two things.

1. the first time i heard about 'the memphis three' i was at an eddie vedder concert. before playing the song 'rise' vedder spoke for a moment about his dedication to the cause of these three men, wrongly convicted for the deaths of three boy scouts, years and years ago. afterwards, i became in awe of this story, watching the hbo documentaries and following the case. so, needless to say, this week has been an interesting news week for me. this story continues to just constantly captivate and amaze me.

2. on a less important note, i just found out that sundance channel plays my so-called life reruns. i just think everyone would want to know this.

hello weekend.

{audrey hepburn and her pet deer, pippin}

i am having another domestic weekend.

cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping with my pet deer.

because next weekend...

some of our favorites will be arriving.

to celebrate the end of summer with us.

and we need to prepare. no really, we do.

sometimes i cook.

i did really good this week.

i made the perfect summer salad.

here is my version of the tomato & avocado salad that everyone in the universe

probably already knows how to make:

needs:

1 small red onion - thinly sliced

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

2 tomatoes (i like using roma)

1 avocado

1 tbl fresh basil

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

2 tbl olive oil

salt and pepper

how:

1. thinly slice the red onion (or call husband for help if you are like me and cry any time cutting onions is involved); place in bowl and cover with white wine vinegar. set aside.

2. cut the tomatoes and avocado however you like...i prefer wedges, and combine.

3. in a bowl combine basil, garlic, mustard, and some of that white wine vinegar thats been hanging out with the onions. now...a teaspoon is enough unless you are obsessed with vinegar...then use a little more. mix in the olive oil, season with salt and pepper.

4. drain the onions and add to the tomato/avocado party.

5. pour the dressing over the tomato/avocado/onion party and mix carefully. serve asap.

enjoy!

sidenote: 'sandwich' was sadly sacrificed for this salad. he will forever be remembered.

dear sunday,

{via kate spade's tumblr}

i would like to be here today please.

coolest cookies on the block.

{cookies by manjar}

im just not sure cookies could get any radder than this.

reason #439 why i wish i had photographer friends.

if i could have one superpower....

i would be able to teleport myself

anywhere i wanted.

this morning, i would have gone to my friend caitlin's house in des moines.

i wouldn't even have bothered with brushing my teeth or changing out of my pajamas.

i would just pop over for coffee talk.

and maybe some breakfast if she

felt like making me something.

i'm sure her boyfriend jake wouldn't mind.

i guess until then our saturday morning coffee talks via phone will have to do. but i sure wish iowa didn't have to be so far.

p.s. how cute are these state prints by onecanoetwo. perfect gifts for your long lost friends.

someone asked me why i was so happy today...

and i had nothing to blame it on.

which is wierd.

but also...good.

very, very good.

have a great weekend, friends. xx

today i am thankful...

thankful that in our little tiny garden out back, there is a tiny green tomato growing. i call him sandwich.

thankful that husband loves coffee as much as me. and rain storms. and shark week.

thankful for my friend danielle who entertains me endlessly with her crazy stories and hilarious texts.

thankful for ben and jerry's late night snack ice cream. chocolate covered potato chips. i don't know who comes up with this shit...but they are a genious.

thankful for crazy. stupid. love. ryan gosling is shirtless. it's kind of amazing. and don't tell...but i am pretty sure that's why husband worked out today.

thankful that i am feeling inspired again. inspired by life, inspired by love, inspired enough to blog three times this week.

have a wonderful sunday. xx

p.s. see how well i am sticking to my new mantra already!

my new mantra

i think i might have to give up pasta.

Happy Weekend!

{via weheartit}

what a summer this has been! so far we have traveled to charleston, hilton head, pensacola, west virginia, charlotte, lake wedowee and raleigh. i have been to two bachelorette parties and three weddings. i have changed jobs twice. i truly feel like summer should be over already...but oh my gosh, we haven't even gotten through august! luckily i am planning on spending the entire month in my little bungalow in atl. i may not even move from this couch. ever. hope you are all enjoying your summer too! here are a few of my favorites of late. xx

miu miu glitter booties

"a pool of sexy"

the best wedding invites i've seen

my kind of cornhole

jen's note to the universe

a little glance at fall fashion

(if you know my essie obsession you know i am dying over this green)

an announcement from my favorite

zzzzzzzzzzzz (i'm tired, that's me sleeping)

west virginia is for lovers.

we are back from our road trip to west virginia. we went for the wedding of my sweet and beautiful Tiffany and her Chris. (who is equally as sweet and handsome too btw). we had 6 couples comprised of my closest girlfriends and their husbands in a log cabin in lansing, west virginia which is home of the new river gorge, the third largest man made bridge in the world. west virginia is so so pretty and has amazing views every where you look. we certainly took advantage of our location...playing games, having great talks (in our perfect wva accents), dancing, drinking and just making memories that i will never forget. xx.