Point of Reflection

Everyone I have been taking to lately has been commenting on how fast this past month has gone by. I feel like since December started I blinked and time has been on fast forward. I was thinking how great this past Christmas was and all the parties I had with all the people who are so important to me in my life. When the holidays end it can feel like a bit of a let down. I had always thought that having a significant other that time of year would make all the difference but for some reason, it was perfect without that. I got to give my son his first birthday party ever, I finally had my best girlfriends over and I got to treat them all to dinner and drinks, and Christmas eve with a family I have loved forever, and that morning itself with a glorious sunrise. Maybe it's because the weekends these days are just as full and busy as week days but I am going to try and set some time aside here and there to stop and reflect on it all with a greater appreciation and move into the Spring with a renewed sense of excitement for what tomorrow will bring.

{Christmas Eve Lunch}

{Ice skating at the Chiller}

{My place looking perfect for the holiday celebrations}

{My son's birthday party}

{Me baking and drinking Whiskey}

{Party spread for my girls night}

{Christmas morning mani}

Smells Like Teen Spirit

NIRVANA

O. K. so no one wants to revert back to those awkward years of Junior High when half of the kids at school had already figured out what to wear and the other half were unaware. There were the kids who knew and had crested beyond being a kid into adolescence. Then there are always those kids who needed a little extra help in that department. That is how I felt going out to buy perfume. I never really enjoyed it until the last four years or so. It is one of those things we women sort of leave to our significant other to purchase as a gift, leaving there no room for error in what they would like us to wear. For the rest of us out there "just doin me" I have three rules I like to stand by when purchasing perfumes that I feel just make scents.

{1. Marc Jacobs Daisy, 2. Jimmy Choo, 3.Coach Poppy}

1. Find one that is a great light, clean scent for every day. Make it your signature.
2. Find one a little musky and sweet for those nights you want to feel extra sexy.
3. Find one that is a little fruity or reminiscent of food (ie. vanilla) because dudes dig it.

I think the hardest thing is that perfumes can be very costly. I have this horrible ability to choose very, very expensive things purely on sight. I am the girl who will look at a room full of dresses and the first one I choose is the most expensive. I have that same problem with choosing men. More on that later (maybe). Obviously to circumvent the cost factor set yourself a budget. If you really have your heart set on something pricey then purchase the roller ball. The stellar thing about that is that when it's gone you can have fun choosing something else, and three of those in total won't even touch the cost of one of the ones I had purchased. Now I am already craving new scents like Calvin Klein's Downtown, the new Bvulgari scent and the BCBG one below I picked up at Kohl's for twenty dollars. Remember to take it easy on application. If you're not sure how to do that, spray it up in the air and walk through it twice. Less is more.

Chic Nanas

If I like you and value you in any way in my life you will know. You will know because I will bake for you. Baking is calming for me. Baking is for me what yoga is for other people. It centers me, it brings me peace, and there is something about the look on the other person's face when they receive it that fills my heart with joy. I'm not talking gourmet here either (ain't nobody got time for that). I am talking about good, old fashioned, classic, timeless type stuff that our grandmothers used to make. At a time when our lives seem so incredibly rushed and hurried and everything seems to come at us with lightening speed, baking someone something says "I stopped doing everything else to make this FOR YOU". In my family my banana bread is king. People not in my family that have tasted it and request me to make it for them. It is a simple, basic recipe. I refuse to add anything extra. I don't like random nuts or raisins or chocolate chips in my soft, moist, mouthwatering bread. Keep it simple sweetheart. Top with butter, cream cheese or even whipped cream. As my Grandmother Ternovan would say....delish.

The trick is to let the bread cool for only ten minutes in the pan and then while still steaming hot wrap in cellophane and then foil and IMMEDIATELY freeze overnight. That process seems to trap the moisture in and stop the cooking process so that the bread doesn't dry out.

{That heart was a total happy little accident #finditineverything}

1 3/4 c flour

2/3 c sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

3 VERY RIPE small to medium bananas

1/3 cup unsalted butter (softened)

2 tbsp milk

2 eggs

I forgo all the separating of the ingredients and simply throw all of it in a bowl at once and mix. It is that simple. Happy Hump Day Y'all.

