Pasta all'Amatriciana

Let me just begin by giving full credit for this recipe and the photo to one of my favorite bloggers, Victoria of vmac and cheese. She had blogged about this pasta months ago and when I came across it, I quickly bookmarked it to make later. When some of my sweetest friends decided to get together for dinner, I pulled this recipe out because I knew it would be easy, yet completely satisfying. There is something to be said about making a big pot of pasta for friends. 

Like I mentioned, this pasta was so easy and required very few ingredients. To accompany dinner, I threw together a big salad with blackberries and candied walnuts (a simpler version of this) and we finished everything off with angel food cake topped with strawberries. Angel food cake (which I totally bought at the store) is a completely underrated dessert and it's basically air so we all went back for seconds. Besides, I have always said that if there is fruit involved then you are practically losing weight. 

I'm gonna go lose some weight with some apple pie and strawberry ice cream.

Pencil Skirts and Sling-Backs

I know that my blogging tendencies have been scarce lately, but I honestly feel like I have an excuse. As some of you might know, I started my first big-girl, full-time, pencil skirt and sling-back wearing job (that was a lot of hyphens!) last week. I have been at this job for a week now and already love it so much. I loved it the second I walked in to the office. It is a completely different atmosphere than I am used to but I love going to work each morning, even if it is at 7 a.m. 

So my excuse for the single blog post from the last seven days is because I have been adapting to this new schedule of working each day from seven until five and then being so worn out that all I want to do is go home and go to bed. I actually went to bed on Tuesday night when light was still streaming through my window! I have no regret about that early bed time, especially when my alarm went off at five. The early mornings and long days are worth it though when I get to spend my days with a team who have already taught me so much (seeing as that I knew nothing about the industry before starting) and constantly make me laugh. Not to mention that all the building lobbies are stocked with apples and every kitchen has my favorite peanut butter (do the math and you have my daily afternoon snack).

The other great part about a new job, is getting to splurge a little on a new wardrobe. I don't mind wearing pencil skirts and heels each day because for as long as I have been reading blogs I have been reading 9 to 5 Chic and wishing that I had a place to wear all her corporate work outfits. Well guess what? Now I do and I have been looking to her blog for inspiration for the last week. 

Here are some of my favorites!

Working 9 to 5!

Well more like 7 to 5...

Summer Berry & Chicken Salad

 I came home pretty exhausted on Tuesday evening. I guess your first day at your big-girl job will do that to you and after working out I was even more tired. I wanted to come home and crash on the couch and watch the Voice but still eat something satisfying. I knew that my refrigerator was stocked with greens and vegetables, my freezer always has chicken, and I had an avocado in it's last days. With all that I had around the house I made a delicious and colorful salad that I am calling my summer berry and chicken salad. 

Of course, any salad you can alter to your liking, but for mine...

You Will Need

1 small handful of blackberries and raspberries

1 tablespoon diced green onions

1/4 avocado, sliced

1 tablespoon candied or spiced pecans (I had these on hand because my mom made them for me, any dry nut would also work!)

1 frozen chicken breast strip

Any green- I used a mixture of chopped romaine and spinach

Feta Cheese

Dressing-

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1/2 tablespoon agave nectar

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Start by cooking your chicken breast, unless already prepared. Slice into small strips. Cut onions and avocado. Mix all ingredients with greens.

Whisk together all ingredients for the dressing, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle over salad. 

Ask my mom for her pecan recipe, you will be so glad you did. 

A Bread Post

I am honestly a little surprised that I haven't had a post that has been dedicated to all the fantastic uses of bread. It is one of my absolute favorite food groups and if you put a bread basket in front of me, then you will not be enjoying any of it. It will be gone. In a flash.

