Kentucky Derby

Growing up my family went to the races all the time. And watching the Kentucky Derby was always a big event.  We were those people who go to the local race track just to watch the Derby on TV.  Someday I will make my way to Churchill Downs, but until then I will have to enjoy from afar.  To get ready for the festivities on May 4th here are some derby essentials:

Derby Hat

Big hats are one of the most identifiable items of the Kentucky Derby.  Well, maybe second to horses. This is the Monogrammed Wide Navy Blue Derby Hat with the Extra Sash Bow both by Marley Lilly. 

Mint Julep

Early Times Mint Julep is the official mint julep of the Kentucky Derby.  I'm not usually a huge fan of mint julep's but I think I'll give them another go.   The recipe for the Early Times Julep can be found here.

My Old Kentucky Home

One big tradition of the Derby is the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home", so go here to learn the lyrics.

Do y'all have any Derby essentials or tips to pass on?

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G

Sesame Green Beans

For Easter, my family decided to have a pot luck to keep everything simple and I choose to make a green bean dish.  I wanted to do something different that was healthier than a green bean casserole.  So, I found this great recipe from Martha for Sesame Green Beans. It turned out great and was super quick and easy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Directions

1. Set a steamer basket in a large pot. Fill with enough water to come just below basket; bring to a boil. Add green beans to basket; reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, and cook until crisp-tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
   
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil; season with salt and pepper. Add green beans and sesame seeds; season with salt and pepper, and toss.

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G 

Easter Egg Crafts

With Easter just around the corner I thought I'd compile some fun Easter Egg crafts and tips I've found. 

At Paas they have all the information you could ever want about dying Easter Eggs.  They even have a helpful Egg Decorating Tips page that gives tons of information including different ways to hard boil your eggs (oven?? who knew?).

If the experts at Paas don't answer all your questions you can download the Martha Stewart Egg Dying App for $.99.  It gives you the run down on different dying techniques and crafts for the dyed eggs.  If you can come up with a question that Martha can't answer, you're asking the wrong questions.

After you're done dying all your eggs you can be crafty and green by using the empty egg cartons to make these precious candy holders.  Over at Paper, Plate and Plane, Jeromina gives you all the deets.


Hope you all have a Hoppy Easter!

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G

Connecticut & Etiquette

Don't worry. You're not going crazy nor am I.  I know the picture is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, not Connecticut. On my trip over winter break, I went to visit my aunt in Connecticut and then took the train down to New York with my cousin to spend a few days.  It was fabulous! I got to have a wonderful white Christmas and then go to all my favorite New York spots. 

Not super white Christmas, but white none the less.

While in New York I did some shopping and went to the Met.  The Met is my absolute favorite place in the whole world. 

My favorite painting -- The Blind Man's Meal by Picasso

After the Met, I ventured across the park to the Museum of Natural History. I had never been before and I loved it.  Teddy Roosevelt is my favorite President, so of course I loved all the Roosevelt exhibits... maybe more than the dinosaur ones. 

That night we went out to Beauty Bar a really fun old 1950s salon that has been converted to a bar.  

My cousin and I at Beauty Bar.

Since this a long post. Just a link to Emily Post for the etiquette portion.  If you haven't been you should. 

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G

Chewy Sugar Cookies

Tonight one of my dear friends hosted game night. Of course, I could not let the opportunity to cook some goodies go to waste.  For St. Patrick's Day, I made homemade Irish Soda with buttermilk, so I had a butter of buttermilk just sitting in my fridge. I had no idea what to do with the rest (no biscuits for me because I would eat the whole batch).  So, I went searching for recipes with buttermilk and came across this one on Food Network (Chewy Sugar Cookies).

They were delicious and yes, chewy.  The best way I can describe them is they were airier than regular sugar cookies.  But they were a huge hit and definitely something I will make again.

 Recipe says small bowl, but this my 2.5 quart mixing bowl.

Quick prep with the stand mixer.

Dough was easy to shape.

I am terrible at cookie sizes.  These are way too big.

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons buttermilk
Sprinkles or colored sugar, for decorating

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in dry ingredients. Add enough of the buttermilk to moisten the dough and make it soft, not wet.

Roll rounded teaspoons of dough into balls and place on a ungreased cookie sheet. With a brush or fingers, moisten the top of each cookie with the remaining buttermilk and slightly flatten the top of each cookie. Sprinkle with raw sugar or colored sprinkles.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly golden. Let stand for 2 minutes before removing to cool on a rack.


