I love shoes

What can I say, I love shoes. I have quite a few pairs, I think it was the mid 50s at last count. Some people think this is a lot, but really I could handle a few more pairs.

I remember hearing from a guy friend that you can tell how high maintenance a girl is by how many pairs of shoes she owns. 1-15= low maintenance, 15-30=manageable, 30+ high maintenance (basically stay away)! Then what does that make me? Ridiculously high maintenance? I don't think so! I have been told that I am quite low maintenance, I don't take a lot of time to get ready, I am not super demanding and I pay my own way. I really don't think this method of measuring works. And anyhow boys, do you really want a girl with only a couple pairs of shoes? Crunchy granola Birkenstocks, runners, a couple pairs of flip flops and one pair of heels? I don't think so! As much as my boyfriends complains about how my shoes take up the entire apartment he likes me to wear nice heels! What guy doesn't like seeing a girl in some high heels that make her bum look great? We can't always look as hot as you want us to if you don't let us have a good selection of shoes. So, as much as guys say they want a low maintenance girlfriend, they enjoy the benefits of it.

My only problem with all of these pairs of shoes is how to store them? I tried keep them in the boxes and labelling each one. This was a pretty good method because they stacked easily and kept the shoes in good shape, my problem with it was that I forgot about the pairs on the bottom of the stack. I've tried open shoe boxes where you put a few pairs in standing up, this way you can see them all but it kind of squishes them. I tried stacked bins behind the door, with each cubby full of one type of shoe. Ballet flats, sandals, closed toe heels, flip flops, pumps... This kind of worked but then I moved and there isn't that great space behind the door. Shoe racks are great but I would have to fill a whole room with shoe racks to hold my collection.

I think celebrities have it right, convert one of your 6 spare rooms into a shoe closet! Ah, if only. I guess I better win the lottery or marry rich.

This is Mariah Carey's closet, as crazy as she is, isn't it beautiful?!!!

What's so bad about being a trophy wife?

Is being a trophy wife really so bad? I suppose it depends on what your definition of a trophy wife is.

To some, the term “trophy wife” connotes an enviable achievement, while to others it's an idiomatic synonym for “idiot.” The contradictory connotations that riddle the following definition probably please both sides: Trophy wife: The (rarely first) wife of an affluent (often older) man who is (often younger and) exceptionally (more) attractive (than he is). Prevailing synonyms include: gold digger, socialite, shopaholic, secret envy of countless women, and object of feminist scorn.However interpreted, the customary concept of marriage based strictly on romantic love is both young and narrow. Historically, people have gotten married for a wide variety of reasons -- social, economical, political, professional -- so the trophy wife has plenty of precedence. (http://www.askmen.com/fine_living/how_to/7_how_to.html)

I made a deal with my boyfriend that if he could support the two of us I would stay home. His reward would be me at the door, when he comes home, in lingerie and heels with a drink in one hand and dinner on the table. What would be so bad about that? I would have more time, less stress and no boss to answer to. I could do all of those things I never have time for and have always wanted to do. But would I be bored? Are housewives bored? The sure look like they are having a good time on Desperate Housewives.

Hmm... something to think about.

The Purpose

The purpose of this blog is... well, I'm not really sure yet. I guess the purpose is to figure things out, kind of a rough draft. That wouldn't fly at work. I'd be asked "well, what's your point of view?". I am getting really tired of that question. Sometimes you just don't know.

A girl I work with thinks that I am destined for better things. She thinks I could have my own show, kind of an Urban Martha Stewart, but cooler and with out jail time. Or a cook book, or magazine or something. So, that is what I am doing here, trying to figure out what that greater thing is.

My co-worker often drools over my lunches, they are just left overs from last nights dinner. But she always says they look so good, and she wants me to teach her how to cook. I love cooking. I learned from my Mom. No packages or cans get opened, well, except things like stewed tomatoes. Everything is fresh, even the spices (I have several pots on the patio- basil, thyme, cilantro, rosemary...). I cook different things every night and am not afraid of trying new things. And no, I am not an old spinster who has nothing better to do. I am 28, I have a social life, I work a pretty busy job and live with my boyfriend. I just like to cook. She doesn't really like to cook, I think her husband would like it if she did! I know my boyfriend likes it. He says he has gained 20lbs since dating me!

So, back to my co-worker. She was enjoying my lunches too last week, as my boyfriend was out of town and I don't really know how to cook for one. So my first post is going to be about the soup she loved. Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup:

Ingredients

olive oil
6 red bell peppers- cut in halves
1 large red or white onion
8 cloves - whole head of garlic (you can never have too much garlic)
1 large can crushed tomatoes (you can do it with out tomatoes but then you need a lot more peppers!)
a bunch of fresh oregano (I've used rosemary or other spices too)
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock (I prefer the organic tetra packs- you know that most broths have MSG except for organic or low-sodium)
2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp sea salt
fresh ground pepper
3 tbsp whipping cream (if you don't have it milk is fine)
small container of sour cream

-lightly oil a baking sheet and place the peppers (so the cut side is flat on the sheet), garlic and wedges of onion on the baking sheet. Cook for about 15-20 minutes until the peppers skin goes a bit black and starts to bubble. You will need to let the peppers cook until you can handle them and then peel the skin off, the more it has bubbled the easier it will be to peel off. Or I've hear that running them under cold water helps if the skin is sticking.

-put all of the stock, tomatoes and herbs in a large pot. Bring it to a boli and then reduce the heat until it is simmering. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes.

-then you can add the peppers (you should chop them a bit before adding, random sizes is fine, you will blend it later), onions and garlic. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.

-blend the mixture until it is smooth

-put it back in the pot, add the basil, sugar, salt and pepper. At this point I would taste it and add more of something if you feel anything is missing. Let it cook for a couple more minutes.

-turn the heat off and add the cream (or milk)

-when you are serving it to your guests put a few dollops of sour cream on the top and a pinch of fresh basil (or whatever herb you have left over). The cool sour cream with the slightly tart soup is a great mix. Also the contrast of the colours makes the soup look beautiful! Your guests will be really impressed!

(makes about 6-8 bowls)

Enjoy!