little things

[photo by way of ney]

Sometimes it takes the little things in life to put it all in perspective. For me, it's usually the little things that do. Today, amidst all the craziness of doing laundry, at the same time as making breakfast, getting ready for the day, thinking about all the things I have to do before I'm in a lecture this afternoon, and planning for my little sister's graduation party tonight, I walked into the living room and found this shadow on the wall. The flowers I bought at yesterday's farmers market in the living room window, and the morning sun, cast this onto the wall. And, within just one hour, it was gone. Life is beautiful and all these little things make it just that much more obvious. Enjoy the little things today. 

fall farmers market

There is not much that I don't love about a farmers market. I love that I can find everything fresh for my week; dips & snacks, fruit, veggies, and flowers. One of the things that I really love is that over the past few years as more farmers markets have sprung up, giving more opportunity to shop at them, I have been able to learn about what each season brings locally. It has made the changing of seasons even more enjoyable to know that my favorite fruits and flowers of the season are on there way. 

I wanted to share some of things that I grabbed over at the farmers market today. And, either tomorrow or Monday I will share how I used them. It's just the beginning of fall which means it is just the beginning of finding delicious ways to use what's fresh right now. 

Fruit at the farmers:

[crispy & juicy d'anjou pears] 

[crunchy fuji apples]

White nectarines are, by far, my favorite fruit of them all.  Every summer when they come out I am excited to buy and eat them fresh from the farmers and as every fall approaches I contemplate freezing some to use in recipes year round. The problem is I cannot seem to wrap my head around freezing something that is so beautiful fresh. Anyway, having to come to terms with the fact that white nectarines have now gone out of season here is eased by the fact that as they have gone out of season, pluots have come in. A pluot is a hybrid of a plum and an apricot. 

[pluots by the dozen]

Flowers:

Veggies at the farmers:

[all types of squash]

I came home with:

[dahlias, which I LOVE & mums, which last forever]

[a bowl full of fresh produce]

[mexican squash (top left), eight ball squash (in front), and sweet white corn]

[left to right: flavor king pluots, dinosaur pluots (most likely named after the speckles on the skin), d'anjou pears & chinese dates]

quick brekkie

When I get stressed and life starts moving quicker then I can keep up with, a good and wholesome brekkie (that's breakfast people) is usually the first thing to go. Believe me, I know better. The problem is that when I have a choice between sleep and food, I usually choose sleep. I know, I know. My blood sugar doesn't like it either and in order to stay less stressed, feel better, and have the energy to get through the day I need a brekkie that can keep me going. I've learned how to get what I need and get it quick, so that I can stay in bed as long as possible of course. The other morning I had to leave quickly so what did I make, a latte (of course!) fresh organic blueberries and raspberries with Greek yogurt.

I love the Fage (pronounced Fa-yeh) Greek 0% yogurt. It is loaded with protein and is low in calories; 23 grams of protein per 1 cup and only 100 calories. To give you a comparison, a medium sized apple is about 130 calories. The only things is that because it is so low in sugar, it is very tart. I use a little dollop of Voskos Greek yogurt in the Exotic Fig flavor to add enough flavor that it isn't too thick and sour. Do you think you'll try it?

Who can deny fruit like that? So good, so fresh, so delicious!

[photos for by way of ney]

it's friday and fall?

Wait a minute! It's already Friday? How'd that happen? Oh, and what's that? It's fall already too? Holy moly!

[layout for by way of ney]

hey summer, how'd we do?

"To see the summer sky is (was) poetry..." -Emily Dickinson

Remember this post about my top ten summer plans. Well, today, the last official day of summer, I looked back over it and I think I did quite well.

I wanted travel...I got a trip to Florida to lay in the sun, a trip to San Francisco, Napa & Sonoma to enjoy friends and wine, and a trip to Vegas to celebrate the ending of singleness for a great friend. 

[south beach]

[san fran and wine country]

[vegas water show]

I wanted to cook more dinners outside on the grill...I got a few home cooked ones in but also ate outdoors a lot when we went out. 

I wanted to learn to do things that were new to me...I got LOTS of that, especially learning to be patient while waiting out the bigger plan for our life. 

I wanted to finish projects I had laying around...I finished little ones and bigger ones. 

[old luggage I cleaned up and refinished]

[seashells from our honeymoon in Fiji that I finally framed]

I wanted more time outside...I got it but not quite to the level I wanted. My plan to horse back ride has yet to happen. 

I wanted to take day trips to Santa Barbara and San Diego...that didn't happen. 

