Notebooks + Doodles = A good combo

As a notebook doodler myself, I really love The Notebook Doodles blog and the pieces its creator creates! They are whimsical and romantic, but also make me think, or at least remind me of little, important truths. You can find more of the magic here. Here are a few of my faves...




How cool is her handwriting/font?





I love seeing little peeks into the doodles that people make in their personal notebooks. Especially because most of the time they are done less self-consciously because they aren't meant for anything in particular, but the creators themselves.

First Diana F+ Roll

New friend and member of my camera family, the lovely little Diana F+ mini! I never knew I could like a piece of plastic so very much. Thanks to my kind older brother, I have been playing around with this lomography cam for the past two weeks, and really enjoy what's come from it so far. I am definitely still learning, but it is just so fun to use (and cute and retro looking).

{image via refinery29}

Most people are initially very curious about the appearance of this little machine--its flash in particular. Sometimes I have to assure them that I am not going to take their souls away when I snap a shot of them.

Three of my friend Vinny in this world really wouldn't be a bad thing at all.


Some of the colors it picks up are crazy cool.

Two-sided

I love how you never know what you are going to end up with!

It is a good practice in delayed gratification, since with 35mm film you have to get photos developed...feels like so long ago when that was what we all did.

Ready to roll...

Nike commercial? My younger cousin is a stud.

And my parent's thought they had to buy me a car...This summer, I just want to cruise around in one of these. Basket is of course necessary.




I'm excited to be home for the summer. Going to the farmer's market, sitting outside in the garden (which my mom tells me about every time we speak on the phone), cooking for my parents...studying for the GRE (blechh, help me!), writing songs, and other things of that lovely nature.


This accessory will come at some point, too. But I'll try not to get ahead of myself.

Unquantifiable Goodness

Chocolate chip cookies are not to be messed with...this I know. However, recently I have been turned on to the fact that m&m rainbow cookies (a slight variation on the classic chocolate chip) are just somehow a little bit tastier. I think its completely psychological, but I made a batch this week and they were a party in the mouth.




Any more astute ideas on why this is...I'd love to hear.

Recipe

Ingredients
Yields about 3 dozen cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup M&M’s, divided
1 cup chopped pecans - coarsely grounded in mixer

Method
Heat oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and keep ready.

Stir together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well.

Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in 3/4 cup M&Ms and all the chopped nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheet, leaving enough space in between to let them expand. Press 5-6 of remaining M&Ms on each cookie before baking.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly, then remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool completely on the wire rack. Eat a few immediately, storing others in air-tight containers for later:)

I Want To Go Camping!

I haven't been camping in forever...and after a trip in the mountains this weekend in North Carolina, it made me have camping on the brain. I used to LOVE camping as a kid and I think it's high time I get back out there.

I definitely have some fond memories of big family camping trips that we would do every fall. I love the smell of camping and being outside under the stars, sitting around a campfire, making s'mores and all of the great stuff that comes along with it all.



Vintage suitcases. Heart them.
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Cute vintage camping themed wedding.

They are undeniably adorable.

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I'm not positive if this was camping...or just her home. Either way, lookin' good.

Want one.

Cooking while camping is a big adventure, and even if it doesn't turn out right, it somehow usually tastes good.

Sweetest outhouse.

A friend of mine referred to "glamping" a while ago and I didn't really know it was a real word (or a "pseudo real word") that people actually used...Glamping...glamorous camping. Now you know. image

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Before and after project of a vintage airstream RV. I have always wanted to see inside of one of these and I never have!

Before...


After...



Pretty cool, huh? How purdy!
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Thursday Randoms

Something about Spring colors are just simply romantic and graceful.


I need to tape this to my forehead. Or wait...maybe the forehead of everyone I always think are giving me funny looks! Because really...who does care?


My favorite time is when it's time to open windows and let the breeze in!


Yes, sometimes I wish I could.




This would probably be a very nice thing to see in your neighborhood, no?



Time for Mad Men and Mr. Draper to get back on the teevee screen...so we can hear more of this.




Sometimes. I wish I had more concrete examples of this...but then it wouldn't really make all that much sense, would it? Still finding those things.



I'm a sucker for love by the sea.


I have read half of this book. I have read half of a lot of books...it is a terrible, horrible habit. One that I am working on breaking. What a weirdo...who reads half of a book?


Mmm...Outdoor dining is my favorite.




Admittedly, I daydream sort of often. I think it'd be nice if someone ever catches you drifting off to just say, "Oh, excuse me. My head was just in the clouds. Back now!"

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