blogger family goes to austin

 well, miguel & i traveled to austin, texas for the second annual blogger family meet-up! it was fantastic. we took rapid transit all the way to the airport which was quite interesting. it took a bit to get there, but it wasn't too bad. miguel doesn't like flying, so he was pretty brave getting on a flight that was over three hours long. i'm proud of him for that.

once we got there, we were soooo excited!! haha. i love this photo that nicola took of us at the austin airport. i seriously was that excited.

 it was so nice to see bloggers from last year. i couldn't believe that it had already been a year since we met face-to-face in seattle. here are natalie & nicola being glamorous.

 i also got to meet new bloggers as well! this is the lovely kaylie.

 i also was so happy to see nicola for the third time!

 in austin, i would say the best part of the trip (besides being with awesome bloggers) was the food! i loved the food there! & i was pleasantly surprised to find that there were many vegetarian options in all of the menus. this photo below was when we went to snack bar. so good!! maggie (our host) did such a good job taking us to the best restaurants!

 i had to try this mozzarella grilled cheese...!!!

 there was also quite a bit of cute romantic wall art in the streets ;)

 the next time we will be meeting up will be for when these two get married ;) the blogger family gave them this chalkboard as an engagement gift.

 shelby & sam also just adopted a new beagle puppy they named benny & were skyping him ;) too cute.

 we went so many places & did so many things. it was some serious fun. this is at bennu coffee where they had literature inspired drinks : )

 bananarchy! frozen banana galore.

 mozart's had a nice little patio to eat breakfast at.

 probably one of my most favorite stores we went to was uncommon objects. it's a must see & shop for austin in my opinion. miguel even liked it & he doesn't really like vintage & antique shopping ;)

 all of us got dressed up for a fancy dinner at matt's famous el rancho. everyone looked so good! (although i didn't actually get pictures of their outfits :/)

 i'm really gonna miss them. love my blogger family buddies.

miguel & i were sad to leave. we had such a great time & made so many amazing & funny memories with these super bloggers that we had just spent a week with. in the airport while we were waiting for our plane, i started getting emotional. ahhh...only 10 more months until the next meet-up! i am so blessed to have found such wonderful people via the blogosphere. love you guys!

a few little notes

me & miguel on the fourth 

photo credit: lizzie

+ miguel & i went camping in june & we had so much fun! we did forget to pack a pot to heat water for tea & oatmeal in the morning, thus cutting our trip a tad short, but it was all part of the experience & we are both waiting for the weather to cool down so we can go again! 

+ i want to try making this. i can't eat raw egg anything (i even have to have my fried eggs over hard - otherwise, my poor tummy!), so this recipe will be perfect - especially in summer! & it's healthier, which is a big plus!

+ i kind of went crazy at the jcrew factory sale...i mean 50% off the whole store & 60% off clearance?? yes please. got my first pair of jcrew ballet flats. retro jade suede. so excited. photos probably in the future! (p.s. the sale is until tomorrow so you still have time to see what there is!)

+ since it's been SO HOT lately, i really want to try this cute scarf updo from delightfully tacky: 

Head Scarf Updo Tutorial from Elizabeth on Vimeo.

+ back in june, the blogger family had a "favorite things" swap organized by maggie. i got an amazing package from shelby! thanks, shelby ;)

+ the county fair is going to be starting up again soon & i'll be working again (as i have for the past 10 summers?!) in the building where they display all of the arts & crafts, baked & preserved foods, etc. that people enter. this year i will be entering two cookie recipes (as part of my 25 before 26) & miguel will be entering his beef jerky! i'm super excited. i'm going to take the train to stay with him on monday (for our monthiversary hehe) & he's planning to start the jerky that day. he always impresses me - making his own jerky : )

+ i've been looking for a striped tee. not exactly just any striped tee, but more along the lines of THE striped tee. a comfy one that isn't fussy (meaning not see through or too clingy). what t-shirt brands do you like the most? i need help!

that's all for now! stay cool! (& for those in the cool now, stay warm! ;))

meeting karen!

i met karen two weekends ago! we met up in the city & i took her & her mom & her friend, hansol, on a mini tour : )

lizzie came with me to help be a tour guide. haha she had some fun with the street performers. 

we met at ike's place for sandwiches & then we took them to needles & pens. then we traveled to more touristy places along the water : )

it was great finally meeting karen! & so nice to meet her mom & friend, hansol, from italy : ) 

shelby & sam in the city

miguel & i got to spend a day with shelby & sam during their vacation here in the golden state! we wondered into a bakery & many many different shops. we took photobooth photos & had good food with good company. i had a delicious feta & tomato on olive ciabatta bread. it was amazing. miguel got his sweet potato fries, which he loves, & actually went out bought honey mustard at a grocery store to have with his fries. i was impressed at the dedication. hehe. shelby & sam enjoyed their burgers & fries while i took not so flattering photos of them eating. ergo non of those photos are here ;) we took bart around town & went exploring through the city. it was a great day & ended too soon...