grilled artichokes

Just a quick thought to begin the day after the events at the Boston Marathon yesterday.  Sending love and prayers to everyone involved- the runners, spectators, volunteers, medical staff, and those not in Boston but impacted all the same.

exactly

And onto my original post for the day...

I am so excited to share one of my favorite new recipes with you all today.  I have always LOVED artichokes, but I have usually only enjoyed them steamed with butter or in my mom's artichoke dip recipe.  Josh and I have been grilling more now that the weather is warming up, so one night last week, we decided to throw our artichokes on the grill.  The results were delicious, and the artichokes are so flavorful we didn't even need butter or any other type of "dip" for the leaves.  These are a great, healthy option for you next time you feel stuck in a veggie rut and I hope you'll try them soon!

Grilled Artichokes

recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 large artichokes
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 3/4 C. olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. salt chopped
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

1. Fill a large bowl with cold water.  Squeeze the juice of one lemon wedge into the water.  Trim tops of the artichokes, cut into halves, and remove the "choke."  Place the halves of the artichokes into the bowl of water.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Meanwhile, heat an outdoor grill to medium high heat.
3. Add artichokes to boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes. Drain.  
4. In the meantime, squeeze the remaining lemon wedges into a small bowl.  Stir in olive oil, garlic salt and pepper.
5. Brush the artichokes with the garlic mix and place them on the pre-heated grill.  Grill the artichokes for 5-10 minutes, basting with the garlic dip and turning frequently until the tips are a little charred.
6. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

xo,

a weekend of celebrations

Goodness it's already Monday!  My school year is winding down...only two actual classes left to attend, and then only a few exams and papers are standing between me and graduation!  What a scary, scary thought. Even scarier though was that this weekend I sent in my bar application.  Lots of forms, signatures, and personal information later, I am one step closer to actually being a lawyer.  EEK!

and it's off!

Anyway, we had a weekend FULL of birthday celebrations.  April seems to be the month to be born in the Bryan family with Josh celebrating April 5, my brother-in-law Cotton on April 12, and my nephew Jake on April 14.  So, as you can imagine, we have been eating LOTS of birthday cake.

We started off on Thursday with an amazing adult dinner with Cotton and May to celebrate the two birthday boys. (More to come on that later this week.)

delicious

Friday we had a quick, early dinner with kids to celebrate Cotton.  This was a big year for him and all those candles may or may not have contributed to the icing literally melting right off the cake... Just kidding Cotton...so glad we got to celebrate with you!

lots of candles...

The real highlight of the birthday circuit was the celebration for Jake on Sunday night.  When asked what he would like to do for his "family birthday" celebration, he asked to go to "one of those places where you can get food, then go back and get more if you want it."  In other words...a buffet.  So, my amazing sister-in-law planned a celebration at the best buffet she could find...

so excited...

Imagine my surprise when I walked in the door and found that May was my twin for the night!  Great minds think alike.  May, I am really just channeling you and getting as much "May" in my life as I can for the next few weeks.

can't tell from this, but our earrings are identical and our shoes are nearly identical!

I was even more surprised once I had officially experienced a Golden Corral buffet.  Y'all, the salad bar is really good and the yeast rolls are not to be missed.  To top it all off, they even have soft-serve ice-cream...a little bit of heaven in a bowl.  While I likely won't be driving back to Raleigh to visit GC anytime soon, I know the birthday boy thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to go back again!

chocolate mouth, ice cream with candy, cotton candy- what's not to love?!

Finally, although I am five states away, another amazing celebration happened this weekend in Gainesville, Florida.  My Gators broke the million dollar mark at Dance Marathon at UF.  I was able to watch the closing ceremonies from a streaming webcam and the moment that they announced the total took me right back to the O'Connell Center six years ago.  I am so proud of the dancers, captains volunteers, patients, Shands staff, and overall team- you all have done what we only imagined was possible just six short years ago.  Congrats on a record-breaking year and sleep well knowing that you all have impacted the lives of hundreds of pediatric patients.  For more information about Dance Marathon and Children's Miracle Network, check out this webpage.

amazing

xo,

friday finds: trader joe's favorites

Happy Friday!  If you are anything like I used to be, you might avoid Trader Joe's because it is always packed.  I literally used to avoid going at all costs because I couldn't maneuver my cart and I couldn't get through the crowds to actually see the items available to buy.   In short, I was completely overwhelmed by the store.

I can't do anything about the crowds that flock there on Sunday afternoons, but I can help by sharing some of my favorite products with you.  Hopefully this will help you manage those crowds effectively and make the experience a little more pleasant.  If all else fails, just remind yourself: all those people wouldn't be there if they weren't getting something great... patience and persistence pays off!

