la chapstick fanatique

weekend: a dusting of snow

2012-02-12T19:15:00.000-05:00

sometimes my fridays look like this . . . a cannoli for dessert last night . . . a light dusting of snow . . . homemade spaghetti and meatballs

~~~~

a little inspiration for the coming week:

to soothe a cold

a southern parisian-inspired wedding

a valentine's music mix

if i could marry pants...

~~~~

Friday night, I went to the fabric store with my coworker, Ledesa, to get some fabric to fix up my office. Then Peyton and I watched some tv and snuggled while the Hubs worked late. Saturday morning, the Hubs had to go to work so I slept in and then ran some errands. Then Peyton and I spent the day in bed. I wanted to be productive; I really did. But Peyton and I decided that our priority for the day should be snuggling. That evening, the Hubs and I attempted to venture out to Green Hill for dinner but the wind and snow were so bad we turned around and ended up at our favorite local Italian resto. Today, I cleaned up the house a bit, did a little bit of work, and caught up on blog reading.

How was your weekend?

francophile friday: bringing up bébé

2012-02-10T07:15:00.001-05:00

Have you heard of the new book by Pamela Druckerman? It is a memoir that encourages American mothers to emulate the laissez-faire style of French parenting to bring up well-behaved, independent children while they still maintain a sense of curiosity and creativeness.

I have not read the book and even I have, I am not mom so, I really couldn't critique it well. But I not really keen on extreme generalities that say an entire culture does something better than another. (Oh and, just so you know, some French women are fat.)

But I think reading and finding what works for you (and what doesn't), won't hurt. (French children did seem very well-behaved while I lived there.)

I will probably pick it up at sometime even if it isn't until I am a parent. But maybe I will check it out of the library sooner rather than later because I am a francophile.

Mom or not, what do you think?

a bare office

2012-02-09T07:15:00.000-05:00

Although I have been at my new job for over six months, my office still looks bare. I have not decorated it at all. Everyone else's offices have cute little touches while mine is pretty much ugly. I think it is time I put a little bit of effort in.

Obviously, there will not be any painting or buying of furniture but it would be nice to give my office a little bit of love. I think I am going to go for a navy and yellow color scheme which is very different from the neutrals of my home.

I do have a few obstacles. First, I am on the third floor of a house which means the top half of my walls are slanted. This makes it hard to hang any type of art. I also have a realtively big office. No I am not bragging - it actually makes it hard to make it comfy since there is so much extra space that isn't really used. I almost wish it was more compact.

I plan to lean a few pieces of art on shelves and cover my unsightly file cabinets with some fabric. I hate using my overhead light but the desk lamp that was provided is broken and doesn't really provide much light anyway.

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

How do you decorate your office at work? Any ideas for my space?

a better you

2012-02-08T07:15:00.000-05:00

I am turning 25 in twenty days and I am kind of freaking out. I have never dreaded a birthday before so this is really weird for me. But there is just something about TWENTY-FIVE.

I don't know if it is the grey...

I found my first (two) grey hairs two New Years Eves ago and since then I have found a few everyone in awhile. There aren't enough that I need to color my hair but they are enough to freak me out.

I don't know if it is the number on the scale...

Confession: I am at my heaviest weight ever. I don't think I am the most out of shape I have ever been since I exercise pretty regularly and didn't really start doing that until a few years ago. But I just don't feel that great about my body. (I have been told your metabolism greatly slows down at 25, mine started a year early.)

I don't know if it is the old pictures...

I have been ~~torturing myself with~~ looking at old pictures lately, mostly from college. I just look so young. I don't think I look old exactly, I just don't look like I did in college (and it doesn't seem like it was that long ago.) And we were having so much fun!

I keep beating myself up since my concerns seem kind of vain but if they bother me, then they bother me.

But I refuse to let these things get me down. I made a decision the other day - I am going to make 25 awesome.

So I decided on a new feature for the blog, at least for the month of February: I want to do a post every Wednesday about creating a better me. And starting next week, if you would like, you can join in and link up with a post of your own. It can be beauty advice, something you are doing to make your life better, health tips, or anything you would like. And I will have a linking tool so we can all share our posts with each other.

{image via here}

my sugar addiction

2012-02-07T07:15:00.002-05:00

I am pretty sure I am addicted to sugar. I need it all the time now. I don't feel satisfied after a meal without a cookie or candy or other sugary treat. I never used to be like this when I was younger - junk food and candy just weren't for me. But it got pretty bad over the past few months and even worst because of the holidays.

And seriously, "sugar addiction" is a real thing. I remember reading about it a few years back in Women's Health or something like that.

I think I am going to give up sugar for the rest of February to break it (fruit and natural sugars don't count.) I will only allow myself to eat treats during birthday related festivities (since my birthday is at the end of the month.) But then I wonder if it is smart to go cold turkey - I fear eating everything in sight just to satisfy my extreme cravings.

Does anyone know of a good way to break a sugar addiction? Is there a 12-step program?

{image from here}

weekend: oh so snuggly

2012-02-05T21:04:00.000-05:00

lassi . . . indian carryout . . . peyton watching the puppy bowl

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a little inspiration for the coming week:

cat facts

funny tip on naming your kids

for making a seating chart

i cannot stop laughing

on marriage

~~~~

Friday evening, I came back from a college fair from across the bridge, picked up Peyton from my MIL (since the Hubs is out of town), and stopped and picked up some Vietnamese. Peyton and I proceeded to clean up the house a little bit and fall asleep early. Saturday, my grandparents came to visit and we went to lunch at Brew River. After they left, I ran a few errands, picked up some Indian food and proceeded to watch the entire first season of Downton Abbey until after midnight. This morning, Peyton and I spent the day doing a little bit of laundry and snuggling in bed. We enjoyed watching the puppy bowl together. She would wake up every time one of the puppies barked. Now we are just watching the Super Bowl (and, of course, the commercials) and getting ready for the rest of the week. (And the Hubs and I are texting back and forth to share our favorite commercials. It is funny how are favorites are so similar.

How was your weekend?

francophile friday: french flower markets

2012-02-03T07:15:00.002-05:00

Just a little bit of pretty for your Friday. I guess all this warm winter is making me think about spring.

Which flower would you choose?

{images via here, here, here, here, and here}

my spring style wish list

2012-02-01T07:15:00.000-05:00

I stay inside a style box. I feel safe with my navy, grey, black, brown, tan, and cream outfits. My pieces fit well together and they are generally flattering. But, lately, I have been bored with my closet especially when I see the colorful pieces in J. Crew, Anthro, and different style blogs. It is time for me to stop feeling like I can't "pull it off" and try a few bright pieces on.

These are some pieces that I would like for spring and summer. You could even consider this my birthday wish list.

1. Colorblock Stripe Skirt from the LOFT: I have been searching for a striped skirt. At first I was looking for a pencil style since it almost always works with my body type. But then I saw this and I remembered how one of my favorite skirts is an a-line fit.

2. Short Sleeve Tee from American Apparel: I know this does not have color but everyone should have a basic white tee that goes with any color. I do not own one. I have yet to find one that fits well and is not see-through. Does anyone know how the American Apparel basics are? I have never actually bought anything there before.

3. Gibson Linen Blazer from Nordstrom: Again, I know this is white but everyone should invest in a white blazer for the spring and summer months. It is so versatile and goes with any color.

4. Dotted Pencil Skirt from Madewell: I love polka dots! One of my favorite pieces of clothing in high school was a black and white polka dotted skirt from Forever 21. I was obsessed with it (and I wore it with red lips.) This blue one from Madewell is so classic in a pattern that is forever in style.

5. The Suede Sidewalk Skimmer from Madewell: The only colorful place in my closet is where I keep my shoes. But I do not own a pair of blue shoes. I love this bright blue color. "But don't you step on my blue suede shoes." (Sorry I had to...)

6. Café Capri from J. Crew: I really want a pair of green pants. I love the color green. It is so fresh and perfect for spring.

7. Dee&Ray 'Celine' Colorblock Top: I think the colorblock tops are so cheery. This would be great to throw on with jeans but also tuck it into a skirt for work.

What is on your spring wish list?

spiced eggplant with bulgar salad

2012-01-31T07:15:00.001-05:00

This is a very healthy vegan dish. At first, when I was making this, I wasn't sure if I would like the eggplant. But as the eggplant roasted in the oven, it filled up the house with the most wonderful cinnamon scent. And eating it was even better. If you are not a fan of bulgar, you can absolutely substitute another grain like quinoa or could even use couscous. This salad is very versatile.

SPICED EGGPLANT WITH BULGAR SALAD

serves 2

adapted from here

1/4 c. EVOO

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1 medium eggplant, halved lengthwise

1/2 c. quick cooking bulgar

1/4 small red onion, sliced thin

1/8 c. golden raisins

1/4 c. flat leaf parsley, chopped

1/8 c. pistachios

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350˚ F.

Mix 1/8 cup of oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Score flesh of eggplant with diagonal crisscrossing lines. Drizzle 1 Tbsp. of oil over each half. Season lightly with salt. Brush spice mix over each half. Place eggplant, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Roast until soft for about 50 minutes.

While eggplant is cooking, place bulgar in large bowl and soak in 3/4 c. of boiling water. Let soak for 45 minutes to soften and absorb water. Stir in onion, raisins, parsley, pistachios and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand for about 30 minutes.

Serve eggplant with a side of bulgar salad.

weekend: the hub's birthday

2012-01-29T19:34:00.000-05:00

twenty-seven plus one for good luck . . . yummy cake . . . morning light . . . my new boots

~~~~

a little inspiration for the coming week:

door knockers

cute rainy day ensemble

pictures of paris

~~~~

Friday night, the Hubs and I had dinner at Backstreet Grill. We hadn't been there in awhile so it was a nice change. Saturday, I went to run errands and then go pick up the Hub's birthday gift. Saturday evening, we went to the in-laws to celebrate the Hub's 27th birthday (and I found a pair of flat black boots on sale.) This morning we drove around and then we went to lunch with Rich's sister. This afternoon I did some work. It was nice to have a relaxing weekend.

How was your weekend?

francophile friday: a one bedroom in montmartre

2012-01-27T07:15:00.000-05:00

Today, I am dreaming about being a whisked away to a little rental in Montmartre. This apartment is perfect for a bit of French coziness, great rooftop views, and bustling neighborhood to take a stroll in.

If money and time were no object, where would you go away to this weekend?

{images and rental information here}

vietnamese salad

2012-01-24T07:15:00.000-05:00

I love finding new ideas for salads. I had a bunch Napa cabbage leftover from another meal so I started searching for a healthy use for my leftovers. I ended up adapting a recipe from Goop. I ate it all week for lunch - it is very addicting.

VIETNAMESE SALAD

serves 4

adapted from here

salad:

4 bok choy leaves, thick ends discarded, chopped

4 Napa cabbage leaves, chopped

4 romaine lettuce leaves, chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

cilantro leaves from 8 stems, chopped

1/2 cucumber, chopped

1/2 c. roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

dressing:

1 1/2 limes, juiced

1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

2 tsp. soy sauce

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. sesame oil

2 Tbsp. agave nectar

1 tsp. garlic paste

2 Tbsp. finely diced red onion

Whisk ingredients for salad dressing. Toss salad ingredients with dressing. Enjoy!

weekend: legwarmers

2012-01-22T16:18:00.001-05:00

french toast casserole using my recipe found here . . . franklin, jane's new puppy . . . hanging out at jane's in philly . . . all dressed up for the legwarmers concert . . . legwarmers . . . with tanya and jo . . . spray painted shoes . . . pieces of my outfit . . . ticket . . . the legwarmers . . . dancing

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a little inspiration for the coming week:

so creepy

really excited for the jason wu target collection

love this bright and cheery bedroom

this map desk is really pretty

~~~~

I was so excited Friday night when the Hubs came home from his week-long class. We celebrated by eating dinner and binge watching episodes of Shameless. Saturday morning, I got up and made french toast casserole to bring with me to Jane's house in Philly. Jane, Tanya's friend, was celebrating her birthday along with Tanya's. So we had a lazy afternoon of brunch and Modern Family and then got ready to go to the Legwarmers concert. The concert was SO MUCH FUN! I had never been but I want to go see them again when they come to DC or Baltimore. This morning, I left to get back in time to watch the Ravens game.

How was your weekend?

francophile friday: my winter uniform

2012-01-20T07:15:00.001-05:00

When I was living France in 2007, I noticed that, even on the coldest of days, French women and girls still managed to look chic. One of my favorite looks was the combination of a stylish jacket, scarf, and a pair of flat boots.

As soon as I got home, I hit the after-Christmas sales and got myself a pair of good quality flat brown riding boots. A little while later I found the coat I had been looking for - a long wool coat with a funnel collar. And, bien sûr, I had already come home with a bunch of scarves.

Although I have since bought a new coat, this still is, what I like to call, my winter uniform. Even though I am wearing different clothes underneath, if you were to only see me outside during the winter, you would pretty much think I wear the same thing everyday.

The above picture has made its rounds through the blogosphere and even on a francophile friday post a few weeks ago. But this is really what I think of when I think of my time in France and quintessential French style. But, of course, Léa Seydoux puts her own twist on a classic with a patterned coat. I am linking up with {long distance loving} for Friday's Fancies so here is my winter uniform, inspired by Léa:

1. Although Léa's coat is patterned, it is neutral enough to go with a range of outfits. This striped coat is a bit bolder as far as pattern is concerned but the muted colors make it pretty versatile.

2. I have so many scarves in a range of colors but one I do not have is in a darker blue. This cashmere wrap can be used as a scarf or a wrap.

3. I love Mulberry bags but they are a little out of my price range. This Mulberry Satchel is in a beautiful blue color that goes with anything.

4. Investing a quality shoe as classic as the riding boot is totally worth it. I have had my boots for over four years now and they are still hanging in there which i attribute to the quality! I was just lucky enough to get them for 70% off. Frye boots are some of the best boots you can buy and with the classic styles and quality they will last you for years.

