The Weekend {In Pictures}

{beautiful friday night sunset}

 {nina spotting a bunny in her park}

 {perusing records}

 {street art}

 {wandering through georgetown}

 {wine tasting with friends}

{one of my all time faves}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {Please Stop Snowing} Friday

Yes this is Nina in the snow - YESTERDAY.  It's March 8 and while the snow was cute months ago, I'm officially over it.  I'm ready for warm days {you know, over 35 degrees} and flowers blooming and not having to wear my big puffy coat every single day.  Though the snow yesterday quickly melted away, it was a reminder that we're not quite yet to spring and that we still have some cold days ahead of us.  So for now, I'm planning to fill my calendar with fun adventures where I don't have to worry about how cold it is, like wine tasting with friends and seeing a brand new baby this weekend.  Oh, and a happy first birthday to Mr. Charlie!  Wow - a year sure goes by fast, eh?  I can't believe it!

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Get Movin'

Real talk here - I haven't been working out as much as I used to {read: not at all}.  I used to be the girl that was front and center at Bar class at least 4-5 days a week - you could always count on me to add class to my schedule so I wouldn't miss it and I found it became a part of me for the past 6+ years.  But after I switched jobs and with the busy holiday season, I found that I had completely forgotten to go back to class - whoops!  It's now been about 4 months and while I think I needed that break, it's time to get my lazy butt off the couch and get movin'.  The question - what am I going to do?  I'm not sure I want to head back to Bar, but it's so hard to find something else that I love {and let's be honest - that's as convenient}.  I love yoga, but I have found every excuse imaginable to not go try new studios.  Well, that has to change.  I'm going to stop having excuses and just start moving, because my body and my mind need it - and let's be honest, I'm not gettin' any younger and my body isn't bouncing back as easily from this laziness as it used to.  Lately I've been doing some online yoga classes that I can stream through my TV - I'm loving Yoga with Adriene  as there are soooooo many classes and class lengths to chose from based on how you're feeling or how much time you have {also, her dog often makes an appearance in the videos which makes it that much better}.  With a 10 minute flow just a few clicks away, it's hard to find an excuse not to do a little pick me up in the morning or a wind down practice at night.  And it feels gooooooood.  I find that my body is craving stretching and moving and pushing myself.  I joined a "Healthy Challenge" at work to up my daily step count and luckily have had Nina this week so our daily walks are really getting me out there.  So what's the point of this rant?  I want to be healthy and I want to be active and it's time that I took matters into my own hands to make it a habit again instead of a glass of wine and the Real Housewives every night {but some nights that's what I need and that's ok}.  So who's with me?  Let's get rid of the excuses and just do it - whether it's a 10 minute yoga flow, getting off the bus one stop earlier to walk a few extra blocks, walking to the grocery store instead of driving, or joining that workout class that you've always wanted.  It's good for us, and that's all that matters :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Cauliflower and Tomato Masala with Peas

I've recently been loving everything that Smitten Kitchen has been posting and when I saw her Cauliflower and Tomato Masala with Peas I instantly knew that was what I was making for dinner this week.  I love the idea of a hearty yet easy weeknight dinner {especially one that doesn't involve meat} and even though this has lots of ingredients, you could prep the spices and chop the cauliflower ahead of time and have this ready super quick.  I've been feasting on the leftovers all week long and they do not disappoint, so I'd highly recommend you add this one to your weeknight list ASAP - you won't regret it.

Cauliflower and Tomato Masala with Peas

Ingredients
3 lbs cauliflower {I used two heads, chopped}
2 Tblsp olive or vegetable oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 Tblsp fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, finely chopped
1 big handful fresh cilantro, stems finely chopped and leaves roughly torn
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp mild red chili powder
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp garam masala
2 to 3 cups crushed tomatoes from 28oz can {I used the whole can but you don't have to if you want it less saucy}
1 to 2 tsp salt
1 cup water
1 1/2 cup green peas {frozen is fine}
Juice of half lemon
Rice or Naan for serving

Instructions
1. Trim leaves off of cauliflower.  Remove large core and slice into small pieces.  Cut or break florets into medium sized pieces.
2.  In large deep saute pan, heat oil over medium heat.  Add cumin, ginger, garlic, and jalapeno and cook 3 minutes until tender but not browned.  Add chopped cilantro stems {save leaves} and cook 1 minute.  Add turmeric, chili powder, coriandar, and garam masala and cook for 2 minutes.  Add tomato puree, salt and water and bring to a simmer, cooking for 5 minutes.
3. Add cauliflower and stir to coat with sauce.  Cover with lid and cook about 20 minutes, until cauliflower is tender but not mushy, stirring occasionally.
4. Add peas {still frozen} and cook for 5-10 minutes until heated through.  Add lemon juice and stir until warmed through.
5. Top with cilantro leaves and serve over rice or with naan.

Serves 4-5

adapted from smitten kitchen

xoxo,
stephanie marie

JarrBar

After we had taken a final walk on the viaduct, we decided to take advantage of being downtown and try out a new to us spot for cocktails and appetizers.  Neither of us had been to JarrBar but had heard great things, so we stopped by this little spot on Western and even though it looked packed, the bartender saw us looking thru the window and waved us in, motioning to two empty seats at the very end of the bar.  The room is dimly lit and small, giving it a cozy and intimate feel like you just happened upon a little neighborhood place in Europe.  We ordered a few yummy cocktails to go with our tin of smoked fish spread onto a baguette and topped with coarse salt and everything about the night, from the ambiance to the food and cocktails was absolutely perfect for that chilly winter night.  I can't wait to go back to this unassuming spot and try out more of their Spanish influenced menu the next time I'm down by the market and I'd highly suggest you do the same.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Sunshiny Monday

Happy Monday!  How was your weekend?  Besides a quick trip up north to get my hair done, mine was perfectly low key with yummy dinners at home {we even fired up the bbq for the first time this year!}, a brunch date where the experience was meh but the company perfect, and lots of sunny walks with Nina.  Though the wind was super brisk, seeing the sunshine and feeling it on my face felt so wonderful that I'm now fully ready for spring.  Now, if it'd only warm up about 30 degrees.....

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy March!

Happy March 1!  There's something about saying "it's March" that means spring is in the air and it has to start getting warmer than 40 degrees, right?  Right?!?!?  The sunshine this week, though still really cold, made me so anxious for longer days and sunny evenings spent at after work happy hours and rooftop bbq's and weekends spent outside exploring.  Though we're not out of the woods quite yet in terms of weather, I'm hoping spring is right around the corner and going to be the best one ever.  In the meantime, I'll enjoy the sunshine with my hat, gloves, and down jacket :)

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie