Don't you wanna..

just head to the beach by yourself (and your handsome pup) and sit and relax with your feet in the sand?  Just chilling out and contemplating where your life is headed?  I feel like it's all happening so fast (and sometimes not fast enough).. it's eerie.  My friends and I are all headed in different directions, which is exactly what we're supposed to be doing.. but it's a little surreal.  I'm so proud of all of us for really doing the things in life that will get us to where we need to be in life.  RSJ is her own HR powerhouse in Asheville (which, ahem, is a temporary location missus!) and S$ is doing big things in NYC with social work at Columbia.  When did we get so.. adult?!  

But lately I've been having a strong pull towards heading down to the beach house after my last day of work (and after I've fully moved out of my apartment) and just.. being.  Does that make sense?  I swear I'm usually not this deep in my head (mainly because it's scary to me.. all those.. thoughts! ah! haha), but it'll be good to be a little introspective.

And with these images, I'm having even more of an urge to go as soon as I can.

[Miles of Style]

 [Ringo, have a banana!]

[The Alternative Wife]

Any of y'all heading to the beach this summer?

Octopus Love.

I'm really loving these octopus images.. it's giving me inspiration for a future tattoo.  Idk what it is, but these creatures are fascinating to me.

 [little blue bird studios]

[gimme a high five tumblr]

[octopi love]

Fun facts?  They have amazing eyesight and a really well-developed brain.. which has evolved separately from mammals.  It's the closest to an "alien" life form that has been found.  Also?  3 hearts.  Blah-dow.  There are highly intelligent and interesting animals.. and I could go on for a while.. but I won't bore y'all with my nerdy tendencies. 

Science is awesome.

SFP: Visiting NOLA

I fully expect that when I move to place like New Orleans, I'm going to get a lot of visitors.. and I welcome y'all!  However.  I'm also a student... and with this comes massive amounts of studying. BUT.  The good news is, for a lot of this town, you don't need a tour guide.. especially where I'll be living.  Just grab a beer, and walk around the city while I'm holed up in the library.

But I def won't be studying the whole time.. Tulane's really got this motto down to a science -- "work hard, play hard"... and even the Med School's chaplain gets down.  So here's a basic guide for your visit so you won't be sorry for partying (SFP).

1.  Don't double fist.  Especially when one fist is a hand grenade.

2.  Just say no to any kind of "bombs".  Anything that sounds destructive, will be.  (I should have trusted my gut on this one.)

3.  Be nice to the locals.  And everyone showing you a good time.  You could be this guy.  SFP.

4.  In New Orleans.. sometimes the shots are huge.  But on second thought..  let's stick with beer.  Marathon drinking y'all.. not a sprint.

5.  Speaking from experience, a 6am flight out of NOLA is asking for trouble.  But even if you think you'll be good and come back at "bar close" (which is never, ps) and sleep for a few hours.. always have your bags packed.  Case in point?  3am.  We've come back to drop off some friends, bags packed, and I go out with the gays for some more drinking and shenanigans.  Flight?  6:30am.  Actual time I leave New Orleans?  11am.

 
6.  And finally, get excited, because as soon as you get picked up from the airport.. we're doing this.  (in Louisiana you can drive with an open container.. as long as you're not the driver..  don't worry Mom haha).  Monsoons upon arrival.  (destructive?  of course.)  You can't leave this city without having an amazing time.. and it literally starts upon arrival.

I'm moving in less than a month!  Visitors welcome!

A Memorial Day Picnic!

The boys and I went out to the American Tobacco Trail on Memorial Day.. and it was just the perfect relaxing day.

How cute was this little picnic backpack JP got me for Christmas last year?!  It had everything you need for wine, cheese, and other food.  There's even a cooler in the back.

Here's our spread.

And look at how relaxed Coop is?!  Gah, I love this guy.

Of course there was wine..

I absolutely love the summertime.

The Big Caption.

This project is hilarious to me.  It's called The Big Caption.  And it's making me smile.  Hope y'all are having a great Memorial Day weekend!

Photographer I love: Jo Bradford

I absolutely love her series of 365 ways to say goodbye.  Simply gorgeous. [ flickr.]

New Orleans Cooking Experience: Bourbon Pecan Bread Pudding

Y'all this was really one of the simplest and most delicious things we made in our cooking class.  It's the perfect blow-them-away dish at a party with the lowest amount of stress.  Check it.


Materials:
1 loaf French bread (day old -- usually for cheap at bakeries)
5 eggs
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup roasted pecans
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla
pecans to sprinkle on top


Method:
Tear apart the bread into medium-large pieces.  Mix everything together and pour into a greased pan.  Cook at 350 for 45 min.

Then the finale is adding the bourbon sauce to it.
-1 stick butter
-1 cup brown sugar
-1/4 cup bourbon
Melt it all together over low/med heat and pour over the pudding.  Enjoy!

How amazing does that look?!

Best Breakfast.

I've been eating this for breakfast for the whole week.. and this is honestly one of the first breakfasts that has really held me over until a late lunch without starving.  

So simple:
Whole Wheat English muffin
Reduced Fat Peanut Butter
Bananas

I think I've switched from being a morning cereal girl to this.  Goodbye Frosted Flakes (and a child's breakfast haha).

Summer White.

Lately I've been in love with summer whites.  I never really wear them, because I know me, and I know I'll spill anything not-white that I get my hands on all over myself.  It's just a fact.  But, since I am coming into adulthood.. I need to learn to not do this.  Easier said than done I think.. but I'm willing to give it a try.

I saw this dress.. and fell in love.. and bought it from Ideeli this morning -- Marc New York sale.  It's a summer white, and I adore the style of it.  Whatchy'all think about summer whites this year?  

And now I really want some new sandals to match.. how about these?!  All from Urban.

I wear my heart on my sleeve.

[craftie robot]

EKG of a heartattack [Artologica]

These items are so lovely -- I love the science of medicine as much as the art.. and these combine the two beautifully.  The EKG is even giving me inspiration for my next tattoo even.  I might even keep a journal of my medical journey in that lovely little moleskine... hmm..