It's the Simple Things

{Dress: Xhileration for Target; Belt: H&M; Necklace: Target; Shoes: Tahari (from TJ Maxx); Bracelet: Forever 21}

Sometimes, it's the simple things in life that make me truly happy. This weekend I was fortunate enough to spend quality time with three of my closest friends individually. I feel like that never happens. That was enough to make my weekend a memorable one. However, there were a few added perks to my weekend that I feel are worthy of mention...

Can we say OSCAR PARTY?!! This year I (or someone I know, I don't really remember) had the brilliant idea to host an Oscar viewing party at our family business, Blackstone Audio, which has a screening room with a huge screen TV and projector. I look forward to the Oscars almost like I look forward to Christmas, so the idea of holding a party for it makes it doubly exciting for me. Once again, my brilliant friend Jessica came up with the idea for these invites, which I think turned out quite nicely. I can't wait to hand them out!

I cleaned out my closet!! Once again, my mom helped me with another weekend organizing project and had the genius idea to store my dozens of fancy cocktail dresses in garment bags in the garage to make room for my every day clothes. Of course, I got rid of some items too. Now I can actually see my clothes! Amazing! Now I can actually look forward to getting dressed every day.

Don't you just love it when you've had your eye on an item for ages but resist it because you can't afford it, but then you go back later to discover that it's on clearance for practically nothing?! Well my friends, this very thing happened to me today at Target. I was casually perusing the accessory aisles when low and behold, before my very eyes I saw the beautiful limited edition black Mulbery for Target fifty-dollar purse I've wanted ever since I first set eyes on it months ago on clearance for twelve dollars!!! My friend Grace can attest that I was freaking out in the aisle. I couldn't believe my luck. I've been needing a new purse for a while now but couldn't bring myself to splurging on a new one. Now I'm set for a while! This bag is incredibly classic and versatile and looks much more expensive than it was originally even. Score!

I've been searching for these perfect little snacks ever since I first read about them. I'm a nut fanatic and tend to go a little crazy with them sometimes when I'm not limited to a certain amount (they used to be a bad binge food, so I'm still a little afraid at times to snack on them). So when I discovered these perfect little chocolate dusted almond snack packs I immediately thought they were just what I needed to snack on and feel good about. This weekend as I was shopping at Wal Mart for supplies for our Oscar party invites I finally found them! Who would have thought Wal Mart of all places? They are so delicious that I went back today and bought two more boxes.

I discovered this book at Costco today and couldn't resist buying it. As many of you know, I've been in quite the cooking craze lately, specifically baking but a little cooking mixed in. This book drew me in because all of the recipes are incredibly healthy but also simple and approachable. I get easily overwhelmed with cook books, especially when they list a bunch of random ingredients I would have to go out and buy. But this cook book is filled with ingredients we actually own already! So many of the recipes look so delicious I can't wait to start making them! This just might be what I need to get me to transition from baking to cooking more. Tonight I made the antioxidant coco oat dreams in their dessert section and they are amazing! I might just have to hoard them all to myself ;)

The album I've been waiting for for ages has FINALLY arrived and as of today I have it in my possession at last! I am a huge James Blunt fan and was so excited to hear his new CD was slated to come out in December '10. However, it's release kept getting pushed back and I was forced to take it off my Christmas list and continue waiting in eager anticipation for its release. Even though I shouldn't be spending my money on things like this right now I couldn't resist purchasing it when I saw it at Wal Mart today for eleven bucks. I am absolutely loving it so far.

Well, that just about sums up the simple things that made my weekend so great. I also managed to file my tax returns (woohoo for money!), go grocery shopping, make gluten free spinach and artichoke pies for dinner (yummy, but too much work to make again), and buy three adorable pairs of ballet flats so that I no longer have an excuse to wear heels. I'd say that makes for a pretty productive weekend, wouldn't you? I also was tagged in "7 Things Post" which I plan to follow through on soon...hopefully. So stay tuned.

