It's Winter in Vermont!!

OOOOOOooooh the weather outside is frightful!

Driving to Stowe at Sunrise

This past weekend finally blew in the snow and there is white on the ground in Vermont. Dan and I headed to Stowe Mountain Resort #StoweMtResort. Piling on the gear we head to the hill and spent two awesome days in powder. Dan has been taking me down the fast track of learning how to snowboard, so this past weekend was one of my first powder days...well...ever. It definitely took some getting used to but because we were up there to see the lifts open I was able to have plenty of practice. My left leg has never felt sooo sore!

Saturday and Sunday we woke up too early (I'm so grumpy in the morning) and got to see the sunrise both mornings and I didn't fall asleep! There were tons of people but it only made it an even better day because everyone was so happy to be there.

Down by the Riverside

When we were heading back home on Sunday Dan and I stopped and had a pizza and a Switchback with some friends and then took a little walk down by the river. It was really a surreal day. I was so sore and totally trying much more than I thought I would and the day kept getting better and better. Dan and I walked down to the steep river's edge and saw the water running right below the ice at our feet.

When we finally got home we hung out with a few friends and I made a spicy Tom Kar soup. After we finished the soup I turned on the Oscars and fell asleep while watching. It was truly the best day and best way to end a weekend.

So I hope all of you Vermonters had a chance to get outside this past weekend because even though it was cold we live in a beautiful beautiful place.

Until next time...

Spreading The Love...

I was planning on writing about some unique, creative, and special gifts for your honeys on V-Day, but because I am writing the night of I thought I would put a few outfit and outfit additions out there for the girlies celebrating Day of Love everyday!

1. California Twirl Top

www.modcloth.com

This top is so cute! Sometimes people overthink their big day outfits but if you instead keep it simple, you will definitely look your best. In this peplum top you will definitely turn heads. It will accentuate your waist and keep his eyes on you the whole night!

2. Low Back Black Dress.

www.lulus.com

This hot little number is always a classic - just be sure to spice it up with something a little unique. This outfit has a low low back which heats up the timeless color. Other ways that let will make you stand out; a black dress with a unique or asymmetrical neckline will have you standing out or bold detailing can make you stand out. Check out this cute number::: Whoa MAMA!!!

If you have a tried and true LBD that always turns heads, there's no reason to stray! You can always completely change the look of your "Old Faithful" with accessories. A colored or patterned pair of tights can change the character or your dress. A bold necklace or bulky rings can also steal the spotlight and change the mood of your assemble. But as always great shoes can change the vibe of your outfit. Colored shoes, muted shoes, or metallic shoes can make the evening exactly what you want it to be. These puppies designed by Jeffrey Campbell woof woof, can change a bodycon black dress to something entirely different. No need to consume when you can recycle!

3. Bangles!

www.etsy.com

This handmade bangle ads a geeky flare to your number. Whether you are dawning skinny jeans or a maxi dress this bangle can add a bit of individuality. The cartoon lust between The Joker and Harley Quinn is just another example of the love for your honey.

4. Felted "Pearl" Beads.

www.etsy.com

Lastly, no girl overlooks her pearls. These awesome felted pearls on etsy re-invent the glamour of pearls. Sometimes crafty accessories have a quirkiness about them that does not always scream "DATE NIGHT" but choosing more solid colors, smaller pieces, and/or symmetrical items can keep you from looking too much like Billy Madison's kindergarten teacher.

 

I hope all you are enjoying the day of love. Remember that everyday should be celebrated the same way! 

Until next time...

Sports Weekend and Recipe for Curry Chicken Wings

Watching the Big Game

This past weekend was a super sports weekend! On Friday night Dan and I went down to the Celtics game at TD Garden. It was super fun and we had great seats that he won in a raffle! He has the best luck. We headed down from work early to Beantown. The game was against the Knicks and pretty close. I got a jersey to blend in and did my best to get on the camera!

Boston Walks

 The next day we walked around Boston for the morning. There were definitely some perks to the city. We got to choose the coffee shop we went to (in our town there is only one shop) You could actually walk to get your breakfast, and the shops on one block outnumbered any Vermont shopping center. I felt like I was really stepping into the big city. But the picture to the left was along our walk - the Vermont view is much better to wake up to. We walked to Quincy Market tried on some clothing and walked back. We passed through a small farmers market - it looked like Bonnaroo all over again. There were plastic tarps attached to plastic tarps making a maze along the fronts of these small store fronts. Once we got back to the hotel, we packed up our things and drove back to Vermont. It was really great to be heading back home too!


Then Superbowl Sunday! (Boo Hoo Pats!) We made the most delicious football foods for the big day. My favorite being our homemade wingies. We had wings, dip, veggies, and smoothies, it was definitely much more than we should have eaten. Anyway, below is the recipe for the yummy yummy curry chicken wings.

Curry Chicken Wings (Feeds 4 hungry Football Fans)

For the Sauce:

2-5 Garlic Cloves (it all depends on how much you like garlic... We love it here!)

14 oz. of Coconut Milk

3 Tablespoons of Curry Powder

1 Tablespoon of Curry Paste

1 Tablespoon of Chili Powder

1 Tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper

3 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup

A Couple Dashes of Hot Sauce

Feel free to make the sauce ahead of time. You just need to warm up the sauce to room temperature before you toss the wings in it!

