Pumpkin-coffee body scrub

Oh man, few things in life are better than emerging from a hot shower with silky-smooth skin.  Ladies (do any men really read this vastly feminine website?) will know what I mean; after shaving my legs, I can't stop rubbing my calves together to make sure I didn't miss a spot and because they just feel so darn wonderful!  I discovered this body scrub last week, and have already made it twice for myself and once for a friend as a little gift!  I'll list the ingredients below, but you'll most likely have them in your fridge or pantry right now, and can throw this together in about two minutes flat.
I'll let the video speak for itself about what exactly each ingredient does, but will give you this tip: coffee can stain, so be sure to rinse the scrub throroughly before getting out of the shower.  This is a great way to get rid of dry, winter skin and prep for the (hopefully) coming spring!

Pumpkin Coffee Body Scrub
1/4 c. pumpkin puree
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. ground coffee
1 Tbsp. olive oil (I used this in place of almond oil, which I couldn't get my hands on.  If you have some, definitely use!  I'm sure it smells heavenly.)
Juice of half a lemon

Combine everything in a bowl and scrub away! 

The Kind Diet

via

You know me.  I've been honest about books being reviewed on here, whether I didn't like them (Journey to the Center of the Earth) or was meh (The Marriage Plot) or super-enjoyed it (Bossypants). 

I'm not exaggerating when I say that reading The Kind Diet, by, yes, Alicia Silverstone, changed my life and the way I eat.  Silverstone is vegan (I'm not vegan, but eat limited animal protein and dairy), and has written a book about the way she lives.  The first half of the book lays out her "nasty foods" including meat, dairy, white sugar and processed foods.  I've read books about healthy eating and why veggies are better for us and the environment than an animal protein-based diet, but this is the first one that really hit home for me.  Because it's vegan, not vegetarian, I finally realized that dairy/cheese isn't the wunderkind that I thought for so long.  She made two points that stuck with me: no other animals drink other animal's milk ("Pandas don't drink gorilla milk...dogs don't drink goat milk" p. 35), and dairy is designed to make us fat (babies drink it to make them fat and happy, and calves turn into 400-lb cows after drinking their mother's milk).  It clicked for me, and I haven't had a fifth of the dairy I used to since reading this book. 

I don't want to get preachy, but reading this book has helped me lose weight (went down a size and have easily maintained it), feel happier, and totally love all the delicious food I get to make in the second half of the book.  JP and I have been more adventurous about the foods we eat (tempeh, wheat berries, collard greens), and don't have to spend as much money at the grocery store or time in the kitchen cooking roasts, pork, etc.  Our dinner plates look beautiful with colorful veggies and new spices.  

If you'd like to make a change, or even just feel curious about incorporating more vegetables and whole grains into your diet, you've got to pick up a copy of The Kind Diet.  It just might change your life, too.

Amaretto Sour with Prosecco

We had some friends over a couple weekends ago, and, in a spurt of hostess mode, I decided that our gathering would need a signature cocktail.  The only problem is that I don't know much about mixology, and our bar isn't totally stocked with tons of liquors, liqueurs, mixers, and I don't have a muddler.  What I did have was sparkling wine, Amaretto, and limes.  I picked up my copy of Giada deLaurentis' Giada's Kitchen, and spotted this drink.
Let me start with the citrus-sugared rim, which is perfectly tart and sweet.  The drink itself is warm (amaretto), effervescent (prosecco), and smooth (simple syrup).  I happened to have some orange-spiked simple syrup (left over from the Orangettes), which I used for a more Florida feel.  Regular simple syrup will be equally delicious, I'm sure!
If you're looking for a signature cocktail after a long week at work, I definitely suggest you check this out.  You can make the syrup beforehand, and then just add the liqueur and Prosecco before serving- doesn't get much easier than that!

The Joy of Books

Hey y'all,
My apologies for the sporadic updates this week.  My beloved Macbook finally ran out of memory, crashed, and needed a new operating system.  Luckily, I'm marrying a very tech-savvy man who fixed it all and I'll be back up and running next week!  In the meantime, have you seen the Joy of Books video on youtube?  It's amazing.  Although my shelves aren't nearly as full, I would like to think that my literature has a little life of its own while I'm away.

Big Curry Noodle Pot

Oh man, this big curry noodle pot is such a satisfying dinner.  Combine some udon noodles, tempeh, thai curry sauce, and coconut milk into a pot, and slurp up.  I used tempeh instead of tofu; tempeh's a pressed soy product that is super-high in protein, but has a great mouthfeel comparable to meat.  Thai curry is perfect for a wintry meal by the fireplace- it's warm, soupy, and slightly spicy.  You can adjust the heat as you'd like by adding more or less coconut milk, using a little less or more curry paste, etc.  Squeeze more lime juice if you want.  This recipe is pretty adaptable.
Enjoy!

