check out my friend Anna (she rocks)

My friend Anna, the voice behind the incredible Diary of a Former Food Addict (which everyone and their mother should be reading), was recently given the opportunity to put a lookbook together for Aprizi, a site that supports independent and emerging designers.  If you have any interest in design, you should check out her gorgeous lookbook right here.  I want it all.

weekend wish list

first row:

     Bright Tiffins at Twine
     Kitty-Chic Scarf at ModCloth
     Mindy Kaling's upcoming book (available for pre-order at Amazon)
second row:

     BE & D Leopard Rowan Satchel at Shopbop
     Remake Foldover Clutch at Clare Vivier
          (photo credit: Marko MacPherson/Vogue)
     Walton Cut-Out Bootie at Banana Republic

cheap thrill: serpent ring at ModCloth

Midnight Coil Ring: $11.99 at ModCloth

(worn with mixed metal stacking rings by House of Harlow 1960)

This purchase was inspired by Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly, who wore hers with a number of other rings, including a dragon ring (also from ModCloth), in her recent Circle Circle Dot Dot post.  I'd personally like to find a lion ring to pair with mine, though.  You know, so I can be a huge nerd and use my jewelry to simultaneously represent both Slytherin and Gryffindor.  

hello, sunshine

Finally, it's MINE.

weekend wish list: electric blue

             from the top:

             Swedish Hasbeens Covered High ($99 + $60 shipping)

             Mulberry Edie Large Shoulder Bag ($1,175)

             Michael Kors Chronograph Watch ($195)

As I've said in previous posts, I'm not much of a risk-taker when it come to my clothes, but do I tend to gravitate towards accessories that make a bit of a statement.  Right now I'm on the hunt for something in electric blue.  And I'm definitely not the only one who is fixated on this hue -- take a look at today's post on Color Me Nana, this post on Fashionnerdic, or this post on The Glamourai.  (I point this out, by the way, solely so that I can pat myself on the the back for having such exceptional taste.)

Also, a happy note about last weekend's wishlist: American Apparel totally surprised me this past week by re-releasing their medium leather carry-all pouch in sunshine yellow.  Concerned that I might miss out if I waited too long, I bought one immediately, and it would appear that a lot of other people did the same, because that color has once again disappeared from the site.  The other colors also seem to be moving quickly, but as of right now, you can still snag one in crimson, dark peach, dark lavender, sky blue, melon green, or bright green.  I suggest that you act fast. 

wednesday night dinner: kale stir fry

I'm in the midst of a deep love affair with kale.  This stir fry is a modified version of the flash-fried kale recipe in the February 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times.  I'd eat it every night this week if Kevin would let me get away with it.

[ Ingredients ]
1 lb. asparagus (chopped into 2" - 3" pieces)
8 oz. kale (also chopped into 2" - 3" pieces)
2 medium carrots (sliced)
8 oz. cauliflower (chopped into florets)
1 t. fresh ginger
1 T. olive oil
1 t. soy sauce
1 T. sliced almonds (I prefer the toasted version from Trader Joe's)

new necklace: yay or nay?

woven chain necklace: Madewell (no longer available)

Ignoring the fact that I look mildly deranged in the photo above, how do we feel about this necklace?  I love how it looks -- except I can't seem to get it to lay correctly (i.e. flat) across my collarbone.  Maybe I need to shorten it slightly?

not quite an outfit post: stripes, leopard print, and messy hair

scarf: Asos / striped shirt: L.L.Bean / cardigan: the Gap (no longer available)

Okay, so I know that this does not by any means fulfill my promise of an official outfit post, and I know that I've committed to trying to move away from using the scarf/cardigan combo as my security blanket, but can we just talk about how much I love mixing leopard print and stripes right now?

Side-note: this scarf is 100% cotton, but it's a bit stiffer than I prefer.  Is it foolish to hope that it might soften slightly with time and wear?

weekend wish list: modern nostalgia

The Seaside Sandal at Madewell ($148)

I know that it's still too cold to be thinking about wearing these with bare feet, but I'm in love with the idea of wearing them right now with brightly colored socks and tights.

Pantone Mug Set at Uncommon Goods ($110)

I first saw this set in Lucky Magazine, and I've had the website bookmarked ever since.  I couldn't possibly justify buying anything for our current kitchen, but if this set is still available when Kevin and I finally make our move to the west coast later this year, I may have to splurge.

Karvt Wooden iPhone Skin at Generate ($23)

I'm pretty much obsessed with my new iPhone, and the only thing stopping me from making this purchase is that I can't decide which color I want.

Dara Ettinger Heather Disco Ball Ring at Max & Chloe ($120)

This ring should belong to me.

Sex and the City: The Complete Third Season at Amazon ($17.99)

Almost finished re-watching season two.  Need more Carrie Bradshaw.

