Bachelorette weekend!

Hooray! It's finally here!

We're spending the weekend here:

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

I will be logging plenty of time in here:


Sipping on one of many of these:

And tasting organic wine here:

Casa Barranca Winery

I'll be back Monday, rested and relaxed, with a full recap.

Have a lovely weekend!

Outfit inspiration

So, it's never to early to start planning one's Honeymoon wardrobe, right?

I saw this image on AT (seriously digging the "must-have outfits" tab) and HAD to recreate:

Until then I saw this one on BR:


At which point I realized, that the perfect solution would be to combine them all together into ONE AMAZING SUPER-OUTFIT*! (Commence wild shopping spree...)

Imagine if you will, the top 1/2 of outfit 1 with the bottom 1/2 of outfit 2:

Clockwise from top left: Shawl Collar Tunic - Ann Taylor; Dusk Til Dawn Hobo - Red by Marc Ecko (Macy's); Floral Linen Scarf - H&M; Inka Boots in Cognac - Steve Madden (Macy's); Skinny Jeggings** - Celebrity Pink (Macy's***).

* Sound familiar to any Friends fans? "Hat's are back." (Rachel) "And this time, they've all ganged up to form one giant SUPER-HAT!" (Chandler) Anyone, anyone?

** Yes, I own something called a 'Jegging'. It's a jean legging. The 80's are back and they are NOT going anywhere. Get used to it.

*** Yes, Macy's is having a CRAZY sale, on top of which, I somehow persuaded the woman in front of me in line to 'loan' me her 20% off coupon. (Thank you!)

All told, the damage was under $200. Not bad. (P.S. Did you know that Ann Taylor offers a 20% student discount? I ain't too proud to beg, yo.)

2 months to go!

The wedding is only 2 months away! And, while I am feeling stressed and panicky (so much to do!) I am also feeling really good and confident that we can get everything done...hopefully, with some time to spare.

Since last month's post, we've gotten SO much done on our to-do list...including writing a to-do list...seeing the entire population of what needs to get done REALLY helps me kick into high gear. And, has a strangely calming effect.

This month I scratched another 134 miles off my to-do list (And, started to think about organizing some sort of pre-wedding fun-run to cross of that 1,000th mile...too ambitious?) I'm down to just 205 miles to go before the big day!

Also during this past month, we had my bridal shower (so FUN!)at Malibu Wines:

Yum



With all my bridesmaids

Mom and Kiki did an AMAZING job putting this all together

As I was heading home from the shower, I got really sad realizing that this once-in-a-lifetime event was over. What made me sad wasn't realizing that the shower was over, but realizing how fast the day goes by, and how quickly our engagement has flown past.

For all those days when I've wished silently to my self for the day to just 'hurry up and get here' I'm starting to regret not enjoying the whole planning process just a little bit more.

So, I'm going balls to the walls here for these last 2 months, and planning to enjoy every last second!

That SMELL*

As I sit here writing this, I am being TORTURED by one of the 10 best scents of all time - fresh baking bread.

I'm a jane-come-lately to the Jim Lahey no-knead bread recipe, but by George, I don't think I'll ever buy another loaf of bread again. I breezed right past the bakery stand at the Farmer's Market on Sunday, because I would SO much rather have this:

Considering our apartment is only 1,000 square feet, after a mere 12 minutes in the oven, I was SO distracted by the smell (which, in 1,000 square feet is basically inescapable) that I had to start writing about the bread.

Throw out the bread machine, step away from the KitchenAid. There is NO excuse not to make this bread. It has 4 ingredients. It takes 12 minutes of your time. You don't have to KNEAD!

I followed Deb's repost of the recipe here (which I would highly suggest, especially after reviewing the extensive comments, #29 of which had some GREAT suggestions to make this even easier.)

