The Resolution Check In Spot

I’ve been making it a habit to check in on myself when trying to accomplish my year’s resolutions. Today I’ll share my progress as a way to admit to the world where I’m going wrong and right

1. Go to Italy. I’ve sat down, perused my books. I’ve got tentative plans with my Italian chickyfriend for lunch and planning in midMarch. I’m going to be booking by March 31st. Deadline SET!
2. Maintain my weight healthily. Doing well and even lost 5 lbs. I’m so pleased with how things are going. With my birthday being this month I overindulged and still kept myself within reason. Hanging in there, the days that the scale tells me the “wrong” number are the worst still!
3. Continue to be grateful for what I have. I am trying to do this. Sometimes the economic law of “I want more!” gets involved.  I am doing MUCH better. I’ve made myself a list of the purchases I intend on making this year and the more I look at that list, the more I want to stick to it!
4. Value myself. This is the worst one. How do you show yourself you love you?
5. Get my wisdom teeth pulled. Okay, admittedly, no headway made here. but I’ve tentatively planned it for late in the year given my other goals. So I’m not behind, I’m not on it either!
6. Write a novel. Stalled here. I think I have a concept. I even have a place to publish and a cover design. Now I’m just tyring to find my angle. I’m starting to write an outline in the hopes this will help this work it out. In other book news, I am putting together my recipes in a book. That’s motivation enough to see the process and take hold of my inner author.
7. Wear more socks, tights and lingerie. I know. Crazy one here. But I adore buying all three of these but then never make the time to accessorize. So I’m doing this, not as much as I should, but the hot weather prevents some things!
8. Purge more. I’m definitely making sure that if I’m not using something that I’m finding it a new home if possible!
9. Go to town more - local foods, bike riding – okay, we’ve done 2 farmers markets this year. and no bike riding. Our schedule is so overwhelming that it’s questionable when we’ll make time for this. That said, it’s still on my list of things to make more time for!
10. DO what you said you would do when you wished you would do it – I don’t know how to accomplish this other than make a list and tackle. I’m definitely tackling more.
11. Use environmentally friendly bags, products, etc…total and utter fail. Smack me.
12. Finish crafts – i’m asking myself more and more, will I use it alot? can I actually accomplish this DIY project? how much will I value it? and this is shortening my list to doable tasks and fun things that make my life richer and happier!
13. Give more gifts - homemade, think of others – finishing crafts is helping this! I’ve put into place a few little acts of kindness through the year that will mean people are thought of and recognized for that! Lots more love out there!
    

A Valentine’s day Worthy Dinner

 

Biga on the Banks was enjoyed while in San Antonio recently. While it sits on the Riverwalk it’s far from the kitschy tourist type place that inhabits the area.

For starters we had the salmon nachos and the squid ink pasta & chicken fried oysters. Both exquisite. The entire table seemed to agree  that the oysters were perfect .Far from the “Southern soul food” that most things with “Chicken Fried” incite, this was a tender bite that didn’t have breading overshadowing the salty flavor. Still don’t understand the pasta sauce, but whatever that was, continue it! Buttery without being heavy, it made for a nice contrast.

The Cuzco salad earned top marks for me. A perfectly balanced salad of hominy, avocado, sweet potatoes, tomato, onion, jalapeno and butter lettuce. It was enough to not even require the dressing, which was a lovely pickle vinegar that the onions had soaked in. Gorgeous all the way around.

For entree, I enjoy the mahi mahi with braised cabbage (instead of baby carrots) and their roasted fingerling potatoes. Perfect all the way around. The crab and lobster with pico de gallo that accompanied my fish was spot on, nothing overwhelming, but adding a nice spice to all of the pieces on the plate. 

The service here cannot be beat, some of the best I’ve had in the city. Very attentive without protruding, I was amusing myself towards the end with a bit of napkin folding, my waiter, Orlando, chimed in with the perfect napkin fold for Thanksgiving – I’ll put that to use soon!

Biga on the Banks - http://www.biga.com/ - 210-225-0722

 

Rating: fork, spoon & knife: definitely a celebration, even when there’s nothing to celebrate.

XOXO

 

 

Okay, so they say real men wear pink. So why not pick up Petco’s Smoochie Pooch Pink Argyle Dog Sweater for my macho dog?  At $12.74, it’s cute for the ladies and makes him warmer – he always looks cold! I’ve been questioning whether some other folks at the dog park would think he’s a girl, but I think the manly argyle gives it that preppy look without being overly chick like!

