candice mclean

Shutterfly | A Photo Memory Book

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Shutterfly photo books offer a wide range of artful designs and embellishments to choose from.

 

Around Here | iphoneography

Around Here | According to My iPhone

I can't believe May is almost gone. Man, it has slipped by just like that. Here's our May recap...

1. Training with Debbie for the Historic 10k. We did it! May 19th. Next up... 1/2 Marathon.

2. Working from home. Taking lots of photos and editing.

3. Thrifting. Great finds this month. Some I will keep and some are for sale - Shop Coming Soon.

4. Mother's Day. I love my babies!

5. Old Lucketts Store Spring Market. LOVE this sale!

6. Chartreuse & Co Barn Sale. Every 3rd weekend of the month. Great sale!

7. Life in general... soccer, homework, mowing the grass, pets, bathtime, cooking, eating, etc. etc. etc.

8. Roan's Confirmation. She's growing up too fast!

9. Spending time with friends. We were able to catch up with some friends from Oki!

10. Hair appointment. Slowly fading the red and returning to a more natural blonde.

 

week 9 | weekly menu

 

every sunday morning i follow a routine. sleep in a bit (maybe 8 am if I'm lucky). have coffee in bed. read my favorite blogs. look through cookbooks. watch food network or the cooking channel. make a menu for the week. write out my grocery list. write in my journal - ideas or goals. look over my calendar. plan for the week.

some of these things i'm doing simultaneously. it's all about multi-tasking! my sunday morning may seem lazy as i linger in bed, but i'm actually quite busy and productive.

i bought two new cookbooks recently.

a year in my kitchen | i scored this awesome find at marshalls's for $5.50. << another great reason to shop marshalls. >> okay, so i'm in love with this cookbook. i love the author's writing, the photography and the recipes look delicious. i'm trying one recipe out this week. baked eggplants.

barefoot contessa foolproof | i love everything about ina garten. matter of fact, i'd love to meet her one day. she reminds me a little of my mom in appearance. she is so calming to watch and listen to. i tape her show everyday and when i'm stressed, i watch one of her episodes while cooking, while reading, just sitting and vegging. i love her effortless and simple approach to cooking. and her recipes are the BEST! i have a few of her cookbooks, and i've tried many of the recipes. they are truly yummy and they really work. you know what i mean about really work! right? anyhoo... here's what i've planned for this week's menu.

sunday

gumbo over steamed jasmine rice | paula deen's gumbo recipe

monday

leftover gumbo and rice. yum! the gumbo is even better the next day.

tuesday

pan seared salmon with brown rice and broccoli

wednesday

grilled ribeye steaks with mixed green salad

thursday

baked eggplants with mixed green salad, beets and feta | a year in my kitchen page 115

friday (LENT - meatless fridays)

penne alla vecchia bettola with arugula salad, heirloom tomatoes and garlic bread | barefoot contessa foolproof page 158

saturday

crockpot meal - corned beef with cabbage and potatoes

sunday

foolproof bbq ribs with homemade slaw and baked beans | barefoot contessa foolproof page 141

here's a peek of the gumbo. this IS the best gumbo recipe ever. it's easy and very tasty. i've made this over and over since 2009. it's a great crowd pleaser too.

and just because i didn't post anything valentine's day related, here's a cupcake for us to enjoy! store bought from sam's club. every month i donate cupcakes for the school's cupcake sale (every 3rd friday). i've found sam's club to have the best cupcakes. 30 cupcakes decorated beautifully for $13.98. so much easier than baking them myself. though i've done that too.

 

 

 

NOLA through my iPhone (and this is just part one)

the who, what and why. my husband and i escaped to new orleans for 5 days in july to celebrate our 20 year anniversary. we visited NOLA almost 18 years ago while moving from CA to KY and only caught a glimpse of the magnificent city. it was a quick one day let's see new orleans and ever since, we've been wanting to go back to really see and experience everything new orleans has to offer.

in love. we instantly fell in love with new orleans. there is a lot to see. to do. to eat. to experience. the food is devine. the drink is good. the music is everywhere & mesmerizing. and it truly is a romantic city.

the sights are amazing. there's a mix of... grit. grunge. vintage. whimiscal. glamour. historical. grandeur. the architectural style of NOLA is a blend of old and new to include creole bungalows, greek revival, antebellum. i found myself overwhelmed with inspiration.

the people of new orleans are salt of the earth, diverse and down right hospitable. we enjoyed talking to the waitstaff at the many eateries we sampled - they had the best recommendations on where to eat. we ran into a young film maker and his leading star on frenchmen at dba while shooting a documentary. everyone had a story to tell. the cabbies, the busboys, the artists, the owners of shops... they were all genuine and eager to share their love of NOLA. 

