It's the Little Things

We're Walking on Sunshine

2010-04-22T22:33:00.004-04:00

A few lovely ladies and I did the 5K that I was so excited about.

A funny yet still serious e-mail sent out to some people somehow magically was able to spark something in people to donate money towards the United Nations International Fund for Women. In seven days, I was able to contribute $833 to help fight violence against women and girls!

We wore purple. We woke up early. We walked our short 3.2 miles. But hopefully our little DC event was able to raise more awareness about the issue and help to stop things like honor killings, body mutilation and rape, among other things.

It only took seven days to make a sizable contribution to a cause that I feel so close to.

I've heard people express doubt that they can make a difference in this world.

But they're wrong. You just have to want it bad enough.

Note: OR you could raise money around the time of your birthday. Works like a charm!

Take a Walk with Me!

2010-04-10T10:59:00.000-04:00

In a little bit, it'll be my birthday. Some people have parties and are showered with presents. Others take things a little bit more low key.

One of my best friends from high school does something that I haven't heard anyone else do: give back. On her birthday (or chosen day of celebration), she often volunteers somewhere. Instead of expecting gifts, she gives her day to others.

For me, this is something I have admired but haven't yet done. Until this year.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I mean it's also National Soy Month, too, but still. Gender violence is something that I feel quite strongly about; it's a very important issue to me for various reasons.

So I'm going for a walk.

On April 18, 2010, DC metro residents will set off at 8:30 a.m. from Rosslyn and walk to Dupont Circle. It's the 5K Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls!

"Proceeds from the walk go directly to the UN Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence Against Women.... This Trust Fund is the only global multi-lateral grant-making mechanism exclusively devoted to supporting local, national and regional efforts of organizations to combat gender-based violence. ....The United Nations Development Fund for Women administers the Trust Fund."

A registration fee of $20 (for non-members; $15 for members and $10 for students) includes the cost of an event t-shirt. Participants are encouraged to raise more money for a donation.

There's a possibility that I've taken a few too many gender-based courses while in college, but this is a serious issue. I remember one scary statistic that was announced in one of my classes: In an anonymous poll of college-aged males, in knowing that no one would find out about it, if he had the opportunity to rape a woman, 51% admitted that [he] would take advantage. That's freaking over half! And you know there has to be more that still wouldn't admit to it.

So, in celebration of the strength that so many women and girls have in tough situations, I invite you to walk with me.

A few of my girlfriends are joining in and are already registered. Men are also welcome!

April has a lot of other walks, too. If you feel so inclined, find one in your area that you feel is a good cause. I've done AIDS walks in the past. Remember: just because something might not directly affect you doesn't mean that it's not an important issue!

Here's to giving a little something back, no matter who you are or where you are.
____

Disclaimer: I do realize that there are cases in which women abuse men and societal rules don't generally allow for men to defend themselves or even an outlet to turn to, and I don't want to downplay that. I happen to know many more female victims than men. Neither situation should be tolerated.

I Do Love Anything Out of SoCal

2010-04-05T23:10:00.004-04:00

Not quite sure where this guy came from, but Bruno Mars is pretty awesome. Los Angeles guy. Plays the guitar. Talented singer.

New discovery of mine and I wonder how come I haven't heard of him sooner, but a little investigating (read: Google search) shows that he doesn't have much out there besides a Facebook and Myspace.

Check out the videos. The first one is acoustic with the singer/rapper from Gym Class Heroes, and the second is the song getting the radio play.

B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars "Nothin On You" from ethandirector on Vimeo.

Meanwhile I'm in my first fantasy baseball league, and I have no idea how this thing even works. Spread the knowledge if you got any, will ya?

It's baseball season again, a sign that it's my favorite time of the year. A time with the best weather, sports, and the possibility of a vacation. Bring on the Vitamin D!

Since You've Been Gone

2010-03-24T22:27:00.004-04:00

Kelly Clarkson isn't here to sing me the song, but I still hear it. I took a hiatus without telling anyone... sorry.

Been busy. Working two jobs does that sometimes, I suppose. You know those days where you just come home, make a lazy dinner and fall asleep on the couch, only to wake up and it's still only 10:30? Yeah. It's a huge party, isn't it? I feel ya.

WELL. I am back now. Yay.

Tonight after work, I did what I've been wanting to do for a while. I checked out the Bikram Yoga studio in Dupont Circle. I've been to happy hours and dinners right across the street. You can see the foggy windows from your view on the sidewalk. I always knew it was there, but I've always been hesitant to be, for lack of a better word, yucky, for too long in public. Being sweaty on the metro? The thought just grosses me out.

But I've been in desperate need of something more lately. Mental stability. Relief. Relaxation and calm, but at the same time to get my adrenaline going and to challenge myself.

So I turned back to something familiar. 90 minutes of heat and sweat. Yum.

It's been years since I've been able to work out like that. Once I moved to the East Coast, my access to a studio went down the drain. Today was like starting from scratch again. I remembered how to do each pose, but not the order that they came in. I couldn't do my favorite poses because I'd start to get dizzy and things would get cloudy within seconds. Funnily enough, doing camel pose still makes me nauseous. It was awesome and awful at the same time. Everything made me miss Joe in the Fullerton studios, but I'll be back to this one.

***

Meanwhile, one of my best friends from middle school came to visit. We had an uber fun excursion into D.C. I know a lot of people who grew up in this area who haven't been to most of the touristy places in the city.

You get a lot of, "That's for tourists!" or "That's where tourists go!" Well, have you been to them? Have you experienced it? "(pause) No." Then all those tourists have actually experienced a part of your city that you haven't, and thereby know just a little bit more than you.

Be a tourist in your own city every once in a while. You might see or learn something new.

Or at the very least, you might come out with some pretty cool pictures.

Keep it Hush Hush

2010-02-26T10:27:00.019-05:00

image by Thrillist

"Does the term underground supper club mean anything to you?"

That's how Thursday evening began. The answer from my date was no. HA! I knew it.

The concept, if you've never heard it before, can be quite surprising for some. The easiest way to describe it is that it's a dinner party, hosted by a stranger and attended by many strangers. It's a non-business, run on donation. Oh yeah. And it's secret. (If you're charging guests, then it counts as a business, which leads into health codes and paying taxes, etc., hence the need to keep it so quiet.)

The other night, I surprised my date by bringing him to HUSH. I swooped in the afternoon prior due to some last minute cancellations I saw via Twitter, gave him a text telling him that he was having dinner with me at 7 p.m., and to not ask questions. He was to meet me at the closest metro station at 6:45 p.m., at which point I would fill him in on what was going to happen.

After all, what's the point of doing something secret if everyone knows?

HUSH did a good job of keeping things on the down-low while still being advertised to the right people. The target audience for this stuff is definitely the big foodies and people who are up for a little adventure and don't mind paying for it. I saw it online via the 1000+ blog postings in my Google reader. With healthy competition of "who can plan a better foodie date" with the boy, I was keeping this up my sleeve. One small, cocky quip from him and I knew it was time.

All I had was an e-mail address. It was generic. There was no name or phone number I had associated with it. I emailed the given e-mail address for details, unsure of what would happen. After a bit of time with no response, I was actually starting to wonder if this thing actually existed.

A week after I had sent the e-mail, I finally received a reply. In it was a link to a Wordpress Web site and a list of questions I was to answer. It was, in some aspects, something of an application. You had to answer questions (name, date of birth, allergies, etc.) and include a picture. It made sense to me. If I was hosting strangers, I'd want to know who I was supposed to let into my home.

That basically got me on the waiting list, which at this point was quite long. I was thinking about maybe trying to get a reservation for April, around the time of my birthday. Luckily, I found out about cancellations and acted as quickly as I could. I answered questions for the both of us, stole one of his Facebook pictures--Is Facebook stalking ever not creepy?--and sent it in.

Success! I received a confirmation e-mail for the reservation with the information I needed: location, password, etc.

Cash only--because who needs a paper trail?--so I picked up what I needed on the way over. Met up with him at the metro exit and off we went.

He made a few guesses as to what the date might be, and he was, to no surprise, wrong on all counts. I couldn't be more pleased, and I veered him off the main street onto one that was dimly lit. After explaining the concept to him, we arrived at the given location, in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

"So what do you think?" I asked. Another woman came walking along. She, too, was going into this place. Alright. Then we're walking in with her. No time to get his response. Facial reactions (which meant large eyes and a slightly opened mouth) were enough for me at that point.

We sat in the salon area. The menu would include Indian food, something I knew would be fantastic or very, very not good. But for me, it would be one more learning experience; for our date, it would be quite unusual and a great story. As long as the boy didn't make any comments about how his mom's food is better, all would be well.

We were served vodka tonic infused with saffron and cinnamon. The group split up into two seating areas: one in the dining room and one in the salon area. It was quite the mix of people. There were young and old, friends, siblings and dates. It was a group of strangers brought together by curiosity, intrigue and a love of food.

After appetizers, guests reunited in the living area. Our lovely host took time to share stories of her culture with us. She sent around plates of spices for us to smell and taste. She explained the meaning behind her spice box and how her mother prepared it for her and taught her how to cook. Questions were answered with enthusiasm and heart. It would be clear to any guest that the stories that she shared were the inspiration for these events she was holding.

The food was good. After the courses were served, our host came to explain what the items were and how to eat them. One person who sat next to me had never had Indian food before. What an incredible first experience!

image by Thrillist

I only wish that I could have gone on a night that I was not limited by the hours of public transportation. Though the night began at 7 p.m., dessert wasn't served until around 11. Masala chai is a huge favorite of mine, and I was sad to have to leave half of it behind. Dessert was light with a hint of sweetness. A great ending.

On our way out, my date and I chatted with our host for a few extra minutes. Outgoing and friendly, I would find it impossible to not want to be friends with this woman. There were 24 man hours in making that dinner. That's no small task, especially during the week for a person who has a normal job.

It was an absolutely lovely experience, and something I won't forget.

Better than that, I can't think of a way that my date will be able to one-up me any time soon. Never tell me that I'm not a foodie.

Break Even

2010-02-20T22:54:00.004-05:00

When was the last time a song made you stop what you were doing just so you can enjoy the melody and the lyrics?

It's been a really long time for me, but it happened this morning. The Script has a new song out. It's called BreakEven. If you've ever been in any type of relationship that didn't work out, which I imagine is most of us, the song will resonate with you.

The melody is pretty. The lyrics are sad. It's about a lost love, the standard formula for any successful pop song.

But you know what? I still like it. There's a reason why that formula is so successful, after all.

Cause when a heart breaks, no it don't break even. Nope. It never is.

The Script - Breakeven (Official Music Video) - Watch more top selected videos about: The_Script

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get back to my Guinness cupcakes with Baileys buttercream frosting and watch Apolo Ohno win a little something for the U.S.A.

Red Velvet, If You Please

2010-02-09T19:42:00.005-05:00

I made red velvet mini cupcakes today.

I normally am the anti-Valentine's day kind of person. But really, there's a certain something about your favorite kind of cupcake topped with fresh, creamy, light cream cheese frosting and mini red lips staring back at you.

Crunchy on top, soft on the inside.

Is your soul dancing? Well, maybe it would be if you tried one of these.

Would You Believe Me if I Told You?

2010-02-09T10:51:00.004-05:00

These aren't photographs.

It's oil on linen.

The artist's name is Alyssa Monks. Talk about incredible talent.

I thought about painting today. After seeing these, well, maybe I'll wait a little longer.

Ben Lee Knows the Way I Like It

2010-02-09T09:49:00.002-05:00

Open your heart and catch my disease.

More snow is coming. About an inch during the day today and 10 inches tonight, only to be topped by another nine or so tomorrow...

Hey D.C., I hate to say it publicly, but maybe it's the only way to get your attention.

I'm on my way to falling out of love with you. Keep it up and our relationship is sure to go downhill even faster.

Consider it a threat... while I go make Valentine's Day baked goods. They're not for you, D.C. They're for everyone else who is feeling like I am right now.

From Snogasm to SnoWTF, All it Means is Cabin Fever

2010-02-08T17:45:00.007-05:00

Not a whole lot going on this weekend except for D.C. snow snow and more snow.

So what do we do? Watch movies (now playing: The Hangover), cook and then eat said cooked items.

Breakfast yesterday morning: blueberry blintz pancakes.

But then, freaking 23498w3633847 feet of snow hits, stops, the sun breaks out, roads are still meh, public transportation is still not up and running again, so theeeeeeennnn it's time to put on your rain boots and sunglasses and head out to see what's up.

What did we find?

The awning that used to cover the entrance of Nicaro on Georgia Ave. can now be found on the sidewalk. There's a snowman outside of our local Pirate Bar, with a sign announcing their status, just in case anyone was wondering.

This morning I woke up, made coffee, and started cooking dinner. I'm not THAT crazy. Beef Bourguignon is served best when you let all the flavors meld together.

The bank was open. The post office was closed. Supermarkets were packed, as everyone is receiving word that we're getting another 10 or more inches from tomorrow until Wednesday night.

It was pretty at first. You know. On Tuesday when we got enough to cover the trees but not enough to do any damage to the roads or sidewalks.

Now I'm kind of... really over it. Really really. Over. It.

I chose D.C. over New York or Chicago because I was pretty positive I couldn't handle the weather. Guess who was right? Oh yeah. Me. Now look at what's happening. New York only got a freaking dusting of nothingness (via xteethx) during this storm. How is that even possible?

Come on, D.C. Get with the program! Bring on the sunshine. Here's talking to you, Spring. We're waiting on your arrival.

Oh yeah. I bought more heels.

Snowstorms Mean Bonding Time with My Kitchen

2010-02-06T13:25:00.006-05:00

I made breakfast this morning. Cinnamon Vanilla Challah French Toast. The top is the roommate's, with strawberries, blueberries and warmed maple syrup. The second is mine, with Nutella and strawberries.

Food porn at its best. And yes. It was as good as it looks. Plus, I had my Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf coffee. Add in a splash of Bailey's. How can you really go wrong? Answer: you can't.

Baby, You've Got What I Need

2010-02-05T16:44:00.016-05:00

I fail at life. I know this. The thing is... I've been sick. And during my illness, I had bruised a rib/strained a rib muscle/something that's not right, from coughing too hard! So I'm pretty much in this incessant pain. Ignore the wincing. I'll be alright. It'll heal eventually...

Please excuse me for the lack of blog postings; I'm still hurting. But really, I've missed you.

