Swoon!  Today is quite possibly the world's most magical day.  From commoner (I love how they make it sound like she grew up in a trailer park when in reality she went to some of the most prestigious and expensive schools...but whatever!) to future queen.  Every little and big girl's most constant fantasy.







And oh my, didn't she look breathtaking?  So Grace Kelly.  The dress...all that lace and silk...that's style done right.  She looked royal.  Not because of the tiara (though hello how fabulous!).  But because of her presence.  Who she is on the inside.  She is going to be so fun to watch over the years!







They didn't look scared.  Just comfortable and happy and excited.  They looked like a bride and groom.  Not stuffy (though those military uniforms look terribly uncomfortable- that rope thing under Harry's arm looks super awkward). 

OMG if you have a little girl or know a little girl, you need to run right over to RueLaLa and check out their American Girl boutique today. Normally mini a doll and book combo sells for around $30, but today on RueLaLa they are only $15.90! Great! Christmas really isn't that far away, y'all. Might be time to start thinking about stocking up on special gifts. Hurry, hurry... RueLaLa sells out fast!

Thanks Lauren and mFw...I totally did not realize they were mini dolls!  So glad y'all pointed that out!

This is less of a recipe and more of a "hmmm...what's at home that I can use to make dinner tonight without running to the grocery store" meal. But even though it's not the prettiest dish (a not-for-company-meal as I like to call them), it's super tasty and healthy. Also, I rarely measure stuff. So my measurements are just a guesstimate. Use your best judgement and make it your own.




Honey Mustard Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1/3 cup mustard (I use spicy brown because I LOVE mustard.)
* 1 tsp. soy sauce
* 2-3 tbls. sour cream (I use fat free. Mayo would work great too.)
* 1-2 tbls. EVOO
* 1 large chicken breast, cut in small chunks
* 1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed
* 3 half bags of frozen green veggies (I used collard greens, broccoli and peas.)
* 2 boxes/packages wild rice

Directions:
* Mix together in small bowl the mustard, honey and soy sauce. Add cut chicken. Cover in plastic wrap. Go walk the dog.
* Cook the rice.
* While rice is going, add EVOO to large pan and cook chicken on med-high. Add frozen veggies. Add any remaining honey mustard marinade from the chicken bowl. Once the veggies are defrosted, the rice should be ready. Add to pan. Mix well and cook together for another few minutes.

Enjoy!

If you are dairy free, just substitute mayo for the sour cream. If you are vegetarian, just add an additional can of chickpeas. Again, it's not company worthy. But it makes a TON, is easy, low-fat, healthy, inexpensive and very yummy.

But I just realized this morning, as I stepped on the scale for the first time in two months, that maybe people weren't just being polite.  I've had access to a lot more candy than normal lately due to couponing (Don't worry- most I have given away or stored in the freezer but I've eaten my fair share of those Snickers Eggs too.)  You see, lately, people keep asking me if I've lost weight.  I figured they were being polite or something.  And also attributed it to the fact that I am no longer having to wear my ankle length puffy coat that makes me look like a blue state puff marshmallow.  It's so warm here that I have been wearing just a light sweater or in the evenings to walk the dog, my light Burberry coat.  Oh yeah baby...spring has sprung and this little chickadee is loving it!

But back to me.  Ha.  So I crept on the dreaded scale just to see how much blubber I stored this winter and it turns out, I lost a bunch of it.  Like nearly TEN POUNDS.  My jeans are loose but other than that, I feel like a fat cow.  Just being honest.  I feel just allover yuck about my body's current state of affairs. 

I desperately want to be one of those cool girls who proudly proclaims that she loves working out.  I do not.  I loathe working out.  I loathe sweating, even when not caused by working out.  I loathe gyms.  They give me heart palpitations and I won't go near one.

So somehow a bit of the blub has magically disappeared.  I wonder what might happen if I actually popped in one of my many workout DVD's a few times a week too?  Perhaps I will be back on with a report of this very scientific and fancy experiment.  And perhaps there is a sliver of hope that I will actually fit back into my favorite Lilly's this summer.

...hmmm...could this be the reason I was unable to buy my beloved patch skirt on Rue the other day??  It's all rather exciting and mysterious, no?!

Are they enchiladas or burritos or...  I don't really know what to call this dish but it's really really yummy.  And flexible.  You can add whatever you have in the house.  I usually add caramelized onions but for the first time in my adult life, I was out of onions.  Gasp!  I've made it with leftover meat of every variety from turkey or chicken to ham and even made them with just veggies.  And I used flour tortillas.  Because I have fallen off my gluten free wagon.  I even ate TWO slices of bread at dinner.  That was the first time in forever that I ate bread.  I don't know what's wrong with me but I know I need to get back on the gf train.  My insides are not very happy at me.  But that aside, make this for your friends or family soon.  It's delish!