Do you have a winter uniform?

winner of the delightfully noted giveaway!

2012-01-19T15:57:00.000-05:00

I am excited to announce that the winner of the Delightfully Noted giveaway is Robin Scott. Congrats Robin! Please email me at morgan.designblanc{at}gmail{dot}com with your info!

And special thanks to Jennifer for sponsoring this giveaway!

{image via here}

my amazing hair journey

2012-01-18T07:15:00.001-05:00

In November, I started to notice my hair getting really flat and heavy. I had been trying to grow my hair out for awhile and I just figured that since my hair is thin that it had hit its threshold for length and that I needed to get a cut to give it a bit more volume. So I made a haircut appointment for December.

For a few days after my cut, my hair felt great. It seemed to have a lot more body and the ends felt so much better. But then, it fell flat again. My so-called curly hair felt FLAT with an above the shoulder cut. No matter what I did, my hair would fall flat. I hadn't experienced this since elementary school. I couldn't even style it. Since my hair is naturally curly, if I curl it, it curls well and has a lot of volume. Not now. And, since my hair is thinnner, it also straightens pretty well (without humidity). But even when I would try and straighten it, it would end up greasy - another thing I have not experienced since elementary school.

So why am I telling you this?

About a week ago, in a moment of frustration, I facebooked my hair stylist at Enza's (which I have talked about on here before.) Zina, the shop owner who usually cuts my hair, asked about the products I am using. I had started using a new shampoo and conditioner in October. She suggested I come in and get my hair demineralized which essentially gets rid of any build up of hair products.

I went in on Sunday. I AM IN LOVE WITH MY HAIR! I cannot remember the last time my hair was this fab. It is so shiny and soft. I cannot stop touching it. And what was even better? It was only $20. I am seriously recommending this to everyone. Most likely, my conditioner was the culprit but since I switched both at the same time, I got rid of my shampoo too, just in case.

I went in and Zina put the treatment in my hair. Then I sat under the dryer for thirty minutes and read magazines. Then she rinsed my hair. My hair could squeak it was so clean. Even with my hair wet, it felt lighter.

Obviously, not everyone needs this but if you use products, ask your stylist about it. And if you are in the area, I highly recommend Enza's. All the products used are organic.

Have you tried any amazing products or treatments lately?

{image via here}

seared ahi tuna salad + a vegan update

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

The vegan update for this past week is short: I didn't even try. It was bad. I am sure I ate a few meals that were vegan but it just wasn't happening. I really can't even remember what I ate.

This week so far has started out alright and the rest of the week looks good. I have done a bit more planning and I am focusing more on making sure I am eating vegetarian and not worrying as much about the vegan thing.

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I made this salad over winter break while trying to lose a little weight before New Year's Eve. It was tasty and I felt good after eating it. I like a little bit of pink in my ahi but you are more than welcome to cook it all the way through if that freaks you out.

Also, please excuse the pictures in the last few and the next few weeks of recipe posts. Unfortunately my job is not very accommodating in letting me come home a few hours before sunset so that I can take photos in natural light. Stupid winter...

SEARED AHI TUNA SALAD

serves 2 as a main course, 4 as a first course

for the ahi:

2 Tbsp. sesame oil

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. ginger, peeled and grated

1 tsp fresh lime juice

2 ahi tuna steaks

for the salad:

1/4 c. rice wine vinegar

1/4 c. sesame oil

1 Tbsp. honey

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

4 c. mixed greens

1/2 c. shelled edamame

1. To make marinade for tuna, whisk together first 4 ingredients. Pour over tuna and let marinade for at least 30 minutes.

2. Whisk together vinegar, oil, honey, and salt for dressing. Toss half of dressing with mixed greens and edamame and then add more dressing as needed. Separate greens onto plates.

3. Heat skillet to medium-high heat. When pan is hot, place marinaded tuna into skillet. Sear for two minutes on each side or until desired doneness. Remove from pan and slice into desired thickness. Place on top of salad.

Enjoy!

weekend: a long weekend

2012-01-16T20:50:00.000-05:00

my new nailpolish that i think will be perfect for spring . . . re-teaching myself to knit

~~~~

a little inspiration for the coming week:

colorful kids

5 tips for food photography

traveling with a baby

italian countryside getaway

~~~~

Friday night, we ordered pizza from a new pizza place (not that great) and then, since I hadn't been feeling great, I snuggled with Peyton in bed and fell asleep before nine. Saturday, the Hubs and I took down the Christmas tree and cleaned up the house. That night, we went to Green Hill for an international pub crawl. They set up different stations that represented different countries and each country had at least one type of beer and then some food. It was a lot of fun. Sunday, the Hubs left for DC for a week long class and I pretty much did some work, cleaned the house, and only left for a hair appointment. I had off work today as well so I cooked a little and just tried to relax until I went to my pole class this evening.

How was your weekend? I hope you got an extra day off.

monday giveaway: delightfully noted

2012-01-16T07:00:00.002-05:00

Today's giveaway is from Delightfully Noted, an Etsy shop that carries personalized stationary, invitations, gift tags, and other paper goods. All of the items are lovely and cheery.

The shop owner says, "Hello! I'm Jennifer and I am just a Midwestern gal who has a love for all things paper. I'm also the owner and designer behind a charming little stationery shop called Delightfully Noted. In a world of e-mails and text messages, my hopes are that my bright and fun stationery inspire people to take up good old letter writing again! The stores collection includes everything from personalized note cards, to thank you cards, to party invitations."

Jennifer is giving away the Tiffany Blue Personalized Cards, one of her best sellers. This is a set of ten folded cards printed on beautiful white linen card stock personalized with the name of your choice. It also includes matching euro flapped Tiffany blue envelopes.

We are using Rafflecopter again this week - enter below the jump. (If you have trouble viewing it, you need to get Java.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

francophile friday: april, may

2012-01-13T07:15:00.001-05:00

Recently, I came across the French brand, April, May, a creation of Diane Goldstein and her husband. Their fall collection has a little bit of sleek, a little bit of sparkle, a little bit of girl, and a little bit of prep. You can find pieces that you can wear to work, wear on the weekends, and wear for a night out.

What do you think?

winner of the little white chapel giveaway!

2012-01-12T18:39:00.000-05:00

I am excited to announce that the winner of the little white chapel giveaway is Gaya. Congrats Gaya! Please email me at morgan.designblanc{at}gmail{dot}com with your information.

And special thanks to Paige for sponsoring this giveaway!

{image via here}

under the covers with niki: sexual new year's resolutions

2012-01-12T07:15:00.001-05:00

{This is our seventh post for our feature "Under the Covers with Niki." You can read about sex therapy and see other posts here.}

Ladies, when setting goals for the New Year don’t rule out improving your sex life! Making resolutions to enhance your sex life can be empowering but it is easy to become over zealous. Like general resolutions, you should make your goals obtainable. Here are a few examples of straightforward resolutions that can go a long way:

* Shave your legs (if it makes you feel sexy!)

* Throw out “granny panties” and replace with new, sexy, undergarments

* Read a sex book

* Flirt more

* Buy a new sex toy

* Initiate sex once a week with your partner

* Try a new position

* Send a dirty text to your partner once a month

* Reveal a sexual fantasy to a partner

* Make a list of 5 things that turn you on

* Watch porn at least twice

* Have sex outside of the bedroom

* Read erotica

* Reserve “me” time to get in touch with your body

This list could go on forever and is really a personal choice for each individual as each lady has her own preferences. But don’t forget, just because these resolutions are more private doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still be held accountable. Here are a few suggestions to ensure that follow through with your resolution:

* Write it down (where only you will see) or develop a code and mark it on your calendar

* Put a sticky-note reminder on your bathroom mirror

* Tell your partner

* Share with your best girl friend—swap resolutions and check in every week!

Good luck and happy New Year!

{image via here}

sponsor post: the art of stacy

2012-01-11T07:15:00.000-05:00

Please help me in welcoming our newest sponsor, The Art of Stacy. This Etsy shop has a beautiful selection of original digital art prints, art cards, and pro-marker art.

You can find fantasy paintings of fairies, angels, unicorns, animals, goddesses, and nature that seem to transport you to another world. Some paintings soothe and calm while others bring out an inner turmoil. Even in her seemingly simplest of drawings, there seems to be a bit of magic. Above are some of my favorites from the shop. Stacy also does custom art work, if you are looking for something in particular. Please have a look at her shop.

What are your favorites?

chicken lettuce wraps + a vegan update

2012-01-10T07:15:00.000-05:00

First, I will discuss my vegan journey. I really should call this past week "the week that wasn't vegan." It started out very well with salads and quinoa veggie sushi. But then leftover chocolate from Christmas happened. And then work happened. And ruined meals happened. And then friends happened. I was going to journal my food for you but it really isn't a good vegan example so we will just skip it. I did resist creamy dips and chocolate chip cookies at work though.

This week doesn't look much better. Work is crazy and there are a lot of free meals and parties that make it hard to be vegan but, thankfully, not vegetarian. And this isn't supposed to be an added stress in my life so I am just going to go with it and eat vegan when I can.

~~~~

Today's recipe was made in December before vegan January. It is a nice healthy and quick meal that the Hubs and I can both agree on. I love the cool crispness of the lettuce against the warm, sweet and sour mix of the chicken and veggies. You could absolutely make this with tofu to make it vegan.

CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS

serves 2

3 Tbsp. sesame oil

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/8 c. sugar

1/4 c. warm water

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

1/8 tsp. sesame oil

1 Tbsp. hot mustard

1 tsp. hot chili sauce

1 tsp. garlic, minced

1 c. water chestnuts, chopped

8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, chopped

1/2 medium onion, chopped

4 - 5 iceberg lettuce leaves

1. Heat oil and sauté chicken breasts for about 4 minutes on each side until done. Remove from pan and let cool.

2. Dissolve sugar in warm water. Add soy sauce, vinegar, oil, mustard, chili sauce, and garlic. Whisk.

3. Chop chicken to the same size as veggies.

4. Add water chestnuts, mushrooms, and onions to pan and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add chicken. Add sauce and simmer for 3 minutes.

5. With a slotted spoon, add chicken and veggies on top of lettuce leaves. Add a little bit of sauce on top. Wrap like a taco.

Enjoy!

monday giveaway: little white chapel

2012-01-09T03:15:00.000-05:00

Today, I am excited that one of our blog sponsors, Little White Chapel, is giving an item away from the Etsy shop. I love the vintage inspired pieces this Etsy shop has for weddings, special occasions, and even everyday.

Paige, the shop owner, says, "Nice to virtually meet you! I’m Paige, the one-woman army behind Little White Chapel. I’ve always been a wedding junkie, and after I got married in 2009, I wanted to find a way to keep a toe in the wedding pond. I started Little White Chapel for fun, and now, two years later, it’s turned into my job. My items are all vintage-inspired, but re-worked a little to make them easy to wear in 2012. And although a lot of things I sell are designed for a wedding, many of them can be worn everyday, too!"

Paige is giving away a pearl chain necklace with your choice of white, ivory, or cream pearls. This is so versatile - it can be worn with something dressy or even with an everyday outfit.

I received really good feedback on using Rafflecopter on the last giveaway so here we go again. (If you can't view it, you need to get some Java.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

weekend: a friend's christmas

2012-01-08T20:21:00.000-05:00

a table set with my kate spade and lenox wedding china . . . a few appetizers before dinner . . . mine and kathy's secret santa gifts . . . conlon made a bootie out of a napkin . . . cake balls made by ledesa

~~~~

After work on Friday, I went to the grocery store to pick up my fresh turkey and a few other items needed for dinner the next day. Then the Hubs and I went to the MIL's to borrow her place mats, napkins, and chargers. Saturday, we woke up, grabbed breakfast, and then ran a few errands. I went home and started on my turkey. While the turkey was in the oven I cleaned up the house and set the table (which takes a lot longer than I thought.) That evening, my college friends came over to celebrate Christmas. First, we ate appetizers and opened up our Secret Santa gifts. I got the Fried Chicken & Champagne cookbook that I wrote about here and a bottle of champagne; Brandon got Bananagrams and a Vineyard Vines bow tie; Sig got a pretty blue teapot and a selection of teas; Jevi got a pretty framed drawing with one of her favorite quotes on it; Conlon got a J. Crew headband, tee, and sweatshirt; Niki got a Vera Bradley clutch, a horse calendar, and sex chitchat book; and Kathy got a wine decanter, a bottle of wine, and Rabbit wine stoppers. I'd say we made out pretty well. Then we sat down to a four course meal. After that we went out to Market Street for a drink. Today, we went to brunch at a local diner. After everyone left, I went to the grocery store and took a much needed nap.

* Just a tip: I received a lot of full sets of china as bridal shower and wedding gifts but I never received any of my soup bowls. Kathy brought soup as our first course but instead of using one of my everyday bowls, we used the tea cups from the china set. It is the perfect amount of soup for a large meal and it is really cute too.

How was your weekend?

francophile friday: style inspiration from léa seydoux

2012-01-06T07:15:00.001-05:00

Léa Seydoux always manages to look effortless. From her no-fuss hair to her natural makeup, she embraces classic pieces while adding her own whimsical touches.

What do you think?

{image via here, here, here and here}

nezia and jc's wedding

2012-01-05T07:15:00.001-05:00

While writing yesterday's post, I realized I had never shared any pictures from my friend, Nezia's, wedding that I photographed back in August. I just recently finished editing them since I had been traveling for work for the last few months but for the most part I am happy with them considering I had never photographed a wedding before.

The wedding was at three o'clock in August so I had to battle harsh lighting while I learned how to rally people for photographs. After doing the big family and friend portraits, I couldn't see myself photographing another wedding. I was tired and hot and had been shouting for over an hour.

But then I had the little moments with just the beautiful bride and groom. They were so easy and so willing to try just one more location. And that is why I may just say yes again to a wedding. But I think for now, to get a bit more practice, I will stick with doing things like engagement sessions and family portraits.

