My Blog. My Show.

Scotland & Ireland in Pictures

2017-01-26T18:00:00.000-05:00

I figured I would put up our 14-day itinerary for Scotland and Ireland, but meanwhile, here's a photo dump. I literally took over 2,000 photos so the fact that I narrowed it down is impressive in my book. So much is left out but, man, if you are even thinking about making the trip my advice is to go for it - we are still talking about it.

I have to say, Scotland was a foggy, gray dream and I just loved it. This bodes well for my desire to move to Washington, I think.

(1) Scottish Highlands, (2) Loch Ness, (3) Loch Ness selfie, (4) Scottish Highland, (5) Driving to the Isle of Skye//Scottish Highlands, (6) Fairy Pools, (7) Fairy Pools, (8) Fairy Pools Hike, (9) Fairy Glen, (10) Fairy Glen, (11) Castle Eilean Donan, (12) Cobh Ireland, (13) Doolin Pier, (14) Cliffs of Moher, (15) Galway, (16) Assaranca Waterfall, (17) Maghera Sea Caves, (18) Maghera Beach, (19) View from Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, (20) Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, (21) Crossbasket Castle, (22) Crossbasket Castle Library, (23) Melrose Abbey, (24) Melrose Abbey, (24) The Royal Mile.

Well, look who just caught up.

2017-01-09T15:17:00.000-05:00

It's practically defunct over here but this blog's not going out without a Zombieland-esque Bill-Murray-Death-Sigh-scene, so let's get on with it.

Some major events in the last year (year, guys. yikes.):

1. I graduated law school. That was a good one.

2. I moved to Los Angeles so Dan and I could finally live like real married people again.

3. We survived me studying for and taking the California Bar exam. And by survived I mean I ate all the mac and cheese and drank all cab sauv I could find.

4. The Herrington-Xep circus took Disneyland which was pretty epic because we hadn't all been there since 2009.

5. My favorite jeans busted on the inner thigh - the ultimate jean death knell. Because, of course. And I'd only had them for like 18 months. But to be fair, I wore them like 4-6 times in a week. Those poor seams just couldn't take it.

6. Dan and I went to Scotland and Ireland in August and I am still trying to figure out ways for us to move to the Highlands because I want to die there someday, but not before I've lived there. I read Outlander before we went on the trip and all of my Sassenach dreams came true (praise hand emoji).

7. I PASSED THE CALIFORNIA STATE BAR.

8. I got a job working for a firm based in Seattle which moved us one step closer to our Pacific-Northwesterner-wannabe dreams. But for now, still in Los Angeles and working that remote-job life.

9. I started training for a half-marathon and proceeded to make everyone train with me (aunt, dad, sister, sisters boyfriend, long-lost cousins, sister-in-law... basically I'm needy and require lots of motivation). Fun fact - that is likely only fun for me - I've run over 90 miles since November in preparation for this race.

P.S. I've been using this training plan and I really like it so far! I printed it out put it on my fridge door.

10. My cat had some digestive/health issues and began pooping EVERYWHERE. We got him help and he's physically better now but will not stop pooping on my kitchen floor. Seriously, I love that cat but he's an asshole.

{yeah, he's a jerk but he's so handsome}

So, that's our year 2016 in a nut-shell. Here's to hoping the Republic doesn't burn to the ground with the new spray-tanned administration. Happy New Year, America!

I don't think that pig lizard was Gorignak

2016-04-04T21:34:00.001-04:00

OMG Joshua Tree. Stop it. It's too much.

Apparently, Dan loves the desert. It calls to him. I'm more of a forest/mountain girl, myself, but I will say, this place killed me. The night skies. There is no comparison. They were amazing.

I may even get Dan (man who hates camping) to go back so long as we have a telescope in tow. The man is also really into stars and planets. It really hurt him that I didn't know all the planets and their order until I was 22. Leave me alone, I went to private bible school. I learned the books of the bible in order by song. Old Testament and New Testament.

I digress.

Joshua Tree was amazing. And I got my dad and baby sister to join us. Dad and I (the more adventurous of the four of us) decided to hike Ryan Mountain in the wee hours of the morning to watch the sunrise at the summit. About 2,000 vertical feet and a mile and a half later - and a couple disagreements on who was the speedracer of the two of us - we made it to the top in time to watch the sky change color and the sun come over the horizon.

We brought the little stove and french press and had ourselves a little father-daughter moment.

I can't say enough good things. Though I am exhausted and a red-eye the same day as you come back from camping is ill-advised. Pro-tip.

