Under Construction

This blog is currently under construction! I've got some exciting changes coming very soon that I can't wait to share with you guys so I apologize for the current appearance :)

XO - Courtney

The Final Countdown

We're officially in the SINGLE DIGITS on the wedding countdown!! Zack & I head to NC at the end of this week so we've started packing, making lists of what we need to get, and a list of things we CANNOT forget (like wedding rings...and this outfit).

I'm trying my best to pack light which means going with basics (like white and black tees/tanks) that can be paired with a couple fun items…like this skirt. Plus this denim jacket is one of my favorite pieces right now, so I’ll be wearing it with everything except my wedding dress…probably. 

And then the shoes. This is where “packing light” doesn’t ever happen. And I won’t deny it. There’s flats, sandals, boots, running shoes, and most definitely the ones featured in this post. I was looking for something to wear to my bachelorette party this coming weekend, and I found these in the first store I went into. It was meant to be. I love them, but like most heels, I needed to break them in. I’ve worn them to work a couple times but since I sit most of the day…it only did so much. Last Saturday, I decided to wear them on my “date” with Zack…which ended up being a surprise bachelorette party thrown by some of my girlfriends out here in LA. They definitely got broken in. It was a blast and a total surprise, and now I’m ready for this weekend to get here, so I can celebrate again with my NC girls. 

That’s all for now, and next time I post, I’ll be a married women. See you on the other side!

XO – Courtney

top [urban outfitters] // jacket [h&m] // skirt [h&m] // 

shoes [call it spring] // necklace [the limited]

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[photo credit: zack hardy]

Presto! Pesto!

It's been a while since I've tried a new dinner recipe. (Last month was a just a drink--delicious but fairly simple). Today's recipe is a little more complicated in that it has a lot of ingredients but lucky for me, I had all of them in my pantry. Other than the list of ingredients, this recipe is super simple. The key here: Homemade Arugula Pesto.

Zack and I made flatbreads earlier in the week, and I had purchased a HUGE container of arugula to throw on those, and I was looking for ways to use up the rest of it (because our grocery store is dumb and only carries giant containers of arugula that no normal human could ever consume, and I always end up wasting it). I threw it in a few salads, but then I stumbled across a pesto recipe that swaps basil with arugula. I was intrigued.

Just throw all the ingredients in a food processor, and you've got yourself a delicious pesto sauce. I decided to stuff some chicken breasts with the pesto and mozzarella and serve it with linguine in the pesto sauce. Zack and I both deem this meal a winner. Top it off with a big glass of white wine and the season finale of House of Cards (Sidenote--Season 4 was awesome. So much better than season 3. Watch it now or start at Season 1 ASAP if you've never watched it before). 

Anyway, if you're itching to try a new recipe, this one's pretty simple and "Forks on the Right" approved. Oh, and how convenient---a green meal just in time for Saint Patrick's Day. 

XO – Courtney

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Arugula Pesto

INGREDIENTS

· 2 cups Arugula

· 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)

· 1/4 cup toasted almonds (or pine nuts)

· 1 clove Garlic (peeled)

· Juice from 1/2 a lemon

· 1/2 cup EVOO

· Pinch of Salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil in a food processor. Pulse for 30-45 seconds until mixture is fine.

2. Add olive oil in slowly and blend into the mixture. Taste and add extra salt as needed.

3. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!  

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Malibu

I've been here for almost 2 years, but until a couple weeks ago, I had never been to Malibu. And I'm kicking myself because it was wonderful. Side note: I had never done the Runyon Canyon Hike until that same weekend too, which is also really weird since it is probably the most popular hike in LA and only about a 15 minute drive from my apartment to the trailhead. But I digress. 

My cousin, Tanya, came into town for the weekend and we had a full schedule of hiking, exploring, eating, and lounging on the beach. Sunday morning we hopped in my car and drove up the PCH to Mailbu. The weather couldn't have been MORE perfect. 

First stop, Malibu Surf Shack to rent some paddleboards. I had only been paddleboarding one other time, but it was a blast; however, it was also in a harbor where the water is relatively always calm. This time we were going to be paddleboarding in the ocean. Not as bad as I thought, but the water was extremely calm, so although it did take some getting used to, the waves weren't really a problem. We paddled around for a couple hours along the coast, soaked in the sun, and even saw some dolphins. 

Back on dry land again, we headed to Nobu for lunch. Another reason I'm kicking myself for never going to Malibu before now. This was some of THE best and freshest sushi/seafood I've ever had in my life. Not to mention, the drinks. Cheers. 

Lunch was followed by a hike through Solstice Canyon where we passed an abandoned mansion, the remnants of a waterfall (because, drought), and some pretty incredible views of the Pacific. Oh, and one adorable three-legged pup, Mia. 

Then it was a race against the sun. We headed up the PCH to El Matador State Beach to watch the sunset, and we made it JUST in time. The next time I'm in Malibu (because there WILL be a next time, and hopefully sooner rather than later), I want to spend a little more time at this beach. It was beautiful with its cliffs and rock formations, BUT we were exhausted AND hungry and it was getting dark so it was goodbye, Malibu. Until next time...

