I just want to wear this with sweater tights and utility boots...

     On my first night back at school, I made loaded potato soup - quite an ambitious plan I had considering I didn't get back until around 5 and had to unpack all of my stuff. I somehow pulled it together and made the soup in about a 25 minutes - and it turned out pretty good. When I first ate it though, I wasn't sure how I felt, but I just had it again for dinner tonight and adding a little sour cream and some spices gave it a lot more flavor. Then again, I always put an unhealthy amount of salt on things - my boyfriend had the soup and he liked it a lot without any salt or spices added. Next time I'd probably add a little garlic but I'll definitely make it again because its relatively easy and quick. 

Loaded Potato Soup

4 (6 oz.) red potatoes

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 cup pre-chopped onion

1 1/4 cups fat-free chicken broth

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk, divided

1/4 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 bacon slices

1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 teaspoons thinly sliced green onions

Pierce potatoes with a fork. Microwave on high 13 or until tender. Cut in half; cool slightly. While potatoes cook, heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, saute 3 minutes. Add broth. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk; add to pan with 1 1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; stir often. Cook one minute. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream, salt and pepper. Cook bacon (I used pre-cooked that I just had to put in the microwave). Crumble. Discard potato skins and coarsely mash potatoes into soup. Top with cheese, green onions, and bacon. 

      The price makes me want to cry a little, but I'm dying for a trench... Too bad I'm cutting myself off with all of my frivolous spending. 

     Well, this is my first real post in 2011. It's a little late - I moved back to Ann Arbor today for school - but here are just a few pictures from my New Year's Eve:

     I ended up wearing the fedora and it ended up being a great night with friends. I wore a lace dress, olive green sweater tights, J.Crew belt (my new obsession) and Minnetonka boots. I hope everyone had a great time ringing in the new year!

It's so pretty, I don't know if I could actually cook in it and get it dirty!