on who I am...

I am...

...distracted. Julee wrote a great post on how powerful silence can be, I agree with everything she points out. However, silence on my blog means I've been distracted and or busy. Sometimes the days go by so quickly that I have a hard time catching up with them. Lately, I've been caught up in some really good books and so my little space here has been brushed to the side. Not only that but I've been excitedly working on a new project. An idea that I've always known I would make happen. Something that I just happened to start on because of an unexpected burst of inspiration. Hoping I can share what I'm up to soon but as of right now it's much to early. Only a select few have been involved, one being my husband, who is pretty cool with listening to me go on and on for hours about it. 

...discouraged by this heat wave we have here in Philadelphia. Sweet Mercy! It's in the 90s and I can't deal. It's much too hot and as much as I am happy that the weather is finally looking bright and sunny it's just too hot to do anything but sit in an air conditioned house. Philadelphia summers are not my favorite mostly because of the humidity we get here and if it weren't for my in laws who have a pool we would most likely never leave the house. That being said, can't wait for Sebastian first time in the pool this season, he is looking forward to it.

...giddy about ordering a new Epiphanie camera bag, one that I've been eyeing up for quite some time. I took the plunge. I already have a different camera bag that I've kind of grown out of so I thought it was time to change things up. It will be great to use when traveling which will come in handy in the near future plus it's super cute! Win! Also totally and utterly in love with my new prescription sunglasses that I purchased from Bon Look. Great stylish prescription eye wear at a ridiculously affordable price. 

...finding that whenever I get stressed or overwhelmed all I have to do is remember how blessed I am and then it all just goes away. Perspective is the best medicine I could ever ask for lately! 

...feeling lucky to have such a kick ass husband. I know it sounds corny but needless to say he is just what I need. I never would have ever thought I could find someone that fits as well as he does. We are nowhere near perfect, we bicker like we've been married for a trillion years, and he squirms around way too much in bed which keeps me up at night but he's sweet and gentle were as I am rough and matter-of-fact. He eats whatever I cook for him without a side-eye in sight and listens to me talk about all my crazy far fetched hopes, dreams and ideas of everything that I want in this life. He simply tells me to reach for them and never give up. That's why I love him.

...currently obsessed with low-high shirts and high-waisted shorts, which I can never wear because COME ON, just look at me! Hold me.  

...shamelessly overly depressed about all my television shows being over for now. All these season finales KILL ME. However, I'm eager for all them to start back up as well as all these fabulous new shows starting this Fall. But that's a post on it's own. So there's that. 

I am happy. 

on a celebration in NYC...

Yesterday, Bobby and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary! Okay, so it feels way longer than 2 year because, well, we've been together way longer and have accomplished even more but it's still a fun thing to celebrate. We took a bus up to NYC for the day and walked around Times Square and Central Park. It was a whopping 80 degrees with a slight breeze but you know it always feels so much hotter when walking on blacktop. 

We had a nice relaxing walk, hand in hand, around Central Park and just sat around enjoying the day. I don't know how long it's been since we had a day like this, just us of two being together. Nothing else. Boy, was it good for the soul. 

After walking a bit more with some site seeing and window shopping we had a nice late lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Bobby was totally into it with all the instruments and music/music videos that were playing the whole time we ate. It was fun to hear such a wide variety of music in one place. Super cool! 

All in all, it was a great day. Love my husband and excited for the next two years :) 

on bits & pieces...

Today we went on a road trip! Sometimes all the soul needs is a day away so that's just what we did. I woke up early this morning to get my hair done, which by the way feels so good! Something about getting your hair done that makes your heart sing. By 11am we were on the road heading to Cape May, New Jersey to the Cape May Zoo. The Cape May Zoo is such a wonderful zoo. All they ask for is a donation when you enter and of course we always give whatever we can and then the zoo is at your disposal. They give you a map and your on your own to adventure. It's not a very big zoo and it doesn't have a lot animals like some zoos do but we always enjoy it. It's super family friendly with lots of picnic tables out front along with a playground for the kids. So really you can make a whole day out of it. The weather was perfect in the upper 60s with clouds. The forecast said there was a chance of rain but it held out until the drive home. Couldn't of asked for a better day!

