Happy Halloween!

It's been a while since I've been excited about Halloween but this year I think it is going to be SUPER fun. Chapel Hill is known for its Halloween celebration. The streets are all closed downtown and then the weirdos come out. Should be a total spectacle. I'm going to be Baby Spice with the 4 other Spice Girls. Epic. 


I went to a party on Saturday and went as Christina Aguilera from Burlesque. Here is the evidence:  

I also had some fun fishnets and red satin heels on. This was the first time I wore a wig and it was awesome!


Love this song from Burlesque:



Happy Halloween!! 

the most delicious tomato soup

Considering that I have been eating this tomato soup the last 4 days and haven't gotten sick of it yet, I figured I should share the recipe. I made it for my first soup party of the season and forgot how much it makes so I had lots of leftovers. You may want to half the recipe for 4-6 servings. 

I love this soup so much I want to kiss it :) 

Adapted from Serious Eats' Nordstrom Tomato Basil Soup


Ingredients

serves 8-10

• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon dried basil, crushed
• 3 28-ounce cans whole peeled Roma tomatoes
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 pint heavy cream (sometimes I use less, just add it, taste, add more.) 
• 2 tablespoons of minced garlic 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crushed red pepper (optional) 

Procedures

1. In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add carrots and onion and cook until beginning to soften, 10 minutes, then add basil and garlic and cook until vegetables are completely soft, about 5 minutes more.
2. Add tomatoes and broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes, or up to 45 minutes.
3. After allowing soup to cool somewhat, purée in a blender or food processor until smooth, doing so in batches if necessary. (I just stick an immersion blender into the pot and it does the job too with less mess.)
4. Stir in cream little by little over over low heat, until desired texture is reached and soup is just heated through. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper and serve warm. (Sometimes I add garlic powder as well to round out the flavors.)
   
   This is great served with garlic bread.
   
   Bon appetite! 

the romance of mr. darcy

Ever since the wedding I've been feeling romantic. I LOVE this quote from Pride and Prejudice:

Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you... I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. All these things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.

Elizabeth Bennet: I don't understand.

Mr. Darcy: I love you.

going to the chapel

My baby sister got married this weekend!!! It was such a magical few days filled with love of the couple and of our families. I'm so excited to have a brother! Everything was absolutely perfect. 
 

"Family, last time I checked, are a group of people who give you love" - Stephen Kellogg

dc meets nc

I walked into a bar where a man in a blue shirt and pink bow tie checked my name off the list. There were deep leather couches, more men in bow ties shaking signature cocktails behind a giant oak bar, and it was crowded enough to feel festive but not too loud to talk. Women were in dresses, men in pressed shirts with the sleeves comfortably rolled up to the elbows.

Was I in DC? It sure felt like it. 

But no, I was at the Crunkleton in Chapel Hill. I think I have found my new favorite bar. 

pic

Perhaps it was the company, some new friends I am making, but I was just totally taken with the vibe. I had a cocktail made from gin, Saint Germaine, cucumber and lime. It tasted like summer with a smoothness to it that most cocktails don't have. 

There are plenty of dive bars in the area that are great to wear jeans to and have a microbrew, but this place just felt special. It felt like an event, not just getting drinks. Totally fabulous. 

raise your glass

I have never had more spontaneously happy moments than during the 2 months of living in North Carolina thus far. This place is magical with all its friendly people, amazing night life, and socially conscious community. 

LOVE. 

flick chicks

Ps- You have to check out this article in the New Yorker about Chick Flick Archetype characters. 

LOVE THIS: 

 pic

"The Woman Who Works in an Art Gallery:
How many freakin’ art galleries are out there? Are people buying visual art on a daily basis? This posh/smart/classy profession is a favorite in movies. It’s in the same realm as kindergarten teacher or children’s-book illustrator in terms of accessibility: guys don’t really get it, but it is likable and nonthreatening...The Gallery Worker character is the rare female movie archetype that has a male counterpart. Whenever you meet a handsome, charming, successful man in a romantic comedy, the heroine’s friend always says the same thing: “He’s really successful. He’s”—say it with me—“an architect!”

All the Charlotte Yorks and Ted Mosbys out there are high-fiving each other right now.