Maps and Atlases

Yellow is my favorite color and I generally go with the theory that the more, the better. I DIY-ed this frame (discount frame from a craft store + yellow spray paint) for the big empty wall in my bedroom and tacked up the map as a placeholder until I found something else...but then it grew on me. 

It was the map my dad and I used to research areas to live down here. It's the map I spread it out on my parents floor to learn about my new neighborhood and it even still has my highlighted spots of interest. My dad even taught me how to actually read a map with this baby too. (Yes, technology has ruined me). 

Moral of the story: map was free, it is actually useful (more than once I have referenced this wall) and it has a bit of meaning too, all things I deem necessary when choosing decorative pieces. I love the drama and impact this creates in my bedroom and it is a great piece to wake up to every morning. 

Manicure Monday



NYC High Line Green, Wet n' Wild Party of Five Glitters

 This past weekend, I ate some homecooked summer meals, went to my first ever Ohio state fair, and watched the Olympics out in public and acted like I was in the comfort of my own home, clapping and gasping aloud. I lost a few more hours of sleep in the process but staying up late and catching up with friends is always worth it.  

But because of all that, I have a feeling this week will need a little extra sparkle.

Friday I'm in Love

How cute is this picutre? No, I am not in London to watch the games BUT I will be parking myself in front of the TV for the next 17 days to root on the US of A. 

This is what I have been looking forward to all week long!

Here are some other things I have been loving this week:

The Olympics start tonight!!!

Having melty mini M&M’s at work. You know, the kind that come in those cute tubes? Forgot how great those are.

An impromptu FaceTime date with a faraway friend in Philly to catch up and plan her visit.

Sending off a birthday package in the mail that I knew my cousin would love. Also a reminder of my love for the postal service.

Hosting a movie night that turned into 3 girls just hanging out and talking for hours until we realized we were old and had to go to bed. Oh, and never actually putting in a movie.

Getting complimented on my heels at work…from a guy. Thanks for noticing!

Discovering a new radio station and hearing Grease is the Word to start my day on said station.

Taking a number at the deli to buy a giant pickle. Anything else mam? Nope, just this Kosher dill for me, thanks.

Heading off to visit my college roommates for the weekend!

Not so much love for:

Having to get my oil changed and being reminded yet again of my complete lack of knowledge on the subject of cars. Shouldn’t there be a mandatory class on this at some point? A Car 101 course or something?

The humidity causing a heat advisory from noon until 8p.m…..8PM! two days in a row. Hello car sauna!

Putting off getting gas another day, another day, another day to then see the price has now jumped 30¢.

Bringing work home with me almost every night and trying to simultaneously balance my dinner on one knee and my computer on the other. Talent people, sheer talent.

What events are you most looking forward to during the London 2012 games? And what athletes are you most excited to follow?

Mini Kiss Pies

Behold, a supremely simple dessert that can be whipped up in no time to impress guests or just cure a chocolate craving. 

Unfold a refrigerated pie crust and evenly space kisses around the edge. 

I went with original milk chocolate but you can use any variety, like mint for the holidays. 

Cut a circle of dough around the kiss, about 2", 

fold the dough up on each side and pinch together at the top. 

 Brush the top of each pie with an egg white wash and sprinkle with sugar. 

Place the sugar coated pies into the oven at 350 degrees

 for 15-20 minutes and wa-la! Golden brown goodness!

 My oven is extra hot so cooking times may vary but when the crust is light brown, they are ready to take out. 

Put these little gems on a platter or your own pretty plate and enjoy! 

Tut! Tut! It Looks Like Rain

I love an excuse to bust out my umbrella and with the little amount of rain we have had this summer, I took advantage of an evening pop-up shower by sitting outside on my stoop and watching the rain come down. 



Three's Company

This past weekend was a whirlwind! It was my cousin's first time in the city so the weekend was jam packed to give her the true Cincinnati experience. My sister (check her out here) and I took Sarah to the Findlay Market, a public market open year round with everything from chicken and waffles to gelato, followed by a stroll across the Ohio river on the purple people bridge. For dinner, we had massive burgers from Terry's Turf Club where there are neon signs on every surface and peanut shells covering the ground. And to cap off our weekend, we hit the Hyde Park Farmer's market where we shared a maple glazed doughnut sprinkled with bacon and homemade popsicles and then grabbed some caffeine from The Coffee Emporium, the most darling coffee shop around. Oh, and lunch at Pompilio's over the border in Kentucky, the Italian restaurant from the movie Rain Man (Remember how many toothpicks? 246 on the floor...and 4 in the box). 