In the meantime, we might just have some kind of grand reunion because our nation's capital is getting attacked with the first official Snowgasm/SnOMG/Snowpocalypse/SnoWTF of 2010. It's officially begun, and I'm at home on this Friday evening with my roommate and a pitcher of sangria.

So really, I'm feeling pretty good right now.

You know why else I'm feeling pretty good? I was impractical and did something that I wanted.

I bought two pairs of shoes today. And since it's me, they're not just shoes. They're high heels.

Got them off the clearance rack at Macy's, to which they rang up much cheaper than marked, and because I happened to be wearing red during their Go Red for Women awareness campaign, I got another 20% off! I took it as a sign. Each pair was originally over $100 but rang up for $28 and $30. Come on. You'd do the same thing. (Right?)

The girliest things I've ever seen, except mine are in Plum, not black:

And of course, it's really really (really really) hard for me not to love Michael Kors, especially when it's purple Michael Kors:
It's me. What do you expect? And yes I know it's snowing outside. But whatever! I'll wear them soon. I will I will.

So last night, I had dinner for the first time at Oyamel. It's another one of José Andrés' babies at the corner of 7th and D. A place that I would pass by all the time, point to and say, "I want to go there!" For whatever reason, another restaurant always just edged above this place. But no longer. Last night, I finally had my chance. Holy hell, José Andrés loves the idea of tapas/small plate sharables. But I suppose, why mess with something that works? I grew up Chinese. We do the dim sum. The concept is nothing new to me.

I'll always be a Southern California girl at heart. I love Mexican food. And to be honest, I haven't discovered any real Mexican food in DC yet. (pause) Do you hear that? It's sadness striking my heart.

Oyamel is in its own little world. It's trendy, weird Mexican food. Quail stuffed with cactus salad. Grasshopper tacos. Don't get me wrong; I liked everything. Lord knows I loooove a good beef tongue taco. But it was so... amped up. Mexican food doesn't try that hard. This place is trying. You can tell when you're drinking a margarita that, instead of rimmed salt, is topped with salty foam. (It's reminiscent of a bubble bath, only much more tasty.)

Good ambiance. Good food. Dessert was the only thing that made me pause to savor the flavors.

3.5 stars on the Sam scale, which piques just above average. Satisfying experience overall.

If any person came up to me and asked, "Hey Sam! Where can I get the best grasshopper taco in D.C.?" Well, friend; I happen to know of just the place.

________________

(In honor of the DC Snowgasm, I give you the following: Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson. Be safe and stay warm!)

There's Hope

2010-01-23T18:05:00.002-05:00

A 24 year old man, unhurt, was rescued after 11 days under rubble in Haiti.

How amazing.

I see what's happening there on television and read it in the paper; it breaks my heart. I believe that international news is just as important as the local and national. We can live our lives in our own little worlds and keep on going without a care in the world, but we're all human. We're all connected. If you have the ability to help, please do.

I donated to Doctors Without Borders.

They will need help years from now, but it begins today.

Food Pairing!

2010-01-23T13:28:00.002-05:00

WoahMyGod.

I just discovered an AMAZING Web site! Eeeeee I'm so excited! And yes, it has to do with food. (There are few things I get really excited by.)

It's called Food Pairing.

The basic concept is that you can type (or just browse) various foods, spices and flavor concepts to find another food that can compliment or replace it in a meal.

Planning a dinner party and want to come up with something a bit more unique? This is the site for you.

Forget to buy something at the supermarket and are looking to replace it with something in your pantry? This is the site for you.

What a fantastic idea! I'm going to have so much fun searching random things.

DC Restaurant Week in Review

2010-01-17T20:38:00.015-05:00

Everyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy food.

I will, however, rate my overall experience at a restaurant based on much more than the food. The service. The ambiance, including the music played in the background. Food presentation. Noise level. Even the outfits of the staff. It all counts.

In the past seven days, I went out to dinner six times. Different restaurants with different people, but each was good in its own right.

I realize that I'm certainly no professional food critic, but I'm pretty hard to impress. My rating is out of 5 stars, and almost nowhere will receive that. The rating is for the overall experience.

Monday The Oval Room
1st Course: Shrimp over coconut ginger rice
2nd Course: Pork loin, heirloom peppers and clams
3rd Course: Blondie brownie with salted caramel ice cream

The thing that stood out about this place was the service. They took our coats right away. Two people came to bring us our food, each explaining what was on our plate before we ate. Small portions, even for someone like me (though I have been told that I can eat pretty well). The attention to detail was there. Presentation was great. Food was perfectly cooked.

Overall experience was quite good, and I left with a smile. Diary of a Liveaboard left and ate a half sandwich when she got home. I would go there again, but probably only during restaurant week.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Tuesday Bistro Bis
1st Course: Steak Tartare with field greens and garlic potato chips
2nd Course: Duck confit in a white bean ragout
3rd Course: Valhrona chocolate soup

I had been to sister-restaurant Vidalia a couple of times, so I knew it'd be a little step down but I was still expecting good food. After all, I heard so much about this place. Unfortunately, I was feeling so sick that day that I wanted to cancel. This place charges $25 a head if you cancel within 24 hours, so I wasn't about to pay $50 and get nothing out of it. That automatically upped my expectations and made me a bit irked, which isn't a good combination when going into a new place.

I ended up eating the steak tartare (a dangerous choice when I was already feeling sick, but I was just THAT curious), picking at my meal and having the dessert. I ate the duck the next day for lunch, and it was amazing. I'm sure it would have been even better had I been able to appreciate it the previous night. The service wasn't bad, certainly, but nothing amazing. I had my mind on The Oval Room and was way too spoiled. The manager shook my hand at the end of the night and asked me if I enjoyed the meal. Always a nice touch, and I left leaving feeling content.

I'd go back, but not before I tried all the other places on my DC food-to-try list.

Rating: 3 stars

Wednesday Bobby Van's Steakhouse
1st Course: Shrimp Bisque
2nd Course: Filet Mignon with horseradish mashed potatoes and string beans
3rd Course: Flourless hazelnut chocolate cake

First reaction upon walking into this place: HOLY CRAP. I am not a middle aged white male in a suit. Second thought: Well, we ARE right by the White House. On the food? Uhh. Yeah. That's one damn great steak. And the horseradish mashed potatoes? Genius! It was the perfect combination. The shrimp bisque was good. Dessert was ok. But if we're real, you go for the steak. And they do that well, so really isn't that all that matters? Everything else was fairly mediocre. They had wine specials for restaurant week, too, which pleased me.

I'd go back, but only if I really wanted a steak, it was restaurant week or someone else was picking up the tab. Otherwise, I'll go to Ray's for something that isn't so astronomically priced and just as good.

Rating: 3 stars

Thursday Siroc Restaurant
1st Course: Duck and apricot sausage over polenta
2nd Course: Agnolotti (think ravioli) filled Braised Beef Short Ribs and Roasted Red Potatoes
3rd Course: Tiramisu

I am completely biased. I LOVE this restaurant. Seriously. One of my favorites in DC. It's small. They don't even have a bar for goodness sake. The people here know their stuff, and they're very accommodating to your needs. Service is good, not great, but I have never had a bad meal here. This place serves the homemade pasta that melts in your mouth, which is my big weakness. My pasta was.so.good. And it was just the pasta, with a bit of cheese on top. There wasn't a sauce. When you eat food, you don't always need 35 components to make something special. They were able to showcase exactly what they wanted to.

They have classic and simple dishes, along with the ones that you have always wanted to try, like squid ink pasta. You'll find flowers on your dessert plates. I'll always order a pasta dish when I go there, but other meat and fish dishes are also solid choices. The wait staff is kind and knowledgeable. The owner will be found at the front, greeting you and wishing you well upon your exit. Siroc is just the type of restaurant that I would want to open. Maybe it's why I love it so much.

Rating: 4 stars

Friday Hook
1st Course: 1/2 dozen oysters
2nd Course: Icelandic arctic char and broccoli over a sweet potato purée
3rd Course: Chocolate hazelnut torte

OH. MY. GOD. This meal was RIDICULOUS. Talk about making your soul dance. My soul was definitely dancing. This place definitely is one of my top DC restaurants now. Yu-ummmm.

Everything was melt in your mouth good. If you like seafood, specifically fish, you MUST go! The wait staff was very friendly and full of suggestions. We did all but lick our plates (and what an image that would be). The fish was so perfectly cooked, the skin an extremely thin, crispy layer topping the softest, medium-rare cooked flesh. It wasn't too sweet or salty. They let the steamed broccoli, which they put lemon juice in, and sweet potato purée take care of that.

The waiters were nice and full of suggestions, which I love. And they wore jeans, a nice touch, as it dressed down a fairly classy place. I wouldn't really choose the decor that their designer chose, but hey. You go to a fish restaurant, you're going to see a lot of sea creatures, right? It happens. But you're not going for that creepy crab picture staring at you. You're going for that arctic char! Oh man. Can I go back? Like... right now? Seriously.

And just a note: The chairs swivel, so don't try to squeeze yourself in, because you don't have to. And get the cheesecake. The blood orange sauce takes it from awesome to out of this world.

Rating: 4 stars

Sunday Il Mulino
1st Course: Prosciutto with melon and berries
2nd Course: Mushroom ravioli in a champagne and black truffle sauce
3rd Course: Tiramisu

The waiters are in tuxes with white bow ties. They'll greet you with a smile and take your coat and dripping umbrella. Forget the bread and butter! Upon sitting down, we received, compliments of the house, plates of spicy fried zucchini, freshly cut parmesan cheese, brushetta with clam, and garlic bread. If that's what we got before we ordered, what did we have in store? The food was good. I was expecting more from the pasta. (I had been fairly spoiled by Siroc, after all.) The ravioli was thick. The filling was dense. The black truffle flavor was mild. Was it good? Absolutely. I would hesitate to call it great. Dessert, however, was great. The tiramisu itself was light and overall a lovely experience, and the almond cream with berries was a simple highlight to the course. Ending the meal with grappa, again, on the house, was a strong finish to the experience overall.

On the way to the restroom, I noticed a table for two inside a small room resembling a wine cellar. There was already a long-stem red rose waiting the couple to arrive. Whatever guy brings his date there must get MAJOR points. With the service at Il Mulino, this is no standard table for two.

I would go back for restaurant week, but for better Italian, I'll head back to Siroc. You pay for the experience, and it's definitely quite the experience.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Getting Through the Winter Blues

2010-01-11T21:36:00.001-05:00

Being from the always sunny and warm side of the country, winter hits me a bit harder than others. I'm definitely a victim of Seasonal Affective Disorder. And having to walk to and from the metro/work in what feels like sub-zero temperatures (wind chill. It'll get ya.), only to check the weather report at home and find it to be almost 80 degrees and sunny, does not help one bit.

But there are a few things that I've been doing to calm and lift my spirits. Here's what's been working for me:

1. Sleep
If you can help it, get a few extra moments. Five more minutes. Two extra hours. Revel in the morning(s) that allow you to wake up without an alarm!

2. Play some music
I put this second because it's something that can be done while you're doing everything else! Put on whatever it is that makes you happy. Play something that reflects your mood. Something upbeat and awful (Here's talking to you, Miley and Justin Bieber) when you need a good laugh, something calming when you need to relax (think Maria Taylor or Fink), or maybe some Yo-Yo Ma when you're getting to know the Dalai Lama.

3. Clean
Spring cleaning shouldn't just happen in the spring! Going through your room, bathroom and the fridge, for example, and tossing out the unnecessary items can work wonders. Just straighten out the place. When you walk back home and the first sight isn't a freaking mess, your mind will be that much less frazzled. Your life can run much more smoothly if things are organized.

4. Let in some fresh air!
I know it sounds sort of counter-intuitive because the winter weather can be shockingly cold. We got a few inches of snow in DC the other night, actually. Ask anyone I've lived with and they'll tell you how much I'll fight over the thermostat and clamor for the warmth. I get cold SO easily!

But it's not about cold or warm. Fresh air is so important. There is a feng shui philosophy that notes how bad for you stagnant air is. A stuffy room isn't really good for much. You're breathing in the same air over and over again. It gets heavy and gross. You'll feel it. Try, at a minimum of one time a month, to crack open a couple of windows for a little while. It might work wonders. It does for me. And for goodness sake, when it's sunny out, raise those blinds!

5. Enjoy a nice meal or pot of tea with a best friend. Host a dinner party!
There are very few things that I love more than spending quality time with friends. They're my family over here, since I'm about 3,000 miles away from my own. My roommate and I absolutely love love love playing host. We even keep a stash of extra toothbrushes around, just in case. We're having a small gathering towards the end of the month. I already have some foodie surprises planned, and I'm looking forward to coming up with more. For me, knowing that I'm helping to provide someone else with a worry free moment is extremely rewarding. And if that comes through good food, even better!

This is probably the most enjoyable of the list. A deep conversation. A good laugh. Good food. Good drink. Great company. The most dependable way to lift one's spirits. :-)

6. Bring a bit of homemade luxury into your life.
This morning, I took a few extra moments to relax in my shower. Put on a body mask. Exfoliate with a sweet smelling scrub. I light candles every single day during my shower. Who needs an occasion? Just let the light flicker. Enjoy it all for one extra minute. Take the time to savor the smells and feeling of relaxation. It helps you more than you would imagine. Mmmmm.

My imeem Replacement

2010-01-08T17:46:00.001-05:00

I got it!

Where you can stream music and make playlists: Grooveshark.

ENJOY!

Have More Sex! (Says One Study...)

2010-01-07T18:47:00.003-05:00

The Journal of Sexual Medicine released a study of decades worth of studies saying that the evolutionary kind of sex (you get the idea)--between two consenting adults in a committed relationship--is good for you. Really good for you.

It'll help your with blood pressure and relaxation, it'll regulate your hormones, help you sleep better, lower your risks of heart problems, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lots of other stuff.

"Sex burns 50 to 60 calories per encounter... so sex three times a week for a month would burn about 700 calories--or the equivalent of jogging about seven miles."

Lord knows I would never jog seven miles. Or really even one.

The point is, sex is good for you. So if you're having it, you're putting your body in a pretty good place. If you're not having it, well, then, here are many more excuses to.

So go have some fun! (But for goodness sake, please be safe about it.)

Aaaaaand with that study, I give you Weezer and Sara Bareilles.

(If You're Wondering if I Want You To) I Want You To. So make a move; I don't got all night...

Here's to the Newest Decade!

