Afternoon Coffee

Mom if you drink her last diet coke... a true Texas soul.

I come by a diet coke addiction genetically. Do not drink the last coke has been a mantra in the Weitzel household since I was a little girl. If mom went to that refigerator and could not find her little can of happy in a world of chaos we were ALL going to hear about it. And not much has changed in twenty years. Most of my siblings just steer clear of diet coke all together but somewhere between elementary school and high school I think I stopped drinking it because it was there and actually started liking it. By the time I got pregnant with Hunt I was drinking several a day and sadly every baby book suggested no caffeine. Ugh, really... I already feel so. fabulous. 

We won't talk about that love.ly. nine months but by the time it was over I actually didn't crave it like I used to and it did not give me that energy kick I remember. Stronger. What is stronger... and legal?

Well choking my way through my first glass and many thereafter, I discovered coffee. And what a joy it has become. It helps me get going in the morning and recharge in the afternoon. Yes you read that right afternoon.

I always wondered who was at starbucks in the afternoon growing up? Afternoon coffee is probably one of my top five tips for weight loss success. It resurges your energy level, curbs sugar cravings (mine are worst in late afternoon and evening) and even gives you a little metabolism pickup! Assuming you have drunk plenty of water during the day, it also helps to drink it before a workout for a little boost... and the cardiac nurse in me must mention it helps prevent heart disease!!!!

For you "no thanks" coffee peeps believe me, I understand how disguisting this sounds! BUT just try afternoon (black or with equal) coffee for one week and see if the scale shows the results! You have done crazier things... no?

For new coffee drinkers, Starbucks has a new blend called "blonde"; it is good. 

City Girl Secret #2- Sunless Tanner

God made me redheaded and pasty. Supposedly, that was "beautiful" but as a teen I just felt like a sheep in a herd of cattle. Texas women are supposed to be tan, with big hair and lots of make-up, right? Not really :) But you get what I am saying! When I was 14, my mom introduced me to sunless tanning creme. Even though I immediately turned streaked orange and smelled a mix of sunscreen and cheap perfume, I was hooked! Looking back I was not fooling anybody, but in my head I had finally joined the club. Unfortunately for my poor friends and family, I stayed in this smelly, streaky, orange state until my late teens. Randomly, my senior year of high school I started tanning for real and my angel kisses (freckles) disappeared... I didn't question it, I just reveled in my new bronze color and layed out whenever I could! Well, thank goodness I have the pictures to prove it because about a year or two ago the glory days ended. I am back looking like my old teenage Scandinavian self- white, freckled and staring skin cancer in the face if I try to fight it. But after an 8 or 9 year hiatus, I was thrilled to find ... there are some really amazing sunless tanners that actually turn you TAN!

My mommy lola always says, "A good tan is the quickest way to lose 10 pounds!"

Sign me up, right?!?!... here are my faves:

1. My all time fave- airbrush tanning that a stylist actually hand sprays on you with something resembling a gardening hose! Beautiful, perfectly tailored and even. A yummy splurge for a big event or a confidence boost during one of those yucky weeks.
Works: Immediately! But can't shower for 8-10 hours
Cost: $30-75 depending on retailer (*tip- the people you find on Internet or yellow pages will be cheaper than ones you find at department store or spa)
Lasts: 1-2 weeks
Con: Have to have an appt and takes about 30-45 minutes start to finish. You will get addicted!

2. Versa Spa- the updated "Mystic Tan" (at most larger tanning salons). Looks very natural, not streaky. Only takes 5 minutes if there is no wait at the tanning salon. A great cheaper alternative!
Works: If you choose the (more expensive) bronzer solution it activates within four hours but this can rub off and ruin your clothes. The clear solution that I have gotten activates in about 12-16 hours, but you can shower after 6.
Cost: $10-20 depending on the shade you choose (the bronzer solution is $20-30- unless you are on a time crunch I would rather pay the extra $ and get an airbrush)
Lasts: 1-2 weeks
Con: Only you will able to tell, but it is not quite as even. Not good for a pool party, comes off in chlorinated water. Also, make sure you wipe down your palms and nails so it does not turn them orange.

3. Jergens Natural Glow- A cheap, great alternative if you have a lot of time. Skin gets super soft and smells good.
Works: Over 2-4 weeks with regular application. Also, a great way to extend a spray tan.
Cost: $6 tube for body lotion, $10 for face lotion
Lasts: Hard to say for sure, maybe a few days once you have reached the color you want if you do not continue application.
Con: Takes dedication (daily application) to reach the color you want, but easy to maintain once you get there. MUST wash hands after application or your knuckles and palms will color orange.

There are so many products on the market, it is a little overwhelming to try and figure out what actually works without having to pay the price of walking around like an "umpa lumpa". This is only what I have tried with success.

Will you tell me what you know?

The Potato Diaries

If you think back to my first post ever {We're in Texas... Let's Talk Beef...} you might remember my ongoing potato conflict. I actually got used to the beef before I could ever get used to all the potatoes in this country club cowgirl life. But a few months ago we started entertaining a little more and I was on the quest to find some new semi-healthy, cheap options to serve. WA-la... I discovered the super easy, yummy, cheap ($3/5lb bag), semi-healthy BAKED potato and (company or not) Clay and I have both been on the potato train ever since. I never thought I would say that... in fact the potato might as well have been called 'cheesecake' in the Weitzel house growing up- off limits. This is a big deal!

