Cheese and Pumpkin Don't Mix

I am going to place sole blame of this whole culianary fiasco on Home and Garden Magazine. While I was working yesterday I cut out a bunch of tasty Halloween recipes that looked promising for last night and the weekend. My roommates and I had already planned on pumpkin carving festivities and I figured we could put the leftover pumpkin to good use. Little to my knowledge, the pumpkin you carve is NOT the same as the pumpkin you bake with. 

We removed the pumpkin gunk.....

And made our own pumpkin puree with "pumpkin spices"...

It looks like such a well thought out meal.. :(

SEE IT LOOKS NORMAL....yet tasted like pumpkin cheesy mush

The boyfriend so politely pointed out that putting something sweet like pumpkin with something savory like mac and cheese will undoubtedly be disgusting...like cheese on whipped cream. WHATEVER.

Then I moved on the focus on these mummy cupcakes that didn't turn out too beautiful either. Since this was becoming a long process my lovely, wonderful, talented boyfriend took over my pumpkin carving project. Of course I was trying to be school spirited and the Florida State logo just happens to be a little tricky. The poor guy definitely dedicated an hour and a half of his life to not screwing up my lovely FS stencil shape.

My challenged mummy cupcakes...clearly this was just not my cooking/baking day

 

Corn holders are totally the way to go...

 

 Excuse the sideways pictures...it's me against my work computer and I NEVER win. 

But I'd say he did a pretty darn good job. He and I both knew I would give up after 5 minutes of attempting this carving feat so he's a trooper. :) I might still paint it with some gold glitter eeeeee! Can't wait for Halloween weekend and 3 days off!!!!!!

Desk Job Boredom

Since there hasn't been any head lice outbreaks or racoon bus stoways this morning to deal with at work...I've been bored. Let me take you all back to your myspace days and answer a bunch of questions about myself that no one cares about. Hey, nobodys making you read this nonsense.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes, some chick from the soap opera "All My Children"... thanks mom

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Friday Night Lights Finale- it's a sick and pathetic obsession

3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Ham I guess?

 
4. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Heck no...4 little brothers and sister is enough

5. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

never....
 

6. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes
 

7. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Done it. I would NEVER skydive. You need to be attached to something.
 

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?  

Special K all the way!
 

9. WHAT ABOUT YOU IS ALWAYS CHANGING?
My hair color and life goal/career path

10. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? 

Physically not so much...emotionally definitely.

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
This is a very serious subject...Mint Chocolate Chip!!!!!!!!!

12. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their teeth/smile

13. RED OR PINK?
Not really a fan of either because both clash with my red hair. Probably pink since it's a Phi Mizzle color.

14. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My impatient tendencies and my ankles, I mean kankles.

15. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My FSU college fraaaands :(
 

16. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Does iced coffee count?
 

17. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The humming of my office computer and the 877-CashNow commercial jingle from the news station that's on repeat
 

18. FAVORITE SMELLS?  

Cinnamin, Vanilla, and anything that smells like fall or Christmas
 

19. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

The boyfriend.

20. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?  

Depends on the season, my mood, and my company. DOES THE MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY HAVE A HOT TUB?!

21. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

FSU football, live baseball, lacrosse

22. HAIR COLOR? 

Brown currently, red naturally

23. EYE COLOR? 

Green

24. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

20/20 vision so far!
 

25. FAVORITE FOOD?  

Chocolate anything
 

26. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Both are my favorites!
 

27. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
No Strings Attached...Ashton <3333
 

28. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Gray
 

29. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer!!! I hate the cold!

30. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Ice Cream....

31. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?

Cardio! Running and spin!

32. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?

Neither these days when I'm not at work..

33. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Lauren Conrad's 3rd novel...no I'm not a 14 year old girl...
 

34. FAVORITE SOUND?
Rain at night
 

35. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Billy Joel...? 

36. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Europe...probably Turkey?
 

37. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Hm....not really :(
 

38. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Atlanta, GA
 

39. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?

Arlington, VA right outside of DC
 

40. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE? Brick

41. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Gray

42. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS?

Being too hard on myself 

43. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?

 To die without making a difference in anyone's life

44. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU IN LIFE?

Family, happiness, self-fulfillment

45.YOUR PERFECT PIZZA

Hawaiian :):)

46. YOUR MOST MISSED MEMORY

College football games aka tailgates with best friends & Rho Gamma 2011

47. HAVE YOU BEEN IN LOVE

Yes, fortunately and unfortunately 

48. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT THAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN?

