Graduation Day

Where does the time go? Feels like just yesterday that we packed up our Uhaul and moved from Miami to D.C. so Mark could go back to school. It takes a lot of courage to make such a big change and leave a life so comfortable. I never had a doubt about joining him on this adventure. If he was going, I was going too. I look back at the past nearly two years and feel so proud of all that he has accomplished. Change can be a very scary thing. Resigning from a great job, signing an apartment lease in a new city sight unseen, leaving our best friends and family behind. Tough decisions were made. But in the end I wouldn't change a thing. This has been an incredible journey and I'm so excited for what's coming next.

Monday Music: The Lumineers

Last week we saw The Lumineers play an incredible sold-out show at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. I have to say my favorite moment was when the band left the stage and set-up shop right in front of us to play "Ho Hey." I would have captured video but lead singer Wesley Schultz had a strict no cell phone recording policy that I wasn't about to break. Second favorite moment was when they played this new untitled duet. Warning, this song is really catchy! The band will be back in the D.C. area July 26th to play at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Buy tickets soon before they sell out!

Fall in the Country

I totally crashed a guys trip last weekend, packed up the poodle and tagged along with the fiancé to visit our good friend Andy in Baltimore. We started the trip at a ridiculous BYOB sushi joint in Fells Point called Asahi Sushi. We woke up the next morning, after a lot of sake, and drove about 20 miles outside of the city to the beautiful country. Fall looks completely different in the country - the colors are brilliant! After a gorgeous hike in the woods with the pups, I joined the boys on the golf course to be their cheerleader. Really, I just drove the cart and laughed when one of them chucked the ball in the water, which happened more than a couple times. It was way more entertaining than it sounds. Guess you have to know these guys. Check out the pics below which were all taken with my iPhone! 

Livin' the California Life

About a week or so ago, I hopped a plane from Miami to San Diego with two suitcases filled with clothes and of course, my pup Rusty. You see, one of the benefits of working remotely and having a boyfriend in business school, is that I get to go on adventures like this one. For the next two and a half months, we’ve made San Diego our new home and so far, so good. I told my mom the other day that when you’re outside here, it feels like the AC is on. No humidity, just cool and crisp.  Life is good, no complaints here. I’m just really looking forward to exploring our new city and meeting some new friends along the way. 

Pie Perfection

It's nice to have girlfriends who will share their Sex & the City DVD box set and their key lime pie recipe - all in one night. I'm so proud of our masterpiece, which is even prettier (and tastier in person). We followed this recipe from The Capitol Baker. The hardest part was juicing all the limes because my thumb started going numb from all the pressing and grinding. Everything else was pretty easy, including the homemade whipped cream.

St. Augustine Getaway

Happy New Year! Can't believe how fast 2010 flew by, but I'm excited to see what 2011 has in store. I have two New Year resolutions. One is to become more financially savvy and the other is to take more photos.

I came home yesterday from a week-long holiday vacation in St. Augustine. The quaint beach house we rented with several close friends was just steps away from the sand with a beautiful view of the ocean. The first few days were abnormally cold and in fact, a freeze warning was in effect one night. Once it warmed up, we were able to squeeze in some beach time but very few of us actually braved the icy cold water.

Looking back through my photos, I realized I took more photos of our dogs than of us! Here are a few of my favs.

Mini Roasted Eggplant

Last night I made Mini Roasted Eggplant...without a recipe. This is so not like me! I'm never adventurous or confident enough to experiment in the kitchen, but knew if I stuck to a few basic ingredients I should be in decent shape.

I bought the mini eggplants earlier that day at the Pinecrest Gardens Farmers Market. I think they cost $2.00 for five of them. After washing, de-steming and cutting the eggplants in half, I baked them in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. While they were cooking, I sauteed chopped garlic in olive oil (from Greece) for about five minutes. Once the eggplant was done, I poured the olive oil/garlic on top and sprinkled freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Voila! My Mini Roasted Eggplant was a success and made for a great appetizer before our Italian inspired dinner.

Morning Buzz

On Sunday, I had the girls from Book Club over for Berry Mimosas and Yogurt Parfaits. Healthy and delicious! Our December pick was an oldie but a goodie - Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger (same author as The Devil Wears Prada). Discussing some down and dirty Chick Lit over a morning buzz, always a great way to spend a Sunday.

Art Basel - In the Streets

Thought it would be cool to hit the streets of Wynwood last night to witness the Art Basel craziness first hand. After gorging at Sakaya Kitchen (this place is so good!), we traveled a few blocks south where all the action was happening. Art Basel was in full effect. The galleries were jammed packed, parties on every corner, street art and food galore, and plenty of characters out getting rowdy.