craving cupcakes

Not just any cupcakes...Georgetown Cupcakes to be exact. Their fluffy cake bottoms and their creamy, rich frosting tops. Yuummmm. My favorite in particular had a chocolate ganache frosting with a cute little marzipan flower atop. Luckily, in the jostling of the pretty pink cupcake box while in transit from DC to Baltimore, the one I loved the most was also the only one spared. The others, however, were delicious just the same.

Last one standing.

Cupcake battlefield.

It's Here...

{via npr}

Yes, it will most likely be cheesy, light-hearted and frivolous...but isn't that the fun of it all? I personally cannot wait. Hello again, ladies.

Fancy Schmancy

On Saturday night, Salman and I went out to celebrate our one year anniversary of being together. We went to Cafe Atlantico in DC and was it amazing! The flavors were jaw-dropping (I have never had better dessert in my life). This dinner also marked the end of my first class in my long journey towards applying to nursing school, as well as Salman's acceptance into med school...now time to digest, which should only take about a weeek ;) I was a particular fan of the chocolate cake with banana foam and chocolate mousse swirled around the plate. It took all of my self-control to avoid licking the plate clean.

See how quickly this dessert dissolved? it was mostly in part due to the extremely wonderful cafe latte that accompanied it. Coffee + chocolate = heaven.

1 year ago...

One year ago on Sunday, I set off on a journey that was beyond my wildest dreams. I met people and saw places that you cannot see from your car window.

Everything in life is an adventure- your first kiss, your first day of college, your last day of college, your first job, your first love. It is all so wonderful and jitter-worthy. The 4K for Cancer was one of my big life adventures. It was beautiful, hard, nerve-wrecking, exciting and scary. It stirred my soul to the very core, sometimes more than others.

I now stand a year ahead of the beginning and look out to the horizon behind me. I realize that the strengths and weaknesses it brought out in me were all in preparation for the future, and that I can't necessarily wish for it to happen all over again, because that would only bring me back to where I started. Rather, I am happy with where I find myself now. I am on an adventure right now, and everyday afterwards. I have a great love, a wonderful job and amazing prospects for the future.

Music for the Mondays

A case of the Mondays calls for something soothing and quiet...

Flea Market

I went to Rice's Flea Market a couple weekends ago with my sister and mom while visiting home for mother's day. I find it so intriguing to see the collections pop up at various vendors. DVDs (from which I bought Sleepless in Seattle...love that movie), tapestries, cacti, windchimes, pins and plants. Most of the time, flea markets aren't about finding something hidden, but appreciating the great lengths to which people will go in order to show their knowledge of the particular items they're selling. The lady selling her new and used DVDs was able to rattle off the summaries of every movie I picked up. (see anything you like?)

a happy weekend to you

Did I mention that the smallest, most simple of things can get make me extremely happy??? Seeing all of the new comments on my blog yesterday after my guest post on Post Grad Hair Cut absolutely made my day. AND hello to my newest followers! I hope you enjoy my posts and will also take a peak at previous ones that you may have missed...and I cannot wait to see what you have been up to on your own blogs!

{via mybalconygarden}
{via ohmydarling}
{via poppyfrench}


It is finally Friday. Sun is shining and I am finished with my class :) Therefore, this weekend will include much-needed celebration. Salman and I will be visiting two restaurants we have been oogling over for quite some time- Cafe Atlantico on Saturday and Dogwood on Sunday. Our reasoning for such high-end fare when our pockets practically have cobwebs growing inside of them? Well, you only live once...and it's summer. What more is there to celebrate?

My mommy is also coming to visit tonight, so we will be baking THESE. Delicious, Non? Yes, they are, and they are gluten free (just a little FYI).

{via here}

Happy Friday :)

guest post on PostGradHairCut!

Check out my guest post on Samantha's blog, Post Grad Hair Cut! I participated in her "In My Bag" series.

You should also take a glance at the other bags in the series...everybody seems to have their own unique style hiding out inside their purses.

Enjoy!

New Discoveries = Happiness

{via she eats bears}

Besides my 1 year anniversary of being with the most lovely man on earth, the things that make me happiest are the small, everyday discoveries.