Oy with the poodles already

2016-03-26T14:40:00.000-04:00

In the three years I've lived in DC, I've never gone down to the basin to see the cherry blossoms. Finals always conflicted and I could never justify the time to get down to the Tidal Basin to snap a photo, soak in some sunshine, and enjoy the blooms.

This year, I don't know if it's the fact that finals aren't for a couple weeks (probably) or that I just care less (definitely), but my goal was to see the blossoms. Preferably, I would see the sunrise over the blossoms. So, on Friday I unintentionally woke up early and considered going back to sleep but then, in a drowsy state, I pro-conned the situation and realized that on an overcast, early Friday morning, it would probably not be too busy with tourists yet.

And I was right.

There were like maybe 100 people visible at any given time, maybe, and most of the time I didn't see anyone. It was magic. No crowds, cool air, and, oddly, no rain (they had predicted rain). It was a little overcast so seeing the sunrise wasn't going to happen but I think maybe I preferred it this way.

I went again today with a girlfriend during peak tourist time and while the sun was bright and the sky was blue, the hordes made it a little difficult to enjoy. Of course, the blossoms were still beautiful and more had bloomed in even the 30 hours that had passed since I was there, so it wasn't wasted.

All that to say, I get what all the hype was about. Hats off, DC.

Blakely Island

2015-10-20T15:38:00.001-04:00

If I were to pick a favorite place in the world this would probably be it. Add to that a guy I hadn't seen in a month? Well, that's just about heaven. Hiking, bonfires, fresh crab, and boat trips. I even read a whole book (not of the legal variety!) over the weekend.

If I had one complaint, which, really, I shouldn't complain, it would just be that it was too short. I can't wait to get back there.

Oh, and Dan swore into the Washington Bar! Operation Seattle-sometime-in-the-future has commenced!

day five

2015-08-08T16:16:00.000-04:00

Dan made it to CA safely and he and his bff/road-trip buddy are still hanging out even when they don't have to, so the trek was a success! He's in our hometown right now, picking up old furniture, and seeing family.

{they are having fun without me which is just rude I tell you}

I've been occupying myself with Journal* duties (and wine)**. I also happened to keep all the best rom-coms we have in our collection and a couple dramas (also some sports movies because Dan HATES sports movies but I am a sucker for them all and get the chills whenever the protagonist team wins), so I've got that going for me.

I promised myself at the end of 2L that I would splurge on a nice massage. But then work started and Dan got his job and things were just a bit crazy. So when I finally was able to schedule it, I decided to schedule it for after Dan left because I knew I would seriously miss all the back scratches that I force him to give me. You know, because there's nothing like paying someone to give you physical affection. At least its not a hooker, right? Am I right? Regardless, that massage is happening this evening and I am so ridiculously excited.

In order to keep focused on the positive, I've downloaded myself a little countdown app and I've put in all the various dates that we know we'll see each other. FIFTEEN DAYS until I see that man I love. Yep, cheesy. Deal with it.

{it's called dreamdays and its cute}

*Have I explained "Journal" in this place? Well, it's just the most horrendous scam they have going in law school. Everyone competes in the first year to be placed on a journal. Most schools have multiple journals but every school has Law Review (the creme de la creme of journals). I didn't make Law Review, I'm on a secondary journal. And it is just a load of horseshit. "Do it," they tell you. "Employers will wonder why not..." They say. I CALL CRAP. Not one employer has asked me about it and the workload blows and if you are a 1L and you do not think you'll make Law Review: DON'T DO IT. It's not worth it.

**Drinking even a solitary glass of wine by myself feels weird. But I do it anyway.

Day One

2015-08-04T18:34:00.001-04:00

Dan got a new job.

In Los Angeles.

Which, it is, it's good. Because we want to be back on the best coast and having jobs usually facilitates that. But, I'm not done with school.

So, Dan packed up his stuff and a U-Haul and hooked the Ranger Danger up and pulled out before sunrise this morning with his best friend from childhood. (Cue all the the Dumb and Dumber road trip scenes/quotes/Mockingbird sing-a-longs.) Meanwhile, I'm still here in this basement apartment.

{and just when we found the ONLY good Mexican food in Arlington, VA}

We split the kitties. I kept Houston, duh, and Dan took Athena.

All of his stuff is gone, and it's pretty heartbreaking. Because he's my person. He's my best friend. And my fiercest advocate. And my chicken tikka masala maker. And, usually, he cleans the bathroom.

{is this not the greatest anniversary gag gift ever?}

This sucks already, and it's only the first day. Not even a whole day. And while I feel like a big ole baby for crying about this, I just hate that for the next nine months we'll call different cities home. We'll see each other, and talk everyday, and maybe try that sexting thing those young kids are doing these days, but it just sucks, ok?

