Transitions *photo heavy*

Wait.... it's the middle of August already??

Where did the time go?

Moving to Florida has been such a scary, wonderful, emotion-packed life event! The weather is hot, the bugs eat me, but I have a tan! :D No more California granola girl here! There's so much that's happened, I think I'll do a recap in photos & vid.

 .brother fixing up today's catch.

 .weddings.

 .the old married folk.

 .telephone booth.

 .shopping buddies.

 .pool days.

 .the view from our apartment.

 .amelia island.

 .chris' new shaving method.

 .redneck yacht club.

 .the ladies.

 .brother's new home.

.charlie's first boat trip to the gulf.

xo,

137th Kentucky Derby *photo heavy*

**----THE 1ST ANNUAL MARKFORD DERBY PARTY----**

.derby ATC. 

supplies: all paper is Bazzill, banner is copy paper & pin is by Maya Road, black ink by Inkadinkado.

.MINT JULEP CUPCAKES.

these will now become a tradition!! they were so moist, yummy, and sweet :D

 .the batter.

I poured the mix into foil liners, as to resemble the julep cup. 

.ingredients.

Original recipe found HERE. 

My adaptations: I used Vanilla Cake Mix as a base instead of making it from scratch. Also, no bourbon in the cupcake. I did put about 2 tablespoons of bourbon in store bought Vanilla Icing & let it set overnight before I decorated them. 

 .BROWNIE BOURBON BALLS.

.I would definitely make these again - but they were more fudge-y than brownie. 

.rollin, rollin, rollin.

.hard at work.

Original Recipe found HERE.

My adaptations: I did not use an egg substitute - I used real egg. Chris rolled a 1/3 with powdered sugar, no almonds. A 1/3 with almonds, no powdered sugar. A 1/3 with both. I recommend using nuts - it does balance out the richness of the bite size ball. 

 .THE SPREAD.

lemon jello cake, pasta salad, rolls, chocolate covered strawberries, julep cupcakes, bourbon balls. (lunch meat not out yet - the doggies would have gotten too excited,  hehehe)

 .AND THEY'RE OFF!!.

.ALL THOSE IN ATTENDANCE - derby hats required.

xo,

Happy Birthday! {TO ME}

Yesterday I turned 26. It was my first birthday away from home (3000 miles away - but we Skyped!!) but it was still a wonderfully celebrated day.

 .sister-in-law & I enjoying a lunch break @ Ruby Tuesday's.

best. drink. ever. = pineapple, coconut, orange, cranberry goodness

 .trying to sneak food.

peppercorn pork with green beans & sweet potato!! :)

 .lemon cake  - my favorite!!.

is it bad that I took a photo of the cake before I considered making a wish??

xo,

NOLA

.frenglish.

.our hotel's balcony.

.still in recovery mode.

.st. louis cathedral.

.gluttony.

.the remnants of an Old Fashioned.

.Chris' hero: Chris McMillian.

.mint julep.

.new orleans classic: sazerac.

.our hotel.

.breakfast.

.beignets.

xo,