• 30th January
    2012
  • 30
This might not look that impressive but I promise you, it’s delicious and SO easy. It’s very inexpensive and you can pick up everything you need at Trader Joe’s (though I’m pretty sure regular grocery stores sell this stuff too. That’s a joke. Not funny, I realize). 
I made this for dinner yesterday and my company really enjoyed it.  I’m not usually a leftovers girl (I don’t know why - I’m strange) but this is making me very happy today.
Recipe: Easiest Turkey Taco Chili Ever!
Ingredients:
1 lb. TJ’s ground turkey
1 can TJ’s whole kernel corn (drained)
1 can TJ’s tomato sauce
1 can TJ’s organic black beans (drained)
1 can TJ’s fire roasted tomatoes
1/2 packet TJ’s Taco Seasoning Mix
3/4 container of TJ’s free-range chicken broth
cheddar cheese (grated)
sour cream (just a spoonful for each serving)
corn chips
Directions: Brown the ground turkey in a frying pan on the stove.  Once you’re done with that, bust out the can opener and open all your cans, then dump the contents , along with 1/2 the taco seasoning packet in a big pot.  Don’t forget to add the chicken broth (you can probably use an entire container but I didn’t want mine to be too soup like).  Add the meat.  Bring to boil and then let it simmer for a while…I simmered for a couple of hours.  Ladle the soup into bowls, top with some grated cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.  You can serve the corn chips as a side for dipping OR crush them up and throw them on top (personally, I do a mixture of both).
Alternate method (because we love options): throw all the ingredients into a crock-pot and just let it cook all day long while you’re at work…(but don’t forget to cook the meat first!  Might seem like a given but how sad would you be if you didn’t realize that it needed to be cooked ahead of time?).
Try it. You’ll like it. Thank me later.

This might not look that impressive but I promise you, it’s delicious and SO easy. It’s very inexpensive and you can pick up everything you need at Trader Joe’s (though I’m pretty sure regular grocery stores sell this stuff too. That’s a joke. Not funny, I realize). 

I made this for dinner yesterday and my company really enjoyed it.  I’m not usually a leftovers girl (I don’t know why - I’m strange) but this is making me very happy today.

Recipe: Easiest Turkey Taco Chili Ever!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. TJ’s ground turkey
  • 1 can TJ’s whole kernel corn (drained)
  • 1 can TJ’s tomato sauce
  • 1 can TJ’s organic black beans (drained)
  • 1 can TJ’s fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1/2 packet TJ’s Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 3/4 container of TJ’s free-range chicken broth
  • cheddar cheese (grated)
  • sour cream (just a spoonful for each serving)
  • corn chips

Directions: Brown the ground turkey in a frying pan on the stove.  Once you’re done with that, bust out the can opener and open all your cans, then dump the contents , along with 1/2 the taco seasoning packet in a big pot.  Don’t forget to add the chicken broth (you can probably use an entire container but I didn’t want mine to be too soup like).  Add the meat.  Bring to boil and then let it simmer for a while…I simmered for a couple of hours.  Ladle the soup into bowls, top with some grated cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.  You can serve the corn chips as a side for dipping OR crush them up and throw them on top (personally, I do a mixture of both).

Alternate method (because we love options): throw all the ingredients into a crock-pot and just let it cook all day long while you’re at work…(but don’t forget to cook the meat first!  Might seem like a given but how sad would you be if you didn’t realize that it needed to be cooked ahead of time?).

Try it. You’ll like it. Thank me later.

  • 29th January
    2012
  • 29
This photo challenge has been making the rounds so I’ll jump on the bandwagon and participate as well.  I need to dust my DSLR off because it’s been put away for far too long.
(via:accordingtojennifer)

This photo challenge has been making the rounds so I’ll jump on the bandwagon and participate as well.  I need to dust my DSLR off because it’s been put away for far too long.

(via:accordingtojennifer)

(Source: thegirlkyle)

  • 27th January
    2012
  • 27
I have a serious complex.
It’s called the ”Em needs to be on the right side (left when you’re looking at it) in every. single. picture. she. takes.” complex.
How does one remedy this?

I have a serious complex.

It’s called the ”Em needs to be on the right side (left when you’re looking at it) in every. single. picture. she. takes.” complex.

How does one remedy this?

