one day

omg. it's our birthday! can't believe it's been a year since i sat down with the loveliest of ladies and we dreamed up bloom where you are. mel and phoebe: you are such bright lights in my life and i am thrilled to be on this bloom journey with you! xoxoxo

we're so excited that we're doing a giant giveaway to celebrate this special occasion. pop on over to our facebook page to get the scoop, and make sure you sip some champagne today to celebrate with us near and far! we'll be having a bite of cake and some bubbly too (stay tuned for pics of course).

friday fuel

so, we all know phoebe is totally fabulous and i am truly, deeply blessed to call her friend and colleague.  this image is from her blog post today and if you want further fuel this friday, i suggest you take a moment to read the entire post. her words resonate with me in such a deeply personal way, it feels like i'm reading an email she wrote just to me. but of course, i must not be so self-absorbed remember her message is personal and to be shared with others - so i'm sharing my favorite part here, and encouraging you to read the rest. 

happy friday. thanks for walking next to me p.

"Once you remove people from your life who only want to abuse the best you have to offer (in a job or in a relationship) I promise you…because like DOES attract like and bullies travel in herds… and as comfortable as it may seem to be in a situation where you feel you can make a change while being emotionally beaten down, professionally taken advantage of… I promise you there are so many more encouraging, dream filled, passionate, loving, real, sincere people who will take their place.  They will walk beside you to build you up and not because they need some PR.  I promise you.  I hope you never feel alone.  Just reach out." - phoebe cnanakis

good thymes

appetizers

escargot & calamari

entrees

ahi tuna, eggplant crepes (veg), tavern burger and onopn rings, salmon

dessert

all i remember is the warm belgian chocolate number on the right was my favorite

i had SUCH a fun evening last night dining with my lovely neighbors for a good thyme for life. we left the city and headed for the hills to try out the black dog cafe. such an unassuming building with such amazing food! i was thorough impressed and can't wait to go back. they have a formal dinner menu, as well as a pub menu and we ordered off of both, and were thrilled with everything. i got a little obsessed with the food and forgot to take pics of anything else...oops! here's to helping our community stay healthy and hopefully hosting next year! (wink, wink) head on over to phoebe's pure food to check out her dinner review too!

weekend wonders

finally, some eye candy for you this monday morning.

- homemade tomato soup (check back thursday for the delicious details) and an open house  - what an amazing farmhouse and barn, formerly the post office and general store of spangs ville. and then beers at union jacks of course.

- phoebe's glam and glittery oscar party. she certainly spoiled her guests with an amazing spread and really rolled out the red carpet. stay tuned for more from the bloom style ocsar party!

to resolve or not to resolve?

that is the question.  

since i believe that each day you should get up and try and do better than the day before, i'm not much for once a year resolutions. but there's something to be said for checking in with yourself and making sure you're on the right track. so let's do this.

2012 was big year for me in many ways. i found strength in myself i didn't know existed and courage and clarity that produced the biggest growth spurt i've ever experienced mentally, spiritually and physically but most of all, i'd say 2012 is the year that i fell in love with myself. not in i'm a "hot shit" kind of way, but rather in a gentle, graceful and grateful kind of way.
i dig me. 

and you've got to if you want a fighting chance in hell at an amazing life.

so, in a ode to phoebe's 2012 recap (which i just love and think is so poignant) here's the scoop:

i lost myself, i found myself. i ran more miles than i ever have, or thought i could, in my life. i got hurt. i experienced the darkest of darkness and the brightest of brightness. i truly realized the unconditional love my parents have for me. i kicked ass and jumped in; started personal side projects that were always just constructed of talk and met amazing people who want to do amazing things. i healed. saw the love of true friendships shine through and pick me up. i moved, i accepted i'm a size 6 not a 12, i got rid of my old clothes. i decided my heart isn't a doormat & my kindness is not someone else’s blank check. 
i forgave. i grew. i found a deeper sense of gratitude than ever before. 
i found time for me, decided i'm worth it. i am crazy blessed with a good life and believe things will only get better.

and to quote my new year's eve at frogholler, "2013 muthafuckers".
xo

what i want wednesday | holiday style

[images via phoebe's pure food]

well, these are just great. for honestly, anyone, on your list! who wouldn't get giddy when they find one of these beautiful boxes on their doorstep!? near or far, everyone will love a phoebe's pure food pantry boxes - a great gift that silently boasts the best of berks. after all  there's no place like home for the holidays!

