Have a magical weekend!

I've been super antsy this whole week to start moving into my new place. Although tomorrow is not going to be fun, I think it will be really exciting to get the whole process going, finally. This weekend is pretty much consumed with moving and family time. My sister got in town last night and will be here for the rest of the weekend. Luckily she's got a wedding to go to tomorrow so I'll have time to unload everything while she's there. I can't believe she's been living in Nashville for 3 months now! I've missed her being here so much. It's gonna be really nice to spend some quality time together. Well, enjoy the weekend! Take a few long naps for me!

Things to look at...

What a dreamy looking salad!

Bedroom Inspiration: pipe bedframe.

Plate paintings: Little Owl Design.

Cute doily clock.

Etsy outfit: this crop top and this skirt

DIY: decorative cutlery.

For a special occasion- Jon Klassen

Cool arrow wall display.

Watch: The Happy Film & I'm Comic Sans

What I'd like to be doing instead of moving this weekend.

Omg, I want this dog!

Brilliant kitchen tip.

Sparkle motion.

(photo via the beautiful self portraits of Anna Di Prospero)

Bits of last weekend: UMS style.

This past weekend was a total blast and I have my beautiful friends to thank for it. The UMS is another event that makes me feel so blessed to live in this city. It just makes me want to give Denver a big hug! By Sunday I could barely stand on my own two feet-- so much music, dancing, drinking and fun. Yes, another UMS success. I can really only manage once a year. 'Til next year Denver! Woohoo!

(photos via me and 4 & 8 via Aly Aga)

Deep thought thursday...

(via)

I'm not homeless + hello Ikea!

I just realized that after all my whining, I forgot to tell everyone that we found an apartment! It's on the top floor of an old vintage apartment complex and has tons of charm and a balcony to boot! (hardwood floors, big kitchen and lots of storage, oh yes) It's in the 'uptown' area of Denver which is close to a ton of restaurants, coffee shops and 2 blocks away from city park. Yay! I am so excited to finally be able to relax! This apartment hunt was seriously taking over my life. I am starting to move my stuff in today but this weekend will be the real kicker. Since we're living on the top floor, some of the bigger furniture is going to have to be roped up from outside through the balcony! This should be interesting...

On another not totally unrelated note, Ikea opened in Denver today! Just in time for their new 2012 catalogue! I'm super excited to go there and shop for my new space. It will be necessary to let the hype die down a bit of course but I am thrilled to have a place to buy affordable accessories and furniture. I am totally against an all Ikea look (think Punch-Drunk Love) but I think their modern flare can look really great mixed with thrift store finds and antique pieces. Here are just a few things I have my eye on...

+ BIRGIT LANTLING Duvet cover

+ ALVINE RAND rug

+ KVART or TRAL work lamp

+ SURAR planters

(photos via poppytalk)

Comfort food classic: Banana Pudding

This classic banana pudding brings me back to my Southern roots. It is the ultimate summer dessert. I love making it for potlucks because it's easy to make in big batches and always a hit. This particular recipe has one of the best custard mixtures I've tried. It's incredibly addictive.

Banana Pudding
adapted from Food Network

Whipped cream mixture:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Custard Mixture:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups scalded milk
• 3 large egg yolks, beaten
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• Whipped cream mixture
• 1 (12-ounce) box vanilla wafers
• 4 medium size ripe bananas, peeled and thinly sliced

Directions:

Whip the cream to nearly stiff peaks. Add vanilla and sugar. Whip until fully incorporated. Set aside.

Mix sugar, flour and salt in a large heavy saucepan. Gradually stir in the scalded milk with a wisk. Cook the mixture over moderate heat while stirring constantly until slightly thickened. Slowly stir in approximately 1/4 cup the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks. Next add the yolks to the balance of the hot mixture and cook, stirring constantly until the mixture is fully thickened to a custard-like consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Let cool completely and then fold in 1/2 cup of the whipped cream mixture. In a large bowl begin layering custard, then banana slices, and next vanilla wafers. Repeat several times, ending with the wafers on top. Spread the remaining whip cream on top. Chill at least 30 minutes and serve.

Have a wild weekend!

