Color on High

Remember when I was all talk about painting my living room ASAP that fabulous grey-blue color?

I think it's time! The weather is gorgeous enough to keep the sliding door open to vent out the condo while we are in paint-mode, and a few open weekends are approaching, too. Painting an entire room (including primer to cover up the current bright yellow hue) will take a whole day, so I want to make sure I pick a good weekend where I can get help (read: the man and probably a guy friend of his, ha) and they won't feel like they are missing out on the single gorgeous day that week.

I am also contemplating this painting project for the bedroom --

Painted ceilings. What do you think?

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We have 10-foot ceilings, and I think that a painted ceiling will draw our eyes up even more.

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It also makes it easier to not compete with the rest of the room's decor, which is already quite color-rich with greens, browns and beige.

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Plus, how can you go wrong when you pay in beer and pizza? I mean, c'mon guys, that's a serious deal :)

Color update results -- and lots of them -- to come soon!

Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary

When someone mentions brunch, you might think first of eggs, sausage and biscuits. Or of lazy Sunday afternoons spent on a patio. Perhaps of reading the Sunday newspaper while a casserole bakes in the oven.

When I say brunch, I immediately think of this:

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The Bloody Mary. Easily my favorite brunch drink. Mimosas are a close second, but honestly, I'd rather skip the OJ part and just have the champagne solo :)

But the Bloody Mary is different. The tomato juice MAKES the drink. Not usually a fan of the stuff, I find myself veering towards the juice aisle anytime there is an early-weekend event like a football tailgate or an arts festival coming up. If there will be heavy breakfast items consumed at a midday hour, by golly, I will be having a Bloody Mary, too.

People are finicky with their Bloodies. Some prefer them straight and spicy, others prefer them full of celery and garlic flavors.

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I have always wanted to have the ones with grilled shrimp skewered right on top. I skip the olive-ones though, ick. Vodka and olives are only okay when paired directly together alone. With vermouth.

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Here in Atlanta, there are great Bloodies to be had at local establishments like Park Tavern and Front Page News. There is something quite close to perfection to finishing a springtime run at the park and "refueling" with a sampling from Einstein's Bloody Mary Bar. In Buckhead, it's on my list to stroll up to Dantanna's some weekend soon to test out their selection, offered on Sundays from 12:30-5pm.

Planning a springtime breakfast event of your own? Try out my Dad's Bloody "recipe" -- it's a starting spot, open to any customization desired by the drinker. A fair warning in advance: I think Bloodies should have a kick. Otherwise they are not much more than vodka and tomato juice. So if you are feeling pansy, trim down the hot sauce and horseradish.

Malone Family Bloody Marys
Serves 6-8

32 oz. tomato juice (plain or spicy V8 are both great)
18 oz. of your preferred vodka
2/3 cup lemon juice
10-20 splashes of Worcestershire
15 slashes of hot sauce (we are Cholula lovers here)
Fresh ground pepper
1-2 tbsp. horseradish
Optional: celery salt, garlic powder, garnishes of your choice like celery or lime

Mix all above, add to ice, garnish and enjoy!

Weekend, Weekend

I am happy today because ...

... It's Friday.

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... It's something like 70 degrees and sunny out, with a similar forecast all weekend.

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... THIS is tomorrow:

... and we are hosting brunch beforehand.

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... and we are having Bloody Marys, hooray.

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... AND I am making this, among other yummy items:

Image Credit: Oh My! Sugar High

The best part? That is only Saturday's plans! All of Sunday lies ahead with equally pretty weather and equally fun and refreshing things to do.

Enjoy your weekends, everyone!

Springtime Wardrobe Staples I'm Eyeing...

The warmer weather is oh so taunting right now here in Atlanta. I have half a mind to pull down my warm-weather bins from the top shelves of my closet, and swap out sweaters for shorts and tights for tank-tops. With Saturday's expected highs to be 67 and sunny (FAB for Oysterfest and our Brunch and Bloodies pre-event, yay!) it's just sooo easy to imagine grabbing a sundress and a light jacket instead of wearing layer upon layer of heavier winter items.

