Pretzel Pups

Sometimes you have to use a little incentive to get things done. In this case, it was a nostalgic favorite for R, the pretzel dog. I used Joy the Baker’s Mini Pretzel Dog Recipe, and they came out amazing. Not quite as picture perfect as Joy’s but the flavor was great and the recipe was very easy to follow. Dip ’em in ketchup, mustard, a little srirancha (sriracha/ranch), or whatever you desire.

I would recommend this recipe a million times over – well I’d recommend any of Joy’s recipes really.

Enjoy.

-h

Tuesday Shoesday: Aren’t half sizes funny?

A couple of weeks ago I woke up and performed my morning ritual – checking flash sale sites.  I’ve learned through the years that checking these sites in the morning, right after you wake up, is the worst time.  You’re disoriented, tired and capable of making really compulsive online purchases.  Okay I admit, I’m no stranger to online compulsive shopping, but this particular time takes the cake.  I found the Matisse Hendrix sandal on Hautelook.com for $34.  A shoe that sold for $140 when it first came out.  Unfortunately, the 8.5 was sold out.  In my delusional online shopping frantic state I put the 8 in my cart, and decided that the leather straps will maybe stretch.  The truth is, the only shoe I own in an 8 is an UGG Boot and any other size 8 shoe is a thing of my fifth grade past.  Still, I crossed my fingers with hope.  I could tell the second I pulled them from the box that I was pushing my limits.  Sure enough, too small.  Aren’t half sizes funny?

Lucky for H, they fit her and I didn’t have to deal with returning.

Matisse Hendrix Sandal

The Matisse Hendrix Sandal can currently be picked up in Black, Tobacco and Beige at endless.com for $89.05.   Endless offers free shipping and returns, so if you jump on these babies and order a half size wrong, Endless has you covered.

xoxo

-s

Tuesday Shoesday: Ode to the Boat Shoe

The Sperry Top-Sider is said to have been invented after Paul Sperry wanted to create a shoe that mimicked the pads of his dog, who was adept at walking on wet surfaces without slipping. Now, although I don’t spend much time sailing myself, I can’t help but find myself slipping into my own pair of Topsider’s throughout the spring, summer, and fall when I want something that is a little more casual then the ballet flat and offers the comfort of a tennis shoe.  This navy/plaid version is prepster, which I find myself embracing for my work look this summer.

Photo: Nordstrom

The bonus of being on sale due to Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is tempting me even more.  Are you wearing boat shoes this summer?

xx.

-h

Things I learned in my early 20s

What is it about spring that makes you feel nostalgic for the good ol’ days. Feeling a little inspired by Sarah’s post about her pre-graduation bucket list, and this Top 25 list, I thought I would reflect on what I’ve learned since entering my 20’s nearly 5 years ago. Unlike a lot of my friends, my college graduation was a little anti-climatic. I had worked nearly full-time the last 2 years of my time spent at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, and I still had to finish one class before I would receive my diploma (drawing 101 didn’t transfer, much to my dismay).  Regardless, I was relieved to be done with homework, and to move on into the bigger and better future. Since then a lot has changed, so here goes – my list of top lessons learned in my early 20s, take note S.

1. Champagne is always appropriate and delicious.

2. People are fucking weird. They make choices that make zero sense, they say mean things, they are backstabbing, they’re goofy, they are disrespectful to people they should be respectful to, they do nice things when you least expect it, they are full of surprises, and everyone gets weirder as they get older.

3. You’re job doesn’t make you. I saw something on Pinterest recently that said, “Never be ashamed of your job. If you flip burgers, flip some fucking dope burgers.” Seriously, do your best at your job and you will be rewarded. Be creative, speak up, introduce the company to new ideas, and for goodness sake, if the website needs to be redone, redo it.

4. Get outside, go to beer festivals, art festivals, wine tastings, campgrounds, river trips, remote areas, see the things you want to see.

5. Friendships can survive any distance. Just pick up the phone, login to gchat, text, or email, but don’t be the only person putting an effort in.

6. Live with no regrets, but know that there will be things that resurface that you wish wouldn’t and didn’t.

7. If you break a bone, wear the cast as long as the doctor says, do the physical therapy, and take a calcium supplement otherwise you will pay later in life.