I ate some Kraft Mac & Cheese for dinner in an effort to eat my feelings. It was unsurprisingly helpful.

{don't mind me as I lounge around in Dan's shirts and mope. #feminism}

Round deux

2015-05-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

The thing about Whole30 is that, no matter how good, how incredibly seasoned my taco filling piled on top of a bed of lettuce is, I still want to slather it in grated cheddar cheese and sour cream. (Daisy, duh. Sour cream standards.)

Alas, here I am doing a second round of Whole30 and, while it is so much easier this time around, I already hate it. I WANT CHEESE.

Also, I started last Monday and already cheated. I know, I KNOW, but I was attacked by a bird on my Friday morning walk to work. Yep, a freaking bird. I was just walkin along, minding by own business when I heard this terrible screeching and I saw wings flapping, to my left, out of the corner of my eye. It grabbed my shoulder with its claws - I was wearing a sweater, thank God, or else I would've gone straight to the nearest doctor to be tested for rabies or bird flu. And it proceeded to follow me for about 5-10 feet, all the while the most horrible noise was blaring out of its tiny little beak.

I, of course, ~~reacted calmly~~ screamed loudly and started running awkwardly in my work clothes and my huge purse. I'm sure people were like, what is wrong with that girl? And I was just over here like, no big deal, I just lived The Birds. Now I know why people found that movie so scary.

Then, on my way to meet up with Dan and some friends, birds kept darting out of the bushes in front of me and I couldnt stop flinching and fearing that one of them would turn on me and pluck my eyes out.

All that to say, I deserved a glass of wine. But, be proud that I still declined the basket full of sourdough bread (literally, my favorite type of bread). I didn't count it against me and I don't think you should either because that's what friends do. Plus, my goal this time around isn't so much the vegetable consumption part, I pretty well stuck to that after the first round. My goal this time is to make sure I fit into a bridesmaid dress I bought about a month after the first round. The weight loss part of this program is real. Eff my life.

{another selfie: snooze, but does anyone else have a boob that is considerably larger than the other?}

two-thirds through

2015-05-17T15:24:00.001-04:00

{Do I look professional?}

My second year of law school is over and I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. I remember the first few days, meeting the people who would become some of my closest friends, who understand every second of the experience of law school. I remember taking my photo id and sending the picture to my grandma and how she responded with such pride and encouraging words. I remember going to my first few classes and feeling like the professors were speaking in another language and feeling like a fraud for being around all these smart people.

Now, law school is somewhat old hat. I know the drill: read, outline, test, repeat. The process doesn't scare me anymore, though I still get that flushed feeling in my stomach when a professor calls my name and my heart beats three times fast the whole time I'm on call and I probably drink more water in that 15-minute quick-fire than I do in the whole 55-minute class.

Second year was less about fear and more focused on stamina. The tasks piled on (voluntarily, of course, because we're all masochists) and I struggled to juggle it all. Searching for a summer job was exhausting and felt all encompassing and I loathe the process of looking for a permanent job, though I think the experience I had this year will help me when the time comes. Second year was tiring.

Dan is on the fence, but I think my stress-outs (like freak outs but worse) got better by the second semester of second year. I had a couple, because that's just me during finals, but overall, I felt like I knew what I was doing and came into a c'est la vie kind of existence. Which seems to have worked out so far.

This summer feels less like summer and more like an extension of being a law student. I know, I know, summers as I knew them will never exist again, and that is a little bitter-sweet. I will say, I feel more sure of the future in this moment than I have in months and that is a good feeling. There are some big things and changes coming up the pipeline for us, but for now it's slowing down, if only a little, and, if nothing else, at least I don't have to take exams at the end of the summer.

{This is how I celebrated my last final: brut rosé and shack shack. Classy.}

A quilt for Norge

2015-03-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Another dear friend is having a baby! They live in Norway so this is the furthest I've ever sent a quilt. I'm pretty excited about having a well-traveled quilt in my repertoire.

This is the first baby girl I've ever had the pleasure of making a quilt for. All my other friends appear to breed only boys. Which, I mean, I love baby boys, of course, but as one of four daughters there is a special place in my heart for little girls. I don't know. Can't explain it. I'm just plain excited for them!

Audrey has an awesome color scheme going for the baby's room. Unfortunately, I knew the room was going to feature lots of color but I had to buy the fabric before I knew exactly what her color palette was going to be (I guessed off of those camping prints that I had seen her post previously). Oh well, the backing of this quilt is neutral so it won't be a big deal and it can always be used for picnics and laps and whatever.

