tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79521990065076052962024-03-14T04:29:26.103-04:00cityloveallisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.comBlogger247125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-57275809375514900352016-03-09T10:03:00.002-05:002016-03-09T10:03:51.493-05:00the great hair debatei don't know about you, but it's about that time for me. every so often it creeps back up, and now that we are on the cusp of the spring season i find myself here again: to bang or not to bang?<br />
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photos found <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=side%20swept%20blonde%20bangs&rs=typed&0=side%7Ctyped&1=swept%7Ctyped&2=blonde%7Ctyped&3=bangs%7Ctyped" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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why is reese always perfect? i think she is always my hair inspiration. loving the above two photos and considering the side swept bang with slightly more length for my next appointment. also, going to lighten up a bit. it's been an embarrassingly long time since my last appointment, and even then i went to the "dark side". (i say this in quotes because as someone who has been blonde for ever, anything dark feels BLACK.) as we get closer to warmer days, i find myself eager to go blonder. </div>
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do the season changes inspire you to switch things up? are you like me and do you often debate bangs?</div>
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allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-87864870473646993532016-03-04T12:03:00.000-05:002016-03-04T12:03:50.330-05:00friday vibesfriday is just about the best day of the week, isn't it? starting sunday, i start dreaming of what kind of fun and exciting things the coming weekend will bring. this helps to keep the sunday stomach in check, and gives me some motivation to power through the work week.<br />
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i'm lucky in that my job can be pretty flexible, and i often wind up having fridays off (or working from home)... making friday even better! lately, shawn and i have been crossing off restaurants from our foodie bucket list and tonight we continue with a little italian byob nearby. it is kind of funny the way our tastes have changed as we have gotten older. i can remember a time when going to a byob seemed completely boring and uninteresting... especially on a friday after working all week, we felt we needed someone to make our drinks in order to truly kick start the weekend.<br />
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now, i am especially excited to try out a new (byob) spot, imagining it to be small, dimly lit, and a bit romantic. shawn and i are at an exciting point in our relationship and marriage. kind of on the threshold of starting a family and soaking up every second of our lives as they are, just the two of us (plus Daisy!)... i have an appreciation for the small, quiet moments at home, the spur of the moment happy hour/brunch/dinner dates, or cozying up on the couch and bingeing on netflix. life isn't perfect, and we don't know what will come for us, but i can honestly say i am happy and content to be where i am right now.<br />
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i hope your friday sets your weekend off right. what will you be up to?<br />
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43487952628496051/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo source</span></a></div>
<br />allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-37904998762354918882015-10-13T09:20:00.000-04:002015-10-13T09:21:10.519-04:00hi, it's so nice to meet you!I always love when other bloggers post q & a/getting to know you posts, and thought I'd do one of my own!<br />
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1. Where were you born? Philadelphia, Pa<br />
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2. What is your eye color? Green<br />
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3. Where is your favorite vacation? ARUBA<br />
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4. What is your favorite movie? The Holiday (Hey, Jude)<br />
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5. Favorite food? This is seriously a toughie because I LOVE ALL the food!! Top picks: Seafood (lobster, shrimp, crab, clams), Sushi, really good salads<br />
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6. Where would you like to visit? Portland, Maine and St. Lucia are at the top of the list currently<br />
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7. Guilty Pleasure? Definitely my obsession with Bravo reality TV, right now Ladies of London to be exact ;) and wine, love my wine!<br />
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8. I'm happiest when I am at: the beach<br />
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9. My favorite piece of jewelry is: my wedding rings<br />
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10. Drink of choice? depends on the time ;) I love my two cups of coffee each morning, but when happy hour hits my go-to is a crisp sauvignon blanc, or a dirty martini with really good olives<br />
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11. Favorite flower? anemone (white with black center) and ranunculus<br />
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12. Weekend hotspot? love my weekly wegmans & costco runs ;) followed by a date night. lately, been loving our date nights at home watching back to back episodes of homeland<br />
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13. How do you relax? a day at the beach is preferred, but not always possible! I love to curl up at home in a bed of blankets with my husband and Daisy girl<br />
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14. Favorite season? As much as I love the sun and sea, fall just must be the best time of the year<br />