Our road trip is never complete unless we stop at our favorite place Custard Castle! Best custard, hands down. I'm not a huge fan of ice cream or custard but this I crave every time we are close. Growing up Bobby and his family always made it a tradition to stop and get treats so I love being able to do the same now! Oh, and of course Sebastian passed out on the way home :) What have you been up to so far this weekend? 

Happy Saturday! 

on currently...

Reading// The Immortals Rule by Julie Kagawa. I'm seriously in love with this vampire novel. I swear I  always say I've read all the vampire stories ever made but alas I come across something new. I love this story because it's different. Vampires are my favorite but with having read tons of different versions it's hard to find things that have me interested. Well, if your in the same boat as me then you have got to read this book. Really, I'm not even half way through  it and can't put it down. In this story the world is ruined and the undead have taken over and the humans are their cattle. Allie hates the monsters and is trying her best to survive in this world by salvaging what she can and living day by day with her hatred of the vampires fueling her. That's until she has to make a choice to die or become one of the things she most hates in this world. A monster. A vampire. So yeah, obviously she chooses a vampire and now she has to go through the struggle of being something that she hates more than anything. Emotions are huge in this book and I love that because emotions are everything when getting to know a character. I'm excited to get through book number one and get to reading book two!

Thinking about// Seattle and our move. I am so excited about it all. I mean, why wouldn't I be! It's going to be a lot of work getting out there but it's really going to amazing. It's so surreal still. I've already started to put things in boxes and Bobby and I have already started to plan on what we want to sell off and what we want to keep. It's exhilarating to think that each day I am one step closer to my dreams, family and friends. Bliss! 

Looking forward to// May 21st. It's our 2 year anniversary and we are going up to NYC for the day. We plan to drop Sebastian off at school and take a bus. I love NYC. I've been there a handful of times since living in Philly and I thought it would be fun to adventure around with my fella by my side. It's just one of those small things that is so fun to look forward to. I plan on hitting the Anthropologie store and grab some of my favorite French macarons that I adore so much. 

Watching// I totally did a whole post on everything I've been watching but dear me I forgot a show to share with you. Surprised? Yeah, didn't think so... I've been watching Defiance. Have you seen this show? Oh. My. It's set in the future where aliens have come to Earth after their solar system has been destroyed causing a war. The war is over now but Jeb the main character stumbles into his hometown and now becomes part of a group of people. It's great! Action packed and did you know that it's originally a video game? I know, I totally can see it being one!

Thankful for// So many things! I am constantly in awe with how good this life can really be. I love that the weather is starting to get nicer and that we have the chance to be outside more. I love that Sebastian made a new friend at our local playground. We have been meeting up with Kevin and his granddad to play at least once a week. It's really funny to watch these two play together. I swear they don't even say a word to each other that's how much they are in sync. 
I'm thankful for my dad who is always there for me. No one in this world loves me more than my father and I will love and cherish everything he has done for me when others did not. It's funny because I never truly understood that until I became a parent and now I know how deep that love can just root right into your soul. Just calling and talking to him on the phone can make things all better. So thankful for that. 

xoxo.

on a nacho bake...

Holy cow. This Nacho Bake was totally a spur of the moment thing and yet, I'm so happy that it happened! It was finger licking good! Sometimes dinner just has to be fun and this was one of those nights were we just wanted to sit in front of the television and veg out. However, this could be a great appetizer or would of been perfect for Cinco de Mayo! Of course you can super creative with nachos but here's how I made mine.

Ingredients: 
Tortilla chips
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup water
Taco Seasoning
1 can black beans 
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 green peppers
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 
1/2 cup Ortega Taco Sauce 
Jalapeño slices for garnish 

Directions:
1. Cook ground beef on a skillet until it browns. Add taco seasoning and water and cook for a few minutes. Add blacked beans, cook for 10 minutes and set aside. 
2. Saute green pepper in olive oil until tender and then add them to the ground beef and mix everything together. 
3. Take a oven safe dish and later tortilla chips on the bottom. Add ground beef mixture and then the cheese on the top. Pour taco sauce over it and set into a oven that's been preheat to 350. Bake for 15 minutes until cheese has melted and it bubbly. 
4. Top with jalapeño slices and serve with sour cream & guacamole. 

Enjoy!

on being a television junkie...

I'm a television junkie. It's a problem I have and for some reason I can't get enough of all of them. I've always loved television and it's funny because I don't even have cable! All I have is basic channels and so most of the shows I like to watch I end up watching online. Many keep me in suspense which I rate as being awesome where others can be predictable and those I usually end up dropping. Are you as much a TV junkie as I am? I just can't wait to have cable and be able to DVR shows. Then I will really be in trouble. Mercy.

