Monday, January 26, 2015

sprinkle tears

Blake and I have been big big fans of Sugar Shack donuts ever since we tried them in Richmond. We have been anxiously awaiting their Alexandria opening for a while. Blake surprised me with a fun Saturday adventure to attend the grand opening! I cried sprinkle tears of joy.
The line was out the door but standing in the rain with other donut enthusiasts was fun! 
If you tweeted a selfie in the shop you got a free donut- score!
There are no set flavors on the menu. Every 10-20 minutes new flavors come out like 
lemon poppy seed, pb oreo, salted caramel, caramel oreo, maple bacon, apple crisp, strawberry, snickers and classic staples like chocolate sprinkles.
This is a dangerous addition to the neighborhood. We will be back...tonight ;)

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

winter essentials

With a few snow dustings under our belt, we're gearing up for another brutal DC winter. These are a few of my winter essentials to hopefully survive another polar vortex.
I love the few days a year when I wake up to a winter wonderland like this!
*source: pinterest


*My absolute #1 winter must have is good slippers. These LL bean slippers are incredible and I really wish I could wear them to work.

*Blake has recently sold me on flannel sheets. In the past, flannel sheets have always gotten sweaty and gross by the morning. But these flannel sheets are perfect, never sweaty and oh so cozy.

*It's no secret I'm a sucker for hot bubble baths. This bubble bath was a random TJ Maxx find and has been my favorite ever since. Grapefruit wins every time in my book.

*Hot chocolate with mini marshmellows. Duh. Stephen's is just the best so convince your really nice mom to mail you some tins since it's not sold in DC (?!)

*Even though no one sees your socks, wearing cute wool socks always helps getting dressed in pitch black darkness. I always find cute cheap ones at TJ Maxx.

*I love to cuddle up with a good book in the winter. A few recommendations: Wonder, Code Name Verity and the sequel Rose Under Fire, Potato Peel Society, French Women Don't Get Fat, Bossy Pants. I'm going to start Boys in Boats soon and I can't wait!

*I love to steal Blake's comfy grey sweatshirt. Why are boy sweatshirts so much warmer?

*Getting the motivation to walk to our complex's gym in the snow can be a bit of challenge. Jillian Michael's home work out videos saved me on more than one occasion last winter. Her 30 day shred is no joke. I also really like the yoga one.

*Remember spring is just around the corner and that means cheery blossoms!!!
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Monday, January 19, 2015

january happy list

The new Maroon 5 music video Sugar
Brunches with girlfriends. I love a good french toast.
Cara cara oranges. I love citrus season!
Rifle paper weekly list pad
I finally got a volcano candle :) Best gift giver award goes to Amy!
Blake got me hooked on these cool notebooks
Judging all of the golden globes best dresses
New work out shirts
Trader Joe's tomato and roasted red pepper soup. Best paired with gooey grilled cheese sandwiches
Quick Vegas trip at the end of the month! In n Out here we come!

*Best of all was coming home to a surprise care package from my mom and sister. It was just the midweek pick me up I needed. Even when we're miles apart, moms always know what you need. xo.

Monday, January 12, 2015

salted caramel + nutella stuffed cookies

Blake has been begging me to make these salted caramel + nutella stuffed double choice cookies for about a year now. A mixture of forgetfulness, hesitation (the recipe looks harder than it is) and laziness has resulted in zero cookies for Blake.

While he was away last week it was the perfect time to whip up this recipe. I like making a mess when I bake, no "clean as you go" process for me. As a result, I find it best to bake when Blake can't witness the chaos :)

I used rolos rather than making my own caramel (thank you Target clearance holiday candy) and was pleasantly surprised with the easy recipe. It's more time consuming than difficult. Also I didn't have flaky sea salt and just tried using table salt to sprinkle on top --- don't.

All in the all the cookies turned out delicious The cookies don't look too appetizing since it makes a thick brownie-cookie base but trust me they are good. Blake was more excited to eat them than to see me. A baking win in my book.

Be warned these cookies are dense, we're talking Levain style dense. I think next time I'll add pb chips instead of  caramel and try to make knock off Levain pb cookies- one of my favorite NYC treats.


ENJOY!


Monday, January 5, 2015

current addictions

With Blake out of town all of this week (don't come kidnap me if you are a creepy person reading this), I am filling my time with my current addictions.

First up, Tilt To Live. While I used to play a good Mario Cart game back in my day (go Wario!), it's been a while since I've played any video/iphone games. But Tilt To Live has me hooked. Hard.

Next I plan to make some good progress on my new years resolution this week to drink more water. My recent Target clearance steal- a giant mason jar tumbler is definitely helping. I am addicted to water bottles. It's weird.

I've only been alone one night and I'm already half way through Amy Poehler's new book Yes Please.  She is so good. But it has some swears just to warn you. I love staying up way too late caught up in a good book.

Lastly I think I'll have some solo dance parties listening to this song on repeat:



I also might throw in some glitter crafts and a Harry Potter marathon for good measure.

Come home soon Blake!
 
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