Who's that lady?

Who's that lay-day? That lady is Pippa Middleton. And I must admit, while she didn't outshine the bride (Kate was ravishing!), I think she gave her a run for her money. I could gush and gush about how amazing the wedding looked (no, I didn't get up at 3am like some of you!), but instead I'm going to focus my energies on Kate's sister and maid of honor. I thought she looked absolutely stunning! Don't you think? But her dress begs a question, did Kate give her permission to wear white on her wedding? :)

I'm also throwing this picture into the mix because I think it's a special moment - the moment her father gives her away. Well, Mr. Middleton, you raised your daughter well. She's your future queen. What do you think about that?

pics via Vogue, Flickr and maybe another - sorry for not citing all of them!

A menchies mention

Have you all heard of Menchies? Well, I hadn't until I heard a few raving reviews from Carol and Jessie last week. After learning about the concept, I asked myself - how'd I miss out on this?! Picture this: An entire wall full of different flavors of frozen yogurt. Then another entire wall full of different, delicious toppings. They give you a dish and you can just go to town - you just pay by the ounce and the dishes are HUGE, so I can see how you could get in trouble.

I tried the cupcake and dulce de leche flavored yogurts with coconut, granola, dark chocolate chips, and cookie dough on top. To tell the you truth, I don't know how I cut myself off at just that. (Joe picked all sorts of chocolate flavors, as usual.) As I ate my ice cream, I already found myself planning my next dish - I know it will involve hot fudge, M&Ms, coconut and more. (Ok, I'm drooling on my keyboard now.)

At any rate, go to Menchies as soon as humanly possible. You won't regret it.

As you can see, frozen yogurt makes Joe happy :)

When parents collide

There comes a time in a relationship when your parents meet his parents. That time for me was this Easter Sunday. I thank my lucky stars every single day for having such fun, thoughtful, and inspiring parents, so I had no reason to be nervous. Yet, a twinge of nerves did surface a few days before. They were very fleeting nerves, but nerves nonetheless. Visions of Meet the Fockers were dancing through my head, but then I quickly snapped back to reality and remembered that both of our parents were completely normal. (Well, except for the fact that my dad is Superman.) If anything, they even had some similarities.

The meeting: The moms quickly went off onto the deck and looked at Joe's plants. The dads chatted on the couch about this and that. Joe and I manned the kitchen, occasionally listening in on their conversations. (I'll pretend I didn't hear the conversations about our future children.)

Then dinner was served - ham, spring risotto, and mixed greens salad with blue cheese, almonds and cranberries. But enough about the food. The parents. Well, they totally hit it off. It was as if they'd known each other for years. At one point, it was suggested that they go to Sweden together! I think that's what you might call a good sign :)

So now we've reached another milestone in our relationship. Just as expected, this fella (and his family!) keeps getting only the highest of marks.

Stylish Family

Have you seen this adorable family? The mom blogs at Bluebird Vintage and is an incredibly chic mom. On top of that, I love that she brings her family together regularly for family pictures-- note to self: do that one day. They all look happy and ever-so-stylish.

I'm especially smitten with the sassy little girl. She has more fashion sense in just her pinky than most people have in their whole body. Gosh, at the age of 8, I was making poor fashion choices... like perming my bangs and my bangs alone. That's right, not my actual hair. Just the bangs. Classic. Mom, please destroy all evidence of this disaster? Thank you.

Cadillac Ranch

I was browsing through old pictures the other day and came across these from Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. It's one of the oddest public art installments, which says a lot coming from a Seattleite - home of the Fremont Troll and Gum Wall.

Rows of graffiti'd old Cadillacs half-buried in the middle of an open field. Then add a few camels to the mix* and you've got yourself a bona fide tourist destination, sure to please anyone.

Can you think of anything more odd than this?

*Oh, and for the record, the camels are not regularly out there. I just got lucky. I wish they would have been blasting Black Eyed Peas, 'My humps' too. That would have been epic.

TGIF

Umm, how romantic is this picture? Love it.

To start your weekend off on a good note, I'll share some interesting stuff from around the web.

Public Relations was named the second most stressful job of 2011, just after commercial airline pilot. I'm so not surprised. Is your job on the list?

I can't get enough of this ad. And it's not just because we created it.

I'm thinking of making this risotto for Easter again (with ham), unless someone shares any other delicious options? I'm open to suggestions.

I must make this immediately. Sorry work, I have chocolate priorities.