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15. Can't live without? mascara, nude lipstick, cuyana tote, and of course my family<br />
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16. Celebrity Crush? Based on looks? George Clooney, Daniel Craig (hello james bond), Ryan Gosling.... Based on personality? Jimmy Fallon, Andy Samberg - they make me laugh :)<br />
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17. Girl Crush: Blake Lively, Joanna Gaines<br />
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18. Dream job: Shawn and I would love to have a small farm with goats, sheep, chickens, and lots of dogs! To bring home the bacon, we want to own a small coffee shop where Shawn brews the java and I bake the sweets :)<br />
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19. My passions: running, reading, shopping, trying new recipes, and spending time with my family<br />
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20. Looking forward to: holidays with my family!<br />
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<br />allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-68690987419653962592015-09-15T11:06:00.001-04:002015-09-15T11:06:44.110-04:003 yearsyesterday, shawn and i celebrated our third wedding anniversary! sometimes it feels like we've been together forever, and there are days where i just cannot believe our special day was three YEARS ago. in keeping with our "year of us!" theme, we planned an extended weekend trip visit boston, a city neither of us had been to before. the weather was a perfect, crisp 68 degrees, and i was thankful that i packed mostly long sleeves, jeans, and a scarf...and, of course, a comfortable pair of shoes! we packed in our three days there with lots to do. but, i already want to go back. boston is such a gorgeous, clean, historic city. i could absolutely imagine living there (and may, or may not, have pretended that we did ;) )....now, on to some(lots of) photos!<br />
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we stayed at the copley square hotel, which is one of the nicest hotels i have ever stayed in! the bed, was honestly a dream! so, so comfy! the shopping near the hotel was unbelievable! everything from outdoor markets to high end stores - this area has it all. also to note, the public transportation is super easy to navigate and very reasonable. we parked our car friday when we arrived and didn't move it until we left on sunday.<br />
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day one - we ventured around the hotel area, shopping the local markets and along newbury street. we had lunch at an irish pub, which was delicious. later we took the subway to cambridge, where we took our own little bar tour, and had the best lobster rolls at the bostonia. at our first pub, we watched boston police officers parade through town playing bag pipes to pay a tribute to 9/11. i had chills the whole time! cambridge is where we ventured through quincy market, fanueli hall, and along the harbor. this was our favorite part of the visit! we loved it so much that we came back on sunday before heading home :)<br />
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day two - we discovered the cutest coffee shop called "the thinking cup" near our hotel. we loved it so much that we made a couple visits throughout our stay :) on this day, we toured harvard. harvard is gorgeous! i think we both expected it to be somewhat of a college town, or have a college/party feel.... but let's be honest. these people are serious about their studies! we had lunch (lobster rolls! ha) in an adorable beer garden, then walked about for hours admiring the town. again, lots of cute outdoor markets and shopping. we stopped for a coffee and listened to some live music before heading back to our hotel for complimentary wine during happy hour:) to be honest, i needed a bit of a cat nap before our dinner reservations, so we added that to the agenda! then, it was off to my favorite restaurant of the trip: the wink & nod. we so enjoyed our walk to this restaurant, which took us through a more residential area of the city. streets were lined with gorgeous brownstones, and cobblestone streets, and i, again, was imagining/pretending to live there. we arrived at our destination to find a well dressed man guarding the door. after a wink & a nod ;), he allowed us in and we walked downstairs to find a lounge-y/sexy ambience. this restaurant changes chefs every 6 months, and is known for its clever cocktails. during our visit, the menu took nods from the areas of the phillipines, japan, and bangkok. we shared several items and even a cocktail... i'm still dreaming of it!<br />
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day three - we decided that one trip to cambridge wasn't enough, so after packing up, we jumped back on the subway for one last taste of our favorite town. we picked up some goodies from the indoor market (cider donuts, homemade jams, and syrup!), had one more lobster roll for good measure, and a mimosa from, where else, Cheers!<br />
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shawn and i agreed that this trip was second best only to our honeymoon, which can never be topped. the people were SO nice, the city was SO clean, and the food was SO good. Boston, i love love love you! hoping to find ourselves in your presence again one day :)allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-29642389858060029802015-07-13T12:37:00.001-04:002015-07-13T12:37:59.353-04:00the beach fixes everything...in my previous life i must have been a creature that lived by the beach because i sure do long to be there every moment of every day! we have been lucky to have the chance to sneak away again this summer as my aunt has a house in beach haven, lbi. shawn and i snuck away for an extended weekend away and my soul and heart are full! (though i cannot wait to be back there this weekend) i'm fairly certain that i could live at the beach year round, scooping ice cream or being a barista... i don't care, just get me closer to that sand and sun! my mornings consisted of long runs scoping out my dream houses (obsessed with charming beach cottages), yummy coffee, and walking Daisy along the beach. days were spent soaking up the sun and reading good books. and evenings were devoted to a cocktail (or 2!), fresh, unbelievable seafood, and a bike ride to watch the sunset.<br />
