Vegetarian Quinoa Chili and a Catch Up

Well, shucks! I could have sworn that I posted between last Tuesday and today, but apparently not. While Charlie was out of town last week, I kept busy with a girls' throwback movie night, happy hour, pilates, and many walks filled with Lucy pulling me to three discarded slices of pizza in bushes nearby.

On Sunday, we hosted a small game night at our house. I tried my hand at making Vegetarian Quinoa Chili for the first time and thought the results were pretty delicious, despite the inappropriateness of chili in 90-100 degree weather. I was the only non-meat-eater of the bunch, but everyone else still seemed satisfied :) Our friends also brought mozarella, basil, and heirloom tomato salad and a decadent (but airy!) chocolate pudding/cake dessert. Wavelength and Cards Against Humanity were our favorite games of the night, and I can't wait to repeat soon... Any suggestions for future game nights?

My parents are in town, so tonight, we are headed out to meet them for dinner at a Peruvian restaurant in Hollywood. I can't wait for the ceviche mixto (and to see Mom and Dad)!

Jalapeño Fingers

I made some really delicious guacamole last night, but this morning, I'm still dealing with the painful aftermath of chopping up and removing seeds from jalapeños with bare hands. I should have learned my lesson the last time I made green curry and wanted to cry from burning-hand-syndrome for a full 24 hours, but, alas. I had no gloves at home and once again thought I was invincible.

I've heard that milk, tomatoes, acetone, shampoo, oils/lotions, and a mixed bag of other things help to remove or reduce the capsaicin-induced sensation of hell, but I've had poor (read: no) success with any of them. Any other suggestions?

Lazy Sunday

Happy Sunday morning! I'm relaxing for a couple of hours and waiting for Charlie and Lucy to wake up for coffee before I head to pilates. If time allows, we might go test drive some cars. I'm thinking about leasing or buying a new car - haven't totally decided yet - and am excited to start looking.

This afternoon, Charlie is jamming with a friend (Charlie is guitarist and overall musician extraordinaire), and I'm looking forward to hanging out, tidying up around the house, and planning some trips (!). I bought these yesterday... so maybe I'll also make some kind of popsicles to beat the heat.

Enough about me! There's been some good stuff on the internet lately:

- 40 Maps that will help you understand the world. Super interesting.

- I can't believe I'm sharing this (because I don't want anyone else to buy them)... but tickets are back on sale for The Book of Mormon at the Pantages theatre.

- Apartment Therapy's Survival Guide to Life in Los Angeles. I love the produce, flea markets, jeans, and that LA is a morning town!

- If you're looking to buy happiness, purchase an experience.

- Oh my, this.

- Cities by their Starbucks locations. I scored a grande.

- I really loved this look at American vs. French cheese.

- .... Sad/funny/true

- Beautiful photo.

(photo via Sprout Home Chicago's facebook page. I used to live down the street from this fabulous plant/flower wonderland and highly recommend them for any of your greenery needs.)

via pinterest

Friday Fresh Air

A couple breaths of fresh air to start the day off: Towsley Canyon (above), one of my favorite - and the nearest! - places to hike, and, Volcano Choir's deep yet dreamy Reprave streaming in full.

Happy Friday!

Book Recommendations?

image via pickle me this

On my flight home from Chicago, I finished up The Interestings, which I give two enthusiastic thumbs up. Now, I'm searching for a new book to read. Any suggestions?

My top book recommendations include The Corrections, The World According to Garp, Gone with the Wind, The Book Thief, On Beauty, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and Interpreter of Maladies.

(p.s. More on The Interestings and judging the book by its cover here.)

Back (Again)

Good morning! I'm back in Southern California after a wonderful, albeit quick, visit back home to Chicago. I spent a few days staying at my parents' house in the suburbs, where I drank copious amounts of coffee from their Jura espresso maker and lazed around with my mom and their Wheaten Terriers. We got in some good shopping and nostalgic eating (did you know there are no Noodles & Co or Potbelly's in LA?). I was also thrilled to see my brother, sister-in-law, and my adorable 8-month-old nephew who I hadn't seen since Christmas. He is growing like a weed - such a good eater and overall very happy, good baby. He doesn't even really cry, just dramatically whimpers. For the sake of my future self as a mother, I can only hope that his sweet disposition is hereditary :)

I spent Saturday in the city with one of my best friends, Libby (an acupuncturist and blogger). The drive downtown was insane; no matter what people say, I still think Chicago has worse traffic than LA. But, it was well worth it to wander around my old neighborhood, Wicker Park, and catch up. We hit up some of my favorite spots, including lunch at Jerry's (the salmon and crawfish burger with seafood topping ohmygosh) and Alliance Bakery for a baker's dozen of passion fruit macarons (I also highly recommend their almond croissants).

Now, back at home two days later, I'm still having trouble adjusting to the time change. It's only a two hour difference from Central to Pacific time, but it still throws my body all out of whack. Up two hours early this morning! Oh well, it's back to work again, and I'm crossing my fingers that I don't crash this afternoon. In the meantime, check out some of the Instagram photos from my trip below (and follow me here).

Chicago

I'm leaving for Chicago in just a few hours now, and I'm pumped! I can already tell that the trip will be too short as I straddle my time between work, suburbs, and city. Weather.com tells me that we may see isolated T-storms tonight and tomorrow morning, which I will welcome with open arms and watch with a cup of jura coffee through the french doors of my parents' house. Photos and updates to come...

Side note: I just turned 28, but 30 is looming around the corner. This wonderful article by Olivia Wilde just made me much happier about that.

And.. it's August

Hi friends! 

Can you believe it's August already? This summer has been flying by. I've been really busy at work and play lately, so my posts have been kind of sporadic, but at least I'm here, eh?

This past week...

I saw The Conjuring with some friends in Hollywood, and it was REALLY good (if you're into that sort of thing).

I ordered a new linen duvet cover and sheets - perfect for both warm summer nights and cool autumn evenings.

And I really loved a handful of things from around the web:

Hearing test disguised as an eye test (turn up your computer volume!).

Can't stop watching this video. Cutest thing I ever saw.

Is it really so much to ask to be safe, happy, rich, and comfortable?

George Saunders's inspirational advice to Syracuse University graduates.

Boring but perfect love story.

Portraits of the elderly.

p.s. A few posts ago, I mentioned that Charlie and I were going to go see The Way Way Back. To update - it was fantastic! A strong recommend. And an exciting thing about living in Los Angeles is that sometimes you go to see a movie, and there is a surprise Q&A with the writers/directors afterwards.  And this happened to us that night! Super enjoyable and genuine guys.