But I know better. I know that in the next few weeks, there is a good chance we will have an unpleasant cooler streak here again. It will come out of nowhere, and it will require us to leave our homes with every inch of skin covered. Perhaps it won't be snow and ice and freezing temperatures, but I have a strong feeling it will dip into the 40's and 50's again, and probably with some chilly springtime showers to boot!

Until mid-March when I dare to (fully) bust open those tempting bins, I will just dream instead of my springtime wardrobe. Even better, I am going to name out the five items I am craving as additions to my rotation, knowing full well that spring and summer are seasons where I haven't really redone my wardrobe since losing weight. It's time for a mini-overhaul, and especially in the work-clothes category. And as a girl always watchful of how I spend my money, I am going to stick to this list when I have the urge to splurge :)

Skinny Denim at Neiman Marcus
Day Dresses by Old Navy

White Skinny Jeans
I am in love with the black ones I got from Kohl's and Lauren Conrad's line. I am hoping she debuts some white ones soon. I am looking for skinny ones in particular because I can dress them up with heels, or down with flats, and never have to do that awkward too-long or too-short thing like with other slacks.

Note: There is a lot of buzz about wide-leg pants for Spring too. This is awesome news for curvier girls that want to ditch the skinny trend! For me, I am pumped about both, so might keep an eye out for those, too...

White and Tight A-Line Skirt
As soon as Memorial Day comes around, you better believe I will be swapping out the black for the white! A crisp white skirt falling just above the knees is so easy to combine with any number of tops in a whole rainbow of colors.

Military Colors
I noticed this one in mall windows starting in early January, when the cold weather outside made me nearly ignore the spring clothes going up in stores inside. I already have a greenish-gray lightweight jacket from LOFT 2010, and love that I can add chunky heels and a belt to make it both flirty but tough. For spring, I am on the lookout for a military-ish skirt that I can dress up and down the same way.

Flirty and Flowery
I am just throwing this one out there as something that I always, always love. I don't care what the fashion mags say -- you can't go wrong with a fluffy and lightweight flowery dress or skirt. Pair with chunky sandals and a statement belt and/or necklace, and you are ready to go. Tone down for weekends by throwing on a jean jacket and ballet flats.

Work-Appropriate Tees
Speaking of white tees, I need new ones. I'm talking about fitted, not see-through, heavy weight, crew neck, cotton t-shirts. Dress them up with chunky necklaces or pearls, a tight A-line skirt and stilettos, and voila, you are work-ready in a power outfit. And then of course, on the weekends you can play them up or down however you want.

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What items are on your must-have list for Spring?

As an aside, after a quick Google search, I discovered that the yellow coat I talked about on Wednesday is actually the same style as one Michael Kors and others pointed to as a 2011 trend :)

Extra Minutes to Win It

Yesterday, I woke up in a bit of a funk. Not an emotional funk, per se, but a clothes funk. Nothing, and I mean nothing, was speaking to me out of my closet.

Yes, I just said that clothes speak to me. I like to pretend they do, anyways. It makes putting outfits together a whole lot more fun.

So I ended up leaving the house in black pants, ballet flats and some older shirt that I can attest I have had since college. Ugh. Talk about a downer clothes day. I felt off all day and changed as soon as I walked in the door yesterday evening.

I am a full-supporter of the notion that your outfit can make you feel either ready to charge forward with your day, or it can bring you down and make you feel just so-so. If you look fab, you feel fab, and you work fab. Look blah, you feel blah.

Of course the magazines and experts tell us to spend time the evening before prepping our outfits (ironing, picking out combinations, etc.) so that when the morning rush comes around, we don't fall victim to the blah-police in sake of leaving the house on time. We all probably ignore that advice. Yesterday, that was me.

Today, I had a plan. I woke up literally thinking about an outfit. I spent time in the shower figuring out what was clean, and what I could prep fast enough to still leave on time.

Yes, I spent time thinking about clothes. Better than stressing over work or other commitments, I'd say though :)

First, my jacket. It's oddly warm here this week so I thought it might be time to bust out the springtime yellow jacket. This was one of my favorite buys EVER from GAP a few season ago. It buttons up like a little sailor outfit, but then swings out to keep outfits low-key, too. It's the perfect "rain coat" on gloomy overcast days!

