happy weekend.

Good lord, I'm happy it's the weekend. The only thing that would make it better is if I had that swimsuit. Jacob's sister and her boyfriend are coming to stay with us for the next week and I plan on visiting the beach quite often, I also may see the Hunger Games...again, and do a little shopping. The weather this week was amazing, 80's with a breeze, sunny everyday, just beautiful, so I'm really looking forward to soaking up some sun this weekend.

Have a sunny weekend!

Incase where you are isn't that nice, these may preoccupy you:

1. This tumblr made me laugh a few times.

2. American Girl Dolls series... I had Samantha, go figure.

3. Hoping the eggs Becky and I die next week look something like this.

4. MUST HAVE ALL.

5. Loving the new designs from Charm City Cakes, so pretty.

6. Such a lovely bridal shower on Cupcakes and Cashmere. Mom, take notes :).

7. Last but not least, a lovely post on OnceWed by my dear friend Reba.

currently obsessed with...

{gap}

{madewell}

{jcrew}

{zara}

...bright trousers.

I wasn't sure about this trend until I saw my friend wearing a pair of coral skinny jeans, but now I'm hooked.

eataly {birreria}

Jacob and I flew up to New York for the weekend in honor of my grandfather's 80th birthday. Aside from spending a lot of time at the old folks home, and getting to see The Hunger Games {!!!!} we were also able to steal a little time for a train ride into the city {it was Jacob's first time}. We didn't have too much time, so we spent the afternoon strolling through midtown, eating and drinking beer. The weather was amazing, and it was so cute to watch Jacob steal looks up at the buildings, he didn't want to seem like a tourist but couldn't help being in awe of how big and beautiful everything was.

We were able to go to Eataly, which was amazing, one of those places that makes us angry that we don't live a big city. We headed up to Birreria, the rooftop restaurant on the 14th floor. It's a collaboration between Mario Batali, Dogfish Head, and Del Borgo Brewery. It was awesome, and the perfect day for outdoor drinking and eating. Jacob had the blood sausage, while I enjoyed the pork shoulder. After, we went downstairs to the market and had some espresso {our new obsession}.

It was such a great day in the city, I can't wait to take him back!

my new favorite shop

{all via Entropy Trading Co.}

My head literally just exploded. Two of my favorite things are represented in this shop {actually more than two, I didn't even include the Mad Men or Princess Bride posters}, and I have to have them all. Harry Potter will always be the top of the mountain for me, but The Hunger Games is seriously a close second, and I absolutely can't wait to see the first movie this weekend. It looks like they've truly captured the book and its characters, Happy Hunger Games everyone, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

a welcome surprise

I came home from work today grumpy and tired, per usual. Dragging myself from my car to the front door, I thought "I want to crawl into bed, and never leave," that is, of course, until I noticed one of those lovely amazon packages sitting on the doorstep. Small moments like these are to be cherished. It's the excitement just before opening a package that I love. What is it? Who's it from? It's a wonderful feeling, topped only by the actual opening of the package, and let me tell you, this one did not disappoint.

I had been meaning to order The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook for weeks, but someone beat me to it, and I'm so happy they did. I literally want to cook my way through this Julie & Julia style. I may wait until after the wedding, after the dress and the photos, but then I may just bake {and eat} everyday until I have conquered each recipe in this beyond lovely book.

To whom it may concern,

Thank you, thank you very much. I suggest you reveal yourself though, there will be lots of home-baked goods in your future.

<3

happy spring!

We've been enjoying spring weather in Savannah for a while, but I guess now it's official! I love this time of year here, the flowers are all blooming and there's a nice breeze. The only bad thing about spring is the looming threat of summer, a season that forces everyone in Savannah to stay indoors. Now is the time to enjoy the outdoors.

sunday sweets {2 minute chocolate cake}

I will begin this post by apologizing. I'm about to put into your hands the recipe for a delicious, decadent dessert that can be made quite easily, in about 2 minutes. The only thing I will say in my defense is that Jacob made me do it. Sometime he finds recipes and reads the directions to me as I scramble around the kitchen make it. He rarely tells me what the end result will be or how long it will take, so, you see, I had no idea this was going to be so dangerous.

Of course it's definitely dangerous. Not only can it be made in mere minutes, but it also consists of thing you probably have in your home at any given time. Or maybe I'm wrong, and I'm the only person that has basic baking ingredients stocked and ready at a moments notice. No matter, next time you have serious sweet tooth and not much patience to bake, make this and tell me I'm wrong.

Ingredients:

1 microwave safe mug

1 egg

4 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

3 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips

splash vanilla extract

pinch salt

Directions:

1. In the mug add all wet ingredients together, including the egg. Whisk together well.

2. Add dry ingredients, and mix thoroughly. Add in vanilla extract, salt, and chocolate chips. Stir until completely combined.

3. Microwave for 2 minutes, or if you're like me, and you like your cake to be extract moist, 1 minute 45 seconds.

4. You can either eat this right out of the mug {if you're a monster, which clearly we were} or turn it out onto a plate. If you use the second technique, the batter at the bottom will have turned into a rich chocolate sauce which will drizzle all over your cake.