My Top Golden Globe Looks

Wowsers was it just me or was the red carpet more heavily populated with well dressed stars this year?! It seems that the worst dressed list has shrunk dramatically, while the best dressed list has climbed, making it harder to choose my favorites. My number one was a no brainer, however, and I knew it the second the cameras caught a glimpse of her. Here are my favorite looks from the Golden Globes...

This one was a no brainer. Olivia Wilde looked absolutely stunning in this glittery Marchesa masterpiece. This is the dress that every girl dreams about and I'm sure she felt like a princess floating down the red carpet. Absolute perfection. And of course I have to add her kick a** Christian Louboutin booties she had hidden underneath her layers of tule. They were the cherry on top of her stunning look.

Catherine Zeta Jones' glorious deep green Monique Lhullier floral appliqué ball gown is easily my second favorite. Everything about this creation is absolutely breathtaking. It reminds me of my dream wedding dress by the same designer.

Another green stunner? Angelina Jolie rocked this retro looking Atelier Versace dress. Yes, Angelina can wear a potato sack and still look stunning (especially with a few extra pounds on her), but I thought this daring dress was especially elegant and unique. Leave it to Ms. Jolie to pull off a dress that would be a bit more challenging for others to do so.

Another person rocking the statement shoulder sequin look? Anne Hathaway looked her best ever in this Armani Prive gown which featured a plunging back cut dangerously low. The soft flowing hair balanced out the dramatic dress perfectly.

This beautiful Monique Lhullier creation looks like it was made for Mandy Moore. The color, fit, and material flatter her figure and coloring perfectly. She looks like a princess, which is fitting considering she voices one in Tangled, which was up for best animated feature.

My favorite use of black of the evening was definitely Eva Longoria's sexy and sophisticated Zac Posen number which featured an asymmetrical cutout back similar to the front. I'm not usually too keen on Eva's style but this look blew me away. She proves that you can be petite AND a bombshell. Props to you Eva!

Well there you have it. It was hard to narrow my list down to only six this year. Who were some of your favorites on the red carpet this year?

Peanut Butter Fudge, Hurt Knees, and the Golden Globes

Those three things have been the biggest events of my weekend so far. Let me explain: The Tracy Anderson dance cardio video I recently posted about ended up doing real damage to my already fragile knees (I've had surgery on one but they both still have congenital issues that have to do with how my bones are aligned). For four days now they have been swollen, aching, and get worse the longer I walk around or stand on them. So let that be a warning to people who have joint issues, dance cardio might not be for you :(

In better news, one of my best friends Kelly came over last night after we both matching pajama sets at Victoria's Secret's semi annual sale (along with a bag full of other goodies...but we won't talk about that) and we drank wine and wanted to make something together so we decided to make this delicious peanut butter fudge! We ended up replacing peanut butter for sunbutter, ran out of honey and replaced what we were lacking with molasses, and Miss Kelly had the genius idea to sprinkle some coffee grounds on top along with the chocolate chips (I was a little wary of this at first but man did I so not need to be!). It ended up being one of the best things my tongue has ever come in contact with! You MUST make it but remember to keep it in the freezer! We left ours out a bit too long and it started melting.

Now I am eagerly counting down the hours till the Golden Globes!!! I watching the whole thing--from the red carpet arrivals to the after shows including the fashion police (I know, I'm a little obsessed) and this year my dad has made a date to watch the ceremony with me. I know he's not nearly as into it as I am and probably won't be watching all the pre and post stuff with me but I'm excited I won't be watching downstairs in out media room all alone in the dark. He's the greatest.

My predictions for the Golden Globe winners? I predict James Franco for 127 Hours for best actor in a drama, Natalie Portman for Black Swan for best actress in a drama, Cristian Bale and Amy Adams for The Fighter in best supporting acting in a drama, and maybe Inception for best motion picture, drama? That one is tough, as are the comedy categories. You never know what they're gonna pick for that category. I'm rooting for Burlesque for best motion picture, comedy or musical, Johnny Depp for Alice in Wonderland for best actor in a comedy or musical (you really can never go wrong with Johnny Depp, although I don't think The Tourist was his best role), and Emma Stone for best actress in Easy A. Although I heard that Julianne Moore and Annette Bening were both incredible in The Kids Are All Right as well as Anne Hathaway in Love and Other Drugs. Looks like I should have watched more movies! Ok, maybe that's impossible for me. What are you're predictions? Let's see how many I'm right about!