And my outfit for today -- clutch combo of leggings (since it's still brisk in the mornings and in the office!), a lightweight dress (an old school H&M find which probably cost $20 and I have gotten way more wear out of it than that. It wrinkles when I wear it, so ignore that.), a belt to cinch things up (the dress flows out, which is cute, but I prefer to show my waist) and chunky heeled sandals (Nine West. LOVE.)

What do you think? Did my extra time planning this morning pay off? I think so, because right now I feel confident and ready to take on the day!

Are you wearing a powerful outfit today, or a blah outfit? What's your plan for tomorrow?

Spend the Night in With Oscar

You are (virtually) looking at a girl that can't help but look for the absolute cheapest option for things (most of the time. Random splurges on J Crew and Nine West notwithstanding). It bugs me when I lose out on an extra few dollars of a sale here, or forget my coupon for the freebie dinner there.

That being said, I look for quality in most things I do and buy. I am not about to give up the good life in return for that extra buck. The perfect balance is somewhere right in between frugality and fabulousity.

The guys out there know that they can always charm us gals with a great date night. For girls like me, however, if it is a weeknight date night, I get an extra surge knowing that it's a good use of our time AND money. Call me silly, call me obsessed, I don't care. If you take advantage of that fun Groupon while I am with you, I will think you nothing short of genius.

I came across a random folder while doing some (overly-compulsive) spring cleaning last week. It's bright yellow color caught my eye first, and then the handwriting on the front. Mine, of course, but more so what it said -- "Things to Do and Fun Extras!" Oh, how simple my life once was before the days of Reader, instant 365 Things to Do emails and Scoutmob tweets. I, at one time, pulled interesting articles from magazines and newspapers and stored them right there, in my own file-able inspiration board.

Among other cute things stored within it's pockets, the folder held two similar articles that I thought particularly timely this week, even though I pulled them out of the AJC circa Summer 2007. What is timeless about them is that they are the kickoff to the perfect, cheap and worldly date night -- actually, make that 100 date nights, all of which can impress for both high quality and budgetary reasons.

May I present the American Film Institute's Top 100 Greatest Films OF ALL TIME. And not just one version, but two -- an updated list from 2007 that adds to the original list published in 1997, and a version that breaks out movies into genres. Pick a movie that you or your significant other haven't seen. Alternate choices each time you pull out the list. Or close your eyes and point and see which one comes up randomly.

So whether you are looking for fun, educational or just plain random date nights, the AFI list is a great jumping-off point for your video queue or trip to the video store. Pair an Italian flick with homemade pizza and vino. Pick up some popcorn and Twizzlers for the old comedies. However you do it, it will be a fun night with your significant other, a group of friends or totally by yourself.

Except for those creepo ones like Psycho. Better find at least one person to join you :)

Ready to get watching? Download these printable checklists straight from AFI: 
AFI Top 100 Movies 100th Anniversary Edition
AFI 10 Top 10 Movie Lists by Category 
All other AFI lists (Passions, Thrills, Laughs, etc.) are available here

Binder Challenge Wrap-Up: Mediterranean Delight

The recent streak of warm weather here in Atlanta (literally a week after a dusting of snow -- we have such odd weather here) does nothing but remind me that shorts, tank top and bikini season is rapidly approaching. We have started taking a closer look at some of the things on our weekly menus, and are trying to consciously swap out higher-fat meals for things that will give us high energy while remaining low-calorie and low-WW Points.

Don't get me wrong; the frozen Italian meals-in-a-bag are still in the freezer (there are always great coupons for those, and they are easy to throw together on a late-night weeknight) and Chin Chin and Piu Bello will still get calls every other week or so. But I really feel my best when I load up my plates with fresh vegetables and lean meats, so why not proactively design our menus around that?

To kick it all off right, our Sunday trip to Publix involved more time than usual in the Produce section, because we had three recipes in mind for the week ahead. I am so excited to share two of them with you here. If you have ever even remotely considered doing something like the Mediterranean Diet, these two recipes are definite winners in our books.

