Tuesday, February 24, 2009

About that infrequent posting thing...

So, I have been a delinquent blogger lately, but dont worry, things in Prepadelphia land are just peachy. Only one small issue... work has actually picked up quite significantly in recent days and so my spare time has been very limited. It may be this way for the next month or so but I should be back with you all as we head toward spring! I have been enjoying reading all of your blogs still and although I might not be commenting very often, I'll be keeping up for sure. AND, since a bunch of friends getting married this summer, I should have some fun insights coming up as we approach wedding season 2009. So, until then, stay warm and beat those winter blues, spring is right around the corner!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Spring Fashion Fever

Love this top! Luckily I have some J.Crew Spring Rewards to spend if I decide to splurge on something so pricey. Thinking of springtime makes me want to pair it with white jeans, a gold hip slung belt and espadrilles and head somewhere tropical...

Friday, February 6, 2009

I'm in search of... New Luggage!

Question for you preppy travelin' ladies out there... what type of luggage do you have? Would you recommend it? I have a Vera garment bag (black with pink and green flowers tied with breast cancer pink ribbon pattern from a couple of years ago) that I adore but my set of rolling suitcases is getting very ratty-looking, almost to the point of embarrassment. I have a bunch of weekend trips planned this spring along with a bunch of weddings this summer so I'm looking to upgrade in the very near future. Any suggestions?

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Try a New Recipe Thursdays - Hearty Soup for a Snowy Day

With the six(!) inches of snow we woke up to in Philly yesterday, I decided a hearty soup was definately on our dinner menu. So I bundled up for a very chilly and slippery walk home from work yesterday, stopped at the grocery on the way, and was able to create this delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup in only an hour! Bonus - it is colorful, visually pleasing (see pic at left) and so healthy.

Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup whole corn kernels, cooked
1 cup pinto beans (or other white beans)
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
crushed tortilla chips
sliced avocado
shredded Monterey Jack cheese
chopped green onions

Directions:
In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, oregano, tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in corn, chiles, beans, cilantro, and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, and top with crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, cheese, and chopped green onion.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Tag!

Katie from A Preppy Girl's Guide to Cross Country Living tagged me a couple of days ago for her fun quiz. Thanks Katie! Here goes.

Step 1: Respond and rework—answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

Step 2: Tag eight other un-tagged people.

1. Make a list of things you can see without getting up: I am in my office at work, so... Chase Utley bobblehead, silver framed and monogramed calendar from the Pottery Barn, candy jar with only Hershey Kiss crumbs remaining (I need more ASAP), picture of Mr. Prepster and me on our honeymoon in Italy - we are sooo tan, and my coat and scarf hanging behind the door!

2. Favorite football team: Philadelphia Eagles!

3. Who is the most famous person you know? Hmm, don't really know anyone famous but one of my sorority sisters from college was on Survivor in Africa. She made it to the tribal council part at the end but didn't win.

4. What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading? I read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button sometime right before Christmas. Planning to read Suite Francaise soon.

5. Who was the last person you hugged? Mr. Prepster this morning when we woke up.

6. What’s your current obsession/addiction? Finding new, quick dinners to cook at home after work. I've been doing a better job planning my grocery lists lately, so that is a good start I guess.

7. What was the last thing you said aloud? I gave my boss an update about what's been going on with some transactions I've been working on while he's been in Newport Beach today (did I mention I'm jealous?)

8. What was the last thing you bought? Lunch for my friend who turned 26 today!

9. What are you listening to right now? Myself typing... it is really quiet at work right now.

10. What is your favorite weather, and why? Definitely those warm night of summer when you can eat outside and not be too cold or too hot.

11. Hmm, Katie must have skipped this one. There is no 11. on her list so I'll add mine here. What is your first memory as a child? Going to Disney World when I was 3 and having a swan bite off my shoe while I was in a stroller (seriously!).

12. What is your most challenging goal right now? Finding enough time to work out and pursue other non-work and non-home related hobbies.

13. Say something to the person who tagged you: Katie, I think we would have become friends if you wouldn't have moved away from Philadelphia. We seem to have so much in common!

14. If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? Positano, Italy.

15. Favorite vacation spot? Beaver Creek, Colorado. Grew up going every year, sometimes twice. Love skiing, love the relaxing atmosphere, love the scenery.

16. What is your favorite children’s book? Goodnight Moon.

17. Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: Pizza.

18. Favorite hair product? Hair straightning iron. I look like a lion without it.

19. What is the first tape or CD you ever bought? The tape single for Two Princes by the Spin Doctors.

20. Describe your perfect day: Waking up post 9am in a gorgeous hotel somewhere interesting with Mr. Prepster at my side. Breakfast in bed then seeing where the day takes us.

21. The Added Question – What is your favorite outfit? Jeans, a silky top, cute heels, bangle bracelets and earrings that dangle.

I tag...
MMM
Prep-E Girl
The Pink Tutu
Adventures of a Southern Newlywed
Sweet, Sassy and Always Classy
Magnolias & Juleps
Spanish Preppy Girl
Lou Lou in Lilly


Can't wait to read your responses!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Try a New Recipe Thursdays - White Sangria

It is probably obvious by now if you read this blog that some of my favorite hobbies are cooking and entertaining. I really love finding and making new recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. One of my house-mates in grad school used to make the most delicious white sangria for parties. I've been dying to try it again - it is the perfect way to forget about the blahs of winter so I just might make it this weekend. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 Bottle of white wine (Riesling, Albarino, Chablis, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
2/3 cup white sugar
3 oranges (sliced) or may substitute 1 cup of orange juice
1 lemon (sliced)
1 lime (sliced)
1/2 liter of ginger ale or club soda (ginger ale for those with a sweeter tooth!)

Preparation:
Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the orange,lemon and lime into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add sugar. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving. If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled white wine and serve over lots of ice. If you are feeling ambitious, trying adding apples, strawberries, peaches, handful of fresh blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, a shot or two of gin, brandy or rum, or a cup of citrus-flavored soda.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

SNOW DAY!

Woohoo, it FINALLY snowed enough to matter in Philadelphia! When I moved up here from the south a few years ago, I envisioned many a cozy day spent indoors watching the snow, snow angels, snow walks in the park and lots of "snow days" off of work, but it turned out it was not to be. I can't even think of a significant snow storm (I mean 6+ inches) since I've lived here. This one wasn't quite that, but it still looked pretty and all of the ice on top made it enough for me to justify working from home today (though admittedly I definitely could have made it into the office had I wanted to).

I am a big snow fan and am hoping for even more white stuff before it becomes spring. To all of you across the country that got a real winter storm, enjoy. I am jealous.