Dinner: Stuffed Peppers

Hi friends! I haven't posted food in a while because I haven't made anything spectacular recently. Been in quite the food slump - eating lean cuisines and being lazy. BUT i am trying to hop back on fresh, healthy meals!

Starting with Stuffed Peppers, which I've wanted to make forever!

Unfortunately, while making these, i somehow steam vacuumed the top of the pot onto the pot...with my boiling peppers inside. after me and the boy used towels, forks and knives to pry, dealt with a broken pot handle, and re-heated the pot on the stove; we decided that a trip to the freezer would get the top off (after googling this issue a half hour into the drama). it worked. thank god. given that disclaimer, these weren't the BEST due to soggy peppers and no time to bake.

Stuffed Peppers
serves 2

ingredients:
2 medium/large green, yellow, red, or orange bell peppers (i used red and yellow!) - tops cut off and chopped, seeds cleaned out and body intact
1 pkg of ground beef, 8% fat
1 large yellow onion
2 chopped roma tomatoes, about two large handfuls if using other types of tomatoes
tbsp chopped cilantro
1 pkg chili or taco seasoning
chili powder to taste
red pepper flakes to taste
s&p to taste
a bit of evoo
1 cup brown rice, cooked according to bag directions
mexican cheese to sprinkle on top (we were lazy and tom put parmesan and i put feta...)


preheat oven to 425 (something i did, but didn't use due to the pot disaster).

brown chopped onions in a large saute pan with a bit of evoo for about 5 mins. add the chopped tops of the peppers (don't want to waste!!) for about another 3. add beef and brown. add chili package and other spices to taste. (feel free to add cumin, montreal steak seasoning, anything really). once beef is browned, add tomatoes and rice and combine all.

while that combo is being prepared, place the peppers in boiling water upside down for about 6-7 mins. (or in my case...45 mins. haha FAIL.).

place peppers in a flat pan and fill with meat and rice mixture. sprinkle cheese and cilantro on top and bake for about 10-15 mins!

enjoy!!

*the pictures suck because i was so stressed out about the pot being stuck. hahaha - it was SUCH a challenge!

FUN PUP

this is going to be me in 15 yrs. it will be an SUV instead of a van and full of dogs instead of children. woof.woof.

*you can even see the dog crate in the back...haaaaah

Wanna see something gross?

while i didnt want to gross ya'll out with the dog bite right when it happened, i decided now was an ok time. apparently, hydrocolloid bandaids should NOT be worn for a week and a half (cleaning and replacing every day...) because they burn your skin. argh. this dog bite is proving to be WAY more of an issue than i originally anticipated.

The Dress: perfection!

Just look at her! Isn't she beautiful!?!?

and creepily taken from the back:

my photos aren't the best quality because i couldn't get the right camera setting. take a look at a teaser from her photographer here**. absolutely GORGEOUS!

Holl,
Thank you so much for letting me share your perfect day with you! You, Joe, Lily and T were all perfectttttttt! :) Such a great time! Can we have a do-over?

Wedding Bells!!

Holland,

It's time to put on that white dress, gorgeous! I seriously am SO happy for you! I can't wait to watch you marry the love of your life tomorrow :) It will be perfect!

MUAH!

*holl is one of my good friends from high school and she has been keeping most of her wedding details a secret from me (evil, i know!!) - wait for lots of beautiful pictures next week! I can't even wait to see it all come together beautifully!! EEEEEEEE, squealing with wedding/love excitment!!!!!!!****

FAN MAIL!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I feel famous! I got my first totally random reader fan mail today! It seriously made my day!

This is awkward and creepy and stalkerish, but I'm totally sending you fan mail right now... feel free to delete and pass off as weird. I also live in the DC area and randomly found your blog today while bored (per usual) at work and have spent the last several hours reading, enjoying, and quite frankly, giggling. As soon as I read your bio, I emailed my boyfriend and was like, this is either my long lost twin or I'm reading about myself. The lists, planners, crafts, cooking, WINE...all of it. It's like looking in a freakin' mirror. LOVE it!

Can't wait to keep reading :)

Amanda

Thanks, Amanda!! You have no idea how much I appreciate your stalkerish skills!!

New Favorite Nail Color!

JUST bought this at lunch, and I already painted my nails at my desk because I couldn't wait any longer!

its SO pretty!
SEPHORA by OPI - Metro Chic

Earthday Schmearthday

well friends, if you haven't realized it yet, you will now. i can be an asshole. being "green" for one day out of the year will NOT do anything. yayyyy for planting trees and recycling, but doing it one day out of the year is stupid. i recycle all year long - and we recycle a LOT at 5501, that's about as earthly as i get.

one thing i will be participating in is free food in the lobby of my office building...and something along the lines of "how to be green" seminars. clearly, i'll get food and leave. and i'll probably eat it with non-recyclable materials. woopsies.

Happy Earth Day!

