January 21, 2013
t h e  w h i p p l e  w o n d e r  s a l a d - inspired from my best friend’s kitchen 1 bag of arugula & spinach (finely chopped) 1 cup quinoa (cooked) 1 can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed) 1 can of sweet corn (or fresh corn on the cob, husked) 1 orange pepper (diced) 1 red pepper (diced) 4 green onions (diced) half a cucumber diced half cup of shredded mild cheddar half a cup of real bacon bits (freshly cooked bacon is best) 3/4 cup creamy balsamic dressing garlic salt to taste grab a bowl and finely chop up the lettuce.. this allows for more veggie goodness. sprinkle garlic salt over chopped lettuce. add each ingredient and toss! **in the past i have also mixed it up with adding edamame, diced beefsteak tomatoes and avocado. even adding some croutons for added crunch makes this salad a winner! 

t h e  w h i p p l e  w o n d e r  s a l a d - inspired from my best friend’s kitchen

  • 1 bag of arugula & spinach (finely chopped)
  • 1 cup quinoa (cooked)
  • 1 can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 can of sweet corn (or fresh corn on the cob, husked)
  • 1 orange pepper (diced)
  • 1 red pepper (diced)
  • 4 green onions (diced)
  • half a cucumber diced
  • half cup of shredded mild cheddar
  • half a cup of real bacon bits (freshly cooked bacon is best)
  • 3/4 cup creamy balsamic dressing
  • garlic salt to taste

grab a bowl and finely chop up the lettuce.. this allows for more veggie goodness. sprinkle garlic salt over chopped lettuce. add each ingredient and toss!

**in the past i have also mixed it up with adding edamame, diced beefsteak tomatoes and avocado. even adding some croutons for added crunch makes this salad a winner! 

September 27, 2011

a year and some change…

yes my friends i know it has been a minute (a chicago minute or so…) but i am happy to report the chicago has taken quite a liking to me. after my year+ love affair with the city of wind, things seem just as they should be. with a few bumps in the road no less, things happen for a reason. now i’m not saying it has all be great. i think pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is imperative at certain times in your life. upon moving to the city. i have fallen in and out of *like*, started a new career, discovered the worst (and not so worst) of online dating, dug myself out of 22 inches of snow and all in heels and a smile and become the godmother to the most beautiful of babes. 

people ask me of i made the right decision… the answer yes, while it has been a tough uphill climb. i wake up in the morning, toss on my best pencil skirt, throw in my earbuds and strut down michigan avenue at a very offensively early hour of the morning and thank my lucky stars that THIS is the place i call home. 

September 8, 2010 •
Fall sweater and scarf weather… just around the corner!!

Fall sweater and scarf weather… just around the corner!!

September 7, 2010
guster… always down for a snuggle. our chill little dude.

guster… always down for a snuggle. our chill little dude.

September 7, 2010
this is jolene… just like most gals, lots of trouble but simply irresistible.

this is jolene… just like most gals, lots of trouble but simply irresistible.

September 7, 2010 • 1 note
fostering pups. these little babes will be hard to give up in 2 weeks.. but worth every second…

fostering pups. these little babes will be hard to give up in 2 weeks.. but worth every second…

September 5, 2010

2 months and a dollar short

oh.. water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. why is it everything always happens all at once, or with conditions? i really can’t complain because i am now in the city that i love, but it has not been the easiest of past months. yes, i got a job and i am very grateful but… reaping the benefits with this job will take some time. the job required me to get a car.. i did and i love it, but it decided to break down yesterday. i used to consider myself a pretty lucky gal, but with all these silly little instances stacking up against me, i’m starting to loose my cool. 

but alas, dear friends…. i will persevere and pull myself out of the doldrums of recent occurrances and make the best of what i have and what has been given to me. i still feel very lucky. i may be without a car. i may have $12 to my name, but alteast i have this city to fall in love with all over again. 

September 5, 2010
The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make a mistake
Elbert Hubbard
July 12, 2010

two’s company

so… for whatever reason i decided to shack up with one of my best friends… none other than the great TKW (don’t tell him i referred to him in that manner… it will go to his head). not only is he my best friend, but he just so happens to be male. and a very male male at that. while this may seem i bit impetuous, i have to say… so far is so good! despite a few lil quirks, i could not have asked for a better roommate. although…  it has only been a week… 

July 6, 2010
this is where i hang my (fedora) hat. it amazes me that i am here, finally. 1 truck, 20+ boxes, 12 vacuum sealed bags filled with style, 2 apartments worth of furniture and i am home. 

this is where i hang my (fedora) hat. it amazes me that i am here, finally. 1 truck, 20+ boxes, 12 vacuum sealed bags filled with style, 2 apartments worth of furniture and i am home.