Thanks for the Cache!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend!!! I did, it was actually a really great weekend!! I hung out with people, which is ridiculously exciting as I'm still trying to make friends and can be painfully shy, then got to go for a really long bike ride and ended the weekend with Geocaching! Lets start at the beginning.

On Friday, armed with some extra spending cash from my amazing boyfriend, I headed out into Toronto for the first time by myself! I met up with a girl I know from a Meet Up (a website which is basically a dating website but for friends! Look it up!) and we got together with some of her friends. It was really great for me to get out of the HOUSE. I usually spend all my time in the apartment so I go stir crazy really fast. This pictures is of blue Sangria, which is my new fave drink. It's regular white Sangria but add Blue Craucao for the color. So yummy!

Saturday I bothered Jake till we went to get my bike fixed. My mother has been bugging me to get a helmet so here it is ma! I actually haven't purchased it yet but once I get a job, it's the first on my to do list! We took a 5 hour bike ride that day and it was lovely! Here are some pictures:

View from the boardwalk.

Found these locks locked to a bridge, cute idea!

Bike riding!

The pond near the Butterfly Gardens. 

After our bike ride, it was time for some beers and some dinner! First we hit up a small local place in Etobicoke called the Relax Shack and boy were we out of place! It was so old and small that most of the people in the bar were stuck in the 1970's. But the beers were cold and the music was good. After a couple we headed home.

Then we headed north in Toronto to Yorkville, which is right above the University. We want to explore more of the side neighborhoods because downtown Toronto can get expensive! Then we kind of realized that everywhere in Toronto is expensive! We went a cute pub for dinner where I made friends with Phoebe the Fern! Please excuse my silly face, the flash was bright!

Damn, my hair is LONG!

On Sunday, Jake decided it was time to leave the city. We drove 50 minutes west to Mount Nemo Conservatory to go Geocaching! Geocaching is basically where someone hides a container with a little notebook and a little something (literally can be anything from a cute eraser to a keychain...just a little goodie or souvenir for your travels). Then they register the coordinates to the website and other people set out to find it! Okay, that sounds confusing but it's basically hide and seek. 

We wandered all over the forest with a compass (a handy app I downloaded onto my phone!) to find hidden treasure! I had always heard of Geocaching but never actually tried. It's free and a great adventure and literally everywhere. 

After a good 30 minutes of searching through a 20 foot square of dense forest, we found our first one! It was literally under a boulder! People kept looking at us funny but we were so happy when we found it! We exchanged that cute smilie face ball for some toe warmers! Then we returned it to the same spot and went off to explore and find another one!

Beautiful view!

We heading into this slightly creepy area for the second Geocaching experience. It looked like the ruins to an old quarry. And, alas, after about 30 minutes of searching everywhere and getting led into the middle of nowhere, we gave up. We couldn't find it! Blast!

Top of the ruins.

Looking down from the above picture! Steep.

After this defeat we found one more cache in which I claimed a cute pink parrot button for my own and replaced it with a green sparkly bow tie. Then two for three, we decided to try to find just one more cache before the sun went down.

The cavern was way cool!!

At the end of the day, we were 2 for 4, tired and dirty. Geocaching is my new favorite hobbie. it's free, which I love but it reminds me of being a kid again. Searching for hidden treasure, even though it's nothing valuable, that doesn't matter! If you're looking for something new to do, you should try this. It's great! I'm thinking that maybe I need to hide a cache in each new city that I move to! As my contribution to society!

What'd you do this weekend?? Would you ever try Geocaching?

Magazine Hunting.

One of my favorite things about summer is traveling. One of my favorite things about traveling (and actually summer as well) is the one chance in the year that it's okay to buy trashy magazines!!

I love getting a new magazine and looking through it, picking out outfits, cool purchases and make up ideas that I would usually not look into. It's fun to dream, right?!

Well I actually have a subscription to Redbook (thanks to Jacob's company...) so I get to indulge every month! But I saved my new issue for the plane ride to Toronto. They have this cool section that's called 50 Under 50 that I'm totally addicted to. So on the plane, I picked out the items I'm actually interested in looking into! Here's what I found:

I first liked this black and white striped skirt from Mandee for $19.99. Sadly, it doesn't look like they have online shopping so I'll have to wait till I'm back in the States to find a store! If it's near you, go check it out and let me know!

Ironically, the second thing I liked were these belts from Mandee as well. And guess what, $5 each! Man I wish there was a Mandee store near me! Good find, Redbook!

Raspberry.

What a great addition to a summer wardrobe!!! This raspberry dress is from Forever 21 and is on my must-have list, especially since it's only $19.80! Steal!

I loved these earrings by Sophia Vergara. Purple is my new black. I love purple and I'm trying really hard to get into gold. I think gold is a really soft color and adds that summer warmth to any outfit. You can find these at K Mart for $9.99!

I had to put all of my handbags into storage when I moved this week so I'm looking to get a few good bags for the year and this caught my eye. Rainbow Shops may be my new favorite site. I mean this bag is only $12.99! I think I may be onto something here! Thanks Redbook!

Let's face it. Nautical is in, baby! And I'm pretty excited about expanding my wardrobe to encompass this look. Maybe starting with this Capelli New York scarf for $9.95? I think yes!

Going with this nautical theme are boat shoes, which have been blowing UP this season I think! I see them everywhere and need to get a pair. I've heard they are really comfortable!!! These go for $17.60 on Go Jane.