2010-01-01T16:14:00.008-05:00

Deepest apologies for my absence. I took a little break from the blogosphere for a holiday vacation home to California. Then came back to the East Coast to frigid temperatures that did everything but freeze my soul. I never thought I'd be thankful that it would be warm enough to snow. What's with the joke, Mother Nature? You done yet?

During the holiday, I took my annual yearly tradition of after-Christmas shopping to get some new goods that make me smile and giggle like a little girl. Thank goodness for amazing sales at luxury outlets!

Walking into Cole Haan on a whim was a really, really good idea. I've been looking for the pair of perfect red heels for a long time now. Then I found these. With NikeAir technology, these are about as close as I'll ever get to any type of athletic shoe.

Came back with more skirts and tops and a dress I ended up wearing on New Year's Eve. I had to go buy more hangers for my closet. Is that a bad sign?

My NYE was spent with friends at my apartment. Kept it simple and extremely last minute. Champagne was involved. As were pigs in blankets and the always-crowd-pleasing strawberry and fig preserve baked brie with apples. That sort of Grandpa-love for Dick Clark was renewed (Can I adopt him as a grandparent? That'd be awesome kthx.). And why Lady Gaga ended up on the CNN countdown show was something beyond me.

How was your New Year? Some people believe that how you spend the first day of the year will reflect the following 364 days. I don't know if I buy into that, but any quality time spent laughing with friends is time well spent, if you ask me.

I'm not one to make resolutions, but if you do, I wish you luck in your goals! I believe that life should be a continuous learning experience. Every day, you should want to grow as a person. But if I were to make a goal, I'd love to purchase a digital SLR this year. It would be amazing to cook something and get it up on FoodPornDaily. :-) (I was recently told that I think about food as much as a man thinks about sports and sex. I will not refute this.)

I wish upon everyone the best health, new friendships and rekindled old ones, the ability to find love and passion in even the smallest things, and of course, fabulous food and fashion!

From me to you:

Here's to 2010!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-25T01:54:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to you.

May health and peace find you wherever you may be.

Happiest of Holidays

2009-12-19T13:37:00.002-05:00

We had our (job #1) work holiday party yesterday. Popped the champagne before noon. Rented out a room in one of the best restaurants in DC. After-party at a bar.

On the way walking to the bar afterwards, I stopped to donate money to a Street Sense vendor. For my non-DC friends, Street Sense is a newspaper written and sold by DC homeless, who make a profit from the newspapers they sell. It's a way for them to learn a trade and get back on their feet again.

I see this man every day after work, standing in the same place, nodding his head with a smile and a, "Good evening," to those who pass him. He's quiet and unassuming, a friendly face in a city where most keep walking past, in a hurry to get home. But he doesn't mind. Most people will pass him with not so much as a glance. It's just a part of the job.

I took the newspaper from the vendor. He was wearing a Santa hat. He had no gloves. It was 32 degrees outside with expectations of snowfall for that night.

He thanked me with his gentle smile and his signature head nod and handed me the latest issue of the newspaper. "Well, now let me show my appreciation to you," he said. I was taken aback. What in the world did he mean?

The man reached into his right pocket. I saw a small stack of white envelopes.

He handed me a sealed holiday card. "Merry Christmas," it said on the front of the envelope, with a hologram sticker of a dancing reindeer, "Fr: Street Sense Vendor."

I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't. Why would a homeless man be handing out holiday cards?

I opened the card as I was walking away. "Wishing you everything joyous, merry, and bright!" was printed inside, with his first name, Phillip, signed below.

A part of me still can't believe that it happened. A man, with SO little, giving out cards. We're now in what has been nicknamed the DC "SnOMG" and "Snowpocalypse" of 2009 and Phillip has been outside every day, gloveless, for weeks smiling at everyone who passes by.

It might be the most strikingly generous thing that I've received as of late. It warmed my heart and broke it at the same time.

I wish there was more I could do.

Moments like these allow you to appreciate the generosity of spirit in this world of skepticism and doubt. It fills your heart with belief that the good in people will always overpower anything else. And it's just one more reminder to appreciate all the luxuries that we have. The family and friends, and the endless love that we all have the ability to create.

It doesn't take a whole lot. You can make more of an impact on a complete stranger than you'll ever realize.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

And with that, I leave you with a little bit of Charlie Brown... with a twist.

Selah Sue - She's... Singing in English, Right?

2009-12-14T22:00:00.006-05:00

This crazy haired, kinda Amy Winehouse, young chick name Selah Sue. She's from Belgium (such a lovely country!). At only 20 years old, she automatically makes me feel like I'm behind schedule in becoming awesome at life.

Her songs are pretty catchy, but if we're honest, sometimes--check out this next vid--I have absolutely NO idea what she's singing. Seriously. No idea. But you know? It's good enough that I'll keep on listening. I mean, who needs to know what the lyrics are, anyhow?

___
Super sidenote: Crazy baseball trade day. We got Lackey to the Red Sox. Then a three team trade with Roy Halladay to the Phillies, Cliff Lee to the Mariners, and prospects from both teams (Aumont and Taylor) to the Blue Jays. It's not over yet. The Angels get Hideki Matsui from the Yankees. Good pull by my boys, but Lackey is a huge loss (that we knew was coming). I don't know how I feel about it, but it's only December. There's lots more to come!

From Scratch, without Graham Crackers

2009-12-13T19:03:00.005-05:00

Into the holiday spirit, I made my attempt to make my first gingerbread house from scratch.

It's harder than it seems. Took longer than I thought. But there was a lot of laughing involved during the process and royal icing mess I made in the kitchen.

Everything was from scratch (minus the candy and Teddy Graham residents).

Don't ask me why there's an up arrow made out of Junior Mints.
I didn't do that part of the decorating.

That might be hanging icicles and a royal icing snow angel. It might be.

The guy at the supermarket ringing me up just looked at me, all the candy, and back at me.

"Well, uhh, you're going to have a fun night."
"I'm making a gingerbread house from scratch."
(pause. stare.) "We have kits, you know."
"I know. I saw them."
"Well where are the graham crackers?"
"Graham crackers?"
"Yeah. Graham crackers."
(pause. stare.) "I dunno. I'm... making... gingerbread."

I don't think he had so much confidence in me.

But look at how it turned out! It's not the best. But it's my first. And it doesn't completely suck. That's all I was really shooting for.

Goodbye Imeem. I was in Love; I Thought You Were, Too

2009-12-12T17:08:00.011-05:00

I apologize for the lack of postage, but things get in the way. Working and stuff. You know how it goes.

I've also been in mourning. Oh imeem. Why did you have to turn into the dreaded (*shudder*) Myspace? WHYYYYY? I'm trying to get over this loss. It's a major one.

I'm still looking for the imeem replacement. No word yet on anything. There was a suggestion of swift.fm. It's through Twitter, and you'll need an account in order to listen. Not many of the independent artists that I listen to are on there, but the bigger ones are, so you might give it a try. I haven't tried making playlists yet.

Before I start delving back into the mourning stages again, I'll give you a new recipe, courtesy of my friend Cindy: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese!

Ingredients:
1 lb pasta (fusili; macaroni; cavatappi; whatever) - We used whole wheat
1 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T butter
1/2 onion
2-3 T fresh thyme leaves
3 T flour
2 c. chicken/veggie stock
10 oz. frozen cooked butternut squash, defrosted - We just cooked fresh butternut squash, which was cut into really small pieces.
1 c. cream or half-and-half
2 c. (8 oz.) grated cheddar cheese
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
salt, pepper to taste

Instructions:
-Cook pasta as instructed
-Add butter to heated olive oil over medium heat. When melted, grate onion directly into the pot and add thyme. Cook onion mixture for 1-2 minutes and add flour. Cook for a couple more minutes.
-Whisk in stock. Add butternut squash until warmed. Stir in cream/half-and-half and bring to a simmer. Stir in cheeses using a figure 8 motion. Add nutmeg, salt, pepper to taste.
-Mix in cooked pasta.

If Baking (and you totally should):
-Pour mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish and top with breadcrumb mixture (1/2 c. breadcrumbs, 4 T. melted butter and 1/3 c. parmesan cheese.
-Bake/Broil at 350 degrees until topping is lightly browned.

In joy!

We scooped generous portions into bowls. It was really great.

And just because it's cute, I'm adding this. If you haven't seen it yet, where have you been?!

Red Lips!

2009-12-06T21:46:00.003-05:00

I love the color red. Before I was 10 years old, I knew I'd grow up to drive a bright red car. A couple of my sports teams wear red. Accents in my apartment are red. I always always always choose to paint my nails red; they're red right now, in fact. But what about red lips?

I sort of always wanted to try it. I see it in magazines. On tv. It's rarer to see women who rock it when they go out. It's just so bold, after all.

And for years I was convinced that it was too bold for me.

Until now.

Yesterday I stopped by Ulta and got myself my first red lipstick. Last night I did my best to rock it out to dinner and out afterwards. There may have been comments on my girlishness (the giant flower headband didn't help, either). I may have enjoyed it.

(I'll just take a moment to admit my tiny girl crush on Natalie Portman. She's the most adorable woman who can swing into sexy almost seamlessly. I sort of wish we were best friends.)

It's bright. It's bold. It's sexy. It commands attention, and I suppose that's a part of the appeal, isn't it?

Do you ever take the leap to be as bold as you wish you could be? How did it turn out?

And for anyone who wants to know how to go about wearing the right shade, InStyle has a few pointers.

And do you see how they have shade suggestions for all skin and hair color combinations? That's a hint. Go get yourself some red. And wear it well.

Madi Diaz

2009-12-06T19:51:00.005-05:00

Lovely voice for any time relaxing at home. Especially after you're trying to figure out what to do with yourself after waking up from a nap to darkness outside.

We're Wrapping Up a Decade...

2009-12-03T18:11:00.003-05:00

If you haven't seen this piece from Newsweek yet, please watch it.

It's the past decade's biggest moments... in seven minutes.

The Holidays are Here. We Have Quiche, too.

2009-12-02T22:55:00.006-05:00

Roomie and I, after returning from our weekend in New York, decided to get a little festive. We picked up the largest small tree we could find, wrapped it lights, ribbon and threw on some ornaments. We got sent home with some stockings so those got tossed up on the wall.

We also got a string of colored lights that run along the wall and ceiling from the kitchen to the balcony. There are eight different light settings, including one that's motion activated. Who knew that holiday lights could be so integrated into technology? There's also a super flash setting that makes the place like a dance party. I don't know how I feel about that yet...

Do you have holiday decorations up yet? We put the menorah on the bookcase next to the tree. Gotta love the multiculturalism we have going on.

On a completely different and non-holiday oriented note, we made quiche tonight. Turned out magnificently. (Doesn't it look good?)

Quick Recipe:
1. Saute onion, garlic, add mushrooms and spinach until it's all cooked down.
2. Mix with a small container of artichoke hearts, lots of cheddar and herb feta, and some salt and pepper.
3. Spread evenly in a pie dish, cover with four eggs (scrambled, duh) mixed with a cup of milk, and pour over.
4. Sprinkle with more cheese. We used feta.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. To make sure the crust doesn't burn, 15 minutes in, cover the edges with foil.

Enjoy! It's sooooo good. And light. But filling. So all in all, a pretty awesome meal.

Did I forget anything? Hmm. Maybe some music.

Enjoy! We're already in December. Can you believe it? Where did the decade go?!

Vacations are the Best, Even if They're Mini

2009-11-30T22:36:00.008-05:00

I'm a California girl. I'll always be one, but this is my fifth year living as an East Coast chick. The life that I've created for myself is here, and as the holidays come and go, my ability (and sometimes need) to go home lessens.

I've been to many Thanksgivings as a guest of a different, generous family. It's not quite the same as being with one's own, but I do my best to be as good of a visitor as possible. Times like these remind you of the generosity of spirit in this world. When you can find such genuinely lovely people, it's refreshing and can reaffirm that spark of hope in you.

This year, I headed up to New York to spend the long weekend with my roommate's family. Traffic made it a long drive, but we played the "what's the mini van next to us watching on their DVD player?" game and danced an almost Thriller like dance to Gaga's Bad Romance, making those stuck in traffic around us laugh.

I've been to NYC plenty of times before. To visit. To stay. But never for long. Surprisingly enough, through my trips, I had never taken a walk through Central Park.

I'm happy to say that I can no longer make that statement.

It was gorgeous. A bit cool, but not excessively chilly. I was also wearing a dress, which likely contributed to the lowered temperature I was feeling. We walked all over the city that day. Ate a great lunch. Wandered around with no destination and stopped for a cupcake (that chocolate and peanut butter combo never fails).

I reunited with a friend, a truly lovely woman, whom I hadn't seen in months and months. I had dinner with another great friend who I've known since middle school and see a few times a year.

Such a lovely vacation. I work six days a week, so to have so many days off in a row seemed to be almost... magical. It certainly left me in awe.

After returning early Sunday morning, we went and got a holiday tree. Christmas tree. Winter tree. Call it what you will. It's about four feet tall, a bit crooked, but covered with lights, ribbon and ornaments. It's quite the happy tree, if you ask me. I'll post about that later.

For now, I will introduce you to The Civil Wars, the duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White. The music is much more gentle than the name. Take a listen. You might just fall in love. If not love, then maybe a strong like. After you decide how strongly your affections lie, you may download a live album of theirs for free off of their Myspace music page. Just click the link at the top of the page.

Enjoy! And have a lovely rest of your day, whatever day of the week that might be.

Cheap Music and Food Porn. Not Together Though.

2009-11-24T19:17:00.006-05:00

Amazon rules at having music sales for artists I enjoy listening to. Right now you can get Kate Earl's self-titled album for $5. Not quite sure how long it's going to last, since her Twitter account announced it tonight, but the message read, "Download Kate Earl's self -titled album on Amazon for $5... sale ends Monday 11/20 http://bit.ly/4sSHaM."

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it already... the 24th? But it works. So who cares? I imeemed her before, but now she's on my iTunes. Perfect addition for a long road trip tomorrow. :-)

If that doesn't strike your fancy, I will judge you, but we can move on. There are other great choices, too.

Amazon has 50 albums for $5. Included are The Decemberists, John Coltrane, Jay-Z, Mike Doughty, The Avett Brothers (shoutout to Cindy), Owl City, Ben Harper, The Airborne Toxic Event, and Marie Digby. The list goes on and on.

