next stop, italy.

last weekend i saw letters to juliet with my mom and sister. i know, right? we're so exciting.

i didn't have very high expectations because these kind of movies are usually just cheeseballs, but i was pretty entertained. it was pretty much a brochure for traveling to italy, siena and verona, specifically. scenery was beautiful, and i loved the story line with juliet's secretaries. love that they keep that alive. the rest of the movie was kind of slow, and i wish that the characters would have been developed a little more.



that being said, amanda seyfried is just lovely and lights up the screen. and now i can't stop thinking about having long, blonde hair and traipsing around the italian countryside in sundresses. sigh.



and i loved how vanessa redgrave and franco nero, the romeo and juliet couple in the movie are married in real life. tender.

i'd rather be cooking

when i'm away from home, the first thing i miss, aside from sleeping in my own bed, is cooking. i've been nannying for a week and all i can think about is what yummy recipes i can try.




first up? chocolate covered strawberries. easy, but so delicious.




this tomato and bleu cheese pasta dish from pioneer woman looks so delicious and i'm intrigued by the cheese.




these lemon poppyseed pancakes from picky cook are the perfect spring breakfast. or lunch. oh, who am i kidding? i'll probably eat them for dinner.




when i finally get myself one of these, then i can make tzatziki. instead of paying way too much at the grocery store for the premade stuff.


what are you making?

why didn't anyone tell me!

today i was absentmindedly flipping through a l.l.bean signature catalog while at work and pretty much flipped out as soon as i paid attention. i had no idea that they had such great clothes! i've never thought of l.l. bean as a great place to buy clothes, but since i would wear almost everything i saw, i might have to change my mind. plus, i can actually afford this stuff.

here are some of my favorites!


meetinghouse printed skirt


chambray shirt

[i'd wear those together, i think]



mariner denim striped skirt

[i could live in this skirt]



outfit suggestion on the website. reminds me i have this exact jacket in khaki from gap and i never know how to wear it. perfect for the chilly un-springy weather we've been having.


outfit suggestion on the website. simple and pulled together. my kind of summer uniform.


you should definitely visit llbeansignature.com and check out the clothes. they also have some cute and reasonably priced shoes.