Enjoy!

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G

Connecticut and Etiquette: Travel

As some you already know, my Dad grew up in Connecticut and it holds a special place in my heart.  It is one of my favorite places to visit, but I haven't been since my Dad died.  I have been aching to go back and a few weeks ago I got the best early Christmas present.  My aunt called and offered to buy my plane ticket to spend Christmas in Connecticut.  Needless to say I am beyond thrilled. Having an actual white Christmas, eating a grinder, people saying I sound like the Shake-N-Bake girl... It's all just too exciting!  So, in this traveling to Connecticut light, I thought for my etiquette portion of this post it would be appropriate to discuss something that many of us have very strong opinions about: airplane etiquette.

Before Boarding:

• Show up to the airport at least an hour before your departure. Earlier is better and I usually shoot for an hour and a half.  There are so many hoops you have to jump through before you can get to your gate and you never know how long the lines will be.  No one likes the person who is paged over and over in the terminal and then strolls on while everyone else has been in their seats buckled for 20 minutes.
• Get all your liquids in your designated Ziploc bag before you leave home. 
• Double check the Transportation Security Administration website while packing to check if you have a prohibited item or if any regulations have changed.
• Wear slip on shoes. You are going to have to take them off you might as well make it easier on yourself and others. 
• If you get pulled aside to be wanded or have your bag checked do not make a scene or get huffy.  Remember it's for everyone's safety and the TSA workers are just doing their job. 
• If you have carry-on items don't take up seats in the waiting area by placing them on the seats if it is crowded.  The pregnant lady needs that seat more than your Vera. 

On the Plane:

• While boarding the plane be patient with others as they load their belongings and take their seat.  Offer to help someone if they are having some difficulties.
• Do not smash your bag into a full over head bin.  Just go to the next one if there is one available. 
• If someone asks to switch your seat it is up to you whether you want to or not, but be polite when responding.  And please take special consideration when it's a parent and child. 
• Do not bring on overly smelly foods to snack on.  Tuna may be delicious, but no one wants to smell it for 4 hours. 
• Crying children. It's the fear of all travelers.  I always make sure to bring ear plugs and my iPod with me to try and prevent any problems.  The parents already know that their child is being annoying and are probably slowly dying of embarrassment already.  Snarky remarks are not going to help the situation.  And someday you could be that embarrassed parent. The only time you should say something is if your seat is being kicked or something like that. Remain civil and kind. 
• When you are de-boarding don't rush to the front like you're a teeny bopper going after Justin Bieber.  Let the people in front you get their bags without fear of being side swiped. 

Off the Plane:

• Once you are off the plane and waiting for your luggage do not stand right next to the carousel.  It becomes impossible for people who see their bag to squeeze in and they invariably will probably accidentally lug their luggage in your shins. Stand a few feet back and patiently wait. 
• When you are waiting for your ride or public transportation, do so in the designated areas.  It is a safety issue and will help the process go faster for everyone involved.

Do any of you have any special airplane etiqutte tips or questions? Let me know.

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G

Notable & Quotable: Jane Austen

Who doesn't love Jane Austen? Movie or book, I just can't get enough.  I haven't read all of her books, but so far my favorite is Pride & Prejudice.  I mean Mr. Darcy... **swoon**.  I can't decide if I love Colin Firth or Matthew Macfadyen more ...

Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy

Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy

Hard decision right?

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G

Talbots Finds

I received my Talbots' catalog in the mail this morning and I'm loving some of their new arrivals.  I feel like it is a toss up with Talbots.  Sometimes I think they have really classic and cute things.  Other times it feels a little... old.  But not this time around.  Here's what I have my eye on:

Tuxedo Shirt

Plaid Jacquard Pleated Skirt

Gilded Lace Sheath

Italian Flannel Skirt

Velveteen Dress

I like all of these pieces because they are classic, but not drab.  And I adore the nice rich green! Very fall. All items can be found at Talbots under new arrivals.

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G

Get Your Political Party On!

 

No worries, you will not find any political commentary here.  But with all the election commercials, debates, and soundbites I just get so excited.  I've been a closeted poltical junkie my whole life.  And I have found some of the cutest political swag.  RetroCampaigns.com has classical poltical t-shirts. In my opinion vintage + politics = perfection.  Here are some of my favorites.

 

 

 

If you're looking for something with a little more party than political, these koozies from Haymarket Designs are presh!

