What I'm Reading Now...

I. LOVE. READING. I always have, & I hope I always will! One of my favorite things to do is to go to a book store and just wander around looking for something to catch my attention. Something new. Something I haven't heard about yet. It's so exciting to me to think that I will discover something great and be able to spread the word! I would feel so accomplished.

Just one problem though - when I do that, I usually hate the book that I pick out. Sad. I have come to the realization that I am horrible at choosing books. Why? I do what you're not supposed to do, and I totally judge that book by it's cover. I mean come on - if they can come up with a good cover, then they are probably smart enough to write a good book. Well, that logic doesn't follow. (With a few exceptions! YAY! See below)

So I gave in, & I read "The Help." Just like everyone else in America. And LOOOOOOVED it! Just like everyone else in America. So if you're putting off reading it just because you think "everyone else is doing it" - stop that right now. Read it. It took me only 3 days because I couldn't stop!

Before "The Help", I read "Nothing to Envy, Ordinary Lives in North Korea" by Barbara Demick. 

Amazing! If you know me at all,  you would know that I am not one to go for non-fiction. I'm all about magic and unicorns and worlds that exist beyond this one...but for some reason I really wanted to read this book. 

It was in the "Staff Recommendations" at a local bookstore in DC, so I guess I technically didn't find it myself - whatever. But it was really, really good and so eye-opening. If you don't know anything about Communism in North Korea (a la me!), I think you would really like it. Demick visited North Korea herself and also interviewed 6 North Korean defectors to write this book. A satellite picture like this one is the opening of Chapter 1

How CRAZY is that?? Check it out!

At my latest excursion to B&N (back in May or so) I picked out a few books. The only that I have read is "A Man in Uniform" - historical fiction about the Dreyfus Affair (late nineteenth century Paris). Not the best, not the worst. But this one I did pick out all by myself in B&N, so of course it wouldn't be the best. I mean check out the cover - I was hooked! I'm totally the girl at the bottom with the parasol. 

Even though I still have TONS of books on my shelf to read - I picked up one at Anthropologie the other week and have chosen that as my next read. Duh, everyone always gets their intellectual stimulation at Anthro. It's called "Lunch in Paris. A love story with recipes" by Elizabeth Bard. I've only been reading it one night (and only 10 pages - embarrassing), but it is already really cute! I am dying to travel again {to PARIS} so I thought this would be a good way to live vicariously through someone else writing about it. Haven't come to any recipes yet, but I'll be sure to share one on here when I do.

Happy Reading!!

XOXO

Since You've Been Gone...

Sooo I've been a little MIA. Oops. Been busy keeping up with that other blog, but now that that's over - back to this one!! As an apology for not posting in a while, I am going to share the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. EVER. I got it from Amanda's Cookin Blog here.

Her secret is that she uses shortening along with butter... which is better for you too! Ok, maybe not. But it does make for some delicious cookies. There is just the right amount of cinnamon so they're not like plain Jane chocolate chip cookies. And the dough is great too so make sure to eat plenty of that! Ha!

Just a little warning - these are addictive. And the recipe makes like a billion cookies (see below). Be sure to have friends around to share the wealth!

I made these a couple weeks ago and sent a good amount to work with my boyfriend. I got an email from his secretary thanking me - so you know they're good!!

Happy Baking!

I Looooooove...

So it's been a while {again} since I've posted anything here! My bad. I have been keeping busy with traveling & appearances, which is good for me! I've seen a bunch of other bloggers that do a "What I'm Loving Now" post every now & again, so I wanted to post about some of the things that I'm loving right now!

1. My book. Soooo I finished my book!!! OMG. I got a bad sunburn when I was in Miami because I was reading while I was laying out & forgot to turn. I seriously couldn't read it fast enough :) Amaze-balls. Now I'm reading Tea Rose {recommended by my Boost}, & I haven't really gotten into it just yet. I'm definitely going to stick with it though! We shall see.

2. Kate Middleton. I can't get enough of Kate Middleton. Of course I'm so jealous that she is going to be a princess, but mostly I've been obsessed with her hats! How fabulous is she? I think I will start a hat revolution here in the States... who's with me??

And my faves:

3. Gold Necklaces. I was always a silver jewelry person until about 6 months ago. Why the switch? No clue! First I got this necklace from Stella & Dot.

It's their Signature Clover Necklace, & apparently was featured in Cosmo. It's long & delicate & goes with everything. I just love it! Then I wanted a shorter necklace that was still special & versatile, & I found this one from Swarovski, the Clover Pendant. {horrible picture...makes it look cheap}

Apparently I like clovers? Who knew. This necklace has 3 different length options, which is nice. It's just simple & cute, & I wear this one with everything too! Then, a friend at work had this FABULOUS necklace that I just had to copy! Of course I won't wear it to work, but it is just too pretty to not buy one for myself!

Sequin Metal Ring Status Necklace - out of stock right now, but found on Piperlime.com. This one of course is not as versatile, but when the BF notices it & says he really likes it - you know it's special! 

4. Spring. The weather here in DC is finally warming up! (But thankfully it's not all at once like in Texas where all of a sudden it's 85 outside). I am really looking forward to the Cherry Blossom Festival activities in the coming weeks!! {Check them out} Hopefully, I will get to take one of these pictures myself:

So pretty! Breathtaking! Lucky for me, there are some of these beautiful trees right outside my apartment & some on display at the Botanical Gardens! {Also, I'm wearing one of the necklaces from above! Bonus}  

Soooo what are YOU loving right now? Share!

