Tracing Suzanne

Sunday Night Dinners

2012-08-19T23:20:00.003-05:00

It's been a long road, but I've finally found the itch. To cook that is. It's becoming somewhat of a routine to actually prepare for myself, so long as I am back home before 8:00 p.m. (anytime after is too risky with my hunger level to wait for anything). Sundays though I like to reserve for whipping something new, typically coming from my Pinterest board. I find a great sense of joy in something edible, and somewhat pretty emerging from the oven after a long battle with the rest of the kitchen. While at this time in my life, I don't have a family to cook for, it's always a good time to start a habit like "family meals." Sundays have always been my cherished of days, and I'd like to think not too long from now they will be even more so.

Recipe from Martha Stewart Living, originally found on A Cup of Jo

Manners

2012-08-08T23:55:00.004-05:00

Didn't your mother teach you to have good manners? That's at least what I find myself silently questioning passersby more often than not. This even for instance I found myself completely offended that two other patrons at my neighborhood nail salons had no common courtesy for the extremely kind staff. One girl sat in the chair with her headphones in the whole time, and completely brushed off her technician when help was offered. Lord knows how much energy she wasted keeping a scowl on her face the entire time. Then there was the woman who spent the entire time on her cell phone while the owner of shop was prettying up her fingernails! How is that even possible?

It really broke my heart in a couple places to know people could be so inconsiderate to such kind people. Of course the great joy of heartache can be the repentance of your own past mistakes. In an effort to apologize on the behalf of all girls who truly appreciate the servitude in their quest for beauty I choose to wear a smile a little wider tomorrow. More importantly though, taking a stance against all unkind words born from my own lips, I choose to think twice. Which is all we can really hope for in people, right?

Be nice. The world is a small town. --Austin Kleon

{Image Credit: The Sartorialist}

A Tad Irrational

2012-08-07T00:01:00.002-05:00

For the most part, I would think that people would describe me as a quite rational person. I wake pretty early every morning to the sound of my alarm, and have all my bearings as I walk out the door (save for this morning when I forgot my lunch). People trust me to make decisions in my job, and even will seek me for advisement. I also always check and double check the stove and oven not only before, but after cooking a meal. Lately though it seems I've had quite a few irrational thoughts. It's my hope that the older (and wiser) you get, the more "prepared" you become for the unexpected.

Here's a short list of my recent intellectual frenzies:

I will have absolutely zero hobbies or interests once the 2012 Olympics end on Sunday
I could fly off of a boating tube and and become permanently injured from whiplash
That I may die of hunger in my sleep tonight if I don't consume an ice cream sandwich
That I will never leave my apartment if made to live outside of the Gold Coast
I will never don a uniquely styled outfit again if veered off from my closet quadrant system
That I will wakeup on December 26th completely void of all feeling from not celebrating Christmas to the complete fullness I am capable of

{Image via Pinterest}

Keep Freakin'

2012-08-05T23:23:00.002-05:00

This week I am starting out with a different approach from last's. Really that just means getting back to the basics. Having an agenda and sticking to it. Remembering that each morning has a possible to end in large ways. Most importantly though, keeping in mind all the things that can make me a happy camper.

So in other words...let's wreak some havoc!

{Image via Design for Mankind}

Olympic Darling

2012-07-30T00:13:00.000-05:00

Well I should have known it was coming. The moment when I would become Olympics-crazed. I really am not sure who I was kidding believing otherwise. If for nothing else, there are two things the Olympics mean to me: the U.S. men's swim team and tearful commercials. And what do you know, Ryan Lochte is the common denominator for that? Nifty.

You Get What You Need

2012-07-17T23:11:00.001-05:00

"As soon as you stop wanting something you get it. I've found that to be absolutely axiomatic."--Andy Warhol

{Image via Ermie}

Icing

2012-07-12T00:33:00.000-05:00

When you go with the unexpected. And it looks darn good. That's the end to a perfect day.

September

2012-07-09T23:46:00.001-05:00

...Over the weekend I heard something that struck me as interesting. We are drawn to certain songs for specific reasons. Those being that they murmur reflections from our own lives. When you think about it, how often do we actually hear or know all of the lyrics to a song? For me I know not that often. Typically we have different soundtracks every day. It's interesting to take a stop and hear why.

"To every word of love I heard you whisper;

The raindrops seemed to play our sweet refrain.

Though spring is here, to me it's still September.

That September in the rain."