I just loved making this quilt. It was the first time I'd ever used triangles. Not triangles made out of squares. I think the colors turned out nice with each other (that was a crapshoot too because I ordered the fabric on fabric.com and couldn't see it all in my hand before the fact). This was my inspiration for color and style though I chose isoscoles triangles instead. I love the binding. I went with a stripe and I think it is a nice contrast.

It's pretty large. Measuring at about 45x60+ inches (if I remember correctly). The largest one I've quilted myself, for sure. I'm hoping the Hazelnut gets use out of it for years to come!

Also, my cats helped:

Vegas, baby, Vegas!!

2015-03-09T21:00:00.002-04:00

Errybody on my Facebook was like "Woo! Spring Break in [bahamas/mexico/so cal/vegas]!!" And I was just here lounging in leggings and hanging on my couch. But, to be honest, it was bliss. Law school and interning take it out of me. It's been pretty great having no big plans and no where to be. Needless to say, I didn't go to Vegas.

My Spring Break in a nutshell:

(1) I started {and finished} House of Cards, season three. No spoilers, but I liked it better than season two though the end was kinda daytime soap, ya know?

(2) Attended my first ever Soul Cycle class. My first ever spin class, really. It was intense. And loud. And fun. My bff here does it all the time and she is so good at it. I, apparently, can barely keep a beat going. No wonder I never took to dancing.

(2) I finished a crafty project I'd been slowly working on for a month. I'll share more deets lata.

(3) Houston has this horrible thing going on under his chin which I just noticed - I'm probably the worst cat mom. He didn't appear to be in pain but it looked gross. Took him to the vet, which he hated, but we got him some meds and some ointment and I think he's gonna make it. Poor guys has to deal with two-a-day face washes but once a day he gets a pill in a salmon flavored pill pocket so we're gonna call it even.

(4) SNOW DAY!! Thursday was a snow day!! Which means Dan got to stay home with me all day.

(5) Dan was like: "Let's celebrate Purim." And I was like, "I'm down to party." Usually our recognition of Jewish holidays is limited to eating latkes and lighting the menorah during Hanukah but I'm always down to expand my cultural experiences. Dan's mom sent this really sweet story about her memories celebrating Purim with family down in LA. Carrying on traditions is fun. I made hamantaschen (the chocolate rum kind) and they were de-lish. Also, my first box of wine. So, there's that.

(6) On Friday I looked at Dan and said, "We should do something this weekend. It is Spring Break. I should do something." "Sure, what do you want to do?" Dan asked. "Well, I don't know. Something." I replied. So, the Planetarium it was. And drinks after, of course.

(7) I had two Skype dates this week. One with a friend from California and the other with a friend in Norway. I love catching up with people and need to do it way more often.

(8) I made paleo pancakes. I think I nearly perfected it by the end there.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

2014-12-31T11:44:00.001-05:00

It's a few days late, but here it is nonetheless - our Christmas Card. I love Christmas mail. Adore it. It is so fun to get. Our entire fridge is covered in well wishes and beautiful family pictures and since I frequent the refrigerator more often than your average bear, I am consistently mandated to enjoy myself, prosper, and be merry. Fantastic reminders and I endeavor to take their advice.

We spent the holiday here in D.C. by our lonesomes, but it wasn't really all that lonesome. We missed our families but we did Christmas by ourselves in NC a few years back and, while it isn't home, it is cherished because it's us.

I thought a bit guilty as I though I should be more sad, not being in California for Christmas, but I also felt really content because I love that Dan is my family. We are at home wherever the other is and I feel so comfortable in this environment. Again, and not to beat a dead horse, but it's not that I didn't miss my family and the traditions, of course I did. I missed our cookie making extravaganzas, our Christmas morning brunches and present opening, and our big family dinner. I missed walking around Deacon Dave's who every year does an incredible Christmas light display (not kidding, better than any Christmas display you have ever seen. I dare you to find better.). I miss those things. They are so entertained with Christmas.

But. But, Dan and I have a good thing and sometimes lounging on the couch, drinking mimosas all day long, and having chorizo con papas for breakfast is just the kind of Christmas you want even if you didn't know it. It was different and wonderful.

