Six Pack Sunday

Six Pack Sunday: Brooklyn, Baby!

/ foodsweatandbeers / 11 Comments

Greetings friends, from one very exhausted jet-setter.  It feels like I barely left on Friday for my jam-packed weekend in the Big, juicy Apple of New York!!  Though I plan to write a more serious grown up post documenting my experience in the future, this travel-addled brain thinks that, for right now, I’d better stick to the easy stuff. Namely, a Six Pack Sunday!  Here are a few little nuggets from my trip that I can’t wait to share.

WARNING: Graphic images of cobra genitals are in this post. If that offends your delicate sensibilities…. read no further.

Six Pack Sunday: Brooklyn, Baby!

1. I’m Bringing Sexy Pickle Back

Have you ever heard of a drink called a Pickle Back?  It’s not really a drink, per se, as much as it’s a series of two shots.  In my fraternity, we used to call it Dickle and a Pickle, I believe. But that’s just semantics.

You start with a shot of whiskey (preferably Jameson). Then, you chase it with a shot of briney pickle juice.

Ready for my first pickle back...

Well, I finally tried one (I was down to try any/everything this weekend).  My reaction?

Oh no no no no no, never again

Claire’s a bit of a pickle princess, but I really don’t think I’ll be ordering this one again.  Then again, I’m pretty pleased that I can proudly claim the experience.

2. Anne Hathaway Reading a Book and Drinking Wine

I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a celebrity-crazed lunatic most of the time if/when I’m near a famous human.  This weekend, I had an especially lucky brush with fame.

I spotted Anne Hathaway, in Ippudo, reading a book and drinking white wine.  Well, technically, Claire spotted her first. And I tried not to ogle. And then, demonstrating EXTREME restraint and self-discipline, I didn’t run over and wildly demand a picture.  In fact, I played it cool.  I was all like, “Oh, Anne, I will acknowledge we’re dining at the same establishment, nbd, this happens all the time.”

This should sort of paint a picture for you.

This is exactly what it was like.

Secretly, though, all I could think of is “I’ve seen your boobs” which is (normally) not something I think about my dining buddies.  Oh well, part of the business, I’m sure.

3. Museum of Sex? Yes, please.

Speaking of “boobs”, we went to the Museum of Sex! Through Google Offers (Google’s group buying site!), I got my ticket for half-price, and definitely saw enough that I definitely got the bang for my buck (bahahaha cheesey sex jokes).

Sexy, can I?

There were oodles of exciting and interesting exhibits but, I have to admit, the Sex Lives of Animals was beyond fantastic.

Mounting!

Pleases all the lady cobras.

4. Hot Cha Cha!

Since I’d already tried one crazy cocktail in the Pickle Back, I couldn’t resist the Jalapeno Quencher at our fancy, amazing dinner at Aqua Grill.

Feel the Burn!

Described as: Chilled Ketel One Vodka, Pomegranate Liquor, Jalapeno, Lime, and Cranberry Juice, this left my mouth on fire in the most delicious way possible.

5. Smorgasburg Started Off Right!

One event I’d been looking forward to since the moment Claire described it was Smorgasburg.  A Brooklyn Food Flea Market, I couldn’t wait to go for brunch Saturday morning.  And what better way to start off brunch than an oyster shooter?

When in Williamsburg...

The oysters were from Brooklyn Oyster Party and I couldn’t imagine a better appetizer for the meal we enjoyed later!! An interesting way to start a morning, without a doubt.

6. You Look So Good in SWEAT!!

Easily the most inspiring part of the weekend was cheering on the runners of the famous New York City Marathon.  Sunday morning, we strolled to Prospect Park-ish, right around the 8 mile mark to cheer them on.  We saw so many runners, shouting encouragement to them all, as I tried my hardest not to burst into tears from being blown away and inspired and proud all at once.

You're so fast!!

Shouting things like “You’re KILLING IT out there!” or “You’re a speed demon” was great, but my favorite were the runners who had their names on their shirts.  To be able to pick out Katie or Paul (easily the most frequently seen name, I’ll never know why) from the pack and shout personalized encouragement was my favorite. They always looked so excited to be called out and some of them gave us high fives as they raced their hearts out.

It was beautiful, it was awesome, and I think I got a sunburn from the whole thing.  Worth it.

Love those runners!!

Congrats to all the runners!!  You’re amazing.

Clearly, we packed a lot into the weekend (perks of being hyper-planners) so I think I’m off to relax a bit before an early bedtime.

Have you ever been to New York city?  

If so, what was your favorite part of your visit?

If not, what would you want to see/do if you visited?


			

	


			
				


	

							
Six Pack Sunday: The Leftovers
						

			 / foodsweatandbeers						 / 11 Comments
								

			


		

		
Sometimes All the time, I keep a camera with me. It’s a little point a shoot, Nikon Coolpix S203.


