Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Road Trip to Indy

This past weekend Kush and I loaded up 2.0 and headed west on I-70 to Indy to visit Aly.

It all worked out perfectly because Indy is about to host the Super Bowl next week, so they have turned downtown into Super Bowl Village. It was so much fun to walk around being tourists.

Since Indianapolis is known for Indy Car racing... they had one for every NFL team
After we had finished with being tourists for the day, we went home and got ready for dinner at Cooper's Hawk Winery.
While waiting on our table for 60-90 minutes we decided to have a mini photo shoot
{because thats what normal people do while they wait on their table - right?!}

By the time we were seated at dinner, we were starving and everything on the menu looked divine.
I chose blackened bacon wrapped scallops served with cilantro lime rice and grilled pineapple.
HOLY AMAZING!
I told Aly I might be back tomorrow for dinner, it was SO good!
It was such a fun weekend!
Thank you Aly for hosting.... I had so much fun!

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Monday, January 30, 2012

Make Me A Meal Monday: Shrimp Tacos

I am always looking for new and exciting recipes, and I found this one on pinterest from Real Simple.

Ingredients
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 large cloves garlic minced
4 limes cut into quarters
kosher salt
8 6" tortillas
2-3 cups of finely shredded cabbage
bottled tomatillo salsa

Heat grill to medium high.
Mix milk, sour cream, cumin and and mayo together. Set aside.
The recipe says to melt the butter, and add garlic. Brush shrimp with the mixture
{I made these a second time, and just brushed them lightly with olive oil and some grill seasoning.. which is a much healthier way to go about it anyway... I don't think the butter and garlic added too much flavor}
Cut limes into quarters

Place the shrimp and limes both on the grill at the same time, until the shrimp are opaque and the limes are brown.
Remove shrimp and limes from grill and lightly salt the shrimp
Grill the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side and place in a brown paper bag to keep warm

Assemble your tacos with shrimp, cream sauce, tomatillo salsa, and fresh lime juice.

Enjoy!!!





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Friday, January 27, 2012

Friday Funnies

Only because I'm lacking creativity in the post department...
I figured I would leave you with a few Friday Funnies



I think I have laughed about this one with everyone I know... oh poor Janelle, Keiffer and Barbara... I wish they didn't entertain me as much as they do!




I honestly feel like a rockstar when all socks come out with a match!




I know for a fact that you are singing the song right now in your head as you are looking at this little hamster! ha!




i TOTALLY believe this!







Happy Friday Pretties!

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Oh Pinterest... Recipe Edition

Some people may use Pinterest for work out motivation, others for style inspiration, and some for DIY projects...
while I have used all of these.. I have found I use the recipes more than anything else.

Here are a few that I have made over the past few weeks
I love the variety of recipes that the site has, and it is nice not to have to rotate between 3 meals every week.

Black Bean and Sour Cream Enchiladas
{even though mine turned into more of a lasagna/bake than enchiladas} these were so flavorful


Valentines Day Blondies
these were good... but to me they were a glorified sugar cookie with M&M's in them


Grilled Shrimp Tacos
These are going on MMAMM next monday... Seriously these are AMAZING!!


JalapeƱo Popper Bites
I made these Christmas Eve and they were a hit! I would just recommend a little less crescent roll so you can taste all the goodness in the middle


Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Bake
I could make this weekly. It is so easy, and SO good!
I use fat free cream cheese, ground turkey and whole wheat pasta to make it a little healthier


Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms
What an amazing side dish. So flavorful


What are your favorite recipes that you have found on pinterest? Are there any that you LOVE that I'm missing out on?
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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

You asked... I answered

Thank you so much for asking questions of me...
Some of the questions were much more difficult to answer than I originally expected them to be, but I'm always up for a challenge.

So without further adieu.. here are your answers
Blogger Holly said...

What keeps you motivated?


I truly believe success and the constant fear of failure keeps me motivated. I look back over what I have accomplished since graduating college, being promoted into my current job, buying a condo, being in a 5 1/2 year committed relationship, that is what makes me motivated to keep going. As far as my personal life, looking back over my past 2 years and to see the transformation that I have made by running and eating right, that is plenty to keep me motivated to go to the gym.

And of course, like any human, we are ALL afraid of failure.. so if I have to push myself a little bit harder, I will, just to know that I haven't failed at something.



Blogger Jenny said...

Where's your favorite place to go out to eat? (not counting Piada!)

Clearly my blog friends know me a little too well! I mean I do LOVE piada {for those of you not from Columbus, it is a fast casual restaurant, basically the Italian version of Chipotle}
My favorite place to eat would probably be an sushi restaurant. We normally go to Asian Gourmet which is near by our house, but I love finding new sushi restaurants.


Blogger Kelly said...

If you weren't in HR, what would you do?

I {along with every other girl} would LOVE to have my own party planning company. I love working on details of events, being able to use my creativity, and being able to see something from beginning to end. That is the most rewarding piece of event planning in my opinion.


Best place you've visited?

Can I have 3? Please?

My family goes to Lake Cumberland annually, and to me it is one of the most relaxing places on earth. Your biggest worry is when is it too early for a cocktail? and when the next meal is! It is so relaxing and just enjoyable to be on a lake.

I am also partial to Vail, Colorado. Both times I have been there we have had the most beautiful weather, with a ton of fresh powder and beautiful blue skies. The snowboarding there is unbelievable, and the customer service is the ski town is absolutely AMAZING! One of the most friendliest places I have ever been.

