Friday Randoms

Today marks one week that I have been home on summer break.  It has been awesome not to have any assignments due or tests to study for but let me tell you... I'm glad I have a job this summer!  Most of my friends were still taking finals this week so I have been BORED.  I'm glad that the week is over and they'll start moving back.

As far as my job goes, I will be nannying for a family of three children.  The ages are 5,7, and an infant (I want to say 2 months old...).  I found this lady www.care.com and I'm excited to get to know her and her husband!  I'll have to admit, it was nerve-wracking finding a complete stranger to nanny for all summer.  Back in the end of March, I had a phone interview with her and then in April, I met with her at Starbucks.  Today, I will go over to her house and meet the kids.  From what I've seen she seems very nice and compatible.  But if you don't hear back from me, make sure they make a Lifetime movie about me.  That'd be awesome!  Kidding...

The high school I went to had graduation last night.  It makes me sad that next year, that will be my baby brother.  I remember the day he was born.  He's such a good kid and sometimes I forget that I am so lucky to have such an amazing family.

Today, I mailed my cheek swab to be put in the registry for being a bone marrow donor.  I have been following Lindsey over at BMT Blog for a couple of years now.  You can go read their story but they have two beautiful children who both have a rare genetic disorder that requires them to need bone marrow transplants.  Kate, their oldest, was matched with a generous donor and her life was saved a little over a year ago.  Will, who is one, had a donor but  recently the donor backed out after months of preparation.  Without this donor, Will could die.  Although the chances of being chosen to become a donor for anyone is slim, I feel called to be put on the registry.  The process is so simple.  You sign up online after reading the expectations and they send you four cotton swabs in the mail and you swab the inside of your cheeks and send it back.  It's that easy!  I highly recommend you to consider signing up.  Although it could involve surgery, it could save someone's life.  I decided to sign up after I saw a friend of mine on Facebook was matched with someone who needed it.  I've been praying for him every day and I ask that you do too, along with sweet Will and his family.  They need a miracle right now.

Happy Friday, friends!  And if I don't come back you know that this "lady" has most likely kidnapped me. ;)

Super Grad Giveaway!

Welcome to the "Super Grad" giveaway event sponsored by Tip Hero, featuring some awesome bloggers. Now that we're in the middle of graduation season, we thought a giveaway would be a great way to celebrate.

 One lucky winner will be the recipient of a $100 Amazon that can be used to get a great present for your favorite grad! This giveaway begins on May 7th and will run until May 21st at 11:59pm US Eastern time. It will be open to residents of the US only, 18+. Use the PromoSimple form below to enter, and be sure to take advantage of the many entries you can gain. And be sure to come back daily for more chances to win. Good luck!

$100 Amazon Gift Card

Do You Like To Host Giveaways?!

Who doesn't love the chance to win free money?!  How about getting to promote your blog, Twitter, and Pinterest?!

Tip Hero’s Super Grad Giveaway Event Sign-ups are now open for this great new giveaway event!

• Event is free to join with an announcement post. If you don't wish to post the announcement, please send the $5 non-post fee to tiphero@gmail.com
• You'll receive 1 free link for participating (either Twitter or Pinterest)
• Additional links (RSS/Email, Twitter and Pinterest) are available for $5 each
• Sign-ups for this event end on May 5th
• Event runs from May 7th - 21st
• Prize: $100 Amazon gift card

Please send all payments to tiphero@gmail.com as a "gift" via PayPal. Sign up for this event here.

Ryan Lochte

Most of y'all know I LOVE Ryan Lochte.  Let me preface this post by saying that yes, I am aware that he is dumb as a door knob.  I am fully aware of this.  But he is so. hot.  SO HOT.  It has gotten to the point where people will come up to me and say something like "I saw Ryan on a TV clip and thought of you."  Or "I saw previews for Ryan's new show and thought of you."  That kind of stuff?  Makes my heart happy!

If you are unaware of how dumb he is, just watch this video.  But have I mentioned that he is so hot?!