Baked Potato

1. Buy your potatoes at store (new, red, Idaho, u-daho... whatever)
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
3. Scrub under cold water
4. Dry
5. Puncture with fork or knife 3-4 times per side (so you have a puncture at least every few inches)
6. Rub outside with quarter-ish size drop olive oil and salt to taste (I use sea salt because it is more coarse and hard to over salt things)
7. Place in open Pyrex or tray with lip for 1-2 hours depending on size of potatoes (they can be touching)
8. After about an hour squeeze to see if soft, continue to cook until able to squeeze between fingers easily

Best part of this recipe is it is very hard to overcook these because the olive oil keeps them from drying out but they are not oily either, love that! Also, don't judge me, but they usually keep in the fridge for 4 or even 5 days (after that they start to get a little soggy).

Now that you know how to make them, here are some interesting facts about potatoes... click here.

Now, if you douse yours in sour cream and bacon there's no getting around it- not healthy. But a few toppings I love are: cottage cheese & salsa, feta & veggies, Laughing Cow 35 cal Swiss with salt/ pepper, marg & mozzarella, mozzarella/ basil & tomatoes... and of course every once and while... sour cream and the works. Let me know if you know any other potato ideas. I am all for trying them!

Whose bed have your boots been under?

My sweet Molly chewing on one of my favs- thanks!

Love, love, love Shania Twain... I have got to add her to my playlist... "and who's heart did you steal I wonder, this time it feels like thunder baby, and who did you run to..." But sadly she is actually not on my mind right now- just the song BECAUSE I have had boots on my mind! I love my family, my dogs, my pictures- they are precious to me!

But in a fire, assuming the before-mentioned things are safe- I am going for my one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable BOOTS!

To some this may sound silly, but to me they are defining- as defining as my red hair. City/ country, single/ married, skinny/ over-weight, wealthy/ poor, casual/ the country club/ many, many parties/ my debutante balls/ the bar/ the ranch- my boots have been with me and are irreplaceable. And even more than that, they are actually irreplaceable because they ARE (often old) and USED.

Every pair of boots I have purchased since I can remember is used, has their own story, history, long before I ever placed them on my feet.

I like to make up stories in my head about who might have worn them- cowboys, movie stars, politicians- highly unlikely at a cost of less than $30, but a girl can dream. Nonetheless, I hold them close to my heart. At any given time I have owned as many as 25 pairs or as few as 5 picked from various flea markets (Canton's First Monday is my favorite), eBay, antique stores, vintage clothes stores, goodwill... you would never believe the cool boots you can find! I have given them as gifts, shared with my mom and sister and traded with friends. I actually went to a true boot outfitter recently with Clay at his urging to see if I would like to get something- heck NO! I am totally spoiled... basic Justin or Ariat boots are nice but there is no creativity to their look, nothing vintage, nothing unique- all the boots that I even kinda liked were over $300! Maybe someday I will buckle down and get something when the teasing gets to be too much, but until then my charge to you- don't settle! Take pride in your boots, enjoy the hunt, have something re-soled, get the leather treated if it's amazing. But most of all don't pay $200 for average boots. Your clothes will show their age at some point, random jewelry can get boring, average shoes will go out of style/ fall apart, but boots get more comfortable with age and even when they do they tell your own little story.

I still have the boots I got engaged in, debuted in, sported all through college, play at the ranch in, and have my first boots as a toddler...

maybe it's an ode to my mother and our special 'boot hunts' or my fierce love for my state and everything it represents or a foreshadowing my life to come. But no matter, next time you see a really cool pair of vintage boots I hope you will stop and take a closer look.

Recipe for the Perfect Oscars Party

Last Sunday I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time with girlfriends watching the oscars... sweats, pizza, popcorn, a few drinks- the best kind of girls night! It never occured to me until the party was over that that here in West Texas nobody usually celebrates the Oscars... it must be a big city thing. Thinking back to all the amazing parties we have had over the years to comemorate the end of the award season, I can't help but feel it is my duty as the country club cowgirl to share my recipe for the perfect Oscar party. Here it goes-

Oscars Party

• Print one oscar ballot per guest before party(many websites have them- just google)
• Have guests come a few minutes before the start to watch red carpet and vote on each catagory
• Prize to winner of most correct (something like movie tickets or bottle of champagne)

These are the skeleton componets of party... you can get as fancy or as simple as you like. Some cute ideas from over the years include: sending out movie ticket shaped invites, attire: wear your formal wear or dress as your favorite movie star, prize to best dressed, ice breaker: label people as different celebrities on their back as they come in (have them ask questions to fellow guests about who they are until they figure it out), place red carpet from sidewalk to front door of your house, have old hollywood themed party. You can do so many easy things.

Click here to see a cute example of a fancy oscars party.

Next year try your own and if you have any new cute ideas, I would love to hear! Happy planning!

City Girl Secret #1- Wedding Blogs

It is not uncommon for a friend to stop by or call only to find me buzzing about yet another wedding blog. The conversation that follows usually goes something like this:

...how long ago was it that you got married? ...3 years this summer

oh... ahhh, who's getting married? ...no one

then why are you looking at that? you must really like weddings...

Well, yes. I do. The day of our nuptials was dream-like, probably even my favorite day ever and I love sharing others special days too. If I had ANY decision-making skills I may have even considered planning myself. BUT, the reason I look at wedding blogs is inspiration! Wedding blogs are the best FREE design resource for... flowers, fashion, table arranginging, decorating, gifts, it goes on and on... weddings are detailed, well documented, span all budgets and mostly importantly- are filled with tons of DIY ideas.

City Girl Secret: You do not need a design team to stay in vogue... just master the art of copying from great design sources. Check out my favorites on my 'to inspire & encourage' links... if you know of any others, let me know, I am always trying to find new ones!

On a different note, for any anthropologie lovers like me, they just started a new wedding line BHLDN- absolutely beautiful, check it out!

Imitation is the highest form of flattery.

-Coco Chanel