Bites of My Life

Let’s talk about the stages of last week. Monday was business as usual with work and part 1 of The Bachelor finale. Tuesday was normal until I got home from work, had a snack, went on a walk and then got a wave of feeling so weak and nauseous (this same thing happened two weeks ago). Friends came over for part 2 of The Bachelor finale and I got sick the second they left. Wednesday was weird trying to feel better after a long night.

Thursday I spiraled out after working from home, watching way to much news and unrealistically convincing myself that I had coronavirus. Like full on spiral, taking my temperature every hour, calling my parents bawling, it was terrible. I was already planning on driving home Friday for another shower I was hosting, but it couldn’t come soon enough. Woke up early Friday to drive home to OKC, in the pouring rain the whole time might I add), and headed straight to work to do recon on the effects of COVID-19. We had a concert planned at work Friday night and a big St. Patrick’s Day party Saturday that we had to cancel. Being in the hospitality industry right now is wild.

Saturday I attempted to go on normally with two events I had, but came home after the day and showered, rested and tried to recover after the crazy week. Needless to say life is weird and scary and uncertain right now. I’m staying with my parents for moral support to help get through the next few days of unknown. If you are anxious right now, I feel you. I keep saying it, but we are all in this together and everyone’s feelings, emotions, concerns and decisions are all valid.

I’m also working on a Self-Distance To-Do list to help get through the next few weeks, hoping to throw them all in a blog post to share this week. Here’s to utilizing the extra time we have!

Bites 345.png

-Chugged this pedialyte Wednesday after a second hit of the stomach bug Tuesday. ElectroLIT made me LOL.
-Amazon find! These little pearl huggies are only $23!
-My friend Annie, yes Annie, posted her recipe for these Vegan Blueberry Muffins last week. I’ve been craving. muffins so I had to make them. I made a few substitutions, like using GF flour and almond milk. They turned out great.
-The new Siggi’s dairy free yogurt is SO good. One of the lowest in sugar dairy free yogurts I’ve found. Bought at Whole Foods. Made a yogurt bowl for lunch last week with vanilla yogurt, this fiber cereal that I love (and found at TJs), frozen raspberries and chia seeds.
-Another weekend another shower for one of my best friends! Starting to really get this host thing down. By nature I typically get designated the food, but it’s been so fun. We did a “Sarah Brunch” theme for Sarah Beth and it was perfect. Mimosas, coffee bar, mini chicken and waffles, deviled eggs, donuts, fruit and a cheese board of course!
-Bestie since 1st grade!
-Finally tried “the cookies” as my first social distancing baking project. They were great. Hype is real. It’s like perfect CCCs and shortbread cookies had a baby. And I love shortbread. Started baking to find out my parent’s were out of vanilla so made these with almond extract and added some sliced almonds to the dough. They came out so light and good.
-Going to try really really hard to not only eat cookies and carbs during the next month, but being home so much makes me crave comfort food and cooking indulgent dishes. Here’s a salad to try and stay on track.
-Read this book cover to cover by the fire Sunday night. SB gifted the hosts of her shower this book and it is actually a really great book. I fear cooking for large groups and this book walks you through how to do it seamlessly.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Quick and busy week coming off New York last week Then had truly a great great weekend with all of my very best friends in town. We were celebrating baby Ralph on the way, but it doubled as an impromptu girls weekend. Just what I needed.

Bites 344.jpg

-When work research means a triple order of In-N-Out french fries, you know you have the job for you.
-Rent the Runway unlimited strikes again. I did RTR last spring and I’m back on. With my New York trip and 85,000 weddings and showers and events in the next few months, it’s truly the best. It makes me feel good that I always have something to wear and not spending a ton of money on things I’ll probably wear once. TBH it’s fun to get to “shop” every week and get the navy blue bag in the mail full of 4 brand new pieces. I ordered 3 dress options for things last week and this fun jacket. Something I’d never buy but loved the chance to wear.
-Bed of spinach, quinoa, roasted brussels, chickpeas and drizzle of tahini. So simple and easy if you roast the brussels and cook the quinoa in advance.
-Wait weren’t we just 22 living on Mahler Pl. without a care in the world? How are you having a baby????
-Kind of obsessed with how cute Madeline’s animal themed baby shower turned out. Complete with jungle-inspired flowers and animal crackers!
-RTR dress number 2 for the weekend. Daylight savings happened and I’m leaning in to spring. I’ve already re-arranged my closet to bring out my spring shoes and clothes.
-Taxes, check. Thank goodness.
-Made Jess Kane’s (social media director for Cupcakes and Cashmere) sister’s Maca Bars. Jess posted them a few weeks ago and I was intrigued. Cashews, dates, a little lemon and a lot of maca. I’ve been having one with lunch as something sweet each day this week.
-Two angels, I got to shower Sunday night. I met Kelly and Devon from The Pilates Barre and both are off to take on their next stage of life. Love that I got to get to know them.