Well, the other day I was laying on my bed when all of the sudden I got a notification on my phone that said I had gotten a direct message from his show's account, @WWRLD, saying that I had won a JEAH t-shirt from their Twitter contest.  Here is what I had tweeted...

I about died.  I am so freakin excited to get this in the mail.  My life has been made.  Now all I have to do is get hime to marry me.  Kidding.  Sort of.

Word Vomit

Where do I even start?!  I've been MIA this past month.  So let's start from the beginning...

• I still love Ryan Lochte.  Like L.O.V.E. him.  Like marry him.
• Easter with the fam was fun of course.  Minus Kevin Ware breaking his leg.  I was sitting there with my uncle watching the game and then it happened.  I have been scarred for life.  Literally it took over my life.  I couldn't fall asleep.  I would be scared to even get on Twitter because cruel people would post it.  IT TOOK OVER MY LIFE!

Being a dork with my brother

• I just now realized I never did a recap of my spring break to Destin, Florida.  #facepalm
• KU lost.  I may be over dramatic but I really miss it.  Here is a picture of my friend and I at the bar watching the game.

• At the end of the year we always have Greek Banquet for all of the fraternities and sororities.  It is so nice to see the Greek community come together an honor all of our accomplishments.  

• You may think that I am outgoing but I am not.  Especially when it comes to dancing in front of the entire Greek community.  I was in Lip Sync this year.  Basically it was a five minute compilation of songs from Beyonce to Christina Aguilera to Lil Mama's Lip Gloss.  It was exhilarating yet terrifying at the same time.  Here are some pictures from the night.  I'm going to spare your eyes and not show you the video.  Use your imagination. :)

• My friend from KU came to see me at school and we went out to dinner.  After, we had the genius idea to go to Petland and hold puppies!  I wanted this precious Australian Shepherd so badly.  We used to have two when I was growing up.  They are such smart and loyal dogs.  And the blue eyes.  I die.

• Back to Ryan Lochte.  I love him.
• I got this t-shirt made.  Need I say more? :)

Welp, that about sums it up.  Just writing this gave me inspiration for some more posts.  Happy weekend, friends!

It's Almost Easter!

Hey y'all!  I've returned tanned and refreshed from Destin, Florida only to find a foot of snow at home. Isn't that lovely?  For the love!  It's the end of March!

Easter is also this weekend.  Have any fun plans?  I always love Easter!  Food and family, I don't think it could get any better than that!  Do you have any favorite recipes you make for Easter?  I have Tamar here guest posting for a spin on the traditional deviled egg.  Deviled eggs happen to be one of my favorite Easter foods!

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Middle Eastern Deviled Eggs

This deviled eggs recipe was submitted by Tamar, a blogger and freelance writer at Deviled Eggs 101.

Many families are looking for healthy recipes that are easy to cook and can also be easily switched up to their liking. We are all used to seeing the classic version of deviled eggs, a yolk mixture piped onto egg whites with bacon, paprika or dill garnish; however, this recipe is a fun twist on the classic version and has a bit of an extra crunchy touch.

There are many Americans who love a deviled egg’s filling, but dislike the soft texture of the hard-boiled egg whites. Though the recipe is called Middle Eastern Deviled Eggs, it’s actually an exotic version of a spicy deviled eggs recipe, with only a few authentic Middle Eastern ingredients added.  These ingredients include Athens^® Mini Fillo Shells, harissa, sumac, and capers. Harissa is an authentic Middle Eastern red chili sauce mixture with garlic, will add an explosion of flavor to this recipe, and can be found in the international foods aisle in most supermarkets. For this upcoming Easter holiday, try this amazing hors d'oeuvres recipe with leftover Easter eggs.

