Way Out West

I've been slammed (as usual) at work this month - back in Seattle for work then a quick trip back to Texas to visit my family.  Here's a few quick (long overdue) pics!

Obligatory Space Needle picture

Dogs Days of Summer

Surprise landing to refuel at Dyess AFB - Abilene

In N Out Cheeseburger - Animal Style!!

Pike Place Market

Sustainable Seafood at Pike Place Market

Elephant Car Wash - Seattle

Weekday Holiday!

I live in D.C., so odds are I'm either I work for the federal government or an attorney, and in my case both.  Working for the fed means federal holidays (YAY!) but the timing of the 4th seems odd this year... I can't remember the last time we had a holiday totally in the middle of the week all by its lonesome.

I was initially a bit disappointed - What No Three Day Weekend?! - until I realized that it essentially meant TWO two day weeks!  Now this might actually be a proposal I could get behind.  It's always either Monday or Friday - none of those dull Tuesdays or dreary Wednesdays.  Unlike when they proposed Year Round School when I was a kid, I'm now increasingly in favor of shorter, more frequent breaks (anyone else miss nap time?).

Photo: Kevin Ambrose via Washington Post

I'm looking forward to tomorrow - Mr. Lincoln and I will be heading over to some friends to watch the fireworks from a friends roof deck, and we are making a boozy watermelon to beat the heat!  I've never actually been in D.C. for the 4th of July, normally taking advantage of the long weekend to visit family, so I'm pretty excited for this year! 

Don't Step on my [Multicolored Neon Running] Shoes

Sooo... I've been drooling over these babies for months.  My "saved" shoes in my Endless.com account will be one less - because these lovelies are now the newest members of my closet!


These New Balance WR1400 were more than I would normally like to spend... but I've decided if there is one fashion item that I won't give myself a guilt trip for, its new workout gear.  I needed new running shoes anyway, and I've been lusting after these for months.  And of course I couldn't resist the multipack of matching neon sock at the checkout. YES!

What kind of indulgences do you allow yourself?

Status Update...

So... clearly I wrote a few blog posts... and then never wrote any more.  I keep thinking still that I want a blog to record the things that I am doing and experiencing.  A way to remember things I want to look back on.  A way to revisit this part of my life (I guess that's really the origins of blogging anyway - anyone else remember livejournal?).

I've been traveling a lot for work, and I'd love for my photos to go somewhere than the CameraRoll of my iPhone 4S.  Seriously.  The digital age is so sad sometimes.  We take so many more photos, but sometimes they become kind of meaningless.

This week I'm in Cle Elum, Washington.  I'm a Texan, born and raised, and while I may live in DC now, getting out to the mountains of the west coast still remains a relatively foreign experience for me.  We're staying at a resort - my room literally overlooks the mountains; now capped, tree lined, with a river running through the valley just below my room.  I would feel spoiled if it weren't for working 18 hours a day.

But I digress.  Here is the part I want to remember.  The Cle Elum River at sunset.  I took quick solo hike down to the river just before sunset.

Up North here, the light slowly fades and sunset seems to lasts for hours.  I was the only one on the trail, and it was quiet and peaceful.  The river is cold, clear, and strong.  Its obviously carved the valley that my hotel rests atop, but at the same time is seems timeless, as if its run the same course for eons and always would.

It seems a shame to come to such a beautiful place, full of activities that Mr. Lincoln  and I like to do together, and to not be able to share it with him.  Its always hard to find the time and money to get away, and while this summer may not be the time to revisit the other Washington, I think this is a great reminder to do what you can, when you can.  Present over perfect.

Avocado Pesto Pasta

I work late. A lot. Like leaving the office at 8 - 8:30 regularly. When I'm getting home and its after 9:00, sometimes cooking a decent dinner seems like more than I can muster.  This dinner literally came together from the odds and ends of my refrigerator, inspired by a couple of different recipes I've seen on the internet (via Chef Chloe and Noriko Burky).  If you can imagine all the best aspects of pesto and guacamole, that's what this pasta was.  Light, creamy, filling, fresh, rich, fruity, salty, tangy - it was unexpectedly AMAZING.