Meanwhile, imeem always has 49 albums for $4.99. My favorites on that list are Michael Franti & Spearhead and NEEDTOBREATHE. Highly recommended.

If you're willing to wait until Black Friday, Amazon will have over 500 mp3 CDs on sale for five bucks.

Ok. Now on to an equally exciting topic! FOOD PORN!

If you like food like I do, you MUST put FoodPornDaily onto your Google Reader/RSS feed thingy. Mostly pictures. Some recipes (check the bottom of the page). You will gasp. You're eyes will get big. Make sure that your mouth isn't open; you'll start dribbling on yourself, and that's not very attractive.

Song of the Moment:

All The Same To Me (Album Version) - Anya Marina

In B Flat

2009-11-22T22:18:00.005-05:00

Have you come across In B Flat?

I saw it a while ago. It made me happy then, and it makes me happy now.

The idea is that you have recordings of various instruments, and you can click on each one at any point. Click two or click them all. At the same time or periodically throughout.

No matter what choices you make, the sound is still lovely.

Enjoy it. :-) It's definitely one of those small joys. And most days, those little things mean a lot more than you'd first think.

Song of the Day:

Have a beautiful day or night, wherever you might be!

It is really time for the holidays?!

2009-11-21T17:08:00.008-05:00

It has come to my attention that the holidays are upon us. WHA?! When did that happen?

Well then. Fine. If it's time to get festive, I shall participate.

Yesterday I wanted to be a little bit productive. I had some time between the visit to the farmers market (new purchase: bison!) and dinner, so I made a paper wreath. Doesn't sound great when you use those words, but it turned out really well!

I got the instructions HERE and just went for it, without any real idea of what I was doing. Turns out that's perfectly fine.

Jenna made a purchase of a long picture frame to hang above the couch, so I used the leftover cardboard that it came in for the backing. A large plate and regular bowl to make the O pattern, some double sided wrapping paper to make it fun, matching dark blue ribbon for hanging, and a lot of staples.

Tah-DAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

And for today's song choice of the day, I give you Paramore. I hope it calms you like it calms me.

Misguided Ghosts (Album Version) - Paramore

"Success is destination; excellence is ecstatic journey." ~Deepak Chopra

Coin Laundry by Lisa Mitchell

2009-11-18T21:35:00.005-05:00

The latest and cutest: Lisa Mitchell.

The girl actually started off on Australian Idol. Coin Laundry is just the most adorable thing ever. I'm loving the starting beat and the chorus. That back and forth motion she does with her shoulders sort of makes me giggle like a little girl. And wow. Check out those beautiful green eyes she has! Her look reminds me something of A Fine Frenzy.

Blue and green eyes with brown hair is the most lovely combo, I think. The whole Asian thing has me with darker features, and most of the blue eyed people in Southern California have blond hair, so light eyes and darker hair has always been a striking and unique contrast to me. (Put that as #374 of things that I love.)

Anyhow. Music. That was my original point.

Enjoy!

So Jealous - Lisa Mitchell

Sometimes It's Just Black and White

2009-11-16T23:26:00.008-05:00

I'm the queen of the little black dress. I love black heels. Black and white is quite the staple in my closet. In recent years, I've gone for pops of color. When I go shopping with certain parties, they won't allow me to even pick up a black and/or white item. Why not? You like what you like, and this is something that I gravitate to.

Black and white is my biggest fall back. There's a reason for it: it's that simplistic beauty. You don't always need to go for the most flashy item to make a bold statement. (Also, I have lighter skin and very dark hair. It just works, so I don't fight it.)

I own about five little black dresses. Grab my attention with a strapless/low back/backless item. In the words of my friends, "It's very Sam Grieder."

I make a visit to ModCloth almost once a day. Big fan of their dresses. Huge fan, as it were. Middle of the road for pricing, but you can get some gorgeous and unique items.

The last one is my latest and absolute favorite.

You can't really go wrong with these. You really can't.

Sometimes the situation really is in black and white. And you know what? Sometimes that's ok.

There's Catching Up to Do

2009-11-14T18:37:00.007-05:00

I know I haven't posted anything as of late. The roommate's birthday had us celebrating a lot. :-)

Last Tuesday we went to the Rob Thomas concert at the Patriot Center. (Thanks 9:30 Club!) My first time there, and I've decided it's not my favorite venue. Been too spoiled with smaller places or dancing on the lawn at Merriweather. The show started at 7pm, and we had to fight traffic to get there, so we missed Carolina Liar. Sad.

I knew OneRepublic would be great. I had already seen them when they came to NBC to do Leno. They have great energy. The lead singer even hopped over the gate to really interact with the audience. And although, yes, many of their songs sound the same, I happen to really enjoy hearing that same song over and over again. Their new album, Waking Up, drops on new music Tuesday. You can do a full stream HERE. Take a listen. Good Life is one of my faves.

I had seen Rob Thomas back in his Matchbox days. They rocked out and did some acoustic stuff. He danced all over the place. I'm less of a fan of his backup singers though. And the whole time, there were these huge screens in the back. It was like looking at "a really bad screensaver," as Jenna noted. Yes. Really. Really. Bad.

Seeing him in concert just reminded me of how much I miss Matchbox Twenty. But Rob said that they'll be back together at the start of 2010, so that'll be something to look forward to.

We visited Rays the Classics (of Rays the Steaks and Rays Hell Burger) on Wednesday. I must say, that's a pretty damn good steak. Meals like that remind me of why I could never be a vegetarian.

Last night we hosted a little shindig in our building. We served up brownie bites baked in mini muffin tins, but we put peppermint patty pieces in the middle of one batch and Reeses pieces in another batch. A cinnamon oatmeal cookie cake did the trick as well.

A great time was had. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. I'm sorry we didn't play Backgammon.

For Jenna's birthday playlist, visit imeem. Caution: The Thong Song might be involved.

And, because it will make his life complete (or so he says), the next bit of info is courtesy of one of that Mr. Shawn Malhotra. You can stream John Mayer's new CD on Rhapsody. I haven't listened to it yet, since we've had a pretty steady stream of awesome movies (like The Sandlot) going in our place, but fear not, I will listen, I will judge, and I will review.

Meanwhile, I need to make my way to H&M for some Jimmy Choos! I told myself that one day I would buy myself a pair of fabulous Jimmys. Still don't have quite the disposable income that I would like (read: fresh out of college), so I can handle this in the meantime. The bummer is that they're still not cheap. But they ARE normal priced. A pair of flats for around $70. A pair of heels for $100-120. That's more of something I can handle. That is, if they're not sold out already.

And lastly, if you haven't seen Lady Gaga's newest music video yet, prepare to be shocked and awed. Ok. Not awed. Just shocked.

Ever wonder what goes through her head? Must be a scary place.

The Ladder by Andrew Belle

2009-11-04T22:39:00.006-05:00

Stop what you're doing.

Just stop.

You MUST begin listening to Andrew Belle. He's quite the musician. He has an LP coming out in January (I will notify you when it is released), but you can stream quite a few songs on his MySpace page. It is highly encouraged.

In the meantime, I leave you with a YouTube video and a lovely imeem stream of a song that features Katie Herzig.

Have a beautiful day!

New Tyrone Wells

2009-11-04T19:59:00.005-05:00

Fellow Orange Countian (I know it's not a real term but let's pretend it is, k? Thanks.) Tyrone Wells is coming out with a new acoustic EP next month. From the sound of it, and, just knowing him, it'll be pretty good!

This song is called Running Around in My Dreams.

Why don't you come and go with me?
Somehow I know I've been waiting to see
You standing there with the wind in your hair

Don't Stop the Music by Jamie Cullum

2009-11-02T16:13:00.002-05:00

Here is a discovery that left me mostly in awe. This is on repeat for me. What an incredible musical being! It's just so beautiful.

Enjoy!

Two of My Favorite Things: Shoes and a Good Cause!

2009-11-01T10:21:00.001-05:00

Good morning to you, and Happy November! I hope you had a fun and safe Halloween if you celebrated. It was an intentionally quiet night for me, with a bubble bath involved. Sometimes you just need to forget the pressure of the day and do what's best for you!

Meanwhile, I'm trying to think up ways to give back to the community in a fun way. I make no secret of the fact that I love shoes. We all have known this for a while now.

Well, last week I was on the TOMS Shoes Web site. I absolutely LOVE the idea of the One for One. You buy a pair of shoes, and TOMS Shoes donates a pair to a needy child! How wonderful is that? Seriously.

Sadly, I own zero pairs of TOMS. As great as the One for One idea is, I'm also a fan of fashion. And up until now, I just didn't get it. I REALLY don't get it. I'm all for supporting various lifestyles, but just because you're a practicing vegan doesn't mean that your fashion sense has to go out the window, right?

Luckily, TOMS has gotten better! It's something almost miraculous. Wear this pair (with or without shoelaces) with a plain t-shirt and some skinny jeans and you're all set for a casual Saturday.

But if you're feeling a bit more brave and want to have a little more fun, throw a party!

That's right. A party. A shoe-decorating party, that is.

Get the shoe sizes of all the friends that are interested, collect the funds (~$50, with shipping) ahead of time, pre-order all the original, white TOMS shoes, and have everyone bring a bunch of fabric markers and paints. I'd also do a pot luck or something, too. That way no one goes hungry, either.

There's a documentary the company will send you with your order so you can find out all about the positive impact you're making in the world. Play that while you're group is letting the creativity flow, and feel good about what you're doing! No one said that you can't make the world a better place while expressing yourself.

From the TOMS Shoes Web site:

Why shoes?
Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.

Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot.

Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.

Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.

There is one simple solution...SHOES.

Of the planet's six billion people, four billion live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow.

There it is. Something to think about. And while you're thinking about it, I'm trying to figure out a date for my party.

Style your sole, and make your soul smile.

Who Said that Halloween Has to Be Scary?

2009-10-29T22:34:00.003-04:00

Halloween can be cute, too!

Jenna and I made rice krispy treats tonight. Add in some red/yellow food coloring and some green for the stems at the top, roll them into balls, place on top of a lollipop stick, wrap them up in little plastic bags and ribbon, and you have yourself a pumpkin lollipop!

Careful that you don't die of a cute attack.

Oh Sorry. I'm Still in a Food Coma...

2009-10-26T18:17:00.011-04:00

I recently came home from dropping my mom off at the airport. Sent her back into the sunshine of Southern California.

She's been to D.C. to visit me before. The tourist thing is a been there done that sort of thing. We're both so bored with it, so what did we do this trip? EAT! That's right. We ate. Up until she had to fly home.

She got here late Friday night. Lots of delays and poor weather (snow in her layover location; rain in D.C.) made her trip here 13+ hours. Oh the things a mother will do for her child! Being tired when she came, we came straight home. She ate my leftovers from dinner. Duck confit from Jackie's. Not too bad, right?

Saturday comes. Usual farmers market run, of course. Then Annapolis for her first Maryland crab experience!!! I mean, a trip to Maryland isn't really complete until you have crabs and Old Bay, right? Little did I know, Mom is a freaking pro at it. Made me feel semi like a failure at life, but we'll just change the subject and move on. Thanks to Buddy's for the ridiculous crabs, falling off the bone rack of ribs and to-die-for creamed spinach!

We slept in that morning, so that delayed the farmers market run, which delayed the time getting to Annapolis. Being utterly stuffed from lunch (we're pretty petite/averaged sized women), we thought it best to make a trip across the way for some ice cream. Note to self: Maybe go shopping for a Navy boy next time I'm in Annapolis?

Because I couldn't get a reservation to Minibar by Jose Andres (I gave up after 15 minutes of busy signals, but don't think I didn't start calling at 9:58 a.m. one month prior!), I made a reservation to Vidalia. For 6:30 p.m. Late lunch in Annapolis, ice cream, only to drive home to fit into a dress and head out for dinner. OhDearLordWhatDidIDo? I knew it was a lofty goal, but I was up for the challenge.

Mom and I headed to Vidalia. It's been a while since either of us had a REALLY nice meal, so we went for it. Three courses each, of course. Plus there were a few things that were "complements of the chef," and who were we to reject those?

Appetizers: jumbo lump crab and big eye tuna (as pictured; ignore me eating in the background); warm foie gras terrine

Dinner: north sea dover sole, pipe dream farm young goat
Dessert: lemon chess pie, alpaco torchon (aka. ~75% cacao chocolate truffles. There may have been HUGE eyes and an ohemgeethisisthemostamazingthingintheworld moment involved.)

After appetizers, we were too into the food to take pictures. So you'll just have to let your imagination take you places.

Yesterday the only thing we did was go grocery shopping and cook. Well. Jenna and I cooked dinner. Mom watched us cook and asked for recipes. We had some people over to meet Mom, since we haven't hosted any dinner parties since the summer move in.

On the menu:

Toasted french baguette and thinly sliced apple served with
~Hummus
~Pea Pâté
~Baked Brie w/ strawberry preserves and walnuts

Dinner:
~Three Cheese Tortellini with sundried tomato, artichoke heart, yellow and red bell pepper and cashews
~Red Inca Quinoa with diced tomato, basil and mint
~the Best Broccoli You've Ever Eaten in Your Life!
~Roasted Tomatoes and Tilapia with garlic and thyme

Dessert:
~Pumpkin Cupcakes with maple syrup frosting
~hot Apple Cider (from the farmers market) with cinnamon sticks

Sound delicious? It's because it was. Jenna and I put on a couple cute dresses and accepted flowers. You can't help but smile when you're looking your best, surrounded by some of your best friends and eating fabulous food. There were many smiles and much laughter, not to mention endless compliments on the food!

Today, Mom and I took a trip to DSW, where I went for some versatile brown flats but ended up with a new pair of heels. Again, no one is surprised. Mine are brown with mustard yellow accent strips, but this is the style. Not only that, but they're only 3" tall! Totally city-walkable, compared to the others I have. (I used that to justify it, as I really just need flats. I usually hover at the 4" mark for my heels. Whether or not it's a good reason to buy these is a different story.)

A trip to Adega Wine Cellars specifically for eggplant fries and a smoked salmon and avocado wrap and the long weekend was over!

The lesson here is: When in doubt, just EAT!

If you can surround yourself with friends and family, the more the merrier rule applies.

I needed this break SO BAD. If only every weekend was like this!

With that, I leave you with 7 Reasons to Be Happy Even if Things Aren't Perfect Now, courtesy of TinyBuddha.com. Smile. You are alive!

In Joy!

Smell That? It Smells Like Fall!

