The Real Housewives of DC???

Well, well, well. This came as a bit of a shock. While I am excited, I highly doubt whether any true Washington insiders or political wives will participate in a show like this... Washington is so guarded and the real power players (the politicians, lobbyists, etc) are so careful about what they reveal. I can't imagine this working in DC! Oh, well....I guess we'll see. It will be very exciting to have them filming my lovely hometown so everyone can see how glam DC can be! It's about time!

TLC!

Ok, here it goes -- Jon & Kate observation Part II....

Is there any chance that all the hoopla surrounding their marriage in the press has been some sort of elaborate publicity stunt to drum up viewers for their season premiere? I know that may sound very cynical of me but I do think the commercials for the new season on TLC and the timing is a bit suspicious. I would HATE to think that any one would orchestrate something like this but you just never know now-a-days.... Also, when did Kate become Posh Spice with the funky hair and huge sunglasses? I don't like it....

In other TLC news, I'm happily gearing up for the new season of What Not to Wear! I believe I've officially seen every episode and am ready for something new! Plus, I noticed that a certain early 90's teen TV star will be the focus of one makeover. Anyone know who I'm referring to?

3 Food Items I'm Loving Right Now.....

1. Snapea Crisps. Ooh, these are good and highly addictive. You can get them at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. They are low in calories (22 pieces for 150 calories) but a bit high in sodium. They don't have a lot of ingredients which is always good - the more ingredients, the more processed things are - gross!


2. Pear Apples aka Asian Pears. I am obsessed with this odd fruit - basically a pear that looks like and has the texture of an apple. They are sweet, crisp, juicy, and delicious! They are in season now and I can't get enough of them!


3. Sweet Potato Fries. Now, these can be prepared a couple different ways - either fried or baked. I always bake mine. They are incredibly easy to prepare and make a fabulous side dish. PLUS, sweet potatoes are so good for you! Many nutritionists rank the sweet potato as the #1 in nutrition of all vegetables. Here is the recipe I use.....Barefoot Contessa, of course!


BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for sprinkling

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Halve the sweet potatoes lengthwise and cut each half into three long spears. Place them on a sheet pan and toss with the olive oil. Spread the potatoes in one layer. Combine the brown sugar, salt and pepper and sprinkle on the potatoes. Bake for 25 minutes and then turn with a spatula. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until lightly browned. Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve hot.

Serves 4.

SO excited!!!!

Finally! A reality show that focuses on classy Southern ladies! Well, let's hope so.... I am VERY excited for the premiere on Thursday! Unfortunately, I don't get Soapnet but my Mom does and, although she doesn't know if yet, she will be recording it for me!

Can we also talk about my other really guilty pleasure - The Real Housewives of New Jersey? I am waiting anxiously for tonight's episode. My favorite part of the season premiere? When Theresa spends $102,000 on furniture for her soon-to-be built McMansion.....in cash. Yowza. So far, I think my favorite character is Jacqueline - the one from Las Vegas. She seems genuine and sweet to me, but....the season is young. She could turn out to be crazy! That's what makes The Real Housewives great - you never know.... love it!

Oh, Martha!

Two things I love -- Martha and cupcakes! I am so looking forward to this book's release! Pre-order your copy today!

A side note -- anyone who wants to quit their job and open a cupcake shop, please contact me. ;)

In case you were wondering, here is Martha's Cupcake of the Day for today. I happen to LOVE pistachios AND raspberries so these look heavenly to me!

Ingredients

Makes 15 standard or 36 mini cupcakes

* Nonstick cooking spray
* 1 cup unsalted shelled pistachios
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 4 large eggs
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 to 2 containers (6 ounces each) fresh raspberries
* 1/4 cup slivered or chopped pistachios, for sprinkling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line standard or mini muffin tins with paper liners; coat liners with cooking spray. In a food processor, finely grind shelled pistachios with the sugar and salt. Add butter, vanilla, and eggs: process until smooth. Add flour; pulse until just moistened and combined; do not overmix.
2. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Drop raspberries into batter (4 to 6 per standard cupcake; 2 per mini) and sprinkle with slivered pistachios (1/2 teaspoon per standard: 1/4 teaspoon per mini). Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until golden brown, about 28 minutes for standard cupcakes, 14 for minis. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature. Cupcakes can be stored up to 2 days at room temperature in airtight containers.

Calling All DC/NOVA Preps!

Two things....

First -- I am looking for a new roommate! Anyone know any females (normal, clean, gainfully employed, preferably preppy) looking for a place to live? I have a fab townhouse in the the VA burbs....right across from the metro! Email me for more info! bdority@gmail.com

Second -- Can we please organize a DC/VA/MD blogger meet-up soon? I have so enjoyed getting to know all of you local bloggers and would love to meet you all in person! I know Nautical By Nature organized one several months ago but I was unable to attend. Any interest?