And this isn't around the web, per se, but an email from Lizzie about a flat tire - the long and short of it is: Lizzie's car got a flat tire. She goes to Les Schwab. They need to get into her trunk. Man comes back inside and says, "we're going to have to take the body out of your trunk." Lizzie goes, "WHAT?!" Then she realizes that SHE HAD CREEPY CAROLER IN HER TRUNK! Best. story. EVER. (Thanks for the laugh, Lizzie!)

Have a fabulous, bunny and family-filled Easter weekend!

Future Superstar

This is amazing. My 8 year-old self is uber-jealous. Shoot, my 27 year-old self is jealous. My pirouette record is a fraction of hers.

Speaking of dance, anyone want to hit up a hip hop class at Westlake Dance Center? Stephers?

Jenny is 21

This is Jenny. Let me tell you a little about Jenny. She is 21, likes to go out dancing and celebrate with the ladies. When she tells others that it's her 21st birthday, people left and right want to buy her a drink. It's a pretty good deal actually.

But let me really tell you about Jenny. Jenny is Maddie. Maddie discovered the perks of pretending to turn 21 two years ago and so a tradition began. (For the record, Kimbie made the "announcement" that is was her 21st!) Every spring, we go out to celebrate Jenny's 21st birthday. While technically Jenny should be 23 now, and in reality she's pushing 28, we are going to live it up for as long as we can.

So to let the tradition live on, we made the trek to Belltown for some dancing last Saturday. We love us some dancing.

The crew.

Dancing begins. Oh wait, is Straube starting to robot dance?

Oh yes she is! And now she's crazy robot dancing and I apparently love it. I actually really do.

Throw your hands up in the AIR!

One thing about Belltown is that there are a lot of sketchy fellas out there. Some just stand on the perimeters of the dance floor and watch. Like these dudes.

That's why when you find these dudes that are FAR more interested in dancing with each other, you got a good thing going on. Guys that 1) like to dance 2) know and scream sing all of the lyrics to the latest Britney song, actually better than you.

Oh Belltown, if only you weren't so exhausting. Can't wait to hang out on Jenny's 24th, errr, next 21st birthday!

Compliments and Appreciations

We started this new tradition in our office called Compliments and Appreciations (thanks to Susie!). Basically, you put little notes of kindness about your coworkers in a box, which are later read out loud in the next staff meeting. They can be anonymous or not, and they can be as basic as, 'thanks for picking up lunch the other day' to 'thanks for all you do on the ______ account.' The sky is the limit.

I have to say, I think it's a great little tradition. It's an easy way to put a smile on someone's face.

Below are a few notes that I keep on my bulletin board by my desk. I would like point out the words: guiding light, you are a wizard, kick a*$. So I'm pretty much a glowing wizard that kicks ass, right?

Does your office have any morale boosting traditions?

Cake Pops

Have you tried Starbucks cake pops yet? No? Well, get on that. Immediately. They are the perfect creation to satisfy a Friday afternoon sweet tooth. I had the Rocky Road, but believe me, I'll be back for the birthday cake and tiramisu flavors soon.

Happy Friday, again!

TG(iPhone)F

When I saw this series of pictures, they made me laugh. I remember trying so hard to take a good picture of us with the beautiful, landscaping views of vineyards in Sonoma wine country.

The wind and sun had other plans.

After NUMEROUS attempts of trying to get one that 1) didn't have my hair all up in my face 2) didn't have sun flares and 3) didn't make one of us look ridiculous, we settled for one where I just sort of had hair in my face.

But now I think I like the series of pictures best because it takes me back to that moment. That moment of being on vacation in warm, sunny California with one of my best friends.

[Clicking heels like Dorothy to go back in time.]

Home

That's Samish Island out there. Taken from Chuckanut Mountain. Isn't it pretty? Gotta love my home.

I covet

While I'm on the topic of dresses, I can't help but swoon over this gorgeous number. The moment I saw this dress in the latest Nordstrom catalog, I fell in love. We're talking "who's that cute fella in the plaid flannel shirt at Cupcake Royale?" love. Well, maybe a little different. Maybe "that blazer is coming home with me" love. Yes, that's it. Except it's not coming home with me because 1) they don't have my size (already!) and 2) I'm trying to be good about not spending money.

Side note: I did solve my cross body bag situation. For a whoppin' $11.99 with free shipping! Thirty minutes later, I notice my new bag is sold out completely. Phew. Thanks Old Navy, for coming through in crunch time. We'll see if it fits the bill once it arrives.

