Allie


Sunday, July 8

the solo photo

Every blogger has one. You know I'm right. And I think it's important... you know, to have photos of yourself on your blog. Since it is... yours. It humanizes the content and puts a face to the words your followers are reading. Well, maybe you've noticed but a solo photo rarely happens on this hurrr beauty & the feast. So what the heck is wrong with me? No matter how hard I try, I look awkward and strange. Wah.

[for example]

nope.

freaken terrifying.

Advice? Tips? Help?

{Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!}

Friday, July 6

things i dig: accessories




one // two // three // four // 
five // six // seven // eight

I guess you can say I've gotten really into Bauble Bar lately. 
These are some things I've been lusting over. 
Materialism at its finest. Oops.


{Happy Friday Peeps!}

Thursday, July 5

tomato-basil spaghetti squash

With the help of my healthy friend Johanna, I created this new low-cal recipe... since the amount of weight I've gained from covering all of these feastly feasts is really not even funny, but I'll pretend it is to make myself feel better. Anyways, for being so healthy, it was actually really satisfying and flavorful. I've come to realize that although not a friend to whomever you're kissing, garlic is definitely your friend when it comes to cooking. It easily spices up any dish without adding the extra calories.

Plus, this dish was super easy to cook. I'd say the hardest part was cutting the squash in half. It took two knives, 30 minutes and all of my strength. Quite the task but well worth it.

Ingredients:
spaghetti squash // fresh basil // trader joe's everyday seasoning // 
cherry tomatoes // parmesan cheese // olive oil // garlic


First, cut spaghetti squash lengthwise and place face down in a glass pan. Fill pan with water so that it covers about 1/2 an inch of the squash. Cook on 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Once cooked, flip over so the "cut side" is face up and cook for 15 more minutes.


While you're waiting for the squash to cook, in a bowl mix olive oil, chopped basil, tomatoes and about four cloves of crushed garlic in a bowl. Mix until everything is coated in olive oil and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.


When the squash is finished, remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Once cool, scoop out the seeds and throw away. Then with a fork, take the squash out from its shell and put in a large bowl. Toss with tomato-basil mixture, top with parmesan cheese and serve. 



finished product! 

&& in other news... 

me and my amiga from college, rachel

{How was your Fourth?}

Tuesday, July 3

stand & deliver: a miho experience



This weekend, my favorite food truck/place to eat ever, MIHO Gastrotruck, launched a brand new product in addition to their already incredible food truck and catering business. Stand & Deliver features an adorable stand [photo above] that will aim to create high quality, delicious street food and deliver it in a way where eaters can make genuine and face-to-face connections with each other and the MIHO staff. This quintessential food cart serves hot dogs, tacos and sides [potato salad - stupid good - and macaroni salad] and as per usual, also has a homemade black bean dog in order to cater to the vegetarians. Serious nom.


This past Sunday, MIHO HOMI's from near and far gathered in Bird Park in North Park to celebrate this new project and sample the tasty treats. Along with Roast Coach, Aloha Sunday and Bottlecraft, this picnic-style afternoon was definitely one to remember. In typical MIHO-fashion, everything was beautifully branded and decorated and I especially enjoyed the "eat or be eaten" neon sign - since obviously that's my life motto [enter: the weight gain. crap]. Teepees styled by Sitting in a Tree filled the grassy area and everyone mingled like old friends, enjoying the sunshine and savory 'dogs.


{Congrats MIHO on another exciting and delicious venture! I couldn't be more excited!}

Monday, July 2

the coolest people you'll ever meet [june]

Well! June sure flew by so it's that time again... sponsor spotlight! These women I've had the pleasure of "meeting"via the blog-o-sphere certainly set the bar high for my first month of swapping. It's been too fun to work with these ladies and further explore their corners of the Internet. So without further adieu, I'd love for you to meet:



What's your favorite feast? I am obsessed with sushi and have been seen the ripe old age of 12. I've always been a bit of a seafood junkie and I think that combined with delicious sticky rice and spicy wasabi make sushi the most magical food in the world to me.
Where do you go to get inspired? When I need a little inspiration I turn off my computer and hit the road, whether it's a walk around the block or a ride in the mountains a little sun and adventure always get my creative juices flowing.
What do you want readers to know about you? I used to practice picking things up with my feet everyday. At one point I got so good I could pick up a pencil and write my name. 
beauty & the feast favorites: one // two // three


