[unabashedly uncorked: your daily dose of EPH]

smile friday ((it’s been a while since I’ve done an...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:19:00 -0500

smile friday ((it’s been a while since I’ve done an outfit post))

happy almost weekend!

oxo

spotted | an uber-cute tee | via jcrew factory

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:38:00 -0500

spotted | an uber-cute tee | via jcrew factory

40 days and 40 notes [day 3]

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:35:00 -0500

To the Ghosts of My Boyfriends Past,

Wait- isn’t this a little strange? Fear not, dear readers, as I promise this will be good.

[and when I mentioned ‘the ones without names’ that would be in reference to this post]

To my high-school sweetheart [if I can even call him that]: thank you for teaching me that I’m not destined to spend the rest of my life as the wife of a hunter, fisherman or game-keeper. While Blake does own one single solitary pair of camo shorts, I’m just fine with the fact that he doesn’t don army fatigues and climb onto [into?] a tree stand in the woods at the crack of dawn every Saturday morning to sit in silence and stalk innocent pray.

[closes book on that chapter]

And my college boyfriend: Yeah, the one that had the occasional illicit flings with other ladies who weren’t me. I won’t even go there…

And the boyfriend when I took my first leap into the professional world: while Green Acres was an amusing television show, it’s not one that I care to lead IRL. Overalls and softball games are not a good look for me. Thank you for realizing that what we had would never work… and for letting me go.

And- but of course- to the few others sprinkled in here and there but that commanded so little of my time that I can’t refer to you in any other term than my “flavor of the week”: thanks for teaching me that a phone call on ‘your terms’, a date over Taco Bell, and sleeping outside my [locked] bedroom door in a drunken stupor isn’t acceptable behavior.

But- most importantly- thank you all so, so much for teaching me what’s worth fighting for. That when you find “it” [real, true, everlasting love] you should hold on with all your might. That my prince charming might leave the kitchen cabinets opened from time to time but that he has so many other qualities that I love beyond measure…

Thank you all for teaching me what true love does [and doesn’t] look like.

EWPH

I’m admitedly Type-A to the core. I fiercely believe in “To-Do” lists, I...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:03:11 -0500

I’m admitedly Type-A to the core. I fiercely believe in “To-Do” lists, I can’t leave my room in the morning without making my bed, and clothes piled in the corner and not hung on hangers (their appropriate home) make me nervous. I detest unnecessarily opened cabinets and I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t really like surprises ((I get this from my Nina)).

y’all get the point, right?

But I must say that I do truly appreciate the swept off your feet feeling you get when something [anything] totally unexpected happens.

Happy almost Friday my loves.

40 days and 40 notes [day 2]

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:11:01 -0500

stepping into the ‘real world’

lessons in life and business

stong, direct, sincere

[a haiku to Laurie Jo LaFollette, my first boss in the working world]

Last night was Ash Wednesday meaning meat was off limits at the...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:48:00 -0500

Last night was Ash Wednesday meaning meat was off limits at the H house. Well- technically just for me I guess as Blake had leftover lasagna bolognese for the umpteenth night in a row. Being that my main squeeze doesn’t have the same affinity for salmon as I do, I decided to take full advantage of the opportunity to make one of my favorite dinners

brussels sprouts, pan seared organic sockeye salmon and a whole grain mustard sauce

But for as many times as I’ve over/ undercooked my salmon, I decided to ask an expert which way was best to sear my fishy. So -here’s my trick to perfectly seared salmon [c/o the fish dude at Whole Foods]:

Get your pan screamin’ hot
Add a tablespoon of good evoo
Rinse fish, pat dry, add salt and pepper to taste
One the pan is almost smoking hot, add the fish [skin side up] and cook for 2 minutes
Flip and cook skin side down for [at the maximum] another 2 minutes.

This will leave you with a perfect, crispy piece of salmon on the outside and a nice, tender, flakey interior. Enjoy! oxo

Is it just me- or does every other runner / athlete want to...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:16:00 -0500

Is it just me- or does every other runner / athlete want to spend all the monies everysingletime they step foot in lululemon?

Lustworthy item of this week’s trip: this here Yogi tee. I practiced some snippet of self control though and opted for a much more sensible tank and pair of running shorts [I opted for a seafoam green, reversible pair]. What?! I didn’t say I was giving up shopping for Lent!

40 days and 40 notes [day 1]

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:23:00 -0500

To my [freshman year] Public Speaking Professor:

I find it comical that I don’t remember your name. Perhaps it’s the fact that my brain was so engaged in absorbing all your teachings. Or maybe it was the traumatic events that preceded the final months in your classroom. However, the fact that I remember you were a HUGE Carolina fan and that you left teaching to get your doctorate in Speech Pathology following the end of year 2002.

I remember standing up before those 35 upperclassmen [how was I actually able to get into that class to begin with?] with my knobby knees practically knocking and a reverberation in my voice. I stammered on about something I don’t quite remember, you kindly critiqued me with the up-most constructive criticism, and I returned to my freezing plastic seat [with it’s attached desk] thrilled that it was over.

