FALL!

So ready for fall! Chilly nights, bearable days, leaves changing! Apple cider! Sweaters, sweatshirts, and socks! Pumpkin cheesecake! Rachel Ray has a new iphone app "putting out an APB on fall" Everything cooked with apples, pumpkin, or beer! Excited!

I'm kind of loving these shoes from Manimals (http://save-the-manimals.com/)

Dim Sum - Yum Yum!

I've never had dim sum before. I loved it!! Little parcels of amazing! There's a new place in DC, near Chinatown called Ping Pong. It's on 7th street. The drinks are fantastic, and food is delicious and super cute!






And cheap! They have a great happy hour and the inside of the place is really, really cool.

Next time you are in DC, you must check it out!

xoxo

I love you, Target.

Our Target just became a "Super" Target. I love it.

These little cookies are SO GOOD. I recommend you go out and buy a few boxes.

JAM!

I'll say it again - I love jam! Growing up, my mother always made strawberry jam - which spoiled me, because that was all I liked. The stuff in the jar from the grocery never interested me. Then I made this...It was ok. It didn't look like this - The middle layer has raspberry jam in it - which didn't really set up right. Either way - I had some leftover jam - and we ate it for breakfast the next day and I looooooooooved it! Who knew? Thanks Smuckers. My mom made some peach jam too that was sugary and amazing.

I also had some raspberry jam in Colorado that Megan made - and I also LOOOOOOOOVED it. So today I took a crack at it and let me tell you, it was a SUCCESS!! See the progress below...

I didn't even make that big of a mess!! It was quite a process - I of course didn't buy enough berries so I ran to the grocery AGAIN to buy more. Then when I got to the sugar - I ran out. My sweet neighbor, I'll call her Mrs. X, let me borrow some to finish the jam - it's a very precise recipe. But it worked out for the best!

...except now I have to stare at it for 24 HOURS until it sets!!

Colorado-a-go-go!

Friends - I've been gone for a very long time. I've been in Colorado for about 2 weeks! and I love it here!!! I've had the time of my life (on a budget no less)

I've seen Yonder Mountain String Band twice!!!!(Once and the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater) And the Pittsburgh Steelers! - My first pro game!

I have been staying with some very dear friends for a few days, and have to leave on Friday - but I already know I don't want to go back!

My friends Megan and Adam live in Conifer, Co. and it's AMAZING!!!!

I have my own bedroom, with a little sun porch. So when I go to bed every night and wake up in the morning I see this and this!

I really love it here, and I'll be sad to leave.

And I'll share with you another YMSB.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERjlLEHlltQ

Enjoy my friends! See you all soon

xoxo

Let's Take a Trip...

Lake Garda, Italy. I want to go here. I would pack only a bag full of books, and some sunblock.

Ready for Fall...

Seeing the new sweaters that Ugg is going to release (don't bother - they are like $400) made me think how excited I am for fall weather! I looooooooooove fall! I shopped around today, and decided what I want to start saving for.

These from the GAP...

These oxfords from FRYE...(i think they are going to be my new faves)

And like 100 pairs of these from Sock Dreams...

Want want want!!!

Heaven in a microwave...

Apples are not my favorite thing. I never pick apple pie - real apples hurt my teeth - and apple juice gives me cramps. I DO, however, enjoy applesauce. I have fond memories of homemade applesauce from both grandmothers. Cinnamon hearts and big chunks - crucial! The other day @ Harris Teeter I ran across these and thought they might be good for my upcoming trip to NYC with a little kitchenette in my room.

ummmm Score. 30 seconds in the microwave and it was perfectly heated and there is so much topping! Not just a sprinkle - plenty for the whole bowl of fruit! Can't wait to try the apple pear, and the pineapple mango versions!!

Things I'm loving today...

Well worth $4.99


Don't LOVE Xtina but I do think this song is really really pretty and perfect for her voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XjZ5KhBCrI

Green Mountain Gringo...

Oh. My. God. I. D.I.E.D.