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is it friday yet??allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-36313494812781058792015-05-20T09:20:00.001-04:002015-05-20T09:20:28.686-04:00a girls weekendabout 6 years ago my mom began telling me about plans for a girls trip that included some of her cousins and their daughters. many of these women i had never met before and, i admit, at first i was not fully into it. she explained that we would meet at the half way point, an old farm house surrounded by sheep in the middle of pennsylvania. i didn't know at the time that this trip would begin a tradition of yearly "lamb camp" getaways that have created memories and priceless lasting relationships. we made our trek to bedford, pa about a week and a half ago for lamb camp 2015, and i am still having some withdrawal after a wonderful 4 days with some amazing women. the weather could not have been more perfect and, because it is the heart of lambing season, there were plenty of babies to snap photos of. if only we were allowed to hold them!!<div>
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until next time, lamb camp!</div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-91900558687387320762015-04-15T08:48:00.000-04:002015-04-15T08:48:04.043-04:00window boxesspring is officially here! my heart is so happy knowing that the temps are rising, the days are getting longer, and the world outside is getting brighter & greener each day. this weekend i have grand plans of planting our garden and putting together our window boxes. when we first moved in last june, the very first thing i did to make the house our home was add window boxes out front. i'm so excited to fill the boxes with flowers and greens again. below are some of my inspirations...<br />
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<a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20694322_21313504,00.html" target="_blank">source</a></div>
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last year i used sweet potato vines and plan to get them again this year. i love how full they become, and especially love how they cascade down the front of the house by the end of summer.</div>
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<a href="http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/the-window-box-a-hybrid-vehicle/" target="_blank">source</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/the-window-box-a-hybrid-vehicle/" target="_blank">source</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/green-schemes/" target="_blank">source</a></div>
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{something about all shades of green}</div>
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<a href="http://hueandeye.blogspot.com/2011/08/window-boxes.html" target="_blank">source</a></div>
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<a href="http://thegardenaesthetic.tumblr.com/image/19546505500" target="_blank">source</a></div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-56888107607039782422015-04-06T09:00:00.000-04:002015-04-06T09:00:50.105-04:00chocolate chip cakegood monday morning... but is monday morning ever really good? anyway...our weekend was relaxing and busy all at the same time. we had some family visiting from out of town and i feel like it made our easter holiday even more special. this year, i made sautéed green beans and a chocolate chip cake. i've made the cake several times before and it is always a hit, so i wanted to share this recipe. it's fairly simple, and doesn't require too many ingredients. (i received this recipe from a family friend at my wedding shower) enjoy!<div>
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Chocolate Chip Cake</div>
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1 cup of room temperature butter</div>
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1 cup of sugar</div>
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1 cup of light brown sugar</div>
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1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract</div>
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Mix above until light and fluffy</div>
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Add 3 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg</div>
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In a separate bowl combine:</div>
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3 cups of flour</div>
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2 teaspoons of baking powder</div>
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1/2 teaspoon of salt</div>
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Add the dry ingredients to the creamy mixture a little bit at a time, alternately with 1 cup of milk. Mix well. Stir in 1 bag of semi-sweet MINI chocolate chips</div>
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Place batter into a well greased and floured tube or bundt pan</div>
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Bake in 350 degree pre-heated oven for about 45-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean</div>
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When cool, dust with powdered sugar, and enjoy!</div>
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please excuse my amateur food photography :)</div>
