Moonrise Kingdom

So, last Saturday Scott and I went to the Forecastle Festival on the waterfront of Downtown Louisville. Despite my germaphobia, we had a really good time. Well, except for that one time we had to use the porta-potty in the dark. *Shudders.*

Beforehand, we had lunch at the new vegetarian restaurant near campus. The veggie fried rice and spring rolls were delicious!

I'm kind of a clean-cut goody two-shoes (or I try to be) but there's a side of me that's full of bohemian splendor. There were so many different walks of life at Forecastle, coming together to celebrate the things we all have in common: the necessity to feel rhythm, to feel like we are a part of something larger. It was like a mini-Woodstock except there were exceptionally less naked people. 

The last few days have been a whirlwind. It's amazing sometimes how love can pick up where it left off and somehow feel new and better. And you fit together like puzzle pieces. The heart is a curious organ but it always leads you home. 

Credit 

Scott and I went to McAlister's yesterday before we went to see Moonrise Kingdom. It was so good! I really loved Sam and Suzy. It was such a bizarre story and the setting felt like it took me somewhere my imagination could never lead me, which in my opinion is a sign of a really good novel or film. Makes me want to catch up on some of Wes Anderson's older films!

We also decided to start a little book club because of all the new movies coming out that look really good! I remember reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower in high school but I was somehow convinced that it was over-hyped. But seeing the movie trailer with Emma Watson makes me really curious because I kind of like her a LOT. She's the face of Burberry for crying out loud. Scott has wanted me to read The Hobbit forever because it's his favorite book and the movie is coming out. Seems like no better time than now! 

Oh and the henna. If you can't find henna at Forecastle, then you just suck it up, go to Barnes & Noble, and buy yourself a kit. Boom. 

(Can't wait to rock an ankle and wrist tattoo).

Skinny Taco Dip

 

Skinny Taco Dip

Okay, so I've done it again. I'm guilty of creating another Pinterest recipe. I saw this recipe and intended to make it according to the ingredients but I had my own modifications in mind and ultimately ended up just improvising.

My aunt Judy brought this dip to Thanksgiving and I couldn't get over it. You start with refried beans, follow with a layer of sour cream mixed with taco seasoning (I used fat free), then top with lettuce shreds and cheese. The sour cream and taco seasoning really make this special, in my opinion. Que delicioso!

I only made this last night and it's already half gone.

Fortunate for me, my energy is way down just in time for a day off work to celebrate Independence Day. I sort of just woke up from what may or may not have been a four hour nap. The extreme heat makes for itchy eyes and troubles with allergies. We really need some rain!

Fashion & Function

So, today I became the proud owner of an iPhone 4s. I've wanted one since about whenever they came out but I knew it would be senseless to throw money away every month that I certainly didn't have for a data plan. But thanks to my T.A. stipend arriving in August, I can now afford it!

I'm in awe. I love having basically a phone and an iPod all in one. I'm also so excited to use Instagram after seeing so many other bloggers feature Instagram pics that look so professional having come from a phone. And of course, I've asked Siri some inappropriate questions already.

Now, I'm faced with finding an aesthetically pleasing case that will also like, you know, protect the phone that's covered in glass. I'm sort of OCD so I ordered three different cases to see how they work with the intention of sending the other two back that I don't like.

So feminine! Mint is so fresh.

Amy Sia has the best designs. They look just like brushstrokes.

Plum is my favorite color and this is perhaps the most practical.

I ended up purchasing the protection plan but I have a month to cancel if I end up having buyer's remorse. Anyone with iPhones can you tell me if you have the monthly protection plan, is it a waste of money, or did it really come in handy? I take pretty good care of my electronics but I've been known to drop things at times.

Any suggestions for cases? The mint case is so lovely and minty and tactile but perhaps the least protective. The Amy Sia design case is a hardcover, providing more protection but of course, not as much as the almighty Otterbox. My dad has an Otterbox and he says he doesn't use the protection plan because the Otterbox absorbs shock so well that he can drop his phone as many times as he wants and it won't break.

