Wednesday, July 22, 2015

My Favorite Things: Lilly Pulitzer Agenda

I just wanted to give a quick shoutout to one of my favorite things, the planner that helps me stay (at least somewhat) organized, and that is super cute to boot!


I mean, it had to happen eventually. This is one of my top 10 favorite movies.

Anyway.

The Lilly Pulitzer Large Agenda is the perfect size for grad school, life, fun, and work planning.

I have it in this pattern, Lobstah Roll, but there are a ton to choose from. 

It has a yearly calendar, monthly calendars, and then daily calendars for each month. Plus pockets, a place for addresses and notes, a "dates to remember" section, a section for planning trips, and a ton of cute little stickers. And it's super durable - I carry it in my purse or backpack every day, and have never had one even bend.

There is plenty of room to write all my events in - here's October, which is already looking busy AND fun, with a wedding, a chapter due, a Nashville trip, and lots and lots of teaching.


My planner starts in August 2015 and goes all the way to December 2016. For $36, this is definitely a worthwhile purchase, and one of my very favorite things!


With brand new pens and a new planner, I'm pretty sure I can take over the world. 

Or at least remember what day it is.


Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Memphis Nosh: Noodles Asian Bistro

I don't like Asian food. 

Nope. 

I don't like Chinese food. Or Thai food. Or Japanese food. Or Korean food. Or the Americanized version of any of these.

I don't like it at all.

I LOVE it.

Despite not being exposed to any Asian food, not even a Chinese buffet, until I was probably 18, and not having sushi until I was 21 or so, I fell in love. Now I want to try everything!

Memphis, interestingly, has some really great options for both authentic dishes and more Americanized "classics." I've already talked about my love of Mosa, I adore Sekisui, and I order from Mulan an embarrassing amount. But when I saw a place I had never been before, Noodles Asian Bistro in Germantown, I knew I had to try it!


(Via Noodles)

A few weeks ago, my friend Kayla and I decided to check it out. She had been to the location in Bartlett, but neither of us had been to the Germantown location. 

The menu is huge:







(Via the Noodles website - also, SmallPDF is the best PDF to JPEG program out there y'all!)

So the entire menu looks amazing. But.

There's a secret.

Noodles also has fantastic specials:

$8.00 DAILY SPECIALS 

(BARTLETT & GERMANTOWN LOCATIONS)

Choice of a Rice Dish or Noodle Dish served with a complimentary Ginger Salad and a Shanghai Roll. No Dish Substitutions for Daily Specials. No other discounts can be applied to the Daily Specials.

MONDAY

  • - General Tso's Chicken (includes a side of white, brown, or fried rice) 
  • - Pad Thai Chicken

TUESDAY

  • - Thai Mango Chicken (includes a side of white, brown, or fried rice)
  • - Chinese Low Mein Chicken

WEDNESDAY

  • - Sweet & Sour Chicken (choice of rice)
  • - Vietnamese Noodle Soup with Beef

THURSDAY

  • - Honey Seared Chicken (includes a side of white, brown, or fried rice)
  • - Japanese Udon with Beef

FRIDAY

  • - Mongolian Beef (choice of rice)
  • - Singapore Street Noodles with Chicken

SATURDAY

  • - Sesame Chicken (includes a side of white, brown, or fried rice)
  • - Korean Spicy Noodles with Vegetables and Tofu

SUNDAY

  • - Chinese Teriyaki Chicken (includes a side of white, brown, or fried rice)
  • - Hong Kong Chow-Fun with Chicken

I got the Honey Seared Chicken, so for $8 I got the chicken, fried rice, a salad, and a Shanghai Roll (like an egg roll and a spring roll had a baby). EIGHT DOLLARS PEOPLE.

And it was all fantastic.




(This salad was great, even if it didn't photograph well!)


What you can't see here is how freaking huge this plate is. I had enough food left over for two more helpings later. 

FOR EIGHT DOLLARS.

They also have an authentic Chinese and Dim Sum menu, bubble teas, and they do catering.

Our server was super nice and attentive, and, although they weren't really busy in the dining room, a ton of people were getting takeout while we were there, so that's an option too!

If you like any of the specials and happen to be free, or just want some solid Asian food in a cute location in Germantown (or Bartlett - the Bartlett one has sushi!), Noodles is the place to go!



Monday, July 20, 2015

I'm Back!

Just a quick update to let everyone know I'm officially back in Memphis!

I was gone for a month in Utah, working for the AP and visiting family, then I went to Arkansas to see my parents.


One of my many adventures - hiking in the Wasatch Mountains!

I'm in crazy dissertation writing mode, but I'll be posting some reviews, some outfits, and at least one video soon - thanks for sticking around!