Birthday Weekend Pictures

Here are some pictures from my birthday weekend- I don't have a lot  because we just did some laid-back things, but here are my favorites!

Sarah made me s'mores cupcakes!

My assortment of cupcakes- 2 minis and 1 large one! 

a mini chocolate cupcake from Cupcake in Charleston

Hot stuffed croissant with strawberry cream cheese and strawberries from the Gourmet Shop in Columbia

a full-sized strawberries and cream cupcake from Cupcake in Charleston

Can't you see that my friends know what I like? We also hit up some antique and thrift stores. It was a lovely weekend!

22 by my 22nd

I am really inspired by Elsie's, of A Beautiful Mess, list of goals she puts together after her birthday for the next year. Here is my version so far, not in any specific order:

1. Buy a car
2. Go up in a hot air balloon
3. Rock climb outdoors
4. Cook from at least 6 different ethnic groups
5. Take a wine class
6. Take an art class
7. Sew an entire project on my own
8. Make real bread (not quick bread)
9. Learn to knit
10. Go to Chicago
11. Reduce commercial cleaners in my cleaning routine
12. Run a 5k
13. Go backpacking
14. Bake and decorate a fancy cake
15. Travel to 3 states I haven't visited yet
16. See the world's largest (fill in the blank)
17. Learn how to drive stick shift
18. Learn car basics
19. Learn a new cooking technique
20. Have the perfect picnic
21. Watch the sunrise and sunset in the same day/night
22. Make my own signature drink for my 22nd birthday party!

 

 

Keeping Track of my Goals

I found this on Pintrest and thought that it would be the PERFECT way to visualize my goals and aspirations every day and then work towards achieving them! I can't wait to do this idea for me!

Source: haveanepiphanie.com via Alisha on Pinterest

 

 

21 for my 21st

Because its my 21st birthday today, I want to share 21 of my favorite things!

1. My family
2. My church family
3. S'mores
4. Actually having an organized desk (when it occasionally happens!)
5. Cupcakes
6. My planner
7. Lime green Pyrex
8. Really, all vintage colored Pyrex
9. Pancakes
10. Picnics
11. Sharpies
12. Cookbooks
13. Teacups and mugs
14. Coffee dates with friends
15. Crafting
16. Fabric paints in awesome colors
17. The color yellow
18. The beach
19. Ecuador <3
20. Learning languages- currently Spanish and Portuguese
21. YOU! My blog readers! I love having an audience :P

I hope to post more pictures about each of these throughout my next year as I get to have more adventures and learn new things! Have a wonderful Friday!

 

 

Incoming Mail

I absolutely love mail... thats why I joined Swap-Bot almost a year ago. I got a couple of sweet packages in the mail this week!

A recipe tag, "Not Crappy" tag and some yoga pants I ordered from Victoria's Secret.

An early 21st birthday present from my little sister! It has a drink recipe on the bottom that calls for blackberry liqueur... I love all things blackberry and this might be one of the first drinks I "mix".

This cupcake necklace was a present from Emma at Knit1 Slip1. She is positively wonderful and her Etsy shop is stocked with great things! Please go check her out- its all about her wonderful projects in a bunch of different crafty areas! I also wonder if she's a mind reader because I haven't mentioned that my birthday is Friday and I love cupcakes AND I've been meaning to try to make one of these for MONTHS. So, in conclusion, this is a perfect little surprise that arrived in my mailbox!

I love checking my mailbox!

Daily Inspiration

More inspiration via Pintrest!

Source: amandabuzard.com via Angie on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Angie on Pinterest

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: media.tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: farm5.static.flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: re-nest.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Gina on Pinterest

Source: bakeitinacake.com via Dana on Pinterest

 

GroopDealz Alert

One of the lovely blogs I follow, {Love Stitched}, is offering one of her classy rings on GroopDealz today and tomorrow only!

Each ring is only $5, 50% off! There are 4 colors to choose from: ivory, pink, teal, and grey. Head over here to pick some up for presents to keep on hand (to yourself is just fine!)

Thrifty Goodnes

I had a GREAT thrifty/ antiquing time this weekend. I just love the feeling of hunting out what I want and never knowing what is going to draw my eye, but these are the beauties I brought home this weekend!

50 cents each! Two brand new cardigans, a shirt, a pullover for working out and a sweater for my sister

a picnic blanket with a vinyl side!

old domino magazines, a mug for 20 cents and the love languages book for $1

and I saw this little beautify set (its lime green and pink, some of my favorite colors!) but it's a little pricey. I may go back and get it if it stays on my mind. But its just so pretty!

Traveling through my Stomach

As a poor college student with a taste for adventure (and friends who go all over the world for studying abroad), its difficult to keep in mind that I can't just travel everywhere in a reasonable amount of time. So I want to make it a goal of mine to experiment more with regional food cookbooks from the library.

Also, I'm currently in a Business in Africa class, which is totally fascinating and makes me want to jump on a plane and fly to a random African country after leaving the lecture. So, I'm going to reserve some books from the library and hopefully start cooking soon! Here is on my reserved list:

and for good measure, some Asian cuisine

Do you have any favorite ethnic cuisines that I should try to cook? Where should my food travels take me next?

Goal: Use What I Have

Another resolution of mine for the new year is to use what I have before running out to the store. Which then prompted me to organize my craft supplies, because how was I going to use what I have if I don't even KNOW what I have? So here are some projects I whipped up using things on hand over the last week.

Felt Garland for my window, inspired by Anna Marie Horner

Wine Cork Trivet/Board from a random craft bin at my house

My inspiration board! Finally, a way to use the pictures I incessantly cut out of magazines and catalogs!

A painted flat canvas to help organize my beverage station. It helps the appliances not fall through the slats of the wire rack!

Thats just a little of what I've been up to- more of my crafty projects to come soon! Have a great day!

Feel the Love: Valentines Day Suggestions

As I tend to be a type A personality sometimes and I fear not getting gifts on time because I want to order unique, special presents (usually online), I put together this little round up of sweet things that would be a great Valentines present to your special someone. Or to yourself!

Why not give an experience instead of just a present? I love the idea of picnics and I think a picnic for Valentines Day would be sweet, budget-friendly and personal. If its cold outside, just make the set-up inside and pretend- just as much fun as being outside!

Here are some of the picnic supplies that I found and fell in love with on Etsy!

vintage blue and yellow Mexican blanket, $18

set of plastic picnic dishes, $10

wicker picnic basket w/leather hinges, $20

whale thermos (the brand, not the print!). $10

vintage picnic basket, $23.99

vintage green enamel fondue set, $20

spectrum of blues checkered thermos, $7

printable valentines day cards, 6 designs, $6 (not vintage, but super adorable!)

I hope this talk of early Valentines presents doesn't shock you too much, but with all the time needed for shipping, I think its best to start planning a little early!