Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Listen: Spring Playlist

Many things in my life tend to revolve around the seasons.  My cooking, style, footwear (obviously) and mood drastically change with the change of each season. And my music is no different.

With a work trip to North Carolina coming up (I leave today!), updating my playlists to fit my spring mood was a necessity before I left. With the warmer weather and springtime thunderstorms on the horizon, these tunes are on replay during the coming weeks. 


What are you listening to? 

 - C 

|| via ||

Monday, April 29, 2013

Life: Catching Up

Hi dears! It's been way too long, don't you think? Regardless, I hope you had a fantastic weekend! I know I did - the weather in Minneapolis was in the 70s. Needless to say, I was one happy girl. Spring is finally here (I hope)!

This weekend, Jack and I had barbecue and drinks at Rudolph's to celebrate the warm weather and the end of a very long week. We even got my favorite Pavarotti ice cream from Sebastian Joe's (seriously, to die for). We took a walk around Lake of the Isles and I cooked a delicious Saturday breakfast (if I do say so myself). We drank lots of coffee, went grocery shopping and bought a sweet little birthday present for my baby sister - she's turning 20 in two weeks! We watched movies, spent time outside and grilled out for the first time this year. Oh, and I did my laundry. All in all, a huge success.

How was your weekend, loves? Hopefully sunny!

 - C

|| Photos are property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute ||

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Recipe: A Healthy Cookie


I know what you're thinking. There is no way that's true. Guess what? My thoughts exactly. I'd like to think of myself as a cookie connoisseur, and I can tell you, there is just no way a delicious, chocolatey, decadent, melt in your mouth cookie can be healthy. It just can't be.

I hate being wrong. Have I ever told you that? I kind of loathe it.

It's hard for me to admit it...but I was wrong. Well, kind-of wrong. You guys...I found a cookie that is healthy...and tastes...pretty dang amazing good (all right, they are incredible, but I don't like admitting that they were).

Well, now that I've openly admitted that I was wrong, I had better share the recipe with you so you can be as amazed as I was.

I originally found the recipe on The Skinny Fork (this blog is seriously to die for). I had most of the items in my kitchen, so I as able to follow the recipe pretty closely. The best part about this recipe (other than it being healthy)? It was SO easy. So easy I almost feel guilty telling you that these are the recipes I look for on a snowy, cold Monday night in. But I can't not share. These things are delish.

Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies 
Makes 12 - 16 cookies (depending on size)

Ingredients:
Ripe bananas - 2 mashed
Reduced fat peanut butter - 1/3 cup
Unsweetened applesauce - 2/3 cup
Vanilla - 1 teaspoon
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
Cloves - dash (didn't have in my kitchen - omitted)
Nutmeg - dash (didn't have in my kitchen - omitted)
Quick or old fashioned oats - 1 1/2 cups
Nuts - 1/4 cup (totally optional - I used unsalted, roasted peanuts)
Dark chocolate chips - 1/4 cup (let's be real, I used about 1/2 cup)
Shredded coconut - dash (didn't have in my kitchen - omitted)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray.
2. Mix bananas, peanut butter, applesauce, vanilla and spices.
3. Add oats, nuts, chocolate chips and shredded coconut and mix.
4. Spoon rounded balls (about 2 tablespoons) onto cookie sheets, leaving a few inches between each cookie. Flatten slightly.
5. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (I baked mine for about 22) and enjoy!
6. Eat and don't feel guilty.

|| Photos are property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute ||

Monday, April 22, 2013

Mood: Eternal winter

I hate to complain, but this eternal winter is killing me, you guys. It's mid April (which means it's almost May) and we have snow on the ground. Not to mention, I'm still wearing my winter jacket and Uggs. I'm trying to be optimistic, but the truth is that I just can't take it anymore. I NEED SPRING.

I'm craving a day of sunshine and warm whether where I can finally open the windows of my apartment. I'm longing for dry sidewalks, so I can finally wear flats without fear of ruining them. I can't wait for the day where I can wear a spring jacket, buy fresh flowers and see green grass outside. Spring, where are you?
one || two

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Love: Two

It amazes me how quickly time flies. 

Somehow, it has already been two years since I started dating that handsome stud I keep telling you about. Two years - where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday we met at the University of Minnesota. Two years later, we both have our diplomas, real jobs, are taking our first romantic vacation together and are planning on moving in together in just a few short months. I've spent two of the craziest years of my life with the craziest, most wonderful guy I know. 

The best part is that I know we have many more to go. So Jack, here's to the past two years and to many, many more together! Let's go celebrate. The drinks are on me.

 - C

|| Photos are property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute ||

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Recipe: Monkey Bread

OK you guys, I apologize in advance for giving you this recipe. I have to warn you, monkey bread tends to lead to overeating and severe obsession.

So before reading any further, at least I've warned you. 

In my family, monkey bread is a breakfast staple. Whenever our entire family is home for the weekend and anywhere near a kitchen, monkey bread is on the menu. I seriously can't remember the last time my family was together and we didn't eat it for breakfast. Do you see what I mean? It's basically an epidemic. Be warned.

But since monkey bread has been bringing my family together around the breakfast table for years and years, I thought it would be time to share our recipe with you! 

