mexican salad in a jar.

I've been making a ton of jar salads lately — and before you say it, no, it's not just because I love pinterest, it's because they actually fit in my work bag better and last longer. The salads stay fresh for a few days, so I can make them on Sunday night and grab one each morning before work, and then when I get to work I dump it all out into a huge bowl and toss with dressing.

For this salad, I tried to replicate what I would get at Chipotle, minus the meat, cheese, and globs of sour cream (though, I might have to add a little dollop to each of these once they're poured out). I'm trying to keep away from unnecessary dairy, especially cheese, and have been replacing meat a few times a week with other proteins, just to keep things light and see if I can shed a few. There is zero science to this, but so far, I feel healthier, and have definitely seen a bit of slimming going on, so I'm not going to mess with what I'm doing unless it stops working. (However, I fully support your additions, and you'd best believe that I'll be making these with cheese from time to time in the future.) This salad is super easy to make, and the directions are made even easier by this handy GIF I made (I know, I skipped the tomato picture and believe me, I'm more annoyed than you are about that).

Mexican jar salad (makes three large jars):
// 1 cucumber
// 1/2 red onion
// 1 can sweet corn
// 1 can black beans
// 3 small tomatoes
// 2 avocados*
// 1 head of romaine

Rinse and chop everything up, and layer starting with the harder veggies, beans and corn, soft veggies and avocado, and then pack it in with lettuce until you can't fit anymore. Seal that puppy up and you're good to go. Enjoy!

*Because avocados brown so quickly, I cut them up into little pieces and tossed them with a splash of lime juice to keep them fresh, and add a little bit of flavor.

27 things in my 27th year.

For the last two years, I've celebrated my birthday by making a list of things that I would ideally love to accomplish/experience/do during that age's year. I began my 27th revolution around the sun last Tuesday when I turned 26, and there are a fair amount of things that I'd love to do this year.

Looking back on my 26th year, and what I crossed off the year's list, there are still a couple of things that I've been beating myself up about not accomplishing, so some of those items will reappear, and some of the ones that were successful are definitely getting a second round. As for the others, a lot changed for me last year, so there are a lot of new things I'm excited about trying while I'm 26. I just hope I can keep to the list better than I've been able to keep up with this blog as of late.

1// Organize my photos on iPhoto — this was on last year's list, and I'm ashamed to say I didn't get to it, and just added more clutter in the end.

2// Take a class to learn more about my DSLR camera. (I'm thinking this one.)
3// Catch up to the new season of Game of Thrones by the finale.
4// Learn how to make my gramma's famous rice balls.
5// Take a copy editing class OR read at least three books to help improve my skills.
6// Clean out my closet and donate all of the clothes that I never wear but tell myself I will "some day."
7// Add a new product to my Etsy shop.
8// Take more photos.
9// Get my seventh tattoo.
10// See every Robin William's movie that I've never seen.
11// Lose ten pounds.
12// Take 100 days of selfies, as my 30 days of selfies project was my absolute favorite a couple years ago, and it made me feel creative and more in tune with myself.
13// Go to a late-night show taping.
14// Take a cooking class.
15// Take a road trip.
16// Visit three new breweries.
17// Read all of the Harry Potter books again and the new one!
18// Go to at least four concerts.
19// Use my polaroid camera more.
20// Watch the entire series of Parenthood, because everyone who knows me well keeps telling me it's a must.
21// Come up with a new solution for project life in 2016, as I still haven't finished 2015's album and don't think I'll be able to keep up with weekly spreads at all this year (seeing as it's already mid-March and I've done nothing!)
22// Visit the Golden Gate Bridge next time I'm in SF.
23// Either take a class, or teach myself calligraphy.
24// Travel to a new place.
25// Learn the NYC subway system, because I really suck at it.
26// Read 50 books.
27// Write myself a letter to open up on my 27th birthday (I never got around to doing this last year, and ended up being upset this year when I didn't have one).

Let's do this, 26.

goodbye, twenty five.

I turned 26 last Tuesday, and even though I couldn't get my blogging together in time, I still want to reflect on 25 in the same way that I reflected on 24 last year, so here it goes: 25 things that made my 26th year amazing. (And coming tomorrow, 27 things in my 27th year.)

1// I took an epic road trip with my best friends to Portland, ME.
2// I got my sixth tattoo on my 25th birthday.
3// I had my favorite meal of the year (maybe ever) in SF in April. I still think about it now.
4// I got my absolute dream job just a few days after my birthday, and it's been the best year of my working life.
5// I was converted from a football-hater to a football-butt-lover who also appreciates the game.
6// Got to meet and interview one of my girl crushes, Ayesha Curry.
7// I moved into an amazing house with my two best friends, and it's been a party since day one.
8// Went on a brewery tour in Portland and got drunk off tastings (aka, the best way to do it).
9// I MET SHAQ. NBD.
10// I caught the essences of Max and my relationship on video, and it's my favorite thing in the world.
11// I finally invested in business cards and reopened my Etsy shop.
12// Celebrated Max turning four.
13// And Sky turning one (!).
14// I perfected the homemade bacon, egg, and cheese everything bagel. Seriously.
15// I started up the #alessiacommutes hashtag again with my classic platform photos.
16// I started off 2016 with a new one little word: contentment.
17// I spent a week with my babies in California, and it was the most fun we've had.
18// I traveled to SF twice, and fell in love with it.
19// Started spending more time with my little cousin Sam, who I swear is actually my twin sister.
20// Got to celebrate my pooch's first real birthday on the leap day.
21// Celebrated my first Christmas not living in my parent's house, which was weird, but so much fun.
22// I saw Ed Sheeran for the fifth time.
23// I also saw Taking Back Sunday two times within four days because they're still my favorite band, and probably always will be.
24// Got myself a work wife who works remote from Chicago, and as if that's not the best thing that happened to me this year, actually getting to meet each other in June takes the cake.
25// Celebrated the end of 25 and the beginning of 26 with all of my favorite people on a party bus.

Bring it on 26.