Herb Garden

I’ve decided. There’s nothing better than growing something, and then eating it. I mean making something from scratch is one thing… but tending to something for weeks, then enjoying it is just a whole other experience. 
I’ve hated loved working in the garden, tending to plants (that i have no clue what i’m doing with and have had to do a series of google searches on). It has been a fun and exciting adventure of homeownership, and something that i’m learning to love.  Enjoying this fresh caprese salad with my own home-grown basil the other evening was amazing. and good news, i’ve got plenty of leaves for some homemade pesto. 

This set of garden markers makes for a really cute way to identify each lovely herb as well!  

Links I Love

This summer more than any in the past, I find myself longing to be outside, soaking up the sun, and just enjoying all that “summer” has to offer. BBQ. Afternoon tropical adult beverages. long walks with Z. It’s been rough the past couple of weeks! My life transition in jobs is set to happen officially July 14th, so I’m hoping to schedule myself a bit of free time to enjoy myself the last couple weeks of summer. May have to have some lunch dates with my SAHM and teacher friends!
1. these adorable melanine plates from Target would be great for an outdoor BBQ
2. Did you know Mara Hoffman did a collaboration with Anthropologie?! I’m dying over all of it, but this bathing suit is just amazing.
3. Loving the adorable limited edition Chandon bottle this year! Once again rockin red white and blue just in time for the 4th! (and apparently Johnathan Adler is doing a collabo with them as well!)
4. Bobbi B, exclusive for Lord and Taylor- the perfect pink shade for your lips, be it fun in the sun or summer date night. Miami Pink.
5. Love whole foods movement to save the bees! Crazy what the grocery store would look like without bees and their pollinating powers.
6. Love these cute bee bobby’s!
7. It would be tragic without this amazing honeycream. I’m going to order them all online. 

year two.

Two years ago today, I married my love. 
It’s truly cuh-ray how time flies. 
The funny thing is, he’s usually the more sentimental of the two of us. We like to joke, that in many ways, I’m the man. My thoughtfulness and pre-planning only goes so far.  For example, I thought last week… “hmm. I wonder if I should get him a gift…?“
I cherish this man for who he is. My sweet husband, and teammate. He is beyond supportive of all things me-related. These past two years sure have been good to us. We’ve continued to grow together. I am truly grateful each day to have someone who lifts me up, and always challenges me to do more and be more than I think I am.
Here’s a few favorite shots from our wedding day:
an intimate moment after we sat down at the church.
 
Love that sweet smile.

typical me face.
 our amazing, and yes, giant, wedding party. 
It was so important to us to include our nearest and dearest, and even then, we felt like we were leaving people out!  

 
he offered to carry it, but i said i got it.
Can’t wait to see what exciting adventures this next year brings. 
mi carissima, I love you.

Castello Banfi, Montalcino

this is real. like, really. No filter. Just life.
After the hub-bub of the car show, we stayed at a beautiful castle in Tuscany to do some wine tasting.
:: um, did I really just type that, slash, did that really happen!? ::
Yes. 
Yes, it did. And again, silly. pretty.
The Castello Banfi is set in the gorgeous surroundings of Montalcino, in the area of Tuscany in Italy. This would be an incredible place to get married abroad, honeymoon,or spend a big anniversary. Lia and I enjoyed watching our parents be che romantica with one another, and face-timed in the evenings with our boys.
the wine shop.
who doesn’t love a good sparkling rose!?
again, not edited..
beautiful, and spacious room
hand painted tiles in the shower.
i just love a good Brunello!
I’ve been dreaming of this place since we left and think it’s officially my new, “happy place” for visualization purposes. I’m excited to relive it over a glass of wine or 48.. as the case of wine I had shipped home should be arriving any day now…
just. couldn’t. help it.
xox Ciao!

Villa D’Este, Lake Como

On our trip, we had the pleasure of staying at the absolutely, stunningly beautiful, Villa D’Este Hotel in Cernobbio.  If you look at the website, you can see aerial shots. Let me tell you, it is absolutely stunning in person.
It’s. like. silly. pretty.
(Like where you laugh, because you can’t believe it’s real and you’re there.)

That blue Rolls Royce… is not regularly parked there.
and the pool, is floating in the lake.

umbrellas to shade the sun
the little lady that got us there!

Our time there was incredible. Even though the car didn’t win, it’s an honor to have been there. Plus, there’s always next year! ha.

Ciao, Bella!