What do you think? Any advice?

2011: a year in review

2012-01-04T07:15:00.001-05:00

I thought I would do a little review of 2011 with a few pictures you may not have seen. You can see last year's review here.

In January, I starting learning how to use my new SLR, we celebrated the Hub's birthday, we started to really decorate our newlywed home and my blog surpassed fifty followers.

In February, we went to my friend, Nezia's, dowry ceremony, the nastiest recipe I ever made was featured on the CNN blog, Eatocracy, and we took a wine class.

In March, we celebrated my birthday at my alma mater, I did a little redecorating, and a little diy.

In April, we celebrated my dad's 50th birthday and we went back to Jamaica with friends.

In May, I went to Preakness for the first time, I got a few projects done around the house, and had a lot of visitors.

In June, I started taking outfit pictures, we went to a fundraiser, and enjoyed the summer farmer's markets.

In July, we hosted our annual summer shindig, I started a new job, and we went to little Italy in Baltimore.

In August, I helped host a baby shower, I photographed my friend, Nezia's, wedding, and we survived a hurricane.

In September, I hung out in DC, we went to terrain for the first time, and we attended a wedding on the Jersey shore.

In October, I met Ashley's new baby, we celebrated our one year anniversary, and we went to a masquerade ball.

In November, we lost sadly my grandmother to cancer, I spent a lot of time with friends, and we had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving.

In December, we took a trip to Williamsburg, traveled to visit family and friends, celebrated Christmas with family, and rung in the New Year with friends.

Wonder what 2012 will bring...

going {mostly} vegan

2012-01-03T07:15:00.000-05:00

I wrote about new year's resolutions last year. For the first time in years, I didn't really do a great job of keeping them. I was doing really well but adjusting to my new job schedule threw me. But now that I am getting the hang of it, I think keeping a resolution for 2012 will be easy.

I am starting out by going (mostly) vegan for the month of January. I decided not to make this resolution for the entire year so I can see how I do and what challenges I faced during the first month and then make changes needed for the next month.

I came to this decision for a few reasons. First, since March, I have gained ten pounds. On a five foot four frame, that is a lot of weight. I also have been feeling incredibly sluggish and have been passing out and almost passing out more and more. The doctors are not really sure what it is yet but if it is from the weight gain or my more recent awful diet, I need to make a change.

A few weeks ago, we had "eat week" at work. Monday was breakfast day, Tuesday was dip day, Wednesday was dessert day, Thursday was lunch day and Friday was leftover day. By the end of the week, I thought I was going to go into a coma. I showed no restraint and ate to my heart's delight, stuffing myself with creamy, greasy dishes. And my body rebelled with a three pound weight gain and the inability to keep my eyes open. My body just can't take that amount or type of food anymore.

But a resolution works best when you make it measurable - "mostly" isn't an exact measurement. So, for the next month, I am giving up meat and dairy, however, for two days a week (or six meals a week) I can eat meat or dairy. I thought this would be a good transition instead of going cold turkey (no pun intended.) This also helps with those times eating out with friends or having dinner at another person's house but I will still strive not to use up all of those six meals.

I don't think giving up meat will be that difficult. The only reason I really consume meat is because of the Hubs. (I am that person that orders the vegetarian meal at Ruth Chris.) I think it will be more difficult to give up seafood and dairy since I LOVE both.

One book that I checked out of the library that has really motivated me is The Conscious Cook by Tal Ronnen. All the recipes in it are vegan but look awesome! I don't think I would notice that they are missing dairy or meat.

In addition to the vegan challenge, I am trying to curb my sugar fixation. With the holidays, the amount of sugar I have been consuming has been out of control. I need to learn to walk past the cookies at work.

I will keep you updated on my (mostly) vegan journey. Let me know if anyone would like to tackle this challenge with me.

Is there any advice you have for me? Are there any blogs or websites that would be helpful? Anything that you want me to keep track off for you while I do this?

{image via my pinterest}

weekend: new year's eve

2012-01-02T20:45:00.000-05:00

reid playing . . . little hands . . . with niki's new frenchie, lucy . . . the coolest motorized balloon shark . . . with jevi and niki . . . with the hubs right before midnight

~~~~

a little inspiration for the coming week:

super cute

cute english bulldog

i love this casual but chic outfit

~~~~

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Really, my weekend was all week since I had off from work. I took some time to really unplug. I didn't post to the blog, I never checked my work email, and I only tweeted a few times here and there. (I did get some much needed blog reading in, though.)

Friday night, we went to Ruth Chris with the Hub's parents and his sister. Saturday, we got up and headed to Elkridge to visit our friend's Ashley and Pat and for the Hub's to meet Reid. Then we headed to Bethesda later that night for a New Year's Eve celebration with friends. I got to meet Niki's new French bulldog, Lucy, who is so cute!

Sunday, the Hubs and I stopped at Annapolis mall on our way back and then we hung out in bed - we were so tired from the night before. After dinner we decided to go and see the new Sherlock Holmes movie which was pretty good. Even if you don't think the plot is stellar, the cinematography is really good.

Today, I ran a few errands and hung out in bed, again. This evening, I took my first Pole Fitness class. I really enjoyed it but I realized that I have no upper body strength. The instructor said that by the end of the eight weeks, though, we should be able to climb the pole. I am back to work tomorrow but, although I love my job, I feel like I still need a day more.

How was your weekend/break?

weekend: christmas

2011-12-26T15:36:00.001-05:00

what is in that little box, peyton . . . i think those shoes are a little big . . . football in the yard . . . with my aunts . . . christmas crackers - a family tradition . . . the hubs and i with our crowns from the crackers . . . christmas puppy . . . my stepmom's famous lemon chicken . . . a few christmas gifts

~~~~

My weekend actually started Thursday. I had a half day at work so I went to lunch with my friend, Julie, and then headed to Cambridge to visit a yarn shop.

Friday, I went a got a sparkly manicure and pedicure and then ran last minute errands. Friday night, the Hubs, Peyton and I did our Christmas. The Hubs got me a lasagna pan. I have been wanting a thick one for awhile since my lasagna is always over the edges of my pans. Peyton got me diamond earrings. I am still wondering how she did this since she does not have opposable thumbs and does not have access to currency. I just hope she hasn't resorted to turning tricks on the street. After opening gifts, we headed to my dad and stepmom's house and opened presents with them that night.

Saturday, we got up early to run some errands and then my dad's side of the family came over for lunch and presents. It was so much fun to watch all the kids open her gifts. Saturday night, the Hubs, my parents, and I went to see the new Mission Impossible movie.

Sunday, we had a big lunch and then we headed back to Salisbury to the Hub's parents to celebrate Christmas and his mom's birthday. I was so sleepy last night I just had veggies and dip for dinner.

I am off this week so I will be taking a blogging break and only posting every other day. But you can check in with me on Twitter.

What did you do this weekend? Hope your holiday was merry and bright!

merry christmas!

2011-12-25T11:13:00.000-05:00

I hope you are enjoying your Christmas so far! We have been at my parents in Silver Spring and then, this afternoon, we are going back to Salisbury to celebrate Christmas and his mom's birthday with the Hub's parents and family. Have a great rest of your day!

{image via my pinterest}

francophile friday: france email #8

2011-12-23T07:15:00.000-05:00

This is a continuation of my lost emails that I sent to my family and friends while living in France in 2007 as a student. You can read more about it here. I sent this one on December 22nd and it is the last one I sent before I came home.

Bonjour Tout le Monde!

Well this is my last email from Bordeaux. I have my bags packed and am ready to go. A friend, Jenny, is picking Nezia and I up later tonight and we are having dinner with her family and she will take us to the aiport early tomorrow morning. My flight to Paris leaves tomorrow at 6 30 am and my flight to Dulles leaves at 10 15 am and I will arrive in Dulles around 12 55 pm.

The last two weeks have been pretty normal. I finished up all the work I needed to get finished and got all of my grades. I have been tryng any restaurants or coffee shops I have wanted to try and have been saying goodbye to friends. I really wish time would stop.

I am excited to go home but very sad to leave. This has got to be one of the greatest cities in the world. I am so glad I chose to come here. Bordeaux and I were the perfect fit. I recommend studying abroad to anyone who is thinking about it and to anyone thinking of traveling to France - stop by Bordeaux. The experiences I had I will never forget. I have learned more about French culture than I ever would have in a classroom and I learned so much about myself, too. I have met many different types of people who are not just French which have taught me about many different types of cultures around the world. I don't think Nezia and I would have bumped into eachother on St. Mary's campus but I have learned so much from her about African culture and cooking. If I am visiting Africa anytime soon it is because of her.

I was very open to all types of people and ideas before but I think this experience has opened my eyes even more. I think this has also helped me to take different situations in stride. Sleeping in a freezing cold bus station for over 7 hours - no problem!

I am excited to share my stories with everyone when I return.

Love, Morgan

PS For those who were wondering: When we first got here, Sarkozy (whom they call the "American" president)had just finalized his divorce. He is now engaged to a model. Ah the French!

Did you study abroad? Did you have any travel experiences that changed you?

better-for-you products, part 2

2011-12-22T07:15:00.000-05:00

I have been trying out more natural and organic beauty products and I have some more to share with you. You can part one here.

1. Avalon Organics Vitamin C Refreshing Cleansing Gel: I picked this up on a whim at Target. I try not to wash my face everyday because I don't want to dry it out but I love using this with my Oil of Olay Cleansing Brush to exfoliate my skin. I like using this in the morning since the sweet orange fragrance really wakes you up. Vitamin C is the signature ingredient which helps protect the skin against free radicals and also promotes collagen and elastin production. The Avalon Organics brand uses natural and organic ingredients and has an environmental commitment to reduce their footprint.

Would you recommend it to a friend? Yes. The price is right and it smells so good!

2. Naturopathica Vitamin K Brightening Eye Serum: My friend's sister works at Naturopathica and sent me some samples to try out. I fell in love with this product so I had to order it. I have had very dark under eye circles my entire life and I have never found a product as good as this. The serum goes on thick so you only have to use a little bit with each application. It has certainly helped brighten the darkness under my eyes and I think it has taken the puffiness away too. I use it in the morning under my make-up and also at night. The Naturopathica Brand only uses natural ingredients, never tests on animals, and has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

Would you recommend it to a friend? Absolutely! I am in love with this product.

3. DevaCurl No-Poo Shampoo: I stumbled upon this when I was in Ulta one day. Since I am so in love with their curl gel product, I decided to give it a try. It is kind of strange at first since I am used to a shampoo with a lather but I like it. DevaCurl products are 100% sulfate, paraben, and silicone free.

Would you recommend this to a friend? Yes. Although I haven't seen a change in my hair, I am sure it has with my curls.

4. Avalon Organics Vitamin C Moisture Plus Lotion SPF 15: I love using this in the morning since it wakes you up with the orange smell. I also feel like this gives my skin a glow. This moisturizer is perfect for winter but I am still on the search for one with SPF 30 for the months when I am outside more.

Would you recommend this to a friend? Yes. I love it!

5. Boots Botanics Organics Lip Balm: At first, I thought this lip balm was weird. It was kind of grainy making it feel almost like an exfoliant instead of a balm. But I accidentally left it out in my car on a a really hot day and the next time I used it, it was really smooth and I liked it.

Would you recommend this to a friend? Maybe. I am confused on whether or not I just bought a dud. If they are normally smooth then I think this is a nice affordable organic lip balm.

Have you found any good natural or organic products lately? I am still on the lookout for a good natural or organic mascara that is inexpensive.

winner of the williams honey farm giveaway!

2011-12-21T18:10:00.000-05:00

I am excited to announce that the winner of the Williams Honey Farm giveaway is Suzanne from kiddo's shenanigans. Congrats Suzanne! Please email me at morgan.designblanc{at}gmail{dot}com with your information.

And special thanks to Jay for this giveaway!

Also, what did you guys think about using Rafflecopter for the giveaway? Would you like it for the next giveaway? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

{image via here}

dominick the donkey

2011-12-21T07:15:00.000-05:00

I am super busy with last minute Christmas preparations so today's post is a short one. Since I talk about French things all the time, you may not know but I am half Italian. My grandfather on my mom's side is first generation American. His parents came over through Ellis Island. I also have a little bit of Italian on my dad's side as well. My co-worker, an Italian American from New Jersey, asked me yesterday if I have ever heard of Dominick the Donkey. I had not so he passed this song along to me. I am sorry in advance for getting this song stuck in your head.

Are there any silly Christmas songs that you enjoy?

grilled chicken over quinoa salad

2011-12-20T07:15:00.000-05:00

Last week at work, we had "food week" which is basically our week to eat like crazy all in the spirit of the holiday season. Monday was breakfast day; Tuesday was dip day; Wednesday was dessert day; Thursday was lunch day; and Friday was leftover day. I showed no restraint - and I gained three pounds.

This week needs to be a little different or I risk going broke from having to buy an entirely new wardrobe. Enter this healthy but delicious quinoa salad. This is so satisfying but you can feel good about what you are eating too.

GRILLED CHICKEN OVER QUINOA SALAD

serves 4

adapted from here

chicken:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/4 c EVOO

1 lemon, zested and juiced

4 garlic cloves, crushed

1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

ground black pepper

salad:

1 c quinoa, cooked and cooled to room temperature

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 cucumber, seeded and chopped

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1 c golden raisins, rehydrated in warm water

1/2 c feta cheese, crumbled

dressing:

1 1/2 lemons, juiced

1/4 c EVOO

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. ground black pepper

1. For the chicken, add oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl. Mix well and add chicken. Marinade for at least 2 hours.

2. To make dressing, whisk everything together in a small bowl and set aside.

3. Before grilling chicken, let it come to room temperature. Cook on medium-high until cooked through.

4. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, all of the vegetables, and drained raisins. Toss with feta and enough dressing to lightly coat. Serve with chicken.

Enjoy!

monday giveaway: williams honey farm

2011-12-19T07:00:00.004-05:00

Today's giveaway is from Williams Honey Farm, an Etsy shop that sells lip balms and honey from bees that they rescue. You can find out more about their farm and philosophy here. You can feel good about using their all-natural products.

Jay, one of the shop owners, says, "We find beehives that are in imminent danger of being killed. Exterminators, scared homeowners, tree trimmers etc all want the bees gone immediately... We rush in and rescue as much of the hive as possible and give them a new, safe home on a quiet stretch of farmland. We then melt, strain and filter their left behind beeswax from their original hive. From there we add simple organic ingredients to finish it off. The bees get a second chance on life and you get a clean product with a taste you can feel good about."

Jay is giving away a three pack of their all-natural lip rescue. They use organic shea butter, organic almond oil, 100% pure wild beeswax, and essential oils to make each lip balm. The balms come in flavors like Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Summer Honey. I think I would want to try one of each.

This is my first time using Rafflecopter for a giveaway so let me know what you guys think! You can use your Facebook login or just your name and email.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

weekend: almost christmas

2011-12-18T09:34:00.000-05:00

a christmas cookie buffet . . . a favorite pic from saturday night . . . class of 08 and 09 . . . the two decent christmas puppy pictures i shot out of thirty

