Chicken Tortilla Soup

Photo: My life as a Mrs.

My college roommate Holly is the crock pot master. When I went to visit her in June she made me wonderful meals even on the days she had to work! She shared her friend's recipe with me to make for my roommates.

Let's get that crock pot out again, Leann. :)  

A drawing a day.

Lina is on a quest to draw what inspires her every day.

Lina Said Yes!

Yesterday I hosted an engagement party for Lina and Carl on our friends roof deck (thanks Rob and Cambria House!). Their engagement fell right around the time Lina's best friend Sara planned to visit so we quickly got things together for a little happy hour. Thanks to all who were able to make it and share such sweet words with the couple.

photo: peacelovebear

We had two cocktails: Vodka & Soda (Lina's favorite) and Whisky with a splash of water (Carl's favorite) and allowed everyone else to bring their drink of choice.

And here is three simple snacks I made:
*White Bean Roaseted Red Pepper Dip
*Mini Caprese
*Spicy Black Beans and Avocado Canapes


Love to Lina and Carl!

Tie Dye Party

A few weeks ago my friend Lana hosted a tie dye party. Lana is the store manager for Free People in Ardmore, PA and they have an event going on this weekend so we dyed some of the bags they will be giving out. Oh and did I mention we made it on the Free People blog?!

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time and finally made these pumpkin cookies. I was a little overwhelmed at first but I think everything turned out okay with the help of my mom. :)

It has been amazing having time off from work! I have been spending time with family and friends and yesterday I went thrifting.

Here are a few things from around the web. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xo

I love this hat.

Maybe I need a nerdy boyfriend.

A church converted into a house.

Apple and cheddar scones.

Reunion Of Two

I took Friday off from work so my weekend begins now! I scheduled a facial for Friday morning and I am going to spend the rest of the afternoon running errands in Center City. On Wednesday my college roommate Holly called to tell me she will be in town this weekend. We are spending Friday night together and I am trilled! :)

Me and Holly on graduation day.

A Sweet Friend

My friend Sara is always there for me. We have been through a lot together and quickly became dear friends. She is super sweet and one of the most nonjudgmental people I know.

                                                                                                                                                                      

She also has amazing style and rides a motorcycle!

The two of us at a Halloween party.

And did I mention she is a designer for Anthropologie?

How awesome is this jacket?

No Tricks, Just Treats

I love these colors and this post.

After a long work week I love coming home on Friday nights and making a home cooked meal. Last night I made eggplant parmesan for me and some girlfriends. We went to a Halloween party and I dressed up as a girl scout. I wore my old brownie vest (pictures to come). 

Tonight we are celebrating people who have decided to become members of our church; we call this making a covenant. Each person is recommended by someone and tonight I have the privilege of recommending my sweet friend Lina. Afterwards I am heading to Tara's 30th birthday party. I am looking forward to celebrating dear friends.

Enjoy your weekend and a few things from around the web.



*Yummy pumpkin cookies.

*This bride and her dress are so cute!

*Cable knit pillows sound cozy.

Capre Vita

My friend Ashli's blog was selected as a top travel blog in Scotland by Go Overseas.

Ashli and her husband Matt have been living in Scotland for the past three years while he works on his Phd at the University of Edinburgh.  

Congratulations Ashli!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

[photos via Capre Vita]



October Weekends

I watched the sunrise this morning after taking my friend Lina to the airport. Somehow watching the day begin makes me feel closer to God.

I went home and took a little nap before going to breakfast at Sabrina’s with my little sister Corinne. We also visited a thrift store, a vintage shop and Old Navy where I thought about purchasing these shorts and this jacket until I saw how long the line was.

We also picked up a loaf of bread from Sarcone’s. I’m thinking of making a pot of chili tomorrow and serving the bread with it. Yum!

*What are you doing this weekend?

*Have you seen any good movies lately?

Tonight I’m going to see ‘It’s Kind of a Funny Story’!

