Thursday, August 9, 2012

It's OK!


Its Ok Thursdays
This Week I'm Saying IT'S OK that I...

... finally joined the 50 Shades bandwagon!
... feel like summer is coming to a close *sadness*
... have this nagging cough that won't go away. Luckily, I went to the Dr. and found out its not a summer cold though, and got some cough syrup.
...  get so excited when I get a comment or new Follower. On the blog AND Twitter. Such a nerd.
...still haven't seen Magic Mike. And today is the last day it will be in theaters and I can't find anyone available who hasn't seen it to go with me! 
... tried going to the movies by myself once. I hated it. 
... tried risotto recently only because I saw them making it on Hell's Kitchen all the time. I didn't like it. 
... am wearing shoes today that hurt my feet, and I didn't bring any flats or flip flops  
... have too many books that I want to read right now. Thanks a lot, GoodReads!
... am tired of Olympics coverage. C has it on 24/7. When is it over?

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Oh, How Pinteresting!: Funnies

It's Wednesday! Time to share some of my favorite pins recently! Link up with Michelle if you want to join too!









Source: zipmeme.com via Zoie on Pinterest


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Sugary Sounds

I am loving these two songs right now... and the videos! 
What are you jamming to lately?







Adventure of E

Monday, August 6, 2012

July Goals Recap/ August Goals

goal-1

JULY GOALS: 

1. Read 20 pages a day/ 1 book per month: read 4 books! You can see reviews herehere, and here. (I didn't review the last book yet.) I'm also on GoodReads. Super success!

2. Save/make $300: Saved $300- success!

3. Weekly spending reports:  Does anyone else find it hard to keep track of your spending in the summer months? I feel like every weekend there is some kind of event which involves spending. No, just me?! Oh well... FAIL! (June AND July...argh!)

4. Fix/sell clothes: Took clothes to the cleaners, got a bunch altered, and the rest are for sale. Success!

5. 4 new meals and continued meal planning: I think there was only one new recipe, and haven't tracked meal planning at all. Fail!

6. Find C a Job: No excuses. Fail. 

50/50. Not too shabby. I just want to enjoy the rest of summer, so I'll be focusing on my Summer Bucket List for August!
How are you doing with your goals?

Friday, August 3, 2012

Book Club Friday: The Secret Life of Bees


This week I'm sharing...


From GoodReads
"Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the town's fiercest racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina—a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household. This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love—a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come."

My Thoughts:
I.Loved.This.Book!! 
I loved it so much, in fact, that I think this was the second time I read it- unintentionally. I don't remember the first time I read it, but I couldn't remember the plot, just bits and pieces, so I read it again. This time, my thoughts in bullets- 
{Spoiler Alert!}

-This had very little to do with bees, except for the excerpts before each chapter, which after a while I stopped reading because they seemed confusing
- I hated T-Ray. However I finally understood him (a little) at the very end
- I love how August (and all the sisters) knew who she was the entire time but didn't let on
- Also loved that she was so independent- she had her own business, her own house, and as she said she loved a man once, but loved her freedom more (I'm hearing Destiny's Child now...)
-May's death made me teary-eyed... which has only happened like once before
- Rosaleen is SO bold...love her
-The historical sections regarding desegregation were heartbreaking, yet realistic
-The entire novel was so well written. The scenes were vivid, the people were like your cousins down South, and the whole thing was riddled with poetry
- Lily is wiser than her years. Her story was one of courage, persistence, and faith. Faith and hope in the unknown.

My Favorite Quote
"There is nothing perfect... there is only life."


What are you reading? 
Link up with Heather and Katie!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Good Eats: Spinach Tomato Pasta

One thing we haven't been doing a lot of this summer is cooking at home. But when I found this easy and summery recipe the other day, we just had to try it! And it was delicious! So light and refreshing! Bon appetit!
DSC_1585

Spinach-Tomato Pasta
(Makes 5 servings)
  • 3/4 lb. whole wheat pasta shells
  • 1 Tbsp light butter
  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 1 (5 oz) package baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup half-and-half
  • 1 oz. grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
  • 1 (8 oz) container grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 1 Tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
 Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add your sliced shallot and crushed red pepper; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until translucent.  Add spinach and broth; cover and cook for 1 minute.  Add half-and-half, 3/4 of the Parmesan cheese and the black pepper.  Stir to combine; cook for 3 minutes and remove from heat. Add tomatoes and the cooked pasta; toss.  Garnish with parsley and remaining cheese.  Serve and enjoy! 
How ours came out- yum!

The original recipe can be found here

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Oh, How Pinteresting!: Uploaded Edition

These are a few things I found on the interwebs or Facebook that I wanted to share!




Source: wanelo.com via Dani on Pinterest

I Sooo want to get this for my friend!

Source: tumblr.com via Dani on Pinterest



Love this pic, not sure why, but it's awesome!

Share and See more at The Vintage Apple!