Back on the blog train...

It's been almost three (three?? Honestly?) months since I've posted anything on APOS, but thanks to my great friend Dana, who decided to start a blog of her own, I've decided to get back into it. Right now, there's a duo-blog in the works with a friend of mine who lives in New York City. We've been planning something since the holiday season, but haven't really had the time to complete the project. Hence, my attention to my audience here has unfortunately fallen to the wayside. Also, being the Type A kind of person that I am, I won't release anything until it's perfect, so it may be a few more months before the new blog, people. 

Last weekend was my 24th birthday, and with a birthday that falls on the same weekend as the season 2 release of House of Cards, Lord knows it's going to be a great one. I allowed myself ample time on one of the days to binge watch nearly half of the season. It's almost surreal knowing that I live in the same town in which the show is set. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping to run into Frank Underwood every time I'm on Capitol Hill. Although maybe it's better he doesn't actually exist. 

On Valentine's Day, I got to bring a puppy on set during my boss's show. My brother was watching at home and sent me a photo. How cute is that puppy?

A snapshot from the Jefferson Memorial taken during one of my weekend runs. Running the memorial stairs of the Lincoln or Jefferson is something a lot of the runners do here. 

A post birthday brunch photo of my friends and I. After bottomless drinks, we were all pretty happy by this point. 

This Thanksgiving...

It's hard to believe it's already Thanksgiving and the year is nearing an end. This Thanksgiving is my first ever in which I'm traveling a far distance to get home to my family (during college it was a simple 45-minute drive), and it's the first time I've been home since moving out of state in April. With that being said, I am thankful for my parents for booking me a flight home for the holiday, and the family and friends I get to enjoy it with. I'm also super excited to be reunited with my best friend Rachael, who I haven't seen in over a year, because she's been around the world living out her dreams of becoming a dancer!

Needless to say, I'm so excited to come home -- even if it only is for a couple of days! 

Have a happy Thanksgiving,

xxo

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Are dinner parties a normal thing for 20-somethings to do nearly every weekend? Currently, my girlfriends and I have had this almost-every-Saturday-thing going on, where we all bring food and wine to contribute, and then meet up with everyone else to go out for the night. A few weekends ago, my friend Sarah invited us over, and she made this shrimp dish with lime and cilantro that was so, so good. I couldn't wait to replicate it, so I made it this past weekend. Served over rice, it's an easy (and relatively cheap) meal to make.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp (recipe makes enough for two)

- 1 T butter

- 1 T olive oil

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 1 jalapeno, finely chopped

- 1/4 t. red pepper flakes

- 1/2 t. Mexican oregano

- 2 roma tomatoes, chopped

- 1 lime, zest and juice

- 1/2 t. salt

- 1/2 t. black pepper

- 1 pound shrimp, split and deveined

- 2 t. chopped cilantro

1. Melt the butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the garlic, onion and jalapeno. Cook, stirring until the onion begins to wilt, approx. 3 minutes.

3. Add the red pepper flakes and oregano.

4. Continue cooking until the onion becomes translucent, approx. 3 additional minutes. 

5. Add the tomatoes.

6. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are soft.

7. Add the shrimp, zest and lime juice, salt and black pepper.

8. Cook until the shrimp are just opaque (be careful not to overcook).

9. Remove the pan from the head and stir in the cilantro.

Currently loving: Pink Coats

Fall weather always comes with a change of color in our wardrobes. We switch out our white dresses, bright prints and pastels for blacks, browns, navy and neutrals. One of my favorite ways to bring color to a fall wardrobe is a bright coat. I've always been a fan of light pink, so I splurged toward the end of the last winter season and bought myself this coat from J.Crew. Different from the typical darker colors of fall and winter outerwear, it's the perfect pop of color.