I wanted to master a light signature cocktail...I found a few that I like to rotate. 

[blueberry spritzer]

I wanted to wear big sun hats while I basked in the sun...I did. 

I wanted to read the books off my list...I read Two Kisses for Maddy at the beginning of summer and The Help at the end. 

[tear jerker]

I wanted us to find a new place to make our home...we found a new place that we LOVE and actually feels more like a home instead of just another place to be for now.

So basically 8 and a half of my top ten were accomplished. That makes me feel pretty darn good about this last season and about floating gracefully through the next one. Did you get to everything you wanted to this summer?

5 things: beauty

[layout and choices for by way of ney]

These days that seem to fly by with not enough hours have helped me to realize what things I rely on in my daily "beauty" regime to make me feel good.  It doesn't take a lot these days, or I don't have time for a lot, but these 5 things help make me feel good, refreshed, full of life and still "put together" despite the lack of time spent on myself.

1] clarisonic: Totally renewed the texture and feel of my skin. It takes off my daily makeup and exfoliates at the same time.

2] dermalogica antioxidant hydramist: I can't say enough about it's abilities to keep me feeling dewy & hydrated. I love taking the mini bottle along with me on flights, no matter how short or long. 

3] essie nail polish: I really haven't seen a color I don't like. Stays on long and has a brush shape that even makes it easy to do on my own. Plus, just having my nails painted makes me feel much better over all. Totally a trick to make my mind think I've been spending more time on myself than I have. 

4] tweezerman tweezers: I use these for everything from stray eyebrows to removing flakes of skin.

5] sugaring: Sugaring? you ask. Yes, sugaring from Lisa at SugarMe. Converted me from a waxer & shaver to a sugaraholic. It's all natural (edible actually because it's only sugar, water, lemon juice), hurts less, makes your skin feel great and is ingrown proof. Need I say more?!

If you feel like me these days and need an extra bit of pep in your steps, these 5 things are the way to go. 

working it out...

[layout for by way of ney]

So, new ventures in Pilates Certification has brought a whole new collection of stuff into my life. Studying Pilates means lots of reading; Pilates books, Anatomy books, and even novels like The Alchemist. It also means long days at the studio (high need for lots of water, caffeine, and comfy clothes). It has even meant some back-to-school shopping for binders and colored pencils (might be my favorite part so far). With all of that, when I leave early in the morning I have to be fully prepared with everything I need. This layout features some of my absolute favorites plus some of the things on my wish list.

1. Nike+ SportWatch 

cute bras that are good for layers: 

2. this Cosabella one or 

3. this Champion for Target one 

4. a great scarf like this sold out one by Chan Luu

5. a great tank that doesn't cling

6. a great cozy jacket like this Lululemon one

7. a bag that can hold it ALL 

(adorable and well organized ones from Lululemon)

8. Nike Free Run shoes (MY FAV!)

9. a great pair of pants that are slim enough to 

study movement but not so tight they are uncomfortable

10. water bottle-  this one filters tap water 

making it easy to fill and go from anywhere 

11. a notebook to keep track of all the new info

Obviously it doesn't take a Pilates Certification program to have a need for these things. And, just because you are being active doesn't mean all style should go out the window. The golden rule of dressing in things that are flattering for your body type should pervade every type of clothing you buy.  These are great additions for anyone who has an active lifestyle. I find that sometimes all it takes is a new pair of runners to motivate me to get up and go!

wash off the day

Life holds certain things that we have in our "go-to" belt whenever we need to relax, decompress, and release the day's stress. Some days we need our friends, some days, our families, some days it's just a hot cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or a special dessert. Some days we need to get out and go for a walk, feel the sand between our toes, or play with a puppy. For the most part there many things that are my go-to mood boosters. For my man, there is one thing that snaps him out of a bad day more than anything else...surfing. Getting in the water, soaking in the coolness of the ocean, feeling the salt on your face, and the undeniable strength of the sea. It instantly reminds you; life is bigger than your little trials. (He's pretty darn good at it too...and, he's mine!)

a hot cup o'

Even though it has not been cool enough here to really need a hot cup of coffee, sometimes there is nothing more comforting then walking up and having a big mug of goodness. And, let's be honest, these days I do need the caffeine as well. It doesn't have to be made at home but sometimes it is. These days when nothing seems settled yet (still up to our ears, ok, maybe knees, in boxes) the best thing I can do for myself in the mornings is make one of these... homemade vanilla latte.