So good.

NYC

Headed to NYC today for 9 days of work. My favorite thing about NYC is the food. Hands down, what I look forward to. The only sucky thing is - I'm kind of on a budget. I have a kitchen in my hotel room - but it's hard to stay inside in NYC. I've narrowed it down to three places I must visit. Pastis for breakfast - oeufs au plat with Parisian Ham, and fried tomatoes. 5 Napkin Burger for a 10 oz fresh ground chuck, gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and rosemary aioli on a soft white roll. I DIE. Lastly, and my favorite Sevilla for a PITCHER of sangria, the crab stuffed mushrooms, and the most amazing house salad with a crazy ketchup, 1000 island, ah-mah-zing-ness dressing. I'm starving just sitting here.

And of course - here. It's just SUCH a hike. Usually worth it. All classic - vanilla - buttery rich cake with a TON of super sweet frosting. I love it. I want it RIGHT NOW!

Home Again...

Yesterday, I made the journey back to Virginia. For the first hour of the drive or so, I hate it. I just hate the thought of being in a car for 6 hours. But it's so pretty. It's such a gorgeous drive, and the hours fly by. Even on the interstate it's gorgeous. I love it. It's hard to pay attention to the road.Enter the Chevy Aveo. SERIOUSLY?! I saw like 10 of them yesterday. I wanted to run them right off the road! They are so strange. Needless to say, I think they are the second dumbest car I have ever seen, only after the "smartcar".

I'm glad to be back, and ready to head to NYC for awhile!

I Hate Sewing!

It sucks. I've never been good at fancy work - that's what my mom calls it...I can't cut straight, I hate straight pins, and patterns are impossible to follow. "Pin WRONG side of neck binding to RIGHT side of front neck" Seriously? The machine I bought SUCKS - I packed it in the box to return as soon as the shirt is finished on my mother's "real" machine. I'm not a seamstress.

I can't even do it. My mom is finishing the shirt - she said no matter what it looks like, I have to wear it tonight. - I'm drinking iced tea and playing with the dog - who is not much fun

I'd rather bake a cake or read a magazine. Consider this my last sewing project - I spent money on the machine, the fabric, and the pattern. I could have purchased this instead...

Never again.

Going to be sew fun...

Sewing Patterns : Simplicity Patterns : Misses Tops

Project! Making tank top "A" today. Cut and pinned the pattern last night! Sew excited! I will let you know how it turns out!

August, and Everything After...

So August is shaping up to what looks like one of the best months of the year. Musically, a girl could not ask for more....

Counting Crows at Wolf Trap...

Maybe YMSB in Denver (blah 2 day shows when you can only go to 1)

Steeler Nation in Denver (pre-season game)

yes! yes! yes!

Then - the moment I've waited my whole life for (well about 5 years)

Ray Lamontagne and David Gray @ RED ROCKS!!!!

I get excited just thinking about it!!!!! Can't wait for August!!

It's Sew Bad

Well - I ponied up and bought a super cute little sewing machine (see above). It's not as easy as it looks. My mom showed me the basics, and let me try. I made an awkward little pouch, and a crooked, terribly sad, muslin t-shirt that would MAYBE fit a preemie, without hands - I sewed the arm holes shut. It's bad and kind of baffling. I need some practice. OK, a LOT of practice.

Swoon

Counting Crows Traveling Circus and Medicine Show 2010 Preview


August 9th! Can't wait!

Excited about this!!!!!!!!!!!! Power C and XXX are my favorite - I hope they make those flavors! Check 'em out at Walgreens...

Phantogram - Mouthful Of Diamonds

I love this song! I can't stop listening to it! And I love her hair!

Summer Cabin Fever

Being home in PA allows me the time to think of all the projects that I want to do (and never really do). Today I decided that I would like to learn how to sew! How cool would it be to make a vintage apron, a patchwork quilt, or this super cute shirt (how easy it looks...)!? Sure, sewing on a button takes me what feels like 3 days -but with a machine - I would be unstoppable...