{life} a new orleans st. patrick's day

My first trip to NOLA with some creepy, drunk clown men.

I'm so excited to head to New Orleans on Friday! Although I am currently nursing a strained lower back, I am CONFIDENT that I will be better by Friday. (fingers crossed...) The last time I went to New Orleans was last fall on a fraternity formal. While it was definitely a fun experience, I didn't know many of the people on the trip besides my date, a few sorority sisters (who were usually at other places than me), and a few of the other brothers. I am really looking forward to exploring Bourbon Street with four of my best friends. 

I cannot stop gushing about how much I love my dress. I ordered it from vestique.com (hands down my favorite online boutique) and could not be more pleased with the fit and the material. They still have the large size left in this dress. If that is your size and you are still looking for a St. Patrick's Day dress, then I absolutely recommend that you order it. Vestique is great with getting things shipped out in a timely manner. 

Okay. So. Since the last time I was there was quite the whirlwind, I would love to hear your opinions on the best bars and restaurants to go to! Since we are all poor college students, we are planning on eating off of the dollar menu Friday & Saturday (the shame, I know!) and then having a nice breakfast or brunch before we head back to Tallahassee to make it in time for chapter.

Where do you, my lovely readers, suggest we go on Bourbon?

I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far!

xo, Jen

{recipe} green monster smoothies

Hi y'all! Remember me?

I have been running around like a mad woman lately.

Let's recap my schedule:

M/W/F

9:00-12:05 - Class

12:10-1:30 - Study, lunch

2:00-6:30 - Work

7:00-8:00 - Dinner

8:00-11:00 - Study

BEDTIME!

T/TR

8:30-12:00 - Testing in Preschools

12:30-1:45 - Lunch/Study

2:00-6:30 - Work

7:00-8:00 - Dinner

8:00-11:00 - Study

BEDTIME!

Um. Death.

I need lots of yummy, healthy snacks and drinks to keep me going during the day.

The graduate student I work under in the preschool testing lab emailed me this morning and said I could have the day off because she double booked one of the schools we test at. Best. Email. EVER.

Now, let's talk about the GREEN MONSTER SMOOTHIE.

Oh, is it green. Lots and lots of little baby spinach flecks. 

Don't worry though, it doesn't taste healthy at all!

Green Monster Spinach Smoothie

Recipe by: Iowa Girl Eats
Serves 1
Ingredients:

• 1 frozen sliced banana
• 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
• 1/2 cup 0% Vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt
• 1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (or other kind of milk)
• 4 cups baby spinach (or more, or less)

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

It literally tastes like you are drinking a milkshake. SO DELICIOUS. 

Let me know if you are brave enough to try it out! :) 

Oh and by the way, I gave up some study time the other night and went to the Jimmy Buffett concert with two of my best friends. Sooo much fun. Here are a couple pictures!

Mermaids. Landshark. Nosebleeds. Jimmy.

All you need in life, really. 

I hope that y'all are having a great 2012 so far!

xo, Jen

{love} happy valentine's day!

Here is a super adorable picture of Cupid's Arrow Red Velvet Cupcakes by Bakerella.

{credit}

I hope you have a wonderful day with your loved ones!

I'm waiting for my best friend (who also has a long distance boyfriend) to come over for wine, sushi, and chick flicks. :) Can't wait!

xo, Jen

{recipe} mixed berry & banana baked oatmeal

What I have learned about myself since being in college:

I am not a breakfast person.

The smell and taste of eggs makes me feel queasy.

I burn pancakes.

I don't know how to whip up a beautiful breakfast on a lazy Sunday morning.

I would rather sleep in a few extra minutes M-F and grab a granola bar than wake up and make something.

I'm not the biggest fan of plain oatmeal.

I do love cheese grits, but this girlish figure won't be sticking around for long if I make those every day!

I don't really know how to whip up french toast.

My bacon never turns out right.

What kind of food-obsessed blogger fails at breakfast?!

I have found a solution.

BAKED OATMEAL.

I found this recipe on Skinny Taste's blog and instantly knew I had to try it out.

I had all of the ingredients in my kitchen and I was getting ready for a "lazy" weekend filled with studying and organizing. By lazy I mean I didn't leave my apartment and wore sweatpants and slippers the entire time.

I am so glad that I decided to make this. I ended up making the entire batch for my roommates and me to eat on Sunday and then snack on for a few more days as a quick breakfast before running out the door for class. I adapted Gina's recipe slightly, by using frozen mixed berries I had on hand instead of just blueberries. It would have been delicious either way.

Mixed Berry & Banana Baked Oatmeal

Original recipe by Skinny Taste

Ingredients:

• 2 medium ripe bananas, (the riper the better) sliced into 1/2" pieces
• 1 1/2 cup blueberries - I used defrosted frozen mixed berries
• 1/4 cup honey (or agave)
• 1 cup uncooked quick oats
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans - I used sliced almonds!
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup fat free milk (or any milk you desire)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375° F.  Lightly spray a 8 x 8" or 9 x 9" ceramic baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on the bottom of the ceramic dish.Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bananas, 1/4 tsp of the cinnamon, 1 tbsp of the honey and cover with foil. Bake 15 minutes, until the bananas get soft. 
3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the oats, half of nuts, baking powder, remaining cinnamon, and salt; stir together.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining honey, milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Remove the bananas from the oven, then pour the oat mixture over the bananas and blueberries. 
5. Pour the milk mixture over the oats, making sure to distribute the mixture as evenly as possible over the oats.  Sprinkle the remaining blueberries and walnuts over the the top.
6. Bake the oatmeal for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the oatmeal has set. Serve warm from the oven.

I was obviously too impatient to let the oatmeal cool enough to cut a bigger slice. 

That little piece just looks so sad.

Drink lots of coffee and have a super productive day with this healthy, filling breakfast.

Oh, and I totally have to let you in on a little secret.... A warm slice of this baked oatmeal topped with vanilla greek yogurt tastes JUST like cobbler with ice cream. Do it.

xo, Jen