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have a great day!</div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-85873956935701324562015-03-31T11:14:00.000-04:002015-03-31T11:14:12.540-04:00a sweet escapelate last night shawn and i arrived home from a few days away in florida. we spent most of our days with my in laws in boynton beach, but the main reason behind the visit was to attend a wedding in Islamorada, one of the gorgeous Florida Keys. we try to escape to florida once or twice a year, and my in laws try to make it up here at least once, but the goodbyes never get easier and we always leave teary eyed!<br />
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this visit was an especially fun one, though, and i am still laughing at some of the adventures we found ourselves in the midst of! particularly, friday when we set our for an early morning kayak and found ourselves caught in a thunderstorm. i didn't want to show it, but i'm pretty sure my life did flash before my eyes! thankfully, we were able to find shelter under a bridge and wait out the storm. afterwards, the sky was bright and sunny, and we had a delicious outdoor lunch of fresh seafood and pina coladas..YUM!<br />
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many days were spent relaxing by the pool with a book in hand. i have to say, this was the best time of year to visit south florida because the temperatures stayed in the 60s-70s, a welcomed change from our start of spring 40s-50s.<br />
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i hope you enjoy a glimpse of our trip! . . .<br />
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now it's back to the real world...already day dreaming of our next vacation... :)<br />
<br />allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-85764850177118820412015-03-23T09:17:00.000-04:002015-03-23T09:17:01.480-04:00she's back...every once in a while, i get to missing this little old blog and the desire strikes to sit down and have at it like old times.<br />
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so, here goes....<br />
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i guess you could say i was getting a bit bored and running out of things to say or felt like my life was not interesting enough to keep reporting back here. so i took some time away (but still continued to read my blog list daily, duh!) not quite sure what it is that is bringing me back here on this day, but it just felt right i suppose! i don't plan to keep any sort of schedule to my posting, other than when the mood strikes...or else i may disappear for a year and a half again ;)<br />
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what have i been up to? well, it seems like a lot and then not a lot at all, all at the same time. the biggest highlights are probably the purchase of our first home (!!!) and the addition of Daisy, our perfect and very active little fur baby.<br />
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other than those two things, life has been busy and happy as we try to balance work life and our desire to stay home with D and complete DIY projects/drink wine and make new recipes ;)<br />
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in other news, 2015 has been off to a wonderful start. shawn and i have made a promise to ourselves that we celebrate this year and make it "our year" . . . we both turned the big 3-0 in december. i may or may not have had a minor anxiety attack over what "30" sounds like vs. what i feel like, if that makes sense? 30 sounds like adult and mature and major life decisions and, dare i even say it, OLD?!? but i feel like that 25 year old that still wants to go to happy hour and sleep in and pretend that i didn't just hit "start" on the dryer for the third time just to avoid folding the laundry.<br />
and then, on the morning of december 19th, i woke up feeling so grateful & excited to be living this life that shawn and i have created. and all those worries seemed so silly.<br />
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fast forward to december 31st, new years eve and also shawn's 30th birthday. and as the clock struck 12, shawn whispered to me, <i>"this will be our best year yet!" </i>and i don't know how he knew, but he knows these sort of things. (that last time he said that was 2012, our wedding year and also the year i landed my dream job).<br />
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a few days later, shawn begin a lengthy interview process (that lasted over a month and a half!) of which eventually he accepted a job offer! he starts that job (his dream job, his big time job!) today!!!!<br />
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shawn and i have always lived with the perspective of dreaming big, praying hard, and always ALWAYS staying positive. while it's not easy, this has helped us through some of our toughest times. with that sentiment in mind, we are living our 2015 to make it our year.<br />
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and with that, i'm off to start my to-do list before leaving for work this afternoon..<br />
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have a wonderful day, xoallisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-58810303357960085282013-10-15T09:27:00.002-04:002013-10-15T09:27:55.021-04:00weekend get-awaythis weekend, my husband and i are heading to vermont for a long weekend away visiting a friend. i have never been to vermont, but in my mind i imagine this weekend to be filled with warm, cozy sweaters, scarves + boots, hiking & taking in amazing views, apple picking, and lots of good food, drinks, and conversation. have you been to vermont? our friend lives 5 minutes from burlington; if you have any recommendations please let me know!<br />
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my mood board for vt:<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">images via <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=vermont%20hike" target="_blank">pinterest</a></span></div>
