HOME TO MIAMI UNIVERSITY: FOREVER & A DAY

I spent four years of my life in this tiny little town in the middle of corn fields in a pretty southern, very western corner of Ohio. We did strange things there, like avoided the campus seal  in the middle of Academic Quad, rubbed turtles heads before exams, kissed under Upham Arch (okay, I actually didn't do that myself, but the mergers...), wore greek letters across all our clothes, bought steamed bagel sandwiches in the middle of the night, named our houses. It was a lot of growing up &, more importantly, a lot of friends.

I haven't stepped foot in that Southwestern Ohio Neverland since I became a Miami Alum in May of 2012 - until this Memorial Day Weekend.

I lived in a house with seven other girls, it was called The Blumpkinn. We shared two bathrooms. (How?!? I'm unsure. Like, really, it's a mystery.) This weekend four of our eight (+ two important boyfriends & two amazing non-housemate friends) were reunited. We caravanned from Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Baltimore (thank you Leisa & Sam for making that long  drive!!) to go home. Back to Oxford, Ohio.

I can't exactly tell you how it felt to be back, (yes I can: nostalgic, lovely, amazing, sunburnt, crazy, fun, delicious, happy, wonderful...... but my list still goes on) so, I'll let these photos tell my story.

I asked them to two step, to recreate their first date for me. They obliged. How cute are they?

Yes, the answer to your question is yes. People do get them confused.

There's this song that we used to sing - apparently it was for athletic events (can you tell I wasn't really into sports?). It went: Love & honor to Miami, Our college old & grand // Proudly we shall ever hail thee, Over all the land // Alma mater now we praise thee, Sing joyfully this lay // Love & honor to Miami, Forever & a day. 

At the time, I just sang along for the sake of singing (I mean, I  do have the voice of an angel) (just kidding) (really I'm kidding, you don't want me to sing). I didn't think about it. But I have now.

That forever & a day part - it's not talking about Oxford. Maybe a little, but mostly it's saying how, no matter where we go, where we've been, or where the future takes us... it's the people that Miami gave us. That's where you'll find home. For forever. & a day.

Photog: Annie Butler & Sam Scorza

CINCY STYLE: ANNABEL'S & LOOKOUT JOE

Welcome to Mt. Lookout Square! Est 1870. While it's brimming with fun restaurants & bars, I'll admit to a favorite duo. I told y'all that CincinNatalie & I are trying to host monthly brunches. Well, we were a little late for May because of Derby. So last weekend we hopped over to Annabel's on Delta Ave for Saturday Brunch.

This was my first visit to Annabel's, but, I've already heard a lot about it. Word on the street is Annabel's is a hot commodity. So, I dropped in early to put our name in for a three top - expecting much more than the 25 minute wait they assigned. They took down my phone number (love it!), so I was free to roam the Square in the Seattle-like drizzle that's been plaguing our city.

Naturally, I gravitated across the Square for a cup o joe.  Lookout Joe  is the coolest. First of all - they have the best hours. 6:30a until 10p. I'm pretttty  addicted to caffeine (greet me with a cup of coffee in the morning & I'll probably kiss you straight on the lips). 10p is appreciated.

The smell of espresso hits like a wall the moment you walk through that adorable blue door. Partially because Lookout Joe roasts their coffee beans right at the window. I'm told it happens every week day. So... if anyone is up to play hooky & learn about roasting... you know where to reach me.

Serve yourself & then head up to checkout. (DO buy a Donna's cookie on the way. You'll regret it if you don't.) The vibe is pretty chill & artsy too. There are some couches & some tables & an outdoor patio. The baristas use words like "darling."

We stayed until my phone started buzzing & then crossed the street again, to the cutest little brunch spot in all the land.

Annabel's is tiny. So tiny, in fact, that they don't have a website. Everything is local (including the coffee - turns out they get it at Lookout Joe!), & every menu item has a twist. (Think pancakes made with corn flour... it kind of tastes like corn bread. Delicious pancake corn bread.) I'm also a huge fan of the tunes. Felt like I was listening to my Bon Iver pandora station.

If you're a girl like me, you'll make any excuse to go out to breakfast. I hope you happen upon this post between Thursday & Sunday from 9a & 1p. Then you can head over to Mt. Lookout for my power duo . & let me know what you think :D

RE:BEL

A few weeks ago I went to Concert:Nova's Re:bel at Rhinegeist Brewery. It was all about rebelling against tradition: an Anti-Gala with scrumptious buffet spread from Jeff Thomas, but then also a surprise delivery of boxes & boxes of pizza; We had donuts for dessert instead of breakfast (God bless you, Holtman's!); There was very unassigned seating at community tables & we listened to the entire concert from folding chairs. There was dancing, video installations, live painting, harpists, countertenors, the list is endless & counterintuitive.

