Let's bake some CCBB

Hello Everyone!

I have been in such a mood to bake/cook lately and seeing as I live with the world's pickiest eater (not even kidding, one bit) I decided to make his favorite baked good with a little something extra. Since Ryan's favorite candies are anything chocolate, I figured chocolate chips would go over pretty well. And they did! Apparently he 'doesn't like' chocolate chip banana bread but, "this is actually the best I've had". As long as he eats it, it's fine with me. 

And there is the beautiful result!

Here is the recipe for my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:

Prep Time is about 20 mins

Bake Time: 1 hour

2Cups all-purpose flour

1tsp baking powder

1/2tsp baking soda

1/2tsp salt

1/2Cup butter- unsalted, room temp

4Tbs almond milk
1tsp pure vanilla extract

1Cup milk chocolate chips (can use semi-sweet)

1Cup white sugar

1 egg

1Cup (2-3) very ripe bananas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Sift (or whisk) together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 

In large bowl (I used my stand mixer) cream sugar and butter. Add egg, beat until mixed, then add bananas. Mix in dry ingredient mix slowly until combined. Stir in almond milk and vanilla then chocolate chips. Pour batter and spread into 9x5 inch loaf pan. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until toothpick or knife comes out clean with no batter. Cool for about 20-30 minutes and enjoy!

It does fall apart easily,  but who doesn't love a banana bread that is that soft? Nobody I want to be friends with!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I (we) do!

Let me know how your recipes turn out, or if you added or substituted anything!

xoxo

Oh Admiral, My Admiral.

Hi Everyone!

About a month ago, Ryan and I took a stroll through wally world's bike section and I fell in love with the Schwinn Admiral. 

Oh my goodness this bike is so me.
It's in the category of 'cruiser' bicycles, which means that they're not necessarily for a workout (per say). But, that is not the reason why it is 'me' (although, Ryan would say different). It does have thinner tires which are better suited for riding on streets, and the seat is a bit wider, which makes it much more comfortable. It has a little rack on the back for holding a few things; not quite sure what, it is spring loaded so we'll see how different things stay put while riding. It has seven speeds, which makes it easier to ride up or down hills or against winds rather than a standard cruiser that typically only have one speed. It also has more of a 'sporty' styled frame than other cruisers that have a more curvy styled frame like the vintage bicycles do. There are little design bits here and there that are so cute! And the color is beautiful! I love it! 

It has definitely been a motivational tool to get me out of the house and get into the habit of (at least wanting to) exercise everyday.

 I think know this is the week that I finally tell myself that it's been too long of a slump of not exercising and eating healthier, and I will become a better version of me and I will feel better about myself and my personal choices. 

I will show myself that I can always be better for myself. 

xoxo

My Office

Hi everyone!

I was cleaning the house/ re-organizing my office and remembered I had made a post about it on my old blog, and it has changed quite a bit. Although, it is not 100% finished or where I would like everything to be, it looks good and hopefully in the future, I can fix it up even more and show you then!

My wall hangings include: photos of my mom, best friends, and I. A painting of mine. A fox print. My favorite photo of Maggie&Christine. Wooden wall art. Mancl Family Campout #3 photo. Another fox print. My grandparents' wedding photo and my grandpa's ring from the navy perched on top. My first 3D project. One of my favorite prints I did this semester. And another fox print (of course). 

On my desk I have my 'Keep Calm and Take a Nap' votive holder, a rather flamboyant posable drawing mannequin, and small tin buckets to hold post-its and (the world's smoothest) pens.

My very packed closet is where I store all of my art supplies and sewing/ knitting things. The top is all of my work from years passed and blank canvases. Next is my sewing kit, machine, knitting needles, bag of yarn, empty jar, and photo binders. Then all of my art supplies for school, a box of Ryan's things from his youth, and all of my prints and printing plates. Bottom shelf is a bin of jar candles, my backpack, all of my gift wrapping supplies, and all of our extra tech things. Underneath I have bins of clothes I have to sew and other things with no home (including my light saber). On the side I hang my batman apron, tube portfolio, and easel. 

I will most likely post more photos of the rest of my office space including my reading corner and my bookshelves later on (once they're not a mess!).
We also haven't gotten around to putting doors on the closet, or to the office itself. Those of you who have been to our house know that theres a lack of doors pretty much everywhere (not that we don't have them, we just never get around to putting them on rooms that do not necessarily need them. I can hear Maggie now, "a bathroom needs a door! It's weird that it doesn't have one!" and while I agree; our master bathroom is the tiniest room in the world, the door would take up too much space. We plan on putting in a pocket door, but that takes time and most importantly, money). So, for now the office will remain doorless and so will the rest of the closets.

