{Image thanks to: Boucher Photography in Style Me Pretty}

Glitter Peep Shoes // Glitter Cake Pops

I’m a little late to jump in on this, but I couldn’t let the opportunity to participate pass by. I’ve been so inspired by the Things I’m Afraid to Tell You posts by my favorite bloggers. What I love the most is seeing the common threads between us all. This is really a good thing we’ve got going here. So here it goes…

I have no idea what kind of career I want. First, I have so many interests, I don’t know where to start. Writing, food, interiors, marketing, design direction, digital media, magazines, art, dance, baking, events, weddings, style, licensing, color, connecting others. I could go on and on. I watch my friends and fellow bloggers quit their day jobs, start businesses they’ve dreamed of for years, go to grad school, or create and build awesome things all of their own. I’m so proud of them. And I hope that one day I’ll come up with a brilliant idea of my own too and forge my own revolutionary career path. But that lightbulb hasn’t gone off for me yet, and I’m a bit afraid it never will.

My apartment is a mess a majority of the time. I hate doing dishes and I let them pile up. My KitchenAid mixer bowl never gets washed the same day I bake. Sometimes I leave food in my fridge even after it’s gone bad. The arm of my couch has a pile of clothes that should be hanging in my closet. It’s only me in 500 square feet, but somehow I still don’t have the time to keep it all tidy.

I don’t feel like I’m doing enough and yet I’m still exhausted. Maybe it’s because my body needs a lot of sleep, but I’m just so overwhelmed and overstimulated, and my to-do list won’t stop growing. I’m in awe of the people I know who work really long days and still have time for working out, relationships, blogging, events, washing your hair, all while being perky and ready to do it again the next morning. How do you find a balance with taking care of yourself and doing more for yourself? I don’t know if it’s possible to conquer everything or escape it…but I think it’s important to try and do a little both at some point.

I don’t like pets. I know, I know. It sounds like a horrible thing to say. I will always pet your cute pooch, I just don’t want one of my own.

Sometimes I cheat in the kitchen. I use pre-chopped garlic and frozen pie crusts.

I ate three big bowls of pasta last night. I can overindulge when I’m stressed or tired. But also, I put panchetta in the pasta, so maybe I ate more because it was just so good.

There are so many bloggers participating in this series, but some of my favorites were from Dear Heart, Sequins & Stripes, Coco + Kelly, So Much to Smile About, Note to Self, One Bite at a Time – and of course Jess, Ez, and Mimi + Meg who helped to kick this whole thing off.

I’ve been away for a while, but I’m not apologizing for it. Work has been crazy, but I love what I’m doing. Life has been hectic, but I’m having fun. And then I had the best weekend with my family at my little brother’s college graduation. So much love, joy, and pride. With little technology (ok, I snuck in a few instagrams), great food (seriously, Paesanos, you get me every time), and some incredible inspiration (smart Penn nerds and Geoffrey Canada), it was simply wonderful.

Just like this weekend, these classic peanut butter cookies are equally as special. Only three small bites, comforting, nothing fancy, and with traditional crisscross fork marks. Just the kind of simple treat you need on a rainy day like today. They even kind of give you that same warm and fuzzy feeling as laughing uncontrollably with your siblings. (Ok, not as great, but close enough.)

Peanut Butter Cookies

Adapted from Magnolia Bakery – makes 2-3 dozen

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup chunky peanut butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter together until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg, milk and vanilla and mix well. Slowly add the flour mixture until fully incorporated.
4. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets leaving several inches in between. Using a fork, indent a crisscross pattern on each cookie. Lightly sprinkle cookies with sugar.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Don’t over-bake. Cool. Enjoy with a glass a milk and someone you love.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, here’s my favorite photo from this weekend. It pretty much sums it all up!

Sunglasses from Kamali Kulture

The quote above was posed this weekend by writer Monica Bhide at Eat, Write, Retreat. It’s something I’ll continue to think about this week because I think Monica really has a point here. We need to understand our purpose, get behind it, and be our number one cheerleader. If you have a blog, or a business, or a passion, I encourage you to think about this sentiment this week too. Tell me, why are you special? Why are you doing what you’re doing?

{Image thanks to: moniquilla}

My weekend is starting early today. I’ll be spending the next three days volunteering at the food blogging conference Eat, Write, Retreat. I volunteered last year too and it was a fantastic experience. I’m looking forward to learning a few new things and meeting other bloggers, while helping out with all the behind the scenes event coordinating. It should be another successful conference! Stay tuned to my twitter/instagram for scenes from Eat, Write, Retreat!

Also, as promised, a winner was randomly picked for this Stephanie Johnson pouch giveaway:

 Congrats Rosa! You should have an email heading your way!

Have a fantastic weekend friends, and I’ll see you on the other side! xo

{Image thanks to: Design Sponge, What Katie Ate}

{Image thanks to: Skonahem, Remodelista, the Kitchn, Lonny Magazine}  

Echoes of Fragrant Voices by Jo Howe

When I first saw this artwork, I immediately had one thought and one thought only. Pasta. It’s probably because it’s my favorite food. And because I eat it several times a week. But seriously I can’t get it out of my mind when I see this piece.

My pasta routine usually includes sautéing farmer’s market veggies in garlic and olive oil, adding a little cream, tossing in some capellini, and topping with a heap of shaved parmesan. It’s simple, quick, and always delicious. But this piece got me thinking of other kinds of pasta I’m craving to make this summer. Corn in pasta? Yes please!

Sweet corn, chilies and burrata over fettucini • baked spaghetti and mozzarella • Spaghetti and Meatballs All’Amatriciana • Fettuccine with Walnuts, Zucchini Ribbons, and Pecorino Romano • Capellini Gratin • Fettuccine Carbonara with Fried Eggs   

If you’d like to get involved with the Art to Inspiration project, you can sign up here.

Mint & Leopard Sandals // Mint Chocolate Chip Cake