White Tattoos and White Weddings

So two things are currently on my mind: my (potential) tattoo and the upcoming nuptials of a dear friend. Tattoos have been around for as long as I can remember so the thought of getting one is not new however, I'm thismuch closer to getting one. Two dear friends each pitched in for my new tattoo as part of my birthday gift knowing I've been toying with the idea of a white tattoo on my hip (or wrist... no definitely hip or my... never mind definitely hip!). We are planning to check out parlors today and I reached out to a tattoo artist/old friend so I should be reporting back with a new tattoo in the near future. Stay tuned.

courtesy of Pinterest Lovely but I can't imagine getting this~

so pretty! via Pinterest

As for the wedding- it's my first time being part of a wedding and my first time as maid of honor! So it's a little nerve wracking but fun and such a learning experience. Thursday all the bridesmaids are gonna go dress shopping or at least window shopping to get a feel for what's out there. We know the bride chose burgundy but she gave us the freedom to choose our own dress and style so yay! for an awesome bride.

I've not gone dress shopping  for a major event since Prom (2004 yikes!) so this should be interesting. I've been browsing online and found a few dress styles I like but we'll see what we find in the shops.

love the style and color but maybe not MOH appropriate via Weheartit

LOVE THIS! I know the back is too revealing but imagine it in burgundy? via Pinterst

 Any advice regarding tattoos and/or dresses? I'll keep you up to date with both.

Happy (belated) New Year!

do I look 26?

New year, new me. Well as far as resolutions go- I made none! Not officially at least. Normally I write a list and look back on it after the year is done but this year I feel like my resolutions haven't changed much. I still have a semester to go in grad school and I'm HOPING for a full-time job by the time I graduate. That's number one. Number two is to move to a place that allows my two dogs (both over 50 pounds) to live comfortably with me. Number three is totally up to fate but let's just say I'm hoping I find my Mr. Darcy (for all you lit buffs out there!).

But I'm not just delineating these for new year's because today is also my birthday. Yup, I'm now officially past my mid-twenties (26 to be exact). No biggie, right? WRONG. For some reason 26 feels like I'm over the hill (read: an aging spinster). I'm ok being single but no one is ever going to choose being single over love. 2012, what do you have in store?

 I thought I'd be married by 25!

Now on to some fun stuff... FOOD. I have been dabbling in both the familiar and unfamiliar territory when it comes to food. Behold three of my most recent foodie experiments.

Alfredo

Sweet Potatoes

Salmon Cakes

 For the alfredo, I followed my dear friend Alyssa's recipe

The sweet potatoes were baked with evoo, parsley and paprika. Simple yet delicious.

Salmon cakes are quick, easy and very filling. I buy the salmon in the pouches (boneless and skinless) but fresh is always the best choice. I got the original recipe from  Chicken of the Sea  and I always tweak it a little each time. It's really according to what you like but I definitely recommend dill, green onions, garlic, red pepper and lemon. Italian bread crumbs add to the flavor but if you have plain toss in some paprika, black pepper and creole seasoning. Trust me ;)

Any recipes that are your favorites? Did you make resolutions this year? And... do you have a "scary" age?