Sucker for fur faces

Sooooo, things have been slightly hectic the past couple days and last week.  We celebrated a big birthday last week, and I had some girlies from college visit this past long weekend.  Apologies for my absense.  Instead of more excues, I will leave you with this and promise to share some gems for the rest of the week.  XO

Image from my Pinterst.

Fancy feet

This past weekend I went to one of two places I go for a cheap but fulfilling retail fix.  Since H&M has yet to grace it's presence on Miami (coming later this year, thank goodness), I went to Old Navy.  Old Navy has some great gems and "on trend" pieces that you can mix-in without the guilt of breaking the bank.

Old Navy currently has awesome shoes that look much more expensive than they are -

I was torn between the navy velvet and the shoes I ended up snagging (below).  They look super cute and would work with winter white cords or the burgundy would look cute with tights and a skirt as well as jeans.  The loafers are also very attractive and I think the green would be a great option for jazzing up an otherwise ordinary solid-colors day.  I ended up going with the more "Miami" option, picking up the gold version of these adorable slip-ons.  They look super cute with jeans, shorts and fit the bill for attractive walking shoes while traveling which is sometimes a struggle for me.  I have to be near-wheel chair to strap on my running shoes when traveling.  I just cannot do that tourist look (this is not to say I haven't broken down once or twice...).

I also finally bit the chambray bullet and picked up this great staple for 24 bones - why not?!  It was the first time I tried one of these shirts on, basically fashion 101 now.  When I put it on I felt like, "huh, so this is what all the fuss is about."  How did I not own one of these shirts before?

I highly recommend checking these gems out online or visiting your store, where you can truly go treasure hunting.  When bargain shopping it's very important to see the fabric, seams, and cuts in person to distinguish the gems from duds.

All images via Old Navy.

Happy Sunday

I hope everyone is having a good weekend!  I just came across this on Pinterest, and for better or worse, it spoke to me.  I enjoy these sassy retro images.  One of my oldest friends gave me cocktail napkins with "They hated to gossip" written on them with two old dames sitting enjoying their martinis.  It brought a smile to my face whenever I used them.

I think in an age where women struggle between the old and the new, keeping old traditions and continuing for strive for success, there can be mental friction.  I know I feel that way sometimes - I value chivalry and tradition, yet want equality and continued progress for women.  These images remind me of when women did not have as much freedom as we do today, yet they kept a subtle control and opinion that cannot be underrated.

Weekend plans

This weekend I need/would like to do the following (warning: this is pretty high-paced stuff) -

Finish washing and putting away all cold weather clothes I used on my Christmas trip.

Start my herb garden (Hello Florida sunshine!).

Play tennis.

Do one of two last long runs before the half marathon.

Go to trivia tonight.

Maybe see a movie.

Enjoy the weekend!

Images via My Pinterest

Asian chicken noodle soup

All this New Years cleanse nonsense is kind of driving me crazy honestly.  Every HuffPost email flying into my inbox or turning on the news is telling me about ways to cleanse and detox.  Maybe this year I didn't party enough over the holidays, but I feel like drinking liquids exclusively isn't going to change my life at this point.  Do I need to throw away those lonely holiday cookies and chocolates lying around the house?  Yes.  Check.  (Except for these dark chocolate peppermint crispy wafer candies which would be sinful to pitch.)

I think sticking to real ingredients, lessening the butter/cream content, maybe cutting out booze during weeknights for a couple weeks, and really exercising more are the keys to getting back on track. You have to be honest with yourself.  For example, I found that I cannot totally restrict much of anything from my diet (oh well).  I need to be conscientious and honest with myself about what I eat and in what amounts, then stop worrying and get on with it.

This week I made this great Asian Chicken Soup from Food Everyday, Fresh Food Fast.   This is a greattt cookbook.  I highly recommend it - tasty recipes, lots of healthy options, and many doable weeknight meals.  I adapted it somewhat based on what was available at my grocery and pantry.  We slurped our bowls a little at the end honestly, so you know it's good.

Asian Chicken Soup

5 cups chicken broth
2 T grated fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, cut into slivers
1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups water
4 oz. udon noodles
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each), thinly sliced into pieces
1 ball pepper, cut into thin 1 inch strips
6 oz. snow peas, steams and ends removed, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
1-2 T fresh lime juice (I forgot this ingredient and used a lemon, but lime would be better.)
3 scallions trimmed and thinly diced
2 T fresh mint leaves minced for garnish
Soy sauce as accompaniment

In large pot, bring chicken broth, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and water to boil over high heat.  Add noodles, reduce heat to simmer and cook until noodles are tender, about 6-8 minutes.

While broth is heating up, cut chicken, red pepper and snow peas - add these ingredients once noodles have become tender, cooking 1-2 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.  Add lime juice and scallions.  To serve, use tongs to divide noodles and ladle soup mixture over each.  Serve with mint, soy sauce and even a little Sriracha if you crave more heat.

(Serves 4 as a main course.)

Image via 

Commitment issues

So I have been trying to find a cool fabric to recover our kitchen table chairs for the past few months.  I came across this fabric a few months ago and yesterday I searched again and renewed my love for this pattern.

Now I love ikat, but I think it is a little overdone.  It incorporates so many great colors and mixes well, but I do feel like it is everywhere.  Yet I want something more exciting than a gingham, not as tradition as a solid color or even a stripe.  And I'm not in the mood for floral.  I think this pattern could be great!  I hesitate because right now our eating area is a blank canvas and I don't want to over commit with this color scheme.  Well, it's not like I'm getting a tattoo and this is part of decorating I suppose.  I have yet to reupholster anything yet in my home decorating experience (and by me I mean take it somewhere for them to do it), so this could be a fun first project. 

I like the red and blue pattern as well as the teal and orange.  The fabric is from Calico Corners and is from IMAN's Home fabric line.  What do you think?

Fresh resolutions

Hello 2012!

In this new year, I hope for many exciting new developments and want to remember all that I have at the same time.  I am not one for intense new years' resolutions, because I believe people should be evaluating and working on themselves year round.  I mean, in August are we all out to lunch?  But I do invite an opportunity to reflect and refocus.  Thus for 2012 I hope to ~

 

Make some more friends in my new locale.  Miami has been a great adventure for me so far, but settling into my niche has taken a little longer than I thought!  I hope to meet a few more fun, interesting, and nice people to call friends in my new home.

I really should floss a little more (ew, I know).  My chompers are like little magnets, so this might help me in my above goal in social situations.

I live in South Florida for Christmas sake!  I took a few group lessons this fall which were great and we have amazing public courts just a few blocks from our place, so I have no excuse not to up my game and get out there and play more.  Tennis was an early love of mine, and I'd like to become a decent player in 2012.

I am really enjoying our new abode and would slowly like to make a few more changes.  For instance, reupholstering our kitchen table chairs, framing a few old prints, and making small additions would continue to make our place even more homey and good looking.

A continual work in progress, I want to really try to be more patient and thankful in my everyday life as I continue to peddle on my launch pad to full-fledged adulthood.

Images via My Pinterest.