Grey dress

Last night a few of us went shopping for bridesmaid dresses. Autumn is letting us all choose our own dress in grey, then add fun, yellow accessories. I think I found mine. Just add a chunky yellow necklace and wa-laa! Beautiful. What do you think?

Sounders + Sun + Steph = Fun.

I've been to a Sounders game a time or two, but this this weekend was one of my faves. The sun was shining, the company was fantastic and the cute little family in front of us were pretty entertaining.

Steph and I are completely on the same page when it comes to soccer enthusiasm and knowledge. Sure, we support and get excited for our hometown team, but a loss won't make us lose any sleep. And when it comes to understanding all of the technicalities of the sport, let me just say that there were more than a couple times that we were clueless as to what just happened. But luckily we were sitting in the die-hard section, so we just followed their queues-- cheering and raising our scarves, or yelling something along the lines of, 'are you kidding me, ref?!'

In the end, the Sounders won so everyone left happy. We left especially happy because we decided that our next stop would be Nordstrom. Perfect post-game activity, don't you think? Thanks for bringing me to the game, Stephers!

Look, it's my people :)

TG(iPhone)F

We're turning back the clock for another edition of TG(iPhone)F. Today you'll get another glance of Meredith's beautiful wedding. Well, not so much about the wedding, but a couple who attended the wedding. (Speaking of Meredith, she writes the most thoughtful thank you notes that I feel like I have to write a thank you for her thank you. So thank you, Meredith - for inviting us to your fun wedding!)

Before the ceremony, we picked up some coffee and walked around the Seattle University campus - which is actually quite pretty. I think it helped that it was a lovely fall afternoon.

Then after the ceremony, we got down to business. Eating, drinking and dancing the night away. Luckily, wedding season is almost upon us, so we can get this party started again!

Shiny Shower

I love these shiny showers-- especially the way they are contrasted with darker, more masculine colors. If the bathroom was yellow or pink, it might not have the same effect. I don't know about you, but I think my showers would get even longer if I had one of these in my home. Don't even get me started on the bathtubs.

pics via remodelista

Spicy chicken fried rice

I have four things to say about this recipe:

1. Add a lot of red pepper flakes. The more the merrier.


2. Read how long it takes to cook brown rice. (We did not think it took 45-50 minutes to cook brown rice! So we ate at 9:30 pm. The rest of the recipe goes quick though.)


3. This recipe might get even more interesting if you add an egg like real fried rice.


4. Water chestnuts are so delicious. Why is that?

Spicy chicken fried rice with peanuts

Ingredients

1/4 cup less-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups red bell peppers, diced (about 2)
1 cup onion, diced
1/4 cup green onion, thinly sliced and divided
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
5 cups brown rice, cooked and cold
2 cups chicken, cooked and diced (about 1 pound)
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1/3 cup dry-roasted unsalted peanuts

Directions
Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well with a whisk.

Cook rice.

Cook chicken and set aside.

Step back and take a picture of your studly cooking machine.

Heat canola oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, diced onion, and 2 tablespoons green onions to pan; stir-fry 3 minutes or until tender. Add ginger and garlic; stir-fry 1 minute. Add rice, chicken, and water chestnuts; stir-fry for 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring gently. Add soy sauce mixture; cook 2 minutes more, tossing to coat. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons green onions and peanuts.

Ok, now look at this cooking machine! A pretty studly cooking machine, eh?

A good sign

The skies are still cloudy. I'm still wearing rainboots. (But luckily, cute ones!) It's pretty muddy at Green Lake.

But the flowers are blooming. A sign of good things to come. Amen. (But please, for the love, please come faster!)

TG(iPhone)F

Erika and Einstein at Steve's Birthday Party Don't judge the quality, it was dark out :)

One day I asked Joe if I could get my hands on some of his iPhone photos because he actually takes quite a few. Then a few days later, a folder on my desktop magically appears - "iPhone Photos". How'd he do that? I still don't know.

At any rate, I've decided I'll share a few here and there. So today I have to introduce you to Einstein. Einstein is Olita and Steve's adorable little pomeranian. I'll be honest, I wasn't much of a pomeranian fan before. That is, until I met Einstein. Then he completely won me over with his fuzzy little coat of fur and slight head tilt. (Or "cranial tilt" as Olita refers to it as.) I just want to pick him up and hug him all day. How could you not with that cute little fluff ball?