Ingredients

12 Eggs

1/4 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt

2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise

1 1/2 Tablespoons Harissa

1 Teaspoon Honey

1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard

2 Boxes Athens Mini Fillo Shells

1 Teaspoon Ground Sumac

3 Tablespoons Fresh Mint, cut

2 Tablespoons Capers

Directions

Step #1: Place 12 eggs in a pot, fill with enough cold water to cover about 1-2 inches on top of the eggs. If possible, place eggs in a single layer to minimize cracking.

Step #2: Put the burner on high and bring the water to a boil. Once the water begins to boil for 2 minutes, remove the pot from the burner.   

Step #3: Allow the eggs to sit for 15 minutes to complete the cooking process. To accelerate the process, feel free to create an ice bath to place the eggs in or run cold water over the eggs while in the pot.

Step #4: Peel the eggshells and cut the eggs in half, lengthwise. Discard the egg whites unless you wish to use them for another recipe (or to top a salad).

Step #5: Use a spoon to gently scoop out the yolks. Place the egg yolks into a food processor or mixing bowl.

Step #6: Mix together the Greek yogurt, mayo (lite mayo is acceptable), harissa, honey and Dijon in the food processor. Puree with the yolk until smooth. If using a mixing bowl, use a fork to ground and mix the ingredients together.

Step #7: Using a spoon or pastry bag (even a Ziploc bag with a corner cut will do), pipe and spread the filling evenly into the Athens Mini Fillo Cups.

Step #8: Sprinkle with mint, sumac, and capers. Serve immediately.

To learn more, check out Tamar’s other Deviled Egg Recipes!

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Thanks, Tamar for guest posting!  Please stop over at the site to see all of the other Deviled Egg creations!

Finish The Sentence

This is such a fun linkup I decided to participate in.  Go link up with Jake and Holly!

1. If calories didn't count, I would eat... guacamole.  That shit is delish!  Yeah, guacamole isn't that bad for you but the chips are not my friends.

2. On my Prom night.... I wasn't having sex.  I ended up going with a group of friends which now I look back on it, was 23985479 times better than having a date.  Yeah, I was mortified that nobody asked me but it was so fun to dance with girlfriends and even different guys that were there.  Oh, and I didn't have a stage five clinger the whole night.

I'm on the far right.  Loved my dress but hated the store I got it from... Deb.

3. When I go to the store, I always buy... shit I don't need.  It always seems like a good idea at the store but then once I get home I'm like, "Why in the hell did you think you needed to buy this, Elle?!"

4. Family functions typically... involve alcohol and watching sports.  My dad's family all live in town so we see them on the reg but both sides are fun.  I have older cousins that I enjoy hanging out with.

5. I think my blog readers... rock my socks off.  All 5 of you... Kidding!  I know I don't have many but I see the view counts and know that SOMEONE has to be at least looking at it!

6. I'd much rather be... a college graduate with and unlimited amount of money and be able to party all the time.  I enjoy college, I really do but sometimes I just want to drop out because of the workload and responsibilities.  Yeah, I know being an adult sucks sometimes!

7. I have an obsession with... Ryan Lochte!  Need I say more?  I'm so thrilled for his new reality show coming out in April called WWRLD What Would Ryan Lochte Do?  *swoon*  Let's get hitched, babe! ;)

8. My work friends... are annoying.  I really should just leave it at that before I get in any trouble.

9. When I created my Facebook account.... it was August of 2007 and I was getting ready to start high school.  I look back on my photos, statuses, and comments and cringe.  It is nothing short of a miracle that I actually had friends...

10. My least favorite word is... intercourse.  Just say it already... SEX!  I do have a problem with moist but I know a lot of people don't like it.  

11. I really don't remember... the names of characters in movies.  People will talk to me about a movie and they'll say the name of the main character and ask me if I remember that part and I'll be like, "Who is that again?"  

12. Justin Bieber... I saw him in concert when he wasn't even heard of.  He was at this all day summer concert in kc and I went with a friend.  We were looking at the bands and had to look him up on YouTube and we honest to God thought he was a girl until he got onto stage.  But he's weird.  Need proof?  Just go look at his Instagram pics.