things that are annoying (that I do)

It has been awhile since I have posted. I realize this doesn't mean much, as I assume no one actually reads this blog...hello, nine members? How pathetic. That being said, I feel as though the impending new year is a best time for some self-reflection. Now for me, reflection usually involves what kind of hummus I will be purchasing this week (new favorite-greek style). But in this case, I have chosen to look at things that people tell me are annoying. These are things I do, by the way. All of them. All the time. Whatever.

-Blowing bubbles with my gum. The best brand is Ice Cubes by Ice Breakers.

-Not unloading the dishwasher. I have decided my time is too valuable. I have far too many episodes of Sister Wives recorded to catch up on.

-Switching the radio station every .537 seconds.

-Filling awkward silence with loud sighs when I have nothing to be sighing about.

-Taking the last soda out of the box in my fridge and then leaving the box in there.

-Not recycling. My recycling bin is literally next to my normal trash can, but I can't lean over the railing of my porch to drop it in like I can with the normal one. Sorry, landfills.

-Leaving almost empty bottles of shampoo in the shower.

-Never, ever, ever having cash.

This is all pretty much to do with laziness.

New year's resolution?

Stop being lazy.

Thanksgiving at the farm

With my siblings (PRM, LJM, CvBM)...dressing the part, of course.

thought

"I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life"
-The Great Gatsby

Rants

Yep, here we go...

Tailing me. Why must people always be driving right up on me? Particularly when I have a client in the car. If you are in a constant state of late-ness, LEAVE EARLY. Yes, you may miss five minutes of precious sleep time…but get over yourself and your road rage. I, for one, am so over it.

Mothers injuring/killing their children. Yes, this is more than a rant. If you do not think you will be able to take care of your children, DO NOT HAVE THEM. Or better yet, have them and give them up for adoption. Hell, you could even drop the baby off at a hospital, no questions asked. People are selfish and capable of such evil, it makes me sick. That poor child who was found dead recently in a Saint Louis cemetery lived ten minutes away from my parents. I am so disgusted by this child’s mother. Yes, she is innocent until proven guilty. But give me a break…

Events that start prior to 6 pm on a weeknight. Come on; give me a chance to at least appear to be alert and refreshed.

People showing up empty-handed for dinner parties. I have just spent countless hours and money on YOU. Bring me something. I don’t care if it is a card, flowers, candy, wine, etc. Just be courteous. My BFF Tinabells came over for dinner last night and was sweet enough to bring me a baggie of Hershey’s Kisses. Perfect. So cute and sweet. She is always thoughtful and brings something darling. I am not asking for something expensive and tasteful; just don’t come into my house without something. I would NEVER come into yours that way!

This post was incredibly un-ladylike, but I don’t care. Wishing everyone a fantastic Thursday! :)




xoxo, Grumpy Muffy (hehe)

random thoughts & updates

1. I got my duck boots...they are fantastic, although this girl I work with said she doesn't "get them".

2. I am going to Chicago on Friday and taking the train for the first time ever. Is it unlady-like to drink alone on a train?

3. I have a terrible cold and all I want to do is get in bed and sleep for 25 hours a day.

4. My sister got her high score on the ACT!

5. Is there anything wrong with eating an entire pan of oatmeal bars?

fast food review: noodles & co

I had the Japanese Pan noodle bowl. It was actually really good. I am always nervous to try things like that because I am afraid I will go into a sodium-induced coma. It was quite salty, but I loved it.

One gripe: I called to place the order so my friend from work could go pick it up...and the man was way too chipper. You would have thought he was getting paid by the exclamation point in his voice. I don't understand how anyone is that excited about noodles. But, hey, good for him!

I LOVE Saint Louis...

...today and always! So proud to have been born and raised in this AMAZING city.

amazing gorgonzola dip

I love making dips...they are so easy and it is fun to come up with a new creation. Last weekend I "invented" a new one to try when my BFF Tinabells came over. Here is what you will need:

1 package of cream cheese (NOT LIGHT!)
1/3 cup of sour cream
1 cup of gorgonzola crumbles
1 cup of chopped green onion
salt and pepper to taste

Start with melting the cream cheese for about one minute in the microwave. Then add the sour cream and mix. Add about a half teaspoon of salt and pepper. Then add your chopped green onion. Finally, stir in the gorgonzola crumbles. Put dip in the fridge for about 2 hours. Then serve!

