Hangman

I believe the last time a read a book in its entirety was the Fifty Shades trilogy. What entranced me more in those than the obvious was the relationship as it evolved between the main characters. The author's ability to make you feel as if you knew them personally. I haven't had a week to myself since last summer so when my spring break week began I was eager to take on another challenge. I graduated with a Paralegal degree, and I have always loved courtroom drama. Television ones don't suit me. My imagination and ability to fantasize are more vivid. I would rather read and allow my own frivolous perceptions to catapult my understanding of the characters in a direction which is solely mine and mine alone. I am a bit of a speed reader and the text that Grisham uses is so every day accessible that I glide through every chapter effortlessly. I have to say that I question myself as to why a suicide mystery would be a well thought out choice considering I am the solitary occupant of my humble abode for the next few days, but then again, a challenge isn't a challenge absent of fear.

Morning Glory

I am not really a breakfast person. I have to get myself up super early in the morning for my job and at that time I almost cannot fathom the idea of filling up on a huge breakfast. Typically I will either snack until lunch on smaller things, or I will have a protein bar when I first get up, and then let's say on the weekends, a large breakfast is good for me at ten or eleven. Brunch is my jam. When I found this recipe in Domino Magazine I was apprehensive. I am not a huge fan of smoothies with their high caloric content and less than amiable nutritional value, however, I was game for the experiment. This recipe encompasses two of my favorites...banana and avocado. I did not anticipate it being very sweet, but the agave nectar and pinch of cinnamon did the trick.

1 medium banana
1 medium avocado
two ice cubes
1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup coconut water
1 1/2 tsp agave nectar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Place all of it in your blender and mix on high until blended completely. The end.

{Sorry for the smudge, I got my hands dirty}

Giddy Up

{His and Hers}

Chambray was a fabric synonymous with what I would say is the "Western" world. Cowboys and cowgirls, riddin dirty in pick up trucks to tunes the likes of Johnny Cash, Reba McEntire, and Blake Shelton to name a few. I have yet to completely succumb to this musical genre, but rather stick to those things that fit more harmoniously into my life. I like horseback riding (although a bit scary), the ideal that a cowboy is a man who knows who he is and how to treat a lady, and the clothes. It took me a couple years to buy into this trend but I am glad I did. Versatile and comfortable, a chambray shirt can take you from the stable to the office in less than 60 seconds. Hang on, and enjoy the ride.

{JCrew skirt, Zara heels, Madewell chambray, jewelry-gifted}

JCrew flats and belt, vintage denim}

Wanderlust

{My impersonation of Rose from Titanic for my friend to get a laugh.}

Sometimes on my weekends alone I will surf the internet looking at all the places I hope someday to travel to outside of the contiguous United States. I am forever a dreamer. There are so many perfect locations I would love to explore. For now I find some solace in the fact that there are places right here I can visit that satiate my ravenous appetite with just a nibble. The Franklin Park Conservatory was built in 1895 and houses some of the worlds most beautiful plant life, over 400 species, everything from the rain forest to the desert. It has become, today, an institution of education as well as a very popular wedding event location as I found out last summer when one of my best friends and I had an afternoon to visit. This past winter they showcased the Bruce Munro light exhibit and this is the last weekend. Please go and check it out if you can. Without question it appears to be absolutely stunning, but also a romantic date idea as well. With the weather warming up a bit over the next couple days, it is the perfect opportunity to infuse your life with a little more light.
.

{Bridal Garden}

"What a wonderful world"  Louis Armstrong

Shredded

I have an absurd emotional attachment to my clothes. I take painstakingly incredible amounts of time choosing what I want, stalking the stores and sale sights, ad nauseam. You can find me many mornings well before dawn sitting at my computer with a cup of black coffee pouring over sale sights to find the perfect piece at the perfect value. Then I plan the outfit usually as I am falling asleep the night prior to when I wear it. In my mind I imagine how each part fits together right down to the accessories. That doesn't even begin to describe what happens after I wear something to a special or meaningful event. Then I attach sentimental value. Let's not even go into here how I am brutally loyal to certain brands. I guess you can say when it isn't broke then don't fix it. Unless the piece is completely out of style like these jeans from American Eagle. I rarely shop there but I picked these up at a resale shop and loved the way they looked on me. However their time has come, so instead of just donating them, I re-purposed them into denim cut-offs. I know you can buy jean shorts already distressed, but there was something super fun about doing these myself. Great for going fishing, hiking, kayaking, etc and with summer just around the corner....well anyway here's your "how to".

{Acid wash flares. Eeek!}

Get in front of a mirror to mark where to cut. Use chalk if you aren't good on the first go.

Fold them in half to ensure your marks line up. Use utility scissors to cut the denim.

Cut up the back of the seam two inches at least to avoid the "sausage effect".

Get out your preferred tools for distressing. 

Start scraping the denim and make sure the pocket is pulled out and back it with cardboard in case you cut all the way through.

