She Likes Purple

Quick link to a guest post elsewhere

I never told you about or linked to a guest post I did for Janssen at Everyday Reading last month. She has a Whirlwind Weekend travel series (that I love), and I wrote one about Fort Worth, my closest big city. 

I know, Fort Worth isn't Boston or Chicago or San Francisco, but I really do love it. So, if you're looking for an off-the-beaten path weekend away or you have to be in Fort Worth and you're at a total loss as to what to do, I hope some of my suggestions help. 

Thanks for having me, Janssen!

Elsewhere: The Frog & Snail Society

I'm over at the lovely Frog & Snail Society today, chatting about my favorite kid's book (the same book I've already chatted about here, even; it's that good!).

Head over and read my write-up and add the boy-celebrating site to your feed readers. Because boys are pretty ridiculously awesome as every single mom of a boy knows.

Elsewhere: Surviving a Long Road Trip

I never really talked about logisitically mastering a road trip with a toddler (and a dog) even though I shared details from our family roadtrip trip here and here. Well, I actually did share a few secrets just somewhere else entirely. (Sneaky!)

Head over to the North Hills Hospital blog for some of my secrets.

That part about scrambling to find a hotel in the dead of night? Yeah. That happened. To us.

 

 

Me, Elsewhere

1. I shared the tastiest dessert I'm enjoying these days (and, yes, it's a wee bit trashy) over at Food Lush.

2. I'm waffling between sandals to wear this summer. (What say you?)

3. Some travel-related posts: Old Town in San Diego, dine at Island Prime, think Fort Worth for your next vacation (no, really!), how to travel cheaper, and our really fabulous Chicago hotel.

4. Finally, I re-capped the pre-finale episode of The Vampire Diaries (through a top-ten list).

***

(What have you been writing?)

Me, Elsewhere

Hiya. How has your week been? Highs? Lows?

So, what I have been up to when it comes to writing around the web? Glad you asked!

1. If you've been reading long enough, you know Kyle is The Boy of a Thousand Co-Pays (only a slight exaggeration). Silver lining to all that: I did actually learn a thing or two after all those viruses and fevers. What I learned and how to handle a sick baby over at North Hills Hospital blog.

2. My new favorite salsa at Food Lush (a Fort Worth company, too).

3. A really great Italian restaurant find in Dallas. So delicious and so cheap.

4. At Style Lush, I encourage you to love what you wear.

5. My travel-related posts: My five favorite hotels in Vegas (for walking through); my love for Wrigleyville and the Cubs; my plans to run the Rock N Roll half-marathon in Vegas for my upcoming 30th birthday; the best meal we had in Chicago: Tango Sur; and a few must-eats on the island of St. John. (Comment on all, please!)

6. My first post is up at C-Squared's new blog.

Happy weekend to you!

Me, Elsewhere

Phew, catching up this week has been intense.

Anyway, in case you care what I've been up to around the internet lately, here are some (fine, a lot of) links for you:

- I have a new post over at the North Hills Hospital blog that I write for once a month: When Your Toddler is a Picky Eater. (Also, this is a great post on Picking the Perfect Pediatrician, over at the same site).

- I'm now writing a few travel-related posts for a few different sites that have branched off of vacations.com. I'm enjoying travel writing a lot, mostly beacuse it's a passion of mine that's always felt a little out of place here. (Although, fyi, I have sort of organized some travel and tips into a cool new feature on this site that I've been meaning to tell you about: What To Do In...)

Anyway, my travel posts this week:

Dine at Nine Fine Irishmen on Your Next Vegas Vacation (best meal of my life)

Consider The Standard Hotel When You Visit Miami (candelight yoga!)

Pack Your Hiking Shoes When Traveling to St. John (tips from my four-year-old-but-still-lovely honeymoon!)

Get off the Las Vegas Strip and Explore the Valley of Fire (one of the most beautiful places in/around Vegas, swear it)

A Cupcake Tour of NYC! (My top pick is Butter Lane, but try 'em all, I won't judge)

- Oh, I'm helping Cherie with her company's social media and editorial content from time to time, so would you do me a great, big favor and "like" her company on Facebook and follow @csquaredassc on Twitter (and then hire her to whip up a fantastic blog/site design for you!)

- I really, really, really want this print.

- Where I wax poetic about Google Calendar (that's actually possible, who knew!?)