This blog is one of them. Thanks to Joanna Goddard for introducing us to more wonderful foody finds!

anniversary

One year of wonderful :)

"And then my soul saw you and it kind of went "Oh there you are. I've been looking for you." (unknown)

Where I Want to Be

{via here}

I am ready for the summer! I am ready for the salty sea breeze to tangle my hair. I am ready for tan skin and BBQ smell. I am ready for open windows and humid nights. I am ready for freetime and sunshine...

Wedding Bliss

{all via here}

i have tried to contain myself when it comes to wedding photos. i love flipping through webpages with endless supplies of wedding scenes. finally, i'm giving up. i've found one of the most perfect wedding collages on the design blog Dandelion and Grey. the polaroid pictures, the bicycle-themed invitations, the gorgeous mountains, the wildflowers, the muted hazy colors...they're all so wonderful and whimsical. Click HERE to see more of this dreamy wedding.

All I want to Do

All I can think of right now is baking and eating cookies. I haven't baked in over a month, and withdrawal seems as if it will never end...maybe I will just bake up a storm after my last exam next week.

{via here}
It's also way too cold outside for May in Baltimore. What's going on???

Mother's Day Weekend/Friday Find

This weekend is Mother's Day Weekend! Make sure to thank your mother, grandmother, aunt, or any women who have played a crucial role in your life, for all that they have done for you.

I am hopping on a train this evening after work to go to PA and surprise my mom for mother's day :) Her birthday was last weekend, and when I talked to her on the phone she was so upset because she thought I wasn't coming home to visit until next month. I am so excited to see the look on her face when I walk through the door tonight! She has a habit of becoming particularly emotional when surprised, so I'm getting ready for the waterworks...

I also bought her these beautiful earrings from the non-profit my lovely friend, Jules, works for: Empowering Women International. They have an Etsy shop too (my Friday Find)! You should check it out! All of the jewelry is handmade by refugee women who are making a life for themselves through crafts(wo)manship here in the US. EWI provides them with the capability to market their items, and also raises money to help support their organization's cause.

{Amazonite Nugget Bracelet, via here}

Do you have anything special you are doing for your mommy/mommy figure?

Happy Friday!

Grace bakes cupcakes

I love little kids. I love their soft, fine hair, their rosy cheeks and their button noses. I love how amazed they become by the simplest things we take for granted. I love how they can make pirate ships out of sofa cushions and tea parties with stuffed animals.

My teeny second cousin, Grace, is a sweetheart. She has her little pretend, pink vacuum cleaner that she runs around the house with, helping her dad clean the rugs. She loves Curious George, and cannot get enough of her sweets (just like me!) Here are some pictures of us icing our cupcakes after they were fresh out of the oven.

Food Revolution

I saw a lecture today by Marion Nestle, a highly-esteemed professor from NYU, an author and foody who is passionate about everything food. Most importantly, she is passionate about nutrition and making nutritious foods accessible to those who can least afford it.

Among the numerous horrors she's uncovered regarding the food industry and its drive for dollars rather than the health of people, she is specifically devoted to fighting the battle against food industries marketing campaigns to kids and underserved youth who are most susceptible to the tragic health effects of unhealthy, processed foods.

However, there are movements all over the country these days that are working towards promoting better health (and more accessible health!) for youth and those less fortunate. Salman sent me this link highlighting the efforts of the Hamilton Crop Circle here in Baltimore, which is creating a network of local schools, restaurants, farmer's markets, etc. to make a better Baltimore through sustainable, and affordable healthy foods!

{via here}

I also urge you to check out Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, which has just finished it's first season on the air. The famous (and slightly attractive) English chef has just received the TED prize to fight obesity in the US through educating the public about how to eat healthier and what's really being served in their school cafeterias. It's a great show...and it's none of that "reality" tv stuff...it's the real deal!

As a lover of all things food and all things healthy, I cannot help but deeply appreciate the lengths at which people are going to give others the opportunity to eat better.

Greg Mortenson

Have you ever met someone so selfless, and so full of hope and spirit, that you can't help but want to jump onto the stage and give them the biggest hug ever?

We saw Greg Mortenson on Tuesday night and it was awe-inspiring to say the very least. His humility is so beautiful and rare. Best birthday present ever :)

(salman got to shake hands with Greg Mortenson after the presentation- I was too busy taking pictures and trying to capture as many moments as possible...)