I used sliced gala apples and pita chips to serve with this dip. I love gorgonzola, which is a blue cheese from Italy that is soft and had a bit of a "bite" to it, but you can also use regular blue cheese. This was a totally random group of ingredients, but it turned out delicious. I wouldn't use light cream cheese, but you could definitely swap the sour cream for a lighter version. Same with the gorgonzola. I think it would also be good with dried cranberries in it, but I didn't have any at my house.

So delicious! I made it again last night when my family came over to watch the world series game. GO CARDINALS!



Next up with my recipe sharing is my friend Mimi's famous oatmeal bars with mixed preserves. Get excited!

toms + grass cutting = bad combination

Last night I cut my grass. I have a tiny, tiny yard so it usually only takes about fifteen minutes. I decided to do it right when I got home from work, so I was still in my "work clothes", which are super casual. I usually wears jeans, comfortable shoes and sweaters. Alas, yesterday was no different. I was wearing my navy TOMS, which probably look awful on me, but they are so comfortable and no one is complimenting my fashion sense on the streets of StL anyway. I kept them on to cut my grass. They are now navy blue with bright green streaks. The same thing happened to my topsiders a few months ago, though they were super beaten up already.

When, oh when, will I learn?

finally fall!

...and I definitely need these bad boys for my job as a field social worker!



source: LLBean, $69

Which one will you feed?

An Old Cherokee Tale of Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.’

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’

The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed.’

BUT, if all else fails:

I would settle for the Chanel bag only.

30 by 30

So, I know I am only 23, but I have decided to make a list of 30 things I want to do by the time I turn 30.

30. Learn to drive a stick shift
29. Go to Europe
28. Meet someone that I can stand being around for more than 5 minutes
27. Marry that someone from #28
26. Stop drinking diet coke
25. Get licensed as an LCSW
24. Take the LSAT and apply to law school just to see if I can get in
23. Buy a brand new, zero-miles driven car
22. Take my parents on vacation
21. Buy a Chanel bag
20. Try to enjoy caviar
19. Take a photography class
18. Be less materialistic
17. Stop gossiping
16. Drink more water, less white wine
15. Jump out of a plane...ok maybe not
14. Make a turkey on Thanksgiving
13. Donate my hair to Locks of Love
12. Buy a bike
11. Buy a house
10. Enjoy being by myself
9. Tell people I love them more
8. Eat more vegetables that I don't like (brussel sprouts, so gross)
7. Meet someone famous
6. Become more outwardly friendly
5. Adopt a dog (times three?)
4. Take a vacation on my own
3. Start a family
2. Read War and Peace
1. Live more simply

XO

Saint Thérèse de Lisieux

“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”

“The world's thy ship and not thy home.”

“Trust and trust alone should lead us to love.”

“I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbours' defects--not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.”

currently loving..

-clementines
-suede ankle boots
-pumpkin candles
-Boars Head lacy swiss cheese
-cooler weather
-getting a new cell phone this week (!!)
-dark nail colors
-new fall line up on NBC
-firepits
-my adorable new dresser lamp

NOT currently loving:
-grapes are no longer in season
-getting my new flats wet
-carrots (I have been eating them way too much and they are grossing me out)
-ricotta cheese
-having too much coffee and being jittery
-NOT HAVING A DOG!

Emmy's favorites

My favorite part of any awards show: the dresses! My favorites were Ellie Kemper(love it all), Katie Holmes (love the color and the belt) and Naya Rivera (love the shape)!

remembrance & prayers

Domestic bliss

LOVE my new house! I have already made corn salad, bought new curtains for my adorable room and used the hell out of my washer and dryer.

Simply put, I AM IN LOVE!

My new favorite kitchen gadget? Margaux's parents gave us a new French Press! Our old one was a little gross after 2 years of use. Ah, the joy of having a roommate!

I wonder...

happy, happy Friday

...now if only I didn't have to babysit all weekend!

One Day

I saw One Day over the weekend. It was SO good. Probably one of the best movies I have seen in a long time, despite how annoying I find Anne Hathaway. The movie is so beautiful--the story, the people, the setting. Go see it!

p.s. Jim Sturgess is very handsome.

to go along with the last post...

