Books, Books, Books

In case you need some beach reads here are a few I've read lately:

The Knockoff 

This reminded me of the Devil Wears Prada but with the roles reversed.

From Amazon: An outrageously stylish, wickedly funny novel of fashion in the digital age, The Knockoff is the story of Imogen Tate, editor in chief of Glossy magazine, who finds her twentysomething former assistant Eve Morton plotting to knock Imogen off her pedestal, take over her job, and reduce the magazine, famous for its lavish 768-page September issue, into an app.

 The Vacationers
I didn't love this one as much as I wanted to.

From Amazon: For the Posts, a two-week trip to the Balearic island of Mallorca with their extended family and friends is a celebration: Franny and Jim are observing their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary, and their daughter, Sylvia, has graduated from high school. The sunlit island, its mountains and beaches, its tapas and tennis courts, also promise an escape from the tensions simmering at home in Manhattan. But all does not go according to plan: over the course of the vacation, secrets come to light, old and new humiliations are experienced, childhood rivalries resurface, and ancient wounds are exacerbated.

 The Hurricane Sisters
I loved this book and highly recommend that you listen to the book on tape. I was laughing out loud in the car but it may have been because it reminds me of my family.

From Amazon: Hurricane season begins early and rumbles all summer long, well into September. Often people's lives reflect the weather and The Hurricane Sisters is just such a story. Once again Dorothea Benton Frank takes us deep into the heart of her magical South Carolina Lowcountry on a tumultuous journey filled with longings, disappointments, and, finally, a road toward happiness that is hard earned.

Next on my list:

 All the Single Ladies

From Amazon: New York Times bestselling author returns with an emotionally resonant novel that illuminates the power of friendship in women’s lives, and is filled with her trademark wit, poignant and timely themes, sassy, flesh-and-blood characters, and the steamy Southern atmosphere and beauty of her beloved Carolina Lowcountry.

Water from my Heart

From Amazon: Charlie Finn had to grow up fast, living alone by age sixteen. Highly intelligent, he earned a life-changing scholarship to Harvard, where he learned how to survive and thrive on the outskirts of privileged society. That skill served him well in the cutthroat business world, as it does in more lucrative but dangerous ventures he now operates off the coast of Miami. Charlie tries to separate relationships from work. But when his choices produce devastating consequences, he sets out to right wrongs, traveling to Central America where he will meet those who have paid for his actions, including a woman and her young daughter. Will their fated encounter present Charlie with a way to seek the redemption he thought was impossible--and free his heart to love one woman as he never knew he could?

Birthday Recap

We kicked off birthday month last week with an office celebration for all the June birthdays.

Friday, I went to lunch at Mon Amie with one of my students. We split the fries covered in melted brie. Holy moly it was good. They also brought me a yummy cake in a mug.

Sunday night, Dargan hosted a dinner party with some of my favorite Spartanburg people.

We started the night the palmetto cheese, baked brie, and an onion dip. For dinner, we had roasted shrimp, asparagus, and orzo followed by pound cake with strawberries and homemade whipped cream. It was the most fun night.

Monday, Amy, Sara and I headed to Charlotte for the Taylor Swift concert. We had a wonderful meal at 5Church that included a beet salad, a white pizza with shrimp, mussels, and a lemon creme brulee.

Then it was show time. Vance Joy opened and then Taylor came on. She is perfection. I loved every minute of the concert and would go back to see her again in a heartbeat.

On my actual birthday, I drove to Charleston to have dinner at Indaco with ML and Lash.

We split the prosciutto di parma, the coppa, black pepper tagliatelle, and agnolotti. It was all so delicious.

After dinner, we walked across the street to HOM for a drink and a few games of ping pong before heading back to the house for some cupcakes.

The past few days have been the most fun being surrounded and celebrated by so many loved ones. I can't wait to see what all 26 has in store for me. 

Lately

I made the most delicious dinner a few weeks ago. It was based off of this Grilled Caesar Buffalo Chicken Salad from How Sweet It Is. Grilled romaine is my new favorite thing. 

We showered sweet Laura in preparation for her August wedding. 

 I'm currently living in a construction zone as they work to straighten Main Street. They are supposed to finish in two weeks but right now it is one big mess. 

I got way too excited about this Target find. I use a planner but I love being able to meal plan on this marker board on my refrigerator. 

This past weekend was filled with fun gatherings including Blues, Brews, and BBQ. The Wofford Class of 2011 was there in full force.

After living in Spartanburg for almost two years, I finally made it to the Farmers' Market for the first time last weekend. I went again on Saturday and can't believe that it has taken me this long to go. This just may be my new Saturday morning tradition.

I dusted off the Kitchen Aid and baked a pound cake. I'll share the recipe soon. It's one you are going to want to keep on file.

And since it is birthday month, I'll leave you with this:

The Friday Five

1. Reading:

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life–dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge–he follows. After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues–and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

2. Eating:

It's a good thing this is a limited batch because I have no self control around Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Half Baked.