That said, I think he needs to cool down on the ladies, he always seems too interested in EVERY dog that’s bordering our backyard. But being a man on the street, if he were to find a little lady, how cute is this ensemble from NingNingGong’s Etsy Shop – at 28 dollars it’s handmade and too cute for words! This dog looks exactly like my sisters and I may just have to spoil her with it! Too cute!

Gifts for Each Other

I think it’s a beautiful thing to surprise someone romantically. I’m the type of girl who loves someone who can just love me out in the open in front of the world. Which I think it generally the embodiment of a wedding with family and friends all around.

That said, I also adore a few choice personal things for the day. Something to make my groom feel super fabulous. Some for in front of his friends! Some not so much! Ever think that a pin up photo done in good taste may make him get giddy about the upcoming honeymoon?

Not that you want to overserve anyone before they make it to the reception, but a great bottle of his favorite poison along with your new monogram on some high ball glasses may make those crazy groomsmen a little more apt to “behave” during the ceremony! I mean, winning their vote never hurts! :)

What about surprising him with his favorite candy? or even a pin of his family crest to wear during the ceremony on his lapel? Perhaps you can tuck a matching one on your dress somewhere as a symbol of coming together as family?

It’s just as easy to get the bride all blushing if you can dot her day with a few well placed surprise well wishes.

Easy enough is to send flowers! A hand written note! Perhaps even set up a few extra goodies on your honeymoon and let her know what’s in store for you!

If you know her well enough, and she’s game, perhaps you can help choose the jewelry she will wear that day. Or buy her a small pin or accessory that will help compliment her wear. If she’s changing clothes to leave or for the reception, this may also be a great outfit to offer some “little blue box” love.

  Whatever it is – small , big, or in between, make each other feel remembered, tossing a little letter or box between the groomsmen and bridesmaids to heighten the butterfly feeling that “I’m going to see you soon…and guess what, I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you.” Enjoy!

All You Need Is…

Love. And this week, Living Aloud Allowed’s blog will all feature the Big L!  Look for hearts and xoxo’s and nothing but love from our blogs. Should be a lovey dovey week!

The Reason I’ll Work Out Double this Week!

Wacky Cake

Cake:

3 C. flour

2 C. sugar

2 t. baking soda

2 t. vanilla

1 t. salt

1/2 C cocoa

2 C Water

1 C oil

2 t vinegar

Mix and bake for 35 minutes at 400.

Icing:

Boil 1 1/2 Cups of milk plus 1/4 C+1 Tbsp of flour and a pinch of salt over medium heat until combined and slightly thick. In a mixer transfer cooled, cooked mixture and add 3 t vanilla and 1 1/2 c of sugar. Beating in 1 1/2 – 2 C of crisco until buttercream is created. Frost cooled cake.

 

Being that it’s my birthday, I know I should indulge. But the icing on this slab of perfection alone is worth the extra miles I’ll be treading this week. The “buttercream” screams 1950s housewife nostalgia down to the supremely cloying sweet crunch of sugar in it. The cake stays moist for a long time, the icing continues to seep into it…it’s an odd phenomena, but of course, you should do your own field testing and have a slice each day that you can keep this around (which isn’t long!) just to test for the moist factor…dare you!

Let Us Eat Cake

  I tend to cook and have a party at my house each year, and this year, I thought it might be nice if I give myself a bit of an upgrade when comes to the sweet stuff of the evening – I found this Colorful Beaded Dessert Server set for $15 at Pier 1 and decided to let their color play up front and center as I’ll use this wonderful Pottery Barn Gabriella Cake Stand for $49.00. The price is a little steep here, but given the great quality and basic white, you could use this for many a thing!

I think the cake stand is a grossly under used item when it comes to multitasking. I’ve used mine as a place to put my gingerbread house at Christmas or my appetizers on when I have brunch and need them to stand out. Consider getting a set of different sizes and stacking them for a tier display…of cupcakes!

I found these great larger candles at Party City, these Striped Birthday Candles come in packs of twelve for $4. I thought that their size would actually overkill on the cake, but they really look cool! Plus, I think I'd be able to use them in a smaller candle stick holder and use them for outdoor parties even, I really enjoyed these colors – a white cake, with white icing, my favorite, would look great with these!

I’m always loving the neat uses for things that I can find at a restaurant supply company. I found this great find recently for way cheaper than you’ll find at usual market stores. At Jeans restaurant supply.com, they’re Champagne Bucket & Stand only rand $39.55! There is something fantastically luxurious like this at such an easy price! Plus it means I can up my budget on the bubbly!

