Author: aweighwithme

Dating

by aweighwithme, posted in love+the like

William And Audrey

The other night when the Mr and I were out to dinner, we started talking about some of the quirks we’ve observed about each other, that maybe we didn’t know about ourselves.

He told me something I was completely unaware of. Apparently, when I’m in a large group in friendly conversation and am trying to make a point among a lot of competing voices, I raise my voice suddenly (and my eyebrows). Since I am mostly a soft-spoken person, this often catches him off-guard, and when he demonstrated his reaction (a funny expression of shock) it made me laugh out loud.

I love those moments when you get a glimpse beyond the everyday familiarity and see each other in a new way. It brings back a little of the new-ness and the mystery from when we were dating and getting to know each other.

Other questions we’ve asked each other on dates: What were you like when you were little? Where did you go on “dates” in high school? What was your favorite music in college?

I’d love more date night question ideas! Do you have any?

(Also, another list of funny questions to ask your date.)

Photo credit

Unbelievable Places

by aweighwithme, posted in travel

Lake-Retba-Senegal

Can you believe these places exist? Neither can I. Which ones would you visit if you could?

Salar-de-Uyuni-salt-flat-mirror

Tunnel-of-Love-Ukraine

Lavender-fields

Naica-Mine-Mexico

Lake Retba, Senegal / Salar de Uyuni Salt Flat Mirrors, Bolivia / Tunnel of Love, Ukraine / Lavender Fields, UK / Naica Mine, Mexico

I sometimes look into the endless heavens, the cosmos of which we can’t find the edge, and ask God what it means. Did You really do all of this to dazzle us? Do You really keep it shifting, rolling round the pinions to stave off boredom? God forbid Your glory would be our distraction. And God forbid we would ignore Your glory. – Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts

ps – more unbelievable places.

The Best Fudge You’ll Ever Have

by aweighwithme, posted in food+drink

healthy-peanut-butter-fudge

I should start off by saying that I have an ENORMOUS sweet tooth. In fact, all of the teeth in my head might possibly be sweet. And while I enjoy most sweet things, there are a few treats out there (like this and this) that straight up turn me into a five-year old who has no concept of moderation and willingly eats it until I am sick.

I have now found another such treat.

And not only is this the best fudge I’ve ever had, but it is also the HEALTHIEST fudge I’ve ever had.

I know. Nuts, right? But it’s true! These lovely delectable bites are so silky and rich and decadent, but made with whole and clean ingredients.

Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup honey (or natural sweetener of your choice)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor. Pour into paper-lined muffin tin cups and fill 1/2-inch full. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, or in the freezer for 10 minutes, until firm. Store in the fridge. Makes 10.

You can find the original recipe here.

Enjoy, and happy Friday! xo

Anniversary Getaway

by aweighwithme, posted in love+the like

Rancho-Valencia-courtyard

Last weekend, the Mr and I were gifted a one-night stay here, to celebrate our four-year anniversary. Here are a few pics of our mini getaway just a short drive from home, if you’d like to see!

Rancho-Valencia-poolside

The weather could not have been more perfect. We sat by the pool for hours and read books (his + mine).

Rancho-Valencia-villa

Rancho-Valencia-fireside

We enjoyed a lovely dinner and cocktails, and cozied up by the fireplace every chance we got.

Rancho-Valencia-OJJPG

The next morning, fresh orange juice was delivered with a morning paper (isn’t that such a great idea?). We ordered room service for breakfast, and enjoyed coffee by the fire.

It was such a lovely time of reminiscing about all our sweet memories of falling in love, traveling, figuring each other out, and just enjoying life together. It was hard to come back from such a beautiful and brief trip, but we both came home so relaxed and recharged.

Thanks for taking a peek! xo

Darling Magazine

by aweighwithme, posted in art+design, fashion+beauty

Darling-Magazine

Have you read Darling Magazine? You should. I received a copy from a friend who contributed to the spring issue, and it is such a joy to read. It covers topics of daily life, food, literature, travel, work, beauty, and style while compassionately redefining what it means to be a woman in today’s world of materialsim and merciless expectations. It is empowering, uplifting, enlightening, and gorgeous all at the same time.

Their blog is equally amazing and a daily dose of beauty and inspiration, but there is just something about flipping through the thick pages that makes it come alive. Check it out! xo

Darling-Magazine

Simple Pleasures

by aweighwithme, posted in life+such

evening-walk

Ever since the Mr got home from training, we’ve really been enjoying a few simple pleasures together. Even though we would never choose separation, it does have a way of making the smaller and seemingly mundane bits of life that much sweeter when we are together. Coffee together in the mornings, a quiet dinner at the table, an evening walk with our two pups Rambo (whose giant head is pictured above) and Remi.

I’ve felt compelled to savor these moments, to write them down, to cherish them.

Are there small moments with your significant other you’ve been savoring lately?

Sound Check: One Life

by aweighwithme, posted in sound check

James-Morrison

Some friends and I are running a 200 mile relay race this weekend from Huntington Beach to San Diego. The race will benefit a school here in San Diego called Monarch, that specifically serves homeless kids.

The most exciting part about the race is that a team of older kids from Monarch who wanted to get involved will be running as well! I’m so blown away by their motivation and am excited to hang out with them this weekend (while trying to keep up with them :)

Those kids, and this song by James Morrison, are inspiring me today. (And I will need all the inspiration I can get to run 15 miles, haha!) Wish us luck, and happy Friday!

Weeknights Around Here: Salmon-topped Polenta

by aweighwithme, posted in food+drink

salmon

Sometimes no matter how well-intentioned I am about planning 2 or 3 weeknight meals (and even buying all the ingredients), the unpredictability of life and the spontaneity of my husband (which is usually way more fun than my obsessive planning, trust me) can completely foil my best efforts. Often by Friday, I’m left with a fridge full of slimy herbs and questionable chicken breasts. And anyway, who wants to cook a meal on Friday night? Certainly not me.

On the nights I am actually able to pull off a nice meal, salmon-topped polenta has become a regular favorite. I usually have all the ingredients I need on hand, except for the salmon, which I can easily pick up on the way home.

Salmon

Place filets, skin side down, on a foil-lined baking pan.

Brush with olive oil, and squeeze lemon juice on top (I like to arrange thin lemon slices too).

Broil about 10 minutes, or to desired done-ness (depending on the thickness of the filets).

Parmesan Polenta (adapted from Ina Garten’s recipe)

4 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
1 cup yellow polenta, preferably stone-ground
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
¼ cup half and half
2 tablespoons (¼ stick) unsalted butter

Place the chicken stock in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over medium-high heat until the stock comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and very slowly whisk in the polenta, whisking constantly to make sure there are no lumps. Switch to a wooden spoon, add the salt and pepper, and simmer, stirring almost constantly, for 10 minutes, until thick. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan thoroughly while you’re stirring. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan, half and half, and butter. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve salmon filets on top of the polenta.

salmon-polenta

Is weeknight meal planning always on schedule in your house?

(ps – how AMAZING is this polenta party?)

Found! A Good Chambray

by aweighwithme, posted in fashion+beauty

chambray-shirt

A few weeks ago, I mentioned I was on the hunt for the perfect chambray shirt. I am happy to report that it was recently found (and purchased :) here.

It is the perfect light and breezy color, and has a drapey, almost silky feel that is so comfy and flattering. It runs a little large, so I recommend a size smaller than you would typically wear.

I was lucky enough to catch it on sale, so the price tag was just right! I highly recommend this one.

Any other chambrays you’d like to share?