Broccoli Chickpea Puree -- What is termed by it's New York Times author as "green hummus," this mixture comes out tasting nothing like broccoli, but is chock full of broccoli's nutrients anyway. We (ok not me, I just watched haha) whipped this tasty recipe up in under 10 minutes, and it makes a ton!

I smothered mine on whole-wheat pita bread, or you can also use it as a spread for a sandwich -- turkey, sprouts and tomato might be great. They also recommend putting it on crostini, serving it up warm.

          * WW Points per 1/4 cup: 4

Tabouli -- I have termed this the best tabouli (tabbouleh? tabouleh? Why do they insist on spelling it differently everywhere?) that I have ever had, much to the pleasure of the chef (again, I didn't actually DO much of this cooking this weekend. I played "sous chef" and helped with prep and mindless chatter instead, hehe). This version of the traditional Middle Eastern salad is fresh with lemon juice, mint, parsley and salt, and the cracked wheat (we used whole wheat couscous) makes it a filling dish without being heavy. I kid you not, I can't wait to have this as part of my lunch today, it is that good.

          * WW Points per 1 cup: Approximately 4

Our tip: Make both of these and use together on a warm pita. Oh. My. Goodness.

Can I book my trip to Greece now, please?

The Cows Laugh For a Reason

Oh how I love thee, Laughing Cow cheese. I like to eat you straight out of your little foil wrapper with the cute red pull-tab.

Even better than plain, you make everyday snacks indulgent. I spread you on baguette bread. Spear you with pretzel sticks. Dab you onto apple slices.

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And with only 1 WW point per wedge, it is extraordinary the amount of flavor you deliver.

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Your Mozzarella, Sun-dried Tomato and Basil version in particular makes me oh so happy. I like to spread this one on a sandwich thin and top with scrambled eggs made in the microwave at work. Or smash into scrambled eggs at home. Or spread on a scrambled egg wrap.

(That variety obviously works really nicely with eggs, haha)

And to think, you can even be the newest cheese I use on one of our pizza creations! I signed up for their monthly newsletter to get more creative food ideas delivered right to me. Hungry Girl has a bunch more.

Those cows are laughing for a reason -- they are a low-cal, easy and versatile snack :)

Who else out there is Laughing Cow's biggest fan? Be on the lookout for the Sunday paper coupons on these as they are a little pricey otherwise, coming in around $3 a pop. Not like that stops me from buying them anyways, though!

Disclosure: I do not work with Laughing Cow, but goodness gracious, am just totally in love with them.

Here Fishy Fishy

Last week, we suffered a loss. A sad, sad loss. Lil' Jon the Beta Fish died :(

Ok fine. You might chuckle (what's wrong with you people?!). But seriously, it was a very, very sad day. You can't deny that it would be very disheartening to begin your day, fresh out of bed, only to immediately discover that your fish is overly still in his tank, oddly lilting to the right... Tear. 

As my brother wisely noted in his Facebook eulogy, Lil' Jon's name was testament to how long I owned him -- Lil' Jon the Rapper was actually quite popular when I purchased him :) Lil' Jon the Beta Fish saw me through two moves, three homes, the final-final exams and first months at work. He was the first roommate I ever had in my new condo. And he wasn't your ordinary fish, either, happy to just swim around in circles. He was quite smart, always swimming up to chomp on fish food at the top right corner of the tank whenever I walked near him.

This fish meant a lot to me. I have only had two pets in my life, and both of them were Betas. Others grew up with cats and dogs and ferrets and parrots. My brother and I? We had forts in the woods and crystal-growing jars and musical instruments instead. We lived a highly well-rounded childhood, but you better believe that as soon as I was in my "own place," I went out to PetSmart that very week and purchased a pet, thinking it was time to take on some adult responsibility.

So I decided on a pet fish.

I figured I should start slow. And the salesman said Beta fish were easy enough.

But Mr. P (there was some story of relevance there about that name that has since escaped me) the Beta Fish was a sad little guy. He chose to not eat for weeks upon weeks, and eventually, his little starved body just gave up. Saying that I was horrified to have to bury (or flush, rather) a pet so soon would be the understatement of the year. That Lil' Jon survived his predecessor by almost 3.5 years was a sheer miracle, and made me believe in pets all over again.