  • 26th January
    2012
  • 26
A friend of mine recently found these pictures from an event back in December and sent them to me earlier today. It completely brightened this dreary NYC afternoon and she had no idea that the act of emailing a few fun photos would put such a big smile on my face. 
(That beautiful man? That’s Collin - my sweet friend who I’ve gotten to know and adore over the last few years through work.  It’s the best when business relationships turn into personal friendships).

A friend of mine recently found these pictures from an event back in December and sent them to me earlier today. It completely brightened this dreary NYC afternoon and she had no idea that the act of emailing a few fun photos would put such a big smile on my face.

(That beautiful man? That’s Collin - my sweet friend who I’ve gotten to know and adore over the last few years through work. It’s the best when business relationships turn into personal friendships).

  • 23rd January
    2012
  • 23
Because it’s Monday night and so many of you are watching Ben woo all the ladies, I figured I’d share this little gem of a picture.

Kathleen and Kara spent he weekend skiing in Salt Lake City and look who they hung out with!  My girls are the bookends (Kathleen on the left and Kara on the right).

Because it’s Monday night and so many of you are watching Ben woo all the ladies, I figured I’d share this little gem of a picture.

Kathleen and Kara spent he weekend skiing in Salt Lake City and look who they hung out with! My girls are the bookends (Kathleen on the left and Kara on the right).

  • 23rd January
    2012
  • 23
[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

My body is going to hate me tomorrow. When I texted  this to my best friends from college, Kristen (a once elite gymnast) and Rozz (a once backyard/self taught fearless tumbler/cheerleader), they had the same response - “OMG, where are you and what the hell are you doing?”.

This video is actually SUPER embarrassing but I’ve got to start somewhere, right? It’s certainly not the most flattering angle and the back handspring form is a disgrace…

BUT BUT BUT…

After 8 years of not doing them, I’d say I should give myself a little credit. I think I have a new series - “Monday Night Back Handsprings With Em”. You can catch me during a Bachelor commercial break or something.

I will improve…I promise! (I better! These classes aren’t cheap!)

Who wants to join me next week?

When: Monday nights from 7-8:30pm

Where: Chelsea Piers Field House

What: Adult Gymnastics - Beginner/Intermediate

  • 23rd January
    2012
  • 23
  • 23rd January
    2012
  • 23
Obsessing over: My new books - In the Small Kitchen:100 Recipes from Our Year of Cooking in the Real World and Behind Photographs.  
Working on: Budget Reconciliations (always and forever), upcoming Fashion Week events, and a photo project.
Thinking about: Tim Keller’s sermon from church yesterday morning, the upcoming presidential election, and when I’m going to order my next Blue Print Cleanse (3-Day). 
Anticipating: The gymnastics class I’m signed up for this week (Adult Intermediate at Chelsea Piers - yikes!).  I’m determined to bring the back-handspring back before July 24th.  Also, Turks & Caicos in 38 Days (but who’s counting?).
Listening to: Pandora stations: Ellie Goulding, Lana Del Ray, Black Keys, & The National in heavy rotation.
Drinking: Straight up tap agua, Perrier, & Coffee (all three are currently on my desk)
Wishing: I could plan a trip out to Oregon and Washington to visit my west coast family.  Maybe I should stop talking about it and just do it.  (Dad, my most avid blog shenanigans follower - remind me to discuss this with you!).

Obsessing over: My new books - In the Small Kitchen:100 Recipes from Our Year of Cooking in the Real World and Behind Photographs

Working on: Budget Reconciliations (always and forever), upcoming Fashion Week events, and a photo project.

Thinking about: Tim Keller’s sermon from church yesterday morning, the upcoming presidential election, and when I’m going to order my next Blue Print Cleanse (3-Day). 

Anticipating: The gymnastics class I’m signed up for this week (Adult Intermediate at Chelsea Piers - yikes!).  I’m determined to bring the back-handspring back before July 24th.  Also, Turks & Caicos in 38 Days (but who’s counting?).

Listening to: Pandora stations: Ellie Goulding, Lana Del Ray, Black Keys, & The National in heavy rotation.

Drinking: Straight up tap agua, Perrier, & Coffee (all three are currently on my desk)

Wishing: I could plan a trip out to Oregon and Washington to visit my west coast family.  Maybe I should stop talking about it and just do it.  (Dad, my most avid blog shenanigans follower - remind me to discuss this with you!).