Because I am painfully aware that I have this camera with me at all times, I find myself taking pictures a lot. Pictures of things I want to remember, pictures of things to remind myself of other things, funny pictures, stupid pictures. Then, I pull them onto my computer, and, unless I do something with them right away (blog, tweet, upload to Facebook), chances are, I’ll forget that I even took them.


This week’s Six Pack Sunday is dedicated to those pictures. The forgotten, the leftovers, the little snapshots that never surfaced on the world wide web.  Come along for the ride, why don’t you?


1. I’m the Queen of the Cubes!


At UNC I had the unique opportunity to be a female in a co-ed literary and arts fraternity. And, every now and then, I’d visit my brothers at Ole Miss.  Ole Miss being Ole Miss, their chapter was all male.


Ever wonder what it’s like to be in a fraternity?


This pretty much sums it up.


I know, I know, it’s not #craftbeer. I’m not mad.  And man, does it pair nicely with spicy crawfish, loud music, and springtime in Oxford, MS.


2. Dora the… Crustacean?


She’s super crabby


There’s a lot of wacky things at the Jersey shore.


This Dora the Explorer hermit crab is just one of them.


3. Dogfish Head Tap Takeover


Woody’s at City Market had a Dogfish Head Tap Takeover this summer. And I rushed from my beach volleyball game in Cary to make it, still wearing my sandy shorts and tank top, sweating my face off.


Glistening with beer joy


It was completely and totally worth it, if only for a chance to try the Sah’Tea Randalized with Black Indian Chai and lemon zest.  To date, one of the most delicious beers I’ve ever put in my mouth.


Oh, and the $3.50 flights didn’t hurt, either.


A Perfect Paddle


If I lived anywhere closer to Raleigh, I get the feeling that the folks at Woody’s and I would get very very close.


4. Sisters Icing Bros


Does anyone remember back when “Icing” was a thing? Icing is a drinking game for bros (and chick-bros), where the point is to make other bros drink Smirnoff Ice “against their will, at ridiculously inopportune times.”


Last year, we iced my brother on the beach.


And then, my aunt Iced him on Christmas.


Merry Christmas


99% of the time, I’m very very glad this is not a trend anymore.


1% of the time, when I’m writing Six Pack Sundays, I miss it so much.


5. Save the Date


I took the following picture the first weekend of January 2011.


Hmmm.


Well, I’m not absolutely certain what I was doing on May 21, 2011. But I’ll tell you what I wasn’t doing.  I wasn’t hanging out with the big JC, despite wearing my most appropriate Return of Christ outfit.


Maybe next year?


6. Some People Eat Bugs


Every year, Raleigh’s NC Museum of Natural Sciences hosts Bugfest.  There’s cool exhibits and people covered in bees and butterfly crafts.


Oh, and lots and lots of edible bug treats.  Local chefs and restaurants will whip up versions of their food featuring one key ingredient: BUGS!  There was lots to try last year.






Locopops featuring cricket bits!


The chocolate cricket Locopops were by far my favorite.


Cold and crickety, just how I like it.


Ever eaten a bug?


Ever iced a bro?


Ever relaxed on a pile of beers taller than you are?

			

	


			
				


	

							
Six Pack Sunday: Throwback Weekend
						

			 / foodsweatandbeers						 / 6 Comments
								

			


		

		
Sunday night, buffalo shrimp pizza’s in the oven, and it’s time for another Six Pack Sunday. I spent most of this weekend putzing around Chapel Hill, relaxing with my friends and I finally feel totally recovered from last week’s Manhattan wedding weekend. (I realized that I never wrote a full post from the actual wedding/reception… I’ll save that for sometime this week!)


Anyway, since I’ve been soaking up all the Carolina blue UNC had to give, tailgating and enjoying every bit. I figured that’s all the reason to celebrate Six Pack Sunday with an  honor of my personal throwback weekend.


1. Pokey Party


Buttery, garlicy baked gold!


Remember that time that, when cleaning my apartment, I found 13 coupons for Gumby’s (and four teeth and 24 koozies?) Well, I got a chance to cash those bad boys in on Saturday night. Yup, ranch, marinara, and a whole lotta goodness. And what pairs better with grease and cheese than a mason jar full of Riesling? Nothing, that’s right. The employees at the store informed me that they hadn’t used the coupon system in over a year and a half.


Shows you how often I clean the apartment, right?


2. Some Things Never Change


Faces have been blocked to protect the livelihood of grown-ups!


I observed (and cheered on) a rousing game (or 7) of flip cup. And one of the MVPs of the team? A brother from my fraternity who joined when I was 1 year old.


I can only hope that, in 20 years, I’ll be half as awesome as he is.


3. Whole Mold Foods?


Eeww.


Since I was in Chapel Hill, I had a chance to stop by Whole Foods (a rare treat for someone who doesn’t live very close to one). And then, from a distance, I saw a basket of moldy bread.


Well, that’s what I thought it was. When I went closer, I realized that it was not mold, just the Whole Foods logo. In green, and on bread.  Maybe not the best marketing technique.


