Summer Pasta Salad

I can't thing of anything more appropriate for lunch in the summer than a classic pasta salad. I found a recipe that included canned tuna and various veggies. I adapted it a little to take advantage of the things I had on hand and I came up with a super easy summer pasta salad. I thought about calling this "whatever you have in the fridge pasta salad," but that's a little long and unnecessary. But, you really can throw anything in whatever you have on hand. Some red peppers or spinach, even some chopped carrots or celery would have been a good.

It keeps in the fridge for a few days, so it's the perfect thing to make at the beginning of the week to have on hand when you need to grab a quick lunch! This is the original recipe that inspired my pasta salad, but below is my version. I love the use of canned tuna as opposed to chicken which you find in most pasta salads. There are no real measurements because I was just throwing things in. You can alter this in anyway, so add in and flavor it however you want.

Summer Pasta Salad 

with tuna, tomato and feta:

serves 2 as a main dish or 4 as a side

whole wheat shell pasta, cooked

1 package or can of tuna

big handful of cherry tomatoes, cut in half

feta cheese

yellow onion chopped

about a tablespoon of fresh chopped basil (I was running short so I threw in some dried basil as well)

drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Cook your pasta. While it is cooking chop your herbs, tomatoes and onion. Throw everything together and their you have, simple summer pasta salad!

Whip this up and stick it in the fridge for lunch this week!

xo annie

Sold on a Sale

J.Crew is killing it this season in my opinion. I went in the store last week, but had to leave because I didn't have enough time to try on all the things I wanted to. I went back later and found most of my favorite items in the sale area. In addition to their sale items, all women's apparel is 20% off in store and online. If you are a student they even let you double up discounts! Below are some of the things I picked up. 

tweed front top/blue striped popover/black cotton dress/neon stitch sweater

The tweed top will be perfect with black cropped pants for my internship. 

The stripe popover will also be good for work, but it is also great paired with shorts or white jeans. 

I'm about to wear out this black dress. It is made out of their thick cotton and has an exposed zipper in the back.  It is a great transition piece. I plan to wear it with a cardigan for work or church, or my jean vest for everyday. 

I am a sucker for spring sweaters. I am naturally cold blooded so I can wear sweaters when it is 80 degrees out. The neon is actually more pink in person which I love.

black cotton cross-back maxi/neon postage mini/flared shorts/white cotton tunic dress

Besides the things I picked up, these are a couple of the other things I tried on. 

I love this maxi but decided to leave without it because I felt like I could get something similar for cheaper. Although, I just discovered it on sale online, so I might be going back for it. 

The neon skirt is absolutely perfect and I want it, but I'm afraid I wouldn't have an occasion to wear it so it got left behind. 

These flared shorts are too cute, but they were unfortunately out of my size. 

Lastly, I originally tried on this dress in navy. I loved it but had to narrow it down between this one and the black dress. The black seemed more practical so I left with it instead.

Don't forget, 20% off all women's apparel. Use the code LOOK20 if you are shopping online. Their Factory store is also offering up to 40% off everything. Who can pass up a good sale? I know I can't.

xo annie

Bites of My Life

Brace yourself for a lengthy post, I am in a sharing mood and feel the need to tell you every detail about my week. 

Another great week has come and gone. Summer has been too good for me so far. I spent most of my afternoons running errands and working on some DIY's and recipes, then spent my evenings on patios enjoying the beautiful weather with friends.

The middle of the week I got to have a fun lunch with my mom and grandmother followed by some birthday shopping. J.crew is having some serious sales you must check out. 

Later in the week my family and a good friend of mine tried a new asian fusion restaurant to celebrate my sister's new job. The food was incredible and the atmosphere was very chic and modern. We started with the chicken lollipops for an appetizer, then I went with the curry salmon and chai tea moouse for dessert. I typically choose the fish dish on a menu and I love chai tea so I left a very happy camper. 

*Side note, I tried a dirty chai tea for the first time last week and it may be my new favorite drink. The name really startled my mom before she knew what it meant, but "dirty" only means adding a shot of espresso. If you haven't tried a dirty chai I highly recommend it!  

I worked all day Friday and Saturday, but Saturday afternoon we got a visit from the cutest puppy Millie. There is something about puppies that can really just turn your day around. 

Sunday consisted of making and delivering lots of homemade oreos. I made the discovery of oreos dipped in almond butter and I think it changed my life. Being allergic to peanuts I was always jealous of the scene from The Parent Trap when Annie and Hallie dip their oreos in peanut butter. The combination seems sinful. Now that almond butter has come in to my life I can pretend like it's the same thing! 

