Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Purple Monkey Summer Giveaway!

i'm so excited to announce this giveaway by Mo Funk Designs!


Mo Funk Designs has gorgeous handmade jewelry that i'm in love with!
Plus, the owner is super sweet and has worked so hard with me to make sure this is perfect for all of my readers!

Mo Funk Designs is giving away this gorgeous necklace perfect for summer!


 

the gold and turquoise together makes for one necklace i would love to own!

to enter simply 

1) be a follower!
2) check out Mo Funk Designs
3) tell me what your favorite indie band is!

leave a comment letting me know you did!

for extra entries

1) blog about the giveaway and leave a comment!
2) tweet the giveaway and leave a comment!

good luck!

the giveaway will end next tuesday, july 6th!


Pin it forward!

today i am happy to announce that i am part of the pin it forward blog series created by sfgirlbybay!

yesterday, shutterbean posted her pinboard, and today it's my turn!

pin it forward is a series in which 300 bloggers signed up for pininterest and are posting their boards based on

what home means to me!

pininterest is an awesome was to bookmark photos and things that inspire you
it's like twitter- you can "repin" and "like" different people's boards and follow those who inspire you!

so here we go!

a cheerful place to curl up



a creative place to fall asleep


a place to create something yummy


plenty of space for all my books



a little spot by the sea all for myself



take a look at my board here

and check out Lovely Cruise's post tomorrow!

i'll be back tonight with an awesome surprise!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Surprises!

this week has been a good week.

i'm so incredibly grateful for everything in my life

but i'm so happy to have such a wonderful family

my parents surprised me with my 17th birthday present on Thursday, a few weeks early


a subaru forester!
it's dark dark grey with light grey interior!

i am unbelievably excited!
i have to pay for insurance and gas and everything, but i'm so grateful for this amazing birthday present!

dear mom and dad,
THANK YOU SO MUCH
<3

i get my license on the 26th of July
okay, scratch that I hopefully get my license on the 26th of July

can not wait!

in other news,
this morning i skipped practice this morning and instead participated in the Asbury Park 1 Mile Ocean Swim.

I was nervous, but it was fun!
I got 31st out of 190 people.
I did get kicked in the face a few times, but I think I held my own!

i'm off to my friends graduation party.
we've been friends since we were 2!
whoa, long time!

i'll be back:)

google image search 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Taste The Rainbow

today was a good day!
a happy day!
the kind of day you don't want to end!

my record player came!
thanks to my sweet guy friend and the wonderful kelly ann {head over and wish her a happy birthday!}- who both recommended this one!-,
i am now the proud owner of this pretty baby!

it was on sale too, so I got my bestie one for her graduation present!

pure love!

yesterday i went to the record store and bought my very first record




i can't wait to play it!

since i'm new to the record playing community, is there a good place to buy records online?
{the place by me is kinda lacking in the department- no Vampire Weekend!}


my happiness over the record player led me to be in the mood to bake!

and what better to bake then some colorful cupcakes?
(inspired by the wonderful chelsea!}

i used the cupcake recipe posted on her blog here
and the icing recipe from none other then Magnolia's Bakery {found here}


colorful batter?  YES
{i couldn't decide on one color- so i picked 4!}



all done :)

and the final product.....



ta-dahhh!!!!

so good!  and they instantly put me in an even happier mood!











Monday, June 21, 2010

Changes

I've been wanting to do this post for awhile now, I just haven't had the guts to actually say all of this.
I'm not someone who pours her feelings out on this blog everyday.
I like to keep it light and happy and cheerful because, to be honest, I try everyday to be light, and happy, and cheerful.
And most of the time my trying works.

