orange eyeshadow 2011

I've been spotting more and more orange on the eyelids for this year, and I think I like it! I especially like the combination of orange and pink, to evoke a sunrise or sunset, and when done right, I think it makes a great statement for summer. Here are some inspiration sightings of the orange eyelid:

Scarlett Johansson at the Ocscars 2011: Dolce & Gabbana's Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Stromboli


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And not to ever wear in public, but isn't it so pretty anyways?

Breakfast ideas!

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HOWDY.

I love breakfast. It's probably my favorite meal of the day, so I try to get it in no matter what. Sometimes I like to get a couple of breakfasts in, ref. Hobbit ideology. But working the 8:30-5 pm Monday to Friday usually means planning healthy meals ahead of time that won't take too much time to put together, and we've been trying to do just that. For others who wonder about what to fix up for breakfast, I thought I'd share here. Please share your own ideas so that I can try new things!

1) Smoothies: blend frozen or fresh fruit + organic milk + juice + spinach leaves + flaxseed, and whatever else you’d like

2) Omelet: mix egg + milk + salt and pepper, and then add in whatever vegetables you have in your fridge that you can chop up and throw in (Recently, I’ve been enjoying it with extra sharp white cheese and green peppers!)

3) Fresh fruit with Nutella (did you know Nutella has 3g of protein?)

4) Greek yogurt (Chobani or Fage) with granola

5) Yogurt with fruit - my favvvoooriiite. Pretty much a gigantic bowl of a variety of cut fresh fruit with some yogurt on the side is my dream breakfast. Or just the fruit by itself.

6) Breakfast sandwich: whole grain English muffin + sunny side up egg + slice of low-fat turkey or honey ham + sprinkle of cheese + dabble of hot sauce.

7) Baked sweet potato or baked potato: I usually bake it the night before and then cut it up the next morning

8) Leftovers from dinner from the night before: especially if it’s a vegetable and protein combo, it’s best to eat that for breakfast to get a good start on your day.

9) Toasted whole grain English muffin + sliced bananas + peanut butter or Nutella

10) Scrambled tofu: Cube tofu and add some onions, green peppers or other veggies, some light soy sauce, and maybe some garlic powder and black pepper. Stir-fry together with a little olive oil. Yum and so good for you.



If you have any other ideas or suggestions, please share here so that I can try them out!

whale-a-mania

i love them all! but especially the whale pitcher.





spotted at Short Story Design.

strawberry, lemon, and basil soda

I just tried THIS RECIPE from Bon Apetit, and it was mighty fine!

The strawberries were looking really good at the market the other day, so I got a bunch and then saw this recipe for a drink that will make sure you remember summer is coming. Also, I love basil and especially love it when a recipe calls for a basil and fruit combo, so here it is.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon raw sugar (I used 2 tablespooons)
• 6 fresh basil leaves
• 5 small strawberries (or 3 large strawberries, quartered) plus 1 thin slice for garnish
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 3/4 cup club soda

Preparation

Combine fresh lemon juice, raw sugar, basil, whole strawberries, and salt in a pint glass. Muddle ingredients with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves. Add ice cubes and soda water and stir until chilled. Strain into a 12-oz. glass filled with ice cubes and garnish with a strawberry slice.

Ta-da!!!

It's spritzy and bright and really refreshing.

And then I had the brilliant idea that Pimm's (or gin) might go perfect with this drink to make it into a special aperitif. I was right.



Let's see what else I can make with strawberries!

hands, create!

It is always so satisfying of a work to do something with your hands, don't you think? If you love the idea of that as much as I do, check out this photo project called, 'Handmade', a collaboration of Esty and Pictory, on the art of craftsmanship.

richmond eats: the jerk pit

If you are ever in search for some Jamaican fare here in Richmond, stop by the Jerk Pit on Broad Street (2713 West Broad Street). It's a very small place, with only a few tables, and the kind of place where you go up to the counter to order and get your food in a styrofoam box with a couple of plastic utensils. It is delicious if you appreciate Caribbean cuisine and are hankering for some jerk meat. Plus, the folk there call back your order to the kitchen with a 'chicken kebab, mon', which should reassure you that they know what Jamaican food should taste like.

We were apartment-hunting on Saturday and made a stop here for lunch. K. got the maroon melt (sandwich) and some wings, and I got the jerk chicken kebab and coconut water. Yum! The sandwich came with homemade-tasting coleslaw, and the kebabs came with steamed vegetables and yellow rice. If you have low tolerance for hot food (like me), watch out for the kick! We both agreed we would get the kebabs again, and I definitely want to try the fish that they had on the menu, too.

The best coconut water !


Yumm