iPhone Pic Love

My life pretty much consists of taking pictures on my iPhone.  Which pretty much is equal to me being a terrible blogger.  Yes, I do have a pretty Nikon DLSR -- do I really know how to use it?  Nope.  Auto mode is my best friend.

A long time ago, I bought a manual to try and read it, because my owner's manual was like trying to read French.  It was when B was traveling and I had plenty of nights to uncork a bottle of wine and sit to read the thing and take millions of practice pictures.  

And what I learned was, I always have my iPhone with me - and all I have to do is press a button.  Would I like that awesome blurry effect?  Sure, I would.  But perhaps photography -- good photography, anyway -- is just not in the cards for me.  

So here's a few snapshots into Laura's world from the past couple of weeks:

taking screen shots of flights to Chicago -- planning a girls only trip in September.

how real classy girls do a Friday night - $7.99 bottles of wine from Publix.

she's worn out from you know, doing nothing all day.

enjoying executive level seats at Regions field.

gorgeous bham.

some people crack me up.

enjoying some Steel City Pops.  i had the banana and b had the blood orange.

I'm also pretty sure that taking amazing selfies of us eating popsicles would be impossible with a gigantic camera.

Although, all this self-deprecation about my camera skills makes me want to bust out that manual again and see if I can make it all the way through.

A View on Instagram

I'm sorry you guys.  One day, I'll remember to post on a Sunday so the post will actually go up during the day.  

I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try.

Today's blog post is sort of a response to another blog post that I read this morning from Delighted Momma.  She deleted her Instagram account, because she was felt it was bringing on too much comparison between her life and those of her friends. 

I get it.  I wrote an entire post on being envious of other people.  It's sort of what happens when you enter in to the world of social media.  You get to sort through what people see and what they don't see.  Of course you're going to pick the prettiest things you own, the cutest pictures of your dog, and of course the best selfies.  It's only natural.  You naturally want people to think you're awesome.  And especially if you're using Instagram as a tool to gain blog followers and new friends.  It's a quick, easy, convenient way to let someone into your life.

But here's where I differ.  I don't have that many Instagram friends.  I would love for this little blog here to take off, but honestly, some nights I'm too tired to upload all the pictures from the weekend or comment on a blog that I really wanted to comment on.  I mainly use my Instagram as a platform for my Stella pictures, or food pictures or the occasional selfie ( I hate the way I look in photos, so I avoid whenever possible).  BUT for the most part, the pictures on there are a good view into the best parts of my life.  I'm not going to take a picture of Stella throw-up or a recipe gone horribly wrong.  Because, eww, why would I want to remember that for eternity?  So while I understand getting rid of a social media platform ( I no longer use FaceBook), getting rid of Instagram is just not for me.

So keep showing me your beautiful Michael Kors watches with all of your amazing bangles and the cutest pictures of your dogs imaginable, because I honestly want to see them.

Oh, and because I can, my latest Instagram addition:

Life Through the iPhone

It's no secret that I pretty much am attached to my iPhone.  I feel naked without it.  I hate not having it and go into panic mode if I don't know where it is.  

So it's just common sense that at any given point in time I have over 1000 pictures on that thing.  I really do try to go through and delete old ones; ones that I know I have backed up times a million.  But I just don't want to.  I like having them all at my fingertips and right where I can see them.

So here are a few from the past couple of weeks: enjoy!

Because who doesn't love a couple of coworkers kids enjoying their Valentine's Day loot?

Because who doesn't love a delicious homemade brunch?

Because I looooove Dan Brown and was super excited to get this!

Because I can't wait till fall to be able to wear my awesome new Hate on Jay Cutler shirt.

Because who doesn't take pictures at a Kmart when the animals spill just so it looks like an assassination?

Because who doesn't buy two succulents and then proceed to name them?

Because this was awesome.

Because I really really really love roses.

If you want to see more of this awesomeness into my daily life, you can most certainly follow me on Instagram @lauraannau.

Because you know I'm gonna have my phone, and you know I'm going to take a picture of something.

Potato Chip Cookies (yes, you read that right)

As a sweet gift, BJ got me a year subscription to Martha Stewart Living.  I have been obsessed with my last three issues, and one day soon, when I decide that I want to start cooking, I am going to try my hand at some of the awesome stuff she has in there.  Plus, every time I peruse one of her magazines, I want to change the color of my walls.  To something crazy.  Like purple.  Or coral.  Oh the hubs would die.  

