I love today.

Today happens to be the second Thursday in a row 

I had off work and it has been one of my favorite days. 

Since Jason has been deep in grad schooling for the past year, especially this last semester, we haven't gotten to spend a whole lot of time together. Since we both had the day off today, we got to have some quality time! This morning Jason dropped me off at the gym while he went to his chiropractor appointment, and as much as I love the gym, for a minute I panicked that I couldn't just get in my car and leave when I decided I was tired. I was suddenly trapped! Then I realized that worst case scenario, I would just sit in the giant hand shaped chairs and watch Maury without sound until Jason came back to get me. Fortunately, that thought only lasted a second and I had a great workout. 

Then we went to Trader Joe's!

How have I never been there before?? It was like Mecca for cheap health food, and a little theme-parky. Doesn't get much better than that in my book, although, I made the mistake of telling an employee it was our first time there, so Jason and I had to wait it out as he explained to a vegan and seafood hater that his favorite thing they sold was this crab-stuffed flounder and then described anything and everything you could serve with it. 45 minutes later we left the store with some delicious bean dip and a bottle of sweet chili sauce. 

The rest of the day consisted of :

Jason making a vegan lunch for us. (All by himself!)

A little shopping for some new dress clothes for Jason's new job!

R&R at a coffee shop patio table. (Do people still say r&r??)

And an afternoon nap. 

I forgot to mention that all of this was so wonderful coming off of the worst hour of my life last night when THERE WAS A GIANT A** SPIDER IN MY CAR AND THEN TWO ON OUR BEDROOM CEILING WHEN WE GOT HOME!!!! Caps lock doesn't even begin to help describe my deep emotion over this. 

That's all for now. 

xoxo

May???

I haven't blogged in such a long time and it makes me sad. 

So, LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!

(Nothing but letdown after that opening.)

First of all, Jason just earned his masters degree AND has a job!! That man makes me proud. Best part is my family came up to see him graduate, which provided entertainment for the hours and hours and hours we waited to see what looked like it may have been him, get handed a diploma. Weee!

Other notable activities of late:

I painted our kitchen table without asking Jason. Fortunately it turned out well and I didn't get in trouble for that. I used white chalkboard paint and got this awesome antique look!

I made a new logo for my etsy shop and blog. Cuuuuteee!!

My boss Jen had a birthday. 

I bought her those balloons and cupcakes - just wanted to make sure there was no confusion about how awesome I am. 

And last but not least, I am competing in the Mrs. Ohio Pageant this year! Wish me luck!!

Here's one of my glamour shots by Deb. 

xoxo

April

Life can be an interesting thing. 

For example, several of my friends are having their second child. On purpose. Then there's the fact that the other day I justified eating an entire $5 chocolate cupcake at 11 pm because it was vegan.  Then, of course, there's the annual spring frenzy, when people get so excited for a day of warm weather that they put on their tiniest summer clothes and prance around like its anywhere above the actual 61 degrees.

Moving on.

I was so happy to get to visit some old friends this weekend!  I spent the majority of my college years in Birmingham, AL, so this past week I made a little trip down to see everyone. And by little trip I mean that I drove more than 1,000 by myself and have every genres "TOP THIRTY LIVE"  for the week memorized. But besides that and dreadfully missing my husband I had a great time! My sister and I played dress up and put on our wedding dresses. I got farted on by the cutest and giantest 3 month old I've ever seen. I ate a lot of food(all vegan!) Had a really fun but pathetic fall-asleep-before-midnight sleepover with Coco! I got coffee, watched movies, went to the grocery store, caught up with my family, and realized more than ever,
There is just no place like the south.

As you guys have probably realized by now, I like to dabble. I humbly call myself a jack of all trades and master of all. So today I decided to try my hand at a little jewelry making, and after super gluing my pants to my leg, I think I came up with some good stuff!

Check out the rest on my ETSY!

Until next time,
xoxo

It's been a while!

Hello friends!

So this cold Ohio weather is making me a psycho. 

I have finally realized why so many people wear sweatpants here, and it's because they have given up hope that it will ever be warm again, and in doing so, have given up on life. 

And there's the fact that it makes me so dang lazy. Between my job that requires me to be there no earlier than 10, my trips to the gym, and the hours of time I spend on the couch pinning things it's no wonder I'm so tired and can't be bothered to do anything else. 

So even though I am adamantly against going to the tanning bed, I am almost starting to consider it just to get a little vitamin d to cheer myself up! Which led me to another thought... Can you wear sunscreen in the tanning bed? Or am I trying too hard to justify this? I just want the benefits without the cancer okay??