Bites of My Life

When your mom calls you a few weeks ago and says she and your dad booked a trip to New York and flights are $200 round trip, you go. Such a fun weekend in New York getting to see my sister and her husbands new-ish place and spend the weekend with family! After being in OKC at the beginning of the week for work, then catching a stomach bug, pushing through a few work days back in Dallas, then it was off to New York!

Bites 343.jpg

-Monday night in Norman speaking at OU KKG chapter meeting with my sidekick. We spoke on tips for getting a job, life in marketing and how to get paid doing social media!
-Recipe and development for The Social Order’s newest concept.
-100% satisfied with this impulse Barefood Contessa mug purchase.
-Miso Instant Ramen from Trader Joes. Add broccoli or a green veggie of your choice to the broth. And then stock your pantry with these. So good.
-Off to Brooklyn in a Brooklyn sweatshirt. Really leaning into the final destination.
-Officially that person bringing my own cooked food on the plane. I opted for a cooked sweet potato with almond butter. Filling and smell level at a low.
-Cliche Brooklyn graffiti photo, check.
-DATE CAKE. We stayed in on Saturday night. Claire and Mike baked this cake from the Gjelina cookbook to go with dinner.
-My sister’s bathroom is a mirror selfie waiting to happen.
-Trying to live in a city where eating bagels is more the norm. I’ve been a big proponent of more carbs in 2020.
-Anyone else an orange wine enthusiast like me?
-Great last meal at Win Son to end a great trip!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Bites, fun mail, home decor and weekend at home. February is short to begin with, but flying by. Off to see my sister in New York this weekend and I cannot wait!

bites 342.jpg

-Clean out the fridge lunch full of fiber and healthy fats: cup-ish of black beans, 1/2 an avocado, grape tomatoes, non-dairy cheese and salsa!
-The temperature has not really gotten warmer, but back on a smoothie kick!
-Got the invite for Gray Malin’s meet-and-greet feat. his Mambo Taxi print at Mi Cocina last week. This picture doesn’t show off the print or the event, but more guac please!
-Happy little mail day with a belated Valentine from my bestie Maddie!
-Mail day part 2 with this book I can’t wait to read on the plane to New York this weekend.
-Always love getting my Bon Appetit magazine in the mail, but especially loved this issue.
-New end tables that I’m still not over. Check out their before and after in last week’s post.
-All the home talk last week, bedroom officially revamped.
-Got in town Friday and stayed in to cook for mom and dad. Made The Defined Dish’s Walnut Crusted Scallops with Butternut Squash Puree from her book with this Bibb Lettuce salad that is the new go to side salad.
-Four Graces now Core Pilates in Oklahoma City used to be one of my favorite studios. It was my gateway to my love of pilates. It’s new owner, new name and new studio decor is all perfect and loved getting to sneak in a class!
-Aunt Annie sleepover!!
-Cheers to Trinian and Carson!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Valentine’s Day is a holiday I’ve always loved. I have a playlist to prove it, and a handful of ancient posts on the holiday. Well, this year I wasn’t looking forward to it. With a little force, I switched my mindset, made some little Valentine’s to pass out to co-workers and friends, baked twice (always makes me feel better), listened to previously mentioned playlist over and over, invited some girls over for a little Galentine dinner and wine-drinking night, then spent the weekend bopping around Dallas with the OG valentine’s, mom and dad! Valentine’s day, you can stay.

bites 341.jpg

-One of my oldest posts got a facelift! This Homemade Oreo recipe can be found here.
-My favorite leggings that are borderline obnoxious. Especially since I wear them every other day.
-Valentine crafting helping get me in the spirit!
-We had a friendly little chocolate chip cookie competition at my co-working space on Thursday. I wasn’t nervous until I tried everyone else's cookies. Some seriously good contenders, but my Perfect CCCs prevailed and won the popular vote!
-I’ve posted about these CALM gummies before, but I’ve been having some seriously good sleep taking 2 before bed. I can legit feel my body go into a relaxed state about 5 minutes after taking them. I also keep a few in my purse and pop 1 during the day when I get stressed or anxious.
-Spotted: Vday flowers at Foxtrot by local mom and daughter floral shop, Flower Gals Co.
-A last-minute Galentine dinner meant one thing, heart. shaped. cheese.
-Parents arrived in town Saturday with my cutie new end tables in tow. More on these this week!
-Ditched the original lunch plan and headed to my (our) favorite place. It’s never not amazing.
-Mid-day stop at the new Virgin Hotel. The style, the vibe, the furniture, it is all everything.
-Not a Dallas food tour without a stop at my #1. We will forgive them for being out of meatballs and crab claws because, well, just look at that pizza.
-After church brunch at Hudson House before sending them north on I-35. Love you mom and dad!

Annie

Work from home bite: Read this for tips on how to get out there!