STYLE :: High Heels

A guy asked me this morning whether any woman actually liked to wear high heels. He stared at me like I was crazy after I immediately replied, "Why yes, many women love to!" A few girls quickly swung to my defense, repeating my statement. It was a chorus of heel lovers.

Other guys joined in with question upon question about our quest for beauty.

"But don't they hurt?" "Is it hard to balance?" "Does the heel ever get stuck?"

{image via Simplygoodstuff.tumblr.com}

We explained that yes, they do hurt but that they also elevate any outfit. Sometimes its just fun to wear heels. I usually wear heels when I'm doing something out to the ordinary: going out with friends, going to a celebratory dinner, going to the ballet. It always involves going somewhere, doing something.

Also, you kind of get that 'rule the world' feeling when you are suddenly 4 inches taller. 

One of the boys eventually relented. "Well, I do really love how you girls look in them."

We win.

What do you think? Are you the high heels type?

Whitney

P.S. In other news, the site where my old blog layout was from no longer exists (much to my chagrin). Looks like it is time for another blog background!

FOOD :: Banana Crumb Muffins

Announcement: After one full week of living in my new apartment, I have finally pulled out the mixing bowl and created my first baked masterpiece. This oven never knew that it would ever get to bake such deliciousness!

I ran (literally, for a morning jog) down to Food Lion with the full intention of buying ingredients to make a strawberry rhubarb crumble. To my dismay, I discovered that rhubarb is not yet in season. Never fear! I pulled out my handy dandy iPhone and found a replacement recipe in seconds.

Everybody give a round of applause for these tasty banana crumb muffins:

I know you're dying to heat up the oven immediately and bake these babies for yourself. Well it is your lucky day, because I have the recipe for you right here, on this very blog!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers. (I prefer muffin papers, solely because they are cuter)
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins. You could probably cut these ingredients in half. It was more than enough scrumptious cinnamonness.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

The last step, as always, is to enjoy your baked goods and share them with friends!

Whitney

FOOD :: The drink of the South :: Mint Julep

Missed the Kentucky Derby?

Well I did too.

Yesterday marked the 137th Kentucky Derby!! I wish, I wish with all my might that I was there but it looks like I will have to wait till the 138th Derby.

Whether you were there or not, this is the weekend to celebrate the Southern classic. To get in the derby spirit, I invite you to whip up a classic Mint Julep. The up side? This mint julep, unlike the official mint julep at the event, does not have a $1000 price tag. Whew!

Here is the official recipe from Southern Living and AllRecipes.com (don't worry, I tested it):

{Image courtesy of Southern Weddings, photographed by Tracy Turpen}

• Ingredients:
• 3 fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup
• Crushed ice
• 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) bourbon
• 1 (4-inch) cocktail straw or coffee stirrer
• 1 fresh mint sprig
• Powdered sugar (optional)

Preparation

• Place mint leaves and Mint Simple Syrup in a chilled julep cup. Gently press leaves against cup with back of spoon to release flavors. Pack cup tightly with crushed ice; pour bourbon over ice. Insert straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw, and serve immediately. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
• Note: For testing purposes only, we used Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Bourbon.
• 
  
• Now put on your big floppy derby hat and cheers to Animal Kingdom's victory!
• ~Whitney

LIFE :: Moving day

A lot of people hate moving. They hate the hassle of packing and unpacking, they get upset about leaving their old home behind. I'm not one of those people.

Whether I'm moving down the road (like this time) or across the country, I am always excited for the adventures that come along with moving to a new place. Right now, I'm boxing up everything in my room and hauling it out to my car. So far, it's been a great work out.

I've been collecting furniture from Craigslist and FreeCycle and I plan on posting a full round up of my (nearly) free finds next week.

Off to finish packing!!
Whitney

LIFE :: Busy, busy

Hi friends! I just wanted to give you a heads up that I will be MIA for the next few days. Why? Well, I'm in a MAJOR period of transition. I'm finishing up finals, preparing for summer school, starting a new position at work (yay!) AND moving to my very first apartment. All this week.

{image via apunchofcolordesign.com}

I'm very excited about all of the changes in my life and I can't wait to report on some of them.

Happy Blogging!
Whitney