Note: This is NOT St. Thomas. It's someone else's fish
that looks JUST like ours. So I thought it a worthy image :)

This past weekend, we welcomed Beta #3 to the world, naming him after the deep blue waters of the Caribbean that his scales look so much like. St. Thomas is already learning the trick of getting fed, and loves his new castle that we bought him, too.

A lot of others out there are pet-people in a bigger way. You have the ability buy and take care of cats and dogs, and for this I am jealous. I will be there, someday. I need to learn more about taking care of an animal, and about the great Circle of Life. For now, though, St. Thomas is my new best buddy :)

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On a slightly related note, I noticed this in the paper and wanted to share ...

Do you love dogs? There is a great event coming up here in town especially for you Golden Retriever fans out there!

Golden Gala - Benefiting Abandoned Golden Retrievers
When: Saturday, Feb. 26 from 7-10PM
Where: Mason Murer Fine Arts Gallery (love this space on the Westside!)
What: An evening of food, jazz, silent auctions and friendly furry visitors, hosted by WSB-TV's John Pruitt and wife Andrea
Tickets: www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com

Pizza Pizza!

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Over the last few years, I have become a master (mistress?) in the art of pizza making at-home on the cheap. Forget the pizza stones and dough from scratch. While those would be fun if I had more money and/or time, homemade pizza can be as easy as naming an Italian movie (Goodfellas!). And even better? It can be 100% indulgent, or 100% healthy -- whichever your pleasure for your evening in Napoli.

Looking for an unique date night idea? Build-your-own pizzas are creative and inexpensive, and allow for some much-desired quality time in the kitchen with your significant other. It's also great for those early date nights, because it's a relaxing and fun way to get to know each other.You can also make mini pizzas, or one big one with two sides of different toppings to keep it entertaining.

Here, a few of our favorite combinations to get you started. Think beyond basic cheese or pepperoni. Pizza is a blank slate, and is meant to be experimental!

Dough
If you don't have time to run past your local pizza shop (recommended! Try Fellini's here in town) for some, stop by Publix and grab theirs by the bakery counter. Dough only costs a few dollars when fresh.

Another great and cheap option -- Pillsbury's thin crust pizza crust. We used this over the weekend and were pleasantly surprised by how great it turned out, and for how few WW points, too. 1/5 of the pizza crust is only 5 points! It requires a 5-minute pre-bake, which works well if you have toppings to prep.

For whichever dough you use, spray a large baking sheet with Pam and stretch the dough out on it to meet the edges. Roll up the sides a tad to make the "crust."

Sauce
Sure you can go the jarred or canned route. But I prefer doing sauces more a la natural. Try a simple can of bottom-shelf crushed tomatoes, and drain out some of the liquid before spreading all over the top of your crust. This type of "sauce" is simple but gives a fantastically fresh flavor. Even better, skip the sauce and make your pizza white.

Toppings
This is where it gets fun. Here are some of my favorites.

• White pizza with mushrooms and spinach: Pick up the best mushrooms you can find. 
• Mexican breakfast pizza: Smash up drained black beans with a teaspoon of cumin, and spread on crust. Top with salsa verde (the green one) and shredded Mexican cheese. Bake about halfway (timing depends on which crust you use), then add 4-5 cracked eggs on top -- make a divet for each one so that they stay in place. Cook until eggs are over-easy and not wiggly. If desired, serve with shredded lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream.
• Mexican breakfast pizza, take two: We added a cup of chopped leeks to the bean mixture, and used taco sauce instead of salsa. Ah-maz-ing just as is!
• Meat lover's pizza: This one was for the man, since you can tell I don't mind going meatless with my pizzas :) Brown up reduced-fat sausage, adding Italian seasonings as you go. Layer crushed tomatoes, cooked sausage and pepperoni slices on top of crust, finishing with shredded Mozzarella cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and browning.
• Peppers and onions pizza: Saute sliced multi-colored peppers and onions until softened. Combine with cooked, sliced Italian sausage. Spread crushed tomato "sauce" and cover with sausage and peppers mixture. Top with shredded Mozzarella and finish up in the oven. 