**Also here's a picture of me and my friend Sara on her motorcycle. :)

xo....Colleen

Hello June

I had a feeling you would bring wonderful things and so far you aren’t letting me down.

The past week and a half has been busy! I moved out of my little studio which means I completed my goal to live a year on my own. I moved into a new house with great roommates onto a street that I love. I accepted my dream job and danced away at a lifelong friends wedding.

Packing up my apartment.

Me and my sisters at our friend Erin's wedding.

The best part is that I don’t start my new job until the first week of July so I can sit back and enjoy the month of June. I am seriously happier then ever. :)

Week Recap

This weekend friends opened up a coffee shop in Kensington called Leotah's Place. I headed over with some friends to celebrate their grand opening.

Sara, T-Rex, Lina and me sitting outside Leotah's Place

Read more about it here. :)

Leotah's Place is located on the corner of York and Coral.


I also had the chance to go to the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby at the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival.

Where I ran into sweet friends like Sarah

And I saw an adorable pup with a bike helmet

kids from the neighborhood

and of course cute boys on bikes!

Saturday night some of us celebrated Liz's 26th birthday at North Bowl in Northern Liberties.

Liz is seriously one of the most kind-hearted people I know and a much better bowler then me!

Stoop Sale

This Saturday, some of my friends and I are having a stoop sale. I'm moving two weeks from today and I need to get rid of some books, clothes, decorations and other pretty things.

 

Saturday, May 22nd

10am to 2pm (or so)

442 East Girard Avenue

Please join us!

Weekend Recap

Graduation parties, friends, hulla hooping and hotdogs. If this weekend is any indicator of how amazing this summer is going to be then I'm in!

Me, Sara, and James

This weekend also included some dancing.

The Art Star Craft Bazaar 

Some things that caught my eye:

*This adorable purse made from vintage fabric.

*A photo collage of my neighborhood.

*Mini Monster Cupcakes

*A Fringe Pouch

Sunday I met up with Lina in Rittenhouse Park. We walked to Reading Terminal Market and then to get my first Boba Tea!

In China Town drinking Boba Tea (or Bubble Tea :)

After Public Meeting Sara and I ended the weekend eating here. Thanks Weegie!

This morning I relaxed with a cup of coffee after a fun-filled weekend before heading to an interview that went awesome. Life is good.

xo

A Whale of a Good Time

I haven't been doing much shopping these days but when my friend Lana was in town last week I had trouble resisting her invitation to meet up in Center City and go to Urban Outfitters. She pointed out this dress that she thought was 'me'. I tried it on and now it's in my closet. It would be perfect for a day wedding or a barbecue. I can't wait to wear it!

Time to Bloom

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” — Anais Nin

My two year anniversary of living in Philadelphia is coming up. I've had so many amazing opportunities and I'm surrounded by wonderful people. Thanks for being apart of it. This is just the beginning.

Love,
Colleen

With my friends Cheryl and Dan at Andy's Wedding with a flower in my hair :)

Amazing Weekend

I had an amazing weekend that was full of friends and beautiful weather.

Penn Treaty Park

Sweet Freedom

A few weeks ago I went to Sweet Freedom Bakery with my friend Patty to catch up with an old friend who happens to be one of the owners, Heather. I’m definitely ready to go back for another treat that won’t bother my belly!

Photo by: Mac & Cheese

 Sweet Freedom Bakery is located on South Street between 15th and Broad.

Also check out this dad's blog about places to eat in Philly that are gluten free!

Tattoos

I've always wanted to get a tattoo and after going through a year of learning a lot about love, heartbreak, dating, being single, and finding love in and after all of that I decided on hearts. I also think my friend Lana has the most adorable tattoos that include stars on the sides of her hands. She was my inspiration for placement and is an amazing friend. Lana moved to Portland in the fall and is visiting Philadelphia this weekend!

xo
Colleen