I used a pumice stone to distress the jeans further. Nail files also work. The darker the denim the more white threads will show giving more of a contrast.

If you want to create a hole where only the white threads show then you have to snip two tiny holes apart as far as you want the hole large. Then taking your time pull out only the BLUE threads. Again this is easier if the denim is darker to begin with.

I cuff mine a bit in the front and leave them a little longer in the back for better coverage. I thought they turned out pretty great!! 

{This post is dedicated to Audrey who always has a leg up on fashion.}

What I've Been Crushing On

I went a little crazy these past two weeks with the flowers but the weather has been such a bummer that my place needed a little "pick-me-up" and frankly, so have I. 

Yellow - $4.99

Green - $3.99

Pink - $6.99

One of my Christmas gifts to myself. I devour every issue with a fervor. {12.00/year}

Got these pretty gems for less than $15 and I have to hold myself back from wearing them every day.

Triple chocolate chip cookies.

My puppy Norman.

Garden Party

Growing up without my mom was hard, but I was fortunate to have developed some very poignant memories with my step-mom. She made some pretty cool things to eat when she could muster up the time between nursing school and her full time job. Her zucchini bread was one of my favorite things she ever made, and I can vividly recall watching her tend to her garden in our backyard as I was growing up. She took so much pride in it, and would spend countless summer hours under the hot sun keeping it healthy and beautiful. I am all thumbs when it comes to gardening, and none of them are green. Every time I am home to see her these days I look out there and my heart aches a little seeing that it's gone. I don't think I will ever try and recreate that recipe. So I found a zucchini recipe in the cook book she sent to me that will forever be its replacement. The best part of the story?? She text me after I sent her a photo of the finished dish and asked me for my recipe. Life comes full circle.

You will need 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 6 zucchini, 2 tbsp tarragon, 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 eggs beaten, grated nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.

Melt butter in a LARGE saucepan or skillet. Slice the zucchini thin and saute it until it is brown on both sides. Remove and drain it, then season with salt and pepper.

Spread half of the zucchini in the dish, sprinkle with herbs and 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat the layers again.

Mix cream, eggs, and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Pour over the zucchini and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 34-45 minutes or until the center is set and is a golden brown. 

Gratin de Courgettes

Varsity Blues

Sporting events are probably one of my most favorite pastimes. The roar of the crowd, the lights, the awe inducing athletic prowess of the professional athlete, an ice cold beer in a souvenir cup you know you are never going to use again, but absolutely have to have, to consider yourself fully integrated into what would appear to be a cohesive avalanche of sustenance for the favored team. It is just the same feeling for me at the minor league level. I love a good pee wee football game, burgers at nine in the morning at a soccer tournament, or Columbus Clippers baseball, where it is more of an experience than just a game. Regardless of the level of play, it is an event I look forward to and cherish. I always try and put my best foot forward, even in what I wear. I figure the athletes put significant effort into choosing their uniform and inherently, I should follow suit. Game on.

{JCrew top, Target boots, Rock n Republic denim, Zara bag, JCrew coat, Ray Ban Aviators}

What I've Been Crushing On

{Hat-Target men's, Sweater-old JCrew, Skirt-vintage}

I had a brief opportunity within my hectic weekend schedule to get outside for a few pictures. This outfit encompasses five of my favorite wardrobe pieces that I refuse to live without. The kind of go to things that make you feel comforted on a day that maybe you didn't feel your best. A big chunky knit sweater for the days you need a big, fat, warm hug. Ankle booties for those days you don't want to wear a heel nor a sneaker. A denim mini for those days you feel pretty great about your legs. A quality handbag that goes with everything and will last forever. A hat to give any outfit some edge. I mix and match these pieces in all sorts of different outfits but I had a great time putting them all together as kind of an ode to Winter and a peak at Spring. 

{Booties-Sam&Libby for Target, Bag-old JCrew}

Flight Attendant

Photo was gifted to me by the pilot.

I have dated exactly two pilots in my life. One, a military helicopter instructor pilot, and the other, a fixed wing instructor pilot. Both younger than me, blue eyed, and with hearts that loved flying more than just about anything that our mere earth could provide. Even though the experiences themselves were the utter antithesis of each other, I learned a lot from them both. Then it suddenly occurred to me that I learned absolutely nothing about the sky. I can't quite figure how I could spend so much time with someone who knows everything about it and absorb next to nothing. I like to Google just about everything. I don't know why I never did. I think learning a little something every day whether it be minesquel or massive in nature will only make me a richer, better person. So when this realization hit me, and considering the countless hours I spend taking pictures of it, I set out to indulge my ever evolving obsession. I am just trying to keep my head in the clouds.

CUMULUS - Clouds with vertical development.

CIRRUS - Thin, wispy clouds blown by high winds into long streamers.

CIRROCUMULUS - Small rounded white puffs similar to the scales of fish.