For the Dems

 

For the Repubs

There you have it. Bi-partisan "party" politics. What fun political swag have y'all found this election cycle?

The Key Prep on Campus,

-G

Fresh Start!

Just a few of my highlighters...

Hello all!

It has been forever since I have updated this and I have decide crawl out from low lighting of the law library for a fresh start.  Hence, my brand new name.  As you can see it is Key Prep On Campus, which I got from perusing The Preppy Handbook (thank you Ms. Birnbach).  I feel it is appropriate since I am now back on campus (yay law school).

Law school has been wonderful! I love it! I now have a pretty amazing highlighter collection and am now comfortable using legal jargon in everyday life.   So, I will now proceed with more updates, since I have entered that dangerous comfort zone that second year offers.

Oh my Scot!

Scotland

So, I'm a big reader.  I read like a mad woman. My books of choice are usually of the Young Adult variety or have vampires.  However, I have recently fallen in love with the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  They are addictive!  What's funny is I remember when these books originally came out in the 90s.  My mom read them and I remember her just reading forever and telling me to leave her alone.  Now I understand why.  I am on the 3rd book and I have to get caught up before school starts.  Of course, now I want to go to Scotland. I love hearing book suggestions.  What has been on your summer reading list so far? 

4th of July

What the Hob Lob?!

On my weekly trip to Hobby Lobby, I noticed something strange last week.  The first few aisles were empty and workers were adjusting shelves etc.  Now this was nothing too out of the ordinary, but when I went in this week and discovered what they were preparing for I almost had a coronary. I turned down one of the first aisles and these gentlemen were staring at me.

The two creepy gentlemen and their shoe/ornament collections.

Christmas items!! In June!! Every year it just gets earlier and earlier I think by 2014 they will just leave Christmas items up all year.   If I burn myself every time I get in my car it is too early to think about winter. 

After my Christmas shock I went on to make my purchases.  I got some pretty amazing paper and card stock on sale.

Paper and such.

Close up of paper. 

I also got some foam stamps.  I think they will work out better for my clip board  painting that regular stamps. 

Paisley, of course.

Circular design.

Fleur-de-lis.

So there you have it.  Once I start another clip board I'll make sure and show ya'll the progress.  Hope ya'll are having a great week and remember....

He he he. 

Recruitment Time!!

We are half way through summer and it's time to be gearing up for recruitment again! Last year I had some posts about recruitment and I think everyone liked them.  So, I thought I'd put up the links to the posts from last year and see if there are any recruitment topics that ya'll think it would be beneficial to write about.

Recruitment Posts:

• Sorority Recruitment
• Rush Intro
• What Do I Wear?
• General Rush Tips
• Rush Party!
• Rules for Campus

So, again let me know if there is anything ya'll want to know about and I'll post it!  

Crafty Beginnings

As I am anxiously waiting for law school to start (58 days! Eek!) I decided I wanted to have a non-reading hobby.  Not that I'll have tons of time to do it, but I think I need to have something outside of school to do.  Usually I read in my spare time, but I don't think that is the best escape for school.  So I have started to craft.  Now I'm sure your thinking "You're starting crafting now?! Lame." I've always wanted to be super crafty, but just never took the time.  Now I have started.  These are my first couple of things, so please be kind.

My first card for my cousin's 30th birthday.

Front of a clip board.  You can't see very well but I went a little overboard with the stamps...

Back of clipboard. 

Gift bag.

There you have it.  My first crafty creations.  I am looking for any craft blogs for ideas and tutorials if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear! 

Purse Peek-a-Boo

I thought it might be fun to take a look into my purse.  Now I will admit I did just clean my purse, so there aren't the usual 15 receipts from Sonic floating around and I have down sized from my giant Vera Bradley tote.  My purse for right now is a red Cynthia Rowley that I've had since high school.  I like it for the summer because it's red and sparkly.  So, here's a peek-a-boo into my purse.

My favorite red purse.

Make-up bag.

Contents of make-up bag: Jergens lotion, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, Neutrogena Naturals lip balm, and Hard Candy Visibly Wet lip pencil in Must Have.

Sunglasses.

Vera Bradley coin purse.  Clearly well loved with pink pen stains from a leak mishap.

Iphone with Lilly cover.

Thank You notes, note cards, stamps, and paper just in case I need to write a quick note.

Everything!

As you can see it's not too much and very organized (at least for the next few days).  I'll have another peek-a-boo when I switch purses again.