Anyone home?

Helloooo??! *taps computer screen three times* is anyone in there?!

Wow. So it's been a while huh?

I seem to go through these little spells every few months... and this has had me thinking for the past few weeks.
While I certainly needed a break, I didn't think it was going to be for that long!

Anyway, what is it that I have been thinking about?
Well, it's the big 'C' word.............. Change.
That's right folks.... change can be a good thing ya know!

While I have many passionate interests such as fashion and art, I believe that maybe focusing on one or having a generalized theme of the blog will be a smoother way to blogging success for me. I know the main chunk so far for LaLaLovely has been my recipes and cooking, but I have all that jumble that I throw into the mix. And while it sparks an interest with my own brain, I understand that the cooking and recipes don't necessarily coincide with the art and fashion. At least the way that I have been doing it in the past it  hasn't.

So as the new year came upon me, I said to myself: "Self! 2011 will be a year of change and big things."... and so be it!

My goal is to transform LaLaLovely into my own personal Cooking Blog.
Follow me on my journey into BAKING (something I don't do often), my own culinary masterpieces.... or disasters! And last but not least cocktails and wine - I am very passionate about wine and certain cocktails and I would love to be able to share any knowledge that I have with you about this subject.
OH, and I'm sure Miah (Mee-ah.. my kitty cat) will pop up here and there to say hi too!

I would love to redesign the entire site to fit my own needs for this new transformation.... so I may be doing this on my own or seeking someone who may be able to help.

AND.... possibly taking suggestions to either change the name 'LaLaLovely' or to keep it... or incorporate it in a different title! I'm open to ideas!

And as I have mentioned before... bare with me through the mess!

Stay Tuned (Mid Feb. 2011 or Early March 2011!)

XO Laura

BLAh

I have been slacking at blogging... I know!
This month has been crazy.
But I'm out of school, have a new job, and trying to settle into living back here.

I'll be back soon... but for now I must take a break.. especially for this weekend.
See you the first or second week of the new year! Be safe, Be Happy and Have fun!

xo Laura

Another Year Older

Hello!
So it's been a bit since I have posted.... Between the holidays, moving home, cooking... AND my birthday!! its been rough to keep up with things on the regular.

Anywho today is my birthday!! :-D

I will be celebrating at a lovely Neapolitan Pizza place with my gals! I can't wait!

 

I have plans for a few recipes coming up! I may  not get to them until next week.. but I  hope you can bear with me!!

xo Laura

Weekly Agenda

So I have a strong feeling that this week is going to be jam packed. So I must use my time wisely. (Here I am at 1am typing a blog post, who am I kidding I'm never going to wake up.) Ugh but despite this fact, I must force myself.

I just moved back home from a semester at school. I hate moving. It's a pain. But it's necessary in life.
I feel like my entire world is turned upside down and nothing is in order! So with that, I thought I'd make a little agenda for myself for the week.. through pictures:

Make Cinnamon Spice Angel Cookies: 

(This is bound to make everything alright, right?)

Grocery shop for Christmas meal:

Study menu for new job:

Start crocheting gifts: (I know it's a little late to be starting this but I can bust 'em out!)

 

Prep any food for Saturday ahead of time:

Dye Hair:

 

I know I have a few more things to get done.... it's all a jumble. But I'm hoping after the week things start falling in place! I hope to share some pics of the things I accomplish this week and of course recipes!

xo Laura

Guest Post for J

Happy weekend!

Go check out my guest post over at Just Call Me J!

 

xo Laura

phone post

Greetings! how crazzyy is it that Christmas is next week?! i still can't believe it. But just wanted to do a quick post... I'm all done for the semester! Yayyyy.
im also blogging from my phone... its weird! haha
Anyways I have a guest post coming up on a friends blog! I cant wait to share it with you all :) its a holiday tradition of mine!

Stay warm!
Xo Laura

Apple Honey BBQ Sauce

Hello Loves!

Here is a quick recipe I got from one of my dear friends. 

beware vegetarians.. this isn't for you! sorryy!!!.. well the sauce could be!

Stew's Pulled Chicken with Apple Honey BBQ Sauce

Here is the Pulled Chicken Recipe to go along with the sauce:

 *(adjust if you want more or less)*

5lbs of Chicken Breast

3 12oz Dark Beer such as a Stout

3/4 bag brown sugar

4oz Molassas

Add ingredients to a crock pot or dutch oven. 

Cook for a few hours.

Shred chicken with two forks.

Remove juices and keep about 2 cups on reserve

 Add desired amount of Stew's Sauce and 1 cup of the reserved juices.

*the chicken will soak up alot of the juices so add remaining and shred once more.