3. Listening to:

Mumford and Sons "Believe"

4. Recipe I'm pinning:

source

Inspiralized's Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai

5. Things I'm loving:

Be the tortoise, not the hare

Happy Friday!

Lately

I didn't mean for a whole month to pass between posts! Here is a lately post to catch up.

Anna, Amy, and I spent a few hours on a Saturday volunteering at the Hub City Hog Fest. 

The Budweiser Clydesdales made an appearance in the Burg for Spring Fling.

The Bike Race was held at the beginning of this month. I loved being able to tent hop and then pop back into my apartment. (And no, we did not coordinate our outfits.)

 We had two big weekends on campus with Spring Weekend and Spring Concert.

 I celebrated the end of great year with some of my students. 

I took a much needed day off and treated myself to two necklaces from Charming Charlies (pictured above and below). That same night, we headed to Greenville for a fun dinner at Roost followed by the Tour de Compadres concert.

 ML and I met in Charlotte the next night for Tour de Compadres round two. We had the most delicious dinner at Mama Ricotta's. I would go back in a heartbeat for their Grilled Salmon and Arugula Salad and their White Pizza. 

 You can't go wrong spending two nights in a row listening to Drew Holcomb, Ben Rector, and NeedtoBreathe.

And these are just a few things that have been happening lately!

Weekend Recap

Early Friday morning I headed to the airport to catch a flight to DC. After almost two years away, it was time to make a much needed visit to the city. Corby picked me up from the airport and after settling in at her house, we walked to my old office to have lunch with Margaret and Chloe. The accountant was also in that day so he made sure to welcome me back with another eviction notice. Don't worry, I didn't fall for it this time. 

We walked to Founding Farmers for lunch and had the best time catching up. It certainly did not feel like it had been two years since we all shared a meal together. After lunch, Corby and I contemplated what our next move was. Instead of doing the touristy thing since I've seen all the sights, we decided to catch an afternoon showing of The Longest Ride. I read this book months ago and was anxiously awaiting the release of the movie. It lived up to my expectations. Now I am just waiting for my real life Luke Collins/Scott Eastwood to appear. 

After the movie, we headed back to Georgetown to freshen up for dinner. We had a reservation at Coppi's per my request. This was one of my favorite spots but it was under construction when I left so I was excited to go back. We split a pizza and pasta dish along with a bottle of wine. My kind of meal! After dinner, we headed to Ri Ra's for a drink before calling it a night.

Saturday morning, we eased into the day with breakfast at the house and another Nicholas Sparks movie. We then headed to U Street for a Master's Party. It was the perfect day to be outside. 

After eating some pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches, we walked over to Masa 14 to catch up with some other friends. They have a great rooftop and we took full advantage of it - having drinks and then a bite to eat before our next stop. We then walked over to the U Street Music Hall to listen to Neulore and the Last Bison. I'd never heard of either of the bands but they were great. I'm looking into bringing the Last Bison to campus next fall. I think they would be a hit.

On our way home, we swung by Vinoteca for a drink. I had their Bonal Sparkling Cocktail - Bonal Gentiane Quina, St. Germain, Aperol, Grapefruit Juice, and Prosecco. I hope to recreate it at home. Thanks to the guy next to us at the bar, we also learned that they have a bocce court out back in case you are ever looking for a day drinking activity.

Sunday morning, we packed up before heading to brunch. Before the trip, Corby asked where I wanted to go to brunch and I said it didn't matter. Well she picked Medium Rare which happens to be one of my favorite spots. You can't beat steak, frites, and bottomless Bloody Marys.

After brunch, we headed to the airport but not before driving past the cherry blossoms. It was the season's peak and you would not believe the number of people out and about. Between the Cherry Blossom 10 miler and the festival, there were people everywhere.

Overall, it was an awesome weekend spent with great friends. I'd be lying if I didn't say that adjusting to being back in Spartanburg this week has been tough. I love being close to family and I have a great group of friends but I really miss living in a big city and all that goes along with it.

What I Baked on Sunday

Easter Edition

These Coconut Macaroon Nests are the perfect addition to your Easter spread. Press the mixture into mini muffin tins to create bite-size baskets for your favorite Easter candies. For a chocolate version, fill each basket two-thirds full with melted chocolate before adding candies. 

Coconut-Macaroon Nests
Recipe from Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients 
Cooking Spray
4 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 package (14 ounces) sweetened flaked coconut
1 package mini Cadbury eggs or your favorite Easter candy

Directions 

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Coat mini muffin tins with cooking spray.
• In a bowl, stir together egg whites and salt with a fork; mix in coconut. Drop 2 tablespoons of mixture into prepared tins.
• Lightly press mixture into bottom and up sides of each cup. Bake until light golden on top, about 28-30 minutes. 
• Let cool in tins on wire rack for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the sides to loosen. Lift out of cups; let cool completely. 
• To serve, fill nests with 2-3 mini Cadbury eggs.