This coming weekend marks two significant events! The beginning of white pants season, and our first anniversary!! It is truly crazy how quickly this year has gone by. It seems like just yesterday all the attention was on me and people were buying me things right and left... It's a good life being a bride. And it's an even better life being a wife. We've only had 3 or 4 meals that were inedible, two loads of laundry that were ruined by ink pens in pockets, and one wall that will have to be repaired after we move out. I have also been surprised by a lot of things. I didn't know when I said my vows that I would love Jason so significantly more every day of marriage. I didn't know we would be such good friends. And I didn't know how bad his feet would smell.  So barring any unforeseen tragic events, Sunday will mark the beginning of year two. :)

Other recent successes: My jeans from high school are too big. My hair has finally grown out to desired length. And my husband brings home chocolate. Often.

The end. 

Blogged.

You guys!!!!

 It has been so long since I have written a blog. Fear not, I was just storing up for the best blog ever!!! And with that, the rest of this blog will only be a disappointment. 

Is there ever an inappropriate time to say, "We've been so busy, it's just that time of the year?" Because we've been so busy. 

Jason has been working his buns off in grad school and helping his parents flip a house on the weekends!

I've been busy in bridal world, painting my fingernails, and cooking. 

So here is my most favorite Asian meal I have made in a long time:

Teriyaki Noodles and a Veggie Ginger Salad

Teriyaki Noodles:

1 pound spinach spaghetti noodles (any noodles will do, but these are yummy!)

1/2 pound snow peas, cut into matchsticks

3 medium carrots, cut into matchsticks

3 green onions - white and green parts- cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Sauce:

1/2 cup lite soy sauce

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon garlic chili paste

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Splash of lemon juice

Splash of white vinegar

(You can adjust sugar/ chili paste according to taste)

Cook pasta according to directions. Or just cook it how you would cook pasta, because who needs directions for that? In the last minute or to of cooking add snow peas and carrots. Drain and add other veggies and sauce that you have whisked together while the pasta was cooking according to directions. Stir and serve! 

Ginger Veggie Salad

2 Shredded carrots

1/2 cup Chopped broccoli

1/4 cup Sliced mushrooms

3/4 cup Mungbean sprouts

2 tablespoons Chopped cilantro

1 bunch chopped Red romaine

2 Mandarin oranges

Sprinkle of chia seeds

1/2 cup Wasabi peas

Makoto Ginger Dressing - only the best dressing you will ever ever consume. 

I think the assembly on this one is pretty self explanatory. 

Both serve 4. Both are vegan. And both are non-vegan Jason approved!!

If you are still reading, I am excited to announce that Jason and I are expecting you to freak out when you read this and tell you that we are not pregnant but have found a new church family!!

Fortunately we didn't have to look that hard and God just placed us right where we needed to be. We are both thrilled to be in great community with even greater friends. (Especially you Leticia, because I told you that Denise was my favorite. Which she is. :)

The End. 

xoxo

Pruney Fingers

We will never again live in an apartment/house/mansion/castle that doesn't have a dishwasher. 

My hands look like little old ladies right now. 

And on top of that,

I have sustained an injury. 

Two nights ago, Jason and I were lying in bed watching one of our favorite shows, Happy Endings, on my iPad. If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to put on a diaper first. It's that funny. But back to the point. We were watching said show when all of the sudden Jason shifts and my iPad crashes corner first into my forehead. Not only did I have a huge knot for the rest of the night, my head is still bruised. 

#firstworldproblems

Good news is, the rest of my face is back to "normal!!" No more swelling from my wisdom teeth removal, although I made sure to send a text to my whole family letting them see how I was recovering by sending an up close picture of my teeth holes. Even though it wasn't expressed, I'm sure there was gratitude on their part. 

Unrelated, I have come across my new favorite salad dressing so I will share!

Spicy Honey Mustard

1 T honey

1 T Dijon mustard

1 T red wine vinegar

1 T lemon juice

Pinch of black pepper

I like it best on crunchy romaine with a sprinkle of chia seeds on top!

Oh and I almost forgot to share about Valentine's Day!!!

Jason and I hit our usual v-day spot, White Castle, to indulge in a little romance. It's actually pretty hilarious. You have to call and make a reservation weeks in advance and when you arrive you are greeted by your "server" and escorted to your plastic tablecloth table. Menu is the same, just printed out for your convenience, and you get to pick out your own carnation when you leave!

Romance. 

Here is a picture of the cards we made each other! Jason's is the amazing one on the right!! A beary heart felt valentine.

