Where is my phone?

Did you know that the average person spends approximately 

2 days of their life looking for things?

Me? More times than not, I find myself looking for my cell phone more than anything else. Unfortunately, since I live alone, it is often harder for me to find it because I can't easily ask someone to call it for me..until now! I read about this in a magazine a few months back; and honestly, put in on the back burner. But tonight, I needed to go run a few errands, and I could not find my phone anywhere...so I pulled up the website, had it call my phone...and tadaaa..I heard my phone ringing from below the cushions on the couch. 

Thank goodness for:

icantfindmyphone.com

Give it a try, I promise you will want to thank me later.

Everything is going to be alright.

Ever since I went to Martha's Vineyard this past summer, I have been obsessed with two things: Whales and Keep Calm and Carry On memorabilia. Since I recently added a Keep Calm and Carry On poster to my apartment, I thought it would be important to know and understand the significance of this piece. Since it would be a shame for me to keep that information just to myself, I have decided to share it with you all today.

The poster was initially produced by the Ministry of Information in 1939 during the beginning of World War II. It was intended to be distributed in order to strengthen morale in the event of a wartime disaster. Two-and-a-half million copies were printed, although the poster was distributed only in limited numbers.

The poster was third in a series of three. The previous two posters from the series, "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory" and "Freedom is in Peril" were issued and used across the country for motivational purposes, as the Ministry of Information assumed that the events of the first weeks of the war would demoralise the population. Planning for the posters started in April 1939; by June designs were prepared, and by August 1939, they were on their way to the printers, to be placed up within 24 hours of the outbreak of war. The posters were designed to have a uniform device, be a design associated with the Ministry of Information, and have a unique and recognisable lettering, with a message from the King to his people.

The slogans were created by civil servants, with Waterfield coming up with "Your Courage" as "a rallying war-cry that will bring out the best in everyone of us and put us in an offensive mood at once". These particular posters were designed as "a statement of the duty of the individual citizen", un-pictorial, to be accompanied by more colloquial designs. The "Your Courage" poster was much more famous during the war, as it was the first to go up, very large, and was the first of the Ministry of Information's posters. The press, fearful of censorship, created a backlash, and thus a lot of material related to these posters has been kept by archives.

Tuesday Night Dinner with Jenna

Most Tuesday nights, my friend Jenna and I gather at my house to eat supper and watch the newest episode of Glee. I cook. She eats. Although, I do need to make it clear, she cooks for me too, just not on Tuesday nights. Good, now that is settled, this is what we ate for dinner tonight:

Honey Mustard Chicken
1/4 Cup Dijon Mustard
3 Tablespoons Honey
2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice
Approximately 1 Cup Dried Bread Crumbs
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1-2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
Cajun Spice to Taste (Optional)


In a shallow dish, combine the mustard, honey and lemon juice. Place bread crumbs in another dish. Roll chicken in the honey mixture, then in the bread crumbs; place on a greased baking pan lined with aluminum foil. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with cajun spice. Bake at 350 Degrees, for 30-35 minutes.

But there was no music...

As of yesterday, I can say that I have officially been stuck in an elevator. For 15 minutes. Alone. Unfortunately, there was no elevator music. Let me just say - I was very cool, calm and collective, but that 15 minutes sure did feel like an hour as I was on the verge of tears when security came and set me free. Notice how I was sitting close to the bar, on the floor, ready to hold on should the elevator begin to plumit...



Of course I took a picture of myself  as I thrive on the sympothy of others. (Especially Fancy.)

I have a crush.

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Me? I enjoyed a bag of Starburst Jelly Beans (Just one of my many weaknesses) while falling in love. Yes. I fell in love last night. As soon as I got home from work, I got sucked into a marathon of the show Auction Hunters, which airs on Spike TV. I spent 6 hours enjoying the company of my jelly beans and my new crush, Allen Hoff. If you are interested in watching the show, I have posted the link here. 

Just remember...he is mine!

