Thursday Things

1)     I gave blood today! I LOVE giving blood! Is that weird? And I don’t just mean the whole saving three lives thing, although that’s obviously why I do it (Type O-Neg, what?). See, when I give blood I…uh…I...I time myself. I like to keep track of how long it takes me to fill up the bag (I got grossed out just typing that sentence) and see if I can beat my previous time. I’ve got a personal best of a little over 5 minutes and it’s a shining beacon to which I have measured all other donations.

2)     That was disturbing. I'm sorry.

3)     I also read somewhere that donating blood burns like 600+ calories which is like 2.5 workouts worth of calorie output! Which totally justifies the 4 white chocolate chip muffins I had at lunch, post-donation. I wish I could give blood every day!

4)     The genius of this commercial. Obsession. It brings me back to high school sports. Anyone else?

5)     I got a haircut yesterday. I wanted side swept, flowy bangs. I got straight across, blunt bangs. That’s cool, I’ve done the whole blunt bang thing before, but I wanted something soft and pretty for summer. And I know my bangs will never be as good as Zooey Deschanel's no matter how hard I try.

6)     My sisters are coming to visit in four days!!!! I’ve already planned all of our dining destinations. And that we have to go grocery shopping because I need more of this.

7)     Modern Family just keeps getting better and better. The real life situations that they turn into comedic gold are just astounding.

8)     This is one of my best friends. She’s coming to visit me next week. (Hi, Claire!)

Finals week. It happens to the best of us. 

9)     I’ve been researching nut brittle recipes in preparation for a competition I’m doing next week. I hate competing, I get all nervous and sweaty and miserable and almost backed out last time. I don’t know why I do this to myself.

Happy Thursday!

Amanda

Chai Spiced Cookies with Toasted Pecans

I wore a dress as a skirt yesterday. And sandals. Cheap, flimsy aviator sunglasses were involved too. I had to put my hair up to fend off unsightly neck sweat.

What I'm trying to say is that we're finally, FINALLY into the throws of spring and nearly hitting summer. I've got less than a month left of school. I caught the scent of a charcoal grill in the afternoon air. People are lounging about and reading outside in the sun. All good things, all summery things.

So why did I make cookies that taste just.like.fall? That bring to mind changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and thick sweaters? That are neither a sweet and light lemony dessert or a crisp, refreshing beverage perfect for the sweltering heat to come?

Because I like to be difficult.

Thursday Things

1)     That whole “giving up sugar for a week” thing? Yeah, it lasted for five days. But, BUT, the only reason I broke it early was because I had to go to a restaurant to write a review for SPOON.

2)     This is what broke me.

3)     I am not ashamed.

4)     Nor was I when I had this after an ah-mazing lunch.

5)     Or bought this…and proceeded to “sample” it 27 times.

6)     It was a really good Tuesday.

7)     I’ve finally succumbed.

8)     The rain pounding on my window is beginning to turn violent. Walking home was so much fun. But not. My sandals are still soggy.

9)     Today has been beyond long, so this post is incredibly short. Womp womp.

Happy Thursday!

Amanda

Chicago Chronicles: Grahamwich

What do fresh coffee, laundry detergent, dog food, and cute shoes all have in common? I can buy them at Target. My love affair for the Bullseye store is deep, like, way deep. I can go into that store for toothpaste and a roll of tape and come out with four bags of items I didn’t even know I needed.

Recently, Target has been doing a great job of getting big name designers to create clothing collections that are fashionable and affordable. I could buy a cute Missoni top or Jason Wu skirt and feel like a million bucks, without actually spending a million bucks.

I feel like Graham Elliot and Target have a lot in common. 

With his self-titled restaurant, Graham Elliot has left a huge culinary imprint on Chicago and the world. The restaurant and its name sake are racking up awards and accolades like nobody’s business. While dining at Graham Elliot would undoubtedly be a revelation, I have yet to make it there. My dollars will only stretch so far.