concrete jungle...

image

I am all packed and ready to go.  Chris will be driving me to work in the AM so that we can get right on the road.  NYC bound to visit my friend Kelly and her fiance Keith.    Not sure if you remember, but Kelly and I took the TCRG together this previous January and basically online dated for months prior to that.   Not only am I really excited to vacate my life for a few days, vacate Rochester NY for a few days and see the tall buildings, smog filled air, and bright lights - I'm stoked to see a dear friend I never knew I would have had before the exam.   

Look for outrageous photos of shopping, NY night life, outfits (?) possibly, and over all good times. 

What are you plans this weekend? 

xx  

M.I.A. ...

I have been Missing In Action, and for that I apologize.   I really don't want to turn into a complainer - but, it's truly because I'm SO BUSY!  Between 50 hours mandatory work, MGOS classes in full force, and my personal life it's been a whirlwind!   Chris is moving at the end of the month, and that makes me really sad because I'll now have to drive 6 hours to see him.  :(  However, the spare time I use now to spend with him I will have free to organize my life!  I suppose that's the one and only positive to him leaving me here. 

  

On a lighter note - we had a Feis (dance competition) yesterday and the kids did a great job!!!! 

What stinks is I only got a few pictures of the kids.  Find more photos on our MGOS Facebook Page  Don't forget to "like" us while you're there :) 

Today is Day 2 at the Feis.  Besides the kids doing really well, this was probably the poorest ran Feianna we've ever been to!  Which is too bad, because our students seem to really compete well in Syracuse.   We have our first Preliminary Championship competitor dancing today!  I can't wait to see her on stage in her new wig and dress!! :) 

sleepy, yet goal oriented sunday

Ever have those days where you'd just like to stay in bed all day?   This is precisely how I felt this morning as I awoke at 6:15 am.   How is it, that on a Sunday on a long weekend, I'm able to just miraculously wake up around 6am?  Yet, Monday through Friday it's a serious struggle.  This is a mystery to me.

So, here I am - up and at 'em!   I've read cnn.com and downloaded some new apps for my phone... researched a new laptop (thinking of just sucking it up and saving my bones for a MacBook).  I desperately need to retire my iBook G4.   Sure, she still runs but not at a speed enjoyable for anyone.   Anyways, looks like it will be a little bit before I can afford what I want, and at this point I'm not really willing to settle for something I know won't last as long.  

I'm scatter brained this morning;  thinking of how I can adjust my schedule to accommodate working out again.  I need to lose some of, if not all, the 10 lbs I have gained since my last Dr. visit in February.    It's disheartening to say the least, to step on the scale and literally have a heart attack.  I guess the summer food, and lack of exercise got the best of me.    It's so hard!  I'm such a physical activity junky!  In the summer, though, we are doing so many other outdoor things that trick you into thinking you're being active... but, really you're eating a hot dog while you're doing it so, is that really doing you good?    I do have to take into consideration that in February I had just taken the TCRG and for the months upcoming I had been, going to the gym and doing at least 45 minutes of bicycle cardio 3x's a week, plus dancing my sets and solo steps once a night.   Still, I should be dancing more often to be in Tip top shape for my classes.  How can I expect them to get better if I'm dancing like a handicapped Michael Flately...?

I'm setting new goals for Fall- Winter:
1. Get to the gym more, or workout more at home!
2. Save money (this is a constant goal of mine since I seem to continuously be terrible at it)
3. Be a good teacher/example and role model for my students
4. Be patient!
5. Upgrade my computer.


It doesn't have to be January 1st to set new goals..  What are yours?

feathers...

Feathers.  Who knew they'd be such a fad?  Despite the 'fad'y ness of them, Mary and I went to get some today.  I'm not sure that if I hadn't purchased a coupon online that I would have gotten one.  

They are quite adorable, and add a bit of flair to your "do".  Besides, everyone knows how much I love chicken and eggs - why not wear one? 

The application process is quite simple.  You go and pick out however many feathers you'd like, and which colors.  I tried the red with a orangey yellow... and it didn't look so good.  It brought out some unlikable hues in my hair.  Instead I chose the white to add some *pop*.   Mary choose red and black (she has a little bit lighter hair).  Then the hairdresser parts your hair, and clasps it in and Voila! 

How do you feel about feathers?  Would you put a chicken in your hair?  

Just curious.  

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend! xx

spoke

I was shopping Etsy.com when I came across this gentlemen who lives in Alaska.  He is a cyclist and bicycle repair man who got tired of seeing all the old bicycle parts go to waste and started to recycle them.  He makes beautiful custom fit bracelets with the spokes of the wheels.  From swirls to waves, words and more the creativity is endless.  

Simply Spoken

cajun shrimp at home...

Chris and I like to cook together.  But occasionally, I like to cook for him and when I decide to do that I like to cook things we don't normally have.  This is the second time I've decided to cook a shrimp dish.  We don't really do Cajun at home often, if we are in the mood for Cajun style grub we meander down to Beale Street Grill where they serve up a mean blackened catfish and just about anything you can think of fried.  It's enough to make your mouth water just thinking about it, however, with my renewed healthy living I wanted something a little less... fried and caloric.  This seemed to be a perfect fit, and after we ate it we decided it definitely was.  It was relaxing to peal the shrimp and chop all the veggies, setting up my mise en place (which, I've found is a very important factor in cooking).  

I've shared the recipe below, it takes a whopping 15 minutes to make and every bite is worth it.  Try it out with your favorite wine.  

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 2 bunches scallions, chopped
• 3 cups cooked white rice
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon wedges, for serving (optional

Directions

Heat the butter, olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the Cajun seasoning and shrimp and cook, stirring, until the shrimp begin to curl, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the tomatoes and scallions to the skillet and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the rice and 1/4 cup water and continue to cook until the rice is warmed through and the shrimp are opaque, about 3 more minutes. Stir in the parsley and serve with lemon, if desired.

Recipe via FoodNetwork.com

Inspiration.. but, not too much!

Here I sit, perusing through Real Simple and InStyle's September issues... hoping, praying for some fashion inspiration for both my mental creative outlet (Le Blog) and my fall to winter wardrobe...

Some things that I see, and like:
        Jewel tones (teal, magenta, violet) are still in *yay*!
        Pleats!  Who does not love a maxi, or tea length pleated skirt!?
        Prepilly (Is that a word? Did I just make it up, who knows?!) adorned flats and heels - I'm loving         seeing that the vamped up footwear I bought last season still has purpose moving into Fall of '11.
        Handbags with serious structure
        Big chunky knits with no real shape


All of the above things make me want to take my hard earned (overtime) money and head to the mall, Marshalls, The Gap, and Forever 21...   I am trying to hold back the urge to do so!  *Lord grant me the strength!*

Busy weekend again, not as busy as past weekends.  We (MGOS) had a great showing today at Wedgestock, and hopefully another at Fiddler's Fair tomorrow.


What are you favorite trends moving into Fall?

*this would be the second, possibly third post regarding fall wardrobe so if you don't feel so inclined to comment or even read any further on my semi boring life, fashion, irish dance rants.  Don't feel obligated.  I promise in the future to have more insightful, humorous, and potentially knowledgeable posts in the (maybe near) future.