7.17.13

Gift Guide ... Weddings

Summer time is THE time to get married. Just ask everyone you know. If you're like me (mid-twenties with many friends), you can bet your bottom dollar that you will be attending at least one wedding this summer or your friend is attending one or you know someone who is having one. Let's be honest, weddings can be great fun. Who doesn't like to get dressed up, enjoy a cocktail or two, and dance the night away with your pals? *side note: I once attended a dry wedding and it was still pretty fun. Anyways, with all the recent weddings taking place I have started to look for gifts that are not on the couple's registry because who doesn't like a surprise? While I think it's fun to give unexpected gifts, I try to keep in mind that these gifts should be kept neutral (there's a reason people put the things they do on their registry, people!). Here are some of my favorites:

These cuties would also be perfect as an engagement gift. 

*I'm currently obsessed with Furbish Studio, check out their other home goodies!

This newlywed cooking set is from Red Envelope. You could always use this as inspiration and send the couple your favorite cookbook with monogramed aprons.

Can I have one of these just because?! This anniversary wine box is genius. 

You can order the box pre-filled or you can buy just the box and choose your own favorite wine.

A beautiful picnic basket for two is definitely a gift I wouldn't turn down. It's something most couples would like but probably never think to buy for themselves. Good thing they have you. 

Lastly, for the people who have everything, how nice would it be to have a personalized art piece? Uncommon Goods has a few great options. I'm especially loving the bottom right piece.

Happy wedding season!

7.16.2013

Time for another recipe.

Boston is currently in the midst of a heat wave. We have cracked into the 90's people, and it is HOT! Which means that using anything such as a stove or oven is out of the question. Therefore, dinner needs to be something light & easy to make. I threw this salad together the other day and it definitely hit the spot. I'm thinking of making it again this week because it was that good and quick to make. I've dubbed it my Almost Greek Salad. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 stocks of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed
• 1 cucumber, peeled & cut into quarters
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes (if you're using grape sized tomatoes, just cut them in half)
• 1 avocado
• 1 cup feta cheese
• 2 tbsp. EVOO
• 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• S&P to taste

Steps:

• Put beans, veggies, and cheese into a bowl
• Whisk the EVOO, balsamic vinegar, and S&P in a small bowl
• Pour dressing over & voila! Easy summer salad!

7.15.13

Weekend Re-Cap.

Another weekend, another new restaurant (or 2)! Last Friday, Colin took me out for a belated birthday celebration. We finally tried out Bergamot, a restaurant that I've been driving past for the last year. If you get the chance, try out their daily $39 Prix-Fix menu (appetizer + entrée + dessert).

Saturday mornings are reserved for the Union Square Farmer's Market where I picked up these beautiful flowers. *Another thing that has been passed down from Patty 

We ended Saturday by going to see This Is The End. I, along with the entire theater, laughed from beginning to end. By the way, if you are in your mid-twenties go see this movie. The ending alone will flood you with tween year memories. *hint hint: B.S.B.

Living in New England means hot & humid summers. The best escape is the beach. Crane Beach, located in Ipswich, MA, is gorgeous. I spent my Sunday here, playing bocce ball & tanning with friends.

Newburyport, MA

We ended the weekend with dinner at Mission Oak Grill in Newburyport, MA. I love this little town and have brought most of my guests here. Patty loves it because she loves the water and she says it reminds her of being in Europe. 

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend as well!

7.13.13

I'm back!

Seven days in Peru went by so fast. I promise to post about it later (once I've taught my mom how to upload pictures onto a sharing website). Now that we're back I can finally focus on our upcoming move. The move is not far and the apartment is in a better location yet much smaller (every positive has a negative). Our current landlord left all of his living room furniture for us which means we have to buy all new stuff. I could not be more thrilled about this. When I was around 12, my parents remodeled our house. Once it was ready, Patty dragged me around every home store within a 20 mile radius. It was awful at the time but now I am completely infatuated with home furnishings & interior design. I'm pretty picky about most things so I know it's going to take me a while to get everything in order. I've been scouring the web looking for inspiration. My hope is that if I start now, I can find similar things with a better price tag (did I mention I'm a graduate student?). Here are some of the items I've had my eye on:

Colin loves the sectional in our current place. This West Elm one is smaller with the same feel.

I can't remember how much room we have but this one may be a great back up to a sectional.

This coffee table is a little rustic yet simple. Bonus: it has storage!

This rug is perfect. A little shabby chic without being overly feminine. Plus, it has blue which is the accent color I want to incorporate into the room.