But I am vulnerable and sometimes I get sad.
this post isn't about sadness (well a little) or me being depressed (because I'm not), it's just about my feelings.

so many changes have happened in the past year.
isn't it funny how the people you never though you could get along with become people who learn to like (even maybe love?)
isn't it funny how the one person who figured you'd never be close to turns out to be your very best friend in the whole entire world?
how the one guy you never thought you'd forget is only a distant memory?
and how the one boy you always considered a friend turns out to (maybe) be something more?

i love most of the changes that have happened.
but in the next year, a lot more changes are taking place.

and well, these changes are scary

as most of you know, Nora is my very best friend.
We've been friends for the past two years, and I can honestly say she's the friend who will be there for you when you call crying at 2 am, who will listen to you talk endlessly about the same problem over and over, who isn't afraid to offer some harsh words if she knows you need to hear it, and who makes you laugh all the time.

when I say we talk every single day, I'm not kidding.  we sometimes (most of the time) can text from whenever we wake up until whenever we go to sleep.
we can talk on the phone for hours.
and when we hang out?  well it's like we haven't seen each other in years.
we never ever get bored of each other.

we're incredibly different, but at the same time we're the same exact person
point of this?  my best friend, who for the past 2 years has lived within 20 minutes of me, who has been able to call me with ten minutes notice to say she's picking me up for the movies NOW, is moving to Delaware, a few hours away, for college.  

i'm incredibly proud and excited for her, of course, but I'm going to miss her so so much.
this is the kind of change that makes me a little scared.

at the same time, one of my very close guy friends who also recently graduated has become a completely different person.
we use to be able to talk every single day, and now he won't talk to me at all.
and i have no idea why.

there's some big changes going on with me too.
i'm a senior, and for the first time in my life I have to make a huge decision that will affect me greatly.
i have to pick the place that will be my new home for the next 4 years.
the place where i'll be all alone, away from my family that i've seen every day (minus the few trips or camps I've taken/gone to without them) for the past 17 years.

i'm not saying i hate changes.
i love adventures and excitement.
and i'm not saying all changes are bad.
i'm just saying some of them make me nervous.

changes are scary.
especially big ones.  
i'm looking forward to the next year.
and i'm excited to see what the future has in store for me
but i'm also going to miss the past year and all the fun i've had.

<3

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day!


 happy father's day!

to my dad: (even though you don't read my blog)
thanks for always being there for me
for always cooking me my favorite dinners
for allowing me to get whatever i need (want) when we go to the food store
for waking up early to drive me to swim practice
for laughing at my (sometimes) corny jokes
for encouraging me to be the best i can be
and supporting me along the way
for coming to everysingleone of my swim meets
and for offering the best advice in the world.

i love you!

{florida 2009}


{hawaii 2009}


{Canada 2008}


-----

to all you fathers, grandfathers, or fathers-to-be out there
happy father's day!


Friday, June 18, 2010

fill in the Blank Friday!



it's friday!
although really, since it's summer, everyday feels like the weekend.
except i have to work every weekend.
kinda a bummer.... but at least i'll be getting tan!
here's fill in the blank friday!
thanks lauren :)


1.  The best thing about being in school was/is       being with your friends every single day. and being able to take random days off when you just need a break from life.

2.  The worst thing about being in school was/is      tests!  i don't mind homework that much, but i hate hate hate studying!  

3.  My favorite subject in school was/is       english and art class.  what can i say, i got the more creative gene in the family.  my sister's a bigger science/ math person.  although i am really excited for my bio class next year .

4.  One subject I wish I could have mastered/would like to master is       spanish.  i want to one day be fluent in the language.  it's such a prominent language in the world and i think it's beautiful .

5.  I could never get tired of studying     world war two in history.  i took european history this past year just for this time period.  i've always loved it and am completely fascinated by the chain of events that happened prior to the war   .

6.  The most memorable teacher I had was      Mrs. Abrams.  I had her for 10th grade AP United STates history and she was by far the best teacher I have ever had.  she had a love of teaching that couldn't be matched and made each lesson excited.  she treated us like equals, allowing us to debate anything we wanted.  best of all, she was so open and easy to talk to.  i didn't do well on a test once due to finding out my boyfriend at the time had cheated on me, and she sat me down and told me i was so much better then him.

7.  If I could choose between going to school for the rest of my life or working for the rest of my life, I'd choose      i'm not working yet (minus my summer job) but i'd probably say work.  i can't stand the tests and homework, and I can't wait to get to do what i love full time {whatever that turns out to be!}     .