Tangible Assets

{Dress is Derek Lam shoes are from Payless}

I think as I am maturing as a woman it is much less about showing off my top as it is my bottom half. I have more of a sporty figure, and I am very blessed with a naturally muscular physique. I would never say I am curvy. I envy those women. Marilyn Monroe...Jane Russel....Betty Grable are all women who's look anyone could aspire to. However, I was not blessed with some of their more alluring assets. Not to mention that becoming a mom has left me with with a few physical flaws here and there. None that I am not proud of. Those scars are earned, and a glorious homage to the human life that my body has created. So when I get dressed for any occasion I tend to focus on and accentuate the parts of me I love the most, as I think all women do, and make the most of them. This dress I found last summer and I haven't had the perfect night to wear it yet. To me it is classy and cool, and just the right length for my frame. My birthday being in just two weeks I have no idea what I will be doing, but if the weather permits, that night may be the one that this dress comes out to play.

{Earrings are old from HRH Collection and skulls!! My fave.}

American Graffiti

{My drawstring bag is from Free Clothing Company}

I am not an artist in any way, shape, or form. I consider myself somewhat craft impaired. If you see a crafty idea on this blog it will be simple and basic (that's how I like my life in general). I prefer to leave those things to the professionals. I admire artists of every genre whether it be music, painting, tattoos, clothing design, photography, dramatic art or even the crafty mavens you find on Etsy. What is so incredibly definitive about art is that it has no real definition. It is in every form entirely subjective to the individual who perceives it. I have long been a fan of tattoos which in essence are like graffiti on the body. Creative expression etched into the skin for all time. It tells a story about the person who carries it. Every one of mine is a representation of a unique period of my life, an accomplishment, or a life transition that I feel needed permanence in some way. Actual graffiti we see on the streets is no different. It is someone's need to express themselves that manifests itself in the form of paint on surface. I am in no way condoning someone vandalizing or destroying property but done right (and legally) it is a captivating and awe inducing visual experience. It is like the city you live in is its own art museum. I spent this morning capturing some of the beautiful murals here in Columbus to share them with you. The first one above has long been my favorite. Being that I am a hopeless romantic that just makes sense.

{The plaque denotes the artist and title}

{Even in its simplicity. Still beautiful.}

{I just noticed that the little guy up top is making an obscene gesture. #forgive}

{Near the College of Art and Design}

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE

{Summer morning walk with Norman my pug}

I am not a nomad by any means whatsoever but I do feel like I have moved quite a bit for the average person. Shortly after college I moved thirteen times in seven years. Not all those moves were interstate, but a few were. I have lived in the Colorado Springs area, Fairbanks in central Alaska, Enterprise in lower Alabama (twice), Florida near Tampa, and my lovely Ohio. Upon moving back here I have moved four more times. You would think that moving that many times would create, in a person, an apathy of sorts. As if where you live is of no real concern. It is simply a location. We are all acutely aware, however, of what it feels like to be home. The warm feeling that wells up in our hearts when we pass by all the memories attached to things we used to know so well. Our favorite parks, drive-in movie location, restaurants, or donut shop all can evoke a feeling of belonging that nowhere else can bring. I am not originally from Columbus but I have made it my home. All the people I love are here. I have access to the things I love to do here. I feel I am on the cusp of really digging deeper into what this city has to offer. I would never move unless I was forced to. There are still places I would like to visit someday but I will always come back here. This is where the most important memories of who I have become today were created and as the future unfolds I can only hope that it keeps me here. If it is possible to fall in love with a location then my heart is no longer my own.

Date Night Delight

{Truffles rolled in crushed Heath bars, various sprinkles, and chopped walnuts}

A man is his absolute sexiest to me in the kitchen. There is nothing more attractive than seeing someone prepare me a meal or a dessert or even make me a Smore. It may be that part of me that wants to be taken care of or pampered in some way that stirs that emotion but I have to say that a man who would take the time to do something like that for me melts my heart. I think that cooking together can be great date night as well for anyone so long as the two people don't mind sharing the space and exchanging responsibilities to get the job done. I found this recipe for creating the perfect truffle. The ingredients are simple enough but I feel that this is a recipe where two sets of hands are better than one. My advice is to go ahead and pour each of you a glass of Bordeaux and get cooking.

