Let The Countdown Begin...

In just one week, I will be here! Can't wait...

Why?

The Bachelorette continues to baffle me. Why Jillian, why would you keep Wes around after all of the shady things that he's done?!? You need to get over the younger-man complex, stop being swooned by the accent, and ditch the musician obsession. What you should've done is keep Michael!

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Indian Wedding

Have you ever been to an Indian wedding? I never have, but am so intrigued by all the colorful traditions. I'm in love with all of these gorgeous photos from this Indian wedding.

One of my boyfriend's best friends from college is Indian and their group of friends has been eagerly waiting for the day he decides to get married so they can all attend a party of such colorful grandeur.

images/laboroflove
via cupofjo

Little Hermione

Little Hermione is all grown up! Emma Watson, part of Harry Potter's inner circle at Hogwarts, is looking all grown up and lovely. This Teen Vogue photo shoot proves she no longer fits the part the awkward, big-haired little girl they hired to star in the movie series. Hermione and the gang will be gracing the silver screen in a few short weeks for the 6th book come movie - Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Harry Potter is coming...

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via dailydecadence

Fun + Run Weekend

Off to a weekend wedding tonight, then my big half marathon tomorrow morning - eek! I'm a little bit nervous, hoping I can survive the 13.1 miles...seems there will be no champagne drinking for me at the wedding! Have a fabulous beyond fabulous weekend.

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Foodie Friday - Root beer

Here's another great root beer recipe - pumpkin pancakes with root beer syrup, apparently root beer is quite the glaze when reduced for 40+ minutes. Depending on how long I sleep in Sunday morning, I may attempt to make these this weekend!

image+recipe/foodnetwork

Foodie Friday - Root Beer

It's that time of the week again - the second week of my new blog tradition, Foodie Friday. Lately I've had a serious hankering for some root beer. Something about it, the sweetness, the carbonation, it's a satisfying beverage I just can't ignore. Ever thought to use root beer in cooking? Turns out there's quite a few recipes using this bubbly treat, including spicy root beer and bourbon glazed baby back ribs...yum!

recipe/emeril

Last Day of School

School's out for summer!

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The Name Game

You may have heard the news...Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick welcomed twin girls via surrogate yesterday...but did you hear the names?

...Marion Loretta and Tabitha Hodge...

Yes, yes, I realize old-fashioned names are the trend these days, believe me as an elementary school teacher I know, seeing as I have to add a last initial to all of the popular duplicate names (ie. Cole W., Cole G., Cole S., etc. etc.). Apparently Ferris Buehler and Carrie Bradshaw also bought into the fad.

Not my fave...Thoughts?

image/geeksugar

I'm Now The Proud Owner of...

...this fantastic little camera, the Canon Powershot SX10 IS. I toyed with the idea of upgrading to a Nikon D60 SLR, but inevitably decided on this lovely little Canon, in hopes that I'll eventually be earning fancy photographer status.

With my upcoming European adventure just around the corner, I thought it time to invest in an upgrade. I'm incredibly excited about my new purchase, and have been testing it out incessantly acquiring the little guy Sunday evening. Anyone else a proud owner?

image/canon

Pretty in Pink

I want this dress!! Once again, Gossip Girl Blave Lively, looking fabulous as usual in a pink strapless Michael Kors confection at the CFDA awards in New York City. I'd like to raid her closet...

image/justjared

T Minus 3 Days

Report cards...check! Classroom cleaning...begun! Last minute odds and ends...in progress! Today marks 3 more days of school...I'm about to whip up a batch of sangria in celebration! Anyone like to join me?

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Pop Goes The Cheesecake

Talk about the sweetest party favor EVER! I like cheesecake, and I like lollipops. Put your hands together and - voila! chocolate dipped cheesecake pops! I could devour a handful of these...easy. Want to make your own? Check out this easy how-to recipe guide.images/bakerella

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Dad, I love you!

Fun Friday

This weekend will be a busy one...one more week left of school, so I'll be toiling away on report cards in between my weekend activities - baseball games, local festivals, family celebrations, and gearing up for my 1/2 marathon run in T-minus 1 weeks! Have a productive weekend everyone!