This quote is way overdone, especially with 17 year old girls on their myspace pages...wait, does myspace still exist?

Anyway, it's cheesy, but perfect:

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."
— Marilyn Monroe

Things I am sick of apologizing for:

I am usually the first person to apologize. When someone offends me, I say sorry. When I went to New York City for the first (and last!) time, people would bump into and I would say excuse me or I'm sorry. If I happen to take the last bagel in a box or seat in a row, I apologize. I get it. I say it a lot and usually it is not completely genuine. When I make a friend angry or say something rude to my mother, I apologize and I mean it. Here are a few things that I am not sorry for, despite what I may say...this may also include things that I say I feel bad about, but guess what? I don't.

1. Drinking soda. Since when did Diet Coke become the poison of society? Ok, I get it, it's not good for me. But you would think I am drinking liquid anthrax by the way people judge me when I walk into my office with a fountain soda.

2. Not holding the door for someone who is walking 100 feet behind me. I'm not sorry that I'm not going to wait for you to speed up so I can be kind. Walk faster or hold your own door.

3. Saying what everyone else is thinking. Ok, this is a fine line. I do not want to be rude, but good god, can we just acknowledge when something is so completely obvious? I had a co-worker once who got a very serious hairstyle change that was not becoming. Everyone acted like nothing had changed. Hello? Am I the only one itching to say something?

4. Being assertive at work. It may make you look bad, but I am going to volunteer to do work when it is brought up. No, I am not trying to make you look like a bump on a log, but please...this is a job, not a play group.

5. Going to a bar and ordering what I want rather than what is on "special". On that note, same thing with any food special. I would rather pay a few dollars more than suck something down that I do not enjoy...my mother, ever the deal lover, hates this about me.

6. Being myself...ok, not to get cheesy, but I am sick of apologizing for being the way that I am. Yes, I can be sarcastic and insensitive towards others. Yes, I talk about myself a lot. But if you don't like it, don't be friends with me. I'm not sorry.

XOXO + no apologies,
M

xoxo andy warhol

...just ordered this print for my new house. LOVE.

Caffeine: LOVE/HATE

I need to cut down on my caffeine intake. But I love it so much...

Some of my favorites:

lundi, lundi, lundi

Happy Monday! xo

One more for the seats in the back!

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Whoever saves one life saves the world entire. -Schindler's List

FAVORITE cookbook & recipe

I am going to be moving out of dear Mom and Dad's soon, and I am super excited to start cooking again. My previous roommate and I are moving back in together and it is going to be aaaamazing. She is super fun to live with, loves a good glass of wine after a long day, and LOVES to eat delicious food.


I am so ready to whip out my favorite cookbook of all time, Martha's "Great Food Fast". It is so easy, so delicious and so unique. My favorite recipe? CORN SALAD. It is so good and so simple.


I am meeting with a leasing agency tomorrow and we are touring our favorite apartment, so wish us luck! XOXO

The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase, if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.
-C.P. Snow

BEST sandwich

I got my favorite sandwich from Bread Co today (or Panera, out-of-towners)...

The Mediterranean Veggie: Zesty Peppadew piquant peppers, feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cilantro Jalapeño hummus on Tomato Basil bread. It also comes with cucumbers, but I don't like them, so I ask for it without...

SO GOOD!

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.
~Kurt Vonnegut

Best dinner EVER

Last night I made myself the best omelette ever. I love cooking, but I don't ever feel like I have the time or the energy. Last night, however, I fit it in and it was amazing. Here were my ingredients:

-half cup of sun-dried tomatoes, drained
-1/4 cup of crumbled feta
-one cup of spinach
-3 regular sized eggs
-1 tablespoon of milk
-salt and pepper to taste
-salsa for topping

So I mixed up the eggs and milk--I think milk is an absolute must in omelettes. Then I added salt and pepper to the mix and put it in my nonstick fry pan, which I sprayed with a bit of Pam olive oil. Let it cook for awhile. Then I added the feta, then the sun-dried tomatoes, then the spinach. I topped it with some salsa (I love salsa on eggs), then salt and pepper to taste! Delicious!

Omelettes are easy to cook and super filling. I didn't take a picture because I was hungry and eager to eat...but it was bea-u-tiful!