XOXO

What I'm Reading Now...

So I finally finished reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown thanks to a couple flights & a long layover I had recently. It was....good. Not great, just good. I had heard from multiple people that it was sooooo good & a "you-can't-put-it-down" type of book like The DaVinci Code. I disagree. It was definitely not bad but nothing that I need to read again. I really like that it took place in Washington, DC though because I knew just about all the places they were exploring, etc. Yay DC! I was anticipating finishing the book on the airplane (and then what would I do??) so I bought another one at the airport bookstore.

Now, it doesn't really matter to me WHAT bookstore I'm in - I could always stay for hours. When I go to 1/2 Price Books, I have to allow myself an entire afternoon because I can't just go in with one book in mind and walk right back out. And even though I had many books waiting for me back home, I got caught up in the wonderfulness that was the bookstore & just had to get another! I saw lots that looked good (and LOTS more that looked terrible), but I kind of wanted something different & something that took me to a different time & place. As you may know, I really like SciFi books - magic, worlds that are created by the author, mystical creatures...all that mature stuff that you would expect a law school graduate/beauty queen/27 year-old to like! HA. 

The book that I chose is not science fiction, but I feel like it has almost the same effect. It takes the reader to a different world because of the time period with different types of characters than a book set "today." So, I chose...

The Other Boleyn Girl

by Philippa Gregory

I'm really excited to start this one (ends up I didn't finish my first book on the plane because I fell alseep!), but I am also excited to FINISH this one because then I can see the movie! I know everyone knows the rule - "don't see the movie til you've read the book" - right?? That goes for ALL books that are made into movies. I would say 99.9% of the time, books are better! Oh and it doesn't hurt that Eric Bana is in the movie... yummy!

I still have other books on my shelf too that I'm excited to read - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (started it twice...couldn't get past 30 pages, we'll see) & Tea Rose (recommended by my Boost). I'm making it a point starting......NOW to read a little each & every night. Challenge accepted!

Happy Reading!

XOXO

Snickerdoodles

I hadn't baked in a while, so by request of BBE, I made Snickerdoodles! Just the name is so fun, right? I usually think these cookies are kind of boring, but since it was a request I complied :) I did some searching around in my cookbooks and on some different websites to find a good recipe. The one I decided on is on one of the cooking blogs I really love - {Lovin From the Oven.} Not only have I really liked all the recipes I tried from this blog, but what drew me to this particular recipe is that it was kind of revamped to where she tried others & combined them to make this one great! All the work is done :)

So from her to me to you guys, Snickerdoodles that are sure to delight!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

For rolling:

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars with

an electric mixer on high speed. Add the egg and vanilla and

beat until smooth.

2. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and

cream of tartar.

3. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix well.

4. Preheat oven to 300 degrees while you let the dough rest for

30 to 60 minutes in the refrigerator.

     **I left the dough in the fridge for about an hour, & it was still pretty sticky. I don't know if leaving it even longer would do anything though

5. In a small bowl, combine the sugar with the cinnamon for the

topping.

6. Take about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the dough and roll it into a

ball. Roll this dough in the cinnamon/sugar mixture and press it

onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat for the remaining cookies.

7. Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes and no more. The cookies

may seem undercooked, but will continue to develop after they are

removed from the oven. When the cookies have cooled they should be

soft and chewy in the middle.

      **I baked the first batch just like she said in her recipe (for 12 minutes to be safe!), but they were too mushy. I put them in for 2 more minutes but still not happy with how they turned out. The second  batch I baked at 325 for 13 minutes - perfect! Could just be an oven thing, but 14 minutes at 300 left them too mushy & they didn't continue cooking afterwards enough for my liking! {Picture below}

Makes about 16 cookies.

These are the first batch right when they came out

This is after they had been sitting a while. You can see they're kind of flat

Left = First Batch, Right = Second Batch

Second Batch is thicker & overall better :)

The reason for so many pictures?? I know everyone knows what batter looks like when you mix it...but I got a new camera for Christmas! So, yes I do take every opportunity I can to use it :)

Enjoy these yummy Snickerdoodles!!

XOXO,

Ashley

Hmmm...decisions, decisions

So I'm trying to figure out another background/header/etc for my blog, but I'm at a standstill. I just don't really like anything! So I just have to say, please excuse the mess that is happening right now & bear with me. I went back & forth between Vday theme, trying to find something neutral that I won't have to change every month, to whatever this green stuff is right now. Ha. Anyway. I will find something soon. Until then, check out these blogs that were recommended to me recently. They're both fashion blogs, & I just LOOOOVE them!!

Love Maegan & Capitol Hill Style

xoxo

BRRR - Baby, it's cold outside!

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted! My goodness. This is just an easy idea to get something up on the wall that doesn't cost a lot & is actually useful! Yay for that!

I saw the idea in a boutique down the street from me as a way to display the scarves they had for sale, & I just had to do it in my own little apartment :) Now that I live where it's actually COLD in the winter time, I wear a scarf everyday! I thought this would be a great way to have them out instead of stuffed in a drawer where I can't even see what options I have. Plus, this area of our entryway was just plain & screaming for something to go there.

The letters {found by my fabulous Momma!} were about $2 a piece. Two were already black & two were white, I had a can of black spray paint so VOILA! they are all black. Super easy & BBE even likes it. Perfect!

XOXO,