santa barbara | day one | traveling

My shoulders are sunburned, and my legs are so sore, but walking around Santa Barbara was worth it. 

I wouldn't say that I am a "beach girl." I grew up going to the beach MAYBE once a year. I loved the sand + the water, but I would rather go to a lake or a small town. I think Santa Barbara is changing me. I could spend all day on these beaches. 

Stearns Wharf is such a fantastic place. I had fish + chips and a mint chocolate chip ice-cream cone for lunch and I'm telling you, everything tastes better when you are surrounded by the smell of salt water + the sound of people chatting + waves crashing. 

Do you see that brown thing in the water? That's a seal. We had a magical moment where he looked up at me and swam for a few feet, with his eyes pointed directly at mine. I scrambled for my phone and he dived under the water right as I was taking a picture. I looked around, no one else had seen him. Crazy. 

Have a fantastic weekend! :) 

happy tuesday!

i. my mom made some sourdough bread last week (recipe coming soon) and i might have eaten too many pieces. ;) 

ii. i had an engagement session in dc and i wore my turquoise maxi skirt. it's my new favorite piece of clothing.

iii. the newest addition to my room. i took a piece of foam board and used pushpins to attach pictures from last summer to it. i love it.

iv. i got new running shoes for my birthday and they have since inspired me to work out more. what is it about new shoes/clothes/anything that is inspiring? 

tell me, what have you been loving/eating/doing lately? ;) 

chocolate chip scones | bake it

I like sharing recipes with you all because let's face it, who doesn't love food? And chocolate chip scones? Um. So. Good.

These were amazing so I am encouraging you to go make and eat them now. :) 

Ingredients
For dough:
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
8 tablespoons butter, cold
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I used more because 2/3 isn't enough chocolate for me ;))
2/3 cup half-and-half, or heavy cream, cold
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
3. Cut the butter into ½-inch cubes. Make sure it remains cold.
4. Add the butter to the dry ingredients.
5. Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your hands, cut the butter into the flour. It’s okay if a few lumps remain. Work quickly so that the butter doesn't melt.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. In a separate bowl, whisk together the half-and-half or cream, the egg, and vanilla.
8. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
9. Use a fork or wooden spoon to mix it until the dry ingredients are moistened and the dough barely holds together. DO NOT OVER-MIX.
10. Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Shape the dough into a 6-in x 9-in rectangle.
11. Cut the rectangle into six 3-inch squares. Cut each of the square diagonally so you get 12 triangles.
12. Place the scones onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden. Let cool.

I made a simple powdered sugar glaze for the top. :)

Eeeenjoy!! 

josh + emilee | an engagement session at glen echo

"She is adventurous + wild, she thinks outside the box." 

"I love his quirky sense of humor."

I actually don't know where to start with these two, because they are honestly one of the cutest + most fun couples I've ever known. 

Remember when Josh proposed? I met Emilee for the first time then + immediately got the vibe that she was one of the sweetest and kindest and most adorable people ever. Constantly saying "thank you so much for being here!" and "I can't believe you came out here to take pictures!" I mean, she had just said yes to forever with the man she loved, and she was thanking me! I wish it wasn't cheesy for me to say hashtag selfless. 

In the questionnaire I gave them to fill out, I asked how they would describe the other in one word or phrase. Emilee answered, "Can CUTESTOFTHEWORLD be one word?" I just really like them. Let me just say, they were both CUTESTOFTHEWORLD during these session. Sheesh. 

This might have been my favorite part of the whole session.

J: "Let's arm wrestle."

E: "Okay, I'm gonna beat you."

"Alright, now give each other a kiss."

And slowly, he just pushed her arm down. Cutest of the world. 

I mean, I think they are the greatest. ;) Can't wait for their fabulous wedding in June!