Bites of My Life

It seems like every second of my day is filled with something. I miss having down time to just relax and watch TV or read blogs. It's down to the grind in order to get things done, and although I've been busy I love looking back and seeing all the enjoyable things from the previous week.

Last week, lots of yummy food got eaten, lots of future plans got finalized and lots of memories were made. One of my favorite restaurants opened a location in a Norman and I got to try a spot that has been on my restaurant list since it opened. I also confirmed my housing, my roommates and booked my one-way ticket because this girl is moving to WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR THE SUMMER!!!

The best part of the week was getting to celebrate my sorority's 100 years on campus. Members new and old came together and had a blast dancing, celebrating and reminiscing on Kappa memories.

-A school project with food benefits is my kind of assignment.

-Sweet potato tots are back and I finally got around to trying them! 

-Raw oysters and crawfish étouffée at my favorite Cajun restaurant that just opened a location in Norman!

-GNOs are the best kind of nights.

-A little too excited to finally try Organic Squeeze in OKC. Pineapple, banana, ginger, lemongrass, coconut milk, lime juice, spirulina, agave and cayenne made up my Spicy Thai smoothie!

-Beautiful weather on Friday made it a perfect night for some OU baseball.

-Celebrated 100 years of good ole’ Beta Theta chapter of KKG!

-Danced all night long with friends, family and alum in honor of Beta Theta’s 100th birthday.

Hoping to have a productive week then a relaxing Easter weekend at home!
p.s. tomorrow is a very special day!

Annie

Join The Pack

There's nothing I love more than getting a letter or package in the mail. I've signed up for Birchbox and Stitch Fix in the past for the pure reason of knowing I'll get a monthly package in the mail. Packed Party has the similar idea of getting a boxed gift in the mail, but it is built on the idea that's "Better to give than to receive!"

Packed Party is all about celebrating the little things. You don't have to have a bunch of people to have a packed party, a party can be celebrated by just you! Treating a friend with a personal party may be just the thing she needs to brighten her day. 

Packed Party is an individual box with themed contents and a note explaining why it was sent. Carefully picked goodies are included in each pack, but the catch is that you don't know what the contents are until it is received. Surprises are more fun anyway!

So far Packed Party has a break-up pack, pity pack, birthday pack, miss you pack and a pampered pack. Wedding packed parties are soon to join the list! Check out their site and see all the ways you can send a friend a little party!

When a good friend became a part of the party, I loved finding out more about this little package. Packed Parties can be sent for just $45 and are the perfect way celebrate the day! Join the pack and send a party!

 

all images courtesy of packedparty.com and Packed Party's Instagram

I've always loved a good party. 

Annie

Banana Sheet Cake with (The Best) Cream Cheese Frosting

What do I always do when I'm at home? Bake. What should you do when you have over-ripe bananas? Bake them.

I looooove this recipe and I'm so excited to share. It's an old family recipe that actually comes from my dad's company cookbook circa 1991. It all started out when my mom and I were sorting through our old cookbooks to see what we could sell and what we could keep because...big news...the Tuckers are moving!! The rents are moving out of the suburbs and headed to the big city. We have to be out of the house in 40 days so it is crunch time as far as packing and cleaning out the house. 

I had actually been thinking about this cake last week, so when I discovered the cookbook with the recipe in it, and mom happened to have four perfectly ripe bananas, it only seemed logical to make this cake. I have to say the star of the recipe is the cream cheese frosting. I've used it a number of times on various things. I can easily say it is the best cream cheese frosting recipe.

Ripe bananas, sugar, butter and cream cheese frosting. What could be better?

 Banana Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
yields one 9X13 cake or jelly roll pan cake

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 cup Crisco shortening
4 eggs
4 ripe bananas
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
dash of salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting:
1- 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1-1 lb. box of packaged powder sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar. Add the the eggs and beat until combined. Using a fork, mash the bananas so they mix in better. Then, add the bananas, baking soda, flour, salt and vanilla. Spread the batter into a greased pan and bake for 30 minutes.

After the cake comes out of the oven, allow the cake to cool while you make the frosting. I always use a whisk attachment when making frosting, but feel free to use a handheld mixer or the paddle attachment. Whisk the cream cheese and butter first. Then add the powdered sugar and vanilla. 

Once your cake has cooled, frost it and enjoy! 

p.s. if you use a 9X13 you will have a thicker layer of frosting. 

 Thank you to all my taste-testers. I think it was a success. 

Annie

Belated Bites of My Life

I feel like I'm always writing about how "busy" I was the previous week but still "had fun." Sorry for the repetition, but it's the truth. April is always the busiest month of the school year. Teachers loooove to make every assignment, test and project due during April. Not to mention there are a million other non-class related things going on before we leave for summer break. The worst part is, this is always when my motivation goes out the window. That 12-page paper I have to write will be interesting...

Before moving on to bites from last week, I hope you saw my post yesterday featuring Warby Parker and the great glasses they have created to celebrate Architecture for Humanity! Also you may have noticed a few small updates to the site. I changed one of the header fonts, swapped out my cookie with an image of my favorite confetti cookie form Milk Bar and switched a few text colors. I wanted to make a few changes as part of my spring spruce up. 

-Yummy Thai dinner from my favorite place Sweet Basil. You can't tell in the picture but the carrots in my curry are in the shape of hearts!

-Kat teaching another Barre3 class at Kappa. Kappa and Barre3, two of my favorite things!

-Lunch dates with mom are my favorite.

-After a morning of volunteering, a rather large barbecue feast from Rudy's was in order. 

-It's spring date party season. Back to back parties made for a fun Saturday.

-An early Monday morning dentist appointment called for a Sunday night at home in Edmond. While at home, with full kitchen access, I find it rude not to bake something. Look for the recipe for this banana sheet cake with cream cheese frosting later this week.

I have some fun post ideas for this week so make sure you stay up to date! Also lots of changes and adventures are happening in my life right now.  I'll be sure to share as they get closer.

Annie

Shop With a Purpose

No bites of my life? Don't be alarmed, I'm taking a break from my Monday morning "bites" post to tell you about something way more exciting. I’m talking about Warby Parker’s new special edition collaboration that is being launched today!

When Warby Parker contacted me seeing if I would be interested in helping spread the word about their collab, I was more than happy to; not two mention the new frames are fantastic. Warby Parker teamed up with Architecture for Humanity to celebrate their 15th anniversary by designing two new streamlined frames. Both of these companies are admired for their graciousness of giving back. Architecture for Humanity works to make improvements in vulnerable communities, so kids and individuals have a safe place to learn and live. Similarly, Warby Parker built their company with the mission that for every pair of glasses sold; they will give a pair of glasses to someone in need. 

Architecture for Humanity hit close to home when I found out they partnered with FEMA to help rebuild homes in Moore, Oklahoma. I watched live last summer as the tornadoes ripped through the town in my home state, leaving people and families homeless. 

The Architecture for Humanity collaboration features one pair of eyeglasses in two colors, and one pair of sunglasses. They went with an architecture approach by using materials that are built to last. 

all images c/o Warby Parker

I have my eye on those aviators. I used to have a pair of glasses similar to the Fowlers and loved how classic and timeless they were. The three frames are all only $145.

Shop with a purpose by choosing Warby Parker. A portion of these glasses will go to the Arch for Humanity foundation and as always a pair will be donated by WP to someone in need. I love getting to share about these great products and even better companies. I hope you check out the special collection!

Annie

p.s. Check out

Kathleen's post on Warby Parker's Spectrum Sun line.