Girl Goes West

By the time you're reading this, I'll already be on a plane from CLT --> ATL --> LAX.

Back in August, my college roommate mentioned that I should get out of Greenville for a bit and come visit her, her husband, and their so-freakin-cute daughter in sunny Orange County. How long did it take me to ponder that idea? Oh, about 30 seconds. She mentioned our other roommate, Laura, wanted to come visit as well and that maybe we could plan our trip west at the same time. A few group texts back and forth discussing logistics, and boom, plane tickets were purchased.

I can't even express how excited I am to see Sara, Laura, Jim, and Caroline (who just turned 2 last Sunday)! There will be lots of hugs, laughing, college reminiscing, beach-frolicking, and perhaps some wine tasting and celeb-spotting in LA.

The three of us at Sara's bachelorette party!

Catch y'all on the flip side!

{Recipe} ~ Apple Walnut Ravioli

Because Lauren and I came home with our fair share of apples from the orchard, I wanted to try some new recipes to use them up. However, I'm not really into sweets and didn't want to bake something, so a savory apple recipe was just what I wanted!

This recipe was probably the easiest ever, only required a few ingredients, and tasted rich and decadent. I made this Sunday night and I'll say that Lauren and I have never met a pasta dish we didn't like.

Ravioli with Apples and Walnuts
from Real Simple

Ingredients

1 lb. cheese ravioli (fresh or frozen)
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. walnuts, roughly chopped
1 crisp apple (such as Braeburn or Gala), cut into matchsticks
1/2 c. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Salt & Black Pepper
1/4 c. grated Parmesan

Directions

Cook the ravioli according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and toast, stirring often, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the apple, parsley, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper and toss to combine. Spoon over the ravioli and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Weekend Update

It seems like I only have time to show up on Monday morning around these parts.  Honestly, all of these recruiting events for work are kicking my booty. I got home after 10 pm three nights in a row last week, after leaving the house before 8 am. Woof.

This weekend, I got to cross another item off my list (visit a food truck!), celebrate the engagement of two great friends (except I managed to not take a single picture of them), and get my life organized before I hop on a plane to California on Friday (more on that later)!

We traveled to the lake to surprise Holly the morning after Trent proposed! I definitely think she was shocked when she came up the stairs to find over 30 of her closest friends and family (2 of her college roommates had driven over 10 hours)! A champagne brunch followed while everyone "oohed and aahed" over the ring. The cutest part was Trent had bought an "engagement ring" for Holly's dog Riley, too!

After raining the entire day Saturday, the sun came out for a mere 30 minutes to show off a magical sunset.

Happy days celebrating friends! Linking up with Sami this fine morning!

Weekend Update

Visiting an apple orchard was probably one of the items on my 101 in 1001 list that I was the most excited about. When I found out it was going to be 70 degrees on Saturday, I grabbed 2 of my best girlfriends and up the mountain we went.

We visited Sky Top Orchard, about 45 minutes from Greenville, and had the best time! I can't believe I've never done this before, but it'll definitely be a yearly tradition from here on out! Now to decide what to cook/bake with all these apples!

The rest of the weekend was filled with the usual, football, friends, a baby shower for a coworker, and a Sunday afternoon nap!

Linking up with Sami

Mumford & Sons

Not going to lie, pretty excited that it's Friday. This week has flown by but also took forever, but maybe I should stop going to concerts on a school night Wednesday.

My favorite people and I saw Mumford & Sons in Greenville, and while I can't say it was my favorite concert (Is it just me or do all their songs sound the same?), they put on a great show. The pretty sunset beside the stage didn't hurt either!

Bonus: I crossed off #61 again!

{Recipe} ~ Grilled Flank Steak & Sweet Tea Spritzer

My parents were hosting Supper Club at their house a few weeks ago, and I happily obliged when my mom asked me to help her out with the menu. While it's hard to fix a main course for 12 people, I figured flank steak on the grill would be the perfect way to feed a crowd! Other couples brought the side dishes (broccoli salad and potato salad) and everything worked perfectly together!

This might be a little too late in the year to be posting such a "summery" recipe, but heck, it's still 90 degrees out here so you might as well fire up that grill! Don't miss the cocktail recipe below, either!

