I have not blogged since I moved to Massachusetts (at the end of November), so I thought the new year would be a good excuse to do so.

Without further adieu, here are five things I’m obsessed with this week.

1. “Once Upon a Time” – ABC aired a marathon of “Once Upon a Time” on New Year’s Day, and I cannot wait for a new episode on Sunday night.

2. Baba Louie’s – This was one of the first restaurants I went to when I moved here (see below picture), and I went again over New Year’s weekend. Everything (pizza, pasta, soup, etc.) is organic, yummy and mostly vegetarian.

3. “Project Runway” – The Style network aired a marathon of seasons one, two and three over New Year’s weekend, and I got obsessed again, just in time for the premiere of “Project Runway All Stars” last night. Go Mondo!

4. “Hugo” – I seriously would’ve seen this sooner had I realized how intensely it dwells on the early history of cinema. Bravo, Martin Scorsese.

5. Cardigans – The temperatures here spiked to the coldest they’ve been since I moved, hitting -3 with a wind chill of -20. That extra layer of sweatery goodness between my coat and shirt or dress that a cardigan provides is most necessary here. (Yes, I know sweatery is not a word. Deal with it.) Most (if not all) of my cardigans come from Target or JCPenney.

From the new Ryan Adams record to Gardein products, here are the five things I’m obsessed with this week:

1. “Ashes & Fire” by Ryan Adams: The singer-songwriter’s latest album came out last Tuesday. I haven’t listened to his stuff much since a disappointing concert experience a couple of years ago, but this is good. Low-key, simple and beautiful with a hint of his signature combination of twang and rock ‘n roll. The opening track, “Dirty Rain,” is probably my favorite off the record, but I enjoy the whole thing. I’m even listening to it as I write this.

2. Gardein Meatless Products: These are a great, tasty way for vegetarians and vegans to get some protein. They might not taste exactly like meat, but that’s not necessarily what I want. The flavors hold up on their own. I first tried some marinara-stuffed “chick’n” breasts, which were stuffed with marinara sauce (obviously) and vegan cheese. They’re yummy on their own or served with some whole wheat spaghetti and bruschetta. I also tried out the seven-grain crispy tenders, which were lightly breaded and seasoned, and went well with some green beans and sliced grilled potatoes. I have the home-style beefless tips in the freezer, and am looking forward to trying them out.

3. Homemade sangria: Making our own take on a cocktail I had at Mad Tomato in Clayton, my mom and I have started making our own version of apple cider sangria. We got all of the ingredients at Aldi: apples, a gallon of apple cider, a bottle of riesling wine and a bottle of moscato wine. Chill the cider and wine, core and slice the apples. Put the slices in a larger wine glass, then add ice (we find crushed works better). Pour in half a glass of moscato or riesling and half a glass of cider. Enjoy!

4. Three Kings Public House: I went to the new University City restaurant for the first time on Friday night. For an appetizer, we tried the potato skins, which were crispy and stuffed with spinach, artichokes, toasted pine nuts and lemon-spiked Parmesan cream – they were as delicious as they sound. The restaurant advertises all of their burgers as being half a pound, and this was definitely my first half-pound veggie burger. The burger was comprised of “Match” soy protein and black beans, and topped off with avocado (an obsession of mine in itself), cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a chipotle mayo. Bottom line: it was made of a ton of things I love, and it didn’t disappoint.

5. St. Louis Cardinals: Yes, I know this isn’t a sports-related blog in the slightest, but I’ve been watching their playoff run and am excited to root for them in the World Series!

From one of my all-time favorite bands to some whole wheat naan, here are the five things I’m obsessed with this week:

1. Death Cab for Cutie: I saw them in concert on Sunday night (for the third time), and they rocked my socks off again.

2. 50/50: Joseph Gordon-Levitt is without a doubt one of my favorite actors, and he gives a performance that is funny, sincere and heartbreaking in this.

3. Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Tandoori Naan: I’ve eaten it on its own, I’ve eaten it as a bread side and I’ve made some flatbread with it (add Archer Farms’ Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta Spread, feta crumbles and fresh basil leaves): it’s yummy any way you want it.

4. “The Ides of March“: This film has three people I love: George Clooney as an actor, Ryan Gosling and George Clooney as a director. I went to a screening on Wednesday night: the movie was very good, and Gosling is terrific. This pretty much affirms my thoughts that he is a twenty-years-younger version of Clooney (with a few variances, of course). Supporting players Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei and Paul Giamatti are also on top of their game in this one.

