Chantilly Lace

First the kitchen was my favorite part of my apartment (CHEESE, MUFFINS, AND BAKING GALORE Y'ALLS!) And then my bedroom was my favorite place ever and Robert Redford wasn't even there so you know.. BUT NOW the living room has stolen my heart. Movie marathons on my couch with every single candle lit (I'm currently watching 'Meet Me in St. Louis' and its like OMG JUDY I LUV U!) Here's some snapshots of my living room. I don't know how Wensley St. Clair managed to sneak to almost every shot. What a fame whore. He really needs to control his partying ways. He won't be cute forever.. (oh wait, yes he will!)

Lots of blankets, a door turned coffee table, candles, and Ikea things. What can I say blankets are the best! (tied with plaid wearing, bearded men buying you a cup of coffee&a scone)

After I had burned through that candle, I cleaned it out and turned it to a mini vase! (Even though every time I completely burn through a candle a little part of me dies with it.) And I used twine and butterfly paper to spruce up a wine bottle.

My most favorite side of the couch. Chest from Nashville flea market for $30 and lamp is from Ikea. Both posters are from amazon for dollars and cents and frames are from Walmart. You don't have to spend buckets of hundys to have a nice home!

Wensley, bro-dude, people are really getting tired of your antics. (BAHA JK LUV U!) Vase is from Ikea and flowers from Trader Joe's. It was so sweet, I showed up to my doorstep with these flowers and asked myself on a date. So if anyone's worried about me being a crazy single white lady, don't worry... I'm doing just fine!

'Gone with the Wind' poster so at any moment during the day I can be reminded of: "You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how." OH CLARK GABLE! How you have my heart. And basically anything else you want of mine. You want this $1 flea market cactus.. ITS YOURS!

Bagel sandwiches are my new jam. And by jam I mean nutella. Because who puts jam on toast anymore ever since nutella has been available in U.S. grocery stores!? Cheese, egg whites, onion, garlic, &spinach. Mmmhmm. Thats how I like to start my mornings (&my afternoon snacks).

Hope your day is simple splendid and filled with your favorite things!

Chantilly Lace- Big Bopper (Went to dinner at an Irish pub last week and there was a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin cover duo there and it was wonderful. But I oh so wanted to special request this song. "BUT BABY I AIN'T GOT NO MONEY HONEY!)

Honey in the sun

Outdoor movies, popsicles, cheese&crackers, best friends, picnic baskets, never having plans while always having plans, impromptu Modern Family marathons, nail painting parties, building couches, temporary tattoos galore, cranking up the AC, scaring kids with your white legs...

PEOPLE, THIS IS WHAT SUMMER IS ALL ABOUT!

Every year summer comes along and like clockwork I bust out my countdown till when I get to wear tights again. I always forget the many pros of summer! {the Tennessee heat makes me forget for like 4 seconds and then I come to my senses.}

Baking mini cupcakes is my new favorite thing because well they are uber cute and make you feel like you are soul mates with the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk and most importantly I can convince friends they are way more healthier than the normal cupcakes I bring them and we all feel much better about ourselves. {Also I got those adorable flag toothpicks from my most favorite shop in Ohio!}

There is this thing that me and my friends do where we make a homemade pizza loaded with 2 family size bags of cheese {its safe to say that I'm single handedly supporting the cheese industry. You are welcome family cheese farmers to Wisconsin! Hope the kids are well!} and watch 'Going the Distance'. Its my most favoritest of nights. {It just barely beats The Voice and mac n cheese nights with Wensley} There is green stuffs sticking out because I guess I needz my greenzz!

Guys, my cheese man at Whole Foods gave me a a free tub of cheese. And before I died, I thanked him and flashed a smile, which of course was without a doubt a spinach in my teeth smile. Damn you strawberry and pecan salad. But for real, this cheese is like THE GREATEST! Like God himself came down and churned the cheese himself, this stuff is great.

FLAMING LIPS!!

I can't even do this show justice by writing about it. Anything I say won't convey the wondrous of this show. Giant balloons, confetti galore, human bubble, Wizard of Oz guest appearances, giant hands, lazzzer lights, bears, AND CRAZINESS ETC! I mean I didn't even do two pictures of my new favorite cheese {see above} if that tells you anything!

One of my favorite humans and my most favorite animal!

{Aunt Tessa loves her nephew, Wensley, maybe more than I do because I would never feed him food from my palm because, um, GERMS!}

Going bangless makes me feel like I'm going out without my clothes on! SO EXPOSED! My poor forehead hasn't seen the light of day in one million years. {Shield your eyes! My God, its painful!}

Hope your day is ridiculously wonderful! I'm off to drink 5 cups of coffee and frost a bijillion cupcakes for the people of Nashville {Gosh, so needy} Lets be honest I'm probably gonna get a couple muffins too!