And here is a picture from last year for good measure!

xoxo

Teeth.

You haven't seen determination

 until you witness someone who has only eaten soup 

for three days try to eat a bean burrito. 

This all started Thursday morning about 45 minutes before surgery when I decided to read the pre-op packet. Oops. It said to remove any nail polish and makeup - there went my plan to look good to try to convince them to do the surgery really well. I had a few minutes left before the best mother in law ever showed up, so I started to take off my glitter nail polish. If you are a woman or a strange man, you have probably experienced this process that almost requires a jackhammer. I finally get it all off only to realize that my nails are stained a disgusting yellow and assume everyone at the doctor's office is going to think I have some nasty fungus. Fast forward to surgery chair, I am getting all hooked up to the machines and making sure to retell the nail polish story to every new nurse that walks in. You know, so they know I'm not gross. Then starts the real fun. At least that's what I have been told. Apparently when I was being moved from the surgery chair to the gurney, instead of standing up and sitting back down like a normal person, I sort of crab walked to it. So one of the nurses mentioned that I must have a strong core, so I said yes and started to do crunches to prove it. I also asked upon being woken up if I had also gotten a boob job, but was told that I had to pay more for that... I also remember leaving and waving to Dr. Straka and saying thanks with a mouthful of cotton, not realizing I had just had a 10 minute conversation with him moments before. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I looked at my face in the car mirror on the way home, thinking that I had dodged a bullet since my face was barely swollen. 

Then this. 

The first picture was the car ride home - feeling pretty good. Then a series of pictures taken over the next 24 hours. My good friend Louisa came over to watch movies with me and bring me soup and spent the first five minutes of the visit laughing hysterically at my fat face. 

Well, that's pretty much the wisdom teeth saga. It's amazing how much time you can spend doing absolutely nothing. Thanks everyone for the calls, texts, flowers and everyone that took such great care of me!!

I probably won't see any of you again until my face returns to normal. 

xoxo

Some Nights

I knew if I kept this thing up long enough that some of my weirdness would start to show. 

Maybe it already has. 

On Thursday my wisdom teeth are getting yanked out! Goodbye headaches and swelling, and hello losing a few ounces in my medically induced sleep. 

Since my first priority in life is always what my next meal will be, I have already planned out and made different kinds of soups to hold me for a few days. I haven't tried them yet, so depending on how they taste I may post a few recipes. 

This is where it gets weird. 

Due to my love for all things food, I have stumbled upon some compelling information. I love knowing exactly what I'm eating and what it is doing for my body, and sometimes I love eating chocolate cheesecake from The Chocolate Cafe. After doing some extensive research and watching lots of documentaries I have made a decision to try out a vegan diet. Since the season of lent is quickly approaching, I am going to try it for those forty days and will report back. (If you've read my previous blogs you'll know that I am super excited to have such a good idea already!) And since it will take an act of God to keep me from eating cheese, I feel that it is quite appropriate. 

Okay enough of the pretentious hippie talk. 

HUGE congratulations and best wishes to my lifelong friend Russell Dickerson and his soon to be bride Kailey Seymour!!! I love this couple. You should check out Russell's single on xm radio, "Green Light," and while you're at it check out Kailey's beyond amazing photography at kaileyseymour.com!

Well. My sweet husband just cranked up "Some Nights," so whatever I had left in my head to write is gone. 

Time to dance. 

xoxo

Updating, updating.

Well. We're about a month deep into 2013, so I thought I would give some updates on how my New Year's resolutions are going!

So far this little blog has 1200+ views! I'm not sure why, and I can't be certain it's  anyone besides my mom hitting refresh over and over, but it's been a fun adventure so far!

My Etsy site, www.etsy.com/shop/humblehaute has also taken off with orders from Arizona, Oregon, and California! Must be popular on the West Coast...

This month I have also gotten serious about what I am and what I am not eating. 

Since starting my "clean" cooking I have lost 8 pounds! Kinda makes you wonder what I was eating before... Yikes! I didn't really know what clean eating was before I did some research so I'll share a few of the basic principles. 

Don't eat processed foods. 

Don't eat food with more than 3-5 ingredients listed. 

And don't eat foods with ingredients you can't pronounce. 

Besides that it's just about making healthy choices and knowing what you're eating! I also feel better, sleep better, and exercise better. Although, I've always been a great sleeper, so I'm not sure I can attribute that to my diet...

 Since it is virtually impossible to eat every meal this way, I just make the most out of the meals I can control. That being said, there is absolutely no control over chocolate chip cookies. 

