vmac+cheese

Happy Friday AND happy three day weekend!! Earlier this week, it was looking like the weekend would be pretty quiet, but now it’s shaping up to be anything but (and I love it!). Tonight, we’re headed on a double date to one of my favorite bistros in the city (if you’re ever in town and go there, you CANNOT miss their Steak Rossini. Heaven on a plate). Tomorrow, one of my best girlfriends is in town from LA, and after a leisurely brunch, we’re going to spend the afternoon (I can’t even believe I get to write this) wedding dress shopping. Cue silent screaming. And in case you’re wondering…I have a venue in mind and a date held, but I don’t want to jinx anything because we still need to tour the space and determine whether it’s definitely “our” venue. Fingers crossed.

Sunday I’m hoping to hang out with a high school friend who just moved to SF from Miami (hi, Rach). It’s kind of fun to have someone who’s known you since middle school be in the same city as you. This has not been the case for me since I left Austin circa 2002!

The best part about the weekends now is feeling like I can fully enjoy it. It’s kind of great. What are your plans for the three day weekend? Do you have Monday off?

LINK OF THE WEEK: This week’s link isn’t just a single post, but rather, a heads up to a fantastic new blog! I met Nikki at Alt last month, waiting in line at the registration table. She told me the name of her blog and it was so memorable, though I didn’t get her card, I still remembered to add it to my Reader when I got home. She writes The Salty Pineapple, and if you’re looking for DIY/craft inspiration, you’ve found your new favorite blog! Go show her some love.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

{Image Credit: Anna Szczekutowicz}

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Today I’m also going to try switching up Friday Link Love a little bit, and instead of featuring a longer list of things to check out, I’m going to share my favorite blogger, blog post, article, whatever. Less to sift through, and you’ll know I mean business — each Friday’s link is definitely a fave!

This week, I was blown away by this DIY ‘melting heart’ tutorial from Erin. How pretty (and easy) is this? And can you believe it’s actually made out of crayons? So neat.

A little announcement that’s leading up to a big one: be sure to check back in here on Monday. I have some very exciting news to share with you! That’s right…the project I’ve been alluding to for months is about to be revealed! Get excited. I know I am.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and enjoy the Super Bowl!!

{Image Credits: Project Foodie, The Galley Gourmet, Daily Mail, Jose Villa, Greg Considine Flickr, Jamie Beck} 

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Happy Friday, friends! Before we dive in to this week’s links, I wanted to take a second to say hi and welcome to all the new vmac+cheese readers who are here because of referrals from Mini-Alt Week or Alt itself! Thanks for stopping by!

I have to be honest with you: this week was a total doozy. You come back from something like Alt and your mind is swirling with so many thoughts, ideas, and questions. I’ve also had lots going on in my personal life (engagement yes, and some other particularly juicy points of interest that I’ll discuss soon, promise) that have made things a little crazy around these parts. I’m so happy to see the weekend and hopefully sleep in as much as possible. Do you ever find that when you’re extra busy, you can’t sleep in because your mental to-do list wakes you up? Dear brain, let’s try and shut it down this weekend, mmkay?

If you’re new to vmac+cheese, each Friday I like to post a list of my favorite links from the week. Be sure to check these out if you find yourself with some quiet time and a cup of tea!

+ The food posts from the last few weeks were out of control good! First, check out Jaclyn’s homemade oreo cookies. So pretty and a million times less processed than the store bought version.
+ Similarly, Lara attempted my favorite Girl Scout cookie of all time, the caramel delite, also known as the Samoa in virtually every part of the country except for Texas.
+ Sarah shared her gorgeous photos from homemade chocolate and sea salt peanut butter cups. PS, they’re vegan!
+ So now that you’ve indulged in all the sweets, did you notice your skin flared up? Yeah, it’s not a coincidence. Dairy, refined carbs, and zinc deficiency are often the culprit, and I personally have noticed a difference when I cut these things out. I’m glad The Beauty Department is reporting on this too!
+ On to my first ever mentions of wedding planning. Or lack thereof. I really have done nothing, you guys. But I was happy to meet Sara at Alt, and to subscribe to her wedding blog Marry This! I need to balance all of the pretty, aspirational wedding goodness that’s out there with the more realistic yet equally as inspiring.
+ Similarly, if and when we ever put up a wedding website, I hope our guest book is 1/10th as hilarious as Bridget and Chris’s, friends of fellow Texan Jenn. I mean, a honey badger reference? These people are awesome.
+ I totally enjoyed Erica’s article on the value of LinkedIn. Not on it? Maybe think about it.
+ Rachel, from the blog Southern Exposure, is one of those people that always finds amazing fixer pieces, with final results that are nothing short of fantastic. Her latest is no exception!
+ Finally, wondering who else went to Alt Summit? Need a few new blogs to check out? Don’t miss Meg’s roundup of Alt-goers. Links for days, people. And if you look close in the photo, you might even see a little business card from yours truly. Enjoy!

{Image Credit: Nastia Vesna via Margaret Jacobson Pinterest}

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Happy Happy Friday! Boy, what a week. Between the apartment drama and also getting geared up for what is sure to be an unbelievable few days in Salt Lake City next week, I am happy to see the weekend (and a three day one, at that!). I like to think of the last few days as just water under the bridge (hence the lovely image above, from Sarah Tucker). I’m ready for what this next week will bring!

To give you all a heads up and get you excited: next week, I have a very special set of posts coming. As you know, I’ll be attending the Altitude Design Summit from Wednesday through Friday, and can’t wait to get back and share what I learned with you (along with lots of photos, natch! After all, I’ll be hanging out with Tobe, Molly, Chelsea, Erin, Katie, Amanda, Kait, and local friends Jeanne and Melissa there). However, I figured, “Why let the Alt-goers have all the fun?” For those of you reading along who also have blogs, you’re in for a real treat: a series of posts sharing best practices, tips and tricks from lots of amazing bloggers who have been kind enough to spill their secrets! And if you don’t have a blog, consider this a rare behind the scenes look into what goes into creating your favorite sites. I think you’ll still enjoy it! And perhaps it’ll give you some inspiration to start your own blog (if you do, make sure you let me know!).

Until then, some links for your viewing pleasure:

+ Lotts and Lots shared a great DIY on what are dubbed as Prada-esque earrings. Looks pretty good given the small shopping list, don’t you think?
+ Keeping in the DIY vein, Amber had a great round up of DIYs you should check out right this second. I’m especially impressed with the fish scale wall, the IKEA desk hack (also discussed over here), and the confetti system garland !
+ Did you hear the big news from my girl Mackenzie? Get ready for Design Darling: The Boutique!! I have a feeling this is going to be fabulous.
+ Chelsea shared her gorgeous envelope liner for her wedding invitations. They’re fabric. And hand cut by her. Lovely, aren’t they?
+ I’m totally intrigued by this recipe from Jacquelyn: a beef noodle soup that uses bourbon. Something different (and delicious).
+ I always love learning about new artists, and was happy to hear about Jennifer Ament, which Sarah shared on her blog Chevrons & Stripes.
+ Don’t miss this summary of a new article in Architectural Digest which looks at the Dumfries House in Scotland, recently purchased by Prince Charles.
+ Madewell (of all blogs) shared a great how-to on making your own jam. It really is easy!

Do you have next Monday off? What are your plans for the three day weekend? Wherever you are, I hope you enjoy!

{Image Credit: Sarah Tucker Travel Photography}

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