three things

On Mondays, I often find myself reflecting on the past week and noting the little things that are making me happy. I'm currently loving the fall flower bouquet on my kitchen table, which I got to take home from my ad agency's 30th anniversary celebration last week (also feeling lucky that I have such a great job!). Thinking about Vanessa's baby shower and how great it was for all us old high school friends to hang out this past Saturday and look forward to meeting baby Ava! And lastly, loving my Trader Joe's cinnamon broom that makes my house smell a-mazing.

Beautiful centerpiece for the fall

All five of us, Megan, me + Cami, Vanessa (with the cutest little baby bump ever), Sarah & Michelle

(photo via Fashion Lush blog)

Cinnamon Broom! If you're doubting it, try their mini version for just 99 cents.

valentine's day

So, my boyfriend's fave cake is apparently Black Forest cake. He's only ever had it in restaurants but it is a chocolate cake with a Kirsch Cherry feeling and whipped cream between the layers. Although I've made a lot of cakes, I've never made this one. The week before V-Day, I did a lot of researching to find the best recipe to use so I could surprise him with a homemade version...well apparently this kind of cake is made with "sponge cake" as opposed to the typical "butter cake." Not a fan of "sponge cake." It dries out super fast and next thing you know I was peeling wax paper off each layer, piece by piece. (not how i imagined the process would go)! However, I think made with a regular Devil's Food recipe, it would come together quite nicely.

The best part of the cake making process was learning how to make chocolate curls from the Pioneer Woman blog. The Black Forest cake recipe can be found here, which I wouldn't make the same way again...

My Valentine made me a wonderful filet mignon dinner with Gorgonzola garlic butter, french bread, salad and champagne. Yum. Plus romantic red roses and chocolates - it made for a pretty great little evening.

pre-valentine's day

When I was visiting my parents on the Saturday before Valentine's Day, my mom and dad gave me a card and *TWO* bouqets of flowers + a Trader Joes gift card. I love that they still get me things for

V-Day.

~Light pink roses - my fave color~

~My tulips before they opened...~

~...And after~



lucky girl

I'm pretty sure I'm the luckiest girl in the world. Why? Well, I have many things to be thankful for (wonderful family, amazing friends, a great career, etc.), but this particular feeling of luckiness is because I have the most thoughtful, caring boyfriend a girl could have.

Last week, I had a rough day at work and came home to a beautiful bouquet of flowers left on my doorstep along with a small bag of peanut m&ms - my fave.

He surprised me with breakfast Sunday morning - over easy eggs cooked to perfection and gooey cinnamon rolls. yum.

And then I woke up sick today and had to spend the day in bed. After work, he came by with tomato soup, crackers and grapefruit juice for me. All from Trader Joes - his least favorite store ever (and one of my favorite).

So, pretty lucky, don't you think? :)

fresh flowers

My roommate and I often have fresh cut flowers arranged throughout the house. Not only do they look pretty and inviting, but they just make me happy! And, you can always find some great deals at Trader Joes!

Here are some recent hydrangeas (one of my faves) that I had arranged:

And here are some carnations that my talented roommate put together: