WEEKEND PIE

Fun weekend! Tim was out of town this weekend at the Weapons of Mass Creation festival in Cleveland, OH. I am COMPLETELY jealous. It just wasn't in the books for this year. I wanted to go so bad though. And to keep my mind from wandering to a typography-based jealousy world, I indulged myself in the company of my lady friends.

On Saturday we went to Ria's Bluebird in Grant Park. If you ever go there, get the breakfast burrito. Everything on the menu is delicious, but that messy, slop looking burrito is where everyone's heart is. After brunch, we took our sleepy stuffed bellies to the couch where we lounged and watched some shows (like Misfits!). I'm already caught up on Misfits, but one of my friends is still catching up.

I went back to Grant Park in the evening to meet with some other ladies friends. We ate at the charming Republic Social House. It's a dive bar with a rooftop patio that has a stunning view of the historic Oakland Cemetery. Sounds creepy, but I promise, it's just awesome.

Sunday began with brunch again, but this time at a French cafe called La Madeleine with Tim's parents. It was pretty cute that I got breakfast with them without Tim. It was the first time I've hung out with them without Tim or his brother, Mark. Niceee. I had a delicious mushroom swiss omelet.

After brunch I got some new duds. The Gap answered my craving for poppy colors, stripes, and peach khakis. Thus after my shopping, the only thing I could do was watch Downton Abbey when I got home. I'm all caught up with season 1. Season 2 needs to get on netflix soon or I might die of suspense.

Then I saw Childish Gambino (Donald Glover's music project) at Criminal Records with my lady friends, and we all made a dinner together after the show. We're talking delicious salmon, broccoli, and capri salad.



Also, I would like to say that winky faces are a tricky smiley to use. I learned my lesson last week after a simple text message went too risque. Don't ever put Sagmeister and a winky face in the same sentence in regards to his latest press release.

TO THE BAY

Well, the weekend was a few days ago already, but I still feel like I'm on a vacation - in the very least, it's still a mental vacation. My parent's 25th anniversary is actually tomorrow, but over the weekend Tim accompanied me to Tampa where we stayed with them and celebrated. It was a very short stay at just over a day, but it was nice to get away for a moment and see the beach. Even though I grew up in Tampa, it's become so exciting to see an open body of water. Atlanta has barely any water whatsoever, so even rain is exciting.

Early Sunday morning we got up at seven and drove to my favorite beach of all time, Anna Maria Island. The water was still cool, but as the sun came through the clouds, it was perfect.



My parents took us to this Indian restaurant called Tandoor, that was amazing. If you live in the Tampa/Brandon/Valrico area, definitely stop by this place. It reminds me of a good restaurant here in Atlanta, Panahar. It hurts my heart to know that I had to leave my leftovers with my parents. I don't think it would have lasted a 7 hour drive.

After the dinner, my good friend Ryan came by and we paddled a canoe out on the Tampa Bay. My parents live just off the bay, so it was a nice little surprise boat trip. The only downside was that the mosquitoes took that opportunity to eat the hell out of us. I still have 30+ itchy reminders of that fun night. ;)

I hope you had a lovely Memorial Day weekend too. I know a lot of people traveled.. so where did you go?


instagram photos by me! follow me @ciarasames

B&W

I've been thinking a lot lately about how much I love black and white together. I don't think I could live in a completely black and white world - though the idea is very tempting. I definitely have color in my home, but I try to keep my color palette simple. In an attempt to scratch the B&W itch, the rest of the week I'll be keeping this blog black and white.

In other news, I had a lovely weekend. There was an event in my neighborhood where two miles of a popular road was shut down and everyone biked and walked around, eating food and playing games. There's nothing like playing street hockey on a (usually) busy street.

It's taken me several months, but I'm finally all caught up on How I Met Your Mother. Anyone out there surprised or saw it coming? ;)

photo by me

WEEKEND PIE

This weekend was a very nice, sometimes relaxing, sometimes entertaining and exciting weekend. I got a new iMac, (wahoo!) after spending too much time going to work early to use that or my lagging 5 year old macbook. It was time for something I could rely on - especially with design school on the horizon.

Later on Saturday I saw Beach House with Tim and our friend Emily in Athens, Georgia, at the Georgia Theatre. I love taking little trips out of town to see a show. It's funny, and it's exciting. Of course the best part was the post-show hotdog from the guy who sells them outside the venue. It's a must.

So let me explain this whole "Almost breaking leg" thing. I was standing on the toilet seat lid, slipped, and all my weight via my shin hit the edge of the clawfoot tub's edge. I'm not sure I've experienced pain like that. I was laying on the ground sobbing my eyes out for 15 minutes before I looked at my leg, half expecting the bone to be sticking out. No bone, and I'm assuming no break, because it's just sore now. One hell of a knot and bruise came up, but I was able to stand on it after a few minutes of icing it down. It sure is a ghastly sight, but I'm fine. Totally scary though.

Mother's day was sweet. My mother and grandmother live in Florida, so I skyped with them for a while in the morning. It was nice to see them and talk about things. ♥ The dinner later in the day was spent with Tim's family and his mom, who is also a doll. We went back to his parent's house after dinner and caught up on all our shows. I don't know if any of you watch Girls, but I loveeee it. Lena Dunham is a genius.

Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day, all you mamas out there!

Weekend: ASHEVILLE

Happy Monday, friends! I had a lovely weekend, did you? Tim and I took a day trip to Asheville on Saturday. I had never been, and he wanted to take me there. And as our one year anniversary just passed, it was a good reason to take a road trip! We spent a lot of time walking around the city and looking at all the funny, cool, or just downright unusual things. There are so many hippies! I've never seen so many dreadlocks all in one place. It was so beautiful to be surrounded by mountains, I loved it. For our fancy dinner we went to an Indian restaurant called Mela, and it was incredible. I had Chicken Tikka Masala and Tim had the Saag Paneer. Yum! But sad news, we left the leftovers in Asheville. I kick myself every time I think about it. But, besides that, the trip was perfect. We stopped a lot of detours and shops on the way back, including the Smoky Mountain Parkway with a breathtaking ridge view of the mountains. The next few months will have similar mini trips to other places. May is a trip to Florida to see my parents for their 25th anniversary, and June is a trip to St. Louis to see Tim's family (and the Cardinals).

Does this summer have an promising destinations for you?

(p.s. check out all the red white and blue in those photos. funny, especially because all my travel tweet had #america in them)

BACK FOR (SERIOUS) BUSINESS

I guess I wasn't joking when I said I needed a break! The blogging haitus last week was completely unplanned, but I guess in a sense it was. I really needed a good break to refresh and get some motivation again. I feel like a brand new person and I'm running like a steam engine. Look out! Also, I'm feeling like my own person again, which feels great. We all have quirks and that is what makes us all different and brings us together. Embrace the quirkiness!

I mapped out what I did on the days I didn't blog, but I figured that I'd spare you all the unnecessary details. Some days I was busy, others not so much. But I will clue you in that a lot of that is just eating, grabbing drinks, and refreshing with some of my great pals. I hope you've been having a great week too!

INSTAWEEKEND

Sorry for the late weekend update. I know today is Tuesday, but it's more of a Monday to me. I took yesterday off from work to handle some school stuff and so I had a long weekend. Saturday Tim was sick after some bad food poisoning, and Sunday was also low key, but yesterday was way more active! After my school appointment I met up with my friend Jessie for some drives through town and thrifting. I came home with two vintage tennis rackets. Woo!

If you're wondering about that cute little foxy fellow, that's a knit doll from Blabla Kids. It was my first time to the store yesterday and I completely fell in love. If you have a kid, get them one now. Trust me.

photos by me on instagram. follow me!

WEEKEND PIE

And by Misfits, I mean the most amazing British TV show. I'm all caught up now, as I clearly did hardly anything else all weekend.

WEEKEND SMILES

Had a lovely weekend. The weather was so nice here - warm enough to have all the windows and doors open. Yesterday I had a lovely brunch with friends celebrating my friend, Stephanie's birthday. It was wonderful. Hope you had a nice weekend too!

A LAZY WEEKEND

I had a lovely weekend taking it easy. My job had a huge project I've been working on for months and we finally got the bulk of it done. So as a nice little reward, they gave me a paid half day for Friday and a trip to an Aveda Spa for a massage. Talk about starting the weekend off right!

I also went with Tim and our friend, Kim to see their favorite band, The Mountain Goats. I was probably the only one in the audience who didn't know all the words to the songs, but it was fun. I had a great time surrounded by such excited, passionate people.

On Saturday, we went to the park and read for a while. I buried myself in Kinfolk Magazine, which is more amazing that I ever thought it could be. If you don't know, Kinfolk Magazine is a guide to small gatherings - a tribute to intimate coming togethers of friends and loved ones over food and drink. The photos and excerpts are wonderful and romantic. It is certainly going to help me take more time to make small events more special.

Other highlights include blueberry pancakes, trying a new nail polish (OPI Warm & Fozzie), and skyping with my mom.

How was your weekend? ♥

WEEKEND

THINGS I LOVE

succulents and cats.


(see I told you I would share a better picture of Zooey!)

80%20

I’m not sure if any of you subscribe to Gilt, but it’s one of those deal websites that connect you with sweet bargains. If it weren’t for Gilt, I wouldn’t have found out about 80%20 shoes so soon. These are awesome shoes and I’m a quick fan. You can find them all over the place online, like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. Just thought I’d share the find.

P.S. Christmas is almost here! Can’t wait! I hope you all had a good weekend too. I spent a lot of time relaxing, Christmas partying, and petting my new two kitties, Zooey and Fran. Pictures of them soon!

ROAD TRIP!

Ciao, friends! Heading down to the homeland for a weekend family visit and celebration of my brother's 40th birthday. Tim is coming with me and this will be the longest family time to be had for him with my family. *nervous* It'll be good! I'm sure that it will still surprise me how much warmer it is down there. One state south and the weather is so different. We're even going to my favorite beach. Wow. I hope you have a great weekend too! :)


photo here

WEEKEND PART TWO

photos by Tim Lampe

My friends and I had a Friendsgiving on Saturday. I loved it. Everyone brought a home cooked dish and we were able to put a real Thanksgiving dinner together. At one quiet point while everyone was eating, my friend Kim said, "I think we're adults now, I can't believe we all did this." (or something like that.) And I think everything was thinking the same thing. I can't believe I'm growing up and hosting Thanksgiving dinners. It was a perfect day. :)

WEEKEND PART ONE

So Blogshop was on Thursday, so it wasn't really the weekend, but it sure did feel like it. Here are some of the Smilebooth photos from my fun time with Blogshop. The last few pictures were from the mini Smilebooth set up at HD1, a hot dog restaurant where everyone met up after class. Tim stopped by for a minute and we got a few pictures together. I hope you enjoy these really silly photos. haha


I'll have more of a weekend update later on today. Stay tuned!

tonight is the night.

So just as a heads up, I'm working on a new header for the blog, as well as some other design elements. I really do love the one I have, and it has a deep place in my heart, but I've come a long way from there now. Moving on up! I can't tell you when it'll be live, but I am working on it!

In other news, tonight is the opening night of the art show I helped curate and showing a piece in. This is the first time I have shown a piece in Atlanta, so I'm nervous and excited about it. I spent last night hanging some of the art pieces. It was so exciting seeing it all come together and see my piece hanging there.

After the show we're seeing Youth Lagoon. Please, I'm begging you, if you haven't heard Youth Lagoon yet, please do it. Go on Spotify or Grooveshark or whatever you have, just listen. He will romance your ears.

