was fun – I got to use my Microplane!)
1 clove garlic, minced (I recommend mincing it yourself; I don’t think the stuff in the jar is as good)
1 green onion (scallion) thinly sliced (a few slices reserved for garnish)
1 teaspoon lime juice (ends up being about half a lime, squeezed)

DIRECTIONS
Mix the marinade ingredients together and coat the tuna steaks with the marinade, cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least an hour. Ours sat in the fridge for about 4 hours, but I will try it overnight next time.

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium high to high heat. When the pan is hot, remove the tuna steaks from the marinade and sear them for a minute to a minute and a half on each side. Tuna is best super-rare!

Remove from pan and enjoy. Sprinkle with a few green onion slices for garnish if you like.

Kell and I doubled the marinade recipe since our steaks were so big. I poured half the marinade in the container before I added the tuna. This allows the bottom to get some of the flavor. Flip half way if you want. This recipe would probably be great with chicken, too!

Sauteed Garlic Asparagus

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 bunch fresh asparagus
3 cloves garlic, chopped

DIRECTIONS
Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and asparagus spears; cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender. If you like your asparagus well done, reduce heat and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Chocolate-dipped Rice Krispy Treats (I got this recipe from an adorable website I stumbled upon. GREAT stuff and lovely pictures)
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 bag mini marshmallows
6 cups Crisped Rice cereal
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips (I used white chocolate because Kell loves it)

DIRECTIONS
Butter a 9×13-inch pan well.

In a large sauce pan melt butter. Add pinch of salt and stir. Add mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted (don’t let them burn. We are going for krispy treats, not s’mores). Add cereal and stir so that all of the cereal is coated in marshmallow buttery goodness. While still hot, scoop into greased pan. Press the rice krispies batter into the pan. Helpful hint – wet your hands a little with water and then press the batter in. the water keeps the batter from getting all over your paws.

Place in the fridge to cool - about 30 minutes.

Once cool, use a good spatula to remove the entire slab of rice krispies from the pan. Place on a clean table. Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out whatever shape you like (be sure you have a good cookie cutter – mine bent. The kind with the rubber grip is the best). Place on waxed paper.

Melt the chocolate in 30-second intervals in the microwave. After each interval, stir, stir, stir. You don’t want this to burn, either.

Dip one side of the hearts in the melted chocolate and place then chocolate side up on the waxed paper. Let sit for several hours to harden or place in the fridge to hurry along the process. I put some sprinkles on mine to be festive, but frankly, they were cuter naked (ooh, I’m sassy!).

Hope everyone has had a great week so far. 4 days until the Oscars!!