there are three very cool varieties to choose from:

coffee, tea & sweets

perfect for your hard to please mother-in -law or laid back lady friend

the morning after

for the family you can't spend christmas morning with - be there in spirit

just add cheese : party box

perfect as a "send-ahead" hostess gift, or for your favorite foodie friend who loves to entertain

all nosh box details found here. please note ordering and shipping deets below:  

All gifts will be shipped on 12/18 by priority mail via USPS (included in price)

Email  your order before 12/14 and I will invoice you via pay pal, for ease of payment & credit card options.  

Supplies are limited, order today.

weekend wonders

bloom where you are pop-up shop this weekend was in full force - lovely people, products and a pretty place to host it! thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support. this is truly a dream come true! plus, saved by a grilled cheese from say cheese! and head over heels for this black cat by dentelion!

serious fiesta throw down on saturday night, not a dish left unfinished! (the best compliment to the cook ever!) coming up, the recipes for my two taco topping musts: cliantro lime yogurt and jicima and radish slaw.

centre park christmas house tour was incredible! these pictures don't even begin to do it justice people. make sure you put this on your holiday to-do list for next year, you will be blown away by the beauty and creativity in these amazing homes. (i have the BEST neighbors!) 

and the most rad poinsettia leaf ever, i had to buy him!

make your list and check it twice

come visit me at our bloom where you are holiday pop-up shop tomorrow at hello bluebird! we promise you'll find the perfect present for everyone on your list - and yourself of course! can't wait to see you people!

Join us this weekend for our annual Holiday Open House!

We can't wait to see you this weekend! Join us Saturday & Sunday for sweet treats, great local artists and handmade gifts, prizes, gift wrapping and more! Three "Pop-Up Shops" will be hosted on the 2nd floor, featuring local favorites such as A Little Sparkle jewelry by Kerry Rorbach, Dentdelion upcycled and eco-friendly childrens' toys by Dasha Gardecki, and Bloom Where You Are's favorite local finds (with Christin Kelley, Melanie Linder, Phoebe Canakis). Enter in-store to win one of 3 gift bags full of awesome handmade goodies! PRINT OR MENTION THIS EMAIL FOR 10% OFF OF YOUR PURCHASE (downstairs only).  Good through Sunday, December 9, 2012. HOLIDAY HOURS: (week prior to Christmas TBA) NOW OPEN MONDAYS, 12-4pm Tuesday 11am-6pm Wednesday 11am-6pm Thursday 11am-7pm Friday 11am-8pm Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 12pm-4pm

Copyright © 2012 Hello Bluebird, All rights reserved.

girl crush

it was girls night last night with two of my favorite ladies - lots of tacos, laughing and napping (for some). 

head on over to the bloom blog today to see what i dropped off for the newbie parents from the bloom where you are babes.

weekend wonders

whew, what a whirlwind! colds, birthday, babies have been on the forefront and got most of my time last week. but here's a peek at my wonderful weekend at home, you know, just doing what i do. the best part? sunday was super sunny and my ipod played the best tunes and the "danger do not enter" trails at nolde were super fun. shhhh. hope you got your happy on this weekend too!

the annual pacer bonfire was a blast! and i'm so glad i finally got to go. 

plus phoebe spoiled me with some sample treats on saturday - vegan pumpkin pie (to die for!) and kale and sundried tomato hummus (i could eat it with a spoon!)

sunday morning west reading market trip with a delicious sesame loaf from the daily loaf (who doesn't want bread made with l o v e!?) and a fresh cup of jo from adam at bechwarmers. it doesn't get much better!

oohhh and a sneak peek from the glam it up event at bella jules! so many fabulous things to choose from and i just loved all of the pieces i got to show off on behalf of bloom. that navy number is calling my name!

weekend wonders

it was a quiet, cold (literally and figuratively) and cloudy weekend. i'm still recovering from the first of the nasty head-colds of the season, but here are a few snaps of things that warmed me up.

this view from the charles evans cemetery. i've lived in centre park for two years and this was my first visit! definitely going back for more walks and creepy headstone haunting.