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will also be bring home lots & lots of maple treats :)<br />
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<br />allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-34035317580970283012013-09-22T22:45:00.000-04:002013-09-22T22:51:49.249-04:00our 1st anniversarylast week, on september 14th, shawn and i celebrated our first anniversary! we planned a short getaway to florida to visit with my in-laws and get some sun. it was the perfect way to see our family that we haven't seen since the wedding one whole year ago. we soaked up every second of the family time and left with full hearts and tears in our eyes. goodbyes are so hard and this trip was especially meaningful. here's a peek into our little anniversary getaway...<br />
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this weekend, my mom had us over for dinner to continue the anniversary celebrations and to indulge in the top of our wedding cake. i have to say we didn't have high expectations, but it did not disappoint! it was still as good as we remembered it from our special day!</div>
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***</div>
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i cannot believe this photo is from one whole year ago. <br />
that day will forever be the best & happiest day of my life. one year down, one million bazillion to go!<br />
<br />allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-16561026551298039762013-09-03T11:27:00.000-04:002013-09-03T11:27:45.457-04:00in the kitchenlately i have really been into making special meals at home and trying out new recipes. shawn and i have loved cooking together and rating whether or not our creations are "restaurant worthy"...<br />
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this weekend i selected a recipe from one of our "newly wed" cookbooks and put it to the test. the result was too fabulous not to share. <br />
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Creamy Langoustine Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce</div>
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recipe from: <a href="http://www.rakuten.com/prod/the-newlywed-kitchen/212315632.html?listingId=-1&s_kwcid=" target="_blank">The Newly Wed Kitchen</a> by Lorna Yee & Ali Basye</div>
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<i>you will need:</i><br />
2 tablespoons unsalted butter<br />
1/2 cup (about 2 medium) finely diced shallots<br />
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped<br />
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano<br />
one 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes<br />
pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)<br />
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt<br />
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes<br />
3 tablespoons dry white wine<br />
1/ 4 heavy cream<br />
1/2 pound langoustine tails or shrimp, peeled and deveined, defrosted if frozen<br />
1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly torn (optional)<br />
1/2 pound pasta, cooked and drained<br />
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<i>you will need to:</i><br />
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots and sauté for 7 to 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Add the garlic, oregano, canned tomatoes, red peppers flakes, salt and pepper. Then add the cherry tomatoes, wine, and heavy cream. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the sauce for 5 - 6 minutes, until it reduces and thickens slightly.<br />
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2. Add the langoustine tails (or shrimp) and cook for 2 - 3 minutes, until warmed through. (if you are using fresh, uncooked fish, cook an extra 2 minutes). Add the basil, then add the cooked pasta, mixing thoroughly to coat with the sauce, and serve.<br />
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<i>our adaptations:</i><br />
I used whole wheat linguine and fat free half and half to make our meal <i>slightly</i> less caloric haha. I also used fresh shrimp because that was what I had access to. The verdict was still absolutely restaurant quality & we are looking forward to making this amazing meal again. It could not have been easier and really only took about 20 minutes to prepare. <br />
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i recommend pairing it with your favorite wine and topping it off with a piece of chocolate :)</div>
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enjoy! xxoo<br />
<br />allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-76399589298709880672013-08-28T09:54:00.003-04:002013-08-28T09:54:57.301-04:00pushing through the funkafter the wedding, i admittedly put working out on the back burner. i had that frame of mind that it was more important to spend quality time with my husband than spending time in the gym.... silly, i know! and while it is most definitely important to spend time with your husband, it is all about balancing time and setting priorities. <br />
recently i have been trying to incorporate workouts (specifically running) back into my daily routine. I've been waking up earlier and hitting the pavement..and thinking to myself, why did i waste almost a whole summer of not taking advantage of the awesome trails and scenery in my neighborhood? it's been a rude awakening to see that my times and endurance have obviously taken a hit with my time away from running, but i am really excited to get back at it- and! - with some new goals in mind ;)<br />
thought i would share of my recent inspirations for anyone who is also looking to be inspired...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVX-7R1A0lo/Uh4AcCz_L-I/AAAAAAAADV4/ni_smZNXW5Y/s1600/runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVX-7R1A0lo/Uh4AcCz_L-I/AAAAAAAADV4/ni_smZNXW5Y/s1600/runner.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>all photos via <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">pinterest</a></i></span></div>