I’m. In. Venice! 
And it’s down right amazing. Though I’ve visited this beautiful city before, I have the pleasure of being with my family this time around! (My amazing husband is fending for himself at home!) Remember how I casually mentioned that my parents won an award for one of their cars a couple of weeks ago?
Well that same car recently got checked through customs here in Italy, and will be showing at a concourse in Lake Como this weekend. Lucky for me, this time I got to tag along! AND we came a bit early to do some extra sight seeing !!
It’s just my parents and my sister/bestie, Lia. Though I miss the hubs, Lia is way more fun to get ready with, and she has a keen eye for style which makes shopping a bit more fun too! 
The beautiful market makes me wish I lived here. The produce, fish, and meats looked amazing and left me dizzy with thoughts of dishes to make! 
We’ll be here until Thursday evening, then off to Tuscany to stay in a castle for a night and do some some wine tasting!! 
Someone. Pinch me. 
Ciao ciao, carissima!
Xox

Happy Birthday
This past Friday was my birthday.
I’m..wait for it… 27. 
YEP.
 20 + 7 years.
Right now, you might think I’m crazy. You may be saying, “gaawd- shut up, you’re so young”, or “Oh, I didn’t know that hip lady was so old.” Either way, my birthday isn’t about you, it’s about me – and it feels fucking old. 
When I think about my fantasies of childhood, I vividly remember planning my life thinking that by now,  I’d be married with at least two children. It’s so funny how reality hits and you realize it may be best to take your time.
I must say, 26 sure was good to me. I celebrated a year of a marriage with my wonderful husband, bought out first home, left the country, celebrated numerous joyous occasions with friends and family, became a fully licensed professional, and even ventured to start my own small business (as a private human-helper).
Though it does sound effing old, I’m really looking forward to 27. I’m comfortable in where I am mentally right now, but definitely feel there’s lots of continued opportunity for growth. I can’t wait for all the things to come in this next year. 
27…You’re mine.
image from Cup of Jo

Salt.

My family recently voyaged to Amelia Island for a car show (my father is super into cars, his winner at Amelia, pictured above). While enjoying their stay at the Ritz, they dined at the amazing restaurant, Salt. 
Now, if you don’t know me, it’s important to understand just how much I love salt. 
Like, love it.
It’s a running joke in my family that if I say something’s a little too salty, then that’s really saying something, and everyone else should beware. The invention of salted caramel is both the BEST and WORST thing that ever could’ve happened to me. 
My mom was sweet enough to send a care package my way with tons of salty goodness.
Garlic, Truffle, & Pink Himalayan.
This beautiful marble salt cellar- so i have easy access to my yummy salts. Also, did you know that salt is anti-microbial- so you don’t have to worry about it getting germie if you pinch out of your cellar!
A salt lamp. yes, LAMP! You can read about some benefits here. They’re supposed to help with sleeping, allergies, mood.. you name it. You might not be into that sort of thing, but I am- and it sure looks cute on the nightstand! 
And in keeping with my love of salt, we also picked up a few fancy salts while in Iceland! Can you imagine some homemade soft pretzels with black salt!? what what. 

Lemon Poppyseed Bread

Nothing feels like spring more then citrus laden foods! This bread is dense like bread, but sweet and lemony. It’s a perfect accompaniment to a brunch table, or alongside your morning coffee on the deck.



Lemon Poppyseed Bread
adapted from better homes & gardens cookbook

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 + 2/3 cup flour
3/4 cup buttermilk
Zest of 1 lemon (about 2 tsp)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 T poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8″ x 4″ loaf pan (or two small mini-loaf pans) with baking spray. In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and butter and beat about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing after each until incorporated. Add flour, buttermilk, lemon zest, salt and baking soda, mixing until just incorporated. Stir in poppy seeds. 
 
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake about 40-45 minutes until a skewer or knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan about 10 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

For some added sweetness, glaze with lemon glaze (3 tbsp lemon juice + 1/2 c powdered sugar + 1tsp lemon zest) And make sure to do this once cooled! I rushed it and it got all melty- so don’t do that! And be sure to put a dish or some parchment paper under the wire rack prior to glazing to it doesn’t get all over the counter! 


Spring break : Iceland!

Now, not your typical “spring break” trip at all, i know.
But Iceland is freaking. beautiful. 
J and I really love to travel. We got the major wanderlust bug after seeing The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and had Iceland on the brain. When the Groupon opportunity arose- we went for it (though nervously). But all said and done- we will definitely considering traveling through Groupon again!
I posted lots of highlights on Instagram– but here’s a few favorites from the camera.

amazing church
and organ inside that church
windy and cold=bundled up with my love! 
my favorite waterfall 

black volcanic sand/rock beaches 
charming Reykjavic

Laundromat Cafe.

None of these pictures really do it justice. But Iceland was a charming country filled with breathtaking landscapes, and really great beer!