this favorite mug of mine is getting lots of action in bed these days.

a very special birthday celebration, family style, for amanda on saturday evening. so blessed i could join in and so psyched about the rosemary gin fizz fixin's i got to give with the help of phoebe!

an ode to breakfast of warm waffles and warm hearts. i think every day should start this way, not just weekends!
(and cups and saucers; please and thank you.)

food for thought

That's been the theme this week: food. My schedule has been hectic but fun and full of FOOD. Since you missed me, here are a few snaps from the week:

 Me and Ms. Phoebe at the Glam, Glitz and Gloss event at Bell Tower. What a FAB event; so excited we were invited by sweet Sorrelli. Check the Bloom blog for a full review of the evening and to see P and I glammed up! (and see our fancy posing in this pic!? we learned the "right" way to strut)

I ate a lot pasta! And I'm okay with it. My Sunday sauce making extravaganza couldn't go to waste, so we indulged in the comfort food of foods and chowed down, picnic style.

What's a week with no tacos in it? Exactly. No week I want to be a part of. 

Oops! Nachos. With everything. I could have taken a photo of the pretty leaves at Long's Park that I got to enjoy yesterday but, let's get real. First time (I know, so lame) at The Lancaster Dispensing Co. and I can't wait to go back! Thanks AJ!

good press.

[the spread the love nursery collection | image via melanie linder]

[phoebe's pure food new logo | image  and design via melanie linder]

[the bloom girls at hello, bluebird | image via melanie linder]

it seems like everything's coming up melanie these days - and for good reason! my uber-talented, sweet as pie, pretty as a peach and fun as all hell miss mel has a lot going on - a birthday, an anniversary a baby, launching bloom with us, doing double dutch and oh yea, her full time gig over at spread the love. obvs, i could go on and on about her for days (and sometimes i do) but i invite you to just take a look at what she's been up to. (um, that logo is to DIE for) and who she is (this will make you love her MORE, if that's even possible). so join me and let's just celebrate the hell out of this little lady because she totally deserves it. here's to your happy month, and year,  my lady bird!

We obviously already know that Phoebe is fabulous (or she wouldn't be my friend or beautiful Bloom co-founder) but let me tell you, when I saw her in her element at the cocktail party she hosted in the garden of Just Curious? on Sunday, I was blown away.

The only way I can describe the entire event, simply put, is divine. The food: divine. The setting: divine. The guests: divine. The hostess: DIVINE (and most definitely a Pure Food Goddess).

So let's raise our glasses to Phoebe, who on Sunday made our little corner of the world a beautifully delicious and magical place for a few hours, and once again made me fall head over heels in love with my  Berks County community. Thank you for doing what you do.

banana pancakes.

[penn state career fair | united way day of caring | golf tournament | bloom where you are launch]

That's how things have been lately - luckily the good outweighing the bad. So a few images to get you up to speed on what's been happening over here! Happy Monday :)

full bloom

Whew! What a wonderful Monday - it was so busy I didn't even have a chance to pop over here and update you lovely people on what's taken root in my life: Bloom Where You Are.

It's been a collaboration of love with two of the most talented and beautiful ladies I know and we are so excited to share a bazillion things we have blooming in our brains and hearts over the coming months (and hopefully years and decades following..am I crazy? Duh.). I'm telling you, these girls are total babes. But there's more where that came from, and we promise to introduce you to all the babes in Berks that Bloom thinks you should know about and love just as much as we do.

So poke around on the site, it's a work in progress, and come meet us this Saturday at our happy little pop-up shop on the porch of Hello, Bluebird (one of said babes you should know). Oh and like us on Facebook! That would be great too!

Here's to blooming where you are.

weekend (life) wonders

[dinner at Henlopen City Oyster House | lunch at Say Cheese | breakfast at the beach house | figs from Phoebe's Pure Food ]

Since I've been MIA, I figure a picture is worth a thousand words.

weekend wonders.

radish butter a la phobe's pure food

sky view app = amazing!

sunday runday at green lane

surprise pitcher of margs for the bride-to-be

staving off the sunday blues with good lovin' at union jacks

Ladies Who Lunch (and Launch)

Head on over to Melanie Linder's blog for some lunch time eye candy and see what Double Dutch and Phoebe's Pure Food have been cookin' up!