dear lord the cheese

Weekend Recap: President's Day

2012-02-20T19:56:00.006-05:00

This weekend was amazing... Not only was it a long weekend, but it was gorgeous out!

It also made me realize how lucky I am to be living in DC. (hold the cheese, please!)

But seriously, it's funny how this time last year, how excited I was to move back to NYC from DC...And now I can't imagine being anywhere else. Oh what a difference a year makes!

My weekend included:

1. Walking home from dinner past the White House
2. Eating Girl Scout cookies and NOT feeling guilty...I mean it goes to a good cause right?!
3. Happy hour specials on sushi and drinks at Momoyama (30% off all a la carte sushi)
4. Taking a stroll around the Capitol building, which always makes me think of this...

Currently Lusting: Zara Shopping Basket

2012-02-16T06:18:00.004-05:00

Zara Shopping Basket

I'm currently on a "period of austerity," but after seeing this bag on Stephanie from Le Cheap c'est Chic, it very well could be my next MUST have bag. And for the price ($80), you really can't go wrong can you?

What do you think? Break the fast...or keep on saving?

Mind Your Manners: Thank You Cards

2012-02-09T18:54:00.008-05:00

1. Letterpress Thank You Cards
2. Thank You Mobile
3. Rainbow Thank You Set
4. Modern Chevron Thank You Set

With how fast paced life can be or how easy it is to email and text, handwritten notes are starting to be a thing of the past. But just the other day, a few coworkers and I had an interesting conversation about the importance of Thank You cards, especially when it comes to interviews.

I'll start by prefacing that I work at a staffing firm, therefore it is our job to help and prep candidates for new opportunities of employment, and we're good at it. Like really good. So after a candidate came back from an interview and told us she had not sent out a Thank You card to her interviewers, she was promptly sent to the closest CVS to buy cards. Personally, I didn't see the big deal, as long as she at least sent a Thank You email, which apparently is a big NO-NO! Whoops.

But I guess, it is all about the idea that that person went out of his or her way to get the card, write a personal message without spell check and made sure they had legible penmanship, etc.

What do you think?

Are you Pro-Thank You Card (which are SO cute!) or Pro-Email Thank You?

As easy as apple pie...

2012-02-07T18:57:00.004-05:00

Well as easy as making apple pie from a recipe entirely in DUTCH!!! The boy happens to be half Dutch and last night we ventured into the kitchen to make his mom's famous pie crust from ~~scratch~~ a box. I know what you're thinking...making a pie crust from a box?! It can't be as good as from scratch. But trust me, it was delicious! I mean once you translated the recipe to English and converted all the grams to cups, it was easy peasy!

Here are the instructions:

1. 1Bekijk de bakfilm appeltaart bakken en doe inspiratie op!

2. 2Snijd de appels eens in plakjes in plaats van in blokjes. Je kunt de appeltaartpunten gemakkelijker snijden.

3. 3Wel de rozijnen eens in rum.

4. 4Bekijk hoe je rozijnen welt in de handige bakfilm krenten en rozijnen wellen.

5. 5Besprenkel de appelstukjes met een beetje citroensap. Zo voorkom je dat de appeltjes verkleuren.

6. 6Als je niet weet of je eieren nog goed zijn. Vul een kan met 1 liter water. Leg de eieren erin. Eieren die drijven zijn niet goed meer. Deze kun je niet meer eten.

7. 7Heb je moeite met het vullen van de springvorm? Rol het deeg uit tot een ronde lap en leg deze in de springvorm. Geen deegroller in huis? Neem een fles, was deze af en gebruik de fles als deegroller.

8. 8Bestrooi de bodem van de appeltaart met een paar eetlepels Custard. De custard neemt het vocht van de appelstukjes op en geeft een lekkere vanillesmaak.

9. 9Bak eens een appeltaart met amandelspijs. Bereid het amandelspijs zoals is aangegeven op de verpakking. Rol het uit tot een ronde lap en leg het over de deegbodem. Leg daar de appelstukjes bovenop.

10. 10Dek de appeltaart af met aluminiumfolie als de bovenkant van de appeltaart voor het einde van de baktijd al te donker kleurt.

11. 11Is de appeltaart na het bakken te bleek, zet de appeltaart nog een paar minuten onder de grill.

12. 12Bak de appeltaart onder het midden van de oven, zodat de bodem goed gaar wordt.

13. 13Voor een fris-zoete smaak kun je 2 eetlepels abrikozenjam door het appelmengsel mengen.