--September in the Rain

{Image via Sir William Wallace}

Easy Peasy Meals: Cheesy Gnocchi

2012-07-08T23:46:00.002-05:00

It's not necessarily a natural instinct, but as a forced habit I try to make a new recipe every week. More often than not they're modified from the original, either because I have my own twists, or because I give up. This week's was completely of my own creation. Is it it something of culinary mastery? Not quite. However, it is something anyone can do, and best of all it's a dish everyone would like.

So here it is...

Ingredients:

Whole wheat gnocchi
Londener cheddar cheese
Garlic
EVOO
Breadcrumbs
Grated parmesan

Steps:

Bring gnocchi to a boil as directed
Chop Londener cheddar into small cubes
Heat cheddar with EVOO to a melt
Dice and mix in garlic
Combine gnocchi with softened cheese; add parmesan
Top with breadcrumbs
Cook at 400 degrees for around 20 minutes
Pairs well with a bottle of Vouvray
Enjoy!

You Never Can Tell

2012-07-07T20:01:00.001-05:00

Those who are considered film critics, would most likely find it offensive if I said the same of myself. However, other than intense horror and psychological thrillers, I truly appreciate great films. Bit by bit though I am trying to see my way through all of the greats, in addition to everything in between.

As a Quentin Tarantino fan, I'm ashamed to admit that I have never seen his all time great, Pulp Fiction, before last evening (almost as shocking as the fact that I was just eight years old when the film was released!). Of course, like all of his works, the film fits in no other genre but his own.

While so much of the story line, acting, and camera work is ingenius, to me the most part mesmerizing is the Uma Thurman and John Travolta's Twist dance. The fancy footwork is enough to be completely envious of, but it's all due in part to a brilliant backdrop and song (performed by none other than a St. Louis legend) complemented by exceptional directing. It has quite easily topped the charts of my top cinematic moments. If that counts for anything at all.

And Then I Remember...

2012-07-02T23:33:00.001-05:00

Sometimes you come into a day with only one way to chop it: shotty (a lady never curses *publicly*). You come into work and it's Monday, which is reason enough to walk out the door. The air is muggy, and your email inbox is even more stifling. You can't even get through Day Two of your big Ode to Summer Swimsuit Season Juice Cleanse.

Then out of nowhere-well not nowhere, but the land of instant chat-two puzzle pieces fit. It's discovered that you and your near-and-dear friend both have a Phil Collins Pandora station. Just like that old black magic the world feels bearable again.

This post dedicated to the volcano to my tornado, Caroline Gallay. Whose Twitter feed is the only one worth reading.

{Image Via}

What Nora Ephron Taught Me

2012-07-01T23:24:00.003-05:00

Often I tend to dwell on celebrity passings. When Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston died, I could not stop listening to their tracks for a week. As the awkward pre-teen that I was, my eyes were glued to the cable news stations when JFK, Jr.'s plane went missing. All of those people ,and others who have had untimely deaths, not only left behind their trademark talents but usually the very image of them is somewhat iconic to their generation and time.

For me, hearing the news about Nora Ephron was just as devastating, if not more, as any other major figure. She made her mark in more untraditional ways: through her words and other people speaking them. Her films have become, for me, an imperfect solace from the idyllic lives we often see strived for in those around us. I enjoy that the part of "dream guy" is often an arrogant, yet bumbling, businessman who cannot figure out the right thing to say at any time, let alone the right time. It's refreshing to see that any real heroine does not settle for marriage, but instead for the one that's right for her. What's most triumphant to watch though is that people pick themselves back up. They have to go through the motions of meeting a whole slew of people who are incompatible. Dreams fade away, hopes dash off, and life becomes discouraging. They move on though.

Yes, the ending is fairly stereotypical in many ways. Yet wholly unpredictable in the little details, which is what really counts in any love story. Well that, and the fact that you can laugh, which is another attribute that is never lost in any Nora Ephron film.

So in this day and age of the Christian Grey-esque Prince Charming, I will always step aside. The man of my dreams will without a doubt never know how to correctly approach me in a coffee shop, but will take a couple of kids out for a day of fun while acting like one too. Of course he would love to sing karaoke in the middle of an electronic store, but perhaps speak too much of what's on his mind. That's all fine too, because he will have to deal with me occasionally making a scene in public, and perhaps fighting battles that are too big. Always but always though I'll remember to do so while acting the part of wildly innocent.

"Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim."--Nora Ephron

{Image via The New York Times}

Fancy Free Posting

2012-07-01T20:19:00.003-05:00

It's happened a few times now. Falling victim to the infinite world of the Internet. Having so much knowledge, opinion, and otherwise can often make a very tiny blog feel extremely overwhelmed. Ideas may not seem so brilliant any longer, and elements of style may not feel so trendy. It's silly, of course. Who's to say any of that is true no matter where or who you look to?

So it occurred to me this week, as I was missing having an outlet of some sort for my words that perhaps it doesn't have to all fit in perfect boxes. Certain topics don't have to be saved for specific days, and an entity doesn't have to stand for a particular subject. Maybe words, ideas, and otherwise are entitled to be just that sometimes. Free to view and take or leave whenever necessary.

So if no one else minds, let me get back to what's on my mind...

{Image via The Sartorialist}

Here's to Sophistication!

2012-05-20T23:44:00.002-05:00

"Cause I can't recall a better day
Sun comin' to shine on the occasion
You're a sophisticated lady, oh you've got it all."

--Jason Mraz, Butterfly

{Image via Pinterest}

Who Loves Short Shorts?

2012-05-14T23:30:00.004-05:00

Holy smokes! It's going to be 80-degrees in Chicago tomorrow! I walk to work and have a bad history with elements of heat, especially while in movement. I know what you're thinking-walking is not strenuous activity. Well it's not, unless you're booking the whole mile and a quarter because you wasted precious minutes prepping your hair for the humidity.

Anyway, it is quickly becoming apparent that jeans and other long-legged clothing article may not cut it soon enough. While denim cutoff short-shorts are probably not the most work appropriate article of clothing, especially with my stems, I'm loving the other trends this summer. High waisted, a little more roomy, but not too Bermuda I can do! Of course let's not forget, the more pocket room for hair-911 the better!

{Images: 1& 2: Refinery 29; 3: Miss Selfridge; 4: J. Crew}

A Word on Words

2012-05-08T00:22:00.003-05:00

Depending on how you look at it, I either had the great fortune, or misfortune, of falling in love with books at a young age. You see, the younger one is when discovering the art of reading, the more apt that person is to believe in-well, a myriad of things. As a result of your over-imagination, it is likely you will not be classified as one of the "cool kids" in your young adult years. It will take a couple years thereafter, and a good number of well-developed plot lines to figure out that all's well that ends well.

Anyway the thought occurred to me that, while I carry one with me every single day, I often overlook books as a source of bliss. For instance, what days are more exciting than those where you pick up and begin a brand new book? Or the overwhelming joy that can encompass you when having a whole bookstore at your disposal? And sometimes there is no greater heartbreak than gently closing that last page to the back cover. For me, books define everything from a period or time to a Sunday morning.

So I guess, like all little things that get taken for granted, I just wanted to a take a moment of gratitude. Thank you to every page I never gave up on, for the wonderful adventures and vast fortunes that you've bestowed upon me.

But more importantly, thank you to my Mother, who provided nightly story times at a young age, and later placed countless books in the palms of my hand.

{Image Credit: Furbish; as a side note, Little Women was my very first "chapter book" at the ripe age of five}

A Toast!

2012-05-06T23:53:00.003-05:00

It's always fun to be surprised with wonderful news...

Congratulations to Lauren and Dan on their engagement!

Cannot wait to toast to a wonderful marriage come December 28th!

{Image Credit: ALifeWorthEating}

May Days

2012-05-03T00:07:00.004-05:00

On Monday the pressure was on to decide on a resolution for May. I had tossed a couple ideas around the previous week, but wasn't necessarily committed to any one. On my walk home from work it occurred to me that I had been home all weekend, celebrating my good friend's engagement no less, and had not one photo to show for it. I was leaning in favor of a picture a day, but it seemed like a lofty commitment. While reading through my blog roll that evening though I stumbled across this graphic. That sealed it. If I had a though, just something sweet and simple, I could find something to snap. Just two days in and I've already been enjoying random stops, and have had complete disregard for looking like an annoying tourist.

Here's to lots of sights to enjoy come May 31st!

{Image via The Bottom of the Ironing Basket}

Many Moments

2012-05-01T23:22:00.001-05:00

This month I took a break from trying to cram a goal into a fixed amount of days. Instead I vowed that whenever life would get me down, I'd remind myself of all my joys.

You know what? Often times that's hard. It's not the tallying of all the pros and crossing off the cons. It's the remembering to remember. It's much easier to keep looking at a black hole rather than averting the eyes.

