Hello again!

Yep, it's been one of those months. Here's what I've been up to!

Applications for the 2012 Indie Craft Parade opened on June 1st!  If you're thinking about applying, don't delay, applications will only be open until June 24th. You can apply online here, or find out more details at our website.

Some baking.

tiny pink cake + salted caramel cupcakes

 Flowers, Annie and I did them for a dear friend's wedding.

 I love Greenville.

 Lovely dinner table at a friends + lovely food

(They are actually selling their downtown Greenville home, see here for photos if you're interested)

 Girls beach weekend in Charleston!

I love these crazy girls.

We ate so much good food. Seriously, every meal was an experience.

That's it for now. 

Hopefully I will be able to resume my regular blogging schedule soon, I have lots of awesomeness to show you!

Weekend Glimpse

This past weekend we were in Philly for the wedding of Cory's cousin. There was a lot of family fun and non-stop craziness.

 Amazing clouds and views from our drive through the Shenandoah Valley.

 Philadelphia buildings.

 Rehearsal dinnering.

The whole weekend was like My Big Fat Italian Wedding.

 The dress.

 The beautiful bride.

 Groomsman.

 Tiny princess.

 The happy couple.

 My sparkle shoes.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend.

***

We had a spur of the moment BBQ with friends for Memorial Day, and I whipped up these two dishes:

Source: sweetpaulmag-digital.com via Erin on Pinterest

photo from Sweet Paul Magazine, Winter 2011

Sweet Paul's Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Shallots and Rosemary. 
Amazing. Will definitely make again.
The only change I made was to add in a few smashed cloves of garlic.

Source: sweetapolita.com via Erin on Pinterest

photo by Sweetapolita

Sweetapolita's Dark Chocolate Cake with Toasted Marshmallow Filling and Chocolate Malt Frosting.

Um, wow. Wow. This cake was out of this world amazing.

 6 layers of pure goodness.

Not pictured:

- hair, braided, thrice

- kitties, so glad to have us home

- so many hours in the car

- shopping (must show you my new purse!)

- empty fridge

- Cory dancing with the bride's grandfather's girlfriend. Oh yes.

- rain

- some new music (Birdy)

- some old music (Queen)

- lots of frosting bowls to be washed

Weekend Glimpse

I've been in Kansas City, MO for the past week, and it's been grand. We went out there for Spectrum Fantastic Art Live, an art convention. Cory and Justin were exhibiting, and I usually tag along to these things to run the booth.

If you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen these shots, but here they are anyways.

 A long drive. Sunrise city.

 Blurring past the St. Louis arch.

Hello, Kansas City!

 Dinner with dear ones.

Glace` ice cream. Slap-yourself-scrumptious.

I had Salted Pretzel, Fleur de Sel Caramel, and some fancy Dark Chocolate.

I may have also had a pint for lunch one day. Maybe.

Cory and Justin being... Cory and Justin.

A stunningly beautiful Omar Rayyan watercolor we snapped up.

The booth, set up.

Us.

Cory laughing with Paul Bonner, who is one of the greatest fantasy artists living today and a true British gentlemen. 

He is also hilarious.

Not pictured:

- me sleeping in the car. a lot.

- #gerardtweets

- an amazing market

- blue skies and breezes

- H&M!

- gelato, daily

- missing the cats

- a lovely awards ceremony

- famous people at our dinner table

- loud music for driving

- white cheddar popcorn

Weekend Glimpse

Another whirlwind yet wonderful weekend! I had a birthday this past one, and was spoiled royally by friends and family.

 Janelle had a sweet party for me, and made the most amazing strawberry cupcakes and the cutest cake in the world.

Birthday lunch with Cory.

My new Ghana Bolga basket! 

Hot pink + deep navy blue + chevron  = perfection

I have been using it constantly, it's sturdy and perfect for toting things about.

The Pearl.

The snuggles.

The strawberry situation.

I can't stop. I may need an intervention.

 My cooking club. Our theme this month was summer food.

Menu:

Rhubarb Strawberry Lemonade

Plum, Jamón ibérico & Buffalo Mozzarella salad

Garlic Lime Grilled Chicken with Corn Relish

Roasted Cumin Lime Carrots

Fresh Strawberry Pie

 New Baggu bag!

Pink + polka dots + Swamp Rabbit

Mother's day, mother's gifts, wrapped.

(also my thumb looks a little weird)

Not pictured:

- swimming after dusk, freezing

- chocolate milk

- fresh salsa

- canning jam, in love

- Himalayan salt lamps for a steal

- rain, puddles, wet feet

- new nail polish

- baby Pearl

- up late, up early

- birthday presents, all lovely 

April Glimpse

April was a rush of days, flying by faster then ever.

I've spent a lot of time snuggling my darling niece and trying to steal her.

Some favorite things of the month...

I could listen to this forever.

A long-lost friend returns.

Then there were fresh strawberries and cat naps, though not necessarily together.

Heather spent her last couple days in Greenville with me, snuggling Pearl and letting her sweet Elsa steal my hubby's heart.

Then it was time for the final farewell and the trek to Chicago. I went with her to help her settle in and to delay saying goodbye for as long as possible.

At the new place. 

We unpacked the whole house in about 2 days and got it mostly set up.

Not much sleep.

We, of course, did make a pilgrimage to Ikea.

Then it was back home and a flurry of getting ready for the show this past Saturday.

Perhaps May will be a better month for blogging?

 Or maybe next year. ;-)

Not pictured:

- raspberry balsamic vinegar

- naps

- feeling the urge to travel

- mint green polish on my toes

- early birthday present from Cory, an iPod touch! (I'm one of the few remaining people in the world without an iPhone, so this was very exciting for me)

- new mailbox

- beach dreaming

- obsessed with French pop music

- maxi dresses

- abandoning the garden

- dear friends, helping

- some organization, never enough

- tearful goodbyes