Tampons.

I just started my period and I have no tampons on me. I used to be able to ask the one other female here if she had a tampon I could have, but she left and now I work with all dudes. Eff. I guess I'll go out and get some when I go downtown to pay for my tag renewal. Which is another thing that bothers me. Every year, Georgia residents must pay their license renewal on or before their birthday. What the fuck kind of birthday present is that? Happy Birthday! You owe Georgia $200! Fuck you, Georgia.

I had a really great night last night. I went over to 1201am's for dinner and a walk. She made us tabouleh, Lebanese cauliflower and cornmeal battered tilapia filets. It was delicious! Then we went for a brisk walk on the Beltline Path. We turned around sooner than we would have because the clouds started looking ominous and we saw some lightning.

T-minus 2 days until I'm on vacation! Can't wait to come home!

My Milk Toof

One of the cutest things...EVER


My Milk Toof

I'm not 32 just yet...

BUT my birthday luau was a success!
I think people really enjoyed the food - especially the salsas, or at least that's what they said.
Thanks to all my Atlanta family that came out.
I had a great unbirthday!

Sublime

The Uniform Project

Watch this. Amazing. Truly Amazing. This is the art of how to dress yourself:

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

Best Commercial. EVER.

Lola's Birthday Luau

Dessert: Store bought Key Lime Pie. Dude. I can't do it all.

Lola's Birthday Luau

Salad:  Arugula, Watermelon and Feta Salad

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1/4 cup minced shallots (1 large)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup good olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 cups baby arugula, washed and spun dry
• 1/8th seedless watermelon, rind removed, and cut in 1-inch cubes
• 12 ounces good feta cheese, 1/2-inch diced
• 1 cup (4 ounces) whole fresh mint leaves, julienned

Directions

Whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, shallots, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking constantly, to form an emulsion. If not using within an hour, store the vinaigrette covered in the refrigerator.

Place the arugula, watermelon, feta, and mint in a large bowl. Drizzle with enough vinaigrette to coat the greens lightly and toss well. Taste for seasonings and serve immediately.

Lola's Birthday Luau

Main Dish:  Tilapia Fish Tacos with Arugula

Ingredients

Filling:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 3 tilapia fillets (about 8 ounces total), cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 avocado, halved, pitted and flesh cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 mango, peeled and flesh cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3 green onions, finely chopped
• 3 cups coarsely chopped baby arugula

Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
• Kosher salt

Creme fraiche:

• 1/2 cup creme fraiche
• 1 tablespoon wasabi powder*
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

*Can be found in Asian markets

For the filling: In a large, nonstick skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Drizzle the tilapia fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange the fish in a single layer in the pan and cook until the flesh is flaky and cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Set aside to cool slightly.

For the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the lime juice. Season with salt, to taste. Add the avocado, mango, green onions, and arugula. Toss until all the ingredients are coated.

For the creme fraiche: In a small bowl, mix together the creme fraiche, wasabi powder and salt until smooth.

Lola's Birthday Luau

Main Dish:  Seared Scallops with Pineapple-Cucumber Salsa

Ingredients

• 1 cup peeled and diced cucumber
• 1 cup diced canned pineapple, drained
• 3 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
• 2 pounds sea scallops
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

In a bowl, combine the cucumber, pineapple, cilantro, red onion, lime juice, lime zest, jalapeno, salt, and hot sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.

Rinse the scallops and pat them dry. Season them with salt and pepper, to taste.

Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the scallops, without moving them in the pan until golden, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Arrange on serving plates and serve with a generous topping of salsa.

Lola's Birthday Luau

Appetizer: Sweet & Spicy Chicken Drumettes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sweet Marsala wine
• 1/4 packed cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 pounds chicken drumettes
• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• Kosher salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground arrowroot powder or 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, Marsala wine, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, chili powder, and red pepper flakes until the sugar is dissolved. Put the chicken drumettes in a 1-gallon size, resealable plastic bag. Add the pineapple liquid to the chicken and seal removing as much air as possible from the bag. Marinate the chicken for 3 hours in the refrigerator.

Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it liberally with vegetable cooking spray.

Remove the chicken from the marinade and arrange in a single layer on the prepared pan. Season the chicken with salt, to taste, and bake until the skin is caramelized and very dark in spots, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the marinade into a small saucepan. Whisk in the arrowroot or cornstarch, if using, and bring to a boil over medium heat (in order to kill bacteria). Reduce the heat to a low boil and cook until thick, about 5 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.

Using a pastry brush, brush some of the cooked marinade over the chicken or pour it into a small bowl and serve on the side. Arrange the chicken on a platter, sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve.

Lola's Birthday Luau

I'm throwing myself a birthday luau/pool party on June 19. Here's the menu:

Drinks: Aloha LA 

Ingredients

• 1 ripe pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes (to yield about 3 cups)
• 1 1/4 cups light rum
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 to 3 large limes)
• 2 cups ice
• 1 (1 liter) bottle ginger ale

Directions

Garnish: 2 limes, cut into wedges

Special equipment: a 60-ounce pitcher

In a blender, combine the pineapple, rum, agave nectar, and lime juice. Blend until the pineapple is almost pureed. Pour the pineapple mixture into a large pitcher. Add the ice and stir. Slowly pour in the ginger ale.

Pour the cocktail into glasses and garnish with lime wedges.

LOVE

Mama C had a beautiful baby boy last night. I am so happy for her and her family!

Get ready little Spicy Chicken (that is my nickname for him)! Lola is going to spoil you rotten!

OWH

The parents, my besties, haven't told everyone yet, so its not my place to give details, but I will say a little love was brought into the world today! Details to come!

FREEDOM

Over the weekend I finally hit Aurum. It was 80s night and all of us were mesmerized by videos from our youth. Still love this one:

Oh baby!

Mama C is having a baby, ya'll! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I made the decision long ago not to have children, but it doesn't mean I dislike kids. I'm so excited for my bestie and can't wait to meet the little one. Most of my friends having babies these days live far away, so I'm super stoked to spoil a little baby in the A!

In other big news, my reservation for a free Spicy Chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A is today! I don't know that it will beat the Wendy's Spicy Chicken sandwich - but we'll see.

In still other huge news, I'm going to Bliss today! Hello steam shower with eucalyptus!

Today is a great day!