Thinking Pink!

For the first time in over a year life is finally slowing down a bit...or at least work is. So there's no better time to start blogging again - you know, to fill the time when I'd be looking at Perezhilton.com or shopping on Gilt. 

The best news is that I have the time to start planning for our new arrival making her debut in April! Chris and I couldn't be more thrilled to have a little girl, and poor guy, he has no clue what's coming.

Easy dip for a lazy day

One of my friends gave me a super easy and yummy dip - perfect for a summer day at the lake with friends. Check out the ingredients below. I love to eat this with Tostitos Multigrain Scoops - trust me, you'll need a think chip for this baby.

2 cans corn (I get the low sodium kind)
2 corns black beans (also low sodium)
2 jalapenos, small diced
2 large tomatoes (you can always add more if you like)
A bunch of cilantro (and I forget this a lot, so no big deal)
4-5 limes for their juice
2-3 avocados

Mix the first 6 ingredients together. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you want to go a bit nuts, add some garlic salt and chili powder for a kick, maybe even some Tobasco.

Let the dip marinate in the fridge without the avocados up to a day - and add the avocados before serving. Voila, all done! Super easy and a great hearty snack to help soak up some Coronas in this hot Texas heat.

PS - if you have leftovers, it's great on chicken or tilapia. Yum yum.

Bucket List- Yosemite National Park

I love traveling and planning trips - but too often I feel like we don't do enough things that are quintessentially American. Like when is the last time that I visited a national monument or hiked the grand canyon? Um years ago, and never...

So when my parents discussed doing something over July 4th, my Dad and I realized that we had never been to Yosemite! It's one of those bucket list trips that we couldn't wait to take.

I'll share a few of my favorite photos over the next few days, but wanted to share the above of Chris and I from Glacier point - with the view of Half Dome. It was absolutely stunning. We take for granted sometimes all the natural beauty and destinations here in the US. Chris and I were in awe of how beautiful the park was. 

Yosemite is just 4 hours from SFO (see park map below) - and a gorgeous drive not only in the park, but all the way to the park and lodge as well. We had such a great time, and can't wait to go back one day with kids and more family in tow. If you are ever in Northern California in the future for an extended period of time, you should make the trip. It will be well worth it.

Bachelorette Recap - Week 9

Ok - this was a hard week. I really could not tell who Emily was going to let go, although at the same time I was not too surprised to see it was Blake. He had the hardest time opening up, yet he seems more immature than Jef. Ugh, conflicted.

Does anyone else think Jef is the winner? I am avoiding the spoiler alerts, but she seems so giddy around him. I know it's awful to say, but both Jef & Arie seem like they live a more exciting, and expensive life, so maybe that was differentiation point for Emily?

Ok, i'm leaving it at that for this week...I need to digest and get ready for the Men Tell All.

The Dovekeepers - A Great Read

I am always looking for great reads, as I tend to plow through books on a weekly basis. My mom recommended The Dovekeepers, by Alica Hoffman, to me and I busted through it in about a week.

I love reading historical fiction, recently reading more about the civil war and always coming back to the intrigue of Henry VIII and his many wives, so I was excited to read about a different time period to break it up a bit.

One of my favorite reads of all time is The Red Tent, based in biblical times and told through the eyes of women, and The Dove Keepers, is set in a similar time and tone, so if you liked The Red Tent, you will love The Dove Keepers.

In short, The Dovekeepers is the story about the holdout at Masada in 70 CE where less than 1,000 Jews were surrounded by Roman Soldiers as they fought for their lives. It is told from several different women's point of view, which I loved as you will come to see each character in a different light as you get wrapped up in the story.

I won't give too much away, as I didn't know too much about this historical event, and enjoyed being surprised. I hope you give this book a try - you'll love it.

The Bachelorette - Recap Week 8

Oh man, again and and again I try to not get sucked in to the stupidity of The Bachelorette, but here I am again. It hasn't been the most exciting season - there's been a lack of back stabbing, but there have been a good amount of douche bags, that's for sure.

Let's start with d-bag #1 - Chris. What a baby cry - he begged to not get let go last time, he pouts when things do go his way, and fights with Doug. If you are trying to prove that you are mature and are ready for a wife & a 6 year old, pouting like a 6 year old girl isn't doing you any good. Grow up. It doesn't surprise me that it was just announced that he is going on Bachelor Pad.

Ok on to Jef...he seems nice, but he also seems like he is 18. He apparently comes from money (trust fund baby/entrepreneur?) which is clear when you see the spread that his family has in Utah. With that, I wasn't too shocked that his parents were "away on charity" aka "too highbrow to appear on a joke of a dating show for their friends to gawk at." I loved his note though, he won me there. Makes me think he is the one, le sigh.