Honey in the sun- Camera Obscura

On My Mind

This bread. Oh, this bread. Like a summers night filled with stars and free of mosquitoes, a drive to work with no red lights, or your favorite tv show with no commercials.. completely unexpected and absolutely wonderful. I'm that person that believes the more buttttuhhh something has the better it tastes {yes, the DNA test to see if I'm related to Paula Deen is still at the lab} So the fact that this has no butter, or eggs, or cheese{!!??!} is quite a feat considering I could most definitely eat this every single day. Guys, this banana bread is so good I wouldn't even trade it to be those extra tight khaki pants on Carl. {And I would basically trade my first born child, my top secret buttercream recipe, and my eyebrows to be those pants.}

{OMGZ ITS VEGAN!!??!} Banana bread

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup oil

4 ripe bananas, mashed

1/4 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan.In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the sugar and oil, then add bananas. Add water and vanilla, stirring to combine.Add the flour mixture, stirring just until wet. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

Thanks to Olivia for opening my eyes to the wonders of healthy{ier} banana bread cakes! I baked a loaf to bring to work and all the ladiezzz died from the deliciousness. So I baked another for my friend and another for myself.. and the next thing I know I've boughten all the bananas from Publix and my credit card put a halt to my banana spending. But what can I say... Wensley and I just love an early morning spent eating banana bread and watching reruns of Parks and Rec!

Hope your day is absolutely BANANAS, in the best way possible!!

We Five- You Were On My Mind

*This banana bread is on my mind every morning I have my Special K with strawberries instead of banana deliciousness. Ok, ok, fine... its like on my mind more than that. But don't tell the muffin!

Help me Rhonda!

I figured since the end of the world is coming this saturday then why not get in one last blog post. {P.s. I am so embarrassed by my blog post counts for 2011... only 12?! I'm officially depressed for myself.. get me a grilled cheese sandwich STAT!}

Interpol at the Ryman. Paul Banks, how are you so beautiful and so talented?! My mind can't fathom and my heart can't stand it! MARRY ME!

How are things on the west coast?
I hear you're moving real fine.
You wear those shoes like a dove.
Now strut those shoes we go roaming in the night.

Sublime Donuts on a mini Atlanta road trip.

Holy sweet cream and sugar. I didn't even know such goodness existed. I started off with the cream cheese danish {you think I got just one!?} and on the way back to good ole Tennessee I broke out the honey cinnamon donut and had a bite of the orange glazed star. I swear on my love to Jimmy Fallon, these are the world's best donuts. RUN to pick up a dozen and then another dozen to freeze so you can have them in a week.

Homemade banana pudding popsicle from King of Pops food truck. Hmm.. I am contemplating how to describe one of the tastiest treats and THE MOST delicious popsicle ever. Ryan Gosling swinging from star to star with you tuck under his arm and his ukulele strapped around his back.. a picinic candle light dinner waiting for you guys at the moon? Yes, that perfectly describes these popsicles.

Our version of flowers for mother's day at the cupcakery.

I was so proud of my purple "carnations" I just about crossed off "seeing my child graduate kindergarten" on my bucket list. But then I realized I would then never qualify for Real Housewives of Nashville.

I just adopted this little nugget.

Wensley St. Clair.

He likes Bravo tv, long walks on the beach, and tearing up all my toilet paper.

Orchids at Scott's Market in Atlanta.

Why do I not fall asleep in a sea of flowers every night? Is there no God?! Is Oprah just a mirage!?!

Hope your friday is fantastic and your weekend is filled with joyous adventures!

Help Me Rhonda- The Beach Boys

**I've had this one repeat all day. Do yourself a favor- have a scoop of butter pecan ice cream and fall in love the stripped shirts and ultimate dreaminess of The Beach Boys.

outta this world pumpkin bread.

the famous pumpkin bread {round the griffith parts that is} that gets made but twice a year. the pumpkin bread that my older sister who is in the peace corps in africa skyped in to say to send her a loaf {okay so she skyped to say happy thanksgiving..} and the pumpkin bread that is going to get shipped to said sister. yeah its that good. that or caitlyn and i just have a strange and what some might say unhealthy obsession with? nahh, its just that good.

choco-chipped-o to the max-o.

let's pause for a second to recognize the wonderfulness of libby's pure pumpkin in can. its a holiday baking staple.. OH THE POSSIBILITES with one little can! dollop on my oatmeal? don't mind if i do. swirled into homemade cheesecake? you best believe it. spooning it out of the can with joseph gordan-levitt.. i didn't say that...

libby, girlfrand.. you know whats what!

