Happy {Labor Day} Weekend

Yay for a long weekend!  I know it hasn't been that long since I had a self-imposed long weekend, but who doesn't need a little extra time off, right?  Even though it's supposed to be a bit rainy here in Seattle, I'm looking forward to watching my Alma Mater in their first football game of the season, celebrating a fun bachelorette, and spending some time at home cleaning, catching up on some reality tv, and hopefully making a yummy meal or two.  Hope you have a fabulous Labor Day weekend, and enjoy those last few days of summer!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

pic of elliott bay marina a few weeks ago

Moody Roses

Is it really only Thursday?!?  In honor of that, I'm showing you some pretty lavender-grey roses that had popped up in my yard earlier this summer.  I didn't even know that they came in this color!  I love how soft and moody they are - I almost want to call them Halloween roses because of their slightly spooky color.  Enjoy!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Ikea

 korken jars to organize my pantry

This past weekend, mom and I took a trip down to Ikea - something I've been putting off for months.  There are so many things I "need" there, but actually going always feels like such a chore.  After debating for awhile, we decided to head down to see what we could find {I knew I had to find something}.  I ended up coming home with several of the smaller things on my list {though the big ones are still on my mind} and already my home feels more organized and put together.  How is it that these small purchases always do that?  I already can't wait for my next trip to that awesome Swedish superstore :)

 rens sheepskin rug for beside my bed to keep my toes warm in the winter

 finally found an inexpensive 20x28 frame for a pretty picture i need to hang

this vanilla scented sinnlig candle is perfect for fall

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Showering Baby Robinson

Saturday morning I headed out to Kirkland with my mama to celebrate the soon to be arrival of Baby Robinson in just a few short weeks!  The setting was gorgeous, overlooking the lake at her parents home, and the catered spread was delicious {including cupcakes by Erin!}.  There were many laughs throughout the afternoon {especially when trying to explain American baby showers to Sue} and it was so fun to sit back, drink mimosas, and celebrate this little baby boy that is already so, so loved.  I seriously cannot wait to meet this little guy and am so excited to celebrate one of my besties on this amazing new adventure she's about to embark on.  Congrats Stef and Eric - I am soooo excited for you!! :)

how cute is this baby carriage watermelon??

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Outdoor Movie {Autumn's Birthday}

Friday night, we all headed out to Shilshole to celebrate Autumn's big 3-0.  It was a gorgeous summer night, and we all hung out on the dock by their boat eating hot dogs and crab, sipping beers, and catching up as we watched the sunset over the marina.  Once the sun went down, we headed down the way where the Marina was playing Hook on an outdoor screen.  Everyone snuggled up on camp chairs with blankets as we were brought back to our childhoods with this nostalgic and sweet movie.  It was such a fun way celebrate the end of summer - and Happy Birthday Autumn!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {end of summer} Weekend

What are you up to this weekend?   I get to celebrate big milestones for two friends - turning 30 and having a baby!  And while a lot of the weekend is pretty much planned out for me, I'm excited to spend a lot of it with my mama - we always have the most fun :)

Have a great one - and take advantage of summer while it's still here!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Birthday Bar

I know it's been almost a month and I'm still talking about my birthday, but you guys - it really was so much fun!  I knew months in advance that I wanted to take my actual birthday off of work {and then extended that into a really long weekend}, but I knew I wanted to spend an hour with some of my favorite ladies at the Bar Method.  Lucky for me, my birthday landed one day after Bev's {the owner}, so when I walked in, I was greeted with {leftover} balloons all over the place.  They even had a Happy Birthday balloon tied to "my spot" at the barre!  After doing my 30 pushups {on my toes!} and my "last 30" of pretty much everything while listening to probably the best birthday workout mix ever, I walked out of Erika's class sweating but smiling.  I took some of the balloons with me for my upcoming fiesta, and as I walked down the streets carrying this ridiculous balloon bouquet, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face from this little community I've become a part of that is so important to me.  I love these girls :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Orzo Salad with Grilled Corn, Olives, & Basil

For my birthday this year, Maddie got me the most beautiful cookbook, Summer Food, and I haven't been able to stop pouring over the gorgeous pictures of pretty much everything I want to eat.  This weekend, I decided I wanted to make something out of it {it is the end of summer, after all} so I decided to start simple with the Orzo Salad with Grilled Corn, Olives, and Basil.  This recipe allowed me to use my grill and use the basil that has miraculously started growing again in my garden, so it seemed perfect.  It was incredibly easy to put together {I chopped the veggies and cooked the orzo while the corn was grilling} and can be easily customized to whatever suits your tastes {I think next time I'll add feta and shrimp!}.  If you're looking for a quick, fresh, and delicious meal, I'd highly suggest whipping this up while the produce is still fresh and the sun is still out.  It definitely feels good to be cooking again :)

Orzo Salad with Grilled Corn, Olives, & Basil

Ingredients
2 ears of corn
Olive oil
Salt & Pepper
20 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
2oz pitted kalamata olives, halved
1/2 bunch fresh basil, leaves only
1/2 lb orzo, cooked al dente

Dressing
4 tblsp olive oil
4 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp powdered mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions
1. Rub ears of corn with oil, salt, and pepper.  Transfer to center of a hot grill and cook, turning so each side is browned.
2. Slice corn from the cobs.  Combine with tomatoes, red onion, olives, basil, and orzo.
3. Whisk dressing ingredients together and pour over salad.  Mix and serve.

Serves 4

adapted from Summer Food

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roaming the Garden {Vines}

One thing this yard is not lacking for are vines.  I have ivy growing around the entire perimeter, and in that lies {among other things} pretty honeysuckles, clematis,and jasmine.  While they can sometimes be a pain {and grow like crazy!} they add a bright pop of color to an otherwise boring green border.  Especially the purple clematis - those were the most unexpected surprise :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Sweet Lou

Last weekend, my parents, my grandpa, and I headed down to Safeco Field for what was guaranteed to be an awesome night - Lou Piniella's induction into the Mariner's Hall of Fame.  We arrived at the ballpark to the sun shining on our terrace club seats just in time for the ceremony to begin.  It brought back so many memories watching the videos of Lou - laughing with his players, the cow Griffey brought into his office, and of course, him yelling at the umpires and throwing the bases :)  He was always the most exciting and energetic guy to watch on the team, and he will always hold a permanent spot in my childhood memories.  Through chants of "Louuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu" and many cheers, he was welcomed back to Safeco Field as our dear Sweet Lou.  It was a fun night :)

 the oyster po boy i waited 30 minutes for

 me and gramps

a gorgeous night - but unfortunately it was an m's loss

 

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Fiesta {Part 3}

Because sometimes, you just need to dance and be silly with your girlfriends {while their husbands obligingly take photos}.

attempting to recreate a favorite college photo

mission {almost} accomplished

Thanks again to everyone who made 30 one I'll never forget!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Fiesta {Part 2}

When about half of the party guests left, we decided it was time to hang up the pinata that Merith and Andy brought and take a few swings.  After not too many tries, the pinata fell, but not entirely broken, so we decided to play a quick game of pinata baseball to really break it open :)  After that, us girls played a few rounds of Here Dummy {of course my team won :)}, all the while drinking, laughing, and having the best time.  I love these people :)

 i have been finding pieces of candy all over my yard since the party

 pinata baseball!

 pictures like this make me the happiest

 every pinata needs plastic mini bottles

 erika does not look confident in merith's skills

 the high school  {and earlier} ladies stuck around 'til the end

 remnants of a fun night

xoxo,
stephanie marie