The Special K Challenge

{Dress: Forever 21; Sweater: Ralph Lauren (from TJ Maxx); Socks: Target; Boots: Bakers}

I read this post on the Special K Challenge several days ago and have been thinking about it ever since. It really struck a chord with me because every time a commercial comes on for the challenge or I hear about it--and I've known about it for post years--I can't help feel sorry for the poor people won over by their clever marketing scheme. You don't have to be a scientist or nutritionist to know that it can't be healthy. However, some people are desperate enough to lose weight that they'll try anything that's popular enough with pretty appealing colors and simple instructions. What they don't realize is that something like this can be opening a door to disordered eating. According to the post titled The Special K Challenge: Get Lost, it is revealed that the challenge only has you consuming 829 calories a day! And most of those calories are from the empty processed and filled with high fructose corn syrup cereal. A healthy way to lose weight? I think not. I hope I've wet your appetite for the article. Read it, pass it on. People need to be informed of the dangers of mass marketing and the food industry.

On that note, I'm off to make some healthy chocolate raspberry cookie bars! If they turn out delicious I'll make sure to share the recipe with you!

From Dance Cardio to Smile Booth: A Weekend Recap

I don't know whether it's because I'm feeling newly inspired and excited about what this new year holds or because I feel like I finally know the next direction I want to take my life, but I am feeling extra happy these days. Weekends like this last one definitely contribute to that. I am one lucky girl. What did I do/discover/watch this weekend? Well let me tell ya...

Discovered-- Tracy Anderson's Beginner Dance Cardio

My elliptical machine recently broke and is in the process of getting fixed. At first, I was pretty agitated about this but now I think it was an answer from God. As a person recovering from an eating disorder, it can be easy to turn an exercise routine into a compulsion. I always get a workout high when trying a new routine that really works for me but eventually that feeling disappears after doing the same thing day after day. I had been using the elliptical just long enough to start dreading the very thought of stepping on that thing, but of course, I still feel better when I get a work out in and I thought the elliptical was giving me the best I could get at home. Boy was I wrong. My sister and I bought Tracy Anderson's Beginner Dance Cardio DVD a while back when we wanted to start doing a weekly friend workout but never got around to breaking it out. For some reason, workout DVDs have always intimidated me or seemed like not a great work out so I always avoided them. Well my friends, my phobia of workout DVDs has officially ended. Don't get me wrong, even though this DVD is labeled for beginners I still looked like a complete idiot trying to follow the choreography but I found that as long as I kept bouncing around and pretending to know what I was doing, I got the best, most invigorting workout I have gotten in a long time. I would not recommend doing this workout every day, but I think it is just what I needed to break up my routine and get me excited about exercise again in a healthy way. Thank you broken elliptical and Tracy Anderson!

Saw-- Country Strong

For those who know me or have been reading my blog for a while now, you know that missing the new Gwyneth Paltrow movie would be a sin in my book, even if it is about country music which I am not a fan of (to put it mildly). So of course my Friday night was devoted to watching Country Strong, the story of a washed up country singer fresh out of rehab trying to make her big comeback while still battling her demons. Of course, Gwyneth never ceases to amaze me and blew me away with the voice I never knew she had. Who knew she had some twang in her?! The storyline was a tad depressing, just like a country song, but I still thought the movie was good in its own melancholy way. It was also a refreshing departure for Leighton Meester, who I'm used to seeing sporting Chanel and plotting her revenge on her latest victim in Gossip Girl. I was also surprised to see a talent in her I never knew she had. Her story was actually the sweetest in the movie and the one that drew me in the most. I'll be interested to see how this movie scores with the reviewers.

Did: Smile Booth

These are the things you get to do when you have an incredibly creative friend like Jessica. As part of a girls night/cheer up effort, Jess created an adorable "smile booth" with handmaid props to do a mini photoshoot. For the backdrop she hung dark and light pink streamers on her wall which one of us pointed out reminded her of Victoria's Secret. Jess and I had to take a slipper pick with our matching skirt/slipper outfits.