Oh, the perils of being at war with fashion and function.

Muffins & Maladies

Banana muffins

All right, I've been at it again. The 100 degree+ temperatures, lack of rain, and phantom ailment on my left side has left me cooped up indoors. So, what do I do? Yes, I make muffins. But these are no ordinary muffins, you see. They are made from a couple bananas, Greek yogurt, oats, sweetener, and a bit of baking soda. The recipe called for baking powder but I was all out so I just added a bit more baking soda and they turned out all right. 

I am in love with these muffins. They actually stick together when you hold them to eat, unlike crumbly, floury muffins. Anytime I can avoid flour, I do. The recipe said you could add any sort of sweetener but I opted for regular old sugar because at least my body knows how to digest it. Aspartame and such still sort of freaks me out. 

I will end my nearly week-long house arrest tomorrow at 5:30AM when I leave for work and where I will continue to work everyday this week except Wednesday. I may die but at least I will be moving again. I figure all my house lounging is preparation for the long hours of work I'll have to put in as a T.A. next year (I already saw my schedule and it includes some Saturdays). Hoping the phantom malady disappears soon...

Pin & Do

This summer I have made it my mission to actually DO the stuff I pin on Pinterest. Because yes, I pin a lot. I was inspired by the lovely Siobhan of Hello Flower and her feature 'Pin & Do." I realized it really is pointless to pin unless you actually use the stuff. Otherwise you're just collecting digital clutter. Which, as an aspiring minimalist, I shudder at. So far here are the recipes I've made:

 

Black bean and quinoa burgers with avocado spread on toasted whole wheat buns

 

Chana masala with basmati rice

 

Chickpea salad wraps

 

Greek salad

 

Trisha Yearwood's 'Chickless' pot pie

 

Crock pot mac & cheese

Derby pie 

And tons of great tips like how to keep a sliced apple from browning! 

 

Was also inspired to buy some of these containers to use in the fall

 (Since the meal plan is longer mandatory for me!)

I've also created a few things too. Here they are:

 

Colored thread to keep iPod cords from tangling

(Though mine turned out a lot less appealing... I used two purple colors and a light pink, ran out of string before I finished, and the little spirals aren't as uniform as the ones above. I might take it all off and try again).

Glitter paper clip magnets 

(Couldn't find any silver glitter or light light blue or green. I made a turquoise one and dark blue). 

I also put gold glitter+clear nail polish on the top of my house key. It's so pretty. I don't have the Pinterest link anymore, though. 

Not inspired by Pinterest (for once), I tie dyed to my heart's content the other day. I made the blue one for my dad, the purple/blue and pink/blue for my mom and the one I made for myself is being modeled by Jet above. I have also been dying to tie dye my white bag for like two years and I finally did it. The colors are kind of runny and I'm considering splattering some bleach on it to break it all up but overall, I'm happy with how everything turned out. 

Yesterday mainly consisted of making the crockpot mac&cheese, Derby pie, and catching up on my summer reading. I've been pretty much cooped up in the house since I've been on pain meds for my phantom abdomen malady and because, as I'm sure most of you know, it's like 104 degrees out. Actual temperature there. I like the little 'ecard' that says, "Who turned the thermostat to HELL?" It pretty much feels like it.

I realize that I don't feel content unless I'm making something. I have done so much cooking and trying out new things this summer. I love to know there are things that work, some things that don't, and some things that are just okay. The mac&cheese was delicious--I should've turned it off earlier but the recipe called for 3-4 hours. I think it was done by 2 when I took it out at 2:30. I'm more of a creamy mac&cheese gal. The Derby pie was pretty good too although the crust will never compare to the real thing...

The black bean and quinoa burgers are surprisingly filling. My mom wasn't feeling well and I heated her up a couple for work and she said they gave her so much energy and made her sick-feeling go away. We named them the 'Magical Healing Burgers.' The avocado spread on top is basically a healthier version of guacamole that I've made three times this summer with avocado, sliced tomatoes, paprika, pepper, and a pinch of salt. 

