Before-Work Lattes

Laura and I met for lattes before work this morning and got to fill each other in on how our past week was. We got to celebrate my sister's wedding on Friday, and then I was involved in some volunteer activities Saturday and Sunday. It was really nice to relax and chat before our busy days began. Rowster's was right down the street from our old house and they serve some of the best coffee in Grand Rapids.

 Laura's Wearing: Dress- H&M // Jacket- Target // Belt, Necklace & Bracelets- Forever21 //

Shoes- LuLu's

Katelyn's Wearing: Dress- H&M // Shirt- American Eagle // Scarf, Earrings & Necklace- World Market //

Boots- Aldo // Leggings- Target
Everyone have a great Wednesday!

xoxo, Katelyn & Laura

Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

I've been experimenting with more cupcake recipes in my lovely cupcake book. I'm having so much fun baking and tasting all of these pretty desserts. We had some over-ripe bananas in the kitchen a little while ago, so instead of making the usual banana bread, I opened up this recipe for banana chocolate chip cupcakes.

Ingredients: 
2 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. (1 stick) butter, softened
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 tsp. vanilla
1 C. sour cream
5 oz. semisweet chocolate (chunks or chips)
1 1/4 C. chocolate frosting (I use homemade)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Line (about) 20 standard muffin cups with paper baking cups.   
  
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in medium bowl; mix well. Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light and flurry. Add eggs, one at a time,e beating well after each addition. Add bananas and vanilla; beat until well blended. Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream, beating well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips or chunks. Spoon evenly into prepared muffin cups.

3. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove to let cool completely.

4. Place frosting in pastry bag and pipe icing onto cupcakes as you desire.

Yields: 
About 20

Enjoy! 

xoxo,

Laura

Sushi and Ice Cream

Earlier this week, Katelyn and I met up for our usual lunch date. We strolled on over to the sushi place across the street from my office and then got some chocolates and ice cream at Kilwin's. A nice little afternoon to break up the work day, if I do say so myself. 

 

Katelyn's wearing: Dress- H&M // Shirt- thrifted // Shoes- Wolverine no. 1883 collection //

Watch- c/o Fossil // Nails- OPI Charged Up Cherry

 Laura's wearing: Sweater- LOFT // Jeans- Rock & Republic // Shoes- BDG from Urban Outfitters //
Necklace- Premiere Designs // Bracelets- Forever21 // Sunglasses- Target

Hope you all have a great weekend!

xoxo,
Laura & Katelyn

Nashville: Day 3

The third day spent in music city was as spectacular as the first two, and it was also Easter Sunday. We packed so many fun things into one day. I believe that any day in Nashville is the best day ever, but maybe I'm biased. We started the morning off by heading to The Village Chapel in Hillsboro Village for Easter service. It was so nice to attend a church in the south with Steven.
After service, we headed back to the 12 South neighborhood to grab some delicious barbecue at Edley's Bar-B-Que. OH-MY-GOSH-YUM. It was phenomenal and I definitely need to go back there again soon. It was extra awesome because Steve and I gave up red meat and pork for lent, so I went to town on that brisket.

After lunch, we took another walk around the neighborhood and ended up at The Filling Station. It's an awesome little shop where you can purchase growlers of craft beer or build your own 6-pack. I was pleasantly surprised to see some Michigan craft brews on their shelves, too!

We then headed out to the Parthenon to enjoy a beautiful day in the park and snap some photos like the tourists we were. The weather was incredible and I was so elated to be wearing a short floral dress and still feel warm.

Since it was so hot out, we decided on grabbing some popsicles from Las Paletas, which I have been dying to visit for the past couple years. It was everything I hoped for and more. Seriously, you all need to try it.

You guys, brace yourselves for what I'm about to tell you next. While pulling out of the parking lot of Las Paletas, I look out Steve's driver side window and WHO do I see walking down the road?
Matthew Gray Gubler!!!
If you don't know who he is, look him up. If you do know who he is, it's because you already have a giant crush on his nerdy character of Dr. Spencer Reid from the show Criminal Minds. He has been on my short list of celebrities I want to meet for the longest time. My heart broke a little as we drove away, but I knew I would be too tongue tied to even introduce myself. Anyway- that was awesome. 

That evening, Steve and I headed to one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, City House. I had been there before for their Sunday night dinner where they have a unique menu specifically for Sunday evenings, so I knew Easter would be the perfect time to go back. Steve loved it and it was nice to end our last full day in Nashville over such a lovely dinner.

 Cheers, Nashville. You were so good to us, as always.

xoxo,
Laura