Monday, March 28, 2011

First BBQ of 2011





My favorite meal as a little girl was my mom's grilled chicken and corn on the cob with big wedges of watermelon. Oh and sun-made ice tea.

There is something completely fantastic about cooking food outside. The charcoal undertones, BBQ sauce dripping from everything, the possibility of smores, and the smoky smell that lingers in your hair. It's my favorite.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sara's Shower






I didn't expect to be so nervous. In a strange way it felt like a coming of age to throw my first shower. And of course I wanted it to be perfect since it was for my bestest friend.

I chose to have it at The Cambridge Tea House so that I wouldn't have to be stressed out about the food and seating. Phew, what a great choice! We got all hopped up on tea, made Sara completely inappropriate collages, and cracked up as she opened set after set of alcohol specific glassware.

Fun times.

(first and last picture were taken by Molly Burke)

A Weekly Arrangement - week five






These darling arrangements were made for Sara's shower (more on that later). It was the first time that I allowed myself to buy as many different types of flowers and fillers that I wanted. Boy, does that make a difference. I had originally planned on making just four table bouquets but I had so many flowers that I just kept filling jars. I was able to send four arrangements home with the bride and her mother and still have these to shoot.

I still have a lot of learning and practice to do before Sara's big day but I'm starting to feel a little less panicked.

O hello.


So many things to update you on. First of all, Happy Spring! My tulips are finally peeping out of the ground.

Have I told you about my neighbor? She has the most amazing front yard flower garden. Her house seems truly magical with her little girls prancing around the flowers in their dresses. I know that all of the neighbors secretly compete with her. Her tulip are a good five inches taller than mine right now. I'm going to blame it on not enough sunlight on my side of the street.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A real bed


Our new bed frame was a much appreciated gift. With an actual footboard and headboard! The days of sleeping on a mattress on the floor are over (for good I hope). I did not expect to feel so excited about my mattress being propped up. I was fine with it on the floor, I suppose an outcome of my humble upbringing. But now that I have spent three whole nights in a "real" bed I can't imagine going back.

Mary on the other hand is easier to please. Any mattress in the sun will always be her favorite spot.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Sprouts


I began some of my seeds this week. I sort of forgot to label what I planted where. Oops. So here are some sprouts, not sure what they are. Hopefully I'll figure it out before I have to transplant them (fingers crossed).

Speaking of transplanting, Mark and I are transplanting as well this summer. More about that later.

Also there will be no weekly arrangement this week. Don't worry though cause next weeks will be extra amazing.

Swoon




My best friend is an incredibly talented illustrator and maybe I'm biased but she has impeccable taste. So of course her wedding invitations are amazing. How cute is that little string?!

My song request was Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order, the only song that Mark has ever danced with me to.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Vegan chocolate whisky cake


Vegan baking scares me. I'm so use to adding extra butter to make something more moist, or fluffing the eggs longer to create more body. So I was shocked that I made a vegan cake and it actually worked and tasted good.

I got the recipe here and followed it exactly with the exception of putting raspberry jam in the middle.

Monday, March 7, 2011

A Weekly Arrangement - week 4



I've been thrilled recently by the selection of flowers back in the grocery stores (still looking for a better supplier). This week's arrangement was for Erin's celebration and it called for big orange bursts of color.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Friday night celebration





of Erin completing The Bar. Something that is necessary to celebrate, not just because it's a huge accomplishment, but also because no one has seen her for the last three months.

a completely vegan menu:
• vegan balls (consisting of bread, tofu, nuts, and garlic) dipped in tomato sauce
• mushroom salsa (mushrooms, roasted nuts, garlic) paired with wheat crackers
• cherry tomato's stuffed with pesto (these are amazing!!)
• vegan whisky chocolate cake (recipe coming soon)
• a handsome bottle of whisky

Thursday night crafting...



.../stuffing our faces with cheese, wine and the above tart while talking about life and other completely inappropriate topics.

Hopefully the beginning of a tradition.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Destination Birthday




I spent the better part of my morning researching and planning a birthday trip that Mark and I later agreed would be too expensive to take. So slightly depressed and defeated I searched for an interesting hotel in Ohio that accepted my employee discount.

And really I have not spent more than a few hours in Cleveland so it's just as new to me as the smoky mountains, right? And how gorgeous is their indoor pool atrium? And they have tons of fabulous restaurants and interesting galleries. So it's settled (as soon I run it past Mark), I will have a destination birthday to Cleveland.

So exotic, right?
(photos via Renaissance Cleveland

Wednesday, March 2, 2011


11:04 am - some mornings call for a healthy start. This was not one of them.