siriously delicious

I'm guest blogging over at Siriously Delicious today!  My friend and hilarious, smart, savvy blog writer just had a baby so I was honored to guest post for her while she spends some Momma time with her gorgeous new girl!

I'm talking hostess gifts, so check out all the details on her blog!

a sneak peek

Some of you know that I've been working on quite a big side project for a little while now.  I am opening my own business and all of the wheels are turning...it is such an exciting time for me.  I've been working with the most lovely lady on my company branding, logo, website and all of that good stuff.  While the website is still in the works, I have this little site that you can visit and a new blog that I'm trying to keep updated with ideas, inspiration and projects.  Both will have fabulous face lifts very soon.

Branding is not for the faint of heart.  Seriously, it's really hard, I mean how do you pick a font that represents you?!  But, I'm really excited about the way things are headed and wanted to give you a little sneak peek....

This is going to be a fun journey, you guys!  I can't wait to share it with you along the way!

XO,
J

yogi bear: update

I did it!  I went to a real Yoga class.  It was scary for the first fifteen minutes, as it went something like this:

Me: "Hi, I'd like to sign up for a yoga class."

Yoga Lady: "Great, have you been here before?"

Me: "Nope, my first time ever doing Yoga."

Yoga Lady: "How wonderful!  Welcome!  Just sign in here."

Me: "Do I need to purchase a mat or anything?"

Yoga Lady: "Not all all, we have everything you need.  We provide mats, straps, blocks and blankets for you."

Me: {complete stunned silence.  Um, straps?  Blocks?}

Yoga Lady: {clearly a reaction to seeing my face} "Oh my gosh!  I'm sorry, that must have sounded so intimidating!  Don't worry, she'll show you how to use everything."

Me: "Great?"  {what the hell am I doing here?}

Then I took off my shoes and stepped into this adorable yet tiny studio.  People were all laid out on their mats already and I felt so incredibly awkward because I didn't know what to do.  Should I stretch like that guy?  Should I lay down and close my eyes like that girl?  Should I instagram a picture of my mat?

I decided to save the instagram for later and found a spot on the floor and just sat there.  A nice man asked me if this was my first time {what am I wearing a sign or something?} and we softly chatted for a few seconds.  He told me that I was going to love it.  He was right.

We got started shortly thereafter, and a few minutes in I could tell that I was going to like this!  My fears subsided as I focused on breathing and over the course of the next 90 minutes, I tried my best to give myself over to the practice of yoga.

As I walked out of the studio, I literally felt two inches taller.  I felt like smiling, so I did.  I felt quiet, like the to-do list constantly running in my head had been put on silent.  I walked out of there taller, happier and calmer.

I am proud that I threw myself into something new and came out feeling great about it.  In fact, I've already gone a second time this week.

We often get so comfortable in our daily lives and routines that we forget to stretch our boundaries, step outside our comfort zone and challenge ourselves.  I'm glad I had this little reminder that it really does feel amazing to challenge yourself to something new.

I hope this inspires you to do the same.  When you do, tell me all about it!  I'd love to hear your stories.

XO,
J

yogi bear

Lately, there have been a lot of changes happening around here and as a result I have let go of my personal trainer.  In addition, my habits of going to the gym have fallen to the wayside for wedding season.

I actually feel ok without the weight training, better than I thought I would.  But now I'm looking for something new to try for a while.  A friend of mine told me about this video and while I'm sure most of you have already seen it, I just had to share it.

I sat watching this video completely mesmerized by the beauty of it.  As the video drew to an end, I decided that I would like to try yoga.  Not because I think I will be able to achieve what she can do, but because she seems so at peace and that is what I want.  {her ridiculous body wouldn't be a bad thing to have either!}

She seems peaceful, content and complete.  She glows...she makes me want to try yoga.

I've always been intimidated by it.  I see the girls leaving yoga studios, smiling and laughing, headed into a coffee shop with their mats slug over their shoulders, and they intimidate me.  It's like they know something that I don't know.

I'm definitely scared to try something new, especially something that I literally know nothing about.  I'll be terrified to walk into the studio not knowing what's in store for me.  But I need to remember that it's good to challenge yourself and do something scary once in a while.  YES, it is.  So I'm going to DO it.  I'm going to take a deep breath and dive in...who knows, maybe soon I'll be walking into a coffee shop with my mat slung over my shoulder...and glowing.

Here's the video I mentioned....enjoy!  

 

XO,
J

olympic time

You guys!!!  The Olympics start tonight!!!

Beyond.  That's the level of excited that I am.

Last time the summer Olympics happened, I had just gotten back from living in China and I felt a sense of pride for a country that I had recently called home.  I remember the feeling I had while watching Beijing's amazing display during the Opening Ceremonies.  I can't wait to see what London has put together tonight!

I wanted to throw a party for the Opening Ceremonies, but I have to work tonight so instead I blogged about my Olympic party inspiration over on my events blog.  Check it out HERE!  I hope it will inspire you to host your own party sometime throughout the Games.

Happy Olympics everyone!!!

point your toes

For me, one of the most fun parts of getting a manicure/pedicure is picking out the nail color.  I am a total sucker for the names.  I have been known, on more than one occasion, to pick the color based on how much I love the name.  The more witty and fun, the more I love it.  

Well, OPI has really got me with this one.  As a former dancer and a prima ballerina at heart, I am dying to try their new collection which is coming out in April.  OPI has teamed up with the New York City Ballet to bring all of us dreamers this whimsical, feminine and oh so pretty collection of Spring polishes.  

With names like Barre My Soul, Don't Touch My Tutu and My Pointe Exactly...I'll be pointing my toes all the way to the nail salon for this one!  

keep calm

I don't know about you, but personally I am terribly sick of seeing those "Keep Calm and Carry On" prints.  They took off like wildfire and then they were everywhere all the time.  However, I saw a version of one the other day that I simply had to snap a picture of.

It was just an advertisement but it really struck a chord with me.  See, I've recently gone on some medication that makes me a little bit crazy.  I was on it a few years ago and I hated myself when I was taking it.  Now I'm back on it and am really terrified of becoming that crazy, hormonal lady again.

It's no secret that women are emotional.  Some more than others.  So, for myself and those of you that are reading this feeling a little ornery this morning, remember this....

I know I am going to BE strong and keep telling myself this.  

XO, 

Jessi 

the debate

When Spring 2006 rolled around, I found myself enjoying my first taste of LA Springtime.  The weather, always great, had a special crispness about it.  Then the girl scout cookies began to roll out.  Who doesn't love this time of year?  As I went to order some, I was looking and asking for the perennial favorite, "Carmel deLites."  However, they were no where to be found.  "Samoas" were what I saw in its place. The box looked the same, I was assured that the cookie was the same and that I just called it a funny name.

I wasn't happy about it because I don't have an affinity for Samoas, I like Carmel deLites.  I chalked it up to the Girl Scouts deciding they they would just change the name.

And then....a package came in the mail.  A care package from my mother-in-law arrived from Wisconsin last week and the Springtime debate for the last six years (the one in my head, I guess) has been settled.  It must be a regional thing.

Please forge the terrible picture, I was too excited for the taste test, I didn't even have time to focus my camera!  

Check it out.  They even look different.  My husband and I did a taste test, naturally, and found that the Samoas are a little more coconut-y and toasted.  While the Carmel deLites have way more carmel.

Now you know.

Carmel deLites or Samoas?  What's your pick?

inspiration everywhere

Over the weekend, I walked by this new stand in the Farmer's Market and noticed how adorable the decor and styling was.  And then I noticed something too cute for words.  Can you see those "wall hangings"?  Do you know what those are?  

Bundt pans!  Painted bundt pans.  

Too cute and clever for words.  This would be so easy and fun for either some kitchen decor for yourself...or of course I immediately styled an event (in my mind) around these fun little darlings!  How cute would this be for a dessert backdrop?  What a wonderful way to bring some color into an event, especially one for someone who loves to bake.  

Have you read The Baker Chick blog?  She pretty much rocks and is like a little sister to me.  She's getting married in August and if I was planning her bridal shower, you can bet that I'd be collecting and spray painting bundt pans until I was blue in the face!  

