woohoo for living cheap!

we stayed within our budget this month so how did we celebrate - buying more food of course! we went out for ice cream at our fave, franklin fountain, last night with some friends (and got caught in a good old summer rainstorm). today we went to chipotle for lunch - we love LOVE chipotle and decided that every month we don't go over, we will reward ourselves with it (this motivation will no doubt work wonders for Daniel). then we walked around main st. in manayunk. there were some fun and crazy little shops there. i was again in search for the perfect cupcake and again sorely disappointed with sweet elizabeth's cakes. i had a "sweet e's" cupcake, chocolate chip cake with strawberry buttercream icing. sounds delicious, right? once again, my mouth watering was barely satisfied. the cake was extremely thick and the frosting too light and airy. is it too much to ask for a delicious, melt in your mouth cupcake with rich creamy frosting? is it ridiculous how much i analyze each cupcake i eat in philadelphia? for anyone on the search, as far as i know it would be worth it to travel to dc or new york for some georgetown cupcakes or crumbs. they offer perfectly rich, put you in a sugar coma cupcakes. stay far far away from naked chocolate cafe, flying monkey, sweet elizabeth's, philly cupcake, fresh grocer, fresh market bakery (at least the cupcake portion of these places). there are still a few places to try here in philly but my hopes are getting very dim. i apologize if you don't understand the importance of a cupcake and have had to read this (you're in good company with my husband). although my tastebuds are not satisfied, i am very grateful that the weather cooled down ever so slightly enough for me and daniel to leave the apartment and explore more of our beautiful city.
i love this man

this is the biggest burrito they've ever made me


at least the cupcake was still pretty to look at . . .

a cute little apartment complex in manayunk

phillyshop

It's small but it's there!

phillyshop.etsy.com

Can I call myself a small-business owner now?

we're just trying not to melt

haven't blogged in awhile but that's cause we really haven't been able to go outside too much to do anything fun because it is HOT HOT HOT! we were able to take a couple dips in one of the public pools which kept us cool for about an hour. other than that we've been avoiding all excuses to go outside. can't wait til tomorrow when it'll be only 94, bet it will feel great! on another note, anyone have any suggestions for recipes for cheap and easy meals? although i could survive another 20 years on a pasta only diet, daniel is getting pretty bored. but when you have a new kitchen its so hard to make new recipes! everything always has one or two ingredients i don't have, and who wants to spend $8 on a spice you'll only use once? (well i want to because i want to make yummy things but who can afford that?). its time to get creative people but i need some HELP! oh and i opened my own etsy shop the other day and i possibly already have a buyer who wants me to do three paintings! i'm really excited at the possibility of being able to make some $ off of something i like to do to relax, hopefully it goes well! and since we don't have any recent pics of us, here are a few of my pseudo-niece, dakotah, who i've been babysitting the last few weeks. she is pretty much the most adorable thing ever and she loves to sleep which is wonderful!

my little helicopter pilot

please don't ask how much that headset cost.

We're getting old . . .

Last night we went to the free concert and fireworks at the art museum. We had a blast with our friends Trish and Evan but we were absolutely exhausted after standing for a good 5 hours. We've decided next year we're coming prepared with chairs and coolers of food and drink to all these events. It was lots of fun though, we got to see The Roots, Sara Bareilles, Earth Wind and Fire, Estelle, Michael Mcdonald, DJ Jazzy Jeff and . . . wait for it . . . BOYS II MEN!!! They were surprise guests, I was so hyped up it was enough to help me forget my hurting feet at least for a few songs.

Last July 4th was when Daniel and I told each other we loved each other, who knew where we'd be now!

Motown Philly! Definitely made my night . . .

the holiday so far . . .

parade - check, delicious food - check, concert and fireworks to come.
don't miss my days of marching in 100 degree weather in wool uniforms

cutest little girl next to us

longest bike i've ever seen!

Apparently Darth Vader celebrates 4th of July too

helicopter for daniel

We were promised yummy tastykakes and got these nasty protein bar like things, so we bought these too make up for it.

WATERMELON . . . mmmmmm!!!

Cheesesteaks, corn dogs, watermelon, corn on the cob, chips and salsa, homemade honey mustard and fry sauce, and blueberries. . . and water ice. We are officially stuffed.

And now for a nap before heading out again!

America the Beautiful

Last night Daniel and I stuffed ourselves at an all-you-can eat ice cream festival. It was crazy packed with people and we had to push our way through lines but we ended up eating a combined 26 scoops! (Plus two tubes of water ice). We had a hard time deciding if it be more worth it to go to a higher quality ice cream place and eat less, but luckily the ben and jerry's booth made it both quality and quantity! It was fun and we were pretty stuffed after (good thing I wore my fat dress). I actually ended up running into a client, first time with that awkward experience! After the ice cream we caught another fireworks show over the river, can't wait for more tomorrow!

Daniel about halfway through . . .

Wish this was in my freezer . . . best flavor in the world.

My cute hubby waiting for the fireworks to start

The city decked out in patriotism

Grand finale

And this was my afternoon project, a painting of our view of center city