94.3 Country Legends

You best believe this is my new favorite radio station. Honestly, I don't know how someone can be from the South and not like Country music. Its a part of our culture. I mean who doesn't love a good tune about lovin', cheatin' and drinkin'? 

Honestly, the fam and I could not figure this station out at first. One week they played mariachi music. The next week it was rock n' roll. Few weeks later, it was country legends and it can stay that way! They play all the classics from Alabama to Willie Nelson to the Oakridge Boys (who have a twitter by the way - who knew?) This station has not changed in my parents car. The other day, my mom sang along to the Oakridge Boys, which honestly is a once in a lifetime experience. If you're in the greater Columbia area, tune into this station and I promise you will not be disappointed. Those of you at 94.3 Country Legends, keep up the good work because you've got something GREAT! 

Until next time,

GES

On the road again..

As I was driving to my new apartment last night, On the Road Again by Willie Nelson started playing on the local country station. While I might not *technically* be on the road, its definitely time for things to get going again and pick back up.

Meaning- its the first of August. 

The start of a new month.

First nights in a new apartment.
The beginning of a new school year. 
Starting my new job. 
and drum roll.....
Yours truly blogging again. 


Now I know I've taken a little bit of a hiatus.. heck I've been M.I.A. in the blogging world. When I first began this blog, I told myself I would keep up with it. Well, I'm going to get better about that. My posts might be long, they might be short but I will always find reasons to blog about something. I am so anxious to be back in classes and to see campus fully alive again. As a matter of fact, I am sitting in good old T-Coop (for my fellow Gamecocks, you know what I mean -- for everyone else, I'm sitting in the library) writing this post because I honestly missed being in the library. That is one phrase that I never thought would I'd hear myself say but that just goes to show how much I love my school and how ready I am for the Fall semester.

*side note: as I'm sitting here a campus tour just walked into the library and I am so so so excited to be giving campus tours again.

Its hard to believe that classes start in 17 days, not like I'm counting down or anything but even that its August already. This summer was definitely a great one. I was able to spend three wonderful months at home with mom, dad and my Skye Terrier (partner in crime) Morgan. I'm already looking forward to my next visit home with my trio.

So get ready y'all, Pretty in Pink is on the road again with a lot of posts coming your way!

Until next time, 

GES

i {heart} pasta

Since I have moved back home from college, I have enjoyed making dinner for my family.. both times. Don't get me wrong, I love to cook but there's nothing like mom and dad's cooking (if you've had my parents cooking, then you'll definitely see my point). I have my own dishes that I'm good at but I want to broaden my capabilities beyond my own special pasta recipe. 

I remember going to stay with my aunt at the lake and she made this great amazing pasta with broccoli rabe. (Jojo, you know what I'm talking about :) ) Its pasta with a pancetta cream sauce and we always called it "Pavarotti's Pasta." You might know it as "Pasta Carbonara."  At our house, the t.v. is pre-programmed to the Cooking Channel. Really, it is.. always on channel 232. Giada De Laurentiis from Everyday Italian has her own "Pasta a la Carbonara" recipe, which I made for dinner last night. 

Penne a la Carbonara 

What you need:

1 lb pancetta diced into 1 in cubes (I only used 1/2 lb)

Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

6 eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature 

1 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 lb penne pasta

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (I used fresh basil to garnish instead)

Directions:

First, you want to heat your saute pan. When hot, add the pancetta and saute until it is crispy. This takes about 5-10 minutes. Mine took a little longer to turn out golden brown and crispy because my pancetta was cut a little thicker. 

In your mixing bowl, you want to combine your eggs and heavy whipping cream. Add sea salt and pepper, then your parmesan cheese.

While you're doing these steps, go ahead and cook your pasta. You want it to be al dente. Bring your water to a boil and cook pasta for about 10-12 minutes. Once your pasta is cooked, drain your pasta but it is important that you don't rinse your pasta. You want the pasta to retain its natural starch and remain hot for the next step.

Next, mix in your pancetta. After you have mixed the pasta and pancetta, add the cream mixture. It is important that you mix the cream mixture rather quickly because this allows the eggs to cook. However, you don't want the eggs to cook too much or you will end up with a pasta/scrambled egg creation. 

Garnish with your left over parmesan cheese and a basil leaf. You can use parsley if you wish.

Buon appetito! 

Source: http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-a-la-carbonara-recipe/index.html

I know I have been a little slack with blogging this summer, but check back with me soon! 

Until next time, 

GES

Extra! Extra!

read. all. about. it.

So its summer and I've come to realize that I can only look at Facebook for so long. Therefore, I decided to get a library card. Now that I have all this free time I can actually read books that I want to read. I've made myself a summer reading list. Here's what made the cut:

Currently Reading:

I just picked this book up today and so far it is a pretty good, easy read. The story is based off of three sisters in Nantucket who learn to overcome their hardships through their love and friendship for each other. More to come on this read. 

Next on my list:

I saw this book on fellow blogger's page, the College Prepster. Fly Away Home is the story of a mother and her two daughters and the relationship they forge when their lives each take unexpected turns. 