Story time: As a child I enjoyed bread so much that I thought I would start a little bread collection. My tiny, undeveloped brain thought of the genius plan to fill a shoe box with all sorts of breads to keep under my bed for those middle of the night cravings. Completely normal.  So after dinner one night, I stealthily filled a Ked's shoe box with two leftover dinner rolls, some biscuits from breakfast that morning, and a few pieces of classic Wonder Bread. I went to bed that night happy, knowing that under my bed was my own, little collection of carbs. Well, after about 30 minutes of "sleep", I woke up STARVING and had to break in to my rations. Ten minutes later... bread collection had been depleted. Gone, vanished, gobbled up by carb-loving Kathleen. 

Now you understand the need for a bread post.

Earlier this week, when buying bread for my grown-up almond butter + jam sandwich, I had a major George Banks "Superflous Buns" moment at the grocery store. I kept looking at the loaves of bread thinking about how I was buying bread for one person. I wanted to stick my hand in the bag, take out the two slices that I needed and leave the rest for another 23 year old in my predicament. What on earth would I do with all those slices before it eventually molded? Oh, don't worry, carb-loving Kathleen has found some ways.

1. Avocado + Egg Toast 

Mash 1/4 of an avocado with salt, pepper, and a little Tabasco sauce and spread on a toasted slice of bread. Top with a scrambled egg. Delicious breakfast!

2. Grilled Almond Butter + Jam Sandwich

It was so good the first time, why not enjoy it again on this upcoming lazy weekend. I might even add some variance to my berries.

3. Summer Panzanella

The Smitten Kitchen panzanella looks absolutely wonderful and it is basically a salad with extra croutons so what's not to love?

4. Whole Wheat Bread Pudding

After three meals of carbs it is only right to have a dessert made completely of bread. It includes apples, raisins, and walnuts so those make it perfectly healthy!

Carb up, it's almost the weekend. 

Grown-Up Lunch

I love a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich and as I grew up, I realized there were other versions of this easy lunch that I loved too. Peanut butter, banana, and honey is a great alternative and I also discovered that by replacing the bananas with strawberries you can vary your options and add some color.

For an easy, but amplified sandwich recipe, I tried out a new version on this lunchtime classic. Because my little sister is allergic to peanuts, I have been introduced to almond butter. I don't eat it nearly as much as her but when I saw this grilled almond butter and raspberry jam sandwich I knew that I had to bust out her favorite sandwich spread. 

I love that this sandwich uses almond butter and fresh raspberries and once you grill it all the flavors melt together for a wonderful, panini-like sandwich. 

So the next time you are home for lunch and all out of Lunchables, make this sandwich and then plop down on the couch to watch your favorite episode of Boy Meets World.  

Not your average PB&J. 

Things I Love

It's Things I Love Thursday! I love this day and I love sharing these lovely things with you. This week was quite wonderful, starting out with a fantastic Memorial Day weekend in which I attended an emotional service to remember all those who have shaped our lives but are no longer with us. The rest of the weekend was full of some delicious food, including the pop-up restaurant by the OK Chef's Relief event in OKC. There was thrice cooked bacon... that is a piece of bacon cooked three different ways... Simply frying it will never be good enough after that. 

In preparation for a little beach vacation (and wedding!) this weekend, I got my hair and nails done earlier this week. While letting my color process at the salon, I was flipping through a magazine and read an intriguing article about new trendy diets. One diet that particularly caught my eye was called "Cookies for Breakfast" and it recommends eating your biggest meal in the morning and incorporating cookies. Supposedly it helps curve those sweet cravings later in the day, but really who cares the reasoning if you get to eat cookies for breakfast. I love cookies. 

A few other things that I love...

A lesson on Peonies

A post on signature scents, including those that we loved when we were young. Not only did I love Gap Dream, but Clinique Happy was my real 7th grade signature scent. I even had a roll-on applicator for my sequin purse.

What It's Like Shopping at Forever 21. I die. Spot on. 

Summer Fashion// The perfect summer outfit and the best way to dress up those cut-off shorts

Crafts & Cocktails

Who is buying me this shirt? Holy swoon...

I started the "cookies for breakfast" diet this morning. 