After a pleasent afternoon, Oklahoma was hit with some crazy weather and I spent a portion of the evening in a bathroom taking cover. More storms are predicted to hit today. Oklahoma weather is always keeping us on our toes. 

-best friends cheering on the Thunder

-sweetest German Sheperd, Husky, Lab mix puppy making a stop at work

-my attempt at growing fresh herbs. We will see how this goes...

-sunday night comfort food

Now for a final food recap, as if I haven't talked about food enough already. Here are the links to my recipes. Last week I made brown butter whole wheat waffles, chocolate chip cookies for two, vanilla orange biscotti, quesadillas (These actually ended up being a disaster. I filled corn tortillas with spinach and black beans, but they wouldn't crisp up. They came out of the pan a soggy mess. Although, my roommate and I ate them anyway and the flavor was actually delicious. They were almost like a flat enchilada. We quickly renamed them "quesiladas" and devoured another one). I did a remake of a chipotle rice bowl, tuna pasta salad (recipe post coming up), oreos, and ended the week with easy chicken fried rice! Having a kitchen has been my favorite part of summer I think. I am going to apologize now for the excessive foodgrams I've been posting.

I hope you guys have a great week! I start my internship tomorrow. I can't wait! Stay tuned for more recipe, DIY's and fashion posts this week!

xo annie

Brown Butter Whole Wheat Waffles

Attention, make these for weekend brunch, you will not be disappointed. Monday night was the first attempt at a breakfast for dinner, dinner party. The dinner party turned into a party for two with only my roommate and me, but the delicious food made up for it.

I whipped up these waffles and they could not be easier or simpler to put together. I used this tip for browning butter again which added to the simplicity. (I can't get enough of brown butter right now, or the smell it creates in my apartment) You can adapt these by putting any add-ins or toppings on you like. For my roommate it was chocolate chips added in, and for me it was a mix of raspberries and blackberries on top! I will definitely be making these again soon. The recipe is perfect for 2-3 people so double if you are making for a crowd.

This picture is actually of my leftovers I had for breakfast the next morning. They reheat perfectly in the toaster. Topped  with greek yogurt, granola, berries and a bit of honey made for a little different twist! 

Annie

Birthday Wants and Wishes

I turn 20 in 11 days, but who's counting? Not me...Okay so maybe a little. I really like birthdays. I like other people's birthdays almost as much as my own. It is a day dedicated to you where you get all the attention and no one can judge you for it. For others, I love planning something special or getting the perfect gift for someone to make their day great!

Last year to ensure I had a great birthday I made my own cake. My control freak came out because I wanted it to make sure it was exactly what I wanted. It didn't turn out quite as planned so I will be redeeming myself by attempting to recreate one of Momofuku's birthday cakes. Cross your fingers it turns out!

I also like to give just a few ideas on things I would enjoy for my birthday. Let's be honest, nothing is more awkward than opening a present and having to fake you like it. Maybe that was a little bratty, but if someone asks you what you want and you don't give them any ideas that is bound to happen. Below is a little round up of what I've been wishing for. When I started listing things off to my mom the other day I think she thought I sounded like Eloise in "Eloise at Christmastime," when she unrolls her almost 100 item long christmas list and keeps adding to it. Like Eloise says, "I think it's nice to give people options!"

1. Adobe Photoshop/2. leather strap watch/3. monogrammed converse/4. milk frother/

5. Pencil Shavings Studio ipad case/6. Kate Spade ipad case 

So maybe my list is all a little random, but I like random. 

1. After learning some of the basic tricks in Photoshop this past semester I would love to have the program in my computer to do graphic design work and really develop my blog. 

2. I am usually against Michael Kors watches because it seems like everyone and their dog has one of his watches on their wrist, but this light tan thin leather strap watch is exactly what I have been looking for. 

3. This one can be blamed on my mother. Around christmas she sent me a picture of these monogrammed converse...so stinking cute! I thought I wanted to get pink high tops and monogram them, but I don't think I could pull it off. I love the idea of preppy navy converse with a big white script monogram. Size 7;)

4. This may be the most random on the list, but it is honestly what i want the most! This little guy froths your milk so you can turn your everyday coffee into a foamy latte!

5. and 6. I need y'alls help. Which one?? I have been on the hunt for an iPad case but I can't decide.

Again these are all just ideas, but it's nice to give people options right?

xo annie