My favorite "lets have a blast" city would be Key West. A bunch of girls and myself went here during part of our spring break and we had an absolute blast. The most laid back city, and everyone is there for a good time. I can't wait to go back.


What is your funniest childhood story?

I don't know if I can think of one of the funniest childhood stories, as I can one of the most embarrassing childhood stories.

I played golf in high school. I joined the girls golf team before I started HS and we had a match the first day of school. I was already concerned with being a freshman AND playing golf, but I thought, no big deal, keep your head up, and try to be as graceful as possible while walking into school with your book bag, your duffel bag of golf clothes, your lunch box AND my golf bag... well that grace part went RIGHT out the door as my golf clubs hit the door frame, i bent over to pick something out and all of my clubs went spilling out into the hallway, and I just remember sitting there in the main lobby of the high school being 150% humiliated that this had JUST happened to me... and realizing there goes 10 cool points for the freshman girl golfer!

Katie G. said...

What's your least favorite color?

There really isn't a color that I dislike.. however I LOATHE when khaki is paired with any color of gray, whether it be heather gray or light gray.. ooo boy its not a good combo!

What fashion trend can you not see yourself getting into?

I wish I could like/pull off the cute little booties.. but I don't think its going to happen. It took me long enough to find a pair of tall boots that fit me and didn't get stuck! Typically by the time I buy something it is half way out the door from being in style anyway.

How did you put up with my husband all through college? ;)

This question made me laugh. To clarify, Katie G is Molly's {you know my adorable Goddaughter} mom. I met her husband in the first few weeks of school my freshman year. My first day hanging out with Jason we stayed up until 7am talking about our lives, and how we got to the place we were at that day. Although Jason and I did not always see eye to eye, I knew that he would always be someone I could call my friend. Little did I know that Jason would end up reconnecting after college and becoming as close as we have again. I am so lucky to have this entire family so close to me now.

{I don't know if that really answered your question Katie, but truthfully, looking back on it, I'm not sure how I put up with him, but I am most certainly glad I did, because I don't think our relationship would be as strong as it is today!}

Anonymous Holly said...

What made you want to start blogging? :)

What truly made me start blogging was Kelly's Korner and her Show us your life tour. I LOVED reading them, and one day, I decided that I wished I could participate. So after a little {okay maybe a lot} of encouragement from my friends, I started a blog!



Blogger Mama Laughlin said...

Do you plan on losing more weight or are you in maintenance? (Not that you need to, just curious ;))

I would love to hit the 140 lb marker but I don't know if that is reasonable at this point. This year I am focusing 100% on toning and training for my 2 half marathons as well as the full marathon. I will continue to step on the scale every morning to make sure I'm at least maintaining my weight, but I"m not going to continue to focus on the training and toning.


Blogger Mrs. S said...

How did you end up in PR?

Somedays I wish I was in PR... but alas I'm in Human Resources on the recruiting side of things. I ended up here because I was an intern in between my two senior years {yes it took me 5 years to graduate.. why leave after 4 when you can have 5 years} and I did it 1/2 in marketing and 1/2 in HR. HR offered me a job after I graduated and I decided to take the opportunity and run with it.

Where is your favorite place to shop for clothes ?

My favorite place to shop for clothes is the Limited. I love how they fit, I love how you can always find a good deal there, and I love that they are both trendy as well as appropriate for work.


Blogger Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Where's one place you'd love to travel but haven't made it to yet?

I would love to go to Jackson Hole to go snowboarding. I have heard its challenging and beautiful.

Like I said, some of these questions challenged me to think a little, and others made it fun to reflect back on some previous experiences of mine. Thank you so much again for asking these questions, I really appreciate it :)
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Monday, January 23, 2012

Weekend Wrap Up... GNO and Channeling my Inner Bob Villa

This weekend was my annual Girls Night Out. In the past I have hosted a martini party, but this year I decided to take it to a restaurant.
We all met up at Polaris Grill. The only thing better than the delicious food was the AMAZING company.

I had friends from college, some I have met after college, and some of my closest blogging friends as well.

myself, shannon and holly
all of the girls from the evening

I went home on Saturday evening thinking that I am truly SO fortunate to have such amazing girls in my life! Thank you for everyone who made it out in the snowy wintery weather :)

**Meanwhile, back at the ranch, during the rest of the weekend, I got my Bob Villa on**

I found this large but AMAZING clock at Homegoods in the clearance section and I knew I HAD to have it!

This bad boy, replaced the previous clock that hung above my table
I LOVE the change and the statement this 5' clock makes on the wall
And then Jess found this "Keep Calm and Carry On" print laying around the house, that I have had for over a year, but never found a place for it.. and she suggested my spare bathroom.
We then headed up to Hobby Lobby to pick up crowns
And the decorating for this bathroom was complete
I had an amazing weekend!
I hope you did too!

I'll give you one last day to ask ANY question you would like of me
I will be answering them all tomorrow:)
Ask away my pretties



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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Here's your chance...

to ask me any question that you would like.

Source: google.com via Jess on Pinterest



Is there something that you have been dying to know about me, that you have been waiting for that ample opportunity to ask??
Well here's your chance.
Ask away my friends..


Maybe you want to know...

What I do for a living?
What my favorite homemade meal is?
What is one thing I can't live without?

Just remember, I'm an open book...
Ready. Set. Go!

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