oh look it's my family's loaf and my loaf {you think i'm kidding but...}

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD

{recipe makes 2 loaves}

2 1/2 cup sugar

1 stick of butter

16 oz. can pumpkin

4 eggs

3 1/4 cup flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp cinnamon {but let's be honest, 1 tsp is never enough of the world's greatest spice.. go on ahead and double that. gettin crazzzy up in hurr}

1 tsp salt

1 1/4 cup chocolate chips

soften cream cheese and butter at room temp.

cream all wet ingredients together.

mix all dry ingredients in another bowl and then pour slowly into wet mixture and beat together till mixed well.

pour into two greased and flour pans and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

and now i'm off to work with a packed lunch that consists of 2 slices of pumpkin bread. and maybe a half slice for a snack... if there is still any left!

hope your day is incredibly and absolutely wonderful!

tanksgivin' dinna!

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

the time where everyone gets together and designates a day where calories don't count and if you eat less than 5 dinners than you should be ashamed of yourself! but really, what a swell day. macy's day parade? check. jimmy fallon and the roots in macy's day parade? {swwoon} check! forgetting to go on a run? check. GRANDPARENTS!? check, check! top secret homemade pumpkin bread? chhhh-heck! cooking enough food for the state of tennessee for 6 people? you bet my bloated bottom dollar. {every year my family tries to cook less and less food. and i take it upon myself to do the exact opposite} oh yes, thanksgiving day in all its glory. kicking off the greatest 30 consecutive days ever. happy happy joy joy!

THE PLATE.

WHO SAYS YOU NEEDS MEAT!?

i've got the three main food groups.. BREAD, STUFFING {aka more bread}, and a dollop of veggies!

now this is where the real fun begins.

enter the main course.

that's right folks, DESSERT!

homemade cheesecake {like you gots be kidding me}

pumpkin pie.

apple crisp.

a more than generous serving of each that would make paula deen proud. and whilst we eat ourselves into a coma we turn on It's a Wonderful Life and revel in holiday traditions. which of course turns into getting on my mother for quoting all the lines and then fast forward ten minutes later and i'm quoting them with her.. ahh #family.

"HERE THEY COME!"

"MY LIPS BLEEDING BURT, MY LIPS BLEEDING!"

"SHE'S JUST ABOUT TO CLOSE UP THE LIBRARY"

"ZUZU'S PETALS ZUZU'S PETALS!"

"HOT DOG!"

in a state of total stuff-ation nation and pure sugar high we elfed ourselves and laughed for hours while pretending our dance skills were this good. also i do believe my calling in life was to be an elf. and also it should be noted that tessa's skills are that good! hip hoppin' dancing diva extraordinaire who can whip her hair like woah. {i'm not bitter. she just stole all the cool genes in the fam. its whateve.}

hope everyone's thanksgiving was button poppin', delish food eatin', and good time havin'! {also it seems i'm country now... so that's excitin'... okay i'll stop with that...}

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

a grilled cheese sandwich as big as my head.

the day i ate the world's greatest grilled cheese. that also happened to be the world's BIGGEST grilled cheese. i mean it was just a day of shattering world records.

i gotta admit, sometimes as a vegetarian i feel like i get the shaft when it comes to food in restaurants.. girlfraands gotta eat. i don't want just a piece of lettuce with a walnut on top! and Noshville agrees with me!

ENTER THE TRIPLE DECKER GRILLED CHEESE SANNNWICH! complete with tomatoes, 3 cheeses, and hearty wheat bread! {sooo much bread!}

veggies? check!

protein? CHEESE IS THE GREATEST PROTEIN THERE IS!

whole graaaain? only 10 slices of it!

veggies again? oh yeah thats right.. tomatoes and POTATOES! believe it.

i'll say it again.. the food pyramid needs to be updated! and i need to head this revolution!

we keep it classy up in hurrr with styrofoam dinnerware imported from egyptian tombs...{lahhisten i know i know.. i just shortened mother earth's life by 5 years.. i won't turn on any lights in my house today to make up for it.. but just look at that CHEESE!}

yup, i'll never forget the day i ate the grilled cheese sandwich that was so good its probably illegal in 40 states. {i only dream about it every night.}

hope your day is over-the-top, finger-lickin' DELICIOUS!

*alright now i don't want to get all mushy and shit {think bad hallmark card and hanis stuffed bear with the cheap candy..yeeeah} but all your sweet comments made my day! here i was thinking who cared that i'd been gone.. homegurrrls you be makin' me blush!

grubbing it up.

so much deliciousness in my life i can't even handle the excitement. i'm about to pull a ralphie parker, except instead of shooting my eye out i'm gonna fork it out. {alright that went from cute christmas story reference to gruesome horror flick} but along we go to the feature presentation.