5. Telekinesis – This band opened for Death Cab at The Pageant on Sunday night, and I also caught part of their set at Vintage Vinyl earlier that afternoon. I had already heard their most recent record a couple of times (and their latest single, “Please Ask for Help,” innumerable times), but seeing them live solidified a spot as one of my new favorite bands.

From the fall TV season to some new accessories, here are the five things I’m obsessed with this week:

1. TV premieres: Favorites like “Parenthood” and “Castle” are back, while new, eagerly-anticipated shows like “Pan-Am” and “New Girl” are airing their pilots.

2. “Mildred Pierce”: Todd Haynes’ wonderful miniseries (based on the same source material as the Joan Crawford movie of the same name) won acting Emmys for Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce.

3. My first pair of prescription sunglasses: I know I’m behind on the times when it comes to this, but I’m stoked.

4. Sanctuaria Wild Tapas: I went there for the first time for dinner on Friday night. A “Kill Devil Sling” (drink), wild berry salad, monterey jack/guava empanadas, pepper jack-stuffed eggplant and a dark chocolate torte for the WIN.

5. My new brown purse: Thank you Old Navy. The dress (Target clearance) and the shoes (Old Navy) in this picture are also new.

Aside from this blog, I am a working freelance writer for Patch.com. Here are my stories featured on five different branches of Patch.com this week: my Veggie Viewpoint restaurant review of Rizzo’s for Florissant Patch, “Deals for Grads” on Florissant Patch (also on Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch, Creve Coeur Patch and Maryland Heights Patch), “St. Joe Dancers Shine” on Ladue-Frontenac Patch, “Local Physician Signs Books at Deer Creek Coffee” on Ladue-Frontenac Patch, “St. Joe Graduates 145 Seniors” on Ladue-Frontenac Patch and the Florissant “House Hunt” articles for May 19 and May 26.

Stay tuned for: a story on a Target remodel for Florissant Patch, coverage of an interfaith poetry reading for Ladue-Frontenac Patch, my next “Frugal Family” article (where I track down deals in Florissant, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Clayton and Richmond Heights), coverage of two graduations for Ladue-Frontenac Patch, next week’s Florissant “House Hunt” and more.

The trailers for the new fall shows on ABC, Fox and NBC have been posted on Hulu, and I just watched them all. While I’m excited about the ideas and stars of some of the shows, I’m not exactly overwhelmed by any of them as a whole. Remarkably, I’ve found five shows that I’m willing to give a try.

Shows That I’m Willing to Give a Try

“Once Upon a Time” (ABC)

As a lover of anything fairy tale-inspired, I am very intrigued by the storyline of this show, but I’m not entirely sold on the way it’s being executed. That, and I’m not sure that the general public will jump on board with this particular genre of storytelling. (Less than stellar ratings = the network won’t allow it to go past the first few episodes.)

“Grimm” (NBC)

Again, I love most things that are fairy tale-inspired, and this show also falls into that category. This show may also have a few problems on the execution front, and the popularity of this may be an issue with the general public as well.

“Up All Night” (NBC)

Will Arnett, Christina Applegate and Maya Rudolph are the main selling points for this sitcom, which also looks like it might not be half-bad.

“Pan Am” (ABC)

I’m also a fan of anything of-the-past, and this definitely qualifies as in that category. The presence of Christina Ricci is also a bonus. I’m just slightly concerned that it will be a not-as-good “Mad Men” (set in the aviation world vs. the advertising world).

“New Girl” (Fox)

I love Zooey Deschanel (who plays the titular character), so I have to give this a shot even though I’m not exactly sold on the show.

Maybes: “Awake” (NBC, looks like “In Treatment” meets “Lost” meets a crime drama), “The Playboy Club” (NBC, another of-the-past show and possibly bad knock-off of “Mad Men”) and “Prime Suspect” (NBC, star Maria Bello is the main selling point here).

Aside from this blog, I am a working freelance writer for Patch.com. Here are my stories featured on four different branches of Patch.com this week: a “Veggie Viewpoint” restaurant review of China Palace on Florissant Patch, “New Businesses Flock to Frontenac” on Ladue-Frontenac Patch, “Subterranean Books Hosts UCHS Rock and Read Event” on University City Patch, “St. Joe Goes Broadway” on Ladue-Frontenac Patch, a photo gallery from the Valley of Flowers parade on Florissant Patch (also on Hazelwood Patch), “Villa Duchesne Graduates 81 Seniors” on Ladue-Frontenac Patch and this week’s Florissant “House Hunt.”

Stay tuned for: my next “Frugal Family” article (where I track down deals in Florissant, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Clayton and Richmond Heights), coverage of St. Joseph’s Academy’s dance concert on Ladue-Frontenac Patch and next week’s Florissant “House Hunt.”