Thursday, August 30, 2012

23 candles

Dear Eva,

(remember this?)

Yesterday you blew out 23 candles on your cake. It seems like only last week we were in our matching pink goggles, making up dance routines in the kiddie pool in the backyard...

Twenty-two was a banner year...you got engaged, finished college, moved to Texas, and got married, all in the same year. I'm so proud of you and so happy that you're happy. You know if I had the time and money, I'd fly down to San Antonio in a heartbeat.

Speaking of money, here are all the things I pretend bought for you online last night.

 + A pretty serving bowl from Anthropologie

+ A Madewell silk shirtdress that's ready for the classroom


+ A cool lavender leather tote bag

+ A funky art print for your living room wall


+ A fun striped scarf from Terrain


...sigh...in the meantime you'll have to settle for this blog post and a gift far less impressive than these.
Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Love you. I wish you a year full of joy!

---
Sources
(1) Anthropologie serving bowl (2) Madewell dress (3) Leather tote (4) Jennifer Moreman Art Print (5) Terrain scarf

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Lately

reading::

Ever since I saw this post on Roald Dahl, I've been re-reading a few of his classic tales. James and the Giant Peach is a particular favorite, along with The Witches. And who can forget Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? I think people spend so much time arguing over which version of the movie is better, they forget the book outdoes them both. (But if we're still arguing, the 1971 version wins by a mile. Gene Wilder IS Willy Wonka, no contest.)  And while we're talking, Charlie and Great Glass Elevator was perhaps even better than the first book. What a fantastical story. Now THAT would make a great movie....



listening::

I’ve been obsessed with Birdy ever since her version of “Skinny Love” was featured as the Single of the Week on iTunes. She does the most beautiful covers of shamelessly hipster bands like Phoenix, Bon Iver, and Fleet Foxes. She delivers the melody with a soulful voice that sounds much older than her 16 years. Below is "1901".  Another favorite is a cover of James Taylor's "Fire and Rain".


  Birdy - 1901 by OfficialBirdy



making::
I'm in the process of moving rooms at my parents house and am excited at the prospect of a blank space to make my own. I went with light grey walls and all white bedding because I want the statement to be in the accents. Lately I’ve been inspired by bright color-blocked neon (I know, I'm so on trend right now), pewter-colored glitter, and bold graphic patterns, like this print I found on Tumblr and these pillows & covers from Etsy.

With that in mind, I'm working on a couple of slightly kitschy paintings for my new walls:
watching::
I love Coldplay and this video for their song "Paradise" is just too cute for words.


trying::
I've never made a galette and I have no idea why, since it is basically pie for lazy people. And I'm super good at being lazy. Plum season is huge in Switzerland right now and my dear friend Audrey used to make a delicious plum galette for dessert that we would have with tea after the kids were in bed. Good memories. :)

My family is having a little cookout for Labor Day and I'm thinking a ripe peach galette is the perfect way to round out the summer.




Thursday, August 16, 2012

It's really the oddest feeling
to be completely and totally in love
with places I've never been to before. "




il ya quelqu'un qui veut parcourir le monde avec moi?
----
(1) Beach

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Shelly's Macaroons

This is my cousin Shelly.

(and her cheeky son :))

Shelly lives in New York and loves her boys, coffee, and chocolate in that order. She is the one who introduced me to Audrey, my dear Swiss friend, and was a constant encouragement during my time over there.  I love Shelly because not only is she always cheerful and kind, she is the only person I know who loves baked goods more than me. So when I found out that I would be seeing her last weekend, I knew I had to make her something.  It wasn't too long before I found the perfect recipe: coconut macaroons.  Simple, classic, and easily transportable for the 7 hour car trip. 

With just 5 ingredients, this was hands down the easiest cookie recipe I have ever made. I was in and out of the kitchen in 40 minutes, including bake time. Amazing! For an extra zing, I drizzled melted dark chocolate on top after they cooled. Delicious.



I would highly recommend using parchment paper to line the cookie sheet. As you may be able to tell in the above photo, I used wax paper and it was impossible to get them to come off cleanly. 
Nothing quite humbles you like watching people awkwardly pick off bits of paper from the bottom of your handiwork before taking a bite.

