I May Need Some Sort of Junk-Food Intervention

I went grocery shopping when I was hungry.

A rookie mistake, I know.

This meant I was unable to resist the following two items:

This popcorn was good-- and smelled like a margarita-- but I think I prefer Pop Secret Homestyle.

And I actually haven't tried the Cupcake Pebbles, yet.

I was too busy eating half a box of Thin Mints today, but I will definitely keep you updated.

Happiness Factory

Love, love, love this print I saw on I Heart You.

(I have actually ordered several prints from this Etsy seller in the past, and I love them, too).

Make-Up Monday: Stila Kitten Smudge Pot

This is like a little pot of gold.

If only gold made you look instantly more awake when you put it on your eyelids.

And if gold were more of a champagne color.

A Part of Speech

My first-graders are learning about adjectives, and one of their favorite ones to use is "lovely."

I think that "lovely" is the perfect describing word for this necklace.

(Only $14.50 at Old Navy!)

Bonus!

It's Clinique bonus time at Macy's!

I don't need a new tub of my fabulous moisturizer quite yet, but I picked one up anyway. I planned to repurchase when I ran out, so I figured I might as well get an adorable bag and fun samples.

I am super excited to try the High Lengths Mascara-- which got a glowing review on Spoiled Pretty.

Mollie and Chris's Wedding Salad

A couple years ago, it seemed like all of our friends were getting married.

It was a whirlwind of registries and bridal showers and bouquet tosses and tiered cakes.

It was also a time of yummy wedding food. (I know there is the cliche about rubbery chicken, but I have never eaten a bad wedding meal).

One stand-out was the ridiculously good salad that we ate at our friends, Mollie and Chris's wedding. It was so good that even Mr. Kinne, an avowed vegetable-hater, commented on how delicious it was.

Recently, Mollie and I were reminiscing about that salad. (Is that weird?) And she said she recreates it at home.

How had this never occurred to me?!

Now, you can make it, too.

Mollie and Chris's Wedding Salad

(adapted from Sunset Farm in Tyringham, MA)

Lettuce

Candied Walnuts

Blueberries

Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing

Californiaaaaaa....

I just miss Seth Cohen sometimes, you know?

Parmesan Pita Crisps

I have this habit of thinking I am Martha Stewart.

You see, we do pot luck lunches at school, and my co-workers offer to bring in practical things.

"I'll bring lunch meat," one will say.

"I'll bring soda," another will add in.

Me?

I make Parmesan Pita Crisps from scratch.

(They came out delicious, but they were a little too much work for a school night).

New She & Him

The New She & Him CD comes out today!

Volume 1 is still one of my favorites, and I've been streaming Volume 2 for free through NPR. It has the same hazy, retro sound, and I am really liking it so far.

Make-Up Monday: Revlon PhotoReady Foundation

This is the best drugstore foundation ever.

Seriously.

I read about it on Amber's blog way back in January, but I waited until I ran out of my Lancome Teint Idole foundation to pick it up.

Admittedly, it was not love at first purchase. The first bottle I bought was about three shades too dark, and I looked like one of the Oompa Loompas. (I was going to add a picture here for comedic effect, but those little guys are pretty creepy, so I didn't).

After I bought the right shade (Natural Beige), I was very impressed with how wearable it was. It went on smoothly and had a bit of a glow to it.

Some commenters on Makeup Alley said it made them sparkle like Edward Cullen, but I didn't have this issue.

I have been wearing it for almost a week now, and it is the perfect everyday foundation. Plus, I wore it to this past weekend's wedding, and it looked fabulous in pictures.

That's me on the left, and my gorgeous friend Megan on the right. That's Mr. Kinne being his goofy self in the background.

And! And this little bottle costs a budget-friendly $11 at my local Target.

Love.

Tiny Wedding Cakes

I may have weddings on the brain, but I sort of want these cake pans that I saw on The Kitchn.

They would be perfect for a wedding shower or a princess party or, you know, a Tuesday.

A New Mr. and Mrs.

There were so many amazing details at the wedding today!

This cake topper-- made by the talented bride.

This delicious cake-- made by our talented friend.

And this beautiful wedding shoe-- made by the talented Manolo Blahnik.

Wedding Bells

I am still recuperating, but I've got a busy day ahead of me. Our very best couple friends are tying the knot this morning!

Pictures to come-- especially of the bride's gorgeous Manolos.

Another Sick Day

And Mr. Kinne made me a Pac-Man chicken pot pie.

I think I'll keep him.

Cough... Cough...

I have been feeling a bit under-the-weather, and the only thing that makes me feel better is a little Portuguese comfort food called Calde Verde.