Monday = No FUNday

Happy Saturday, lovies!

Happiest Saturday! I am at work just for the morning and then I will be on weekend mode. Wahooooooo.

LOVE this.

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Seems good for a Friday!

Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love; stay in love, and it will decide everything.
--Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

Wishing everyone a great weekend! XO

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me: put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

--Philippians 4:6-9

A few things I am currently loving...

my favorite perfume--Lucky by Liz Clairborne

favorite new show--Criminal Minds reruns

LOVE messy braids and ponytails

favorite afternoon treat!

Happy Wednesday !

Today is going to be 100+ degrees and the humidity is beyond miserable. Wish I could be at the pool! xoxo, M

Lake weekend !!

This past weekend I went to the lake with my mom, her sisters, Lu and a few of my girl cousins. My Aunt B has a fantastic place right on the lake with a pool, swim dock, tons of tube-thingys, and a boat. We had so much fun--the outlets were to.die.for. I am not usually a huge outlet person, but we did a good job supporting the local economy! I got tons of new work clothes (hello, big girl job starting next week!) and some fun summer stuff too. Lu got a pair of skinny cargo pants, which is a trend I don't quite understand, but they are cute...ish.

THE BEST PART OF THE TRIP: I tried a new pasta recipe that I have been drooling over.

Disclaimer*: I have no clue where I found this...I think it was on someone else's blog? Anyway, it is delicious. Before you try it out, I have a few tips. They are at the very bottom.

Here it is:
Ingredients
2 (9-oz.) packages refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper

Preparation
1. Prepare tortellini according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, process olive oil and next 5 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Toss olive oil mixture with hot cooked tortellini, tomatoes, and next 3 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

TIPS! (from a former Williams-Sonoma employee, I might add)
-I used frozen tortellini and canned corn. It was exactly taste-wise the same and much cheaper.
-The grocery stores at the lake are not super sophisticated, and they did not have fresh basil. Regular basil in a jar was fine.
-I added a bit extra olive oil (maybe 1/4 a cup) and an extra teaspoon of lemon juice. I ALWAYS add extra garlic and pepper.
-I don't love Worcestershire sauce and my little cousins probably wouldn't have either, so I skipped it.
-The dish is supposed to be served hot, but I made it on Saturday morning before our shopping trip and put it in the fridge for like 3 hours. When we got home, we ate it cold and I thought it was better than when it was hot. Just my opinion. My cousins heated it up and liked it better that way. I think it can be served hot or cold!
-I served it along with turkey sandwiches on dollar rolls with swiss and mustard. It was a good combination lunch! To make the pasta more of an entree, you could always add meat tortellini, serve it with a salad or add chicken.

Enjoy--I will be making this pasta again this weekend for a friend's BBQ!


xoxo Muff

Tiney is getting married!

This Saturday is my best friend, Tinabells' wedding! I am beyond excited and so happy for her. TAE, her groom and soon-to-be hubby, is such a doll and I could not be more honored to share in the festivities! This is the first "adult" wedding I am in and I cannot wait! Please say a prayer for fabulous weather!




Much love, Muffy

Muffy, MSW!

I graduated on May 2oth with my Master's in Social Work! It was such a good day. I have two classes to take over the summer to be completely finished, but I walked a few weeks ago at graduation to appease my parents...and me, it turned out! It meant a lot to be hooded and have my whole family there. Afterward, we went to my favorite bar, where my mother snapped this picture of me with my siblings and Chels!

New month, new direction!

Saint Louis is so pretty right now and I am loving this month so far. I can finally start wearing summer-y clothes and people are coming back in town for summer breaks, which is the best. People seem to walk in and out of our lives, but the ones who matter always walk back in right when we need them most! I have been having a hard couple of months, but I have such an optimistic view about this summer and the future. I am putting complete faith in God that all will work itself out in the end and I am so content. Here are some things I am really loving now:

-planning my best friend, Tinabells' bachelorette party at my farm!
-tanner faces and blonder hair
-my Lilac Longchamp that I didn't use enough last summer
-drinking wine in my grandmother's backyard on a blanket
-gardening with my mama
-my new office at work!
-pink flowers
-new summer dresses
-Jack Rogers wedges
-flower earrings
-MY BROTHERS COMING HOME NEXT WEEK!

