Thursday Thoughts - Vol 32

Happy Thursday! Last Wednesday I was little under the weather so I didn't manage to get my Thursday Thoughts put together, but I'm back this week!

1. I've got puppy fever. It's bad. It's been so warm in Kansas City the last week, and there are people out with their dogs everywhere. I get so envious, but then I remember how much work puppies can be, and how much I love quick weekend trips. Evie's fine for a few days on her own, but a puppy? Not so much. Who has a dog they want to loan me occasionally? :)
2. Tootsie rolls are a really underrated candy. I would never think to buy them myself, but we have a big bowl of them in the reception area at work, and I might have had one four yesterday afternoon, and they were delicious...but not the fruit flavored ones. Those are gross. Chocolate only.
3. I really wish Starbucks drinks were more consistent. Gosh I sound like such a bratty, white girl. #firstworldproblems ...but really. Last week I ordered a skinny hazelnut latte, and it was disgusting. So gross in fact, that I ended up pouring half of it down the drain, but yesterday, yesterday I ordered the exact same thing, and it was the most delicious latte ever. What a tough life I have.
4. Speaking of tough, last Wednesday I had a halo laser treatment in an attempt to get rid of some acne scaring, and good golly that thing was painful. They give you a numbing cream prior to the treatment, but there's nothing quite like the smell of burning skin. Not to mention I looked like a chipmunk for the next two days because my face was so swollen. Cory kept telling me I looked like a Bratz doll. He's so kind like that. I'll spare you any pictures. I'm still peeling pretty bad right now, but I think it helped so fingers crossed my scars are gone! 
5. Do you guys have one position you HAVE to sleep in? Last week after my treatment I was instructed to sleep elevated on my back to prevent swelling, and it was awful. I cannot sleep on my back. I have a Fitbit that tracks sleep, and it said I was restless 37 times. THIRTY SEVEN how is that even possible!?! Oh ya. I was awake the entire night. I sleep on my stomach or not at all apparently. Lord help me if I'm ever pregnant. That will be the longest 9 months of my life.
6. I'm getting ready to list my house for sale so Cory and I spent Sunday cleaning out my basement (thanks Cory!). We took FOUR car loads of crap to Goodwill, and I still have half a car full of more crap to donate still. I think I was well on my way to becoming a hoarder. At least I wasn't hoarding cats? Have you all seen those people on TV? So disturbing..
7. This list of 50 Of The Happiest Feelings To Remember On a Bad Day is kinda perfect. Happy Thursday Friends!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

In honor of National Chocolate Mint Day, I thought it would be appropriate to share these Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. While making these won't be quite as easy as plowing through a sleeve of Thin Mints, I promise they are equally (if not more) satisfying and way prettier.



When I made these I was in a bit of a time crunch so I started with a box of Pillsbury Moist Supreme Chocolate cake mix, and just added a teaspoon of mint extract to give them a little extra pizazz. Did the word pizazz make anyone else thing of pizza? I typed that, and then immediately started thinking about how much I wanted to have pizza for dinner tonight. I'm such a fat kid at heart. Anyways, let's get back on topic. Bake as instructed on the cake box in a lined cupcake pan. Set aside, and let cool completely.


Now it's time for the fun part - the mint chocolate buttercream frosting. Here is what you'll need:

Mint Buttercream Frosting

• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mint extract
• 6-8 drops green food coloring
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks

In a mixing bowl, beat together the sifted powdered sugar, butter, and salt until smooth. This should only take about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the mint extract and food coloring. Mix for another 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Stir in the chocolate chunks by hand to avoid breaking them in the mixer.

Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop some frosting onto the top of each cupcake. It's that simple! Now it's time to enjoy! Happy National Chocolate Mint Day y'all!

weekend recap

Monday's are tough. Monday's after a three day weekend are even tougher. Monday's after a three day weekend in my favorite city ever are the toughest of all.

Cory and I spent a long weekend in Charleston getting some wedding planning done. In all actuality we were done with the "planning" by noon on Friday, but we'll use any excuse for a trip to Charleston. We did apply for our marriage license, and we met our officiant for the first time (he's wonderful). Other than that, we're leaving the details in the hands of our also wonderful, very-capable wedding planner. I seriously don't know what I would do without her. She's amazing.

