belly dancing

I love to dance. It's something I enjoy doing and it puts a smile on my face. This weekend my friend Melanie invited me to try out belly dancing with her, and last night we tried it out. It was incredibly fun and an entirely new way to move.

We ended up signing up for the class, so I'm pretty excited. Of course we didn't try anything crazy like this move, but I think it's pretty.

Cheers!

maps

Happy Monday!

Husband and I want to travel the world and I thought this photo was appropriate.
Who wants to come with?

[photo via lelove]

cheesecake swirled brownies

Today I found myself on a blog that I used to follow back when I had my wedding blog and had no idea how to cook. It's called Smitten Kitchen and I've been drooling for the past thirty minutes looking at all these scrumptious recipes. These brownies caught my eye and I think I will try to make them this weekend. Husband has to work this Saturday (boo) so I'll have some time to myself and I may get crazy in the kitchen. So, if you're ever in the need of some cooking inspiration, Smitten Kitchen is the place to be. Happy weekend!

[image via Smitten Kitchen]

cupcakes

I love cupcakes. My friend Audrey makes some yummy yummy tiramisu cupcakes (and they're vegan too!). I saw these and instantly desired something sweet. And...here is a fun way to spice up an ordinary cupcake, with a fun flag! A template can be found here, or if you have some fancy paper lying around, even better.

[image courtesy of little paper dog]

**update
After this posted, I went to lunch with some co-workers to celebrate Cathie, who is getting married this Friday. Following a lovely tea-like lunch at Between the Bridges, we walked across the street to Whipped Cupcakes underneath Clumpies Ice Cream. It's a one of the three cupcake shops (that I know of) that are popping up around Chattanooga. Anyway, I had a pumpkin cupcake and it was such a treat. They were cute, delicious and moist, and their logo is fun. I wish I had had my camera to take a photo, as I even grabbed for it. You know the days you don't take a camera are the days you wish you had one. I learned my lesson.

noah and the whale

One of my sweetest friends and former roomie, Kate, showed me this video about a year ago. I was working today and was reminded of the happiness of this song and the video. It makes me want to smile and dance.

See the entire video here.

fall

Fall has arrived! And so has the new J.Crew catalog. Isn't this jacket incredible? I think yellow will forever be my favorite color.

[image via j.crew]

more rain

Happy Monday! I don't think the rain is going to stop. However, I don't mind. It's a good excuse to lay on the couch and watch movies or color with friends.

Check the links below to see some more photos like these. Also, check this collection of beautiful photography.

[images courtesy of JenniPenni and lucem]

evian babies

We don't watch much tv so I usually miss out on the really good commercials. Thankfully, Husband is pretty internet savvy and found this video. I am in love and amazed. Everyone should see this. Doesn't it just make you want to get up and dance! Think of all these little babies that can tell their friends 20 years from now that their heads were in a hit commercial.

Love it.

4 months today

Marriage is so much fun. 
I feel blessed everyday to have married such an amazing man.

I love you Jonathan!

gnocchi

Husband and I were at World Market last week and picked up some gnocchi. We thought we'd try it out since I haven't ventured into making it from scratch yet.


Over the last few years I've been collecting recipes out of Real Simple magazine. It's my favorite magazine of all time. Every aspect of that magazine is beautiful and their recipes are so quick, easy, and flavorful.


So this time I tried the following. It was yum!

---

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Green Beans and Ricotta
via Real Simple Magazine


INGREDIENTS
1 pound gnocchi
1/2 pound green beans, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 8-ounce container store-bought pesto
1/4 cup heavy cream (I skipped this ingredient)
1/4 cup ricotta
salt and pepper to taste


DIRECTIONS
Cook the gnocci according to package directions. Drain and return to pot.


Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Add the green beans and cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain. (I steamed them instead with no salt)


Add the pesto and cream to the gnocchi and cook over medium heat, stirring, just until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide among bowls and top with the green beans, ricotta, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

white chocolate bread

First of all, let me say, YUM!

I've been wanting to try out this bread recipe since I first saw it about a month ago. And let me tell you - it's divine! I've practically eating half a loaf myself and it's only been out of the oven for an hour. :D

This recipe is incredibly easy and I promise you can't mess it up. It only took about an hour and I finally got to break in my stand mixer! What a thrilling event. And it's so scrumptious. Husband says it's decadent and he's currently distracted by his new Nerf gun.

Anyway, on to the recipe. (I made a half recipe). Let me know how you like it. Enjoy!

---

White Chocolate Bread

Makes 5 loaves. Recipe from Love and Olive Oil via ClubMed Insider.

INGREDIENTS

8 cups flour


1 teaspoon yeast


1 tablespoon wheat gluten


2 teaspoons salt


3 1/2 cups water


2 3/4 cups white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Place flour, yeast and gluten in a small bowl. Mix on medium-low or first speed for 1 minute. Add water and mix for another 2 minutes. Add salt and continue to mix for another 8-10 minutes on medium or second speed.

Add chips and mix for 1-2 minutes or until the chips are well distributed throughout the dough. Take dough out of bowl and lightly knead into a ball. Let rest for 15-20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450?F. Divide dough into 5 equal portions and knead into the desired form. Let the loaves proof for about 30-45 minutes, depending on the heat and humidity of the area.

Place uncooked loaves on a baking pan lined with parchment paper and bake for approximately 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes.

rain

Husband & I woke up frequently last night to huge claps of thunder. It's going to pour all day. Since I've been up for a while, I decided to look up ideas on what to wear to work on a rainy day. Well, I wasn't super successful but I did find this outfit and I think it's genius. Particularly the shorts - cause pants always get soaked on a rainy day! :) While I probably wouldn't wear this to work, it would be great any other rainy day. I love the splash of blue.

To see where you can purchase each of these items, click here.

[image courtesy of collegefashion.net]

bikes

Husband & I love bikes. These words are the inspiration for today.

[image courtesy of smashingmagazine.com]

dresses

This is a fun dress. Originally my friend was considering it as a bridesmaid's dress for her wedding, but ultimately decided with another style. I can't get it out of my head. It may end up in my closet.

[image courtesy of UO]

now

I've been wanting to start a new blog since we got married almost 4 months ago. It's been quite an adventure. The wedding was magical, the honeymoon was incredible, and this summer has been fantastic. I learned how to cook, I started decorating our home, and learned a lot about myself as a person. Just about a month ago I started a full-time job as a designer and I'm thankful loving it. I've had this dream to design magazines, and in this rough economy, I managed to land a job doing just that. God is good.

So, here I am. This blog has no definite purpose, I just like to write and share my thoughts of life and the adventures of a newly-graduated and newly-married young woman.

Welcome!

[image] from here.