Inspiration is truly everywhere...what did you see this weekend that inspired you?  

eat something

I just have to say one negative thing that I took away from the Oscar ceremony and red carpet on Sunday.  For the love of all things delicious, I wish some of these ladies would just start eating.  

I love Rose Byrne and think she's a fabulous actress, but she needs to eat.  Please Rose, eat something.   

And I am so tired of Angelina Jolie.  Tired of the same red carpet looks and really tired of her extra bony frame.  That leg sticking out of your dress would have been sexy if it had any sort of muscle to it.  All bones and skin.  Gross.  And her arms are just as bad.  

Here's the thing.  The women in Hollywood have to remember that they are inspirations to millions of girls and woman around the world.  Why do they need to keep sending the message that looking emaciated is hot.  I bought into this thinking for a really long time and I have worked like hell to get over this.  Seeing these examples of what can only be malnourishment is not a friendly reminder.  It's unnatural and it's unreal.  

BE a real woman, don't let these images cloud your brain with what is beautiful.  What is beautiful is YOU.  Always remember that.  

oscar wrap up

I've blogged about it before and I'll blog about it again.  I love the Oscars.  Absolutely love them.  When we have a home that can fit more than five people, I plan on starting an annual Oscar party.  Dresses and baubles might be required...just saying.  

Last night did not disappoint.  While I didn't love every single thing about the show, there was a lot that I loved and here is my wrap up of all that made my heart sing last night.  

One word.  Meryl.  What a beautiful, human, authentic woman.  I thought the most touching moment of the night came just after they announced her name for Best Actress.  

"First I’m going to thank Don because when you thank your husband at the end of the speech they play him out with the music and I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives you’ve given me," 

I was pleasantly surprised by the many wonderful women that I put on my best dressed list (which I'm sure is the same as many of yours).  There were a lot this year!  These ladies worked it all night long!  

Stop it right now Miss Michelle.  She killed it in every way possible.  That pink clutch with possibly the most perfect dress?  That little whimsical bow brooch.  The delicate yet stunning diamond necklace.  Amazing.  

So simple, so striking.  She remains one of my favorite women in Hollywood.  But was anyone else wondering how that cape stayed on so well?  She must have not done any waving to the fans of America as she walked the red carpet.  

Viola, you inspire me.  I love the color, I love the jewels and I admire the "take me for who I am" hair.  

I loved this color and natural yet completely elegant feeling that this hilarious woman brought to the table. On a personal note, I loved that she went with dark nails.  

Loved it.  Loved the chunky bracelet.  Loved her as a presenter.  

Fierce.  Elegant.  Timeless.  

My favorite hair of the evening.  

It was a good year for Mr. Oscar.  Though I have one complaint but I'll blog about that tomorrow.  This post has way too much goodness and beautiful eye candy to bring up anything negative.  

What did you all think of the show?  The gowns?  The winners?  

It's exciting to think that a new year of movies and dreams of Oscars begin today.  

Be a chef week - grilled pizzas

This is a family favorite in our house.  And by family I mean, my husband and I really love these pizzas.  Who would ever think that making your own pizza dough would be so easy?  And honestly the tastiest pizza dough ever.

It's as easy as mix, knead, rise and grill.  

The pizza dough recipe is from my dear friend Ina.  You might have heard of her.  You can see how she does it HERE.  I do everything the same as she does until it comes time for the cooking.

In her recipe, she only uses the garlic oil on her pizzas.  I like to cover mine in pizza sauce.  I am not a fan of sauce-less pizza, so I sauce it up.

Follow her recipe, but here are a few tried and true tips:

- Make the garlic oil that she mentions.  It is one of the things that makes this pizza special.  Here's how:

Bring 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil and 6 large garlic cloves to a boil, once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Carefully remove the garlic and slice it into a bowl.  Pour the oil over the garlic.  Rather than sprinkling it over the top like Ina mentions, I brush this on the pizza just before I put on the sauce.  And my best secret is to sprinkle the garlic slices over the sauce as your first topping.  Mmmm.

- DON'T skip the step of letting the dough rest an additional 10 minutes after you have separated it into shaped balls.  I know it's tempting to just start flattening it out and get going, but don't do it.  If you let it rest that additional 10 minutes, it will be pillowy and soft and so delicious.

