Friday, April 30, 2010

weekend getaway. revisited.

Last weekend we had a little getaway to new york city! We rode subways, drank coffee, walked through Columbia campus a bit (ghost face killer was arriving soon, apparently. We didn't stay to see, though), saw the off-broadway play "Family Week," and ate...a lot. It was wonderful.









Happy Friday. See you later!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Have you ever left without your coffee?

(Sometimes, I just come along something and cannot remember how I got there in the first place.)


{picture via here}
I found this print online by artist, Sandra Juto. It reminds me of my weekend in NYC when we came upon an Italian bakery and cafe that had coincidentally just opened up that day! The woman who owned the bakery was this tall, thin, loud and beautiful Italian woman. Even after being open since 7am (the bakery, Il Cantuccio, is open from 7am-4am!) she had this enormous bundle of energy. She had these huge wicker baskets piled high with biscotti and cookies that she kept handing out to people who would walk in. One of her biscotti had these huge, rich, smooth chunks of chocolate bulging from the inside, while others were bursting with figs and apricot pieces. After filling my belly with samples, I finally decided on a "moka," which was made old-school-style with an Italian stovetop espresso pot. So delicious.

...This print also reminds me of the fact that I made myself a nice hot to-go cup of french press coffee this morning and left it at my apartment without realizing it until I got on the bus to work. Poo.

Preview of next few posts: I cannot wait to share pictures from our weekend in new york + Greg Mortenson speaking at the Meyerhoff in Baltimore! So much to tell, and always so little time.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Happy Friday/100th post!

This is my 100th post on All Things Beautiful! I want to thank all of my loyal readers for glancing this blog's way every now and then, and for the trail of sweet comments you leave behind.

This weekend, Salman and I are going to NYC. It's the first time I'm leaving Oregon behind for more than a day, and I'm nervous to say the least. It sounds silly at times, but I think of her as my little girl. I am, afterall, her mommy, and she is the ever-growing, ever rambunctious kiddy who will snuggle her head against my arm one minute, and the next minute attempt to make a mess like a teenager in the throws of rebellion. However, all worries aside, this will be a nice weekend away before my studying picks up again.

I don't remember where I found this picture, but it made me giddy to see it in my file this afternoon (that and the cup of coffee I was drinking). It was like a little reminder that you have to let loose sometimes- kick your feet up and realize that life is short. You've got very little time on this great planet, so why waste it stressing out? Take time this weekend to put on your dancing shoes (or take off your shoes) and dance around.

Happy Friday :)

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Simplicity.


{via here}

Sometimes, all you want to do is dress up and look stunning for that someone special. Other times, there's that special someone who makes you feel beautiful no matter what.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

and relax.

It's been a rough past few days, but last night was finally my chance to relax and veg out! Salman and I plopped down on the couch and watched "Date Night" which was hilariously adorable!

Today it's back to the grindstone. But first, a little tune to keep you skipping through the day...I found this on Naturally Nina (another blog I'm in love with) and couldn't help re-posting it. Again, some french music to make your day a little classier.

One Day on Earth

Ever wanted to participate in a documentary film?

I watched the trailer for this film, and I'm immediately hooked...



...you can also become involved! Check out the website. I already signed up and can't wait to film :)

Friday, April 16, 2010

For Laughs

{via here}


Just one of the cutest things. ever.

Happy Friday!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Francoise Hardy. gorgeous.


{via here}

I love these photographs of Francoise Hardy. She is just as lovely as her music.


{via here}



{via here}

...to all of those out there who are having a particularly long night ahead of them...take a break and relax.

Free Coffee with a side of Sunny


The weather is beautiful today...despite all the ruckus that ensues, the sun is shining and the air is crisp.

...And today there is FREE STARBUCKS (at starbucks) to anyone who walks in with their own mug!!!


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Up you Go

{via here}

One of the best feelings is knowing that you're never alone. When everything seems stacked against you, there's always someone who will pull you back up to your feet and do whatever it takes to help you keep standing.

not enough hours

Tired.


Laundry is piling up in my hamper, the floor is getting more dusty each day (I saw three dust bunnies just chilling in the corner next to the couch and for once I didn't bend down and pick them up), there are tupperware containers in my sink that have yet to be cleaned out, and I am continually falling asleep before midnight. I sit down with my textbook, all prepared to learn as much as possible in the two hours I have left in the day, and then it hits me. Like a tidal wave. My eyelids are fluttering, then becoming heavy and impossible to hold open.

When did I become so old?? Hoping my run this evening will give me enough of an adrenaline boost to last through the night!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Friday Find 2: EtsyFind!

