Torchy's! (clap clap) Torchy's! (clap clap) Torchy's! (clap clap)

  

 

I said I needed to get out of town and he said okay

So he took me to my favorite place on earth: Austin.

And treated me like dadgum Kate Middleton.

It was the best. 

On Saturday, we strolled around town with no plans.  My favorite kind of vacation.

Allison Brooks Edwards.  This place was made for us.

I have recently discovered Kendra Scott.

She is all over my Christmas list.

Is it too early for that?

The man loves candy stores.

This one was full of old circus memorabilia

reminded me a lot of this

 food. trucks. be still my heart.

For dinner, we found an unmarked italian joint with a fabulous wine list and 2 bar stools calling our names.

Wood fire pizza, perfect wine choices, and some sugar snap peas in a cast iron skillet.

and we ended the night with this..

How dare they.

After the Barbed Rose, we went over to the beach in Galveston.

And stopped here first.

For baked goods of course.

It's not the most beautiful beach in the world, but we have lots of memories here.

Back in the old days (like last summer...and the summer before...and the day we got engaged) we used to go to the beach all day, and then mooch off an outdoor shower at these really nice condos.

I'm talking full blown shampoo conditioner shower in our bathing suits outside this place.

People would come to rinse their feet off and we'd be all, "Sorry, we're showering".

And then we would go to dinner.

But this year, they built a fence around it.

The nerve.

So we had to go sandy and salty.

Good thing I'm not high maintenance...

Except there are no pictures of me to follow.



The Barbed Rose CONTINUED!!!

I got really excited on the end of that title there.

Awkward.

The other day, Devin went for a bike ride (which typically equates to being gone for at least 4 hours) and came home with a delightful surprise!  He had planned an afternoon / evening of fun!  

I use exclamation here because 

a. this is rare (see a.1.)

a.1. not rare because he doesnt care to take me out (see b

b. we did not have to take 45 minutes to decide where to eat.

BECAUSE!

First stop was, yes, The Barbed Rose.

Remember when we went to cooking class and saw the head chef make bread salad and a $200 steak that we got a cubed inch of?!

That Barbed Rose.  Only we didn't go to the fancy dining room.  

Why am I not upset that we didn't go to the fancy dining room on said date that said husband planned for me?

Because this man knows the key to my heart.

And that would be a burger barn.

By the time we got to the delightful town of Alvin, Texas, the lunch rush had come and gone and we were seated on a small shaded deck that we had all to ourselves.

almost.

I'm positive he loved that I took his picture.

This place makes every single thing from scratch.  

Ketchup, buns, pickles...everything.

And you can taste it.

So you can probably imagine how incredible this was...

If you look closely, you can see the mustard seeds.

BECAUSE THEY MAKE THEIR OWN MUSTARD!!

If you look closely here, you can see how I have acquired eleventy billion freckles this summer.

 I think this is right after I shouted SWEET BABY MOSES

Swiss. 

Avocado.

Jalapenos.

Mustard.

Roll.

Don't judge me.

Judge Devin...

That is in fact goat cheese with bacon my friends.

So we stuffed ourselves and I must say, this burger made the top 3 in my frigginridiculouslygood burger list.

And I have had a lot of burgers.

No, like, you don't understand.

I eat a LOT of burgers.

Top 3 right here.

If you are in the Alvin neighborhood, stop by.  

It's worth the trip especially if you're on your way to Galveston.

Which we were.

Stuff our faces, put on a bathing suit.

Ideal.

And one last thing!  Devin and I are in a little contest.  

If you could vote for us, we would love that!  

Go here, like their page and then you can like our picture for some votes!  
You can also go to the blog post here and comment with our names for a vote!
Preesh.

We went to DC and this is all I got??

We had a stellar time hanging with the fam.

Devin watched his man crush before we went

and then we HAD to go to Ben's chili bowl.

I'm glad we did, best half smoked all the way ever.

If you go to DC, go eat some chilay

omgthebestbreadever

Yesterday I picked up the mister to go on an anniversary lunch outing.

Our first stop was a new little market he has been dying to take me to.

I love him.

LORD, SEND A REVIVAL!

Name the movie.

Revival Market is THE CUTEST MARKET LIKE EVER.

They only carry locally grown products.

Love.

 

 I want to pause here and speak on behalf of the bread at this place.

Un. freaking. believable.

We bought a loaf and I'm not saying what kind 1. because I don't remember and 2. I don't want all of you rushing to Revival and buying it all leaving none for myself.

Selfless.

But seriously.  The bread.  D and I fight over it.  I sneak bites at 1am when he is asleep.

Oh and then I bought the most amazing drinkable yogurt ever.

She's back!

You guys, remember when our dating hot spot / favorite coffee house hang out burned down?

She's back and we finally made it over there on our bikes to check it out.

Agora, you look the same!  

Except you don't have the sketchy 2nd story outdoor area anymore, which is probably better!  You still have the steep as you know what stairs!  

You still have the Greek faces that creep me out if I stare at them for too long and the best jukebox in the city!
You still have all the hipsters and the trendsters on their fixies with the jeans and the glasses and the neon.

We are so thrilled to see you back in action.

Agora, you complete us.

Tiny Boxwood's

About half a mile from our apartment sits a lush, exquisite, and slightly hidden nursery.  Most have never noticed it, and some have no idea what is behind the sign with the quirky phrases.

It is to die for.

Thompson & Hanson built the nursery / landscaping business with a little shop at the front filled with home decor and unique pieces, but the secret weapon lies on the other side.  A quaint cafe was added to the back of their space, and there Tiny Boxwood's sits.  

It is at the top of the top of my favorites list, so naturally I treated myself to a bite there on my birthday.

The elegant shabby-chic design gives me the undeniable itch to rummage through a Pottery Barn catalog.

Grab a recycled wine bottle of water from the fridge at the front, and pick a spot if you can find one.  This was the only time I've been to TB when there was not a line snaking out the door.  But, if you do catch a line, a complimentary glass of lemonade will be waiting for you.

Mosey in on a lazy Sunday for brunch and have a rich cup of self-serve coffee accompanied by a delicious quiche or breakfast pizza, or grab an iced tea and stroll through the nursery itself.  I dare you not to take home a pepper plant.

And if you're stopping in during their wine and cheese hours (3:30-5), might I recommend the Terra Rosa Malbec and the French Picnic with a side of Real Simple Magazine.

Delightful.

Some birthday highlights. There's video. Except I'm not allowed to post it. So just email me.

I don't think I was clear on something.

Devin and I did not get to run the marathon.  

We were both injured.  

I'm still depressed...aaaaaand now I'm over it.

But, last week held both of our birthdays which usually means everyone we know bakes us something and we gain 14.1 lbs. in 3 days.

Thank the good Lord we saw Jillian this morning.  Owwwwwwwuh!

Here are some highlights from day of birth celebrations.

Enjoy.

Dinner with D's parents at The Broken Spoke Cafe.

Of course it's a bicycle restaurant.  

Of course it is.

Don't worry, I got a haircut the next day.  Oof.

Devin's appetizer at dinner with my parents.  

A little bone marrow now and then is good for you.

3 Desserts.  It's how we do things.

Pancetta chocolate chip cookies oh to the em to the gee.

 

Love them.

Devin made me the best gift certificate for some time here.

And brought me these.

 

 

My absolute favorite.

A bunch of tulips will make me happy for a long time until I get more.

Birthday breakfast.

I only take him to the finest.

Best. BBQ. Ever. In. My. Life.

Happy Monday!

Sayonara January!