picture books

(pieces shown above were featured at Imagine That! studio.) 

(blouse/sandals/headband: thrifted, skirt: gap, purse: vintage vogue apparel)

   I still don't believe it's the second month of summer, second week until my summer courses are finished, and second week I have been without smoking (yes, I have recently quit, hooray!) Weeks have been going by rather swiftly, and I'm just alright with that. The one thing I do not want to pass by quickly is all of the little activities around town that are the best in the summer, including First Fridays. Even though this is year around, the summer has the most food trucks, live music, and even more galleries open to the public. 

   Venturing about the area during the First Fridays event makes me miss my old loft, which was right in the heart of the festivities, but I couldn't be happier with my new apartment. I will be posting a mini-home tour here next week, and I am very excited to showcase it to everyone. Organizing a new home brings a special sort-of pleasure to me... and even more after it feels lived-in. Until next time friends. 

fourth to freedom

(everything worn here is either vintage or thrifted)

   Happy birthday America! I hope all of my other U.S.A readers had a grand celebratory day yesterday for the Fourth of July. My neighborhood was exploding with fireworks, smells of bbqs, and patriotic colors were seen everywhere during the holiday. I am really so thankful to be living in the United States, and it's wonder to see others who appreciate it as well.

   I gathered with some friends at a park later in the afternoon for some grilling and fireworks to be shot off. This was my first Fourth of July spent at a public park, and there were crowds of other groups shooting off fireworks as well. Safe to say this was a well-spent holiday, but I am glad this comes once a year (fireworks can be a tad bit loud when you have class early the next morning). Keep up the days U.S.A. 

made at home: infused sugars

Mint & Cinnamon Infused Sugar

• 1 cup of pure sugar
• 5 cinnamon sticks/or about 2 tablespoons fresh mint 

   For both favors of sugar, take the items and slowly add in the container as you pour in the sugar. Make sure the container is an air tight container and made of glass. Allow the sugar to sit in a cool and dry place for 1-2 weeks, while stirring daily, so the favors can develop. *Store the fresh mint infused sugar in the refrigerator for the first weeks of sitting. 

(I used glass jars from the dollar store, then spray painted with chalkboard paint for a name placement.) 

   I have been seeing infused sugar recipes and ideas floating around the internet world as of lately, so I decided to make some of my own today. With the concept of coffee in mind, I shaped these two favored sugars so that they could be used for your morning coffee and instead of just the normal sugar. They can also be used for teas and baking, which will make both taste even more delicious. There are many other favors you can make for the sugar, these are just the two I chose, but let me know what kinds you have made/want to make! Happy infusing. 

through the grapevine

(inside Prydes is a pie bakery, but sadly they were not open today when we stopped in.) 

(everything worn here is either vintage or thrifted) 

  I am experiencing summer time at my new apartment, and I couldn't be more joyful about this. The location is so wonderful, and I can finally walk to everywhere I care to again. Yes, I do have the privilege of owning a vehicle, but since living in a more urban area, I always have preferred to travel on foot... a little bit of exercise and always makes the trip a little more special. 

  I spent most of this afternoon walking about town and visiting a few local places... just because I live so close to them now. Nature's Own is one of my favorite health food stores, which I am so happy it's within a small walk for me to grab the little specialty odds and ends I need. Also, taking my boyfriend to Prydes, the cutest kitchen store, which he had never been to before. I love the week days we spend just roaming our town, they never get old. 

beneath the arches

(First tomato from my plant.) 

(everything worn here is either vintage or thrifted) 

   This Monday's been unexpectedly cool. The kind of cool that you expect in the spring, right before the warmth of summertime hits the air. I had my bangs copped earlier in the week, and I swear they grow an inch a week. The debate between growing out my bangs and keeping the trims up every week has been on my mind today. Along with the fact that I am giving up caffeine for a few days, which is rather hard for a daily coffee drinker. 

   I took a little drive in the afternoon to the Rosedale World War I Memorial, which I had never went to before. I try and discover new sites weekly, I being able to go somewhere new without actually leaving (not having the time, nor the extra cash to allow so). So, I am just going to enjoy little big city this summer.