Tilapia Tacos

Remember my New Year's Resolution to eat more fish, in hopes of training my taste buds to enjoy their taste more? Well I have been totally taking that resolution by storm (all the other resolutions? Not so much) and can say that I order fish at restaurants as well as cooking it up in my own kitchen. 

Tilapia is by far the least "fishy" of the fish out there so that is how I began to ease my way in. I made these tilapia tacos and loved the flavor, and not just because it was loaded with other goodies that masked the taste of fish. I actually like the taste of the fish! I am feeling so accomplished and so confident in my tastebuds now. Today, tilapia! Tomorrow, salmon?!

I followed this recipe but made some of my own changes. I followed the guacamole recipe exactly and loved the taste (so did my boyfriend who is quite critical of most guacamole). Rather than using mayonnaise for my sauce, I used plain, greek yogurt mixed with sriracha which gave the tacos a great, hot kick. For my other toppings I just used whatever I had on hand. That is what is great about tacos, there are no rules and you can put anything on top. I used shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, and diced jalapeño to go with my tilapia for a great mixture of flavors tucked within corn tortillas. 

I paired the tacos with seasoned black beans and finished off the meal with peach cobbler parfaits with cinnamon whipped cream. It was a great night for my tastebuds. 

Any great fish recipes would be greatly appreciated!

Margarita Cake

I cannot go to the mall without going to Williams-Sonoma. Even though 95% of the time I know I won't be buying anything, I can't resist just stopping by to browse and dream about one day owning all those beautiful kitchen gadgets. Another huge part about going to Williams-Sonoma is for those tasty samples they sometimes have at the front of the store. I love the hot, apple cider they have around Christmas time and these cookies began as a WS sample. Last weekend, while shopping for "big girl job" clothes, my mom and I popped in to Williams-Sonoma and they had out little, bite-sized samples of margarita cake. As a lover of margaritas I had to try this cake and after the first sample there were many more sneaky trips back to the front of the store to snatch another and another and another. Finally the sweet and not-so-naive sales woman (who had watched me eat all four samples) handed me a small card with the recipe on it. I was busted but happy as a clam now that I was able to make this cake at home!

Are you ready for the best part about this cake? Other than that it is cake and that it is margarita flavored? It is made from a box cake mix! I never rarely make baked goods from pre-made packages. It takes all the fun out of the baking process, but because I loved this cake so much, and because I trust Williams-Sonoma, I decided to stick with the recipe and use the box mix. This cake could not have been easier to make and it is unbelievably moist (even three days after I originally made it). I have only gotten rave reviews from all of my friends official blog recipe testers and this dessert will make the perfect Memorial Day treat, especially if want something quick and easy that is sure to please all your guests. 

Williams-Sonoma Margarita Cake

For the Cake:

1 store-bought yellow cake mix (will also need eggs and butter, determined by box recipe)

Margarita mix as needed

For the glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)

1/4 cup margarita mix

Directions:

To make the cake, preheat an oven according to the cake mix package instructions. Grease and flour a 9-by-13 inch baking pan. 

Prepare the cake batter according to the package instructions, using the margarita mix instead of water. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the package instructions. Transfer the pan to a wire rack after removing from the oven. 

To make the glaze, in a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and margarita mix until well blended. Pour the glaze evenly over the warm cake. Let cool completely before serving.  

Margarita anything. 

Real life.

On Tuesday I blogged about something real that was happening in my life and shared more emotions than normal. In the wake of the tornado that ravaged through my state, I felt compelled to take a break from my normal posts about make-up, clothes, or food. Not that I don't love writing about and sharing fun things on this blog, but sometimes, especially this week, the need to be a little more real just feels right.

When people ask me about my blog, I quickly assure them that it isn't a personal blog where I write about my feelings or what happened to me that day (that was what my Xanga was for). I have never felt comfortable sharing too much about my personal life on this blog. While you might get glimpses here and there, for the most part, I stay hidden. But recently I have been wanting to share more and just give you all a quick update on me and what has been going on in my twenty-three year old life.