DIY: Project Shoe

I am going to make my own version of these gorgeous shoes:

It's going to happen. I have been obsessed with these shoes for months now. seriously. it's a pathetic obsession that leaves my heart pitterpattering every single time.

I think I'll make them for my friend's wedding this weekend if I have time! as;dfjsa;lfajk;lkj SO EXCITED FOR YOU, HOLLS!!!!

Picture of the Day - 17

Sienna was a bad, bad girl this weekend. She attacked me, it sucked, and for the rest of the weekend she was an angel. she kept looking at me like this. between the expressionless face and the bright orange shock collar, she looks like a little jailbird. which is basically what she was all weekend, i was too scared to let her out of crate! i'd show you a picture of the bite, but according to the facebook feedback i got, it's not the most appealing of images :)

Picture of the Day - 16

how can a beer tower not make you happy? we indulged in these after our hokie picnic on Friday night :)

Picture of the Day - 15

HAHAHA i saw an albino squirrel this weekend! it was so freaky looking! we were just strolling on mall and people were all taking pictures of what appeared to be a random tree that was just like all the other trees on the mall. then we saw this little guy. i'll name him chip :)

Picture of the Day - 14

how gorgeous is this? i love my city :)

Picture of the Day - 13

There are so many of these gorgeous flowers growing in our neighborhood! i just love how vibrant the colors are!!

Hokie Hokie Hokie Hi!

look at this precious hair clip i made last week to celebrate being a hokie!!

i got so many compliments, i was so proud of myself!!

picture of the day apology

friends, my camera has been charging up this week in preparation for this weekend. I have failed to post my pic of the day because i keep forgetting to take it off the charger in the morning on the way to work! i'll get back on my pic a day game early next week! Thanks for being patient with my forgetfulness!

xoxo!

Live for 32

Many people know me as an extremely proud Hokie. Today is no exception. Today, I remember 4.16.07. I remember every minute of that week as if it were yesterday. I remember telling my friends I love them and praying for those 32 who we lost.

I remember waking up to a phone call from my sister - she was frantically asking me if I was okay. It was the third call I received in a span of 3 minutes, the other two were from my dad and I think my room mate (it was early in the morning on a Monday, things were a bit hazy, and I almost didn't answer). I remember freaking out about getting in contact with everyone I knew. I remember being so afraid for the few that I couldn't contact - Blacksburg doesn't exactly have quality cell towers. I remember getting on facebook and checking the pages of each of my friends a THOUSAND times to make they posted that they were okay. I remember receiving that final Sigma Kappa email midway through the day stating that every girl in our sorority was accounted for. Thank God for the internet. I remember crying for hours on end when I finally realized that all my friends were accounted for.

*I remember crying for many more hours for those lives that were lost.*

Today, three years after this terrible day, I remember everything.


I will never forget my friends, and how they helped me get through even the worst days.
I will never forget the pride that I have in my school.
I will never forget to say I Love You.
I will never forget my four years in the amazing place in the world.
I will certainly NEVER forget to pray.
I will neVer forgeT.

I will Live for 32.

Did you know dolphins are just gay sharks?!

Glee is back!!! So excited!! Last night was hilarious and the singing was awesome, can't wait for the rest of the season....and updates on Pandora Radio!

Baked Turkey Bacon, Asparagus and Spinach Mac N Cheese

Baked Turkey Bacon, Asparagus, Caramelized Onion and Spinach Mac N Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg turkey bacon, chopped
• 1 bunch asparagus, each stalk chopped into 3 or 4 sections
• 1/2-1 full pkg of fresh spinach - * i'm sure frozen would work just as well
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1ish boxes of al dente cooked noodles of your choice. i am ghetto and did a mix of farfalle, medium shells and macaroni so that i didnt have to go to the store.
• 1 pkg of shredded cheese - i used 4 cheese italian (once again because i am ghetto and didnt want to go to the store) - you can use cheddar, mozzarrella, or any cheese that melts down really
• some milk
• some heavy whipping cream
• some salt
• some garlic
• some pepper
• some butter, i used light margarine (man, i am SO good at measuring when i cook.)

preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
saute onions in about a tsp of butter until they begin to brown (7ish mins). add the bacon until almost crispy(another 7ish mins). throw in the asparagus (3 or so mins).
in another pan, melt about 1/4 cup of butter, add milk and heavy whipping cream. i used about a cup of each. bring to almost a boil and add a few tbsps of garlic, depending how much you like. add cheese, remove from heat, and stir until the cheese is melted.
combine noodles, cheese sauce, and onion/asparagus/bacon mixture in a large pot (or the casserole dish, whichever you like) and add spinach. stir until everything is incorporated and the spinach starts to wilt. place into a casserole dish, sprinkle a little more cheese to brown on top, and back for 20 mins at 400.

then its ready to eat! sorry for my ghetto explanation, i am just terrible at keeping track of what i do!