Anyway, enough about that. The New Year is coming! 2015: the year I will turn 27 (Dan turns 32!), finish my second year of law school, start my third year of law school, and... those are the only things I know for sure. 2014 had its rough patches that we trudged our way through and it had some wonderful moments with family and friends. I'm hoping that 2015 is smooth sailing. For auld lang syne!

on break

2014-12-23T14:13:00.001-05:00

Today has been a day for a Katharine Hepburn marathon, quilting, and tree admiring. If I had it my way the tree would be lit twenty-four/seven but energy saving and fire risks, etc., we don't leave it on while we sleep. So, instead I turn it on the minute I wake up and that seems to work just fine.

Christmas is the best time and I am so excited by the gift Dan is getting this year, I just can't hold it in. Good thing we get to open presents in two days otherwise I might just tell him by accident and that would spoil it because I am hoping that he is surprised. The man is hardly ever surprised and it would be nice, just once, to get a burst of emotion out of him due to something truly unexpected.

I've been putting off researching my stinking note for school and I know I'm going to pay for it but its much nicer to make food, and sew, and watch movie after movie. I wish I could say I am catching up on pleasure reading but even that hasn't made the to-do list yet.

Back to Katharine Hepburn. I was watching Little Women and I realized, it doesn't matter which version I watch I always want to kick Jo March for not choosing Laurie. I always wondered if I was only partial to him because I first met him as played by Christian Bale, but no, I like him even as played by Douglas Montgomery and I hate Professor Bhaer.

Maybe if they ever used a more attractive man. The accent plays to his favor but they always choose the most... unattractive men. Well, that's not entirely fair. Gabriel Byrne is somewhat distinguished but I've just always found Bhaer so snivelly (not a word - go with it). Which, some would disagree and say that Laurie is more moony but he also goes after what he wants. He should have stuck with Jo. And here ends my diatribe on Little Women.

Guys, break is glorious. Trees and presents and overthinking classic films (never read the book, I know, I know, I should). This is my life for a couple more weeks and I am relishing every second.

Post-finals laze

2014-12-19T12:26:00.002-05:00

Finals have come and gone and this household could not be happier. This was a pretty intense finals period. Like, at least two major meltdowns. Like hyperventilating, I-don't-know-anything, tear-filled meltdowns.

Dan. He is the unsung hero of finals. Actually, I'll sing it right now. That man deserves an award. I reached crazy town levels of insanity this semester and he took it all in stride. He made me hot chocolate with about 2 parts hot chocolate and 1 part whipped cream (a 1/3 ratio is good for the soul). He made christmas happen and I came home to lights draped on the walls and stockings hanging from the windowsill. He made nourishing meals more times than I can count. He held me and prayed for me when I thought I had lost 1/3 of a nearly finished government contracts outline (thank God Macs are miracle machines that back documents up more than I do). He was just fantastic. Enough things cannot be said.

If I do well this semester it will in large part due to him.

I've spent the last three days sleeping, lazing about, streaming netflix and eating christmas colored m&ms (I can never pass the big bags up. All the red and green!). I've been finishing up some christmas shopping and prep and getting ready to spend the holidays, just me and Dan, in DC. We are finally getting a tree this weekend. Dan is making latkes on Satruday and we've been lighting the menorah candles each night.

The holidays are here, folks. And I am so excited to enjoy them and forget all about admin law. If no one says Chevron ever again it'll be too soon.

happy thanksgiving

2014-11-28T12:02:00.001-05:00

You know that thing, where your house is always cleaner when people are coming over? Like, you don't want to appear to be a slob, so you clean every surface, move every scrap, and pretend like your place is always this tidy? It happens so infrequently these days because we live pretty far from any friends we would invite over but for Thanksgiving my best friend in law school was joining us so Dan and I did a massive clean in the morning. What's great is that it's still clean. It feels so good to not feel guilty about that pile of clothes that sits unfolded or the bathroom trashcan that can't fit one more q-tip. Nope, it's all been taken care of. We should have people over more often.

So now, Dan is driving two hours to meet his buddy so they can watch Dumb & Dumber To together and I sit here, in the clean house and study and contemplate eating all the leftovers. I maybe had mashed potatoes for breakfast. It was a close call between the potatoes or a big slice of apple pie with my coffee, but I figured I would enjoy a the pie after I'm done with my long day of studying -- something to look forward to.

This year I'm just thankful I'm not a 1L anymore. I mean, finals are here and there is some stress but nothing like last year. Woah, boy, am I glad I am not in 1L land and I will never be there again. I'm also thankful that Dan makes the turkey every year. Hope you had a great thanksgiving, ours was relaxing, tasty and filled with great conversation and a viewing of Pitch Perfect because our guest hadn't seen it and that had to be remedied. Duh.

Whole ::: Wrap Up

2014-11-25T08:46:00.000-05:00

Whole 30 Challenge: dominated.