4. Massive Milltown Munchies


San Diego Fries: Fresh Cut Fries Topped with Sharp Cheddar, Marinated Flank Steak, Jalapeno,Guacatillo, Salsa and Chipotle Sour Cream


Smoked Cheddar Mac n’ Cheese with Leeks and Broccoli and Bacon


Even though my last trip to Milltown wasn’t that long ago, I’ll still count it. And this was the most tasty meal I’ve had out in a while!!


The skull sized liters of beer didn’t hurt, either. $8 for a liter of Spaten Oktoberfest?


Don't mind if I do.


5. Spark it Up


This ought to be stupid


Does anyone remember when Sparks were like, a huge “thing”? I must’ve been a sophomore or junior at UNC, and everywhere I went, I saw folks hyped up and rocking the signature orange Sparks tongue.  When I stopped by the grocery store and perused the discount priced for quick sale goodies (not in the produce section like I scoped out on Friday, obviously), I couldn’t resist spending $2 on a four pack. Though I have yet to drink a single sip, I can only imagine that this will not have positive results.


But I also predict that it will be the best drink review of my life.


(Don’t quote me on that.)


6. It’s Not Rocket Science, People.


Must we?


At Harris Teeter, earlier, I spotted these “store maps”. Having shopped in countless Harris Teeters (or Teets, as I like to call them), this is completely unnecessary and very silly.


I hope this isn’t a new trend in grocery stores.  It seems to go against everything the whole “reusable shopping bag” is about.


Ok, ok.


The pizza…. it calls to me.


Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, folks!


 


 

			

	


			
				


	

							
Six Pack Sunday: My Cousin’s Wedding!
						

			 / foodsweatandbeers						 / 14 Comments
								

			


		

		
Long lost readers, I made it through the weekend!


I just woke up from a 2-ish hour nap after a long day of recovery (read: brunching, packing, trying to find my brother [who somehow ended up keyless at a train station in the next state over the morning after the wedding…], and riding back to PA from NYC. $100 to park for two days, that city is no joke.)


I’ll save the full write-up for another day, but in the meantime, in true Six Pack Sunday fashion, here are a few funny bits and pieces to tide you over (tie vs. tide? the link suggests I’m good with tide….)


Six Pack Sunday: My Cousin’s Wedding


1. Oh, do they?


Harsh warning.


Ok, maybe I was reading too much into this one. But doesn’t this just read almost like “They F**k You?”


Well, after a few hours in traffic, feeling a bit loopy, that’s how we all saw it.  Hilarious, at the time.  (Apparently, the translation of Daifuku is great luck. Now you know.)


2. A Dead Ringer… for Ringer!


The lovely Sarah Michelle Gellar was my inspiration for my wedding hairstyle, a la her new show, Ringer.


NAILED IT!


Ok, well I’m no Siobhan or Bridget, but I think I rocked it out. Pin straight, slicked back, feeling like a rockstar.


3. Workout Barbie Bunny


Energizer Bunny coincidence? I think not.


At 10:00 am the morning after the rehearsal dinner/party, my brother and I shocked everyone by heading to the hotel gym. Admittedly, it was a TINY room with a treadmill, an elliptical, and free weights + bench… but that was all we needed. GREAT to get a sweat session in while everyone else was nursing their hangovers.


4. Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey and… Drunky?


The Eighth Dwarf?


I loved the venue of the rehearsal dinner/party. It was held at the Open Door Gastropub in the Financial District of NYC and had an excellent beer selection!! One of my favorites, initially for the name, was La Chouffe, an unfiltered fruity blonde beer. The glass it was served in was for the McChouffe, which they didn’t have on draught, but it was too cute. Friendliest little beer dwarf of all time!!


5. Put a Bird On Stick In It!


Party on a stick!


Skewers, kebobs, kabobs, shish kabobs, meat on a stick… call it what you want to call it, this station was one of the best parts of the reception.  It was simple. Marinated steak/salmon/chicken/veggies, meet sticks. Sticks meet fire. Cooked food, meet my mouth.


Repeat.


6. The Girls with the Bro-staches


With these, we’ll never get carded


Fact: For the duration of a single song (I think it was Love Train), my cousin, Devon, and I wore mustaches. Then we removed them. They were like ghost mustaches… I bet folks wondered if it was just their imagination.  Well, it wasn’t. It was real! It was ALL SO REAL!


What was the best/funniest part of your weekend?

			

	


			
				


	

							
Six Pack Sunday: (Belated) Spring Cleaning
						

			 / foodsweatandbeers						 / 9 Comments
								

			


		

		
Oh my goodness, y’all.


Today’s been the most productive day in recent memory.  I decided last night that Sunday was THE DAY and, low and behold, I actually stuck to my guns.


At about 10 in the morning, I put on my fancy clothes to get this cleaning party started.


Sometimes, I wear this out to the discotheque.


As the day progressed (and the apartment started to reveal itself from beyond the clutter, I realized something.  Considering I’m a lady living the single life at the moment while Ry’s learning up a storm, I have amassed a lot of stuff.  More than any lady in my life situation should.  Luckily for all of you, I pulled a few real gems to share for this week’s Six Pack Sunday.