Much love always, M

thought of the day

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."
--Robert Frost

Jacks weather !

Finally Jack Rogers weather! I wore my gold ones yesterday :)

bad mood blog: here we go!

I am in a bad mood and feel like complaining. So here goes, the top 15
things that annoy me the most:
15. Loud singers in mass--ahem, my grandmother
14. People who facebook chat me right when I am about to to sign off
13. Someone leaving one tiny bit of wine left in the bottle-either
finish it or leave me a healthy glass worth
12. Chunky white heels
11. People trying to one-up me on their treadmill next to me
10. Chewing gum
9. People who drive poorly and are on their cell phones
8. Velcro shoes in any form
7. Being in class with someone who is eating something gross (i.e.
last week--tuna casserole, so foul)
6. Static cling
5. When I tell my receptionists that I am done seeing clients and they
put more people on the list for walk-ins
4. My sister stealing my lotion, hair spray, make-up and clothes on a
daily basis
3. People who are rude to waiters
2. Long voicemails--just tell me to call you back and guess what? I will.
1. My mother being permanently attached to her iPhone!

I feel muuuccchhhh better! XX, M.

What I know for sure--Margaret style

Let me be honest here...I am not an Oprah fan. Don't get me wrong--I appreciate that she is a successful business woman who has built a total empire. I just don't think she is the most wonderful person in the world. I have, however, read her monthly magazine from time to time (and not just in the doctor's office, I ashamed to say). She does an article at the end of every publication called "What I Know For Sure". Without further adieu, here is mine, my dolls:

10. There are certain people who love you no matter what...don't question it.
9. A good glass of white wine cures all bad days when shared with friends.
8. Front porches are meant to be enjoyed.
7. Never underestimate the power of a good nap.
6. School and studying are not fun, but knowing what you are talking about is.
5. Dairy is a food group, so love cheese regardless of the grams of fat.
4. There are few things good music cannot cure.
3. Palm trees = good moods.
2. God is always, always good.
1. Love freely...it is not always fun and it not always easy, but it is worth it. It is always, always worth it.

photo credit: my fabulous photographer sister, Lu. xx.

favorite flick !

Best movie ever? Well, it may not be, but I do love it. I hadn't seen it in years, but I babysat a few Friday nights ago and I watched it with the kiddies. The movie came out in 1973 and is based off of the 1952 children's book. Even though it was a DVD that we watched, Charlotte's Web still had that grainy old movie image, which reminds me of being little. E.B. White, who wrote the book, is said to have despised the film adaptation, but I am no movie critic, so I don't care!

My other favorites:
Forrest Gump
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Pretty in Pink
Money Pit
Princess Bride

Happy Tuesday, lovies!

summer love

And I may be obliged to defend every love, every ending
Or maybe there's no obligations now.

Je t'aime mardi gras!

My dad and my uncle have a big party with their friends in honor of Mardi Gras each year...this year was so fun! Saint Louis has a huge Mardi Gras celebration and parade on Saturday (or samedi, if you will!), because it is a city with such a rich French history.

Below is a picture of me with my brother and his friends...my brother is the ridiculous one without a coat in the 40 degree weather! And yes, that is someone dressed up as Elvis...


Tomorrow starts the solemn period of Lent...see ya later, diet coke!

XOXO, Muffy

Best & Worst at the Oscars

I watched the first half of the Oscars...but then I got bored. Anne Hathaway just bugs me too much, I guess. Her singing was pretty good, though.

Anyway, my favorite part is always the red carpet. There were a lot of fussy dresses (or should I say, gowns), but just like the Golden Globes, I prefer a simpler look. Jennifer Lawrence looked gorgeous. She wore a very classic Calvin Klein dress and it fit her perfectly...I also loved her hair and clutch. Perfect!



I also loved Gwyneth Paltrow and Celine Dion's looks.

My least favorite? Sorry, but Amy Adams was the weirdest combination of jewelry and dress choice. The dress was too old for her and the jewels made no sense with the neckline of the dress or the color. She is so pretty...but why, why, why?

Mama and company!

I went out with my mother, aunts and grandmother on Saturday night and we had SO much fun. My grandmother is a total trip...she loves to do shots with me. Evidence below!