My Blog Moved

Hey everyone! I moved my blog over to Tumblr. I'll leave this one up for another week or so but all the old posts are now on Tumblr as well as my new ones. I hope you'll continue to follow. Here's the link!
ooola-la.tumblr.com/ 

Favorite Friday

Hey everyone! Who's excited for the long weekend? I know I am! Here are my favorites for this week. Also I was thinking about switching this blog over to Tumblr. If you have an opinion on that please let me know. Thanks!

A Happy Cocktail 

Sprinkle Rimmed Cocktails
I saw this on Pinterest and thought it was so cute! Even if it was just juice for a kid's bday party- I love the colors. I guess you just do it like a margarita. Creative.

Creative

Mirrored "Table" 
Speaking of creative how fun is this as a bedside table? I love that tray on top (or is it a mirror?)- maybe I could find a similar one at a local vintage shop.

Cute!

Texas Tie
Finally I came across this tie and I love it. It would make a great gift for a guy from Texas don't you think?

Beauty Talk: What's Your Favorite Mascara?

I always switch mascaras- who knows how many I've tried! Right now I have these 3 in my makeup bag:

Covergirl Lashblast Length

Maybelline Falsies

Maybelline Lash Stiletto

I like them all OK but I'm still looking for the "best" mascara- something that makes your lashes look amazing without flaking or looking messy at the end of the day. So friends tell me! What one is your favorite?

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Sauce

Chocolate peanut butter ice cream with peanut butter sauce

If you don't have an ice cream maker you should seriously reconsider. It makes amazing froyo and it doesn't get much simpler than this recipe. This stuff is sooo good and doesn't have any of the unpronounceable crap that is in some store bought ice cream. Chocolate peanut butter is my favorite combo and topped with my homemade peanut butter sauce this is the most divine dessert! Enjoy! 

Homemade deliciousness

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream

From The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz

Ingredients:

• 2 cups half-and-half
• ¼ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• ½ cup sugar
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup smooth peanut butter

To make:

1. Whisk together the half-and-half, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan.  Heat the mixture, whisking frequently, until it comes to a full, rolling boil (it will start to foam up).  Remove from the heat and whisk in the peanut butter, stirring until thoroughly blended.
2. Chill the mixture thoroughly, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Lala's Crunchy Peanut Butter Sauce

Ingredients: 

• Smooth peanut butter 
• Rice krispies cereal 

To make: 

1. Put as much peanut butter as you'd like for a topping into a microwavable bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until the mixture is pourable. Stir in the cereal and drizzle over ice cream. Eat! 

Summer Picks: Express

While online window shopping recently I noticed a lot of really cute summer staples from Express. I love their clothes! These are bright, light & wearable as the heat starts to creep up. Where do you shop for your summer must-haves?

More Express...

Favorite Friday

Hooray for Friday! I have a fun Austin weekend planned- what about you? Here are my favs!

Image from Flickr

Cold Brewed Coffee
I recently got a cold-brew coffee maker and so far I'm loving it. In Texas summers the last thing you want is hot coffee so this is the perfect solution. You put the grounds and water in the fridge overnight and in the morning you have a whole carafe of cool delicious coffee. It makes a bunch at a time so you can drink it all week.

Baggu Bag $16

Elephant Bag
I've got my eye on this super cute elephant bag from BAGGU. Perfect for the farmer's market don't you think?

Friends in DC

Friends!
One of my good friends Jessica had her bachelorette party last weekend in DC. So much fun to see these college girls- I'll see them again next month at the wedding!

<3

Anniversary
Finally I have to do a shout out since it's my 2 year anniversary today with my amazing BF Chris! xox

Healthy Pancakes

I adore pancakes. If you're ever in Austin please check out Kerby Lane Cafe- best pancakes in Austin! And queso too but that's an entirely different post. I made this healthy version of pancakes recently- the recipe caught my eye and I had the ingredients on hand. They use whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt, & I added some homemade granola in for an added crunch. Topping with butter and maple syrup probably takes the healthiness down a bit but I like to think it balances out!

Great way to start the day!