8. Your hangovers WILL get worse.

9. Exercise for stress release and then hit happy hour, otherwise you might end up in a glass case of emotion.

10.  You will start to feel old, but don’t say, “I’m so old” because you aren’t.

11. Untag unflattering, incriminating, or embarrassing photos on Facebook.

12. If you find someone that you love and loves you, do everything in your power to fight for that relationship, if it is meant to be it will work, if it is not, it won’t. Don’t let them disrespect you.

13. You aren’t as funny as you think you are when you drunk tweet.

14. Communication is the key to any relationship.

15. Don’t invite your boss to your bachelorette party.

16. If you hate your body, you will portray negativity, either change it or embrace it.

17. Buy furniture off Craigslist, it is cheap, and the green option.

18. Don’t complain about how busy you are, it makes it look like you are compensating for something.

19. Travel, because in 10 years when you have 3 kids and a mortgage, you won’t be able to justify going to Costa Rica for 10 days, or spending $1000 in Vegas, or taking three weeks for a road trip. Even if it’s for a weekend, go visit your friends that live in other cities, sleep on couches, experience music festivals. Just go!

20. You will think you got your dream job, that dream will change in a couple of years.

xx

-h

Tuesday Shoesday: Hunter Rain Boots

This 5-day blurb in the weather has got us Washingtonians remembering where we are from.  Same as the population quadruples when the sun comes out, people skulk back into their homes at the first sight of rain.  I for one, have not forgotten my roots.  This morning I slipped on my Hunter Rainboots and wore them out of the house like I was walking the runway.  Although Hunter makes a variety of styles, my favorite is the Original Tall, which comes in a variety of colors, both matte and glossy.  I have the glossy black, which are perfect with almost any rainy day outfit.  I’ve seen them worn many ways, and a bright color with a dress for the summer’s warm rain is adorable.  They even sell Welly socks to go inside to keep your feet extra warm on cold days.  Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer these designer rain boots are a must for anyone living in the Northwest!  The Original Tall can be found at Nordstrom for $125, and the Welly sock inserts can also be found at Nordstrom for $30.

Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots

xoxo

-s

Bucket List

This past weekend was “Back 2 Bellingham” or alumni weekend at Western.  With the sun shining and activities going on all over campus I started feeling pretty sentimental about graduating.  Okay…I’ve been feeling sentimental all quarter, but having the count to graduation slowly shift from months to weeks to days has really given me a shake.  The anxiety and concern that I didn’t do everything I should have before leaving college is increasing, so I have decided to create a bucket list to be completed before June 9th graduation.  So far it is rather short, but I’m looking for help.

1. Swim in the Red Square fountain

2. Climb Oyster Dome

3. Run Lake Padden

4. Watch the sunrise

I am asking Western or Non-Western students and graduates: What should I do before leaving?  What did you wish you would have done before leaving?

xoxo

-S

Color Run Seattle 2012

On Sunday, S and I ran the Color Run 5k in Seattle. It was a total blast, every kilometer there is a color bomb area where they throw powdered chalk type color onto you. Everyone wears white, and ends up covered in a rainbow. Check out this video from the finish area.

Color Run Seattle 2012

Looking for a fun way to get your first, second, or millionth 5k under your belt? I would totally recommend The Color Run.

xx
-h

Tuesday Shoesday: Nudes

I am loving the neon and brights trend for spring.  I love it so much that I almost forgot about my love for nudes.  Recently, I bought a bright color-blocked dress (the dress is pictured below) and was pondering the shoes to go with.  At first I was wondering about another bright, maybe a hot pink?  Too much.  It wasn’t until a noticed another item in my closet – a striped neon yellow and tan top – that I realized what I needed: nude.  A simple nude had completely slipped my mind!  Nudes are the perfect pairing the bright color trend.  They perfectly complement wild colors and even prints.

Lov-10ysu-002-1_thumb

Photo from ideeli.com
Dress by LOVE… ADY

I love these patent “bronzed clay” wedges from J.Crew.  They could be worn casual or dressed up and the wedge makes them totally wearable all day.

Photo from JCrew.com

For something that is a little closer to earth, try these patent flats in the same “bronzed clay”.

Photo from JCrew.com

Tune in next week for another edition of our Tuesday Shoesday!

xoxo

-s

Shoesday!

Okay, I’ll be honest, this was supposed to happen yesterday because Shoesday is more like Tuesday then Wednesday. Anywhosie – what do you guys think about these bootskis?

Photo: Nordstrom

I’m thinking that I love the orange. Totally out of the ordinary for me, but I’m interested.

xx

-h