Seriously Budweiser- Stop Making Me Cry

First it was this one from last year's Superbowl. Literally tears rolling down my face

And now those sick jerks at Budweiser are at it again. Can't I just enjoy the Superbowl without all the feels?

Yet I can't. stop. watching. What is wrong with me?

It's the freakin' weekend baby

source

I'm about to have me some fun.

{yes, of all the songs in the world, I just quoted an R. Kelly song. And yes, I realize this reference is literally a decade old. Moving on...}

I'm super excited for this weekend.  Tonight, my beloved Cubbies are in town tonight to play the Nationals! I can't wait to endulge in a hotdog and some beer {and potentially be heckled by Nats fans for wearing Chicago gear on their home turf}.  Saturday morning, I finish up my CrossFit fundamentals class {after tomorrow, I can start attending regular classes} and then later that night, some friends of mine are hosting a BBQ.  Sunday will be filled with sleeping in, laundry, and an un-godly amount of Netflix marathoning {no judging- you know you're guilty of it too ;-)}

See you Monday! Until then, enjoy some choice internet finds I stumbled on.

Sometimes life isn't fair.

Everyday of my life.

In love with this photo series.

Can't wait to try making these.

Wait...Trix doesn't come in fruit shapes anymore {#19}

Chomping at the bit to chop it off. Or dye it. Or do *something*

Unique way to choose your drink

This should help with my Sunday plans

Weekend DIY?

I'm not even a hockey fan, but this story is too awesome

Think outside the box

source

Have a great weekend

I think I've officially lost my mind. Tomorrow, I'm going to wake up at 6:15am {on a Saturday, no less}, drive myself to a gym that its regulars ffectionately call "The Bunker" and pay someone ridiculous amounts of money to teach me the fundamentals of CrossFit which will include being yelled at by Marines, failing spectacularly at weight lifting and chin-ups and end with me on the floor in a puddle of my own sweat. But at least it isn't running. I. Hate. Running.

Here's to hoping your days off will be a bit more relaxing.


Seriously? How amazing were these two?

Zara has home goods now? Shutup!

Quitting, like a boss

I'll be using this tutorial to keep my beach tan without the fear of another sunburn

Want. {yeah- I'm a secret bad-ass. Well, a bad-ass that wants a sleeve tattoo without the guts to actually get one....so really, not bad-ass at all}

Super cool nail polishes

When life is unpleasant

In need of a nerd-tastic t-shirt?

If anyone wants to make this for me, I won't stop them

English is not enough

Jump Feet First

Source

Friday Finds

Source

Babies don't make any sense

The vast difference between early or late twenties

Can. Not. Stop. Laughing.

How adorable is this etsy shop? {update: Emily from Animalito Clay has offer all my readers 20% off until Friday May 3rd with the coupon code 'SARAH'- Thanks Emily!!}

My inner space geek just freaked

Why Adam Levine? Why???

What a fantastic new mom gift

Yup

Jimmy Kimmel - comic genius

My inner 90s kid just freaked out

If you follow the rules......

Source

I got a crush.....

Well, a girl crush.  I'm a wee bit obsessed with Anna Kendrick and her music video for "Cups {When I'm Gone}"

Also, did you hear they just announced that there's going to be a Pitch Perfect 2?! {head explodes}. Now please excuse me while I spend the rest of my weekend perfecting this Cups routine.

{not even kidding- I will master this}

Change

A lot has happened in my life since my first post back in October 2010 {please excuse my rough photography skills}.
 
I've lost over 40 pounds. {and still working on losing 20 more.....}
I moved.
I lived by myself for the first time {no parents, no roomies, no boys}. 
One relationship came to a close.
And another relationship started up and is going strong. 

And all along, I was cranking out goodies, mostly of the sugary, chocolate variety.

And while I still love everything chocolate, and peanut butter, and caramel, I've made another big life change and decided to eat a paleo diet.

What is paleo?

