Beet Risotto

Last Saturday, I went to the farmer's market and bought some organic orange* beets. I can't think of a time that I ever knowingly ate beets, and really wanted to give them a shot.

A few days ago, I stumbled upon this recipe for Beet and Beet Greens risotto via Design*Sponge. I followed the recipe pretty accurately but omitted fresh parsley {I had none}, used red wine in place of white, and did not make the horseradish cream sauce.

After smelling the mixture at first as it was cooking, I was skeptical. But when it was all done, and had been mixed with a generous helping of Parmesan, it was awesome.

If you're a beet virgin, try this recipe first and you will not be disappointed.

*As I shredded the orange beets, they oxidized and became greenish/brown. Hence why the risotto itself is not orange.

Hott

Really, I cannot do 3-digits. Nor can I do anything below 50, so finding a location to settle down in for the rest of my life will be quite the challenge.

Sunglasses UO
Tee Hanes, shredded
Necklace F21
Shorts Levis, cutoffs
Red lipstick

As I was outside, the workers building the house behind ours sang a lovely Spanish tune. Much lovelier than their 7 AM drills and hammering.

I sprayed Juan Carlos with the suggested dish soap/water mixture today. Let's hope it keeps all the pesky bugs off him!

Adventure

A friend from work and I went on quite the Dallas-adventure today.

He introduced me to Mockingbird Station, an outdoor area that is home to an Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, other boutiques and restaurants, and an Angelika movie theater. After a quick stop at UO {and a purchase of new sunglasses and wallet}, we headed over to I Heart Yogurt -- aka, heaven.

At IHY, there are 12 different flavors of frozen yogurt {my choices: coconut, peanut butter and Swiss chocolate} and countless toppings just like your favorite froyo place. But here, it's all self-serve and you pay by weight. And now that I can't really eat ice cream, nothing makes me happier than a frozen yogurt place.

After IHY, we headed back over to the Angelika to see Valentino: The Last Emperor. It's always great to learn more about a specific designer and fashion house, and Valentino is hilarious in a completely unintentional, I'm-just-being-a-bitch way.

Our last stop was Buffalo Exchange where I found a Moschino blouse that I am in love with. The fit is perfect, and I love the floral print. I had to let a 40s-style Motel dress go that I will positively regret for the next few days...

Looking forward to a relaxing day off tomorrow.

P.S. Anyone watch NYC Prep last night on Bravo? Sebastian is such a dumb bitch. Obviously.

Juan Carlos

Meet Juan Carlos.

He is my new {organic!} jalapeño plant. Naturally, I had to name him Juan Carlos- J.C. for short.

{Maybe that was what JC Chasez stood for? Okay well I know it's not, but still.}

There are a few itty bitty baby jalapeños growing on him already.

Just hanging around.

There has been one causality so far. Rest in peace dear mini-J.C.

Must take care of this nonsense! Someone has been eating J.C. ... not cool.

He makes a mean taco in his spare time.

Dad's Day

What a goof. Nice new aviators.

I love you Dad :) Happy Father's Day!

Ugly Shoes

I bought some Sperry's.

These are not my first pair of ugly shoes. My beloved chocolate brown Birkenstocks circa 10th grade are still with me today and are worn to work or out walking.

Then there were the chocolate brown Uggs. Nowadays in the fall and winter, I will only wear them around the house or if I am in an incredibly depressed mood/PMSing. But those things are as ugly as hell and everyone knows it.

And how about Crocs? Granted, I won't wear foam/plastic/whatever shoes under any circumstances, but they are comfortable. How come that all the ugly shoes are always the most comfortable? Hm?

I have wanted to get my hands on a pair of Nike + Cole Haan heels for the longest time, but at this point in my life, I really cannot justify the price tag. And even some of THOSE shoes are pretty hideous. Up until now, Aldo has produced some of the most comfortable shoes for me, but only for a year or so until they get worn down.

I am sure there are stylish & comfortable shoes out there, and believe me the Sperry's were only bought {okay, my dad bought them for me} for work since I am on my feet for so long.

This article today made me feel a lot better about my Topsiders though...and got me thinking about what "true American style" really is...

But I'll save that for another time.

3 Weeks in 1 Post

A few days after I was back on American soil, my best friend Lizz came to visit for a week! It was a great time full of cupcakes, vintage shopping, and general silliness. When she left, I was sad to be all alone without my biff.

Over the next few days, Aaron had told me I would be getting a package in the mail on Monday.

Well, I came home from work that day to learn that the "package" was him! My parents had been in on it with him for weeks; it was the biggest surprise I have ever received. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time he was here {4 days}. He really is the best there is.

Tuesday morning took a turn for the worse when our phone rang at 2:30 in the morning from my uncle. My 27 year old cousin, Angelina, had been fighting colon cancer for a few years and she had died. A night earlier, her hospice nurse had said that her time would be coming very soon and I like to think Angelina waited until her best friend drove through the night from Pennsylvania to New York to see her one last time.

We flew into Rochester and then drove to Syracuse Thursday. The wake and funeral were lovely; Angelina planned 99% of them while she was alive. I could not believe how strong her twin sister, sister, brother, and mother were. But as it was said throughout the weekend, Angelina is now with her father {both God and her dad} in heaven.

One thing that Angelina encouraged before her death was the "celebration of life." Because of her, I am trying to remember every day how valuable life is and how it can be gone in an instant.