What's your favorite feast? I'm kind of an intense pizza lover. I mean who can say no to bread and cheese topped with awesomeness? Not me. Definitely not me.
What do you do to get inspired? I'm inspired by everything around me. Whether it's the blooming wildflowers, a faraway culture, or delicious food.. it's all beautiful.
What do you want your readers to know about you? I love rainbow sprinkles. And the mountains.. especially the snowy kind.
beauty & the feast favorites: one // two // three


blog // facebook // twitter

What's your favorite feast? Pickles. My mom said that when she was preggers with me she ate a jar a day. She hasn't had a pickle since the day I was born but I carry the tradition on. Love me some dill.
What do you do to get inspired? To get inspired, I read, ALOT. Everything from blogs to books, to strange websites I find myself on. I run 5 times a week and that's the best place to clear my head and when I come up with the best ideas. I also spend time with incredible people from all over the world who make up my little mountain town: they inspire me to live life to the fullest and be myself.
What do you want your readers to know about you? I'm deathly allergic to eggs. Go figure!
beauty & the feast favorites: one // two // three


What's your favorite feast? It's so hard to choose a favorite food, but I would have to say pad Thai, or just Thai food in general. I enjoy spicy food and love how Thai mixes spices with creamy sauces and fresh veggies. Yuuum! There are several great Thai places in my town, but my favorite is a place called Busara. Their fresh rolls are amazing! 
What do you want your readers to know?: While trying to find a picture of pad Thai to include with my answer, I got such a craving for it that I had to whip some up! The picture is the tofu pad Thai I made :) 
beauty & the feast favorites: one // two // three


What's your favorite feast? At the moment, frozen yogurt. I've gone through different phases of foods that I like this pregnancy but right now I love frozen yogurt. I can't get enough!
What do you do to get inspired? I like to go to my garden and just sit out there and think. It's so peaceful to water it and see everything growing and producing fruit. 
What do you want your readers to know about you? I'm about to be a mom and can't really think about anything else. 
beauty & the feast favorites: one // two // three


What's your favorite feast? I love food a LOT, so it's very hard for me to pick one favourite! But right now I would say it's juicy peaches. Peaches and yoghurt. Very simple yet so refreshing and tasty. Perfect summer food.
What do you do to get inspired? To get inspired I get out of the house and walk to the nearest forest or the nearest lake. Nature inspires me. Fresh air and beautiful landscapes make me feel happy and peaceful.
What do you want your readers to know about you? I am half French and half British. Sometimes I have bilingual dreams. My brain gets confused!
beauty & the feast favorites: one // two // three


What's your favorite feast? I may be in an affair with my tomato-strawberry salads, but it would be very unffair to tag them as "my ever favorite food". That's why I have many, like many, favorite foods. Give me an interesting recipe, ingredients which may not match together (at first sight) and strong flavors and you got me. 
What do you do to get inspired? Inspiration. Such a great word. Like imagination. And although imagination is always there for you, your little heaven in your head, inspiration may come and go. I sure get inspired by my life. Everything that I may see, read, hear, eat will unlock doors of memories and ideas in my head. And then everything seems so easy.
What do you want your readers to know about you? Apart from the fact that I am the female Goofy in real life, I (hmmm... what would you like to know now? ) laugh silently. I only make some really funny noises as I try to breath too, while laughing. Imagine that I sound like a suction machine. When I laugh, everyone laughs. At. me.
beauty & the feast favorites: one // two // three


What's your favorite feast? Right now I'm all about summer snacks - s'more, trail mix, watermelon, strawberries. Can I have four favorites?
Where do you go to get inspired? I surf the web. Right now, Pinterest is my "go to." I love reading other's blogs. I spend hours looking at other people's style, home, careers, etc.
What do you want your readers to know about you? I just rescued the world's sweetest puppy!
beauty & the feast favorites: one // two // three


{Wanna swap for July? Email me!}