I want, I need.....

After seeing a Black Halo dress featured on one of my favorite blogs and having seen this brand on lots of celebs, I decided to do a little online research. I love their dresses and now I think I need one... Here are some of my favs + some other adorable dresses from Tory Burch. I want! I need!

















































And Tory.....

Coffee Table Books

I have a mild obsession with coffee table books. I am constantly searching for the perfect books that say something about my interests. Here are some of my current favorites....

How are we feeling about this???

I think this is really cute BUT is it so cute that I am willing to wait for it until August? Has anyone tried it on? Is it worth $72?

Let me know!

The result of being bored at work.....

The ABC's of Me ...
A - Age: 27
B - Bed size: Full (will be getting a queen soon!)
C - Chore you hate: Cleaning my shower. I hate it so much I usually have a cleaning service do it. Don't judge....
D - Dog's name: No dog currently....
E - Essential start your day item: Diet Pepsi - my coffee substitute
F - Favorite color: Pink!
G - Gold or Silver or platinum: Platinum
H - Height: 5'10"
I - Instruments you play: I don't play any. I would love to learn the piano or guitar....
J - Job title: Consultant at property management/real estate development company
K - Kid(s): Someday.....two or three blonde ones!
L - Living arrangements: Townhouse with a roomie
M - Mom's name: Denise
N - Nicknames: Brookie
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Abdominal surgery five years ago....
P - Pet Peeve: Using the wrong form of there, their, they're or your and you're - drives me NUTS!
Q - Quote from a movie: The only one that's coming to me is, "My name is Enigo Montoya. You kill my father. Prepare to die."
R - Right handed or left handed: right
S - Siblings: 1 full brother, 3 half sisters, 4 stepbrothers
T - Time you wake up: 7ish
U- Underwear: Yes, I do wear them. No, I am not sharing what type they are.
V - Vegetable you dislike: I really like almost all vegetables....but I despise beets!
W - Ways you run late: I can never decide what to wear!
X - X-rays you've had: Hmmm....I'm sure I've had some but none are coming to mind. Never broken anything major.
Y - Yummy food you make: Sweet Potato Fries or Hummingbird Cake - yummy!!!
Z - Zoo favorite: Any baby animal is always adorable to me!

Thank You!

Thank you so much to Chic & Pink for giving me the Lemonade Award! Check her blog out - she is adorable!

I have an attitude of gratitude for all the blessings in my life. Though I've been through hard times, I have the constant support of my family and friends - I am SO lucky!


The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post
2. Nominate at least 7 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude
3. Link to your nominees within your post
4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award
5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

I nominate....

1. The Niemeyer Nest
2. The Monogrammed Nest
3. Monograms & Manicures
4. No Thank You
5. Pink Pearls & Muddy Sneakers
6. Lis Loves
7. Preppy Player

New Blogger

A friend of mine from college just started a blog! She has the most adorable baby girl named Evie and she has lots of cute pics of her to share! She is also a fabulous cook and offers up some of her favorite recipes. Check it out here!

Weekend Recap

So, I had another very busy weekend! On Saturday, I went to a really nice baby shower for a woman I used to work with. She is due in 5 weeks and they are waiting to find out the sex of the baby. Now, can I just say something....? I don't understand people who decide to wait. The explanation I usually get from these couples is that they want to be surprised. Now, aren't you just delaying the surprise by waiting? Are you any less surprised when they tell you in the hospital months before the due date? I think not! I am definitely finding out the sex - I need to plan, decorate, and monogram for goodness sakes! Why does it bother me so much that some people choose to wait? Because I really don't like having to buy gender-neutral baby gifts. I had to buy all yellow and green items for my friend when all I really wanted was some adorable pink or blue! Oh, well - she will be getting an additional baby gift from me - hopefully something pink!

I had such a lovely Sunday. The weather in DC was perfect and I spent the day with my wonderful family! It was not only a day to celebrate my Mom and Grandmother but also my stepfather's birthday. Here is a pic of my Mom and I. She is the cutest - I feel so lucky to have her nearby!

Yes, please!

I think I need this monogrammed headboard in my life. In fact, this whole bed looks heavenly....


I have been wanting to add an upholstered headboard to my bed for some time now. I have heard that they're relatively easy to make and I would LOVE to have one monogrammed. However, I already have a monogrammed pillow on my bed - what self-respecting prep doesn't - so do you think having that AND a monogram on the headboard is too much? Please also take into account that I have roughly six other monogrammed objects in my room.

Now, the other question is.....what shape? Here are some options for you to choose from..... Obviously, if I go with something tufted, the monogram is not an option.

