Summer Solstice Chicken

Let me introduce y'all to an excellent cookbook:

Chicken and Egg by Jessica Cole

I picked it up on a whim one day at Anthropologie because it was on sale.  It was a good decision!  Every recipe that I've tried so far has been delicious, and there are so many more that I still need to try.  

As you probably guessed, all of the recipes involve chicken and/or eggs as ingredients.  Those of you who know me in person know that I don't eat a lot of meat in general (not that I'm a vegetarian), but chicken is definitely my favorite meat.  The nice about this cookbook is that almost all of the recipes have common ingredients and are easy to make. 

The book also doubles as a memoir of sorts.  The author raises her own chickens in her backyard.  If you're interested in urban homesteading, you would probably enjoy that part of the book.  My sister has chickens on her farm, so I got her this book for her birthday last year.  

One of my family's favorite recipes to make from this cookbook is the Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts over Roasted Potato Salad.  It's got radishes, green onions, and hard-boiled eggs in there too, and it's a great meal for summer days.  The salad is even good without chicken.  I would recommend this cookbook for that recipe alone.

The recipe my mother and I made tonight, which I am going to share with you here, was the Summer Solstice Chicken.  It was easy to make and extremely flavorful.  

You make a (very) bright green marinade (see below) with springy herbs and onions the night before, and then all you have to do the day of is grill the marinated chicken!  It's so nice for hot summer days when you don't want to use the oven and heat up the house.  

The recipe wasn't kidding when it said bright green.

We also grilled up some fresh corn on the cob, and my mom made these biscuits that have 7up in them (sounds weird, but they're surprisingly good).  

Mom was grillmaster for the night

And the end result:

The author also suggests slicing the chicken and serving it in pita pockets with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onion, with sour cream and a lil' dill on top.  I think we had some leftovers tonight, so that'll probably be my lunch tomorrow.

Here's the recipe!

Summer Solstice Chicken (from Janice Cole's Chicken and Egg)

Serves 4

4 green onions (green parts only), coarsely chopped

3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

1/3 cup coarsely chopped onion

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill

4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1/2 lbs)

Combine all of the ingredients, except the chicken, in a blender container and blend until smooth and bright green in color.  Put the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them.  Put in a shallow pan and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat the grill to medium.  Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.  Oil the grill grate and grill the chicken, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes or until no longer pink in the center. 

Serve immediately.

Note:  We put the chicken in a casserole dish and poured the marinade on top to leave overnight in the fridge, then flipped the chicken in the morning so it would get coated on both sides.  It was less messy that way than using a plastic bag.  We also added a smidgen more garlic than suggested, because why not?  I personally would go a little lighter on the dill next time we make it, but my parents thought it was perfect as is.  

If you give this recipe a try, let me know how you like it!  

DIY Spa Day & Mixtape #6: Unwind

I've been out of school for two full weeks now and yet I still feel exhausted somehow.  It definitely wasn't the best semester in terms of my stress levels, so perhaps I just need some more time to recover.  What better way to do so than with a relaxing spa day at home?

Here are some of my favorite beauty products for a personal spa day, and a couple that I am excited to try.

From top right and spiraling clockwise:
The robe is no longer available, but it was too darn cute not to include! // Voluspa Japonica Mini Candle from Anthropologie // Godiva Chocolate-Covered Strawberries (stores only) // Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel // Tazo Calm Chamomile Tea // Soap & Glory Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em Body Buff // Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Lament // Philosophy Raspberry Sorbet Bubble Bath/Shampoo/Body Wash

Let me begin by saying that that candle is one of the best I have ever smelled.  I love the Murad peel for its brightening qualities and great smell (scent is important to me, obviously).  My mom used to have this great scrub for hands, legs, and elbows, and this Soap & Glory product looks like it would be a close replacement.  I smelled it in Sephora the other day and it had a nice scent, too.  Speaking of my mom, she has me hooked on these Illamasqua nail varnishes now.  The colors are all beautiful, and the varnish is incredibly long-lasting.  I'm talking a week plus without any chips (or that weird cracking that some nail polishes do after a while).  I have yet to use that Philosophy body wash as a bubble bath yet, but it's on my to-do list.  Finally, some hot tea and a few chocolate covered strawberries would make a great snack while you're kicking back.  Or chocolate of any kind, really.  One can never have too much chocolate in my opinion.

