a regal fall

{tweed shorts -old navy; oxford -ralph lauren; v neck sweater & bracelet-jcrew; sunnies & earrings -forever 21; flower broach -vintage; purple tights -marshalls; sparkle flats -nine west}

I'm really excited about rich tones this fall. After a summer filled with LWD's (little white dresses) and pastels, I'm ready for some seriously regal colors. They make me feel like someone fancy. Yesterday was the first day of the season cool enough for tights, although they'd been thrown to the wayside by 2pm, I enjoyed them while they lasted.

Speaking of royalty, let me tell you about my favorite former British colony -that's right Trinidad!

Blogger tells me you've been checking me out (thank you!!)

In honor of my favorite island nation (and in-laws!) I (tried to) make doubles last night. The Hubs said they were pretty darn authentic. I was pretty proud, I even made the bara.

I used a recipe from Trini Gourmet, which sounded pretty authentic. Unfortunately, by the time the food hit the plate we were too hungry for pictures, so below is a photo that was floating around the Internet. I thought about taking a picture of the leftovers in the Tupperware -but that seemed unappetizing. I also made Thomas Keller's pineapple upside-down cake using Trini rum. How about that for representin'?

jesus saves

Jesus Saves is also the name of a Slayer song. Coincidentally, Brad and the Hubs went to a Slayer concert this past weekend... and had the time of their lives.

(photo cred: B. Holland)

Athens is a real deep-south town. When driving through town this weekend we spotted this awesome old sign in front of a Baptist church. The Hubs decided it has been around since at least the 1950's. I like it because it looks like a prop from True Blood -maybe Eric is nearby?

{cord shorts, army parka -JCrew; white tee, silver watch, tan flats -Target; military hat -Banana Republic; silver necklace -the Tiffany bean}

I also want to brag, I mean share, with you the carnitas I recently made. I recommend you try this reciepe for two reasons:
1. It's pretty hard to botch up.
2. It tastes really good.

You'll need a 3.5/4 pound pork shoulder (cut into 2" pieces), 1 tsp ground cumin, an onion (halved), two bay leaves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 tbsp lime juice; water, an orange halved. Put it all in a pot in your oven at 300 degrees until it's super tender -2 hours, ish. Before you put it in the oven it looks like this:

Once your meat is tender take the solids out of the pot. Put the meat in a bowl and throw out the onion, orange, etc. They've done their job. Put your pot on the stovetop and cook the liquid down until it looks like this:

this part takes a little while, but I wouldn't lie -it's worth it. Once your liquid has reduced to a syrupy consistancy pour it into the bowl with your pork and toss. All of this stuff can be done in advance. When you're ready for dinner warm some corn tortillas and pre-heat your broiler. Put a wire rack over a baking sheet and lay out the pieces of pork on the rack. Broil until everything looks super delicious.
But holy hell, watch it. If you burn it now, you'll be super bummed. If you don't burn it, slice up some radishes, onion, and serve with sour cream and guac-a-molly.

uber interview

{navy dress, grey stud belt -JCrew; grey mary janes, gold watch -Target; wayfarers -Ray Ban; earrings -gifted}

Like I said before, I've been busy interviewing: banks, restaurants, shops galore. Interviewing for a job, I've decided, is like dating.

Bad dating

I'm sitting in the chair, talking to the people, and I feel myself flirting

-then I catch myself

-then I clam up like an idiot

-then, there's the wait for the call

will he call? omg, should I have gone all the way?

During one interview last week the interviewer asked me, "do you consider yourself weird?"

me: "um, yes probably" You asking me this is insanely wierd...

him: "what's the weirdest thing you've ever done?"

me: "um" This interview sure is up there....

Meanwhile, I'm thinking is this guy kidding me, is this a joke? Am I on candid camera?

me: "what's the weirdest thing you've ever done?" Smart Moll, put the ball back in his court...

Since I'm still clearly unemployed, dinner has been on a budget. Introducing the best tuna-from-a-can preparation possible. Alton Brown's tuna croquettes; serve with lemon wedges, wild rice, lightly dressed arugula, and a handy dandy aioli -and you've got a budget meal that feels fancy.

what more could a girl ask for?

-flirting with disaster,

mc

fall's budget wish list

dear sweet readers,

I've been busy interviewing for every darn job out there. It's been daunting, I've made an ass of myself quite a few times, but in retrospect I'll look back on these days fondly -right? Anyways, with the promise of a potential job right around the corner -it's coming, I can feel it- and fall finally creeping through the ninety-degree days, I've devised my perfect fall wish list. It won't really get too chilly down these parts, but I still want to get in on the best fall trends. My unemployment is seriously affecting my budget, so I've tried to keep my wishes within my wallet's reach. That being said, I think its important to treat yourself to some quality pieces. We can all wish can't we?

1. J. Crew Silk Shirt Dress $148
2. Over-the-knee Sox $2.50
3. Striped Contrast Dress $29.80
4. Faux Fur Vest $29.50
5. High Heel Tall Boot $199
6. Punctuation Tights $25
7. Satin Flats $34.99
8. Spiked Necklace $78
9. Sweatshirt Sweater $58
10. Not Dark Skinny Jeans $59.50
11. Silver Stud Earrings $12
12. Matte Black Polish $25
13. Strong Shouldered LBD $80
14. plaid shirt $19.80
15. cord shorts $17.50

what's on your fall wish list?
xo's
-mc

weekend review: feathered bangs, baking, etc...

{shrimp and grits recipe -cooks illustrated}
{How to Cook Everything -by Mark Bitman: sandwich bread}

{jorts -Rodarthe for Target; tank -Target; aviator earrings -forever 21; bag -Michael Kors; gold rope necklace -vintage}

hey hey,

How was your weekend? Mine was really fun. We hosted a tailgate with some of our new friends then went on to cheer the Classic City Roller girls Saturday night -hence my Farrah Feathered Bangs. It was super fun -if not for the actual derby- the people watching was phenomenal.

Sunday night my sweet Hubs recreated the amazing shrimp and grits we had in Charleston two years -to the day- that he proposed. Awww. I was all sorts of sentimental.

I've also been mastering bread making lately. Last week with the focaccia and this week with some seriously scrumptious sandwich bread. Yeast seems so intimidating, but it's actually really easy... all you need is time, finally the silver lining to my unemployment.

Was your weekend fun and productive?

xo's

mc

Muffy? It's me, Molly

{polo -nordstroms, skirt -ny & co.; pearls -belks; skinny belt -forever 21; aviators -ray ban; gold watch -target}

what a dream boat...

I thought this was such a fun outfit. I've been hording these old polos since my undergrad days and I thought the orange would transition into fall nicely -although it's still ninety degrees here. Notice the tennis courts in the background -yeah, we live in a really fancy apartment complex- be really jealous.

Still applying like crazy to every job that I see, it's going to happen soon!!

air kisses,

mc

the grass is what color?

{dress -forever 21; plaid shirt -old navy; straw purse -vintage; straw hat -jcrew; tan flats -target}

Last night the Hubs and I headed to the Terrapin Brewery to see one of his fellow English colleagues' band. They were a funky/blue grassy type band and it was super fun. Even more exciting -we met more people (hello, potential friends!!!) There was a great old truck in the field where they performed which was a hot spot for my pictures and all the little kids at the event.
Typical, the under five crowd and I have similar interests.

All in all, great time

cheers,

mc