Happy Belly: Wine Tasting

When I was back in California in May, I got to do one of my favorite things: drink wine. It was glorious; sunshine, rose, and some of the loveliest women I've had the pleasure to get breakfast wine with.

Google Reader, Anxiety and YOU!

As you loyal readers know, I used to be pretty awesome at updating my Pinterest all the time. I even had a weekly feature for a while.

See, the process has always been read the blogs, star the posts I like the most, pin the pictures from said entries. I like to use Pinterest as my own personal blog imagery file cabinet. Then I'd share it with you lovely people.

You might have also noticed that that has slowed from a pleasant skip to somewhat of a slog as of late. 

Here's why:

Google Reader stressed me out.

Not only because it's shutting down and I need to find an alternative (which seems upsettingly unnecessary in my first-world-problems life,) but because it triggers a strange and unshakable... something in me.

Oh- right. The word is anxiety. 

But it's not google readers fault; It's reeeeeeally more of a me problem. 

Let me explain:

There is nothing quite the same kind of stressful as when you get busy for, say, a week, and then cheerfully sit down with a mug of hot chocolate or tea (I don't do coffee), only to be met with the glaring 1000+ count at the top of your list. 

 You think, how can this be? It's been a week? Has that much happened? 

HOW WILL I READ ALL THIS???

Now, keep in mind I am not afraid of long reading material; one of my favorite books is Anna Karenina. But there is something about having a lot of blog entries to catch up on that makes my blood go cold.

It's like that feeling when you realize you were supposed to email someone or text them back, like, yesterday and TOTALLY forgot. In your head, you know that the blogger in question won't take it personally that you got behind; in fact, they probably have no idea who you are. Almost definitely, actually. But this breach in loyalty is something that I cannot abide in myself. 

So, I just shut my computer and franticly hum as I walk away until my unread pile reaches a digital stack up to the ceiling. 

Oh, I know it's crazy; don't worry about that.

SO it's been a while....

Yeah. Sometimes you turn around and realize its been months since you've touched the internet outside of Facebook updates and the occasional Netflix binge. Lucky for you guys, I have a whole stack of photos and stories to share from the spring. So let it begin!!!

In May, I took a trip back to the Old Country (or, you know... San Francisco) with my cousins and some New York friends. It was amazing. Days of gorgeous drives, more than a few laughs, and our fair share of wine. 

I also got to use my new camera.

Here's a couple to wet your appetite.

Winter Pin Ups

RASPBERRIES!!!

So I've been a bit lazy about my Pin Up posts- so I'm making up for it right now with a marathon Pin Up extravaganza.


Or just a big post.


Ok... Here it goes!

Lookin' Good: Face Masks

There are few things I relish more than a day on the couch with a glass of wine, a good movie and a face mask.

It sounds silly and a little self indulgent, and it is, but I don't mind. I mean, why should a girl turn down a little self indulgence once in a while? 

I like to slather on a mask, plop down for some TV and just SIT. 

Then I wash it all off, take a washcloth with hot water and slap that on my face for a minute, then smooth on some vitamin E cream and call it a day. 

I have some favorite masks. I have combination skin, so mine are mostly in the clean-out-those-pores verity. 

My favorites are Freeman's Clay Mask with Avocado and Oatmeal, Freeman's Anti-Stress Mask, Origin's Clear Improvement and Soap & Glory's Fab Pore (which I talked about here as well- what can I say; I'm a fan!)

What about you guys? What are your favorite masks/ ways to indulge?

Happy Belly: Accidental Broccoli Soup

Sometimes you mean to make one thing but end up with another very tasty thing.

One of those sometimes was last night.


See, I set out to make zucchini-basil soup. It sounded so good and refreshing and delicious that I marched myself right over to Whole Foods and got the two pounds of zucchini and herbs needed to make it.

Then I got home and realized I had bought cucumbers instead of zucchini.

And by 'realized' I mean I was cheerfully chopping them up when my roommate looked over and said, "You know those are cucumbers, right?"




In my defense, they look very much alike and are stocked next to each other.


Anyways, I already had my onions and garlic going so I had to make something. Luckily, I had broccoli, the unsung hero of most dinners.


It turned out very very yummy. And a very pretty color.




Here's the recipe if you want to try it:

Accidental, or 'Ruh-Row' Broccoli soup

2 lbs broccoli
1/2 and onion
Garlic
Olive oil
A handful of basil
4 cups chicken broth
Salt and Pepper

Dice the onion and garlic and get them sautéing at the bottom of a soup pot in the olive oil. While thats getting going, cut up the broccoli into smallish (think 1-2 inch) pieces. Once the onions are soft and a little see-through, add the broccoli. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let that sit stirring occasionally so nothing burns until the broccoli is soft. Then, add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Take it off the heat. Blend the veggies and broth either in a blender or in the pot with a hand blender  (I prefer the hand blender- less clean up). Lightly chop the basil and add to the pot. Blend until it's as smooth as you like. Serve with a dollop of cream, some parmesan, or just in a mug; all options are tasty.

Enjoy!

A Nail Update

SO as you may remember, I bite my nails.

Well, used to.

See over the past few months,  I've really been trying to kick the habit this time.


Here are the fruits of my labor!

I stuck to keeping my nails painted for about two weeks, then started to leave them bare. I also use Booda Butter on them every day (thanks to my amazing cousin)! It has all kinds of oils and butters that melt into your nails and take them from limp, sad flaky nails to Titan nails of victory. ANd when you've been biting your nails for 20 years, they need all the help they can get.

So I've made it this far, and I promise to keep checking in and showing you my favorite polishes and nail looks- hopefully that'll keep me on the straight and narrow (biting-wise)

What about you guys? Do you have any special nail remedies or products?