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Scrumptious

yesterday i was in the mood to bake.
as in, a serious-don't-mess-with-me mood to bake

and so i did.

first thing on the menu?
scones.
i had some peaches in the house, so i set out to make some peach scones

i used my own variation of the peach scone recipe from Visions of Sugar Plum.
the result?
i wasn't overly pleased.
it said to bake for 20 minutes, which I did, but they came out a little burnt, which could have been a huge reason why i wasn't fond of them.
plus, they just tasted a little bland.
i did use walnuts instead of pecans.
added in vanilla, more cinnamon, and more honey.
maybe they needed more vanilla?  more cinnamon?  more honey?  a different glaze?  no walnuts?  more peaches?
i don't know.  
i figured i'd post the recipe anyway.
don't get me wrong, they weren't horrible and will not go uneaten. 
they just weren't my favorite.
maybe you can figure out what they need!
let me know if you do :)

{original recipe here}

Peach Scones with Glaze
Ingredients:
1 large egg
1/3 cup milk
3 teaspoons honey
1/2 cup finely chopped peach, peeled
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon sugar, sprinkled on top
Glaze: (optional)
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 cup powdered sugar
you can find the instructions on her website.  i suggest baking for 17 minutes instead of 20 to avoid burning.

after the scone incident, i was in the mood to bake something delicious.
i instantly craved chocolate peanut butter cookies.
since i had no peanut butter chips in my house, i knew I would need to make something without them.
i was instantly drawn to these cookies from The Dragon Kitchen.
{recipe here}

HUGE SUCCESS
these were the perfect amount of sweetness and peanut buttery goodness


one mess, and one success.
it's all good :)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

June Playlist

wow i can't believe it's mid-june already
time is flying over here
i'm a little late on this one, but better late then never, right?

June Playlist

Almost Lover  A Fine Frenzy

To The Sea    Jack Johnson

Seaside   The Kooks

Supersonic  Oasis

She Loves You    The Gaslight Anthem 

Release Me  The Like

Leave Your Boyfriends Behind  Leona Naess

Fool's Gold   Adrienne Pierce  

enjoy!

all of this music is summer inspired.

do you want to go to the seaside?
i'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go
i fell in love at the seaside


Monday, June 14, 2010

6 Months

oh hi...

this weekend I had my first day(s) of work.
i worked 9-5 both saturday and sunday
at my new job.

i'm a lifeguard.
sitting in a stand for 8 hours every day and swimming in the 58 degree water.
getting stung three times by jelly fish, getting cut on a jetty, and bruised by a kayak.
having it start to rain with two hours left on the job and sitting in the rain because one family decided they just didn't feel like leaving.

hey, at least i'll be on the beach all day almost every day!

anyway, it's june!
since it's half way to the end of the year (wow) i thought i'd go back to the resolutions i made at the beginning of the year and see what i've accomplished so far!

1)  start an etsy shop
not yet... i should work on that this summer!

2) go to two amazing concerts
i plan on going to Jack Johnson in July... so now I have to find a second!

3)  fill up 2 art journals.
i haven't worked on it a lot at all.  

4)  learn to knit.
or this either....

5)  take more pictures
yes!  i have been doing this!  and i love it :)

6)  travel
i went to Florida, Pennsylvania, and Paris so far, and I'm going to Greece and Turkey in August!

7)  bake 100 new things
100's a lot... i have a lot to work on....

8)  paint more.
i did this a lot in art class!  

9)  focus more on my yoga practice.
this has taken a back seat... but I plan on focusing more on yoga this summer!

10)  make my swimming comeback
i've been working really hard.
i came back since my surgery, but also had another surgery and a major sickness since then.
but i'm working hard!

11)  redecorate my room
sort of happening...

12)  volunteer more
i've been volunteer teaching the disabled yoga class i love!

13) make someone smile everyday
i like to think that i do!


14) sew a wearable garment
eh....

15) host my first giveaway
yes!  i did this!  and then hosted a few more!

16) do something i'm scared to do at least once a week
i've done a lot of scary things since then!

17) develop a better sleep pattern
sometimes....

18) run another half marathon and do a distance triathlon
i ran my second half in may!  
maybe i'll do a distance triathlon this summer!
19)  get rid of the negative things in my life
i'm working on this ;)

20)  discover some new indie bands
love this!

