Brisket and The Bottle

What are your weekend plans loves? I'm very excited because today a bunch of friends and I are going to a Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Fest. 1) I love southern BBQ and 2) Let's be serious...I love an ice cold beer! I'm slightly nervous about the debauchery that lies ahead because you know what they say about Southern gals- They don't drink, they "sip"...A LOT! And with bourbon tasting cup in hand, this shall be a fun day for all :)

Cheers darlings!

Rant FREE Friday: Pay It Forward...

Just one thing before I start crossing things off my To Do list!
p.s. I spy...My Cup of Te ;)

Good morning darlings! I don't know about you, but it's a gloriously sunny morning here, and I'm in a fantastic mood and largely because of YOU!!

I realize over the past few days, I have cheated you and posted about nothing more than my daily rants and a peek into my quarter century crisis (rather re-evaluation if I'm to skip the dramatics!) and I wanted to thank you for being patient with me and for so kindly saying just the right things at just the right time :)

Hopefully I will soon have something to keep you posted about, but for now (And before I get started with my fun to do list!) I'm dedicating today to being rant free and to passing along some of the goodness you have so sweetly passed on to me!

A-men!!!!

A-men again!

And for good measure...AMEN!
Sweetly sent by, via

AMEN sisters! Hope the beautiful messages above were as inspiring to you as they were to me. Happy almost weekend loves!
xoxo

"Ree-tone?" More like Re...

Let's be serious folks, home girl did much more than slip on those silly little easy toners to get a tooshie like that!

Being quite active myself, I can't help but to scoff at the totally whack commercials and ads that I'm seeing everywhere featuring capital T-toned, to die for BUMS! Seriously, they are getting on my last nerve so I've decided to share what they don't list in the FINE PRINT...

1) Home girl got part of it from her momma. OR, in other words genetics plays a huge role in your body type aka what you've got to work with, or your starting point, AND it's something you canNOT change! (If I'm remembering college nutrition correctly, next comes gender, level of activity, and lastly the amount of water you consume, but don't quote me ;)

2) EASY tone my a**! There really is no such thing as an easy tone. I'm a staunch believer in the paradigm that what you put INto your workout is for the most part what you get OUT and prancing around in those ridiculous looking shoes will not land you in the next print ad for Skechers or Reebok. If you even wanna come close to looking like that you cannot avoid a visit to the gym and some type of lunge, squat, or cardio. Sorry ladies.

3) What you put in your mouth is what you wear on your hips--afterall, as Shakira would say, Hips really don't lie. Ms. Bootylicious probably goes easy on the cupcakes, croissants, and all white carbs. She probably also sticks to lean meats, lots of fruit and veggies, complex carbs, no fast food, and plenty of h2o!

I realize these kicks might be a step (ha, cheesy pun intended) in the right direction, but too many people are going to frantically rush to the store expecting their rear end to somehow magically morph into what they see in the picture or on the TV!! "Reetone?" How about Ree- well I will let you finish that since I don't like to say that word!

Phew, I just had to get that out! I promise I'm stepping off my soapbox now...anyways, it's about that time of the morning where you can always find me kickboxing ;)
xoxo!

The Case of the Twenty-Somethings: I need a J.O.B. and random unemployed ramblings...

Am I looking through the right lens? Or do I just need a new set of eyes?
{via}

Although I would count my first career choice as a failure of EPIC proportions, I suppose it would be even more so, if I did not get up, brush myself off, and gallantly get back on the big girl, grown-up world horse and apply myself to what I would hope to be my life long calling. Wouldn't that be so perfectly lovely?

With that said and a few months under my (leaner, thanks to the amount of time one is afforded in unemployment) belt, it's time that the mission to fling myself with great conviction into my next "career" is ON!

Although this sounds quite romantic and idealistic, the reality of it is, is that job searching ain't no cake walk- in fact it's quite the emotional roller coaster, and during this roller coaster of job searching, or in My Cup of Te terms "soul-searching" because I will settle for no less than happiness (unless of course the water cuts off and then the electricity) many frantic questions and dis-heartening thoughts have raced through my mind...

What if I fail AGAIN?

What if I'm good at absolutely nothing?

What if this calculated, deliberate step towards the FUTURE is only in disguise, and in reality a step backwards?

What if I waste another 3 years of my PRECIOUS life?

What if I arrive in my LATE twenties career-less and utterly lost?!?!?

And if ALL OF THE ABOVE does indeed happen, what am I to do with all this passion? Will it become self-destructive if remained unapplied?