These were almost as good as seeing Shelly in person after so long. I'm just sorry I didn't stay and chat with you longer! 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Dear World, Part 2

Two years ago, I wrote this post in which I composed open letters to various people/things in the world to set things straight. I can triumphantly say I effected little to no change with these short missives but it gave me a sense of great personal satisfaction. Enough time has passed that I can safely assume it's time again to share my wisdom with the world. And so here we are.
---- 
Dear Canada, 

What with your 'toques' and 'poutine', you're like that crazy cousin from the North whom I don't fully understand but love anyway. You have the means to be a strong opposition to the rest of the first world countries, yet you continue to skip along as the friendly neighbour (spelled that way on purpose) to the world. We Americans make jokes about your love of hockey, flannel shirts, and always saying “sorry”, but in reality we are just jealous that you consistently dress better than us. Seriously, how do you always look so put together.

Your loud and pushy downstairs neighbor,
America

P.S. Pls send more maple syrup. That fake stuff we call “Mrs. Butterworth’s” is disgusting.
----
Dear the Weather,

Sorry for always complaining about you. In the last two weeks alone, you’ve been too hot, too cold, too wet, and too dry. As someone who is a fan of days in the temperatures 70 or below, I know I have been particularly whiny this summer. In reality, my very job is dependent on your mood swings. Thanks to the 90 degree temps, people have been buying air conditioners like crazy. What it really comes down to is that we are so privileged in this country to have access to all our wants and needs, we have nothing more substantial to complain about. “I have unlimited access to clean water, a roof over my head, and a steady job but because my lawn is brown, my quality of life is obviously in a downward spiral.”

Just keep doing your thing,
Me
----

Dear Teenage Girls,

I know your life is full of angst and pain but for crying out loud, stand up straight, cover your bits, and stop sharing every tiny thought and mood swing on Facebook. I know I just got real harsh right there, but your life isn’t over because that boy didn’t text you back. Life is bigger than high school and you’re going to be fine. Now go read a book and for goodness sake, wipe all that junk off your face. Honestly, what would your father say.

Everything on the Internet will live forever,
Everyone else

----

Dear Waffles,

You are delicious. All of the every of the time.

Je ne regrette rien,
A Hungry Hungry Hippo


P.S. Canada’s bringing the maple syrup.

----
Dear Chloe, Mateo, Phoenix, Gillis, Greta, Langston, and the as yet unborn Long child,

You are the cutest, funniest, and most intelligent kids in America. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. It’s fact, because it’s on my blog. You should all come over to my house and we can make our own pizzas and finger paint on giant pieces of paper on the floor. Seriously, ask your moms. They can even come too.

Not at all biased,
Your cousin

----

Dear Geico,

Can we work out a deal where I get a partial refund for every 6 months that I go without once having to cash in on my insurance policy? If yes, make check payable to "Ellie's Travel Fund". Thanks.

Seriously sick of paying you,
A good driver

P.S. So over the gecko. No you were not out helping people save money on their car insurance last night. You were out being a gecko, doing gecko stuff.

----

Dear Texas,

I miss you. I miss your bluebonnets and wide open spaces. I miss Whole Foods Austin.  I miss eating goat cheese, pesto, and tomato sandwiches with Jilly on the balcony and creeping on the neighbors across the parking lot. I miss reading my book by the Pepper Creek Dam on a Tuesday afternoon. You still have Jilly, Adam, and Hattie and now you have my sister too. It’s not fair. Give them back. Or give me a job so I can live there too.

Disgruntled in the Midwest,
Ellie
----
Pictures:
(1)Clouds
(2)Waffles
(3)Texas

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Throwback Thursday

After Tuesday’s embarrassing photo share time, I just feel the need to clarify for my readers that for most of my childhood, I was actually really adorable.

I mean, look at me.


I still make this face when I don't get what I want.

Apparently my mom was a huge fan of this outfit. But forget the baby clown suit, let's talk about how I'm wearing Nikes. Mom never bought me a pair again. My childhood suffered as a result, obviously.

She was also a fan of dressing me and my sister in matching outfits. This one's alright though, at least it wasn't another romper.

My pal Denise and I chilling on a beach in Florida somewhere. Denise's family was so cool, I remember this day well. Her mom made us Nutella sandwiches and her dad buried our legs in the sand and traced the shape of a mermaid's tail. 



Looking all cute in my red tights and side part. Seriously.

Hanging out in balloon hats and pajamas, yeah, whatever.

The Three Stooges at our favorite beach in Prince Edward Island. I still have that shirt. I cannot, however, fit my whole body (including my feet) in it anymore. Sad.

Well, enough of that. And now we'll get back to our regularly scheduled programming of me not posting pictures of myself. Okthanksbye.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

Source (found on Pinterest, no clue of the origin :( )

 

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