21)  take more pictures with my diana f+
i need to learn to develop them...

22) become a certified lifeguard
yes!  i have a job too :)

23)  organize organize organize
i organized my room last week!

24) Buy more handmade/vintage
 i'm trying to!

 i've done a lot more then i thought i did!
coming up this week on the blog...
June Playlist
Things I Want to do This Summer

xoxo

Friday, June 11, 2010

Giveaway Winner!

sorry for the delay,...
today was my best friend's high school graduation, so i was busy helping calm her nerves (and her moms) all last night and today!

the winner of the map pendant giveaway is.....

#9
Katie! {Smileyeyes}

congrats!
email me at purplemonkey732 {at} aol {dot} com 
and i'll get you in touch with the seller!

xoxo

random number generator used  

Thursday, June 10, 2010

A Night in The City

one of the advantages of living on the Jersey Shore is being super close to New York City.
It's about a 40 minute ferry ride or an hour drive, which really isn't bad at all.

last night was my little sister's birthday party.
my mom let her pick 6 friends to take out for dinner in the city.
she enlisted the help of her best friend and me to help her chaperone everyone.

let's just say i might have had the most fun out of everyone.

we first went over to Chelsea Market in Manhatten

it's known for it's unique organic ice cream shops, cupcake stores, french bakerys, flower markets, one of a kind bookstores, and a gorgeous Anthropologie.

{pardon the low quality photos.  i forgot my camera and only had my iphone... but i was seriously taking pics of everything}



People's Pops is fresh fruit shaved ice and ice pops.  I had the pear jasmine ice pop and it was simply incredible. 



I loved how unique Chelsea Market was 



(left) hot chocolate from the French Bakery- tasted almost exactly like the ones i had in Paris
(right) Eleni's cupcakes
after strolling around in Chelsea Market, we went next door to Buddakan for dinner


i'm not even kidding, it might have been the best meal ever


they waiter was nice enough to give all of the girls (and myself) these virgin drinks
i don't know what was in it but yum


i flipped over these edamame dumplings.
they were out of this world and i think I ate every single one that we ordered.
they were infused with wasabi.
my mouth is watering just typing this.


we ordered a few plates of this tomato salad.
all of the sauces here are divine. 

i also had (unpictured)
mushroom chow fun
baby glazed carrots 

both unique and spectacular 

for dessert

the birthday girls "crying chocolate" with coffee ice cream



my peanut butter bomb cake with peanut butter ice cream.

if you're ever in this part of the city, i strongly suggest you head over to Chelsea Market and Buddakan.
strongly.

i'll post the winner of the giveaway later!
xoxo



Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Absolutely Gorgeous

today was one of the most gorgeous beach days ever!

and i have proof for all of you




this morning i took a 50 minute spin class at the gym with my mama
she's amazing at that
me.... not so much

i promptly went to the beach, where i fell asleep in the sand.
for two hours.

since i had no chance to reapply my sunscreen (i promise, i DID put it one as soon as I got there)
my legs/ butt now resemble something of a lobster.
it hurts.
FFFFOUND!
aloe please?

my friend said it was the lobster's getting back at me for sunday night's dinner.

after my nap, i went to swim practice, and now i am pretty much ready to go to sleep.


but!
i have found {with the help of some of my blog/twitter friends} some awesome links to keep you happy!
check them out :)

these redesigned boarding passes are gorgeous (via @sonyaaudrey on twitter)
P.S I Made This- Such an awesome design blog (via Lauren)
Clarity is a rarity and we strive to achieve it!  As I’ve gushed, all things with see-thru hues are first-rate especially when we’re highlighting beautiful fixtures that have really become fixtures in our everyday lives. An eye-catching light fixture or chandelier creates a bold and elegant element in any space!  For this bulb-baring project, you simply need to empty water bottles, not your pockets! 
Slice a bunch of bottoms off bottles- I prefer to live greener with Dasani’s Plant Bottles, pierce holes using a pin, string and knot fishing line, hang evenly around a circular tube  (find tubing at your local hardware store).  Drop in a lamp kit- and you’re ready to light up your life!
P.S.- Click here to enter the Green hat give-away from now until Earth Day!!!