Mangia!!

Love. And White Dogs.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends and family out there -- you all mean so much to me, whether I know you in real life or just via the interwebs. Thank you for your love and support and friendship!!

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Oh. And. Have I ever told you all that I have a slight obsession with West Highland White Terriers? Oh. My. Lord. This is a post for another day, let me tell you. But the above was just too cute to not post :)

To Straighten or Clean, That is the Question

"Life is full of interruptions and complications."
~Love Actually

I have been a horrible, horrible blog poster.

I always kind of chuckle to myself when I see these kinds posts on other people's blogs. Whether it's "Kids 1 and 2 have been miserably sick" or "I was out of town and buried with work," I can't help but think, oh I am sure they have 5 minutes here or there to post something for us loyal readers!

Now, here is me: eating my proverbial words.

My life has been all sorts of crazy since the New Year. A new job, a new schedule, new friends and new extracurricular items have all combined into the perfect storm of me becoming utterly overwhelmed by the sheer thought of logging online when I arrive home in the evening or on the weekends.

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The new schedule really isn't even the issue, however. I have found myself feeling this panicky urge to clean, straighten and cook whenever I have a moment to myself at home. It's gotten to the point where I have noticed that I just can't sit still sometimes. It's exhausting. By all means, that pot can NOT sit dirty one last second, and the counters need a good wipe-down. And that pile of papers needs filing before I can start in on the endless TiVo shows.  I have been scheduling every moment of my life, and am finding it difficult to zone out with no agenda. Even when I am reading a magazine here and there, my mind is racing with other things I need to get done.

Why can't I just ignore the daily clutter and mess for a little while, and take some time for ME? And if I can take time for me, surely I can take a few minutes and plug out a good blog post while I am at it!

I am struggling with my own inner control of my OCD tendencies. While I have not been officially diagnosed, and sometimes joke about it in jest, the symptoms are there for what is likely a mild case. I think this urge to clean and straighten is my mind's way of responding to the build-up of daily stressors, whether it's traffic or what to make for dinner. It's the urge to take control of a situation immediately, even if that "situation" ends up being the Tupperware cabinet. I have some ideas for how to tame it (daily and weekly goals and To-Do's, specific times of the week when I should clean and when I should relax, etc.) and also some ideas for how to work in more ME time.

In the meantime, I try and visualize what my ideal blogging situation would be -- a lovely evening spent at home (while watching all those recorded TiVo shows, of course!) on the couch, blogging away on my brandy-new Mac laptop.

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Unfortunately, that particular "motivator" purchase may need to wait until post-taxes :P

Do you find it difficult to take a time-out in your life? How do you work in that so-important time for yourself amidst the natural craziness of life?

Fall Over Each Other for This Falafel

Part of our yearly holiday excursion to the fair city of New York and it's surrounding boroughs has recently begun to include a day trip into Manhattan for exploration. Usually with no real plans ahead of us, this year we decided to be a bit more strategic with our day, especially since we were headed out in post-Blizzard 2010 slush, and so navigating the city streets would be more time-consuming than normal.

So off we went, on a brisk late December day, into my favorite city in the world. In our hands were our mini subway maps and this fabulous guide:

I have had a love affair with these DK Eyewitness books ever since I wore out a copy while studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. Their small-ish size means they can easily fit into your winter coat pocket (for the men) or a regular-sized ladies purse. Some editions feature bonus pop-open maps, and in the NYC edition, this includes subways. Ingeniously, they include numerous Top 10 Lists that detail out the "Top 10" whatever you should go see while in town, be it cafes, museums, parks, historic monuments or more.

One of my favorite features of these guidebooks is that they lay out plans for different neighborhoods in a city so that you can make a whole day of a district, hitting each of the hot spots while navigating the turf on foot. None of us kids had spent any amount of time in Battery Park, so we knew we'd inevitably end up down there, seeing the park, Trinity Church and perhaps a museum.

But first, we needed to eat.