I also baked some gluten free Scandinavian thumbprint cookies which was more fun than delicious. I ended up substituting a key ingredient with something else so they didn't turn out as tasty as I hoped.

After the smile booth pictures we changed into our cozy pjs and moved the photoshoot into the living room. Fun fun night!

Did: Organize Organize ORGANIZE!

Thanks to the help of my amazing mom I am now able to actually open and close my dresser drawers with ease!! Not only did I go through my drawers and organize my clothes, but my mom also completely cleaned up and dusted the top of my dresser too. This was all after I deep cleaned the interior of my car. I just love the days where you get a lot done! My mom ended up committing to helping me with a new organizing project every weekend which will be a HUGE help and will make moving out eventually A LOT easier. Thanks mom for your help!

In a nutshell, I am feeling incredibly blessed. What do I have to look forward to next weekend? The GOLDEN GLOBES of course! Let the countdown begin...

Baking High

Don't ask me why, don't ask me how, but I can officially say I have fallen in love with baking. This is big for me because for a long time I considered myself a lost cause with baking and cooking. It felt as if everything I touched turned to dirt and because of all my failed attempts it was never an enjoyable experience. However, on Christmas Eve this all changed. I decided to take on a grain, sugar and dairy free coffee cake from a blog I follow called The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen. For some reason, I couldn't get that coffee cake out of my head. Maybe it was because the picture reminded me of the coffee cake my mom used to make for us when we were kids, or maybe it was because the ingredients were all clean and healthy for the most part and I knew I wouldn't feel guilty eating it. I knew my mom was planning on making her annual heart attack sticky bun Christmas breakfast and I didn't want to succumb to the misery I felt last Christmas after consuming probably ten too many butter and sugar drenched buns. So I took it in my head to break out of my baking phobic shell and bake from this healthy and rather risky recipe.

The conclusion? The cake was DELICIOUS! It was a huge hit with even the least healthy eater in the family! Might I even add, it was actually better than my mom's! (But shhhh, don't tell). We decided right then and there to make it every Christmas in addition to my mom's sticky buns for those who don't want to eat the dangerous sticky buns. The very next week I made another batch for our house guests. The weird secret ingredient? White beans! My sister was afraid they wouldn't taste good because of this, but I proved her wrong! This recipe was actually taken from the website The Spunky Coconut which I have been baking almost exclusively from ever since. I am obsessed with Kelly's gluten, casein and sugar free baked goods and have already decided to buy her cookbook once I can afford it. Every recipe has been a success and I love knowing that I'm not going to feel sick after eating them.

I love how this banana bread turned out! Banana bread has always been one of my favorite breakfasts of all time and my yearly requested birthday breakfast.

These chocolate chip muffins are moist and absolutely delicious. The almond butter adds a rich nutty taste. I will definitely be making them again!

I was so crazy busy making these deliciously rich flourless vegan brownies on New Years eve before a big party that I didn't get a change to take pictures. This photo is taken straight from the blog. Let me just say that mine didn't turn out quite as pretty and perfect looking as this, but they satisfied my chocolate craving right away.

My latest creations, chocolate walnut scones taken from today's GOOP newsletter about the Elimination Diet (or the Clean 21 Day Cleanse). These scones are so simple and easy to make and are gluten free, vegan, and sweetened with dates! My mistake? I added chunks of bakers chocolate instead of slightly sweetened dark chocolate so they are more bitter than they should be. Other than that they are delicious and end up in cute little petite sizes. After reading today's GOOP, my mom and I were both inspired to do the elimination diet for a week and to take turns cooking from the recipes given. They all look delicious and relatively simple like this scone recipe. Check out the website (click on the GOOP link above) for more information. Hopefully we will both feel better and healthier after all our holiday sugar and greasy food overload. My stomach has been practically wailing in agony ever since.

Do you have any favorite baking recipes? What was your favorite baked good growing up? Please share!