Treat Yo'self

 

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As I am sure everyone reading this is 100 percent aware - Valentine's Day is this weekend. I would write a post about what to do, what to wear, what shoes are great for a special date with your significant other. But to be quite frank, I can't write what I don't know. Holla at all my single ladies on this one! My friends and I are annual celebrants of "Galentine's Day" instead. This year we have got quite the plan for an evening together!

This past Christmas, my mother had gifted me a super sweet cheese plate, which has since been on display as a tray in my bedroom and has not seen much more action. That will change on Sunday. We will be taking the plate for a drive for our own little wine and cheese party while watching either Valentine's Day or a violent horror film...we'll see. With an evening full of delicious cheeses, wine, chocolate, and lots of lady love what's not to be excited about?

<3 Ashley

What are your plans for Valentine's Day? Do you celebrate Galentine's Day?

February: A Lot to Love

 

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Greetings, everybody! And greetings to February! Is anyone else as confused as I am to see February here so soon? It seems like just yesterday that I was making my promises for the year (so far so good!)

Typically, I am not this month's biggest fan. Valentine's Day is not exactly my holiday of choice (see alternative: Galentine's Day). But this year, there is a bit more to look forward to. We will be filming another episode of Pitt Tonight, and this is the first full month of the running of Pitt Tonight blog, of which I am the mighty keeper.

My roommates and I also have many plans set to make this month a good one, so as to not get bogged down by winter and work. February is the month when we make good on our promises to leave the college neighborhood of Oakland in exchange for any evening Downtown. There are so many restaurants and bars that we have yet to try because we are so reliant on those $2 Blue Moons. But we must all grow up at some point. :P

February will also be spent planning our spring break trip, which was just booked yesterday. NYC here we come - if you have any suggestions for budget friendly activities and dining feel free to comment or email me! What seems to be the overarching theme of this month for me is friends. This month I am celebrating the relationships that I have built with some amazing young ladies.

<3 Ashley

What are you celebrating this month?

Coconut Pancakes

Two posts today?! Boy are you lucky!

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OH.MY.GOD. Coconut pancakes. Let me tell you...you will never have another pancake again (okay...maybe you will.) When my roommate's mom suggested this to us, I was a little unsure just because coconut is not my go-to flavor. I will never question her again is pretty much the lesson I have learned here. We made these cakes for our little "Gal-entine's Day" brunch Sunday morning and were blown away. I didn't even put syrup on mine (just a little cinnamon) and I was fully satisfied flavor-wise. All you do? Make your favorite pancake recipe and add a bunch of coconut shreds. Unfortunately, I cannot give you a measurement. I was told just to gradually add the coconut until I could see the shreds all throughout as I was stirring. Here's the recipe that we used from Martha Stewart:

What you need:
- 1 c. all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 c. milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil

What to do:
- Mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt)
- Mix milk, butter and egg in a medium bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the mixture. Mix until everything is moistened
- Gradually add coconut shreds as you stir. Stop when you are able to see the shreds throughout (there should be a lot!)
- Heat skillet over medium
- Ladle batter onto the skillet. Let cook 1-2 minutes on each side. (I'm always a little weary about undercooking pancakes so sometimes I let them sit a bit longer)
- Enjoy! This recipe says it makes 4 servings but we got 3 (two pancakes per person) but I am sure we made them a bit bigger than Martha wanted us to...

<3 Ashley

Will you try this? What are your favorite kinds of pancakes?

Galentine's Day Movie Date

We are about one week out from Valentine's Day and it's about that time where I have to accept the fact that there is a day of the year that has pretty much capitalized on couples and I am currently not part of that group. I'm not bitter though...seriously, I'm not!

Really, there is always a way to have fun on the day of love without being in a romantic relationship. My friends and I have replaced Valentine's Day with "Galentine's Day." A day to share even more love with the gals than you do any other day of the year! My one roommate and I like to go to the campus bakery and buy each other as pastry or get one big on to share. Plus, no lady date is complete without a chick flick marathon! Here are some great go-to films:

1. Love Actually. I think it is just as much a Valentine's movie as it is a Christmas movie. Seriously, if you just forget the fact that it's set during the Christmas season it totally fits!

2. The Holiday. See the above justification.

3. Valentine's Day. I guess this is pretty much the 'Love Actually' of Valentine's Day. You know...a bunch of well known celebrities falling in love with each other in one film.

4. Titanic. I have seen this one on a bunch of 'Valentine's Movies' list, though I personally don't think I will be watching it. It's kind of a sad route to go I think. He dies WHEN HE TOTALLY DIDN'T HAVE TO! ...just saying.

5. The Notebook. #thestandard

<3 Ashley

Do you celebrate Galentine's Day? What's your go-to movie on V-Day?

Dear February,

I hope you really plan to show up this year because my expectations are already low due to the actions of your sister, January. Too much snow condensed in to one week and the overall feeling of exhaustion plagued my month (not cool!) I feel that you are off to a great start; I have started working out more--everyday so far--and have returned to my crusade to lessen the cookies in my diet.

While I sing your praises now, the month is still quite young and you have plenty of time to fail me and ultimately make me hate you. I am willing to work with you. I am positive right out the gate. I even have plans with the girls on Valentine's Day so that we are distracted from the other people who have plans on that day. Try not to ruin that either because I have really started to accept the existence of this day.

What I am saying, February, is...can we be friends?

<3 Ashley

Are you ready for February? Got any fun V-Day plans yet?