With strategy on the mind, we decided ahead of time that a detour into the Village was necessary. The "best falafel in New York City" had to be consumed, and goodness, our trio was the perfect group to determine that lofty rating's worthiness. Granted, Serious Eats says it best about what that "rating" really means:

We're sure you have your own favorite falafel joints. And yet, as with a bagel or a chocolate chip cookie, there's an enormous difference between a falafel sandwich that's satisfying—crispy falafel balls, soft pita, enough hummus or tahini—and a falafel sandwich that's the best in New York.

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So off we went. Off an unnoticeable side street in the West Village, just a stone's throw from the famed Magnolia baker's dozen, Taim Falafel claims a tiny storefront with only 6 stools along it's window for seating. But don't let this fool you. Taim (written with two dots over the "i" that I can't recreate here in Times New Roman) packs in the crowd; even if most people have to take theirs To-Go and eat falafel goodness on a stoop somewhere nearby, the experience is 100% worth it.

We each tried a variety of their falafel - the green (traditional chickpeas plus parsley and other herbs), the red (made with red pepper, omg so good) and the yellow (made with spicy harissa). Each one had it's own flavor, and melds with the fresh flatbread, the creamy tzatziki sauce and hummus, fresh salad and maybe some feta for added flavor ... Oh my goodness, we scarfed ours down ASAP despite sitting in some snow-entrenched park with no cleared bench to be found.

Goober shot of me inhaling
(literally, my mouth is full!) the
falafel, courtesy of Colin :)

We highly, highly recommend Taim if you are a fan of a good falafel wrap and are willing to take an afternoon jaunt into the Village. And plus, you can't really beat having one of those famous cupcakes afterwards, either :)

What is your favorite falafel place, either here in Atlanta or in New York City? Have you tried Taim before?

A Look Back on 2010 ...

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Last year, I set some pretty lofty resolutions for myself. Let's take a looksie back at my dreams versus what actually happened in real life (written in blue for your reading pleasure!)  :)

Katherine's Ten for 2010

1. Get rid of the stacks of papers I keep around my kitchen. They drive me nuts because they clutter up the counter space, but I also have gotten used to them, and I know what is in each exact pile. There has got to be a way to force myself into filing some of these things more efficiently.
I actually did really well on this one! Though it took me until September to go out and purchase the stand-up rack for papers, woops. It helps me sort and file right away. Though there are still some stray piles here and there, it helps to keep it clear so that when people come over, I don't have to go hide all of the stacks on the washing machine, LOL.

2. Drink 36 oz of water a day. This is two Nalgenes' worth, and as I type it, I am thinking, yeah, I can do this!! But alas, some days still go by where I have maybe 12 oz. (today). Sigh. Pathetic.
Yep! Got into the groove thanks to WW. Keeping a large bottle at my desk really helped, in case you are looking for a way to fit in your H20, too.

3. Put my shoes away as I come in to the condo. There is no need for the pile to stack up by the door, when my lovely, organized closet with shoe racks is all of 10 steps away :)
It helps to be held more accountable to this one with all the random people we have stopping by at random times, so this one has gotten better for sure ...

4. Make a coffee date with a book each month. I miss reading! I LOVED finishing South of Broad over the holidays. I'd like to read a few more of the books on my shelf this year. Goal: 2 this spring.
Done and done. I loved using GoodReads to track my progress and get ideas for new books. Check out my page to see the full list of things I read.

5. Keep up with my food plans for the weeks, even when I am busy. They really help with my cost-savings and own sanity.
You saw it with your own eyes through my Weekly Binder Challenge, huzzah. Now if I could only continue this right now, as I am getting cozy with too many comfort foods!

6. Take some Katherine time on the weekends. TV, magazines, laundry and cleaning - whatever I need. It's too easy to let social plans take over! This could be combined with #4. What? That's not cheating.
Check! This was pretty easy to do when my weeks slowed down over the summer. Football Season will always be a challenging time of year to devote to Me, however. 

7. Paint my closet turquoise. I am doing it. Give me a few months though, I'll find some Saturday to tackle that.
Sigh. Nope. Though since then I have moved on to plans for a blue living room instead. I will have a springtime update about that one.

