Explore Guthrie

Guthrie, Oklahoma is a small town about 30 minutes outside of the big city. Guthrie got put on the map after they hosted Mumford and Son's Gentleman of the Road tour last fall. Since then, in my eyes, Guthrie has been sprucing themselves up a bit. 

Last friday night my parents and I went on an adventure to Guthrie. I had been dying to try Union Tacos which is a new restaurant in Guthrie's historic district. 

Union Tacos was delicious to say the least. They are still new and working out a few kinks, but the fresh chips and roasted salsa kept me happy. They use all local Oklahoma products and change their menu around daily. They have a few starters, sides and five rotating entrees. 

We ordered the chimichanga filled with beef barbacoa and pinto beans then slathered in queso (pictured above), the lamb and potato galette and the orange and cumin scented pork tamale. Guacamole and more of their amazing chips rounded out our meal. 

I recently gave up chips and queso for lent, but I graciously chowed down on chips and guac. I highly recommend their guacamole. My parents harassed me for indulging in the chimichanga and galette, both of which were covered in queso, but I assured them that I wasn't eating "chips and queso" the queso was more of a garnish. They saw it more as a failed attempt to get around the idea of lent.

After dinner we did some exploring around the historic town that was originally they first capitol of Oklahoma. We then stopped at Hoboken Coffee Roasters. This is another spot I had been waiting to try! Mom got a chai and I got a french press, Dad had to opt out of anything involving caffeine. 

The coffee shop is located in an old garage space right next to the Guthrie high school baseball and football fields. Not only do they serve amazing coffee, they also roast all their own beans. 

"here take a picture of me for the blog!"

If you are on a "staycation" in Oklahoma this spring break, make a trip to Guthrie. The hipster/historic town has some fun spots to explore!

xo annie

Pot of Gold Irish Soda Bread

There are only 3 hours left of St. Patrick's Day, but I had to post this recipe before the holiday ended!

Irish soda bread is a "quick bread" made from only a few ingredients and studded with dried fruit. Currants are the traditional fruit used in this bread, but anything will work. I went with golden raisins to play up the St. Patrick's Day theme. I call it my Pot of GOLDen Raisin Soda Bread!

If we aren't friends on insta or you missed my bites post, I am now the proud owner of a KitchenAid mixer. After my wonderful grandmother passed back in December, she left a little bit of money for each of her grandkids. My dad was insistant on us not saving it, but spending it on something that would make G-ma proud. My grandmother was an amazing cook and baker, so I knew this is what I would put my money toward. Thanks G-ma!

I never pictured Irish soda bread being the first thing I would make in my mixer, but St. Patrick's Day came at just the right time. I'm all about celebrating holidays with the appropriate food.

Irish Soda Bread
yields 1 large loaf

Ingredients:
4 cups flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup golden raisins
2 cups buttermilk* (or almond milk with juice from half of a lemon squeezed in and left to rest for 5 minutes)

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine the dry ingredients and the raisins in an electric mixer with the dough hook  attachment. Slowly add milk then let the mixer knead the dough for 2-3 minutes. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides halfway through. 

Grease a cookie sheet. Turn the dough out onto the cookie sheet and form into a round loaf. Use a knife to score the top with an "X." Bake for 50 minutes. Serve with butter or jam! Warmed in the microwave or toasted is also best!

*If you don't have buttermilk on hand, there is an easy substitute. Buttermilk can be made from any kind of milk you simply add half the juice of a lemon to the milk then let it sit. After 5 minutes the lemon has added acidity to the milk and curdled it to make a buttermilk sub. Joy the Baker gives more substitutions here.

Hurry quick! If you want to celebrate the right way you only have a few more hours to make this bread. I mean I guess you could make soda bread on any average day, it's just more fun on St. Patty's Day!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Happy Spring Break and Happy St. Patrick's Day! When I was little I used to set up a trap in hopes of catching a leprechaun. If the leprechaun were to escape (which he always did somehow) he would leave a treat in his path. I also still actively participate in pinching people if they aren't wearing green. My mom wasn't very happy about this, this morning. 

