St. Augustine, FL

Hello blog, it has been a while. I've been either too busy and/or lazy the past few weeks to update. But no excuses.. Anywayssss..
Drew and I went on a weekend trip to St. Augustine for my birthday! It was very nice and I got sun burnt and got to go shopping so I was a happy girl on my birthday. Drew and his mom both bought me a ridiculous amount of presents.. they are both too sweet.
We spent the first day in St. Augustine at the beach mostly.

After the beach we went into town. Walking into town, we ran into this really adorable store called HelloB on San Marco Ave. They had really cute clothes and now I totally want to own a small clothing store in the future. Anyways, we got into town and first had gelato, then macarons! There was a french bakery in downtown St. Augustine so of course Drew and I had to get some. The store sold mostly macarons but they were pretty delicious for being American made. It was called Bon Ami. Then we ate dinner at Casa Maya on Hypolita street due to my moms requests. The dinner was really yummy. Then of course, we had to get ice cream at Kilwins. Ice cream and gelato in one day.. hey it was my birthdayyy right. 

Day two started by getting coffee and smoothies from DOS coffee & wine. The place was actually really amazing. Our day continued with shopping at the outlets and spending money and buying clothes. Yay thats always fun. 

Birthday ring from Drew :)

Hogtown Creek

The puppies are so cuteeee.

Maple Glazed Salmon

So, I might be running the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta on July 4th. It may be only a 10k but I need to get my shit together. Healthy eating. Working out hard. Running. Those things have been on the back burner recently. Why? Because I'm lazy. It sucks. Anyways, this is salmon is soo so yummy you must make it.

The works:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 4 5 ounce wild salmon fillets

The creation: Preheat oven to 375. Combine the maple syrup, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Brush salmon with the spice mixture, coating the top of the fish. Place fish on a plate and wrap with plastic wrap and allow to sit in refrigerator for 1 hour. Or don't if you're hungry and not patient. Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until salmon is cooked.

Berry Balsamic Glazed Pork

I made this recipe from paleomg.com two days in a row for Drew and I. It's really yummy and easy to make.

I took the picture halfway through eating it, sorry

The works:

• pork loin chops (1-2 lbs)
• S&P
• cinnamon
• thyme
• 1/4-1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2-1 cup mixed berries (frozed or fresh) 

The creation: Start by making your sauce. Add your frozen or fresh berries into a saucepan. I used mixed frozed berries from Trader Joe's. Then add your balsamic vinegar, the amount depending on how much meat you have. Add a little bit of salt and cinnamon to the sauce and simmer on low until you are ready to eat. Now, season both sides of the pork with salt, pepper, cinnamon and thyme. Either grill or pan cook your pork chops for about 4-5 minutes per side. While cooking the pork, baste the chops with your balsamic sauce on each side. Then top with more sauce and the cooked berries and eat. 

Paynes Prairie Day Hike

Although this 6 mile "hike" was beautiful, there were tons of horse flies and ticks :( Ticks are really disgusting and creepy. Note to self: go back in the winter. I say "hike" because hiking in Florida is more like walking due to the lack of hills.

Paris Day Trip: Versailles

Lets talk about Versailles.... It's beautiful and I totally suggest that you go if you're in Paris. But HOLY POO it was crowded when we went (on a Sunday). We had to wait about an hour and a half just to get inside the palace. Then, once inside the palace, you could barely enjoy it because there were a million tourists shoving you in all different directions. At one point, Wynston and I had an asian lady basically touching our asses and smacking her gum in our ears. It was great. That was sarcasm.
So here's what I DO suggest: Take the day to explore the gardens. They are beautiful. Instead of spending 25 euros to get inside the palace, spend the 8 and bring a picnic. Rent a bike or a little boat. The gardens are so damn big you could spend all day in there.. But anyways... Here's pics.

Missing Paris

Things I loved about Paris: (among many other things)

• Macarons
• Baguettes
• Baguette sandwiches
• Metro
• Walking
• My school
• Drinking wine
• Taking pictures

Marymount International School

The most RICH and AMAZING hot chocolate ever

Angelina

The macaron GOD

His macarons were the best by far

Laduree... Famous but not as good as the macaron god

Classic. Stuffing my face.

Inside the Musee d'orsay

Paris at night

Basilica of St Denis

Basilica of St Denis 

Steps up to the Sacre Coeur

Sacre Coeur

The highest point in Paris 

Inside the Louvre

Ohhh so famous but kinda lame 

SPARKLES

Dinner in Montmartre

Dinner on the last night in Paris

These two girls made the trip

Missing Paris already and already can't wait to go back and bring Drewby this time.

Paris Cont.

I'm having Paris withdrawals already. But I am happy to be home and to see Drew and the puppies. Plus Florida is warm, I like the warmth.

Building that looks out to Eiffel

2nd floor

2nd floor

2nd floor

Top floor

Gahhh so high up

Great selfie