semisweet

My Valentine’s day was lovely because for the first time in EVER I actually had a valentine! I bought him chocolate and made him a card… and he one-upped me like he does every day in school and height and metabolism.

A tangent: Sebastian has the metabolism of a god. A very skinny god. It’s my mission to fatten him up by ~~cooking for him~~ making him eat ice cream sundaes at every meal.

Look, he got me a dozen roses!

As well as peanut butter M&M’s and mini Reese’s cups. Not the regular-sized ones, the mini ones. They have a better peanut butter : chocolate ratio.

At night, Sebastian took me out to a fancy dinner at Bravo! We were classy as always…

Sebastian ordered a chicken dish, and I ordered rigatoni with spinach, grilled chicken, basil, and pesto cream sauce. Topped with lots of parmesan, of course! I’m the girl who eats bowls of grated parmesan with a spoon. Don’t judge.

Anyway, it was delicious. Bravo! never fails me.

The waitress serving us seemed to think we were just stupid teenagers who didn’t know how to tip. Oh but NO… we’re stupid teenagers who worked in the food service business. Yay for defying stereotypes!

After dinner, Sebastian and I roamed around World Market looking at random stuff we don’t really need. I oogled over all their bird stuff. I will totally be one of those old ladies with a house full of bird-themed needlepoint samplers and wallpaper.

This morning, I had a job interview! AGHHHH! I think it went well but obviously I don’t know for sure. After the interview I changed into my new AXO shirt…

The white board behind me is Sebastian’s word of the day board. He actually writes a new one every day. Today’s is “vena cava.” We are such nerds.

I then went to my classes, history and chemistry, and then to the gym. 30 minutes on the elliptical + Cosmo = de-stressing at its finest!

It’s Pledge Mom Week for my sorority, so an older sister is buying me gifts all week and sending them anonymously! Today’s gift was a lovely song by some amazing guy singers, Noodles & Company mac n’ cheese, Diet Coke, a brownie, and lots of AXO stuff! This week is literally like Christmas if Christmas lasted a week and was full of sorority surprises. I love it!

I have about a gazillion and one things to do this week but hopefully I’ll get them all done without going crazy! Chemistry is the worst… the teacher lectures and says “when you’re doing your homework, do this blahblahblah…” but doesn’t assign homework based on the stuff we learned. So we are just expected to know it without ever actually practicing it. Grrrrreat.

That’s all for now, sorry I’ve been MIA from reading/commenting on all your lovely blogs I promise I’ll be back soon!

-Courtney

20 Questions for You!

Courtney — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:13:05 +0000

Allison from Life’s a Bowl did this 20 question survey, and since I love surveys (and talking about myself hehehe) I decided to fill it out myself. Yay for procrastinating!

1. What is one of your favorite ways to spend a Saturday?

Hmmm… probably waking up early, going to the gym and doing my homework before everyone else wakes up, then spending the day walking around town and shopping with my friends.

2. List your top three favorite TV shows.

This is a tough one because I don’t have time to watch TV anymore! But I’d have to say House M.D., Toddlers and Tiaras and any weird TLC special.

3. Would you rather be in pictures or take them?

I’d rather be in them. Just being honest.

4. Why do you blog?

Because I love the sound of my own voice. Actually not really. I just felt like writing one would be a productive use of my free time instead of surfing the internet, and now here I am, a long time later, still writing.

5. Share five websites that you visit regularly…

Facebook of course
Pinterest (to the discontent of my boyfriend haha)
Target.com
Gmail – I’m an obsessive email checker!
xojane.com

6. If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be?

Hmm… I don’t know! I don’t really follow celebrities, but if I did then I would pick Hugh Laurie. He is such a great actor and musician, too!

7. List a few of your favorite snacks.

cereal
chocolate
fruit

8. Do you have a pet? If so, what kind?

Nope, no pets. I’m allergic to everything, but I wish I had one of these!

9. Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without?

computer
phone
shoes – underrated!

10. What’s your favorite drink?

Water and Diet Coke. though not mixed together

11. Do you enjoy cooking?

I do! I love to cook Italian food, stir-fry, and of course desserts!

12. Do you have children?

Nope.

13. What are your favorite hobbies?

exercising
cooking
arts & crafts
pottery – I haven’t gotten to make any since going to college but I wish I could!

14. Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing?

It depends on the day.

15. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?

I wish I were better at time management. I’m good at it, but I always feel like I can improve!

16. Who is your favorite actor/actress?

Hugh Laurie and Olivia Wilde! Yes, they’re both on House, but they’re such good actors!

17. What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this week?

A lot. That is the answer: none of the stuff I’ve done has been particularly cool, but it has been a busy and productive week!

18. Do you live near your family or far from them?

I live half an hour from my family, which is convenient if I need anything!

19. List three of your talents.

I don’t need to measure when I bake anymore. I can pretty much eyeball every ingredient and it turns out fine!
I can dance en pointe. Or I used to be able to… I can still go up on my toes but I obviously am not as good as I used to be!
I’m good at science. At least I hope I am… I’m a biology major!

20. What is your greatest attribute?

I’m freakishly organized. I think that’s a good attribute to have.

Fill this out yourself and tag me in it so I can read your responses! Happy Saturday!

Weekend Recap

Courtney — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:36:11 +0000

Oh my gosh, it has been such a crazy week! Between studying, sorority stuff, meetings, and just general craziness, I’m extremely happy it’s all winding down a bit. I like being busy, but there’s only so much I can do in a day!

I did manage to take a few food photos, though.