Today’s Six Pack Sunday is a veritable “Best of the Best” from my cleaning endeavor.


1. Gumby’s Groupie


13 Tickets to Tasty Town


Oh, Gumby’s.  If you live in/around Gainesville, FL, Tallahasse, FL, Tampa, FL, Champaign, IL, Normal, IL, Iowa City, IA, East Lansing, MI, Kalamazoo, MI, Columbia, MO, Chapel Hill, NC, Raleigh, NC, Wilmington, NC, Columbus, OH, State College, PA, College Station, TX, San Marcos, TX, Blacksburg, VA, or Madison, WI, you might be familiar with Gumby’s.  It’s the home of late night snacking essentials pizza, wings and, most importantly, Pokey sticks.


Snagged this one from their Facebook page.


These cheesy, greasy, garlicy breadsticks are nature’s candy. Only not from nature, probably at all.  Anyway, the coupons came from boxes. You collected them, then turn them in for MORE POKEY STICKS! It’s a vicious cycle, and one that I was addicted to during college.  I wonder if these are still good… I heard they stopped running this special because folks were taking the boxes from the store. Oh well. Something I’ll have to look into in the near future.


2. Come on baby, light my fire.


Sweet flame-age, JP


Considering I don’t smoke or use my fireplace, I sure have a lot of methods to bring flame into this world.


3. Explanation


Oh.


Maybe it’s the 10 giant scented candles I have.


Probably.


4. Dolla Dolla Bills


Bling bling?


In my travels, I picked up some serious coinage.


$3.50 in quarters


$2 in dimes


$0.60 in nickles


$0.35 in pennies


8 Euro cents


1 Candian penny


If anyone needs a sugar mama, tweet me. I’ll be counting my $6.45 over and over again.


5. Case Race, Friends? I’ll bring the koozies.


I promise, I'm not an alcoholic.


This one actually really shocked me. I knew I’d been collecting koozies a bit, but I just stuffed them into a drawer. Well, I officially cleaned that drawer out.


24 koozies. And I’m certain there’s another one in my car or something.


EDIT: I just went to my car. Found three more. 


Literally, I could open a case of beer and put a koozie on every single one. Just in case anyone’s looking for a case race partner, I think we’d have a clear advantage.  Warm hands, cold beer. Unstoppable.


6. The Creepiest Things That Are Currently In My Possession


I’ll confess: My blogging idol is Jenny Lawson aka the Bloggess.  And I was cleaning out my shelves, I felt like I had a moment much like finding a box of monkey hands.


I'm not proud of these.... but I'm not NOT proud, either.


    

  • 1 old fashion-y looking jar containing a bunch of tiny pigs
    • 

  • A shot glass containing my four (bleached) wisdom teeth
    • 



If you’re ever thinking about coming over to my place and taking shots…. just be sure you check your glass.


Ok, ok. The cleaning continues.


What’s the weirdest thing you’ve found in your apartment/house lately?


Do you have a ridiculous/absurd amount of any one item in your possession?  


I might be a hoarder.

			

	


			
				


	

							
Six Pack Sunday: The Science of Beer
						

			 / foodsweatandbeers						 / 13 Comments
								

			


		

		
Happy Sunday, ladies and gentlemen!


It’s been an absolutely fantastic weekend, though not long enough (honestly, when are they ever?)  I got to visit the beau in Manayunk for some significant other loving. We made candy corn pancakes, we watched football, we dominated in beer pong survived playing beer pong (read: thank goodness for Ry’s years in a fraternity that played BP compulsively, because I maybe made 2 cups the entire night), and we cuddled during Cake Boss.  Pretty much straight quality.


Before the glory of the weekend, though, there was the Science of Beer.  On Thursday night, The North Carolina Museum of Life and Science  held one of their ever-popular “Museum After Hours” events called the Science of Beer. Though I am in the process of writing a more complete description of the event for a later release, I figured I’d share a few of the sillier, more personal bits and pieces with you all.


1. Like a Kid on Christmas Eve


I was stoked for this event. Seriously antsy. I’m every marketer’s dream consumer.  All you have to do is tell me an event is sold out, or a product is limited release, and I jump at the opportunity. So yes, we may have gotten there a half hour early and waited at the door like parents outside of Target on Black Friday.  And most of the time, I was peering anxiously through the door.


Not unlike this


But we were the proud owners of the designation “First Ladies in the Doors.”  Suck on that, little kids who were also waiting to get in (for the Science of Root Beer). Teach you to challenge me.


2. KOOZIE KRAZY!


The first station we went to (of course, after filling our tasting cups?)


DIY KOOZIES!!


If you guessed mine was the obnoxious pink one with my initials on it…. you clearly know me too well.


Melissa and I showing off our stuff


On the other side, I had a Moon sticker and made it say “I’m over the moon [sticker] for craft beer!”


I’m a class act.


