Beautiful Life and Style


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Back from Barcelona!

Annnnnnd…. we’re back! I don’t know if in the hectic past month I even mentioned I was traveling to Spain, but we’ve just returned from our week long vacation! This was the big one I’ve been needing! So much time to unwind and relax- I’m so sad its over- its been a painful transition back to the “real world”. But I have LOTS to share (especially in the architecture department) so look forward to more photos this week! In the meantime, here are a few spoilers for you to enjoy (I actually took these!):

IMG_0072 IMG_0114 IMG_0195 IMG_0274 IMG_0360


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Hats on Parade

OK- here we go- DERBY WEEKEND… AND a fun post to get us back to lighthearted blogging around here. I’ve never been lucky enough to attend the Kentucky Derby- but lets just say its extremely high on my bucket list- if for no other reason than to have an excuse to get my extreme prep on and to buy a most ridiculous hat!

derby hats

I’ve decided to round up a few of my favorites from around the web- full disclosure that some of these are OBSCENELY expensive. But you know it would be worth it. I”m having a hard time deciding between the red feathers and the GIANT blue bow as a favorite…

Derby Hats Galore!

And as an added bonus, one of my coworkers gave me his favorite recipe for a Mint Julep so I’m sharing it with you here. What really sets it apart I think is the minted simple syrup- so worth the extra effort! I hope you make several this Saturday because, I mean- can you really drink anything else on Derby Day???

Proper Mint Julep

mint-julep

  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
  • 1 oz. of minted simple syrup
  • 2 bunches of Kentucky Colonel Mint (crucial – not spearmint or peppermint)
  • 1 thoroughly chilled julep cup

Minted Simple Syrup

First, make your simple syrup. In a heavy medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, stir together 1 cup of sugar and one cup of water until dissolved.  Increase heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, add 1 bunch of Kentucky Colonel mint leaves, and let steep for 15 minutes.  Strain through a cheese cloth, bottle the syrup, and refrigerate 3 hours before using.  This will keep for up to 1 week, so you can prepare it ahead of time.

Making the Mint Julep

Add 1 oz of simple syrup, then 1 cup of the crushed ice, then 2 oz. of Woodford Reserve bourbon, and a splash of water.  Add enough of the remaining crushed ice to almost fill the cup.  Stir well and garnish with a sprig of Kentucky Colonel mint.


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The Shoes He Wore

I know I keep saying this- but I’m really having trouble getting back into the swing of blogging. I’m even lacking in reading other blogs! My google reader has HUNDREDS of unread posts to catch up on. Please bare with me!!!! Big rewards for the readers still out there! ;) I promise I’ve been cooking up a great recap/ city guide from our trip to St. Louis, dreaming up beautiful summery outfits and planning summer garden parties. But TODAY I just wanted to share the AMAZING May cover of Boston Magazine:

Boston Magazine May Cover

It’s a powerful image for sure- a collection of shoes from runners of the Boston Marathon coming together in one heart. There is an incredible story about how it all came together on their website. My favorite quote:

“To me the cover is about two things: perseverance and unity. By itself, each shoe in the photograph is tiny, battered, and ordinary. Together, though, they create something beautiful, powerful, and inspirational. Remove just one shoe and you begin to diminish, in some small way, the overall effect. Collectively, they are the perfect symbol for Boston, and for our response to the bombings.”

I also wanted to share the image because its not everyday your boyfriend makes the cover of a magazine- and Nick was lucky enough to be one of the shoes included (his are the grey and green ones below the O-S of Boston). Maybe a small consolation for not finishing the race? Probably not in his mind, but still very special. Its interesting to see how his is literally just one piece of the puzzle- thousands of stories joined together by one event.

Boston Magazine May Back Cover

back cover

And I know that next year they will all definitely finish the race.


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Meet Me in St. Louis

Its been an emotional week. I feel like the entire city of Boston has been walking around in a daze. You want to return to the same routine, to stop thinking about the tragedy- but the reality is, it will be a while before we can escape it. It’s hard to find closure when they STILL don’t even know who did this.

Which is why I am really excited that Nick and I are headed to St. Louis this weekend for our 5 year college reunion. I think the change of scenery will really be good for us. It would be hard not to be uplifted by reuniting with friends we haven’t seen in so long and visiting places where I have some of the happiest memories of my life. St. Louis is the city I called home for 4 years, and our campus is still one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. (The main buildings were built as part of the 1904 World’s Fair- and the Collegiate Gothic architecture is repeated in nearly every campus building)

WashU in the FallWashU Late SpringBrookings Hall

So I’m signing off until next week! Hope to have many fun updates about my adventures.


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The 25.3 Mile Marathon

I was so excited and looking forward to sharing my weekend here today- and now I’m having trouble even finding words. When I woke up yesterday it was the most beautiful, sunny Spring morning. I literally popped out of bed at 5:30 with enthusiasm (those of you who know me KNOW how ridiculous this is) and hustled Nick to Trinity Church to meet his team and watch him board the buses to Hopkinton.

Marathon Cheering

I then spent the day with my family, driving to different points along the race course to cheer him on. It was exciting and SO FUN! We first spied him in Natick with the enthusiastic pep in his step, cheered him on in Wellsley at the half marathon point, and followed him all the way to Newton, to catch a glimpse of him struggling up the top of Heartbreak Hill.

Nick Heartbreak Hill

And then, well, he didn’t get to finish. MONTHS of training cut short at the 25.3 mile point. Instead our day ended in confusion, chaos and sadness. I can’t really describe the roller-coaster transition from one of the happiest highs- to one of the worst lows. We didn’t have a celebratory dinner like planned, instead we hustled home and glued ourselves to the TV, watching for updates while the sound of sirens and helicopters surrounded our apartment.

Marathon Monday is one of the biggest days in Boston. Heck — it IS  Boston. I think the only day that might be considered a bigger deal is when we have a duckboat parade after our sporting teams win a championship or maybe the 4th of July. Running is such a big part of our city and the marathon is our once a year celebration of that passion. We line the course with our banners and signs and SCREAM our hearts out for the people running and inspiring us.

I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around how much worse it could have been for us. If Nick had run a little faster we would have been right there across the street fr0m the explosions.

Marathon Ticket

So today I’m sad for so many reasons. 1. for Nick who was robbed of his first Marathon finish, 2. for my City- which was kicked down and ripped apart on its most celebratory day, and of course 3. for the families who weren’t as lucky as mine to be safe from the danger. My heart breaks for them especially.

I woke up this morning to another beautiful sunny Spring morning. But it was different. And while I KNOW we will bounce back even stronger – it will certainly take us some time to be back up and running.

Swan Boats on Marathon Monday

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