Tahiti & Paris

49. WHAT'S ONE THING MOST PEOPLE WOULDN'T KNOW ABOUT YOU

I'm a hopeless romantic

50. GOAL YOU WANT TO REACH BY THE END OF THIS YEAR
Make a new plan with what I want to do with my life and actually stick with it.

Costumes Galore!

With Halloween coming up the costume ideas are brewing. Unfortunately, I gave away ALL of my awesome sorority costumes/outfits which isn't so convenient in times like these. Here's a trip down costume memory lane in pretty random order. (This work computer is not my friend) Socials and playing dress up at way too old of an age was clearly the main reason I joined a sorority....

This was the first outing with the DC roomies at the Legwarmers concert. It was short-lived for me thanks to the purple panty dropper cocktails.. Amanda and Lindsay cough cough...

Hippies and Hunters Social. This also happened to be my last Phi Mu social...tear.

Ah Halloween 2011 at Bullwinkles. This is one of my favorite pictures with my 2 of my favorite people.

Dressing like an absolute nut for a week was one of the many amazing parts about being a Rho Gamma (Recruitment Counselor)

My "Ice Cream Paint Job" 21st birthday. AKA best night of my life to date.

Caroline's "Miss America" 21st

Phi Mutany 2011...I should have burned this costume after that night.

Jackie's Woodstock 21st!

"Lets Get Weird" for Katherine's 21st Birthday...self explanatory for her... I'm creeping in on the left next to Reynolds

Halloween during the infamous Sophomore year. I think this was one of 7 costumes considering we went out that entire week.

I'm pretty sure this was another Halloween night either Freshmen or Sophomore year. Oh Megan how classy we were. Not to mention I lost that gun before we even got to the bar. 

Oh this might be the most special. Not only was this freshmen year, but it was Siedah's first Halloween celebration EVER! (She was deprived as a child) We're not going to awknowledge the fact that our roommate to the right may or may not have been the one who slapped me across the face in the Spring.

I miss you Sarah!!! This was her 19th or 20th birthday luau I believe. We were TGI Friday's bffs for my first year in college before she and Kels moved back home. :(

Having a photoshoot during the muster drill on the cruise was definitely necessary...such a great vacation!

Chy Town and I before the Discovery Channel social I believe.

TIA AND TAMERA! Our New Orlean's alter egos were back in action on Jess' pub crawl.

Let me just clarify that this was for a "WHITE TRASH BASH." UF = vomit. My shirt says "I LUV THE GAYTORS" if ya can't telllllll. ;)

Eric I couldn't resist...the night he and Ryan tried to crash our "When I Grow Up" social bahahah

Some social..I think I was a cop? Who knows lol

It's forecasted to snow this Halloween. Oh Washington D.C. what you do to me. I miss Florida!!!! I guess I'll be looking a little more pale and a little less naked this Halloween which probably isn't such a bad thing. Hope everyone has a safe and spooky weekend!!

Nature is NOT my friend

To continue on with my exercise escapades...I had another lovely incident on Tuesday. This time no bikers or actual human beings were involved, it was something much greater... freaking mother nature. 

I have a fabulous sense of direction, let's just put that out there. I noticed this awesome park on my drive back from the airport the other day filled with happy runners right along the GW Parkway. The leaves are turning and I thought it would be the perfect place for a beautiful, scenic run! I assumed after seeing the park so many times I'd know how to find it again...but of course I was wrong. DC IS A MAZE!

To get to the park (which is in the direction of DC) I needed to go South NOT North from Virginia...because that makes sense. Anywho, my dumb self went Northbound and ended up going deeper into Virginia somehow and stumbled upon a completely different park called "Turkey Run". At this point I was flustered and frustrated so I figured I'd give it a shot. 

Like... where the heck was I...?

I took the exit and drove up this windy empty road following the signs for the park to a deserted parking lot and trail entrance. It was about 5PM but still sunny and therefore I determined that my strong will to exercise should outweigh the empty sketchiness of the mountain land before me.

At this point I was ready for this long-anticipated run. I parked, put on my headphones, and headed down the trail towards the water. In all fairness it was really pretty, and I was definitely the only person there. (Lets just disregard the fact that I was alone, in the middle of nowhere where no one knew I was, with headphones in, clearly oblivious to my surroundings...SAFE...) Whatever! At this point I was going to run and it was going to be GREAT...and it started out just that way. 

About a half-mile through I realized why it was labeled as a hiking trail opposed to a walk/running trail. Apparently, the word "hike" was not to be taken loosely. On top of looking over my shoulder for an attacking Yetti every 10 seconds I had to dodge, leap, and climb over all sorts of branches and wildlife. Not to mention the spider webs and bugs flying in my face. Not.a.fan!!!!