3. Gender Beer Bias?


Maybe I’ve been thinking too much about chick beer but when I walked up to the “lab” and saw the sign below, I was like,


WHOAH GENDER BEER BIAS THIS IS GOING TO BE THE COOLEST DISPLAY EVER!! 


Wishful thinking?


 


Sadly, as I looked closer, I was disappointed to find out a) it was GENETIC beer bias and b) my genetics determined I was totally insensitive to the “bitter factor” of beer.


Couldn't even taste it.


Oh well, so I couldn’t taste bitter paper (or beer). NBD. All the more beer for me to enjoy.


4. The Most Educational Game of Beer Pong Ever


The absolute most awesome part of The Science Beer?


Beer Pong Physics?! SIGN ME UP!


Even though this weekend with the beau, we quickly realized that real beer pong might not be my forte, apparently, when it comes to the physics of the game, I’ve got it down pat.


Check out that bend in the knee.


They tracked our throws with a video and noted all the spots our ball hit to track the trajectory. SCIENCE AT IT’S FINEST!


AND IT'S GOOD!!


Scientifically, I'm on point.


So there’s no real reason why I shouldn’t sink every cup.  That’s just a scientific fact, right there.  Both Melissa and I sunk our cups, allowing us the honor of putting our names on the Wall of Fame.


Jealous?


5. Why Aren’t Beer Cans What They Used to Be?


Beer cans through the ages!


The folks at the Rusty Bunch brought an intimidating amount of beer cans to show the evolution over time.  I definitely found a favorite:


PBR can the size of my skull? Sure.


I’m currently working with the folks at PBR to bring this one back.


I’ll let you know if I make any progress.


6. Food Truck FIESTA!!


This was for the two of us.


The Rasta from Will and Pop’s (jerk chicken, pepper jack, and mango chutney grilled sandwich), Porkedamame Dumplings from Chirba Chirba (spell-check may be needed for that last one) and, the coup de gras, from Valentino’s , pale ale battered jalapeno poppers stuffed with mozzarella and NORTH CAROLINA BBQ!! Jalapeno poppers might be the fried food of my dreams. I imagine, in Heaven, all foods will be served like appetizers. And jalapeno poppers will be used as a palate cleanser.


Every bite of this meal, split between Melissa and me, was divine. I promise, it wasn’t just the beer talking. It was the most indulgent meal I’ve had in recent history but worth every messy, drippy, fried bite.


Note the Rapture of my face? That's popper induced rapture.


It was, in a word, BEERTASTIC!


And, in a less made-up word: paradise.


For a craft beer lover, for a food truck lover, and a fan of all things Triangle, it was just paradise.


How was your weekend?


Have you ever been to an after hours event at a local museum?  


I get the feeling that I’ll be signing myself right up for the Science of Wine in February…


 

			

	


			
				


	

							
Wedding Shower WIN!
						

			 / foodsweatandbeers						 / 12 Comments
								

			


		

		
Gooooood afternoon (or morning, depending on when you read this) friends!


I’ve been on a hiatus with lots of traveling (NC to PA to NJ to PA and back again) this past weekend and yesterday was overwhelmed with business and action. Airport to work to the Apple store to home to dinner to two volleyball matches. By the time I got home (around 10pm) after a 5am wakeup call… Writing was the last thing on my mind.


Wanna know the first?


Zzzzzzzzzz


But now I’m back after a fantastic sleep, and a fantastic lunch, to regale you with the awesomeness that was my cousin, Whitney, and her hubbytobe, Ted’s Wedding Shower!


These two love-bugs have a fantastic NYC wedding planned for this October, and invited me to do a reading at the ceremony, so I felt especially excited to help make the party fantastic and extra-special. And, in lieu of sharing every single aspect of the whole wonderful wedding weekend a la my friend, Caitlin‘s Whirlwind Wedding Weekend, I think this time I’ll just choose the highlights that I felt like made the party absolutely PERFECT!


1. Why Segregate when you can all CELEBRATE?!


A Boy Girl Party!!


Whitney and Ted (the couple in the bottom right of that picture) decided to have a wedding shower open to couples, not just the standard bridal shower. This gave the event more of a party feel and led to fun times for all!! Though my better half couldn’t make it, the fun of having loved ones there was only magnified by all the folks, both girls AND boys!!!


2. Heartfelt and Homemade!


So many tasty treats


I know this is a HORRIBLE photo, quality-wise, but the food was OUT OF THIS WORLD!  I get the feeling it had something to do with the fact that everything (with the exception of these cheese for the cheese plate) was made by my family members. We had Aunt Mary’s pizza dip, Rietz’s Meatballs, Barbara’s tortellini sticks, Maggie and Katie’s mushroom puffs, and Aunt Judy (the mother of the bride)’s crab balls! The entrees were sausage and pepper sandwiches and chicken/asparagus/tomato/spinach SOMETHING. Either way, it was all tastier than the last bite. Perfect. And the meal was cooked with love, down to the last drop.


3. Wanna Wine Down?


By resident Sommelier: ME!


