Weekend Snapshots 2.18.13

by Sara on February 18, 2013

Aaaand it’s Monday! How was your weekend?

They say time flies when you’re having fun, but time zooms when you’re eating leftover carrot cake and watching dramatic Downton Abbey finales. ;)

Did anyone else tune in last night? Elaina and I invited the girls over for the final episode of season three—an episode that, like all the others, was filled to the brim with deliciously indulgent draaaa-maaaa. 

The English tea cookies I’d planned on making didn’t even come close to happening, so instead we dug into the remaining half of a belated Valentine carrot cake I’d baked the day before.

This was actually my first foray into carrot cake baking, and despite a near kitchen disaster (note to self: always grease the cake pans…and 450 degrees is not the same as 35o degrees!) the final product actually looked somewhat like…a cake!

My mom insisted that I use her recipe, which is by no means healthy, but it is by all means delicious. When it comes to cake–especially cake baked for someone special—delicious always trumps healthy.

Anyway. Back to that time flies when you’re having fun thing. I had a really good (marvelous!) weekend. Really good. And it really did fly. I wish I could share the details, but when my head hit the keyboard of my laptop while waiting for pictures to load last night (falling asleep mid-post actually happens more often than I’d like to admit—please tell me somebody else out there can relate?!), I realized that using words to recap the fun would be far from fun. ;)

So…today the pictures will do most of the talking. Oh, and apologies for the fuzzy photos! I ditched my good camera (with the exception of the first two in this post) for the past three days so that I wouldn’t have to lug around my big bag could focus on living in the moment.

And I’m so glad I did. :)

Here we gooooo….

Friday Afternoon Appetizer a la Whole Foods Market.

If you’ve never dunked salmon sashimi into a bowl of guacamole, get on IT. 

Saying Farewell at Hanks Oyster Bar.

I’m going to miss you, Tom and Jo!

Saturday Snack.

Banana Nut Bread Quest Bar + Yogi Tea (made with Starbucks hot water ;) ).

Saturday Sweat. 

 

Carrot Cake in the Make.

Grating carrots…and nails. :(

Minor Disaster.

Whoops.

Mmmmm.

The Happy Recipient.

The Happy Recipient (me).

 Date Night at Zaytinya.

Cukes and Hummus.

Lust.

Seared scallops/Yogurt-dill-garlic sauce.

Sunday Sweetgreen Salad.

Arugula/Roasted chicken/Goat cheese/Cucumbers/Tomatoes/Red onion/Champagne Vinaigrette.

Cake in a Cup.

New-to-me David’s Tea flavors!

Wedding Dress Shopping.

{source}

Which dress is best?

Yogi Wisdom.

ALWAYS TRUST YOUR HEART AND INTUITION. Because they truly know best. 

<3

I hope you have a wonderful Monday, friends!

Make sure to check out the marvelous happenings today at Healthy Diva Life !

I want to know…

What’s your favorite thing to bake for others? Favorite cake in the entire world?

I LOVE baking for others, and usually turn to my favorite Chocolate Oat Bars, unless I know the recipient loves something else (as was the case with the carrot cake).  My favorite cake is the cake that isn’t really a cake—cheesecake!

Which dress should I wear to my friend’s wedding in three weeks?

I need your opinion!

Tell me the best thing you ate or did this weekend!

 

 

 

Tagged as: carrot cake, Marvelous in my Monday, recipe, Valentine

  • http://jessielovestorun.wordpress.com/ Jessiejoshua21

    i promise to love you forever if you make that cake while I’m visiting d.c.s just so I can have a slice of that tastiness??!!!

    wear #2.. it’s simple, yet elegant :)

    • http://www.nourish-and-flourish.net Sara Stewart

      Umm, OF COURSE I’ll make you carrot cake!! Anything to see your pretty face! xoxoxo

  • Coco

    I’m dying over that plate of scallops, those are gigantic!!!!!! Can’t wait to have some soon (in 7 months?)

    I think the first dress will look very nice on you because you have some great looking arms/shoulder!

    Where do you order david’s tea? I’ve been wanting to try it for so long!!!

    • http://www.nourish-and-flourish.net Sara Stewart

      Thanks, Coco! I’m actually leaning towards the first dress, but it seems like everyone else likes the second. Now I’m conflicted! ;)

      I highly recommend you try the scallops at Zaytinya–they’re amazing! I didn’t know that you’re supposed to avoid them post-pregnancy!

      You can order David’s Tea at davidstea.com. They have so many great flavors–I can never decide!

  • http://www.liftsleepeat.wordpress.com/ Lift, Sleep, Eat

    Looks like you had a great weekend! Your carrot cake looks delicious – I can’t believe I’m from the UK and I don’t watch Downton Abbey!! I really wish I had now but I missed the first series and just never got into it!
    I’d go for the first dress :) it’s really pretty!
    That tea also sounds unreal – definitely would love to try that!!