Enchiladaritos

Ingredients:
* Flour tortillas
* Refried beans (I use fat free.  Black beans are yummy too.)
* Veggies (I used spinach here but onions, peppers, leftovers from last night all work well.)
* Meat (I used canned crab meat.)
* Salsa
* Cheese (I actually rarely use cheese but it's extra yummy.)
* Enchilada sauce
* Non-stick cooking spray
* Sour cream




Directions:
* Spray baking dish with non-stick spray.  Trust me- this is the key to getting the tortillas out in one piece.
* Spread beans down center of tortilla.  Add in veggies, meat, salsa and cheese.  Roll up.
* Place in baking dish,seam side down.  Spritz non-stick cooking spray on side of tortilla that will touch another tortilla. 
* Continue with as many as you are making.  Spritzing each tortilla side.
* Top with any remaining salsa, cheese and the can of enchilada sauce.
* Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
* Top with sour cream.

I was on Ruelala right at 11AM.  I found the two items I loved the most.  I typed in my credit card #1.  Twice.  It kept saying something was wrong. 

I really really really wanted this skirt!

I always hate how they style these dresses.  Nude heels?  She just looks confused.

I didn't take time to figure out what.  So I just typed in my credit card #2.  Three times.  Still said something was wrong.  I knew nothing was wrong with either card so I finally called Ruelala.

The gal with whom I spoke was so nice but had the s l o w e s t computer known to man.  Tick tock tick tock...my items were now sold out!  You'd think that a company selling things based on speed would give their employees fast computers.  You'd think.

Her computer didn't even show a record of credit card #2.  Which is annoying as I typed it in at least three times.  She looked and typed and the bottom line is that once something is sold out, it in fact is really sold out.  And there is no waiting list for returned items.  I asked.  Returned items go back to the maker.  So Lilly Pulitzer in this case.

I really really really wanted this skirt and dress!  Like I am still near tears over the matter.  I mean, I was online on time.  I had those items in my cart during the all five attempts to type in my credit card numbers.  I have determined that it is a Ruelala system error seeing as how it didn't even show the second credit card.  And the number I typed in for the first was correct.

I know it's not the end of the world.  But I had visions of wearing that patch skirt and crocodile dress all summer.  Sad sad preppy day for a particular pink crocodile. 

On Wednesday at 11AM, Ruelala is having a Lilly Pulitzer sale.  These are always so fabulous but you have to shop early to get your favorite pieces.  Things go crazy fast.  If you are not yet signed up, click on the link and get yourself ready.  It's free to sign up.  And then make sure you are able to hop on at 11AM EST to find some fun summer Lillys!

I am recently obsessed with this kid from Yale, Sam Tsui.  He's just....amazing.  None of that phony bologna alter your voice in a machine crap that Brit, Kim Kardashian and everyone else is using these days.  Seriously is he is crazy good.  Listen...


More than a Man in a Mirror....





My current radio favorite (and how I stumbled upon Sam)....





For my fellow gLeeks....





Wicked Good....

Wow!!  That was just the BEST GAME EVER!!  The Butler Bulldogs are headed to the National Championship.  Again!  Because they're awesome.  The under dogs are looking more like the TOP DAWGS this year.  It's so on, UConn!

And how about that Matt Howard.  Not only is he a basketball rock star but he was also named NCAA Academic All American.  Brains and brawn!

Doubt us all you want, America.  Butler is back and better than ever!  Let's go B U!!

I am not sure how well this story will translate but I want it down so that I can re-read it years from now...

Today I experienced a first.  One of my "kids" introduced me to her boyfriend.  Like went of of her way and his way so that we could finally meet and greet. 

And he's fantastic.  But I already knew that.  I've heard nothing but rave reviews about this boy for the last nine months.  He absolutely lived up to his reputation. 

But this was the first time that someone I've advised thought so highly of me to introduce me to her significant other.  I am just blown away by the gesture. 

When I first started working with this group, more than five years ago, I never in a million years would have predicted that I would walk away with friendships.  To say my term started out on rocky ground is a royal understatement.  And that rocky ground period lasted the better part of three years.  There were a lot of unpredictable factors that played into that, but in general, I sort of hated this volunteer gig.  It made me cry and whine.  A lot.  No one liked me.  I am not really sure why I stuck it out.  Likely a good bit to do with guilt.  Knowing that even if I wasn't doing a stellar job, at least I was doing something and no one else wanted it.  Not that I blamed them. 

But the last few years have been very different for me.  Not perfect of course.  But dare I say, I've actually had a good bit of fun along the way.  A lot has to do with my fellow advisors.  Some old and some new but we just seem to finally gel really well.  And as I have said several times, the team I had last year...those "kids" were just amazing!  I felt such a strong bond with many of them that made all the hard work and long hours so much less stressful and more fun.  And this year's team of "kids" is really fantastic too. 

I am not sure what the magic combination of factors was that turned things around for me, but I am so joyful that I stuck it out to see this side of the coin.  Oh, it's all still plenty stressful and sometimes rather frustrating.  But the human connections make it easier to over look.  They make me laugh my booty off.  And I know I make them laugh, usually just by rambling on about some story from my childhood or college days. 

Today, I was proven wrong.  In the best possible way.  On some teeny tiny spectrum, I made a difference and I managed to do something right along the way.  Holy heck, that's an important realization.  It really does make even the cruddiest of times worth it to find out that you have made a positive impression on another.  They really like me!  Mostofthetime.