Bites of My Life

Full week in Dallas after being in OKC part of the week before for work. However, I still made a 24 hour trip back this weekend to celebrate my best friend’s almost wedding. Sometimes I get frustrated that I’m back all the time while trying to build a life in Dallas, but after yesterday’s event and the loss of Kobe, I’m reminded how darn lucky I am to get to grow a life in a city I’m coming to love, but frequently get to be back with the people I’m truly closest with. Face to face time is unmatchable and I can’t take that for granted.

-The best coffee shop just opened in Dallas and I’m screaming!!!
-I tried Territory Foods last week. The meals were great, but I just enjoy cooking too much to use a service like this right now.
-I love using Natural Vitality’s CALM drink before bed and during anxious moments. I saw Sophie post about the gummy version on her story last week and I immediately bought. I’m a sucker for a gummy vitamin, it feels like candy. I’ve been taking two before bed the past few nights and so far so good. I got mine on Amazon!
-THE Defined Dish. Loved getting to meet Alex, but loved spending time with one of my greatest friends who also moved to Texas. So much love for KGR!
-My babies!
-Quickie visit to OKC to celebrate Maddie and Cooper! Only 3 months Maddie girl!
-Trader Joe’s cheerios, almond milk, almond butter, 1/2 a banana and some cinnamon. Not a cereal for breakfast girl, but this combination was oddly satisfying (and sorry Elle for eating your cheerios - ha).
-Me watching the last episode of Netflix’s Cheer. Tears.
-After snacking on sunflower seeds (random) on the drive back to Dallas, all I wanted was a salad for dinner.

Annie

Bedroom Revamp Inspiration

Since college I’ve had a similar look for my bedroom that has carried me from house, to house to another house to my now apartment. You can see my college home tour here and my current apartment tour here. With subtle changes here and there, I’ve stuck to all-white bedding, white furniture with pops of color in either pillows, a rug, or artwork.

After mysterious staining to my West Elm bedding (that I loved), I decided the culprit was a face oil I was using. I had yellow stains all along the edge of my bedding from pulling it up to my face, it forced me to throw it away after only having it for about 2 years.

I’m currently in limbo using random hand-me-down bedding from my mom and sister. I’ve decided it’s time for a little bedroom revamp. I have looked for some non-white bedding options, but I can’t stray away. There’s just something about white fluffy bedding. I have however thrown out my face oil and have more confidence with my next round of white bedding.

I want to keep things girly, but more modern and less shabby chic. My plan is to paint my Ikea iron bed frame black, and to pull in vibrant velvet pillows to create a punch and to tie in my rug and butterfly artwork. Below are my inspirations. I have my eye on a coverlet like this with this basic duvet folded at the end of the bed. Then matching white shams and velvet pillows from here or here (H&M is my secret weapon when it comes to cheap home goods). More home ideas are pinned in my ‘homestyle’ board on Pinterest.

I love the rust and pink pillows from my main inspiration picture, but I’m also always tied to navy. I’ve also been having a moment with dark forest and emerald green. This shade is pulling me in. Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Also now that I’ve posted this out in the interwebs I’m digitally being held accountable to actually make changes to my bedroom. Stay tuned. Hopefully a completed bedroom revamp post will come soon.

Annie

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Shaved Cauliflower Salad

I had this salad at Americano last week and knew immediately I had to recreate it. My friend Jordan and I walked down to the restaurant at The Joule after meeting Serena Wolf at her book signing downtown. It only made since to have Jordan back over for dinner to test out my recreation.

Y’all. This salad is just great. Despite just being cauliflower it’s filling and satisfying. Would be killer with some salmon on it or as a side with barbecue or anything grilled. It’s heavy on the lemon which I personally love for the dead of winter (citrus is so good for you in cold months), but will be just as good this summer.

The key to the salad is the shaved cauliflower. You can use a mandolin, but if you know me, you know my experience with mandolins has not been pleasant…However it will work. I suggest using a food processor fitted with the slicing attachment. It makes this salad incredibly easing by just forcing the cauliflower florets through the food tube. To be honest I had actually never used the slicing attachment, until I made this. I’ve had my food processor for mmm 4 years now and had to take the protective sticker off the slicer. It has now ben christened and I plan to use it far more.