We wore delightfully rebellious clothes & tried to be as hip as possible. & the music, oh the music! So intriguing, intoxicating, thoughtful -- rebellious.

There are just some things that make you feel really cool, ya know? Rhinegeist on a Sunday night at a semi-secret anti-concert celebrating rebellion, that's one of those things.

GO-GO (BIRTHDAY) PALEO!

Hey everyone! I've been saving this post for the perfect occasion (I wrote it  just before Magical Simplicity's Birthday) & today is the day! Why, you ask? Because today, Thursday, May 15, 2014 is drumroll please National Chocolate Chip Day! I'm about to be on a sugar high all day, but anyway...

My friend Ashley recently decided to go paleo- & the decision came just in time for her birthday! So, with my go-to Oatmeal Choco Chip Cookies out the window (lots o' oats & lots o' butter...  maybe Not-So-Paleo), it was substitution time.

Enter Dark Chocolate Walnut PALEO Cookies from Fed + Fit. Now I don't necessarily know if Honey & Dark Chocolate Chips could have been gathered in the forest - but, I mean, the word paleo is literally in the title of this cookie (yes, I added it myself).. but now its on the Internet, so it must be true. Extreme bee enthusiasts probably could  gather a fourth cup of honey from a bee hive, if they really wanted...

DARK CHOCOLATE WALNUT PALEO COOKIES | YOU WILL NEED

1 | Three Cups Almond Meal, Half Teaspoon Kosher Salt , Half Teaspoon Baking Soda
2 | One Cup Dark Chocolate Chips (Ghirardelli, anyone?), One Cup Chopped Walnuts
3 | One/Fourth Cup Honey, Half Teaspoon Coconut Oil (melted), One Teaspoon Vanilla Extract, Egg

Preheat oven to 350.
First, sift & mix dry ingredients |1| in a bowl.
Evenly mix in walnuts & dark chocolate |2|.
In a separate bowl, whisk honey, coconut oil, vanilla and egg |3|.
Craft a small crater in dry mix bowl. Pour honey mixture & stir evenly.
Spoon dough onto tin foil lined baking sheet, flatten. *Note, the cookies will likely keep this shape. 
Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool at least 5 before removing!

The house smelled amazing while these baked & my taste testers said they were shockingly nice (we have a natural distrust of baked goods that don't call for a big cup of sugar!). I'm going to try it again after Lent so I can give you my own review. Ghirardelli Chocolate... twist my arm :)

Happy Birthday, Sassy Ashley! I hope this year brings you everything delightful.

CINCY STYLE: ELI'S BBQ

So guys, I'm moving. Not out of Cincy (obv), but to a new part of town. I'll keep you updated.. but for now, if you know of a single bedroom apartment in walking distance of an independent coffee shop, holla at your girl! Anywho, I wanted to show you one of my absolute favorite neighborhood joints before I move out of the hood! 

Eli's BBQ is, in two words, the best. You probably already knew that. & I sure hope you've been to the perfect little hole-in-a-wall tucked in at 3313 Riverside Dr (right at the merge where Eastern transitions to Riverside).

I'd start with the parking, but I actually don't really know much about it (I always walk!). I definitely see lots of people parking on the side streets.& you'll be able to tell when you're close because of the line.

Eli's is open seven days a week from 11am til 9pm - but I can betchya, no matter the time, there will be a 30 minute line. It goes out the door & down the sidewalk. Worth it. Because... the food.. is... AMAZING. I mean lick your fingers, clear your plate, you'd go back for more if the line wasn't so long GOOD.

But, I jumped ahead. We were at the counter. Eli's vibe is legit. Kind of hipster, super chill, so relaxed.

As you can see, you'll want to have cash on hand. Or, if the Reds are in town...

After you put in your order, head out the back door. You can either grab a picnic table or stake your claim with a blanket in the adjoining park. & crack open a beer! They'll call your name when your food is ready in about thirty minutes.

& it is BYOB (which is honestly one of my fave aspects).

So basically, come here with your best friends, on a great summer night, with a huge appetite.

Things to bring to Eli's:

• Picnic blanket
• Cash
• 6 pack of your favorite beer (I've been rotating between RhinegeistTruth, Mad Tree'sPsycHOPathy, West Sixth Brewing Company'sIPA)
• Bug Spray
• Sunglasses 
• Your best friends. 

Eli's, you've been good to me. No way a move across town will be able to keep me away!