Each time I presented, I grew as a speaker. For some, you video taped their performance. For me you removed the podium so I couldn’t shield myself from the crowd.

You can’t hide yourself behind that thing, Elizabeth. Don’t be concerned with them- I promise they won’t bite.

You told me to stop talking with my hands, to hold focus on a specific subject and to s.l.o.w. d.o.w.n. my words.

I talked about Grace Kelly and my fascination with her life, I gave a speech on my favorite food [way back then- mac and cheese- hello dorm living], and I filled the crowd in on my lifelong idol, my cousin Jane.

and then the unthinkable happened

I was scheduled to give a lecture. I don’t remember the exact subject, or how many minutes I was set to talk. I, thankfully, was prepared and had written my script over Spring Break while I was at home. The evening before a huge speech, I lost a best friend.

I resorted to the only thing I knew I could do. Oh- I do remember your name now! Dave Smith! I called every David, Dave and D. Smith in the phone book trying to tell you that I wasn’t going to be able to speak in the morning. My soul was crushed and I had to get home. But alas, I couldn’t get a hold of any Dave, David or D. Smith.

I showed up the next morning looking something like a horror story. Bags under my eyes, red stained cheeks from the tears. I’m surprised I actually got dressed in a somewhat logical manner. You took one look at me and pulled me out of class to ask what was wrong.

I fell apart; could hardly get my words out. You took my script out of my shaking hands, gave me a hug and told me you would give my speech for me that day. You sent me home with orders to miss as many classes as I needed so that I might properly grieve my friend.

On that morning in April, Dave Smith, you taught me true kindness.

You would be proud of me. I still talk with my hands and chuckle each time I hear the clank of my bracelets while leading a lecture or seminar. For my southern counterparts, I’m certain I still talk much too fast. But I’m no longer scared of a throng of people. With your help, I found confidence in my voice and a trust for the kindness of strangers.

For that, ~~Mr.~~ Dr. Smith, I’m eternally grateful.

Elizabeth

40 days and 40 notes

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:50:00 -0500

[this is a public service announcement]

well, not exactly; more like a curiosity poll and an FYI all rolled into one, seemingly rambling blog post

I digress…

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. For much of the Western World, Lent also brings with it fasting or giving up certain types of luxury as a form of penitence. Without getting too religious on you all, my beliefs are such that I participate in the Lenten season.

This year, instead of “giving up” something I adore [ice cream, shopping, booze] I have decided that I’m going to write. For the 40 days preceding Easter, I’m going to write a letter [note, poem, song, haiku] to someone or something that’s had a life changing, positive impact on who I am as a person. I’ll put those letters on here for you all to read [just in case you’re curious]. Some of these notes will be personal and have the name withheld for privacy, while others may be comical, funny and even light hearted. Come on- life isn’t always meant to be so serious!

Because truth be told, after these 40 days have come and gone [quickly as we all know they will], I’d rather leave a written impact to someone that may [or may not] stumble upon my words and know how much they have meant to me.

…after all, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t have “MAKE AN IMPACT” on their bucket list.

What are you all giving up for Lent?

Could you share some of your go-to vegan lunches to take to work? I've been trying Vb6 out since the start of the New Year and would love to hear some of your favorite recipes that get you through the work week!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:35:00 -0500

Hey there, Anon!

So 97% of the time my VB6 lunches consist of the same main things: salad, fruit and some sort of veggie. As my salad today I’ll have organic mixed greens with walnuts and cara-cara oranges. I also brought carrots, celery and blackberries to round out my meal.

A few of my other favorites are seaweed salad [salty and delicious!] and edamame salads with tomato, red onion, sunflower seeds, black olives, and a drizzle of evoo [c/o the Whole Foods salad bar].

I’ve also mentioned in the past that I tide over a grumbling stomach between lunch and [what can be] my ratherlate dinners with a 3:00 snack. I always [like clockwork] have an apple and today I brought pistachios as well. I am a firm believer that snacking is KEY to healthy living as it keeps evil hunger demons at bay.

My main reason for doing VB6 was to start a clean eating lifestyle- and it’s worked rather well for me. I really avoid anything cooked and/or packaged even if it is, technically, vegan just because I want my diet during the week to be jam-packed with good proteins, vitamins, and anti-oxidents!

As always, feel free to email me at champagnetoasts@gmail.com with any specific questions.

healthy living FTW!

EWPH

my rookie attempt at lasagna bolognese

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:07:29 -0500

Some weekend are for creating new and unique recipes, perfecting the step-by-step process, taking pictures and then sharing my discoveries with you all. Hint: this was not one of those weekends. Instead I slaved over the ~~oven~~ sauce and verbatim copied smitten kitchen’s lasagna bolognese. I didn’t do anything creative [remove the fact that I didn’t make homemade pasta- shameoneme], I didn’t switch anything up, I didn’t put a healthy spin on it. I literally can take no credit for anything associated with this dish.

