October 30, 2014

New Season, New Blogs

October 30, 2014/ Annie

New season, and new blogs on my radar. Some food blogs and some fashion/lifestyle or as one blogger describes her's, an "inspiration blog. I love that.

First up, My Name is Yeh. Pronounced Yay!!!, with lot's of exclamation marks! She's Chinese and jewish, uses code names of important people in her life and doesn't believe in capitalization. Not to mention her recipes all make me yell, YAY!!!

Some of my favorite recipes are her Pistachio Pop-Tarts, Funfetti Biscotti, Coconut Quinoa with Dates and Nuts (the recipe that put her on my radar), and Chicken with Apples + Chardonnay.

The Darling Detail is written by Jessi Afshin, lives in my new favorite city, Austin. A few "details" about Jessi: she has a crazy legit blog, she has amazing style, she is the production Assistant for Camille Styles (woah) and she's my age. She also wakes up at 5:45 ever morning to work on her blog. It's currently 6:47 a.m. so I sort of feel your pain, this isn't an everyday thing for me though.

Yeah...Immaeatthat. Kylie makes awesome sweet and savory healthy food that is still "crave-able." She wants to pursue a career intertwined with food without working in a restaurant (you and me both girl). She makes stellar sweets, veggie rich meals and also shares "what she eats every week" similar idea to my bites posts. My friend I interned with this summer showed me Kylie's site this summer and now we are in a constant game of sending screenshots of her dishes back in forth!

Some favorites are Baked Apples Stuffed with Oatmeal Cookie Granola, Single Serving Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Less Slutty Brownie and her new Tea Latte post (perfect for my new tea kick!)

Mrs. Lilien, written by Kelley Lilien is a blogger, designer and author of the adorable, Mrs. Lilien's Cocktail Swatchbook. I love the way Mrs. Lilien formulates her posts. The graphics, colors and placement really sets her creativity apart from most blogs I read. They are crisp and impressive but still simple. Her aesthetic is to always keep the "Mrs." in mind, so you can expect every post to be tres chic! P.S. her current post on jumpsuits is on par.

Lady and Pups-An Angry Food Blog. A misery outlet as the author likes to call it. L&P is the result of her move to Beijing and the anger it brings her. She has channeled her anger into delight through food. She is cynical, sarcastic and cooks some amazing food.

Most dishes have an asian feel, but I love her recipes like The Saucy Marriage Pie, Sea Salt Buttercream and Chocolate Cupcake, Microwave Sausage and Cheese Spaghetti and Green Butter Grilled Oysters. She doesn't believe in measuring, but I don't either, her recipes are more of "guides." Don't let that scare you. Five seconds of looking at the photography on her site and you'll be sold.

Straight From Kate is my newest read. I found her on Tuesday and had to add her to the list. Kate lives in Dallas where she ditched corporate world to pursue, well, anything. She is a photographer, freelance artist, creative and stud sugar cookie decorator so we obviously bonded on that. Since Straight from Kate is so new on my radar as well as new in the blog world, I look forward to seeing how she progresses it.

Sometimes you just need some new inspiration.

Annie

October 28, 2014

Bites While You Watch

October 28, 2014/ Annie

Put in a movie, take a bite, and stay awhile. I got the idea for this post from Emily's food and movie pairings post from a few weeks ago. I wanted to create my own version using some of my favorite movies and the food that reminds me of them. Use these bite ideas to take your next movie night up a notch.

Dan in Real Life--fluffy stack of pancakes

I sometimes like to watch movies on Saturday mornings and Dan in Real Life is my favorite to do so with. Fluffy pancakes like the ones Marie makes in the movie are the perfect dish to pair with this good for your soul movie.

Don't ask but, "I don't want to go, with, the pig, face" is one of my sister and I's favorite movie quotes. You probably don't even remember what part of the movie it's from but we find ourselves referencing it a lot. I told you, just don't ask.

It's Complicated--french croque monsieur

One of my all time favorites! Whip up these fancy croque monsieurs for you and someone special like Meryl Streep does for Steve Martin. If your feeling crazy, they can be followed by "warm chocolate croissants," Meryl's specialty in the movie!