Like all the resolutions that have come before, I found this one to carry the same theme. That once you start making something a habit, it will end up just as that.

As far as all of those blessings that count? Well, a very basic mathematical principle applies. That of infinity. If you have even just one blessing then you hold too many to count.

If I were to have just one for each day though...

Spring flowers of many colors
Over the counter medicine
Nights spent on the couch
Healthy wakeup calls
Basic recipes that make you feel like a bonafide cook
Plane tickets
Weekends spent with your mom
Weekends spent with your grandparents
Clear aisles at the grocery store
Last minute freed up evenings
Kicking bad habits
Flexible work scheduling
Personal days
Watching great games up close and personal
Sundays spent with family and friends
Convenience stores
The television shows you wait all week for
Free drinks
45 minutes to walk it off
Friday nights spent at home
That movie you've watched 103 times
A brand new pair of shoes paid for with your hard earned money
Last minute plans
Last minute travel
Afternoon sit-down lunches
Game nights
The people you can always call and count on
Celebrating happy news for others
Sunday brunch
Forgetting your lunch, but having an even better one

"There's too many things I haven't done yet. Too many sunsets I haven't seen."
--Sara Bareilles, Many the Miles

{Image Credit: The Cherry Blossom Girl}

Manic Monday thru Friday

2012-04-24T23:52:00.000-05:00

When one turns the impossible into possible, it's time to pay one's self a favor Last week I managed to not only make it through Monday, but Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, and somehow even Friday. A week long case of the Monday can feel like a chronic disease. When you find yourself opening that door to your apartment though on Friday evening that fading daylight from the window shines brighter than you've ever seen. It's then that you know there's only one thing left to do. Sit down on the nearest cushion, close your eyes, and hope to not wake up again until Monday morning.

{Images: 1, 2, 3}

Pennies From Heaven

2012-04-22T22:12:00.001-05:00

Supposedly the penny is soon to be extinct from our modern day currency. Perhaps this is why I find the tiny piece of copper to be so valuable. I'm not too keen for carrying cash, much less change around. For convenience purposes, a card is more suitable to my needs. However, whenever a penny suddenly crosses my path, I can't help but find a rhyme or reason to it, and thus pick the coin up. In fact I keep them all in a tiny little vase next to my bed. Yes, I'm the kind of girl that believes in lucky pennies. It makes life a little more fun when you can think that something wonderful is just around the corner.

"Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven. Don'tccha know each cloud contains pennies from heaven? You'll find your fortune fallin all over town. Be sure that your umbrella is upside down. Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers. If you want the things you love, you must have showers. So when you hear thunder don't run under a tree. There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me." --Louis Prima (original lyrics by Johnny Burke & Arthur Johnston)

{Image Credit: Tundi Heinrich }

A Little Prayer

2012-04-19T23:59:00.001-05:00

Don't you wish your life were a musical sometimes? Or at least broke out into song? Well I think it would be just fantastic. Though ultimately, my abilities (or lack thereof) and stage fright would put me in a role similar to Julia Roberts' in My Best Friend's Wedding. As the great Bieber says though, "Never Say Never."

Hope your weekend's just a chorus line of fun!

Red-iness

2012-04-17T23:48:00.001-05:00

Living in Chicago, it can be hard to tell, but baseball season is in full swing! While of course the game is about the men in uniform, being from St. Louis, it can also be a prime form of socialization. Therefore, I tend to be from the mindset that those of us in the stands don't need to necessarily be donning gear as well. Of course it's always welcome, but sometimes you just want to be sassy. When your team's color is your color, by all means, wear it well.

{Jacket, Tank, Polish, Shoes}

Long Time Coming

2012-04-12T00:07:00.002-05:00

"You don't have to worry, all your worried days are gone. This will be our year, took a long time to come."

--The Zombies

{Image Credit: via Retronaut}

Retroactively Cool

2012-04-11T00:06:00.000-05:00

It's not often that I'll admit to personal incompetencies. However, one I've always been very open about is my television regimen. I'm just flat out terrible. Not even DVR could help me stay consistent with a program. Now integrating some savvy styling into and I could be enticed to try with great effort.

Currently there are two shows that are not only masterfully written (for their respective genres), but their outfitting is second to none. I could not possibly any more intrigued and immersed into the world of Don Draper and Mad Men. Nor do I think anything is more witty and delightful than New Girl. It just may be that this whole television thing could soon take off.

{Images: Pinterest, necklace, jacket, Pinterest, dress, shoes}