Oops, I did it again.

I really do need to say about a million Hail Marys between now and next Sunday, because I just did something truly awful.

You see, there is this watch I have been coveting for several years now. When I was in Las Vegas, I looked for it, but not too hard. Then last night I went to a birthday party for some random chick I don't know, and she was wearing one. Then today, as I was purchasing a new pair of jeans on the second floor of Nordstrom, I saw one on the wrist of the salesgirl who was ringing up my purchase. She had awful breath. How could she have one of these beautiful things and not me? I felt myself becoming weaker.

Here's the deal: I just finished up my second bachelor's degree. I even got the diploma in the mail today (Summa Cum Laude, bitches!!). I am also about to embark on a new career. And I just experienced the ending of a three-year long relationship. I needed something to signify my new beginnings. This would be a present to myself that I could enjoy for years and years to come.

So I took the escalator to the first floor and walked over to the watch case. I spotted my prize and proceeded to try on a few different styles. I debated over whether it would be too flashy for someone as young and casual as myself. She said it didn't look too over-the-top on me. I wondered if I should really be spending this much money. She told me it was an investment piece. I said I would sleep on it. She told me I would get triple points on my Nordstrom card. Done.

And now it sits upon my wrist. Shiny, sparkly, keeping time with great accuracy. Don't make fun of me, but I was never that great at telling time on a non-digital watch. But I will stare at this watch face so much that I will soon become an expert.

Without any further adieu, behold the Michele Mini Urban Diamond:

The picture doesn't really do it justice. Not only is it beautiful and unique-looking, what I really love is the fact that you can change out the straps. I went with the traditional stainless-steel bracelet (as shown in the picture), but hope to receive some alligator straps (especially the white one) in the future, for say, Christmas or my birthday. It will be like getting an entirely new watch every time! At $200 each, the alligator straps are just as expensive as any other watch I have purchased in the past. In fact, the watch itself is the most expensive item I have ever bought, save for my car. Granted, it's not Rolex expensive, but still. Do you think the good Lord will forgive me for my sin?

Crock Pots: Magically Delicious!

I am such an old lady. But I adore the crock pot! Yes, that item that everybody puts on their wedding registry (along with the KitchenAid mixer) but never uses. Shame, shame! Don't you know what a wonderful tool of cooking prowess you have sitting right under your nose? I know, I know, you say you can't cook. But the awesome thing about the crock pot is that even a monkey could make a delicious meal using one of these things. You just throw a bunch of crap in there, set it on low, and 8 hours later you have a yummy concoction. 

Take for example, this recipe:

Ashley's W.T. Mexican Stew

A few frozen chicken breasts or tenderloins

1/4 packet low-sodium taco seasoning

1 can condensed reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup

1  cup of salsa

1 can of black beans, drained

1 can chopped green chilies

Put the frozen chicken tenderloins into the crock pot and sprinkle with the taco seasoning. Throw everything else in. No need to stir. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours. Shred the chicken and stir. Makes 3-4 bowls.

This is a recipe I adapted from some a couple of similar recipes I found on Sparkrecipes.com. I realize the combination of ingredients sounds a little nasty and oh-so pedestrian, but it turns out to be kind of like a creamy, spicy black bean soup.  And you can't tell me that you can't make it because there is zero prep work involved. Unless you count opening cans as prep work. By the way, I made that in my mini-crock pot, so you could double the recipe to use for a bigger one.

Speaking of crock pots, I found my dream crock pot in my new Williams Sonoma catalog. Behold the All-Clad Deluxe Slow Cooker ($279):

How pretty and amazing is this thing??? Not only can you remove the inner liner, but you can actually put it on your stove to brown meats, as in for a beef stew, and then transfer the liner back into the cooker, eliminating the need for an extra pan. Genius!

I think it's time for me to start my own registry. Or if you own the pretty All-Clad Slow Cooker, a KitchenAid mixer, or any other useful kitchen gadget that's still in its box and collecting dust and taking up valuable storage room in your kitchen cabinets, I will gladly accept these items as a donation from you and put them to good use. I might even use them to bake you some cookies or any other number of delightful treats at Christmas time. You're welcome.