Anyway, as I was going through the July issue, I came across a recipe for Potato Chip Cookies, and was like whaaaa?  I'm going to admit that when I saw that, my first thought was, is it ok for potato chips to go in the oven?  Turns out it is.  

Picture from Martha Stewart Living....see below for recipe.

KitchenAid doing what it does.....

I put the chips in a baggie and smashed them.  Less mess that way.

Yums!  They taste like sugar cookies, with just a hint of salt.  Sweet and salty!  Yum!!

Potato Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened                                                     2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar                                                   1 teaspoon baking soda 

3/4 cup granulated sugar                                                                 4 cups crushed potato chips, divided

1 teaspoon vanilla extract                                                                1 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely

2 large eggs                                                                                      chopped.

Prep:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Beat together butter and sugars with a mixer on high speed until fluffy (about 2 to 3 minutes).  Add vanilla and eggs, and beat on medium speed until just combined.

2.  Add flour, baking soda, and salt, and beat on low speed until just combined (I mix them all separately and pour them into the mixer gradually.  If you have found a way to do it without getting flour all over the place without doing it this way, please let me know!).  Stir in 2 cups potato chips and the nuts.

3.  Roll dough into 2-inch balls, and then roll balls into remaining potato chips to coat.  Place cookies 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet (or a nicely greased cookie sheet :)   ).  Bake until golden, 18-20 minutes.  Let cool completely.

I did it without the nuts.  BJ and I aren't completely crazy about nuts in the cookies we eat, so your choice.  You ever notice on the Toll House chips it always says to add nuts too?  Never have, and they still always turn out awesome.  But personal choice, I guess.  Add them if you want.

First Austin Post!!

Okay.  I have to admit that I have a new obsession.  Okay, two.  Fifty Shades of Grey is my first one.  And Austin, TX is my next one.

We are planning on relocating this perfect gem of a city, and I can't say enough good things about this town.  They have food trucks galore, a super dog-friendly city (your dogs can pretty much go wherever you do), free live music, super nice people, doughnuts as big as your head, I have pictures of most of all of this, but since it is the capital of Austin, I will start with your generic pictures of the capital building, and then go from there in future posts!  I mean, I can't give it all away in one post!!

We walked all the way from South Congress to the Capitol building,  (okay, I have to admit that I'm slightly confused on my use of capital and Capitol, so excuse me English majors if I'm totally butchering it here) which was about five miles...

Big Red Boot in Texas...I mean why not?

Though this was funny.  We passed this on our way back to the food trucks. 

Very liberal city, but I just liked the old timey feeling of the hotel.  They had these old hotels everywhere!

Capital building.

Confederacy statue outside the building.

Taking a rest after the first leg of our five mile walk.

Inside.  This is one of my favorite pictures.

Hello President Bush!!

There'll be more pictures from this past weekend, but wanted to start with these before seriously delving into Austin.  Because I could seriously go on forever.

And I just found a recipe for potato chip cookies...so be on the lookout for that this weekend.  Because I'm totally making them.

April photo-a-day

Awesome right that it's May 21st, and I'm just now posting my pictures from photo-a-day in April?  Of course it is.  I am an incredible procrastinator.  I might as well put it up there with my talents of walking in heels and typing.  So instead of 2, I have 3.  so there, world.  

1. reflection  2. color  3. mail  4.  someone you like 5. tiny 6. your lunch 7. shadow 8. wallet 9. younger you 10. cold 11.  where you ate breakfast 12. stairs 13. something you found 14.  how you feel today 15.  sunset 16.  flower 17.  something you dislike 18.  hair 19. orange 20.  something you drew 21. bottle 22.  last thing you bought 23.  vegetable 24.  something you're grateful for 25.  looking down  26.  black & white 27.  somewhere you went   28.  1 pm  29.  circle  30.  something that makes you sad

I'm pretty proud of myself on this one. The 10 day challenge took me way more than 10 days to complete, but here you go, all 30 pictures for all 30 days in April.  

Boo yah.

Pizza Pictures...because I can.

I was reading a blog that I follow today, and came across something disturbing.  This sweet sweet girl had been the victim of blogger on blogger crime.  Somebody was leaving nasty hate comments on her blog.  All the time I read about how people have such great experiences with other bloggers, how they find their best friends, or at the very least, just someone that they can relate to, whether it be a big move to another country, losing a loved one, or having a baby.  