Cook in the pot 4 - 5 hours on high or until done.

Serve with Rice or on rolls to make Pulled Chicken Sammies! 
*This sauce tends to be on the sweet side... so if you wish, adjust and taste as you go.

You bet that you can use this sauce for any kind of BBQ you can imagine and you could substitute the chicken with beef or even pork.

Enjoy!

xo Laura

ugh finalssssss

This week is finalsss! Then I'm done school!... and on to the real world.. yikes.

I have been super busy trying to get things done. But I promise things will be up and roarin' around here once I am all done and settled.

I'm also moving out of my apartment. *sigghhhh* moving is a pain. I feel like I've done it so much this past year. 

But anywaysss I will be back tomorrow with a short and sweet post.

 

^ Basically what I've been doing ;)

xo Laura

Veggie Numz

It's been a pretty relaxing day for me.It's been SNOWING where I live and as much as I dreaded it and said I didn't want it to come... I secretly have been enjoying it all day! shh don't tell anyone though.

I have two paintings that I have to finish really soon and I can't wait until they are complete!
I took painting this semester and thought I'd hate it, but of course I love it now. I've been stressing myself out over this last project..but I think it's because I'm trying to hard. I just need to step back and breathe I think.

So speaking about my paintings, I've had this weird thing where I'm slightly scared to share my art on here... so mayyyybe I will get brave and post a section about it soon.. eeeek!

At last, I do want to share with you my delicious dinner for the night. I ordered Pad Thai. I know I should have made it myself...but the combination of the snow, the music I've been playing, and my relaxation mode just told me to indulge. And there is nothing wrong with a little food indulgence for the soul :)

 

It was Vegetarian Pad Chili with mixed vegetables & tofu. I know that may sound gross to some.. and believe me I never thought i'd see the day where i'd order tofu! But it was lightly pan fried on each side and is actually reallyyy tasty!

I've attached my own recipe for a Vegetarian Thai Stir Fry... not exactly Pad Thai.. but either way it's SO good and I always enjoy making this. I hope you enjoy it too and maybe it will be a nice break from meat! ;)

     Veggie Thai Stir-fry with Rice

• 1 medium-size carrot, sliced
• 1-2 cups baby bok choy,
• 1 red pepper, cut into bite-size pieces
• 5-6 shiitake mushrooms, sliced, or left in halves or quarters
• 3 shallots, cut in thirds
• 1 small head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1/4 cup snow peas 
• 1 small zucchini, sliced 
• 1 thumb-size piece of or ginger sliced thinly (matchstick-like pieces)
• 3 Tbsp. white wine
• optional: handful dry-roasted unsalted cashews
• optional: 2 cakes of hard tofu  
• STIR-FRY SAUCE:
• 1/3 cup good-tasting stock (vegetarian or chicken stock)
• 2.5 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. lime juice
• 5-7 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• 2 tsp. corn starch dissolved in 4 Tbsp of water. (this is to thicken) or melt 1 TBS of butter mix 1 – 2 tbs of rice flour(or regular flour) to make a roux and add to sauce
• 1 red chili, minced, OR 1 tsp. chili sauce, OR 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1. Start by making the stir-fry sauce. Place all ingredients - except garlic and cornstarch or flour mix- in a sauce pan over medium-high heat.

2. When sauce begins to bubble, reduce heat to medium-low. Now add the minced garlic and cornstarch (dissolved in water) or flour mix. Stir until the sauce thickens slightly - about 30 seconds to 1 minute. TASTE and adjust to your liking… more sugar, more spice.. or even add lime juice for a ZING

3. Take two cakes of hard tofu, and cut them in quarters, and keep cutting until you get bite sized pieces. Place a little peanut or coconut oil in a hot pan and stir fry the tofu pieces until they turn golden brown. Set aside.

*in the meantime cook rice as directed!

4. Next sauté carrots, ginger, and mushrooms for a few minuted. De-glaze pan with a little wine.

5. Add the remaining veggies and the sauce. Cook until tender. Add cashews now and tofu if using!

ENJOY!!

xo  Laura

La La Laaaa

Just wanted to do a little post to show off my new blog button!


<a href="http://lalalovely-lmb.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae219/scenicglory/designs%20for%20my%20lovely%20friends/lalalovely.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>

and grab one if you wish! I'll gladly return the favor just let me know ;)

It was made by Lindsay from Scenic Glory!
I think she did a fabulous job - Thanks again Lindsay!

On another note, a few weeks ago I changed my entire blog design and I am still kind of working on getting it just right. I'm doing it all myself and I am clearly nowhere near a professional so it's going to take me a little while! So if things look a little off for a while, excuse the mess! Thanks a bunch!

xo Laura