October « 2011 « Covet Living

(Clockwise from top left: Isabella Birdy, Discessum, Smalltown Doll and The Pure Wonder)

For the first time in a short while I was completely able to relax this weekend, which, duh, means I got to stay in my sweatpants for 12 hours straight today. The fiance is out of town so it was just me and the dog here, being zen’d out and catching up on random stuff. And lo and behold, it’s actually feeling Fall-like, so all day I dreamt about piling in ingredients for a yummy soup or pot roast to welcome said fiance home. Of course, he doesn’t get back til tomorrow night and a friend asked me to dinner tonight, so that was shot. But you get my point. Anywho, a list of some delicious things I’ve been enjoying/wanting to get my hands on lately. This first one’s a killer:

1. Le Creuset 2-Qt. Cast Iron Enamel Heart Casserole. You guys, this has got to be the coolest, fill-my-heart-to-the-brim wedding gift, ever. And how apropos that our food blogger is responsible for this? I heart you, Jessica.

2. Two new TV shows. First, “American Horror Story”. This is unlike any horror film. That’s because this is the most warped, psychotically demented telling of a horror story, and it’s on TV. And written by Ryan Murphy of Nip/Tuck and Glee. And it co-stars one of my favorite TV moms, ever, Tami Taylor from FNL. If you can stomach it, go watch it. Happy friggin’ Halloween.

(Why does Tami Taylor have her hands on that guy? That’s not Coach Taylor)

And second, “Chelsea Settles”. The oddest thing happened the other night: I turned on MTV and found myself hypnotized by this new doc series around a 23-yr-old girl who wants to move to LA to pursue her dream of getting into the fashion biz. Chelsea Settles is a small town girl, 324 lbs and just lets every single drop of emotion hang out there for the cameras. You absolutely can’t help but root for this girl. Watch this clip:

3. Peach colored hair tips. Lauren Conrad, you’ve outdone yourself once again. Gurl, you can do no wrong. First were your tie-dyed tips, and now some peachy keen ones. Love ’em. If I was a blonde I’d be on this a drunken college girl upside down on a keg.

4. My shiny, olive green Anthropologie harem pants courtesy of the one and only Shtayph. The only thing cuter than these silky, cute pants is the fact that Steph sports a pair too. Meaning next time we see each other we’ll both wear them, and it’ll be like the movie Twins, Part 2. I’d play the Danny Devito character, duh:

I found pix on the net of this sassy Anthropologie employee with much longer limbs wearing the pants:

(via)

5. TheBlogess and Suri’s Burn Book. Two of the most wickedly hilarious blogs I’ve read in a while.

6. The trailer to this endearing-looking forthcoming documentary, Being Elmo. Just watch and try not to melt a little.

Happy beginning of the week everyone.

Hearts and stars,

I remember when I was in high school, and I’d eat the crap out of some smoothies and bagels, thinking they were “good for me” and low fat / low cal. Come to find out, most of the smoothies and bagels you get out there are loaded with sugars and fake goop. Quel dommage! So, as far as smoothies are concerned, I make my own from all fresh/natural ingredients and down them post-workout. Below is my favorite concoction – you can alter as needed:

TOSS IN BLENDER:

1 cup soy milk (you can also use regular moo cow milk)
1 cup frozen mixed berries (the 4 lb bag pictured from Costco is my fave – $12.63)
6 oz. plain Greek yogurt (you don’t have to use it, but it has loads of protein and def makes the smoothie more filling)
Optional squirt of honey or Agave nectar (whatever you use, make sure it’s all natural… it’ll sweeten your smoothie up)

Blend… If it’s too chunky and needs more liquid, I usually toss in a dash of water – MAYBE 1/8 of a cup and blend again – add gradually so you don’t make it too watery. And that’s it (!) Voila! Depending on what you have on hand, you may also want to add:

Banana
1 Tablespoon peanut butter (this makes it taste like a graham cracker… which I love)
Orange (or, if you’re lazy like me, one of those 1,000 mg natural vitamins)