None. 

Bible in a year is also going well. Since I probably shouldn't lie about the bible, I'll tell you that this is one resolution that I am a little behind on. But I am not discouraged and I will "press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." See what I did there? It's a bible verse. And maybe it's not at all about reading the bible in a year, but it works for me!

And no babies here. 

xoxo

It's cold.

1. It is snowing sparkles. Like, giant flakes of glitter goodness. 

(Emily - Like the end of the Katy Perry concert!)

2. My parents are coming to visit tomorrow!!!

3. I have another recipe for you guys. 

(You'll find it below.)

4. My husband has become a seriously extreme coupon-er. 

(If you need a toothbrush, paper towels, or guacamole, come on over.)

5. My oldest couzzie is turning 29 tomorrow!! Love you, CA!! 

(Meow.)

So until recently, I had no idea you could use Greek yogurt in recipes instead of cream or mayo. Obviously this was life-changing. Since Jason has become quite the coupon-er lately, I have become quite the use-what-we-have-in-the-pantry cook. So the other night I searched Pinterest for recipes using things we had on hand and stumbled across a few great pasta sauces using Greek yogurt! So with inspiration from a few recipes I came up with one of my new favorite - and healthy! - recipes. 

Spinach Avocado Pasta with Chicken

Whole wheat pasta

2 cloves garlic

1/2 an avocado

1 cup Greek yogurt

1 giant handful of spinach

2 chicken breasts

4 leaves of fresh basil

1/3 cup shredded mozzarella

Place the chicken breasts in boiling water and cook through, at least 160 degrees internally.

While the chicken is cooking, also place pasta in boiling water. This one doesn't have to be 160 degrees...

Mince the garlic in a food processor* then add garlic, spinach, and a little olive oil to a pan and sauté. 

While those things are cooking, peel and chop avocado and then purée in food processor.

Next add the Greek yogurt and fresh basil to the avocado and continue to blend. 

Once the garlic and spinach are cooked, add those to the food processor too and blend everything well. 

Now back to the pasta and chicken. 

Strain pasta and return to pan and cover with your sauce. 

Once the chicken is cooked, chop and add to pasta.

Finish the pasta by sprinkling with cheese.  Voila! 

And it reheats well!

* I got a food processor for Christmas so EVERYTHING IS PURÉED!!!

xoxo

Thursday.

There are a lot of things I like about life. 

Two nights ago I set my alarm for 8:30, just like any other night. When I woke up the next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, I knew something was, in fact, not right. So I poke Jason and ask what time it is. He shoots up and with panic in his voice says "10:15!!!"

There are several great parts to this story.
1. I has set my alarm for 8:30 p.m.

2. The adorably sad fact that Jason's first thought was that it was his fault. 

3. My boss hadn't even so much as texted me. 

4. I slept till 10:15 on a work day.

And

5. The fact that when I asked my boss, Jen, why she hadn't called or texted me, she said she was worried it was her mistake, just like when it was daylight savings...

There are more. 

Jason has been introduced to many new foods since we have been together. Since I like to cook healthy foods, sometimes Jason isn't as thrilled for dinner as he would be if we were having, say, pizza. Like the one time I texted him and told him a surprise had come and he would see it when he got home. So he gets home, walks in the door, looks at the table, and is devastated that the flat box on the table is only a puzzle(of one of our wedding pictures!) and not a pizza. Jason also informed me that any time he asks what's for dinner and I say, "you'll see," he automatically assumes(wishes, hopes, prays) that it is pizza and is again, devastated when it is not pizza. 

Tonight I ordered pizza. 

Today I had my first sale on etsy, saw some adorable pictures of Codie and Katie's baby girls playing in the snow in Birmingham, said "See you again sometime," to an intern, Shirley, who has become a great friend, and woke up next to my bestest friend - on time. 

It's the little things. 

xoxo

Now Open!!

Y'all. 

My new Etsy shop is now open!!

I am so excited to share it with everyone! It's a little bit of everything, with more on the way! What prompted me to open my shop, Humble Haute, is the same thing that has always motivated me: Because I want to. Also because Jason and I have a 1 bedroom apartment and we are quickly running out of space for all of my crafts... Hope you all enjoy! 

xoxo

Humble Haute

Hangry

I often find myself at the crossroads of my love for healthy food, and my love for Mexican food.

And every once in a while, those roads come together.

Today was one of those exceptional days. I left work early(boss lady Jen is sick) and came home to make some lunch. I will now share my recipe for the yummiest bean burrito I've had in a long, long time. 