We had a wine tasting! 3 different types of Cabernet Sauvignons, 3 different types of Sauvignon Blancs, and lots of new wine to try! Paired with four different fancy cheeses (including my new favorite: drunken goat cheese!!) I made little rating sheets for everyone to use and, though not EVERYONE was interested in the wine (many went straight for the cocktails), it was a fun way to break up the night a bit and try something new. It also split the tent area so that not everyone was scrunched next to the bar (as often happens during parties, I’ve noticed.)


4. Pinata? Why not-a?


Ted and Whitney Effigies? Sure!


My mom and aunt picked up Whitney and Ted’s likenesses in the form of a pair of pinatas! (I’m pretty sure my mother wasn’t aware that the little boy she bought was Diego, Dora’s happy-go-lucky buddy, and I’ll admit, Ted looks nothing like an adventurous Hispanic boy, but it totally worked. They were filled with Hershey Kisses and it was HILARIOUS to watch Ted bat the ever-loving KISSES out of those bad boys (er…. bad boy and girl.)


Wow, you can see the blond head flying!!


Whitney also tried.... A for Effort, Whit!


5. We are the Dancing Queens


Yeah, that giantess in the Tarheel sweatshirt? That's me.


If there’s one thing that pretty much ALWAYS happens at my family parties, it’s dancing. And we may or may not have definitely got a noise complaint after midnight for partying too hard (we just don’t know any other way). The dancing continued later at a nearby bar (where the noise won’t ever be complained about) but let’s just say that the last 2 hours of my night were spent dancing my butt off. The best.


6. All You Need is Love


Tiny cousin and Giant cousin


Beautiful speech by my Aunt Judy


The happy couple showing off their moves!


Luckily, my family’s got that in droves.


So much fun was had, and it was different from any shower I’ve ever been to… But it was just right for the Maurer clan.




Typical post-shower aftermath, right?


What makes a great wedding shower, in your opinion?


If you’ve ever been married, what were your favorite parts of your shower?


 

			

	


			
				


	

							
Six Pack Sunday: The Calm Before the Storm
						

			 / foodsweatandbeers						 / 6 Comments
								

			


		

		
Hey there all!! Late night for this lady, but all is well considering it’s been a relaxing and lazy weekend.


I had a great time with the Lulus from Lululemon at Durham’s Salutation Nation on Saturday, and felt sore as the high dickens all day today. Luckily, there was LOTS of sleeping, lots of good foods, and I have some fun bits and pieces for this week’s Six Pack Sunday.


1.  Home = Shredding HQ


As I mentioned earlier this week, I’m Shredding for the Wedding (of my cousin). And since she just called and asked me to do a reading… I wanna look extra fierce.  I’ve been working it real hard, though maybe not the most effective as I’ve been giving into edible temptations quite a bit. The best part of working out at home, though?


Fierce sock fashion


No one there to see me sweat!! My fashion now consists of socks that don’t match, purple shorts and green shirts, and “I don’t care” dirty tank tops. No qualms with a slightly stinky shirt… no one to impress. Other than Jillian, that judgey broad. Well, she can suck it.


2. Sunshine in a Windowless World


Sometimes, no matter how much you love your job, there’s something missing. In my life, that something… is a window.  I’ve learned to make due, though, with a fancy new friend.


Baby Palm Tree!


Ok, I know it’s not a palm tree. But it’s a bamboo tree, it’s a bit of sunshine in my windowless office.


Hey! In additional green thumbery, my basil plant’s growing flowers!!


I've never seen this IRL before!!


Since most green things I own immediately die upon entering my house (some might say I have a black thumb), this is a NEW RECORD!


3. Lulu Envy


Since I’m spending most of my workouts in my home, lately, I apparently have fallen behind the fashion trends for yoga folks.


Turbo Tanks = Latest Style


These Lululemon Turbo Tanks were…. EVERYWHERE!! I have to admit, I can see why. There must’ve been over a dozen of these puppies in the park, and they look so cute. I want it… Minus the $52 price tag, that is. Yeesh. Yoga’s pricey.


4. Pie Pushers Pizza and Pickles


So maybe two reasons why I’m not making quite the progress I was hoping for?


Chicken and Local Bell Peppers Slice = Di-VINE!


I’m ashamed to say that this was my first time trying a slice of Pie Pushers pizza. Man, I’ve been missing out!!


My slice after my day of yoga was to-die-for!!


Love that chalkboard menu!


My slice featured pesto, caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella, chicken, and bell peppers. I can’t even gush about it enough.


Also on my Saturday menu (following a little trip to Aviator Brewery):


Fried Pickle Spears


Another first for me, fried pickle SPEARS, not slices, were top notch and totally juicier than their disk-like counterparts.  Who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll enjoy some sort of pickle that isn’t deep fried…. (but not likely).


Oh my goodness, I’m now so excited for the NC State Fair I can hardly think straight. Anyone wanna join me October 20th?


