How To Cut A Pineapple

Freshly cut pineapple is amazing. Much better than pre-packaged pineapple. I've been on a HUGE pineapple kick recently (hey, it's summer. Who doesn't want fresh fruit?) and pre-packed pineapple is expensive and you don't get nearly as much out of it. Most people are intimidated by cutting one up, but it's super easy and you get a lot out of it. I filled up two square sized Tupperware containers with just one pineapple!

Be sure to cut the pineapple on a stable counter with a sharp knife and cutting board.

PRO TIP! Wet a paper towel to put under the cutting board to keep from sliding about. 

Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple. This will give you a stable block to cut the sides off with.

Now cut those sides!

The tough part of the pineapple will come off easily when cutting. You can leave it on, but it's not as sweet or tasty as the actual fruit.

Now eat it! You'll thank me later. =]

Summer Reading List

Most of these books I bought last summer and just never got around to reading them. But now I will! Starting with Blue Nights by Joan Didion, I will make my way through Vonnegut, Hemingway, Tolstoy, Heller and Fitzgerald. Should be an interesting summer!

What are you reading this summer?

Summer Daze

Summer is my favorite time of year. It's almost like anything can happen. I've been enjoying mine, tremendously (hence the reason it's been so quiet on here [sorry!]). Here are some photos of my summer so far. What have you been up to??

A Throwdown at Wormhole

Fireworks at Navy Pier 

Pretty much just lots of coffee and bikes. =]

20. Write In a Journal From Start to Finish :: 21 Before 21

I've been putting this one off for a few weeks. I still haven't decided if this really is crossing one off. I did finish a journal that I've had for 2 years, and I started a new one. I got it from this local store in Wicker Park and I love it. It's so beautiful. There are all these different sections of different kinds of paper. It's really neat and only cost $10! I stuck a Polaroid on a page already and plan to do other fun things with it. I usually always have my journal with me, so it's nice to have to jot down ideas whenever I'm on the train or in Wormhole. If you don't already keep a journal, you should start. It's a nice outlet and a good record of whats going on in your life, how your feelings for someone change, and different events in your life. Of course, there are tons of other advantages as well. But those are just the ones I can think of right now.

So I guess, technically, I ended a journal and started another one.

But I love it. I write it in a lot. Even if I don't finish it in a year, I just feel accomplished.

1. See the ocean

2. Bake French bread

3. Get a passport

4. Go skinny dipping

5. Learn to drive a stick shift

6. Do a photo series of bikes

7. Publish something

8. Get my fortune told

9. Climb a mountain

10. Make my blog look nicer

11. Watch the sun rise

12. Sew a dress

13. Minimize

14. Get more comfortable writing in French

15. Get an internship

16. Cycle in another city

17. Travel without my parents

18. Find the perfect red lipstick

19. Shave my head

20. Write in a journal from start to finish

21. Leave the country

Around Town :: Ipsento

When Steph and I first moved to the apartment we live in now, we needed a coffee shop. Yes, Wormhole Coffee was close, but sometimes we didn't want to trek all the way into Wicker Park just to get a cup of coffee. Lucky for us, Ipsento is close by. I walk by it every time I go to the train, so its really hard to not stop in every single morning. Their coffee is fantastic (and roasted in house). It's cozy and inviting. The baristas are nice and knowledgeable about what they are doing. They have a breakfast/lunch menu and everything is named after an author. Love it! My favorite is the Jane Austen. One of the downsides is that they're not open very late, only until 9, but it's a good meeting spot before you venture off into the night. Going in the mornings is my favorite, though. It's quiet and I can enjoy coffee and a bagel. It's really a great way to start my day.

When you go in, try the signature latte, the Ipsento (it's made with coconut milk and cayanne pepper!) and snag a spot by the window. It makes for great people watching! The Nutella latte is also a favorite. It's like you're drinking the tasty chocolate spread. Sooo yummy!

Ipsento's storefront. 

Polaroid Love :: Vol. 2

Time for another viewing at my attempts at taking Polaroids. Enjoy!

Stack of pictures

One got stuck in my journal. An attempted self portrait. 

Vietnam History paper writing. 

Cupcake wrapper and an empty espresso cup.

The main stairs at the Art Institute. 

Ft. Sumter. 

Record playing.

Mason jar drinking. 

My Polaroids have started collecting themselves here. Love it!

Surviving Finals With Obsessions.

Blah. Finals. Too many projects and not enough motivation to finish them. Really, all it is is two Power Points and 3 tests. But it's not as bad as it looks. Coffee helps. Riding my bike in 40 degrees helps. Sitting in a coffee shop kind of helps because I feel like I have to do work so no one sees that I'd really rather be on Pintrest.

So, I'm sorry for lack of posts. Exciting things will  be happening soon, but not soon enough. So, in order to tide you over, here are some things that are REALLY distracting me!

Getting REALLY into this show, like the dork I am. 

I want this...

Got these shoes on sale from Urban. Waiting for a nice day to do pictures in.

Urban Outfitters

Vanilla and Lace added new dresses to their collection! I think I need this one.

Vanilla and Lace

Facts.

What's distracting you????