Healthy Whole Wheat Granola Pancakes

Adapted from this recipe

Ingredients:

• ¾ cups Whole Wheat Flour
• ½ cups Rolled Oats (not Instant)
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
• ½ teaspoons Baking Soda
• 6 ounces, weight Fat Free Or 1% plain Greek Yogurt
• ½ cups Water
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• ½ cup of your favorite granola

To make:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, oats, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda). Make a hole in the middle of the dry ingredients.
2. In a large measuring cup or small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt and water. It should be a very thick but still be of pourable consistency. If more water is needed, add a teaspoonful at a time.
3. Add yogurt-water mixture, eggs and vanilla to the hole in the dry ingredients. Whisk the wet ingredients together until just combined.
4. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just mixed. Stir in granola.
5. Cook the pancakes on a preheated griddle or in a skillet on the stove. When the edges of the batter appear dry and bubbles begin to form and pop, flip the pancake and cook the other side until done.
6. Serve topped with a tablespoon more granola, butter & maple syrup. 

Party Planning Committee!

A better way to invite!

I have some friends graduating this weekend from UT grad school- congrats to them! This is just another reason for a party, right? If you're planning an event and want to send cute customized online invites then check out Punchbowl! According to the site they're "a modern, effortless way to plan an unforgettable celebration with party planning features including customizable digital invitations, potluck organization, gift registries, local vendor search and much more." Whatever makes life easier in a fashionable way, right? If you're just looking for a reason to celebrate they have you covered there too. Evidently today is "Visit Your Relatives Day." Who's up for a party??

Wine Tasting in DC

Main at Mt. Vernon

Apologies for missing some posts last week. Blogger went down and the scheduled ones didn't go out. Plus I was in Washington D.C. for the weekend! I was there for my friend Jessica's bachelorette party. It was a great time! At the end of the weekend some of us went to Mount Vernon for the Spring Wine Festival. It was my first time visiting George Washington's old house- it was really beautiful and interesting. Plus I got to try a bunch of wines from Virginia (who knew they made wine there?!). Here are some pictures from that event- the bachelorette party pictures are off limits ;-).

View of the Potomac River

Me & Meredith drinking wine

Sunset

Brunch French Toast

French toast anyone? 

For mother's day brunch I made this recipe from Ms. Paula Deen (yes it has butter!). It was a super delicious treat- easy to make ahead and feed a crowd. Use really good bread to make it even more special. 

Sunday Brunch Baked French Toast

Adapted from this recipe

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup half & half
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 sticks butter, melted
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

To make:

1. Slice French bread into 1-inch slices. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 x 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices
2. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and  whisk until blended
3. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices
4. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight
5. The next day preheat oven to 350 degrees
6. Mix together butter, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, & nutmeg. Spread topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with warm maple syrup

Kettlebell Workout

Image from Livestrong

Have you ever used a kettlebell? They're sorta like free weights shaped like a purse! You hold them differently so they work your body in another way. It's always good to switch it up! I found this great full body kettlebell workout from Women's Health. If you don't have kettlebell weights available I'm sure most of these can also be done with regular free weights. Check it out! 

Kayaking

Kayaking on town lake

I've always wanted to go kayaking on Town Lake and last night I finally got to go! Chris & I went in the evening after work and we barely managed to get back before the storm hit. It was a lovely night though and we had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures!

Part of the Austin skyline

He was in charge of steering

Congress bridge

Sunset

After returning our kayak

HUGE Cookies

Cookie?

Last week's Favorite Friday I mentioned these cookies. They're an enormous combination of everyone's favorite cookie (chocolate chip, peanut butter, & oatmeal). Plus they're as easy as making any other cookie and they're super yummy. The special tool that helped me make these huge is a 3 tablespoon scoop - a great tool for baking if you want things to be consistent (I also use this for making cupcakes & muffins).

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip PB Cookies

Note: This is not an original recipe but I can't locate the source at this time!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg           
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

To make:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
4. Using a 3 tablespoon scoop, drop cookies on to lightly greased cookie sheets (or lined with parchment/silpat).
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. (Mine took more like 15 minutes just continue to check them)
6. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Online Window Shopping: Asos

Tailored Draped Jacket, $80.69

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who online shops, fills my shopping cart, then forces myself to close the window. It's an exercise of wishful thinking, inspiration, and will power. Most recently I've been finding myself online window shopping at Asos.  If you haven't looked there, DO! There are so many cute things there for a variety of price points. I want ALL this stuff but I made myself x out of the window. Now you know!