Then about 2 miles in I reached my breaking point. After about 15 near ankle-rolls I approached the second area where you literally had to HOP ACROSS ROCKS/BOULDERS to cross the stream in order reach the other side of the trail. 

Woops...I left my walking stick and safari hat at home...

I felt like freaking Sassy the cat in the movie Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. Don't act like that wasn't one of your favorite childhood movies. We all remember what happened to poor Sassy when she was trying to cross on the rocks, down the river she went. I was NOT ready for a swim so I finally surrendered and declared yet another fitness failure. 

The fact that this picture exists on google is priceless

My big sister in my sorority Anna would tell me this is what I get for trying to exercise. I guess you're right (for once). Sitting on my couch eating a pint of ice cream probably would have been about equally as productive and much more safe and satisfying.

A co-worker told me another fun place to run so I'm sure I'll be blogging next week about how I somehow messed that up too. TRY TO CONTAIN YOUR EXCITEMENT. 

ANDDD just to add...I had my first lost child call in at work in the middle of writing this post. He got separated from his group at the Lincoln Memorial...AHHH. Reason #230823 why I WILL have leashes for my kids. 

Enjoy the rest of your week/weekend everyone! I have to work all through it, :( but I have Halloween weekend off so I guess that's nothing to complain about. Safe and happy exercising! 

Why Arlington is the best place EVER

I have come to decide that the lovely DC suburb of Arlington is seriously the most ideal place in the world to live if you are a twenty-something recent college grad. My roommates and I joke that we are never leaving and raising our purely hypothetical children in our townhome ten years from now. (Hypothetical because the three of us are NOT in favor of sacrificing our figures in the name of reproduction. Priorities.)

 Even Newsweek agrees, placing Arlington at the #2 spot of America's 50 best cities. :)

Here is why I love it:

1. Housing options

Unlike most cities, there is the option to live in any type of home you please! We live in a townhouse which is so ideal. There is no one stomping above you or below you like in a high rise, but there isn't the full maintenance factor of a house.

 

so many cute houses!

And if high rise city living is your thing, we've got those too! I can't imagine the moving process in one of these buildings. No thanks.

Like I said, personally I think townhouses are the way to go. We've got a nice deck, hardwood floors, a garage, all 2 blocks from the metro! Talk about best of both worlds! (No this isn't our place, but near our neighborhood. Gotta protect ourselves from the creepers out there)

2. Everyone's young and there's a real neighborhood

I'd say if you hit the Arlington bars everyone is between the age of 23 and 30. That's another thing...the bars of course. If you don't feel like riding the 4 stops on the metro or paying around $5 each for cab fare into DC, the Arlington bars are always an easy alternative. Honestly we're lazy and the nights that we actually make the 5 mile journey into DC are way too far and few between. When the Clarendon neighborhood is bustling every night of the week it is hard to find motivation to leave. 

 

$5 big beers from 11AM-9PM at Hunan and $4 sushi rolls...what a happy hour

Gotta love the rooftop bars in the summertime :)

 ...and so many live bands!!!

3. Location, location, location

While it's not cheap living on the same street as the metro, it's super convenient, and we're just a hop, skip, and a jump away from DC! Yes, I just used that phrase. 

When I worked in Georgetown I would actually run home because it was THAT close (and to avoid the crazies on the bus)

Horse country where my mom lives is only 20 minutes away as well...even though she's moving away from me now that I've moved back. :( Wine Country is also only about 30 minutes in the other direction... ;)

Finally, my biggest selling point when I was looking at moving to Arlington...one thing I missed the most during my 4 years in Tallahassee....

No caption necessary.

Basically, I'm loving life. Hope all of you are too where ever you are! Have a great weekend, scalp 'em seminoles! We need a win!!!!!

DIY: Scrapbook Paper Photo Frames

As many of you know, the room decorating process is an ongoing part of my life. I am trying to avoid the decoration overload to the point where it's obnoxious. I'm definitely straddling the line. There are just so many great things and so little wall space!!!!


I've seen this idea a couple times, and once Lauren Conrad put it in her blog clearly I was sold. This is the perfect alternative to framing photos if you've already gone picture-crazy in your room like I have! Plus, it's super cheap and simple if you get your frames somewhere like Home Goods. 


1. Purchase scrapbook paper and frames from your local craft store 

2. Put the paper in the frames...shocking, I know

3. I decided to add my first name initial to the center frame because I'm really vain like that

4. Finally, (about 20 holes in my wall later) it is complete! As you can see the Friday Night Lights Marathon is still going. Oh Tim Riggins <3. Don't judge me. 

Happy decorating! Can't wait until the holiday season!!!!! :)