Days Are Better With ...

One of my favorite magazines, Elle Decor, has a monthly column featuring a designer and "12 Things He/She Can't Live Without." Lists of favorite things are pretty common, but I especially like these for some reason. Anyway, last month I started wondering what 12 things would be on my "can't live without" list. But then I got honest with myself: I could very well live without most things ... I'd just prefer to not! So here are a few items that make up my list of "Things that I can't live without, but really I can, but please don't make me." These are the small things that make a big difference in my day.

Summer Scarves
As much as I love scarves in fall, winter and spring, I never understood why stores also pushed them in the summertime. It's hot, why do I want extra fabric around my neck? But then I moved into an office that seems to be a steady 65 degrees every day, and summer scarves (+ cardigans!) became my new favorite accessory. Plus my coworker's space heater ;)

Nespresso
After our wedding gifts were opened and returns and exchanges were made, we were left with a lot of happy Williams-Sonoma gift cards. So we splurged on ourselves and added a Nespresso machine to our coffee corner (our Keurig machine looked like it needed a friend). Now our mornings/afternoons/evenings can include homemade lattes, cappuccinos and little inventions in between. Oh, did I mention we also got a milk frother? #coffeesnobs

Morning Snacks
I feel like I'm constantly snacking when I'm at work, so rather than fight that flaw characteristic, I've come to terms with it and just try to snack well instead. My morning routine always involves breakfast at home, but a few hours into work I "need" more food! My BFF is yogurt and granola (and by granola, I mean a crushed up Nature Valley granola bar...voila, instant granola!) I was on a greek yogurt kick for months, but I've recently come around to regular yogurt, too. Lemon yogurt is extra delicious and fresh in the summertime, and I've realized it's the foundation behind the delicious parfaits at Kaldi's (hear that, Kaldi's? I'm on to you!).

Being Outside
I spend eight to nine hours in an office every weekday, so most evenings I NEED (yes, I mean NEED) to be outside. My body, mind, soul...every part of me craves it. Our apartment lacks a deck or any sort of outside space, so we make our neighborhood our back yard. Whether it's going on a walk (and taking a pit stop for ice cream down the street...), riding our bikes or having a picnic in the park, fresh air really does make things better. Next time you're feeling stressed, blue or just not yourself, take a step outside to breathe in some fresh air and say hello to sunshine. Instant pick-me-up.







So you see, I really could live without these things, but why put myself through that? Please don't make me.

Hello, hello

via Rifle Paper Co.

Once upon a time I wrote posts on this blog, and then I stopped for, oh, four months or so... The reason? I'm not really sure. Not enough time? Nah, I'm not that busy. Lack of inspiration? Sort of. Not wanting to sit at a computer after sitting at a desk for nine hours at work? Pretty much. I won't make excuses, and I won't make promises to "be better." But now and again I do get inspired, I do want to share something, and I do want to sit at a computer and write even after a nine-hour day. So here's to writing again once a week, once a month, once every half moon...we'll see!

These quiet months on the blog haven't been quiet months in our lives. A random sampling of things we've done, people we've seen, places we've gone and itty bitty things in between:

*We had various friends in town and enjoyed showing them around our fair city.

*I got a bike and we took up bike riding on the weekends, after work, whenever we could fit it in. Then it got hot and the bikes stayed inside for longer spells of time. But we still love them.

*Speaking of love, I became completely smitten with our neighborhood somewhere between the days getting longer, the air growing warmer and us walking down to Kaldi's as a Saturday morning tradition.

*I went home to Houston two weekends in June and July and got spoiled and loved on by my parents in a way that you only truly appreciate when you move away from home (again) and have to pretend to be an adult.

*We traveled to Branson for the Fourth of July with Jonathan's parents and did what any good Branson tourist does: caught some shows, watched fireworks, relaxed by a pool, rode the Branson Belle, shopped at outlets, and played mini golf (hole-in-one right here, thank you very much!)

*Speaking of golf, since the second week I started my job (in March) I've been planning a golf outing for our firm and it's finally on Monday, and then it's over and I can take off my event-planning hat and let it sit on the shelf again until next year.

*We celebrated two weddings of dear friends in Columbia and Kansas City.

*Jonathan started a new hobby: leather work. My man is a serial hobbyist like the best of them; it's because he's so freaking talented and as a natural learner, he picks up new skills in one sitting. Stay tuned for more on this endeavor.

*We still want a puppy real bad.

(Fill in the Blank) Rice Bowl

Recently my good friend Leslie (aka macaron baker extraordinaire) told me, "Whenever you make a new recipe, just assume I want it and send it to me." Well I haven't been so good at following up on that request, but I also haven't made new "recipes" in a while, either. So the following is less a recipe and more a list of ingredients that when combined are likely to taste pretty great.

I used to shy away from making Asian dishes at home because the list of specialty ingredients required intimidated me and dissuaded me from making the commitment. But those days are gone! It began with lettuce wraps and there's been no turning back since. It's nice to have an entire new arsenal of ingredients in our kitchen to throw together spontaneously.

One of the Food Network Recipe of the Day emails I got this week was for this bacon and broccoli rice bowl. We had a half-used package of bacon (from a super yummy & easy shaved Brussels sprouts and bacon side dish we made) so I was intrigued. This became a "throw together stuff you have in your produce drawer" kind of meal, so my resourceful was happy.

Ingredients I threw together:

• brown rice
• leftover sugar snap peas
• shredded carrots
• bacon
• leftover shaved brussels sprouts
• cilantro
• fried egg
• soy sauce, garlic rice vinegar, mirin (the recipe only called for soy sauce so do whatever works for you!)

Pseudo-recipe: Cook the rice per directions. In a medium pan, simmer the sugar snap peas in water for 1-2 minutes. Drain and combine the peas with rice, along with shredded carrots. Cook bacon in the medium pan until browned; add shaved Brussels sprouts. Saute for 2 more minutes. Add the bacon and Brussels sprouts to the rice mixture, along with soy sauce (and any additional sauces you have). Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring until sauces are well-combined and almost completely evaporated. Transfer to bowl. Fry egg and serve on top of rice bowl. Garnish with cilantro.

I'm not a big fried egg person (I always overcook them) so it's not the prettiest picture, but you get the idea. With the cilantro and combo of sauces, the taste was somewhere between pad thai and fried rice. Is that a weird description? Hope not, 'cause it was delicious! So go dig out your produce drawer goodies and get cookin'.