Wedding Dress Ideas?

I'll admit it: I'm kind of excited about this royal wedding. My best friend and I are planning to wake up super early tomorrow (donuts in hand for sure) and watching the gorgeous Kate Middleton marry her prince (and probably weep at the idea that it isn't one of us!). But I have another confession to make: A long time before I knew about this wedding, I've had a bad habit of browsing white gowns and picturing myself in them. Now, I'm nowhere near ready to get married as I'm still waiting for my prince, however I had such a fun time looking at dresses and imagining the new princess in them. Speculation over her dress has the internet buzzing as seen here, here, and even here! But I have my own ideas... If I were getting married tomorrow I'd love to be in any one of these dresses. Of course we'll have to wait until tomorrow for the real royal gown to be revealed, but perhaps it will look like one of my choices.

The Little Things

(Scattered rhinestones for an art project)

I spent this past holiday weekend at home with my family and found plenty to do to keep my mind busy and out of this endless cycle of the unknown. I'm currently employed, but I'm searching for a real job, you know, the kind that utilizes the degree I've spent five years earning. It's been slow going and a bit stressful so it was nice to keep my mind off it and into quality time with my family. 

(My mom's homemade dump cake with vanilla ice cream)

(Adorable easter sprinkles)

(Mini crock pots)

Homemade Granola Bars

One morning last week I found myself in need of a quick breakfast, so I grabbed a packaged granola bar. It was deliciously studded with mini chocolate chips and dipped in chocolate.  Then for some reason I decided to look at the ingredients. Not only could I not pronounce most of what made up my breakfast, I didn't recognize many of the ingredients. I thought, surely I could do better. I found this recipe and made myself a treat. Now, we all know (or should know) that granola bars are not super healthy, even mine were filled with butter and sugar, but at least I know exactly what's in my quick breakfast: all fresh ingredients without one preservative or word I can't pronounce.  

Easter Eggs

Easter is just a few days away and while I'm not one to over celebrate this holiday, I took the opportunity to do something a little special to my breakfast. Yes, as you'll recall, I eat an egg each morning for breakfast, and for the next few days I'll have colored and decorated boiled eggs to brighten my mornings. This activity was also a great way to pass an otherwise uneventful weekday evening. I'm looking forward to opening my fridge to little pop of color and especially looking forward to spending time with my family as we celebrate Easter.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

I haven't had a hearty meal in a really long time. Most days I think the only way I'll get a nice, warm, comfort food meal is to make more trips back home to mom. But this week I tried a recipe for chicken enchilada casserole and almost felt like I was right back at my family's dining room table for a warm meal. Almost. There simply are no substitutes for mom's cooking as we all know. But the cheesy and satisfying casserole was a hit at my table this week with it's simple prep and tasty comfort.

The Little Things

(Cinderella desk set reminding me of my childhood)

I am about to graduate college. It's an exciting, overwhelming and scary upcoming event that I honestly can't wait to achieve. And as the job applications, the questions, the plans, and all those big things that come with being an adult pile up, the little things stick out most to me this week. Fairy tales, candy, cartoons, and pink bring be back to simpler times and let me know that no matter what is coming in the future, I know I can always fall on those little things that bring me back.

(cute anniversary card from my love)

(pale, pastel, pink nail color)

(Hershey's dark chocolate squares with almonds and berries)

Sugar Donut Muffins

On one particular morning last week, I felt the need to branch out from my normal breakfast of one egg and a grapefruit, and be sinfully bad by ruining all calories for my day. These sugar donut muffins, recipe here, were well worth my added effort, as my egg and grapefruit routine usually only takes about 5 minutes to prepare, and even the sugar rush was appreciated. They turned out to be a perfect start to my weekend. 

One Year

Last night, my boyfriend, Loren, and I celebrated our one year anniversary. It was a relationship mile stone for both of us and cause for a cute dress, a button down shirt, (and sneakers as Loren forgot his nice shoes) and a super quaint and fancy restaurant in downtown Gainesville. Manuel's Vintage Room is about the size of my bedroom but it's small atmosphere and superb Italian food was all part of it's charm. It was the perfect way for Loren and I to celebrate our year together and toast to many more. 

The Little Things

(a postcard sent to me from Hawaii)

It's not often that things go quite the way we want them to. Plan fall apart, pieces don't come together, life gets in the way; and it seems to happen more often than not. With my graduation from college only 2 short weeks away, I'm realizing just how far reality truly is from the plans I made five years ago when I began my college career. It's close to how I felt when I chose my "little things" for this week. I thought to myself, these images don't seem to go together, until I saw them together. I smiled realizing they fit perfectly. My original thoughts fell apart and the individual pieces didn't fit, but this time, together, the little things came together nicely. It just shows me how sometimes, the true outcome can be better than planned.

(a trip to the jewelry section of Forever 21)

(my new favorite crystal drop earrings from Forever 21)

(the reflection of Jacksonville, Florida in my sunglasses)