Queso Blanco Tacos

This is a simple and delicious recipe that is easily a favorite of mine.

Here's what you'll need (This recipe made 4 good sized tacos. Increase accordingly if you'd like more servings):
2 plum tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks
Romaine lettuce
Salsa to taste
1 package queso blanco, cut into slices
Hard taco shells

Here's what you'll do:
1. Head non-stick skillet over low heat until hot. Add cheese and heat, turning once, until it gets warm/brown/slightly melted.
2. Place the rest of the ingredients into the taco shells and add cheese on top.

Tomboy

Outfit Details: Pearls: Gifts; Vest: St. John's Bay (JC Penney); Cardi:
Forever 21; Button-down: Vintage, Thrifted (Husband's); Tights: Lands'
End Canvas; Boots: Charlotte Russe; Belt: Gap

Much to my husband's dismay, I absolutely love borrowing clothing from his wardrobe and incorporating it into my outfits. This vintage plaid button-down is the latest in the long list of items I've borrowed. I've had my eyes on this shirt for awhile now, but I was a little stumped about how to style it: it's a good deal too big for me, and it looks rather shapeless and boyish on my body, which is obviously not at all flattering. However, I was determined to make it work, so I accessorized to try to accomplish a more feminine aesthetic. I added a belt around my waist for shape and a set of pearls to add a hint of girlishness to an otherwise tomboyish outfit. I also opted for leggings rather than pants to give the shirt more of a tunic vibe. I'm happy with the way it turned out, and I can't wait to get creative with other items in B's closet.

Can you think of any other ways I could style this button-down?

A Nerdy Tour of Beacon Hill

As some of you may know, I have a Master's in English Literature. In other words, I'm a huge nerd. Recently, I discovered that some literary greats lived in Beacon Hill in their days, so B and I set out to see their former residences.

131 Mt. Vernon St. is the former address of Henry James, who once referred to Mt. Vernon as "the only respectable street in America." James is one of my favorite American writers and critics, so I had a bit of a moment seeing his home. Can you tell how excited I was?


Outfit Details: Sunnies: Ray-Ban (Husband's); Earrings: Gift; Blazer: Vintage J.G. Hook (thrifted); Cardigan: Gap (outlet); Button-down: Vintage; Thrifted; Skirt: Old Navy; Tights: Gap; Boots: Charlotte Russe; Purse: Vieta; Gloves: Banana Republic (outlet)


Next, we visited the former home of Robert Frost, which is also located on Mt. Vernon Street. Truth be told, Frost isn't a favorite of mine, but I do respect him and think it's pretty cool that he lived in Boston.


Last, we saw Louisa May Alcott's house at 10 Louisburg Square. I have such a sentimental attachment to Alcott, as Little Women was the first novel I read on my own as a child.


I adore the cobblestone in Louisburg Square, which is one of the most desirable places to live in America (or so I've read). John Kerry lives here too, but of course I can't find his address. Maybe I'll just creep around more often in hopes of spotting him.

Other celebs - past and present - have/had homes in Beacon Hill, but finding their addresses can be tough - I assume because the city wants to keep its tour guides in business. Do you know of any other worthwhile homes to visit in the area?

Museum of Science Part II: A Day in Pompeii

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, B and I spent last Friday at the Museum of Science. "A Day in Pompeii" was easily my favorite exhibit, and I hope through these photos you'll see why. In reality, the exhibit is more like two separate ones, the first highlighting the home life, art and culture, religion, society, and entertainment of those who lived in Pompeii. This portion of the exhibit includes frescoes, statutes, jewelry, and household items that were pristinely preserved under the volcanic ash of Mt. Vesuvius. Together, these artifacts give an exceptional glimpse into the rich culture of the city prior to its ruin.








The second portion of the exhibit is a sort of post-Vesuvius world, including computer-generated videos of the volcanic eruption and body casts. Created in 1860, when archaeologist Guiseppe Fiorelli poured plaster into these cavities, the casts have preserved the very moments of death of some of Vesuvius's victims. Viewing the casts, which function as powerful works of art as well as incredible historical artifacts, was a truly moving experience. They capture fear and anguish in stark detail, from the expressions on the victims' faces to the shapes of their bodies and the folds in their clothing. This portion of the exhibit provides a valuable historical and cultural experience, as well as an almost voyeuristic look into the private moments of the victims as they encounter their own mortality. It serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of the individual human life and of entire cultures.








I highly recommend visiting the Museum of Science, if for no other reason than to view "A Day in Pompeii." It may not be the most fun or uplifting exhibit, but it is both interesting and moving, and it is certainly a worthwhile experience. The exhibit will run through February 12, 2012.

Day at the Museum (of Science)

Outfit Details: Pearls: Gift; Sweater: Brooks Brothers (Thrifted); Button-down:
Brooks Brothers (Thrifted); Shorts: Old Navy; Tights: Gap; Socks: Gap; Shoes:
Franco Sarto (Gabe's); Purse: Fossil (Macy's); Bracelet: Buffalo Exchange

Friday afternoon, B and I had the pleasure of visiting the Museum of Science thanks to a pair of complimentary tickets. It was an incredibly fun day that stimulated both my adult interests and childhood fancies. Even after spending several hours wandering around, we left feeling like there was so much more we could have seen and done.

The most fascinating exhibit was, certainly, "A Day in Pompeii," which gives a glimpse into the city through hundreds of artifacts, from household items to body casts of victims of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The exhibit was so incredible that it really deserves its own post, so stay tuned for that tomorrow. Until then, enjoy some of my favorite photos from the rest of the museum!


Racing the skeleton. I totally won.


Playing doctor. I'm a natural!

I love ships, and there were so many gorgeous models.

T-Rex, displaying his holiday spirit.

We saw a chick poke right out of his egg, while a little girl watched and screamed, "I'm a potato!"

Birth. Ew!

Coffee Date

Outfit Details: Headband: Forever 21; Earrings: Charlotte Russe; Scarf: Thrifted;
Jacket: Fenn Wright Manson (Thrifted); Dress (worn as skirt): Forever 21; Flats: Gap 

Everyone who knows B and me knows that we love coffee, so we usually receive Starbucks gift cards for birthdays and holidays. This Christmas was no exception (thanks, in-laws!), so we treated ourselves to a coffee date last week, where we enjoyed caramel brulee lattes and some exceptional people watching. It was a great, low-key night. Have I mentioned how much I love being on break?

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you've all had a lovely holiday weekend. B and I stayed in Boston this year, and we spent a relaxing couple of days celebrating and enjoying each others' company. Here are a few photos highlighting our weekend:



We watched some holiday classics, including Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, The Family Stone, and, our favorite, The Muppet Christmas Carol.

My favorite holiday beverage (cider + champagne) and my favorite Ralph Lauren blanket.

We made our favorite vegetarian chili (see recipe here), which was the perfect cold weather meal and gave us leftovers for the whole weekend.


B, helping me bake.


Our delicious peanut butter crunch cookies (see recipe here).


While we baked, we listened to my favorite Pandora Christmas station: Josh Groban.