Grilled Molasses Flank Steak with Watermelon Salsa
from Southern Living

Ingredients

For the Marinade
3/4 cup molasses
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. dried crushed red pepper
1 (2-lb.) flank steak

For the Watermelon Salsa
1 cup diced unpeeled nectarine
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 tbsp. sugar
3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 tsp. orange zest
2 tsp. grated fresh giner
2 cups seeded and diced watermelon
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup diced red onion

Directions

1. Place first 8 ingredients in a 2-gallon ziplock bag; squeeze bag to combine. Add steak; seal bag, and chill 4 to 12 hours. Remove steak from marinade discarding marinade.

2. Preheat grill to 400 - 450 degrees. Grill steak, covered with grill lid, 9 minutes on each side. Remove from grill, and let stand 10 minutes. Cut diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. To make the salsa, stir together first 6 ingredients in a large bowl; let stand 15 minutes. Add watermelon and next 2 ingredients, and gently toss to coat. Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 24 hours.

.........................................................................................................

Sweet Tea Spritzer
from Southern Living

2 cups cranberry juice
1 cup sweet tea-flavored vodka
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
5 cups ice cubes
1 (12-oz.) can lemon-lime soft drink

Stir together cranberry juice, vodka, and lemon juice in a large pitcher. Stir in ice cubes, and top with lemon-lime soft drink. Gently stir and serve immediately.

ISFJ

As part of yesterday's Blogtember prompt, Jenni asked that everyone take this personality test and share the results. I'm sure I've taken this test many times throughout school, but it's probably the first time I've taken it in my "adult life."

And honestly, the results are dead on. I'm an ISFJ.

{via}

Introvert 11%, Sensing 62%, Feeling 50%, Judging 67%

Here are a few of the characteristics that describe me perfectly:

- ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their "need to be needed."

- They are notoriously bad at delegating ("If you want it done right, do it yourself").

- In the workplace, ISFJs are methodical and accurate workers, often with very good memories and unexpected analytic abilities (hello, I'm an accountant).

- ISFJs take infinte trouble over meals, gifts, celebrations, etc. for their loved ones

- ISFJs have a few, close friends. They are extremely loyal to these, and are ready to provide emotional and practical support at a moment's notice.

I thought this was fun! Have you taken the test?

Weekend Update

Weekend recaps can start on Wednesdays, right? The beauty of being the author of this little blog here is that I can make my own rules!

Two friends of mine and I decided spontaneously to travel to Charlotte on Wednesday night to see John Mayer. I've seen him in concert 4 times now, but neither Kirby nor Sarah had, so I was more than eager to share with them the amazingness that is Johnnie May (yes, that is his official nickname).

We jammed to his new CD and all of his oldies on the drive up, and didn't get home until 2 am, but it was most definitely worth it. I'll see him a million times more...(crossed #61 off the list)!

Unfortunately, our girl Sarah moved to Philly on Friday morning, so we also spent Thursday night celebrating her last night in Greenville. That of course included cheering on her beloved Ravens (even if they did lose). I'm going to miss her like crazy! Can't wait to start planning a trip to Philly to visit her though!

The remaining theme of the weekend was football, as that's all I did Saturday and Sunday. Cheered my Tigers onto victory again (#3 in the nation baby) and won my first week of Fantasy football against Lauren!

I love when my mom surprises me with little goodies! I've been wanting this J.Crew bracelet forever!

Happy Monday everyone! Linking up with Sami!

101 in 1001

This list has taken me a lifetime to write! You can read more about the Day Zero Project if you're interested! For me, this list is a happy medium between a bucket list (a lifetime worth of goals) and New Years' resolutions. I technically began this goal on my 25th birthday, so I'm already 2 months in! I've even created a new tab in my header to keep me accountable for the next 2+ years!

