scenes from (last) weekend

I know it's already, er, Thursday but I had such a fun weekend in Alabama last weekend that I wanted to share. I spent a short weekend in Birmingham that might as well have been a weekend during my college days in Auburn. I stayed with the new Mrs. Eads, and practically everywhere we went, we ran into old friends. It was so refreshing to see familiar faces out and about and catch up with friends I haven't seen in years (yes, years?!). That's a much less frequent occurrence in my days in the Big Apple. Birmingham is no small town, but it sure did feel that way. I miss that.

L to R clockwise: [1] Shindigs, the hip new Birmingham food truck [2] Frank, AKC's pet fish [3] Harrison, aka: Harry-dog, Rose's little sidekick [4] Evidence that there's a Big Blue Bagel in Birmingham now

it's the sparkle

...that gets me every time. How can you see these lights shine and not be dazzled!? Earlier this week my roommates and I ventured to Times Square to see a movie, and I took this photo as I was walking into the movie theater. However, as much as I'm in awe of these flashing, sparkling lights, I'm reminded that everything that glitters isn't always gold. Or, at least not pure gold...

today's post on 843 acres

I was given the opportunity to guest post this morning on The Park Forum's 843 Acres morning devotional blog. I wrote a quick reflection on Psalm 20:7 in light Ms. Helen Gurley Brown, longtime editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, passing away this week (see her obituary here).

If you want, you can see this morning's devotional here: The Future: Desires of the Heavenly Kind

[photo credit: NYT]

tomozzacado.

I made up that name, just now. Because, in a mad dash to think of something quick and easy to eat last night, I made up this sandwich. After a quick trip to the grocery store and after throwing together some items in my fridge that I already had, I came up with this delicious, better-than-I-was-expecting combo. If you want to recreate it, it's so simple:

• french baguette slices
• sliced roma tomatoes
• a tiny sprinkle of salt on the tomatoes
• sliced avocados
• whole milk mozzarella cheese
• a dash of pepper on top
• a light drizzle of olive oil, to top it off

Tomozzacado, it really is the perfect summer sandwich. Enjoy!

a thursday night dinner party

Despite three blown fuses that resulted in three entire-apartment power outages, I would say our 9A dinner party was a fun time anyway. We pulled out the Girls Night Out "questions to start great conversations" cards and they did not disappoint. After two rounds of questions, dinner and dessert and one last power outage, we called it a night. I'm ready for the next one, already!

cutest hair I ever did see.

I challenge you to tell me any hair you've ever seen that's cuter than my niece's is here in this picture. Add the cute hair to the adorably cute face, and I practically swoon every time I look at her!

 I'm dying to try this out for myself...I'm taking fashion tips from my 11 year old niece, now. Yep.

a true classic

I always love a modern representation on a classic piece of art.

[I snapped this picture from the High Line somewhere between 25th - 30th Streets]

USApride

I'm an emotional mess - trying not to sob in front of my 3 roommates - watching the Women's Gymnastics team win the Gold and the Men's Swimming relay win the Gold - putting Michael Phelps as the most decorated Olympian in history - and I can't quite get myself together. I am so proud of our Team USA! What practice, dedication, and heart this takes. Ahh, so, so very proud.

Practically beside myself, sitting here witnessing so much history...

[photos from here.]

in light of the Olympics, I agree.

pop of color

grey, white, blah. but, I love a pop of color!

i'm so excited.

The summer Olympics are finally here again! And the New York Times is offering daily morning delivery updates delivered straight to my inbox. Ahhh. And, currently I'm watching Michael Phelps swim in the 400M IM. It really doesn't get much better than this. I have a feeling I'm going to have plenty to keep me busy in the next couple of weeks. Go team USA!

#roommates #birthdays

Birthdays are always fun to celebrate, but there's something extra special about celebrating a roommate's birthday. Last weekend my roommates and I got to celebrate together for Bethany's birthday. It was on a beautiful rooftop on the Upper East Side with a black & white theme. Everyone, except the guests of honor, wore black and white. And we got our first roommate picture! Still so excited and thankful to live with these girls. I hope someone has another birthday soon...

take me back.

dreaming & wishing I was here again today.

philharmonic in the park

I'm up way past my bedtime for this post, but for very good reason. Every summer, the NYC Philharmonic does a free (yes, completely free) concert in Great Lawn of Central Park. And to make things even better, at the end of the concert they shoot off the most amazing fireworks. I'm here to tell you: it is one of the best things New York City has to offer. Believe me.

homemade photo booth

I am really, really into photo booths these days. They are just so darn fun, I'm not sure how anyone couldn't be into them. I made a homemade "photo booth" for the kiddos at VBS last week, and - as I suspected - I'm pretty sure I had 10x more fun than they did. Some were excited, some appeased me and at least had their photo made, and some were just short of screaming bloodymurder. But as you can see, we adults had a great time! Thanks for all the help (ahem, Maggie, Maggie and Bethany) for making this day run semi-smoothly.

middlebury

During my weekend trip to Vermont a couple weekends ago, B made a quick stop at his college alma mater, Middlebury, to show me around. I'm excited to get my pictures together to show the true beauty of the campus, but for now: check out this waterfall. Right beside campus. I'm an Auburn girl thru-and-thru (and made only a few number of comparisons between the two while I was at Middlebury), but that waterfall is beautiful. And this picture doesn't do it justice. Not at all.

gotta see this.

Tom Fruin's WATERTOWER

by day.

by night.

LA, thanks for alerting me to this beautiful obstruction. When can we go?!

hello, ibou

"Hello!" "I love you." 
-Ibou

peace...er, popsicle sticks

Well, no peace around here this week! Just lots and lots (and lots...) of popsicle sticks. It's VBS week at Redeemer and I eagerly agreed to organize the crafts for all 150 kids. Gasp, I didn't know it was quite 150 when I signed on the dotted line. Although, today was the first day and it proved to be tons of fun. I'm really excited about Wednesday's craft...probably more excited than the kids will be, in fact. But these popsicle sticks might have something to do with it, if I make it to Wednesday.

happy 4th of july!

[from Main Street Grille in Southold, Long Island]