2009-10-22T23:01:00.005-04:00

So so so so so sorry for the lack of postage. I've been sick and busy with work and life has intervened. You know how it gets...

You know how every Saturday I make a trip to my local farmers market? When my roommate or I see something that looks fun, we buy it. It's Fall now. Acorn squash looked fun.

We had two that temporarily sat on our dining room table as centerpieces for a while. Last week, I had the urge to try something new: acorn squash soup. It took a little while, but it was good!

Cut and bake the squash (open side down) for 45 min or so around 350 degrees. This is to cook them and get everything soft. Can you see the steam in the photo? Amazing. This is where smell-o-vision comes in handy.
While the squash is in the oven, cut up an apple, onion, two full carrots, a tablespoon of fresh ginger, and saute in olive oil in a pot. Add dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Let cook for 20-25 minutes to get soft.

Scrape out all the acorn squash you can get. Add the meat to the pot with the apple/onion/carrot mix.

Add in 3-4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock. Whatever you have on hand. Let simmer for 20 min or so. Put in a blender and blend until pureed, soupy consistency. Return to pot and re-heat if necessary.

I topped mine with a dollop of mascarpone cheese. You can try sour cream or yogurt if you have some. :-) A bit of freshly ground salt and pepper to taste.

IN JOY!!!!!

Sidenote: Holy hell. What's with all the heart attacks?! LET'S GO ANGELS!

You Should Really Listen to This

2009-10-14T21:54:00.002-04:00

Really really.

Oh. AAAAAAND, Robert Francis' Junebug is this week's free song on iTunes. The entire album is just $7.99. Do something about it. I won't tell you again.

As a sidenote, for the month of October (which is already half over! How'd that happen?!), Ingrid Michaelson's album, Maybe, is on Amazon for $5! If you don't have it yet, you should get it. While you're ordering, listen to Robert Francis.

I Could Use a Fun Theory Over Here

2009-10-12T22:29:00.001-04:00

Isn't this cool?

Lover by Devendra Banhart

2009-10-12T11:36:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the lack of postage. I've been working way too much and totally sickandtiredandbondingwithmycouch and celebrating the ANGELS SWEEP!!!

But to the point:
Devendra Banhart is totally weird and hippyish, but I enjoy this song.

In joy! :-)

I don't want to say, "Leave me alone," but...

2009-10-08T20:32:00.008-04:00

Phone calls absolutely WILL NOT be answered while I'm watching my team during post-season ball.

Are. You. Kidding. Me?!

I must have an absurd amount of testosterone in me, because the only thing I can think is,

"Don't talk to me. The game is on!"

LET'S GO ANGELS!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss Anaheim so much it almost hurts.

And oh, a word of caution: My mood will be directly affected by the outcome of the previous game's result. Check the score if you don't want any surprises before we see each other.

Calling All Angels - Train

Retail Therapy

2009-10-05T21:39:00.004-04:00

We've been through this before: I don't follow any organized religion. My religion involves shoes.

I already have black boots (three pairs, actually: leather knee-high heels, casual leather wedges, practical flat winter wear), so it was time for some brown! Simple and classic. These will take me through a few seasons, and they'll look cute with jeans and dresses. I'm so excited for them to get to me in the mail!

I also went and got some things on sale at my staple store, Express. Can't beat marked down prices, plus an extra 20% off red lined everything, right? Puh-lease. I even bought pink. Pink! And not the (*ahem) kind of pink that people tell you in really just a light shade of purple, either. This is unavoidable, I-sort-of-judge-you-for-that-pink-being-SO-pink kind of pink.

The weather is getting cooler. It's almost time to break out the sweater dresses.

I mean. I had pumpkin pie tonight. If that's not a sign I don't know what is.

Dog Days by Florence + the Machine

2009-10-05T21:25:00.002-04:00

This is fabulous music! Shoutout to my musically inclined friend Brad for the suggestion (though I'm still WAY ahead in our music suggestion point system).

If You Are What You Eat, What Does This Make Me?

2009-10-03T14:46:00.007-04:00

I admit it: I've had food issues since high school. I'd go days without eating because my mother would tell me to watch myself. I'd come home every day from school and check my stomach in the mirror to make sure I wasn't fat.

Those days are long behind me.

I've had support systems, angry glares and some yelling to turn my habits around.

I've eaten more healthy than ever in the past months, and it's been something of a lifestyle change (How fantastic!). I enjoy it when I cook a healthy, balanced meal for dinner.

So if you are what you eat (btw, check out that link; some of that stuff is just weird), then I am the following:

In the freezer:
ice, NY bagels, rum, pasta, frozen meat (beef, chicken)

In the fridge:
Top shelf - yogurt, chili, cilantro pesto, farmers market greens
Middle shelf - eggs, salsa, leftover quinoa and gnocchi (Drawer: mostly artisanal cheeses from the store/farmers market)
Bottom shelf - pomegranate and blueberry juice, Coke/Diet Coke, water, unsweetened soy milk, almond milk, coconut water
Bottom drawers: fresh fruits and vegetables (mostly from the farmers market)

Badman by Newton Faulkner

2009-10-01T23:10:00.009-04:00

The guy can play guitar. He has some catchy riffs and his songs overall, I think, are pretty impressive (hell, just watch him play his instrument!).

But dear G-d his newest video is completely bizarre and distracting. And not in a good way.

If you can somehow break away your mind from what you are viewing, enough to listen to the song, you might like it.

For something a little bit (a lot) more normal, just watch this one. I looooove this version.

And for the full stream of his newest CD, Rebuilt by Humans, click here. The only bummer is that you have to individually click the songs, but hey, it's all there!

Lipstick Jungle

Is it the Mars-Venus Thing?

2009-09-30T23:31:00.004-04:00

Someone asked for my phone number today. It made me feel cute and girly.

But the question popped into my head.

Guys: Would you rather have a girl not give you her number or give it to you when she knows/has a feeling that she won't go out with you?

Girls: Do you think it's better to give him your number with the possibility that you can be friends, or do you not bother at all?

Something to ponder...

It's October... Almost

2009-09-29T20:33:00.009-04:00

Photo credits: MLB.com

You know what that means, right?

It's post-season baseball.

For people who don't live in the DC or Pittsburgh area (sorry, but it's true), it's this exciting and gut-wrenching time. The Angels won 100 games last season (that's a lot). Swept during October (what a disaster). I remember screaming into a pillow. Punching my bed. We were supposed to win it all. I knew we were. But we didn't.

Anything is possible during post-season. Anything. The hottest team can turn ice cold, and the team that makes it into October by the skin of their teeth can win the whole shabang.

The Angels clinched the AL West last night. They're continuing into October. It's not a surprise, but it still brings joy to all the Angel fans out there, including me.

In looking through the photos posted from last night's win, there were a couple that made me reflect. I got the chills. It was the ones that involved number 34:

Number 34 is Nick Adenhart's number.

I never met the guy. Never spoke to him before. In large part, I was just a fan. For me, it was two degrees of separation. A co-worker and friend of mine left a voicemail for him not 48 hours before he was killed. Another friend of mine was his girlfriend's roommate. He was from Silver Spring, after all.

Being from Southern California, I knew the exact intersection where the accident happened. I used to drive through that corner every day/every other day to go to my yoga class. It was surreal. My jaw, and my stomach, dropped when I heard the news. There was an instant flashback as I pictured the intersection in my head.

I never got to go home this summer. But when the Angels made it to Baltimore earlier in the season, I was able to go to Camden Yards as a part of the Adenhart family's large group. I met his girlfriend. I met his best friend. I named my rally monkey Aiden that night.

The Angels have made the October run five out of the past six seasons. They had triple-digit wins last year, but this year, with a 92-64 record going into tonight's game, post-season means a little bit more.

Nick Adenhart was only 22 years old. He was my age.

This year, the Angels had to overcome a huge loss at the start of the season to get where they are now. The shaky start to the season was able to turn around into the group that I know and love. They do it with him in mind. I'm so happy to see that they make sure to include the memory of Adenhart in everything that they do: from his number patched onto their jerseys all season long to the pre-game ritual of hanging his jersey into the dugout, the post-game ritual of hanging his jersey back in the clubhouse and now, as they've clinched, dousing that same jersey in celebratory beer and champagne.

I wish the best for my Angels as they begin their run to the World Series. As a fan, I hope they win it all not just because it's exciting and fills me with pride, but I hope they can do it this year for Number 34.

So much of what they've done this season to even get to this point was for him.

And this year, post-season baseball will be, too.

Blue Skies - Landon Pigg

The Day After

2009-09-28T20:53:00.004-04:00

Today was the first day off the cleanse.

To be honest, I went on it just to see if I could. I see myself as being fairly mentally strong. I knew I had the willpower to do it. I've gone cold turkey before; no problem. Sometimes it's easier that way.

I thought, "Oh sure. Seven day challenge. And then it's back to my same old self."

I don't know what happened during those seven days. I lost weight, though I don't have a scale, so I'm not sure how much. For the first time, I was forced to become conscious of what I was putting in my body. I read labels. There were tiny pinprick, annoying headaches. I had cravings. The cravings went away. I drank a lot of water. I made frequent trips to the restroom. I felt mildly sick. I got some breakouts. They haven't fully disappeared. I was tiiiiiired. I fell asleep earlier than usual. I progressively got more energy, though there were no bursts like I have when I'm on a caffeine or sugar high.

And although I felt good about what was happening in my body, I wanted to once again experience some of the things that I missed, even though I know that what I want is not what I need.

I drank coffee this morning. Putting a spoonful of sugar in the cup even made a difference. That single action. I wasn't breaking any rules, yet I couldn't help but think, "Careful not to add too much! Too much sugar isn't good, and I don't really need it." I drank it happily as I was getting ready for work.

Once I made it to work, I went and got myself another cup. This is what I used to do. Every day.

Then I started to... not feel well. Could it be that my body needed to get re-acclimated to caffeine? Whatever it was, I'm not quite sure. But I wasn't really a fan.

Cup of coffee? Meet trash can. I think you two will get along pretty well, don't you?

Upstairs I went for that liter bottle of water. Ahhhhh. Much better.

I don't know what happened, but I'm used to what I'm used to. You can challenge yourself to do one thing or the other, but why force something that doesn't make you feel good? Before coffee made me feel good. That's passed. The thing that my body is used to now is fresher ingredients and a lot of water. So I'll do my best to keep feeding it that.

Today, much of my food was cleanse-approved. Why fight it when you have a good thing going?

Yes. It's the same Sam, here. I promise. And it's true; I willingly threw away my coffee and did NOT pick up a burger for lunch. It's perfectly possible.

Don't think you're strong enough? Don't have enough willpower, you say? HA! Good one. I beg to differ.

All I've heard from people is that it sounds "too hard!" Well. No. That's not right. It's not too hard. It's only as difficult as you make it out to be.

Though I must say, it IS nice to be able to have the occasional cupcake now and again. I mean... now.

Success!

2009-09-27T23:51:00.004-04:00

Well well well. The cleanse is over! And you know, something? It worked.

That's right. It worked.

First, let me reflect upon what I ate today:

Pre-Breakfast: Apple Larabar (Remind me to buy a bunch of those. They're yummy!)

Brunch: Omlette with shrimp, spinach, onion and pomme frites (no cheese; no ketchup)

Dinner: homemade gnocchi in a tomato sauce

Not as much water as I should have had and no tea today. I was off my game a bit, I guess. Too much temptation around me. Boy did I want stuff with sugar! Or even just... bread! It's soooo hard to deal with when you're not sitting around at home with all the fresh produce in your fridge.

I suppose we can get into the important stuff now. The most important lesson I learned during this whole bit. They're just four simple words: I don't need it.

I don't need it. And you know? You don't really either.

This cleanse is certainly challenging. Goodness knows I'll create a challenge for myself when I'm bored. This one fit fairly nicely.

You learn so much about yourself during this clease. It's not necessarily just about the food.

Yes, it's true; you've never thought more about food than you ever have before. Never have I actually revolved my life around my meals. But really, it's all just about... becoming aware.

Do you know how much shit you're putting in your body every day? Do you know how much stuff has corn syrup/artificial sweeteners in it? Do you realize that your body doesn't NEED the things you say it needs? No. You can do without that cup of coffee. You can do without that bowl of ice cream. Sure it tastes good. No one is questioning that. But if you force yourself, you can switch it up and have some apple instead. A nectarine. You can have that club soda with lime instead of that mango mojito that you really want (I made that choice, too. It was rough.). You can look at the ingredient label before you throw anything into your grocery cart.

It's all a conscious choice that you make. Are you willing to give in to it just because it's the easy thing to do? The sad thing is that most of us feel like we don't have the time to make these smart choices. Don't get me wrong; I was a part of that group, too. This cleanse taught me that you do have time. You may be tired, but you can make time if you really want to.

There are natural things in this world that are meant to be enjoyed, yet you're probably going to hit up that box of Frosted Flakes when you can make a smarter decision. Surprisingly enough, it's not as hard as you might think. It just takes a bit of preparation. Buy fresh produce. Keep good foods nearby so you'll never have to make the trip to McDonald's. Set yourself up for success!

You know something? I set the timer on the coffee maker for tomorrow morning. And even as I was putting the coffee into the basket (go green with the gold filter!), I was thinking to myself how I didn't need it. Really, if I wanted, I could shrug it off and not have coffee tomorrow morning. No big deal. (Did I just say that? Uhh... yeah. I think I did.) I guess I did it just because I can now.

After this cleanse, I honestly don't think I'll be consuming the amounts of caffeine that I used to. I'll certainly appreciate being able to eat sushi rice and yogurt based salad dressings again.

I made myself lunch to bring to work tomorrow. Besides some banana chips and dried pineapple slices (there's sugar in those... sad), it's all cleanse approved. And that makes me smile. Knowing that I'm doing something good for my body for a change is a good thing. A very good thing.

I may officially be off the cleanse now, but I'm not really off the cleanse.

So here's to successfully completing my first diet cleanse, but more importantly, here's to smarter, healthier choices in life!

To the Finish Line We Go!

2009-09-26T11:47:00.009-04:00

Sorry no post yesterday.

I'm freaking exhausted and haven't been feeling well.

My diet didn't necessarily go awry yesterday, but I didn't really eat that much. I didn't do the morning tea and skipped lunch. Because other things got in the way, I didn't get seated at the restaurant I went to around 9 p.m. (Needless to say, I was already dragging and not happy.)

