Archive for May 2010

18 May 2010

The resume of who I’ve become

By: Jessica B.

The lovely Amy inspired me to write this post because when she did this post on her blog, it made me really think about what my resume would be, listing traits about the woman I’ve become.

So here’s what I would put on my personal resume……

Dreams about running off to Europe for an adventure and to see things she’s dreamed about.

Has a tendency to break into dance when alone or with close friends. Location doesn’t matter, bus stop, store, elevator, apartment, it’s all game.

Is a loyal friend. Those who win her trust and are close with her, get her heart and soul.

Believes that the small things really matter the most.

Tries to read more but prefers to read respectable and trashy magazines on the weekends, including Vanity Fair, US Weekly, People and GQ. Also, she reads the last page of a book first, then will start it from the beginning.

Loves to laugh and make people laugh with her.

Has a love/hate relationship with food. Enjoys learning to cook and bake, but her inability to control herself around food makes this difficult to fully embrace.

Constantly challenges herself to expand out of her comfort zone and be more spontaneous.

Along with the attempts to live spontaneously, she is still a planner.

Is tough on the outside but has a teddy bear inside (no, not stuffing).

Battles body insecurities occasionally. Specifically: hips, boobs and stomach.

Perfect morning includes reading on her couch with the sun out, windows open and light breeze blowing in.

Loves purses and fashion. If she had another career, it would be personal shopper and stylist.

What about you? What would be on your resume?

Also, tomorrow I’ll be at Conan’s show at the Chicago Theater, if you want to follow along and see some Twitpics, follow me on Twitter!

17 May 2010

Kitchen adventures: Pasta, prosciutto and cheese

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Food

I love carbs. I do, I love them. I love pasta, bread, grains, everything that I shouldn’t eat a lot of :) If I could, I would eat pasta on bread with sauce and just savor how good carbs taste.

And my biggest offender from the carb list is pasta. I love it.

Plus, pasta is easy to cook and makes a quick meal when you don’t have a ton of time. And with this being a short week for me, I wanted to make a quick dinner that I didn’t even have to reheat (in case I’m really pressed for time).

So to keep the calories down while enjoying my carb love, I turned to Cooking Light and found this one: Cavatappi and Prosciutto and Parmesan.

Yes, I love prosciutto too which made selecting this so much easier. Here’s how it turned out.

Food styling mini-win

Ingredients:

  • 1/2  pound  uncooked cavatappi
  • Cooking spray
  • 1  garlic clove, minced
  • 1  tablespoon  finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 2  tablespoons  extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
  • 1  ounce  very thin slices prosciutto, cut into thin strips
  • 1/4  cup  (1 ounce) shaved fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (or Parmesan)

Preparation:

Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 3 tablespoons cooking liquid.

Heat pan over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add garlic to pan, and sauté 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add reserved 3 tablespoons cooking liquid and pasta to pan; let stand 2 minutes. Stir in parsley, oil, salt, pepper, and prosciutto; sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.

Verdict: Yum!

The mix of pasta, prosciutto and Parmesan was delish. It was light and tasty. Without a formal sauce, the EVOO still added flavor and the prosciutto gave it a nice hint of saltiness. Of course, I could always add MORE cheese and prosciutto but that’s just me :)

Now if it were only hot outside, that would make this more refreshing ;)

Do you love carbs? If so, what is your favorite to indulge in?

16 May 2010

Weekend recap: Laziness in three parts, books and food

By: Jessica B.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Well this week is a big one: Conan and VEGAS! And I’m super excited about both. But rather than spend the entire weekend doing errands and chores like I did pre-Nola, I did the opposite, be as lazy as possible.

Part one of laziness consisted of reading. Now that my library card is up and running, I’ve been trying to read a lot more and honestly, I forgot how much I enjoyed it. But now I have more books than I have time to read (oops!).

Here’s some of the books I’ve read lately:

I love Kelly Cutrone and really liked this book. Lots of great tips.

Yes, this is a teen fiction book, but it’s based in Wisconsin and a Romeo & Juliet-like look at farm and football

I know, it’s not a very impressive list, but it’s a start!

