The Final Days!

Happy Monday Everyone!

How was everyone's Easter weekend?

Did the East Bunny make an appearance at your house/

Even though my sister and I are 20 and 25 we still did an Easter egg hunt!  You have to act like a kid every once in a while (or all the time)!

I don't think I could have asked for a better weekend!

Easter was fabulous.  I didn't realize how much I missed being home with my family on Easter!

Church was wonderful.  The food and conversations were great.  And we all enjoyed a relaxing evening with amazing company!  Oh and how could I forget to mention the dessert, coconut cake, and chocolate turtle cake just to name a few!  I am pretty certain I went into a sugar induced comma after dinner!  

I couldn't have asked for a better day!

The Wolfe family decided we needed to have a little post church photo shoot!  

Christmas Card worthy?

  I think so!

So tell me... 

How was your weekend, and how did you celebrate Easter?

Happy Friday-And Early Easter

I don't know about you but I am super excited that it is Friday!  

I am even more excited that its Easter weekend and my whole family is home!

My little sissy made her grand entrance into Minnesota about 9 last night, our night was filled with lots of laughs!

It is always good to have my whole family together!

Especially for a holiday weekend!

I am really excited about Easter this year.  This is the first time in two years that I will be home celebrating Easter with my family!   You better believe there will be lots of food, laughs, for sure an Easter Egg hunt (you are never to old for Easter egg hunts) and of course dying Easter Eggs! 

Source: layoutsparks.com via Cris on Pinterest

Speaking of Easter I really want to make these!

Source: thewhimsicalprincess.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

DIY Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs!  Heck yes!

I could seriously eat an entire basket of those things!  I mean come on its peanut butter and chocolate!  There is nothing better in my eyes!

Alright lets check out those recipes I introduced to you on Monday!
I did promise you I would give my two cents about them!
Lets begin with the huge chopped salad!

Source: thejoyofcleaneating.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

You know I am a huge fan of huge salads, I love them even more when the salad includes multiple types of veggies.  I will say this, the creamy vinaigrette was a little interesting.  Very tangy, almost to tangy for me!  I think next time I would tone down the mustard just a bit!  The dressing had the texture of a thinner hummus, great for cracker or pita bread dipping!   I think I will keep this salad for inspiration but come up with my own dressing!

Next up a lemony orzo salad!

This dish was light, and will be great for summer.  The asparagus and tomatoes combined well with the bright lemon infused dressing.  I added a bit of rosemary to the dressing as well!  We served our salad along with some browned tofu for a little protein, nice and light!  The one downside to this salad is the pasta absorbs a lot of the dressing!  After a few days in the fridge it can become a bit dry!  Best eaten the day it is made or a day or two after!

Tonight per the request of my sister we are making the Southwester Pita Pile Up, and the brussel sprouts are being featured at Easter dinner!  Hope they both turn out well!

Well there you have it!  Happy Friday everyone, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  And Happy Easter, enjoy the time with family and friends!

Live Your Life

Good Morning!

Happy Thursday, just a few days left in this work week!  

I am thrilled, but also realizing that I really really need to begin packing!  

But these past few  weeks I have thrown my structured to do list out the window!  I am enjoying every new experience, taking in what life has to offer and finding out what it means to truly be happy! This is my life and I never want to regret anything!

I feel like these pins explain my life right now pretty well!

Source: etsy.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Source: designeriphone.tumblr.com via Miranda on Pinterest

Source: iloveyoursoul.tumblr.com via Miranda on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Miranda on Pinterest

And just because I feel every girl should be treated like a princess!

Source: pinterest.com via Miranda on Pinterest

Happy Thursday Everyone! 

It's Back!

Happy Wednesday!

I have been meaning to post but the week is just getting away from me, clearly the blog is taking a bit of a back seat during this move!  This week has been packed from signing my lease Monday to packing, work and many other things in between!  I am getting excited and nervous all at the same time!  Officially 5 more days left of work in Rochester!!!

I meant to snap a few pictures of the new place when I went up on Monday, but I need to get some better ones!!  I will share this one with you!

Check out the view from my living room window!

Oh Hey Twins Stadium!
Hard to believe next week Minneapolis will be my home!

Now I know it has been a while... and I know its Wednesday

But guess what is back?

The Pinterest Challenge!  

I have a bit of a hodge podge for you this week.  A few crave worthy salads, a great veggie side dish and pita pile up that looks delicious!  

So, lets begin!

First up this colorful dish!

Chopped Salad with Creamy Vinaigrette dressing! From The Naked Kitchen

Source: thejoyofcleaneating.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

You know me, set a huge plate of veggies in front of me and I am in heaven!  This would be great with grilled fish, chicken or shrimp!

Next in our line up this week we have... 

A lemony Orzo Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Asparagus from A Big Mouthful

Source: abigmouthful.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

This would be perfect for BBQ's!  Pasta salads are my go to side dish in the spring/summer!

Now here is that great veggie side!

Oven Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts!

Source: thecookingphotographer.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I used to dispise brussels sprouts when I was younger, now I absolutly love them!  And the fact that they are roasted makes them even better in my book!

And Finally...

 The Southwestern Chicken Pile Up, brought to you buy the Bigges Loser!

Source: biggest-loser-recipes.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I am thinking of using grilled chicken!

Can't wait!