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tell me, where do you find your inspirations for working out?</div>
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xxoo</div>
<br />allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-5088621898977256302013-08-21T09:43:00.000-04:002013-08-21T09:43:30.590-04:00soaking up summeri know i am not alone when i say i am feeling slightly heavy hearted about it being late august. summer fills me with happiness - and there is something about the gorgeous weather and happy sunshine that just makes me want to be a little more adventurous. as much as i lovelovelove fall, i am not ready to say goodbye to summer. i thought i would create an end of summer bucket list to help <i>soak up </i>every last second of this sweet summertime...<br />
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1. {wine tasting} </div>
i have always, always wanted to do a wine tasting and think that a late summer winery tour would be a perfect time to do it! i also think it would be so fun to host a wine tasting where each guest brings their favorite bottle of wine for sharing..<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j56ZMWFtofc/UhTDWZAqCFI/AAAAAAAADUA/Mqw9t_-gz-w/s1600/winery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j56ZMWFtofc/UhTDWZAqCFI/AAAAAAAADUA/Mqw9t_-gz-w/s640/winery.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=winery" target="_blank">source</a> for photo</span></i></div>
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2. {boat}</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">self.explanatory. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-eVARCZf94/UhNvJZyyMyI/AAAAAAAADTU/0ahnqhPTTZw/s1600/boating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-eVARCZf94/UhNvJZyyMyI/AAAAAAAADTU/0ahnqhPTTZw/s400/boating.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kn4o82ujx8I/UhNvJc-xfXI/AAAAAAAADTY/lnCN3YxNSs0/s1600/boatingblonde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kn4o82ujx8I/UhNvJc-xfXI/AAAAAAAADTY/lnCN3YxNSs0/s400/boatingblonde.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=boating%20" target="_blank">source</a> for photos</span></i></div>
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3. {pack a picnic}</div>
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as long as we have lived here (almost 4 years!) i have wanted to pack a picnic and enjoy an afternoon along kelly drive (location for <a href="http://a-citylove.blogspot.com/2011/10/sneak-peak.html" target="_blank">our engagement photos</a>). this will probably have to wait until temps cool down a bit. but how fun would it be to pack some good wine, a good book, some good food, and a cute boy & cozy down along the river for a few hours?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-t6_xwJqrQ/UhTASuTSkjI/AAAAAAAADTs/eqJuAqnuFeg/s1600/kelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-t6_xwJqrQ/UhTASuTSkjI/AAAAAAAADTs/eqJuAqnuFeg/s640/kelly.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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4. {just beachy}</div>
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spend as much time at the beach as possible and soak up as much sun as i can. i could lay on a beach all day if you let me.. the beach is a little slice of heaven as far as i am concerned and i can never get enough. shawn and i have been making day trips to our favorite spot in LBI (beach haven) throughout the summer and every time we pack up to head home, i feel sad to have to say goodbye. i'm hoping we can squeeze in a little weekend getaway towards the end of the summer when the crowds head home to go back to school ;)</div>
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what are you doing to soak up every last drop of summer?</div>
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xxoo</div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-38912440790969604952013-08-16T09:27:00.000-04:002013-08-16T09:27:38.544-04:00oh...hi...it's me againi don't know where to begin <i>SO </i>i will just say that life has been B U S Y... and i have been just enjoying the ride! it's been a while since i have blogged and i can honestly say that i have missed it! what started out as "bloggers block" then turned into hesitation (or, laziness)....etc.... but there has been more than one occasion when i have thought to myself, "ok, time to get back to it".... and then, again, hesitated for some reason or another. <br />
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anyway, let's briefly sum up what has been going on around these parts for the past few months:<br />
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lots of date nights</div>
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(my favorite thing ever) </div>
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+</div>
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a few day trips to the beach </div>
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(another one of my favorite things ever) </div>
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+ </div>
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trying new recipes </div>
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+ </div>
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trips to NYC </div>
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+ </div>
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my new bike!</div>
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i'm off to enjoy a three day weekend & i hope you enjoy yours as well!<br />
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xxooallisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-51233094673562414892013-02-28T10:11:00.000-05:002013-02-28T10:11:00.190-05:00i've been mia + spring feverthings have been b.u.s.y. over here! ive been working long hours and any free time has been spent on the couch with my husband (...or catching up on reality tv! what can i say? i'm a sucker for anything on bravo!)<br />