~~~~

a little inspiration for the coming week:

perfect party hair - so simple!

i teared up when i read this

have you seen this video?

~~~~

Friday night, I got a little Christmas shopping done and then went to bed early with a really bad headache. Saturday morning, I got a haircut. I don't know how many inches we cut off but it is now above my shoulders as you can see in the pictures above. I think I like it. Then we traveled to Silver Spring to go to our friend's, Devin and Chrissy, holiday party. There was great food, a little of wine, and a lot of catching up. This morning we headed back to Salisbury and I went grocery shopping and got some laundry finished and did some gift wrapping.

How was your weekend?

francophile friday: france email #7

2011-12-16T07:15:00.001-05:00

This is a continuation of my lost emails that I sent to my family and friends while living in France in 2007 as a student. You can read more about it here. This email was sent right after I got back from Paris.

Bonjour Everyone!

So the strikes finally stopped last week and classes resumed. Of course this was just in time for Rich to get here last Sunday. Last week I took Rich around Bordeaux. We got a private tour of the Grand Theatre thanks to a friend of mine here. I had to attempt to translate for Rich. Translating is a lot harder than understanding I found considering I understood everything and translated almost nothing. I don’t think I would ever want to do it as a job. We walked down Rue de St Catherine which is the largest pedestrian road in Europe and climbed the Tour Pey-Berland to get a beautiful view of Bordeaux. Then we left for Paris on Thursday.

It was raining when we arrived in Paris. When we finally found our hotel (it was not really where it said it was) we dragged our luggage up four flights of stairs. Rich had brought an extra bag for me to pack so he could take the things I didn’t need anymore back to America. That night we found a Lebanese place and had really good hummus and kebab sandwiches. Then we went to Le Pralin, a bakery right next to our hotel, and got real French macarons and a little cake thing.

Friday, after our breakfast at Le Pralin, we went to the Musee d’Orsay. This is probably my most favorite art museum I have visited since I have been here. It had a lot of impressionist paintings which I like. After that we went to the Eiffel Tower but decided we would climb it later at night (bad idea – explained later). After that we saw the Arc de Triomphe and walked the Champs Elysees which is when it started to rain again. This did not stop us from visiting Louis Vuitton, Chanel, et al. Later that night we met Nezia at the Louvre (she was staying with her uncle in Paris). After that I had an amazing kebab sandwich from a Turk place we found on the way home. He really knew the right amount of tzaziki sauce to put on (and by 10 pm I was starving).

Saturday, we went to Le Pralin for breakfast again (this is when the lady said “get something for my new American friends”) where Rich discovered a very good vienoisserie. After that we took the RER to Versailles. Apparently they didn’t know we were coming because there was construction being done on the building which did not make for very good pictures. But we got to see the Hall of Mirrors which is all I really cared about. After that we came back and saw Notre Dame in the rain. Later that night we trekked out into the rain and went to Nezia’s uncle’s house for dinner and watched part of the Miss France pageant.

Sunday, we went to Le Pralin and then skipped the Seine River cruise because it was freezing and we were afraid of getting stuck in the rain on a boat. Instead we went to Sacre Coeur and saw the Moulin Rouge. After that we decided to walk the Champs Elyees again. Later that evening we decided to go out into what seemed to be a hurricane to climb the Eiffel Tower. Well Eiffel decided to close the top of his tower due to strong winds so we were only allowed to go to the second level. This was still a good view of Paris though. When we got up there we soon understood why they closed the top. On the one side you just got soaked from the rain but if you walked to the other side you seriously could have been blown of the tower. I started to walk over there but stopped for fear of being swept away. We decided since we could not go to the top that we should make up for it by going to the swanky Eiffel Tower restaurant but we soon found out that you needed to reserve ahead of time. So we decided to go back and eat some place close to the hotel. We found a wonderful Greek place and had (yes you guessed it) kebabs. After that, we went to Le Pralin because the snooty French restaurant wouldn’t let me get just crème brulee. So Rich and I compensated by getting two “mini” chocolate mousse cakes and a huge slice of an apple tart. (And yes we ate the entire thing.)

Monday, the shuttle came (in the rain of course) and picked us up from the hotel and took Rich to the airport and then I made my way to the train station. Sadly, for some reason Le Pralin was closed.

I have less than two weeks until I am back in America so be on the lookout for a last email.

Love
Morgan

Have you ever been to Paris?

2011 holiday gift guide: the hostess

2011-12-15T07:15:00.000-05:00

1. Every hostess needs a good cheese board. This slate cheese board is made from reclaimed chalkboards from an elementary school in Illinois. It allows you to label the different cheeses right on the board.

2. Make the guest bathroom like a fine hotel WC with pretty guest towels. Plus, these can be monogrammed.

3. These coasters are perfect for a festive party with the bright colors and fun sayings like "dance till dawn" and "give it a twist."

4. These holiday plates could be used for salad or dessert. They are dramatic while still remaining classy.

5. My drink of choice is usually red wine but when I am feeling festive nothing is better than a glass of champagne. This book helps you give the average glass of champagne a little twist.

6. For the hostess that likes to change it up a bit, this tasting party set is a great start. This allows you to serve food in a chic and fun way.

What do you think is a good gift for the hostess with the mostess?

winner of the hoops and hooks giveaway!

2011-12-14T21:15:00.000-05:00

I am happy to announce that the winner of the Hoops and Hooks giveaway is Tanya. Congrats! Please email me with your information at morgan.designblanc{at}gmail{dot}com. And special thanks to Teri for sponsoring this giveaway!

{image via here}

2011 holiday gift guide: the kids

2011-12-14T07:15:00.000-05:00

1. The Tegu Block set is not your ordinary set of blocks. They have magnets in them so kids can really build some interesting designs. Plus you can feel good about these blocks: they are made from natural, non-toxic materials and the wood is harvested in a sustainable manner.

2. When I saw this huge, squishable owl, I just fell in love. He looks kind of ornery, doesn't he?

3. This set of alphabet crayons are perfect for learning letters, colors, and getting the creative juices flowing. Plus, they are made from recycled crayon stubs collected from local restaurants so they are environmentally friendly as well.

4. Did you know that TOMS makes TINY TOMS? I didn't either but as soon as I stumbled upon them, I sent an email to all of my friends who have or know kids.

5. Our splurge item are these Striped Fleece Backpacks. I really can never resist a good stripe - I really want one in my size!

6. When I came across this fish hotel in the Crate & Barrel catalogue, I nearly flipped. I never had anything this cool growing up. I put my fish in a bowl or a generic tank.

What cool gifts do you suggest for kids?

blogger blitz at urbana

2011-12-12T09:38:00.001-05:00

Sunday night was Blogger Blitz DC! It was so great to meet all the fabulous DC area bloggers. I just wish I had more time to chat with each and everyone of them. My camera was acting really funky so I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked, but here are the ones that (kind of) turned out.

the beautiful booklets that {av} made . . . sparkly name tags are the best kind of name tags . . . drink: the dc metro . . . jenn from going the distance and pinky from pink persistence . . . megan from the freckled italian and sarah from sunlight after rain . . . {av} from long distance loving, katelyn from the eclectic tradtionalist, courtney from BB to 79th, kelly from washington prep, cara from i dabble, and me!

The night was held at Urbana at Dupont Circle. I definitely want to try it with some friends next time I am in DC. It had a very swanky atmosphere and an extensive wine list.

And, in case you were curious who was there, here is the list of the bloggers in attendance:

a.j. from cashmere and candy

ashley from a {little} dash of ash

ashley from heart of life

ashley from luce

ashlyn from my unrehearsed life

cara from i dabble

carly from college prep

chelsea from life is a sunset

courtney from bb to 79th

deb from real girl runway

erica from pocket full of chuckles

gabbi and mandy from we love food

jenna from the paleo project

jenna from keep caffeinated and carry on

jenna from eat more drink more

jenn from going the distance

julie from julip made

kate from mr. and mrs. smith go to washington

katelyn from the eclectic traditionalist

katie from i'll take two

kelly from washington prep

kelsey from the capital barbie

lacey from a lacey perspective

lauren from dc girl in pearls

leanna from omg i'm back in dc

lisa from bud & leo

mclean from deacon does dc

meg from mimi + meg

megan from freckled italian

megan from deviled megs

melissa from cupcakes omg

pinky from pink persistence

raqel from dream out loud

rebecca from i wanna be a domestic goddess

rosa from rosa loves

sarah from sunlight after rain

shannon from the scribble pad

tina from east.love.west

tonia from the chatty momma

whitney from cheerios and beer

maizie from chic done cheap

And a very special thanks goes out to {av} from long distance loving for putting this wonderful event together!

monday giveaway: hoops and hooks (NOW CLOSED)

2011-12-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

It has been awhile since we have done a giveaway but I am very excited about this one! Today's giveaway is from Hoops and Hooks, an Etsy shop that carries adorable embroidery hoop creations. I especially love the stick figure ornaments.

Teri, the shop owner, says, "You'll find embroidery hoop ornaments, cross stitch, and crocheted items in my shop. I love creating items using fabric, thread, felt, buttons, yarn and any other embellishments I can find. I am a stay-at-home mother of three beautiful children, trying to supplement my husband’s income from home. I love Etsy for giving me the opportunity to do that."

Teri is giving one winner a Monogrammed Christmas Ornament with the letters and colors of your choice AND a ten dollar credit to her shop to use at a later date (after the new year.) I would choose a "B" for our last name and navy and gold which were the colors of our college where the Hubs and I met.

To be eligible for the giveaway, you must be a follower of this blog so, if you aren't yet, be sure to sign up through Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'. And please let me know what name you are following with.

Ways to win:

1. Visit Hoops and Hooks and leave a comment letting us know what your favorite item is.

2. Write about this giveaway on your blog and leave a separate comment with a link to your post.

3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (making sure to mention me in your tweet) and leave a separate comment with your tweet URL.

4. "Favorite" Hoops and Hooks on Etsy and leave a separate comment with your Etsy name.

5. "Like" Hoops and Hooks on Facebook and leave a separate comment with your Facebook name.

A winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 14th at 7 pm Eastern Time.

weekend: driving all over

2011-12-11T14:26:00.000-05:00

margarita from guapos in bethesda . . . pollo criollo . . . the Hubs and I . . . mimosas at busboys & poets in hyatsville . . . oaxaca omelete with homefries

~~~~

as always, a little inspiration for the coming week:

