Weekly | Links I'm Likin' (Thanksgiving Detox Edition)

Hey there! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Our dinner went off without a hitch and was quite delicious.  I hope I get to cook every year (famous last words, I'm sure)

That being said, I feel like I really need to chill out on the Thanksgiving leftovers.  So, last night I hunkered down with some of the healthiest cookbooks I could find and made a grocery list that puts last week's eating habits to shame.  By about Saturday, I was craving simple things like, oh I don't know, a banana, or some lettuce.  But there was still so much left to eat.  I froze as much as I could, and am now on the road to recovery (I hope.)  (Spoken like a true addict.)

So, this week's links are dedicated to healthy eating and will hopefully give you some ideas for detoxing after Bingefest 2013.  I know I will be trying a few of these.

Re-stocking healthy food!

Curry Sage Butternut Squash Soup
Southwest Quinoa Salad with Chile Lime Vinaigrette
Asparagus Corn Salad
Chickpea Sweet Potato Burgers
Baked Balsamic Chicken
Almond Butter Soba Noodles with Garlic Shrimp
Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce
Farmer's Market Skillet (might have to make this one with frozen veggies)
Turkey Santa Fe Lettuce Wraps (if you still have turkey left over!)
Curried Chicken Soup (this was featured on the links a couple of weeks ago, but I have to repost because it is very healthy and PHENOMENAL...like, seriously)

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Today I found the love of my life - truffle gouda cheese.  The Thanksgiving mac n cheese recipe that I will be making revolves around this cheese and I am scared to find out how I will act around other people with whom I am supposed to share this dish.  Is it going to be like when people ask if we should all share sushi in a group larger than 2?  I sure hope not.  An anxiety rises within me that convinces my little brain that I will not get my fair share, or I will leave feeling cheated by the very people I love most.  Issues.  I have issues.  Anyway, here are some links.

 



1. What if we always had Instagram?  Like even when the Mona Lisa was being created.
2. This song is so damn catchy!  This is a great rendition.
3. Get your family in line this holiday season.  Powerpoints help.
4. Justin Beever.  Zach G.  YES.
5. My dad cracks himself up, I can picture him pulling a few of these stunts :)
6. These are the types of projects that I would love to do.  Unfortunately for me, they are also the types of projects that I start and never finish :(  Maybe this year can be different! I do really love the clock.
7. These people need a big hug from life. Or maybe some bubble wrap.
8. I felt so giddy while watching this, I couldn't stop smiling!!
9. Just a good laugh, that is all.

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Today, I need a break from work.  I want to go home, put on some PJs and watch endless episodes of Friends.  Who feels me?  Hopefully this gives you the break you need!  Oh, and here is another pretty picture from Moab!  Have a great week!

1. I really really want this mug :)
2. I really really want these napkins :)  I mean, mapkins.
3. Surreal places to see before I die.  Hopefully I will have a life of travel some day.
4. Hanger.  It happens to the best of us.
5. I want this soup in my stomach, now!
6. I'd like to think that I could do better, but I probably can't.  Sad face.
7. Someone needs to prove to me that these images are not fake.  So crazy!
8. Who knew?  Giant arrows that guide you across America.
9. So cute, I can't handle it!!
10. I recently bought this cookbook and I cannot say enough good things about it!!  I have made 5 recipes from it and all were amazing.  Like seriously, amazing.
11. And finally, a great laugh.  Oh, what was life like before the internet again?

Moab

This weekend we went to Moab.  I hope you like pictures of rock formations, because....

Denny and Whistler

I spy with my little eye...a train!

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Yesterday was Kora's 14th birthday!!  I always pictured her making it to 14.  It makes me so happy that she is still with us!  Tonight I am making her a birthday cake, or maybe birthday cupcakes, stay tuned.  For now, here are some links!!

1. I'm sorry I make you cry on a weekly basis.  I can't help it!  Animals can be so awesome.
2. I hope I can be an awesome parent someday!
3. Musicians reading tweets of themselves.  Hilarious.
4. This blows my mind on so many levels.  These photos are incredible.
5. ELF!!  I can't believe it has been out for over 10 years.  I officially feel old.
6. Oh Lady Gaga, you make it too easy.
7. You either have to have a really good sense of humor to work at Starbucks or just be really bad at spelling.  Or both.
8. I have always wanted bangs like this!  I have nightmares about looking like Tiffany cerca 1994 so I never get them.  Maybe after the wedding?
9. Ok, that's it.  I need to get a donut pan.  Too many good donut recipes out there.
10. See, too many.  Too, too many.
11. I always get a kick out of these.  Crazy architects.

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Hey there, friends.  Happy Tuesday.  The highlight of this week's weekdays so far (which was yesterday and today) was that I went to the doctor's office and was super tempted to write "Tiffers" under Nickname.  Don't worry, I didn't do it.  But could you imagine!!??  (said in the voice of, say, maybe Amy Poehler).  And THAT is how exciting Monday's can be.  These links are close second runners up for top weekly highlights.