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but since today is thursday, that means that the weekend starts tomorrow, and i don't know about you but i have been LIVING just for the weekends. so i cannot wait!<br />
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the days have been dreary here lately. but this morning i can see a blue sky and i just may need to pull out my sunnies so that is a plus! i've been dreaming of warm weather & wearing bright colors. here are some pieces that need to be in my closet ..like now...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtvX37BV2XM/US9yaUnxZsI/AAAAAAAADNQ/2iwle1ZtPJ0/s1600/dots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtvX37BV2XM/US9yaUnxZsI/AAAAAAAADNQ/2iwle1ZtPJ0/s400/dots.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a light, polka dot dress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BX4Q_5Qm9RA/US9yalorUpI/AAAAAAAADNU/GaisRGeSdeA/s1600/coral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BX4Q_5Qm9RA/US9yalorUpI/AAAAAAAADNU/GaisRGeSdeA/s400/coral.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bright, coral blouse</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dYvAx7b0MI/US9yaq3FlbI/AAAAAAAADNY/B_nT9UcozZ4/s1600/boyfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dYvAx7b0MI/US9yaq3FlbI/AAAAAAAADNY/B_nT9UcozZ4/s400/boyfriend.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cuffed boyfriend jeans + blazer</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OW_tbNkUujg/US9ybGXf7NI/AAAAAAAADNg/_LsRvtx5wUU/s1600/flats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OW_tbNkUujg/US9ybGXf7NI/AAAAAAAADNg/_LsRvtx5wUU/s400/flats.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pointed, leopard flats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRxSQcSsDU8/US9ybD6qP4I/AAAAAAAADNk/fQavahJoduw/s1600/mint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRxSQcSsDU8/US9ybD6qP4I/AAAAAAAADNk/fQavahJoduw/s400/mint.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mint skinnies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbu6qixrtNM/US9ybOvRA2I/AAAAAAAADNo/SaJx9HMvyQc/s1600/lavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbu6qixrtNM/US9ybOvRA2I/AAAAAAAADNo/SaJx9HMvyQc/s400/lavender.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lavender skinnies</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75uzr1nXfpE/US9ybr9QnfI/AAAAAAAADNw/sg-ok9c7Xjk/s1600/white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75uzr1nXfpE/US9ybr9QnfI/AAAAAAAADNw/sg-ok9c7Xjk/s400/white.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all white ensemble</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcJ-gKRk540/US9ybi8apWI/AAAAAAAADN0/F24wCdpE2C4/s1600/stripes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcJ-gKRk540/US9ybi8apWI/AAAAAAAADN0/F24wCdpE2C4/s400/stripes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">striped blouse</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">all photos: <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">source</a></span></i></div>
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what are you dreaming of for spring?</div>
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xo</div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-76499725622977278642013-02-14T10:21:00.001-05:002013-02-14T10:21:54.644-05:00to my valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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my handsome guy! i love being your mrs. .... happy valentine's day to my best friend, my happy maker, my heart, my husband, & my forever valentine!</div>
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xoxo!</div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-66385957469482881152013-02-12T11:27:00.000-05:002013-02-12T11:27:01.033-05:00thoughts on lovevalentine's day is this thursday (duh!) and i couldn't be more excited. i love <span style="color: #c27ba0;">love</span>. and i love that there is a whole day dedicated to showing your love. i think that people get busy, the to-do list builds up, and sometimes there really just isn't enough hours in the day. so when valentine's day rolls around each year, it is the perfect excuse to throw the "busy" things to the side and appreciate the one you love! <div>
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shawn and i always have an at home date night to celebrate v-day. we grab a bottle of champagne and try a new recipe for dinner & dessert, too! i absolutely love putting on some good music, sipping on something yummy, and attempting to tackle a new recipe with my husband! i can't wait!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=valetine" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></i></a></td></tr>
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<br />happy valentine's .... enjoy!<div>
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xxoo!<br /><div>
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allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-86931072370050288562013-02-05T09:16:00.001-05:002013-02-05T09:16:45.848-05:00pantonepantone hit it right on the money with emerald for 2013. this color is just gorgeous! <div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8X3PloSvyU4/URETnuubaAI/AAAAAAAADIs/tdbI5WKiBao/s1600/emerald4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8X3PloSvyU4/URETnuubaAI/AAAAAAAADIs/tdbI5WKiBao/s400/emerald4.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all photos: <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=emerald" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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i now want emerald strappy heels, an emerald ornate front door, emerald lace pants, etc., etc., etc. ..</div>
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xoxo</div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-87147781009874223832013-01-31T10:57:00.002-05:002013-01-31T10:57:52.910-05:00today's daydream...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187814246930447326/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>source</i></span></a></div>
