December 31, 2012

au revoir, 2012

image via weheartit


2012 will always be a year of silver linings in my book. We rang in 2012 in Des Moines, with sparkles and party hats. Winter months came and went, and I did alot of growing up and learning. I spent alot of time working and enjoying moments with the boyfriend, friends and family. Spring into Summer gave us time to make some big decisions, celebrate with many dear friends and in the Fall, we bought a house together. And as we move back into the Winter season, I do feel older. I feel stronger and wiser and ready to start a new year.

Saturday night, Boyfriend and I got struck with a bout of food poisoning. We spent our Sunday curled up on separate couches, covered in blankets and trying to hold down liquids and crackers. We watched football, slowly ate applesauce and tried to enjoy the sick day together. This morning, we both woke up feeling a lot better. Maybe not 100% but ready to give solid foods a try and get out of the house. We might not ring in 2013 in style, sparkles and loud music, but we'll still ring it in with good friends, a champagne toast and together. Together is key. 

Cheers to being stronger, healthier, more organized and even more curious. I resolve to travel more, date Joe regularly, train harder and more often, continue this process of being a homeowner and make smart choices, personally and professionally. So here's to 2013 and whatever you may bring! 


December 28, 2012

all that glitters

New Year's Eve plans have yet to be solidified but the hunt for the perfect sparkly dress is on! 


NYE 2013
Top Row: 1 2 3
Bottom Row:  1 2 3 4

December 27, 2012

oh hello

I've been a bit MIA as a of late. Birthdays and holidays seem to slip by way to quickly and I cannot believe it's almost 2013! We've been celebrating and brunching and celebrating some more! We threw a party for my birthday, dined at Saffron in Minneapolis, ate lots of cake, saw a movie for Christmas, spent time with friends and family, enjoyed some much needed time off and it was all fabulous. Hope your holidays were just as wonderful! 


December 17, 2012

gift guide :: your super smart sister who is returning home from her first semester at law school

My younger sister is returning from her first semester of UCLA law this week and our whole family is beyond excited! I think for my parents, 5 months is far too long to go without seeing her (even though she did go abroad to London for a semester).

When I asked about her gift list she said she needed to think about it some. But in the midst of Contracts finals and 8-hour take homes, I found a few items that I think she'll love and use during her next semester.


Grad Student Gift Guide


1 /  Michael Kors watch: perfect "watch out world" watch
2 / Kate Spade laptop bag: going to the library and back in style
3 / Coffee/Tea french press: coffee seems like a necessity in law school
4/ UCLA sweatpants: for those late night study sessions
5 / Ticket stub binder: she's a big movie and theater lover
6 / Bicycle glasses: fun glassware for her apartment
7 / Make your own sushi kit: for her to show off her sushi skills

December 14, 2012

it's that time of year!

Holiday parties are in full swing! Whether you're attending a cookie swap, bad santa or ugly sweater party, you'll want to arrived decked out in holiday spirit. Here are two outfits that I've been considering for my own holiday parties coming up.


Holiday Party Outfits

Look 1:  Sweater / Leggings / Flats 
Look 2: Dress / Vest / Booties 

December 10, 2012

Sweet Treats :: Pecan Pie Bars

This weekend was a great weekend for baking.The holidays are coming up, snow started to fall Saturday evening and continued all day Sunday and sweet treats were the perfect way to keep the oven on and warm up the whole house. This is an old recipe from my mom and I've kept it in my back pocket for quite some time now. Everything you love about Pecan Pie in one (or two!) quick bites.



Pecan Pie Bars

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups pecans, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 tsp baking powder
1-2 tbsp maple syrup

Preheat oven to 350

Blend 1 1/4 cups of flour, white sugar and butter together.
Form a crust and press into a 9x13 pan.
Bake crust for 15 minutes.
Mix all other ingredients together.
When crust is browned, pour the mixture into the crust.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool before serving.

The pan I used was a little bit smaller than a 9x13 so my bars came out pretty tall -- normally they would be a little shorter but they still tasted delicious!

December 2, 2012

our first date of christmas!

was a surf and turf date night in.


we cooked, we laughed and we ate. 
and it was delicious.

cheers to our 12 upcoming dates of Christmas.
thanks for an awesome first date!