Just add a nice book to read and you're all set.  At the very least, you will smell great!  Haha.

Some bonus links:
-I love the idea of a mimosa bar if you wanted to do a spa day with some friends
-Or you could do epic reflexology foot massages with your partner. Date night!
-If you're on your own, try these unsightly but effective pore-purifying strips
-Here's an easy-to-make but filling salad (yay, kale) if you get peckish

I've also made a playlist of summery, relaxing songs to enjoy alongside the mini-spa.  I may or may not have included some Hawaiian music from the Spongebob Squarepants soundtrack.  I definitely did not rip said music from YouTube.  Just between you and me.

This playlist would also be great to listen to while chilling poolside.  Let's pretend that college doesn't exist for a couple more months, shall we?  (If you're in summer school, I am so sorry.  Stay strong!)

Unwind from fatalistpalmistry on 8tracks Radio.

Positive vibes, everyone.  Enjoy :)

Poolside

School is over!  For a few months, at least.  I'm back home at my parents' house for the summer and enjoying the relaxation.  It helps that they have a pool in the backyard.  Summer comes early to Texas, and the pool water should be warm enough by this week for us to start swimming.

Using some new tops and swimsuits I got from Aerie as inspiration, I put together a couple poolside outfits and accessories:

From top to bottom, left to right:
Aerie Perfect Boyfriend Tee in Hurricane // RayBan "Chris" Sunglasses (also available at Target, which is where I got mine) // Aerie Light as Air Tank in Lemon Lime Infusion // Aerie "Juliet" Printed Balconette Bikini Top and Floral Ruched Bikini Bottom // Fieldguided "Endless Bummer" Tote (she has a great blog btw) // Aerie Plunge One-Piece Swimsuit in Hurricane (just ordered this and really hope it fits!) // Mossimo Women's 3.5' Inseam Colored Rolled Cuff Denim Short in Mint // Mossimo Lavinia Slide Sandal in Black (I have these in red as well and I love them) // Fossil Girlfriend Short in Vintage Indigo Denim

I thought I would make a more realistic dream outfit post for once.  I own all of these items except for the Fielguided tote (which I actually might order because I love its simplicity) and the Target shorts.  Those Aerie shirts are so comfortable and lightweight--perfect for summer in Texas.  It's already in the 90s here.

Also digging this week:
NPR's first listen of Laura Marling's new CD
These pants from Anthropologie (and this romper)
How to make banana bread in a jar as gifts/favors
My new iPhone case!  Love the textured sides.
This maxi dress I got at Nordstrom.  Perfect.
Watching blogger Sara Sherman's cabin renovation progress.

Hope y'all are enjoying the summery weather!

Mixtape #5: Desperately Seeking Summer

Because aren't we all?  

I cannot tell y'all how eager I am for this semester to be over.  It has not been the best.  I'm looking forward to the summer though.  My parents and I are going to visit some relatives in Tennessee, and my sister and her kids will be visiting for a couple weeks, then I'll go back up to Indiana with them for a few days.  Plus I'll be doing lots of visiting back and forth with my boyfriend while he's doing research at A&M.  

I've got a lot of goals for the summer, too.  I've been learning how to code using Codecademy.  Have any of y'all tried it?  It's really fun!  I completed the HTML/CSS track, and now I'm learning Javascript.  It helps that I have a programmer boyfriend to help me :).    I also want to learn how to use the Adobe Creative Suite of software I got this semester.  I've been fooling around with Photoshop a little, but I want to find some good tutorials or maybe take a class.  