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Foodie Friday - Jamaican Jerk Kebobs

Who doesn't love kebobs? My friends and I put together some pretty spectacular camp-site kebobs over Memorial Day weekend. Next year we'll have to bring along the Jamaican Jerk spices to add a little *pop*! Check out the recipe.

image+recipe/myrecipes

Foodie Friday - Jamaican Jerk

I'm starting a new tradition on my blog - Foodie Friday. This will be a weekly post of eye-catching, mouth watering recipes that inspire me to get in the kitchen! The theme of this inaugural Foodie Friday week is - Jamaican Jerk.I was immediately captivated by this recipe, for obvious reasons. Pulled pork + mango/banana relish - I hope my version turns out as good as the picture!

Jerked Pulled Pork Wraps with Mango and Banana Relish

(makes 6+ servings)
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 2 1/2 pound pork butt
2 tablespoons jerk seasoning paste
1 batch mango and banana relish (see below)
12+ large tortillas (lightly toasted/warmed)

Directions:
1. Rub the jerk seasoning all over the pork.
2. Place the pork into the crockpot/slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours.
3. Remove the pork and shred with 2 forks.
4. Place the pork back into the liquid in the slow cooker and cook, without the lid, until the liquid has reduces to a thick sauce, about 20 minutes.
5. Assemble wraps with pulled pork, jerk spice reduction to taste and mango and banana relish.

Mango and Banana Relish

Ingredients:
2 large mangoes (peeled, stoned and cut into small pieces)
2 bananas (peeled and cut into small pieces)
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
1/4 cup red onion (chopped)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)

Directions:
1. Mix everything.

image + recipe/closetcooking

Balancing Act

I feel like I have so much going on right now, I'm trying to balance too many things and fearing everything will come crashing down around me...ahhh

Note to self: Must make massage or pedicure appointment to release stress...

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True Blood

Have you seen it? Heard of it? I never thought myself to be one for a show on vampires, but True Blood is too good to resist! Season 2 just debuted for all you HBO subscribers, I'm still working to polish off the last few episodes of Season 1.

*Disclaimer: As HBO shows go, know that this show is very risqué - but that's kind of obvious considering these are the people that brought you Sex & the City and Big Love. Check it out!

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It's Almost Father's Day

Don't forget to celebrate your dad this weekend. If you haven't send, pick up one of these cards to wish him well on his special day.

images/hellolucky

Do Your Business

Let's face it - every dog does it...and since there's no need to hide it, might as well embrace it. Check out these stylish dog poop bags for your oh-so-glamorous pooch. And if you're really tailoring to their personality - Superman for boys, and Glamor Pooch for girls.
images/dieline

Time Traveling

I'm really looking forward to movie based upon the fantastic book, The Time Traveler's Wife. I read this book per friend recommendation a few years ago, and was intrigued by this cleverly woven, unique story. Now that I've seen the trailer, I'm happy with the choice of Eric Bana to play the time traveler, Henry DeTamble. He's very close to what I'd pictured when reading this novel...Now, there's no guarantee this book to movie will be any good - but the preview is pretty captivating.


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Be Brilliant

Because you are.

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It's All Greek To Me

Just got back from my first soccer game of the season, my feet are tired, my body is exhausted, but it's that good after-exercise ache where you know you worked hard.

Somehow at 11:25 pm, my adrenalin still pumping from the game, I'm finding myself wide awake, and craving something sweet. Not going to even think about making anything at this late hour...but this baklava sounds pretty much amazing right now.

I will attempt this cooking feat at a more reasonable hour...

image/cookinglight

Up

I really, really enjoyed this movie. It's been a while since I've seen one of the recent Disney computer-animated movies, but my students insisted I take in Up. This movie takes the viewer through a whirlwind of emotions - some parts are happy and funny, other sad, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I especially loved the montage between Carl and his wife Ellie. I found there to be a lot of depth considering this is meant to be a kid's movie.