Have a great weekend, lovelies. I hope it is relaxing and pleasant and full of memory making.

weekend: cottage & artwork.

Vocabulary | Gem Club


Over the weekend my good friend, Emily Hogan, music blogger of Wholly Roller, hosted her first show at a place called The Cottage. It was the first time Tim and I had ever been there, and it was magical. The Cottage is the garage apartment of a beautiful house where the upstairs is the recording studio and the downstairs is the venue. They have all these little cafe lights that make the most incredible mood and a huge tree swing out in the yard. The bands we save were perfect and dreamy: Vocabulary, Holy Spirits, Gem Club, and Places. Tim took the pictures above and you can see the rest of the series on his flickr.


In other news, my best friend from back home came up to Atlanta for a music festival. It was wonderful being able to spend some time with her! I was able to get a new handbag and it is exactly what I have been looking for. Also pictured is the media console I mentioned in a previous post and I had been meaning to show you! That front panel slides back and forth - perfect for the records and all their glory!

I'm sure most of you don't know that I am an officer for the art history club at my university. The club is hosting an art exhibition at Mint Gallery next month and I'm very excited! This weekend I finished it up, yay! I used a discarded landscape print and illustrator markers. Here's the piece, "Better Him Than You" :

weekend: flux and dinosaurs.

scenes of flux 2011 by artrelish.


This weekend was a lot of fun. It was just what I needed - a little bit of fun, a lot of rest and relaxation. The video above is a collection of scenes taken from Flux, the art event/public art happening that I mentioned in the last post. The majority of the stuff in the video I witnessed first hand, and it was all amazing.

The opening and closing scenes show the dance, "Livers" by gloATL. The smoke and music made the whole experience just bewildering. You felt as if you were in another realm seeing something you weren't supposed to.

One of my favorite art demonstrations of the night wasn't shown in the video. It was an iron pour - which I had never seen before. It was commenting on the similarities in the way that humans and bees work. They heated the iron, pour the molten metal into molds, and out came a still glowing, very hot, bee. The molds were quickly reset and more bees were made. Poles were inserted into the bees and they were paraded around in a bee dance. Beautiful and fascinating to see molten iron in a modern and very removed society.



In other highlights, Tim & I tried a new restaurant, HD1 (Haute Dog One) that just opened up. When in doubt, pinkies out for gourmet haute dogs. (and maple glazed waffles fries, OMG, I KNOW!) Delishhhhh. And for brunch on Sunday we went to the Flying Biscuit where I got a salmon and cream cheese egg scramble with creamy dreamy grits. My fav. There was also a in-store show at Criminal Records, where Young Rapscallions played. AKA the drummer is McLovin' from Super Bad. (But don't call him that!) I didn't want to pester him for a picture or anything, but I did stare at him for a while. haha. We also stopped by our favorite vintage shop, Highland Row antiques. They were having their monthly market sale, so we got to see a bunch of new stuff. yay!



We also watched another episode of Pan Am, which I might dedicate a whole post to. It's just that bad. SNL with Melissa McCarthy was better than I hoped. Goodness, she is just hilarious. Side splittingly hilarious. And I watched another Woody Allen film, Zelig, which I'll talk about later also. My mother told me that she had seen the first episode of Terra Nova and loved it, so we gave it a shot. Honestly, it wasn't so bad. The dinosaurs could look a whole lot more realistic, but hey, it was the pilot. Hopefully it will get better.

Here's some homework: Go watch the Melissa McCarthy SNL Hidden Valley Ranch clip and get back with me. You will never see ranch the same way again - and it's a good thing. :)


instagram photos by tim lampe @knowsurprises

cat lash.

Happy Friday, folks! Pretty stoked about this weekend. We're celebrating my birthday (and the birthday of my friends, Emily and Kimberly) tomorrow night at my favorite Bangladesh restaurant. I've been waiting all month for this!

In other news, I found a really awesome playlist by the wonderful Kate Miss of For Me, For You. Find it here and enjoy! It's a perfect way to get into fall.