Short answer- all the meat and veggies your little heart desires with some fruits, nuts, and healthy fats thrown in. What that also means- no grains, dairy, legumes, processed foods, sugar, and alcohol{though I cheat on the alcohol part a wee bit...don't tell anyone ;) }

And now's the part where most people look at me like I'm crazy. You're welcome to do so too. I can take it. :)  So even though I'm no longer going to be posting recipes that feature cheesy pasta or ridiculous amounts of sugar, I'm not here to shove caveman food down your throat either. 

Which I why I decided to do a 'rebranding' of sorts.  If you can even consider my little corner of the internet a brand. 

But I don't want to just switch over and become a paleo food blog. Even though I'll still be posting the occasional {paleo} recipe, I'm so much more than what my kitchen turns out.  Plus, there are plenty of fantastic paleo blogs already out there. {If you're interested, I can definitely point you in the right direction!}  I want to expand to more than just dinners and desserts- I want to be able to write about my other interests as well. 

I love movies and pop culture.
I love clothes and hair and make-up.
I love to travel {or at least the idea of travel- my wallet can't support too many adventures at the moment}.
And I'm a huge nerd {chemical engineer by day. blogger by night}

So I'm going to take some radio silence and do some brainstorming. And when I come back, there's going to be a little bit of anything and everything. See you soon with a whole new look!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just popping in to wish you all a Happy Turkey Day.  I hope you are planning to stuff your faces full of turkey and pototoes and rolls and about 8 slices of pie.  I know that's my plan. 

And in case you have an extra can or two of pumpkin puree lying around, how about whipping up some Pumpkin Waffles for breakfast tomorrow before you head out for your 3am shopping extravaganza.

I, on the other hand, will be sleeping in til noon and doing all my Christmas shopping online roughly two days before Santa arrives.

Summer To Do

I have a love affair with summer. Of epic proportions. The heat. The tan lines. The long days and balmy nights. I love it all.

Give me a backyard, a grill, some great friends, a few rocking tunes, and a cold beer and I'm in heaven. 

And I plan to spend many of my evening doing just that.  But there's so much more I want to do.  Plus I can't eat my body weight in hot dogs and potato salad EVERY night (thought I wouldn't complain...)

So to make the most of this fantastic season, I came up with my summer bucket list.

What can you not wait to do this summer?

Twenty Twelve

I love New Years.  Whether you're the type that makes resolutions or not, I always feel like each new year brings a fresh start.  2011 brought quite a bit of changes to my life and I see 2012 being even more spectacular :)

I saw a similar graphic like this on pinterest and decided to make my own.  I stole kept some from the original and added some of my own.  It's getting printed out and posted everywhere- bathroom mirror, fridge, cubical wall.  I'm going to make 2012 fabulous!

What about you? Did any of you make resolutions?

Did Santa Treat You Well?

Hope everyone had a Merry and Delicious Christmas.  I'll be back Wednesday with Beef Stew.


Until then, everyone point and laugh at Max.  He's a bit embarassed by his Christmas present from my mom....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey all! Hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving with your family and friends!!  I know I will! So much that I’m taking the day off tomorrrow to recover from Turkey Day (which will include plenty of napping and watching Grey's Anatomy) and I hope you will too :)


Or maybe you're one of those people that hit up Walmart at 3am.  I commend you.  I will be doing my shopping online.

But I did want to share these crazy cute cookies I keep seeing on Pinterest with you.  How great would these be to keep kids busy occupied while dinner finishes up?

See you Monday with Coconut White Chocolate Crème Brulee!!

Photo sources (1, 2, 3, & 4)

What I'm Loving Right Now: Throwback

I've grown up a completely modern girl.  There wasn't a time I remember when we didn't have 100 TV channels with nothing on.  I've had access to computers my entire life (grant it, they're gotten SIGNIFICANTLY faster and smaller....).  I've never been tied down by a corded phone and have had a cell phone since I was 14.  And the first album I ever bought myself was on a CD, not a tape or record. 


But I still love the idea of "how things used to be".  I started drooling over the cast iron skillet below and it got me thinking about all the other amazing additions that I "need" for my kitchen that some would consider archaic or out-dated.  I don't care if they're been around for a while.  A classic never gets old.