  • 23rd January
    2012
  • 23
I went to Theodora’s place yesterday to just hang out for a bit.  To my surprise, she gifted me with a pretty gold bracelet from Kate Spade. It’s technically a belated birthday gift and the timing couldn’t be more perfect since my 1/2 birthday is tomorrow (that means I have exactly 6 months to get my act together and start crossing things off my “To Do Before 30 List”).
Aside from the fact that I’m into the fashion trend of stacking bracelets and baubles, the bracelet is engraved with…
This is the year to…(engraved on the inside)
play your cards right…make sparks fly…be curious as a cat…lose yourself in a good book…add a twist…(engraved on the exterior)
Theodora - thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift.  I adore it, promise to wear it often, take inspiration from it, and think of you every time I look at it!

I went to Theodora’s place yesterday to just hang out for a bit.  To my surprise, she gifted me with a pretty gold bracelet from Kate Spade. It’s technically a belated birthday gift and the timing couldn’t be more perfect since my 1/2 birthday is tomorrow (that means I have exactly 6 months to get my act together and start crossing things off my “To Do Before 30 List”).

Aside from the fact that I’m into the fashion trend of stacking bracelets and baubles, the bracelet is engraved with…

This is the year to…(engraved on the inside)

play your cards right…make sparks fly…be curious as a cat…lose yourself in a good book…add a twist…(engraved on the exterior)

Theodora - thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift.  I adore it, promise to wear it often, take inspiration from it, and think of you every time I look at it!

  • 22nd January
    2012
  • 22

Last Name Status

  • Me: I saved you in my contacts as [redacted]
  • Him: And I'm dubbing you Elmira Emily for contact purposes
  • Me: Yikes. We'll need to get to last name status stat because I certainly don't want to be known by my hometown. Though, my last name, if anything, is a descriptive of the town itself.
  • Him: Emily Hicks?
  • Haha...this guy is funny.
  • 19th January
    2012
  • 19
  • 19th January
    2012
  • 19
Shopping for bathing suits is my favorite.
Oh yes, I love doing this just as much as the next girl. I’m convinced that even Marissa Miller has near breakdowns in the Nordstrom dressing room, hoping that it’s simply a lack of tan and the horrid lighting that seems to be accentuating the cellulite in the thigh area (funny how I just confused myself with a VS model just then).
With my T&C trip fast approaching, I figured I should bite the bullet and pick up a few new suits. I was pleasantly surprised with the fit and quality of the selection at Target and picked up the the two pictured above.  The best part - price!  I hate the fact that bathing suits run upwards of $80-100+ p/piece (Shoshanna, Trina Turk, DVF, even VS).  Who wants to spend $200 on water approved fabric ensembles that leave most woman feeling the most self conscious they’ve ever been?
Both Target suits totalled up for less than $60 and that’s not bad at all.
So, can someone please explain to me why I’m currently contemplating another suit from J.Crew that costs a lot more that $60?

Shopping for bathing suits is my favorite.

Oh yes, I love doing this just as much as the next girl. I’m convinced that even Marissa Miller has near breakdowns in the Nordstrom dressing room, hoping that it’s simply a lack of tan and the horrid lighting that seems to be accentuating the cellulite in the thigh area (funny how I just confused myself with a VS model just then).

With my T&C trip fast approaching, I figured I should bite the bullet and pick up a few new suits. I was pleasantly surprised with the fit and quality of the selection at Target and picked up the the two pictured above.  The best part - price!  I hate the fact that bathing suits run upwards of $80-100+ p/piece (Shoshanna, Trina Turk, DVF, even VS).  Who wants to spend $200 on water approved fabric ensembles that leave most woman feeling the most self conscious they’ve ever been?

Both Target suits totalled up for less than $60 and that’s not bad at all.

So, can someone please explain to me why I’m currently contemplating another suit from J.Crew that costs a lot more that $60?

  • 18th January
    2012
  • 18
  • 18th January
    2012
  • 18
Scott brought his new puppy, Baker, to meet the team.  Good thing I was crazy productive this morning because my afternoon is shot.

Scott brought his new puppy, Baker, to meet the team. Good thing I was crazy productive this morning because my afternoon is shot.

  • 16th January
    2012
  • 16