words

tiramisu

epicurean

lovely

golden
decadence

dainty

relentless

timeless

classic

latte

alfresco

adventure
cozy

candlelight

wanderlust

moonstruck

romance

truly

undoubtedly

certainly

sun-kissed

rustic

delicious

delightful

likeness

adore

These are some of my favorite words. I like some of them for what they mean. Others for how they sound. And yet others for how they make me feel. I've always been particularly fond of words though. 

What are some of your favorites? I'd certainly love to know!

[image via Sunday in Bed]

My boy Joel

Meet the love of my life, Joel Gott. Ok, kidding. But seriously, have you tried the Joel Gott Zinfandel? 

"The 2008 Joel Gott California Zinfandel boasts aromas of cocoa, raspberries, and ripe strawberries. On the palate the wine is round and juicy with flavors of pepper, anise, dark cherry and spice, ending with a lingering finish."


i.e. heaveninabottle. 


It is undoubtedly more robust than the Mark West Pinot Noir I talked about in this post, but as my palate has developed over the past few months, I have found that I truly love a big, sexy Cabernet Sauvignon or a jammy Zinfandel (Note: not to be confused with White Zinfandel. That is a completely different animal, one that I have absolutely no interest in taking home from the pound, thankyouverymuch.) I'm also really enjoying Italian wines, particularly a nice, peppery Sangiovese. Delicious. 


So tell me, what do you drink? I'd certainly love to know, as I'm always looking to try something new!

Worth Repeating...

In honor of yesterday being Presidents Day, I figured we could kick of this week with a quote from one of my favorite presidents...

Live simply.

Love generously. 

Care deeply. 

Speak kindly. 

Leave the rest to God.

-President Ronald Reagan

Shameless Saturday

Happy Saturday! I missed Guilt-free Friday and mass protests ensued. Which really just means I got an angry text from my mom asking why I hadn't posted my guilt-frees for the week. She poses as a loyal reader but I think she secretly uses Guilt-free Friday to monitor my alcohol intake. The day that more than two of them are about wine I swear she's calling Dr. Drew. 


Anyways, is the weather gorgeous where you are? Wilmington weather has been beyond delightful, and it looks like it will continue for the next few days. I have been taking full advantage of the warming trend , from eating burgers outside with my dad and brother on Thursday afternoon to catching some rays by the pool with Jordan yesterday morning. I hope you're having a beautiful weekend too, and remember, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just different kinds of good weather." -John Ruskin


Hey! It's ok...


... to firmly believe that everything tastes better alfresco. 


...to rock riding boots... even if you haven't been on a horse in over 10 years


...if having already brushed your teeth is the only thing stopping you from diving head-first into the box of Girl Scout cookies when you can't sleep at 2am

 [delicious sushi at Bento Box yesterday]

[beautiful flowers at Fresh Market]

Brunch Round 2

After having such a good time at brunch on Saturday, I decided to invite a few of my most favorite friends over for a Valentine's Weekend brunch Sunday morning. The menu? 

Mini Cornbread Muffins

Bacon

Red pepper, potato, and cheese fritatta (not really a fritatta but I don't know what else to call it.)

San Pellegrino Mimosas

Chocolate Chip Cake

[My bbf (best boy friend) Rob (who is actually named Jeremy) swears by making mimosas with San Pellegrino orange instead of orange juice. And he's right. I don't know if I can even drink the other kind anymore. (That's a lie, I'll drink champage with anything.) (Just kidding, mom. Kind of.)]

[Why yes, I certainly do force my friends to eat dessert after breakfast.]

The aftermath...

empty bottles, a dirty kitchen,

and sleepy friends. 

Sounds like a success to me!

And, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cake...

p.s. I forgot to take a picture of the "fritatta" (photog fail... story of my life) so I fully intend to make it again, re-name it, and share the easy, delicious recipe. Deal?

Brunch Round 1

If this weekend had a theme it would be brunch. As you all know, breakfast is my absolute fave, so it couldn't have been better. Saturday started with brunch downtown at The Basics with one of oldest and dearest friends, Lauren. Seriously, we have been friends since we were in 5th grade. When we were 12 we covered our bodies in mud (something about the exfoliating properties, I believe) and ran around her yard like absolute crazies. It's good to have friends like this, to remind you of how silly you used to be (and still are). 

[Lauren got this. I can't exactly remember everything but it is eggs benedict with spinach and feta and other yummy things.]

[I continued my unhealthy relationship with carbs and went for the oatmeal blueberry pancakes (yum) that were served with walnut butter (double yum) and syrup]

And just so you get the full (goofy, awkward) picture, this is what I wore to brunch...

...topped off with a black blazer and that abominable leopard-print scarf that I cannot stop wearing for the life of me... I need an intervention.
(Sweater- Gap, Shirt- Urban Outfitters, Pants- Fragile, Boots- Icora)


Stay tuned for Brunch Round 2... coming up tomorrow!


p.s. Lauren's adorable sister Chloé has a blog that you would just love. Trust.

in review

After this, I promise not to talk about Valentine's Day for a very long time... but unfortunately I woke up feeling exhausted and uninspired so let's just discuss yesterday, shall we?

Ok, here goes.... Valentine's Day... according to Caitlin's iPhone (which I am in love with, btw)

 [8:30- woke up and picked up some greasy, southern fast food (gotta love eastern North Carolina) because they are notorious for their heart-shaped biscuits on V-day. Note: that biscuit in not a heart. To say I was disappointed would be a little bit of an understatement. Later I almost died on the treadmill, I guess my arteries have started clogging already.]

