a blissful weekend...

I really hope everyone is enjoying their Mother's Day!  Again, I wish I could be there with my Mom today, but I will see her soon...  Mom, if you're reading this, I hope you're having the best day ever.

This is one Mother's Day I will never forget...because yesterday in Ogunquit, Maine, I got engaged!

It happened on the Marginal Way Walkway and it was magical...

we ended the night in New Hampshire in this fairytale cove...

The first photograph of the lilacs was taken before we started our walk.  Because it had just rained, they smelt incredible and I couldn't help but notice the leaf looked like a heart?  I love it.  Also, the weekend ended perfectly with a trip to several antique shops in the area.

Out of the stacks of books in one store, I was drawn to a 1945 copy of Emily Post's Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage.  The book is torn and weathered and has a section on Engagements.  And as we drove home today, I read out loud in the car the chapter on Engagements...it was a hoot to read!  My how things have changed...I love that first line...FIRST DUTY OF THE ACCEPTED SUITOR.  WOW.  So hilarious!  

To make things even more blissful, a long time friend also got engaged this weekend!  Congrats Lyndsay!

I have to say, I'm just smitten with this man...as my mother would say, he is a keeper.

house on south country road

I'm catching up on my stacks of magazines that I mentioned are taking over my home {by the way, I'm happy to know I'm not the only one}.I know I'm late to the game on this months issue of Elle Decor, but I have to say it was worth the wait to see Michel Botbol's 110-year-old barn/house.  If this hayloft couldn't get any better {hello Hans Wegner vintage chair}, that ladder takes you to a steel walkway that connects to an old water tower intertwined with wisteria.  

Looks magical...Bravo Calvert Wright.   

*top photograph Roger Davies

mother's day brunch.

Last night was a blast!  And right before we left, I found out that my friend Linds would be at the game too, what a nice surprise!  So I'm still in shock that it's MAY already and Mother's Day this weekend!  This year is flying by. I won't be seeing my mom this weekend, but she is coming out to visit in 2 weeks so I will celebrate with her then. Very excited.  Anyway, here are a few sweet spots one could be enjoying a Mother's Day brunch...  

happy weekend & happy mother's day!

*design by Samantha Pynn 

*all photographs Virginia Macdonald

end of the road.

Done with finals and I'm exhausted {hence that ridiculous title}. Anyway, last night my boyfriend suggested I get over to the corner of Exeter and Beacon to see the beautiful flowers blooming through the fence before they disappeared. So why the world was still very quiet this morning, I headed over to check them out.

{they don't photograph that well on my point and shoot, but they were gorgeous}

I couldn't help but notice how quiet it was as I stood there taking these photographs, there seemed to be no cars rushing around and the sidewalks were still empty. I took a quick shot in the middle of what is typically a very busy street, it was a bit of a surreal moment, or absolute delirium due to a few hours of sleep over the past several days...

I've had quite my share of coffee this week, frankly I could go without for weeks, but while it's still exciting, I thought I would mention the french press.  Do you own one of these things? Have I been living under a rock? I just bought one 3 weeks ago and I'm obsessed.  The smell...the process, to say the least I am very into it.  But right when I thought the french press couldn't get any more exciting, Lindsay over at Legal Style posted about the milk frother. 

The milk frother turns ordinary coffee into a cup of fancy taste like I got it at a cafe coffee in one minute flat.  

{also, as you can see I got my bag in the mail yesterday and I adore it}  

Well folks, I'm so so happy this semester is done and I'm off to celebrate tonight over at Fenway Pahk...

*Milk frother can be found here

studying at the charles…

compendium

One of my favorite things ever is to get snail mail from friends.  I have one dear friend that often sends me incredible cards that always make my day. By the way, I cherish my cards so much that I keep all my cards from friends and family in card boxes {organized by year...crazy}.  Probably should purge a few, but that's for another post.  

Anyway, recently she sent me an adorable card made by a positively green company called Compendium.  I had to immediately look them up to see all their goods...  

Wouldn't this sweet journal be perfect for Mother's Day?

and this would be a wonderful gift,

a thoughtful book that has quotes about celebrating each day as a new bloom...

I love these tags...makes studying a bit more fun

and this cute notepad would be perfect for jotting down short lists

and lastly, one of my favorites from their site...

On that note, I hope everyone has a fabulous rest of their week!  I'm outta here until after finals...

Dinnertime: Go-to Meals

I've always enjoyed cooking and try to cook week nights at our house {it doesn't always happen}.  To make things easier when things get busy, I have a few go-to meals.  I learned in my past that you can't control a lot in your life during stressful {finals} times, but you can control what you eat.  

Onto the recipes...

In October of 2008, Real Simple printed these ideas on how to use broccoli.  Since then I've made the broccoli soup and broccoli and chicken dish {both multiple times} and they are scrumptious {and the soup can be made vegan using vegetable broth instead of chicken}.  I've posted a few of their tips below:

• Broccoli almondine: Toss steamed broccoli with butter and fresh lemon juice; sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds. 

• Broccoli salad: Toss cooled steamed broccoli with chickpeas, halved grape tomatoes, crumbled Feta, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.

• Broccoli soup: Sauté chopped onion in olive oil. Add broccoli and enough chicken broth to cover and cook until tender. Puree until smooth.
• Broccoli slaw: Combine chopped raw broccoli and red onion with a dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, and honey. 

• Broccoli pesto: Puree cooled steamed broccoli with garlic, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan, and olive oil. Toss with pasta, spoon over chicken, or use as a dip or a spread.

• Broccoli and chicken: Toss broccoli, bone-in chicken pieces, and whole garlic cloves with olive oil. Roast at 400° F until cooked through, 35 to 45 minutes.

And a meal I make at least once a week is Roasted Chicken Legs with Potatoes and Kale.  It is so easy and beyond quick to whip up {and also good for gluten free diets}.  I'm afraid the photograph doesn't make it look that appetizing, although I promise it is.  I found the recipe a few years back from Food & Wine .  I cut the recipe way down and I prefer to use sweet potatoes instead.  But, this one pan dish can be switched out with whatever you have in the house.  I use broccoli a lot too and find it's just as delicious.

So the Big Question is: What is your go-to meal?  I would love to hear it as I'm always searching for quick delicious recipes for these busy weeks.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds tender, young kale, stems and inner ribs removed
1 1/2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 whole chicken legs (about 10 ounces each)
1 teaspoon paprika
Lemon wedges, for serving

DIRECTIONS

*Preheat the oven to 450°. In a very large roasting pan, toss the kale, potatoes and onion with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and spread in an even layer.

*Set the chicken on a cutting board, skin side down. Slice halfway through the joint between the drumsticks and thighs. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the paprika and set on top of the vegetables.

*Cover the pan with foil. Roast the chicken in the upper third of the oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and roast for 30 minutes longer, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Transfer the chicken to plates and spoon the vegetables alongside. Serve with lemon wedges.