I'm not expecting to get much sleep this weekend. Not only did I attend a wedding and reception last night (arriving to work this morning with little sleep under my belt) but tonight is the start of the UMS, one of the biggest dance parties of the summer. And tomorrow. And Sunday. The Underground Music Showcase is about promoting local bands and is something that I have been looking forward to all summer long. It is an exhausting and inspiring 3 day long festival that brings the community together through music. And let me tell you, it is amazing. So off I go! Have a good one loves!

Enjoy this...

Punchfork: a new revolution in recipe websites. (via swissmiss)

Shoe of the moment: the wooden wedge.

Cool! Double decker bus turned vintage shop.

A smart twist on egg salad.

DIY: earring holders.

House of...stone.

Love this look.

A kitty dance party!

Awesome copper ring.

An ideal summer.

A video: road trip.

lightbulb vase.

Sold for 360K: Never before seen photos of the Beatle's first U.S. concert. Craziness.

(photos via 100 layer cake)

Deep thought thursday...

(via)

Pizza night!

Rob and I were in charge of weeknight dinner last week and I thought it would be fun to make homemade pizza. Okay I cheated a little and got the pizza dough from Spinelli's Market (btw-- I fell in love with this place! It's straight out of Moonstruck!) but we made pesto from basil picked from the garden so I think that makes up for it. We didn't use a recipe, basically just winged it. There was one scary moment when dealing with the dough I thought it all might fall apart. My friend Aly turned to me and whispered, 'so what's your back-up plan'. Needless to say we jumped through that hurdle and it turned out de-lish!

+ Pizza 1: olive oil and balsamic, gorgonzola, pear, walnuts

+ Pizza 2: pesto, fresh mozzarella cheese, roma tomatoes, garlic, white onion, artichokes, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper

+ Salad: roasted pepper bowls with spinach, tomatoes, red onions, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, oil and balsamic dressing

Wilderness retreat.

Camping is pretty much a must for Colorado dwellers. It's such a quick escape! On this trip the usual traditions were enjoyed-- s'mores, card games, a day hike around the area, lots and lots of bug spray. The rain was very good to us...only a couple of quick storms. It was such a nice change of pace and a lovely way to get friends (and little Dusty dog) together. On Sunday, we drove to Guffey Falls for a little cliff jumping adventure. I did not partake. There were too many people watching! I was, however, a very proud observer as I enjoyed the scenery and snapped a few photos of the boys as they bravely jumped. And we couldn't resist making a pit stop at the llama farm on the way back. Such cuties!

Have a fine weekend!

Sorry I skipped 'deep thought' this week. I've been having a hard time getting back in the groove of things--poor little ol' me...too much vacation time. Seriously though, it's been my first full week of work in about 3 weeks and I am ready for a couple days off! So sad. I did have a darn good week though. I had friends over and made homemade pizza (photos coming soon), I saw this heartwarming film and I had a lovely little date with my man at one of our favorite spots. What are you up to this weekend? I think I'm going to take it pretty easy. This is the only weekend in July that I have absolutely nothing going on so I'm going to savor it. Have a beautiful weekend!

Also, look here...

A collection, of heart hand polaroids (via)

My new girl crush.

Awesome vintage jewelry.

Loving this nautical lamp.

How to: look hot holding a camera. (or two)

Make: Thai Iced Tea.

Remember your imaginary friends?

eeek! So sexy.

Watch: these adorable sealions...I want one!

Closet envy. (p.s. this girl is 15..wha?)

Super cute forest friend brooch.

Read: Kinfolk magazine

All over the blogosphere: Other People's Houses

(image via)

Austin. Part two. (Holga style)

Some of my favorite Holga photos from the trip...the top one is similar to the first one in part one. Which one do you like best? Holga or 35mm? I think I like the Holga pic personally. Ah, such a good vacation. Such lovely company. I wanna be back there right this second.

Beet cake + Tiger in a Jar.

I adore everything about this. It's so simple and lovely. It combines two of my all time favorite things-- baking and photography. Check out tiger in a jar's blog and other videos. They are pretty much doing what I aspire to do eventually, which is working for themselves and doing what they love. This little creative studio is packed with beauty and inspiration. Also on a totally random note, look at this awesome picnic basket wedding present they just posted on their blog. Such fun!

(via for me, for you)

Austin. Part one.

I have a lot of catching up to do in terms of posting photos. These pretty much speak for themselves. The trip to Austin involved a lot of water sports, boat ventures, relaxing and floating around. The best things in life.