Picture of the Day - 12

we took a look outside this weekend and sienna was sunbathing on the chair in the backyard! this is the first time we have ever seen her do this, but she kept going back to sunbathe more. my precious little gem!

Picture of the Day - 10

this may be my favorite house in the world. doors that match the chairs? explosions of cuteness dance in my head. i loooooove this house, it makes me happy! i get to drive by it everyday, which brings a smile to my face every time!

Picture of the Day - 9

i told clair that i didn't love her. so she sat on the floor and pouted until i told her i loved her. at a bar. an overall successful evening!

Reason #94854 that I am on a speedboat to hell

I would TOTALLY exploit my child like this:

HAHAHAHAHAH - the last minute is priceless.

Picture of the Day - 8

my whiteboard in my office.
...this should really help people take me seriously...

drawing courtesy of Ian and Arron - there is a reason ya'll aren't our graphic designers.

Picture of the Day - 7

LET's GO NAT's!!!!!!!!!! ok, really, there is no point in even cheering for them, they are terrible! but the stadium is so new and great! and when surrounded by great company, it's always a fun time!

I couldn't choose just one pic of the day, so here are a few! :)

and last, but obviously not least, the best part of the game:

Spring has Sprung!

{click to enlarge, then set as desktop background}

now that Easter is over, time for a new Spring Collage!

if you don't like this one, pop over to Michelle's Blog for another adorable option!

Picture of the Day - 6

the sky was gorgeous last night driving out to Dulles Airport to pick up my long lost room mate who was gallivanting in Jordan with the Prince. (seriously. so cool.) I am so happy to have her home!

Nat's game tonight = picture(s) of the day tomorrow that involve red, white, blue, and beer!

Picture of the Day - 5

A stinkbug was loose in the house last night, leaving Sienna to run WILD and try to catch it. She was literally running up the walls, jumping from couch to couch, and gazelle leaping throughout the house for this bug. One day you'll catch one, pup. Meanwhile, I snapped these two shots of her CRAZY face - she was SOOO happy! (this face may or may not be the reason people are afraid of her!)

Bailey's Cupcakes with Bailey's Buttercream

ok, i know this is SOMEwhat of a repeat, and i dont usually do that, but these were in high demand, people!
i made them for sabrina's birthday, and i know i say this a lot, but they are one of my new favorites. even without the icing, the cupcake is phenomenal!!!!!!!

Bailey's Cupcakes

Ingredients:
this made about 29 cupcakes!

• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temp.
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temp
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups Bailey’s
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Insert 24 liners into a cupcake pan.
2. n large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes with a stand mixer. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the liqueur, water and milk. Mix well.
4. In third bowl, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the liqueur mixture. Beat on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes.
6. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for about 25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.

Bailey's Buttercream Icing *here

don't forget to add sprinkles!

enjoy!!

Some new necklaces that I made

Secretly praying that Kate (my best friend that moved to Cali and LEFT ME) doesn't check my blog until she gets her mail....because these are her birthday presents that I made LAST WEEK and I'm seriously proud of myself for waiting this long to post pics.

*sorry for the crappy pictures! hopefully she will take pics with them on and I can post those later :)

Happy Birthday to my bestest, most missed friend in the whole world!! Love you Kath!

Picture of the Day - 4

check out my adorable, tiny little grandmas and aunt. and my hot mom, sister and cousin, ali :)
we went to a terrible hotel brunch at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Crystal City. But it was nice spending time with my family! Happy Easter!

Picture of the Day - 3

so i might have cheated a little bit, but i am almost positive this picture was taken after midnight. out with the girls at Clarendon Grill! Allison, me, Lauren, Katie.
**don't forget to check out katie's totaly awesome sunburn! oh, the life of a redhead!!**

Picture of the Day - 2

seriously, this place is my new fav!! We tasted lots of great wine :)
I suggest you gather your favorite wine-o's and head over there yourself! It's in Clarendon!

*sidenote - that is a Rose, not white zinfandel. you will NEVER catch me drinking white zin.

Happy Easter to YOU!

{via *ritzy bee blog)


{via *so about what i said...}

Happy Easter!

Siennie-pup & Picture-a-Day - 1

How could you not love that face?

Also, I want to try something new. I take SO many pictures already, and I've always wanted to do the 365 pictures a year thing. So, starting yesterday (April 1), I decided I am going to give it a shot for a month. One picture, each day! If I enjoy it, I'll continue! I am excited to share this project with you guys. I apologize in advance for pictures of Sienna because we all know when it gets late at night, I'll turn to her goofy face for pictures!

Happy Easter Weekend!

I hope you all have the most fabulous weekend!

Girl's night tonight, Cherry Blossom Festival here in DC tomorrow, and I am meeting Giada DeLaurentis at Sur La Table at Pentagon City tomorrow, and Easter on Sunday! A weekend packed of FUN!

(images via* here and here)

I hope you all have just as many great things planned for yourselves :)