Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday friends! I'm so excited for this weekend because my sister is coming to visit, we get to celebrate our friend Lindsay's birthday, and I have one last long run before my marathon in a few weeks. Hope you enjoy this week's Friday Favorites as we wrap up the week.

Looking for a book to read this fall? Check out these cold weather reads from A Beautiful Mess and these fall reads from Lauren Conrad.


I can't wait to make these recipes:
Mississippi Mud Brownies
Apple Crisp Pizza
Edamame Hummus
Chicken and Avocado Enchiladas in Creamy Avocado
Looking for ways to snack healthy? You may want to consider NatureBox Foods, which delivers hand-picked snack food to your door once a month.


Yes please.

Many DC fireplaces are boarded up. I always believed it was unfortunate to cover up a beautiful fireplace with boards. This idea for chalkboard paint has changed my mind. It's genius and can be updated for any occasion.


Relax.
So true...
Fun fall fashions...

Looking for fun wallpaper for your iPod and iPads? Check out these 11 sites tospruce up your iProducts.


I consider myself to be fairly in tune with the latest fashions, but I am having doubts after my sister sent me a link to this super addicting Finish the Look Fashion Game from Real Simple. I started off strong, but apparently my styles are too crazy. Enjoy!


Stunning Cher


Speaking of amazing and iconic women, Laura and I got to see Madonna perform at the Verizon Center on Monday (cones and all!). It was amazing and  after hearing her perform this song from her movie W.E. this is my favorite song of the week.


Hope you all have a great weekend! See you next week.
Messy Jess C.
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Thursday, September 27, 2012

New Girl

Forever XXI Sweater/ Forever XXI Skirt/  J.Crew Necklace/ Old Navy Flats
Yesterday was Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jewish people like myself. For those of you who aren't familiar with the holiday, Yom Kippur completes the 10 day period known as High Holy Days. It is known as the Day of Atonement, in which a Jewish person seeks to amend his or her behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs against God and others. Jewish people traditionally observe the holiday with a day of fasting and prayer.

The idea behind refraining from eating is that the body is uncomfortable, but can still survive. By feeling pain in the body and soul, one is able to feel how others feel when they are in pain. In order to repent to God for the pain and other wrongdoings we have inflicted upon God and others one must pray, repent, and give to charity.

In the past Yom Kippur was my least favorite holiday, mostly because I love food, and I only really understood that I couldn't eat on Yom Kippur and so I decided I didn't like the holiday. As I get older, however, and understand more about the holiday, I realize how important it is.

Yom Kippur is a chance to bridge the gap between who we have been in the past year and who we want to be in the year ahead. It's a chance to make right all the wrongs of the past year, seek forgiveness, and wipe the slate clean and start fresh in newly focused and meaningful lives.

Yes, Yom Kippur is observed by Jews, but I believe the message of Yom Kippur is important for everybody. I doubt that very few of us can say that we are always the best version of ourselves. I am confident, however, that each and every one of us, despite our religious beliefs or backgrounds, has it in us to be the best version of ourselves, to do more to help others, be selfless, and make positive contributions to our communities and the world around us.

So to all of my Jewish and non-Jewish friends, here's to new life, new possibilities, and new opportunities in the year ahead.


Messy Jess C.
 
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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

New Recipe: Quick and Easy No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bites a.k.a. Balls of Energy


I have made this amazing snack three times, but because they are a big hit in our apartment this is the first time I have been able to snap some photos of this popular (with Jesse) recipe to share with you.

They take a few short minutes to make, and sometimes even fewer to consume. I like to pop a few before and/or after a workout (hence my nickname of Balls of Energy). Jesse eats them like candy...but at least they are healthy, so I guess I can't complain.

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup ground flax seed

1/4 cup sliced almonds, chopped - thanks to our slap chop,



going from this:
 to this...

takes no time at all (no, I am not endorsed by slap chop, we just happen to own two of them and use them all of the time for all sorts of recipes).

Anyhow... moving on...

2 tablespoons chia seeds (we didn't have them and the recipe still tastes good without them, so I consider these optional)

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

a pinch of salt

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, melted and slightly cooled

1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

1/4 cup ground peanuts or ground almonds, to roll the balls in

Once you have all of your ingredients on hand, mix together the oats, almonds, flax seed, chia seeds (if using), salt and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir.



Next, melt your peanut butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds and allow it to cool slightly. Once it does, stir in the honey and vanilla extract until it's combined.

Next, pour the mixture over the oat mixture and mix well with a spoon, eventually bringing everything together with your hands. Once everything is sticking together, fold in your mini chocolate chips.

Roll this dough into golf ball-sized (or slightly smaller if you are hoping to make them last just a little while longer) balls, and roll them in ground peanuts and/or almonds if you prefer.

These can be enjoyed right away or after they sit for a few minutes in the fridge. Either way they are delicious and mostly nutritious.

Any by the way, I only made this batch the other day and they are already gone...time for batch four.

Find the recipe for this and other delicious snacks on my What's Cookin' page.
Messy Jess C.
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Monday, September 24, 2012

Back on Neutral Territory

Benetton Top/ Benetton Top/ Boutique 9 shoes from ideeli.com/ J.Crew Necklace
Some work days consist of back to back meetings. Meals on those days are made up of Clif and granola bars and outfits consist of suits and neutrals.


At least on these days I know I match and that I am getting enough protein from the clif bars.


What's your go-to for busy work days?

Speaking of work, Happy Monday! Hope you all have a great start to the week.
Messy Jess C.
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Friday, September 21, 2012

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday friends! Sorry for the delayed Friday Favorites post.  It's been quite a busy end to the week. It's ok though, because it's Friday. Hope you all have some fun plans for the weekend! Until then, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's Friday Favorites.

I love dogs. I ask Jesse if we can get one everyday. Unfortunately, we can't have dogs in our apartment, which may be a good thing after reading Dogshaming.


An adorable job listing (seriously).

Speaking of adorable, check out this adorable first date story from A Cup of Jo.

This is also a great nerdy tip from A Cup of Jo on how to high-five correctly every time.

You know what's always fashionable? Good grammar. It's also sexy according to this etsy shop. I may have to pick up one of these tees for myself.

My other favorite fashions of the week include:

Favorite Fall Booties from Lauren Conrad

And I thought our Wi-Fi Network Names were clever. Check out the Apartment Therapy graphic below for funny and creative Wi-Fi name ideas.
I found so many new recipes this week that I can't wait to test out. Here are just a few of my favorite favorites.
Starbucks Clone Scones from Iowa Girl Eats
Easy Apricot Chicken
Hot Baked Nutella & Cream Cheese Sandwich
5 Minute Homemade Mac and Cheese
Fudgy Brownies with Cookie Butter Frosting

Paper Bag Popcorn

I love Dancing With The Stars! (Jesse does too, but he won't admit it, so I am publicly admitting it for him here). The dancers are so glamorous and the judges are hilarious. I think I may have found their next two DWTS professional dancers.


Am I the last person on earth to hear about the Google “Bacon Number” trick by now? Here's the gist - type in his name and an actor, and you find the degrees of separation.Fun.

Finally, Fall...aaahhhh

Messy Jess C.
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