Computer meltdowns and Macarons.

Hip hip hooray!
 I am finally able to blog again. My computer decided to be really rude, and stop working on me. It literally won't let me do a thing. It's already missing two of its buttons, and now this? We are no longer on speaking terms.

 Ian let me keep his computer for the day, so I can catch up on blogging and everything else computer related. Thank goodness too, I was started to feel detached to the world.

I spent a good five hours baking in an attempt to making the absolute perfect Macaron. My recent goal in life is to become an amazing baker. Or at least a kind of decent one, ha ha. So I wanted to try something a little bit different. OK, why did no one tell me how insanely difficult is is to make these little sugary treats!? If you've never had a macaron before, you need to head to your nearest french bakery and try one. They come in a million flavors, and are filled with buttercream, jam, ganache, and all sorts of fillings.  Naturally, the French have created and mastered the macaron. These treats have only four ingredients in them. And of course, I thought four ingredients would make this an easy afternoon. 

 As you can tell from the craziness of my kitchen, they were pretty intense. Macarons require a very delicate handling of your meringue (egg whites and confectioner's sugar). My arm felt as if it was going to fall off after all the egg beating I did.  I think I made about 4 batches or so, and finally think I have the hang of it. I filled mine with a simple vanilla buttercream frosting, and a chocolate frosting as well!

This is the batch that came out almost perfectly, despite my inability to make them all the same size!

And this is a failed batch, which I some how overcooked and undercooked all at the same time!

They are the prettiest little pastry. Not to mention they taste amazing!! If any of you are interested in a recipe, I can post the one I used. And for my gluten free friends, they are made with almond flour!

                            Here's to slowly but surely mastering the art of baking!

I'm hoping that I am able to get back to regular blog posts soon, my computer is being looked at and hopefully will soon be in perfect shape again!

xoxoKelsey.

Today is Ian's birthday! It's also National Beer Day. Which made him pretty darn happy.

Tonight we are celebrating with family and friends at a bar that has about 150 beers on tap. Fitting, right?

Happy Birthday, husband. Here's to 100 more!

xoxoKelsey.

A little hello!

Hello lovelies! Just saying hello while working away at my salon! I've been working like crazy lately, which is good but exhausting. I've really come to appreciate and admire people who run their own businesses. This is my first time working for myself, and it's pretty exciting. I'm dreaming of a nice warm vacation as a result of all this work! Maybe also because I'm really tired of all the rain here, haha. 

Anyways, hope everyone is well! Hoping to post something a bit more interesting later today :)

Here's to rainy days, hard work, and dream vacations!

xoxoKelsey.

Things I'm loving right now...

Here is a small post about things I'm loving right now!

Feather extensions! I know, I'm a bit late on the band wagon, but I'm in LOVE. I love birds, which means I love all things feathers, which means these are my new obsession. They come in all kinds of colors, and can be washed, dried, curled, flat ironed, etc. So amazing, right?

This picture was posted on the official twitter page for the Harry Potter films. OK, I about died. If you guys know me pretty well, you know I'm in love with HP. Slightly on the obsessed side. And the fact that "It All Ends" soon makes me so sad. But I cannot wait. This movie will be epic!

Spring dresses! Especially this one found on modcloth. I have spring fever right now, and despite the constant rain, it is finally warming up outside! I'm excited to wear dresses, sandals, some big sunglasses, and soak up some rays! In Seattle, this probably won't happen until about the end of June. A girl can dream, right?




What are you loving right now?



xoxoKelsey.

Hair inspiration.

Beauty Board:Bold Braids

I'm going to be growing out my hair for a wedding I am in this October. It's going to be a challenge, as I am impatient and impulsive with my hair on most occasions. I found the link above, from whowhatwear.com, and decided that I need to look at pretty pictures to keep me from chopping off my locks! I'm kind of obsessing over braided hairstyles right now. There is something so undone and romantic about braids. Maybe I will be able to sport a braid someday.

Here's to fast growing hair, and the patience to let it happen!

xoxoKelsey.

Family Fun.

On our vacation, we had a crazy weekend with Ian's family for his cousin's wedding. It was weekend filled with a ton of laughter, wine tasting, dancing, about a billion cousins, and the feeling of being completely blessed. Here is a taste of our weekend...

My nieces are the cutest, don't you think??

Wine Tasting with a few cousins!

                                        

An entire week with family is exactly what we needed. I hope you get to enjoy your family as much as I do mine! Stay tuned for a post about our Disneyland trip, and the continuation of Project 31.

xoxoKelsey.

Vacation hangover.

It's always so true when people say that you need a vacation after a vacation. I am worn out! I can't even believe how busy the past week has been. So busy that I have had no time to make any good blog posts! But never fear, I have plenty of good pictures to share from the past week! Until then....here is a few amazing pictures from a bike ride along Newport that we took on Monday. That's my dad below,  along with my sister and one of my brothers. 

Isn't Newport gorgeous?? I wish I could have stayed there for days! I have missed the smell of beach and the sunshine SO much. It was awesome. The next few days will be catch up in the blogging world for me. Let's all cross our fingers that I can do so easily. Love you guys!


Talk to you all later,
xoxoKelsey