I'll leave it with my thoughts on those two tonight. More to come on Sean & Arie next time!

New Obsession - Snap Chop App

Ok, so I am weirdly obsessed with the Snap Chop app on my iPhone. I've had way too much fun Snap Chopping recently. If you have an iPhone or Android phone I insist you download it. It will be the best 99 cents you ever spend, trust me.

You upload an existing image, or take one through the app. Shake your phone and it will add a hilarious, or slightly off-color remark. Shake again if you want to see a new one. Save the photo or email it to Friends.

Check out the Betty's Snap Chop, priceless.

Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar

Finally made it to Sissy's, the new southern cooking spot located on Henderson right off 75, and it was pretty good!

First off, the restaurant is pretty loud, so don't try to take your parents for fried chicken there anytime soon - they won't be able to hear you say "yummy in my tummy." I with with 3 girlfriends, which was great because we were able to try a lot of the dishes family style.

To start we ordered the deviled eggs and the pimento cheese/ham salad with biscuits. Both were very good and hit the spot. I do wish that the size of the pimento cheese & biscuits was bigger though...fat girl talking.

Now on to the good part - the basket of fried chicken. Yum yum yum. I LOVE good fried chicken - that's crispy and not too greasy and this hit the mark. As sides, we went a bit overboard (good one Michelle...). We split the mac 'n cheese, squash casserole, fried okra & mashed potatoes. The two standouts were for sure the mac 'n cheese and fried okra. The fried okra was lightly flash fried, like shishito peppers at a sushi restaurant - so they weren't slimy or greasy at all.

So, if you know me, you know I love mac and cheese. The fabulous thing about this dish at Sissy's was the fried flecks on top (see below). I would definitely order this dish again!

So all and all, it was a pretty good experience. I would go back and eat the fried chicken again - but just be prepared to wait a bit for the table and deal with the noise.

Cheers!
Lauren

I'm back....

Ok, it's official, i'll be back to blogging in the next week. I tried to stay away, but I just have to much to say!

Stay tuned!!

Love me some La Duni

Chris and I had a dinner & movie night on Monday. We hopped in to La Duni in Northpark since we were short on time. I always forget about La Duni, and wasn't expecting much out of the one in the mall, but we had a wonderful (albeit expensive) meal. We both ordered empanadas - one beef and one pork. Both were served with great sauces, yes I am all about the sauce.

We were trying to be healthy and watch our portions (haha) so we split the CARNE ASADA ARRACHERA. So amazing, and perfect for sharing. The wonderfully lime seasoned steak is served with black beans, rice and a sweet plantain. Along with a cute plate of accompaniments such as caramelized onions, yummy salsa and guacamole.  My favorite though was the sauce on the side which was semi spicy peppers in a cojita cheese sauce. YUMMY.

We loved our meal, but have no clue how it got got to be $100 with tip...my thoughts? 3 glass of wine. Next time, just get the bottle and bring a big purse so you can take the rest with you to the movie.

I'll definitely be going to La Duni more often.

Spec's is coming, Spec's is coming!

Oh my goodness, I am so excited! My favorite wine, liquor, gourmet snack shop is coming to Dallas. Spec's is from my hometown of Houston and I remember going with my dad as he shopped for wine and I grabbed my favorite chocolates and fabulous sandwiches.

I love Spec's so much because you can run in and get a great wine, with help from their experts, and grab some cheese & crackers and make it home for happy hour on Friday at your house without breaking a sweat or having to think to hard about it.

Anyways, look for Spec's to open by the end of the year.

Unbroken - A Must Read

I just finished Unbroken - I finally read it after it had been on the best seller list for weeks upon weeks. It is truly a must read. I love historical fiction, but it is really really hard to find a non-fiction book that will keep my interest throughout. It definitely has some harsh parts, but it really didn't bother me. I wasn't as aware of the brutality that the US and other POWs were forced to live in in the Japanese camps. I feel like we skipped over a lot of those harsh realities in my AP History class junior year in highs school.

Anyways, in short, the book is about a man named Louis Zamperini who is an Olympic runner who ends up enlisting in the war and becomes a bombardier. Time after time Louis escapes death through POW camps, and he is still alive at the age of 94. It is rare to hear such an amazing true story as his. I suggest you pick up this book and read it ASAP - you won't be disappointed. So when is the movie coming out?