Shaved Cauliflower Salad adapted from Americano
yields 3-4 as a main or 6 as a side dish

Ingredients:
3 cups white cauliflower florets (about one small head of cauliflower)
2 cups of purple cauliflower florets
2 cups of orange cauliflower florets
½ cup raw shelled pistachios
½ cup plump golden raisins
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
2 tbsp. olive oil
1¼ salt, divided
¼ tsp. red chili flakes
1 tbsp. chopped chives, plus more for serving

Directions:
In a cereal sized bowl, pour hot water over golden raisins and let set aside to “plump" for 10-15 minutes. While the raisins are plumping, add pistachios and ¼ tsp. salt in a dry frying pan over medium heat. Toast your pistachios, stirring them around often for about 3-4 minutes, keeping a close eye on them as they can burn easily.

Thinly shave your cauliflower in your food processor with the slicing disk attached or on a mandolin. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and toss with lemon juice and 1 tbsp. of salt. Let sit for 5 minutes to marinate.

Drain your raisins. Into the cauliflower, stir in the olive oil, pistachios, plump raisins, chives and chili flakes. Garnish with extra chives and salt.

Best if made at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors have time to come together. Will stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days.

TBH cauliflower is hard to measure. The recipe calls for 2-3 cups of florets that will then be shredded. Don’t stress, just eyeball what looks like about 2-3 cups and you can adjust seasonings as needed.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Last week flew by. I started the week back in OKC for work and then came home Wednesday with a busy to-do list. Busy is best when it comes to work in my opinion. I work best and harder when I have more to-do, anyone else?

-Time with this little chick is my favorite. I didn’t realize how much I would miss her when I moved. Thankful for a job that lets me visit her (and her sis) so often!
-Lunch at one of my faves, Stitch. Conveniently located next to The Jones.
-Home for my company holiday party. Yes, we have our party after the holidays. #RestaurantIndustry.
-I’m hooked on green juice right now. Sounds very basic I’m aware, but the daily green juice has been so good for clearing up and keeping my skin clear.
-I’ve also been hooked on makeup tutorials lately. I’ve never had much of a makeup routine, but I’m trying. Just about everyone and their dog raves about Tarte’s Shape Tape concealer. Considering mine just ran out, it seemed like time to try it. Only a few uses in, but the coverage is pretty impressive.
-Big ol’ bowl of shaved rainbow cauliflower for a crazy good recipe coming this week.
-First un-official cookbook club meeting with non-other than a recipe from The Defined Dish. We made her Cajun Chicken with Oven Frites and it was so good.
-Stove-top popped popcorn is one of my favorite snack (and sometimes dinner). I developed the trick to dip my popcorn in something from my roommates my senior year of college. We would make a little dish of yellow mustard and sriracha, and I’ve been dipping my popcorn ever since. I popped a few tablespoons of kernels in coconut oil on the stove, then sprinkled cinnamon over 1/2 and dipped in melty almond butter, and did nutritional yeast and salt over the other half to dip in mustard.
-Venison taco bowls a la my best guy friends here in Dallas. I love making new friends in this city, but treasure the older friendships I can rely on.

Bites of My Life

I mentioned it a little in my last bites post, but I was a little apprehensive of getting back into the swing of things. Not going to lie I had a small case of the January blues getting back to Dallas and into my routine here. After a week of fun evening plans, a busy work week and catching up with friends here, I’m feeling better. Writing this I’m mentally telling myself that I don’t need to get right back into the swing right away. Also writing this is making me sound kind of weepy and depressed when I’m not! January is just a weird month, and I know some of you can agree!

-Serena Wolf IRL at her Dude Diet Dinnertime cookbook tour at my new found favorite place, The Adolphus hotel in downtown Dallas. It was gorgeous.
-Post book signing at Americano, the restaurant at the bottom of The Joule hotel. I have dreamt of this shaved cauliflower salad since and have plans to recreate later this week.
-I got pretty into Melissa Wood Health’s workouts last spring then canceled my membership when I moved to Dallas knowing I wanted to spend my money trying out new studios here. I’ve recently fallen back into MWH’s flows and lifestyle and genuinely loving them so much. I feel great during and after the workouts. At only $9.99 a month, I quantify them as #worthit.
-First timer alert at Neighborhood Services. A big check off my Dallas restaurant list.
-I finished my first book in 2020. 2018 I was a reading machine and then fell off the wagon in 2019. Hoping to read 1 a month this year. I love anything by Emily Giffin and thinking one of hers is going to be next on my list.
-Woke up Saturday to SNOW and a morning with nothing to do (which hasn’t happened in forever). I watched Father of the Bride part II and had breakfast in bed.
-Paella night turned wine night turned game night turned sing-a-longs until midnight. Saturday was a good night in Dallas.
-Packed precious cargo Sunday morning to travel home with for a quick work trip.
-The benefit of my work trips is that work is at home in Oklahoma City, which means time with this little one.

Annie