Told you it was dangerous.

happy st. patty's weekend!

St. Patrick's Day is HUGE here. Seriously. This city looks forward to it all year, and I look forward to polish sausages and beer...yup, it's a classy kind of day. This weekend is supposed to be in the 80's so I think after the parade I may skip getting caught in a crowd of out-of-towners puking everywhere, pack up my beer cans, and head to the beach, who's with me?

If you live in Savannah and still haven't found anything to wear, might I suggest purchasing one of these iconic "beer girl" shirts from my good friend and talented guy, Matt Hebermehl. They'll be on sale at Kayak Cafe, or if you see him floating around town, buy it directly from him. I'll be sporting mine.

Have a happy and safe weekend!

Avoiding the crowds? Check these out:

1. Whimsical, beautiful outfits.

2. This movie messes me up, every time, but the fashions and sets are swoon-worthy.

3. This pop-up shop ends today, so get on it!

4. Love this rustic Colorado wedding.

5. NEED.

pantone eye candy

Aren't these AMAZING? I'm kind of obsessed with this blog, Palette Culinaire, where beautiful food photography is categorized by color. Although it's in French and I can't read any of it, I can still spend time being mesmerized by the images, and dreaming of eating all those tarts.

wedding wednesdays {hair}

I've been thinking a lot lately about how to wear my hair for the wedding. As with most of my wedding related decisions, I have been gravitating towards soft & romantic styles. I'm loving the idea of braids somehow, or some kind of side pony, or maybe leaving it down, but I definitely want it to be slightly messy, which, let's be honest, is how it usually is. I know that I don't want it to look like I used a whole can of hairspray, that's for sure.

hang in there

{via gemma correll}

Exactly what I needed to see today from one of my favorite illustrators.

bizarre foods {savannah}

Tonight Savannah will be featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern! I know he goes to Angel's BBQ which is our personal favorite bbq joint, so needless to say, we're pretty excited.

{9pm on the travel channel}

time change..

is anyone else completely exhausted? Jeez, lose one hour of sleep and I feel like I've been punched in the face.

happy weekend.

{via here}

I've been a little down lately, stressed and tired. I'm hoping the sunny spring weather being called for next week helps bring me out of this little rut. I think I'm going to use the storm tonight to re-group, drink tea, and watch downtown abbey, which will probably be a very good way to get me in a better mood. Have a great weekend!

Around the web:

1. Absolutely in love with these rural south inspired cards.

2. HILARIOUS diary entries from Emma Thompson while filming Sense and Sensibility.

3. Dreamy locations used in some of my favorite period films.

4. Collecting collections.

5. I need to donate some time to learning all of these.

6. Last but certainly not least, The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook came out this week and I cannot wait to get my copy! I love this bakery so much and fully intend on baking everything in the book, starting perhaps with Cheryl's Nanna Pudding... and maybe her lavender cookies too.

currently obsessed with...

{kelsey garrity riley illustration}

if they were hipsters...

Loving this work by Fabian Ciraolo! How perfect are these? I love Marlene Dietrich's Arcade Fire tattoo, genius!

sunday sweets {chocolate brownie cookies}

I was planning on making something light this week... but somehow, while at the grocery store, my cart veered toward the chocolate in the baking section. Once there I figured "go big or go home." I purchased baking chocolate, chocolate chunks, and coco powder, I wasn't sure what I was going to make but I knew it was going to be something that would cure even the most serious of chocolate cravings.

These are amazing. They taste a lot like fudgy brownies, but will the crust of a cookie. It's a good thing I brought most of them to work with me today because I have a feeling if I didn't Jacob would find me in a chocolate induced coma later.

Double Chocolate Cookies:

Ingredients:

8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped {I mix in a couple of ounces of bittersweet as well}

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1 package of chocolate chunks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Together, heat the chopped chocolate and butter in the microwave on high for 20 second increments, until completely melted, stir.

Meanwhile, in bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla. Beat together on high until light and fluffy. Reduce speed. With the mixer still going, add the chocolate, mix until completely combined, then add the flour mixture. When everything is incorporated add the chocolate chunks.

Drop heaping spoonfuls of dough about 2 to 3 inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes, making sure to rotate pan at the halfway mark. DO NOT OVERCOOK. You want these cookies to be slightly undercooked, that will keep them gooey on the inside.

Enjoy!

have a lovely weekend!

While my family and friends in New York freeze and get snowed in, I am enjoying 80 degree weather in the South... not too shabby. In fact, the weather is so amazing that tonight I will drive out to the beach for dinner and enjoy a pitcher of sangria. So I've got that going for me. I hope no matter where you are, you stay warm and have a lovely weekend!

If you're forced to stay inside, you can check some of these cool things out:

1. Mmmm cheese.

2. Hair bow I'll be attempting later.

3. I really want to reupholster something in a Rifle print!

4. Awesome state skillets.

5. Awesome french blog about nail art.

6. Some creative business cards, pretty awesome.

7. And last, but certainly not least, an absolutely gorgeous Savannah wedding from one of the ladies at Paris Market.