spring fever

Wow, I haven't posted on here in a long time, sorry! Matt has been on spring break and I guess I've just been savoring the time with him. We get home from work in the evenings and neither of us use the computer for the rest of the night! Well that might be an exaggeration, but its been lovely to spend time together without the glow of the screen on his face. I can't wait for life post-grad!!

In the mean time, we've been getting spring fever around here - windows open, dinners on the porch, walks downtown and growing plants! We are really excited about this whole plant endeavor, it was Matt's idea actually. He is on a big kick right now about how plants are so good for purifying the air we breathe. Sounds good to me, so now we're growing basil, rosemary, aloe and an umbrella plant. Having just this little bit of green life in our house is so exciting! Especially the basil, watching those babies grow from seed up is just too exciting. We just might have sung a song and did a little dance when they sprouted. A little excessive? Sure, but these little herblets are going to be so well taken care of and delicious! 

 

What do you plant for spring? Or maybe you have a yard with a real garden? Check out this urban garden, those ideas are so genius! Can't wait for a time when we have the space and resources for something like that. The upside down are my favorite! Happy planting!

chocolate cake

For Matt's birthday, we had a lot going on, so we decided to wait one night and celebrate then. Well, it was well worth the wait, this cake turned out so delicious!

I've been wanting to try several mini cakes to make a layer cake, so I found this strange little 5" pan and went to work. I did 3 layers, mostly because with only 5" across, it starts to get pretty wobbly. I made extra frosting so it would look pretty even on the inside. We were both very pleased!

What's your favorite cake to bake? Do you always use the same recipe? For the cake I used the yellow layer cake recipe from Smitten Kitchen. To be honest, its a little eggy for me, sort of turns out with a bit of a cornbread texture, but anything covered in chocolate buttercream frosting I can choke down.

spring fever

It feels a lot like spring! I am so thankful for these last couple of bright evenings we've had! I can't wait to start grilling out and soaking up the sun even after work! Here are a few things that are cute and would be great to ring in spring with!

I've had my eye on these shoes for a while now. 

This is the perfect beach body swim suit. 

Just the right mix of blues and greens.

Cute and practical. 

Classy glasses get me every time.

Love these, right amount of fancy and fun.

With this clutch I'd always be organized.

What do you guys have your eyes on for spring?

Photo is my own.

curry for your weekend

 Fun Fact:
 Today, 4 years ago, Matt proposed to me!

Wow, look how young (and beardless) we were! Seems silly to remember and celebrate this day, but it was so special and I remember it like it was yesterday. The beginning of a very fun life together. So glad I said yes, couldn't ask for a better guy! :)

...

And, Happy Friday!!! We are going to be celebrating Matt's birthday, running a 5k, playing kickball, baking cupcakes, kayaking basking in the sunshine and somewhere in all of that, napping. What are your fun plans? Hope you have a great weekend!

Here is my recipe to use this weekend, its so yummy!!

ps. how about these graphics?! No, I didn't learn photoshop over night. My husband has skillz.

convenient cupcakes

Have you heard of these new cupcake ATM machines? Sprinkles, a cupcake shop started in California, created a 24hr vending machine for the best treat of all, cupcakes! The machine has a touch screen to choose your flavor, then a robotic arm goes inside to choose the single boxed cupcake of your choice. Amazing! 

As of now, there is only one location, in California, but there are rumors of other machines making their way to NYC this summer. 

How fun would it be to be able to satisfy your sweet tooth at any hour!? Perfect after a late movie, midnight snack or as a last minute gift! I am in love with this idea!

1st image my own, 2nd and 3rd via yahoo.com

what type are you?

Look at this fun quiz my husband had me take! Just answer 4 simple questions and find out what type you are, as in font. 

I was Cooper Black Italic! Matt says thats a good one (since he's a typographer, I believe him). My favorite thing about how they describe my type is, "soft curves..." sounds great to me. 


What are you? 

leap day

Happy Leap Year (day)? We only get this day once every 4 years, what are you doing to celebrate!?

I am taking two classes at the gym, thrilling I know. But its not every night I have time to double dip, so I'm excited!

Did you know that it is an old tradition in Scotland for women to propose to men on February 29th? It's true, and if they refused, they could be fined! How romantic. 

So, on that note, go do something fun, or memorable, or romantic. :)

picture is mine

apps

Have you heard of the App Hipstamatic? It's just like a disposable camera on your iphone! I love it! There are about 24 pictures on each "camera", the quality is just like a disposable and best (or worst) of all, you have to use all the pictures before you can see any of them. Just like the real thing!