Those of you who have remodeled or built your own homes know how time consuming every thing is, and how stressful it can be! And yes, we have lived here for about two years now, but other parts of our lives have called our attention and we have cut back on the renovating. We are still making progress here and there, like everyone is in their own ways and even if it doesn't feel like it now, it will always get better.

xoxo

Monthly Favorites | May

Hello Everyone!

As the month of May has come and gone, I figured it would be a great time to introduce my favorite items that I have been loving in May.

First, I have been searching the world of Etsy for random treasures and came across this little beauty. I have a necklace that I wear everyday that has a small pendant on it and love simple jewelry. I found this crescent moon pendant from a shop called Simple Step. I received this as a birthday gift from my parents, and I never take it off! Love it!

Next, I received this camera bag (also a gift from my parents). I have been using a smaller camera bag that my dad gave to me to use but, it was a bit small and I needed more compartments for lenses, straps, cords, etc. This is also another Etsy find. I love this one because it has three larger compartments inside for two lenses and your DSLR. I noticed that it had a scent to it once I got it home, and I kind of like it so I was definitely not put off by it at all. You can find this bag and others like it at Oliday.

I have had my eye on this bag for quite some time. Whilst strolling through Target, as one does, I took my usual, "I'm just going to just 'look' at the bags/purses and not buy one" pass through and I saw this fringed backpack. I fell in love with a leather fringed purse a few years ago, and it was ruined by me spilling Mountain Dew Code Red on it. Sad times. So, when I saw this I knew I had to have it. I didn't think I was going to get it, but I did ask for it for another birthday gift, and I was pleasantly surprised. I'm definitely going to use it as my Hodag bag this year. It is from the brand Mossimo, and can be found at Target.

This little beauty came from Etsy as well (I'm sure you sense a pattern). It came from a little shop called LinenMarket. I definitely did not need another laptop case but, just look at it! It's beautiful! I absolutely love the floral, and that button! I think I'm going to carry my laptop with me more to campus this year just to show it off!

I received these bad boys from Ryan for my birthday as well. "He" got them from Younkers (along with a coupon and gift card I had) and absolutely love them! They're so comfortable and I wear them literally everywhere. I cannot say how much I love my Birkenstocks! Thank you Ryan.

It seems like this has just turned into a "what I got for my birthday" post (whoops). These, along with many other items are what I have been loving through the month of May. 
I hope your May went well!
And remember, it gets better.
All the time.

xoxo

Off to a Good Start

Allison, Leah, Van & I

Hello Everyone!

I am taking a fresh new approach back into the blogging world.

(let's all hope I stick to my guns with this one)

I hope to blog at least once a week, so stay tuned!

Feel free to take a peek at my old blog, which is linked above. 

So far, this year has been a massive down and up. The beginning of the year started off pretty rocky for me and my home life, which made my life at school very stressful, then of course made every other aspect of my life one giant stress fest.

To say the least, I wasn't happy.

But, things have definitely turned around for me and I have mostly everything under control.

 My relationship with Ryan has gotten better, I didn't fail any classes this semester (like I thought I would have), and I am learning to enjoy the things and people that are in my life.

In early March, the best dog in the world had passed on after a short battle with what could have possibly been cancer, and a hole that could never be filled quite the same way, 

made it's way into my heart. Rest in Peace, Halo.

 Later in March, I decided to take up a second job and so far, I'm really enjoying it! There are a lot of opportunities to move up and if I'm lucky, I could begin my career here after college.

April came and went so fast, like it usually does. I never noticed how fast time moves on, but I guess I'm always looking forward to the future, so time doesn't phase me. I joined my best friend's family Trivia team (Sparky's Dead) for my second (full time) year in a row, and as always, it's a blast. For those of you that do not know, we participate in the World's Largest Trivia Contest every spring. It is put on by my university's radio station, 90FM WWSP, and this year was Trivia 46, Guardians of the Contest (in reference to Guardians of the Galaxy). Our team came in 100th place! Which is great, considering over 400 teams play.

Van & I

In May, one of my closer cousins got married to her high school sweetheart. This meant that our best mutual friend would come home from Oregon and stay the weekend with us. It was a great weekend that was spent with close friends and family. 

In late May it was my favorite time of the year, my birthday! I spent the day before, shopping and that night, my best friend took me to our local Minor League Baseball game (as her parents have season tickets). The day of wasn't all I hoped it would be as I spent most of the day alone and wasn't put in the best mood later on. But, I did get a very delicious cake from Ryan. Oh, and Olive Garden (fave).

My birthday cakes from this year and last, and some Stewart's key lime soda from Ryan

So far, June has been favorable and has gone smoothly. Today was my Grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary and they renewed their vows during mass. Later we went to brunch and took some obligatory family photos. If the rest of the year goes as well as June has so far, then I look forward to the rest of the year.

Hope you're all having a great year so far. 

And if not, it always gets better.

xoxo