Breakfast: oats in coconut water, apples, cinnamon and agave

Snack: half apple, two dried figs, grapes, walnuts

Dinner: thai lettuce wraps and sesame noodles

Today was alright. Still no cheating, but it's really hard when temptation surrounds you. Since I haven't been feeling well, there was a late start to the day. No visit to the farmers market (left that to the roommate). Jenna made dinner, too. It was a lot of sitting back on my part.

Breakfast: way too overpriced cup of sliced fruit picked up from Starbucks (grapes, pineapple, melon)

Lunch: turkey burger (+tomato, avocado), wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun (no cheese!)

Dinner: salad (butter lettuce, tomato, apple, walnuts, rosemary balsamic and olive oil dressing), brown rice, roasted tomatoes with tilapia

After dinner: hazelnut dolce tea

I've been eating much less and snacking less. I think my stomach shrunk, and I can't tell if that's good or bad. Or maybe it's because I have less of an appetite when I'm tired and not feeling 100%.

Technically, tomorrow is the last day of the cleanse. In the meantime, I will take some time to reflect upon this week-long venture of mine.

Have a lovely evening, while I drink tea and watch Shrek 2, likely going to bed early.

01 Lets Go - Madi Diaz

Day 4 and Feeling Pretty Good

2009-09-24T21:42:00.006-04:00

I realized something today.

THIS is how it's supposed to feel. THIS is what happens when you give your body the things that it's meant to have. THIS is what... normal feels like.

The first day was... meh. I was sleeeeeepy.

The second day I was still really lethargic. Headachy.

Third day was better. Not really good. But better. No headaches, at least.

Today was... normal. I was much happier than the other days. There were no major cravings like the past three. No super dips in my energy level. I was pretty steady, and that steady pace was a little more awake than I thought it would be.

What a pleasant surprise. :-)

(Also, my tummy is really flat. Another welcome side-effect.)

Today's menu:

Pre-breakfast: Hazelnut Dolce tea

Breakfast: Switched it up and put unsweetened soy milk in the oats. Verdict? It's more familiar because I'm so used to having milk with oats. But I think the coconut water is more refreshing; I actually like the water better. Apples, cinnamon, agave nectar.

Lunch: Chicken and leftover quinoa from last night

Snack: dried apricot and fig, walnuts, grapes and sliced nectarine

Dinner: sashimi and shrimp/veggie tempura (Do you know what it's like to have to tell your waiter, "I can eat rice, but not sushi rice," and be completely serious? Do you know what kind of strange looks and blank stares you get in return? I do.)

And of course, lots of water and a cup of tea during the day.

As long as I rest, I think it'll be good. Tomorrow will be good. :-)

Feeling Good by Michael Buble -

Day 3 and Aisle 21

2009-09-23T23:05:00.007-04:00

Jenna and I have now completed three full days of being on the cleanse.

It's almost midnight now, and to be honest, I'm probably feeling the best that I've felt since starting.

At the start, when your body is purging all this stuff from your body and getting used to the fact that it's not getting that caffeine and sugar that it's used to, it's not so much fun.

But the cravings have subsided for the most part. My urge to chew on stuff has depleted, though it's not completely gone, which is certainly positive. No real headaches today, which I certainly appreciate.

For the first time, I feel like I've gotten over the hump, and I'm confident it will get easier now.

Jenna and I finally made a trip to the store this evening. (Can you believe we've gotten this far in the diet without food shopping?)

Most of our shopping was done in produce, but in the search for almond milk--they ran out--we discovered aisle 21. In short, it's the uber health food, all natural aisle that you wouldn't normally even walk through. During this diet, this aisle is your go-to spot.

We got some unsweetened soy milk, organic no-sugar added "shmooshed fruit" and Agave Plus Granola, which is basically your super hippy organic oat cereal that's sweetened with agave nectar. Look. I know it's not your ideal types of food or anything, but when you miss the simplicities of milk and cereal, you're happy to have found Agave Plus and unsweetened soy milk!

So thank you, aisle 21 in Giant in Silver Spring, for bringing Jenna and I halfway back to normalcy.

Meanwhile, dinner tonight was great! Add in our before bedtime tea, and I'm a pretty content chick.

Today's menu:

Pre-breakfast: Hazelnut Dolce Rooibos from Teavana

Breakfast: oats marinated in coconut milk, sliced apple, crushed walnuts and agave nectar (I forgot the cinnamon this morning!)

Lunch: Vegetable soup and an artichoke, sundried tomato and pine nut salad from Devon and Blakely

Snack: sliced half apple and walnuts

Dinner: paper bag cooked salmon with fresh herbed and diced tomato quinoa

Pre-bedtime: Hazelnut Dolce Rooibos from Teavana

All day: water (+ cup of herbal tea)

Jenna and I bought fresh salmon tonight at the market. It was simple and SO GOOD!

Cover a brown paper bag in olive oil. Cover your salmon steaks in freshly ground salt and pepper. Place one garlic clove in the bag. Your salmon. Place fresh herbs on your salmon (I used dill; I wanted to give our Rosemary a little bit more time to grow); top with two lemon slices. Close the bag tightly and bake for 15 minutes at 375.

It was simple and fantastic.

It was mostly an experiment, but I'm a big fan of the cooking with paper bags method.

Day 2 and We Haven't Cheated!

2009-09-22T21:56:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I was all about trying the lemon with hot water. I associate that sort of thing with being sick, so I wasn't really feeling it.

Today we did the herbal tea thing.

Breakfast: oats marinated in coconut milk, sliced apple, cinnamon and agave nectar

Lunch: leftover tuna nicoise over egg noodle

Snack: cashews, sunflower seeds

Dinner: salad (romaine, shrimp, avocado, tomato, cilantro lime dressing)

Before Bed: Hazelnut Dolce Rooibos from Teavana

I gotta say, I wasn't excessively pleased any time I passed by a coffee shop or even walked by any person who had a cup in their hand. I didn't even have to smell coffee; it could have been water for all I knew. But I felt a tinge of jealousy every single time anyone had a cup.

The good thing is that I'm not necessarily hungry during the day. It's just hard fighting these cravings. When I want coffee, or tea, even, I can't have it. When I want to have a piece of chocolate or gum, I need to distract myself.

Here's to day three. I hope I'm a little bit more awake.

Beef: It's Definitely Not What's for Dinner.

2009-09-21T20:11:00.005-04:00

So. Jenna and I are on this cleanse.

Day one has been a success. And it's not easy. Not that I thought it would be easy, of course. But I had hoped that it would be easier.

Pre-breakfast: hot water with lemon

Breakfast: Oats soaked overnight in coconut water. Added sliced peach, apple, dash of cinnamon and agave nectar drizzle. Eaten cold.

Snacks: sliced apples/peaches (leftover from breakfast); cashews, pine nuts, sunflower seeds

Lunch: salad -- lettuce, cucumber, tomato, hard boiled egg, bacon, grilled chicken, and balsamic dressing on the side (hold the cheese!)

Dinner: tuna nicoise with egg noodles and sundried tomato -- tuna, peas, broccoli, sundried tomato, lemon juice, fresh herbs, and mustard in broth, served over egg noodle

And of course: water throughout the day.

This morning I was draaaaaaaaging. No coffee in my life? Ugh. There were moments when I was about to tip over.

There were mild headaches throughout the day.

And I never felt as awake as I normally do. There were no extreme highs. The lows came when I needed my morning coffee the most.

And when I wanted something sugary. You know how it is. People want what they can't have. I chew a lot of gum. I used to buy Family Packs of gum and chew it all myself. But no. No gum. Gum means artificial sugar.

Apparently I have an oral fixation. I like chewing on things when I'm bored. I even chew on those plastic green sticks from Starbucks used to ensure there will be no spilling when you're on the go. Even at those moments, gum has always been accessible to me. Until today, that is.

I'm feeling pretty good right now. The same old tired after work. Now I'm just more aware of that not so tiny oral fixation. Tomorrow I'll get a larger bottle of water. Or bring some pens to chew on.

Flipping Over New Leaves? Or something?

2009-09-21T10:21:00.002-04:00

The cleanse began this morning.

I haven't broken any rules yet. It's been four hours.

Breakfast was a success. (Post on that later.)

I'm tired...

Full Coverage

2009-09-20T22:42:00.009-04:00

On occasion, I really enjoy a good cover song. An artist can bring a new spin to a familiar song.

I have a new favorite cover. It makes me smile. I mean. Katy Perry and MGMT. Come on!

Electric Feel (MGMT COVER) - Katy Perry

Some other good ones:

Patience - Tyrone Wells

Wonderful Tonight [Duet With Ivan Lins] (Album Version) - Michael Bublé

I Am Sam - Blackbird - Sarah McLachlan

and I mean... duh.

Free Fallin - John Mayer

Sunshine and Soul Shine

2009-09-19T14:18:00.005-04:00

It's been a beautiful day today.

Every Saturday I go to the local Farmers Market to get fresh flowers and produce. This morning I made my visit.

Once I get home, I found that one of my flowers had broken off of its stem.

Just because it's broken doesn't mean it's any less beautiful. :-)

I took the leaves off the stem, along with anything else that fell off, placed it in a red wine glass, filled it with some water, and placed the flower inside.

Do a couple and surround them with tealights, and you can have a simple, gorgeous centerpiece.

Tuesday is the Autumnal Equinox. The leaves will start to change, and I can't wait. As much as I really (really really) love summer dresses and wearing (really really) little clothes, there's something to be said about a great coat and some knee high boots.

Is it Fall yet?

Something tells me that it is.

:-)

Bring on the pumpkin everything. I'm ready!

Soulshine - Beth Hart

Getting Outside Your (ok. My) Comfort Zone

2009-09-18T15:34:00.011-04:00

I don't diet. I've never gone on a diet. It's very unlike me. I like ice cream. I'm particular about my cheeses. I love good food.

In general, I'm ok on the health scale. Not unhealthy. But certainly not healthy. In fact, I would argue that I make a couple unhealthy decisions pretty much every day. But other stuff evens it out in the end. You know, like eating whole wheat pasta.

It started in high school. I would throw myself into work and forget about eating. We rarely sat down to eat dinner at home. Balanced meals weren't really stressed by Mom.

College was so much worse. I was busy. And I mean... busy. Senior year was the worst. Rarely sleeping (3-4 hours was the norm) and rarely eating. People called me a robot. (I'm not one, I promise!) That was the ongoing joke. My energy came from adrenaline.

It's a lot better now. I live with one of my best friends, who had quite the opposite food experience growing up. In college, this girl would yell at me to eat, which I appreciated. It changed nothing, though. We'd both go home and I'd keep on keeping on. Now it's much better, because I can't get away.

I still don't eat breakfast, though. And I go out a lot for lunch, which is awful, not to mention expensive.

I inundate my body with caffeine. A large mug (or two) of Peet's coffee in the morning while I get ready for work. Add 16 oz. or so once I get to work. Then there's the possibility of having that Red Bull in the afternoon around the 2:30-3 p.m. mark. Did I mention the tea I drink at night before bed? Decaf? What's decaf?

Coffee alone runs around the 20 cup mark every week.

I am NOT a morning person, but Monday through Friday I wake up at 6:30; Sundays I wake up at 5:30. I started drinking coffee when I was 12 years old. And with the schedule that I have, functioning on my own is hard enough.

I work six days a week, and as crazy as it sounds, I have more free time now than ever. But I still don't sleep as much as I would like, and I still don't eat like I should.

Unfortunately, my body still hates me.

So I'm doing something unusual. I'm going on a cleanse.

Created by my friend, lovingly referred to as my work-wife, Cindy, this cleanse lasts for one week, and if it's what I imagine it to be, it will be a challenge. What's this cleanse, you ask?

no caffeine
no sugar (or artificial sugars) -- natural sugars in fruits and veggies are ok
no alcohol
no red meat
no dairy

No alcohol? Not so much an issue. No red meat? Meh. It's just a week. No dairy? Can be an issue. I really like cheese. No sugar? Sugar is in everything! Not only is it hard to avoid, this means I can't eat chocolate. And the big one: no caffeine? Are you KIDDING me?!

Nope. Not kidding. But you know something? I'm willing to give it a try.

I'm doing this because I'm really curious as to what my body is supposed to feel like without all that crap in my body. Let's take out the massive amounts of caffeine I drown it in, replace that with water--that alone would be a great feat--and try that thing called eating healthy and eating regularly.

My lovely roommate is doing his cleanse with me, and boy am I lucky that I sit next to Cindy every day at work. I hope I can keep myself in check; if not, I have a support system to give me a little help.

No shimmering pom poms necessary. I hope the way my body feels will be the thing that keeps me going.

Break Up

2009-09-15T23:00:00.002-04:00

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson.

Seems like an unlikely pairing, but they have a whole CD together now. To me, Yorn will always be the guy with the guitar (not that that's changed), and Johansson is always the red carpet actress. She is a singer, though. My only wish is that she would come out of her shell a bit more instead of hiding behind pretty riffs or some percussion here and there.

What do you think?

Break Up

To Market, To Market

2009-09-12T17:39:00.012-04:00

Today is Saturday, September 12th. Also known as the day EVERYTHING in the DC metro area was going on!

Things that went on today:

In Silver Spring-
Weekly Farmers Market
Fenton Street Market
Jazz Festival

In College Park-
JMU@UMD Football Home Opener (Maryland wins with the Final of 38-35. GO TERPS!)
Playboy Girls of the ACC Party at Cornerstone

In DC-
Art on Foot
Kennedy Center Open House

Too bad there just wasn't enough time to catch everything. I picked up some gorgeous dahlia flowers this morning. They're this deep, deep maroon color. Lovely. Just lovely.

There was a great turnout at the Fenton Street Market.

As a hobby, I love to paint. I like to consider myself a bit crafty. I know the time and thought and creativity it takes to come up with a piece, whether for aesthetic appeal or practical use. I love knowing that people have pieces of my artwork in their personal spaces.

Through this, I've learned to appreciate the crafts all these vendors have to sell.

Added to the fact that I'd much rather have a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry than a mass produced piece, I jump at the chance to purchase jewelry from these types of markets.

I wish I had enough time to make my own products to sell. Maybe one day I will. Right now I'm just working on putting little touches in the apartment.

Until then, I'll be a loyal customer to my local farmers and street markets.

As a completely separate side note, I made a wonderful coffee cake last night. I always love cooking and baking, and it's a not-so-secret joy of mine to fill the hallway of our apartment building with yummy smells.