- We have a gas grill, so I just keep the grill as low as it will go for the entire time I'm cooking them.

- I freeze the dough balls that we don't use.  They don't turn out as amazing when you take them out of the freezer, but they are still really yummy!  Just make sure they come to room temp. before you start trying to shape them.

- Have fun with your toppings!  This particular night, I was a little lazy with the toppings because usually we pile them high with anything and everything you can imagine.  Get crazy, it's your very own grilled pizza so top it with whatever the heck you like.  But I do HIGHLY recommend using fresh mozzarella.

ENJOY!  It is a perfect Friday night dinner!

And here's a behind the scenes picture for your viewing enjoyment...

What do you do when your grilling at night and your porch light is out?  Well, you obviously put on your husband's head lamp.  Duh.  Nice head lamp lady.

Be a chef week - enchiladas

Enchiladas don't photograph very well.  All of that cheesy, saucy goodness doesn't make for a pretty photo.  But your belly doesn't care about what photographs well, does it?  

I have always wanted to have a "dish," one that people associate with me.  These enchiladas are my husband's favorite thing that I make, which I secretly take great pride in.  But this year, when we were headed home to my parents house in South Carolina for Christmas, my Mom called to tell me that my Dad said, "I want Jessi to make her enchiladas while she's here," which totally made my day.  

"My" enchiladas.  I guess I do have a dish...so Enjoy!  

Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas 

1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed 

1 (16 oz.) jar medium salsa, divided 

2 (10 oz.) cans enchilada sauce - green 

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese 

2 1/2 cups shredded chicken 

1 small can diced green chilies 

10 - flour tortillas 

1 (8oz.) package shredded Mexican four cheese blend 

avocado for garnish

-Drain spinach well, set aside.  

-Stir together 1/4 c. salsa and enchilada sauce, set aside.  

-Microwave cream cheese for 1 minute until soft.  

-Add spinach, chicken, chilies, remaining salsa and stir.  (sometimes I throw in some extra ingredients here if I'm feeling sassy; drained black beans and diced mushrooms are my most common add-in, but definitely not necessary)  

- Spoon a heaping 1/3 cupful of chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla.  Roll tortilla.  Place seam-side down in a lightly greased baking dish.  

- Pour enchilada sauce mixture evenly over top of tortillas.  Sprinkle with cheese.  

- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly.  

- Top with sliced avocado to serve.  

**This dish freezes well, so I usually take a few extra and place them in a separate pan to freeze for a quick and easy mid-week dinner**

Be a chef week - red velvet cake

I am not a good baker.  Which is funny because I'm a very precise person, but for some reason I cannot bake very well.  I envy those that can create amazing sweet treats, I think it's a real talent...one that I lack.

However, I do make a mean red velvet cake.  Now, if you are a real baker then you probably have a legit red velvet cake that you make, so you can just stop reading this now.  But if you are like me and you are baking challenged, then this cake recipe is for you!

Pair this with a traditional cream cheese frosting for ultimate yumminess.

Recipe:
1 box Betty Crocker German Chocolate Cake mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 c. oil
3 eggs
1 bottle (1 oz) red food coloring
1 tsp. vanilla extract
**Simply mix all ingredients and bake according to package.  Cool cake on wire racks for 10 minutes, then invert pan and continue to cool cakes.  Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate to cool completely to make for easier icing.  I like to slice each 9" round cake in half with a serrated knife so that I can make a four layer cake, but you can also use the two layers as they are.**


For the frosting:
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter, softened
3 3/4 c. boxed confectioners sugar (1 box)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
**Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed until smooth.  Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy.  Stir in vanilla.


I saved some crumbles to decorate the top, but you can also use either white chocolate chips or shavings of white chocolate to decorate the cake.

Be a chef week - miso soup

The hardest part of making miso soup is getting in your car and going to the Asian market.  I'm serious, this is criminally easy.