XO  – Courtney

Lemonade + Leap Day

Today's recipe is basically lemonade for adults. It's a super easy recipe that will put you right in the summer spirit if you're still suffering from winter. If your here in SoCal, we've said bye to winter, skipped over spring, and have basically been living in summer all February with temps in the 80s almost everyday.

Another reason for the easy recipe? I haven't exactly been experimenting with new recipes lately. New restaurants, yes. Like Nobu a couple weekends ago. Amazing. And I finally got around to trying pho, which was delicious. Don't get me wrong, I'm still cooking, but just my easy, go-to recipes that are quick to fix and quick to clean up. 

Maybe after the wedding (which is LITERALLY only 1 month away!) I'll have a little more time to spend in the kitchen, but today you're getting a drink. Well, I'm getting the drink. You're just getting the recipe. And apologizing again because I have a feeling March will be lacking on the blog front. But hey, today's Leap Day, so I'm gonna seize this extra day for all it's worth. Cheers to that!

XO – Courtney

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Grown Up Lemonande

INGREDIENTS

· 1/2 oz. Limoncello

· 1.5 oz Gin

· 1/2 oz Lime Juice

· Rosemary Sprig

· Ice

· Tonic Water (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine Limoncello, Gin, Lime Juice, & Ice in a shaker. Shake well.

2. Pour into a glass with fresh ice and add a slice of lime and some fresh rosemary. You may also add tonic water if you would like.

3. Cheers! 

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Monochromatic

We've already had a few unseasonably warm days (last weekend we hit 90 degrees!), but I'm not packing up my winter gear yet. "Winter gear" is a strong word to describe my "winter wardrobe" these days. Anyway, I think we've still got a few cooler days to come, plus I'm still holding out for El Nino.

Warm days are followed by cool nights, so this grey linen top from Zara keeps me cool during they day, but keeps me from freezing as the temps drop. Pair it with black skinny jeans, grey ankle boots, and a grey hat. Keepin' it monochromatic here.

Fashion talk aside, who saw Deadpool last weekend? Uh. Maze. Ing. And hilarious. And absolutely CRUSHED it at the box office. Crisp high five (if you haven't seen the movie then you don't understand). If we're friends on Facebook or you follow me on Instagram, #sorrynotsorry for blowing up your newsfeed all last week with posts, BUT (for those of you who don't know), Zack worked in post production on this movie so we were/are both super pumped about it.  If you haven't seen it yet, well, the weekend is here so go. Right now. And tell me what you think.

XO – Courtney

top [zara] // pants [j.crew] // shoes [urban outfitters] // hat [madewell]

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[photo credit: zack hardy]

Up

A couple weeks ago I hinted at a birthday surprise from Zack (here)...and even a little bit in my last post. Well, the wait is over (because I know you guys were just consumed with wonder of what it could be). Last Sunday we went for a hot air balloon ride. 

This is big on so many levels. First of all...this is a bucket list item for me. But the biggest part is that it was ZACK'S idea. I figured I'd ride in a hot air balloon one day with a friend or something because it was understood between Zack and I that he would NOT be participating. He is terrified of heights and not a huge fan of flying in an airplane, so the idea of being in an open basket thousands of feet above the ground isn't really his cup of tea. 

Well folks, never say never.

Needless to say, I was pumped. Zack...not so much. He was literally only doing this for me (seriously, give this guy an award for being so awesome). We had to leave at 3:30am Sunday morning and drive out to Temecula,CA for our sunrise flight. Early morning, but I was way too excited to feel sleepy. 

The people who run the balloon company (California Dreamin') also have a vineyard (Vindemia Vineyards), and that's where we met them, along with about 12 others, at 5:30am to head to our launch site. The balloons take off from different locations everyday depending on the wind, so we drive around for about 20 minutes before we found the "perfect spot." And then the crew began inflating the balloons. 

They were sending 2 balloons up that morning. Our basket was Zack and I, along with 2 other couples and the pilot, and once inflated, our balloon was about 7 stories tall. We climbed into the basket, and before I knew it, we were floating up. It is an insane thing to experience and almost impossible to describe, but the balloon ride was so smooth. I actually didn't realize we were off the ground until Zack mentioned it. 

Then up, up, up we went. We reached just over 4000 feet, and it was a perfect and clear morning. The views in every direction were amazing. We could see the snowy mountains, the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, Carlsbad, and even the Los Angeles skyline in the distance. Not to mention all the other hot air balloons around us. And to top it all off, Zack was having FUN. I've got to say, I was surprised at how calm he was before the flight and through take off. Maybe the fact that it was so early so his brain wasn't awake enough to be afraid. 

We floated around for about an hour then just plopped the balloon down in a random field, popped open some champagne (a tradition for all hot air balloon rides), then drove back to the winery for MORE champagne, a little wine tasting, and breakfast.

If you've every considered or wanted to take a hot air balloon ride, I say DO IT! And if you're telling yourself you're too scared...don't be. If Zack can do it then anyone can. Fact. 

XO – Courtney

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