:: Hummus :: 

Hands down, this is my favorite TJ's purchase.  While tahini in regular hummus provides some "good fats," the lack of tahini in this hummus makes it light and fluffy.  It is always in our fridge (usually with an extra backup companion) and it is the perfect spread for sandwiches or  dip for crackers or veggies.

:: Edamame Hummus ::

When I want something a little "fancier" than traditional hummus, I grab this edamame hummus.  It's the perfect savory dip for a party, and pairs well with chips, crackers, or veggies.  

:: Savory Mini Crackers :: 

This is the other item I buy in bulk at Trader Joe's.  These are the perfect little cracker for my hummus, but they are also great by themselves for snacking.  I have had lots of late classes this semester, and I make sure I always have a snack bag of these crackers with me to munch on when my stomach starts to growl.  (My classmates appreciate that they are small, quiet, and don't take up valuable desk space!)

:: Dark Chocolate Bar ::

When I want a sweet fix at the end of the night, I grab a square...or two... of one of these dark chocolate bars.  I love the toffee with walnuts and pecans variety, but there are tons of options to choose from.  (I have my eye on a dark chocolate sea salt variety for next time.)  Just as a heads up, these are at the check out "end caps" so you can grab them while you are waiting in line!

:: Buttermilk Pancake and All Purpose Baking Mix ::

I blogged about this mix a few weeks ago when I shared a recipe for fruit scones.  I must admit I bought this box with the intention of making pancakes one morning, and it wasn't until I was going through our pantry pre-Easter that I noticed that this box had recipes on the back for TONS of other goodies- not just pancakes.  With this box alone, you can make pancakes, scones, chocolate chip cookies, or biscuits.  While that doesn't make me feel great about serving pancakes for breakfast (it's just a modified form of a cookie apparently?!) it is nice to have that much variety in one little box.  

:: Trader Joe's Cheeses ::

This picture is a little deceiving because it is meant to showcase that TJ's has a great selection of a variety of cheeses.  Their fresh ricotta is delicious, as is the goat cheese and brie.  I love the price point and they have a wonderful selection.  Make sure to stop by and browse on your next trip.

Our next city doesn't have a Trader Joe's (but rumors abound that one is coming) so I am relishing my favorite products now.  Do you have any Trader Joe's favorites that I need to try before we move?

xo,

warm weather make up

Hello Friends!  We have had a rapid and unexpected blast into summer-like temperatures around these parts and it has made me re-think my makeup routine.  While I don't typically wear too much makeup, warm temps make me want to wear even less.  I think it's a product of the heat, humidity, and desire to be able to jump into a swimming pool at a moment's notice without emerging looking like a clown.  With the warmer days of summer fast approaching, here are a few products that I will have in heavy rotation: (and likely into the fall, winter, and spring!)

1. Boscia BB Cream.  Boscia considers themselves to be a skin-care line, not a makeup brand.  The result is this BB Cream that goes on smoothly, provides SPF, and never clogs your pores.  My very favorite thing about this make up though is that it is a self-adjusting shade.  It really adjusts perfectly and gives me a sheer coverage with a bit of color- almost like I am wearing bronzer and moisturizer in one.  This is literally my favorite product in my entire make up bag...give it a try...year-round!

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2. Revlon Lip Butter.  I've posted about these bad boys before, and my love affair has only grown stronger since.  I have tried lots of different "drug store" brand lipsticks in recent weeks, but none go on as smoothly and provide as much moisture as the lip butters.  I also love that these go on sheer but can become higher impact if you add a few coats.  Sweet tart is one of my favorite colors- the perfect pop of pink for your lips when you want to be a little more pulled together.

image

3. Essie Nail Polish in Watermelon.  While I used to be partial to OPI, Essie has recently become my "go to" nail polish brand, and watermelon is my "go to" color.  I love a bright polish on my toes to show off my favorite summer sandals, and this is a great shade of bright pink.

image

The last thing in my make up bag this summer will be a cream blush.  I typically use Bobbi Brown's illuminating powder blush, but I want to try a cream blush for summer.  I am looking for a sheer formula that can be layered for intensity.   Do you have a favorite you can recommend?

Here's to warmer weather, icy drinks by the pool, and streamlined make up routines!

xo,

wedding registry: when to register

Happy Wednesday!  The weekend is in sight friends...just hang tight!

Today I thought I would address a question that many of you have asked:

"When should I register?"  

