Happy Weekend
For the 4th of July weekend, we are packing up the car and heading to the ManFriend Family Lakehouse. The house was actually built by ManFriend’s grandfather over 40 years ago, so it’s a special place for his family. It’s a great retreat, in the middle of nowhere and ridiculously relaxing.
My brother, his girlfriend, and their 2 huge dogs are also joining us – so it’ll be a packed place. That just makes for more shenanigans and more fun! And in honor of America’s Independence, I’ll be making Patriotic Jello Shots – because there’s nothing more American than that…
In honor of the holiday, my pick for My Favorite Song Friday is…
Katy Perry’s “Firework”
Oh wait, that’s Beener Keener – got ya.
Have a happy and safe weekend!
p.s. – I may or may not be posting on Monday. We’ll see how crazy the fireworks get.
p.p.s. – Happy birthday to Mander – ‘Merica’s baby.
Underwear is Everywhere
Have I ever told you that I’m completely unorganized, a half-ass cleaner, and I HATE doing laundry?
Well I am and I do. And when we moved into this house, all of those wonderful traits I mentioned reared their ugly heads ten-fold. Ha… pun intended.
I’ve always had this weird knack for storing my laundry in places where they probably shouldn’t be stored: underneath the bed, behind my pillow, stuffed in a corner of my closet, on the floor…
And being that we have so much more space than the one bedroom we used to share over a year ago, I decided that maybe I should corral my underwear and such in to one place that’s easy to find, easy to access and sanitary. I’m sure our friends and family appreciate this effort – especially my Marm, who is the world’s only creature that actually likes to clean. I shudder at the thought.
So I thought to myself, what’s the easiest way to handle this situation? Boxes.
And not just any boxes, glorious lime-green fabric boxes that match my Cinco de Mayo/St. Patty’s Day dress…
Why boxes? Because honestly, who’s going to actually fold their underwear and organize them into neat little drawers? Maybe Marm, but definitely not me. And again, since I HATE doing laundry (mostly the putting away part), having these boxes will allow me to just throw everything in their designated place and I don’t have to worry about it.
Now I can find everything, the place is looks a lot cleaner, and I don’t have to fold any undies.
So there you have it, I just aired out all of my dirty laundry in public. But at least now, there’s not underwear everywhere…
Look for Less: Fringe Bags
Totally channeling my inner Hippie here with this post, but I just love the look of fringe bags lately. At first I thought I was re-inventing a hot trend from back in the 60’s (or was it 70’s?), but then I found out that I am indeed NOT a trend-setter. Let it be known I will still keep my day job.
As you can see, my girl Ashley Greene crushed my dreams of fashion-forwardness. I saw her sporting the fringe bag I thought I was going to catapult me into the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Gwen Stefani. But no. Thanks a lot, Ash. (it also didn’t help that I actually had to Google Karl’s last name – so yep, I still know nothing)
What I DO know is that I have to find this exact bag, or at least something similar. And being that Ashley’s a celeb and all, I’m assuming I can’t afford hers. Oh, but I can try…
{RAV BAG @ Stella & jamie}
I love this. I hate that – $480.
Let’s try this again.
{Ember Skye Cameron @ Blue Heaven Boutique}
Getting warmer… Ok, maybe not at $374
Third time’s a charm?
{Billabong Fringe Benefits @K5}
$39.50 … perrrrfect.
Not only am I getting the ease of the cross-body strap, I’m also getting the fringe I’m dying to have.
Peace. Love. Happiness, mannn…
Flank Steak Fajitas
Ever since we got this…
… we had no reason to use our oven. This was ManFriend’s present to himself, and even though I thought it was a bit excessive at the time, I’m so glad we have it. Our meals are made faster, taste better, and are a lot healthier.
The other night we made delicious flank steak fajitas. Flank steak is usually cheaper at the supermarket, but the flavor isn’t lacking. If seasoned and prepared properly, it can be an affordable substitute to other kinds of steak and even chicken.
We decided on fajitas for the flank steak because I have a particular fondness for them. When I was in college, we lived within walking distance to a steakhouse that served 2-for-1 fajitas every Wednesday. As a poor college student, this was perfect. We could walk over to the restaurant, the roomie and I could share, and they often gave us enough for leftovers. The restaurant isn’t there anymore, but every time I drive by it brings me back to those good ol’ days. We may have been broke, but we definitely ate well (at least on Wednesdays).
The great thing about fajitas is that you can make them however you want. Which is what we did. I like mine simple and ManFriend likes his doubly loaded.
My simple version: tortilla, flank steak, grilled onions, sour cream, cheese and cilantro.
ManFriend’s monstrous version: crispy taco shells, melted cheese, tortillas, flank steak, grilled onions, avocado and corn salsa, sour cream, more cheese and cilantro. (Update: add refried beans to this list)
You, of course, can add anything you want to your fajitas. To each his/her own.
Flank Steak Fajitas
Recipe by me ManFriend!
INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound flank steak
2-3 tsp. McCormick Grill Mates Steak Rub
1 pkg. small tortillas
1 pkg. small corn tacos (if you’re going for ManFriend’s version)
1 large onion
2 tbsp. Lea & Perrins
dollops of sour cream
handfuls of cheese
3 tbsp. chopped cilantro
heaps of Avocado & Corn Salsa (recipe below)
DIRECTIONS
The night before, rub Grill Mates seasoning on thawed flank steaks. Keep cool in refrigerator over night.
The next day, preheat grill to 500 degrees F. While grill is heating, slice onions and throw into hot skillet on stove. Add Lea & Perrins. Stir on high heat until onions start to sweat. Lower heat, cover and simmer.
Once grill is hot, place flank steaks on grill. Grill for 3 minutes, turn over and grill other side for 3 minutes. To check doneness, touch the steak and if it’s firm yet soft, then it is done. Doesn’t take much! Take off the grill and let sit for 10 minutes.
By now, the onions should be carmelized. Take off stove.
Slice flank steak in thin slivers. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on warm flank steak to bring out the flavor.
Prepare fajitas as you wish. Like I mentioned above, I like mine simple while ManFriend gets a little crazy. It’s all up to you.
Avocado & Corn Salsa
INGREDIENTS
3 ears of sweet corn (husks intact)
1 large tomato
2 large Cali avocados
1 tbsp. cilantro
1/2 lime
DIRECTIONS
Place corn with husks still on in a water bath. Let soak for 1 hour. While cooking the flank steak, add corn(with husks on) to grill, turning occasionally. Once one side of corn is charred, remove from grill. Let cool.
Chop tomato, avocado and cilantro. Once corn is cool to the touch, remove husks. Flat side down, start to cut corn kernels off.
Mix all ingredients together, spritz with lime.
This is so good it can be eaten on fajitas or as a stand-alone salad!
Happy Weekend
Was it just me or did this week go by incredibly SLOW? I woke up (an hour late… again), and for a split second thought it was Saturday. When I realized that in fact it was still just Friday, it just slowed me down that much more. Ugh, I hate when that happens. Luckily, the weekend is finally here.
I’m attending a graduation party tomorrow and Sunday will be spent floating around in the pool. What are your plans?
This week’s choice for My Favorite Song Friday was a tough one – mostly because I’m loving a lot of songs right now. I was kind of hoping my Facebook fans would help me out with a song suggestion, but being that no one answered, I couldn’t take the easy way out.
As I was writing this post, a great song came on Pandora and I took that as a sign. So here it is, my pick for My Favorite Song Friday:
“Two Against One” by Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi (with Jack White)
Enjoy…
salted chocolate | life with a dash of flavor 