I cannot wait to read this book! This is a compilation of all of the best words of wisdom Katie Couric has received during her career. 

I remember seeing the trailer for this film over the holidays and decided that before I see the movie, I want to read the book first. Well now that I actually have time to read, I can't wait to pick up this novel and finally watch the movie!

I also can't wait to start reading the Lowcountry Series by Dorothea Benton Frank. All of her novels are set here, in South Carolina and its so neat to read a novel set in my home state. 

What are you reading this summer?

Birthdays! How about Birthday WEEKS!

In my family, birthdays are a big HUGE deal. We tend to celebrate the whole month instead of just one day. Yesterday was my dad's birthday, so he has the entire month of May. 

So to bring this birthday month to a close, this post is all about you, dad! I hope your birthday month was the best one yet! 

This weekends festivities began with a cook out with our close friends who are more like family to us from Mississippi. We have added onto our deck, which is now three levels so we had to break it in! I was able to spend my afternoon in the kitchen baking. My dad's favorite cake is a Black Forest Cake and my grandmother would make it every year for him on his birthday. So this year, I decided to call up grandmother and get this special recipe. 

Here I am with my finished product

A close up of the cake. It was so good! 

On his actual birthday, I got up and took dad to brunch at one of our favorite places, Bojangles. We don't go there too often but you can't beat a Bojangles biscuit and sweet tea for brunch, plus who can't resist being able to start the day off with saying "It's Bo time, y'all!"

Prior to going out to dinner, dad opened his gifts. I gave him a Columbia Performance Fishing Gear white shirt. You can never have enough white shirts and in South Carolina you definitely need a PFG. The fabric is extremely light and has Omni-shade sun protection, which is a lifesaver in this 98 degree sunny heat we've got here at the moment. Its pretty nifty. My mom gave dad a new Citizen Eco Drive watch. Its a nice, brushed silver watch and the neat thing is that it never needs a battery. The watch is powered by the sun and the movement of your arm. How cool is that?

So for dinner, we decided to step it up a notch and head to one of our local favorites, Arizona's steak house. Once it had cooled down we were able to sit outside and enjoy a nice dinner. 

Me and my dad sporting his new Columbia shirt

mom and dad outside the restaurant 

This concludes the birthday month of May.

 Dad, I hope you had a wonderful birthday month because you most definitely deserved it! I love you! :) 

Now we just get to wait until September for my festivities to start! 

Must Haves for Summer 2011

Its that time of year again, its summer! I know I have been incognito for the past month but it has been quite eventful to say the least. I'm done with school, for a little while at least and am learning to relax again. It's also time for another "Grace's Must Haves" posts. 

Jack Rogers Hamptons Navajo Hi Wedge

I love, more like live in, my Jack Rogers during the summer. But I must say I am in love with these wedge JR's. I have been looking for a pair of wedges to wear with crops and dresses and these would be a perfect addition! 

Vineyard Vines Upper Keys Dress in Vineyard Navy

I've had my eye on this dress for quite a while now and am anxiously awaiting the opening of the brand new Vineyard Vines store at SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, NC.

Lilly Pulitzer Avery Skirt in Hotty Pink Cherry Begonias 

Fun skirts are perfect for the summer, especially when paired with a basic white tee. This skirt would just be so much fun, love it! 

Ray-Ban Small Aviator 

I already have a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers that I absolutely love, but definitely wouldn't mind adding this pair to the collection! 

Tugs: the original sunglass complement in pink seersucker of course

I was never a huge fan of Croakies, they were always too short and I would find myself getting annoyed with them. This product by Tugs seems like a wonderful idea, they are a little bit longer and made of a better fabric. While their website says they don't fit wire rimmed glasses well (such as Aviators), they work better for medium sized glasses, so my Wayfarers should work just fine! They come in a variety of colors and are a great buy at only $12. 

Shop Tugs online site

What are some of your Summer 2011 must haves? 

Until next time,

GES 

Did you see the horses?

The Carolina Cup steeplechase is an age old tradition in South Carolina. It is an all day affair. The belles wear their best dresses and of course big hats and the beaus look handsome in their bow ties (and boy did they!). If you're from Camden or grew up going to the races like myself, you take the family silver and china and picnic by the track. As for the collegiate crowd, its one big, fun tailgate. I love the Carolina Cup and it was great seeing all of my friends from other colleges gather together in College Park. There's only 364 more days until I get to do it all again and I can't wait! 

People often joke that they went to Cup and had so much fun that they didn't even see a horse. For those of you who went to Cup, did you see a race? I was determined to see a race before I left the track yesterday. So did I see any races? You bet I did! :) 

John, Myself and Stephen

Katie of Let's Be Preppy and Colleen- two of my best friends

I had to include this picture of Derek and I because his jacket was just so great! Great choice for Cup Derek! 

Me and my good friend Joe, USC Student Body President 

Bailee and Caroline

What are your Carolina Cup memories?