Lex and Learn

Massive recovery efforts are still underway in Japan and bloggers are once again urging everyone to take a moment to show their support for the people impacted by this disaster.

If you are so inclined, please click here to learn how you can show your support for Japan March 30th and 31st on Facebook.

We love asparagus and cook it one of two ways — in a steamer or sauteed in olive oil in a frying pan. So, I was excited when I came across this oven roasted asparagus recipe in the April issue of Real Simple. I made it tonight to accompany some whole wheat pasta and salad.

I didn’t have kalamata olives so I used our green garlic stuffed ones instead. I didn’t have any parsley either, but I figured it wouldn’t ruin it altogether. I cut back on the salt (I am not a big fan of it) and the results were fabulous! After just 10 minutes in the oven at 450 degrees the asparagus spears were bright green, cooked through without losing the crunch and has just enough flavor from the olives without going overboard.

A very simple side dish recipe for hectic weeknights indeed! What other ways do you like to prepare asparagus? Please share!

Neither Mike or I are overly conscious shoppers. I rarely buy organic produce and haven’t been won over by green cleaning products yet. But lately Mike and I have been talking more and more about exercising (both on our own and together) and eating just a little bit healthier without going to extremes. What does this mean? We’d like to cut back on some of the processed food in our cupboards and try harder to eat fresh fruits, veggies and whole grains on a daily basis.

Given my self-imposed bridal boot camp routine I was especially excited this afternoon when Mike agreed to give Door-to-Door Organics a try. His sister Kelly is a big fan and has been really happy with it so far.

We chose the Bitty box size and are only starting with biweekly shipments to make sure we are really going to make the most of each shipment. I’d love to eventually be eating enough fresh produce to justify a weekly shipment, but this should be a realistic start. The site also has a great blog and a weekly recipe using ingredients from that week’s shipment.

Stay tuned for pictures of our first delivery on Tuesday!

Well, maybe that’s a stretch but having just enjoyed my first Canvas & Cocktails experience, I really feel like I have a bit more talent than recent craft project may have revealed. I highly recommend attending a group class, or booking a private party with girlfriends!

My work organized today’s group outing in advance of an art show we’re participating in next month. I was apprehensive because painting is not only something I can’t do, it is also a big test of patience (not my strong suit). Then I heard we’d be following a template so my revised vision of a paint-by-numbers style session was reassuring.

Yet when we arrived my faith in the final outcome was quickly dashed…there were blank canvases everywhere! Surely, there must be some mistake. But the kind girl told us that she would be painting our “template” at the front of the room, talking us through every step. And it turned out to be a blast (and the wine was yummy too)!

I wish I would’ve taken a picture of the plain canvas so that you all really believe me that there was no outline to trace.

Opening bids on this original Alexis Anzalone print start at $50.

Covet-worthy summer shoes seem to be coming at me from everywhere. I love the wicker detail on the pair below as well as the color scheme with the “pop” of red. These are not in the pre-wedding budget, so a trip to DSW may be needed in the near future.

Nordstrom.com (Marc by Marc Jacobs)

Around noon on March 20, two years ago, my mom held up the phone to my grandmother’s ear so that I could say goodbye. She wasn’t able to say anything back, but I was promised by those in the room that her facial expression said it all…she had heard me in her very final moments and knew how much she was adored and loved.

I am going to honor her today by partaking in some of her favorite activities ~ staying in my pajamas as long as possible, drinking multiple cups of coffee, watching a lot of TV this evening while slowly savoring a glass of wine. Maybe I’ll even grab the Sunday paper, which would make it her perfect day.

I came across the quote below this morning, and it sums up my feelings today perfectly…

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.
– Author Unknown

Love and miss you Grandma.

Thanks to iHeartOrganizing for alerting me to For Japan with Love. Please consider giving whatever you can to help the country and its people recover. Every dollar counts…donate here.

www.forjapanwithlove.com

I am never shopping online again for clothes, shoes or accessories (ok, maybe sometimes but not often). I never like what I order! Both pairs of wedding shoes I picked out online were a bust. Uncomfortable, not flattering…you name it.

So yesterday I went to one of my favorite spots on the planet, the Nordstrom shoe department. I could wander that place daily and still oohh and aahhh at all the treasures.

After doing a few laps I brought an armload of shoes to an available sales person and was on my way. I tried on tons of styles…low, high, strappy, pumps. I tried them all, and am happy to introduce the winners.

Lizard pattern you might ask? Heck yes! I never wanted “bridal” shoes in the first place and cannot wait to rock these on the big day. As my mom my said, “the other ones were fine, but these are definitely you.”

Michael Kors

Building on the cute post on Living like the Kings, who borrowed from The Glamorous Life of a Housewife, get to know me via my personal ABC’s!

A. Age: 28

B. Bed size: Queen

C. Chore you dislike: Mopping followed by cleaning the shower

D. Dogs: Kona – lab/border collie mix that just turned one year old

E. Essential start to your day: Coffee

F. Favorite color: Red/plum…anything in that family

G. Gold or silver: “Ghetto gold for fun” ~ Carrie Bradshaw

H. Height: 5’3 (and a 1/2)

I. Instruments you play(ed): Violin

J. Job title: Senior Communications Director

K. Kids: None of my own; two nieces and one nephew, with two more on the way

L. Live: Denver

M. Mom’s name: Mew, Wedding planning savior, Judy

N. Nicknames: Lex (don’t call me Lexi or Alex)

O. Overnight hospital stays: Knee surgery in 8th grade

P. Pet peeves: Long voice mails; when people don’t pull out in the left hand turn lane; dog hair; slow movers in the airport security checkpoint lane; always getting the WRONG order at restaurants

Q. Quote from a movie: “Francisco, that’s fun to say” ~ Elf

R. Rap song: Hypnotize

S. Siblings: One older brother

T. Time you wake up: Pre-daylight savings, about 6:30am; post-daylight savings, about 6:59am

U. Underwear: Everyday

V. Vegetables you don’t like: Onions (is this even a veggie?)

W. What makes you run late: Frizzy curls

X. X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, knees, chest

Y. Yummy food you make: Most things in a crock pot; turkey meatloaf; dinner reservations

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Hippos – hasn’t changed since my 2nd grade report

Now it’s your turn to fill out and link up!