What you'll need:

1) Dashi 

2) Wakame seaweed (dried) 

3) Shiro Miso 

4) Water 

5) Tofu 

When you go to the market, ask for Dashi which is a Japanese soup stock.  It will be easier to just ask rather than trying to find it.  There are different kinds, but you want instant dashi.  I like the fish dashi which is the most traditional, but you can also get a mushroom dashi or a kelp dashi.  You can make miso soup without dashi, but this will make it taste very authentic.  This is what it looks like: 

You'll also want some seaweed for your miso soup.  There is typically an entire section of the market devoted to these types of soup add-ins.  I have no idea what's in the different packages, so I go based off of the picture.  This is technical stuff, I know.  You do want to make sure that it has wakame seaweed in it, which most of them do.  

Shiro Miso.  You will love having this in your fridge.  You can make marinades, sauces and all sorts of yummy dishes with miso.  Miso marinated cod, anyone?  Yes.  

Tofu.  Get whatever kind and firmness you like, this is your miso soup!  

Recipe: 

4 cups water

4 Tbs. miso 

1/2 Tbs. dashi

tofu (I use about a third of a brick) 

1 to 1 1/2 Tbs. dried seaweed mixture (or more if you like a lot to seaweed in your soup) 

Literally all you do is bring the water to a boil.  While it's coming up to a boil, add the miso.  After the water has started boiling, reduce heat to medium and stir to break up the miso.  Add the dashi, stir a few times to dissolve.  Then add the tofu and seaweed, let it simmer for just a few minutes and you're ready to eat!  

And remember that in Japanese culture, the louder you slurp your soup and noodles, the more you are enjoying it.  It is a sign to the chef that you think it's delicious or "O-ee-she".  So slurp away!  

BE a chef week

Who doesn't like to pretend they are a real chef?  Who doesn't set up all of their ingredients on the counter and talk to a pretend camera like they are on a cooking show?  Oh come on, you know you've all done it!

While I am no chef, I am a pretty darn good cook and love being in the kitchen.  I love to cook, I find it soothing and therapeutic after a long day.  I am pretty much a recipe girl, I love finding and trying new ones while some fail miserably, some make it into my recipe box forever.  The best recipes are the ones that you can go back to time and time again and never tire of them.

I thought it will be fun if everyday this week I share with you one of those tried and true recipes that even the worst cook could make.  I love all of these because they are easy and also because they are really delicious!

Let's BE chef's this week.  I hope it inspires you to get in the kitchen and make something that's out of your usual routine.

introducing

Isn't it fun when new things get introduced into your life?  And then you become a little bit obsessed with them...oh wait, is that just me?  

Here are a few things that are new to me in the past few weeks.  And yes, I'm mildly obsessed with them all.  

Shailene Woodley.  Um, did you see The Descendants?  If that wasn't enough to make me love her, then she went and killed it on the red carpet at the Globes.  Amazing.  She rocks.  

A friend recently made me a delicious cocktail and when she told me that it was just vodka and Peach Fresca I couldn't believe it!  Peach Fresca.  New obsession.  Not sure how it tastes on it's own, but damn delicious as a mixer!  

There are no words for how much I love it.  No words.    

This is my new favorite mascara.  It stays on so well, won't give you black under eye from all that smiling you do and makes your lashes look fabulous.  

I adore instagram.  I am not sure how I lived before I had it.  I feel like I see the world through an instagram filter now, which is not a bad thing.  

What are you into lately?  DO some discovering of something new this weekend and then tell me about it, so I can add it to my newly obsessed about things!  

Have a special weekend y'all! 

XO, 

Jessi 

reminder

Because we all need to hear it more often than we do.  

Print available HERE.  

blog awards

Did you know they give away blog awards?  Yea, I recently got one.  It was the "you abandoned your blog" award.  I gave a pretty good speech but you better believe that I killed it on the red carpet.

I've been away from here and I say it every time, but I've missed it.  I think I got too wrapped up, worried and intimidated about not having as many followers as I wanted to have.  But guess what?  I don't care about that anymore.  I want to write again because writing helps keep me inspired.  And connected.  

I also think I lost site of the blog's focus.  GO.  BE.  DO.  Simple.  Write about it.  Starting now.

I can do this.  I can blog here, blog and tweet for my company, pin enough to keep people inspired, be a great friend/wife/daughter and do what I love.  I can do it all.  I can at least do a better job of trying.

....and....I'm back.