Jon & Kate

Have you seen the headlines about Jon & Kate lately? She was on The Today Show this morning to promote her latest book and address the rumors that Jon was unfaithful to her. As much as I LOVE the show, I hate what I see it doing to their family. I do not want to see this couple on the cover of US Weekly and I certainly don't want to have to listen to her defend her marriage while promoting a book about family. Why does the media have to do this to people?! Even if he has cheated on his wife, which I doubt, why do magazines need to splash it all over their covers for us to read about? This is just a nice family from Pennsylvania who happened into an extraordinary life. I know that they have benefited financially from their show, books, etc. Who can blame them for trying to make the most of their 15 minutes?! They have EIGHT children. Just the cost of college alone for that many kids is staggering.... It's just sad that they are being subjected to this. As much as I would hate the see them end their show, I wonder if it wouldn't be the best thing for them to do at this point. Especially as the kids get older, this kind of media attention is going to have such a negative effect on them. It's so hard! I don't want to lost my Jon & Kate Plus Eight but I also want them to be happy! What a dilemma....

Now, since I'm talking about the show.....what are your thoughts on it? Do you think Kate is a wee bit - what's the word - bitchy? I hate to say that but she is a little hard on Jon sometimes. That being said, I don't know how I would behave if I had eight children. Yikes.

Which of the children is your fav? I think I like Aaden and Hannah the best. Aaden is adorable (is it wrong that I wish that my own child will have to wear glasses?) I love that Hannah is a 'little mommy'. So cute!

What ever happened to Aunt Jodi? And what's the deal with Jon and Kate's parents? Why aren't they in the picture? I know his father passed away but I can't imagine a grandparent not wanting to be involved in the lives of those little ones.

Bad Blogger!

I am giving myself the Bad Blogger Award. I apologize but I have been so overwhelmed lately. I need a week at a spa pronto. Here's my story.....

I got my degree in Interior Design, got a great job working as an interior designer for a large firm in an industry that I was sure would continue to prosper. I was making a respectable salary, getting to travel, meeting great people.... After working there for about a year and a half, the company starts to have some problems, they institute a voluntary lay-off and then an involuntary lay-off. I got laid off in November and got a very generous severance package. Now, nearly the entire design division has been laid off (think 80 people down to 15 - yikes!). About two months after I got laid off, I was offered another position - completely unrelated to design - as the result of family connection. Times are tough so I took it even though I had reservations about it. Without going into too much detail, it has NOT worked out well. I am incredibly unhappy and stressed, I'm not sleeping, I constantly have knots in my stomach. So, I interviewed for another job last week and got it! Unfortunately, the base salary is a lot less (though I could make a lot up in commission) and that worries me. What's worrying me more is that my resume is starting to get a little crazy. I need to get back to my focus but - guess what - no one is hiring in any of the industries that I want to work in! I would love to get into event planning or get back into interior design but those industries tend to get cut way down during a recession. I would also love - LOVE - to own my own little shop, a place with lots of pink, preppy, monogrammed gifts! But how do I get that started? I have no idea! I need advice! The point of all of this is that I am having major anxiety about my career path... and about my life in general. I know that it's going to get better - that I'll find my way eventually but I just feel so lost right now. Can I skip the rest of my twenties and get to my thirties where (hopefully) I am more settled??? Can you relate at all, my fellow bloggers?

Anyway, enough of the Debbie Downer talk, here's a partial recap of my VERY busy weekend. I went to a bridal shower for one of my favorite people of all time, my friend Eileen. She is getting married at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans at the end of May. Unfortunately, I cannot attend. Anyway, her bridal shower was lovely -- here are some pics.









I'm in the black and white dress; the bride-to-be is in white of course!
























I brought a fabulous dish - my most favorite dessert, the Hummingbird Cake. It's a Southern recipe and it's amazing. It's like a banana nut bread with cream cheese frosting. Yummy! My Mom makes it every year for my birthday. Here's the recipe.... Try it - you will NOT be disappointed.

Ingredients:

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 cups granulated sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
* 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple, well drained
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 2 cups chopped firm ripe banana
* .
* Cream Cheese Frosting:
* 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup butter, room temperature
* 2 pounds confectioners' sugar
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°. Sift flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon together into mixing bowl several times. Add eggs and salad oil to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until ingredients are moistened. Stir in vanilla, pineapple and 1 cup pecans. Stir in the bananas. Spoon the batter into 3 well-greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes,or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn onto cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
Combine cream cheese and butter; cream until smooth. Add powdered sugar, beating with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.

Frost the tops of all 3 layers, stack and then frost sides. Sprinkle top evenly with the 1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans.