Poll Time!

Which collar do you like best for Maggie? Keep in mind her spunky cuteness. She's not a particularly girly dog so nothing too cutesy though.

1. Diamond















2. Houndstooth















3. Bandanna

New Favorite Website

Ok, so I'm spending a lot of time at Goodwill's new online auction site. It's SO fun. Not only because I feel like there are a lot of good deals, but also because it's completely fascinating to see what's out there.

Like this.

Or this.

I highly recommend it, unless you start bidding against me. In that case, I know were you people live. Never forget that. ;)

L.A. Weekend

L.A. Weekend
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

We had a fabulous time in L.A. this weekend. We got to visit with my amazing friend Haley Goo and her new fiance Brian. They put us up Friday night and served us some awesome chocolate fondue.

On Saturday, we went on a sort of eating tour of some places I wanted to try. We had donuts at Fritelli's, which were fantastic! I'm a pretty big donut snob. I think nothing compares to Red's from Paducah, but I have to say their glazed buttermilk donut came pretty freaking close.

Then, we had authentic Mexican at Guelaguetza. I had this amazing pizza like dish, which had black bean smeared on a toasted tortilla with all these veggies. It was like nothing else I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant and really great. I also got to have one of my favorite Latin drinks - Horchata, which I haven't had since North Carolina.

That night we ate an amazing meal at Cafe Pinot near the Nokia LIVE Theater where we saw the Chicks and the Eagles. The concert was really fun. The Chicks were as entertaining as ever and I was totally impressed by the Eagles. My dad has been talking about how great they are forever and he was really right on the button. There was nothing like hearing Don Henley sing Hotel California live - I'd rate it right up there with Paul McCartney leading the entire Verizon Center in Hey Jude. :)

On Sunday, we just hung out and did some shopping, after breakfast at the Hollywood institution Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. I didn't partake in the chicken but the waffles were yummy.

My sorority big sister met us for dinner and took us to the airport for our flight home. We had such a great time with her. She is the most amazing person, who is in LA following her dream of becoming an actress. (You Kentuckians might have seen her in a Fazoli's ad recently!) I have always been and continue to be inspired by her passion and I'm just happy for her.

So, despite the jet lag today, the great company and awesome music was totally worth the trip across the country! ;)

Deceptive and actually Delicious

Deceptive and actually Delicious
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

So we gave old Jessica Seinfeld another try and it went MUCH better this time. I made the tofu nuggets and macaroni and cheese for dinner on Thursday night and they were both really good. The nuggets had spinach puree and the mac and cheese had cauliflower puree in it. The mac and cheese, in particular, was really really good.

The next morning I made scrambled eggs also with cauliflower puree and they were delicious. I think the cauliflower puree really adds a nice texture and flavor. Big fan!

Just in case there was any confusion on who the couch actually belongs to...

Couch
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Huh?

Now ya'll know I don't usually criticize Oprah, but I'm a little confused by today's show. The show was titled "How to be a star at work or at home" and featured Cathie Black, the CEO of Hearst Magazines. The first 1/3 of the show featured Cathie's advice on work and life. I was really impressed by her and even put her book on my amazon wishlist (for those of you who forgot to give me a law school graduation gift!) ;)

However, the rest of the show was basically a big old fashion show. At first, I was excited. I like fashion as much as the next girl and I don't think it is necessarily a frivolous topic. How you look makes a difference in work and life. Period. But the fashion just kept going and I started to think, "Wait, is this the only thing women in the work force should worry about? How we look?" I couldn't help but think if Warren Buffett or Jack Welch had been on the show they wouldn't have spent quite so much time on day-to-evening wear transitions.

Towards the end even Cathie Black looked a bit uncomfortable. I can't blame her.

Email Exchange

Me: I just bought Carrie Underwood's new album. Am memorizing the
awesomeness right now. :)

Nicholas: ohmigod

Requested Cooled Brownie Update

Nicholas said they were "better." My friend Dylan liked them. I still could only handle one bite.

I'm still holding out hope for the desserts with purees that make a little more sense - like pumpkin or sweet potato.

Wow

This lady is my hero.

Deceptively Delicious

Deceptively Delicious
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

So this should come as no surprise - what Oprah says I do. Jessica Seinfeld was on a couple of weeks ago promoting her new cookbook. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the premise is to hide vegetables from your kids in foods they enjoy.

While I don't have kids, I decided the concept of including vegetable purees in everyday food was a good one. I've also wanted some healthier baking recipes so I decided to give it a try.

We stocked up on some purees and made the brownie recipe, which includes carrot and spinach puree. Now, she warns you not to eat them until they are completely cool - pretty much impossible right? But man she better be right about the taste of spinach disappearing because so far...yuck!

My favorite conversation with David

David
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Me: Do you know what the White House is?
David: Yeah
Me: What is it?
David: I don't know.
Me: It's where the President lives. Do you know who the President is?
David: Yeah
Me: Who is the President?
David: I don't know.

Back from Texas

Momma and Baby
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

I am now officially home from my many travels (until next weekend when I go to L.A.). I had a wonderful time in Texas with my friend Elizabeth and her two little boys. We hung out and chatted most of the time, went out to eat, and had cake with some of her neighborhood friends. Overall, just enjoyed each other's company. :)

Three words ya'll...

Purse
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Kate.

Spade.

Outlet.

Maybe Texas ain't so bad after all. ;)

Reality Check

To me, this is the ultimate point of the abortion debate. However you feel about abortion, I think we can all agree we want to reduce the number of abortions and the way to do that is not making it illegal.

Some much needed perspective

More and more people think they’re entitled to the right not just to ignore or disapprove, but to veto and banish.

Cupholder

Cupholder
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

Maggie enjoying some Muttlicks dog ice cream.

Happy Gotcha Day!

Maggie
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.

We got Maggie four years ago. She is still one of the best decisions we've ever made and we couldn't ask for a better dog. :)

Travels

Alright, kiddos, I'm off to South Carolina for the campaign. I won't be back till next Saturday. Then, I leave on Monday for Texas to visit my good friend Elizabeth. So, posting might be sporadic so bear with me. :)

P.S. I got an extra Song of the Day code if anyone wants a Keith Urban song. It's CTLSLCRCRTXR

High Horse

Listen, I don't want to say I told ya'll so but I told ya'll so.
"Flexitarianism
Like vegetarians, "flexitarians" eat a primarily plant-based diet composed of grains, vegetables, and fruits, but they occasionally obtain protein from lean meat, fish, poultry, or dairy. A quarter of Americans fit the description, consuming meatless meals at least four days a week, according to the American Dietetic Association.
Why it's here to stay: Flexitarianism is exactly what dietitians, nutritional researchers, and public health advocates have been recommending for years. "It's about eating a varied diet that's low in saturated fat and high in fiber," says Milton Stokes, M.P.H., R.D., chief dietitian at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York City, and an ADA spokesperson. Because the emphasis is on produce rather than protein, flexitarians are more likely than most Americans to meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables and the vitamins and minerals they contain.
What it means for you: Studies show that people who follow this approach to eating generally weigh less and have lower rates of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer. In one large study from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, researchers tracked the eating habits of more than 9,600 people over a 19-year period and found those who consumed fruits and vegetables at least three times daily lowered their risk of stroke by 42 percent, and their risk of cardiovascular disease by 27 percent."

Dove Does It Again

Amazing