Pay it forward

Seriously.

I don't understand why everyone in this country isn't on the same page

as Ms. Elizabeth Warren,

U.S. Senate candidate from Massachusetts:

Amen, sister.

If Russ Feingold is a fan,

then so am I.

Lazy Sunday

Desperately longing for a lazy weekend.

I imagine my post-grad school Sundays to resemble a little something like this...

(At least until BB2 arrives.)

;)
 Hopefully this post makes you feel as calm, too...

7 more weeks until bliss...

(I do realize that major events come after Thanksgiving -

a big move, the holidays, studying for boards, & nesting - 

but it'll still feel like bliss to me!)

~Images via coco+kelley, tumblr, the city sage, this is glamorous, dressdesigndecor, & bits of truth~

October is here!

What better way to ring in the month of October,

than a little preview of some fun costumes?

Starring babies and children.

First up?  The Colonel.

Colonel Sanders, that is.

Little Alex from A Clockwork Orange?
Creepy pick for a child, but kudos on the make-up...and attitude.

The Biggest Loser?
Hmmm...poor lil chunk.

"You're fired."

Costumes for besties...

Mr. T means business.

And last, but certainly not least,

(and perhaps the absolute creepiest)

NACHO LIBRE!

Some of these border on child abuse, no?

What are you going to be this year?!

~Images via babble~

It's Friday.

Thank the Lord.
And I am exhausted.

But I made it!

So true.

Seeing co-workers suffer through classes I survived years ago,

when the thought of moving back to Wisconsin was only a dream,

and the light at the end of the tunnel seemed so far away...

Albeit challenging and relentless,

I feel so blessed and 

thankful for my current station in life.

And I hope you are, too!

~Images via elements of style & bits of truth~

Access yourself

If wishes were fishes,

(and if money grew on trees),

I'd catch ALL of these anthro accessories...

Just sayin'.

~Images via anthropologie~

Possibly the best combo ever...

Everyone loves tomato soup and grilled cheese.

(Am I right or am I right?)

So why not make the best of both worlds and whip up some

Roasted Tomato Soup with Broiled Cheddar?

Holy shiznits.  That is one mug of deliciousness.

And since I am still feeling under the weather,

soup sounds spectacular.

Adding this recipe to my "must make soon" list....

~Images via smitten kitchen~

Rachel Zoe

Some of my favorites from her new collection:

"Oh my God."

"Ba-nanas."

 "I....die."

Catch a new episode tonight!

(It's not the same without Brad, but what can we do?)

~Images via Rachel Zoe~

Current obsessions

File this post under (random) "things I am currently OBSESSED with:"

Water Bobbles

One water bobble = 300 regular water bottles!
Think of it is a personal Brita filter on-the-go.

Makes every water "drinking water" worthy...

not to mention they're environmentally friendly.

Replace the filter every 2 months and you're in business!

Love.

"Cool Touch" Kleenex

I found myself battling allergies this weekend.

Word to the wise:

Preggo + sickness = super shitty.

(Mostly because you can't take any of the good meds. And already feel exhausted.)

I digress.

But then, I saw these "cooling" Kleenex at Target:

I don't know what kind of voodoo these Kleenex people are working with,

but these tissues are seriously SO comfy on a raw, inflamed schnoz.

(And yes, they are actually cool to the touch.)

They were on sale for $1.49/box.  I MUST go buy more!

Lush "Ultra Bland" Face Wash

Gifted to me by a good friend.

I cannot get over how clean and soft it makes your skin feel!

(Unfortch, seeing as my hormonal, sensitive skin

currently cannot handle anything other than Cetaphil,

I am looking forward to commence its use this spring.)

Finally, (I could keep going, but I won't)

this jam off the latest Strokes album:

So damn catchy...a mood/energy booster for sure!

Probably because listening to The Strokes instantly transports me to college,

and all the gloriousness that being 21 has to offer.

Happy Monday, m'dears!

Fantasy football

Someone please tell this to my husband,

who is in approximately 3 different leagues...

I mean, seriously.

Watching the Packers kick ass,

then twiddling my thumbs while being forced to watch The Red Zone
until it's HBO time.

Boardwalk Empire returns tonight!
Nucky's snaggle teeth await us on the mobby Jersey Shore!

Spoooooky.

Football Saturday: The Brat

Next up?  The classic Wisconsin bratwurst.

Again, none can compare.

(Do they even eat brats anywhere else?  I wonder.)

You can even pocket a brat and sneak it into the stadium for a mid-game snack,

just like these guys:

I remember being a freshman in the UW-Madison dorms,

and this dorky out-of-stater said to me and some lady friends:

"You Wisconsin broads sure do eat a lot of meat!"

Word, brother.

Because it is GOOD.

If your lucky enough, like me, to have an aunt with a family-run meat locker

to send you hand-made sausages, like jalapeno cheddar brats (mmm!),

Score!

Or, perhaps you are lucky enough to live next to an establishment,

such as the Milwaukee Public Market,

which has about 20 varieties of fresh brats for you to choose from daily.

Otherwise,  there's nothing wrong with your standard Johnsonville's...

just make sure you buy the UNCOOKED brats,

because half of what makes a Wisconsin brat "Wisconsin" is the cooking technique.

1.

Bring at least 2 of your favorite beers, sliced onions, and water to a boil.
(Note:  Darker beer is better for this technique, but to each his own.)

Add your brats, reduce heat, and simmer for 10-ish minutes.

Par-boiling adds delicious beer-onion flavor to your pork sausages.

Note:  This can be done ahead of a time.  Even the day before!

So there's no excuse not to have the best brats at your morning tailgate.

Ya hear?

2.

Fire up the grill!

Brats will still need to cook approximately 5-7 minutes per side over medium heat.

Add an opened can of sauerkraut (don't forget to remove the label!)

over indirect heat to warm.

Frank's is the best!

And you cannot have a Wisconsin brat without the kraut!

(Your brat farts will not be the same!)

3.

Meanwhile, caramelize some onions.

(You could also do this ahead of time, wrap in some foil,

and bring to your tailgate to re-heat on the grill.)

I like Vidalia, Spanish, or yellow onions 

because they're sweeter than red or white onions.

Slice them about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Heat a pan with olive oil AND butter.

Add the onions and get them sweating.

Add salt and pepper to taste,

along with garlic powder,

a pinch of cayenne pepper and some sugar.

Saute over low heat for as long as possible.

Usually 30 minutes will get you to a delicious golden brown color.

Just like candy.

4.

Prepare your sides.

I suggest things like:

Maple-brown sugar-bourbon baked beans.

(You can re-heat in a tin can over the grill if you're tailgating).
Warm up your brat buns while you're at it.
(Read:  I said BRAT buns, not hotdog buns.  BIG difference.)

Potato salad.

Homemade pickles.

(All will keep chilled in a cooler.)

Add the brat to your warmed or toasted brat bun.

Top with spicy brown mustard and a little ketchup, if you must.

Add the kraut and onions,

and I promise you won't be disappointed.

A little bit of spicy, vinegary, sweet, meaty goodness in every bite.

FANTASTIC.

And don't forget an ice cold beer to wash it all down!

Happy Tailgating, Wisconsin-style!

~Photos by b~