...friday beat

{Free To Be Me from Ové Pictures on Vimeo.}

...the places i'll go

this time next week i will be boarding a plane. final destination - spain (+ italy). i have never been and am deleriously happy to finally be going. i studied spanish for 7 years and it was always my intention to study in spain, but... life happened and i never went. so i guess you can say this has been on my "bucket list" for some time.

it's funny. for as many years as i have been planning this trip i have not planned one bit. it's been so busy around here that its really snuck up on me. good thing i'm traveling with my great friend and planner extraordinaire - joanna. she's been so good at booking our planes, trains and hostels that i sometimes feel like this isn't really happening. honestly, i don't think i could have put together this amazing trip on my own - first toasts on me jojo!

things that still need to happen: buy luggage, pack luggage, make copies of all the important stuff, call cc company, give jb and O lots of x's and o's!

{madrid, barcelona, ibiza, florence}

...unexpected par{tie}

this is my favorite shop to visit on etsy right now. 

French. Bohemian. Vintage. Eclectic

words used to describe the shop - words used to describe my home. 

ahhhhh... home decor eutopia.

...one spring day

 

today the morning dew is glistening and reaching out to greet the sun as birds chirp from nearby nests in approval.

my senses are elevated - my energy rejuvenated. happy. bliss.

i'm reminded of these photos we took capturing a family members lush gardens. i wish my urban garden could provide such bountiful blossoms.

...spring awakening

{Blossom from Hugo Goudswaard on Vimeo.}

...food+drink

CHICAGOs 1st FOOD TRUCK SUMMIT

 

5411 empanadas

sadly the line was SO long for this truck that we didn't get to taste its amazingness

 

gaztro-wagon

we had the wild boar with fig/bacon spread and brussels sprouts sandwich - delicious!

 

tamalli space charros

mmm...tamales filled with roasted beets and goat cheese! still can't beat my family recipe, though!

hummingbird kitchen

eagerly handing over my money for meatballs in sweet orange sauce and garlic fries w/ crispy basil

flirty cupcakes

have you ever had honey cream cheese frosting?! yummmmmm

not pictured:

southern mac n cheese - not to brag but i got THE LAST mac n cheese (they sold out in 30 minutes!)

sweet miss givings - sweet treats for a sweet mission

...inspiring mantles

it's cold, rainy days like today that make me really loathe my non-working fireplace. sure it looks nice and adds lots of character to my living room - but it doesn't keep me warm! and to add insult to injury... the mantle on the fireplace is the vain of my existence. too dramatic? but seriously, i can't figure out what to do with it. i'm constantly adding, changing, moving - but nothing sticks. maybe you guys can help ... i'll post a photo soon.
{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

...food+drink (prologue)

some friends who follow this blog have asked when i'm going to start making food posts... today they're in luck! as a self-proclaimed food enthusiast, i enjoy eating food, talking about food and dreaming about food. just as some collect coins or cars, i collect sights, smells and tastes.

it's cliche, but food is the way to my heart. it brings people together - lets you take part in other cultures - engages you. some of my longest-standing friendships are rooted in food. i can't tell you how many great conversations have taken place over a slow home-cooked meal, friendships sparked because of a delicious amuse-bouche, and passions shared over a savory soup.

i mean, really, is there anything better than eating something so delectable that your eyes become heavy and slowly close while you mumble "wowohmygoodnessthisisamazingwow" and your dining partner(s) totally get it! it's a beautiful thing!

alright, enough of my rambling i'm off to dinner...

...hot pants

sunday morning is the perfect time to peruse the internet for inspiration - and if you're anything like me - it often turns into an expensive shopping trip as well!

i am in LOVE with these hand printed leggings from pretty penny designs. i'm taking her up on the claim that they will be the comfiest pair of leggings i will ever own - and buying the white fanfare design! anything made from silky poly blends are my friend!

{1, 2, 3, 4}

...friday beat

just submitted my taxes - phew! rewarding myself with a helping of fun this weekend. hope you are too!
{Cut Copy - Need You Now from Cut Copy on Vimeo.}

...ocean state

 

 

this time last week jb and i were boarding a plane for boston. so it seems fitting that today marks my last east coast post of the week. sadness! i have many more photos from the trip but decided to only share a handful of my favorites!

providence is such a unique city. what it lacks in scale to other large cities it gains in creative ambition and east coast charm. it's pretty amazing to be surrounded by the ocean water on one side and towering skyscrapers on the other.

jb and i have been to providence a few times but each time has been so different from the one before. this time was very relaxing - yet i feel like we saw and did so much. we ate amazing food, slept in late, discovered warehouse art sales and created lots of happy memories with ben+aja.  time spent with these two was definitely too short but it just means more visits are in order!

...on the cape

being on cape cod this time of year is a beautiful thing. while still a little gray and muddy from the long winter there is an overwhelming sense of renewal and reawakening.

with warm coffee cups in hand we cruised through the beautiful landscape stopping only for antique shops and scenic walks.

...bean town

 

our weekend getaway started in boston. one of my favorite u.s cities because of its history, brick roads, old homes and classiness. the last time i visited the city was almost 8 years ago so it felt so good to return. jb and i took full advantage of every second. we watched the sunset on beacon hill, i joined an 80s cover band (so true!), we drank lots of champagne, we brunched and shopped on newbury street, walked the brick roads of beacon hill picking out homes we wished we lived in, ate amazing italian food and did our best to avoid all the crazy redsox fans celebrating opening day. it was the perfect start to a lovely weekend. see you soon boston!