Holy Smokes my head hurts!! You don't want to hang out with me either, do you? WELL, as I navigated through countless job postings and job sights last night, I was grateful to find myself laughing out loud in the midst of the turmoil going on within. I had to share this little gem with you because it made me feel better, and it might provoke a chuckle ;)

"Sales and Marketing- Ninjas only!!"
Need only apply if people often tell you how much they like you!

Is this a joke?! Would you don ninja threads to the interview and pack Chinese throwing stars in your portfolio?! And how would you prove that people sincerely express their favor of you and are not just blowing smoke up your bum? Ridiculous, right?

Anywho, I love the sense of humor, and it was just what I needed to remind myself of my naturally and usually ever-present positive, borderline perky disposition! SO simplyhired, stylecareers, monster, even craigslist- today I'm ready to get back on the job searchin' roller coaster! Bring it!!

Note to self: Chill a bottle of pinot for later...

Food Adventures: Spring veggies à la Barefoot Contessa

Green Green Spring Vegetables

We switch up our closets to welcome Spring so why not apply a little of that variety to our refrigerators and meals?! Buying veggies in season not only guarantees the best bang for your buck, but it also brings with it the best flavors.

As I was brainstorming recipes for Supper Club, I was very aware of the upcoming dates on which clothes are optional, as in bikini season, Hello! Also, I wanted something basic- yet not a salad, healthy- yet not reminiscent of cardboard, and simple to make- yet not requiring a can opener!

Ina Garten's "Green Green Spring Vegetables" recipe was just the right complement for the season, the roasted peppercorn pork tenderloin, and all my aforementioned, very important requirements.

Here's what you'll need:
1/4 pound French string beans (haricots verts), ends removed
Kosher salt
1/4 pound sugar snap peas, ends and strings removed
1/4 pound asparagus, ends removed
1/2 pound broccolini, ends removed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (Spread over 6 servings, no big!)
1 tablespoon good olive oil (I prepared an infused version in advance with garlic and several Italian herbs!)
3 large shallots, sliced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

And this is how to do it:
Blanch the string beans in a large pot of boiling salted water for 1 minute only. Lift the beans from the water with a slotted spoon or sieve and immerse them in a bowl of ice water. Add the snap peas to the same boiling water and cook for 1 minute, until al dente, adding them to the ice water and the beans. Cut the asparagus in 2-inch lengths diagonally and cook in the boiling water for 2 minutes, and add to the ice water. Cut the broccolini in half, boil for 1 minute, and add to the ice water. When all the vegetables in the water are cold, drain well.

When ready to serve, heat the butter and oil in a very large sauté pan or large pot. Sauté the shallots over medium heat for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned. Add the drained vegetables to the shallots with ½ teaspoon salt and the pepper and toss. Cook just until the vegetables are heated through. Serve hot. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

This was my first foray into blanching, and I will do it again and often! It was simple enough in that I was able to catch up with my guests (and sip on wine of course!) sans screwing up the dish AND the veggies were cooked, but had that perfect crunch, color, and just enough flavor!

Ludacris, please exit the building..

Don't you love quiet Sunday mornings? During which you can slowly wake up, wallow around in bed with a good book, snuggle up a little longer than usual, and delight in the fact you don't really have to get up if you don't want too? Well I absolutely adore mornings such as this, BUT......apparently my neighbors (and it is a good thing I don't know which ones)

do NOT.

For the love of God, is it absolutely necessary to turn your sub woofers up to that degree and blast Move bitch, get out the way at 9am? News flash: the club closed at 2am last night (since this is the South) along with all that booty shakin', drop it like it's hot music for a good reason- perhaps if you must bump it this early on a Sunday morning maybe some soothing Jack Johnson or perky Michael Buble? It is just not a Ludacris kinda morning if you ask me!!!

Thanks and that is all,
Rox

Happy Derby!!!

This time last year,

I was waking up to a (fabulous) mimosa brunch

donning a bright floral dress,

the necessary (Hello! It's the Kentucky Derby!), ridiculous large hat

and preparing myself for the day of a lifetime with my best friends.

Our Kentucky roadtrip was one of the best ideas we ever had!

Here are a few pics from our unforgettable weekend...

Mint Julep #1! Cheers to the Kentucky Derby!

Mint (emphasis on the mint bush in my official derby glass ha!) Julep #2! I somehow lost count after this...

One of the boys sneaking a few shots!

More of the photoshoot...

Beautiful blonde bombshell besties :)

Mint juleps, big hats, and pretty floral frocks...infield what?

I'm pretty sure I won all of $10, the cigar to follow (I will spare you the classy picture), was absolutely not necessary.

Are you celebrating the Derby today loves? I've already broken out my hat, and I'm getting ready to place my bets! Happy Derby Day!