Hemlock Grove. This is series that's exclusively on Netflix. So if you don't have Netflix well, I feel sorry for you. This horror thriller takes place in Pennsylvania! It has werewolves and dark twisted things. You don't learn the truth about who is killing all the young girls until the last episode where they reveal many more curious things. They leave you hanging so I really hope Netflix brings up more seasons! Check it out. 

Game of Thrones. Oh. My. Lord. Love this show. I didn't start watching it until right before the third season started which is when I knocked out two season like it was nothing. Hooked! I've always been a fan of the Medieval time period so this hit home. The characters are so well developed that you feel for each an everyone of them. It's like every character has their own story. Some of the characters intertwine. Sometimes you don't see a character in an episode which makes you start to wonder what they are up too. The only thing that angers me is that each season is only ten episodes. Like, really? That's a tease. 

The Following. Ended with a bang. Well, so I hear. The season finale was this past Monday and of course I was under the weather and needed to head to bed early and it being my luck it's not online yet. So there's that. Don't tell me anything. Bobby is poop face because he watched it without me! I heard it was amazing. 

Hannibal. Honestly, I did not think I was going to dig this show at all. I mean, come on, there's like a million Hannibal movies what more can you give us. But they proved me wrong again. Completely and utterly hooked. Will, who is a FBI special investigator has the ability to understand serial killers and mentally re-create their crimes. That's messed up! Love it. 

Bates Motel. This show is always making my head spin. In a good way of course! Every episode has us asking more questions and trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. When you think you know what's going to happen next they make you gasp with shock. I mean, Norman Bates is psycho for gods sakes and I love him! 

Nashville. Happy that it's finally back on after what felt like a forever break. I've simply fallen in love with the characters and their stories. I've fallen in love with the music. I know, crazy. I love the two sisters who play Rayna's daughters, Lennon and Maisy Stella. Their cover of Ho Hey was breathtaking. Oh and Scarlett's voice is my favorite and this show has single handedly inspired me to pick up the banjo. It will happen one day. Maybe you'll see me on season 2? 

What shows are you currently obsessing over? And what shows are you looking forward to this summer? True Blood anyone??

xoxo.

on BLT deviled egg sandwiches...

I saw this sandwich on Rachael Ray last week while at work. It sounded so good that when I told Bobby about it we just had to make it as soon as possible. We don't really eat egg salad sandwiches often but making it into a BLT sandwich sounded brilliant. Plus it was quick and easy, perfect for a fast meal during the work week. You must try it!

Ingredients: 
4 slices white of bread
6 slices turkey bacon (or regular bacon)
5 eggs
2 tablespoons grated onion
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon picked relish
3 tablespoon Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons mayo
salt & pepper to taste
lettuce and tomato slices 

Directions:
1. Cook bacon on skillet or in the oven. I like to do it in the oven which is less of a mess. Then toast the slices of bread. Set bacon and bread slices aside. 
2. Place eggs in a pot and fill it up until eggs are covered. Turn heat on high and bring water to a rapid boil. Once it begins to boil take it off the heat, cover and let the eggs sit in the boiled water for another 10 minutes. Drain the eggs, run cold water over them, crack and peel them. 
3. Cut eggs in half and spoon the yolk out into a mixing bowl. Do this do all the eggs and set the whites aside. 
4. Add onion, Dijon, relish, hot sauce, Worcestershire, garlic, mayo and salt & pepper in with the yolk. Using a fork, mash all the ingredients in with the yolk. Next, add the whites and using a potato masher mash the whites into the yolk mixture. 
5. Spread deviled egg salad on to toasted white bread. Add lettuce, tomato and bacon and serve!

Enjoy!

on show and tell...

Sebastian and I went treasure hunting with my mother in law last weekend. It was fun! We headed home with a few treasures. My best find was a four piece Amish style Pyrex set for $10. It's currently my favorite thing in my kitchen. Later on that night I looked this specific set up online and found that it was made in 1957! Crazy. Of course, I bought it off of a sweet little old couple. Thanks, sweet little old couple who took such nice care of my perfect mixing bowl set! 

Do you enjoy going garage sale shopping? What has been your most favorite find?