Peanut butter + bananas + coffee = pure genius

It was shortly after I got back to my apartment after the long holidays, that I went a little bake crazy. Maybe it was my new Kitchen Aid Mixer, Maybe it was that I missed being able to cook for myself (even though my mom's food is WAY better than anything I could make, it's still nice to feel "independent). Whatever it as, I went crazy. I made muffins, meatballs, chilli, and a pasta dish. All in one weekend. Oh, and I also made this most amazing peanut butter banana bread with a coffee glaze, which I came across on one of many wonderful blogs I follow.

I love peanut butter. I love bananas. I'm clearly obsessed with coffee. This bread was a match made in heaven, and made especially for me. I didn't have a bread loaf pan, but it worked perfectly fine in a circle cake pan. I also adapted it just slightly and used smooth peanut butter (I'm not a fan of crunchy).

This bread freezes well too - I cut it into slices and just pulled out a piece when I wanted it, and popped it into the microwave until slightly warm. Amazing!

So, if you're looking for a delicious, easy bread to make, I highly recommend Nikki's recipe. Chances are if you're an avid baker like me, you probably have most of the ingredients already in your kitchen. So get baking!

Olympic Moments Part One

I'm a huge Olympic nerd. I love it - the competition, the stories, the pride for your country. Learning about Olympians from your hometown/State (this year there are SO many Michganders competing for team USA, and many more Olympians from other countries who train in Michigan (Team Italy and Team Canada's pair ice dancers all skate in Michigan, to name a few). 

It's only day two, and I already have a few favorite moments. All images/links came directly from the NBC Olympic site. I'm counting down the minutes until men's hockey starts up; I am wishing for a USA/Team Sweden showdown. My  DVR is already geared up so I don't miss any big moments while I'm at the office and I cannot wait to see what special moments happen. What have been some of your favorite moments so far? 

• I absolutely loved the team ice skating event. It was so fun to watch, and the Russian performances were just flawless. Team USA was fantastic as well.
• Meryl Davis and Charlie White, anyone? Their performances have been amazing in the team ice skating, (plus shout out to the fact that they're fellow UMichers and grew up very close to my hometown). If you haven't watched any of their performances, here it is from the first round.

I don't know who this is, to be honest, but the photo is just unreal.

I'm so happy Team USA won bronze; this Russian team was amazing, as well.

Currently Lusting: Gold Watches

I tend to wear the same jewelry pieces/accessories repeatedly. Same diamond studs from college graduation, same Calladagh ring from Ireland, an "A" necklace, and maybe a bracelet or a bangle of some sort. I love buying jewelry and trying new pieces, but at the end of the day I'm a routine person. I've just learned to accept it, but at the same time pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Whether that's what I'm wearing, trying a new food, visiting somewhere new, or doing something new at work.

I used to wear a really old Swatch watch that I got when I was living in Madrid (but I definitely saw it in a U.S. store 3 years later), and I wore it to its death. Now, it's been a few years and I still haven't purchased a new watch, which is quite problem when you're running around the office from meeting to meeting, and have no idea what time it is or if you're late or early. Needless to say, I'm in the market for a new watch, and I think I want something gold, chunky, and slightly more girlie.

I love this Kate Spade one

Every time I go into the mall and walk past the watches, I always want to buy every single Michael Kors watch. Every.Single.One (well, gold ones). I'm hoping sometime in the near future, I can invest in one of these. A few of my favorites:

What are some of your favorite accessories? Do you have a "standard" piece that everyone associates with you?

This Week

February is always a "blah" month. It's after the holidays, it's cold. It's dreary, and you can't wait for Spring and warm weather and to be outside again without a hundred layers. Despite the blah weather, still was able to enjoy the week. Including:

• Going to my first ever Washington Capitals Game. They sadly lost, but it was so much fun to be there. I can't wait to go to more games.
• Geeking out that Olympics have officially started (and watching pairs ice dancing as I write this). I know there is so much political drama surrounding Sochi this year, but for me, you have to set that aside and be amazed by the skill of our athletes and support them. I just can't get enough and will watch hours upon hours of coverage. I'm sure I'll be tweeting a lot over the next few weeks! 

• Enjoyed "watching" the Superbowl and following along on Twitter. Some of my favorite ads were the Cheerios one (above) and Chrysler. Chrysler's Detroit Ads get me every.time.
• Made my my Mom's amazing chicken wings for the SuperBowl that taste just like what you'd get in a restaurant. Bonus: SO EASY.

• Finished a great book, Transatlantic  by Colum McCann (review to come soon when I recap my recent reads).
• Thinking of buying this perfectly priced bar car for my apartment.
• Listening to this song on repeat - it reminds me of summer.
• A little late to the game, but I absolutely love this home tour of a DC apartment, and she has a great story, too.
• Loving the patriotic drinks and snacks you can find around the District. I will be going to get an Astro Doughnut next week!

What have you been reading and doing this past week?

World's best cheeseball

I have a major weakness for cheese. I could eat all kinds, any day of the week (except blue cheese, but otherwise I love it!) So, it really shouldn't be much of a surprise that one of my most favorite things that my Mom makes for almost all holidays, is a cheeseball. The worlds most glorious cheeseball that I can remember eating probably when I was 5 or 6, at my grandfather's house - and it's been at all my mom's family gatherings since she was a little girl.. My great-aunt would make it, and man is it amazing. At Christmas Eve's, my cousin and I tend to park ourselves right in front of that cheeseball, and can't stop eating it until someone forces us to "leave some for the others" (granted, there are 50 people in my family, so that's fair)! 

In preparation for the Superbowl next week, and for going over to a friend's house for a little "Bachelor Wedding dinner party" (yup, I went there). I whipped up a batch of this cheeseball. Warning - it is fabulous and you won't be able to stop eating it. Just don't read the calorie count on the ingredients :) Also, don't let the grocery store employees tell you that old English cheddar is the same thing as cheez-whiz - it is NOT! 

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 jar Kraft™ Old English Cheese Spread, room temperature
• 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together using an electric mixer until smooth and well blended. Chill 3-4 hours. Divide into thirds and roll into balls. Roll in chopped walnuts.