I was excited to try this one out, then I found myself taking pictures of random things just to get through the film. Reminds me of being a kid and taking pictures of things like ceiling fan and cat just to get through the roll. But, I love the way they turned out. Here are some from my latest "disposable"...

 

 

 

 

 

What is your favorite App? I just talked my mom into getting some games on her Android so now we can play each other!

be kind

I'm not usually into cheesy quotes from Pinterest, but I thought this was worth repeating. 

my cup of tea

Have you ever heard of David's Tea? It is AMAZING! I first tasted it this winter when I got it as Christmas gift, (thanks Jennifer!) Alpine Punch, that's my flavor. It has the most amazing fresh flavors I've ever tasted in a tea. It comes loose, so it requires a tea infuser or whatever you choose to use with your loose tea. But this is part of the experience, I think! Scooping out those big pieces of coconut or almond or apple, (yes, they're all in this tea!) and letting it steep. One thing really amazing about this, the smell. Actually, I've always thought all teas smell great, but don't deliver flavor as much as an aroma. Not this stuff, great smell, great taste! The only down side is that I couldn't make it last. 

pretty little package!

thanks for the infuser Stacey!!!

So what is delivered to me at work on Valentines Day? Yes, a big box full of David's tea. What a thoughtful husband I have :) In the box were some samples, so Matt has been enjoying the Darjeeling. Oh, and he's been making me tea every morning to take on my way to work, he really is thoughtful.  

Davids Tea is in NYC and Canada, so unless you happen to be either of those places, check them out online. If you love tea, or even if you don't, you will not be disappointed!

happy friday

Its already Friday and I have hardly posted this week. Sorry to be so MIA, I've felt kinda heavy this week and slightly preoccupied, there's a lot going on around me and I've been running on too little sleep. I think I need a good weekend with my man to rest up and cheer up! And maybe a little trip to the J Crew Outlet store. 


Here is what I'll be dreaming about this weekend... 

Beautiful right!? Have a great weekend!!

all images via houzz

Necklace

Check out this necklace I finally made. I talked about wanting one just like it, I had seen some and been thinking about it, told Matt I wished I had one. Then he finally said, "Why don't you just make one?" So I did. 

I like it because its delicate and classy and a little bit artsy too. And it doesn't take away from my outfit, just adds a little bit of shine. I have earrings with the same leaves, but I don't wear them together. I wore out the matchy-matchy side of me when I was 14.  I think this might make the perfect gift!

1/2 marathon

Well, we did it. Last weekend my sister and I finished a 1/2 marathon! It was exactly what everyone said, hard, amazing, fun, an accomplishment and exhausting.  At one point it seemed to last forever, but just knowing that awesome people who love us all across the country were thinking about us and cheering us on was so amazing. So glad I did it, and I couldn't have (or would've wanted to) do it with out my sis. 


If you are thinking about running one, do it! Or if you want to up your mileage, do it! It's so much easier to actually do it than to psych yourself out, which takes way more energy. And trust me, I know all about psyching yourself out.

finishers!

Will I do another one? ... Ask me in a week or so :) Have you done a 1/2 or even a full?? I got a 13.1 sticker in the mail from my dad the day after the race — along with a note saying congrats and that he has a 26.2 if I ever want that one too...  Thanks dad!

tourism

Its not often that I get to be a tourist in my own town, but I always love the opportunity. Since my sister was just here visiting, we got to do some things we don't usually make time for - it was so fun! We didn't go crazy with a carriage ride, or a trolley tour, but we did take our time wandering around this historic town, soaking up the architecture, blooming flowers, stroll through the park, and window shop in all the stores I always drive past. There is so much to see and do!

It was such a treat to slow down and enjoy what is constantly going on all around me. Matt and I rarely spend our days lazing around downtown, but its such a fun past time! I guess that's part of the perk of having guests, taking them on mini tours around town, you get to be a part of the tourist scene yourself.


Do you ever explore your city like a tourist would? Camera and all? I was shameless this last time, taking pictures of everything. It's so fun to discover the new [and old] things that are happening.

forsyth park // pink magnolias in bloom make a heart happy

 giant tree, 300+ years old

 the paris market, we love this place!

 founded in 1935 - history

student work : shop scad // honey for everything, with taste testing too : savannah bee company

private patio bliss!

dreamy!! // i love a brick road - jones st. 

Do you ever stop to enjoy your city as a tourist? Go to the stores or attractions you don't normally stop for?This little town is a lot of fun, especially when its 80 and sunny - that's my idea of a weekend. Also, I was inspired by my sister to do a post about the front stoops of historical places in Savannah. I think that sounds like a lot of fun, look for more of that soon!