{one pot meal love} black bean, scallops, leek & rosemary risotto

I am officially out of food.

Well, technically, I do have homemade brownies from America's test kitchen and pumpkin cinnamon pecan chocolate chip granola to snack on. (sorry about the drool on your laptop; more on these later)

But after a weekend of traveling and eating out, followed by exams and a day trip to an amusement park, my body needed something more. It needed healthy, veggie-filled, whole grained, lean protein-laden, real people, grown-up homemade food. So I decided to make risotto. Because I remembered that I have brown rice and black beans in the pantry. And I have two sticks of carrots, one onion, one stick (is that the correct unit?) of leek, ginger, garlic, ketch up and strawberry jam in the fridge. (but the strawberry jam and ketchup may be irrelevant) Oh and frozen baby scallops in the freezer. I don't know if you are the type of person to have these ingredients on hand when you run out of food. You probably should be.

Black bean, Scallops, Leek & Rosemary Risotto

Ingredients:

brown rice- two cups, uncooked

black beans- one cup, uncooked

onion- one

leek- one stick

carrot- two sticks

baby scallops- a cup and half

garlic- 4 cloves

ginger- optional

rosemary- 1 tbs

basil- 1 tsp

cilantro- 1 tsp

thyme- 1 tsp

cayenne pepper- 1 tsp

soy milk- 3/4 cup

olive oil- 3 tbs

balsamic vinegar- 4 tbs

Directions:

1. Cook black beans and rice in rice cooker if you have one. Stovetop is fine if you don't.

2. Sautee diced/sliced leek, onions, garlic, ginger, carrots and scallops together in large pan with olive oil and balsamic.

3. Pour almost-cooked rice bean mixture into large pan. Mix in the herbs and the soymilk. Simmer on medium until ready.

{currently wishing for} the windy city

brown sugar brioche french toast, with pear compote
aka, the most amazing brunch I've ever had at the Bongo Room

Chicago is one of the greatest cities in America, hands down. It has the big city glamour without the pretentious stilettos, and a beachfront to boot. What's not to love? Okay I know, the only reason preventing me from packing up and moving there is well....the wind. November though March is not fun in the Midwestern winter of foot-deep snows and negative windchills. But if I did live here, Wicker Park/Bucktown would be where it's at with its urban hipster residents, inventive restaurants, quaint coffeeshops and endless shopping options from thrift stores to upscale boutiques.

hanging out at the most adorable espresso bar on Halsted. it's called Kickstand.
h&m sweater, banana republic chinos, 9 west mocccasins

just enjoying a sunny afternoon on the magnificent mile... legos are the theme this year!
martin+osa sweater, f21 necklace, banana republic belt, cassette jeans

{inspired by} girly girl (day 27)

ann taylor ruffle tee, f21 cardigan, arden b skirt, liz claiborne flats

Ruffles, pink, chiffon, & rosettes. I am truly a girly girl at heart.

Sorry I am so behind on posting- this outfit was actually from last Thursday! I've had the good luck of being on vacation in chicago the last few days- but I'll get back to more posts as soon as I survive my two midterms tomorrow.

{happy birthday to} a girl stylish inside & out! (day 26)

Today is my good friend Chelsey's birthday. We went out last night for delicious Cuban food & drinks to celebrate! She is truly one of my favorite people- not only because we both love good food & good clothes- but also because she is so genuinely kind. If you're reading this, Chels, I hope you have a wonderful time this year! Happy birthday!

wet seal jacket, j crew tee, cassette jeans, wet seal heels

Okay, you know how every single magazine has a "Day to Night" section, in which they use the exact same day-time outfit, but just add on heels, jewelry, make up, and call it the going out outfit? And you think to yourself, really, you guys sure put a lot of thought into that one. Well, that is exactly what I did today. I took a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, added heels, big earrings and make up, and called it good! I know I wore the leather jacket yesterday- but I don't know how I ever lived without it! It is an absolutely essential wardrobe item. In fact I plan on making it my go-to going out jacket!

This is the delicious arepas Chels and I shared. I've never had them before, but after reading this description: griddled cornmeal cakes with herbed goat cheese, avocado, molajete sauce, sauteed spinach & boniato- I was definitely sold! It was so yummy- we just might have to recreate that at home soon!

Me and the birthday girl! Excuse me for the one-eye look.... I have a bang-trim appointment tonight so no worries I will be able to see with two eyes soon!

{a shout out to} lovely roomies

pumpkin cream cheese muffins

just some cream cheese filling oozing out of the muffin

oatmeal almond chocolate chunk cookies

Hello, I have something important to say. Remember the age old question of "Is there anything better than homemade muffins and cookies in this world?" Well it has been answered and it is affirmative. How is this possible, you ask? It is by sharing the joy of such goods with your roommates!

Last Thursday, I felt a strong desire to bake homemade cookies after salivating after some girl's Mrs. Field's cookies in lecture. I was this close to buying some from Mrs. Fields until I thought about how the ones we make at home are so much better! So instead, I recruited my roommate Leah & made these oatmeal almond chocolate chunk cookies. 

Today, I came home to the smell of cinnamon & pumpkin wafting through the halls after logging 4 hours in the graduate library. Well, the source of the amazing smell was the two dozen pumpkin cream cheese muffins  awaiting on the kitchen counter- made by my other roommate Julie.

I am so spoiled/lucky to live with such fabulous girls! You guys are absolutely the best. :)

{rockin the look of} an edgy lady (day 25)

h&m dress, wet seal jacket, vintage belt, liz claiborne flats

A prim & proper sweater dress, single strand of pearls, black lacy headband, & a wide polka-dot belt. The facade of a perfectly lady-like outfit falters a bit at the presence of rolled-up sleeves & a black leather jacket. What is surprising though, is how the lady-like appearance actually dominates the edginess of the leather jacket, almost lending it the polish and the professionalism of a black blazer.

While I liked the look of this on me in the mirror and the photos, for some reason it just didn't feel right. All day long, I wanted nothing but to change into a drapey tee, black yoga pants, worn-in moccassins, topped off with a colorful pashmina. I'd like the coin the term "sophisticated lounger" for this look. It's quite charming, really.

{mastering the art of} girl on the go (day 24)

Sometimes you've just got to brush, wash, get dressed and go. Today is one of those days- I got up at 5:30am. Dark-washed flares, black v-neck & converses are quite handy when you have 30 seconds to look presentable. Though it took me an additional 90 seconds to accessorize,  this Anthropologie necklace was definitely worth the time.

Just because you literally spent 5 minutes on your appearance doesn't mean you have to look like you just stumbled out. My advice on faking the "it's Monday and I'm somehow still pulled together and you are totally jealous" look is simple: Step one, choose clothes that are flattering and fit well- nothing too tight or baggy. Step two, accessorize. Step three, spritz on your favorite perfume and get out of here!