I can- however- say that I spent 6 hours making this puppy and that, my friends, is worth it’s weight in blogging privilages. So when I tell you that this is the BEST LASAGNA [sorry, Momma] that I’ve ever tasted, it’s not an exaggeration. In fact, it could be the best Italian dish ever. In the entire world. [I’m not stretching the truth here, y’all]

Do what I say and make this dish. Bossy pants aside, your stomach [and husband, boyfriend, roommate, kitty cat, next door neighbor] will thank me.

oxo

Last week I mentioned that I filmed a video short with a local...

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:40:00 -0500

Last week I mentioned that I filmed a video short with a local life-sciences recruiter. If you have a spare minute, check it out! [for you tumblr users, you’ll have to click on the “open content in a new window” to view via safe website or feel free to link directly to the video here or visit my blog directly here]

Editor’s note: subject [moi] needs work with hand placement and eye focus; piece is entertaining nonetheless.

[for those that don’t have a spare 11 minutes laying around, my bits are at the :40, 2:20, 6:28, 9:20 and 10:42 minute marks]

I don’t care how old I am and how geeky it may be-...

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:16:00 -0500

I don’t care how old I am and how geeky it may be- I’ll never miss the chance to decorate my house for upcoming holidays! This month is for neon eggs and chicks…

my dining room table | taken with instagram

a snap-shot from our [beautiful 60 degree] Saturday @ Umstead...

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:33:00 -0500

a snap-shot from our [beautiful 60 degree] Saturday @ Umstead Park | also known as a good excuse to play with my new camera | see more here

It’s 5:00 somewhere… and my weekend officially...

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:47:09 -0500

It’s 5:00 somewhere…

and my weekend officially started 2 hours and 45 minutes ago!

It’s been a week. A dash in and out, sneak in a 10k, run out the...

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:24:00 -0500

It’s been a week. A dash in and out, sneak in a 10k, run out the door at 6:45 am, barely have time to choke down lunch sort of week.

So the email from my boss that pinged my inbox at 8:39 this morning telling me to “scoot at noon and enjoy your hard earned three day weekend”— well, I couldn’t have appreciated it more. And I fully intend to do just that.

Smile Friday it is, kids. Catch y’all on the flip-side. Editor’s Note: Photo taken at 6:12 this am [yes, you read that correctly].

dress: dvf | necklace: khol’s | bracelet stack: the typical | tights: spanx | bow belt: nordstrom

thankful

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:25:00 -0500

Yesterday I posted about some crummy news that I got. For the sake of my busy day, I quickly blocked it out only to respond in a rather visceral manner when everything finally hit me like a ton of bricks.

[cue the mental image of a piano falling off of a cliff and on to Wylie Coyote ((you’re welcome Hanna Barbera))]

After a phone call to Momma, a few tears shed, and a reassuring email from the greatest cheerleader on the face of the earth, I felt much, much better about things. It’s always been very clear to me that my blessings in life far out weigh my struggles- and that while it’s okay to feel “down in the dumps” for a hot minute, staying in that place isn’t acceptable.

But y’all- the notes that you all have sent over the last few hours are so beyond touching. If I weren’t sitting at my desk right now [with my boss’ boss lingering right around the corner] I would have crocodile tears spilling onto my cheeks. Your love, support, and “go get ‘em” spirit are so much more than I could have EVER expected from you all. The fact that I mean enough to each of you that you took a minute out of your [hectic] day… what a humbling experience. Trust in knowing that your emails and texts are all this gal ever needed; it’s all up and up from here, folks!

A very warm thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all so, so much and your words of support will never be forgotten. Now- Hales, Jules, and any other interested- let’s work on those cocktails, STAT!

All my love,

EWPH

"I think actually one of the things that’s a comfort in marriage is that there isn’t a door at seven..."

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:56:00 -0500

“I think actually one of the things that’s a comfort in marriage is that there isn’t a door at seven years, and so if something is messed up, in the short term, there’s a comfort of knowing, ‘well we made this commitment, so we’re just going to work this out. And even if tonight we’re not getting along, or there’s something between us that doesn’t feel right, you have the comfort of knowing, we’ve got time, we’re going to figure this out’. And that makes it so much easier. Because you do go through times where you hate each other’s guts, and the no escape clause, weirdly, is a bigger comfort to being married than I ever would have thought before I got married.”

- Ira Glass

[via the fine ladies behind the blogs haygirlhay: umcanyounot: gypsy-soul: emilyposts]

day 16: new [shoes perhaps?] | moschino platform sandal

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:49:49 -0500

day 16: new [shoes perhaps?] | moschino platform sandal

a humdinger of a wednesday

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:41:21 -0500

In the last 12 hours I have:
- given a mini presentation to a crowd of 120
- gotten news that I was pretty certain I would get but that was hard to swallow nonetheless
- talked my way out of an expired registration ticket at the wake county courthouse
- attended a conference for 400 plus
- filmed a video intro for a local biotech recruiter’s website
- pumped out a 10k at the gym
- cried on the treadmill (aforementioned news was a bummer, y’all)

I think I’ve earned myself a glass (or two) of vino.

oxo