how to style an LBD for all of those holiday parties

help people get the water that they need

what a beautiful transformation

Toms ballet flats, coming soon

~~~~

Friday, I left work a little early to travel to Hanover, Pennsylvania to visit my grandfather. Saturday morning, I made him breakfast as per usual - scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage. It felt empty in the house without my grandmother there. At one point my grandfather looked up and said, "Dear Betty, please come back so you can visit with Morgan." And then he turned to me, with tears in his eyes and said, "She can't come back." I felt so awful. I don't ever want to know what it feels like to lose a spouse. My heart broke for him.

After lunch with my grandfather at his favorite place, we spent a bit more time together and then I headed to Silver Spring to meet Rich at my dad's house to drop off Peyton. Then we headed to Rockville to have dinner with his sister. My roasted chicken at Guapos was delicious, very moist and flavorful.

This morning, the Hubs and Peyton headed back to Salisbury and I headed to College Park to have brunch with Niki. I loved my Mexican inspired omelet. Really if anything has black beans and guacamole in it, sign me up. Then we went across the street to a really cute pet store across the street and bought a few things for Peyton's stocking.

The weekend isn't quite over yet - I still have Blogger Blitz DC tonight. So I am going to hang out at my parent's house in Silver Spring until then. Maybe I can take a nap. Peyton kept me up all night with her snoring.

How was your weekend?

2011 holiday gift guide: the cook

2011-12-08T07:15:00.000-05:00

1. I love this eat sign. It would be a great touch to a rustic kitchen.

2. I received this KitchenAid immersion blender at my bridal shower and it is one of the best kitchen appliances that I own. I use it in the mornings before work for a quick smoothie. (And it is even so portable that I have taken it to work to make smoothies too.) I also use it a lot when I am making soups and I want purée some without having to use the food processor - a lot less clean up.

3. Every cook likes to try different kinds of oils. This set ranges from delicate to robust so you can sample and see what type you prefer.

4. Since most of Salisbury's food stores are lacking in unique produce, I have been lusting after a meyer lemon tree for awhile. This tree, our splurge item, stays in its pot and is placed outside during the warmer months and comes inside for the winter.

5. Most of the spices and herbs that I have are from Penzey's. They are great for finding unique spices and have good inexpensive basics as well. I really love their gift sets. I actually received the "Spicy Wedding" set from my friends for my birthday right after I got engaged.

6. Tea towels are a must in any kitchen so why not have pretty ones? I love the rustic and modern mix of these towels.

What are your favorite kitchen items? What would you add to the list?

2011 holiday gift guide: the tomboy

2011-12-07T07:15:00.001-05:00

1. I won a holga camera this summer from the blog, A Beautiful Mess, and I love it! It is very lightweight and it is kind of fun to have to wait to develop the film. I am not finished a roll yet, but I can't wait to see how my pictures turned out.

2. I love the rustic look of the Sydney Hale Co. candles and their unique scents. I am not a huge lover of floral scents so I love that you can find smells like cedarwood and vanilla - a perfect scent for the tomboy.

3. Every girl needs a bag. Our splurge item is this backpack that is perfect for any situation.

4. Keep your tomboy warm this winter with this cute and snugly bomber hat. I think I am going to have to break down and get one for those extra cold days.

5. I love all my Moleskine products. Get her a set of these classic notebooks to jot down her musings.

6. And, of course, every tomboy needs a striped tee. It is a classic, just like her style.

What would you add to the list? What item is your fave?

williamsburg food: a review

2011-12-06T07:15:00.001-05:00

I thought I would share some of the places that dined at while we were in Williamsburg, Virginia in case you were planning to travel there sometime in the future.

AROMAS

431 Prince George Street

Williamsburg, Virginia

On our first morning in Williamsburg, we ate breakfast at Aromas which was recommended to us by Diana from les années folles. They have a pretty extensive breakfast menu considering they are essentially a coffee house. The Hubs ordered one of their scrambles and I got the brie stuffed french toast. It is french toast covered in brie fondue. You order at the counter and then they call you when you food is ready. There are not too many tables and it was completely packed at 9:30 on a Thursday morning so beware of that (although when it is warmer there are tables outside.) All in all, I thought the food was solid and the price was definitely right.

THE CHEESE SHOP

410 W Duke of Gloucester Street

Williamsburg, Virginia

As I have said in previous posts, I have been to Williamsburg many times before when I was younger. One of my favorite memories was going to The Cheese Shop. Actually, I am pretty sure it was the first specialty food store that I fell in love with. For lunch, the Hubs ordered a cornbeef sandwich (although later he regretted that he didn't get ham considering we were in Virginia.) I ordered a turkey sandwich on wheat with havarti cheese, tomato, watercress and, of course, their house dressing. At the shop, you order at the counter and you create your own sandwich. I love that they have a variety of deli cheeses to choose from. After lunch, we headed downstairs to their wine and beer shop and picked up a pretty good Malbec. Then we stood in line at the cheese counter and picked up two cheeses. We used the wine and cheese as a pre-dinner snack during our trip. I also bought a nice thing of grapeseed oil to try out. I highly recommend this spot for lunch or even a light dinner. There isn't much seating inside but there is plenty of seating outside at the café tables. You could even buy some wine and cheese for a picnic. And if you are traveling with kids, it is certainly family friendly.

FAT CANARY

410 W Duke of Gloucester Street

Williamsburg, Virginia

This was also recommended to us by Diana and the Hubs and I agree that this was probably the best meal that we had in Williamsburg. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a reservation for Staurday night since we waited until Thursday, it was Grand Illumination weekend, and this is the type of place that you should probably make a reservation at anyway. So we ended up there on Thursday night. Fat Canary is actually attached to The Cheese Shop. To start, the Hubs ordered the romaine salad and I tried the eggplant soup that they had on special that night. It had chorizo, goat cheese, and roasted tomatoes on top which gave a nice tang and spiciness to the mild and creamy soup. For dinner, the Hubs ordered the pork chop which came with gruyere bread pudding and swiss chard, apples and bacon. I had the seared scallops that came with oyster mushroom freekeh and asparagus with preserved lemon. (I will soon be finding where I can find freekeh and figuring out how to cook it.) We also ordered the best priced bottle of Jordan that we have ever seen in a restaurant. I highly recommend this place, especially for a special date night.

BLUE TALON BISTRO

420 Prince George Street

Williamsburg, Virginia

Diana also recommended Blue Talon Bistro to us and we found it perfect for a nicer lunch, especially we had just spent 4 hours in GoodYear tire. The bistro was super cute and very warm and inviting. To start, they brought water in a bottle and both the water and sodas came without ice. I was in HEAVEN! I highly dislike ice in my drinks but I hate being picky and ordering them without ice. I got the French onion soup and it was huge and super cheesy. For our meal, the Hubs got a hamburger with a fried egg on it. I got the grilled asparagus salad with a poached egg. It was great for a lighter lunch and I plan to recreate the salad in the future. I definitely think you should give this place a try. It is a nice place to take a break from walking around and just relax and enjoy good, non-fussy food. (And, although I didn't see any children in there, it can be family friendly.) My only regret is that we left earlier on Sunday and couldn't try it again for Sunday brunch.

SHIELD'S TAVERN

on Duke of Gloucester Street near the Capitol

Williamsburg, Virginia

I had a really good experience about ten years ago when I went to Shield's Tavern with my aunts. They were running a special where you could get a seven course meal for $30 a person. Apparently, they stopped doing that. The Hubs and I thought we really needed to go to a tavern for the experience. We sat by the fire and had a drink while we waited for a table. I had my first Pimm's Cup! We each ordered a salad which were good but over dressed. The Hubs ordered the ale-potted beef and I ordered the dish of pork. At first I thought the Hub's meal was really good but maybe it was the amount of salt they used. My dish was ok. It was missing the mushrooms it was supposed to come with, the grilled polenta was just a teeny, tiny piece, and the pork was kind of dry. The chocolate pudding was good, though. For the price, the food wasn't worth it. We decided that we would not go back unless we were bringing kids - again, "for the experience."

THE SPOON CAFE

1425 Richmond Road

Williamsburg, Virginia

We passed by The Spoon Cafe and decided we should try it one morning for breakfast. I mainly just loved the name. We both ordered the complete colonial breakfast where you basically build your own breakfast. My scrambled eggs were a little overdone for me (I like my light and fluffy) but my pancakes were pretty good, especially with the cinnamon apples on top. The price is definitely right as well - for $7.99 I got two pancakes with topping, two scrambled eggs, two slices of bacon, half of a grapefruit, and a cup of tea. And this is certainly a family friendly place.

GABRIEL ARCHER TAVERN at the Williamsburg Winery

5800 Wessex Hundred

Williamsburg, Virginia

We figured that it would be fun to have lunch at the winery at Gabriel Archer Tavern before our tour and tasting. We were both highly disappointed. We ordered crab bisque and there really wasn't much too it. The Hubs got the Italian sandwich but for the price it should have been much better than an okay sandwich. I was so excited for my duck confit salad but, honestly, it kind of grossed me out. Now I am not an expert chef but I did eat duck confit almost once every two weeks while living in France. Duck confit is supposed to be crispy and a salty and this was just fatty. The skin hadn't been crisped at all - it still had a yellow color to it. I just ate my salad greens and my mediocre piece of baguette. We both agree that we should have just gone to The Cheese Shop for lunch before we headed to the winery.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1647 Richmond Road

Williamsburg, Virginia

The Hub's parents suggested Food for Thought as a great casual, family restaurant. I think sometimes it is hard to find a family restaurant that isn't the mediocre chain but this place was great. We had a drink at the bar while we waited for our table. The restaurant has quotes and pictures of famous people throughout American history. The menu is extensive and has a variety of different foods as well as a decent amount of vegetarian and gluten-free options. The Hubs and I got mussels to start off and we liked how it was mixed in with mushrooms, tomatoes, and basil to put on top of the bread with the sauce. The Hubs got the meatloaf and asked if he could the end pieces which they gladly brought him. He said that it rivaled his mom's. I got baked panko breaded flounder with creamed spinach and fries. All of it was really good. The Hubs and I couldn't get over the creamed spinach though. It was the best we had ever had. It wasn't overdone with cream. Instead, it had a great parmesan flavor. Although we were pretty much full after our mussels, we made sure we saved room to try the hot apple nachos. They were delicious! I would highly recommend this place, especially for a family. (Also, they do not take reservations but they do priority seating.)

What kind of places do you like to eat when you travel? Any places you can recommend in Williamsburg?

weekend: christmastime in williamsburg

2011-12-04T20:38:00.000-05:00

the capitol in colonial williamsburg . . . my husband, the patriot . . . one of my favorite wreaths . . . a colonial kitchen garden . . . learning how they made textiles

colonial williamsburg at night . . . the fireplace in the drinks room while we waited for our table . . . a picture for my British grandmother

tea at the spoon café . . . the Hubs waiting for our lunch . . . a kitty at the winery . . . beautiful architecture . . . a wine tour and tasting . . . inside and outside the governor's palace . . . trees and snow at the yankee candle flagship store . . . a seagull found on our way home on the bay bridge tunnel

~~~~

a little inspiration for the coming week:

i love corndogs

this is cute and hilarious at the same time

i know i said it once but i will say it again: i want to have a tea party!

a super cute gift idea

my friend, Alissa, is in this video (and what a great idea)

help girls in impoverished areas get the things they need for "that time of the month" by liking this facebook page (and learn more about it here)

~~~~

My weekend started on Wednesday night after work. The Hubs and I drove four hours to the Marriott Manor Club at Ford's Colony in Williamsburg, Virginia. Our room was very nice and I highly recommend it if you are going to visit the area. It is about a ten minute drive to Colonial Williamsburg.

On Thursday, we got up and had breakfast at Aroma's. Then we headed off to the Visitors Center to redeem the tickets that my grandparents had gotten for us last Christmas. After that, we headed to Colonial Williamsburg. We decided to start with a tour of the Capitol and then we walked around and went in a few of the shops. After that, we had lunch at The Cheese Shop. Then we decided we were sleepy and that it was time to go back for a nap. We left for dinner at the Fat Canary early so that we could walk around Market Square while it was all lit up. A lot of shops were giving out candy or cider or chili for free but we tried not to spoil our dinner.

On Friday, we went to leave for breakfast, ready for a day of wine tastings and massages, and noticed we had a very flat tire. The Hubs immediately called OnStar and, let me tell you, their service was AWESOME! The guy was there within 40 minutes and OnStar kept calling to check on us. Unfortunately, the guy could not get our spare loose but he pumped us with enough air to allow us to drive to GoodYear. They told us it would only be an hour - we sat there for FOUR HOURS. I was peeved. I didn't care that it took that long but we could have called a taxi and spent our precious vacation time at the winery we were planning to go to. I called and canceled my afternoon massage and we decided to move our plans around and went for a late lunch at Blue Talon Bistro. Then we went back and I took the Hub's massage time. After that, we went down to Colonial Williamsburg a little early before our dinner at Shield's Tavern to have drinks.

On Saturday, we got up and had breakfast at The Spoon Cafe and headed back to the resort so the Hubs could get a massage. After that, we headed to Williamsburg Winery for lunch at Gabriel Archer Tavern and for a tour and wine tasting. After that, we headed down to Colonial Williamsburg to tour the Palace and then to go into a few shops I wanted to see. My favorites were Ocean Palm, a Lilly Pulitzer store, and Closet Envy, which carried brands like DVF, Nanette Lepore and Longchamp. After that, we went to for a drink and dinner at Food for Thought. My grandmother had mailed me some coupons she had for the Yankee Candle Flagship store so we decided to stop by there after dinner. That place is ridiculous. It has way more than candles. In the middle of it they had an area with a Christmas tree, Santa, and snow. The Hubs was fascinated by the wax hands you could make.

Today, we got up early and headed back, stopping on the middle of the bay bridge tunnel for a break and some picture taking. It was nice to be able to be home and get grocery shopping and laundry finished.

Also, you may have noticed something a little out of character for me - there are no food pictures! I thought I would do a little review of the where we ate later this week, in case anyone else is planning a trip. Food porn to come!

How was your weekend?

francophile friday: company for christmas

2011-12-02T07:15:00.003-05:00

Since it is francophile friday and it is Christmastime and I am in Williamsburg, I thought I would share with you a quick bit of colonial American history.

In 1781, Williamsburg welcomed French soldiers into their town. They had recently helped G.W* and the Americans kick some Cornwallis butt at Yorktown.** Ever since Virginia's government had moved to Richmond, Williamsburg had been lacking in entertainment and the locals were pretty down considering all the destruction from the war. So when the French got there, they partied hard.***

From November through the spring, they went on hunts, ate lavish dinners, and went to fancy parties. Virginians taught the French about cockfights and crabbing. They played card games in the taverns.

Once the French left in July, Williamsburg slipped back into a quiet town once again.

* G.W. is what George Washington's homies used to call him. (Ok maybe I am just making that up.)

** My British grandmother is once again to get cross with me about reminded her that the Americans beat the British a couple hundred years ago. She is still totally bitter about it.

*** In colonial times, partied hard was synonymous with "absorbed in gaieties." (Ok, I am sort of making that one up too.)

Do you love colonial history as much as I do?

{image and info from here}

my christmas wish list

2011-12-01T07:15:00.001-05:00

I used to love making up Christmas lists when I was little. I would cut out toys and such from the Christmas catalogues we received. This blog gives me the opportunity to do almost the same thing.

1. I want some fun boot socks for all of my boots. I live in boots in the winter and all my socks are really boring (think plain navy, black, brown.) I really love these from Ralph Lauren.

2. My friend, Joanna, has one of the these fleece lined flannel shirts for the winter. I really want the one in navy to snuggle up in on cozy winter weekends.

3. You have seen the gold watch I wanted here but I kept dragging my feet to buy it since I couldn't decide between silver and gold. Enter a silver AND gold watch from Michael Kors.

4. Like I said, I live in boots in the winter and I really need a pair of simple flat black boots with a zipper. I just can't decide whether I like these or these. Which ones do you like best?

5. I really want a pair of rollerblades to have a fun way to exercise at home. (I really dislike running.) I just wish I could find a pair that isn't pink. Anyone know anything about buying rollerblades?

6. I really don't buy jewelry for myself. In college, I relied on my roommate's and friend's collections to finish off an outfit. I am so obsessed with this girl's style and the other day something clicked - I need to invest in a few cool pieces so my outfits look more polished. I really love these necklaces here, here, and here. And love these bracelets: in grey, in gold and rose, in all colors, for a statement, and for a charm.

7. I am very much a neutrals girl and I like simple classic patterns. But lately, I have been wanting to have a little fun with my wardrobe and step out of my style box. I am in need of colorful and fun patterned blouses that I could wear to work but can also transition to drinks with friends. I am loving this and this, right now.

8. I WANT A PAIR OF HUNTER BOOTS . . . in dark olive, please.

What item is your favorite? What is on your wish list?

2011 holiday gift guide: the new mom

2011-11-30T07:15:00.000-05:00

I had my friend and new mom, Ashley, help me come up with a few of these gift ideas. I think any gifts that are helpful like showing up and cleaning up the house without asking or cooking a homemade meal are the best but if you aren't local, try these items.

1. When Ashley's son, Reid, was first born, I sent the new parents a box of chocolate covered strawberries. They are such a decadent treat but also healthy and I figured they were something they could share with visitors - but only if they wanted to.

2. New moms (and dads) are up every couple of hours during the night with the new baby. It is nice to have something cozy to snuggle up in, like a robe, during feedings, especially during the winter months.

3. With a newborn at home, there really isn't much time to do your make-up. Red lipstick immediately makes someone look put together. Try NVEY ECO organic lipstick which not only gives a pop of color but also keeps lips moisturized.

4. There isn't much time to shower but new moms certainly don't want to smell like they haven't showered. Scented lotions not only moisturize but keep them smelling fresh. Try Pangea Organics Body Lotion which comes in interesting scents like Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary.

5. With no time to shower, new moms can keep their hair from getting oily by using a dry shampoo like Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo which is all natural.

6. Our splurge item is a pair of jeggings. Ashley says that she is not quite back into her old jeans that she had before she was pregnant but she dislikes constantly wearing sweats and yoga pants because she feels sloppy. Her jeggings are great because she feels more dressed up but still comfortable.

Any other ideas for a new mom? What is your fave item on the list?

sweet potato biscuits

2011-11-29T07:15:00.000-05:00

I bought two sweet potatoes that I had forgotten about. I knew we would rarely be around during the holiday and I hate when food goes to waste. So I called up my MIL and told her I was going to attempt homemade sweet potato biscuits for our Thanksgiving meal.

Although, I love to cook I am not a great baker so I was surprised that these turned out so well. In fact, straight out of the oven, these were DELICIOUS. Flaky and light, they were everything a good biscuit should be. I baked them the day before Thanksgiving and, although they were still good, they weren't as good as the day before. So I would suggest baking the day you are going to eat them, even if you make the dough the day before.

SWEET POTATO BISCUIT

makes 16 biscuits

adapted from here

for puree:

2 large sweet potatoes

course salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 1/2 Tbsp. good maple syrup

for biscuits:

3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading and shaping

4 Tbsp. light brown sugar

5 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, plus extra for melting

2/3 c. buttermilk

1. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 2-inch chunks. In large saucepan, cover potatoes with water. Bring to boil. Cook until tender for about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain. Puree potatoes in food processor with salt, pepper, butter, and maple syrup.

2. In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut butter into mixture until it resembles a course meal. (I didn't have a pastry blender so I just used my hands.) In small bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups sweet potato puree and buttermilk. Stir into flour mixture until combined (do not overmix.)

3. Put dough on lightly floured surface. Knead gently until dough is combined but do not over-knead. If dough is too sticky, add a little flour. Shape into a disk and pat to even 1-inch thickness. With 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits as close together as possible. Gather scraps and repeat. (Do not use scraps more than once.)

4. Preheat oven to 425˚ with rack on lower shelf. Butter two 8-inch cake pans. Arrange biscuits in pans. Brush with melted butter. Bake until golden, rotating once, for 20 to 24 minutes.

Enjoy!

weekend: a long thanksgiving break

2011-11-27T19:55:00.000-05:00

apple pie fail . . . dinner at mojo's . . . thanksgiving dinner . . . friday lunch at petit louis . . . the boat parade

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a little inspiration for the coming week:

styling secrets from the j. crew catalogue

a super cute black on black outfit

i am excited to learn about christmas in a different country

i love this quote

i really want to see this

great advice