If you haven't seen Up, go! You won't be disappointed.
P.S. My favorite character was Russell the Wilderness Explorer, if you see it, you'll understand!

image/disney

Someday My Prince Will Come

For all of your who dreamed about becoming a princess one day, you need to read this book. "Someday My Prince Will Come," is a memoir by a girl whose childhood dream was to become an English princess. I've just started reading, but so far, it's very entertaining and chronicles her life from age 7 where the initial I-want-to-be-a-princess seed was planted. If you're in the mood for a easy, light-hearted summer read, check it out! image1/greenlight
image2/amazon

Happy Friday

Yet another busy weekend, out with some girls from work, hitting up a Saturday AM graduation and celebratory brunch, ringing in my grandma's birthday with a family party, and hopefully getting a jump-start on report card writing after attending a local strawberry festival with friends. I'm a busy, busy bee.

What are your weekend plans?

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Tired Thursday

Today I'm feeling exhausted, and frankly kind of blah. Yesterday had a long day at school, happy hour with friends, dinner with my grandparents, followed by my grade level music concert, then took taking my boyfriend to the airport...finally arrived home at 9:45 pm...can you see why I'm tired?? Wishing it was Friday, and wishing I was...
image/maryruffle

A is for Awesome

Love these Alphabet prints by Paul Thurlby. Rumor has it, they'll be available once the entire alphabet collection is finished - thus far, he's through "T for Trapeze." Any creative suggestions for the remaining letters? In the mean time, check out his work blog for updates, or view the completed letters on flickr.

image/flickr
via simplesong

Surprise, It's Your Wedding!

From the folks that brought you this and this, check out this surprise wedding rehearsal in the middle of the City. This lucky NYC couple got hitched at city hall, and ended up with a surprise wedding reception complete with a bridal party of strangers, gifts, cake, and dancing. The couple was told this surprise event was a gift from the Mayor's Office - while it was actually the latest creative genius of theater group, Improv Everywhere. What a surprise!

video/youtube
via cupofjo

Appetizing Appetizer

I've had a thing for figs lately. In my recent quest for easy but delicious fig recipes, I came across this one. Doesn't this sound amazing - Crostini with gorgonzola, carmelized onions, and fig jam? YUM! Next time I host something, I'm for sure making this!

Crostini with Gorgonzola, Carmelized Onions, and Fig Jam
Yield 12 servings (serving size: 2 crostini)

Ingredients

• Jam:
• 1 cup dried Black Mission figs (about 6 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Dash of salt
• 
  Onions:
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups vertically sliced yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water (optional)
• 
  Remaining ingredients:
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) Gorgonzola cheese, softened
• 24 (1-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut French bread baguette, toasted (about 12 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Preparation

To prepare jam, remove stems from figs. Place figs and juice in a food processor; process until figs are coarsely chopped. Place fig mixture, 2 cups water, syrup, and dash of salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes or until thick. Cool completely.
To prepare onions, heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add onion, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cover and cook 5 minutes. Uncover and cook 20 minutes or until onion is deep golden brown, stirring occasionally. While onion cooks, add 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup at a time, to keep onion from sticking to pan.
Spread 1 teaspoon cheese over each baguette slice. Top each slice with about 1 teaspoon onion mixture and 1 teaspoon jam. Sprinkle evenly with thyme leaves.

image+recipe/cookinglight

Southern Comfort

Before I parted with my DVR this weekend, I watched an episode of Samantha Brown: Passport to Great Weekends, and I now have this serious craving to visit the Deep South. I'm a West Coast girl - born in Southern California and raised between there and Seattle, so the Southern experience is foreign to me. I've been to Florida, and navigated my way from Virginia up North, and aside form a week in Nashville in 7th grade, that's about as South as I've been.

Now I am very intrigued by the likes of Charleston, South Carolina, and of course, these lovely photos of Savannah, Georgia. Life seems much different here, infused with Southern charm and traditions. None of this wearing jeans out to dinner as we casual West-coasters tend to make the norm.

For all you born and bred Southerners...if I venture on down to the South - what do y'all recommend I see?