Don't mess with a starving girl.

Last night was an interesting night.

I, thankfully, was able to get off work about an hour before I usually do. I had two choices, go home and wait for Christa to get off work and then join her at a journalism conference panel we had bought tickets for, or wait around Penn Ave. and find something to do.

I decided on the latter.

I wandered around and found a Barnes and Noble. I would have like to have found a "local" bookstore, as my boyfriend Adam would have enjoyed, but B&N always does the trick when I am bored and when I want coffee.

I went in and found the newest copy of Food Network magazine. This made me happy for two reasons:
1. I love FN to the depths of my core. Really, no jokes.
2. There was a fantastic looking burger on the front, and since I was starving, naturally I look for the tastiest looking cover.

I then wandered around the cooking aisles and picked out the newest cookbook (Down Home with the Neelys) that I will probably either break down and purchase myself or ask an unsuspecting family member to get me for my birthday*. I had to step over an unpleasant smelling homeless man who had camped out in the back corner to read "The Joy of Cooking," which in my opinion is always a good choice. Then it hit me, I was STARVING. It was one of those moments where you realize if you don't eat you will pass out or start crying. I feel like I would be closer to the second, and if I didn't hurry I would run the risk of getting cranky. Everyone who knows me, knows this. And you want to avoid it.

So I figured since Christa and I would be going to this little reception that I would just get a coffee to tie me over. So I went for Old Faithful: skinny vanilla latte. There is nothing like it. I know I could get regular coffee and sprinkle some vanilla flavor in it, but why not spend the couple extra cents to have them do it perfectly. Starbucks never lets me down.**

So after I enjoyed my coffee and my magazine, I left for the Metro. I got to McPherson Square and waited on Christa and we were off. In the rain. Four blocks. And still starving. Not only was it just me this time, but Christa was starving too. We needed to nibble on the luxurious appetizers at this party. And wash it down with an overpriced drink that we would get for free, because of course, this is a journalism conference panel with elite Washington journalists. And we were tagging along pretending like we were too. Naturally.

So the event is at a posh DC hangout the K Street Lounge. We walk in to find catchy music, leather couches and low tables. It's fantastic. Until I realize we have to pay for drinks. And there is NO FOOD. Panic sets in. So I order a vodka and soda and pray that this thing lasts for about 20 minutes and less than two drinks or one of two things will happen:
1. I will be drunk.
2. I will still be hungry and I will be more cranky because I spent amost $20 on drinks.

The second happened.

So after about two hours of journalism talk we left. It was a great panel discussion, but somewhere between the talk about the difference between bloggers and reporters being one and the same, I was lost in thought about what we could get for dinner and watching passersby on the street.

Thank God for the iPhone. We picked pizza and it gave us a detailed map of the way to Pizza Authentica. What a great find! Pepperoni pizza is a classic, and when it's made on yeast crust, uhhhh.. to die for! Dip it in ranch and cover it in parmesan cheese and kick it up with red pepper flakes and you have your self a M-E-A-L! I'll keep Pizza Authentica on my list as a go-to when I am running around and need a quick lunch.

After all, when I am starving and cranky, all I need is a piece of pizza to perk me up. :)

Hopefully this weekend, I'll get to cook up something fantastic at home. I'll keep you posted on which recipe I use from my new issue of FN Magazine. Maybe the juicy burger on the cover...

*Just sayin'. If I get it as a gift, then I can cook you fabulous meals during the holidays! Hooray for everyone!

**Except the one time when I asked for a White Chocolate Mocha and I got a concoction of something espresso-ey and raspberry-ey. Gross to say the least. Also, during the holidays, a go-to at S-Bucks is most DEFINITELY the Eggnog Latte. Classic holiday yumminess. Mom can agree. And who doesn't agree with her. :)

Here we go!

There are so many reasons why I wanted to start a blog.

1. I have a love and a passion for cooking and baking. It is a relatively new hobby/obsession, but I am so glad I found something that I truly love to do, no matter when or where.

2. I recently moved to the big, new city of Washington, DC (well Arlington, but who is really keeping track), so I have had to prepare food A LOT more. Not only for myself, but for my lovely friends whom I live and eat with daily.

3. I have a wealth of fun foods that I have either made or baked and I want to be able to share them with others. Some are normal everyday foods, some, my friends, are not.

4. My bestie Randan finally did it, so I followed suit.

So here I am. I'm playing it by ear, so I hope you will follow me as I cook my way through life (or at least my first year in DC).

Bon Appetit!