We met some fun people along the way like Jim, the host at Terry's, who was too cute and told us he brought in the cabaret band just for us, or the sweet librarian who gave us a few movie suggestions or the owners of the popcorn store who love Elton John and made us the best shaved ice I have ever had. 

But no matter what city we are in together, we always have a blast. Good thing there are plenty more towns to visit because we took Cinci by storm!

Manicure Monday

You know when you have an amazing weekend and then Monday morning comes and you just want to close your computer and chuck it against a wall? Oh, is that just me? After this weekend filled with family bonding and more food than any human should eat in a two day period (more to come on these events later), I would love nothing more than to check out early today and flashback to Friday night. Instead, it's business as usual at the office and because I capped off my weekend by having fresh fruit margaritas downtown, my nails just got a quick coat of this electric blue for the week.

Patterns are Fun

 I have jumped fully onto the long skirt trend. I have bought only cotton versions which translate to super comfy, breezy and an easy way to look more polished in an instant. This skirt literally caught my eye when I was breezing through the store and I knew I had to have it. It has been a go-to piece ever since. From running weekend errands to a backyard BBQ, it fits into just about every setting. 

Skirt: TJ Maxx Tank: Old Navy

Friday I'm in Love

Friday! Friday! You glorious day, you! The weekend is here and I have some visitors on their way, my aunt and cousin, and my sister too. We have plans to go to the farmer's market and to the cute shops in the square and I am sure a brunch or two thrown in, with loads of laughs and much catching up to do. Here's to a rockin' agenda-filled weekend!

Shirt: Gap Skirt: Macy's 

With a Cherry on Top

Summertime brings so many colorful fruits to the grocery store and I couldn't walk past these Bing cherries without putting them in my cart. 

 Or in my stomach. 

Only downside to these delicious treats? There is just no lady like way to get around those annoying pits! Believe me, I tried. I brought a few of these to work for my lunch...big mistake. If you know of an easier way, I am all ears. 

Borrowing from the Boys

 Betcha can't guess where I snapped up this cute baseball tee...Give up? The men's section at Target!

Top: Target, Purse: Thrifted, Watch: American Eagle 

If you haven't shopped in the men's department before, at any store, I suggest you give it a try. You are usually one of the only people there so you have the place to yourself, the shirts are a little roomier, the tees are a little softer and the lines? Nonexistent! 

I have had a lot of luck with shirts borrowed from the boys'racks. Add some fun accessories and feminine touches and you've got yourself an outfit.

Shoes: Thrifted, Shorts: Macy's

Stay Young, Go Dancing

This past weekend, my friends and I attended my first ever music festival, the Cincinnati Bunbury Music Festival. We braved the elements and had an amazing time, once the mini monsoon passed.

OK, even when the monsoon was happening it was still fun, let's be real. 

 

Here we have just survived a thunderstorm along the river. The free ponchos held up remarkably well and were obviously tres chic. 

Able to find shelter under one of the bridges criss-crossing the park but only just as the sun was coming out 

but no complaints here! Tons of great music and even better people watching. 

Here is the biggest wok I have ever seen, bar none. 

And my delicious dinner courtesy of said wok. Tasty and portable, a must to be able to make it to the final performance... 

Death Cab for Cutie! Opening with I Will Follow You Into the Dark. Flawless. 

They are one of my favorite bands and my sister and I practically wore out the CD driving to and from high school, singing along to every word. To see them live has been on the bucket list since those drives and

the time has come to check it off the list!

Here are some other acts worth checking out:
Good Old War
Nikki Lane
Now Now
Margot and the Nuclear So and So's
The Seedy Seeds
 

Manicure Monday

So I've got it in my head to do a weekly post on what I am currently sporting on my nails and this shall henceforth be called Manicure Monday!

From left to right: Sally Hansen Snappy Sorbet, NYC Pink Promenade, and NYC Times Square Tangerine 

I painted all my nails with the tangerine color and then put Snappy Sorbet on my ring finger and the Pink Promenade on the middle finger of each hand. Bright colors for a bright day!

Rainy Afternoons

Yesterday was the first day it had rained in what has felt like months. It just so happens that it was the first free day I have had in months as well so how did I celebrate? By popping in a movie, cuddling up on my couch, and enjoying the excuse to stay indoors!

  What movie did I decide on? My Fair Lady which I had rented from the library earlier in the week.

  Who can't relate to a woman who regards chocolate so highly?