Monday, March 28, 2011

Cake Pops

I went to Starbucks a few days ago and came across this:



Le what?!?! A CAKE POP at Starbucks?! Awesome!! I read a blog called Bakerella, who bakes many things but has recently made cake pops very popular via her website and book. They are supposedly the new cupcakes, although I have also heard that whoopie pies are the new cupcakes, so who knows. lol all I know is that these little cake-lolly pops are delicious, and I can't wait to have more! :)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Spring!

The storms we had last night have given me hope that perhaps spring is finally arriving!! When I think of spring I think of many things, but I especially think of flowers. And when I think of flowers, I think of one place: the United States Botanic Garden.



It is part of the Smithsonian "complex" of museums, and is free to the public. I think it is one of the most under-appreciated museums in D.C., because it is GORGEOUS!! The last time I was there with my roommate, they were doing a large exhibit on orchids that was so beautiful. It is one of my favorite places in D.C.! Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure :)








Friday, March 18, 2011

Busboys & Poets

Due to my massive french toast craving this morning, I thought I'd share with you all a little bit about a cool place that my roommate and I visited the last time I was in DC! This place had delicious french toast. It is called Busboys & Poets, and it's super neat! Here's a picture to give you an idea of the "vibe" of the place:

via The Fab Empire

It was this cool cafe with a little store inside that had tons of books and other fun stuff, like bowls and bracelets and blankets and other things that start with "b", but all of the merchandise in the store was fair-trade and locally sourced. I really liked this place and have not yet found a replacement french toast that I enjoy quite as much....luckily this place can serve as an acceptable substitute for my REAL favorite restaurant in DC, Bread and Chocolate, which is sadly no longer with us :( booooooo!!!

Anyway. I get attached to restaurants :) happy Friday, everyone!!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Weekly Goals

I just read an awesome post on my friend Holly's blog titled "Weekly Goals". She talked about how peppering a to-do list with more fun or enjoyable tasks or goals can make the rest of your to-do tasks seem more manageable. I think this is a FANTASTIC idea! Recently I've felt a bit overwhelmed by my schoolwork, and so here is part of my to-do list for the rest of the week, including some more "fun" tasks so that I can balance the have to do's with some more fun to do's that will help my personal well-being :)

1. Complete government information quiz
2. Complete government information homework
3. Do research for exhibitions class project/visit Columbia College library
4. Go to Zumba or another class at the gym
5. Grocery shopping for ingredients to make another delicious quinoa samosa bowl
6. Birthday present shopping for my dad!
7. Do research/begin putting together list for YA Literature Website project
8. Clean apartment/start going through closet and getting rid of some junk
9. Re-do budget for the rest of spring 2011 semester
10. Have a super fun time hanging out with le boyfriend and other friends this weekend! (after the homework is done...lol)

Monday, March 14, 2011

Things I'm Loving Right Now

1. LeVersha Chair from Anthropologie. Wouldn't these be so cute in a breakfast nook, or on a patio?

via decor8

2. Bethenny Frankel's book "Naturally Thin." Most of you know this, but I just started Weight Watchers, and even though throughout the book she stresses that she does not like dieting and wants the reader to eat in a habitually, naturally thin way rather than following a strict diet regimen, it has helped me with following the Weight Watchers Plan!

via Bethenny Frankel

3. Daylight Savings Time, because now it's still light outside when I take the half hour break between my two Monday night classes! And for once I didn't have the worst night's sleep ever on the night we set the clocks ahead! :)

image via Daily Postal

4. Vegan potlucks! Last week I had a vegan potluck lunch with my friend Holly and my roommate Lindsay. Lindsay is a devout carnivore, and so she was skeptical, but I am happy to say that we all enjoyed everything we made! I made a quinoa samosa bowl, Holly made her "famous" polenta stuffed peppers, and Lindsay made some vegan pumpkin bread for dessert! It was all DELICIOUS and I hope to have another soon!

Quinoa Samosa Bowl, recipe at http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=38246.0

5. Cute pictures and fun times :)