You say Tomato, I say Sun Dried Tomato!

For many of you who know me, know that I have disliked tomato's probably from birth. So to ya'll this may come as a surprise, but I believe my taste buds are changing. I now like/love sun dried tomatoes and most forms that they come in. I have recently become a HUGE fan of the Bruegger's sun dried tomato spread. My ideal bagel sandwich from Bruegger's, is an everything bagel with turkey, lettuce, and their sun dried tomato spread.

 I thought it would be a fun Sunday task to make my own sun dried tomato spread. Which of course meant a trip to one of my favorite grocery stores, Trader Joe's. I read online that they sold a sun dried tomato pesto spread of some sorts and figured it would be worth a try. I also thought it would be the best place to buy ingredients to my own spread if I could not find the pre-made stuff. Well, I just couldn't find the pre-made stuff so it was time to break out the recipe and buy my ingredients.Below, is an adapted recipe from my google search.

 Sun Dried Tomato Spread

1 6oz. can of organic tomato paste

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 jar sun dried tomato's (drained)

a couple fresh basil leaves (chiffonade)

a dash of salt

1 clove garlic sliced or chopped

Combine in food processor, and Viola!

I enjoyed my FABULOUS spread on a Thomas' 110 calorie everything bagel with turkey and lettuce... this beats the 310 calorie Bruegger's bagel with the 69 calorie spread. I figured the amount of calories for the entire portion of spread I made to be around 220 calories. Such a healthy alternative and of course cost friendly! Next thing you know I'll be eating Tomato sandwiches... just kidding I'm not there yet. :)

Salvation Army [SELECT]

So over the weekend, I was scanning photos of past projects I have worked on in design school. I came across a friends blog who documented some of my work in our retail design studio. As a class we worked with the Salvation Army to coordinate, design, market, and merchandise an upscale thrift boutique. The week of the store opening, I was assigned the task of finding outfits for both female and male manikins. Once the outfits were selected I worked closely with professor Patrick Lucas to arrange the end cap display's, female and male section table display's, and the store front window display. This was a wonderful opportunity to bond with a professor and have him applaud my design ideas. The Salvation Army [SELECT] prototype is now open in Greensboro, in the Lake Jeanette shopping center on North Elm Street. Here are a few photo's of the display's Patrick and I worked on, enjoy!

Men's end cap display

Women's end cap display

Men's section display

Women's section display

Frontal view women manikin's 

Front window display at night

Front window display at night

Front window display in daylight

Lily [love] Bug

This weekend I got the privilege of babysitting my ADORABLE niece Lily. Oh the irony of getting to spend Valentines day with such a heart warming love bug. We played and took lots of pictures and even took a nap together [well at the same time since she fell asleep in the crib]. I swear my nephews and niece are the most lovable and good natured babies I know. Happy babies make spending time with them so endearing and make me miss them even more when I'm not in town. My favorite thing Lily did while we spent the day together is ... oh darn I thought it was one but really they all came back to me once I typed this line. Well, one of my favorites would be how she puts her tiny little hands on your face to feel your face. It is so loving and soft but definitely a curious activity. 

I jumped at the chance to give her a cute shirt that she can sport year round [until she grows out of it] that reads "I LOVE AUNTIE" hehe. This goes hand in hand with what her parents call me, "Aunt E" since Lily is not yet talking they have adapted my name accordingly. Here are a few pictures of the precious blue eyed baby doll,  Lily. 

I love you Lily! XOXO Aunt E

p.s. Tell your parents how much fun we have when I babysit, so we can do it again soon! ;)

Oh baby love!

Snow Day!

Well we finally got some snow! This was Beignet's first snow, and she LOVED it!  So much so, she made a get away when we were kicking the ball around the front yard... the snow was just THAT more exciting than playing with me and the ball. Holden on the other hand has seen this white stuff many times in her old age, and was not impressed. Here are a few pictures of me with my Black and Gold snowy pups! Geaux Saints!

Busy Bee

As I drove back to Greensboro this evening, I heard the black eyed peas song "Imma Bee." Of course I was just singing along at first, but then realized this song is my title. Now as corny as this may be I feel like a bee, because I've been so busy lately. I drive either to Raleigh or Greensboro Monday through Friday while simultaneously taking five classes and working as an intern. I have really enjoyed being a part of "the real world" through my internship, and learning the client interaction I've missed out on in school. While I feel I'm burning the candle at both ends, this semester is off to a great (at times bumpy) start. So, please forgive the lengthy absence of blog postings, I am doing the best I can. Oh and before I end this posting I have two things to ask my readers to do. One, cross your fingers Raleigh/Greensboro gets enough snow so I have one day (Monday) to play in some snow and relax. Finally, number two is that everyone CHEER FOR THE SAINTS IN THE SUPER BOWL!!!!! GAEUX SAINTS!!!

It can't be 2010 already?!

So, I just applied to graduate. Where did those four years go?! While i'm happy to be starting my final semester as a college student, its a bitter sweet feeling. I just spent the past oh I don't know maybe thirty minutes if not more going through college pictures. I love my friends, they have been the glue thats held me together through the four years of college. Not that my family hasn't been a huge part, family is just a different part. My friends have seen me at my best ... and well those worst moments lets just skip over that. I start my final semester Tuesday, and while this semester is going to be my craziest semester juggling possibly a job, internship, class, and that minute detail homework, I plan on making this semester my best. I have learned a lot in the past four years as a college student, but the most important thing I will take away is that you can't be too serious. We never know how much time we have together, so this semester I will laugh more, love more, and live each day like its my last.

A few memories I wanted to share...

Daddy's Little Girl

So, from the title of this post you probably understand that yes, I am my Daddy's one and ONLY little girl. Growing up in a house full of brothers was not always easy, but never the less fun. I mean they are "my boys" and they have mostly treated me like a princess my whole life; but there is one person who no matter what treats me like a princess, my Daddy. Today is a very special day for my Daddy, he turns Sixty! My Dad is the best father a girl could ask for, he is loving, caring, dependable, strong, and always the bug killer! I love my Daddy with all my heart, and hope today is his best birthday yet. Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you! Look out double nickels, we've got six dimes on the loose!