But seriously, the biggest thing I have to say about this experience is that I feel empowered. I like things I didn't know I liked. I exercised will-power I was unfamiliar with. I survived and I feel good.

During:

Of course there were days when I craved something that I couldn't have. But those were days came around less than expected. My body was running efficiently and it showed.

I will say I did not follow the strict program that requires only 3 meals a day and no snacking. While I (kinda) get the purpose behind what they are trying to achieve, my purpose was to treat my body better and, if I am hungry, withholding nourishment simply because "our ancestors" didn't snack was counterintuitive to what I wanted out of this. Listening to my body was important and so I kicked that rule to the curb.

I ate so many vegetables and I am so proud of myself! Carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, spaghetti squash, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes (it acts like a vegetable so I consider it one). And I liked all of them. I feel like an entirely different person and I like her.

Though this wasn't a priority for me, I also lost weight. I lost just over 10 lbs in 30 days. Which sounds crazy to me but I was eating food. Real food. And lots of it! Like I said, if I was hungry, I ate. Im chalking the weight loss up to cutting out sugar and grains.

After:

I really want to keep this up to some degree. Not crazy strict (I missed beans and cheese too much!), but I think I'm going to keep grains to a minimum and same with sugar. I also want to keep the vegetable intake high which seems so much easier now that I know I like so many of them and how I like to cook them.

A big test for me will be to see how I do over finals. Last year it was all, study for 12 hours then come home and make 7 minute mac&cheese. I still have some blue boxes in my cupboards (how's that for will-power!) but I'm thinking I may just donate them... I don't know. It's not like I'm never going to have mac and cheese again but maybe not to the extent I have in the past.

I am definitely splurging today. I am eating chipotle with beans and rice and cheese... and it's going to be freaking-fantastic. I'm robably going to pour myself a glass of wine tonight, too. But this whole process has made me reconsider what it means to do things in moderation and I'm hoping that most of this sticks long term.

Huzzah to me and all that. I did it. And I'm pretty dang proud.

Whole ::: Week Four

2014-11-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Without further ado:

1. There are a lot of home-cooked meals going on over here and I don't hear any complaints from either of us. I've been getting faster at prepping some things and it doesn't take me anywhere near as long as it did the first week. Plus, slow-cooker. That thing is a god among kitchen appliances.

2. I LIKE BRUSSEL SPROUTS AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT. And you're like, so? But I'm like, what?! I never would have eaten brussel sprouts voluntarily ever before this. And then my sister gives me this killer recipe with bacon and I'm like, oh ya, no big deal. I LIKE BRUSSEL SPROUTS.

3. Almond-breaded chicken is the shizz.

4. In the first week I was a little so-so on the sweet potato thing and now I crave them. Like, I'll dream about them while I'm studying at school. Weird.

5. I roasted some sweet potatoes and butternut squash to go with pot roast the other night and it was good. Butternut squash, chalk that up as another thing I never tried before and now love. Who am I?! I don't even know this person.

6. I have one more day, if I'm doing my math correctly (which, let's be real I'm a law student so math isn't my forte -- feel free to check my work), and it's a little nerve-wracking. Part of me is like, put that cheese in my mouth and then the other part of me is screaming "but you feel so good and you've done so well!" It's not an all-or-nothing game, I know but I am a little nervous that I'll fall back into old habits hard.

7. I'm really glad this is ending before Thanksgiving because I want pie. That's definitely a food group I'm re-introducing. It's probably the second tier on my personal food pyramid. It goes fruit & vegetables. Then pie. Everything afterwards is just... not pie.

I'll probably, maybe, do a full re-cap of my thoughts and feels on this Whole 30 business in the next week or so (maybe not, it is finals season after all). We'll see. So there you have it, week four and I'm rip, roaring and ready to go.

My Winter Uniform

2014-11-20T09:24:00.002-05:00

My really good friend posted a link about cold weather outfits on Facebook the other day. I looked through and, while the outfits were cute, almost 3/4 of them were not what I would call "winter-wear." Granted, she lives on the west coast so winter is like 55 degrees at worst. Over there you can get away with bare legs and a heavier coat. Those were the days.

Here, it's not Fargo status but it gets cold. It's been in the low thirties lately and will only get colder. Sometimes I wish I was a more consistent dress and tights girl, but lesbehonest, it's finals season and ain't nobody got time to think too hard about clothes.

I've been living in jeans and sweaters. Thank god, because I have a ton of them. And I would probably add more if I wasn't a poor college student (in D.C. -- can we talk about how freaking expensive D.C. is?!). I digress. My go-to lately has been pulling a sweater over a shirt (layers are important, people), stepping into some booties and wrapping myself in a parka.

Much high. Very fashion.

But it works. And, when you've got eleventy-billion hours worth of studying to do in a building that is heated to maybe 57 degrees all you want is to be warm and cozy. Mission accomplished.

p.s. I did my hair with the help of this tutorial. This is the first time I've seen a braid crown that I though my thick, thick hair could handle. This was a test run for a wedding we're going to this weekend -- I haven't decided if it's a go yet, thoughts?

Meet the fosters

2014-11-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

{{Loni}

We'd been talking about it for a while. Whenever we'd see the kitties at Petsmart I'd implore Dan to let me have just one more. He never budged. Two cats are his limit.

Well, two permanent cats are his limit.

One day, while we were admiring this really adorable white, 8-week old kitten, Dan said "Maybe we could foster. Then you'll get your kitten-fix in."

Be still my man-holding-cats-loving heart.

We had a bunch of big trips back to CA on the books so we couldn't start the second we wanted to, but here we are. We've done two rotations and right now we have 21-week kitten siblings! Ugh. I don't ever want to leave the house. THEY ARE TOO FUN!!

Athena hates them and Houston is apathetic. Which pretty much sums up their personalities in a nutshell (hideous bitch and crotchety old man).

The first night they were here, I felt kinda bad for Athena so I stoically told Dan, "Athena should sleep in our room tonight, we'll lock the cats out. She probably feels like we're replacing her."

"That's a pretty complex though process for a cat, but sure." Dan replied.

So that's what we did. We said goodnight to the kitties and Houston and left them to their own devices as we shuffled off to bed. Within minutes we hear mews at the door. Mews after mews.

"Dan. Dan, I can't. Oh my god. They need me. I'm letting them in." I say. Pitiful. They didn't even cry for one whole minute before I rescued them (don't worry, I'm sure sleep-training with a kid will be much easier for me).

They come rushing in and jump into bed. Athena hisses and runs away -- I felt bad for her but only for a second because then Loni -- sweet, little Loni -- comes right up to my face and curls up into my chest and purrs. Loudly. Just content to be right next to me.

I wish I could explain my reaction. It was like when Kristin Bell got a sloth. You guys, I was hysterical. But quiet, whispering, creepy as fuck hysterical. If I were Dan I would've left the room and ran for my life.

"Oh my god. Oh my good. This is my life right now. I am in heaven. This is my life. I can't even breath. He's just right here. I love him so much. Oh my god." I am whispering maniacally and fervently here. Ugh. Man, it was so freaking weird. I couldn't stop it. I was literally on cloud nine. There might have been some involuntary tears. Right?! I mean, what?

My cats never cuddle with me. And Athena bites or scratches me when I pet her too long. But these kittehs -- they just love us. Lindy even camped out on Dan's neck, like a cat scarf, for about thirty minutes.

The excitement wore off throughout the night when they woke up every. hour. We got very little sleep. So, while I love cuddling, they sleep in the living room from now on. They also don't cry at the door anymore -- which is good because my heart probably couldn't take it.

Whole ::: Week Three

2014-11-16T08:44:00.000-05:00

Holy crap, day 21 is here. What?! The end is so near, which is crazy. There is just over a week left -- the last day of Whole30 coincides with my last day of classes (and that feels way too fast) so the challenge seems somewhat secondary and it prevents me from focusing too much on it. I just do it and that's been working for me. Anyway, some things about this past week:

1. I made some diy Larabar carrot cake bars (more like circles) and they are super tasty -- probably more than the actual bar -- and they were way cheaper. Score.

2. We ate out twice this week. Once when my sister came and once with friends. It wasn't too hard. I found things I was able to eat but it will be nice when I don't have to worry about every. single. sauce. ingredient. WHO CARES IF THEY USE WHITE WINE IN THE SAUCE. IT BURNS OFF. But whatever. I did it and it was fine.

3. Went to the gym for the first time since I started the challenge. It had been a good while since I had run so that was a little rough, but it felt good. I felt super sore the next two days so, that was new.

4. I made my own italian meatballs! Threw em in the spaghetti squash (btw crockpot spaghetti squash is life changing. so much easier).

5. I ventured into the world of coconut milk whipped cream. IT IS LIFE. I whipped that stuff up and dolloped some onto my strawberries and just munched in my own little heaven for a while.