And there's also my summer reading list!  I'm looking forward to reading Lean In, Vampires in the Lemon Grove, and The Interestings, just for starters.  Got any recommendations for me?  Right now I'm reading Norwegian Wood by Murakami, and although I'm not very fond of the story or characters, I do like his writing style, so perhaps another novel by him?  I hear Norwegian Wood is not his best.

Here is a short playlist to get you (more) excited for summer.  I fell hard for the first band, Hungry Kids of Hungary, when I first heard them covering Tame Impala's "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards." As Josh would say, total Carolinecore right here.  I'm hoping y'all will enjoy the classic Little River Band song I threw in there as well.  

If you're in school, good luck with finals!  

Desperately Seeking Summer from fatalistpalmistry on 8tracks Radio.

Beauty Brawl #1: Murad Moisturizers

If you were not aware that Sephora will give you a free sample of any product you'd like, be aware!  I have learned to take advantage of it, and discovered some great new beauty products risk-free (and also discovered some not so great ones, but at least they were free!).  My mom sometimes gives me the free samples she gets from the rewards program, and it was this way that I discovered the Murad skincare line.

Let me say this upfront:  Murad products are not cheap.  But I have come to believe that they are well worth the price.  And no one is paying little old me to say this :-P.

The first Murad product I tried was the Acne Clarifying Cleanser.  My mom had gotten it as a rewards program sample and didn't have any need for it, so she kindly let me try it.  I saw immediate results.  I'm talking next-day, very noticeable results.  My blemishes were already clearing up, and my face felt smoother than I'd ever felt it.  And most importantly (this is the litmus test for me when I'm trying new products) it didn't cause any new blemishes.  I don't have the worst skin in the world, but it is pretty sensitive and it always makes me nervous to try new products that more likely than not will just make my skin worse.  This was not the case with the Clarifying Cleanser.  I've been using it consistently since Christmas break. and I've been very pleased with it.

Acne Clarifying Cleanser-$26

Intensive-C Radiance Peel-$49.50

Next, and again thanks to my mom, I tried the Intensive-C Radiance Peel.  I thought the results from the Clarifying Cleanser were dramatic, but boy, this amazed me even more!  You use the Radiance Peel 1-2 times a week, leaving it on for up to 10 minutes.  It instantly brightened my face up and evened out my skin tone.  I was super impressed.  It also creates a nice smooth feeling.  I've only been using this product for a few weeks now, but it's been serving me well.

Now on to today's Beauty Brawl, which is a new series I'm starting for the blog, wherein I test and review beauty products so you don't have to!  Inspired by the improvement in my skin from those Murad products, I decided to sample a couple of their moisturizers.  I went to my local Sephora (Dallas North Park!) and got samples of the Essential-C Day Moisture and the Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer.  Here are my findings:

You have to take this with a grain of salt though, because I have very sensitive skin, and what works for my skin might not work for yours, and vice versa.

A little bit about the process:  I was planning on testing each moisturizer for a full week, starting on March 21st, but only did so for the Essential-C.  That's because after three days of watching the Energizing Pomegranate continue to break my skin out, I had to give it up.  I didn't want to do any more damage!  I have been using the Essential-C since then and my skin is recovering :-P.

Again, there's no denying that the Essential-C is pricey, but I think it's worth the money.  It's a twofer; you've got sunscreen and moisturizer in one product!  Plus the smell is amazing.  Something about the smell of sunscreen cheers me up, and the citrusy smell added in is heavenly.

Have any of y'all tried Murad products before?  I'd love to know your experiences with them.

Wishful Thinking #2: Classic Black

It is a universal truth that black never goes out of style.  It is timeless, seasonless, and effortless.  Not to mention flattering!  This is a simple ode to the color black, Wishful Thinking style.

Clockwise from top left:
AÃRK Collective watch
Mille Dørge iPhone case design via Society6
Shoes are sold out from Topshop, but I see that style everywhere (here's a pricey example from Chloé)
Kaweco fountain pen with screw cap
Kate Spade purse
Brooklyn Cruiser bike

School should be calmer for a couple weeks, so hopefully I'll be able to post more regularly for a while.  This is a rare weekend when I'm not going to visit Josh or vice versa, so I have a lot of free time on my hands.