Stay tuned, Wolfe family review to come!

Have a fabulous Wednesday everyone!

Happy Friday!!

Happy Friday!

I am ready for the weekend!  One more week and a few days left before I move to Minneapolis!  YAY! Can you sense my excitement?

I was officially approved for my apartment yesterday!  I may or may not have done a little dance in my cubical upon receiving the news!  Then I had that sense of Oh My Goodness this is real life... I am really moving, living on my own, working in the city, and living downtown!  I then proceeded to dance around again!

My office now thinks I am probably crazy!  But that is ok, because I am happy!

The lovely Sarah of Simply Sarah tagged me in her post yesterday!  So today it is my turn to answer her 11 questions and tag 11 more lovely bloggers!  I love doing these posts!  

So here are Sarah's 11 questions for me... Ready?

1. What are you most looking forward to this year?

MOVING!!  I am so excited to move and live on my own!  I cannot wait!  I would also have to say that I am looking forward to new experiences, and all the excitement that living in a city has to offer!  

2. What is your favorite nail polish? (I'm an addict and always looking for new colors)

I love Essie Ballet Slippers and OPi Cajun Shrimp (my go to pedicure color)! 

3. Pauly or Vinny?

Hmm that's tough because I don't watch Jersey Shore!  Can I say neither?

Pauly?

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Hmm somewhere on a lake! Maybe Lake Michigan!  Or somewhere abroad like Italy! 

(Sleeping Bear Dunes-Lake Michigan)

5. What's your favorite cocktail?

I am a wine girl, wine spritzers are always good! 

6. Are you addicted to any reality tv shows (like my guilty self?!) If so, which ones?

No, come to think of it I really do not watch much tv!

7. If you could only leave the house wearing two makeup products, what would they be?

Mascara and blush! 

8. What's currently in your bag?

My life...

My planner about 7 different lip glosses, hair brush, Ipad, Iphone, wallet... I carry a huge purse!

Currently obsessing over this bag! 

 (Source)

9. What's the best book you've read? ( I need some good ones for summer!)
Hmm I loved Sarah's Key!  This reminds me I really need to read more!  Currently reading an American Wife, really enjoying it! 

10. Beach or pool?

Beach!

11. What is your favorite healthy snack?

Greek Yogurt with some sort of fruit, granola or trail mix thrown in there! Yum!


Now the 11 Lovely Bloggers I am tagging!

Falon of Animal Crackers to Ziti
Ashley of Places to Go Things To Buy
Honey of Honey Whats Cooking
Amanda of Little Miss Can't Be Wrong
Amanda of Life in Every Word
Emily of All you Need is Love
Amanda of Simple Girl, Simple Pleasures 
Taylor of Like you For Always
Jenn of Bliss to bean
Emily of Paging Dr. Grace

And there 11 Questions!
1: If you could travel anywhere in the World right this minute where would you go?
2: Essie or OPI?
3: Where is your favorite place to shop?
4: What is one thing you are dying to buy this Spring?
5: Lipgloss or Lip stick?
6: Whats one thing you never leave the house with?
7: Whats your drink of choice? (alcoholic/nonalcoholic)
8: What are you most looking forward to this summer?
9: What is your favorite food?
10: Whats one super power you wish you had?
11: Whats your dream job?

Happy Friday Everyone!
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
See ya Monday!

Bright Colors

Hello Thursday!

Anyone else finding it hard to sit at work when the weather outside is beautiful!  We have had some beautiful afternoons here in Minnesota recently!  

All this sunshine and warm weather has me thinking about one thing... bright colors! 

I found these shoes and basically fell in love!  What do you think... 

(Source)

I think they need to find there way into my closet!  Wouldn't you agree?

After finding those beauties I decided to go on a shoe shopping spree (well online anyways)!
Here are some other lovely pumps that caught my eye!

(Source)

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Love, need and want these!

(Source)

Adorable shoes!   But what I really need to be looking for is sensible walking shoes... after all I will be walking to work!  I am open to suggestions!  

Alright lovelies, see you tomorrow on Friday!
I promise to have some apartment posts soon!
Happy Thursday! 

Facelift

Hello Wednesday!

Notice anything different?

Yup my little blog got a facelift! I figured with all the wonderful changes going on in my life that my blog deserved a little TLC! I just felt it was time for an update, time for something simple!  And Brunch and Cupcakes are two of my favorite things (but I think you already knew that)!  I just like the way the new title sounds!  Same blog just a new fresh look to go along with this new exciting chapter in my life!

I woke up happy this morning.  

I just realized that I have a lot to look forward too. 

I figured I would bust out a What I am Loving Wednesday post!

Why not?  There are a lot of things I am loving these days!

I am loving the fact that in 2 weeks I will be living in a big city!

Right Downtown!  

I am loving that I have this new sense of self.  

I have not felt like this in a long time!

I feel like I am back to that free spirited girl!

I am loving that I found the best organic cafe just minutes from my new apartment!

I cannot wait to recreate some of their dishes at home!

I am loving that my little sister will be home in a week for Easter!

I am loving my wonderful family and friends!
They are the most amazing support system!  I am also thankful for all the wonderful support I get from all of you my followers/readers!  Thank you!  It is very much appreciated!

And most of all I am just loving life!
I feel like I could go on and on!
What are you all loving today?