Part two of laziness was downloading photos from my camera, where I found these two gems:

3 Little Pigs sandwich at Silver Palm (featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations Chicago episode). The sandwich is pork, ham, bacon cheese and a fried egg. Thank goodness I split this with TC. No joke, I got the pork sweats

Hilarious sign in the Silver Palm restroom. Seriously, I want this at my house

Part three of laziness actually included trying on clothes to decide if I should return anything before I leave. I got this combat-style jacket from Banana Republic at more than half off, but I’m mixed on whether or not I should keep it. I feel like it makes my boobs and shoulders look like a linebacker, but it is flattering at the waist.

What do you guys think?

So that was the extent of my weekend fun. Now it’s time to read, rest and prepare for a big week!

How about you? How was your weekend?

New Movie Review: Iron Man 2 w/lots of RDJ deliciousness

13 May 2010

My new obsession: Stuff for the kitchen!

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Food

I have a list of things I rotate being obsessed with, for example, clothes, purses (okay I’m always obsessed with them), shoes, furniture (from consignment) and lately my newest love: kitchen tools and gadgets.

This is likely because I’m spending more time in the kitchen but I’m amazed at the cool stuff you can buy for it. I love walking through Macy’s kitchen department or getting lost in Crate & Barrel. I mean, it’s amazing the stuff you can have and cook with. I even find myself picking up a few new kitchen things here and there and getting inspiration for what I want to cook next.

But, alas, I cannot have it all now so I’ve made a list of things I am dying to get in my kitchen. Yes, some area a little more attainable than others.

Dutch oven

I could have used one this weekend. And it’s in blue, my favorite!

Spatulas

Williams-Sonoma makes great spatulas (but mine are always in blue or white)

Food processor

I don’t totally know what this does, but I should learn how to use it

Kitchen Aid mixer

I mean, this is the crown jewel of the kitchen

Spice rack

I never have the spices I need and buying them individually is more expensive

Panini press

I make a lot of sandwiches, and now they can be sexier

Cheese grater

Look how cute this is! Yes, I can’t believe I don’t have one of these in my house

Creme Brulee kit

I do really want to learn how to make this. And have a torch

So yes, those are the kitchen things I’m coveting right now. And being from Wisconsin, there is no excuse not to have a cheese grater. I might have to rectify that situation this weekend :)

What about you? Do you love buying kitchen tools and gadgets? Or what do you splurge on for your house? Any big weekend plans?

11 May 2010

Boob embarrassment

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Random

I’m taking this moment to say a big “I’m sorry” to my boobs because I’ve been kind of mean to them lately.

I’ve been saying mean stuff about them and making them feel bad about themselves.

Yes, I’m a boob mean girl.

For most of my life, I’ve been embarrassed by my boobs. They’re big, swell when I’m hormonal, get in the way and flop around like a whale when I’m in bootcamp class. There have actually been times I’m afraid that I will hit myself with my boob.

Bra shopping is one of my least favorite things to do because the bras I need to keep me covered and perky look like they would swaddle a small child.

Recently, I was trying on tank tops and when I complained that my boobs looked too big (like bigger than my head), the stylist said, “you have a full chest, be proud of that.”

That is SO MUCH easier said than done. My boobs don’t define me but they are a big part of me as a woman.

Sure, I like my boobs, I mean, they’re nice to look at, fit nicely in your hand (if you grab them politely) and look hot in a few outfits, but sometimes, I’m embarrassed by them.

Buying clothes can be challenging, button-down shirts are your enemy and getting support from dress-up bras is challenging. Plus, the sagging thing is a little disheartening.

But on the plus side, they easily fit keys and ID cards when you go out. It’s like a treasure chest down there :)

Puberty boob development sucked too, especially when you develop a chest before your friends. I vividly remember a mean girl grabbing my cute white Esprit sweatshirt and pulling the sides tight to show everyone my freak chest.

After that incident and the ensuing laughter, sweatshirts and big shirts were my best friends.

So yeah, I’ve been a boob hater lately, wishing they would magically shrink down a cup size or two but the boob self-esteem got a bit of a boost when I went to Nola last week.

Apparently hot weather, glowy skin and tank tops that accidentally show a hint of bra get quite a reaction. I had no idea!

I think my love/hate relationship with my boobs will run hot/cold but for now, I’m embracing them, D-cups for eva!

What about you? Have you struggled with embracing your cup size? Or do you love your chest as it is?