1. Cast Iron Skillet. Lodge Logic, $30
2. Tea Kettle. Le Creuset, $50
3. Hand Beater. Norpro, $15
4. French Press. Bodum, $37
5. Cookie Jar.  Walter Drake, $20
6. The ENTIRE Big Chill Line.  Big Chill, $totally worth it
7. Fiestaware. Fiesta, $27
8. Mason Jar Glasses.   Libbey, $20 for 12

The Big Chill kitchen may not technically be a "throwback" considering they're retro-fied modern appliances, but how can you look at then and not totally envy that kitchen?!

What I'm Loving Right Now- Outdoor Living

Out here on the East Coast, the weather's starting to get a bit warmer, the sun is shining a little brighter, and Spring is knocking on the door.  And while we're bound to have a few chilly days between now and "no-jacket-weather", I totally have grilling on the brain.  A couple weeks ago, M made chicken and veggie kabobs on the grill and I was convinced that it needs to become a weekly staple. 


I've always dreamed of having an awesome outdoor living space to dine and entertain.  Here's what it will take to get me there. 


P.S. Can someone please build me a backyard like in picture #1??

1. Patio Set. Crate and Barrel, $ridiculous
2. Outdoor Fireplace. Target, $60
3. Lanterns. Pottery Barn, $30-100
4. Summer Stripes Dinner Ware. Pier 1, $6-8 per piece
5. Curved Kabob Skewers. Sur La Table, $10 for 4
6. Grill Basket. Cuisinart, $20
7. Outdoor Drink Holders. Pampered Chef, $40
8. Picnic Basket. Bed Bath & Beyond, $125
   
   
   
   
   
   

What I'm Loving Right Now- Barware Addition

Now, you're going to think I'm a total lush after this post, but its not the case.  I do enjoy an "adult beverage" on occasion, but for some reason, I just really like barware.


The tools, the glasses, wine racks, etc. I think they're so fun.


So here you go :)

1. Leaning Bar. Crate & Barrel, $300
2. Bar Tools Set. Swissmar , $50
3. Lever Cork Screw. Target, $30
4. Coaster Tray. Uncommon Goods, $90
5. Tendril Wine Rack. Bed Bath & Beyond, $25
6. Amsterdam Beer Glass. Sur La Table, $12
7. Cool Shooters Mold. Fred, $10
8. Shark Bottle Opener. Pier 1, $10

What I'm Loving Right Now

1.    Index Cutting Boards. JosephJoseph, $65

2.    Collapsibile Measuring Cups. Chef’n, $15

3.    Multi-Colored Prep Bowl Set. Le Creuset, $10

4.    Ninjabread Men Cutters. Uncommon Goods, $12

5.    Ice Cream Bowl & Spoon Set. Bed Bath & Beyond, $60

6.    Canister Set. Corelle, $55

7.    Cupcake Apron. Jessie Steele, $30

8.    Retro Toaster. Sur La Table, $240

What I'm Loving Right Now

Cooking and baking isn't my only passion.  I have to admit something- I LOVE kitchen supplies.  To borrow a line from one of my favorite childhood films: I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty.  I've got whozits and whatzits galore.  You like thingamabobs? I've got twenty! But who cares? No big deal. I want more. 

Yeah....its a problem.  Now, I may not have them a-plenty, but no matter how much stuff for my kitchen I happen to have, there's always something else out there to catch my eye.  Normally, I don't purchase, but I thoroughly enough "window" shopping. And by window, I mean my browser window. I'm an internet shopping junkie. But I swear- I usually only look.

So here's what I'm loving right now.

1.    Valentine’s Day Dessert Stand. Target, $10

2.    Chocolate Fondue Set. Orka, $25

3.    Single Cup Coffee Maker. Keurig, $100

4.    Swoop Bowls. Sur La Table, $8 - $25

5.    Mini Food Processor. Cuisinart, $40

6.    Nesting Bowl Set. JosephJoseph, $50

7.    Elevated Kitchen Utensils. JosephJoseph, $40

8.    Martini Glasses. Uncommon Goods, $38

Can you tell I love funky, brightly colored things?! What are you gushing over?

Lazy Sundays

Got my coffee, english muffin, a stack of magazines, and this week's Grey's Anatomy.


I'm a happy camper