Pour about two tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan (no more than 8 inches across as you are trying to make a thick sauce) over low heat. Then chopped the garlic cloves - they need to be small enough to not be an overpowering bite on a chicken wing. Put the chopped garlic in the oil and let it slowly soften.

When the garlic has become slightly translucent, about 1 minute, pour in the coconut milk, curry powder, curry paste, chili powder, cayenne, and hot sauce and stir. Stir the spicy coconut mixture until the spices are not longer clumping. Then add the maple syrup.

Put a lid over the saucepan and watch the sauce thicken! If the sauce is not thickening to your likening you can add a few tablespoons of flour - but be sure to stir in/remove all of the clumps.

Again you can make this sauce ahead of time, or while the wings are cooking.

For the wings:
about 5 pounds of wings (My preference is Misty Knoll chicken wings)
1/2 cup of flour
1/4 cup of curry powder.


Preheat the oven to 425 F.

If you do choose to use Misty Knoll chicken wings, sometimes the drumstick is not separate from the wing but if you use your brute strength and some kitchen scissors you can split those apart.

Dry off the wings with a paper towel. Then mix the flour and curry powder in a large bowl. Toss the wings in the flour mixture until they are fully coated.

Line them on a baking sheet some none of them are touching. Bake for 20 minutes.

Pull the wings out of the oven and flip them over. The best way is to take the sheet fully out of the oven and use a pair of tongs. Return to the oven and cook for 20 more minutes.

After 20 minutes the wingies are done! Pull out of the oven. You can toss immediately in the sauce.

Eat them all!!!!

I'm so sporty! Spice Up Your Life!
Until next time...

Introduction

Welcome to 2012 (a little late, huh?) But with a new year gaining speed I wanted to follow through with something I have been wanting to start since this past fall - my very own blog! I have been dying to write about what I have been doing over the past months. I have a love for crafts, music, fashion, and cooking and usually only scratch the surface of these hobbies. But as a commitment to myself and by utilizing the blog I will promise to try new things. I have a long list of "I can do that!s" which I have been dying to (actually) do and hopefully this can act a motivation to follow through. So here's is the unveiling of Neon Confessions.

I wanted to start my blog with an introduction and a few pictures of what makes me, well, me. My partner in crime and hunk of all hunks is Dan. We live together in a cute town in Vermont with Wheezy (pictured to the right) and Jack (pictures soon to come). I am Katarina, a 23 year old recent grad who is starting life as an adult - sort of. But as I have taken a 8-5 (specifically 8:30 to 5) job and have found myself creeping quickly into a routine. To curb my habitual days (that are getting pretty lazy) I have turned to writing, sharing, and confessing my thoughts in a blog. To start off my blogging endeavors I will post a little about what I am into right now. This will be called my Top Three. I know, so creative, maybe when I get into this I will come up with a more original title.

http://styletogo.typepad.co

1. Red Lipstick. As I round the corner from 23 to 73 I have been making the steps necessary to ease into old age - including lining my pout. While I knew I couldn't go to the drug store and pick out a color on my own, simply because I wanted to make sure it looked good without having to return used make-up if it didn't  (I'm not exactly sure of the policy on that...). So I got pretty classy and took visit to MAC. As they know more about cosmetics than I do, I value their experience over mine. After trying on a few lipsticks, I fell in love with "Russian Red" and was highly recommended in getting a lip liner. I got "Kiss Me Quick" to match. While I am no expert, I would say having talked to someone about the colors and voiced how I was feeling reassured my final decision. In case you do not need that certainty then feel free to visit a department, grocery, or drugstore. The internet never hurt anyone either, after looking at many sites, glamour.com offers some great tips. http://www.glamour.com/beauty/2009/08/the-best-red-lipstick-for-your-skintone#. Another tip I would pass along would be to look at photos. Which celebrity's lip shade do you admire? Who's style is most similar to yours? Who do you wanna look like? It's just like getting a haircut - bring pictures or keep a photo on your phone when you head out, that way you can pick out the best match.


2. She & Him.

I got an iTunes gift card for Christmas and finally got around to spending it - and very quickly. One of the albums I purchased is She & Him. The lovely collaboration of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward has my toes tapping and definitely puts a smile on my face for the drive to the office. I highly recommend if you want to feel like you do not have a care in the world. The instrumental, Zooey's voice, and lyrics all make you feel like you are driving through the opening credits of Pleasantville. Definitely a feeling you can't shake off throughout the work day.


3. My Footprint.

After a long talk on a car ride home Dan and I were particularly displeased with the state of our environment. Dan, an environment science major in UVM, had tons of facts about the rising CO2 levels and more. When we got home I researched a little and became a little more upset - not like this was my first time hearing about it, but a nice refresher never hurts. If you need a quick realization lookie here: Ice in Retreat; be sure to move the timelapse to see the ice cap melting. After an internet overhaul I was realizing my own footprint and am now even more so trying do my part. 

Here are my small oath of changes and hopefully they only grow from here:
**I won't leave the door open when I feed the dogs outside because it is easy.
**I will turn off lights when they are not in use.
**Buying Local!!

I know these seems like miniscule attempts, but just working these habits into my routine can greatly eliminate my impact on the earth. If any of you need a few ideas visit http://www.carbonfootprint.com/minimisecfp.html.

And so it goes...