Future Home (fingers crossed!)

Since I was born in Arlington, and grew up visiting Northern Virginia every summer, I have always liked the area. But I think what really brought about my obsession was our trip up for the Spice Girls Reunion Concert!

getting ready for the show:

(jj me christa annie britt)

during the show:

(assume stage names: baby, scary, sporty, ginger, posh)

Ever since that trip, I knew that D.C. was the place I wanted to be after college. Lucky for me, several of my friends have moved up there lately, giving me the opportunity to visit a lot more. This past weekend, Christa and I drove up from Charleston to visit Annie for a long weekend! We managed to fit in a walk around The Capital, a high school reunion dinner, brunch in Georgetown, and a tour of potential neighborhoods so we can HOPEFULLY all move in together (knock on wood)!!!!!!!! 

Bistrot du Coin

and the end of the night.

The Capital Building

Baked & Wired - Unporked Elvis

This trip has definitely pushed me over the edge to just get up and move there. So the real job and housing search starts now and I couldn't be more excited! DC here I come . . . in a few months :)

Decisions Decisions

Okay I am OBSESSED with KJP bracelets. I already have one, but really want to order another one! I can't make a decision to save my life sooo thoughts? 

Honey Fitz 

Haffax's Chuttuck Hitch

Jeshwax Mast Lanyard

40 Days

Goodbye fries . . . for now . . . you have been good to me. Fries are a staple in my diet. I get them at least three times a week (if I'm trying to be good), but starting tomorrow I am giving them up for lent. I did it last year, so I have faith that I can do it again, although my obsession has definitely become worse in the past year. This means that I will have to also try to avoid any foods that are associated with fries, such as burgers, chicken fingers, etc., so that I do not slip up. It's going to be difficult, but hopefully my large fry that I consume for dinner tonight will hold me over until Easter! Here are a few pictures of my favorite fries I have had in the past (yes, yes I did take these on my iPhone and send them to people . . . )

Five Guys Cajun Fries

4Rivers Crinkle Fries

In-N-Out Burger Fries

Lilly Love

Nothing describes my love for bright colors than Lilly Pulitzer . . . her designs consumes about 75% of my life. Not only does my closet pretty much look like a Lilly store, but my agenda, iPhone case, book bag, make up bag (I could go on for days) are all Lilly Pulitzer as well. When I went to CofC I worked at Palm Avenue (A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store), which definitely helped improve my collection. Lilly Pulitzer is a classic designer with pieces that will never go out of style. My mom has kept all of my Lilly clothing since I was a baby and I hope to dress my kids in those outfits one day. But for now, I will just continue to add more pink and green to my wardrobe!

RECENT PURCHASES:

Tate Skirt - Lillys Pink Big Squeeze 

Murfee Scarf - Peel and Eat

iPhone 4 Cover - Classic White Do The Wave

RECENT WANTS:

Shauna Dress Embroidered

Keetan Dress - Classic White Little Lilet

Whitley Skirt Mini - Hotty Pink Small First Impression

Home (Bitter)Sweet Home

Charleston, South Carolina - as much as I love it here, I don't think I can ever fully call it "home". My parents recently sold my childhood house in Vero Beach, Florida and are now moving us up here. Although I did not grow up in South Carolina, it is a place that has always been close to my heart. My mother was born and raised here and still has TONS of family here. We visited every summer, bought a house downtown once I graduated high school, and I even attended College of Charleston for two years.

We all thought this day would never come, but now I will be spending the whole month of April packing up my life . . . it is all so surreal. I want to be spending as much time in Vero Beach as possible before my parents move here for good, but for the next three weeks I will be keeping myself busy with a visit from my freshman roommate Meaghan, a trip to DC with Christa (home town friend and college roommate) and a wedding in New Orleans with Will . . . so I guess there is nothing really to complain about! Plus, this city is so beautiful, it's impossible to hate on it once I am actually here.

A view of the Cooper River from Battery Park

Church Street

The Cooper River Bridge at Sunset

Time Flies

Happy 17th Birthday to my BEAUTIFUL niece Addison!!!!

We went to 310 (my favorite!) on Park Ave in Winter Park to celebrate with her sister Caroline, my sister (her mom) Dawn and our friend Christa. I am still in shock that my youngest niece is now 17 - it makes me feel so old!

Indulge

If you didn't know this about me already, I have a serious sweet tooth. I cannot go a single meal without ending it with something sweet, whether it be just a bite of chocolate or a large slice of cake. However, as much as I love eating desserts, I enjoy baking them even more! 

Today I went to The Vero Beach Book Center with my fellow food lover Whitney to find us some new cookbooks. Of course, I bought Southern Cakes by Nancie McDermott and she got some sort of "healthy recipes" book for our attempt at becoming domestic goddesses (more to come on this in a later post - we have actually become pretty successful with our family dinners). 

My old roommate J.J. bought me Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey: Desserts for the Serious Sweet Tooth by Jill O'Connor a few years ago for Christmas and I have finally decided to put it to use. My first challenge: Everything But The Kitchen Sink Cookies . . . and I must say they were the best cookies I have ever made. I mean just look at them! Pure heaven.

Even though I know I could definitely eat every last one of these cookies, I figured it would be best to send them to friends before I gave myself that opportunity. I am going to try at least one new recipe a week, so please tell me some of y'alls favorite desserts and I will be sure to send them your way!