Keyhole Waisted Dress, $44.83

Bernie Flap Cross Body Bag, $80.69

Ponti-Roma Tailored Pencil Dress, $80.69

Ruffle Bow Back Camisole, $53.79

Favorite Friday

This week I'm really feeling the phrase TGIF! My sister & her family will be in town this weekend and it's mother's day. We're planning a family brunch to honor the wonderful moms in our family. Where would we be without them? Anyway here are some favorites from this whirlwind week.

Pennybacker Bridge

Lake Austin
One of the many reasons I adore Austin! It's so much fun to go out on a boat on the amazing lakes. I had the chance to go out on Lake Austin last night for the first time this year- beautiful!

Scrumptious!

Enormous cookies
I made these babies! Can you believe it? They're huge and they look like they're from a bakery. Plus they're delicious! Not even hard- I'll post the recipe next week.

Image from Austinist

Arcade Fire
I went to see Arcade Fire on Wednesday with a bunch of friends. They're a super-talented bunch and they put on an awesome show. Check 'em on iTunes!

5 de Mayo!

Ole!

Hola! Happy Cinco de Mayo. I love this day because it's filled with memories of so many fun nights out with friends. Tonight will be no exception- Some friends & I are going on a sunset boat cruise with a picnic and of course some margaritas. In Austin people LOVE their margaritas and Mexican martinis. Until I moved back to Texas I'd never had a Mexican martini so I thought I'd share a recipe. They're very similar to a margarita but they're served in a shaker and they're typically very strong. Enjoy one today at your fiesta.

Mexican Martini (makes 1)

Recipe from here.

Ingredients

• 2 fluid ounces tequila
• 1 fluid ounce Cointreau liqueur
• 1 -2 fluid ounce Sprite
• 1 fluid ounce orange juice
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Jalapeno stuffed olives

To make:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into glass rimmed with salt; add stuffed olives.

All Veg Power Smoothie

Vegetable smoothie

If you're looking for an iPhone app to help you exercise look no further than Nike Training Club. The app has different interval training workouts for you to do at home. I've only used it twice so far but both times were a challenge (in a good way). As you do workouts with the app you earn "rewards" and the last reward I earned was recipes for Power Smoothies. Most of the recipes are pretty normal but this veggie one stood out so I decided to try it after a weekend of less than healthy choices. It's a good way to up your vegetable intake. It tastes like a bunch of vegetables but sometimes that's what you need.

Not your typical smoothie ingredients!

All-Veg Power Smoothie
Recipe adapted from Nike
Ingredients:

• 1 carrot
• Chunk of ginger, chopped
• Half a ripe avocado 
• Quarter of a cucumber 
• 1 stick of celery
• 4 oz apple juice (I used orange) 
• Ice cubes

To make:

1. Chop all the vegetables in a blender. Blend with the apple juice & ice until smooth. 

Ball Gowns Galore: Met Ball 2011

Renee Zellweger, Mary Kate Olsen, Brooklyn Decker, Nicole Richie, & Sarah Jessica Parker
Click to enlarge. All photos from Getty Images

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala Ball was last night and if that means GOWNS! Celebrities usually wear really amazing, over the top dresses to this event and the day after is like Christmas morning to people like me. This year I was really surprised though! The stand out trend was a high cut, long sleeved silhouette- not what I was expecting in May. It's a very conservative look- do you like it? I'm not sold yet. To compare- this was what people wore in 2009. My favorites of the night were Gisele (of course) and Ashley Greene. If I had my choice of gowns for this event I'd wear a show-stopper like they did.  For more pics check out this site.

Showstoppers! Ashley Greene & Gisele
Photo Getty Images

A Texas Crawfish Boil

Crawdad!

This weekend I attended my first ever crawfish boil. I'd never eaten a crawfish let alone seen so many of them! It was a really fun event that a friend threw to benefit ARC of Texas.  Lots of crawfish, potatoes, corn, sausage, & beer. I'll let the photos (most of which were taken by my friend Sean) speak for themselves. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Uncooked Crawfish ready for boil
Photo by Sean Carroll

Me handling the live little guy
Photo by Sean Carroll

The feast begins!
Photo by Sean Carroll

Cooked crawfish being served

Everyone digging in