Have a lovely rest of the weekend! I hope it's filled with lots of sleep, laughter and loved ones.

Happiness ensues when two loves mesh together

2009-09-09T23:11:00.002-04:00

I'm posting this because it makes me smile.

I loooooove Jason Mraz. It's no secret. I've seen him in concert more than anyone else, and I've been to quite a few concerts. There was that first time at the Walt Disney Concert Hall--the first ever non-classical concert in that venue--in Los Angeles. I saw him in San Diego. Twice at the 9:30 Club. And most recently at Merriweather with G. Love and Eric Hutchinson.

This past Saturday, I saw one of the best concerts in Counting Crows, Michael Franti & Spearhead and an OC favorite, Augustana.

And unless you've followed me around and know that I've played Franti's songs in studio at XM before the shows start, you saw in a previous post that "Say Hey" is the latest dance-in-your-seat song.

Well well well. Look what my latest discovery is. Taped this past Sunday, one night after I was singing and dancing to Franti, barefoot in the grass.

Epic New Music Tuesday (if you share my music tastes, which... you should)

2009-09-08T22:23:00.005-04:00

While the $3.99 A Fine Frenzy album deserved its own post, today is a great music day. Here are some artists that I have an affinity for who have new releases today!

A Fine Frenzy -- Bomb in a Birdcage
The girl got her own post before, so I'll keep it short. I already bought my copy. You should follow suit.

Tour hits DC: yet to be scheduled; bummer

Howie Day -- Sound the Alarm
Oh dear. How long has it been since we heard from this guy? I haven't seen him since his last tour. It was the House of Blues in Anaheim. The opener was Anna Nalick. I remember it well. I had barely graduated high school. Since then, the guy was arrested a couple times. He has anger issues. It took a hell of a time to get this album out, so we should savor this moment; it might not come again for a while. But we still heart the guy, don't we? Yes. Yes we do.

Tour hits DC: Saturday, October 17th.
Venue: 9:30 Club
Performing with: Colbie Callait

Ernie Halter -- Ernie Halter LIVE
Haven't heard of Ernie Halter? Wow. What a shame. I saw him at the Rock and Roll Hotel in D.C. a couple summers ago. Opened up for Tyrone Wells. He can play the piano. He can play the guitar. He's a California boy, which you know I can appreciate. He's your singer-songwriter guy, and today he pulled a Gavin DeGraw by releasing a stripped down version of his best songs.

Tour hits DC: It doesn't. But he'll be in Easton, Md. on Thursday, October 29th.
Venue: The Night Cat
Performing with: Andrew Hoover, Melissa Polinar

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers -- The Bear
It's fun. It's upbeat. You liked their last album, so I'm sure you'll like this one, too. No. I haven't listened to it yet. But only because I'm still working on others. And hey, if you buy the album on vinyl, you'll get a bonus track! Full stream the CD at the above link before buying. "Sometimes you get the bear. Sometimes the bear gets you." Wise words, Sk6ers. Wise words.

Tour hits DC: Twice! Friday, October 9th in Annapolis, Md.; Saturday, December 26th in DC
Venues: Rams Head Tavern (Annapolis); 9:30 Club (DC)
Performing with: Carbon Leaf; some dates with Tyrone Wells

Quick! Before things turn into pumpkins!

2009-09-08T22:00:00.004-04:00

If you listen to A Fine Frenzy (a.k.a. Alison Sudol), her new album, which dropped today, is on Amazon for $3.99. Today only! So take a couple minutes out of what's left in your day and get it now. Bomb in a Birdcage. Twelve songs. For $3.99. Did you get that?

Blow Away - A Fine Frenzy

Say Hey by Michael Franti and Spearhead

2009-09-06T00:17:00.002-04:00

My new favorite :-)

Oh my g-d, he's ridiculously amazing and fun.

Joining the Dark Side was Not My Choice

2009-09-02T22:19:00.005-04:00

And yet I find myself happily there...

Let me explain.

Longchamp's Le Pliage. It's everywhere. It was all over Maryland (Go Terps!); some of my best girlfriends have them. I don't know why. I still don't.

It's like one of those things that I just never understood. Saw a middle aged woman with one on the metro the other day. They really are everywhere. I remembered coming into work one day and vocalizing my observations, and not necessarily in the most positive tone. There was probably an eye roll involved.

This is not to say that I haven't given into some trends. I mean hey, I love my Rainbow leather flip flops as much as the next person (my high arches really appreciate them). But on the whole, if the whole world has it, I have to really want it in order to join in with the crowd. For example, I avoid Ugg boots (and look-alikes) like the plague. Ick.

But let's bring it back, here.

One of my best friends from college, Annika, came back from teaching in South Korea. She came over to see the new place yesterday, and she came bearing a special, purple gift. She made me stand there with my eyes closed and hands extended during the acceptance.

I really do love purple. It's been my favorite color for years. And this bag matches my purple suede peep toe heels pretty perfectly.

It matches my purple phone, too.

So I didn't cross over to the dark side by any choice I made.

But you'd be crazy to think that I would try to return the bag.

Meanwhile, I was reunited with this song today. How can you NOT love that sandpapery voice? (Insert happy sigh.) Ahh, love love love:

"What? You don't eat no meat? Ok. I make lamb!"

2009-09-02T20:34:00.006-04:00

Honestly, I eat a lot of meat. I've always had great iron levels. I grew up with such a belief that will make me cock my head to the side and look quizzically as another tells me that he or she is a vegetarian.

My mother married a man who was a pescetarian for 14 years, and even fish was somewhat of a stretch. He will now sit down with us and order pork chops or, even better, a steak. My mother and I take great pride in knowing that we brought him back to "the dark side." To us, it's just... the better side.

I have quite a few friends who are vegetarians, all for various reasons. It's perfectly fine by me if that's your decision; I just don't understand it, nor will I try to. Just leave me here to eat my steak in peace, and you and I can still be friends. Kthx.

I say all this because I made the most amazing pasta salad last night. This dish, that's right, contains no meat. It never fails to garner rave reviews.

I would have done a post about it last night but I was too busy eating. :-)

Take a look at the ingredient list and you'll understand what makes it just so delicious.

Normally I'd keep this recipe to myself, but it's too yummy for me to keep secret. This type of joy just needs to be shared.

The [2nd] best part is: it's super easy to make! (The best part is eating it.)

cheese tortellini (I usually make two packages)
marinated artichoke hearts (full jar if making two packages of pasta)
sundried tomatoes, packed in oil (~half a jar, depending on how much you like)
one red pepper
1 garlic clove
half a lemon
one tear of fresh basil and chives (How generous is your herb garden today?)
cashews (pine nuts would work, too)
feta cheese

While you're cooking your cheese tortellini (or just waiting for the water to boil), cut up the following and place in a medium sized bowl:

marinated artichoke hearts in 1/2 length-wise, so they'll keep together during the mixing process
sundried tomatoes, diced to the sizing of your choice (I usually cut one into thirds)
pass your garlic clove through a garlic press (fine dicing will also do)
julienne basil
dice chives
juice the 1/2 lemon, careful to ensure that you're not adding in any seeds

Instead of adding olive oil, I use some of the oil that the artichoke hearts and sundried tomatoes are packed in. It adds a little bit of extra flavor in there, but you are free to use whatever you like. It's just to add a little bit of moisture in there, not so much to coat the pasta.

Toss your pasta in a bowl with the other fresh ingredients. Add cashews or pine nuts. Crumble feta on top. I get my feta at my local farmer's market, but if you're going to the store, I would buy a great herbed feta. That would be delish! Cover and place in the fridge. Serve chilled.

I find that many of the ingredients are salty on their own, so I just add in some freshly ground pepper at the end.

This is something that everyone, even the biggest meat-eaters, will love.

Let me know how you like it!

P.S. If you didn't get the title, it's from My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding. That's right. I made a reference to a movie...

Michael Bublé's New Album!

2009-09-01T17:43:00.007-04:00

Ok ok. So I may be a "youngin'," as my friend Cindy calls me, but I have a thing for Michael Bublé.

This isn't really news to people who know me. I love Frank Sinatra and all of that stuff. Very much the, "They just don't make music like that anymore!" train of thought. It transports me to days that I'll never know, this sort of movie-like life of beauty and chivalry.

One of the great things about Bublé is that he appeals to the young and old. It's hard to not smile when you listen to him. And oh how lucky we are, because his new CD drops on October 9th!

I can't waaaaaaaiiiiittttt.

Two days ago, there was a full stream of his new single, "Haven't Met You Yet" on his Web site. It has since been cut down to an extract, but it will whet your appetite nonetheless.

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid that I'll give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet!

Seems very fitting for my life right now. :-)

In the meantime, you can purchase that new single on iTunes. Enjoy!

Havent Met You Yet (Album Version) - Michael Bublé

Coconut Milk: Completely Underrated

2009-08-30T21:47:00.007-04:00

I love cooking with coconut milk.

It can give something a sweetness that's flavorful and not overpowering. It can cut through a spice and compliment it at the same time.

It's just... yummy.

Tonight I made coconut curry. Either my roommate is good at lying or she really liked it. Let's go with the second one.

Be sure to make extra for leftovers!

Saute diced chicken in a pan
In a pot, add in a can of coconut milk, curry (a teaspoon or so, depending on your tastes), a little bit of chili pepper, grated fresh ginger, diced garlic, and dried or fresh basil, depending on what you have.
Dice fresh green beans (into roughly one inch lengths) and one whole red bell pepper. Add to coconut milk; let cook a few minutes to get the edge off the vegetables (but still leave them crispy). Add in cashews to taste.
Mix in cooked chicken.
Serve over [brown] rice, for a healthy, well-balanced meal.

Aaaaafter dinner, I treated myself to something that I had heard much about but was new to experience.

Firefly. Sweet tea vodka.

Mix with lemonade at the ratio of your choice, depending on how much of a badass you're feeling that day.

And for an added touch, because after all, it really is all about the little things in life, I added heart shaped ice cubes in mine. Glorious.

Hoppípolla by Sigur Ros

2009-08-29T23:51:00.001-04:00

It means "Hop in Puddles" in Icelandic.

Watch the music video. It made me smile. And it's perfect for rainy days.

Perfect.

Too Much of a Good Thing?

2009-08-28T22:57:00.006-04:00

This week is DC Restaurant Week. It began on Monday. Today is Friday. I've already participated four times. Four. Times.

Is that too much? Can you have too much restaurant week? At prices of $20.09 for lunch and $35.09, I absolutely think you can.

Monday: Dinner at Finn & Porter
Underwhelming is the word that comes to mind. Their Web site definitely looked cooler than what I found. Reservations made before I found out that it was in an Embassy Suites hotel. Not that it should matter, of course. If you have a good product, people will come, right?

Uh huh.

We walked in and only saw two tables with people at them. And to be honest, I'm giving them an extra table of guests. (Though when we walked out, I distinctly remember three tables with guests.)

Crab soup was yummy, NY strip was ok, I imagined myself bringing the vegetables home as leftovers and running them under our faucet just to see how much salt I could get off, and I received a dessert that, at first glance, thought, "Wow. I could TOTALLY make this at home."

I mean, really? REALLY?

In the future, restaurants without the RW menu online shall not be trusted.

Going back wouldn't be horrible, but in DC, there's just SO much better out there. Ruth's is down the street. Find me there, instead. Kthx.

Tuesday: Lunch at TenPenh
Reservations here because it's just down the street from work. I have to say, I'm a big fan of restaurants that just let you pick anything from their normal menu for your main entree.

This one is a pretty solid choice. They have a greater variety of items than the standard place, and the food that you see in front of you is well prepared.

Spring rolls were fantastic. The only downside to my tuna was that it left me paranoid that I had sesame seeds between my teeth. Some places give you little tidbits of tuna; they left nothing to be desired.

Running late on time, we asked for our dessert to go. Everything was perfectly packaged in its separate container, keeping things neat and tidy until my 3 p.m. indulgence. Bonus points for you, TenPenh.

For what you get, this place is definitely worth it for a restaurant week lunch. I'd go back.

Wednesday: Dinner at Siroc
Ok. For full disclosure, Siroc is one of my favorite restaurants in DC. People tell me that I'm a tough girl to impress, and I don't disagree with that statement. It's really no secret.

I was fortunate to grow up in an area where it's not unusual to have a different ethnic food every night, and to be a part of a family that took any excuse to celebrate every special event at a new, nice restaurant. I grew up to be a foodie. It was something like destiny.

For restaurant week, I usually like to try somewhere new in the city, but this is a place that I HAD to get to.

I found this place by accident, and it might have been the best accident that's ever happened to me, food-wise, that is.

Scallops for the first course, cappelacci filled with lobster and corn for the second course, and tiramisu for the finale.

The source of my love: they have the freshest pastas you've ever had. Whatever you think you've had that's better, they'll one-up you here. And do it with a graceful smile that leaves you floating in this "ohmygodthatwasthebestmeali'vehadinmonths" bliss.

I can't wait to go back. Can't. Wait.

Thursday: Dinner at Ceiba
People have said good things about Ceiba. It's sort of this mesh of Latin American cuisine.

Let's start out with the caipirinha, please. Why yes, thank you; it's lovely.

Appetizers allowed you to choose from a bunch of tasty treats, including some of their ceviches. Anything with avocado gets me; I went with the shrimp. Yum.

Apparently I have a thing for tuna. Medium steak, please. Served with potatoes and a crab-filled pepper.

Traditional flan is always a staple. Why mess with a good thing, especially when the waiter makes a suggestion?

All in all, the trips were worth it. It's hard to not participate at least once.

Today is Friday; I didn't participate in RW to make it five days in a row. Though, I have to say, that would have been cool.

Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson

2009-08-28T00:10:00.001-04:00

Her new CD is finally out. I can't stop listening to it.

Listen to it NOW. There will be bopping of the head involved.

Locked Up - Ingrid Michaelson

Change Can Be Good

2009-08-24T23:13:00.004-04:00

When I was little, my mom always had people cut my hair short. Short with bangs (why, oh whyyyyy did she do that?), no less. I was terrified every single time and vowed to myself that I would never do that to my child.

As I got older, I began donating my hair. I'm very fortunate to have extremely healthy, straight, strong hair that grows insanely fast. Funny how when I was little, all I wanted was to have curls, and now, most with curly hair want theirs straight.

Every year, once my hair hits the small of my back, I know it's time for a change.

I last donated my hair back in late January. I was bored that day, I remember. With the laundry already done, I didn't have anything else to do, so I figured, "Why not? Let's go be productive in some way."