I thought I had it all figured out. Seriously, I thought I knew exactly what I would be doing after college graduation. There had never been a doubt in my mind (since age six) that I would be an elementary school teacher. All I talked about was being a teacher, did everything I could growing up to help that dream come true, and then went to school to study how to be just that. Well gosh, what a surprise one year ago (almost to the date) when I realized that at some point I had started lying when people asked me if I was excited to finally be a real teacher. I wasn't excited anymore and I started dabbling in the idea of doing something entirely different with my life. What caused this huge change in heart is probably a combination of things, but I think mostly it's because I grew up and as you grow up, you change your mind and I am just finally beginning to realize that it's okay to change your mind. I have come to realize that it is probably healthy to change your mind and not want exactly what you wanted when you were six years old. 

Let's fast forward to five months after college graduation and still with no real job. I thought that I would have no trouble finding a great job and yet I was still spending too much time on my couch watching the food network, gaining weight from all the food I was making from the recipes I saw on the food network. After graduation I realized that I was back at square one; I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do and that makes it quite difficult to find a job. I could go on and on about all the job interviews I have had in the last five months, about all the "Now Hiring" signs I have seriously thought about inquiring about (Sonic, Lowe's, Whole Foods), and about all the times I have broken down in tears, feeling like a lazy failure and disappointment. Had I really just gone to college for 4 1/2 years for a wasted degree?

Through a crazy series of events, I realized my time in college wasn't wasted, in fact my degree was actually going to come in handy. Making this story as short as possible, I began teaching fitness classes...pause for shock/hysterical laughter. Me, teaching fitness classes? The girl who cries at the thought of going to the gym and considers walking up the flight of stairs with groceries her workout for the week is teaching fitness classes? Well it happened, like a said through a crazy series of events and I couldn't be happier that those events happened because through those events, one great mentor, lots of encouragement, and kick-butt training I am teaching at Barre 3 and loving every minute of it. I am using my love of dance plus my passion for people plus that expensive teaching degree and trying to be the best instructor possible. 

On top of teaching at Barre 3, I accepted my first big-girl, full time job last week! I won't go in to the job description and details now, but I can tell you that I am so excited. Excited about the company, the people, and the chance to learn while doing something so different than I ever imagined. It has been a long process and the five months after college graduation were entirely different than I ever imagined them to be. In those five months I did a lot of deep cleaning, too many craft projects, tried out countless new recipes, was a runway model for a day, a dog-sitter, had numerous lunch dates with my mom, numerous "serious talks about my future" with my dad, and numerous soul-searching sessions with myself. So what I have learned in the last five months would take up an entire other blog post and that is almost getting too personal; bring over a bottle of wine and I will tell you all about it. The biggest thing I have learned is that it is okay to change your mind. I am glad that I did because I am getting to do things that I never would have if I hadn't changed my mind. 

So forgive me for the long post and thank you for bearing with me during this unusual spill about my life. Like I always say, some things in life are too sweet not to be shared, and right now I feel like my life is pretty sweet. 

I love sharing with you.  

beauty diaries

Let's jump right in to this. We all know where this post is going. It is probably my 225th post about my monthly Birchbox, but I love sharing my beauty treasures and finds. 

{1. amika: Nourishing Mask I used this product immediately after receiving my box. My hair has been frighteningly dry with all the crazy weather ups and downs and my breakage is becoming painfully evident. I used this mask after my normal conditioner and my hair feels so soft and smooth, even the next morning. I am a fan!}

{2. COOLA: Classic Face SPF 30 I have been frequenting the pool every week since the weather has warmed up and I have been using all my Birchbox sunscreen samples. As long as I don't get burnt and peel then it is good in my book.}

{3. Marvis: Toothpaste There is nothing like a fresh tube of toothpaste. You have to put in so little effort to get the paste on to your brush, and that is a lazy girls dream.}

{4. Sumitra: Color Contrast Eyeliner This is my FAVORITE from this box. It is a classic eyeliner pencil but I have never had one go on so easy and smooth. It lasts for hours and withstood my makeup remover, which means that it will be great for hot, summer days!}

{5. Isaac Mizrahi: FABULOUS eau de Parfum Okay, I actually love this perfume sample. It smells great, but not too heavy, and doesn't give me a headache. And what a great coincidence that my current favorite shoes are Isaac Mizrahi, so I can coordinate.} 

Birchbox also sent me a fantastic pen, by Pilot, that writes easy and smooth and happens to be purple. I feel like putting hearts over all my i's today. 

