Heading to Philadelphia

Hey friends! Happy Friday. I'm taking a weekend trip to Philadelphia and am looking for recommendations! I've been once before - 10 years ago (I'm feeling super old right now). Anyway - suggestions for a vegetarian/vegan cheese steak? This is my main goal. Also, I'm sooooo looking forward to a high temperature of 49 degrees on Sunday. Do I sound crazy yet? I'm even feeling like 20 degrees is 'warm' these days. Oh, cruel winter, how I hate you.

Throwback from my Philadelphia trip - 10 years ago!! Whoa.

What are your weekend plans? Going anywhere fun or still snowed in?

Weekly Wrap Up

I'm sharing the love this Sunday with the blog posts from the past week I enjoyed the most. I hope you discover something you like as well!

This stuff sounds intriguing - has anyone tried it?

I loved this photo backgrounds blogging tip from Chantilly! (I did a couple practice shots above).
This post from MAIEDAE on living well is so inspiring!
The gals over at Cakies weren't feeling too well and made this delectable looking chocolate loaf. Mmmmm.
You know I'm a sucker for film photos. Thanks to Anna-Rosa at myLifebox for sharing a few: )
Tea Tree Vintage shared her Wednesday Want List, and I'm loving her list.
This decorated plate tutorial from Urban Nester is so neat!
And finally, I won a giveaway, so I love the post announcing it! I will definitely be posting when my prizes arrive!

Happy Sunday!

Cottage Fest

Hello - It's been a few days! As I mentioned, I was in Canada over the weekend and then yesterday was an incredibly busy day of work. First of all, I won this giveaway from Hey Miss Pickle so that is super exciting! Next order of business, here are a few pictures from the weekend, eh! The cottage is right on Lake Huron in Sarnia, Ontario. There were just nine of us, which was a great number for sharing food and beverages, playing games like Catch Phrase and Wii Just Dance 4, telling stories, and cozying up to the fire. We are all getting excited for the summer version of Cottage Fest!

Andrew and I

Nicole feeling like the Queen of the World

The "guy" photo session.

Doug, Scott, Ryan, and Andrew!

Feeling tough

Nicole, Amalia, Gaby, Erika, and me!

Wonder woman pose, or something.

It was a very nice weekend. Do any of you have access to a fun weekend getaway location? I'd love to hear about yours: )

Happy Weekend!

I am spending this weekend with some friends at my boyfriend's parents' cottage in Canada, which doesn't have wifi, so I'll announce the giveaway winner when I get back (you can still enter through tomorrow night). Anyway, we are planning on playing lots of Wii and board games, drinking lots of Tim Hortons coffee and also many adult beverages, and relaxing by the fireplace. Maybe even taking a walk on the beach, but I'm basically allergic to cold, so that's stretching it. What does your weekend hold?

And speaking of Tim Hortons, who has seen this episode of How I Met Your Mother? So funny!

Berkley Illustration

Today I am loving these animal portrait prints from Berkley Illustration. They are featured on Fab.com for the next couple of days - $26 a print (11x14)! They have everything in the food chain spectrum from chipmunks to T-Rex. This bat really freaks me out, but it's so spot on that I had to show you. Here are a few more of my favorites. (Photos borrowed from their feature on fab.com)

Happy weekend! I am at my parents' house because my wonderful father turns 50 on Monday! I love spending time with them and my cats. My mom and I are going shopping today, I can't wait! What are your weekend plans? 

A Stroke of Bad Luck

andrew and i drove home (to port huron for the long weekend, yay!) and we talked about how a lot of bad luck has struck us lately. there's no denying that we are really blessed to be able to go to croatia and italy in two weeks (from today!), but lately things have just been tough! andrew's car was totaled in that accident a month ago and he still hasn't found a new car, then my check engine light came on yesterday, so i had to take our remaining car into the shop this morning. also, our hours at work are likely being cut, and since we have the same job and no other jobs, that is tough. i guess those are the main things, and i don't want to complain, but geez! i can't wait to find a job that actually requires the college degree i worked so hard for, and that i feel is making a difference somehow. hopefully after our trip i will find something.

anyway, i wanted to share this video - i came across this song when i was making a "breaking bad" playlist on spotify and i couldn't stop listening to it! it just makes me want to wiggle around and dance dance! or close my eyes and imagine i am on a tropical island listening to this! they are so talented.

so today i have a million little errands to run, which i don't mind. luckily i can use my dad's car while mine is being fixed. keep your fingers crossed that it isn't anything major. i wish public transportation was a little more viable where i lived!

oh well, enough complaints for today. the stop war on women rally last night was great! there were quite a few people there, and i saw the mayor, who i was hoping would support the cause. i really urge you all to stand up for your rights so they aren't taken away!

happy friday: )