Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Naples

i spent the last 12 days in paradise, aka Naples, FL, aka home. :)

have you ever been? it's beautiful!

-friends-

gotta have fun!

i never burn. ouch. (never say never)

daddy :)

the chefs and I...awesome event!

Monday Munchies...

I have been on a blog break for the week, aka I have been home on vacation at the beach and sleeping my life away. But I honestly needed it, school starts back again tomorrow and I feel very rested. Woohoo!! Any who, I'm writing today to tell you about a new little recipe I have been working on trying different varieties of. It's kinda like homemade soft serve, but a healthier version. I have been using bananas as the main ingredient, but tried strawberries today instead. The idea is to keep it as dry as possible, otherwise it will turn into a smoothie. It's not easy, but if you can figure out how to blend it without adding too much water, it's awesome! Also, if you have a vitamixer, it makes it a lot easier. I'm working with a pretty average blender.

Banana:
2 frozen bananas
1 scoop unsweetened cocoa powder
splash of almond extract
splash of almond milk
(in the picture i used a dollop of almond Greek yogurt for taste)
if this isn't sweet enough, use truvia to taste
Strawberry:
1 cup of frozen strawberries
1 scoop unsweetened cocoa powder
splash of almond extract
splash of almond milk
(in the picture i layered almond Greek yogurt)
if this isn't sweet enough, use truvia to taste

Let me know what you think or if you have tried something similar! :)

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Palm Beach 2007

So I'm planning a mini-vaca with my Dad to Palm Beach in a couple weeks and I started looking back at past trips to the lovely coastal town. Came across these from around this time in 2007! (ps i was a senior in HS! ahhhhh!)

Can't wait to stroll Worth Ave again!

Southern Summer Days

I had so much fun picking strawberries the first time, that I went back with a good friend of mine. She is definitely more familiar with the "farm life" and was really excited to go. When we got there, they said it might be a little more difficult because the weeds had grown over a bit and their season for that bath was comin to an end. But I couldn't resist, so we set out among the weeds and ended up with full buckets. Florida summer is hotter than blazes and the sun was beating down hard.

Me with my bucket of berries :)

My friend Susan with her bucket!
After picking our berries we headed to Fresh Market. I know not all of you have a FM, but if you can ever get to one GO! It's amazing and they are so polite, I feel like it's the Ritz of the grocery world. And believe it or not there is one in Gainesville! We picked up some old fashion soda pop and chatted all afternoon. The perfect summer day!
I quickly realized how much I love these bottles. So I washed them really well and added them to my mantel. I like how they look so old, do you like what I did?

Enjoy those summer days, they are going to be gone before we know it!

Venue Crush

As I have discussed before, my father owns his own company. We have done many different things over the years and one of my favorites is weddings. I always take the opportunity to tour any new venues, because brides are always looking for something new. Well we stumbled across this beautiful chapel in Naples, FL. (that's where i'm from) And I couldn't help but share pictures. This would be the perfect clean slate for any bride. Leave it simple or dress it up. The crisp white walls are perfect for any southern wedding. I just had to share....

This organ was amazing. I wanted to hear it so bad!
me, in seersucker of course. :)
I love new venues for any event!