1. I feel like I have always been more in the 30-something party.  It's warm and cozy in there.
2. Oh Banksy, stirrin' the pot.
3. This is a new workout that my friend Annie shared on Facebook and it will KICK. YOUR. ASS.
4. She also posted this one, and I want to try it.  Who couldn't use a firmer butt?
5. This is hilarious!!  "It tastes like a poopy piñata!"
6. Haha, in case you fell for this - it isn't true!  Are you as sad as I am?
7. Kids really are just tiny drunk adults.  True story.
8. Oh Bill Cosby - so wise.  Like Buddah.
9. Holy crap.  Cryfest.  So cute.  (Taking the crazy cat lady thing to a whole new level here)
10. It's time to start planning!  Nom nom.
11. This is ridiculous.  Nobody hop on this bandwagon, please.

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Happy Hump Day everyone!!

The light on our coffee table is much better than in the kitchen, and perfectly in the dogs' reach.  Here is Winston interrupting a photo sesh.  And below are the links you all know and love.  Have a great week!

1. This made my day.  I need to know where to buy this!!
2. I'm not sure I know any mom who has this much time on her hands.  But still a really cute idea!
3. I found a new dream.  To have a tiny studio in my backyard someday.  Someday.
4. I strongly disagree.  It said New Mexico for me (not that there is anything wrong with NM).  But maybe you guys will get better results :)
5. Ah memories! 
6. I have a feeling this isn't a "Halloween only" type of thing for some of these people.  On another note, when are they going to start making costumes big enough for our dogs??
7. For all my cat loving lady friends - you're welcome.  Also seems like a really great cause!
8. God, maybe I'm becoming a cat lady.  And I don't even have any cats.  Last pet link I promise - it's a good one!
9. Are you kidding me??  Werthers?  Hershey's?  Milk Duds?  Tootsie Rolls?  They're all amazing.  The rest I totally agree with.
10. I got this book in this week and I'm loving it!!  Thank you, bestie, for the Amazon gift card!
11. Waiting on this book to come next!

Confessions of a Photo Booth

I love a good photo booth sesh.  I love when weddings have photo booths.  Here is proof that we thoroughly enjoyed all of our friend's weddings this season :)

Kate & Nick' Wedding

 Lori & Bryan's Wedding

Ingrid & Nolan's Wedding

Thank you, friends, for the laughs and an amazing night!

We have one more to go in January and it's going to be a good one!

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Hey guys!  I PROMISE there will be more food posts on here soon.  After traveling and eating tons of rich food, I decided to take a hiatus for a while.  I tried Gwyneth Paltrow's cleanse and this salad is the only thing I liked :(  Enjoy these links until I get more food up here and I promise you won't be disappointed with what I am making next!

1. I feel like I have been in the stage of not knowing how to make our house a home for a long time.  Glad I'm not the only one.
2. When I do figure out how to decorate the house, I have a feeling this will be part of it.  So cool.
3. So funny, and so true.  I'm just jealous because I am not in a high enough tax bracket to shop here, ha!
4. This will probably be my kid.  I have a list making problem.  I have once or twice made lists where items on that list include reminders to make other lists.  Sad face.
5. My emotions about Gwyneth are so complex right now...maybe more on that later.  But in the meantime, maybe we'll see a cat fight between her and Martha soon?? 
6. Kora's 14th(!!) birthday is coming up!!  I'm totally making this - although I don't have a dog bone-shaped pan.  I mean, who does?
7. I'm skipping right over Halloween and going straight to Thanksgiving.  Here's some turkey roasting tips!
8. There's no way this woman just had a baby.  Total conspiracy theory!
9. Supposedly this is old, but it's new to me and so hilarious.  Whoever married this gal is a lucky, lucky man.
10. This is so fascinating to me.  What does a week of your groceries look like??
11. For all my marching band friends - this is super impressive!
12. Mmmm...who wants to do brunch?

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This week = success.  Denny and I went back to California and I got to see old friends and family.  A lot of them got to meet Denny for the first time.  We got to see 2 great friends get married, and I also got my In n' Out and beach fix :)  

1. I'm starting this week's links off with a bang!  If you are as anxious for Anchorman 2 to come out as I am, this will curb your cravings.
2. I am in danger of suffering from this problem....
3. It's like this girl is....me!  Last week was a guide to weddings, now it's a guide to the gym (which I desperately need to get back into!)
4. All of this wedding stuff has me thinking of what we what to do for ours.  I really like this.
5. Ridiculous is the only thing that comes to mind.  And annoyance.  Don't ask me why!
6. One of the very few architecture links I like, probably because it makes fun of architecture. 
7. After cleansing last time, I have come to like homemade nut milks.  This one looks like it is worth a try!
8. I'm trying to make a list of healthier recipes and healthier blogs to follow.  This is just one of the many recipes I like from Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth, a new blog that I will be following!
9. Think of this as a Ted Talks for self-help and success.  There's so much on this site, I'm sure it will touch everyone differently.  I went straight to the video called "What if Money Didn't Rule Your Life"
10. Lately sucking at #1, always sucking at #5.  Almost never sucking at #3.
11. I did not need to see this.  Fortunately they look pretty darn complicated to make, so at least you will have earned it by the end.