~~~~

My weekend actually started Tuesday night. I had Wednesday through Friday off from work for Thanksgiving break. Tuesday night, the Hubs and I grabbed food at a local Mexican resto. Wednesday, I baked a few things for Thanksgiving and then the Hubs and I went to a new restaurant in town called Mojo's. Its menu changes weekly and it has a great laid-back atmosphere. The Hubs and I shared Wet Bay Dog wings, the Bitch in Heat burger, curly fries, and mac and cheese - all very good! Thursday, we spent Thanksgiving at the Hub's parents. Friday, I drove to Baltimore and had lunch with Laura and Tanya at Petit Louis. I had pumpkin soup, a croque monsieur with a glass of Beaujolais, and poached pear with crème fraiche for dessert. That night I binge watched Homeland and I am now addicted. Saturday, I cleaned and relaxed and then the Hubs and I went to Green Hill to watch the Christmas boat parade on the Wicomico River. Today, the Hubs and I cleaned and put up our Christmas tree.

Also, I am SO behind on blog reading and tweeting. I swear I have not been ignoring you. I will get caught up soon!

How was your weekend? Did you celebrate Thanksgiving?

want to grow your business?

2011-11-26T07:15:00.000-05:00

Do you want to grow your business? Sponsorships are available on la chapstick fanatique for December and beyond. My ad spaces are priced with small businesses and Etsy shops in mind and, right now, my introductory rates are very low. With holiday shopping upon us, it is a great time to advertise! Please email me at morgan.designblanc{at}gmail{dot}com for prices and details.

{image via here}

francophile friday: france email #6

2011-11-25T07:15:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Well the last couple of weeks since I got back from Nice have been interesting. The Tuesday after I got back was the last day that I had classes. The students went "en greve" (on strike). Apparently, the French government passed a law saying that universities could start receiving private grants. This is a big deal because all the universities here are public and they only pay like 400 euros a year to go as long as you past this really hard test at the end of high school. This technically will begin to slowly privatize the colleges. The problem with that is that some universities may not get the funding they need like Bordeaux 3. So either the schools will become horrible or they will start paying a lot more in tuition. So after my classes that Tuesday, the students at Bordeaux 3 went on strike along with a lot of other universities in France. (Each university does it separately though). So it lasted a week with them voting by raising their hands. Well early last week the president of the college tried to have a private ballot but some kids wouldn't let people in. Apparently this Friday we will have another private ballot and this one should work this time.

So Friday, I left for Toulouse early in the morning (luckily considering a lot of the train people are on strike too - for different reasons of course.) We got to Toulouse and had really no idea where our hotel was - neither did a lot of people we asked. We ended up taking many wrong buses that people told us to take until we happened to find it. Our check-in wasn't until 3 though so we left our bags there and walked around the city. We saw tha capitol and ate at the McDonalds nearby. (Yay for the cheap euro menu). Then we walked around some more and went back to our hotel around 4 30. When we got to our room (or studio I should stay) we found that we had a big room with a big bathroom and kitchen. This was nice because we went grocery shopping and were able to save money since we didn't have to eat out.

Saturday, I went to the Musee des Augustines which is an old church that has a lot of paintings and sculptures while Nezia studied for her GRE test that she was taking on Monday. I went back to our room and had lunch and then I went to St Etienne cathedral and Fondation Bemberg which a beautiful old private mansion that was turned into an art museum. When I got back Nezia and I went for a walk along the canal. We walked for about an hour. It was really nice even though it was cold.

Sunday we both went to see if the capitol was open to go in but being it was a SUnday it wasnt. We walked towards St Semin (the largest Romanesque church in the world) and found a market that we walked around. We went back to have a late lunch and then I read for a bit.

Monday, Nezia went to take her GRE test and I walked around Toulouse for a few hours. Then I found a place to have a late lunch and read. Then I moved onto a Tea place and read. After that I met Nezia to catch our train back to Bordeaux.

Nothing else is really happening. The vote is supposed to actually work on Friday so we will probably have classes starting next week (considering this will be our third week off). I will let everyone know what happens.

Love

Morgan

Have you ever been to Toulouse?

happy thanksgiving

2011-11-24T07:33:00.000-05:00

I hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving so far. I am spending the day at the in-laws with the Hubs, Peyton, and the Hub's Grandpa. I plan to eat, eat, and eat some more.

And, like last year, reasons why I am thankful:

1. I love my new job! Everyday is different and it never gets boring.

2. I have a great family! They know all my skeletons and they are there to catch me when I fall. We aren't the perfect family (quite dysfunctional actually) but I wouldn't trade them. I just wish I could see them more.

3. I seriously have the greatest friends. Our college group has been told a lot by "outsiders" over the past year, "Wow, I don't have friends like that. My friends would never have thought to do that for me." I may not have a huge group but the friends I have our solid (and that includes the non-college group as well.) Sometimes, I feel weird even referring to them as my friends because really they are extended family.

4. I freaking love my husband! He is seriously the best. We have learned a lot being newlyweds over the past year. I think the one the thing that has gotten stronger is that I really enjoy his company - like a lot. I am one of those people who is ok with eating in a restaurant alone, traveling alone, and just generally being alone but now I don't want to do it alone.

5. Also, I am thankful for you guys! You make this blog worth working on everyday. Thank you for your comments and support. I have great readers!

What are you thankful for?

{image from here}

2011 holiday gift guide: the girly girl

2011-11-23T08:19:00.000-05:00

1. Our splurge item is the Rose Gold Sparkle Clutch from Etsy by Scout & Catalogue. This clutch is perfect for the holidays but can certainly transition to daytime. And what girly girl doesn't love a little sparkle?

2. These Inside Out Bowls are perfect to mix and match or can be bought all in the same color. I could see these being used during a very girly tea party.

3. Every girl needs a spot to put her jewelry and I think this Spinning Ribbon Jewelry Stand is just so clever. What a pretty piece to put on your dresser!

4. These Glinted Post earrings would be perfect with any outfit. I love the vintage feel of the brass gold.

5. It is always nice to have a set of good notecards on hand. These Personalized Notecards from Etsy by LetterLoveDesigns would be perfect to write a love note, say thank you, or just send a hello.

6. This Lingerie Set by Josie Natorie for Target is so pretty and girly. I love the floral pattern and the flirty shape of the shorts.

What is your favorite? What would you add?

curried lentil soup

2011-11-22T07:15:00.000-05:00

I had been craving lentils and I wanted to make a healthy but flavorful soup. This recipe definitely fufills all of those needs while remaining very budget-friendly. I couldn't stop eating it.

CURRIED LENTIL SOUP

serves 6

adapted from Bon Appetit

3 Tbsp EVOO

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 Tbsp hot curry powder

1 c French green lentils

1 15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1. Heat 1 Tbsp EVOO in large pot over medium. Add onion and carrot. Cook until onion is translucent for about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until vegetables are soft but not brown.

2. Add curry powder and stir for about a minute. Add lentils and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until lentils are tender for about 30 minutes.

3. Puree garbanzo beans, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of water in food processor.

4. Add puree to soup. Add water to get desired consistency.

Enjoy!

weekend: katie's birthday

2011-11-21T19:22:00.001-05:00

mushroom and goat cheese crostini . . . picture with the birthday girl . . . st. mary's alumni

~~~~

a little inspiration for the week:

settee makeover

trudging stylishly through the snow is no problem for this girl (i wish i looked this good when it snows)

~~~~

I was way too exhausted when I finally got home last night to write up my weekend blog post but here it is! Friday night, I grabbed dinner with the Hubs and then packed up food and kitchen supplies and headed to Kathy, Katie, and Pamela's house across the bridge. Saturday morning, Kathy and I ran party errands. Then Niki came over and helped us with food prep. After that I got dressed for the party while the girls went to get their make-up done. Then Jevi and her boyfriend, Ted, came over and helped me finish up the food. After that Katie's friends and family came over and we celebrated her birthday. For the after-party, we went to downtown Bethesda. Yesterday, I drove back to Salisbury, attempted to take a quick nap, and then we went to Ruth Chris to celebrate the Hub's grandfather's birthday. Needless to say, I am le tired! At least I only have a two day work week...

How was your weekend?

2011 holiday gift guide: the francophile

2011-11-18T07:15:00.001-05:00

1. There are few things that are better than a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter night. These sleek crocks are perfect for making French onion soup at home. You can find soup recipes here, here, and here.

2. Our splurge item is food delivery from Poilâne. Send a little bit of the Parisian boulangerie!

3. Wearing a scarf is very French, so gift one like this pretty lace scarf. It can make a so-so outfit look very chic.

4. I always love when I go to someone's house and they have magnetic poetry. It is so fun! Frenchify your friend's fridge with this kit.

5. I was so excited when I stumbled upon these vintage French notebooks. They would be perfect for taking notes in class or even jotting down a grocery list.

6. Francophiles young and old will always enjoy The Little Prince. This pop-up book edition brings the illustrations to another level.

Find last year's francophile holiday gift guide here.

What would you suggest for the francophile?

a cookbook to covet

2011-11-17T07:15:00.000-05:00

I read a New York Times article the other day titled, "Are Cookbooks Obsolete?" I have sometimes pondered this myself. Cookbooks can be expensive and with the access to recipes on the internet or through apps, sometimes it is hard to spend the money to buy one. The majority of the cookbooks I have in my collection (which is rather large for the average twenty-four-year-old) were gifts from family and friends.

But then I think about how giddy I get when I go to the book store. The section I always go to first (and sometimes never leave) is the one with books about cooking or food. And a random or searched recipe online will never be able to invoke the emotions I feel when I skim through a cookbook for the first time. A cookbook does not just house recipes - it is curated with specific photos and food in a very stylized and personal way. The closest things that has ever come close to this for me are food magazines and great food blogs. And looking through my cookbooks is great inspiration when I am having "food-block."

