And suddenly it's been years.

Last night it was absolutely beautiful outside. The wind was just incredible. The kind that lifts spirits and raises questions and hopes, puts out small fires and spreads the big ones like wildfire. It just felt amazing. It was my sister's birthday, but after cake and presents and even once the birthday girl crashed, a select group stayed out on the back porch. I drank chardonnay as the storm came in and enjoyed good friends.

You know when you still view something as new, or rather just not old, and then you have that moment where you realize it's not anymore? We were having a conversation about the first time we all met each other and I made some reference to a year ago or so and my friend Clay laughed and said, "I've known you for years. Way before that." And I said no but then gradually added year by year to my count until it neared a whole hand and I wondered where the time has gone. Life is so sneaky sometimes.

❤love.

What's today again?

Sometimes I think it's nice to have a day that feels separate from everything else going on in life. Anything bothering you, making you worry or stress, just goes away for a little while. And yesterday was just that. I'm looking at a couple of weeks most likely filled with lack of sleep and group nervous and emotional breakdowns. Finals are insane. So Sunday was just some great timing because I think I needed it before I climb into the roller coaster car.

I rode with my sister, Rachael, out to my dad's house who's out of town right now and we told we'd take care of some things. It's a bit of a drive, so we did some major car dancing on the way out there. It's one of our favorite activities I'd say. She mowed the lawn and I laid on the dock at the pond and thought up new ideas that, although require more time than I currently have, were refreshing to come up with and got me excited about the possibilities.

Tank and Zoe. So pitiful. Don't let them fool you.

It was just one of those days where you have to keep asking, "Wait. What's today, again?" And then you try to remember what you should probably be remembering but then realize that right now, you really just don't care.

❤love.

Key Lime Love.

Ya'll. This weather.

Now, I need the cool wind to stick around. But like. These days in the 60's? SPOT ON. I'm loving it. So beautiful. It's absolutely horrible timing that gas prices are out the freakin window because all it really makes me want to do is roll the windows down and drive for hours and hours on the back roads, blasting music, car dancing, and actin a fool. Example A.

So one of these glorious days, my sister and I decided we should aim ourselves on over to the grocery store and grab some ingredients to bake a pie. Now, I am not a Key Lime Pie fan. If there are other options, I usually go for something else. But SERIOUSLY? This pie was slammin. I had to share. I mean, people who love Key Lime Pie love it. AND people who are usually 'meh' about it were all about some. It's a win all the way across the board. And it's just so refreshing. Bring it to a summer cook out. You will impress all your friends.

Ingredients:

1 9 inch prepared graham cracker crust

3 cups sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup sour cream

3/4 cup key lime juice

1 tablespoon grated lime zest

1. Preheat oven to 375 F
2. Combine sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, and lime zest. Mix well and pour into prepared crust.
3. Bake in preheated oven for about 8 minutes, until tiny pinhole bubbles appear at the surface of the pie. Don't let it brown!
4. Chill pie in the fridge before serving. Decorate with some pretty lime slices and whipped cream if you would like.

I told you it was easy. And fast! Here's mine... lookin all professional and shiz.

Have you discovered any favorite summer time recipes? I love cooking during this season.

❤love.

How to lose your mind. Slowly.

I have a million and one things to do. There are literally 18 days left that I actually have classes on. There are of course more if you count non class days, but seriously. There's no time left. And I can't even think about it for longer than five seconds because I may end up institutionalized before I can even get through the week if I extend that train of thought.

But I have this really awesome/horrible defense mechanism when I'm stressed out. And I literally turn into a crazy person. I begin frantically feeding my soul with things that make my heart happy in spastic, spur of the moment ways that probably just really make everything worse because ultimately... I'm procrastinating.

OH, you want to have a dance party in the car on the back roads?? LET'S GO!

Drive forty-five minutes to sit by a pond and breathe in air that feels less stuffy? YOU BET.

Get hyped up on espresso and brainstorm million dollar ideas that have nothing to do with anything on your to do list?!? RIGHT NOW!

I'm not quite sure if it saves me or lets me caress rock bottom in a happy deluded state. But I think I like it better than alternatives. So. Moving right along.

I just wanted to share something making my heart happy right now. Some friends and I stopped at IKEA last week and it was my first time. It literally made me want to throw out everything I own and start all over again. I was in physical pain. So clean. So organized. So affordable. So FREAKING AWESOME.

Alas. I still have all my belongings. And only indulged in a candle. FROM HEAVEN. For real, people.

When I picked it up and smelled it, I literally yelled, "OH MY GOD THIS SMELLS LIKE... JESUS!" I don't even really know what that means. But there were witnesses. It just popped out. Without consulting my filter. But if you have the opportunity. Buy yourself one.

❤love.

Home sweet home away from home.

I realized today that I've been coming to Park City and Deer Valley for nine years now. It completely blew my mind. I'm not sure why. I guess because we joined in on the group we go with a little late, they had been coming up here for years before, and so it just doesn't seem like we've all been coming together that long. Almost ten years! I mean that's just crazy. Growing up happens so fast. And no wonder everything here is so familiar. I probably know this place second best to home.

Nashville was rainy and gross when we left early morning yesterday.

Flying in to this was quite the change. A wonderful change.

This trip always refreshes me. I'm so excited to be here and soak in the beautiful mountains. And the snow! Oh, the snow. I just love being out in it and then at the end of the night cozying up and enjoying the company of some wonderful people that I only get to see this once a year. It's going to be a good weekend. I'm all smiles over here. I hope you are too, wherever you may be!

❤love.

I'm the one holding on to winter.

It has a hard time leaving every year because, you see, we have this brilliant love affair.

I'm sorry. I know. You hate it. I can't help it. We have separation anxiety. You're ready for spring, and I understand. Don't worry. We had a talk. And winter really is on it's way out the door. So I've decided to go, too. I mean. One last rendezvous can't hurt, right? One last hurrah before next year.

Airport at 5 am. Park City in T-minus 20 hours. Oh, I just can't wait.

❤love.

I know Victoria's secret.

Okay. Not really.

But I had a great find that I am in love with right now.

These shirts are in their 'basic essentials' section where you can choose any two for $24. I just happened to get two of the same because I knew I would live in them, but their v-necks are awesome too. These are longer, tunic shirts that slip off the shoulders just a little. And they are SO comfy. Great for layering but they'll also be perfect for when the weather gets nicer. Currently I'm wearing my green one (not pictured)... it's a great color. Slightly on the neon side, it makes me look tan. Which I am never opposed to since most the time I more closely resemble a vampire. Skin pigment wise, that is.

You can find them here if you want to check them out!

Have you had any great clothes finds lately?

❤love.