And finally, what girl doesn’t love flowers? I found these great daisy bud vases for $2 at Crate & Barrel. I thought they’d make a great “big” display if I strung 10 of them down my bar area with little flowers in them. It’ll be a big splash of decor rather than the one large bouquet, plus, I could sprinkle a few random ones here and there for a great theme but one that won’t break my wallet!

Whenever you do celebrate, take in the moments with friends. Each year is a gift!

Happy Birthday Dear Girly

The Thought

Happy Birthday to Me.

Happy Birthday to Me.

I’m going out for my birthday,

I needed a great dress for all to see.

 

The Inspiration

The Gear

 

 

Forever 21: Jeweled One Shoulder Dress $27.80

Kohls: Apt. 9® Tailee Peep-Toe Dress Heels $32.99

Target: Merona® Basic Clutch – Black $16.99

Happy Birthday To Me

This week’s worth of blogs is in celebration of my 32nd year. (Actually the start of my 33rd year, but okay math geeks, let’s not squabble). I’ve devoted the week to those things that you need in order to have a super duper party. Even at 32 I’m buying a birthday dress and think that any girl should perhaps take part in this birthday-gift-to-yourself tradition.

Upon my 32nd year, I’m always aware that I’m not where I thought I would be. I’m learning more to take pride in this and continue to find who I am as a creative artist, a worker, and a home owner. I’m striving to try and do new things, take risks where I thought I was unable and even devote myself to being a little different sometimes just to see if it’s a new part of “me” that may stick. Does this mean I spend my days trying to be someone else? No. But it does mean that I get stuck in a rut and realize that a change of direction can be a healthy thing.

That said, I thought I would take the time to recognize a few things 1979 style.

• Yearly Inflation Rate USA 11.2%
• Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 838
• Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 15.25%
• Average Cost of new house $58,100.00
• Average Income per year $17,500.00
• Average Monthly Rent $280.00
• Cost of a gallon of Gas 86 cents
• Sony Walkman $200.00
  

The President of the US was Jimmy Carter – a man I only knew to be from Georgia and wear one of those straw barbershop hats in a picture I once saw. Due to crisis in Iran Oil Prices Increase around the world and the public begin panic buying making things worse – which really isn’t much different from now.   Eleven fans are killed and dozens are injured at a WHO Concert at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio…which is good, because at least the Who are something to die for, as opposed to well, Britney Spears.

VisiCalc becomes the first spreadsheet program – as an avid and expert Excel user, this is a big moment for me. Voyager I photo reveals Jupiter's rings – photographer and space nerd here, this was fantastic to know! YMCA sues the Village People for libel because of their song of the same name – I personally think there’s just jealousy here, I adore that dance, I think they should have embraced it as a commercial!  Trivial Pursuit is launched – something that for years I could never know all the answers to, but definitely lived to play!

Superman The Movie, Rocky II and The Muppet Movie were all popular that year. As was Bee Gees with " Love you Inside Out ", Gloria Gaynor with " I will Survive " and Donna Summer "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls" all made the airwaves. I guess this was telling me to wait around for better music, but given that the 80s weren’t much better…then I’ll stick with my parent’s 45s instead!

So there you go, a little taste of when I was born. Happy birthday to me, and enjoy the week!

Excellent Find!

  

This was a great before the movie place. I’m still shocked that during happy hour they were empty except for us and a few folks at the sushi bar. The place is immaculent, well appointed, has a designated hibachi and sushi area (I hate when the smoke permeates the place and you can’t breathe) and the service was attentive and even put in my order early so it would ready and waiting for arrival.

We had the Tuna Roll, Spider Roll, California Roll, Vegetable Roll, Chef’s Special Roll and a Texas Express roll. Everything was super fresh if not a little big for being sushi! Rolls never fell apart, everything had an abundance of fillings. I’m usually a bit picky about my vegetable roll. This may have been a slight disappointment, I had alot of avocado and peanuts, but no discernible crunch of a carrot or cucumber. The tuna roll was spot on, fishy but not overly so – just a hint of sea. Both the spider and texas express rolls were presented beautifully and either could have been paired with soup for a light lunch.

I enjoyed a few glasses of the house white wine, $4 at happy hour, and it was a fantastic end to a rough work day. The service was immediate when we needed something, stayed out of your area as conversation was going on. When we ordered another two rolls towards the end, it was prompt and polite. Everything was easy about this meal as it helped send us off to the theatre not needing popcorn!

Tao Japanese - http://taojapanese.com/ - (281) 277-2877

Rating: spoon, fork & knife: they’re on a roll!