    • http://www.nourish-and-flourish.net Sara Stewart

      Aww, girl! You need to jump on the Downton Abbey bandwagon!! Thanks for the dress advice, and happy Monday! <3

  • Danielle @ itsaharleyyylife

    I love the lace dress! so cuteeeee! (:

  • http://betterwithsprinklesblog.com/ Sam @ Better With Sprinkles

    Love, love baking, whether it’s for myself or for other people. Although the grating-nails thing reminds me of why I don’t do carrot cakes often – plus chocolate wins out 95% of the time. :-p
    Sashimi in guacamole?! You, my friend, are a genius. And Oh goodness, Downton Abbey. I got so hooked on that show so quickly. Amazing.
    And I vote the lace dress. Super pretty!

    • http://www.nourish-and-flourish.net Sara Stewart

      Chocolate wins out 95% (if not more) for me, too. ;) I’ve actually never been a huge carrot cake fan, but I LOVE the cream cheese frosting!

      Definitely try the salmon sashimi/guacamole combo. It’s pretty much life-changing. ;)

  • http://Www.annatheapple.com/ AnnaTheApple

    Oh your carrot cake looks like heaven! I do enjoy carrot cake for a change – it’s so moist and flavoursome. I actually had a slice last week during our work’s bake sale!
    Looks like a great weekend for definite.
    Haha I never fall asleep quite so dramatically. I ususally post during ny lunch break at work or during the weekend in the day. I tend to only ever be able to fall asleep in bed. You must have been really tired!
    Hummus and scallops! Good meal choice! I adore scallops but rarely ever have them.
    And I’d go with the second dress. Only because the first one, though it is really pretty, seems more evening wear? Either way though both look great!

    • http://www.nourish-and-flourish.net Sara Stewart

      I think I need to follow your lead and start posting during the day! Thanks for the dress advice–it seems like most of you like the second one. :) Happy Monday, Anna! <3

  • http://www.runningwithspoons.com/ Amanda @ .running with spoons.

    For a near kitchen disaster, that carrot cake looks pretty darn amazing! I really do love baking for other people, mostly because I find it kind of extra special when you put time into something as opposed to just buying it in the store, and who doesn’t love a tasty treat? I usually make chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for others, but after seeing those oat bars of yours, I may just have to give them a try!

    And although I have to say that both dresses are pretty killer, the lace one wins for a wedding, in my opinion :) So, so pretty and sweet.

  • http://www.nourish-and-flourish.net Sara Stewart

    Come on over, and I’ll give you a slice–there’s one left waiting for you! ;) Happy Monday, Danielle!

  • Carlie

    That carrot cake looks amaaaazing!! Since you’ve teased us with pictures, won’t you provide a recipe too? ;) I know it’s not healthy, but I agree with you, when it comes to cake, you gotta go with the real thing.

    I need to try this sashimi/guacamole combo. YUUUM! And those scallops are calling my name! Zaytinya looks like a great restaurant…I love that they serve cucumbers with their hummus.

    Favorite cake is German Chocolate (mainly because of the coconut frosting). And I love both dresses, but kind of prefer the simplicity of the first! xo

  • http://www.cleaneatingveggiegirl.wordpress.com/ Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl

    You can go ahead and mail me a piece of that carrot cake ASAP!! ;) Carrot cake is one of my favs, and that looks amazing!

    I like the second dress. It looks very classy and pretty! :)

  • http://onehealthymunchkin.blogspot.ca/ Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin

    I adoooore carrot cake! And that’s funny that you grated your nails because I totally do that too all. the. time! I’ve actually never baked a carrot cake myself though – my mom always bakes them for me for my birthday. :D I think my favourite cake is a tie between carrot cake (with cream cheese frosting of course) and cheesecake. And my favourite thing to bake for others are cupcakes because they’re so fun to decorate!

    I vote for the lace dress – it looks perfect for a wedding! :)

  • http://lisalately.com/ Lisa

    I love, love, love the first dress! Buy it, or I just may have to instead;)
    Sounds like an absolutely perfect weekend!
    How on earth does you carrot cake still look so pretty even though it was an almost disaster. Let’s say that when I have disasters they are much worse ha.
    Which David’s Tea flavor do you prefer from those two?! I need a new flavor to pick up this week:)
    I actually am not a cake fan at all, not my cup of tea. I love cupcake though. Which is kind of weird, since they’re essentially the same thing haha.
    Oh wait, I’ll have to go with cheesecake! My Mom makes the best one ever!
    I sometimes bring my own tea bags to Starbucks and order hot water…one because it’s cheaper and two because I just like having warm hands.

  • Meg @ A Dash of Meg

    Mmmm enjoy that DAVIDsTEA love!!!!!! ;) My fav thing about this weekend has been…. my leg workout on Saturday? Spending a lot of time with my bf? So much to be happy about :)

    I personally love the firs dress, but you’ll rock either!

    Love you sis

  • Brittany Lesser

    What a great weekend!!! I recently bought that quest bar but I haven’t tried it yet :D

  • http://www.hungryhealthygirl.com/ Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl

    Yum….that cake looks amazing! I love baking cookies or brownies for others. Both dresses are really cute, but for a wedding I would probably choose the second one.

