skipped town

7:38 pm Friday night we got the itch to get out of town. We got on Priceline and did some last minute bidding and by 8:30 pm we were on the road to Monterey.

We stopped at Chick-a-filet for some free dinner (Alden won a years worth of meals, didn't I tell you?) and we got to eat on the road! One of my favorite pastimes that Alden isn't a fan of. I guess eating and driving is very different in Idaho vs California.

We scored a nice hotel in Monterey and found out that loads of celebrities like Kenny G and Bill Murray were in town for a golf tournament. Score.

We woke up Saturday and did what we always do, garage selling and thrifting. I found some gorgeous vintage dresses at an estate sale but they were just a little too big up top (boob jobs ruin everything I tell you).

Then we ate brunch on the water and it was delicious and relaxing. We hit up some more thrift stores and scored us a head board for $30. This is the kind of thrill we live for (exciting I know).

We started heading home up the coast and stopped in Santa Cruz to check out the beach. We walked the pier, enjoyed the shops, had some Mexican and went to Gap. Because no trip is complete without a trip to Gap (they are having some killer sales right now btw).

Our only regret?.... Not staying another night, or two or three.

daily eats #02

I started a new series last fall called daily eats and never really took off with it but its something that I'm still excited about so I'm rolling with it.

For a recap, Daily Eats is a days worth of meals all in one post! It will include recipes that I've tried and wanted to try and some tips and pointers along the way.

For this round up I found some real gems.

Breakfast: Whole Wheat Waffles by The Faux Martha
I enjoyed the recipe because they aren't overly sweet which means you can put things that ARE overly sweet on top, like buttermilk syrup, for a perfect balance. Also they have a bit of orange juice in them which adds a nice zip.

Lunch: Glazed Beet + Carrot Salad by Sprouted Kitchen
I'm not a salad girl but I thought this recipe was divine. The sauteed veggies on top takes away the yucky salad feeling that I usually get yet it still leaves the feeling of eating healthy and fresh vegetables. The recipe calls for yellow beets, which are kind of expensive so next time I would substitute for red beets. Also my dressing seperated on the stove but on the salad you couldn't tell the difference. I would make this again but plan it for a dinner party or a special occasion rather than a weeknight meal/lunch just because the presentation alone is THAT awesome.

Dinner: Pan Seared Salmon with Avocado Remoulade from Simply Recipes
We've been on a salmon kick over here and I think the reason why salmon works so well for us is because we cook it on the grill. And when I say we I mean my husband. Seriously my man has some of the best grill skills I've ever seen. That being said, we didn't pan sear this salmon but my husband did sear it on the grill... which means crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside. He also cooked it with lemon and butter (the most perfect pair in my book). The avocado remoulade was good but made WAY to much for the two of us. It would make a nice guacamole as leftovers though. But next time I would cut that part in half.

Dessert: Baked Lime Pudding Cake by Tyler Florence
These little cakes are delightful. They are tart and pair nicely with some homemade whipped cream. They do take an hour to bake and aren't "cake mix" easy but they are worth it in my book. I've already made them three times!

For now, I blog

Ahhm.
Hello.
Remember me?

I've decided that life is not slowing down, its not getting easier, there are still only 24 hours in a day and I want to spend some of that time blogging.

What should I blog about? Where do I want to take this thing? The overwhelming questions that I haven't been able to shake for the past 3 months, an answer that I've decided will NOT come by NOT blogging.

For now I will blog about things that I love, even though that puts me all over the map.

I don't expect perfection.
I expect my best for right now.
And one day it might all make sense and present itself in a way that is beautiful, inspiring, and by the book.
But for now, I'm going to be me.

Welcome back readers. Welcome back me.

Halloween // Roaring 20's Style

When Alden's parents bought their current home the back party room (where we used live!) came with an old bar straight from San Francisco. Not a mini bar or a bar cart but an actual full size bar! We don't drink alcohol so this thing hasn't got much use, but when the idea came about of having a Roaring 20's Speakeasy party for Halloween we knew just the place! There was murder, mystery, drinks, beautiful women and dashing men. All and all I'd say this party was the cats pajamas!

baby wynn

This girl is 3 months old today so I figured I'd post some of her newborn pictures. Isn't she the sweetest little lady? It's been so fun to see our friends have babies and watch them grow (both parent and baby). Sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking of the things that are coming our way, but then I get to snuggle one of these sweet angels and I know it will be worth it.

 ps. Did you guys know I am FINALLY going to be an aunt in December! I can't wait for the little guy to arrive and to see my sister become a mother.