Last week seems like forever ago after having such a packed weekend. My oldest sister's best friend from college got married in Dallas on Saturday, so I took another quick trip down to Texas to see #tandztietheknot! Now back at home, I have plans of breaking in my new Kitchen Aid mixer, taking Barre classes and doing lots of cooking before leaving for Charleston.

-Oatmeal with a green apple and cranberry compote made by my favorite Kappa cook Blanca. She loves to bribe us and I usually buy into it. 

-Made it big on the Kappa insta at Kappa Karaoke. A little Spice Girls "Stop Right Now" to get the night going.

-Sirracha and curry popcorn to start off Spring Break.

-My new best friend was at home waiting patiently for my arrival, expect lot's of posts where she is the center of attention.

-A stop at Robertson's Hams on the way to Dallas.

-The Red Tea latte from Nordstrom's eBar. Roobios tea, honey, vanilla and milk.

-#tandztietheknot

-Bread Winner's round 2. The McKinney Ave scramble with a side of cheese grits. 

xo annie

Packing Tips

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T-1 day until I'm officially on spring break! Instead of spending our break together all of my friends are splitting up this year. Inspired by some of my friends vacation destinations, I put together ideas for outfits and essentials for each location. 

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If you are going to the beach don't forget it can still get a little chilly this time of year. I love jean shirts worn as cover ups and maxi skirts to keep my legs warm at night. Also, this may seem obvious, but don't forget sunglasses. Trust me, no one needs to go through the traumatic experience of having your eyelids sunburned like I did on the Tucker Family Coasta Rica vay cay. 

Beach Vacation Packing List:
-chambray shirt
-swimsuits
-maxi skirt or dress
-sandals
-sunglasses

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If you are jumping the pond, make sure you have all your essentials. A jacket for those rainy London days, light layers and big scarf to wrap up in. 

London Packing List:
-trench coat
-leather boots
-big scarf
-stripe t-shirt
-skinny jeans

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New York is filled with tourists, but if you want to do it right it's all about blending in. Black, black and more black. I promise if you stick to this color scheme people will think you are an average New Yorker. As far as shoes go you want them to be comfortable for all the walking you will be doing, but that doesn't mean sporting Adidas running shoes. Like I said it's all about blending in. 

NYC Packing List:
-black
-comfy shoes
-leather jacket
-dressy tank tops
-cash for taxis

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The desert is hot. Make sure to pack things like shorts and wedges with long sleeve breezy tops. Anything light and airy is perfect for the dry desert heat!

Desert Packing List:
-silk shorts
-flowy tops
-light jacket or sweater for chilly nights
-spring wedges
-turquoise jewelry

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My turn! I'm traveling east to South Carolina with my family this spring break. I plan on sporting outfits like this maxi dress with either a jean jacket or jean vest and comfy flats for walking through the quaint streets of Charleston. This is a city I've wanted to visit for a long time so I'm excited to check it off my list! Please send recommendations if you have any! 

East Coast Packing List:
-pastel sweaters
-white jeans (yes I'm breaking them out before Easter)
-strappy sandals
-converse
-boyfriend jeans

One final packing tip before you head off for spring break (I learned this one from my idol LC). Wear a scarf on the plane. Not only does it make your traveling outfit a little more stylish, but it also doubles as a blanket on those drafty airplanes. Now it's time to pull out the suitcase and get packing! 

Annie

Spring Forward

I have a case of spring fever. I wore a tank top yesterday for the first time since September.  It was fabulous. All I can think about now are shorts and sandals. This spring fever is also giving me shopping fever. You can probably tell from all the clothes and products posts I've been doing. Below are some of my favorite pieces to spring forward with!

from right to left

collar necklace/hawaiian tank/stripe dress/floral dress/sunnies/skort/skirt/swimsuit/necklace/sandals/earrings

That metallic skirt, it's actually a skort. Hello childhood, I'm now obsessed. And those earrings, $16. Do you have a case of spring shopping fever like me?

xo annie