foodagram. yup. i said it.

I have heard a few people say that pictures of food (specifically instagrams) are their least favorite pictures to look at. I think I speak for amateur foodies everywhere when I say seriously, get a life. Food involves so many colors and textures and intricate pieces that all have to work together to make it look as good as it tastes.  Here are some my recent documented food adventures:



it's wednesday. strike a pose.

debbie can't hold us down.

In an effort to make the most of our summer, my friend Carolyn and I decided to pick a destination for our weekend and go explore. Our friend Miss. Wendy suggested that we check out the Postcard Inn in St. Petersburg. As soon as she began describing it to us, we knew we had to check it out. Unfortunately, a tropical storm named Deborah had been brewing in the gulf for a few days and is actually still pouring out buckets of water over central Florida. Instead of seeking shelter or watching You've Got Mail for the 100th time like we've been prone to do, Carolyn and I decided to brave the day like true Floridians. 

The Postcard Inn did not disappoint. When we arrived, we enjoyed an excellent lunch at the restaurant that was attached to the hotel. I'm going to make a bold claim that Beachwood BBQ & Burgers had the best sweet potato fries I've had...ever. After lunch, we explored in the rain.The retro modern style of the lobby of the hotel had us busy taking pictures for a while. I said to Carolyn at one point "what decade are we in?” Everything at the Inn was inspired by a hotel you might have stayed out in the late 60's. It was definitely postcard worthy.

We didn't stay the night but are planning to return in August for my birthday! Our high hopes of checking a few things off the summer bucket list didn't quite happen due to the heavy rain fall but we did get to one: visit a new place...check!

Buckets.

Oh hey there,

There has been a shortage of the world wide web in my life for the past month or so. I would love to tell you that it was totally intentional and that I did it so I could say something weird like "I feel so much more centered because I took the time to unplug" but that is not what is going on here. I moved and started a new job and my life became super busy when I least expected it. Which don't get me wrong, I'm super stoked about, but it has taken its toll on my ever growing to-do list. The hours to check them off seem few and far between and lets just face it, when life gets a little crazy and that to-do list is running laps in your little brain, you choose a nap. Tired people need naps. Facts are facts people. 

I think we can all agree that naps are sweet little gifts from above but I'm thinking we can all agree that giving yourself a good challenge can be be prettty sweet too. So here's what I'm telling myself "Be intentional with your time. Just do it.". 

A summer bucket list is what I'll be working on. Ya know, the fun kind of to-do's. Plus buckets and summer kind of go together like apple and pie, right? Nobody would be building castles on the beach if they weren't  first filling their buckets up with sand.

This isn't deep stuff. You want to make popsicles? Put it in the bucket. You want to drive to the beach to watch the sunset? Put it in the bucket. You want to write a letter to an old friend? Put in the bucket. The key to this is taking it out of the bucket. Don't forget that part. DO that part.

Maybe you can relate to this and maybe a summer bucket list would be a fine idea for you too. Just think about it.  

ringling museum of art. part two.

Good morning!

A few pictures of the beautiful secret garden, rose garden and banyan trees of the ringling museum of art. The Mable Ringling rose garden was incredible. I wouldn't say that roses are my favorite flower in the world (leave that to peonies, hydrangeas and daisies) but I'm definitely able to appreciate their beauty. They are really quite a marvel when you stop to look them closely. Their intricate petals are so delicate yet full of bold color. While I was walking through the garden I couldn't help but think of the splendor of God and the gift that nature is. I mean really, 1,200 roses filled this garden and not one was alike. That's kind of awesome. 

nathan & kaylee.

Hey friends!

This is my younger brother Nathan and his lovely girlfriend Kaylee. I was feeling a little restless yesterday afternoon and they were gracious enough to let me snap a few ton of photos of them. I haven't photographed a lot of people before but it was so much fun! They did an awesome job and had some good ideas too. I'm going to go ahead and say that Kaylee could definitely be a model and Nathan might be just tall enough to fake it. He said later that he didn't think he was very photogenic but I disagreed. Thanks you guys! It was a lot of fun!

***

have your cake. eat it too.

strawberry buttermilk cake &

basic buttercream frosting with chopped pecans.

This recipe was found on pinterest (shocker. right?). I was browsing boards as I do, a lot of the time and spotted this delicious little cake. It looked too good and too easy to pass up. One of my favorite things about reading recipes is realizing I have everything I need to make the recipe without having to go to the store. As I was getting out the ingredients I quickly realized I was missing a very key ingredient...buttermilk. Strawberry buttermilk cake without the buttermilk? That would not go well. Without a panic, I remembered a little trick my mama taught me. Mix 1 cup milk (I used soy milk) with 1 tbs. of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. Watch the time & make sure it doesn't get too sour. That my friends is what we call DIY buttermilk.

This was a tasty little cake that I would definitely make again. The frosting isn't imperative but let's be honest, who doesn't like a little extra sweetness?

Enjoy this cake.

cake recipe || buttercream frosting recipe {halved}

living colorfully.

Take a minute to enjoy all the color that floods your everyday life.