[grind espresso]

[tamp the espresso down evenly and thoroughly]

[press in and seal by turning counterclockwise] 

[after adding 2 pumps of Monin syrup, push the water]

[successful espresso shot with a grind of cinnamon]

[steam milk allowing it to spin to create great foam]

[don't heat past 160 degrees or you will burn the milk]

[pour into mug "on top of" the espresso shot] 

[el fin]

You will end up with a cup o' creamy, delicious, comfort! Obviously having an espresso machine helps but it isn't necessary. You can heat up milk many ways and they even sell battery operated milk frothers now at places like Bed, Bath and Beyond and Sur la Table. This is one of my favorite ways to wake up in the morning.

If you aren't quite ready to get down with the hot lattes of fall just yet, no worries, here is the recipe for an iced latte. 

5 things: magazines

Moving always makes to go through the things you have and assess whether or not to keep them and what their value is to you. I LOVE a good magazine! I carted a huge canvas bag of my favorites to the new house with me. I usually have a stack of magazines to read and if I have enough time to get a full range of them these are my usual picks:

1] Vanity Fair: Probably my favorite glossy magazine. Great photos! Great articles! Great interviews! Hollywood, Style, Culture, Society, Politics, Business; what more could you want? The writing in this one is top notch. 

2] Real Simple: Every month this comes I can't wait to read it cover-to-cover and tear out all of the things that inspire me. They have great advice for everything and make it easy. From organizing and cleaning, to recipes that are fresh, healthy, and easy, to beauty reviews, and advice; they have it all. The articles are solid with great writing             and research to back it all up. Overall, it's really INSPIRING. 

3] Conde Nast Traveler: The images and articles in this one will make you get up and book your next trip. Being someone who likes to travel I like to use this one for research and for inspiration. I also love when there is a feature of somewhere I've been and I can compare my thoughts to their thoughts. 

*side note: the photo is of the UK version, hence the different spelling. 

4] House Beautiful: I was recently told that this is a old person's magazine. I'm not sure what makes it one but I LOVE it! I love flipping through and folding pages over to show my man and dreaming about a one day house.

5) LonNY: An unreal experience of a magazine! It is an online design and lifestyle (I made that up, and I think they'd agree) magazine. The first time I read it I couldn't believe how fun it was to "flip" through it and be able to click on the things I loved and find them online. How GENIUS?!? 

found my heart in san francisco

So after our trip to San Francisco last weekend, I decided to share our proposal story and photos with you. It all went down in April of 2008. Here is the story from my husband's perspective, as written by him the week after our proposal. It's a long one so grab yourself a coffee (morning readers) or a glass of wine (nighttime readers). I hope you enjoy...

Well my latest adventure took me to the mean streets of San Francisco, where unbeknownst to my beautiful and unsuspecting girlfriend Chanel, I planned a surprise engagement for her. Under the guise of a meet and greet business trip, my lovely and I were to fly into San Francisco mid-day Friday for a few days of fun and exploration followed by a big client dinner and hobnob Saturday night. Chanel had agreed to go with me in hopes of being able to catch up with her good friend from college, now living in S.F., and celebrate her birthday with her, which was on Sunday. Her girlfriend was in on the surprise and, risking their friendship, told Chanel she had last minute family plans, and had to go to Lake Tahoe for the weekend. Disappointed and frustrated yet still supportive, Chanel was willing to still come along for the ride. Thank God. After arriving and checking in we grabbed a car provided by the hotel and struck out to examine the intricacies and obscurities of San Francisco's Japantown... Wait, you mean Chinatown right? Nope the benignly unknown and completely off the beaten path, where no one would know us, neighborhood of Japantown. 

Not being able to write the script any better, our driver missed the street we were meant to turn on and we rounded the next corner to back track to our destination.  Somehow we accidentally ran right into Chanel’s girlfriend, who was supposedly out of town, along with 4 other of Chanel's closest friends, that where there for the surprise, getting into a cab on the most random street corner possible. As Chanel propelled herself out of our moving car screaming in rhythmic beats “(Friend)?!?!---Pull over!---(Friend) is that you?!"  The blood rushed out of my head and extremities and all I could think to do was pretend it wasn't happening and proceed to ask the driver at the top of my lungs, "...so is that a 6 speaker sound system you got going there, cause it sounded fantastic... Bose right?" I then start pointing profusely at inanimate objects around the car to try and divert her attention. "Baby did you see that door handle, no seriously check it out I think it's kevlar..."  At that point, it was in the driver's best interest to do as my rightfully confused and borderline violent girlfriend was exclaiming and pull the car over. Thank God it was Chanel’s friend’s birthday weekend, and the girls were quick on the uptake to make the potentially devastating encounter all about her friend and divert the attention off Chanel. The girls told Chanel that the real surprise was that we were all supposed to meet for her friend’s birthday dinner and a special girls ‘night reunion, sort of a reverse surprise party. And I was along for the ride with work obligations. A two-for-one. And that we just happened to circumvent the “SURPRISE” part by a couple of hours... Sure I'll go with that, I had no idea how I was supposed to fit into girls’ night out but at that point I was willing to squeeze into Chanel's pumps to pull this thing off (insert your own bald designer in San Francisco joke here). The girls managed to make Chanel feel assured of the agenda and we ended up having an amazing unexpected night out with good friends, even without me in drag... 