5. Planning Polly


It’s not too often that I do this, but I decided to plan some meals for the week.  Tonight, I whipped up three blackened Mahi Mahi filets (2 for dinner tonight, and one for tomorrow) and some delightful looking fried rice, inspired by Beth’s Veggie Fried Rice Recipe (inspired by Beth’s Journey, my newest WW Idol courtesy of her speaking panel during the Healthy Living Summit.)


This week is stacking up to be delicious


The top tupperware USED to contain Johnson’s Caramel Popcorn thanks to the wedding of my cousin, Damon, and his beautiful bride, Melissa . I’ll admit, I’d rather be eating the caramel corn, a favorite treat from Ocean City, NJ than vegggie rice but…. hey, soon enough, right?


6. The Worst Commercial on TV Right Now


Oh. my. goodness.




WHAT IS THIS?!


Chances are, if you’re not watching marathons of iCarly and Victorious like I do all the time since I live sans beau now, you might not ever see this commercial. You are a lucky, lucky human.


For all the rest of you, may God have mercy on your soul.


Kachooz Kachatz, you are tiny, furry demons and your voice is a blight on our planet.


I’m off to watch some Forrest Gump and feel so proud to be an American on this 9/11/11.


I just watched the part where he shows off his buttocks. I die.


Have you seen any truly heinous commercials, lately?


Do you have a green thumb or a black one, like me?

			

	


			
				


	

							
Six Pack Sunday: A Day Late for Labor Day
						

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Hey there all, happiest of Labor (or not-very-much-labor) Days to you and yours!


Yesterday, after tackling some big girl tasks, I decided to enjoy a little less grown-up fun.


Trashy mags and froyo for lunch? Don't mind if I do.


I parked it at Sweet Frog, not my NUMBER ONE ALL-TIME FAVORITE froyo place in the area but a little closer than Tutti Frutti (which is my favorite) and an acceptable substitution when I need my fix.


Oh, and on my way home, I spotted this little signage:


Moonberries? Really? God, the name of these yogurt places are always ridiculous.


Spotted outside of the Target near Southpoint in Durham, moonberries  is apparently “coming soon.” Well, color me excited.


ANYWAY, all that froyo eating plum tuckered me out. So here’s this weeks’ Six Pack Sunday: A Day Late (it’s the holiday, people).


1. Know your customer


Nailed it, Target.


XBox 360, meet Doritos. Doritos and XBox 360, meet the favorite combination of your clientele. Gotta give Target major credit for this one, as it actually made me laugh mid-shopping, imagining my brothers (and boyf, at that) seeing both of these, lighting up, and clearing the shelves. Yum.


2. Coconut oil = COCONUT Oil


Having used the medjool dates I got from Swanson Health Products before to make some pretty sweet carrot cake-balls in the past, I decided it was finally time to whip out the coconut oil I also received from them.  I used it to make one of my best good karma omelets to-date.


2 egg whites, 1 yolk, 2 slices of low sodium turkey, tomato, green pepper, spinach, sprinkle of cheese


Coconut oil, Live, in the Flesh (er.... jar?)


I know many folks who use coconut oil for baking and honestly, I think that might be the way to go. I’m a HUGE coconut fan in all things (froyo, macaroons, pina coladas, getting caught in the rain [of coconut shreds]). But the taste of coconut in this omelet was a little off-putting. Luckily, it was nothing a little smattering veritable flood  of Frank’s Red Hot couldn’t cope with.


Are you interested in getting some free Swanson Health Products goodies to review on your own blog? Then check out the Swanson Health Blog for all the details.


3. A little SWAG goes a long way


I gave that Barney Butter an A+... and a hotel key, for later.


Keen-WA!


So this week, I enjoyed quite a few little bits and pieces leftover from my HLS swag bag. Highlights included the Barney Butter Almond butter packet with an apple snagged from the hotel I stayed at during my Winston-Salem trip and the Roasted-Red Pepper/Basil Quinoa/Rice mix from Near East. Not a HUGE eater of either of these products, they were both delicious enough to make me wanna go out and try them again.


4. CART ESCAPE!


BUSTED!


Spotted about 1/6 of a mile from the grocery store, these carts were clearly trying to make an escape. Sick of carting around other people’s foods, I’m pretty certain they were trying to venture to the woods both to connect with nature and to forage for nuts and berries.


I wish them luck in all their endeavors, and give them serious credit for getting as far as they did by the early evening.


5. Deal of the Day


Spotted at the Target near Southpoint!


Harvest Time by Big Boss, as I’ve mentioned before, is maybe my favorite pumpkin ale. And Target was selling 6-packs for basically pennies (not Bad Penny, though, which is a mis-label). And so, of course, I picked up a pack. Target has a tendency of occasionally having CRAZY low, random prices on beers (once we got 36 Coors Lights for $15. I know, I know, Coors Light, but a deal’s a deal.)


I may go back for another today. I love it that much.


6. Summer of Riesling Farewell Party (of one.)


Farewell, summer!


