Dear Katie,

This week was one of those weeks. You cried at your desk, you only talked to the "have-to's" and only did what was absolutely required to survive this week. No above. No beyond. It was a hard week, no doubt about that, however, Pop is doing better (his color is back, he's making cheesy jokes, and he's in love with his roommate--no seriously, they both tell stupid jokes, whats not to love). Next week's work schedule is looking A LOT easier AND you've made a dent in your Christmas shopping. Things are getting better. Life's rhythm is in the process of saving you. Relax. Breathe. Enjoy your fur babies.Decorate for Christmas. Make bread. Do what you need to do to relax. Cause you deserve it.

XO.

You (or me)

This man is dreamy. I'm so glad that I get to call him 'boyfriend'.

Things That Make Me Go, HA!

Ryan showed me this video this weekend, and it had me laughing for a solid 10 minutes. My favorite quote is "do you have such a lady boner for Mumford and Sons that you need to see them tumbling out of yet another screen?"

When he said "lady boner" I near lost it.  HAHAHAH! I know that this will go down in my personal hall-o-fame....right next to "Smirnoff's Tea Partay", which still cracks me up.

"Where's my WASPs at?"

XO.

The Shipyard

I've always loved photography. I love the way that it captures hidden moments, I love the use of light, texture and composition. I've been actively trying to go on more "photography adventures" and this past summer I did just that in the Norwalk shipyard. I took over 40 pictures but really only liked a few. I hope that some day I'll look through this blog and see the progression of my photography and my "inner creative eye". Here's hoping...

{I love the texture and color of the rust}

My Contribution

Feel free to call me a nerd, but I love taking pictures of my culinary creations. For example, here are my Thanksgiving contributions: a hearty salad and the herbed pinwheels I mentioned last week. I woke up early to make these suckers, and just love the way they looked when finished. I mean, look at them. If you're not salivating, somethings wrong with you.

{salads always look so refreshing to me...}

{I added parmesan cheese this time round, and let me tell you it was AWEESOMEE}

{Straight out of the oven...}

Delicious.

XO.

thankful

Today I'm thankful for so many things. 

I'm thankful for my family, friends, and of course, Ryan.

I'm thankful for my health and good fortune.

I'm thankful for being able to have a full tummy today and a sound night's sleep tonight.

I'm thankful that my Grandfather's hip replacement surgery went well on Monday.

I'm thankful for morning cuddles from Bruiser.

I'm thankful for being alive, for having so many exciting things ahead of me. 

I'm thankful for life. 

I'm thankful for coffee and the buzz it gives me.

I'm thankful for mash potatoes and green beans (made with love by my Grandma).

I'm thankful for my sister and the funny stories she tells me.

I'm thankful for the ability to laugh at myself.

I'm thankful for today.

The End. 

Sand Hill Photo Shoot

On Sunday, Ryan and I found ourselves at the Southport Beach. When we got there we found HUGE sand hills framing the entrance to the beach (thanks to Sandy). They were seriously 10ft -12ft high, and I just couldn't help climbing to the top for a little impromptu photo shoot.

Looking Good Leanne

I love finding old pictures of my sister. 

Her cute factor was like a 15 on a 1 to 10 scale.

I miss her. 

Martha Strikes Again

So, while searching for my Thanksgiving appetizer (you see, I was tasked with bring an app to my parent's house this year) I remembered Martha's Herbed Pinwheels. I made these over a year ago and forgot how delicious and easy these were. And easy and delicious is exactly what you want around the holiday season.

What You Need:

- 2TB olive oil
- 1/3 c of fresh herbs (I used rosemary, chives and thyme)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper
- 1 sheet of puff pastry
- flour for dusting

What You Do:

Heat your oven to 400F

Mix your olive oil, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper together in bowl--inhale that delicious scent!

Roll out puff pastry with your rolling pin & extra flour

Spread that delicious herb mixture over your puff pastry and roll it up like a jelly roll!

Cut into pinwheels & place on baking sheet

Bake in pre-heated oven for 15 minutes or until edges are brown!

Yup, it's just that easy!

I hope my family enjoys them as much as I did.

XO.

This picture is about 5 years old and I still oddly love it.

 I found it while looking through some oldies & goodies.

It reminds me of being 24.

It reminds me of my very first apartment.

It reminds me of being a vegetarian.

It reminds me of starting my career in project management.

It reminds me of the night my sister turned 21. 

It reminds me of my neighbors Eddie and Matt.

It reminds me that dressing like a ninja looks awesome.

It reminds me of so much more too.

What's In A Name

When I was younger, and acted, I honestly thought there was a chance that I'd become a lavishly famous movie producer with my own company, etc. During my dizzy day-dreams, I came up with the name Lady Did Productions, the name that all of my movies would produced under. Can't you see it:

Lady Did Production Presents

A Something Film

Staring 

Stratford Verona*

I mean, that makes a statement don't you think? Well, my movie producing days have {yet} to come, but the name Lady Did has stuck with me. So...fast forward 11 years (that's a scary thought) & vioala a blog name is born.

Just wanted to share.

That's all.

XO.

*When I was 14, and REALLY into Leo DiCaprio (ahem, Romeo and Juliet) I wanted my "stage" name to be Stratford Verona. What was I thinking?

Internet Find Of The CENTURY

For my dirty-thirty (which takes place in 8 months mind you!!) I'm planning a trip to Paris. For some reason, I got that idea stuck in my head, and now I find myself looking up international rentals every second I can.  During my googling, I found a gem of site called airbnb.com, it has amazing international rentals from around the WORLD. And, from what I've read, they are really reputable.

So, lets get to the good part. Cause you have to be wondering why I titled this "Internet Find Of The CENTURY" I'm sure.

Well, for all of you out there, I found a castle. For rent. In Scotland. For the some-what reasonable price of $2,949/ a night, you and 11 other people can live in a CASTLE. LIKE A CASTLE. As you can imagine, this was an exciting find. Without further adieu...

{GORG, right?}

{Fireplace in the bathroom, say what?}

Watch out Kingston, Scotland, Katie's coming to town. What I would give to live there.....

(all images via)

So This Happened Last Night

The Nor'easter hit us pretty good last night. I know that some people hate winter, snow and all things cold but COME ON, look how lovely it looks?! I wanted to take more pictures but my fingers started to go numb. Ha. 

Pathetic or Awesome?

My current music of choice...pathetic or awesome? You decide.

San Francisco: The Golden Gate Bridge

We got to the Golden Gate Bridge as the sun was setting, so I only got to snap a few pictures of this beauty. Next time I'm in town, I'm totally going to bike this sucker.

Pinterest Lovin'

I can't wait to move into a larger apartment. It's not that I don't love the sardine-can that I call home right now, I just long for bigger rooms to decorate and a kitchen with proper storage. The worst is when I hop over to Pinterest and find BEYOND gorgeous images that make my longing for a new place that much more intense. Here are some of my favs...

this kitchen is about perfect in my book, simple, clean, with a splash of color

love the pigeons in the bathroom!

I could see myself taking a nap on that couch

all pictures are from pinterest (obvs)...my pinterest page in fact.