There is a lot to learn from reading people's blogs.  You can emulate someone's style, learn how to make something amazing (like butterbeer from Harry Potter, I mean really?  never would have even thought of doing this), or how to make a sweet ass Auburn wreath for football season.  So it was a shock for me to read that.  I have yet to receive any hate comments; my blog hasn't made big time, but I can't imagine how I would feel if someone did.  

And it made me think back to my waitress days...and to the question I have always had...  How can someone who doesn't even know me, be so mean to me?  Believe it or not, there are some people out there who think that they are so universally better than a server, that they snap their fingers, make rude comments and then, the most awful thing of all, leave a terrible tip.  

I have never thought that I am better than someone.  I have never treated someone with so much disrespect that I would make someone think that I hate them . I am a natural people pleaser, so even when I do think someone's upset with, I am quick to rectify the situation....but why is everyone so damn mean to everyone else?

At work...we are all on the same team...so why such the attitude?  And in the bloggy world, we are all here for one thing...to share our ideas, pictures, lives, if not only for ourselves and our families, but so we can remember all of this later on.  

So here is what I am going to remember about today...these two awesomely amazing slices of pizza.  That's right...

Chicken Florentine pizza @ Cafe Lazio.

Soul food pizza @ Slice

Ugh, I want pizza now.

Day 5

Wow, so here we are at Day 5.  By the way, I have kept up with my April photo-a-day.  A whole 3 days.. I am so proud!

I have actually been pretty busy lately.  I have been going non-stop at work, and have been crazy busy preparing for my next ballroom competition.  I have found myself getting more and more into dance, and I find that the confidence is coming easier now.  I have more than practiced my Cuban movement (those child-rearing hips have come in good for something) and my arm and leg movements (ditto on the long limbs).    

I also found myself getting frustrated today when I couldn't control every aspect.  You can't control people.  You can't even control how they feel about you; even if you try to talk yourself into thinking you can.  In the back of your mind, you always already know.

Your gut always tells the truth.  Even if you choose to ignore it.  

5.  Chicken - lo- mein.  I know that it's terrible for you, but I love Chinese, and I really only have cravings to eat it when I'm home alone.  With Sex and the City 2.  And an US Weekly.

4.  UAB sushi roll - from Pacific Rim in Birmingham.  Holy deliciousness.  

3.  Pulled pork BBQ sandwich - Come on . I am from the South!!

2.  Cold cheese  -  Oh, so cliche you say, since you're from Wisconsin.  Whatever, I don't care.  I love cheese. And I'm pretty much not averse to any cheese.  Except  blue cheese.  Ick.

1.  Pizza.  My absolute favorite.  I can eat it all day every day, no questions asked.  And as long as you don't throw anchovies on it, I'm perfectly ok.

Also, if you read this and are using a great photo editor, please let me know.  I have been on the search for one for a really long time.

Thanks!!

Photo Love

Last year, I tried to do Project 365. I quickly became bored with what I was taking pictures with, and then I kept forgetting and cheating, and blah. I was done. It was hard, and I sure was getting tired of taking pictures of the dog (kidding, of course. she got to be a diva and refused to look at the camera without treats.), food (unless it was somewhere awesome), and whatever knick-knacks where laying around the house...

But I have the itch again to try....ugh, I know. Knowing me, I'll probably quit again. Or end up taking pictures of Pringles and Diet Dr. Peppers. I'm pretty sure that's where it hit the low point....

But I have a secret weapon this time around....hello iPhone and Instagram!! My sweet little phone and the ability to snap a quick photo if something awesome happens, or the sweet pup has her head in my lap...allow me to demonstrate with pictures from the iPhone...

NOLA New Year's Random (I have so many more from this trip! I will upload them later!)

Blanton's whiskey/bourbon top. Yep, we all sure did shots, and then they let us have the top. They have letters on them that spell out Blanton's. Just in case you didn't know that...this is totally a collectible.

Sweet Stell-dog chillin on the couch.

Killer work robot. Actually he's not killer here. Next picture, he'll have a razor blade, I swear. I love my work place.

So yay or nay on the 365 project? I guess I don't have to decide right now...but it sure is tempting....