Just 30 more days until the next box!

Home.

I am devastated by what happened to my state yesterday. I have lived in tornado alley my whole life but nothing can prepare you for the images of destruction  and stories of loss that a massive tornado can cause. 

When hearing that the weather was beginning to turn ugly on Monday afternoon, my co-workers and I decided to leave work to seek shelter at home. I frantically drove through heavy rain and hail north of Oklahoma City to my parents house. Even though my apartment and friend's homes were much closer, there is nowhere that I feel safer than the home that I grew up in. As soon as I arrived home, my mom and I began to see the coverage of the live tornado ripping through Moore, an all too familiar image. I vividly remember the May 3, 1999 tornado that hit this same area and the feelings of fear and sadness rushed over me again. After the tornado passed through, the aftermath began to show up on the TV screen. My mom and I were about to leave for the grocery store when the images of the flattened neighborhoods and demolished schools were shown. Overcome with grief, we sat, and from then on we were glued to the couch with tears in our eyes for the remainder of the evening. 

It wasn't until later in the evening, when we couldn't watch anymore of the news, that my parents and I drove to News Channel 9 to drop off a few donations. The scene when we arrived was like that at the end of the movie Field of Dreams. Cars were lined up through the station driveway, down the street, and around the corners of all surrounding streets. All you could see was a long line of headlights in the dark. A long line of heartbroken, compassionate, and giving Oklahomans, waiting patiently to respond the only way we know how when adversity hits our state. We band together, we rush to give and help, pray, and then actively seek out more ways to give and help. I love this place. I love this state. I pray for Moore. 

Pray. Pray. And pray some more.

Things I Love

It's Things I Love Thursday and goodness, I love so much. It is one of those times when I love everything that I see in stores, online, and on blogs. This always happens when a new season comes along because the colors and styles are new and different. I am officially ready to swap out all my jeans for shorts and my leggings for dresses. I am ready to retire my dark bags for bright and cheery totes and all of my red and purple nail polishes have been replaced with pastels and neon hues. Summer is here and I am loving it all! 

1. Reebok Yoga Tank
2. Kate Spade Bourbon Street Bag
3. Joie Perfume
4. Rosarita Maxi Dress
5. C Wonder Tortoise Aviators
6. Kenneth Jay Lane Turquoise & Crystal Necklace
7. Essie "Lights"
8. J Crew Neon V-Neck Sweater

This is the beginning of my birthday wish list. 

Vanilla Lavender Granola

I don't think that there has ever been a recipe that I have made as much as the granola from the Smitten Kitchen cookbook. After making it for the first time I knew that it was something special and I would probably never purchase store-bought granola again. Not only did I love having it on hand for myself and my yogurt but everyone I shared it with loved it and I loved sharing it. 

I had been experimenting by switching out some of the ingredients in the traditional recipe, like pecans and almonds rather than walnuts and various dried fruits. When making the granola this week I wanted to try something new so I threw some fresh lavender and a heaping tablespoon of vanilla extract. I love the taste that the lavender adds to the granola and the vanilla adds the perfect yet subtle touch of sweetness. 

What You Need

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant!)

1 cup unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (or any type of nut)

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup maple syrup (or more if you prefer a sweeter granola)

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 large egg white

2 tablespoons lavender, finely diced

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

What You Do

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Combine all ingredients but the egg white in a large bowl, tossing to coat evenly.

3. Whisk the egg white in a small bowl until frothy. 

4. Stir into the granola mixture.

5. Spread it in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

6. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. About halfway through, gently stir the granola, carefully turning the granola, breaking it as little as possible. 

