From the category archives:

30 While 30

And let the games begin…

by agirlandhermutt on March 3, 2011

I finally finished my 31 While 31 list and I’m ready to share! Hopefully I’ll be able to cross each and every one of these off the list before February 13, 2012. *Insert golf clap from the peanut gallery*

Over the course the course of the year I will also be participating in some monthly challenges/goals that will help accomplish a few of these on my list.

Check back for my progress!

31 While 31

1. Run a 5k
2. Learn how to say/write “Thank You” in 10 different languages.
3. Go indoor skydiving.
4. Read 10 books from Oprah’s book club
5. Identify 100 things that make me happy
6. Go on a camping trip
7. Make a YouTube video AND post it!
8. Visit Mystic Aquarium (a holdover from my 30W30 list)
9. Create a painting on canvas (from the 30W30 list)
10.Watch sunrise at the beach (from 30W30 list)
11. Attend a cooking class (from 30W30 list)
12. Go to the Museum of Science observatory (from 30W30 list)
13. Watch AFI’s 10 Top 10 Movies of all time (from 30W30 list)
14. Sew pillows for couch & bed
15. Create a Korky only scrapbook.
16. Make homemade pasta
17. No alcohol for 1 month
18. Make a font out of my handwriting
19. Host a game night
20. Go vegan for 1 week
21. Take a photo for every letter of the alphabet
22. Make 3 things from instructables.com
23. Make a birthday cake for someone
24. Visit the Arboretum
25. Clean out my email inbox
26. Write down HIGH/LOW for the day 5x/week
27. Have 2 new ethnic food experiences
28. Get a bike and ride the 24-mile path along Charles River
29. Send birthday cards to my far away friends.
30. De-clutter. Get rid of at least 100 items!
31. Go to see a play

For each task I accomplish $20 will go into a little jar to be spent on…well, I haven’t figured that out yet! Fun little savings tool that I like to do.

Does anyone have a 101 in 1001 list or something similar? I’m obsessed with reading people’s lists. Dorry has a 30 Before 30 list and that is where I got the idea for no alcohol for 1 month! Leave a link in the comments area if you have one I can stalk read!

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Happy Days!

by agirlandhermutt on February 15, 2011

This time of year is my absolute favorite. Winter is starting to wean off a *teeny* little bit, my birthday comes around, and Valentine’s Day makes me feel loved! This year was no different.

RECAP TIME!

I started the weekend of fun with a birthday skating party! When I was a kid I loved having roller skating parties. I had my own skates. Hello…that screams mad skills! Not so much the same with ice skating, but just as fun.

A few of the girls met up with me in Kendall Sq to get our ice skating on.

Despite the overcast weather, it wasn’t as cold as it had been in the past few days. We showed up just in time to have them kick everyone off the rink to start the Zamboni. Of course.

Finally they let us on the ice and we were off! Well, kind of. There wasn’t any falling involved, but I did think the kid in a helmet behind me was a pretty smart idea.

The rink is kind of small so after an hour and a half or so, we were ready to get our drink on. Lets be honest…activity on the birthday is to make room for some beer! Winking smile

We headed over to The Asgard in Central Sq for a bite to eat (veggie chili and a salad), some good drinks (Cider!), and a lot of laughs. Big thanks to more of my friends joining me to celebrate!

For my actual birthday on Sunday, I woke up bright and early to hit up Zumba with Tea Party Karen. Holy crap. The class was super crowded but it was AWESOME. You go expecting to sweat, but you haven’t felt sweat until after this class! I spent the rest of the day at the spa, thanks to The Scientist. He was out of town for the weekend so he kept me entertained by treating me to a day of luxury. Le Sigh…

I started off with a pedicure and manicure. The chairs were so comfy that I wanted to take a nap right then and there!

Mmm…tea and pampering!

I went for OPI’s Original Red on my fingers and some fun sparkly reddish pink color on my toes. Both services lasted an hour each!

After my mani/pedi I had an hour long Swedish massage. OMG. These should be part of my regular calendar appointments. The final results have made me smile every day since.

It was the perfect treat for my birthday and a great way to kick off Valentine’s Day. Big thanks to The Scientist!

Valentine’s Day is always a low key event for me. I love the idea of making sure the loved ones in your life know that you are thinking of them, but I hope that I make them aware of this year round! The Scientist and I don’t do gifts or a fancy dinner for the holiday, so this year we just hung out at home for wine & cheese night. There were also some flowers and cards involved. So sweet…

I also enjoyed a fun Valentine’s Day gift from my parents. Fun jewelry!Seriously, could anyone have gotten my style more spot on?!

Sparkly bobbles that can brighten up any day, right?!

I hope that you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day no matter how you spent it!

PS. I have officially updated the 30 While 30 page! I’m in the process of coming up with the 31 While 31 list. Check out the update and let me know if there is anything you are dying to do this year!

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Take a minute to stop and relax…

by agirlandhermutt on November 4, 2010

Yesterday I was feeling super busy. Rush, rush, rush! I needed to take a minute to stop…relax…and get a pedicure. My feets needed some help and I was oh so happy to oblige.

I snagged a great deal through Groupon a few months back for a pedicure and the expiration date was approaching quickly. I locked down an appointment and got excited! On the way there I stopped for a Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks. I’m not a hot coffee drinker normally and just occasionally indulge in iced coffees from Dunkin Donuts. However, I know winter has arrived when Starbucks busts out with their holiday cups.

My fave way to order my hot chocolate:

-Short
-Skim Milk
-No whip cream

This little 8oz delight packs a punch for just 160 calories. Mmm, mmm, good!

When I got home I was feeling chilly and ready for some comfort food.

Hello Slow Stuffed Peppers! Capitalizing on my love for my slow cooker, I took this classic dish and made it even easier than before. Set it and forget it (at least for a few hours)!

In the mix (Serves 2):
-2 peppers
-2 tbsp tomato sauce
-1 cup brown rice, cooked
-1 cup black beans
-1/2 red onion, diced
-1 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese
-1 tsp chili powder
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp pepper

*I also added some leftover chopped up green onions. You could easily add corn and other veggies to this too.*

* Cut the top off of 2 peppers and clean out the inside.

*In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Stuff peppers with mixture and place in slow cooker.

*Resist the urge to eat the peppers right from the cooker.

*Add 1/4 cup water and set on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6 hours. Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine. Hey, hey…good lookin’ manicure, huh?!

*Check your peppers around 3 hours. Depending on the size of the pepper it could take longer to cook.

*When the peppers are ready the peppers will be soft, but still in tact. The house will smell fantastic. You will be starving.

*Wondering where that pretty little orange pepper is? Well, I let my peppers go a little too long and the orange one got soft and decided to have a party all on its own. Tastes good…didn’t look so good. Yay for the yellow pepper! Way to stay strong!

I’m telling ya, this slow cooker is AWE-SOME! I’m excited to try out a few more random things over the next week. I predict lasagna and a few more soups in my future.

Q: Who is ready for Friday?! I’m not typically a wish the week away type of gal, but this week…I am ready to get it over with!