White Chocolate Truffles

I must admit, for the first time in a very long time, I am a little bitter about Valentines Day. (I am working on overcoming this emotion - but I thought I should be honest with my countless 3 readers.) To pick up my spirits, I decided that I would make a special Valentine's Day treat; but there was one catch, I did not want to go to the grocery store. So, looking through my pantry, I was quickly reminded of the 6 cans of sweetened condensed milk I purchase last week when it was on sale, thus leading me to one of my new favorite things to make. I now present to you, White Chocolate Truffles...

Cast of Characters: 

1 bag of White Chocolate Chips,
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk and 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract

Melt the chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk in large saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and then stir in the vanilla extract.

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and chill for 2-3 hours until mixture becomes firm. Using a spoon, scoop out small portions of the ganache and roll into bite size balls.

Now is the fun part, use your creativity and begin decorating the truffles however you please. Me, since I did not want to go to the grocery store, I opted for things I already had: Red Sprinkles, Sliced Almonds and Candy Hearts.

This could quite possible be one of the easiest recipes I have followed in a long time; and the best part is, the possibilities are never ending. Enjoy!

Oh, I almost forgot...HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Thank you for for being a follow and one of my friends!

Get your mind out of the gutter.

My friend Anna gave me a "desk warming" gift this weekend. It is an onion candle. I mean, who doesn't need a candle in the shape of an onion? OK, fine, I will admit it: Phallic? Yes. Awkward? Just a little. Funny? Duh! - Why else would I post it for everyone else to see?

Anna - Thank you for always providing so much laughter in my life. This candle is a wonderful accessorise to add to my new desk; it is also sure to provide moments of distraction this week as I am working on my Literature Review paper. (And of course, the distraction will be welcomed.)

Out with the old, and in with the new.

When I was home for Christmas, I was flipping through the December issue of Southern Living and came across an idea for a new desk. The desk consisted of an old door, fabric to cover the door, glass to protect the fabric and old sawhorses to set the new desk top on. As a new Grad student, I have been pondering the thought for a while of recycling my desk from college and finding a new one that would give me more desk space. This inspiration was just what I needed. So I took off , full speed ahead and ran with the idea of creating a new desk that would be one of a kind. With some help from my local handyman, Tom, the idea and inspiration became a reality. Below is the inspiration, my old desk and then my new desk!

The Inspiration:

The Old:

I promise, it was usually not this messy.

The New!:

Another BIG thank you to Tom who built such beautiful sawhorses for my new desk. They are the focal point of the desk and absolutely amazing; the desk would not be the same without them. There are even shelves for me to place baskets in order to help with filing and organizational needs.

I have had that bulletin board above my desk since freshman year. It has not left the room, but it is no longer over my desk. It also received a face lift with the design.

Fancy.

10 Reasons Why I Love My Mom! 

My mom did not have a very good day today. She had a root canal. From a daughter who unfortunately has inherited the poor dental gene from her, I am hoping to send positive thoughts her way through this blog and hopefully give her something to smile about today. So, in no particular order, here are 10 reasons why I love my mom.

1. She has many nicknames. Flash and Sparkle are just a few. Right now though, it's Fancy. Fancy Nancy.
2. She is the reason for all of my good looks. Because of her, I already know what I am going to look like when I am in my 50s, and boy am I lucky!
3. She does the Jerk better than anyone else I know.
4. She knows how to cut lose and have a good time.
5. She loves Auburn.
6. Her creativity is never ending...
7. She put up with me during my awful teenage years, and she still puts up with me today.
8. Even though I am 26, she always knows how to make me feel better by sympathizing with me when I have a headache, dental issues, run into doors/tables, etc...
9. Sometimes, she can be just as socially awkward blunt as I.
10. She was the original, proud owner of the Turn. She saw something special in that new 3 door car that was on display at Quail Springs Mall in 2001, and because of that, I am forever grateful. 

I love you Fancy - Hope you feel better soon!