wedding in milan.

I'll admit it, my blogger status should be officially suspended without pay. I've been an epic fail on keeping this little guy freshly updated. 

But, I think I have a pretty legit excuse - the past month included traveling to Italy for a friend's wedding, wandering the Italian countryside, getting engaged to one of the sweetest dudes alive (OH YES, more to come on that!), and then venturing on a cruise up to Alaska. It's been one dream of a summer but now it's back to the 8-10 grind (that's an ad agency schedule, for those lucky ones in the 9-5). 

I've officially sucked up every minute of vacation for the year, but at least we have these amazing images to look back on and memories that make life worth living. 

Here is the first adventure of many: our friends Brian and Stella hosted an indescribably beautiful wedding in Milan (where Stella is from). In a place like this, though, it doesn't take a lot of effort to make an event lovely - every corner of city screams historic yet refined Italian beauty. 

{Pre-wedding photo in Piazza del Duomo.}

{Duomo of Milan, simply breathtaking.}

{Put a bird on it: (if you don't watch Portlandia, start now).}

{Galleria Vittorio Emanuele ii.}

{When in Italy.}

{Heavenly Rehearsal Dinner.} 

{Groomsmen + Groom.}

                

{My favorite new adorable brit, Alex. Voted Best Dressed. And a view atop the Duomo.}

{The head table. Like all of Milan, even the wall was a treasure.}

{Take aim.}

{The happy couple.}

lemon rosemary shortbread.

   

I rarely stray from any cookies that don't have loads of chocolate, but I stumbled across these little guys on Pinterest and was too intrigued. They really are a perfect summer cookie - lemony fresh with a little bite from the Rosemary. Nom nom. 

Heat that oven to 375 degrees, and here's what you'll need: 

2 sticks butter, room temperature
¾ cup sugar           
1 egg           
1 teaspoon vanilla           
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary           
2 teaspoons lemon zest           
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour           
½ teaspoon salt

{Mix ingredients together, adding the flour last. It helps to chill the dough in the fridge for about an hour to make it easier to work with.}

{Then roll it out on a floured surface and cut out small circles (I'm classy and used a shot glass for the right size. Bake for around 12 minutes, just enough before they turn brown. Enjoy!} 

signs of summer.

Once you're officially an "adult" and no longer get summer off from school, it kind of looses the allure. But, there are a few things about the summertime that still make it lovely. An excuse to eat anything sweet and frozen or just be lazy by the lake - I'll take it. 

{Peach + Lemon Ginger Sorbet. Margaritas by the pool.}

{Joy rides in the sunshine}

{Summer Reading with Steinbeck}

{Fresh Rainier Cherries}

{Summer Weddings}

{Sunsets at the Lake} 

caprese poppers.

These super easy little bites are healthy, quick to whip up and taste just like summer. 

Tomato with basil has to be one of the best food combos out there -  just add
some mozzarella and reduced balsamic and you've got one tasty little popper.

Disclaimer: (heavily addicting product) having "just one" popper will probably turn into 14.
But, they're light enough you won't feel like beached whale after. 

1. Start with cherry tomatoes, a basil plant, mozzarella pearls and balsamic vinegar. 

2. Slice the tomatoes and  skewer them with toothpicks, adding the pearls and the basil leaves. 

3. Then, reduce the balsamic on the stove until it thickens and drizzle over the poppers. 

4. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt. 

{and yes, these might draw a crowd}

life lately {via instagram}.