3 CHEEEEEEESE mac n' cheese

sharp chedder

mozzarella

gruyère

salt

pepper

nutmeg

pinch of flour

milk

butttah

you come to me with those ingredients and i will give this.

this being heaven in cheesy noodle form.

spinach and artichoke pizza!

getting my greens and my cheese.

i'm starting to see a common factor here...

FRUIT SALAD!
kiwi, mango, papaya, and pineapple almost make me want summer to stay. then i quickly realize what fall has to offer. hot chocolate by the gallon anyone?! fruit or decadent chocolate.. tough call. tough call. #sarcasm.

hummus and tweeting. thats a well rounded meal right there. 1 part social medianess 2 parts deliciousness.

and for everyone who asked, i work at a cupcake bakery. only the best one in tennessee! and the swirls of frosting on top of the cake are a craft in itself. so in my last post i was practicing my swirls... before i actually get to frost the cupcakes. and imma be honest, its a major work out for my hand!! i've got muscles i never knew i had! and i'm eating more cupcakes than humanly possible.

have a finger-licking', deee-lec-taaaah-ble DAY!

"my life... ohhh my life"

contrary to popular belief, i was did not get lost at sea and get swallowed by a whale {oh wait...} no no no, i've just been busy being a working lady now. {i bake and sell sweet treats all day, everyday. its basically perfection. i hope they never realize that i'd do it for free...} bringing home the veggie soy bacon is robbing me blind of my time, among other things. here's what i've been up too!

savouring my early mornings with no computer, no tv, no phone. just me. and its been so refreshing and delightful. {not to mention the oatmeal is get-in-muhh-belly delicious!}

seeing old friends! nothings better than hanging out a group of your old friends, reminiscing and catching up on each other's lives. its so wonderful. and also making fun of other friend's sweet cece's creations is fun too. {cereal, gummy worms, chocolate, reeses, granola, fruit, you name it she had it!}

RUNNING! i've become a gym rat these past few years and its about time i start pounding the pavement again. and friends, it has never felt better. no more contraptions or machines, just the open road, a fully charged ipod, and my extremely worn in shoes!

becoming a certified swirler! the angle, the pressure, the size of the swirl.. frosting is no joke! {news to me!} and i have to practice everyday. the first time i did it they looked like mini jabba the huts.. so i'm getting better.

being inspired by a belly dancing recital {yeah, its a real thing!} and now all i wanna do is sign up for dance classes. someone get this girl some blue suede shoes! and give me a beat!

saying goodbye to friends as we all scatter off to different states and colleges. its no fun at all. couldn't every one do their own thannng in the same place?!

WRITING! i was asked to be a part of a new zine and IT'S HERE!!! the only september issue you need! {anna who?} it's 14 color pages filled with recipes, DIYs, tips, artisit features and more! its way too exciting to even handle and i'm so glad to be a part of this project along side janal, kaelah, justine, and malori! all you have to do is order one before september 1st and we will ship it off to you rigfht away! cost is $4 plus $1 for shipping. {and we ship internationally too! just $2.50 for shipping} i hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed writing it and putting it together for you!

and forever be bless with sprinkles raining from the sky, unicorns opening your doors for you, eating all the treats you want without any of the calories, and leonardo dicaprio confessing his love you. {promise!}

hope everyone is having a gloriously wonderful day!

*a trillion billion points for those knew michael scott inspired my title.

hold the phone betty, this ain't no sweet treats post.

somewhere, out there, betty crocker just fainted because this is not a baking post. poor betty, doesn't she know a girl needs her pahhhhsta!? alright here's the deal, this is the best veggie loaded delicious pasta i ever did make. and it doesn't hurt that its super easy to make and healthy too! jam packed with my favorite veggies i could eat this for dinner every night. tis grand too that i can swap the veggies for whatever tickles my fancy {or lets be honest, whatever i have in my fridge} one day its peas and broccoli and the next its spinach and carrots. its a veggie jubilee potpourri. and its a parttty!

a VEGGIE JUBILATION CELEBRATION pasta!

ingredients:

extra virgin olive oil

garlic

spinach

shredded carrots

red bell pepper

pesto

pasta

parmesan cheese

1. start by getting your pasta cooking

2. over medium heat, warm up the olive oil and garlic in a skillet

3. add in chopped bell peppers, spinach, and shredded carrots and satuee for a few minutes

THE SECRET WEAPON!

cinderella has her fairy godmother and i've got BUITONI PESTO!

4. add in two giant dollops of pesto and toss.

5. add in your cooked pasta and toss.

{like joe montana... only better}

6. sprinkle with parmesan cheese and ENJOY!

hope your day is jam packed with deliciousness!