Ray-Ban New Small Wayfarer at Nordstrom ($119)

Because my closet is mostly filled with neutrals, I generally rely on accessories to add interest to my outfits, and since I can't seem to get my hands on that yellow clutch from American Apparel seen on The Glamourai, I'm giving up and shifting my focus to these sunglasses instead. 

friday night dinner: chana masala

2 T. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 t. red chili flakes
1 t. cumin seeds
1/2 t. fresh ginger
1/2 t. turmeric
1 t. garam masala
4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
2 14-oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 t. salt
2 14-oz. cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

• Heat olive oil in a large pot and add chopped onion.
• Saute onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the onions caramelize.
• Lower heat, add spices, and stir well.
• Add 1/4 cup of water and scrape down the bottom of the pan. 
• Add tomatoes and salt and bring to a boil. 
• After 5 to 10 minutes, once the mixture has reduced slightly, add garbanzo beans and bring down to a simmer.
• Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove cardamom pods before serving.

My dinner tonight was a combination of this chana masala recipe from Everybody Likes Sandwiches (discovered by Hannah) and this chana masala recipe from Smitten Kitchen.  It's super easy to make, and it would be delicious served over rice and/or with a dollop of yogurt on top.  The next time I make it, though, I'm already planning to use crushed tomatoes instead of diced -- I think this will improve the overall texture and flavor of the dish.  I've also promised Kevin that I'll try not to be so lazy about dicing the onion.  In my defense, it really wasn't just a matter of laziness tonight.  The onion I used was such a burner that I was literally weeping as I tried to chop it.

another reason to win the lottery: the home decor section at Anthropologie

As always, I used my lunch break at work yesterday to do a little online window shopping and catch up on a number of the blog posts that had accumulated in my Google reader throughout the morning. After seeing this post by Kelly Framel of The Glamourai, I was inspired to head over to Anthropologie and check out their home decor section.

This was an immense error in judgment.

top left: Calandria Armchair ($1,598)

top right: Woods Wallpaper ($198)

bottom left: Tea Time Chandelier ($1,800)

bottom right: Finn Rocker ($1,698)

In case this isn't already abundantly clear -- I can't even afford the wallpaper. 

what I want for breakfast

Warm & Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa

[ from 101 Cookbooks / found via Anna of Diary of a Former Food Addict ]

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I have a pretty steady breakfast routine on weekdays that consists of eggs, goat cheese, and spinach, but I've been thinking about changing things up, and this is one of the first recipes that I want to try. Anna leaves out the agave nectar, and I think I might follow her lead, especially because I'm already planning to swap blueberries for the blackberries and add a few dried apricots to my bowl.

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

[ from Espresso and Cream / found via Tastespotting ]

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Kevin and I spent a couple of months in India a few years ago, and ever since that trip I have had a major soft spot for banana pancakes.  I know that these pancakes would probably be the ultimate exercise in carbicide, but just looking at that photo makes my mouth water and takes me back to sitting on the patio of my favorite cafe in McLeod Ganj, eating a banana pancake breakfast and listening to the ringing of the morning bells from the Buddhist temple located down the hill.

Fried Egg & Avocado Sandwich

[ from Taylor of Sterling Style ]

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I used to make egg sandwiches all of the time, and if you read this blog, you already know that I'm what you might refer to as obsessed with avocado, so it pains me to admit that it never occurred to me to include it in my breakfast sandwiches.  I should point out, though, that while Taylor chose to leave out both butter and cheese in an effort to be health-conscious, I have no plans to be that disciplined when I try this out.  A little sharp cheddar or goat cheese goes a long way, anyways.

Breakfast Pizza

[ recipe from Smitten Kitchen / found via this post on Cupcakes and Cashmere ]

- - - - - - - - - -

I'm totally intrigued by the idea of egg pizza, and this recipe looks seriously delicious.  I don't eat real bacon these days, though, so when I try this out, I'll use fake bacon, or perhaps kosher turkey bacon, if I can find it at any of the nearby stores.  I also like the idea of adding on a vegetable like spinach or mushrooms.  But to be honest, I'll probably take the lazy route and use the pre-made whole wheat pizza dough that you can buy at Trader Joe's instead of making my own.  I hate working with yeast.

weekend wish list: first edition

Medium Leather Carry-All Pouch: $45 at American Apparel

[ discovered via this post on The Glamourai ]

Demitasse Urban Shine Demistache Necklace: $40 at Max & Chloe

[ spotted in this post on The Man Repeller; hunted down online ] 

Seychelles Romance Boot: $77 at 6pm.com

[ do you think I could have the heels cut down by an inch? ]

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1: available for pre-order at Amazon for $24.99

[ don't judge me ]