- I like organized activities, this might not surprise you if you actually had access to my aforementioned Google Calendar, but I do think if you want to see your friends more, you should organize a club. (Book, wine, whatever!)

- Speaking of organizing, I want to throw a block party and asked for advice on how to do just that. So far, since then, I've read the comments a few times and ... that's it. I'm crippled by the law and anxiety.

- I asked for Droid photo apps since I don't have an iPhone and can't use Instagram and this makes me uber-sad.

- Over at Food Lush I asked for you to share the best steak you've ever had, inspired by D Magazine's list of Dallas' 20 Best Steakhouses. 

- I made dark chocolate and orange scones and they were DELICIOUS.

- Mike is obssessed with a new burger joint (well, new to us).

- A few weeks ago I had a Baking Party at my house (right before Kyle got a killer fever and puked all over the couch!) and made these AMAZING strawberry and mascarpone-filled cupcakes. You should make them too and then eat four in one sitting so we can be twins.

- What's your favorite dish with saffron?

- I write often enough for my work blog, too, and you should definitely add it to your feed readers, but, more specifically, do you like Friday Night Lights? Because if you do, pleeeeeeeease join us while we live-tweet the final season every Friday night (just follow @smartpopbooks and tune in to Twitter during 8 p.m. EST for the fun). We aren't spoilerific, we promise, and we talk a lot about Tim Riggins and Texas and, that's fun, right? Join us, would you!?

PHEW, that's a lot of links. Round of applause for you for making it to the end!

Me, Elsewhere

Lately, elsewhere, I've talked about:

1. I own cowboy boots but WHAT to wear with them? Help a (challenged) Texan out?

2. I really want this clock, and this blouse. (Apparently I'm a wanter lately.)

3. Here are just a couple of my running essentials: cheap clothes, expensive shoes, and good music.

4. A reader asked what to pack/wear in Vegas, and I was happy to oblige.

5. My friend put together this toddler-approved, colorful snack. (Kyle needs her as a mom!)

6. I was drooling over these appetizer plates from Crate & Barrel and then A'Dell BLEW ME AWAY and sent them to me. I have good friends.

7. I asked for blender help, too, since it took me like AN HOUR to blend a salsa recently.

8. My new favorite cookbook! (I made these turkey meatloaf burgers just last night, and they were tasty tasty tasty.) I'm Rachael Ray's biggest fan. This makes you like me less, doesn't it?

Me, Elsewhere

1. Two new Martha & Me posts to update you on: one, a pretty new nail color and also some handmade cards I made with a random cork I found in my kitchen.

2. At Food Lush, I share my very favorite granola bars. These bad boys are from Target, which makes them easy for you to get your hands on unless you live in Vermont or Alaska.

3. Since I've been going meatless since early January, I thought I'd share a handful of delicious vegetarian recipes I've made over the last couple months.

4. I also guest posted over at Conscientious Confusion last week. I kind of cheated because I posted something I wrote on She Likes Purple more than a year ago. Still, a post I love titled "More Than You."

5. Finally, I'll be writing once a month on a local hospital blog about mom-related things. My first post is up about how to make it through those first newborn months without dying of exhaustion.

Happy weekend!

Me, Elsewhere

Inspired by Janet, I kicked off my Martha & Me series on Style Lush this week. I made lemon salt scrub and packaged it up as gifts for some friends. Homemade can be easy. This is a new concept for me!

It was wedding week last week on SL. I posted a really pretty engagement ring from Etsy and colorful shoes for the bolder brides out there.

At Food Lush, I rounded up cupcake stands, which Mike would say is the most ridiculous purchase ever but Mike is the kind of man who thinks you can never have too many power cords, so what does he know.

Also, the Very Best Hummus Ever. (Come to Texas and try it for yourself.)

Finally, there's a giveaway up at Food Lush for a wine bag made specifically for our readers. I love it but can't win it, so go go go comment and enjoy it for yourself!

Me, Elsewhere

I sort of like rounding up my elsewhere posts every few weeks here. If you sort of don't, feel free to skip on to the next post. No hurt feelings here!

- I'm SUPER excited about this Martha & Me magazine inspiration project I'm tackling (starting soon), thanks to Janet.

- Did you know I like purple things? It's true! Here's a purple round-up.

- Take a peek at these pretty tumblers I bought for my kitchen.

- These applesauce oat muffins are DELICIOUS and not-so bad for you.