7. Almond breaded baked chicken strips. That's all.

8. Fruit it killing me. Literally. I've always known I had a major sensitivity to bananas (but I would eat them anyway because they are so good). But now, it feels like every piece of fruit I eat results in a major stomach ache. Whyyyy.

9. On my calendar for November 25 I have "eat some cheese." That's all I want to do. Maybe a little sip of wine, too.

Rah, Marine.

2014-11-12T08:32:00.000-05:00

I was going through old photos to share for Veteran's day and I just love these. It feels like forever ago that he was in but it's only about two years since his contract ended. I couldn't be prouder of Dan and his service. Some days I miss that uniform...

turtleneck sweaters

2014-11-11T08:11:00.002-05:00

I am not normally a big fan of the turtleneck sweater. Turtlenecks in general, actually. I'm a shorty and covering my neck just seems to accentuate that fact.

But this sweater I love. Which might be more for the design than for the neck nonsense. That's probably it, actually. Also, I got this baby at a thrift store in NC for about seven dollars which in my world is a steal of a deal. I bought it, took it home, tried to wash knit wool (the worst experience ever) and have never looked back.

I feel like a 90s mom or a ski bunny in aspen (channelling Mary Swanson, duh). I'm pretty okay with it. Obviously.

Unrelated: Dan always wants me to smile when he takes these pictures. He's like "Okay, smile!" And I'm like dude I'm trying to smize here! But I end up smiling anyway because my sexy smolder needs some serious work.

Also, can we take a moment and enjoy this little pose? So catalog. Tyra would hate it.

Whole ::: Week Two

2014-11-09T07:17:00.000-05:00

1. I have more energy. Not like bouncing off the walls, let's go climb Mt. Everest energy, but I wake up earlier without issue and I don't really get tired til my normal bedtime. Before, I would have waves of exhaustion throughout the day - those aren't really present this week.

2. I ATE EGGPLANT, ONION, AND MUSHROOMS for dinner the other night. And I liked it.

3. This may not be real but it seems like, because I can't get the flavor of cheese or sour cream or cheez-its or whatever, I have been looking to get satisfying flavor elsewhere, which has helped me be more open to foods I didn't traditionally like and actually enjoy them.

4. Speaking of things I used to not enjoy: tomatoes. They are all up in my salads now and I'm cool with it.

5. I do miss crouton-like things. I love the crunch in my salads. I've tried nuts - they just don't compare.

6. Tacos are not tacos without beans. There. I said it. I can meet you at the lettuce wrap in lieu of corn tortilla shell but for me, beans are essential. When this is all over: beans, baby. Further, I don't get why people are so like excited about Chipotle during Whole30. Like, all you can have is lettuce, meat, salsa, guac, and onions/peppers. No beans. No Rice. No cheese. No tortilla. Which, is fine, I'll eat that meal but I'm not going to pay $9 for it. amiright?

7. I got a little tired of this routine on Friday. I just really wanted some beans and rice. I didn't do it and I'm finishing this til the end but woah that craving hit hard and stayed for a while.

8. I tried two of those drink recipes I posted last week (the grapefruit one and the blueberry/mint one) and they were delicious. My favorite was the grapefruit drank - it was just easier to make and super refreshing.

9. Dan has been so supportive. He's not doing the actual challenge with me (something about voodoo witch magic) but he eats whatever I make and this past week he made the majority of our dinners because I had a couple deadlines I had to meet. He was like, "Okay, so what am I making and what's allowed in it?" And he likes most of it, too. Although, that's not surprising he's always liked vegetables. He does miss rice and bread, etc. But he'll have those on his own when he really wants them.

Onwards and upwards into week three!

Cocooned

2014-11-06T08:39:00.000-05:00

I've been waiting all year for the cold weather to come back so I could don this dress again. Some hate shapeless dresses (Dan probably included), but there is something about the loose, sweater material that just makes me feel so cozy. I want to tuck my feet under my body on our plush, purple loveseat, and sip from a mug of tea while I chat with Dan, but instead I head to school. My feet will probably still get tucked, I'll choose coffee instead of tea, and I'll begrudgingly work on my paper, but I'll be wearing this impossibly comfortable dress and, so, it won't be so bad.

Gray & Gold

2014-11-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

More friends are having a baby! These are some of our best friends from our time in Wilmington so I couldn't miss the chance to celebrate their first baby with them. They are waiting til birth to know the gender and they chose gold and gray for the nursery colors.

This is actually perfect because I chose a really dark gray which looks almost black but they are Mizzou fans - huge fans, the biggest - so if the baby doesn't take to it they can use it for games - Gold and Black! Double duty. It was the plan the whole time... Or at least that's my story.