style?

you know when you need a lift? well, i guess the rest of my family knew i needed one...

for christmas, dad & mom gave each of us girls some clothes from gap that we could take back for cash and get clothes we really wanted/needed. well, i hadn't spent mine yet and kelsie had been telling me for a couple weeks that i needed new clothes (and pointing out why). because i didn't want to spend hours shopping, we decided it would be best to go between work and young women's.

kelsie met me after work and we headed to the mall. we started at american eagle. i found a pair of capri's and a shirt. i like to have stores hold what i have until i am sure i want to make a purchase. apparently, american eagle is not allowed to do holds under any circumstance. so we left the stuff there and headed to store #2...

i went into gap knowing that i would like nothing there. kelsie helped me eat my words. she had me hold out my hands, then she would pile on clothes (most of which i would never try on in the first place), saying "trust me" each time i made a face, grabbed pants like a mad woman, and we went into the dressing room. i am constantly amazed at all the styles available. i was so glad kelsie was there to guide me. i know i look lost and hopeless as i shop. i need guidance and kelsie isn't afraid to give it to me (i actually know she thrives when she is helping me become more stylish). we found some tops and all that was left were jeans.

jean shopping is perhaps my least favorite. when i think one looks good, boy am i wrong. i thought we found the pair of jeans and kelsie left to get another pile, and another pile...(how she keeps them apart, i have no idea) and we found the pair in the third pile!

so i had two tops and a pair of jeans that went over my budget. i had to narrow it down. as i was deciding, kelsie said i would be able to get them all. i did the math again, and it still went over my budget. then she pulled out some money from dad & mom. i burst into tears and had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude come over me. how lucky am i? DARN LUCKY!!!

kelsie then took me to shade to get some colorful tank tops to wear under shirts to add color. i wanted to get a simple plain blouse to wear with my skirts, etc. i pulled one out, and without saying anything, kelsie took it from my hands and hung it back up...enough said. i felt like the girl on 'what not to wear' when she picks something out, and they are secretly watching her, then they pounce on her and correct her...i am so glad she was there to stop me from purchasing that hideous thing! thanks kelsie for the patience and love...and most of all, making a non-shopper, have a great time!

-ash

lemon cookies

seriously...try them...delicious!

lemon ricotta cookies with lemon glaze

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 stick butter, softened

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 (15 oz) whole milk ricotta cheese

3 tbl lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

preheat oven to 375*...

in a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. set aside.

in the large bowl, combine the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. add the eggs 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest. beat to combine. stir in the dry ingredients.

line baking sheets with parchment paper. spoon the dough (about 2 tbl for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. bake for 13 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. remove from oven and let the cookies rest on baking sheet for 20 minutes. then glaze...

(my tip...keep the dough in the fridge when you aren't using it. also, make sure each cookie sheet is cold before you fill with more cookies)

glaze:

3 c. powdered sugar

6 tbl lemon juice

2 lemon, zested

combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice and zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. spoon and spread onto each glaze. before storing, let the glaze harden for about 2 hours...

-enjoy