Ottomans & poofs are an excellent way of providing extra seating without taking up too much room. This one also comes in gold or silver but I don't think the man would like that very much!

I'm really loving the use of trays I've been seeing lately. This one is so sleek looking with it's horned handles. I'm envisioning the smaller one sitting on top of a stack of coffee table books!

7.3.13

Happy (almost) 4th of July!

I don't know about you, but summer is my favorite time of the year. Some people may think it's because of my birthday (July 8) and they're somewhat right. Being a summer baby means that I love the sun, going to the beach, enjoying the occasional cold fruity drink (see previous post), enjoying the occasional cold cocktail, and presents. Most of all, I love the 4th of July. I may not have been born here but my heart belongs to America and there is nothing more American than this holiday - cue fireworks. I have had the pleasure of experiencing the 4th in many different settings. A few of my favorites include going to Bass Lake, CA as well as Manhattan Beach, CA. Unfortunately, this year, I will be back in my mother country. To cushion the blow for myself, I have made sure to pack as many red, white, and blue outfits as possible. To cushion the absence of blog posts for you, dear reader, I am leaving you with a few suggestions on how to fill up your time while I'm gone.

The Time In Between

I am a few chapters away from finishing this book and I can barely put it down. 

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

This one is already waiting on my kindle. It kept popping up on summer book lists and I can't wait to read it. 

Candidly Nicole

If you haven't been watching these videos, you are in for a spectacular treat. Nicole Richie is ha-larious. Also, there are some great one liners - "I need to stop thinking like a short girl, and start thinking like a drag queen". Episodes 4 & 5 are my favorites.

How to Marry a Millionaire

Thank you, Netflix. I love watching movies and I stumbled upon this oldie but goody the other day. It's silly but perfect when you're lounging around in your PJ's (and possibly curing an after the 4th hangover). 

Let me know how you like them!

7.1.13

Happy Monday! And happy first day of July!

Now that the temperature is heating up everywhere, I have been craving cold, fruity drinks. Growing up, Patty made me a variety of cold fruit juices and would deliver them to my bedroom so that I could start my day off right. Freshly squeezed OJ, papaya juice, strawberry banana smoothies, the woman did it all! And she still does it for my brother back in California ... one of the downsides of living on the opposite coast. Therefore, I have been left to my own devices if I want a cold fruit drink, especially if I don't want to leave my wonderful air-conditioned apartment. So here is a recipe for a yummy Mango Banana Smoothie I threw together this weekend. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 a large banana, diced
• 1 cup chopped up mango (equal to half a mango)
• 3/4 cup almond milk (or whichever type you prefer)
• 1 cup ice
• *Optional: 1 tbsp. Chia seeds (I've been adding these to my smoothies for a while, they are flavorless but nutritional. Also, they're apparently the 'It' food of 2013)

Steps:

• Throw all ingredients into your blender and press the smoothie button! 
• ** Makes about 1 large smoothie or 2 small servings.

I got these at Trader Joe's but they are available at most health food stores 

and even some of your regular grocery stores.

* I didn't want the fruit to spoil so I pre-cut the banana & mango, put 1 serving's worth in individual bags, and threw it in the freezer for future smoothies without the mess! 

6.30.13

SoWa Open Market.

Usually my Sundays are reserved for brunch but yesterday I decided to switch it up. I have been to my fair share of farmer's markets but nothing compares to Boston's SoWa Market. The market starts up in May and is open until October. Split up into four sections, it offers something for everyone. You can begin the day by checking out the Art's Market, where local artists sell everything from paintings to glassware. For lunch, head over to the Food Trucks for any and every craving you may have. If you need to walk off lunch, do so at the indoor Vintage Market (open all year and my favorite part of the market). Last but not least, hit up the Farmer's Market for fresh produce and locally made salsa's, maple syrups, pastries, etc. On your own or with friends, you can easily spend your entire Sunday here.

Begin your day with a caffeine kick from this guy.

Vintage scale with a sweet note.

Loved all the vintage glassware for the bar cart I'm going to have in our new apartment.

Angel wings, taking me back to my sorority days.

Heading into the food truck area for lunch. So many choices!

The Lavender Lemonade is refreshing and delicious.

Meghan settled on a lobster roll from Lobsta Love.

My California self went directly to the Baja Taco Truck for a delicious burrito.

Wearing: J. Crew blouse, Joe's Jeans shorts (old), Michele watch, 

gifted bracelets, Fendi sunglasses (old)

Our last stop was at Cupcake City. Katie is doing her best Vanna White.