we stayed in the heart of the french quarter at the omni royal and it was perfect. our hotel was just around the corner from everything. we walked mostly, took a few cabs and rode the street car.

my most memorable moment. i loved without a doubt frenchmen street. the walk from the french quarter to frenchmen was eclectic and the street itself was bursting with life. artsy, soulful, rhythmic life. we caught two shows. the first was new orleans 6 at the spotted cat.

at the spotted cat, there were a mix of people from the young 20 somethings to 80 year olds. everyone was tapping their feet, swaying their hips and the lucky ones on the dance floor were swinging, jiving and intoxicating us all with their fluid movements. for a moment, i closed my eyes and i felt i traversed through time back in the day when jazz was in its prime.

we then jumped across the street into snug harbor to see the uptown jazz orchestra with delfeayo marsalis.

no other words but AMAZING. they play every wednesday at 8pm & 10pm for a cover of $20. worth every single penny. i can't say it enough... truly AMAZING.

i have so much to share. all of the images above are from my iphone. i took so many photographs with both my iphone and my canon. i'll continue to share my images over the next few weeks. until then, ciao!

week 20 through the lens | sweet everyday life

sunday 05.13.12

sunday. on mother's day, we headed to the countryside for roan's photography assignment.

roan capturing carys. love that roan is curious to learn photography.

monday 05.14.12

time for a cut and a few copper highlights. perfect timing. the day began crazy and i needed a little *me* time.

monday evening. riding lessons for my girls.

tuesday 05.15.12

tuesday... working and enjoying a snack. checking items off may's goal list. that's a great feeling.

waiting at school to pick-up the kiddos, i enjoy a pick-me-up from starbucks and inspiration from country living magazine.

one of roan's birthday gifts... teen vogue. i surprised her at school pickup with the may issue. *happy girl*

wednesday 05.16.12

30 day shred workout with jillian michaels continues with success. * i workout *

hubby pulls into driveway with this. someone backed into him at work. ouch.

thursday 05.17.12

breakfast and emails.

part of the afternoon routine. ice and water for soccer practice.

friday 05.18.12

enjoying our new deck with a cup of coffee. love.

workout done. shower done. self-portrait done. ready for errands.

rummaging through food network magazine for new recipes and fell in love with this sherwin williams ad. color inspiration.

painted my nails this amazing turquoise hue which ironically matches my shirt.

taking roan to her school dance. she's growing up so fast!

fresh flowers.

saturday. 05.19.12

old lucketts store *spring market*

thrifting with my daughter roan. love sharing my joys with her.

new find from marshalls... striped maxi skirt.

the finds. lovely yellow chair. milk crates. random drawers. turquoise-green metal chair. *happy girl*

our life through the lens | sweet everyday life

all images were captured with my iphone 4 and instagram. my goal is to capture our sweet everyday life. which may or may not include... horseback riding lessons. soccer practice. soccer games. food. routine. shopping. wardrobe. thrifting. being silly.

our life through the lens.

weekend nature walk | sweet everyday life

*happiness*

sunday afternoon after church, errands and finishing up homework, we ventured out and behind our house through the woods. we need more walks like these. i love connecting with nature and being with the family.

instagram friday | photography

love the idea called instaFRIDAY created by life rearranged. share your weekly instagram photos or any iphone photos on your blog and link up with other bloggers. i saw this first on lisa leonard's design blog. lisa creates unique and beautiful jewelry. i came across her blog when searching for one little word jewelry options. i have yet to purchase a necklace but i'm hoping for maybe a mother's day or birthday gift from hubby. chip is you are reading... hint hint. ;-)

lately, i've been enjoying a cup of blackberry & sage tea with a bit of honey in the afternoon.

new sweater from marshalls. new hair (well a touchup) from connie johnson. if you are in the northern va area and need a stylist, she has rad skills, private email me for her contact info.

ochre. love love love.

celebrating dr seuss and reading across america at school. wear a tie to school

carys wearing one of daddy's ties.

giving dad a kiss goodbye in the morning.

wally who also goes by mr. doodles and walle-lito.

found and unpacked some of my favorite cookbooks.

went thrifting at the salvation army and stumbled upon these vintage glasses. each glass was 99 cents with 25% off. STEAL!

pink roses left over from valentine's day.

sushi date with a new friend at momo sushi in alexandria. new friend... annya eyestone.

ikura. beautiful and oh so yummy.

walking from sushi restaurant back to the car and i spotted my current & favorite color palette.

and repetitive pattern. love finding beauty in normal everyday scenery.

tate in the morning. right before school.

thai pad noodles from jake's cafe in bowling green. lunch date with mom.

spotted vintage cake tin. left this one there for someone else to enjoy. however... i had to take a photo. love it!

participating in fatmumslim photo challenge. march 2nd FRUIT.