Lastly, I saw this shirt that I love! One of the main reasons that I like it, besides that bright fun colors, is that fact that it looks pretty loose. In the summer, I'm a huge fan of loose clothing. It's hot and everyone gets a little sweaty. Tight shirts are a pain!! You can find this little number at Marshall's for $9.99! Steal, again!

What are some of your favorite summer finds??? Are you a magazine hunter or do you go into the trenches??

Stepping Back In: DC

Happy Monday everyone!!

It's a great Monday for me because for the first

time in a long time, I am not opening the bar!

I'm sorry but there's nothing worse then a Monday at a bar.

I thought I'd step back into reality for a little while

and share some high lights from my weekend in DC!

Crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge. 

We arrived in DC about 9pm on Friday night.

After catching up a bit with friends, we headed to a bar

called the H Street Country Club.

As we got off the Metro and into a cab, DC was hit by

the most intense thunderstorm.

As we drove, street signs were being torn off poles.

Scaffolding was flying through the air like paper.

Trees were being thrown around like dolls and we watched

many power outages.

But we made it to the bar!

This picture is of my friend Lizzie and I after out 4 second run from

the cab to the bar.

It was raining THAT hard.

Playing mini golf at the bar.

One of the holes was themed Zombie Presidents!

I <3 Teddy :)

Saturday, as my friends slept in, I got up and navigated my way to

Open City in DC to meet up with Brandi from Not Your Average Ordinary.

It was probably one of the best ideas of my life.

i'm at a cross roads and really needed to meet with a fellow blogger,

and not just any blogger!

I feel like Brandi and I really connected on different levels.

Go check her out!!

This is a picture of just one of the horrendously long

escalators taking me to the Metro platform.

Wanna hear the worst thing ever?

When I was on my way to meet Brandi, 

I had to CLIMB one of these bad boys....

I was slightly hung over...

and I was about 90 degrees.

No. Bueno.

The rest of Saturday was spent seeking refuge at the Smithsonian's 

Natural History Museum.

It was amazing!

I can't believe how many museums there ARE there!

While I could spend weeks wandering around,

I wasn't feeling it too much on Saturday.

It was hot, I was dehydrated and really tired.

I so not used to staying up late.

After a late lunch at a local Irish pub and a short nap

watching Ocean's 12, we headed to the east side of DC to see

Gareth Emery at Club Fur.

Man. It was probably one of the most amazing shows I've seen.

This is my life.

And I love it so.

After sleeping till 11:30, we pulled ourselves together

and braved the heat again to refuel.

We went to a little place called Blue 44,

and every single time someone said "Blue 44" 

all I wanted to say was "HIKE!"

or whatever they say in football...

I had Eastern Eggs Benedict which was a normal benedict

with a crab cake and fresh tomato.

It was incredible. And reasonably priced!!

We spent the rest of the day eating FroYo by the Zoo and watching America's Funniest Home Videos.

Jake and I braved the long 6 hour drive home and had a realy great time.

Sadly, this morning I had the hardest time getting up.

I really need to stop being so adventurous. 

It's exhausting.

9 days till TORONTO!

Stepping Out.

Happy Friday, all!

I hope you got some great Summer Salad ideas from earlier

for this weekend!

I'm just here to say that I'll be stepping out for the weekend.

Jacob and I are heading to DC to visit some friends

so I won't be posting for a few days!!

But when I get back,

you'll have stories from mini-golfing and 

a rave!!!

Rave.

[Note: This is a good time to tell you that I love raves or EDM (electronic dance music.) I love lights, loud music, crazy dancing, people wearing strange clothing and heart stopping, body moving, out of this world bass. It's a way I like to let go, to dance till your all sweaty and hot. I think it's fun. No, I don't do weird drugs or get black out drunk, it's just a way of expressing myself. Please, don't judge.]

What do you have planned this weekend?

Have a great one!!

Summer Eatin'

I don't know about you but when the heat hits,

all I want to eat is something cold.

No soups, no pastas, no melted sandwiches.

It's too hot, yo!

So my summer eatin' routine? 

Wonderful, chilled, delicious salads!!

The Wedge.

The wedge salad is always a great way to go.

I enjoy them because they can be dressed nicely on a plate,

mostly because there's no tossing or mixing all the salad

fixings together, you just cut a wedge of lettuce and sprinkle, drizzle

and dash everything on top!

Traditional wedge salads are made with Iceberg lettuce...

But lets be real, there's nothing in Iceberg lettuce so...Romaine is way better.

Click on the caption for recipe ideas courtesy of EatingWell.com.

Panzanella.

Have I ever told you how much I love Panzanella salads??

I made my first one last year for my sister's Bridal Shower.

They are so simple and fresh and lovely.

Fresh tomatoes, lovely baked croutons, fresh basil, yummo!

The recipe is easy, just look at the picture!

I like to make variations on the Panzanella, too!

Add chucks on fresh mozzarella and red, orange and yellow peppers

for a nice "Italian" feel.

Spice it up with by baking the croutons in Cajun or Jerk seasoning.

Add feta cheese for a Greek feeling!

These salads are very versatile.

Spinach with Fruits.

Lastly, I love summer salads because you can incorporate

fruit in!

One of my favorites is the above picture.

The base of spinach with added berries, maybe some toasted

nuts and throw on some goat cheese!

Mix with a light, maybe citrus dressing and BAM!

Delicious summer eatin'!

Adding fruit to a salad is a great way to mix it up.

It's healthy and different!

I love grilled shrimp tossed with citrus especially

because you can utilize the grill while diverting off the

hotdogs and hamburger track!

What are some of your summer salad faves??