23rd birthday

there is nothing quite like a birthday to remind me how lucky i am to have 

such a m a z i n g people in my life.. thank you friends + family for celebrating me 

and loving me on my birthday. it really was an amazing one.. they just keep getting better! even though i am living away in california, i felt the love from home!

here are some glimpses of the best 23rd birthday:

^^ such a fun present to wake up to..new rainbows, sunglasses, & 
a surprise trip to miami beach in two weeks!! yay! ^^

^^ birthday breakfast! ^^

^^ cute pink hunters from husband, and favorite new paris book from kenz! ^^

^^ you could say my husband is a good gifter...he found this ring on

etsy, and brought me these pretty birthday flowers after work ^^

^^ new lulu top from tara, and quote block from mom to add to the collection ^^

 

^^ obsessed with these earrings from my cute mother in law! ^^

 

^^ new travel backpack husband got for me..yes please! ^^

 

^^ i about cried when i opened this...my mom had an artist draw our dog kona 

for me! it's already hanging up :). my parents also sent this darling package 

with a new wallet & some birthday cash..they are the best!  ^^

^^ sweet package from brynn, and thanks laura for the cute gift, i can't wait to use it! ^^

 

^^ favorite stationary & SF dish towel from cute kendall ^^

^^new polo dress, yay! kate spade clutch..thanks to minds & brady!^^

^^lucky me, i got to have my birthday lunch at google 

headquarters with my favorite friend^^

^^riding the google bikes!^^

^^of course we had to stop for a birthday cupcake...^^

 

^^then it was off to get a mani/ pedi with tara..

and a spoiled gift from nordy's from my cutest maria^^

 

^^ LOVE the new camera lens chase got for me ^^

 

^^ perfect birthday dinner with my best friend ^^

^^ new anthro skirt & frame, both in the best color :) ^^

^^ new cute pants from chase, and the best card from anna all the way in dc! ^^

 ^^ cutest package from ash! ^^

^^ new lulu pants and favorite coconut m&ms from my cute aunt! ^^

^^ the end of an amazing birthday= late night froyo with our best friends ^^

so incredibly blessed! thank you sweet friends, family, and husband 

for making me feel so loved on my birthday..

...and for celebrating in laguna with my fam, 

last weekend with chase's fam, & on the weekend with friends! 

all of the love made it much easier to be away on my 23rd!

can't wait for my 23rd year!

XOXO

birthday barbecue

tomorrow is the first birthday of my entire life that i won't be at home for...

luckily i have the cutest husband and best friends out here in the bay

who have already made this birthday so fun! my darling friends

threw a little party for my birthday this weekend, and it was

the best. we had a barbecue, complete with a piñata and funfetti 

birthday cake. what more could a girl want?

it is gorgeous weather here lately, and feeling like summer!

so earlier in the day, we swam and soaked up some sun. then, had the bbq!

love these friends

working on the pinata..

 i couldn't have brought in my birthday weekend in any better way!

thank you sweet friends for celebrating and making me feel loved!
i can't believe my actual birthday hasn't even started yet,
because we've already done so much celebrating!

^^ the best party hostess and friend. thanks tara! ^^

xo

coconut brownies

and the obsession with coconut oil continues...

after experimenting with a few different combos, i decided that this 

is the best recipe for brownies made with coconut oil. we've made these a few nights

this week, and husband eats almost the entire pan and still asks for more..so trust me here!

these are easy to whip up, and with the coconut oil substitution they are healthier!

we seriously are obsessed with these over here, so i hope you will be too!

note: they are ten times better when cooled for 10-15 minutes...i love a 

hot brownie out of the oven as much as anyone, but trust me: 

the texture and setup is amazing if you let them cool!!!

coconut brownies

ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup coconut oil {melted}
• 2 cups sugar {i use a little less}
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut {optional}

directions:

microwave cocoa powder + coconut oil in large microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds or until coconut oil melted. stir until combined. then, stir in sugar. add eggs & vanilla, mix well. add flour and stir until well blended... and that's it! spread into greased 9x9 or 9x13 baking pan, depending on how thick you want them. sprinkle shredded coconut on top if desired, and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes, until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with fudgy crumbs {don't overbake!!}. cool in pan. cut and enjoy!

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xo happy weekend!