Though I spent most of this summer having my own personal “Summer of Great Beer”, I figured I should end the Summer of Riesling 2011  with a Bang. And a bottle of Bogle. Not light enough for my liking, but drinkable. And a great way to enjoy a pre-game Friday night featuring my nearest and dearest friends.


Yup. The Cast of Degrassi. (click for Source)


Some might say that obsessively/compulsively watching Canadian teen dramas about high school students 7-9 years my junior is crazy. To them, I only have one statement:


It goes there.


If only we all lived our lives like the cast of Degrassi…..


Anything fun going on for your Labor Day?


It’s raining here, but that won’t keep me away from my buddy’s BBQ.


Have you ever watched Degrassi? OR any other teen dramas compulsively? 


No shame in that game, I watch ’em all.

			

	


			
				


	

							
Six Pack Sunday: Best Laid Plans Edition
						

			 / foodsweatandbeers						 / 10 Comments
								

			


		

		
Hello there, all, we made it to Sunday!  Hopefully, you all survived Irene unscathed (or only barely scathed…)


We managed to get through it without having to deal with anything too crazy, a power surge or two, a lot of wind, and a temporary cable and internet outage (TORTURE!) This particular weekend was supposed to be spent with 50 of my cousin’s closest friends and loved ones hosting a wine tasting in Ocean City. Alas, due to a mandatory evacuation, the only wine tasting was my mom and I with a classy bottle of Riesling (ending that Summer of Riesling on a high note.)


Dainty dearest and I, making the most of a bad situation (also, my black eyes are due to my CONSTANT red eye. I may be a demon.)


There were all sorts of parts of this weekend that weren’t according to plan.  But it ended up turning into something wonderful, so thanks Irene, but no thanks.


And so, in honor of that classless broad, Hurricane Irene, I’d like to honor this Six Pack Sunday with the distinction of being the Best Laid Plans edition.


    

  1. I said goodbye to the beau.

    Best roomie ever.
    

    He moved to Manayunk in Philadelphia to begin a super smart PhD program. However, 10 hours later, guess who I found in my home in Pennyslvania?
    

    Beer-friend! Like a boyfriend.... with beer!
    

    Since his new place didn’t have a bed yet, he spent some of the weekend with my family. It was like weaning a child off of bottles, and I got to be surrounded by family when I finally said goodbye. It was the best surprised of the weekend.
    2. 

  2. Ever wonder what garlic looks like when you just let it grow?

    Vintage garlic.
    

    Sometimes, in my home, we forget that we have garlic. So we buy more garlic. and then, a few months later, VOILA! baby garlic plants. These didn’t make it into dinner, though. But they did make a beautiful science experiment.
    3. 

  3. No one looks cute when they cry.

    But, least of all, me.
    

    I promise, I cleaned up my face before I got on a plane. I wouldn’t want to scare the children who get on between groups A and B.
    4. 

  4. Pumpkin Beers are HERE!

    omgomgomgomgomg
    

    This is, quite literally, my favorite time of the beer-year. On the beer-calendar, this is my Christmas. And the presents are wrapped in oranges, browns, and gourds.  Yumbo.  I’m hoping that at the next Girls’ Pint Out event, or maybe sooner, we get a hold of some Big Boss Harvest Time, my favorite local pumpkin beer. Can’t even wait.
    5. 

  5. Weirdy Beardy

    The apple doesn't fall far from... the other apple.
    

    So the thing is, when I was a little lady growing up, I always used to make a beard out of my looooong hair by braiding it.  And today, I found out that my sister Kiley, 9 years my junior, does the same thing. Like sister, like sister.  But NOT like Sister, Sister. Did you know Tia just had a baby? My, how the times have changed….
    6. 

  6. Double Denim Damage

    I did something today that I hadn’t done in maybe 5 years. I went into an Abercrombie & Fitch… and looked for myself.  When I started putting weight on, I stopped fitting into their tiny sizes, and wouldn’t even try anything on. Also, when you walk in, the music blaring added to the aromatic barrage of their combined fragrances made me feel an instant headache in a perma-rave.  But, when shopping with the little sister for her newest skinny jeans…. I grabbed a pair myself. AND THEY FIT!
    

    Super Skinny and Semi-Short!
    

    Feeling my newfound denim-daring, I picked up a pair of Paige jean shorts, an article of clothing I’ve been trying to find all summer with no luck (everything’s either too short, too tight, too long, or too dowdy looking). These are JUST right and I feel like an all-American gal rocking em. I LOVE Paige jeans, they’re always long enough and I can frequently find them on RueLaLa deeply discounted (in FACT they’re on sale tonight in the Sunday Night Styleathon!!), and the quality is impeccable. In addition: they make my booty look incredible.
    7. 



I will happily say that this weekend was a surprise hit, despite the best efforts of Mother Nature. I’m off to soak up the last few hours with the people I love the most. And, in honor of my sexy new butt-huggers, here’s a shot of my family with me WEARING SOME!


See what I mean? EXCELLENT booty shot.


What’s your favorite brand of denim?


What was the highlight of your weekend?