Monkey Bread - Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
Buttermilk biscuits - 3 tubes 
Sugar - 1 cup
Cinnamon - 2 teaspoons
Butter - 1 cup (2 sticks)
Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
Salt - 1 pinch

Directions:
1. Cut each of the doughy buttermilk biscuits into quarters. 
2. Roll dough in mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
3. Put pieces into a buttered bundt pan.
4. During this time, heat butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil.
5. Once the mixture is boiling, remove from the heat and pour over the dough in the bundt pan.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and flip onto a plate.
8. Enjoy!

|| Photos are property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute ||

Monday, April 15, 2013

Life: The Best Weekend

Hi there loves! Long time no see! I had to take a few days away from Twentyapolis to prepare for this past weekend... and what a weekend it was. My family came to the cities to visit and meet Jack's parents! Our dinner was fantastic, and the evening went off without a hitch! It was a wonderful weekend - needless to say, saying my goodbyes and starting off a new week wasn't isn't easy.

So while I'm teetering in and out of a depression on this gloomy, gray and snowy Monday (seriously, could this day be any worse?), these pictures are helping get me through!

Miss you already, family!

 - C

|| Photos are property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute ||

Monday, April 8, 2013

Style: Jessica Alba

I think it's completely normal to have a style icon that you completely obsess over admire. For me, that person is Jessica Alba. While she flew under the radar for the past few years, the girl has come back in full force and has definitely solidified herself as a maven of style. My favorite part about her everyday look? She always appears effortlessly casual, yet completely put together. Not to mention, I'm currently swooning over her ombre hair and her newest venture, The Honest Company. Are you swooning, too?

 - C
one || two || three || four

Friday, April 5, 2013

Life: Weekend Dreaming

Happy Friday! I love being able to say that each and every week. Waking up on a Friday morning is an amazing feeling - only eight (or in my world, nine or ten) hours to go until the weekend. For me, that means relaxing, endless cups of coffee, yoga, cuddling and crossing things off my to-do list.

Do you have any big weekend plans? If you're in Minneapolis/St. Paul, I hear we have some rain on the way. Sounds like the perfect excuse to stay cozy inside with blankets and movies to me!

 - C

|| via ||

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Style: Summer Wedding Attire

When we start a new month, I usually say something like "Oh my goodness, can you believe it's already {insert new month}?" Well, it's April, and all I can think is it's about time. Seriously, this year's winter seemed considerably longer than any winter I can remember. Seriously. Even though the saying says April showers bring May flowers, I could care less that we're about to have a month of rain. Bring it on. Because rain means it's warmer than 32 degrees outside! And that means spring (and summer) are on their way!

One thing that I'm excited for are summer weddings! So far on our calendars, Jack and I are attending at least four. The best part? They're all over! Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago - we'll be all over the Midwest this summer celebrating love and happiness...with lots and lots of champagne in hand! (Ok, maybe my hand, I'm sure Jack will be drinking beer...)

Now don't get me wrong, I'm trying very hard to stick to my budget and not spend my entire paycheck on clothing. And I've been doing a fantastic job. That's why I'm not feeling too bad about buying a few dresses for these summer weddings. Not only am I in love with each of them, I didn't break the bank buying them. And after I wear them to these weddings, I think a cute cardigan and flats can make them (or almost all of them) work appropriate!

Are you going to any weddings this summer? Have you bought a dress yet?
 - C


Monday, April 1, 2013

Style: Current Favorites

I love when people give me recommendations to try something new (with that being said, please share anything below!) Seriously, if you tell me about a new restaurant, book, lip gloss or recipe...the likelihood that I will try it is very good. 

I know I have my "Currently Obsessed" sidebar, but I honestly would feel a bit weird putting all of my current obsessions there. Being currently obsessed with yogurt is not the best impression I could give you guys. So here it is, a list of some of my top 10 current favorite everythings.


tea || succulents || toms || chobani || detroit tigers leggings || Kashi cookies || yoga mat || apron || hair ties || headband



Blueberry Green Tea - I'm not a green tea fan. But lately? I can't get enough. 

Succulents - Jack and I recently bought a few different succulents and repotted them into one large pot. I'm in love with them! They bring life into my studio and only need to be watered twice a month. Perfect plant for us!

Toms - It was in the 40s this weekend in Minneapolis, which means I can finally start retiring my Uggs. I've been obsessed with these shoes for a while now, and think this is the year they belong to be in my closet.

Chobani - Ever since I started working, I have been eating breakfast at work. At 6 a.m., I'm barely awake, let alone hungry. I've been changing it up with protein bars and oatmeal, and recently began eating Chobani. I know I'm late to the Greek yogurt chain, but hello, this stuff is delicious.

Detroit Tigers Gear - It's almost baseball season! For Jack and me, that means Tigers, Tigers, Tigers. I'm obsessed with the Victoria's Secret selection of Tigers gear this year. Those yoga leggings? I need them. Jack, if you're looking to buy me a surprise gift anytime soon...

Kashi Cookies - I love cookies. And I like healthy food. Perfect match? I think so!

Yoga - I can't get enough yoga lately. And I very quickly realized that consistent yoga practice requires a seriously good mat. This little baby will be mine in the next few weeks!

Aprons - After ruining a few shirts, I've learned an apron is a necessity in my kitchen. The best part? They're cute. And I feel like Julia Child when I wear one!

Hair Ties - You guys, these are SO much cuter than traditional hair ties. The glittery ones? Love!

Lululemon Bang Buster Headband - I'm the first to admit I look seriously goofy in headbands. But this thing is perfect for yoga. Regardless of how I look.

What are your current obsessions?

 - C
 
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