For breakfast, I had this...

Cheerios aren't just for kids (that's what I tell myself - haha).  I still prefer to eat the plain ones dry.  Just like a kid would :)  But this morning we had MultiGrain Cheerios.  I'd never had these before, but they were on sale at Target yesterday, so I decided to try a box.  Yums.

I had this:

and this:

Good breakfast.  Now time for work.

Oh how this makes me laugh...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Ev5HgGACg&feature=channel

Hope it makes you chuckle :)

***You have to click on the link, NOT the picture to see the video.***

[Raisin] Bran Muffins - Yummy!

My mom always used to make mini Raisin Bran muffins when we were little. At that time, I still liked raisins. I think during my teenage years (haha I sound old), I decided I really didn't like raisins anymore. And I still don't!! However, I love these little muffins. I just pick out the raisins :)  These are a great source of fiber.  Really good warm with a little butter.

Mixing everything up in the KitchenAid.

Sifting the dry ingredients.

All ready for the oven...

Yum!  All ready to eat :)

P.S. I do NOT use the recipe on the Kellogg's website, although they do have one posted there.

Chik'N Nuggets

These are my favorite veggie-friendly meat-substitute. Whenever I don't feel like eating anything else, I still want to eat these. You may think they're a weird concept, but they're delicious!

MorningStar Farms makes a bunch of other really yummy soy products. The cool thing is that on their website they also have different recipes to try using the various soy products :)

http://www.seeveggiesdifferently.com/

I'll Follow the Sun

"One day you'll look to see I've gone.
For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.
Some day you'll know I was the one.
But tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.
And now the time has come
And so my love I must go.
And though I lose a friend,
In the end you will know, oooh.
One day you'll find that I have gone.
For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.
Yes, tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.
And now the time has come
And so my love I must go.
And though I lose a friend,
In the end you will know, oooh.
One day you'll find that I have gone.
For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun."

(The Beatles)

*Rachel, you will be dearly missed by so many.

Add a little flair to the table...

...new place mats can really make the table look so fun and bright!  We got some new ones to brighten up the table a little :)  Just a little something to change the dining area without REALLY changing the dining area.

To my love...

Thank you for the most amazing Birthday/Valentine's Day ever!  You do spoil me so.  Thank you for loving me the way that you do.

Lunch at Navio (my fav) was delish!

The 4-course Dinner you cooked me was fantastic!

(2nd Course: Carrot Ginger Soup)

And what a perfect way to end the meal.  Chocolate-dipped strawberries & my favorite Champagne!!!

You really do love me, don't you? :o)

27 things...

Since I'm turning 27, I though I'd share 27 little facts that you may or may not know about me.  Hope you enjoy reading :)

1. My birthday is on Valentine's Day.

2. Ryan and I have been together for almost 4 years now.  Little did I know that at the age of 4, I'd already met the love of my life...

3. ...my family moved to Half Moon Bay, CA when I was 4 years old - right across the street from Ryan (!).  Ryan really IS dating "the girl next door"!

4. I have a dog named Alvin.  He is amazing and by far the cutest dog you will ever meet.

5. Ryan and I had our first "date" at the San Francisco Zoo.

6. I'm a tofu-eating, soy-loving, Vegetarian.

7. My parents made my name up.  It's a combination of 2 of my German great-aunts names: Vera & Frederike.  That makes me one-of-a-kind ;)

8. I have the most amazing family and friends.

9. I am very afraid of heights.

10. I have a phobia of homeless people!

11. It's pretty probable that I could live off of French Fries and coffee.  Circa 2003, that coffee would have been replaced by Sugar-Free RedBull (terrible, I know).

12. I am very OCD about our apartment being clean and organized.  I hate clutter.

13. I think I missed my calling as an interior designer and stylist - haha.  There's still time, right?

14. Fourteen is my lucky number.

15. I have 2 brothers.  I'm the oldest, but even so, they are very protective over me :)

16. I am 1/2 German (Dad) & 1/2 Filipino (Mom).

+

17. I am a reality TV junkie.

18. Eventually I will be the next Imelda Marcos.  I think I might be half-way there in the shoe department - haha!  Love a smokin' hot pair of stilettos!!

19. I don't really move when I sleep.  I've heard it freaks people out.

20. My favorite color is PINK.

21. I heart champagne.

22. I have a love-hate relationship with my hair.

23. I work at an awesome video game company.  Ironically, before working in the video game industry, I'd never really played any video games.  Well, maybe Duck Hunt!  Haha.

24. I majored in Sociology at UCLA.  I now work in HR.  I have a thing for understanding people :)

25. I love love love traveling, especially to Europe.  So far, I've been to: England, Germany, Spain, Mexico, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and Denmark.

26. I am a darn good cook if I may say so myself.  (Just ask Ryan!)  Ryan and I would consider ourselves foodies.  We love a good meal!

27. I have the most amazing closet you will ever see.  My closet is organized by color, and also by clothing item (ie. pants, tank-tops, dresses, etc.).  It looks like a small clothing boutique.  My shoes are all in clear boxes with Polaroids of each pair on the front.  What can I say...I have a passion for fashion!

xoxo,

Verike

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope your hearts are filled with L-O-V-E.

How do you take yours?

Grande Soy [sometimes Vanilla] Latte.

Yum.

That's how I take mine :)