Lunch: toast with pesto hummus (OMG YUM) and cucumber + carrot salad with balsamic vinegar…

Dinner: a yummy spinach salad topped with cucumber and feta, crispy fish, and a roll.

So yeah… this was so necessary: the past few days have been marathon days! On Friday I went to a 9 am class, then studied for a test, then took the test, then went to my chemistry lab, then got ready for a sorority event in the chemistry building, then was at the event until 1 am. This Diet Coke was consumed over the course of the day…

Even Hello Kitty is exhausted!

Art history + study snack!

One of my favorite parts of the sorority event on Friday was that the fraternity guys gave us all roses! My roommate and I are hanging ours upside-down so they dry nicely.

On Saturday, I studied all day (bleh) and made cinnamon toast with my boyfriend at night. We sold it to people in the dorm as a fundraiser for Dance Marathon, and even though we didn’t make much money, it was a lot of fun!

I just got back from a family super bowl party, and there was tons of delicious food there! Photos + recipes to come… hopefully soon!

Her Campus

Courtney — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:18:14 +0000

Hey everyone! I’m a contributing writer at Her Campus, and my first article is up today!

Navigating the Dining Hall: A Realistic Guide to Healthy Eating

Go check it out and let me know what you think!

Shambley

Courtney — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:57:06 +0000

How on earth did I miss Pinterest Wednesday? Oh yeah… it’s because my life is currently a shambley mess of midterms and spreading myself thinner than thin. Shambley is a new favorite word of mine, thanks to this gem:

it’s such a good video that now there’s an ad before it! :////

Anyway, in my midterm-induced, caffeine-fueled stupor, here it is, albeit a day late!

Oh my goodness, I wish I had access to a craft store so I could make this right this second. Great for a gift or just for fun!

This probably tastes really good, but I think it looks like an organ. I don’t know which… but the color is kind of off-putting. Sorry if that deters you from making it.

Lacy!

White chocolate pumpkin pie cups! Now THESE look divine!

A quick PSA: the caption on this Pin is wrong. This dollhouse is not modernist, it’s contemporary. Ok, I’m done being a pretentious snob for now.

But actually, I’m right.

Cutest dishes ever!

That’s all for now! I’m going back to ~~watch the sorority girl video again, shower, and sleep~~ study!

Fashion Finds

Courtney — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:37:04 +0000

I’ll admit it: most of the time I’m a walking fashion don’t. I wear leggings as pants, Ugg boots, and the sweatshirt + yoga pant combo all too often. I’m a tired college student, and the last thing I want to do on a cold, winter morning is put on a nice outfit for class. Then again, I love to dress up when I have the motivation, so here are a few of my favorite items that I’ve been eyeing recently! I promise none of them involve sweatshirts or Uggs.

Tiered Bodice Dress w/ Belt, Forever 21, $24.80

This dress is a neutral color, so there are so many ways to accessorize it! Perfect with tights for Winter, or on its own for Spring.

Floral Lace Shorts, Forever 21, $19.80

These shorts are a great color that is neutral enough to pair with other bold colors but bright enough to stand out on its own.

Push Your Limits Tank, Lululemon, $52.00 ~ a splurge!

This cute tank is comfy enough to wear to work out, but stylish enough to wear all day.

Bejeweled Rosette Tank, Forever 21, $22.80

Lacquered Chain Necklace, Forever 21, $8.80

This necklace is such a fun color, and it would make a great statement piece with any outfit!

Rhinestone Heart Slinky Belt, Charlotte Russe, $7.50

This belt would look great with a dress, jeans, or shorts!

Rising Star handbag, Charming Charlie, $49.97

A neutral bag that goes with anything, but has just enough sparkle to make a statement!

I’m off to study for my chemistry midterm, ugh…

<3 Courtney

Wordless Pinterest Wednesday!

Courtney — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:19:52 +0000

What is your favorite category on Pinterest? Mine is Food & Drink or Design!

Not on Pinterest? Comment so I can invite you to it!!!

Much <3

-Courtney

Art and Breakfast

Courtney — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:27:24 +0000

Hello, lovelies I’m currently drowning in a big pile of homework but that’s okay because I’ve got an entire night free to do it, which is a rare occurrence! I thought I would focus only on school in college and stop doing extracurriculars, but that is definitely not the case. I’m more involved now than I ever was in high school! Anyway… what have I been up to?

On Sunday I visited the Art Institute for my art history class. I’ve been countless times but taking the class has given me a new appreciation for the art, which is pretty cool. I definitely felt like a pretentious yuppie staring at this painting, Berthe Morisot’s Woman at her Toilette for 20 minutes. :/

I also saw this guy chilling in the gallery…

And work from my favorite artist- Degas! His ballerina paintings always take my breath away…

I then returned home and realized I had a ton of stuff to do and I’d better get my head out of the artsy clouds and into this laundry list of work, which is where I stand now. Typing away at my little laptop being antisocial. Gotta love it.

This book is the bane of my existence. It taunts me with its blank white cover just begging to be drawn on…

But let’s look at the bright side… I did have a really good breakfast this morning! I swear, breakfast in the dining hall is the only good meal there. I should go more often! I got a made-to-order egg white omelet with cheese, salt, and pepper…

Banana nut bread with peanut butter on top…

Then I went to my first class, art history, where I sipped on some vanilla caramel black tea in a crowded lecture hall. I bring my own tea and mug and fill it with hot water from the dining hall, then sip on it all day like it’s the nectar of the gods. I’m pretty sure the guy sitting behind me noticed me taking this picture. Whatevs.

A quote for the day…

And a question for you…

What is your favorite kind of tea?