14. 14Een appeltaart kun je invriezen. Verwarm de appeltaart voor het serveren voor een extra lekkere smaak. Laat de appeltaart eerst ontdooien. Verwarm de oven voor op 200°C en warm de appeltaart afhankelijk van de grootte tussen vijf en vijftien minuten op.

Oh, you wanted the instructions in English? Where is the fun in that?!

We're all winners at Target...

2012-02-06T18:27:00.005-05:00

This past Sunday, I went into Target with the intentions of picking up at least one piece from the coveted Jason Wu for Target collection. Much to my disappointment, the Arlington, VA Target looked like this when I arrived...

But then as I was left to mope through the aisles of Target, I spotted these shoes (that are currently sold out online) not only in my size, but on sale!

Winner winner chicken dinner!

How did you do at Target this weekend?

Game On: Brownie Burgers

2012-02-05T18:09:00.002-05:00

Completely and 110% inspired by Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere, my sister decided to make these delectable delights for her Super Bowl party! They have a peanut butter cookie "bun", brownie "meat pattie", coconut "lettuce", and royal icing "ketchup."

A burger even vegetarians can eat!

Check out the full recipe.

--------------------------------------------

Now, off to watch the Giants (hopefully) beat the Patriots!

Go NEW YORK!!!

Must Buy NOW: The Limited Sale!!!

2012-02-04T11:11:00.008-05:00

I hate to say it, but whenever I get complimented on clothes and I say that it's from The Limited (no, not The Limited Too), people are always in shock and awe. Honestly, I think it's one of the most unappreciated stores at mall today, which may seem like a bad thing at first, but then it also means you have more to choose from when you're in the store shopping their amazing sales!

Check out these pieces (and prices):
- Striped T-Shirt Sweater Dress ~~$89.90~~ $23.99
- Draped Wired Earrings ~~$24.90~~ $8.99
- Crystal Pleated Skirt ~~$59.90~~ $8.99
- Merino Cardigan ~~49.90~~ $8.99
- V-Neck Wrap Dress ~~$89.90~~ $23.99
- Marled Sweater Jacket ~~$59.90~~ $14.99

Granville Moore's: Mussels Monday

2012-01-23T21:43:00.006-05:00

With my sister being mostly out of the road for work this month, it's been pretty lonely in my apartment. But today she was home (leaves again tomorrow, BOOOO!) and we decided to catch up at our favorite mussels spot, Granville Moore's for their mussels Monday's!

The bowls of mussels are ~~$17~~ $12!!!

If you want further descriptions of my past meals here, make sure to check out my post on Hungry City Blog!

Wooed by Jason Wu for Target

2012-01-17T23:50:00.005-05:00

images from Glamour

After being less than impressed by the Missoni for Target collection, it's safe to say I'm absolutely obsessed with the Jason Wu for Target lookbook.

I'd wear every single one of those outfits.

What are your thoughts? Will you be ready to shop this February 5th?

Here's to the New Year...

2012-01-11T21:36:00.004-05:00

Sarah Pinto planners

One of my New Year's resolutions is to get more organized. I know I say it every year, but this time it's different(?)!!! And to make sure I do it in style (and thanks to the recommendation from Liz from So Much to Smile About) I purchased this adorable planner!

It's the perfect size for my bag, features the much needed To Do list, and is a bright fun print, which makes it hard to lose.

2012, I've already scheduled you to be a great year!

Music Mondays: Inside the Molecules by Chad VanGaalen

2012-01-09T20:56:00.004-05:00

Dear J,

Thank you for being my music mentor.

Sincerely,

Your Manatee.

Weekend Recap

2012-01-08T20:15:00.002-05:00

It was a productive weekend I tell you!

I...

went to Ikea to get the correct pieces to finally assemble my drawer.
practically lived in my bird print shirt from Forever 21.
cuddled with my wheezy dog.
and stuffed myself with Good Stuff Eatery's burger and fries!

How was your weekend?

What's for dinner: Hot & Juicy!

2011-12-28T21:54:00.005-05:00

After watching a Man v Food marathon over the holiday break, I was inspired to try as many of the restaurants showcased on the show. First on the list was Hot & Juicy, where they serve a variety of seafood served by the pound and in plastic bag! It's all sorts of class, I know. Oh, and did I also mention that you get a fancy bib?

