:: two reasons to celebrate ::

Happy Halloween AND Happy Red Sox win! I'm actually not a super fan of Halloween or baseball but I love that other people love them. And I'm really grateful that we didn't have a game 7 on Halloween day. A crazy city driven just an extra bit of crazy would have sent me cowering to my apartment. All in the name of avoiding getting trampled by the drunken, face-painted masses. Thank goodness I dodged that bullet.

Since I can't really offer any commentary on last night's win, I found this darling video from a very talented baker named Meg. And it still has a Red Sox theme. It's WAY out of my skill level, but I'm betting it's not out of some of yours! Enjoy!

Linking up with All Things Thursday!

:: I dare you not to tear up ::

Restoring my faith in humanity, via Gawker. Full story text below.

It's not easy being a single mother, let alone a single mother going through a messy divorce while trying to take care of four-year-old daughter with bullying tendencies, a six-year-old son with Asperger's and ADHD, and a college student who was forced to take a year off from school.

Yet, somehow, one Raleigh mom manages to stick to the family's tradition of going out to a different restaurant every Friday night.

Last Friday, while at a Pizza Hut in Durham with her two youngest, the unidentified woman approached the young man sitting in the booth beside them and apologized in advance for the noise her kids were bound to make.

Her son's medication had worn off, and it was only a matter of time before he acted out.

To her surprise, the man told her not to worry about it, and that, as the father of three children himself, he could relate to her hardship.

As the meal went on, the mother tried her best to keep her kids well-mannered by using "engaging behavior" and other parenting methods she had picked up from books, classes, and experience.

She hadn't even noticed the next booth clear out until she was approached by a waitress and the restaurant's manager and informed that the man she spoke with had left something behind for her. In addition to paying for the entire family's meal and purchasing a Pizza Hut gift card for them to take home, the man also wrote down a lengthy note explaining the reason for his random act of kindness:

I do not know your back story, but I have had the privilege of watching you parent your children for the past 30 minutes. I have to say thank you for parenting your children in such a loving manner. I have watched you teach your children about the importance of respect, education, proper manners, communication, self control, and kindness all while being very patient. I will never cross your path again but am positive that you and your children have amazing futures. Keep up the good work and when it starts to get tough do not forget that others may be watching and will need the encouragement of seeing a good family being raised. God bless! -Jake.

:: breaking out those winter coats ::

I kinda loathe winter, but I love winter coats. I'm complicated like that. There's nothing better than being super cozy in warm yet stylish outerwear. I have zero room for more winter coats in my place, but that hasn't stopped me from looking (and buying, #noselfcontrol).

Here are a few that I love. That red one with the polka dots is $34! ?!?!?

it's getting chilly!

:: just got 30 minutes of my morning back ::

Does anyone else love Ricky's NYC? There aren't any in Boston, but whenever I'm in New York, I love to stop in and look around. And that pink plastic bag with the tube of toothpaste on it just makes me smile.

 

Anyway, a few years ago, I read about their No-Crease Hair Clips (probably in Allure) and grabbed a few packs. And then I never touched them again. They sat in a dish in my bathroom for literally two years. They look like this: 

 

 Recently, my hair and I have been having some issues. She thinks I'm too controlling and I feel like she won't do anything I ask of her even though I treat her really well. And I spend a LOT of money on her. Ahem. 

Our mornings together involve a hairdryer and The Bombshell, but by the time I get to work I look like I just rolled out of bed. Enter the No-Crease Clips. 

This week, I started washing and drying my hair at night. When it's completely dry, I roll up small sections (without twisting, so they stay flat) and use these clips to affix the rolls right up against my scalp. The only tricky part is making sure that you don't use too much hair per clip or they won't stay. I have fairly thick, long hair and I use about 10 for my whole head. 

The amazing thing is that they don't fall out during the night and when I took them out the a.m. and blasted my hair with some hairspray, this happened. Without a curling iron in sight! My hair and I might not need couples counseling after all.

:: fingerless gloves: not just for the homeless, anymore ::

I just got a pair of cashmere ones at J. Crew for a steal and I can't wait for them to arrive. And I'm going to wear them even at the risk of someone thinking I should be lighting a fire in a trashcan or lip-syncing "Material Girl." At least in Boston, there's only a brief window of opportunity to wear said gloves without risking frostbite and potential digit amputation. That time is now, and I'm moving on it.

I've yet to find a really stylish pair of gloves that are smartphone-friendly, and there's just something about having my fingertips free to dig through my handbag, inspect my manicure or catch germs on the subway.

Here are a few of my favorites from Polyvore. The buttons, the cableknit, the red. Love them all. 

Fingerless gloves!

:: roasted chickpeas to die for ::

Ok, so one more post about my recent Boston Organics box and then I'll shut up.

It came with a pound of garbanzo beans from Fiddler's Green Farm and I felt so earthy soaking them instead of getting them out of a can. They soaked for about 24 hours and then I cooked them in boiling water for 10 minutes. From there, I dried them off really well with a paper towel and they looked like this:

A lot of recipes say to pick out those papery skins, but I left them in (out of laziness and hunger) and they ended up crunchy and full of salt (win). Preheat the oven to 425.

In a bowl, mix together some olive oil with whatever type of seasoning you like. I chose kosher salt, pepper and just a pinch of curry powder. But I've even seen some recipes that suggest cinnamon and sugar if you're going for sweet instead of savory. Coat the chickpeas. They should be shiny, but not drippy with oil.

Place the chickpeas, one layer deep, on a cookie sheet covered with tinfoil. Put in the oven for 15 minutes. Flip them as best you can and then back in the oven for another 15 minutes.

You guys, these are perfection. I'm never eating popcorn/peanuts/corn nuts/pretzel M&Ms again.

:: veggies the size of my face ::

So, last Thursday I got my first crate from Boston Organics. And this happened:

For those who don't recognize those leaves, they're collard greens. I had to look them up myself. After a quick call to a southern friend, I attempted to cook them up. And despite their colossal nature, it wasn't hard at all. The recipe is below. True diehards will be disappointed that there's no mention of bacon or bacon fat, but I'm on a bit of a vegetarian kick right now and I'm also no Paula Deen. So here's a meat free version of the southern classic. Made by a northerer...

• 1 lb. chopped collard greens
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add collard greens, and simmer 5 minutes. My southern friend says adding a pinch of baking soda to the water will help to tenderize and take away some of the bitterness.

2.  Drain.
3. Heat olive oil in same pot over medium heat. Add garlic, and sauté 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Add greens, and sauté 5 minutes, or until tender. Season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.