What I'm Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Can you believe it's that time of the year already?? And Christmas is right around the corner!!!

This Thanksgiving, I just want to take a sec and think about a few things that I'm really grateful for. I definitely don't do this enough, and wish I didn't just do it once a year.

Mom and Dad: Who knows where I'd be without my mom and dad??? Literally! My parents adopted me as a tiny baby, so I really don't know where I'd be if I hadn't been lucky enough to get the parents I got. I wouldn't want any other life!

The Bestie: I only wish I'd met Courtney sooner in my life. We have so much in common, and I love that I can talk to her about anything (And we would've had an AWESOME time together as kids playing with Barbies and sharing toys).

Food: I guess I mean this half jokingly, because I really do loves me some food, but really, I'm grateful I get to eat multiple meals everyday. I take it for granted when I look in the fridge and
"there's nothing to eat."

Baseball: Okay, maybe this one isn't so important, but I love that I get to watch baseball everynight during the season and go to games. It has such a calming effect on me, and since I go to a lot of games with my dad, it's fun to spend the time with him.

Sweaters- I've been loving the chunky cable knit sweater trend this fall and winter, but again, I'm truly thankful I have the life that allows me to wear nice clothes and stay warm. Clothing seems like such a given, but I know they're not easy to get for some.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family!

♥Sara

Sara's Simple Pleasures: Red Cups

It doesn't take much to make me laugh or smile. Really. A surprise piece of chocolate, last minute coffee runs, a random smile, an Orioles win (or Red Sox loss)... I could go on and on.

Even on a bad day, it's nice to try and find that one little thing that makes it a little better.

And so I bring you today's bit of happy: Starbucks' red cups.

Seriously. That's when you know it's Christmas time. And I love it. I also love the peppermint mochas or peppermint hot chocolates inside those cups.....

♥Sara

Photo by Sara

Technology Tuesday?

So, this is the unofficial official Technology Tuesday... I promised myself I wouldn't do this, but I just can't help myself.

Courtney introduced me to this app called "Cartwheel by Target" and it's pretty awesome. You can search categories and find a deal on tons of products.

Then, when you go to check out, have the cashier scan the barcode on your phone, and if you have an eligible product, the register takes off the discount! Pretty cool, huh?



I shop at Target SOOOO much, so I like to check the app every so often to see what new deals there are, since they change a lot. Check it out and see what you can find!

Have fun and happy shopping (and saving!)!

♥Sara

I'm not affiliated with Target, the Cartwheel app, or any products, I'm just a loyal customer. :)

 

Let's Catch Up.....

How was your October?

Mine felt like August! I should be wearing boots in this picture! The weather finally turned chilly towards the end of the month, but it's like we skipped autumn and went straight to winter! But I like my nose pink and a cup of hot cocoa in my hand, so I'm not complaining. 

I sewed a skirt from a large, men's dress shirt! The skirt needs a few more tailoring tweaks before it's photography worthy, but it IS wearable! This was a huge accomplishment for me, as most of my garment sewing ends up in the scrap bin. I also discovered that a white crayon is a fantastic substitute if your dress maker's pencil decided to go on vacation without permission.....

My favorite barista is back! She is so incredibly nice, and makes each customer feel like they are number one. Plus she makes the best cappuccinos — extra foam, every time!

My Dad had a birthday! I always bake him a fancy-smancy cake or pie. This year I baked Boston Cream Cupcakes from this recipe. There were a lot of steps, but they were fairly easy to make. 

The finished product! They were promptly devoured. 

I've been on a tea kick lately. It's a fall thing. 

Sara surprised me with this amazing trail mix! It's addictive. And those innocent looking chocolate-covered coffee beans? They pack quite the caffeine punch!

Sushi! So. Good. 

Coffee and cookie runs with Sara are always highlights in my week. They usually result in laughing until my sides hurt. 

Lattes and letter writing: a perfect way to spend a chilly, autumn afternoon!

What were some highlights of your October? What are you looking forward to this month?

♥ Courtney

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

 

I hope you guys have a spooky day and get lots of fun treats!

 

Be safe out there and eat LOTS of candy (I know I am!)!

 

 

What are you guys dressing up as??

 

♥Sara

The Serving Spoon

I just got back from another trip to Wisconsin — this time on a happier note! One of the greatest things about visiting Marinette, WI, is that you are a five minute drive from Michigan — two states for the price of one! Menominee, MI, sits right on the water with the most wonderful, historic downtown.

On chilly mornings, one of the best things to do is head to The Serving Spoon — a wonderful coffee shop/cafe in a quaint, old house located in the middle of First Street.

You'll be greeted by a vibrant, warm atmosphere — buy your coffee at the counter and head to the back room with a good book, or let them seat you for the most fabulous, homey breakfast!

Start with some of the best coffee I have ever had. I drank a minimum of three cups. Every. Time.

The prices are extremely reasonable. My usual was coffee, one egg and toast, and an order of hash browns or bacon.


The Serving Spoon is full of decor that makes it truly welcoming and unique: the giant silver spoon above the coffee counter, the rough and well visited wooden floor, tables made from antique, iron sewing machine bases, a collection of vintage percolators on a shelf, the sugar and cream bar from a repurposed desk, and local artist's painting and jewelry available for purchase.

Be sure to grab a fancy coffee drink to go — because they are AMAZING! The baristas truly take their time to handcraft your drink. You will have to wait longer than 2 minutes — which makes me wonder what I've been consuming at a well known coffee chain . . .

"Like" The Serving Spoon of Facebook for menu updates and news. A truly wonderful cafe — I guarantee you'll be in love after one visit!

♥ Courtney

All photos taken by Courtney.

Sara Is: October 2013

Drinking: Starbucks Nonfat Lattes. Hazelnut macchiatos are also a current favorite...

Eating: Harvest Snap Snapea Crisps and Wegman's vegetable sushi. Try them. You'll love them.

Listening to: ARMY OF 3 (featuring Ingrid Michaelson) EP. 

Loving: Revlon's Brilliant Strength nail polish in "060 Allure". I am LOVING this polish. It's a really nice, neutral pale pink. Perfect for any occasion, any season. (Don't mind the healing gash on my finger... That's just what I get for trying to open a box with scissors instead of a box cutter at work...)

Not loving: Bad drivers. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but when you see a stop sign, you should probably..... Oh, I don't know, stop?

Reading: Pretty Little Liars: Crushed. Yes, I do know this is a teen girl book. Thanks.

Wanting: That we actually got fall! One week of fall weather, and then straight to frost advisories. I'm not prepared to pack myself in scarves and coats in October!

Watching: The World Series. Yup. I'm a baseball girl. I wish I was watching my Orioles, but I'm a bandwagon Cardinals fan since 2011, so it's good enough. And no one likes the Red Sox anyway... ;)

Wearing: Sweaters. Slightly over sized sweaters with jeans and boots are my go-to this fall and winter.

What are you guys into right now?

♥Sara


All photos taken by Sara with the iPhone 4S.