youngstown month

(new herbs and chair for my front porch.) 

(sweater: cj banks, sweater/flats: thrifted, skirt: forever 21, tights: target.) 

   When I first became a nanny, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. My first thoughts of the job offer were making crafts with a little girl in Kindergarten and running around with the kids at a local park during the warm months. As I have come to notice within the last six months, this job is more than just the joyful activities, but the everyday lives of these children (the chores, the fighting, the laundry, etc). There are defiantly good days, and there are defiantly not-so-good days. All and all, I have loved really developing a relationship with the brother and sister that I nanny, and this is also a learning experience for my future teaching years. 

   This summer, nannying will consume about half of my days during the week, with school consuming the rest of the weekdays. Even though it is not officially "summer" (but yet, "summer break"), I was having thoughts of all the activities I was planning for this summer. Making these little lists (as above) are so beneficial for me. Readers, what are on your to-do lists for summer break? 

(Ps: a few of these photos were taken by the little girl I nanny, she insisted to become a "photographer" and told me how to pose, hints the babydoll in the last photo.) 

made at home: vegan chocolate coconut bars

Vegan Chocolate Coconut Nut Bars

Graham Cracker Crust

• 6 cups of crusted graham crackers
• 4 tablespoons of oil
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt

Toppings

• 1 cup of shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 cup of chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup of vegan chocolate chips
• 1 cup of non-dairy milk (I used coconut)
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of maple syrup

   On medium heat, mix together the milk with the sugar and syrup. After all is combined, let the mixture set for about five minutes until slightly cooler. While cooling, mix the graham cracker crumbs, oil, and salt together in a medium bowl. Press the crust mixture into a medium sized cake pan, that is sprayed with cooking oil. Add the cooled milk mixture to the crust, then add the chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and let cool for two hours in the fridge before eating. 

   This is a recipe I have tried many different ways, and seen many different places. I love the mixture of coconut and chocolate  as many people adore as well, and I can't get enough of it. The best thing about these bars is how simple they are to make, the most of the waiting is just the baking in the oven part. Also, most of these ingredients can always been found in your kitchen (well, at least in mine at all times!). Enjoy! 

sponsor introduction/coupon book giveaway with datevitation!

   With my boyfriend and I's two year anniversary coming up, I knew I needed to think of a creative and romantic gift idea for this marking point. While still wanting to be creative with my gift, Datevitation turned out to be a perfect early present for that date. Their library contains over 350 date ideas for you to create your own custom love coupon book. And unlike the pre-packaged coupon books, you can create the ideas for the dates and customize the text to your liking. Datevitation has over 100 book cover options for any occasion.. and they ship out the book in the cutest package.  

   For my boyfriend not being the most serious person, I decided to take a more "humorous" route with our coupon book. I put in dates such as "You can sleep in all day Sunday and I will not wake you up and make you go to the farmer's market with me", and "We can go play pool in the dirtiest bar and I will not complain about staying out too late". 

   But Datevitation is just not just couples, they have new illustrations specifically for kids and parents, which could make a perfect gift for Father's Day. Books normally start just at $20, for an economical and creative gift. With an added bonus for readers, use the coupon cold "MRRABBIT" for $10 off your purchase in May or June. 

To enter the giveaway is a simple process! Just use the Rafflecopter generator below, and follow the instructions. And don't forget, you can browse their romantic date ideas to create your own coupon book using the $10 off code "MRRABBIT". Happy couponing! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

mini-trip: clinton lake part 2

Some background: finding time to get away is difficult with a couple consisting of a full-time education student working part-time and a full-time worker with a solo project and band. finding that time that is always scheduled  and cash that is always being used for personal hobbies/"living", is so rare. finding ourselves engulfed in different surroundings is something we don't come across often, but always strived for.

   With my summer break recently started, and my boyfriend taking his vacation from work, we decided to take some time away from our personal schedules and seek solitude elsewhere. Clinton lake was a place I had never traveled to before in Kansas, but it was one of his favorites when he lived in a town close to there. We pitched our dome tent, sleeping with just pillows and a sheet, and drink cheap beer over a campfire. The day time hours comprised of nature trails, fishing, the beach, and relaxing.

   With weekends like this, I don't know if I could leave the Midwest. Such simple trips as camping, mean so much more... just the ability to leave my urban surroundings, and find myself in the mist of a completely new environment without trouble, is a place I don't want to escape.

mini-trip: clinton lake part 1

"May your search through nature lead to yourself." 

Stay tuned for the second half of exploring on my mini-trip to Lake Clinton.