Mystic Pizza--take out pizza

An oldie, but a new favorite of mine after my boss from this summer recommended it to me. Mystic Pizza sets the scene for the perfect girls night in. The title says it all but take-out pizza is the required food pairing.

Father of the Bride--hot dogs

You might think I'd choose something a little classier, like wedding cake, but I love the scene when George Banks loses it in the super market "because some big-shot over at the wiener company got together with some big-shot over at the bun company and decided to rip off the American public!"

Father of the Bride is family favorite movie, perfect for grilling out then crowding on the couch to watch this classic. I'll go ahead and guess FOTB will be on repeat in the coming season with Kathleen getting married, we love to refer to my dad as George Banks. Try this recipe for homemade buns to classy your dogs up a bit.

Because I Said So-big bowl of single girl pasta

Because I said so is my ultimate, night to myself, movie. The opener of the movie shows Mandy Moore and Diane Keaton both in their homes cooking up a big bowl of pasta and a big glass of red wine. Every time I watch this movie I wish I had a big bowl of pasta to accompany me.

One Fine Day--frozen hot chocolate

"one fine day, you'll look at me, and you will know, our love was, meant to beeeeee"

This movie used to always come on ABC Family when I was growing up. I always think of New York and Serendipity's Frozen hot chocolate when I think of this movie. Since I'm thousands of miles away from Serendipity, this recipe has me intrigued. Nothing compares to a good movie and a yummy sweet treat!

Do you have any food and movie pairings of your own? I'd love to hear them.

Annie

October 26, 2014

Bites of My Life

October 26, 2014/ Annie

The fall rush is coming. School is caving in and I can feel the busyness of the holidays upon me. Last week was breakfast with mom and dad, a pie competition, a chili competition and a big birthday. This week is momma's bday, Halloween and two tests.

I've said it before but I love using my bites posts to see what I was doing a year ago. Last year was a birthday brunch and more chili. Bites from a year ago and bites for today!

-Pumpkin Chobani. It's as good as it sounds.

-Monday morning with these kids started the week off right!

-My favorite event of the year, Chili Cook-Off. Serving up Kappa's chili with my gal pals.

-Mini photoshoot with Beaded by W on Friday. Love being creative with her!

-Finally tried making Blue Moon Cupcakes (used this recipe for the cake and this recipe for the frosting). My Blue Moon-loving roomie's 21st birthday was the perfect occasion to try these out.

-Veggie quinoa fried rice. My Sunday night groove.

Hello goodbye October.

Annie

October 23, 2014

Squashed

October 23, 2014/ Annie

Mom used to make acorn squash with pork chops all the time when I was growing up. Usually when I saw acorn squash in the oven, I thought, ugh, squash again? I wasn't quite the squash girl that I am now. Summer squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, they all get in an A+ from me.

Acorn Squash with Fall Quinoa Salad adapted from Donna Hay
serves: 2, time: 1 hour

Ingredients:
1 acorn squash
olive oil, salt, pepper and cinnamon for roasting the squash
1/2 small red onion
1 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup feta
fresh basil
1/4 cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Cut your squash into quarters and place on a roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and cinnamon. Roast for 25 minutes. While the squash is starting to roast, cut your onion into chunks and set aside. Cook the quinoa according to your package directions.

After 25 minutes, throw the onions on the roasting pan and roast them with the squash for 20 minutes or until the squash is tender.

Combine your roasted onions, quinoa, feta, seasonings and basil.

Serve two wedges with the quinoa salad piled on top. Enjoy!

Squash, pumpkin, beets, brussels sprouts and so on. I'm in a dizzy of fall recipes. This time of year, food is on point. I'll be the first to say I love summer food, but by the time fall rolls around I want soups and stews and roasted veggies and all sorts of warm fuzzy meals. What's your favorite fall meal?

Annie

October 22, 2014

Beaded By W + My First GIVEAWAY

October 22, 2014/ Annie

Meet Whitney; my new friend, sorority sister, young entrepreneur, and stud jewelry maker!