7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and onto a cooling rack until cooled.

8. Break up into whatever size clusters you would like and enjoy!

Many more variations to come!

Homemade Nutter Butters

When I first saw Emily's recipe post for homemade Nutter Butters I knew that I would be making them that same day. I freely admit that I love peanut butter and I will eat it in almost any context. For breakfast, on my waffles and even in my smoothies, for lunch, in a classic peanut butter and honey sandwich, and it makes the perfect snack with sliced apples. Did I mention that I also love peanut butter in my desserts? I love it in cookies and pie and more cookies, so it was only right to test out another peanut butter cookie recipe to hopefully add to my long list of favorites. 

This cookie definitely made it's way to my long list of favorites. This cookie is completely sinful with an irresistible peanut butter cream wedged between two soft and chewy peanut butter cookies. These cookies are so rich that I (yes I, the girl who never met a dessert she didn't like) could only eat half a cookie at one time. Don't worry, I found plenty of people to share my cookies with and within two days all the cookies had disappeared.

I cannot wait to make these cookies again, they are so cute and delicious, but I would definitely make my cookies smaller next time. There is so much going on that you can afford to downsize the cookies!

Emily can do no wrong. 

My Morning Greens

smoothie photo

Some mornings I have no problem jumping out of bed and getting my day started. Others I can't seem to peel myself out of my bed, whether it be 5:00 AM or 9:00 AM. No matter what time or my level of tiredness, I don't like to start my mornings without a green smoothie or my Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On (unless the other option for breakfast is donuts). My smoothie recipes vary everyday depending on what I have on hand, but never lacking almond milk and spinach. 

As for my other morning green, you might remember that I received this eye-roller in my last Birchbox. There has not been a day since opening that box that I have not used this little life-saver. Not only does it provide important vitamins for my skin and eyes but the cool gel does wonders in the morning. One roll under each eye and not only am I feeling more awake from the cooling effect on my skin but any puffiness or dark bags disappear within seconds making me look like I have been up and at 'em for hours! 

So my advice if you have trouble waking up, or just want a great start to your days-- buy this Eye Revitalizer and use it each morning, it will help you pop up so you can go straight to the kitchen to throw together this smoothie.

Grapefruit and Mango Green Smoothie 

1/2 frozen banana

a large handful of spinach

1/2 mango

1/2 grapefruit

1/4 avocado

1/2 cup almond milk

a squeeze of agave nectar (to taste)

a couple of ice cubes

You can add any of your normal supplements to this, but you will have a great tasting, perfect for summer, smoothie to start your day!

Green goddess. 

Let's Go to the Beach

I know that I am counting down the days until my beach vacation. Sea Side, Florida is just a few weeks away and not just is it the beach but a beach wedding! To prepare, I ordered some bathing suits (20% off on Shopbop today, swooning over this one), I have been slowly working on my tan, and now am in search of the perfect beach tote. The thing about beach bags is that they should be waterproof and big enough to carry all the essentials. iPod, book, sunglasses, water bottle, lots of SPF, towel, and snacks. Snacks are optional if you happen to have a personal waiter who brings umbrella drinks and fruit kabobs at your beck and call. 

1//2//3//4//5//6//7//8

Now hiring: a personal beach snack waiter. 

I Wish I Could Have Been At...

What I would have given to be in New York yesterday for all the events. 

I have already shared with you about Target's new home line Threshold, and yesterday they made sure everyone traveling through one of Grande Central's terminal knew about it too.  This life-size, two-story dollhouse featured fully decorated rooms with items all from Threshold. Who hasn't ever wanted to be in a life-size dollhouse? See more pictures here. 

The Met Gala always offers some of the best fashion of the year on our favorite celebrities. This year's theme, "Punk: Chaos to Couture" was bound to feature some interesting outfits and even hair. I shared some of my favorite looks above (of course I am dying over Diane Kruger's pink tips!) but you can see all the fashion here.

Take me to NYC.