Yum!

Houston summers are awful. I know it’s hot all of over the country right now, and we should be grateful that we have our big SUVs and A/C is pretty much a guarantee. However, that hasn’t kept me from wanting to strip down to a tank top / shorts and lay in a dark room every evening after work.

Last night, I thought Caprese Salad sounded refreshing, and it didn’t disappoint. Here’s the recipe I used.

Here are five reasons to love a caprese salad:

1. It looks pretty. The colors are appealing, and I like things that are small and come stacked.
2. A monkey could make it. Seriously, it’s so easy.
3. It’s refreshing – the basil totally makes it. I love the smell, but some may find it odd – in fact, when I opened the packet, Lee asked me if I smelled cat urine?!
4. It’s healthy. Use mozzarella from skim milk and don’t go nutzo with the olive oil and salt.
5. It’s super cheap. You probably have olive oil in your pantry and large, heirloom tomatoes are in season right now. The mozzarella can be a little pricey, but compared to other cheeses, it’s reasonable.

Enjoy!

Good Bye Paradise…

So after five days of bathing in the sun, and having to face decisions limited to Chi Chi or Margarita? it’s back to reality.  Cabo San Lucas is absolutely gorgeous, and we had such a great time.  It was wonderful to hang out with 7 wonderful ladies and enjoy a mix of adventure (aggressive banana boating, zip lining, booze cruise) and relaxation (3 hour dinners, daily Happy Hours, and personal hot tub.)

Here are a few pics from the trip.  I can’t wait to go back and enjoy the beauty and perfection that is Cabo.

View from Room #1 and our crazy large balcony.

All three of us reading Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang! I love her.  She’s crazy bananas.

 

Awkward self-timed pose.

Best.Dinner.Ever – Alcaravea – so delish!

The Arc.  I’m obsessed. 

Last night out with our custom koozies (Thanks Megan and Mere!)

Have a great week.  I’ll be dreaming about white sand and green water.

Weekend Preview…

Don’t you love the weekend? Even though it was a short week, I’m ready for a couple of days off. I have a lot to do!

What do you have planned? We’re going to a Happy Hour at the delicious Block 7 Wine Bar to celebrate my co-worker (and dear friend) who will be staying at home as a Full Time mom to her adorable son, and celebrating another friend’s b-day afterwards. Hope all the celebrating doesn’t hurt tomorrow at Define, because I’ve been slacking big time, and my jeans are not happy.

Tomorrow, the Brecks’ are coming to visit, and I imagine we’ll have some pool time, and if we’re lucky - Breckaritas – only the most delicious cocktail ever made with limeade, corona, tequila and love.

Sunday, I’m packing and getting ready for CABO! Cannot wait to sit on the beach/near the pool for 5 days straight. I’m bringing Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang (which I’ve already started and is of course hilarious) and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (which if anything like the first two, will be a chilling page turner.) What are you reading this summer?

Cabo sunset, 2007

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and if you haven’t seen it yet, check out this hilarious video making it’s way around the Internet – thanks for sending Melis!

That’s Genius:: Sunday Suppers

I just stumbled on a fabulous business idea that has been launched in Brooklyn. It combines several of my favorite things: food, photography, and friends! (Katie Trahan if you’re reading this – you should go and report back!) Basically you gather together in a loft (let’s face it; that’s cool as is) and learn to make an amazing meal with your friends, all while having the moments captured on camera. Check out this great idea and wonderful website here.

I love how they incorporate locally grown, organic food and focus on seasonal dishes brining in chefs from various restaurants to teach you how to make an amazing meal. Read more at Martha Stewart Living.

Here are some images from their classes… I’m drooling already:

Knowing how much us Houstonians enjoy eating and socializing, I think this would do so well here. Any entrepreneurs out there listening?!?

Images via http://sunday-suppers.com/ and A Cup of Jo.

Does anyone else…

Get a little bit sad on Sunday (or in this case Mondays) when you realize it’s almost time to go back to work?

I don’t know what it is about the weather…

If you live in Houston or the surrounding area, you know the weather has been completely miz the last few days – very rainy and wet.  Sometimes I kind of love the rain, but it makes me want to do curl up for a long nap…Not so great for productivity or getting motivated to go work out.

 

 

Happy Almost Birthday America!

So, I can’t believe it’s already July! Where did the other half of the year go? Literally when I checked my phone this morning (actually to snooze my alarm – a bad habit I’ve recently developed,) I couldn’t believe it was July 1. Yikes!

We are celebrating with my family in the Big D – as in Dallas. Not too much going on up there, but I’m picturing lazy time in the pool, family poker tournaments (you know what they say – the family that gambles together – stays together??) and delicious food and drinks. Preferably in festive colors, as shown below.

Kitty, unfortunately, will not be coming with us, because he behaves very badly when he’s out of his comfort zone (aka, our apartment) and he has not learned to socialize well.

What are you doing for the fourth? I hope it involves relaxing and hopefully some sunshine!