1 whole wheat tortilla

2 T guacamole (I used wholy guacamole, no unnecessary ingredients.)

1/3 cup black beans (canned or rehydrated for less sodium)

1/2 an onion, chopped

1 cup fresh spinach

1 Serrano pepper

A few sprigs of cilantro

1 clove garlic

1 T olive oil

First, I put the tortilla in a bowl - my burritos tend to get a little messy... Fortunately, no one was home to see me eat this one today. Then I spread the guacamole on the tortilla. Next, place the onions and olive oil in a pan to caramelize. While that's cooking I placed the Serrano pepper, garlic and cilantro into my food processor to chop into fine pieces. I added that mixture in with the onions to cook down for a few minutes. Next I added the black beans to the pan and when that was warm I tossed the spinach on top and let that cook together until the spinach was tender. I hate the word tender. So, until the spinach was sautéed? Cooked? I don't know. Anyways, after that I put all that right on top of the guacamole and rolled it up. Delish. Took ten minutes to make. 

Well, I'm going to have to figure out a way to end my blog posts less awkwardly. 

xoxo

Oh yea! - these are going on my etsy soon! $14 each or the set of three for $35!

Way to go, Mom and Dad!

Well. 

Today is my parent's 29th wedding anniversary.

So I figured I would share a few of my favorite memories of watching their love as I grew up. 

One time when my siblings and I were little, we were all piled in the car(chevy lumina mini van) on a road trip, fighting about who my dad loved the most.  Being confident that I was truely the favorite, I asked my dad who he loved the most. He answered, "Well, I love your mother the most. If I didn't you wouldn't be here."

Another great memory took place Christmas before their tenth anniversary. My dad had purchased a beautiful diamond and gold ring to give my mom and I can still remember how excited he was to give it to her. However, being a Roebuck he couldn't just wrap it and give it to her, so he wrapped it in a box and put it in another box and put that box in another box etc etc etc... Per usual my mom complained that he spent too much money, but she still wears it every single day. 

And my very favorite memory of them is from the day Jason and I got married. My dad and I stood at the back of the ceremony, ready to walk down the aisle, waiting for my mom to stand up so we could begin. So we continued to wait as my mother seemingly never turned around and my dad kept muttering, "Linda. Stand up Linda. Linda, turn around.  C'mon Linda." So FINALLY she realizes no more bridesmaids are coming and it is indeed her time to stand and turn around. So she stands and turns and I got to see such pride and joy in her smile as I felt the same from my dad who was holding my arm.

Love you both. Mom, stop crying. 

Since I've been married for 9 months now, and have obviously already gleaned as much wisdom as it took my parents 29 years to obtain I'll share a couple of my favorite stories from my marriage as well. 

Bat. In. Our. Apartment. This story deserves it's own post, so stayed tuned for that one. 

Once Jason and I washed and dried an ink pen in our brand new washer and dryer. Twice. 

That time we spilled water all over a puzzle it took us months to complete and then blow dried it until the picture started to peel off. 

And there was that great time Jason told me he couldn't eat the "brown omelet" I had made for him. Oops! Well done. 

That's all for now. 

Roll Tide

xoxo

Year of the blog.

To quote my dear friend, Mary Kay Ash, 

"Fake it 'till you make it!" 

Which is precisely why I am writing this blog like anyone besides my mother will read it. Which she will. After I text her to remind her. 

 I've never really been one for New Year's resolutions because the holiday always sneaks up on me and I don't have time to think of an amazing idea, so I just don't do it. Same reason I don't participate in lent... But this year! This year I really thought about some things I want to accomplish throughout 2013. 

One, obv, is blogging. Thank you Mrs. Angie Whitlow for planting that seed. 

Another is to open my new and improved Etsy shop, also named Humble Haute. - to debut later this month!

2013 is also going to be my fittest year yet. I was pretty fit in the early pre-wedding months of 2012, then came the we're happy and in love and we have a lot of gift cards phase. And the last few months were spent trying to undo the damage. So this year, we(just me) are eating clean and gettin lean.* Just bought an unlimited Hot Yoga pass! I digress...

My last resolution, which Jason and I are actually doing together, is reading the Bible in a year. And thanks to the handy dandy little iPhone app all I have to do is read what chapters it tells me to read! 

Oh and my last last is to not have a baby. 

Yay! Happy New Year!

Xoxo

*Disclaimer: I have never looked at the calorie content of dark chocolate so as far as I know it doesn't have any. 

2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Many, many things to come in 2013. 

xoxo