Start date ~ July 10, 2013
End date ~ April 6, 2016

1. Fly first class.
2. Own a Le Creuset dutch oven.
3. Host a dinner party.
4. Have a social media-free weekend.
5. Make my bed everyday for a month.
6. Ride on a sailboat.
7. Find a signature drink.
8. Find a signature scent.
9. See a movie in theaters alone.
10. Stay at a bed and breakfast.
11. Invest in personalized stationery.
12. Have a picnic.
13. Send Christmas cards one year.
14. Eat Texas BBQ in Austin.
15. Send snail mail to friends for birthdays and holidays.
16. Buy a coffee table book.
17. Go to a drive-in movie.
18. Donate blood.
19. Stay in bed all day and watch an entire TV season.
20. Read the entire NY Times Sunday paper and attempt the crossword.
21. Visit an apple orchard.
22. Host a Super Bowl party.
23. Have my diplomas and CPA license framed.
24. Visit a food truck.
25. Take a cooking class.
26. Prepare a meal using only ingredients found at a farmer's market.
27. Take a road trip.
28. Visit three new states.
29. Visit Cape Cod/Martha's Vineyard.
30. Visit a new country.
31. Go hiking.
32. See all the "Best Picture" Oscar nominees one year.
33. Host a wine & cheese happy hour for my girlfriends.
34. Sleep under the stars.
35. Watch the sunrise and the sunset in the same day.
36. Don't eat fast food for a month.
37. Take a hot yoga class.
38. Run a half marathon.
39. Update all the pictures in my room/at my desk with recent ones.
40. Visit NYC at Christmas.
41. Participate in a Color Run 5k.
42. Pay for someone else's meal in a drive-thru or restaurant.
43. Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
44. Make soft pretzels at home.
45. Participate in a charity run/walk.
46. Meet with a financial planner.
47. Buy something from Etsy.
48. Buy flowers for someone.
49. Make my own spaghetti sauce.
50. Floss everyday for a month.
51. Eat breakfast for dinner.
52. Buy a set of luxurious bath towels.
53. Buy nothing new for one month.
54. Read ten so-called classic novels.
55. Get a massage.
56. Leave a 100% tip at a restaurant.
57. Compile a list of inspiring quotes.
58. Donate my old Mac laptop.
59. Write a "Day in the Life" blog post.
60. Take a home-cooked meal to someone.
61. Attend an outdoor concert.
62. See a play or musical.
63. Stretch every day for a month.
64. Update my resume.
65. Own a decent set of kitchen knives.
66. Stock my "bar" with something other than wine
67. Organize/upload photos from my iPhone (and then delete them).
68. Visit a brewery.
69. Start a collection.
70. Purchase a "Where I've Been" map.
71. Throw out twenty things and don't replace them.
72. Create a beauty routine and stick with it.
73. Buy a bicycle.
74. Eat the recommended serving of vegetables every day for one week.
75. See ten so-called classic films.
76. Try five new foods.
77. Learn how to change a flat tire.
78. Discover five new restaurants in town.
79. Have friends over for brunch.
80. Get a blowout at a drybar.
81. Stop drinking coffee for one week.
82. Go gluten-free for a month.
83. Leave a friendly note in a public place for a strange to find and smile about.
84. Organize my recipes.
85. Adopt a child from the Angel Tree at Christmas.
86. Read a book that intimidates me.
87. Make biscuits from scratch.
88. Pay off my car.
89. Buy a lottery ticket.
90. Watch a meteor shower.
91. Attend a festival.
92. Pop a bottle of champagne, just because.
93. Wake up and work out every morning for one week.
94. Re-read the Harry Potter series.
95. See all seven Harry Potter movies.
96. Watch the past ten years "Best Picture" winners at the Oscars.
97. Make five recipes from Ina Garten's cookbook.
98. Go kayaking.
99. Make another 101 in 1001 list.
100. Put $10 into savings for every goal accomplished.
101. Donate $10 for every goal not accomplished.

Weekend Update ~ Labor Day Edition

This weekend had all the ingredients to be perfect: a holiday, college football, a Clemson win, and a mini-vacation to the mountains.

To try to express how amazing it was to return to Clemson and cheer my Tigers to victory against the Bulldogs on Gameday is simply impossible...

Every muscle in my body was hurting Sunday morning from being so tense the entire game and walking over 4 miles tailgate-hopping, but it was so very worth it.

I spent the rest of Sunday and Monday relaxing in the mountains with my parents. We visited the Cashiers Designer Showcase 2013 house, took a hike around the lake, and I took multiple naps.

With Labor Day gone, I'm officially ready for my favorite season, FALL!!!

Linking up with Sami