[about to head out for the night]

The next day, as Chanel and I killed some time before "my big client business dinner," several more groups of friends and family equipped with a massive banner, arrived in San Fran. 

[adventuring around the city]

They loaded a chartered trolley and posted up on Pier 29 right about the time when Chanel and I happened to be "discovering" Coit Tower and the views of the city from above. 

[while they were getting off the trolley in front of pier 29, KC and I were up in that tower]

Completely exhausted from way too many emotional pump fakes, as well as sacrificially jumping on some unexpected sake bombs the night before; I took out a pair of binoculars that were conveniently packed in my bag. We gazed out over the city's natural and architectural wonders for what seemed like several torturous hours (it was about 12 minutes) allowing all the pieces on the street below to be moved into place. As I pointed out various monuments and landmarks I could see that the crew in the trolley was in position and I eagerly encouraged Chanel to, "look down at those crazy people on the street with that massive sign!" 

[all of our friends and family holding up the HUGE sign..."Chanel, K.C. has a question"]

Upon reading it through the binocs, she finally realized what was happening as she turned from the window back to me, already on my knee, where I was able to tell her how I feel about her and asked her if she would marry me. 

She said yes.

Several hugs, kisses and text messages later, the trolley with everyone aboard came and picked us up. 

[everyone on the trolley]

[Coit Tower behind us]

We popped a few bottles of champagne and had a few toasts, took a little tour of the city and its sights, and then had an amazing dinner and celebration. We followed it up the next day with an all group excursion into Chinatown and the best Chinese food I've ever eaten (House of Nanking on Kearny).... 

Nanking]

I was insanely thankful to all that helped pull it off. It was an amazing weekend of perfect weather, ridiculously epic scenarios, friends, family and a stunning new fiancée.

Obviously my story differs from his some, being the girl on the other side of this. And, since I am not him, I can say that he nailed it with this one. There were so many amazing details that he left out and the amount of planning and love that he poured into this weekend proved that I would be a very blessed girl to spend the rest of my life with him. Now we get to live out that blessing. Life is good.

I love having all these photos from our proposal but from all of them, this might be my favorite...check out that sign. Ha ha!

I hope that you liked reading the story and seeing the pictures as much as I did getting to relive it! 

when life gives you ripe bananas...

...make banana bread. That's the saying right? Since I've been up to the eyeballs in boxes and newspaper this week, getting ready to move, while also back at work, and planning for a weekend away, I've been trying to keep my head above water.  When I checked the fruit bowl and found that my bananas were way past eating prime, my first reaction was to be totally bummed. Then, I realized I had the perfect opportunity to make banana bread. I don't have the extra time to be baking these days but it really was super quick. The best part was that then I got to smell the bread baking while I packed and had a delicious snack once it was ready!

Get ready with:

your electric mixer

a spatula

prep bowls

a loaf pan

a stick of butter at room temperature 

1 cup of sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cup of mashed ripe banana 

1] Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour your loaf pan and set it aside. Attach the paddle attachment to your mixer, cream butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat to incorporate.

2] In a medium bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt). Add to the mix until just combined. Add bananas and vanilla, mix to combine. If you would like to add nuts (1/2 cup) this would be the time.

3] Pour into the prepared loaf pan, sprinkle the top lightly with sugar, and bake about an hour and ten minutes. Test with a cake tester in the middle of the loaf and when it comes out clean, it's done!

4] Remove from loaf pan and place on a cooling rack. Slice into thick pieces, toast and butter if you so desire.

My favorite part of this bread is that when you sprinkle the top with sugar it caramelizes while it bakes. Delicious! You can see in the photos that it is so irresistible that my man took a crumble off the caramelized top before I could even take my photo. Ha!