A taste of NYC

I finally made it to the Big Apple. What a damn interesting city, you could visit for years, and discover something new each time. I was on the fence, about actually being able to live there, we'll see if that ever changes. For now, I'll share a few photos from the trip and mention a few "must sees" I stumbled upon in the city. Word of the wise for those Alabama trippers- dudes specifically, you WILL stand out if you choose to sport the typical polo, KAVU shorts, croakies & loafers- and not in the way you would like. On the up side, I found myself staring @ all the beautifully bazaar dressed ladies and gents. Not to mention the occasional curly haired kiddo & dog with a T-shirt or stud collar. Seems almost like pups were stretched as an accessory of sorts. You know... I'll wear my sneaks, bow tie & sneezing pug today. People watching on the subway will keep you entertained for hours. I will share some sneaky ritzy outfit posts later next week sometime.  

Lil Dilly bean accompanied me, and I was thrilled to catch up with best friend Emmy. I seem to follow her to all the interesting cities. 

Alright- roughly top to bottom here were a few of my favorite sites/areas. 

1. Pratt University Sculpture Garden 

2. Greenlight Bookstore on Fulton Street - bow ties perched right outside. 

3. Smorgasburg Food Market in Brooklyn

4. Brooklyn Flea

5. The High Line Park - Manhattan 

6. Tomoe Sushi- Manhattan 

That should be all for now. Like I said, all of this was done in one day.. Imagine what you could do living there! Heres to hoping for another visit very soon. Always more to explore. 

Carrie Fagan 

St. Petersburg, FL

1. Junkosaurus- the coolest yard art ever.

2. attempt at posing for the camera.

3. Alaskan Tacos- all you can eat deep fried tofu tacos Ybor, Florida.

4. my very first pro baseball game. GO RAVES!!

5. smiles all around.

6. funky vintage shop. and attractive sign.

7. more of Ybore with a little Cuban flare.

8. i could have paid $5 to stand in poop and feed ravenous birds. no thanks.

9. absolutely no words.

10. rainbow on happy America day!

I had a week off from work and visited St. Petersburg FL with my friend Emmy.

It was a long 10hr. drive, but we survived with a little game called categories,

and the 90's station on satellite radio.

A few of my favorite moments (not shown above) include:

biking was as easy as pie, every road shared a bike lane, without a hill in sight.

this is not your typical beach destination.

fireworks from the pier!

i would have snapped a photo , but i do not trust myself with

expensive equipment that close to water.

and of course my creepy sperm & egg painting.

do not be alarmed.. it looks better than it sounds, i will share SOON!

Me Amo Dulces

One more travel extraordinaire to share with you. This weekend I was in New Orleans with Gavin and his family, eating candy, chocolates and beignets. And all of a sudden we were thrown back into 1914. Check out this mule hauled Roman Candy cart we came across.

Gavin and I passed it driving, and of course I had to stop to buy some $1.00 candy sticks. There were three flavors strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. The vanilla was my favorite as it tasted like roasted marshmallows. The man has owned the truck since 1914. And boy, you should have seen the line for these sought after candies. Every time he stopped children and parents would
line up to get their favorite candy sticks.

This discovery inspired me to share a few candy favorites.

1. wedding candy display

2. Candy Shop Engagement Photos

3. most adorable message ever


4. vintage candy shop

5. candy girl with an oh so tiny waist



5. caramel candy recipe
1/2 stick butter
1 cup canned evaporated milk
2 cups sugar
16 large marshmallows
1/4 cup sugar, caramelized
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups broken pecan pieces


Melt butter around the sides and bottom of a heavy saucepan. Add milk and sugar. Stir with wooden spoon toward the center of the pan. Add marshmallows.

Place 1/4 cup sugar in small pan to caramelize (a cast iron pan works well but is not required). Turn pan frequently to prevent burning.

Transfer melted sugar into the larger pan, stirring constantly. Lower the heat, and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 238°F, stirring often; set aside to cool to 110°F.

Stir in vanilla and pecans, continuing to stir until the candy will hold its shape. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto buttered wax paper, parchment paper or silicone sheets.

5. candy house!

all images taken from weheartit

6. my favorite candies... sixlets and peach rings


what is your favorite candy?

Bigger in Texas

Texas was incredible! As they say everything is bigger in Texas, and let me assure you everyone including the visitors who leave Texas. I had never eaten out so much. We went out to eat
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Good thing I was visiting friends so we could always split meals. There are some super unique shops and restaurants in Houston. If your planning a trip anytime soon I insist you check out these favorites.

The Bead SHOP
2476 Times Rd., Houston, TX, 77005
in Rice Village

This place was amazing. Thousands of beads spread out all over the tables. And for pretty cheap, only a couple of cents for some really nice glass beads. The guy that worked there had a pretty extensive collection of Hindu sculptures. I bought a few evil eye glass beads... I'm still thinking what to make.

Ruggles Cafe Bakery

Im pretty sure these were meant for children, but we bought some regardless. If you buy a cookie for $1.00 they give you your very own icing to ice your treat. I went all out of course, plus they were delicious.

Ruggles GREEN
& The Path of Tea

Ruggles Green offers delicious menu items that incorporate organic, all-natural, hormone-free, preservative-free, products that are always delicious. I ordered the veggie burger with sweet potato fries. Then walk right across the street to the tea bar and order a frozen green tea. It is like heaven in a cup.

United Way Thrift & Flash Back Antiques

The United way thrift store had SO many vintage nurse dresses donated this past weekend. All of my friends tried on a nurse outfit just for fun. I wish nurses still wore these vintage white dress outfits...how much fun! Close but is Flask Back antiques. I could not afford anything in the store, but it is totally worth the trip.

OH and I have some SUPER exciting news to share... It's not set in stone yest so I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I will tell very soon.

Summer Specials

Since my semester classes are coming to an end, I have started a summer TO DO list in order to fill my wonderful spare time. Well, almost spare time, I will be taking a few summer courses.
I am sure I will add plenty to the list as I think of them, but these were the first that come to mind.

1.

2.

3.


There are so many craft projects I want to finish over the summer. Maybe I should make a separate list just for craft ideas. I am so excited to almost be finished with school. I can just create and thrift all summer long.



4.


I love these retro hoodies from BeWakeful. She is truly talented in her sewing ability. I was thinking or trying to piece together something like this more my sis, but she may just get one of the originals.

(image taken from ETSY. find it here)

5.





6.




7.






8.



9.




what would you like to accomplish this summer?