ms. james' over at bleubirdvintage is having a lovely giveaway for all you mama's out there!
and so is ms. naomi from rockstar diaries (whether you're a mama or not)!


don't forget to enter the map pendant giveaway!
tomorrow's the last day!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Choices

hey everyone!
i hope you all had an awesome weekend.
it's been in the 90s and sunny here, so I have been enjoying it to the full extent!

last night, after a day of sitting outside in the heat, my dad cooked us all lobster.
one thing you should know about me is I have been a vegetarian for the past 2 1/2 years.

it's been one of the best choices I have ever made.
I cut out all chicken, meat, and fish hardcore.
but last night, I had a sudden craving for lobster.
so I ate a little bit of it.

and I realized why I became a vegetarian in the first place.
I hate the taste of seafood.
and the texture of meat.

it just never sat well with me.  i'm so much happier with my salads.
of course today I had a terrible stomach ache since I haven't had seafood in so long.
but it was worth it.

because any doubts i've had recently about my vegetarianism are gone now.
i'm not saying a vegetarian diet is for everyone.
there's plenty of people I know who have tried it and it just hasn't worked for them.
but it was the best choice for me.

anyone, i was thinking maybe i'll post some of my favorite vegetarian/vegan recipes.
is anyone interested?

by the way, i need some help!

my best friend is graduating from high school this weekend.
we've both been interested in getting record players for quite some time.
i was thinking it's finally time to get myself one (and one for her too for her grad gift!)
has anyone gotten one that isn't a vintage one?

i've been looking at amazon/ ebay/ urban for some.
urban and amazon both have gorgeous look crosley players for prices that aren't too bad,
but the reviews on them are split.
some say they are great, while some say they are cheap.

amazon also sells califone players which have better reviews, but aren't as nice looking.

has anyone gotten either?  do you know of any other players?
thanks for the help!  
i'm trying to do research on this because I especially wanna get the bestie a good one! {without spending a ton of money of course!}
xoxo

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Guess What


i'm officially i senior!

how crazy is that?

this also means

it's officially summer 2010!

yesterday was my last final and marked the start of my last summer in high school.  
this time next year i'll be preparing for graduation!
so weird!
and exciting :)

yesterday my sister graduated from 8th grade.
my grandparents are here for the week from South Dakota.
my grandma just got home from Italy.

busy busy times!

what do I have planned for this summer?

concerts {like jack johnson}
work {i got the job lifeguarding on the beach this summer!}
6 am swim practice {6 days a week}
internship {teaching yoga to autistic and disabled kids}
outings to New York
my birthday {17}
my best friend's graduation 
graduation parties

oh and a little thing called family vacation

to Greece and Turkey in August!

it's going to be a busy summer, but it might just be the best one yet :)

i'm off to my little cousin's ballet recital
and dinner with
my parents, my sister, my grandparents, my grandma, my aunt, my uncle, my cousin, and my two great aunts.

woo.

enjoy your night! xoxo

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Purple Monkey Giveaway

Long-time Purple Monkey readers know that my favorite jewelry is anything quirky and unique.

Chella's Collection is just that.

Owner Julie Coash creates pendants out of vintage maps.  
Whether it's your hometown, your current residence, or that special place you fell in love with on vacation, she can create a pendant that will remind you of memories wherever you are in the world!

ROME Italy Map Pendant in SilverNEW YORK Map Pendant
CAPE COD Map Pendant In Silver


SAN DIEGO Map PendantHOUSTON Texas Map Pendant

how special?

Julie is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. 
She's offering one lucky Purple Monkey reader any pendant and chain of their choice!
it can either be one featured in the shop, or if you don't see one from the city you want, she'll custom make one for you!

to enter into this awesome giveaway
1)  you must be a Purple Monkey follower!
3)  Let me know what city you'd like on a map pendant!

(leave a comment letting me know you did the above 3)

for extra entries
4) blog about the giveaway! (and comment)
5)  tweet the giveaway! (and comment)

good luck!

this giveaway will be open until next Wednesday, June 9th!