so long july

summer goes by so quickly.

it's been nice to take advantage of it while it's still here. eating outside, watching late sunsets, having lighter summer meals. i think i'm in the minority when i say that fall isn't my favorite season. i don't hate it really. i just prefer these warmer days.

so here's to the last day of july. 

i know part of september is technically summer still, but i always feel like the spirit of summer truly lives in june, july and august.

eating outside on the back porch

strolling through logan circle

a fun summer meal at etto | their meyer lemon soda was to die for

friday finds VI

more cool stuff for less than fifty bucks comin atcha today!

earrings | flats | vase | lights | notebook | purse

those pendant lights are a steal at only $9.99. how cool would they look in your house or apartment?

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it's the last weekend in july already. make it a good one!

pinterest wins

i've found that finding recipes through pinterest is pretty hit or miss.

there have been a few dishes i've tried that haven't ended up as favorites, but today i wanted to focus on the winners.

below are three categories: super easy, super yummy, and super desserts.

the first three can be prepared so quickly, they're perfect for nights when you don't feel like doing much of anything. these second (duh), are just really delicious meals. they take a bit more effort, but i've had great success with all of them. the last group are some of the best desserts i've found through pinterest. the sugar cookie bars (middle) are my new favorites. they're ridiculous.

above all else, these are all incredibly satisfying meals. they'll leave you with a smile on your face every time. and i wanted to pass on some of those good vibes to you today.

easy: 1 | 2 | 3
yummy: 1 | 2 | 3
desserts: 1 | 2 | 3

enjoy! and have fun in the kitchen. 

scrambled

 if we have them in the house, eggs are usually on the menu for a weekend breakfast.

when i was a kid, i was somewhat loyal to scrambled eggs when asked how i'd liked mine cooked. whenever i'd go visit my grandparents, they'd make these fried eggs with the runny yolks and i started liking those also. as an adult, i tried my hand at poaching and that became my favorite method for a while.

scrambled eggs were still good (and definitely the quickest), but they were always a little blah to me. not bad, but not the star of the plate by any measure.

then, i discovered tyler florence's method for cooking eggs (also endorsed by ruth reichl although hers are a little too buttery for me) and it's become my favorite once again. the eggs are neither runny nor well cooked. they almost take on a mousse-like texture that's perfect for spreading on buttered toast.

here's what you need to do.

just remember to cook on your stove's absolute lowest setting. i've eaten these plain a lot, but lately, i've been adding spinach and dusting with parmesan and a lot of red pepper for a take on eggs florentine.

try this method out sometime. it's a unique texture that's just delicious.

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p.s. if i can pause for a vanity break, the hand pictured is my husband's not mine. ;)