I went to the local, dare I say it, trendy barbershop (that's the word they use, not me), and told them to have at it.

In the past years, I've had everything from:

to the more recent:

When your hair grows at minimum 3/4 an inch every month, you can afford to donate it as often as I do.

It's now below my shoulders, and I'm thinking about doing a little trim. Not quite sure what I should go with here.

Before I went with the super short Hayden:

I was thinking more of the Heidi Klum:

Maybe now is the time to try. What's in for the Fall?

My [Shoe] Religion

2009-08-24T00:00:00.006-04:00

I have to admit that I don't have a traditional religion. My religion involves shoes.

With no official name, we can call it Sam's Shoe Religion.

It means that you have lots and lots of shoes, all of which are different from one another.

I have almost 30 pairs, and they're mostly high heels. I don't like strenuous activity--I do yoga when I exercise--so I don't even own a pair of tennis shoes. Find me in flip flops, cute flats and high heels every day of my life. Different styles, different colors. Black, brown, white, red, purple. Buckles, peep toes, stacked heels, stilettos, slingbacks, rounded toes, pointed toes.

Recently I've been on the search for a great pair of red heels. Something versatile, sexy, affordable and at least mildly comfortable.

I found them at Bandolino. But they didn't have my size. So I bought the heel in purple suede. I really needed my "fix" that day, I suppose.

Now I can't seem to find that shoe that I'm instantly attracted to (you know the feeling). And I'm thinking about breaking my own [shoe] religion. I'm thinking about going to another store and buying the same shoe (gasp) in red.

I'm still conflicted about it. Still waiting for that pair of (different!) red pumps to come along and speak to me.

Just wait. I'll be breaking my own rules soon enough.

Meanwhile, my song pick of the day, ever so fittingly, comes from Paulo Nutini. It's not new, but that doesn't mean it's not good. Enjoy!

Say it Again by Marié Digby

2009-08-22T19:23:00.003-04:00

Marié Digby is adorable. Bonus points because she's a halfie (Japanese and Irish-American)!

This girl owes her career to YouTube. That's right. YouTube made her famous.

Digby made a video of her covering Rihanna's song Umbrella (turn up the sound on your computer for this one). That goes viral (as of this post, that video has 13,953,309 views!), and the next thing you know, she's being played on Star 98.7 (my favorite radio station in SoCal). After that, the girl gets featured on those MTV reality shows. She is signed to Hollywood Records.

She's cute. She can sing. And that's the magic formula.

Your Heart by Donavon Frankenreiter

2009-08-21T22:07:00.002-04:00

I leave you with good music.

If you don't feel the urge to move a body part to the beat of this song at some point, then... I have nothing left to say to you.

Sam & Ruby

2009-08-19T22:50:00.004-04:00

I don't believe in soul mates. Never really have. I believe in compliments. You think about the different personalities you get along with; they compliment you in different ways. Yet you are attracted to all of them in some way.

Ruby Amanfu was born in Ghana but largely grew up in Nashville. Sam Brooker was from Wisconsin. She saw him performing in Nashville. He would go to her shows. They became fans of each other's music, and then they started making their own.

Sam & Ruby.

Watch this video. Listen to it for it's simplistic and yet beautiful qualities. Look at the way they look at each other and smile so naturally.

And tell me if those two aren't musical soul mates.

The view from 602E

2009-08-19T20:59:00.012-04:00

Since Jenna and I have moved into our new place, we've been getting questions about our apartment. After all, we are recent grads. (GO TERPS!)

This really is another stage in our young and exciting (some might say not so exciting) lives, and Jenna and I have been very happy living here.

For every person who has asked about the place and is at least 1,000 miles away and unable to visit any time soon, these are for you:

We make sure to have flowers and a jar of chocolate
at the entrance for any guests who might arrive.

The kitchen is an important space for
any person who likes food. We like food.

Our living area is largely empty. The dining set will soon take its place
by the window, we'll get a new tv, entertainment center and coffee table.
Not to mention hang up pictures to adorn the walls.

My/(guest) bathroom:
My bedroom:
Jenna's bedroom:

One of my co-workers turned to me one day, "True or false? You have cinder blocks somewhere in your place acting as legs to a table."

I may have just graduated from college, but you will find no cinder blocks in this place.

So. Welcome to our view. It might not be the highest or overlook the Washington Monument, but it's nice. And suits us well...

Sirius-ly?

2009-08-18T22:53:00.004-04:00

Back in March, I had the glorious privilege of doing a bit of reporting in Iceland. It was such a lovely experience overall. I went with a fabulous group of talented journalists, and the country as a whole was this gorgeous land filled with such a welcoming people.

As far as food goes, Iceland is really just known for their fishing. They don't have many resources as an Arctic island, so they really just use what they have. (I won't get into their whaling season.)

Iceland has an AMAZING coffee culture, and they also love sweets. Marzipan is very popular, as is chocolate.

A brand that I took a liking to while I was there is called Sirius. One of my good friends and fellow journalists shared the fact that it can be found at your local Whole Foods!

Being that I recently moved and have a Whole Foods just a 10 minute walk away, I now have Icelandic chocolate in my pantry. I also got a bit excited to see Skyr--a soft cheese that tastes much like a tart yogurt--at Whole Foods as well, though my tastes lean more towards the sweet than the sour. Skyr is certainly an acquired taste, but chocolate is loved by all [sane] people.

I miss the country terribly, and I would jump at the chance to revisit.

Until then, I'll settle for tasting a little sweet something from Reykjavik now and again.

Gorgeous Art

2009-08-15T15:28:00.009-04:00

Her name is Stina Persson.

Her art is gorgeous. What a fantastic use of negative space! I made a visit to my local art store and purchased some masking fluid, among other things. I'm certainly not as talented as Ms. Persson, but maybe one day I'll be able to produce a piece that is a fraction as lovely.

Persson has done a variety of types of work, including advertisements for Chloe, Absolut and Target.

Maybe some of these paintings will inspire something in you.

Or at the very least, allow yourself a moment to stop and stare to appreciate the beauty.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Melody Gardot

I use the word, "Yum," when referencing fantastic shoes and clothes

2009-08-12T21:50:00.008-04:00

Is that weird? Know anyone else who almost thinks about fashion items like they think about food? You just get cravings!

Went shopping yesterday evening (super shoutout to my work wife Cindy), with the intention of getting a couple of dresses and/or things to wear to work. The plan of wearing jeans every day didn't really pan out, so I need a little something more. Added to the fact that this DC heatwave has me wishing I have clothes a little thinner, yet still items that can pass for young/trendy and mildly conservative. Can't go too conservative, after all. I don't want people thinking I'm as old as my soul is. Plus, those government buildings can use a little more spice in them.

Trends: Saw a lot of lace yesterday. Saw a lot of ruffles. More feminine styles are everywhere, and even for a girl who leans more towards simple things, I have to say that I really love it. Big bows are back, too, though I don't know that I could pull that off.

I've decided that you can find one good thing out of every five or six things that you bring into a Forever21 dressing room. I found two.

Express is having a sale, so if you have a chance to stop by, you might find something that strikes your fancy. I really enjoy shirt dresses, as long as they're belted to show off curves, so I snapped up one of those as well. Plus another top and a couple pairs of jeans.

And no Sam Grieder shopping trip is ever complete without a new pair of shoes. Not just shoes. Heels.

You ever play those icebreaker games--which I abhor, though as a leader of a group, I must say that sometimes they just need to happen--where someone asks you, "If you could be a (insert noun grouping of choice), what would you be?" Well, if I were to be a type of shoe, it would absolutely be a high heel. I love them to no end. Wear them with skirts, dresses, pants, or shorts; they're always there for you. Add as much or as little height as you need. Round toe, pointed toe, peep toe, t-strap, slingback. Stacked heel to stiletto. So many options.

I really wanted red heels, but my size wasn't available, so I went with these in purple suede (with a slightly darker purple leather lining).

Talk about yummy!

And it's not really related, but I leave you with another something lovely. I Don't Know by Lisa Hannigan. If only I had them hiding in my closet. ;-)

DC Restaurant Week is Coming!!!

2009-08-12T20:04:00.004-04:00

DC Restaurant Week: August 24-30th. And oh how excited I am!

I'm a big foodie, so every time I have the opportunity to go out with someone, I always pick somewhere new. Restaurant week is another good excuse to grab a friend or significant other and have a fantastic meal.

It's funny though. Restaurant week isn't cheap.

Summer 2009 prices:
Lunch: $20.09
Dinner: $35.09

Plus drinks, tax and tip, of course.

That's not to say that some of us don't appreciate it. I'll definitely be making my way around the city.

For a list of participating restaurants and to make reservations, check out OpenTable.

More of a visual person? Looking to experience something in a certain area? You're totally covered. Click through to find an interactive map of participants.

And Washingtonian has a list, though not comprehensive, of places and their menus for the week.

My favorite DC restaurant was discovered by accident. It's called Siroc, off of 15th, between I and K. If you ever have a chance to go, take it. Siroc is an Italian restaurant named after the wind that blows north from Morocco over the Mediterranean, specifically Italy. Think squid ink pasta. Rabbit. Veal. The freshest pastas you've ever tasted. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

My favorite dessert locale is by far Co Co Sala, only a block and a half from the Verizon Center. I call it my "heaven on Earth," because those are the only words that come to mind. Not cheap, but absolutely worth it. Think chocolate, chocolate, with a side of wine or a chocolate-based martini, and more chocolate. Simply amazing. If you're the type who cares about taste and presentation, this is the place for you. Just make sure that you have reservations. A seat is harder to come by.

Of course, you can always start early by going to restaurants like Sei, who are extending DC restaurant week to be their very own restaurant Month. Can't beat that now, can we?

Next up: figuring out how to get a longer lunch period so that I can sneak away for three courses. :-)

Dinner Staple: Chicken Marsala

2009-08-10T22:39:00.005-04:00

There had to be a time when I couldn't cook.

No one really taught me how to put a meal together. I watched my mom and aunt prepare meals, and when college came, the Food Network made a regular appearance in my life. Things just sort of took off from there.

One semi-quick and very easy thing to make is Chicken Marsala. It's made of mostly kitchen staples and is always tasty, which makes it a go-to meal.

I don't know what makes pie easy, but if it is, this is easy as pie:

I like to saute onion and garlic first, to add in a little something extra.
Add in some spices (whatever is in your pantry will do) to flour, dredging your chicken.
Melt a tablespoon or so of butter in a pan and cook your chicken on both sides until golden.
A little bit more butter (or olive oil) and saute your mushrooms. Baby Portobello mushrooms are my favorites.
Add in red wine (off of the flame; you'll want to keep your eyebrows, I assume). Once that's reduced down to half, add in some chicken broth.
Add the chicken and mushrooms (+ onion if you chose to put that in yours); let simmer to cook chicken through.
Serve over favorite pasta. I like Gemelli because it's a cute shape and is great for holding sauces.

Ta da!

Done and done.

Like I said. Easy as pie, if pie is indeed easy.

Won't Stop by OneRepublic

2009-08-10T21:19:00.007-04:00

Sam's song of the day/night/whatevertimeitisinyourworld: Won't Stop by OneRepublic.

I have this trance-like attraction to any pop or rock music when classical instruments like the violin or cello are incorporated. It's not really something I can explain, but I love it.

I saw this band live about a year ago when I had a stint working for NBC News in L.A. Jay Leno was right down the hall so I went to a taping, and this group was the musical guest. They're lovely.

For D.C.er's: The group will be playing at GMU Patriot Center on Tuesday, November 10th, alongside Rob Thomas and Carolina Liar. It should be fantastic, and I already have it on my calendar. :-)

And if you have an extra second to spare, Sara Bareilles joined the band to record another version of their song, Come Home. I don't know about you, but I love the girl (California natives; what can I say?) and this version of the song soooooo much more.

Come Home feat. Sara Bareilles - OneRepublic

I Love Shoes

2009-08-09T18:19:00.007-04:00

I have a lot of pairs of shoes. And I loooove a great pair of pumps. A little uplift is good for height (I'm only just over 5'3"), and it's good for posture. Not to mention the ability to add a little extra something to what could be an otherwise simple outfit.

I can't wait until November 14th, when the Jimmy Choo line is unveiled at H & M stores. Until then, I'll make my way towards the stores that I normally frequent: Aldo, NineWest, DSW, and my own secret, eBay.

Bitter Heart by Zee Avi

2009-08-08T22:50:00.002-04:00

Zee Avi. She's a cutie. Only 23 years old. Born in Borneo, living there and Kuala Lampur. Signed to Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records with a voice that just makes you pause and smile.

She's on tour right now, opening up for Pete Yorn, another artist whom we heart.

If you think you've heard the following song somewhere before, it's because you have. Bitter Heart is in this summer's Wal*Mart commercials.

Supporting My Local Farmers

2009-08-08T22:04:00.010-04:00

Being that I have one day off of work a week, and that day was today, I ventured off to the Silver Spring Farmer's Market for the first time.

I have to admit, I was pretty excited to see what was in store. It would be small, but I figured something was better than nothing, and it's always great to support your local farmers.

What I bought today:

cow's milk feta cheese (next time I'll try what cheeses other farms are offering up)
peaches
eggplant
green beans
sundried tomato quiche
a fresh bouquet of flowers, which have now been placed at the entrance of the apartment for easy viewing pleasure

Aren't the flowers beautiful? I was going to get something with sunflowers, but with me, lilies will always win. I found these hiding under the table.

It took great restraint for me to not pick up some herbs to grow. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that I didn't have a container to put it in.

On the way to the market, I discovered an art supply store! It's a small store, but a lovely discovery. I can walk to go get a canvas (or two or three) and stock up on more paints and brushes. I find that not only does painting my own art keep me busy, but it also gives a sense of accomplishment when someone sees it and asks where it came from.

I also stopped at PierOne on the way back to pick up a few things. A new rug and some baskets for my bookcase and to place under my desk.

All and all, a very productive trip, I'd say. Now I just have to come up with some new ways to cook that eggplant I got. If only I could figure out the recipe to making those eggplant fries from Adega. Now THAT would be amazing. :-)

Stay Humble by Tyler James

2009-08-08T21:43:00.000-04:00

Tyler James.

The guy is from Nashville. He's a member of Ten Out of Tenn, a group of ten musicians from Tennessee (get it?).

He's good. Don't question me. Just listen.

stay humble - Tyler James