Weekend Wrap-Up: Friends and Family

Happy Monday everyone!

I apologize in advance for the silence that you will no doubt get from me sometime this week; it's finals week. Today and tomorrow is all studying and then Wednesday is when all the fun starts. I have two exams Wednesday, one Thursday, and two Friday. Sounds like a great time, right? Then on Saturday I get to go home for a long and lovely winter break.

Hands down my favorite room at Phipps. It's always decorated so beautifully.

Santa's workshop!

Steelers v. Dolphins. It was just a little chilly; note the snow.

This weekend was definitely the calm before the storm, and I really appreciate all the fun that I was able to have before buckling down. On Friday night, the ladies and I went to Phipps Conservatory and walked through all of their holiday lights and decorations (which were beautiful as always!) Then on Sunday, my dad came to Pittsburgh and we went to the Steelers game against the Dolphin...which the Steelers lost. It was an absolutely freezing game, and despite the outcome, a very fun one!

<3 Ashley

How was your weekend?

Weekend Wrap-Up: Homecoming

Happy Monday everybody! 

I'd say that this weekend was definitely a well deserved break that was used for both relaxation and productivity. I spent the last weekend of September surrounded by friends and fun. Friday night we went downtown for my friend's birthday dinner--we went to Cafe Milano instead of Burgatory like I said before--which was delicious! I will go ahead and recommend the baked ziti. It did take awhile for our food to get to us, but I imagine that was due to the fact that there was a festival/bridge party that night on the Roberto Clemente bridge and everyone and their mother was getting dinner at the same time as us. There was also some excitement for the huge rubber duck that is laying anchor in Pittsburgh for the next 3 weeks. Aside from that, the weekend was spent celebrating homecoming and our victory against University of Virginia!

Partying with Pittsburgh!

Couldn't resist a quick pic with the duck!

Homecoming laser and fireworks show!

Great seats for the game; and we won!

<3 Ashley

How did you spend your weekend?

TGIF...

The Cathedral of Learning is probably the most Instagrammed thing by a Pitt student. Beautiful, right?

Oh my goodness, THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!!

I cannot describe in words how done I am with this week. Let's hope for an easier one coming up. This morning alone, I had to trek to two campus coffee establishments before I could get my vanilla latte. Hopefully that is the extent of my troubles today. I was very happy to step out in jeans and a sweater today--it's beginning to feel a lot like autumn! I am definitely looking forward to the weekend; another home game tomorrow against New Mexico! Let's see if we can win this one, Panthers! Unfortunately, today's TGIF post will not include the pins part since I have been far to busy to do ANY pinning. I did want to make sure I checked in with you guys before completely setting into my weekend ways. Before I leave you, I would like to draw your attention to probably the best thing that has happened to me this week; Pretty Living PR in Pittsburgh featuring me and my modest blog on their website! Check out the interview here!

<3 Ashley

Have a great weekend! Any great plans?

Super Bowl Sunday Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Wings

With Super Bowl Sunday around the corner, I am lamenting the fact that I will not be home for it, nor will I have the luxury of a fully functional kitchen in order to prepare the feast that my family will no doubt still enjoy. I guess I am settling for Doritos and microwaveable cheese sticks from the student grocer this year. But that hasn't stopped me from looking up some classic Super Bowl recipes that I would love to make! Here is a recipe for some classic (and essential!) Buffalo Chicken Wings:

Ingredients:

- 20 chicken wings; split with tips discarded

- 1/2 cup melted butter

- 1/2 cup red pepper sauce

- 3/4 cup tomato sauce

- 1 1/2 tbsp. chili powder

- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

- Bake wings fro 30 minutes in oven until cooked and crispy

- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients

- When wings are baked, dip them in the sauce, shake off the excess and return them to the baking sheet. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees F and bake for another 15 minutes to set the sauce.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Chicken wings are my absolute favorite finger food. While messy, they are truly essential for a football party! Recipe can be found here

<3 Ashley

What are your favorite Super Bowl snacks?