No shoes

Sweater: J.Crew

Button-down and pants: Gap

Necklace: Jewelmint

Barrette: F21 (v. old)

This is my "going back to work after a 12-day vacation" look.  It's comfortable, but still conveys a willingness to check e-mails and schedule events/meetings for my department.  The sweater is an old birthday gift, but I get so much wear out of it!  It has a great boatneck, so isn't constricting and pairs nicely with a patterned silk blouse.

 I just tied my hair in a ponytail, then pinned the barrette in underneath the rubber band, giving it volume.  An idea from Sex and the City!

There's something so easy but chic about wearing a necklace beneath your collar and over your sweater.  I love this layered look.

January so far

 Unwinding after a long day with some Irish hot chocolate, crowded on top with tiny marshmallows.

 A tasty new-to-me cocktail!  Amaretto sour with prosecco- recipe to follow soon!

 A hearty and soul-warming breakfast: collard greens with pine nuts, buttered toast and hot lemon water.

 We drove to Great Falls, VA with the Diegos this weekend; what a gorgeous sight.

 Big curry noodle bowl for dinner last week- slurpy and tasty!  I'll post the recipe soon.

Birthday balloons caught in the trees next to our dog park.

2012 Resolutions

Ah, I love the beginning of a new year!  2012 is going to get busier until the wedding in March; I plan on relaxing in front of the tv with Friday Night Lights and Battlestar to chill out when it gets stressful.  In April, I get to relax and do things like 'run a half marathon' and 'visit Austin, TX with Jess!' Some of these resolutions may not seem impressive, but driving in DC terrifies me, and Dupont Circle is the craziest roundabout in the city!  And, clearly, I need to work on my saving, hence the fiscal resolution.  I've been dating JP for nearly 6 years (!!), and have yet to master his native tongue, so having 'a conversation with Patricia in Spanish' will be a long time coming.
There are so many other things to do, but this will be a good start!

The end of 2011

John Paul and Mia enjoyed their first Summers Christmas!  Lots of champagne and gift unwrapping.  How do you like this new slippers?

 A Publix sub!!  Oh my goodness, I wish there were Publixes up here in DC...

The Fame! shot of most of the cousins.

 Merry Christmas from Aunt Nesi and Summer Jean.

Mia likes being in the car.

Second Christmas  at the Shelton house!

Hi Grandma in North Carolina!

Hey Handsome!

Lunch with Latty at Luna!  Mmmmm....garlic knots...

Four-wheeling with Pablo and Patricia in Athens.  Mia runs fast!

Happy 2012!  Hope yours is wonderful!

The shabby chic bridal shower

I'm pretty sure you know by now that I'm a lucky girl, and have plenty to be thankful for.  Over the holidays, I was most thankful that my sister is Haley.  She is truly remarkable, having planned a perfectly beautiful bridal shower for Christmas Eve.

To be honest, I didn't make it easy, requesting no traditional games (no toilet paper gowns, etc.) and a champagne bar.  Wow, did this girl deliver!

She came up with the idea for a shabby chic brunch affair, complete with tasty pastries from Mr. Bread in Stuart, a gorgeous bellini bar with peaches and blueberries, handmade swizzle sticks, and a famous couples version of Charades.

Haley also collected and made these cute-as-a-button vases, with bows and lace.  I love them!  She's crafty.

My mom made up some adorable bunting, fun fabric bookmarks for favors, and even outfitted Betty (Haley's wire mannequin) in a floral apron.  The apron is now hanging in my kitchen!

Christmas Eve may seem an untraditional time for a bridal shower, but it was the most convenient time for the wonderful women in my life to gather, as my family would only be in the same place that day and Christmas!  I'm so glad that everyone made the effort to come out, including my best high school girlfriends Jessilyn and Jordan, and my Grandma in North Carolina, who reworked her holiday plans to be there!

I should also give a shout-out to my dad, who brought GINC to the shower and entertained John Paul during the party.  Thanks, Daddy Man!

Haley, thank you so, so much for putting together such a wonderful shower.  It was everything I asked for, and more!  There's no one else who could have pulled off such a cute morning; I love you bunches.

p.s. I wore a great silk shirtdress from Madewell, with a belt from H&M.  Just in case anyone wondered!