Hey hi hello! I took a mini-break from the blog world earlier this week and did nothing but hang out with my family, run errands, do my taxes, and relax. It is spring break, after all. 🙂 But I’ve been itching to catch up with you all, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. And there’s no better day to do it than Thinking Out Loud Thursday. Thanks for the link-up, Amanda!
1.) If you didn’t notice, I’m doing some redesigning of the blog. I chatted with Katy Widrick (she’s fabulous) about my loose vision for this space and I’m slowly implementing the things we talked about. I would love to know what you think, what you would recommend, and if you’re experiencing any issues. I’m not totally done yet, but I value your input, so feel free to comment or shoot me an email!
2.) On Friday, I bought myself a new camera! It’s a Fujifilm X-T10 and I love it.
I played with it a bit this weekend at the Columbus Museum of Art and around my family and while I have a lot to learn… I’m so excited to learn it.
3.) On Saturday, I celebrated my birthday with my family over a lot of barbecue and this cake and it was a long day, but it was an amazing day. I got a hundred hugs from my little cousins, ate about three pounds of grapes, chatted a lot with my aunts, caught up with my grandparents, and smiled a whole bunch.
4.) Pippa and I have taken quite a few long walks in the slightly-chilly spring break weather. I adore her.
5.) At the dentist, they offered me cookie dough-flavored tooth polish. Usually, I feel like it’s the adult thing to do to go for the mint. Still, I asked what the general opinion of the cookie dough was and the hygienist assured me that it was popular, so I went for it. Guys, go to your dentist and ask for cookie dough-flavored tooth polish. It’s great.
6.) I’ve had so much good food since I’ve been home. Here’s some of it:
{Friday appetizer: crab wontons}
{Friday entree: Kung Pao shrimp}
{Friday dessert: Reese’s Cup Blizzard}
{Sunday dinner: broccoli + crab cakes with blueberry salsa from Seriously Delish}
{Tuesday lunch: egg-and-ham sandwich with veggies and grapes, courtesy of my dad}
{Tuesday dinner: stromboli stuffed with cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and peppers}
{Wednesday lunch: CPK flatbreads}
{Wednesday snack: Jeni’s Salted Peanut Butter & Darkest Chocolate ice creams}
7.) The Rafflecopter picked a winner for my giveaway and she’s been contacted. Thank you so all much for entering and for reading. You’re the best!
8.) Spring break is wonderful, and it is way too short. 🙂
Have a lovely Thursday!
Do you make decisions based on what feels like the “adult” thing to do?
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten this week?
Anything else I should know?
Hollie says
Pizza and Strombolis are two of my favorite foods. This looks delicious and thank you for sharing.
EllenSlater says
Those are definitely some of my favorites, too!
Well, now I need ice cream 😉 I don`t eat nothing fancy this week, and it start getting boring… I need switch my diet for a bit.
Haha I think I always need ice cream 😉 And yes, a little variety is always a good thing!
I was going to say that something looks a little different! Looks great, girl! And I totally know how fun it can be to play around with things and really see your vision come to life. Enjoy!!
Thanks, Amanda! Enjoy Maui 😀
I love cookie dough but not sure if I’d go for cookie dough flavored tooth polish! But I’ll take your advice and see if my dentist has it the next time I go!
The Dairy Queen near me isn’t open yet 🙁 probably a good thing because I’ll be there multiple times a week once it does open!
Haha it kind of tasted like a sweet vanilla flavor? I wouldn’t say exactly cookie dough, but it was good 🙂
DQ is dangerously tasty, but so worth it! Enjoy ?
Spring break is never long enough! Especially when you get to go home. I swear mine flew by.
I love the blog look. So elegant and clean! Also, so jealous you got Jenni’s! I don’t live near one, but when I go to Nashville or Charleston, it’s a must stop!
Thanks, Kate! I hope school is going well 🙂 And yes, I feel so lucky to have Jeni’s all over my hometown – so good!
Beautiful pictures! It’s amazing what a great camera can do. I have a good camera but I forget to use it most of the time :-/ I’m glad you had a wonderful birthday!
Thanks, Ellie!
Reese’s Cup Blizzards = life! Also, cookie dough tooth polish? yes. Yes, please.
Reese’s Cup Blizzards are my favorites 😀
That blizzard looks amazing!! Pippa is such a cutie 🙂
Blessings,
Edye // Gracefulcoffee
Thanks, Edye!
Addicted to XOXO Chocolate right now….Raspberries in dark chocolate…..and a love poem inside. I put a bar in the fridge and break off a square or two at a time. This last one has made it almost a week and a half…thinking about turning the next one into brownies or hot cocoa. Yum!
That sounds amazing! I’ve never had XOXO but I’m going to have to seek it out! And I love your idea to put it in brownies. Raspberry-chocolate brownies would be heavenly 🙂
They have one with cranberries and almonds too that is my second favorite. I find it at a lot of places like Fresh Market, Target, and local grocery stores.
I’ll definitely keep an eye out! Thanks for the tip 😀
The first thing I said when I opened your blog this morning was, “Ohmygosh, Ellen changed her site!! Like, really *changed* it!” I love it…it looks so professional and grown-up! I liked the other one too, but every time you make changes, I’m amazed at how, even though each time I think the previous version is perfect, the next generation always blows me away and I like it even better.
You have me so jealous over those Jeni’s ice creams!! They look phenomenal, and now I’m dying to give it a try…I guess I should add that to my food bucket list. ?
Thanks so much, Hannah! 🙂
Jeni’s ABSOLUTELY belongs on a food bucket list. Every flavor, crazy or classic, is divine ❤️
Loving the changes 😉 Always feels good to refresh!
I always choose the bubble gum flavor!!! That’s the best!!!
Thanks, Rebecca! I like the bubblegum, too. It was my childhood fave 😀
Ahhh, I am craving icecream now after seeing that last picture! Holy yum!
I hope you get some 😀 Everyone needs a little ice cream.