the weight of getting older

So here's the thing about turning 27. You turn the corner on being able to eat whatever the hell you want. I'm telling you now so that when you get here, you know it ahead of time. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to make it to 28 or unlucky enough that 26 is when it happens but for me, it is 27.

I've always considered myself an active person. I run, lift weights, spin and even did boxing for about a year. Suddenly though out of no where I gained about 8 pounds and no matter how much I do or don't eat, no matter how hard I run myself into the ground, that scale will not move. 

So I tried "dieting." Quotes because I'm not a person who can diet or further more wants to. I hate being the person that eats salad while everyone else enjoys pasta. I don't like saying no to candy and I really hate not being able to visit my favorite bakery on 23rd street. So my diet was this; replace lunch with a green juice, drink more water, no more candy or bakery goods and no butter. Simple right? Sort of… except, nothing changed. Except my attitude which was annoyed and aggravated because all I could think about was rose macarons. So what do you do?

You stop looking at the scale. 

I run. I run really freaking hard and long on some days. I bike. I have a nifty single speed bike that means I can't cheat on hills with gears. I lift weights and jump around like a nut. I think you can classify this as CrossFit. I twist and bend in yoga. And I have stopped looking at the scale. After 5 days straight at the gym some weeks I feel like a brand new woman and what can ruin that moment isn't a cookie but that damn number.

But my jeans still fit the same and I still trot around in a bikini of vacation so at the end of the day, do those +8 pounds matter? Sometimes. Sometimes they bug me and make me select the non-fat yogurt rather than the 2%. But most of the time, they don't. Because I can eat macaroons with the understanding that I'm going to ride my bike a bit harder that day. That's okay with me. Because of all the vices I could have, +8 pounds isn't so bad.

apples to apples

I made my first apple pie back in October when inspired by Blue Stoves own homemade pies. I've been perfecting my skill since then for Thanksgiving, Chris's Birthday and just for the sake of the smell filling the apartment. Tonight I made apple cake as requested by the apple king himself, Chris. As we wait for the cake to cool, I thought to share the two recipes for those of you who are looking to fill your own kitchen with the amazing aroma of baked apples. Happy Sunday to everyone. Cheers.

apple pie

crust

2 1/2 cups of flour

1 cup butter, chilled and diced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup ice water

Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, until mixture forms a ball. Refrigerate while you prep the filling. Roll out half the dough to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Place crust in pie plate. Fill the pie with your apple mixture. Roll out the other half of the dough and either lattice 1/4" wide strips or cover it fully and slice small slits into the top.

filling

4-5 baking apples

3/4 cup fine sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Peel and core the apples. Dice them into 1-inch cubes. Place in medium bowl with sugar, flour and cinnamon. Mix together and empty into pie curst. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

apple cake

ingredients

3/4 cup flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

4 large apples (a mix of varieties)

2 large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons dark rum

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 tablespoons butter, salted or unsalted, melted and cooled to room temperature

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch pan. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Peel and core the apples. Dice them into 1-inch cubes. In a separate bowl whisk eggs until foamy. Whisk in sugar, then rum and finally the vanilla. Add in half of the flour mixture and half the butter. Add the rest once it blends together. Fold in apple cubes little by little until they are well coated in the batter. Scape everything into your pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes.

pickup + go

I rarely just pick up and leave. More so lately though I haven't many reasons to stay. On the only snowy day thus far this winter I put on my coat, stuffed deodorant, my toothbrush and a clean tee in a bag and headed to Grand Central Station. A best friend of mine met me there. Two sugar brioches, a shared coffee and several hours later we were brushing off the snow of a pickup truck. Keys left for us, bumble bee hanging from the rearview mirror.

No plan. No internet. No television. No cell service. No problem. Problems. Why we left all along. 24 hours of silence and snow. We made chili from scratch. A recipe that I've been jonesing for ever since she first set a bowl in front of me. "Easy," with a shrug of those bird-like shoulders. Bon Iver cooning and chopping up vegetables. Monk the cat chatting away in cat language. Simmering olive oil, boiling water, small glass of wine.

Hard to remember the heavy heart who left the city. Here all we were were hands chopping, stirring, pouring. Feet shifting weight. Bodies light, minds lighter.

24 hours of smells. Wood fire, red wine, homemade chili and snow. The chili, I swear it fixes everything. Bad days, bruised hearts.

Kate's famous

 
1 can of tomatoes
1 green pepper
1 white onion
1 butternut squash
1/2 bag of frozen corn
1 can of white beans
1 can of red beans
1 can of kidney beans
1/2 lb of turkey
chili powder to taste
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil
1 cup of white rice (optional)
sour cream (optional)
cheddar cheese (optional)

Dice your pepper and onion. Throw it in a deep pot with simmering olive oil. Put in the turkey. Mix and brown. Dice the squash and boil it in a second pot with water until soft. Add corn, tomatoes and beans to the main pot. Add chili powder. Add squash once soft. Add a little water if necessary. Cook a cup of white rice (optional). Let everything cook. When ready to serve, put rice in bottom of bowl, then chili, sour cream and cheddar cheese. Enjoy.