Their seafood is steamed and seasoned with your choice of 1 of 4 flavors and varying spice levels. I chose the most popular seasoning of the "hot & juicy" and baby spice (spice up your life!) level. Yup. Baby. Spice. And before you go on and judge me, let me tell you that even the mild spice (a level above baby) is burn your lips off spicy and I can handle heat. Also highly recommended is to get corn and potato (an extra 75 cents) added to your bag.

Eating from a plastic bag never tasted so good.

Post Holiday Shopping List

2011-12-26T08:58:00.005-05:00

Now that the holidays are starting to wind down, you can begin (guilt-free) shopping for yourself again!

This is what is on my new post holiday shopping list.

1. American Apparel floppy hat.
2. J Brand skinnies.
3. Aldo suede pumps.
4. YSL red lipstick.
5. MAC fluidliner in Blacktrack.
6. Zara patent leather flats.
7. American Apparel striped sweater.

What's on yours?

This made me giggle...

2011-12-22T06:54:00.001-05:00

In case you were wondering what Will Ferrell has been up to lately.

This time last week...

2011-12-15T20:33:00.004-05:00

I was at the Brooks Brothers in Georgetown, where The Pink Agenda and Breast Cancer Research Foundation hosted a wonderful shopping event that supported a great cause! They wined us, dined us, and wooed us with special sales.

Check out Revamp for more pictures from the night!

Holiday Cheer

2011-12-13T06:43:00.003-05:00

I've been to a lot of holiday parties in my time and this last one confirmed it. Every holiday party needs a photobooth.

Look I Love: Brooklyn Decker

2011-12-11T09:11:00.006-05:00

Just Jared

Not only am I super jealous of Brooklyn Decker because of her husband (hello...Andy Roddick!), but also because of her amazing style. I mean just look at that dress and heels!

Stunning!

It's all good in the neighborhood!

2011-12-05T18:42:00.007-05:00

The other night the boy and I took a walk around Yards Park, a new park located near my neighborhood in Navy Yard. For all of you who don't know the area very well, even 5 years ago Navy Yard was a much different place. But now it has the Nationals stadium, new parks, and will soon have an ice skating rink, a 24-hour diner, and even a beer garden!

As Bob Dylan once said, "These times, they are a changing." Okay, well I know he wasn't talking about my neighborhood, but you get the idea. And trust me, I'm excited for these changes.

Blue Crush

2011-12-04T15:43:00.003-05:00

H&M sweater, Old Navy pants/shoes, Ray Bans

This weekend was spent alternating between two of my crushes: Indiana Jones and Cedric Diggory. Meow!

I love movie marathons!

Weekend Recap

2011-11-21T06:44:00.002-05:00

An amazing, relaxing weekend of wonderful weather and food (hello! Thanksgiving potlucks). And with Thanksgiving being this Thursday, it was the calm I needed before the storm (going to the parent's house).

You're Invited: The Pink Agenda + Brooks Brothers

2011-11-20T14:07:00.005-05:00

Check out my sister's event!

Come join The Pink Agenda, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Brooks Brothers on December 8th for a great evening of cocktails, food and shopping for a good cause. We will wine and dine you as you shop the special sales that are just for this event. And 25% of proceeds will be split between TPA and BCRF. What better way to get your holiday shopping done and support a good cause? We'll cap off the night with an unforgettable after party at George. See you there!

http://www.facebook.com/events/319038728110899/ (cause we all love FB!)

First Ever Giveaway: Sheyna Jewelry!

2011-11-16T06:37:00.006-05:00

Bling Bling. It's a Sheyna giveaway!!! Sheyna, a design your own jewelry site, is giving one lucky reader a $20 gift certificate to use towards any purchase. It's oh so perfect with the holidays coming up. You can choose from either personally designing your own piece or pick from your favorite designs! The possibilities are endless!

1/2/3/4/5

To enter:

Follow my blog (ex. GFC, Bloglovin, Twitter)
Like Sheyna jewelry on Facebook
Leave a comment about which piece you would use your $20 towards!

The winner will be announced 11/30/11!

Good luck!

Birthday Dress

2011-11-15T06:33:00.005-05:00

1/2/3

Also from tobi's 30% off new items, I purchased one of these dresses for my birthday dinner.

Can you guess which one?

Berry Cute

2011-11-14T07:11:00.004-05:00

Berry Shirt

During my morning ritual of checking (and deleting) my emails, I rediscovered an email from tobi. Like Shopbop, it has all the high end brands we all know and ~~can't afford~~ love, but also a mix of reasonably priced dresses, skirts, and tops. And every week they offer 30% off new items they have in stock!

I'm berry excited for this shirt to arrive!