{via retrowhale}


I love these magnets by the Etsy shop Retro Whale- they make me think of my sister who has a cinema obsession (mine is bad, but her's is borderline illness). Plus, they're made of recycled materials.

Signing off for the weekend...maybe I'll watch a movie or two between bouts of studying.

Friday Find: Recipe

Although I love to cook whenever I get the chance, there are times when I get a bit apprehensive about trying new things in the kitchen. I've been putting off this recipe for a long time, because I've either been too busy studying or cleaning my apartment non-stop (dogs shed). I had bought some leeks at the farmer's market a while back, but they just ended up sitting in the fridge and wilting. This time, I was not going to waste a perfectly good vegetable!





This Potato Leek Soup recipe from thekitchn.com is simple and delicious! And talk about healthy- it's basically potatoes, leeks and water. No joke. You only have to flavor it with salt and pepper afterwards (more salt than pepper). I cut the recipe in half, since I didn't have enough leeks to make the entire amount. However, I still ended up with enough soup to last us (2 people) a couple days. I'm usually not too hungry by dinner time when it's so hot outside- this is the perfect meal to sit down and slurp on those lazy days.

Enjoy! and Happy Friday :)


Potato Leek Soup
Peel and cube about three or four russet potatoes, enough for roughly 5 cups.
Leeks come in a variety of sizes, so slice enough to make a heaping 2 1/2 cups. I slice up the white parts and into the pale green as long as it stays crisp, stopping when I hit the darker green, fibrous part. Wash well in cold water and drain.
Enough water to cover.
Salt & Pepper.
Toss the potatoes and leeks in a soup pot with a pinch of salt. Add enough water to cover and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the potatoes can be pierced easily with a knife, about 30 minutes, With a hand blender, or very carefully in batches in a food processor, or even with a potato masher and your own brute strength, blend until the mixture reaches the consistency you prefer. I like mine just a little chunky. Taste for salt and pepper and add accordingly.


Variations:
Sauté the leeks first in a little olive oil or butter. Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche.
Crisp three or four slices of bacon
in a soup pot. Remove and let drain on some paper. In the remaining fat, sauté the leeks until wilted, then add the potatoes and water and proceed as above. You may need less salt due to the bacon. Serve hot with the bacon and some fresh thyme crumpled on top.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Speaking of Taxes

Jen of the The Haystack Needle just posted this chic accordion file folder that she found via Kolo.com. It also made me feel slightly less inadequate to read about her similar tribulations with this annual doomsday tradition...


{photos via Kolo}

Thursday, already???

{via here}

This has been a crazy and hectic week. This past weekend, we discovered that Oregon needs more than two people to hold her down while she gets her toenails clipped, and you cannot give her more than one treat while she's in the car because she gets carsick and will throw it up...all over your friend's car floor.


I also discovered the painstaking process of filing my taxes and how expensive it is just to prepare them, let alone pay them. My feelings for Turbotax are very complicated right now. I almost threw my computer off the balcony last night, but at the same time I don't know how I would've done my taxes without it. "Momentary financial distress" is what I'd like to call it.


In other news, the weather here is PERFECT!!! I walked outside this morning, and could feel the extra spring in my step. Even if nothing goes my way for the rest of the week, this sunshine is sure to keep the demons at bay...



i thank you God for most this amazing

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes


(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)


how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any--lifted from the no
of all nothing--human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

- ee cummings


{Rocky Mountains, Colorado, July 4, 2009}

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

My Sissy's 18th!

Happy Birthday to my lil sis, Michelle! She is 18 today. In her honor, here are some of her favorites...

{via here}

{via here}







{via here}

Green Gaze


I love these window gardens, profiled today on NPR. I'm hoping to try my hand at indoor gardening this summer, since we have such a huge amount of sunlight pouring in the frenchdoors of our living and dining rooms.


I am astounded by people's ingenuity!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter Recap



grace made sure to help aspen clean up their tea party of milk and cupcakes...


I love the color palette in this picture (above). The daffodil in the backyard is such a beautiful continuation of aspen's adorable easter dress.


Driving through the city on Friday.


...and walking back from the waverly farmer's' market, with pink tulips in hand.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Breaking Bread

Some will cringe at this post, but I will never abandon my love for baked goods. Despite the hefty carbohydrate content, I am a firm believer that breads and pastries are a food to be cherished and savored, particularly with a cup of hot coffee in hand. Therefore, I've scrounged up a few recipes that seem worthy of our time and tastebuds during the Easter weekend.




Cardamom Rolls (via Naturally Nina)



Apple Cake

Let me know if you try one! I'm hoping to try my hand at a couple for Easter dinner with the family on Sunday...