Basically, it boils down to this:
Mix 3 cups of flour, 1/3 tsp active dry yeast and 1.5 tsp salt.
Combine with 1 5/8 cups of water (heated to 110 degrees).
Cover with plastic wrap, and walk away.
Come back in 18 hours, flour dough and bowl thoroughly, and walk away again.
Come back in 2 hours and bake.
Wait in sheer agony for the next 45-60 minutes while your home smells better than you ever thought possible.
Cool bread on rack (or, burn fingertips and roof of mouth, your choice...)

Yes, clearly I've abridged a lot of important information - which is why you should follow the link above to the 'real' recipe.

But seriously - doesn't this sound like something you could easily do? Don't you want a piece of this:


Pardon me - the timer on my oven just beeped. I've got bread to eat, people.

* Admittedly, not necessarily the best title for a blog post...

Milestone!

One year, one hundred posts!


I can't believe it - today is my one year blogversary. And, coincidentally, this is my 100th post. Who would've thought I'd have so much to say!?

I'm taking the rest of the night off to celebrate :) with a delicious pesto and shrimp pizza, some homemade cookie dough truffles, and a delicious glass of port.

I'll be back next week with a recap of my bridal shower (tomorrow!) a delicious bread recipe, and some eye candy I'm currently longing for.

Have a lovely Friday!

Cheesecake frozen yogurt

I have a confession to make. I love frozen yogurt. LOVE.

As in can't walk past a Yogurtland without going in to taste the new flavors - love.

As in, will drive 10 miles out of my way for Menchie's - love.

As in, won't finish my entire dinner, and will pawn leftovers onto A, so that I can stop and get some on the way home - love.

Except, I hate that I don't know what's IN it. Specifically, ingredients, nutrition facts? Don't get me wrong, I checked out the nutrition facts here and here, but, I have no idea if I am portioning out exactly 83 grams of the stuff (um, who am I kidding, most likely NOT!) nor can I remember which flavor I got, whether it was non-fat, low-fat, etc. TOO MUCH WORK. Especially for a dessert. And especially, when I can make it myself.

I know what you're thinking. "Cottage cheese? In frozen yogurt? Gross." I know, because I thought that too. And maybe you'll try it and STILL think it's gross. But not me. I am hooked. (P.S. It is WAY cheaper than $0.35 per ounce...and SO much healthier.)

Cheesecake 'frozen yogurt':
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 scoop protein powder
1 tbsp sugar-free almond Torani (you can buy this at Cost Plus)
1-2 packets of Equal (if you are a CRAZY sweet tooth like me)

Combine all ingredients in a Cuisinart or food processor (I would not suggest a blender - too hard to get it out.) Blend until consistency is smooth. Spoon into a bowl, and freeze for 40-60 minutes, to preference. Top with berries.

Now, tell me that doesn't taste like cheesecake filling.



Enjoy not ruining your diet, meeting your protein needs for the day, and saving $5.37 and a trip outdoors in your jammies :)

Nutrition Facts: Calories - 130; Fat - 1g; Protein - 23g; Carb - 5.5g; Fiber - 0.25g

3 more months

It's July 9th.

That means only THREE.MORE.MONTHS.

Three months! (Commence panic attack)

Three months to:
* Find supplies for our favors
* Start dress fittings
* Buy shoes to go with the dress
* Taste and pick food and wine for our reception
* Panic
* Nail down the ceremony
* Find the groom's suit, and shoes
* Meet with the DJ and pick music
* Get a marriage license (where does one get one of these, anyways? Does it take long? Am I behind? Ack.)
* Panic late into the night
* Run 340 more miles
* Collapse into heap of rubble

This wedding planning business is some time and labor-intensive, scary stuff.

But, I have no fear. I'll get it all done.

Tomorrow.

Because tonight, I am going to be preoccupied with THESE:


That's right. Figs are back in season! We got a HUGE 2 lb container at Trader Joe's last night and they are DELICIOUS. I think I've consumed about 10 of them already...

On tonight's menu:

(Image courtesy of Martha Stewart)
Yep, that's right. It is pizza friday after all.

Yum. I'll deal with the stress tomorrow.