Luckily, it's easily customizable depending on what you can scrounge together out the depths of your fridge at the end of a long day.  Here's what I came up with (but lets be honest - most of these measurements are approximations - start with this and see what tastes right to you!

Avocado Pesto Pasta
Adapted from Chef Chloe

1 serving pasta (I used whole wheat penne)
1/2 ripe avocado
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp grated parmesan
1 clove garlic
1 tbsp pesto (preferably homemade, or fresh pesto)
juice of 1/2 lime
1-2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach
Salt & Pepper to taste

Cook the pasta (don't forget to salt the water!).  While the pasta is cooking, grate the parmesan and combine it in a food processor with the avocado, garlic pesto and lime juice.  Pulse to combine.  Add enough EVOO so that the mixture becomes smooth and creamy (1 tsp to 1 tbsp should do it.)

As the pasta is just al dente, add the spinach and wilt (about 20 seconds in the pasta water.) Drain, and add the sauce mixture to the pasta.  The heat from the pasta will warm the sauce through - and dinner is served!

This was quite literally one of the most delicious dinners I've had, and it was so quick and easy, it will definitely be making it into heavy rotation around here.  Enjoy (and may I recommend a nice Chardonnay to accompany!)

Maxi Skirt @ Work

Yesterday after work I caved and did a little shopping for some fall updates to my wardrobe.  I was really on the lookout for a new blazer - as my new rule is that new additions to my (already overflowing) closet must be practical both for my work life and my days off.  If they don't fit the bill, they don't fit my life.

Now that I work in a highly professional (read: suits, or minimum suit separates) every day, the jeans, and even khakis of my former life have been all but forgotten at the back of my closet.  As a woman who once thought I would die without my denim, it's interesting that I really don't mind.

While suits make me feel more professional and put-together at work, its still important to mix it up every once in a while.  That's why I was so psyched to find this maxi skirt at Forever 21 last night - so psyched, that I had to wear it to work today!  While the skirt below isn't an exact match, its pretty close (and looks a bit nicer in the Polyvlore set.)
As someone who previously thought maxi-skirts would overwhelm my 5'4" frame, I realized its all about shape and proportion. Since this skirt comes right to my ankles, it doesn't cut off my legs awkwardly, and pumpkin color is bright without being overwhelming (and still appropriate). I knew that this piece could go well for days off and fall brunches, but had no idea it would be such a hit with the office. Stay tuned for how I wear it next (hint: lace tee and a jean jacket for a Halloween excursion to an NC pumpkin patch!)

Unanimous Decisions

Holiday season gives me anxiety - not Christmas gift-giving, roasting the Thanksgiving turkey (especially since Mr. Lincoln is a vegetarian) - but All Hallows Eve.  Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays, and each year I agonize over the perfect costume.

Over the years I've come up with some real winners; last year's skunk costume was a particular favorite, and typified the type of costumes I make.  Yes, make.  Don't worry, no complicated sewing crafts here, just hot glue, iron-on tape, and a few staples here and there to make sure things really stay put.

This year, thanks to a few friends, I am sure my costume will be no different.  I've never done a group costume together, but plan to give it a go as:

Mount Rushmore! See, that's me, on the left!  Mr. Lincoln decided he wanted to be Abe Lincoln this year for Halloween(big surprise there), and we wanted to do something thematic since its our first Halloween together (in 2.5 years).  Clearly GW is another great presidential choice, and when a couple other friends were looking for ideas (and admiring ours), the Mt. Rushmore costume was conceived.  Now, properly I guess this isn't a Mount Rushmore costume, but more of an interpretation as we'll all be dressing up as the flesh and blood heads of state, not stone faces, but I think the concept is solid.

This weekend will be spent thrifting a crafting a couple of the crucial pieces (namely, a longer navy jacket) and ruffled shirt, but I think I can create a sold base out of existing wardrobe pieces.  Realistically though, creating a costume with hot glue and stapling it on at the last minute is a tradition I always enjoy!   Jessica of What I Wore has already done some of the heavy lifting in envisioning a great interpretation of Washington here.

Favorite costumes? Ideas?