Have a great weekend!

From the Bookshelf: The Age of Miracles

Perhaps titling my book review series From the Bookshelf is misleading since about half of the books I read are in iBook form now, this one included.  Either way, I always wish that more blogs in the great blogosphere talked about books on occasion, so here is my humble attempt to start the conversation.

I just finished The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker, a science fiction novel more literary than the average sci-fi paperback.  In the novel, a mysterious force is causing the Earth's rotation to slow and days to lengthen, creating increasingly dire consequences.  Animals begin to die, plants wither away, and people begin to suffer from a mysterious sickness.  The narrator is a woman in her twenties named Julia, who looks back on the time when the "slowing" began, when she was 11 years old.  The world is teetering on the edge of a catastrophe, of which she is very much aware, but she is also preoccupied with the usual catastrophes of being a preteen in middle school.  She experiences her first real crush, loses her best friend, and fears her parents may be splitting up, all the while having to adjust to living on "clock time" while the real days grow ever longer.

[Spoilers from here on out!]

The personal urgency of Julia's childhood crises counteracts perfectly with the anxiety, excitement, and fear created by the slowing.  Julia often wonders if people begin to act more boldly once they fear the end of the world is near, and she too begins to act with more urgency.  Every betrayal and disappointment she suffers is made all the more poignant by the fact that she may not get a second chance at having a best friend, sharing a first kiss with a new crush, or even see her friends and family again. 

My main issue with the book is that I found it to be largely predictable.  Not the actual premise or the scientific aspects; the research that obviously went into the book paid off, because the premise seemed totally plausible and the consequences of the slowing seemed reasonable.  The mundane events of Julia's life, however, were not elevated much in importance or weight by the slowing.  I suppose that may have been the author's point, that the human experience is common, no matter what the circumstances.  But I, for one, found the scientific questions of the story more intriguing and pressing than Julia's preteen woes.  I often found my attention drifting away from Julia's thoughts towards the unsolved mystery of the slowing.  I wish that we could see more of the causes of the slowing rather than just the effects.  My most recent creative writing professor was fond of saying, "if you use a sci fi setting, there better be a reason for it.  The story should not be able to happen in a normal world."  And that is exactly how I feel about this novel.  Julia even makes a point of saying that her life would mostly have unfolded the same way without the slowing, it just complicates matters.  It is interesting that most of the characters attempt to carry on, so to speak, and live normal lives despite the slowing, but ultimately this is the book's biggest weakness.  Why not use such an interesting premise to radically change the way the characters live and interact?  In the end this book was merely a sci-fi bildungsroman.

And on a slightly morbid note, I was surprised that Julia never once considered suicide or even simply wondered what the point was in continuing, when it seemed obvious that the world would eventually cease to exist or become uninhabitable.

All of that being said, I really enjoyed reading The Age of Miracles (I even procrastinated on studying for midterms so that I could finish it).  Julia's voice is engaging and relatable, and I came to care about the characters and their relationships.

l'd give it a 3.5 out of 5.  If you're looking for an easy read, or some science fiction that doesn't go on for a thousand pages, I would recommend this book!  If you check it out, let me know your thoughts.

Up next:  whatever I get at Half Price Books tomorrow (coupon week, whoosh!).  Or Karen Russell's new short story collection, Vampires in the Lemon Grove.  Speaking of Karen Russell, the iBook version of The Age of Miracles comes with a conversation between Russell and Thompson Walker that I found very enjoyable.  I'm sure the print version has it too.

If y'all have any book recommendations for a review, let me know!

Completely unrelated:  My boyfriend is staying with us for spring break, and we just got that board game Settlers of Catan and played it tonight, and oh man.  It's fun!  Unfortunately Josh has a leg up on my family since he's played it before with his family.  He did a far better job of teaching us the rules than the rule book it came with, let me tell you.

Happy spring break!