10 Things You Didn't Know Before: The Hannah Edition

1.     I am an avid fanatic of country music. Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Kieth Urban (I saw him in concert the summer after 8th grade, and if you ever get the chance to see him live, DO IT! He is just as good live as in recordings), and George Strait are on the top of my list.  

2.     If i don't go outside for more than 20 minutes a day, I get headaches. I think this is more of a mind over matter thing for me, but I really enjoy being outside. Even if its 5 degrees out, I have to be outside for some part of my day. Call me crazy, but fresh air truly makes a difference in my overall productivity of the day.

3.      I really like school. Well parts of it... I absolutely love the learning aspect of it, but I hate the social aspect of it. I'm one of those people who would rather have a conversation with an adult than with someone my own age. Knowledge is something that can never be taken away from me and that is in part why I find learning and schoolwork fun and enjoyable. However, being in such close quarters to a thousand plus people between 14 and 18 years of age for 6 hours, 5 days a week is a daunting task. That part wears me out more the most.

4.     Reading is my one of my best-loved hobbies.  There is something to be said for getting so involved in a book that when you put it down, your confused as to where you are. Read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet and you'll understand.

5.     My dog is my best friend. 

How can you not fall in love with him?

6.     I love baking. Cooking not so much, but baking is fun. The finished product is usually a sweet and the dough  has to be tasted of course. And the spatula licked. And the bowl. And the beaters. It's also rewarding. A tangible and edible (most of the time) is created.

7.     Nike shorts and T-shirts are my after school uniform. They're comfortable and more of a motivation to get moving... No changing required to go running or do crunches, you can just get up and go!

8.     On the estate I will someday own, will be a  mile-long winding drive, lined with trees, leading up to a historic house with white columns  and double doors facing the rolling hills of the countryside. What can I say? I have large goals ahead of me.

9.     I really like the ocean. The appeal for me is its vastness and the lack of its full understanding. It is something that mankind does not truly know everything about and for that reason, I am drawn to it.


10.     I am a nerd, if you can't already tell. And I am so utterly proud of it.

The Best Chocolate Cake Ever Tasted

I came across a photo of this chocolate cake on tumblr  and it was one of the one's you can taste in your mouth just by looking at it. The recipe is from addapinch.com and is titled The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe {Ever}. And let me tell you, it is all that and more. It is very easy to make (the prep time is only 15 minutes) but does call for espresso powder, which took a few minutes of searching for at the grocery store.

I made this cake a week ago and had the last piece today. It tasted the exact some. If you put a piece in the microwave for 15 seconds, the frosting turns into a chocolaty lava... You have to make this, however be prepared for comparing any and all cakes to this cake and never finding a superior one. 

Strawberry Fever

In honor of the days until summer slowly dwindling...

If Wishes Were Horses...

Photo from Tuckernuck

 Dubarry Galway Boot (Tuckernuck)

Every year my mom and I go to the Washington International Horse Show and every year we walk around the concourse to browse the different vendors. Dubarry always has an employee wearing these boots, standing in a pan of water for the entire show. I love the classic and timeless look to these boots, and although they are very expensive, I think I would wear them enough to warrant buying a pair someday. 

 

Sarah Vickers; Photo from Classy Girls Wear Pearls

 Jack Rogers

I could go on and on about my love for these shoes, but I know most of you already feel the same way. 

Photo from Tuckernuck

 Barbour Classic Beadnell in olive

There have been countless occasions where I would have loved to have had this jacket. I don't want to go through another fall/winter without it...

Photo from Island Company

 Printed Tunics

Tunics are a summer essential and having a printed one makes the day a tad more colorful.  Check out Lilly Pultizer and Tuckernuck for more.

Photo from Harding-Lane

Hats

I have taken a liking to hats recently. They are great for less-then-perfect-hair days, sunny days, or just because days. Try The Black Dog, Vineyard Vines, Southern Tide, and Ralph Lauren for more.

I Herd You; Photo from Lilly Pulitzer

Printed Shorts

Last year,  I purchased a pair of Lilly Callahan shorts in the Get Nauti print at a midsummer Lilly sale on Martha's Vineyard. I am incredibly picky about the way my pants and shorts fit and usually leave stores frustrated and discouraged. However, when I put on these shorts, they "fit like a glove," as my mother says.  Try Vineyard Vines and J.Crew for more. 

Photo from Vineyard Vines

Vineyard Vines Shep Shirt

Many have deemed this "the perfect pullover." I have no way to say if that's true or not as I have never tried one on, but if it looks comfy and warm in photos, it should be in reality as well!

Vineyard Vines Tumblr Surprise

Boomer on the Vineyard Vines Tumblr

Thank you to Vineyard Vines for choosing this photo for Tumblr! I checked the Tumblr page a few days ago and started dancing around the room when I saw my dog on it... I picked him up and held him up to the computer, but he was more interested in the doughnut I had siting on the computer desk then the photo (surprise, surprise). However, I was singing the "It's my birthday" victory chant for quite awhile.

J. Crew Love Story

Camp socks, Sweater

I have fully taken advantage of after Christmas sales! Practically every store offered some sort of special or sale, and I went a little crazy...

Snow in Suburbia

This past Thursday's snowfall put us Virginians in about four inches of snow. It seems miniscule, but any amount of snow in the Washington area puts everyone into a frenzy and before you know it, the streets are covered in a good inch of salt and sand. 

I had a great time sledding as the snow was whipping around Thursday night. This was all possible thanks to wool socks, Bean Boots, and thick gloves. The snow was the heavy type of that makes sleds go fast and building snowmen possible. The snow has since disappeared and is replaced by the polar vortex to remind us that it is still winter (even though it's predicted to be 56 degrees on Sunday).