Calde Verde literally translates to "Green Soup," and it is, in fact, green in color.

Please do not let that stop you from making it and eating it and experiencing its magical healing properties.

Also, it is delicious.

There are a number of different recipes, but my favorite is here.

Just in Time for St. Patrick's Day

I found this chocolate stout cake on Smitten Kitchen a couple years ago, and I was excited to see that the recipe originally came from a restaurant in the Berkshires, called The Barrington Brewery.

You see, Mr. Kinne is from the Berkshires, and he actually bussed tables at the Barrington Brewery when he was a teenager.

Of course, I had to try my hand at it.

I have now made this cake a couple times-- and I've had the chance to try the original.

I think mine's just as good.

(Admittedly, this is not a ganache-- it's just a messy glaze I made with milk and chocolate chips and a splash of vanilla. It tastes like the coating on chocolate covered strawberries).

Make-Up Monday: Essie Ballet Slippers

Once, during a Law & Order: SVU marathon, one of the detectives was interviewing a stripper and asked her what she was wearing on her nails.

She answered, "Ballet slippers."

I turned to Mr. Kinne excitedly and said, "That's what I've got on, too!"

Essie Ballet Slippers-- a favorite of television strippers and first-grade teachers.

Liberty of London!

I got up bright and early to hit my local Target for the Liberty of London collection. I didn't find everything I had been eyeing on the site, but I did pick up a few cute things.

(I tried to be all smooth and take this picture without my fellow shoppers noticing. I sort of failed at that).

First, I got this ruffly peacock dress. It is good for twirling.

Next, I got this little keyhole top. It is perfect for work and generally looking adorable.

Finally, I got this little wallet, with which I am in love. I am planning to use it as a clutch purse for the wedding we're attending next weekend.

Won't this look cute with my sky blue pumps?

So close...

Barney is still figuring out how to give high fives.

Flowers and Naked Mole Rats

This week, I had a student in my class bring me flowers for no reason.

(Here they are next to an autographed poster from my favorite children's book author. Yes, those are little naked mole rats).

These flowers were an unexpected bright spot in my week.

Well, Hello Friday....

I have pretty solid plans to do very little this weekend.

I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my couch.

Today is a Good Day Because...

1. NBC's Thursday night line-up is all new.

2. Someone at work brought an ice-cream sandwich cake to our pot-luck lunch. (A cake! Made out of ice-cream sandwiches!)

3. Today when writing a letter to an author, one of my students wrote, "I saw your picture. You look very good."

BLT Dip

I will say right upfront that this is a Paula Deen recipe, so it is not exactly health food.

But, it is pretty flipping delicious.

Plus, you can tweak the recipe like I did, by adding low-fat sour cream, low-fat mayo and low-sodium bacon.

It will still be delicious.

You can also listen to the Wicked soundtrack while you make it.

(In fact, I highly recommend it).

Shabby Apple

I have been in love with this dress for quite a while now.

I think that owning it would make me a better person.

A person who is a little taller, a little more sophisticated.

A person who is a little more able to wear a white dress without spilling anything on it.

Make-Up Monday: Clinique Even Better Moisturizer

I wish this little jar cost half of what it did.

But, if you are willing to shell out $42.50, this moisturizer is pretty much made of unicorns and magic.

Its texture is smooth, and it absorbs quickly, and it promises to even your skin tone.

I have been using it for a few weeks now, and it has already made me look a little glowier.

I can't vouch for its long-term results quite yet, but there are definitely reviews on Sephora and Make-Up Alley to back up its claims.

Also, it does not make my already oily skin much oilier, which earns it some bonus points.

The More You Know

I have been busy learning all sorts of interesting things!

1. Did you know that you can use Newman's Own Limeade and tequila to make easy, delicious margaritas?

2. Also, you can add a few tablespoons of rainbow sprinkles to your favorite yellow cake recipe to make homemade funfetti cake.

3. And, finally, bachelorette parties are a blast, especially when they involve good food and better friends.

Cecilia Marie Halpert

These two crazy kids had a baby, and it was pretty darn touching.

I may have teared up a little.

Zooborns

I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the world right now.

I think I need a dose of adorable baby animals.

My New Favorite Banana Bread

I love banana bread.

I specifically don't eat the bananas that I buy, so they can become all brown and speckly and perfect for banana bread.

If you feel the same, you should make Flour's Famous Banana Bread.

(Apparently, Flour is a well-known bakery in Boston. Despite the fact that I am a New Englander with a giant sweet tooth, I have never been there).

After trying quite a few recipes, this is definitely the winner. It is soft and sweet, and I didn't feel the need to put butter on it.

It didn't even last two days in our house.