30 Days of Thanks...starting today

Okay. So I'm a little late starting the 30 Days of Thanks, but I am starting today! As I said before, I am going to post each day what I am thankful for, along with a picture.  Feel free to join me, and don't forget to use the hashtag, #30DaysofThanks!

Enjoy!

xx

Helen 

Day 1.  Today I am thankful for heat, and the comforts of food and coffee on this rainy day. 

Day 2.  I am thankful for the support of friends. 

Day 3.  I am thankful for the beauty of nature.
Day 4.  I am thankful for this warm weather during November (60 degrees!) 
Day 5. I am thankful for forgiveness. 
Day 6. I am thankful for the little breaks from school
Day 7. I am thankful for One Direction (yep, I said it)
Day 8. I am thankful for light workloads.
Day 9. I am thankful for my sorority
Day 10. I am thankful for second chances
Day 11. I am thankful for my family
Day 12. I am thankful for quiet time
Day 13. I am thankful for new beginnings 
Day 14. I am thankful for safety.
Day 15. I am thankful for sleep
Day 16. I am thankful for warmth
Day 17. I am thankful for my brother
Day 18. I am thankful for my education
Day 19. I am thankful for long talks with friends
Day 20. I am thankful for my health
Day 21. I am thankful for life.
Day 22. I am thankful for all of my sisters
Day 23. I am thankful for no more classes! 
Day 24. I am thankful for new friends. 
Day 25. I am thankful for the sun
Day 26. I am thankful for my suitemates.
Day 27. I am thankful for home
Day 28. I am thankful for my cousins
Day 29. I am thankful for books
Day 30. I am thankful for all the blessing God has given me.

30 Days of Thanks

I came across the website 30 Days of Thanks today, and absolutely love the idea.  It tells you to post something you are thankful for, each day, for 30 days.  I will be participating in this challenge on my blog! This is a great way to get ready for Thanksgiving.  I encourage you to join me! Post what you're thankful for on social media, using the hashtag, #30daysofthanks and visit the website for more information.  Happy almost Thanksgiving! 

xx

Helen 

Fall Favorites

Here's what I'm loving this fall. The J.Crew Downtown Field Jacket is one of my favorite items in my wardrobe.  It is both practical and stylish, and I get compliments on it daily! I'm really into ankle boots right now, and these Michael Kors Leather Ankle Boots are so chic. Nail polish is a must for the fall, and I am loving this color, I'm Feeling Sashy, from the OPI Miss Universe Collection.  The C.Wonder Nylon Easy Tote is one of my staples this fall, because I use it for a book bag! (I also have it monogrammed). Gold jewelry is essential, no matter what outfit it's paired with, and this Banana Republic Knot Bracelet is simple, yet elegant.  Lastly, this girly Tulle Skirt from Loft is definitely on my wish list...so I can bring out my inner ballerina! 

Hope you enjoy these, and happy fall!

xx

Helen

My Favorite Place

I recently went to Nantucket Island on vacation, as I do every year with my family.  This summer, as always, we spent many lazy days at the beach, and spent the rainy days in town shopping.  

One of my favorite places to visit is a small bakery called Petticoat Row Bakery.  It was built only a few years ago, so it doesn’t have the same charm as some of the older shops.  However, it is still a cute place to get a cupcake or a cappuccino.  Their are famous for their cakes, but my favorite treat to get there is the turtle bar.  It has a rich graham cracker crust, with coconut and butterscotch chips, with a layer of chocolate and a drizzle of caramel on top.  I was a bit disappointed when I found out that the bar had decreased in size since the previous year, but it was probably for the best.  

Another great thing about Nantucket is its sunsets. You can count on a gorgeous pink sky almost every night, which makes for a great picture! 

This is a photo taken from Madaket Beach, the absolute best place to watch the sunset.  

This is Sankaty Head Lighthouse, one of the three lighthouses on the island.  It is located in the village of Siasconset, and was built in 1850. 

I miss Nantucket already, but hopefully next July will come quickly!

xx
HGK

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

I was scrolling through Pinterest the other day, looking for something sweet to make, and I came across a recipe for Oatmeal Coconut Cookies.  But since I am unable to resist baking anything without chocolate, I had to add mini chocolate chips to the mix. The coconut in these cookies also added extra chewiness!  On a side note, I added slightly too much oatmeal to the batter, but they still turned out delicious, and even healthier!

These sweet nuggets taste best with a cold glass of milk! 

If y'all want to try out this recipe, I found it on the blog: The Dough Will Rise Again, and the recipe is called "Brown Sugar Oatmeal Coconut Chewies".  

Enjoy!

xx

HGK

One Direction-Best Song Ever

Everyone please watch this.  You'll thank me later.

xx

HGK

A Fresh Urban Lunch

Yesterday, finally having a day off from work, I decided I would treat myself for lunch. I wanted to go somewhere I had never gone before. My mom and I ended up at Wise Acre Eatery, in the hip Tangletown area of Minneapolis. The minute we got there, I fell in love with it. The building was once an old gas station, and the main area of the restaurant is in the garage. When the garage doors are open, it creates the perfect summer atmosphere. The best part about the place, is that it is a farm-fresh eatery. The restaurant gets all of their ingredients from their own farm, only 40 minutes away. The food is harvested, prepared, and served, all in the same day.  From the farm to the table, you can expect your meal here to be nothing less than delectable. 

I started out with the half and half, which is half iced tea, half lemonade. It was so refreshing, and I loved how the colors of the tea and lemonade faded together to create a warm amber hue.  

For my entree, I chose the Scrambled Egg, Ham, & Cheddar Sandwich.  This consisted of a thick slice of ham, melted white cheddar, and a scrambled egg, topped with stone ground mustard, served on a warm brioche bun. The sandwich was so rich and satisfying, and was gone in minutes.  It was served with a side of field greens, and dressed in a maple red wine vinaigrette. 

To top off my lunch, I decided on the Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookie from an assortment of baked goods. This was a decadent oatmeal cookie with a hint of coconut, and filled with dark chocolate chunks. Our thoughtful waiter, Roy, served the cookie warm.

Overall, I loved this unique eatery, and would definitely come back. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fresh and delicious meal, in a retro urban setting. Who doesn't? 

HGK

Nutella Puppy Chow

Made Nutella puppy chow today. It was so easy, only 4 ingredients: butter, Rice Chex, powdered sugar, and of course, Nutella! Once you start eating it, you can't stop!

Enjoy,

HGK