bike ride adventure

This weekend, John and I took a bike ride through Umstead, past many many (crazy) runners ~ we found out they were participating in an endurance race of 100 miles that lasted 36 hours! AH! ~ and past a pretty lake where we fed crackers to the geese ...

then we took a break and John tried on my sunglasses :)

then we rode over the highway on a pedestrian bridge and past another pretty lake with a gazebo ...

We ended up very far away from home and realized we had only an hour to make a 2 hour trek back, so we rode along the roads and down many a sidewalk (and up and down many hills ... hello leg workout) to make it back home in just over an hour. I love when we have little adventures! Do you like riding bikes?

tulips

We have the most beautiful tulip living in our apartment right now and it twists and bends towards the sunlight. It's so funny because everyday it's bent a different way. Isn't it cheery?

shower goodies

A beautiful friend of mine hosted a kitchen gadget bridal shower this past weekend and her favors (full of tasty candies) included a bright colored measuring spoon ~ what a cute idea, right?

barrel monster

This weekend, I discovered that amidst the Hillsborough St renovations sits the barrel monster, overlooking the street and smiling. I'm glad to know she (or he) is still around.

At one point in my life, I met this barrel monster ...

and her boyfriend.

What a funny city I live in ~ protected by barrel monsters :)

funny gadgets

Isn't this the cutest little computer gadget? She's a flash drive ~ so clever!

cake?

This cake does not look like a cake! Oh, Martha Stewart. How do you think of such things?

it's Friday!

The weekend is finally here! Tomorrow, I'm going on a bike ride since it is supposed to be really sunny. And then of course, to the waffle party. I've also been working on 2 super fun projects - some lingerie shower invitations and a book ... but that's all I can say about the book for now. I hope to finish up the invites and get them in the mail.

What are you up to this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope it's full of smiles!

waffle party

Hello friends! Look at this super fun invitation I got for a weekend wine and waffles party. You know you are jealous (wink, wink)

spring cupcakes

It's almost Easter and that means it's time for me to make my annual bunny cake! Next week, I'll post directions on how you can make one for your Easter celebration! In the meantime, how cute are these cupcakes with little peeps on them? and a cupcake stuffed with a surprise strawberry? Delicious!

*Thanks Amy for such a great find!

lemonade + mint

It is so warm and summery outside today (70 degrees!) and I am imagining myself barefoot in the green grass, drinking delicious sweet tea or lemonade. I'm loving this version of summer's favorite beverage. It includes mint leaves, sugar, and frozen lemonade. Yum - o!

Charley Harper

Have you ever seen any of Charley Harper's art? My mom fell in love with a box of his notecards and has let me have one of each in the set to frame and display in my room. The green bird pictured above is one of the ones in the set. But I just love the doggie as well.

Tuesday inspiration

Today I was inspired by this picture (via Once Wed). I love the subtle stripes on the table cloth and the spring time pastel, almost Easter egg, colors.

It's Friday, I'm in Love

It's Friday! and today I am loving ...

this blue gate ~ I love the shade of blue and the way it looks in the bright sun - it makes me want to paint something I have that color! (via Vera Bradley)

these fun letters on this bookshelf (via Design*Sponge)

this awesome chick cookie for Easter (via Pillsbury)

on a side note ... I always create a bunny cake every year for Easter and closer to the date, I will share with you how you can make one - it's probably my favorite holiday tradition.

Hope you have a joyous Friday and a happy weekend! I'm so excited about the first day of Spring!

H&M Raleigh!

H&M opens its newest store in Raleigh, NC today! Yahooo! Don't you love their garden collection?

Photo Tour: Aquarium

It's taken me a while to put it together (because I took so many fun pictures, I wanted to share them all!), but here is an awesome photo tour of our trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Everything there was amazing ~ Enjoy!

This is John checking out the HUGE sting ray in the tunnel. Fish, sharks, and more swam all around us as we walked through.

The sting ray would come to the side of the pool and move around looking at us. They were basically asking us to pet them.

So we did.

Even me! They were so slimy, but totally cool.

The sea dragons were one of my favorite animals at the aquarium to watch.
John and I met a new friend who joined us for a photo.

We all had a great time, and looking through the photos makes me want to go back sometime. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to look at my photos!

xoxo Nicole*

St. Pat's forecast

Yesterday, on our local news channel, the meteorologist wore a green snuggie to do the weather. The result was pretty funny!

St. Patrick's Day earrings

Inspired by the St. Patrick's Day earrings in yesterday's post, I made myself a pair of green earrings perfect for today!

St. Pat's duck

St Patrick's Day wouldn't be complete without a leprechaun duck sitting next to our bathroom sink ... right? ;)

Happy St. Patricks Day!

From Everyday Ebullience and little Lenny!