brunch for dinner is the best idea I’ve had all week

angel food cake french toast

true story
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CAT FONT

Here.

You’re welcome.
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grown up birthday parties

Yesterday I went to, hands down, the best birthday party I’ve ever attended. A friend of a friend was turning 30 and she went all out. They rented out this local craft brewery that just opened, Four Corners. Coincidentally, I’d been wanting to try their Local Buzz brew for the past couple weekends but the bars I’d been to that offered it were out. Anyway, I was excited to check out the beers. Plus just a straight up awesome venue choice. Instead of blowing out candles, they had bite size cake balls; good choice not spreading around breath germs. Oh and they also rented out a cotton candy machine. Confession, I don’t like cotton candy (or popcorn-gasp-or unshelled peanuts; I’m a terrible date to take to the circus) but this was a big appeal to the other guests. There was also a DJ, which was a lot of fun. How many people can say they’ve had a dance party in a brewery? Though the best part may have been the tire swing in the middle of the warehouse. So. Fun.

Now, I’m pretty hypocritical when it comes to birthdays. I love to celebrate my friends’ but when it comes to my own, a nice dinner is usually more than enough. However, this party was so fun that I’m totally going to try to have an equally awesome one for my 30th. New life goal. A lot my friends have bdays in the same month (April birthdays are the best, duh) so I think we will definitely have to do a joint venture on this.

Luckily, I still have quite a while to plan it.

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Eater.com, first stop: Kalachandjis

I recently found this great restaurant guide/web page Eater. It has updates on hip, local dining venues in most major cities. In a quest to be more adventurous, a friend and I are venturing to make our way through the Dallas top 38. There are a few places that we’ve been to on other occasions, so we’re just skipping those ones. Last weekend was our first official eater resto: Kalachandjis.

First, lets talk food. The menu changes daily and everything is vegetarian. For only $13, you get the buffet plus dessert–what a steal. All the dishes are uh-mazing. I overloaded on so many veggies that I didn’t even have room for dessert, which after the fact I was bummed about because it sounded great. Delish eggplant parm and all the mystery-other veggies were so good, that I had to go back for seconds. The restaurant serves fresh, heathy options and clearly marks any dish that is not vegan or gluten free. Awesome.

Kalachandjis is located in a Hare Krishna temple. Not exactly what I’d expect in a place like Dallas. The setting is so beautiful! Even though I don’t follow that philosophy, I felt a sort of calm at the restaurant that was really relaxing. The whole mind, body, spirit thing is a great vibe for a restaurant and I will definitely return!

Who wouldn’t want to eat at a place that has a tree in the middle of the dining room?
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getting crafty: wall art

Apparently I had a draft post from aaaages ago with some photos of art I made and have hanging in my apartment. So as to not deprive you of some fun ways to decorate, here ya go:

record bowls!

melted crayons!

If you know me, you’ll know that I’m not what anyone would call artsy, so I promise you these are super easy.

And cute!
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The best library

It’s no secret that libraries are one of my favorite places. Until recently, the Long Room at Trinity College in Dublin claimed my number one spot…that is until I went to the Library of Congress last weekend in DC.

Reason number one that LoC is better: America. Reason number two: it’s free, like America. Number three: if you get a library card, you can look at the books yourself. Forth: if you aren’t in the area, check out the digital collection. Five: they have millions of materials in their collection and the world’s largest collection of maps. Sixth: it’s beautiful.

I arranged a guided tour where we got to see some pretty cool stuff like the Gutenberg bible, a draft of the emancipation proclamation, and the first map that said America. The docent also told us all about the paintings and sculptures in the great hall. Simply stunning. On the tour I also learned that the round reading room would be open to the public while I was in town! Apparently this only happens twice a year and I totally lucked out. So on my four day trip to DC I definitely spent two days at the library. Don’t judge.

If you’re in DC anytime, I highly recommend going to the Library of Congress. It is hands down the best tour I’ve been on there.

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contender for best conversation via text

– Eureka! I shall knight thee in my army of friendship!
– I shall wear thine badge with pride and honor, good sir.
– The honor is mine. Whence cometh thou hither?
– Alas, I cannot say but with grief fear that it may not be for many more moons. Henceforth, we shall construct a scheme in which I venture to thine native land. Perhaps during the season of the summer solstice.

In other words, my friends and I are huge nerds. Also, I need to go to Chicago asap.
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