My immediate reaction is to say register as soon as possible after your engagement.  (Note, this does not mean you should, under any circumstances, register BEFORE your engagement...even if you have seen the ring and know the question is coming in a matter of days- don't go there.)  My suggested timeline would be to get engaged, CELEBRATE, set a date, then register.

ring / champagne / calendar / gifts

As people hear about your engagement, they may want to purchase a small gift of congratulations.  While they may or may not look to a registry to purchase a gift like this, people always appreciate any guidance you can provide via a registry about your preferences.  Also, people will begin throwing showers and engagement parties.  Often guests will look for your registry in order to purchase gifts for these celebrations.

image

If all else fails, you MUST be registered before your wedding invitations are mailed.  Once guests receive invitations, a number of them will want to send you a wedding gift in advance of the big day.  The formal wedding invitation is the trigger for many people to not only RSVP, but also to search for your registry....SO make sure it's there and up to date!

If you have a wedding registry question, feel free to email me, leave me a comment, or post your question on the "Ask a Wedding Registry Question" page at the top of the blog!

xo,

roasted shrimp with feta

Hello!  As promised yesterday, I have another AMAZING Barefoot Contessa recipe that you MUST try.  I made this on a whim a few weeks ago, and I have literally had to stop myself from making it once a week.  I decided that ten days was an acceptable amount of time between repeat recipes and we enjoyed another round this weekend.  I must say- the second time did not disappoint.  It's an easy, delicious option that has definitely earned a spot on our favorites list.  Though it is good enough to be a "special"meal (ie: Josh's birthday dinner) it is also fast enough and easy enough to be a week night dinner.  Give it a try and let me know what you think...Barefoot Contessa has done it again!

roasted shrimp with feta

Roasted Shrimp with Feta
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa, How Easy is That?
[original recipe here]

Ingredients

• 4 Tbs. olive oil, divided
• 1 Tbs. minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 1/4 C. dry white wine
• 1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp. tomato paste
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2. tsp. ground pepper
• 1 1/4 lbs. peeled shrimp with tails (I usually use 15 shrimp, but the recipe could easily work for plenty more.)
• 5 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 C. bread crumbs (I use 3 pieces of wheat bread and pulse them in the food processor to make bread crumbs.)
• 3 Tbs. minced fresh parsley
• 1 tps. lemon zest
• 2 lemons

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Heat 2 Tbs. olive oil in a 10 or 12- inch heavy oven-proof skillet over medium-low heat.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any brown bits of garlic.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, until liquid is reduced by half.  Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet.  Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes.
3. In the meantime, combine bread crumbs, parsley, and lemon zest with the remaining 2 Tbs. olive in a small bowl.  
4. Arrange shrimp, tails up, in one layer over the tomato mixture in the skillet.  Scatter the feta evenly over the shrimp.  Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the shrimp.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, until shrimp are cooed and the bread crumbs are golden brown.  Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the shrimp.  
6. Serve hot with crusty bread (the rosemary olive oil bread in this post is my pick) and remaining lemon cut into wedges.  

Enjoy!

xo,

spring weekend

Good Morning!  While I wish I had wonderful weekend adventures to share with you, I’m afraid the most adventurous thing I did this weekend was wear my red skinny jeans.  (Speaking of which, I LOVE these gap skimmers…so many fun colors.  I'm convinced Gap denim is the best- just as flattering as more expensive brands and at a great price point!)

gap

It was a studying kind of weekend, and although I spent most of my time preparing for exams I can’t complain too much.  The view out of my window was gorgeous and I had the chance to sit outside on our porch to review for at least a little bit each day.  I am trying to soak up all of this beautiful weather before we head back to Florida and searing temperatures. 

reusing this picture of the blooming dogwoods in our neighborhood...this is the best I can do to explain how beautiful everything is around here!

We didn’t have a big blowout, but we did celebrate Josh’s birthday this weekend.  In an attempt to make his favorite dessert, a strawberry pie, I managed to have the wrong proportions and ingredients on FOUR different pies.  The last two turned out best (though not nearly the consistency they should be) and he has been plowing through them. 

sunday morning

sunday afternoon

knowing how much I LOVE forks left in the fridge for easy bites throughout the day...Josh left me this sweet note...still think it's gross- sorry Josher

We had low key dinners in this weekend, sushi on Josh’s actual birthday and our favorite Barefoot Contessa greek shrimp on Saturday night.  (Recipe to come tomorrow!)  I also managed to sneak in a Sunday Supper and Ice Cream date with the nieces and nephews.    

greek shrimp

how cute are they?!?  gotta love jake and david's serious lounge faces and poses!

the ice cream crew...minus may!

With just one month until I graduate from law school, I thought this quote was appropriate.  While most of my peers are headed off to law firms or clerkships, I am sticking with pursuing "alternative careers" as the Career Services Office would say.  I have loved my time at Carolina, and I can certainly say that I have seen things to startle me, met people with different points of view, and that I am proud of the last three years.  It hasn't always been easy, but I think I've made the best of my time and I feel beyond blessed by the chance to get a top-notch legal education and make wonderful new friends.  I'm not sure if I've fully grasped how quickly this chapter is coming to an end, but this quote makes me excited for whatever is next.

image

xo,