  • megan

    2nd dress!

  • http://mouthwateringmorsel.wordpress.com/ Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel

    omg … guacamole! I like to bake ANYTHING for everyone! if all else fails m&m blondies are my go to!

  • http://messyeatereats.blogspot.com/ Alex

    HI! That carrot cake looks like heaven on plate! The best thing I ate this weekend was a new recipe I made, PB&J bars! My favorite thing to bake for others would have to be cookies; I can ‘taste test’ as many as I want and they have no idea there are supposed to be more than just 5 or 6 :)
    I love the second dress the best; the lace is very pretty and classic!!

  • http://twitter.com/healthlovechoc Gina Topley

    The carrot cake looks great! I always fail with layer cakes and usually stick with cookies. I’m glad you had a wonderful weekend and I am drooling over all your eats per usual. And I adore the first red dress by the way. :-)

  • http://twitter.com/MissPolkadot21 Miss Polkadot

    Girls’ eve, carrot cake and date night? Girl, you had such a lot of fun going on this weekend :) ! And yes to living in the moment!

    Definitely go with the second dress – lace wins for me any time and this one looks absolutely perfect. Where did you find it?

    Best thing I did this weekend was spending quality time in Berlin with my mum where lots of good food was eaten. We might not have Chipotle but there’s a Mexican spot serving the best ever Burrito bowls with brown rice :) .

  • http://redletterdayeblog.wordpress.com/ Cassie @RedLetterDaye

    The 1st dress, definitely!

    I never really bake for just myself, unless it’s protein muffins. ;) But I love when people specifically request treats– cake pops, cinnamon rolls, ooey gooey fudgey brownies, and momofuku’s recipe for crack pie are top requests.

  • Devon @ Health in Equilibrium

    Carrot cake is so sneaky. It gives the appearance of being healthy, but it just isn’t. Good thing it’s freakin’ delicious so it totally cancels out the unhealthiness :) Banana nut muffins are totally the best kind of quest bar! I haven’t seen them yet in Canada, but when I do I’m stocking up!

  • Lucie

    Ok. All the food looks soooo delicious!!! I LOVE scallops. And well, you know which one is my fave cake, it’s my Moms chocolate cake!
    But YOU girl look stunning on all the pics and the dresses will be perfect for you!! I think Number 1 is my favorite.

  • Mary

    i <3 carrot cake!! as does my man friend (its his favorite). i made the mistake of making it once and he loved it and says its the best he ever had and now requests it all the time which secretly has me kicking myself for ever making it because it is SO much work hahaha props to you! the cake looks fab regardless :) also, i vote 2nd dress!

    • Mary

      also, i use applesauce in place of the oil (sometimes i’ll use greek yogurt) and i usually cut sugar in half and it still comes out tasting yummy (and convinces me it is semi healthy haha)

  • http://thisitalianfamily.wordpress.com/ Rach

    Oh, I love the dress with the lace! Also, those scallops look delicious!

  • Bianca

    i love the first dress! you can put so many pieces of jewelery with it where as the lace i feel its busy enough.

    i thankfully dont bake<– i tried to bake a box cake took 85 minutes in the oven…
    but i do love me some carrot cake

    best thing i had this weekend was definately a vietnamese sub, if you havent had one, please do!

  • http://twitter.com/katydid293 Linda W.

    I am all about the second dress because of the lace! You could totally rock either one! I love scallops and Zaytinya. So happy you had a fantastic weekend and got your bake on too! I was never a cake or frosting fan until the Baked and Wired strawberry shortcake cupcake came along! This weekend I was out and about in Providence. Kelsey, Ashley S, and Tanya were visiting. I ate well. My favorite highlight was a house made sweet potato and black bean burger with spinach & spicy vegan aioli. xx

  • CountYourVeggies

    I am all about the second dress because of the lace! You could totally rock either one! I love scallops and Zaytinya. So happy you had a fantastic weekend and got your bake on too! I was never a cake or frosting fan until the Baked and Wired strawberry shortcake cupcake came along! This weekend I was out and about in Providence. Kelsey, Ashley S, and Tanya were visiting. I ate well. My favorite highlight was a house made sweet potato and black bean burger with spinach & spicy vegan aioli. xx

  • http://www.kissmybroccoliblog.com/ Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

    I definitely like the second dress more…but I’m a total sucker when it comes to lace too! LOVE that neckline! Your carrot cake looks delicious! I’m not much of a baker, but when I do I like to surprise people with their favorites…I’ll never forget the look on my grandmother’s face a few years ago when I surprised her with this so-not-healthy-but-seriously-from-Heaven coconut cake (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/coconut-cake-recipe/index.html) Hmm, I’m really more of a cookie kinda gal, but if you put almond extract in any cake, I’ll love you forever! ;)

    Those scallops look AMAZING! Best thing I ate over the weekend: fro-yo…TWICE!! :D

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