In addition to making chili, Kate is a photographer. Check it.

do the macaroni

Perfect for a cool day or just a day where you need some comfort in the form of food. This simple recipe was easy, quick and delish. We haven't had the coldest winter (thus far anyway) but that's no reason to not enjoy winter-like food. Enjoy.

cheesy baked pasta with spinach and artichokes
real simple magazine, april 2012

serves 4

8 ounces mezzi rigatoni or some other short pasta (1/2 box)
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, rinsed and quartered
1 9-ounce package of frozen creamed spinach, thawed
1/4 cup grated parmesan (1 ounce)
2 cups grated mozzarella (8 ounces)
black pepper and salt to taste

Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain and set in broiler proof baking dish. Add in the artichoke hearts, spinach, parmesan, half the mozzarella, pepper and salt. Toss to combine. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top. Broil until the cheese is browned in spots, 2-3 minutes.

maxed out

Obviously it's been snowing quite a lot, it's all anyone is talking about. I'm trying to make a conscious decision each morning to not let that influence my outfit. I saw the winter maxi look first here and then every time I saw the look, it haunted me. Sort of the same issue I had with the shorts with tights - I love it but when I put it on, I felt silly. But in honor of the blizzard last night and the fact that my favorite jeans are in the laundry - I put on my maxi skirt and off I went. I'm not sure how others feel about it but I think it's fun, comfy and different from my normal daily wear. So today I'm wearing black leather english riding boots, a black maxi skirt, black fitted tank, oversized purple knit and a knotted brown leather belt around my waist. I tied the look off with a clean bun and a cat eye.

c'est la vie

I officially moved this weekend to the Upper West Side in Manhattan. We handed in our keys on Sunday and it felt semi-ceremonial closing the door to that apartment one last time and opening a new chapter of my life. The weekend before the move I painted my room a cool silver blue. Half the reason I selected the color was because of the name, French Silver. I'm into everything Parisian, more so lately than normal. The hues in the photos above are spot on for the feeling of my new, slightly smaller, bedroom. Once I am able to get rid of a few items, like this pink desk and find my dream desk, it'll be perfect. Oh and of course find a chandelier because with 12' ceilings, why not?

vacation meets stay-cation

Every year at the end of January I seem to think winter is almost over. I cross my fingers and toes that soon it'll warm up enough to wear sandals and be able to walk outside without getting hit with a cold blast of air. And every year, it never happens because the season is only half way through. So this is also the time where I start planning my dream escapes and adventures. LA, Thailand, Spain, Paris, etc. etc. I just want to hop on a plane and say 'adios' to the gray weather in NYC. I've been so terribly busy at work and with moving that I am planning a stay-cation. A blissful weekend of doing all those things that I say I'm going to do but never find the time to. Ice skating, back to back spin classes, trips to MoMa, coffee shops galore, reading the stack of unread New York Mags and lots and lots of sleep. Hopefully this stay-cation happens sooner than later, I need some R&R even if that means right here in my new Upper West Side apartment.

it's black, it's white

Seems like the theme of the week is black and white. Every photo I am drawn too, every illustration, my own wardrobe, everything - black and white. I find this humorous because if you know me personally I'm much more of a bright pink (sassy pink as some of you know) type of person. I think it may have something to do with the snow lately. Everything looks so stark and clean. I love waking up early to see the perfectly covered rooftops and balconies out my window. Above are three pieces that I pulled today which back me up. I really want a dress like that; so simple and so beautifully cut in the back. Wishing everyone safe travels home this Wednesday evening. xx

snow delay

It's all over the news that a huge snow storm is rolling in this evening. I'm hoping for a snow day from work to spend all day in bed. Who wouldn't want to crawl in next to this guy? A girl can dream...

the weather outside

Finally snow! I'm bundled up here in Pennsylvania waiting for the storm that's going to blowing though. With no responsibilities other than to make coffee, read and hang out with the family, I am more than thrilled to watch the snow fall. I hope everyone is enjoying their own holiday break. I think I'll set up camp in front of our own fireplace today, seems like a completely appropriate way to spend the day :o)

snow queen

Seems it's been snowing everywhere but NYC/NJ area so far this year. While I'm not a huge fan of winter in general, snow is one of the only seasonal changes I do enjoy. I used to sit in the snow for hours when I was younger. My dad was a pro at making snow people and I thought of myself as his right hand helper. I'm hoping for more snow once I get back to PA for the holiday. White Christmas Wishes! xo

shot to the heart

Here's my issue with the flu shot, I'm convinced that by getting it that I will jinx myself into catching it. I caught a bug last year that was so terrible it almost ruined my trip to Colorado to ski with three of my best guy friends. Was it the flu? I'll never know but I do know it was awful. So what do you think? Can anyone recommend where they go their own flu shot? Dress credit to The Blondes.