The Big Rich Texas - Trainwreck in the Making

So Chris and I were wasting some time in Houston this weekend and we stumbled across the Big Rich Dallas on The Style Network. Oh wow, it is ridiculous. I mean we all know that Texas, and particularly Dallas, has a reputation for blonds (dumb ones apparently), big hair and excess wealth but this is just hilarious.

If you haven't watched yet, you need to. It follows 5 women and their daughters as they navigate through their ridiculous lives and quest to join the "exclusive" club while gaining popularity and acceptance. They are all so trashy (Especially Bonnie and her tatted up crazy ass daughter Whitney, see below). Anyways, it may be my new guilty pleasure.

Hail to the V, Seriously?

So I was enjoying my chardonnay and SATC marathon tonight when my happy time was interrupted by the new Summer's Eve commercial. It is just SO wrong. Some things just shouldn't be advertised, and I truly believe that.

Click here to see for yourself.

New Music Streaming Website

So I love working with people who keep me in the loop of new fun things going on - especially music. My newest find is Turntable. On Turntable you can join and create your own music group/channel or join another person's group. I am in a group with some coworkers and each of us can create a play list and get to take our turn at DJ, and we all listen. You can build your play list whenever you like and put in in the cue for others to hear. I love Turntable because it turns your listening experience in to someone more social and sharable - so not as personal as Pandora. You also get to choose your own little avatar and the more music you play the more add-ons you get to your avatar.

Anyways, it is in Beta testing so it has some things to work out but it is kind of fun to do with friends!

Roasted veggies with thyme

So I love me some roasted veggies - especially when I am lazy and am trying to be healthy - aka, my trainer says no carbs after 7:00 PM.

My friend made some wonderful roasted vegetables from one of the Barefoot Contessa's cookbooks the other night, but I couldn't remember the recipe, so I fudged it and it came out just fine. Below is what I did. You can pretty much do any vegetable - but my favorite is the onions and bell peppers.

• Slice in thick strips your vegetables - onions, bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus and portobello mushrooms if you so choose.
• Lay veggies out on a cookie sheet, almost touching- preferably use a cookie sheet with an edge so you don't spill oil all over the bottom of the oven like I did last night. 
• Sprinkle with a good helping of garlic salt and fresh pepper.
• Throw on springs of thyme all over the sheet.
• Finally drizzle with your favorite olive oil.
• Then, pop the cookie sheet with veggies in the oven on 375 for 20 minutes. Turning veggies half way through.
• Take them out and voila! Easy, healthy veggie side that goes great with any protein.

Sockeye Salmon

I hosted my monthly book club dinner last night and was craving salmon. I was happy to find out that Sockeye salmon is in season and was half off at the store. I love wild salmon, and cooking it is fool proof. Here is my easy recipe below.

• Purchase salmon on the skin and place the full fillet (don't cut it) it on a cookie sheet with foil underneath and all sides.
• Sprinkle with garlic salt and fresh ground pepper
• Sprinkle capers and fresh dill on top.
• Slice a few lemons and place them along the fish
• Finally, drizzle with your favorite olive oil. It is great with basil or garlic infused olive oil, mmm maybe even Meyer lemon olive oil.

Heat up your grill to about 400 degrees and put the foil with the salmon on it directly on the grill. You will have to watch it, but it usually takes about 15-20 minutes to cook. It should bubble along the sides when it is about ready. Everyone likes their salmon cooked differently, so use your judgment. Also, if you aren't in a grilling mood, wrap the salmon fully in foil and cook it on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350. It will turn out great as well.

I love serving salmon with grilled or roasted veggies. Recently obsessed with The Barefoot Contessa's roasted veggies, so look out for that post soon!

So hard to watch, but oh so good

Ok, this may be the worst season of the bachelorette ever, but I am still watching. Why? It is a train wreck, truly. It is so painful to watch week after week as Ashley seeks out affection, acceptance and everything in between. Doesn't she realize that people find confidence sexy, not self pity? She should be the one in charge, choosing the guys and stringing them along - not the other way around. When is this season over already?

And how painful was the goodbye to Ryan. Poor guy. I actually thought they would be good together - equally clueless.

I still like Ben F, but I think he is too good for her. Now I am just being mean...

Until next week!

Well hello!

It has been a while, but as the summer heats up and work+life slows down a bit I figure I should hop back in to the blogging thing. First up...bachelorette rants.


Oh, and check out a new pic of Betty. How cute is she?

Ugliest Car on Earth

....yep you heard me, the ugliest car on earth is the one we got stuck with in San Francisco this past week. Check her out.