The Greek salad was another hit. Next time I think I'll include less onion and chop up the tomatoes a bit more. Also, don't add the cheese, croutons, or dressing until ready to serve!

I'm sort of on the fence about the chickpea salad wraps. They were good but not great. I think there was just too much celery, onion, and dill for me.

The chickless pot pie was delicious. Who knew you could make a hearty pot pie with vegetable stock and soy milk? I tried making homemade pot pie before and failed because the gravy refused to thicken. Not so in this case! The gravy was so thick and delicious. You could barely even tell it was vegan.

Up next, I think I'm going to try a couple of foot-improvement remedies and a recipe for muffins that only need Greek yogurt, bananas, oats, and like, baking powder. I love foods with the least amount of ingredients possible. I hope to eat more 'clean' and closer to nature in the future but right now I'd say I'm at a good start!

Little Big Town

Hello friends, it's been awhile.

This summer I've been working, traveling to the boonies, making things from Pinterest and generally trying to improve my life. I'm supposed to be on vacation this week but I've spent most of my time in and out of doctor's offices. I've been having pain in my upper left abdomen that two doctors suspected to be kidney-stone related. After a CT and KUB, the phantom malady did not present itself. If it doesn't go away after my kidney stone surgery on 7/9 then I'll have to go back to my regular doctor.

Scott took these pictures while we were trying to figure out why my camera won't focus. It turns out I have an internal auto focus issue and have to send it out for repair. I love my Canon so much... I just want him to get better.

In other news, I made my own chana masala from scratch on a bed of basmati rice. It wasn't too bad for a first try. I would've liked it to be a bit more...liquidy...which is strange, since I'm usually more about dry foods. However, I was missing a few ingredients that I tried three different grocery stores for with no success. Indian food is just the bomb. Why you no have it grocery store?

This was the first picture I took with my new Samsung camera. I sort of got it as a replacement since my Canon is out of commission and because I wanted to get a smaller camera to carry around for impromptu photo shoots. I'm sure most people with dSLRs can relate to not wanting to tote around a huge camera all the time. 

Oh! And it was taken in the car en route to my first family reunion of the summer. The three-hour trip wasn't much at all because we stopped a few times at rest stops and gas stations and made a lot of jokes about body parts and such.

Family reunions are always interesting. There were a bunch of tables out with old pictures from my mom's side of the family. It's weird to look into their faces and realize I wouldn't have been born if they hadn't.

Here I am with my faithful camera man, Scott. At one point, he had three cameras, trying to take pictures for my family. I was really happy he was there to help alleviate some of the awkwardness of meeting some of my family for the first time ever and some for the first time in about fifteen years.

Hipster.

The reunion happened to be on the same day as my grandpa's birthday. I made the little poster up top and got him the coat of arms for his surname (and my mom's maiden name). He seemed to be in good spirits even though he didn't really recognize anybody. 

My grandma has the prettiest hydrangeas outside her house. I couldn't resist. Blue are my favorite...but purple are a close second.

And last but not least... we had to get a picture of Scott in front of a local landmark...BIG JOHN. All we could think of was the local commercials for 'Little John' who runs a pawn shop in Louisville close to Churchill Downs. He makes the most ridiculous commercials and we kept singing them only to replace 'little' with 'big.' 

We're goiiinnn to Biiiig John's today!

P.S. Don't ever stay at a hotel in Harrisburg, Illinois. You WILL be frightened of bed bugs and you WILL be told to exit the pool at 9PM sharp. And an Indian man will serenade you at breakfast with his cell phone.

Good Day for Earl Grey

Today was unseasonably cold, so I knew Home Depot would stick me out in the garden department. But Scott brought me a warm cup of Earl Grey and my woes disappeared! He waited for me to get out for an hour so he could show me his "surprise."

Turns out it was a sweet pink tennis racket since I've been talking about how much I've been wanting to play tennis! So we went to Tom Sawyer Park and played for awhile even though I was rocking cowboy boots. 

The moral of the story is, ladies, thank your boyfriends for surprises. 

Well, the good ones, anyway. Don't thank them if they surprise slap you with a salmon or something.