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i always find that right around this time of year is when i realllllllly get into day dreaming about vacations. i am craving warm temperatures, sunshine on my skin, lazy days, naps, and disconnecting for a little while....<br />
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meanwhile, the winds have been howling here since last night and you can feel the cold in your bones. so, i'll keep on dreaming....<br />
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what are you daydreaming about today?<br />
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xxooallisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-35665718892398104592013-01-29T08:00:00.000-05:002013-01-29T08:34:10.080-05:00if i were to do it again...i'm still wedding as wedding obsessed as i was before becoming a mrs. i still subscribe to style me pretty and admire just about every wedding they post. so, last week i saw <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/gallery/11169" target="_blank">this</a> wedding and i thought to myself, if i could have a dress re-do this would be it. i showed shawn, and he to liked it... or he just nodded in agreement to appease me! (probably more like it, ha!)<div>
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all photos: <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/gallery/11169" target="_blank">source</a></div>
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quite different from my actual wedding dress, i love the flowy-ness, the sheer fabric across the chest, the bow detail, and just the right amount of poof. soooo dreamy! do you want a dress re-do?</div>
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xxoo</div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-80550569580025719722013-01-28T10:21:00.000-05:002013-01-28T10:21:08.854-05:00lovely little weekendthis past weekend was the perfect no plans, spur of the moment fun, last minute ideas kind of weekend. it started off on friday with a last minute hair appointment. i received an email late thursday stating that my salon had last minute appointments to fill on friday at 50% off! for real?! i was so excited to scoop up a late friday afternoon appointment to get my blonde brightened and a little trim. friday evening was spent sipping on some drinks with my husband as we "day dreamed" and house hunted online in some of the nicest areas of the city that we will actually never really live haha... it was the perfect friday evening!<br />
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saturday morning we woke up with no plans so we decided to head into the city for the day for lunch and some shopping.<br />
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shawn is a beer connoisseur and has been wanting to try out the Belgium Cafe in the art museum area for some time now. we have tried their sister restaurant, Monk's, in the past. both restaurants have extensive beer lists, and are known for their mussels. we had so much fun! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shawn's burger & fries. i always, always, always have to have a bite of his food. i typically am NOT a burger kind of girl, but this one was delish! if we go back, i might possibly consider ordering one.... ;) no fries and hold the bun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my chicken salad- good but a little too rich for my liking. it had apples and grapes which i loved.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how cute is this guy?! i fell in love with him immediately!</td></tr>
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after lunch i made a few purchases at anthropologie, h&m, and urban outfitters. i just have to share this adorable ring dish from anthro..<br />
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and then on sunday we had a little starbucks date followed by seeing zero dark thirty. the movie was so, so good and i definitely recommend it. jessica chastain is quickly becoming a new favorite for me. (and did you see her last night at the SAG awards? perfect!)<br />
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i loved that this weekend was full of daytime dates and spent with my very best friend! i hope your weekend was fabulous! <br />
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xxooallisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-39696124531556531892013-01-25T08:01:00.000-05:002013-01-25T08:01:06.880-05:00friday thingshappy friday, friends! i am happy to say that this week flew by! temperatures have been frigid here in philly lately, and this weekend will be no different. there are flurries in the forecast, so i am looking forward to cuddling up and staying warm. no plans in the books except for a much needed hair appointment. (getting this yellow blonde <yuck!> back to blonde blonde!)<br />
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have a fabulous weekend!<br />
xxoo!<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=cuddle" target="_blank">photo source</a>allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952199006507605296.post-73938415312155333402013-01-21T20:29:00.003-05:002013-01-21T20:29:32.978-05:00our weekendthis weekend we packed up our bags and trekked up to raystown to stay with college friends in the mountains. it was so great to catch up with girlfriends, play apples to apples, snuggle by the cozy fire, and sip on yummy drinks! nothing beats quality girl time! also, i may or may not have thoroughly enjoyed learning to shoot a bb gun ;)<div>
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i hope you had a fabulous weekend! </div>
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xxoo!</div>
allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705812414864366084noreply@blogger.com1