And while we are on the subject, here are some cookbooks that I am currently coveting:

Quinoa 365: I have been trying to incorporate quinoa into my diet over the past year and I have really learned to love it. But sometimes I feel like it is hard to find recipes that are different from your average quinoa salad. This cookbook contains recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, baby foods, and dessert.

Fried Chicken & Champagne: I think the title of this book describes the versatility of my cooking (and eating) style exactly. This cookbook has a collection of both high end and down home recipes.

Tartine Bread: One day I hope to visit the famous Tartine Bakery in San Fran but for now I will settle for learning to bake bread at home from the best. I have been wanting to start baking my own bread for awhile now and this looks like a great place to start.

Super Natural Every Day: I have been a long time fan of Heidi Swanson's blog, 101 cookbooks, so I have been wanting to pick up her newest cookbook since it came out this spring. Heidi is a constant inspiration to create healthful but delicious vegetarian meals.

Plenty: The picture on the cover of this book caught my eye while perusing the books when I visited Terrain in September. It is a vegetarian book written by a non-vegetarian who enjoys fresh and seasonal ingredients. However, when I was first looking at the book I barely realized that it was missing meat recipes - everything just looked so delicious.

Any good cookbooks you have come across lately? Do you think cookbooks are becoming obsolete?

2011 holiday gift guide: new baby

2011-11-16T07:15:00.000-05:00

My friend and blogger, Laura, is a new auntie! She asked me to come up with a gift guide for a new baby. Now I am certainly not an expert since I am not a mom but with all the new moms and babies around me, I feel like I know a little bit more than I should.

1. A fancy outfit is nice but newborns live in onesies for the first few months. Find a cute onesie to gift like this Cassette Organic Onesie - very baby hipster.

2. Sophie la giraffe is a classic teething toy that has been used by French babies for over fifty years. And it appeals to all of babies' senses: the contrasting spots stimulate young babies who can only see contrasting colors; Sophie squeaks when you squeeze her stomach; she is made out of 100% natural rubber which is safe for a baby's mouth and has a pleasant smell; and Sophie is soft to the touch.

3. I love the modern and clean look of this countertop drying rack for the baby's bottles and utensils.

4. Our splurge item is the Organic Ergo Baby Carrier which I have heard great things about. The ergonomic design makes sure that the baby is hanging in a way that doesn't put pressure on their little joints. And it is very comfortable for parents as well.

5. When I was at my friend, Ashley's, baby shower, she opened the Bumbo Baby Sitter and everyone went crazy. And I had no idea what it was. Even as early as three months, babies can sit in this unassisted so they can start to gain eye-level communication with mom and dad.

6. What is cuter than a baby in a hooded towel? Maybe one who is in duck hooded towel?

What do you suggest as gifts for a new baby?

mushroom and brie soup

2011-11-15T07:15:00.000-05:00

There is a local restaurant that has a great mushroom and brie soup and I vowed when the weather got chillier that I would try and recreate it. This soup turned out great and was very satisfying. I served it with a slice of fresh multigrain bread bread, drizzled with olive oil, garlic salt and toasted.

MUSHROOM AND BRIE SOUP

serves 4

8 oz of double cream brie

1 c sherry cooking wine

1 Tbsp of unsalted butter

8 oz. baby bella (crimini) mushrooms

1/4 c. shallots, minced

1 Tbsp wheat flour

2 c low sodium beef broth

1 c half and half

black pepper

1/4 c Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

1. Trim rind off of brie and tear into 2 inch pieces. Set aside.

2. In small saucepan, reduce sherry over medium-high to 1/2 cup. Set aside.

3. In medium stockpot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, shallots, and lemon juice and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add flour. Stir until flour is fully incorporated.

4. Return mixture to heat and add beef broth and sherry. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.

5. Add brie, stirring until cheese is melted. Add half and half and continue to simmer without boiling for 5 minutes.

6. After adding to bowls, top with parsley.

Enjoy!

francophile friday: france email #5

2011-11-11T07:15:00.000-05:00

This is a continuation of my lost emails that I sent to family and friends while living in France in 2007 as a student. You can read more about it here. This email was sent right after I got back from my trip to Nice.

Hello Everyone!

Well I just got back from meeting my friend, Maira, in Nice, France. I left Thursday night at 9 45 and actually slept pretty well on the train (I think I am learning to sleep just about anywhere). I was smart this time though - I brought a pillow.

I got to Nice at around 9 Friday morning and went to our hostel but the lady said that check in wasn't until 11 so I left my stuff there and told her I would be back around 11 30 and hopefully Maira was there by then since her light got in from Rome at 10 30. I walked around for a little bit doing some window shopping. They pretty much had every expensive shop you could think of - Chanel, Blvgari, etc. Then I still had a lot of time so I decided to sit outside the cafe right downstairs from our hostel and wait for Maira there. Since she didnt come by 12 I went upstairs and found that she had somehow passed me. So after that we pretty much walked around Nice. We saw the stone beaches, went in some little shops, and went to the Lascaris Palace. We found a cheap really good Chinese place for dinner and then went home to go to sleep.

Saturday, we set off to see Monaco. It was really pretty. We found a little place where we got focaccia sandwiches and had dessert and then we walked around the exotic gardens. We didn't go to the residence because he was there I guess so we decided to go to Cannes. Cannes was a very long bus ride - much longer than we thought so we didn't get there until the sunset but it was really pretty. First we saw a sort of food expo going on so I told Maira she had to try a real French macaron. We tried a bunch of different flavors but I still think my favorite is pistachio. Then, we walked a little bit and sat and watched the sun set. After that, we went back to our hostel and then ventured out for some good cheap Italian food.

Sunday, we decided to do the musuems. We went to the Marc Chagall musuem first and I was impressed. Then we went to the Matisse musuem which is actually in the middle of a parc so afterwards we sat and watched all the dogs play. After that we had to go back to the hostel and get our stuff so for lunch we ate at Quick Burger so that we didn't have to lug our stuff around and then we went to Pinocchio for crepes. Maira had to get to the airport after that so I went to the bus station, bought a book, and had about 4 huge cups of tea at a cafe. My train left a few minutes before 9 and I got to my room this morning.

I liked Nice but if anyone is planning to visit for a weekend they better plan on going other places too because you can pretty much do Nice in a day. I mean we did it in two half days.

I hope that everyone is doing well!

Love

Morgan

Have you ever been to the south of France?

keep calm

2011-11-08T20:46:00.000-05:00

You will have to excuse me the next couple of days. My computer has decided it no longer has memory to give me. Or rather, I didn't know that having over 11,000 pictures on your computer would not only significantly slow it down but also not allow you to save anything. So the holiday gift guides and such that I was planning for this week will just have to wait. I couldn't even save a picture onto my computer for this post. The Hubs promised to help me move my pictures from iPhoto to a hard drive.

I will miss you guys. I am trying not to freak out.

goat cheese and spinach stuffed portobello mushrooms

2011-11-08T07:15:00.000-05:00

I used to really dislike mushrooms. They were one of my top three most icky vegetables. But I remember the day I started to like them. One of the first days I was in France, my new friend, Nezia, made me an African meal. She made mushrooms as a side and cooked them in oil and A LOT of salt. And they were delicious. I soon learned to appreciate mushrooms - even if they weren't drenched in oil and salt. But lately, I can't get enough. I CRAVE them.

This is a great vegetarian meal. I was going to make a side to go with this but I was feeling lazy that day and decided not too. I am glad I didn't because I didn't need anything else. This is a delicious and filling main course.

GOAT CHEESE AND SPINACH STUFFED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS

serves 2

1/2 c. EVOO

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

1/4 c. soy sauce

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

2 large portobello mushrooms

1/3 10 oz. package of frozen spinach, defrosted and squeezed of excess water

4 oz. baby bella/crimini mushrooms

2 tsp. EVOO

1/3 c. onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese, grated

2 Tbsp. panko bread crumbs

1/3 5 oz. package of soft goat cheese, crumbled

for topping: more parmesan

Whisk together first four ingredients in a medium bowl for marinade. Cut stems from portobello mushrooms and put in food processor. Place portobellos in container, gill side up. Pour marinade over them. Let marinade for about 30 minutes.

Add baby bella mushrooms to food processor with stems and coarsely chop. Heat oil in skillet over medium high. Add onion and sauté for about 3 minutes or until they begin to brown. Add garlic and sauté for 10 seconds. Add chopped mushrooms and season with salt. Cook for about 8 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and let cool.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place marinated mushrooms on a oiled baking sheet, gill side down. Roast until beginning to soften for about 15 minutes.

Add spinach, parmesan, and breadcrumbs to mushroom mixture and stir. Fold in goat cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Turn roasted mushrooms over so the gill side is up. Divide the filling between the mushrooms. Sprinkle with desired amount of parmesan cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese begins to brown, about 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

red lip ready

2011-11-07T07:15:00.001-05:00

I love wearing lipstick. I am normally a red color kind of girl but during the summer I will play with coral and in the fall I love a great mauve or burgundy. Lately, though, I have noticed that after I put on my lipstick, it doesn't look as nice. This nippy weather has been chapping my lips.

Although one way to prevent this is to keep your lips hydrated, you also need to exfoliate to get rid of any dead skin cells. Even better? You don't even have to leave your kitchen.

LIP EXFOLIANT RECIPE

1 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. honey

2 tsp. white granulated sugar

a squirt of lemon juice

Mix the ingredients together to create a paste. Use your finger to rub all over lips in a circular motion. Be sure to get the outer edges of your lips as well as the corners.

And now you are red lip ready!

{image via here}

weekend: a hole

2011-11-06T18:33:00.000-05:00

this morning's breakfast . . . a new blouse

~~~~

a little bit of inspiration for the coming week:

a sister's eulogy

apple-o-lantern

how the world grew to 7 billion

how french women really don't get fat

~~~~

Friday morning at 4 am, my grandmother passed away. So I spent the morning at work, trying to distract myself and then finally went home around 12. I slept the rest of the afternoon. Friday night, the Hubs and I decided that eating in and a comedy would be best. Saturday morning, I went to the grocery store and watched the SVU marathon on TV (the show I always used to watch with my grandmother.) My brother, Eddie, came over for dinner and then I spent the night editing Nezia's wedding pictures. Today I cleaned some more, ran some errands, and hung out. Everything around me seems so normal but I feel like there is a hole in my heart.

francophile friday: france email #4

2011-11-04T07:15:00.002-04:00

This is a continuation of my lost emails that I sent while living in France in 2007 as a student. You can read more about it here. This email was sent right after I got back from fall break.

Hello Everyone!

I just got back from my Vacances de Toussaint (basically my fall break because I dont know what that holiday is about). Here is how it went:

On Friday October 26th, we left at 10 in the morning to catch our noon train at Gare St Jean. Our train arrived in Narbonne, France for a connection to Barcelona. In Narbonne, of course, it was pouring down rain but we ran across the street to a little restaurant to have a late, late lunch. There was a little white dog guarding the restaurant and he barked at everyone who came in and wouldn’t get near them. I felt privileged that he even came close enough to me to sniff my water bottle and purse that was on the floor. After a while he was fine – he fell asleep and started snoring. We had chicken with (of course!) fries and then made it back to the train station. Our train ride to Barcelona was fine except for the 30 minute delay at a station checking passports but Nezia and I entertained ourselves by taking silly pictures of each other. We got to our hostel (Pension Medoza) and it was fine. Julia (my friend from high school) met us there and we went to a tapas bar a few doors down. The tapas were well priced (only 1-2 euros each) and very good.

On Saturday, I found a wonderful market outside our hostel. It was huge and crowded but fun to walk around. That day we basically walked around Barcelona snapping pictures of everything around us. Barcelona is complete with palm trees, beautiful buildings, and a wonderful harbor.

After a sandwich in the park, Julia and I went to the Sagrada Familia while Nezia went shopping. The Sagrada Familia is a church planned by Gaudi that has been under construction since 1882. Later that night Julia and I (Nezia wasn’t feeling well) found a place called Happy Bar and Grill that actually sold paella for under 10 euros. We split vegetable paella, a huge platter of grilled vegetables and sangria. After that we went to a jazz lounge but once we found out there was a 15 euro cover charge, we found another lounge and had a glass of sangria and watched the Europeans dance.

On Sunday, Julia and I went to Gaudi park which is full of mosaics by Gaudi. We went to the Gaudi museum and climbed to the top of the mountain to see the beautiful view of Barcelona. Later that day we all went to the Picasso Museum and of course Julia and I visited the gift shop. For dinner we decided to go back to the tapas bar. We tried some new stuff and Catalan cream for desert.

Monday we left early for a train to Madrid. We could not have gotten a better view of the mountains. It was absolutely beautiful. It was as stunning as the Alps but it was beautiful in a more rustic colorful way. After climbing 4 flights of stairs, we were pleasantly surprised by our hostel (Hostel Lauria). It was so nice and it was cheaper than our other hostel. I highly recommend it to anyone traveling to Madrid. After that we walked around the city and went on a search for Chinese food that Nezia and I were craving. We walked for over an hour cursing the city for not having Chinese food. I mean what kind of city doesn’t have Chinese food?! We finally found one and had a good dinner. (We later found out that if we had turned the other way from our hostel, we would have found 10 of them but it didn’t help us earlier.)

Tuesday, we were going to go to the Prado but we kept getting stopped by all the shops along our street. So basically that day we went shopping. I mean we shopped so much every time I bought something I panicked, not because of how much I was spending (the stuff in Madrid was very well priced and I had been saving my money) but a) how I was going to get it to all fit in my carry-on and b) if my credit card company was going to deny my card because of irregular activity. Outside of H&M we were met by a mob/protest protesting something and being very loud. Then I really wanted Mexican food so we went to this Mexican restaurant and it was ok. It was not like the Mexican food at Monterrey’s (cheap, greatest restaurant down by school.)

