Birchbox

As I mentioned in this post, thank you gifts for Groomsmen and Bridesmaids always pose a challenge. You want to be original, you want to give them something they don't already have, and you want to them to actually like the gift. This one gift has to say thank you for everything they have done for you in the time leading up to your wedding. (which is a lot!)

You also want to give them something that your friend, that just got married 3 months earlier, didn't already give them. 

As an event planner, I am always trying to think of creative gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen.  A friend told me about Birchbox and I think this couldn't be a more perfect bridesmaid gift, birthday gift or gift to yourself.  Instead of opening your mailbox to bills, open it to beauty projects!

What it is:
Every month Birchbox members receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.

How it works:
You can order on a month by month basis for $10 a month or you can get a yearly subscription for $110.

What happens:
A pretty pink box shows up in your mailbox. It is filled with fabulous samples and that's not all!  They tell you how to use the samples and where to buy them if you can't live without them on their website.

I already can't wait for next month!

What's Mine is Yours

Sometimes we are inspired by the great people around us and sometimes we are inspired by technology.  Iphones and the instagram app might soon be two things I can't live without! (I am already addicted)

Even though I currently don't have an iphone, Doctor J does.  With marriage comes sharing and as I like to remind J "what's mine is yours."  So, I guess that technically makes me 1/2 owner of an iphone!  I wanted to get in on the iphone fun, so here is what we have been eating lately according to our iphone!

1.  (top) A cheeseburger from Maple and Motor
2.  (clockwise from the left) Grocery shopping and filling up on lots of organic goodies
3.  A burger and fries from the Commissary
4.  An oreo and white chocolate mouse shiver from TCBY.
5.  Salmon Tartar from Steel
6.  An organic egg white omelet with tomatoes, onions and cheddar cheese from Kozy Kitchen

Can you guess whose food is K's vs. Doctor J's?

Cookies

What to bring Doctor J after a vacation that he could not attend?  The go-to: cookies!  I have said it before here and I will say it again...cookies always make things better!

Never bring just one...

CP Burger

Since this week seems to have a food theme. Pull up a seat at CP Burger.

While on vacation in Colorado, I ate a time or two at this great little burger joint. It was the new kid in town so I had to see what the fuss was about. From the falafel burger to the hot item of the summer, kale salad, the menu had something for everyone! I will definitely be recreating the kale salad at home. It had pine nuts, currants and light parmesan dressing. Delish!

Pots de Creme

This past weekend Doctor J, R and I created a homemade dinner.  We wanted to include a very indulgent dessert so we made pots de creme.  I learned the recipe at a cooking class I took at The Social Table, while living in New York.  Believe it or not they were pretty simple to make and were devoured within minutes.

Ingredients: (Serves 6)
2 c. Whipping Cream
4 oz. Bittersweet Chocolate – chopped
1 tsp Instant Espresso
6 Large Egg Yolks
3 T. Sugar

Procedure:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and position rack in the middle of oven.
Arrange 6 soufflé dishes in a roasting pan.
Combine cream, chocolate and espresso in a medium saucepan. 
Bring to almost a simmer over medium heat, whisking until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth.
Whisk the yolks and sugar together in a large bowl to blend, then gradually whisk in the hot cream mixture.
Divide custard among the ramekins. 
Pour enough hot water to go half way up the cups. 

Bake until custards just set around the edges, about 25 minutes.
Remove cups from water and place in fridge to chill, minimum of 2 hours.
Custards can be made a day in advance.

Newlymed Note:  I added a spoonful of cool whip on top as well as a sliced strawberry as a garnish.

R visits the Big D

This weekend Doctor J's sister, R (and my sister-in-law) came to visit the Newlymeds!

We showed her some good ol' fashioned Southern Hospitality and visited some of our favorite Dallas spots. We had brunch at Tillmans, enjoyed restaurant week at Charlie Palmer's and did some cooking of our own!

It was quite toasty here, so we tried to incorporate air-conditioning into our activities whenever possible!

Look out for: more on our cooking shenanigans later in the week!

Switcheroo

I saw this ridiculously funny blog about couples switching outifts and had to share. If only Doctor J were home right now so we could do our own switcheroo!

: muna & roy

: cam & caitlin

: david & emily

: tony & rachel

: laura & david

: tomoko & kichu

: erika & malcolm

: maya & graham

: lindsay & neil

: cam & jill

: johnny & mila

: steve & monika

: lana & matthew


Who feels inspired to try this?

Guest Blogger One Smart Brownie: The Healthy Snack Rundown

I gave Carolyn, from One Smart Brownie, this list of guilty pleasures a few weeks back and she helped me come up with some healthy alternatives.  I gave most of them a try and wanted to share my (and her) feedback with you…

Kraft Mac & Cheese

Kelly: Ok, this was a hard one.  I am completely and totally obsessed with Kraft Mac & Cheese.  I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner...no really.  I did give Annie's a shot and was impressed and satisfied, once I got used to the wheaty pasta taste. 

Carolyn: If you’re just not into the (totally delicious) nutty flavor and al dente texture of whole wheat pasta with wheat pasta, we can compromise… give Ronzoni's smart taste pasta a shot. It's "white" in terms of taste/texture but has added fiber. Or give another “pasta” a try – there are plenty of quinoa ones on the block these days.

Peanut Butter

K: I bought Peanut Butter & Co's Cinnamon Raisin Swirl and it was delish!  It is a great snack with sliced apples.  Totally hit the spot.