 [3:15- ran in T.J. Maxx to pick up resistance bands and out of the corner of my eye I spotted a plethora of Kate Spade wallets. Say whaaaa? Also, please note the iced grande nonfat mocha (it was that warm outside!) And as for the wallets, I chose the patent red one and picked up the metallic one for momma bear because she has the matching purse... Score!]

 [5:41- cute little text from my #1 Valentine... Dad!]

 [Taylor gave me a few options for dinner (in total third-grade-check-yes-or-no-style) but informed me that "cook to order" means I cook to his orders haha (I chose Riverboat Landing at 7) Jumbo lump crab linguine and watching the awkward and overly-affectionate couples around us made for an enjoyable evening.]

[9:15- sweat pants, one oreo milkshake, two spoons, and Roman Holiday (which was a Valentine's Day present) Unfortunately, I fell asleep within the first 10 minutes of the movie (not because it was boring, I cannot stay awake during movies for the life of me) My company couldn't complain too much because he was busy with lesson plans, and in reality it was probably easier for him to work without me chatting away]

All in all, a magnificent day. Managed to not take a single picture with my big girl camera. Photog fail. 

What did your Valentine's Day look like?

Happy Valentine's Day!

I got a little early valentine last night as I was reading before bed and I can't resist passing it along...

"I, the Lord, have called you

to demonstrate my righteousness.

I will take you by the hand 

and guard you,

and I will give you to my people, Israel, 

as a symbol of my covenant with them."

-Isaiah 42:6

I just find it so beautifully comforting to know that the Creator of the universe is holding my hand every step of the way. On this Valentine's Day, in the midst of all the chocolate and flowers, the family and friends, the pink and the red... take time to remember that you are pursued relentlessly by a loving God, one who has loved you with an everlasting love (and no valentine can ever top that) 

Happy Valentine's Day, friends. 

You are loved. 

[via]

coffee love

[via 1,2,3,4,5,6]

Guilt-free Friday!

Happy Friday! I'm excited to get brunch tomorrow morning with one of my oldest and dearest friends. I'm also aching to do some baking (chocolate, heart-shaped, the works).  What's on your agenda for this Valentine's weekend? Hoping it is filled with lots of love and all things sweet! Until next time... 


Hey! It's ok...


... to believe that Jason Mraz reserves the exclusive right to wear a fedora. And let's be real, even he is pushing it. 


... to re-wear that outfit the next day if you didn't get dressed until after 4pm. Or 2. Or noon. Or if you just know you're not going to see the same people you saw the day before. 


... to hate Valentine's day because you got your heart broken by your 5th grade Valentine. Or because you didn't have a date to the 8th grade Valentine's dance. Or because your high-school boyfriend broke up with you on the 14th. Or because the calories in the champagne and the chocolate make you shudder... But I promise it's a lot more fun to love it. 

touches of Valentine's day

[Received this cute care package in the mail from my grandparents' church in Kentucky]

[It was filled to the brim with sweets and treats... lots of them homemade! Photo absolutely not staged...]

 [Annalees always remind me of my (other) grandma, and this adorable mouse was actually a gift from her!]

[Drinking coffee out of this cute Valentine mug which I may or may not use year-round...]

 [currently carrying this cheery, red purse]

[a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers in shades of pink adorns my bedside table]

How is Valentine's Day looking where you are?

wrists

“The moment you put on a 3/4 –length or bracelet sleeves, your arms will look longer and thinner. And what woman hates her wrists?” –Michael Kors (InStyle, February 2011)

If you ever need to know how to dress a woman’s body, ask a man. Seriously, when I read the “Kors Commandments” in this month’s issue of InStyle, I couldn’t agree more, especially with this one about baring your wrists. I have a rather petite frame, so my wrists are obnoxiously small. I used to hate it, but they have grown on me and now I am particularly fond of their dainty, delicate appearance.

I have been mindful of Michael’s instructions these past few days (at times pushing up/folding long sleeves when I wasn’t wearing a bracelet sleeve) and I must say it makes such a difference. It's no wonder all the J. Crew models have their sleeves pushed up... smart styling, just look. Anyways, try it, you’ll like it. 

You don't have to be a J. Crew model to look long and lean and have boys stare at you like her (disclaimer: I can't actually guarantee that last part)

Just wear this! That's my plan at least.

we are for each other

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;


wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world


my blood approves,
and kisses are a better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
- the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says


we are for each other; then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis
-e.e. cummings

Worth Repeating...

“The bed has become a place of luxury to me. 

I would not exchange it 

for all the thrones in the world.” 

-Napoleon Bonaparte 

I slept in until 10 this morning. That never happens. Seriously, it's like my brain has a built-in alarm clock that goes off every morning promptly at 8:15. I don't know if I was just exhausted from a weekend filled with snowboarding, shopping, eating so much delicious food and drinking good wine with one of my dearest friends, or maybe the result of 6 hours in the car yesterday, or quite possibly the melatonin I popped right before bed last night, but I slept like a neonatal and I woke up feeling revived, refreshed, and ready to take on this week. 

The Monday morning after a perfect weekend often tends to be rather abrasive, but chocolate chip muffins, another cup of coffee, and a masterfully crafted Pandora station are helping ease the pain. And the promise of more great weekends to come makes it a little easier, too. 

Cheers to a wonderful week, kittens!