The rest of the weekend was spent exploring, eating, happy houring, eating, eating some more, attending SEWE, and celebrating Valentine's Day. I'm so lucky to have found the best travel partner, and partner in general. We have so much fun together, and he's pretty darn cute too. Okay. Done being mushy. The number of new restaurants opening in Charleston constantly is insane, and each one is just as delicious as the next. So not good for my wedding diet, but so worth it. Anyways, rather than bore you with what we ate where, I'll let the pictures do the talking.

After applying for our marriage license at the Courthouse, we met our wedding
planner at our wedding venue, the Gadsden House. 

I mean, these chandeliers are insane. Love love love!

Avocado toast at my favorite brunch/lunch spot - Park Cafe.

Followed by coconut cake at a bakery I've walked by half a dozen times, but had yet to try, Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar.

Happy hour drinks (my first drink since NYE mind you) at The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits

Happy hour stop #2 for $5 Moscow Mules at The Rarebit

Pizza (from Desano's) and prosecco in our hotel room to round out day #1. Perfection!

Acai bowls for breakfast from Huriyali. 

Doing some cardio (and starfish hunting) at Isle of Palms before we met up with some Charleston
Jayhawks at Moe's Crosstown to watch the KU-Oklahoma game. What. a. game. Rock Chalk! Also, I didn't
snap any pictures at Moe's but it's a great little neighborhood dive bar with delicious (and cheap) bar food.

I made a new rule during the game - if KU wins then we must eat dessert. Hence the brambleberry crisp
waffle cone from Jeni's. Best ice cream ever! Saturday night Cory and I had dinner at a great little Italian
restaurant, Wild Olive, on John's Island. The food and atmosphere were great. I was too busy stuffing my
face to document it, but I highly suggest trying it!

Of course we had to cap off the night with some more ice cream - a strawberry shortcake ice cream
sandwich from Peace Pies to be exact. 

This was my favorite thing I ate all weekend - pear toast from the Daily. If I'm being totally honest, I ate it twice.
We went there on Saturday morning, and then I begged Cory to take me back on Sunday because it was just that good. 

You guys. I wanted to adopt this little pup at SEWE so bad. Isn't he precious? Sadly I came back to KC empty handed.

Cory and I rounded out our feasting with a trip to Minero for a late brunch/lunch. I'm always game for a margarita
and some chips and guac so this hit the spot. The chef, Sean Brock, owns a few other restaurants around
Charleston, all of which are delicious.

Cory and I rounded out the weekend watching the Dock Dog finals at SEWE. Those poor little guys jumped their little hearts out in the freezing weather. I felt so bad for them jumping into that water, but they didn't seem to mind too much :)

If you're ever planning a trip to Charleston, be sure to let me know and I will happily give you a laundry list of suggestions!

Thursday Thoughts - Vol 31

Happy Thursday! I have the day off work tomorrow so today is technically my Friday which I couldn't be happier about! Let's get to Thursday Thoughts!

1. Ever since my first Whole 30 last year, I've been obsessed with putting avocado in my smoothies. Have you all tried it?!? It makes it so creamy, delicious, and dessert-like. Obviously it isn't as good as a real milkshake, but still good none the less....and now I'm craving a milkshake. There's this fast food restaurant in the South called Cook Out. Midwesterners probably aren't familiar, but if you ever find yourself nearby one, order a peach cobbler milkshake. You will not be disappointed.
2. Was anyone else super disappointed there wasn't a cute Budweiser Clydesdale and/or dalmatian commercial during the Super Bowl?!? It's my favorite commercial every. single. year. I mean I guess it's a good thing they're trying to advocate against drunk driving, but give me the heart wrenching, lifelong friendship between a Clydesdale and his trainer that still makes me tear up any day. Seriously if that commercial doesn't make you cry just a little I don't think you have a heart.
3. Speaking of animals and crying, does anyone else full on sob when an animal dies in a movie but barely shed a tear when a human dies? Does this make me a bad person? Probably. 



Animals over people any day! ...I'm not sure Evie appreciates my sentiment.

4. I didn't celebrate National Pizza Day this week, and I'm still regretting it so there's that.
5. Is anyone giving up something for Lent? I'm not even Catholic, but I usually try to think of something to go without until Easter, but this year I'm at a loss. Any ideas?
6. I'm so excited for this I can hardly stand it. An 8th Harry Potter installment?!? Best. Summer. Ever.