Here are the ingredients you will need. (toppings are optional)

Simmer water in one saucepan and melt 1 1/2 cups chips and 3/4 cup heavy cream in a second pan that sits inside it but not directly in the water. Wisk in 1/2 tsp Cinnamon and then remove from heat and refrigerate for two hours.

Scoop out and roll into balls. This is VERY MESSY so if you need to place them in the freezer until firm again do so. I did for thirty minutes while I melted the additional chips and prepared the toppings.

I melted an additional 2 cups of the same chips as shown above and removed from heat. Dip the entire ball using a skewer into the melted chocolate and then immediately roll or dip into the toppings of your choice. Refrigerate until you serve them.

I like dipping some because it looks like little hats.

YUM.

Bowed Over

{Back detail on this Lauren Conrad for Kohls top}

Let us all agree that bows can be done wrong. If they are too big, in a conspicuous location (like your posterior), made of some rather obnoxious fabric....they can make a grown woman look like she is trying to regain her youth. Done the right way and a little bow here or there can make you feel sweet and innocent again. Leather pants can also be done wrong if they are too tight or pair it with too much along those same lines and it begins to look like a biker chick costume for Halloween. They are also very expensive so these waxed trousers give me that look without the price tag. With all the tattoos I have in random locations I feel like every once in a while I need that mix. That look is very me. I love a little rough and tumble with a sprinkle of soft and sweet. I find that the Lauren Conrad for Kohls collection gives me that girly feel I need at a price anyone can afford. Zara brings me the edgy pieces that are fashion forward but not too costly. I am in the store at least twice week and checking online every other day looking for pieces to go on sale and when they do I am on it like white on rice. 

{Waxed trousers are from Zara}

{Bracelet chain from HRH Collection}

{Shoes are old from Target}

Petal Power

{WalMart Flower display}

Have you ever heard of the movie ET? How about 50 First Dates?(My personal favorite) Charlies Angels? Drew Barrymore isn't necessarily one of my most cherished movie actresses but there is something about her spirit that touches me. Her sense of adventure, lack of filter, fun and happy temperament, loyalty to her friends as well as other causes around the world that draw me to her. Her whole life is riddled with mistakes yet here she is helping other women feel beautiful. I like her. A few weeks before the holiday I ran across a small display of a new makeup line. I am still on the hunt for a line I can obsess over and call my own. At first I thought this line of makeup was more for someone still in college or maybe even high school with names like lip/cheek CHUBBY, Easy on The Eyes eyeliner, Budding Romance nail lacquer, but I was wrong. I have only begun the journey but I am over the moon about the Color Play Creme eye shadow, my new lip/cheek chubby, kiss stick (maybe I'll get lucky) and nail lacquer. I can't wait to try their mascara and other eye products as well as their blush and bronzer duo. The line is proudly made in the USA and never tested on animals. Not to mention the price point is pretty spectacular for the quality it offers. So get to your nearest WalMart or get online and "pick" something up. I am going to in bunches.

{Cream eye shadow}

Bar Crawl

{Local artist work for sale at Brother's Drake}

When I first moved here I didn't know anyone. It was only the second job I have ever had and in a new city. Five amazing women I met through that experience are still my friends to this day. One of the incredibly gracious things they did was to include me in all their plans and show me around town. For my birthday one year they took me to a bar that made these gigantic Long Islands (a favorite of mine). They just seemed to know all the best places or at least the places they took me to quickly became favorites of mine. Char Bar has the best Long Islands in the city, Bernard's is always packed and plays fun music and the kind of place where you "just might meet someone", Harrison's has such a cool laid back feel, Novak's Tavern is a great traditional bar year round and I loved to go up to their roof on a warm summer night and people watch, and Brother's Drake which is the most unique and I crave their Mead like nobody's business. Mead is a wine made from honey. It is definitely an acquired taste, and some friends have tried it and did not enjoy it the way I do. One friend said it best. It tastes sometimes like wine and straight liquor mixed together. They use only local ingredients, and support other local vendors using OYO liquors in all their mixed drinks. They showcase live music, and it is without question a place and experience like no other. So if you get the chance to get "Filthy on Fifth"......go for it and bring your friends.

{My favorite, Bergamot Blue}

{Gratuitous bathroom selfie at the Meadery}

{Sweet lighting at the bar}