Wednesday, we walked to the Prado promising we would not walk in any more stores. We found a huge line but them realized it was huge because it was free that day. (Luckily we hadn’t gone the day before.) After that I wasn’t feeling well so I went back to the hostel to nap. I got my appetite back after that and really wanted pasta. I found this place called Nebraska Café and had a surprisingly very good pasta Bolognese. I also became fascinated by their orange juice machines.

Thursday night, I took my first Ryanair flight from Madrid to Oslo. Of course, I was surrounded by a huge group of loud obnoxious guys. When we got to the airport we expected to be greeted by Nezia’s cousin’s husband, Norbert, because he said he would get there at 7 pm and our flight got in at 9. He was nowhere to be seen. We didn’t have his phone number so we asked the Ryanair lady and she searched for us. This was after she told us that even though our tickets said Oslo airport this was not the main Oslo airport. That one was 1 ½ hours away meaning Norbert was probably at that one. So we went to the pay phone which wouldn’t work so I asked the Hertz rent a car guy to help us and he just let us use his phone. Norbert didn’t pick up on his cell or at home so we decided to just sit and wait. 15 minutes later, the Hertz guy calls us over with Norbert on the phone. Norbert said to take the next bus from the airport to the bus station in Oslo (since he did not have a car). When we got to the bus station in Oslo we found out that they didn’t actually live in Oslo but in a little town 1 ½ away and the bus to go there had already left and there wouldn’t be another until morning. Of course the most practical solution seemed to get a hotel for the night. Well, we walked around in freezing Norway air until 2 in the morning (I was actually laughing about it until around 1) and we could not find any hotel or hostel that had vacancies. Apparently, it was a very busy time for them. So we gave up and decided to sleep in the bus station and wait for the 9 20 bus. Well the bus station was basically like sleeping outside because there were so many huge automatic doors that kept opening the heat wouldn't stay inside. I was shaking – for 7 hours! I tried to lie down on two chairs but the security guard made me sit up. I probably slept a total of 40 minutes but I couldn’t sleep on the bus to their town. The tour we got of Norway was so beautiful. When we got to their house, Euphrasie (Nezia’s cousin) had remade all the food that was supposed to be for dinner the night before. So we ate A LOT. Then her daughters came home from school (they only have half days on Fridays). Her oldest Salone is 10 and can speak 5 languages – Kirundi, Swahili, Malawit, English and Norwegian. Dalone is 4 and speaks Norsk (Norwegian) fluently, a little bit of English and can understand Swahili and Kirundi. Dalone wanted to have a sleepover that night with me so we did.

Saturday, we played a little with the girls and ate a huge late lunch. Then we went to walk around town around 4 and even though it was still light out for another good hour and half, my pictures turned out as though I was taking them in the dark.

Sunday, I was forced to take pictures of Norway from the bus taking us to the airport because I had taking none of the country. We took an SAS flight and, of course, I was surrounded by a group of loud, drunk Norwegians. We went to our wonderful hostel in Madrid and then hunted down a place for Indian food (we picked the wrong place.)

On Monday, we went to the train station and I had fresh squeezed orange juice with one of those orange juice machines. Then we took a train at 10 and I didn’t get back to my hostel until around 9. I enjoyed hearing French on the tram ride home.

In Conclusion

I liked Madrid best. Barcelona was very pretty but very expensive compared to Madrid and the atmosphere was better in Madrid. I want to visit more Scandinavian countries because they are so beautiful. Maybe I will climb a mountain or two.

What I have learned

1. There is almost always someone who can speak a little English (especially in Norway where they speak a lot of English)

2. Hand motions/charades work well in any language

Just to let you all know. I am leaving for Nice on Thursday night and will not be back until Monday morning so if I don’t return your emails that is why. Also, if there is still anyone else who you think you would like to be added to the emails just let me know.

Love

Morgan

2011 holiday gift guide: the anglophile

2011-11-03T07:15:00.000-04:00

1. Nothing says "rainy spring day in the English countryside" like a Cath Kidston floral umbrella. Cath Kidston is a British designer and author whose company sells housewares, bags, and accessories in beautiful vintage inspired prints.

2. I couldn't have an anglophile gift guide without something with the British flag on it. This British flag pillow looks super comfy and would be great to cuddle up with a cup of tea.

3. These Hunter wellies are great for imagining you are in London splashing through puddles on a rainy day. And even better? Hunter supplies footwear to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Wonder if the Queen splashes in puddles?

4. Every anglophile lady needs a pretty headpiece like this one for a special occasion or night on the town.

5. My grandmother is the calmest person in the world. I have never heard her yell. I am pretty sure it is because she is British. I think I need to get this poster to remind myself to be more like my grandmother in times of crisis.

Anything that strikes your fancy? What would you get for an anglophile?

under the covers with niki: does size matter?

2011-11-02T07:15:00.000-04:00

{This is our sixth post for our feature, "Under the Covers with Niki." You can read about sex therapy and see other posts here.}

Does size really matter?

Well, it depends on whom you ask. Women say “no” and men say “yes!” Of course this isn’t a universal dichotomy; however, it seems that women don’t really understand men’s preoccupation with penis size.

For many men this is a real issue. They can often develop serious complexes and feel like their penis is not big enough. Many men unrealistically compare themselves to other men (particularly men in porn). Like women, men are not immune to inaccurate media hype. However, both men and women should be aware that penis size is not all it is cracked up to be. In fact, the average penis is between 2.5-4 inches when not erect. Additionally, the vagina is incredibly accommodating and will adjust to a large or small penis. Therefore the emphasis of sexual pleasure should not be size. Instead the emphasis should be technique, position, and communication.

So what is the take home message for this question? Women: don’t gossip about penis size and shame your man. Men: try to get out of your own head. If she says she likes your penis, she means it. No two penises are the same!

{image via here}

three bean chili

2011-11-01T07:15:00.000-04:00

Chili is definitely one of those great comfort foods and, with the way the weather has been lately, it was definitely time to make a big pot of it. Since the Hubs is out of town and hates beans, I thought I would make an old college standby that my friends and I used to make on cold weekends. This chili has three different beans in it, including garbanzo beans which you don't normally see in chilies. But my friend, Alissa, loves them so we used to throw them in. This is a great vegetarian meal and can even be vegan if you don't top it with cheese and sour cream like I did.

I made this on a weeknight so I didn't have as much time to simmer it but we used to let it simmer for a few hours. The longer you have the better but it was definitely still yummy even after thirty minutes of simmering.

THREE BEAN CHILI

serves 4-5

1 Tbsp of EVOO

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 c chicken or vegetable stock

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 14 oz can black beans

1 14 oz can light red kidney beans

1 14 oz can garbanzo beans

1/2 Tbsp dried oregano

1/2 Tbsp ground cumin

2 Tbsp chili powder (I used medium hot)

optional: sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions

1. Over medium, heat oil. Add onion, peppers, and garlic and cook until onions are translucent. Add tomatoes and beans. Stir to combine.

2. Add oregano, cumin, and chili powder and stir. Let simmer for at least 30 minutes but the longer the better.

3. Top with cheese, sour cream, and green onions.

Enjoy!

blogger blitz dc!

2011-10-31T07:15:00.000-04:00

I am so excited that {av} from long distance loving has decided to host a blogger blitz in DC on Sunday, December 11th! It will be held at Urbana, a western Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar in Dupont Circle. I have already bought my tickets and will be traveling from Salisbury that day. If you are in the DC area, buy a ticket! There are only a few left! (She is also hosting a meet-up in New York, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Nashville.) You can find out more information here.

I can't wait to meet some of the area's wonderful bloggers and, of course, {av}!

weekend: relaxing and some hockey

2011-10-30T19:38:00.000-04:00

my brother playing hockey . . . with my stepmom at the game

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some inspiration for the coming week:

some silly things happening at my alma mater. read about here, here, and here.

such a beautiful still life

peanut butter with pops of blue

diy halloween projects

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Friday night, the Hubs and I ate some of last season's lasagna that I had frozen. It was really yummy and I can't wait to make it again this year. Saturday, I spent the day snuggled in bed. It was such an icky day and I was tired from all the traveling over the last month and a half. Also, my grandmother only has a few days left and I just felt like I needed a day to be sad. I just hope her last days are as peaceful as possible. Today, the Hubs and I went across the bridge to watch my brother's hockey game and have lunch with my parents.

How was your weekend?

visiting colonial williamsburg

2011-10-27T07:15:00.000-04:00

For our anniversary, the Hubs is taking me to Colonial Williamsburg. Since our anniversary was during travel season for work for me, we are going the first weekend in December which is great since I have always wanted to go around Christmastime.

I have always loved Williamsburg, ever since I was little. In elementary school, colonial historical fiction was my favorite genre of books. I was even a colonial person for Halloween in fifth grade. My then-stepmom made my costume and I even wore a little bonnet. I wish I had a picture to share with you.

I first visited Williamsburg in 4th grade with my grandparents on my mom's side. I remember since I missed a few days of school, my teacher made me keep a journal while I was there. I talked about that trip for years - not because of Williamsburg, but because I looked out the window while we were having breakfast in Shoney's and watched a car flip over on the highway outside. (Oh and the cheese shopwas pretty memorable too!)

The same grandparents took me back a year later since the Felicity American Girl experience we were going to go to the last time had been canceled. I learned how to serve tea, make a little bag of potpourri to put around my neck, and how to play rolling the hoop. I also fell in love with two necklaces in one of the shops - one blue pearl and one pink pearl. I vowed that one day I would save all my money and come back and buy both.

In middle school, the grandparents on my dad's side took me. I remember eating at King Arm's Tavern and staying at a place with a sauna in it. Also, I had my own room with a king sized bed!

The last time I went was with my two aunts during my sophomore year of high school. We had so much fun. I think my favorite experience, though, was going to Shield's Tavern. We paid one price per person and were served a seven-course meal. It was delicious and listening to Shield's banter all night was entertaining.

So, although I have been to Williamsburg a few times, I haven't really been as an adult. I guess that is why I am writing this post - I need your help. I somewhat have of an idea of what I want to do but I would love to hear your tips and ideas. Most likely, we are going to go down on a Wednesday night and stay through Sunday morning so we will really have three full days to do stuff. We already know we are staying at Marriott's Manor Club so we don't need help with that.

Here are a few things I am pretty sure we want to do (but I am open to suggestions):

1. Walk around colonial Williamsburg.

2. Eat lunch at the Cheese Shop.

3. Eat dinner at one of the taverns. (Maybe they will have another dinner special?)

4. Do lunch and a wine tasting at Williamsburg Winery.

5. Relax.

So what do you suggest? Do you have a favorite tavern? Are there any really great places to eat? Are there any events at the college?

{image via here}

the holiday gift guide is coming

2011-10-26T07:15:00.000-04:00

Since the holiday season will be here before we know it, the gift guide is back! For those on a budget, the gifts will be under $50 with one "splurge" gift that may be a little over. So, if you are struggling to find a gift for someone, write me an email at morgan.designblanc{at}gmail{dot}com and describe the person you need a gift for. Is he a grad student? Is she artsy? Does that certain someone like to travel? I will help you to find the perfect gift!

{image via here}

roasted veggie and goat cheese pizza

2011-10-25T07:15:00.001-04:00

This is delicious. If you like goat cheese, go to your nearest grocery store, collect your ingredients, and make this. You will not be disappointed.

This is a very simple recipe. It is actually so simple, I don't have any measurements. If you like a lot of veggies, then add more veggies. If you like more cheese, then add more cheese. If you don't like eggplant but love peppers, swap them.

However, although this recipe is simple, roasting the veggies does add to the cooking time. Since I knew I would be making this on a Monday night after work, I actually chopped and roasted my vegetables while I made dinner Sunday night. That way, on Monday, all I had to do was piece my pizza together.

I usually keep homemade pizza dough frozen in my freezer but I was out and with all the traveling there really wasn't enough time to make any so I used store bought. I used Trader Joe's Garlic and Herb pizza dough. I am usually disappointed with store bought dough but I thought this was top notch. It turned out nice and crispy without being dry and it was only 99 cents! I just had to use a bit of flour to roll it out as it was a little sticky. And I think the herbs really complimented this pizza although I think a plain or wheat pizza dough would work just fine.

ROASTED VEGGIE AND GOAT CHEESE PIZZA

zucchini, roughly chopped

eggplant, roughly chopped

onion, roughly chopped

garlic cloves, minced

EVOO

red pepper flakes (if you want your pizza a little spicy)

salt and pepper

pizza dough

mozzarella, shredded

goat cheese

Pre-heat oven to 375 F. Toss zucchini, eggplant, onion, garlic, EVOO, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a bowl until vegetables are evenly coated. Place vegetables on a baking sheet and roast, for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.

Pre-heat oven to 425 F. If you are using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to warm it. Roll out pizza dough and placed on warm stone or baking sheet. Drizzle with EVOO and thinly coat entire pizza. Add garlic. Sprinkle a little bit of mozzarella on dough but you only need a little. Add roasted vegetables to dough. Crumble goat cheese over pizza. Bake in oven for 12 minutes.

Enjoy!

weekend: masquerade

2011-10-23T19:54:00.000-04:00

the black-tie optional dress from this post . . . our masks . . . with the Hubs at the masquerade ball

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Friday night, I got a much needed manicure and pedicure. Saturday morning, I worked at our school's open house. Then I came home, took a shower, and went on to my updo appointment. I wasn't really wild about the outcome (I wanted my hair curly) but now that I am looking at pictures, it didn't turn out too bad. Then the Hubs and I got dressed and went to a masquerade ball to benefit a local program called Imagination Library, which is about getting books into local low-income family homes. We had a lot of fun and we were happy to support such a great cause. Today, I got some much needed rest. After traveling the last few weeks and being sick this week, I decided it was best to take it easy.

How was your weekend?