tuesday giveaway

good morning, dolls!

i first fell in love with geninne when i stumbled upon her adorable blog six months ago. she is a talented artist who lives in a forest near mexico city, and has graciously agreed to give away the print above. it is called "three little birds" and the colors are amazing. to see more of her work, visit her etsy store.

today i'm going to be a little selfish, and ask that to enter to win, you leave a comment with a link to images of your favorite wedding. if you're married, it can be your wedding (yes please!) or it can just be one you've seen on a wedding blog or website.

the person who provides the link i love the most will automatically get three extra entries! i will randomly choose a winner on saturday morning, august 29th.

thank you so much, and good luck!

my weekend!

on saturday we were by the ocean in maine and suddenly my love uttered those four little words: "will you marry me?" yes! (of course.)

being the genius that he is, simon planned the surprise perfectly and it truly was the best day of my life. both sets of parents were nearby and enveloped us in hugs. and then we celebrated with champagne.

we are so excited, and i'm already calling him my "fancy".

this is a true story.

scene: it's late last night. simon and i are getting ready for bed. my teeth are brushed, my face is washed, and i'm in my pjs. i plop down on top of our bed covers.

nina: it's hot in here.

simon: should we turn down the air conditioning?

nina: probably, but i'm too tired.

simon: i'll do it.

simon gets up and turns down the thermostat. a few minutes go by, and i am finally getting comfortable (and really sleepy).

eventually it's cool enough that i am ready to have a blanket over me. but instead of just crawling under the covers, (because i'm so comfy and half-asleep with my eyes closed) i start trying to flip the edges of the blanket to cover me like a little taco. it doesn't work.

simon: do you want another blanket?

nina: no thanks, i'm fine.

meanwhile, with my eyes still closed, i continue to struggle to get the blanket to stay over me (somehow i never contemplate actually moving my whole body to get under covers because it would mean i would have to... move.)

simon gets up again.

nina (mumbling): where are you going...

simon: to get you another blanket.

he comes back and puts a soft, old college blanket over me and tucks me in.

nina (already in dreamland): thank youuuuu...

my struggle is over and i sleep like a baby the rest of the night. on top of the covers.

***

if this isn't true love, i don't know what is.

(photo credit: littlegirlblue)

my guide to boston {bakeries, pâtisseries, and desserts}

i have an enormous sweet tooth, so i didn't mind doing the research for this post... ahem.

no, but seriously, there are oodles of amazing places to grab a baguette or dessert in boston, so i haven't been able to visit them all. but here are a few that i have enjoyed and recommend:

hi rise bread company (cambridge)

i used to live around the block from this cute little bakery and absolutely adore their scones. they also have delicious breads, cookies, muffins and oatmeal. the decor is vintage and shabby chic which almost makes up for the fact that the staff are a little cranky. (it's still very much worth the visit, though.)

danish pastry house (medford)

i'm probably biased since i'm norwegian, but i am a huge fan of this place. it's an authentic european style cafe and they use real imported marzipan in many of their (amazing) desserts. plus, every night they donate their extra pastries and breads to local schools, churches, charities and homeless shelters. awesome, eh?

finale desserts (cambridge)

this is a fanciful and romantic place to grab dessert on a date or with a group of girlfriends. they also have a nice wine menu, amazing crème brûlée, velvet seats and lots of candles.

clear flour bakery (brookline)
this bakery was just named "the best bread in boston" by boston magazine. it's not a sit-down place, but rather a place to grab fresh bread on the way home from work or on a lazy sunday. cute and delicious!

iggy's bread (cambridge)

this little shop (which feels more like a warehouse) is next to an old rusty boxcar in an lesser-known part of cambridge. their breads are yummy and their website also has a lovely design - take a peek!

(photo credit: landscape hypochondria)

life lesson # 2

i tried my first zumba dance class last night, and it was so much fun! i think shaking my booty is one of my favorite things in the world.

do you like dancing? have you ever tried zumba?

a different kind of mug shot.

as you all know, i am a coffee snob.

but the truth is, my snobbery doesn't end there. i am also a mug snob. that's right. i believe that coffee should only be sipped from design-licious receptacles.

so, imagine my excitement when i saw these amazing tea and coffee cups. quick! someone save me from myself before i buy them all!

absolutely genius mug from brookish, inspired by the pride and prejudice scene when jane gets engaged to mr. bingley. a lady's imagination is very rapid, you know!

i love traveling by train, so i did a little dance when i saw this train window mug from esther coombs. and the yellow is sublime, no?

this mug is red and has a bicycle on it. need i say more? by circa ceramics.

it's seafoam green and retro-tastic? oh my! from milk glass vintage.

now i'm curious...do you have a favorite mug that you use every day? what do you love about it?

xo,