8. Go to Craft. I have been drooling over this place for way too long and it's right around the corner. Craft Bar was fab, time to save up for Craft itself.
Tear! This restaurant loss saddens me even more so because I never once got past the downstairs Bar :(

9. Buy fresh flowers when I can at Trader Joe's. I always love them and they make me happy, so why not drop the $5 for a fresh bouquet every week or two? Worth it for my happiness alone, and they have amazing prices for great-quality stems.
Yes! And I was even lucky enough to receive a few bouquets from others too ;) 

10. Stick to this list. If I do, it will be a happy 2010 :)
Continuing into 2011? I think so! 

Top Ten {Tuesday}: Volunteering Makes My Day

At GT FASET Orientation with balloons, Summer '05.

I have always loved contributing my time towards programs and causes that fit with my own interests. In college, I spent years working with our orientation program, helping incoming freshmen feel right at home from the moment they stepped on campus. And if I wasn't busy with schoolwork, I was meeting with a group of gray-haired alumni for a bus tour around campus. Weekend mornings were filled with planning functions, or meeting up with younger students hoping for a mentorship. I loved it.

Since graduating from college, I have been struggling with finding the right balance of volunteerism in my life, however. Some months are so busy with my job and with my own personal life, that I wonder when I might have time to sit down and think creatively for how to draw attendance to that upcoming fundraiser or how to jazz up plans for a networking event. I will admit to openly ignoring emails about groups needing volunteers to help with one thing or another, even for things that in the past I might have gladly jumped at. Once I commit to a project, putting it at the top of my own priorities has been difficult, too, when all I want to do at the end of a long work day is watch TV and maybe, maybe, write a new blog post here and there.

Today, in honor of Top Ten {Tuesday}, I am recapping for myself and you why I LOVE giving time back. Take it as part self-motivation (I have some things to be done in the short term that I keep putting off haha...) and part-motivation for you, too, since I know many of my friends long to feel the satisfaction of helping others.


Top Ten {Tuesday}: Why Volunteering Makes My Day

1. Share your skills. The group needing your help needs it for a reason -- they have a void, and you have a skill set that fits that void. If you commit to helping, you can help them and their causes succeed.

2.  Help makes the world go 'round. I love thinking about the younger people that I have worked with, whether it was a mentoring relationship, answering questions, or even just looking over their resumes and sharing my feedback. Why shouldn't I share some of my learnings with them? I am where I am now thanks to a lot of older people helping me, too. It's a win-win to pass it along!

3. I am in charge of my commitment levels. The great thing about giving your time to an organization is that you set your own boundaries and are often in charge of your own tasks. For example, I love doing event planning, but don't always have the time to execute every last detail. When I can, I try and take on roles that let me participate at levels that work for me.

4. Being creative is fun! Some of my favorite roles have challenged me beyond my usual day-to-day tasks, and help me think about the world around me in a new way. This bleeds back into my professional and personal life, giving me new skills or new ideas to tackle.

5. Explore a new interest and build talent. After working for years with the Events Department at the GT Alumni Association, I took the opportunity to find volunteer spots to inject that experience and build on it, all the while helping out a group that needed it. Now here I am today, wouldn't you know it, Miss I Love Planning Events-Central.

6. Networking 101. Volunteerism is at the very heart of networking. You never know who you are going to meet when you join in with that church group or show up for a day of yard work at the local park. You might walk away without any new friends, but it is much more likely that you will walk away knowing at least one or two people that share common career goals or other interests. Keep in touch with those people -- they could become your next job link!

7. It's good to have a change of scenery. Whether literally (volunteer in a different part of town than you usually hang out in) or emotionally (new group of people, new challenges, etc.), those flips from your normal life are rejuvenating.

8. You are helping people who need your support. Duh. :)

9. The feeling of accomplishment at the end can't be beat. Regardless of whether you are thanked publicly or if you go unnoticed for your efforts, volunteering gives you a wonderful boost of spirit and YAY.

10. This list is no where near complete. Why do YOU give your time to others? What ways have you found to balance those priorities with your other daily duties?