I stalk Beaded by W on Instagram, in aw of all of Whitney's designs. Every time she posts, I brainstorm what I want to order for myself. I'm slightly obsessed with the gold and wood beads on the necklace Whitney made me.

Between the craziness of starting college, this Austin native manages to balance school, sorority, a social life and making anywhere from 30-40 necklaces a week. She's always taking orders while also making jewelry to sells in stores around Austin, Norman, OK, Tulsa, OK and more. If I could tell you how she manages it all I would.

Q & A with Whitney:

A: How did Beaded by W get started? Give me some background on you and your biz!
W: So it was January 2 of my senior year in high school and I was bored and looking for a hobby since senior year is pretty laid back. I noticed I was sitting on my phone and Netflix a lot so I wanted to do something to keep myself off of my technology and do something productive.

I saw a tassel necklace in a store and I really really wanted it but it was $80. I figured out how to make the tassel, bought some beads, and made myself a tassel necklace. My friend saw me wearing it and she wanted it, then her friend wanted it, and then their friends wanted one too. I thought "maybe I can make a business out of this, just something small". So I did.

My goal was to sell affordable cute jewelry and my target audience was girls my age and in college. I know that girls don't want to spend a lot of $$ on jewelry so I priced it somewhat low- $20 for a necklace. I think that strategy is what made my business successful- girls are getting good quality jewelry for a somewhat cheap price. I launched my Instagram "beaded by W" at the beginning of March and by the end of the week, most of my high school knew about it and I was getting a lot of orders. Within two weeks I had a store contact me: Beehive Boutique in Austin! A girl went into the store wearing one of my necklaces and they loved it so she gave them my contact information and they ordered necklaces from me. Now I have jewelry being sold in 3 states, 6 cities, and 8 stores and it is expanding! I still take individual orders though too! You don't have to go to a store to buy my jewelry- you can purchase directly through me by emailing me.

A: Have you always made your own jewelry?
W: I use to make jewelry with my grandma when I was little and I loved it. I remembered the basic steps of jewelry making so I thought I would start making jewelry again just for fun. Making jewelry is a fun, stress reliever for me.

A: What does an average day making jewelry look like for you?
W: An average day for me is go to class, study in between all of my classes, come back to my dorm room and break out the jewelry and work on it for about three hours, and then I'll study for a little and then work on it more. It's very very time consuming but it is my passion and I absolutely love it.

A: What has been your biggest accomplishment with your jewelry so far?
W: My biggest accomplishment so far is this past July, a girl I went to high school with is an intern for the long center in Austin, which is a big event center and is well known throughout the city. She contacted me about making 300 necklaces for their fall event "Skyline".The necklaces are going in the VIP "swag bags" and I get to put my business cards in the bags, so I really couldn't turn it down! It is my proudest accomplishment to have made 300 tassel necklaces first semester of my freshman year of college just because it is so crazy time consuming. I've had to risk some of my social life to do this, but I think in the end it is worth it.

A: Do you have any tips for young entrepreneurs?
W: Tips for young entrepreneurs: I still have no idea what I am doing really, all I know is that I have a dream- I have no idea where it is going to take me, but I'm excited to see where it will. If you have a dream or an idea, go for it. It could be the best decision you make in your life. If you fail, it is a lesson learned! Everything happens for a reason and I am a strong believer in doing what you love with your life. Even if others think it is dumb, trust your gut and follow your heart. Work hard- don't slack off, it will be worth it in the end because you are doing what you love!

A: What is your favorite Beaded by W piece you’ve made?
W: I would say my favorite beaded by W necklace I have made is my gray pearl beads with rose gold beads in between and a magenta tassel. I love the color combo!

Whitney uses Instagram as her way to advertise her business and promote new designs. Make sure to follow her on insta but also like her Facebook page. If you want to place an order you can email Whitney at beadedbyw@gmail.com!

Now for the fun part. I'm sure you are all in love with Whitney's necklaces by now, soooo time for a GIVEAWAY!