I hope you all had a great week!  Til next time!

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Tomorrow we head out to Californ-i-a for wedding no. 6 of the season!  This one is particularly special because my childhood friend, Lori, is getting hitched!  I will be in her wedding and she will be in ours :)  Here are some links to hold you over until we get back... And here is us at weddings...

Us at weddings.

1. I am torn between being really grossed out and really impressed.
2. I always get jazzed about a recipe that replaces typical ingredients with cauliflower, but have yet to try one.  This could be the one!
3. I really think I would wear this, in public, probably while waiting in line at Chipotle...stop judging me...
4. Warning:  this link does contain partial nudity.  Partial nudity of the hilarious variety.  My goodness.
5. Chowders, actually creamy soups in general, are my weakness.  I kind of wish I hadn't seen this recipe.
6. Since I officially entered the last year of my 20s this weekend (!), a lot of these resonated with me.  I still have another year to get to the rest :) 
7. What better way to ring in 29 than to look through reminders of my childhood?  # 12 had me laughing out loud.
8. It's ok if you don't find this to be funny.  This is really just for my friend Agnes, who loves a literal interpretation of hip hop just as much as I do :)
9. If you are awkward, and go to as many weddings as I do, this definitely comes in handy.
10. I don't know if it is the photography, or the delectable bread, but doesn't this sandwich look crazy good??  Also, I love the message about how we view excessive food and over-eating.  I am currently trying to get out of a glutinous mindset myself.
11. I so need this right now.  When you feel like poop, maybe Goop can help!  And I still need her cookbook in my house.  It never came when I ordered it and now I have to re-order.  It shall go right next to the Mac N Cheese Cookbook, yes, yes.

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Tonight's links are brought to you by Kora the Beautiful...enjoy.

1. I'm always looking for on-the-go breakfast ideas.  This sounds like it might be worth a try!
2. Just thinking about living with this person gives me anxiety.  But heck, if you are gonna hoard, do it like this guy.
3. Anything that makes fun of hashtagging is fine by me.  I wonder if there will ever come a day that I stop loving J.T.
4. Just in case you needed a good cry.  It's a happy cry, I promise.
5. Having a comedian as a parent = Score!  Love A.P.
6. I'm pretty sure I would have picked the exact songs Jimmy Fallon did, and would have had a hell of a time trying not to belt it out for real.
7. Only Louis CK can make the depressing truth so funny.  Just cry it out!  Also, #5.
8. One day you are living a normal life, the next Vince Milligan is knocking on your door.  No spoiler alert here if you have yet to see the last episode of Breaking Bad.  Although I'm really not sure what else in your life was more important yesterday at 8pm.
9. Oh, and I kind of like these :)  More to come soon!

Weekly | Links I'm Likin'

Hey guys!  Fall is here which means everything is going to start smelling like cinnamon.  I hope you're ready.

I blame my recent adoption of the iPhone for this new feature on the blog.  That's right, I'm sharing with you all of the things I currently like on the net!  I'm online constantly now, for better or for worse, and I'm taking you all down with me!

This week, I'm likin':

1. This site - it is hilarious.  I'm not even sure how I came upon it, but I mean, their slogan is "Eat like you give a f*ck."  If my brother were to have a food blog I picture it going a little something like this.
2. This guy was featured on said hilarious site above and is equally talented.  You don't even have to like comics.  Promise.  (I'm going to pretend like that rhymed)
3. Denny and I used to make boxed mac n cheese with tuna and sriracha ALL the time.  Still in our top 5 favorite meals.  This grown up version quite literally makes me drool.
4. Speaking of mac n cheese - my birthday is coming up and whoever gets me this cookbook earns a place in my will.  And you can all trust I am going to make it big someday. (Update: I have been told by my awesome aunt KimAnna that she purchased this for me. SO excited!)
5. I know most of us have seen this already.  But if we have a soul and have shopped at Whole Foods, we have all been there.  Read it again.
6. I made this this weekend, and you all should try.  Pretty dang easy, pretty dang fancy, pretty dang delicious, and the possibilities are endless!
7. I'm doing some photos for this great company and hope to have a post about it soon!!
8. Surprise, marriage is hard.  Here is a nice little article about how to show some love.  (Am I the only one with "What A Girl Wants" playing in my head?)
9. Then this guy goes and says "Marriage is easy" and it sounds true because he is on Breaking Bad. (One more episode???  WHy, GOD, why?!!)
10. Once I start embracing fall I will happily make soups and stews :)

Simple Pleasures | Catching Up

I was recently back in LA, my old stomping grounds, for a friend's wedding.  It was different from the normal trip I make out there - where I either have my parents pick me up from the airport and spend my days with them, or I drive from Colorado to LA so that I will have a car to be able to see all the many people I want/need to see.  This trip was solely to hang out with some of the most important ladies in my life.  Most of the girls who will stand next to me on the "big day."  It was really an awesome 2 1/2 days that doesn't get to happen as much as it should!

I didn't get any pictures with the lovely bride that weekend, but you can trust she was stunning and threw one hell of a party :)

Here are some highlights from the weekend.