food files

the soup has been on at my house throughout the winter season. before this year, i never ever made soup. (except that one time in college and it turned out horribly.) fast forward to now, i found some amazing recipes that are fast and inexpensive, and easy for me to pack for lunch! perfecto.

first up, this tomoato soup. i loveee tomato soup, but let's get real, that stuff in the can is scary and who actually thinks a homemade version can be any good without extra heavy cream? exactly. but the thing is you're wrong. this number by love and lemons is vegetarian (vegan if you don't add any cheese) and dairy free. and it's so creamy and thick and rich you're going to think you should feel guilty for eating and entire bowl. but NO! don't! because it's good for you and super healthy.

i didn't alter the recipe much, but i didn't use white wine (didn't have any) and my sun-dried tomatoes weren't packed in anything (i just covered them with boiling water for 15 minutes and then added them to the soup). as for the heat - i was really liberal with the red pepper flakes and i can't imagine making it any other way :) oh, and no pine nuts, again just because there weren't any in the house.

okay so get to cooking! i swear you're going to be in tomato soup heaven! xo

what i want wednesday

[image via parra]

omg. i am just dying over this. i would never, ever take it off (or really anything else from parra).

tune in tuesday

a little something different for your ears to tune into today...there's lots of healing going on over here as of late and i think brene's message is so important and relevant that i beg you to watch this. i thought about posting what i take away from her message,  but there's so much depth and truth in this fifteen minutes i think every person will come away with something that is relevant to them. so open your ears, and your heart, and let's do this.

weekend wonders

finally, some eye candy for you this monday morning.

- homemade tomato soup (check back thursday for the delicious details) and an open house  - what an amazing farmhouse and barn, formerly the post office and general store of spangs ville. and then beers at union jacks of course.

- phoebe's glam and glittery oscar party. she certainly spoiled her guests with an amazing spread and really rolled out the red carpet. stay tuned for more from the bloom style ocsar party!

food files

i stopped at the store last night to pick up a few things, mainly the last few ingredients for tomato soup (more on that later). but they had broccoli rabe again. i LOVE broccoli rabe, mostly on my pizza. but, omg, this recipe for pasta with garlicky broccoli rabe by smitten kitchen is now in regular rotation. i rarely make pasta for myself, but there something so deliciously addicting about the broccoli/garlic/red pepper flake combination i found myself throwing caution to the wind and whipping up and entire pound (insert gasp of horror!) of pasta last night. 

plus it was, like, lightening fast to make. i raced against the clock to get it done before yoga and i smelled like garlic made it! with enough time to spare to eat an entire bowl of it oops. 

now the rest is packaged up for lunch and sitting in freezer to grab and go over the next few weeks. yes i have some self control when it comes to consuming a pound of pasta. 

anyway, i think this is a crowd pleaser and just the thing to whip up for the neighbors for dinner or for when the entire fam is together. it's quick, painless and delicious and not that bad for you. (i cut back on the oil, cheese and salt.)

make it this weekend, let me know what you think! bon appetit!

friday fuel

sick and tired

of being sick and tired. i promise i'll be back in the game soon. 

friday fuel

[image via tumblr]

happy valentine's day

hope it's full of l o v e. 

tune in tuesday

i ran into my music guru over the weekend. he made me a list, this was at the top; as it should be. the entire album is blowing my mind right now, but lay low is appropriate for today and the one with the lyrics that reached my soul. for you, wherever you are. enjoy.

lip service

click on over to bloom today to get the scoop on my sexy senorita red lip for valentine's day! dallas at the bell tower taught me a thing or two about scoring smooch worthy lips and pretty much the most perfect product ever to do so...

smooches!

christin 

a few of my favorite v-day things

head on over to bloom and check out my five favorite local loves for valentine's day! pssst - it's this thursday so get to steppin' and shoppin'. everything is local of course, so there's really no excuse not to smother someone with some extra love on thursday.

friday fuel

[image via LOMW]

run for your life

[image via the reading eagle]

so, you know by now that i run. but did you know i was on the front page of the reading eagle lifestyle section today? neither did i until my mom texted me. super flattered and honored to share the spotlight with caroline hill; pagoda pacer, fitness berks editor and friend.

tune in tuesday

And it's not enough
To tell me that you care
When, we both know the words are empty air
You give me nothing

weekend wonders

i'm a little light on the pics from this weekend, but don't worry, it was good one! lots of time outside freezing running and lots of time inside with friends eating laughing.

- oh hello, jalapeno sausage pizza for sunday brunch at say cheese! i can't get enough of you.

- snowy sunday solo run at nolde.

- seriously, peel the chickpeas. it might be the most annoying task EVER, but your hummus has never been smoother. promise. smitten kitchen was totally right.