C:  Awesome. If you get bored and want to switch it up, I am also digging almond butter these days; one brand in particular is called Barney Butter. Also I highly suggest Justin's nut butter in Chocolate Hazelnut. Swear it's a healthier nutella… so I go for single serve packs, otherwise it's trouble. 

Goldfish

K: I did buy triscuits (I used to eat them when my mom did the grocery shopping) and fell back in touch with an old (and quite tasty) snack cracker.  They definitely get a spot on my future grocery list.  I wasn't brave enough to try the GG Brandcrackers yet...

C: Another brand to look for is Mary's Gone Crackers. They are gluten free and made with lots of seeds. Totally snackable with hummus.

Teddy Grams

K: I am sold on Annie’s Homegrown Honey Bunny Grahams.  No competition there. They are just as good as Teddy Grams and I am happy to leave the trans fat behind.

C: YAY!

Cereal

K: I tried Kashi's Strawberry Fields, Blueberry Oat Clusters and Go Lean Crunch.  I enjoyed Strawberry Fields and Blueberry Oat Clusters, but I am leaving Go Lean Crunch off the list.

C: To each their own :) Puffins are a personal fave too.

Cheese

K: I bought Horizon mozzarella string cheese and enjoyed it!  It was great for a grab and go snack or when I just wanted to nibble on something.  

C: String cheese is always a hit… it's kind of a nostalgic but actually pretty healthy snack and the pre-portioned serving size is ideal for cheese.

Yogurt

K: So glad to be educated on the Yogurt issue!  Before consulting One Smart Brownie, I found myself very confused.  I did try Greek yogurt, but am still working on a concoction (i.e. fruit, nuts, cereal) that I enjoy.  For someone who likes sweets, it is very sour, so trying to find a healthy way to not make it taste so tart!

C: Agreed, so throw in a little agave or stevia! Tossing in a little sugar is okay as long as you're in control. Another great brand is Siggis, although I think it's a NY brand, not sure if you can find it in the great state of Texas. Guess you'll just have to come visit!

Ketchup

K: Who knew there were so many additives in Ketchup?  I am looking into other alternatives, but for now I bought the organic kind to eliminate corn syrup.

C: I know, it's gross right? No need! I prefer to save the sugar for my desserts.

Skinny cow fudge

K: I have not made my own Popsicles yet because I currently don't own a popsicle making kit. (hint hint Doctor J)  They do look so fresh and tasty and are on my list of things to try!

C: Do it Dr. J!!  I am popsicle obsessed since our last post. My favorite is this super healthy fruit and hidden veggie recipe (I added lots of mint).

•    frozen mixed berries 

•    1 cup fresh squeezed OJ 

•   1-2 tbsp agave 

•   few handfuls spinach. 

•   mint 

They are so tasty; swear you can't taste the spinach.  Not-so-healthy side note: You can totally make popsicles for the 21+ crowd with the beverages of your choice… perfect for labor day. Just don't let the kiddies get their hands on 'em.

Processed turkey

K: Luckily one of the grocery stores that I shop at makes their own fresh turkey that they slice.  Goodbye slimy processed turkey!

C: "Slimy processed turkey"; don't know who could ever buy it after hearing it called that. Ew. 

Have you tried any healthy alternatives to your favorite snack foods?  We would love for you to share your favorite healthy snacks!

Next up in this Newlymeds-&-One Smart Brownie collab: pre-wedding diets: what actually works and what doesn’t.  We’ll give you some tips (ones that work, we swear) and a little month by month guidance to getting your glow on before you get hitched -- or before you have to take a bazillion pictures beside your BFF/ sibling getting hitched. We don’t do starving & cranky bridezillas (or bridesmaids) around here. 

Hand Picked

Sometimes the best picks are the ones you pick yourself. Not selected by a farmer, grocer, or seller of any sorts but picked with your own two hands.

All over the country restaurants are vibing on the "farm to table" movement. This idea that the food passes through less doors and comes right from the farm to your table to create a more organic dining experience.

So, for now, let's call this movement "dirt to mouth".  These fruits were picked, plucked, salvaged, and found with my own two hands (and my sister's).

So fresh, so fruity, and the dirt has extra protein.  Enjoy the natural treat!

{wild strawberries}

{wild apricots}

All dressed up and no where to go

Last night Doctor J and I were supposed to have a date

I finished work a little early and went home to put on my Thursday best

As 7 o'clock rolls around I haven't heard a peep from J 
I start to get a little worried

I call and text...no answer

I call again when it is close to 8 and he picks up and says 
he is in surgery and can't talk

But what about our...CLICK

I resist the urge to call him back and be that angry wife

I know it is not his fault, then...

15 minutes later I get a call from a nurse

I answer in an annoyed voice that I soon regret when I realize I am not talking to my husband

She says, If you can wait until 10:00PM to eat dinner Doctor J should 
be able to make it

I guess this just means one thing...ice cream for dinner!

Farmer's Market

While vacationing, a morning spent at the Aspen Farmer's Market is one of my favorite activities.   The natural scenery can't be beat.  The market is every Saturday in the summer and it is filled with local treasures from homemade pastas and pastries, to cheeses and honey.  Take a stroll through the market...

{fresh flavored pastas}

{The kettlecorn man}

{Local honey from Basalt}

{Donut peaches, a great summer treat}

{Local Transportation}