On Tuesday, I was particularly grateful when a coworker, telling a story of her own stress about moving, kids, etc., made the comment that was something along the lines of…”but these are all just first world problems.” Meaning, she wasn’t trying to figure out how to get clean water to her kids or wondering where they would sleep at night. Moving to a new home, having access to wonderful doctors for a kid battling ear problems, being busy with a great job — stressful yes, but what lucky reasons to be stressed when you take a step back.

Life, in the “first world,” isn’t always easy, but it is a pretty spectacular place to be if you can get out of your own way just long enough to be grateful. Truly and honestly grateful.

I am betting that you’re going to feel the same about Eat Sleep Cuddle. Cute name yes, but her kick ass content is why I think you’ll add her to your RSS feed.

Her tone of voice is honest and witty. Her posts are helpful, resourceful and beautiful. Put it this way, I never wanted to make a raw kale and brussels sprout salad until reading this post, and I am debating whether or not to skip my nightly dessert routine for the icky Apple Cider Vinegar tea that could have my skin glowing by morning.

But are you asking yourself, “so what?” What is Alexis getting at with this random Thursday post?

I guess the underlying driver for this post is that every night as I comb through my trusty blogroll I am inspired, humbled and to be perfectly honest, pretty intimidated by all the talent out there. Let’s get real for a moment, Lex & Learn is not the start of a business venture, so I don’t have fancy photo editing software or other sparkly add-on’s that make certain blogs simply spectacular. But that doesn’t stop me from going on and on, day after day, and I’ll take all the direction and inspiration I get can from the likes of “those” top, TOP bloggers any chance I can get.

And, thank you. Thank you to my mom, friends, coworkers, family members…to everyone who stops by from time to time. I blog for you. I blog for me. It’s a release in a creative format that doesn’t involve glue, scrapbooking or trips to Hobby Lobby (all things I love in theory but cringe around in reality). I believe that blogging is a way to savor memories and hold yourself accountable for tomorrow’s biggest dreams and goals.

I love the little Lex & Learn world I’ve built and am seriously grateful to have some wonderful supporters who follow along.

Welcome to shoe heaven…right this way.

If I could pick one, it would be the flats. No wait, the color block wedges. Or the pumps? I really love the bright bottom on those pumps. Zara ~ you’re teasing this girl on a budget!!

I suggest prepping a big batch of this salad for lunches and dinner. On Monday I served it alongside shrimp with Singapore seasoning from Penzey’s Spices and some corn on the cob. Perfection.

Tabouli Salad Ingredients

• Bulgar wheat (I used the quick cooking variety)
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 4 scallions, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh or dried mint, about a teaspoon (more/less based on taste)

Cook the Bulgar according to the instructions. I made enough for four servings, about one cup dry. Once all the water has been absorbed transfer to a bowl and stir in all of the remaining ingredients. Chill for about 30 minutes in the fridge. Devour.

What cold summer salads do you love to prepare?

On my list for this summer is to try my hand at homemade ice cream sandwiches. I’ll need a little patience and a lot of time, but I was immediately inspired by these lovelies below (Lemon Almond Coconut Ice Cream Sandwiches courtesy of the beautiful Sacramento Street blog). Maybe I can recruit Mike’s sister Kelly to help me, as she has witnessed my inability to follow a recipe, no matter how simple, correctly from start to finish.

Three cheers for ice cream!

So imagine my shock when we moved to the Highlands area of Denver and front porches are as, if not more, important than backyards. Parties spill out from kitchens and living rooms onto the front porch. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons you see parents watching little ones play in the front yard while sipping beer and wine from where…the porch of course! I absolutely love the friendly neighborhood culture it creates. Furthermore, money is tight for tackling our monster of a completely bare backyard, so sprucing up our porch seems like a much more realistic endeavor. In fact, we’ve already made great progress by taking advantage of six pots left behind by the former owners!

Given my recent front porch obsession (which is keeping me slightly distracted from how much I want to find a filing cabinet to complete the office and two area rugs to “complete” our upstairs living/dining rooms) I was excited when the June issue of This Old House had several features on outdoor spaces, including porches. When you own a home built in 1928 this magazine is a must have and typically, the products that are recommended are very nice without being ridiculous on the budget meter.

A few finds that got my creative juices flowing included adding a pop of color with two bright chairs like these vintage-looking aluminum seats. We already have two hooks for a porch swing so I want something classic and Americana in nature, to eventually match the color scheme we hope to paint the trim when we find the cash.  This white swing would work just fine.

Back to adding color, I love the thought of hanging a few birdhouses–Anthropologie has some gorgeous Brush Flick Birdhouses online and the latest catalog. Finally, This Old House has some killer ideas for growing fruits and vegetables in pots. Since we won’t be able to get a garden area built in the backyard this year I’d love to use a tiered corner plant stand out front (away from Kona) to try my hand at a few fruits/vegetables that don’t require tons of direct sun.

There is much to do, and even more money to save, but we’re savoring every moment!

In this case I am happy to report, it was super simple!

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 head of small cabbage, chopped
• 1/2 block extra firm tofu cubed (to prep, sandwich the tofu between two plates and top with a heavy book for about 20 minutes to squeeze out all the excess water)
• Chopped garlic (I opted for two cloves)
• Teaspoon of fresh ginger (ours was moldy so I used powdered ginger instead)
• Vegetable oil

Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium/high heat. Add tofu and cook, stirring often, until the cubes are slightly browned. It took about 5 minutes for me. Add the garlic and ginger and combine for about a minute. Transfer to a plate.

Add another splash of vegetable oil to the pan and cook the cabbage until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the tofu/garlic/ginger mixture and quickly combine with the cabbage before removing from the heat. Serve with a dash of soy sauce and sesame seeds if you have time on hand.

The verdict? Even Mike cleaned his plate and declared it (as someone who does not love tofu) very tasty. Major success in my book.

Do you cook with tofu?

But every spring, as the temperatures start to climb, I find myself having the same issue in the morning…I stand in front of my closet and aside from my trusted cardigans, am at a total loss for spring/summer tops that are work appropriate. I purchase one or two every year, but I have to donate one or two each year too because they are so worn out–and the cycle of having only two or three warm-weather work tops perpetuates.

Denver has been unseasonably warm since early March so I am really feeling the pinch. On Sunday I allowed myself a few minutes with the new Anthropologie catalog (I try to throw it away immediately to avoid temptation) and fell in love with several items, including the blouse below.

At $78 it isn’t an outrageous purchase. and I am sure that it would get a ton of wear on weekdays and the weekend.

Source: Anthropologie.com

Thoughts? And, where else do you suggest I hunt for spring/summer tops that will not break the bank?

Better start saving!