Panini Palz

There comes a time in every relationship where things get serious. Maybe it's when you introduce each other to your parents, maybe it's when you move in together, or maybe you play it safe & adopt a pet. Well, A & I are virtually inseparable & are already spiritually adopted by each other's families. Oh, & we don't really take too many things very seriously anyway...

So, we went halfsies on a Panini Press & decided it was time to be adults.  We picked out the one we wanted at Target, but they were sold out. Rather than settle, we waited patiently (proud of u, A.) 

Once we brought her home, we unpacked her & A nearly immediately burned her hand while I tried to read the instructions. Once we figured out how to turn it on, we made some grilled cheeses & basked in our newfound glory. After years of eating slimy pressed sandwiches at the USF Dining Halls, ya boy knows how to press a grilled cheese. #peacesign

While I handled the GC, it's still obvious that we're novices with this thing. Word to the wise: don't spread anything on a sandwich before you press it. Hot slimy mayo, yuuuuucckkk.

Same purchase, I bought a big pitcher for making Crystal Light iced tea in, something that was a staple at my parents house growing up. Somewhere in my house is a photo of four-year-old me, standing next to a miniature Christmas tree, smiling in disbelief that I'm taller than a tree. But since I don't have that scanned, just look at the photos of me with a massive mason jar of iced tea for a similar tickled expression. I doubt I'll ever lose the kid in me.

Oh, & we've got big plans for this panini press thing. Cheese & lunch meat is just cracking the surface, friends. We're talking gourmet fruit-enhanced sandwiches, panini pizzas, DESSERT PANINIS (thanks for the cinnamon vanilla sugar powder from New Orleans, mom!!) & any other crazy concoction we can come up with. You're all cordially invited to a panini party at my apartment~~

I'm quite excited to be experimenting with a new toy with my pal, A. Nothing says, "wow, you guys are the most domesticated 20 year olds I've ever met" than being hyped on a sandwich press grill & a beverage pitcher, but we are who we are & I wouldn't change us for anything. 

PS - I'm serious about that panini party.

Love,

J

Looking Forward

The past couple of weeks have been so hectic for J & I. We took our film final last week (J got a 101 & I got a 96, he literally always beats me)& we were itching to have a little downtime before classes start up again in the fall. I turned 21 this past Monday  which was fun but unsettling at the same time because suddenly I have no interest in growing up anymore & it frightens me how quickly time is passing me by. It was really nice to get together with my family & reminisce on old times. My mom was feeling nostalgic & bought me a gorgeous, hand-painted bottle of Perrier-Jouet  because she & my father drank it when I was born. She also bought me the loveliest cake from my favorite cake shop in Tampa, Cakes Plus. Their house specialty cake is absolutely decadent.

I'm only two days in & my 21st year is already shaping up to be the best one yet. I found out that I was accepted to participate in CollegeFashionista's fall internship, which is exciting because I'll be writing about what I love & building my resume at the same time ( J hates when I talk about resume-building). My mom, dad, Jake & I are leaving bright & early tomorrow morning & heading to New York City for the rest of the week. I am so looking forward to traipsing around the city, eating a bunch of delicious food, shopping my little heart out & exploring with my favorite people. J & I totally have a case of the wanderlust bug & we take advantage of any opportunity to travel & explore together. 

One of our favorite things to do together is to go to shows to see bands that we love. We have so many shows planned coming up in the next couple of months. We're seeing Joyce Manor & Glocca Morra in Brooklyn while we're in New York, which is going to be amazing because J & I saw JM together in Orlando earlier this year. We're also going to see The Backstreet Boys later this month (holy childhood dreams come true) & Depeche Mode in September. About a week ago, Jake was feeling all depressed because the Palma Violets // Skaters show that he was looking forward to was cancelled & while he was double checking the venues schedule he casually saw that our favorite band as a couple, The Vaccines, is coming to Orlando at The Social on September FRIDAY THE 13th. The both of us just looked at each other, screamed & immediately ordered tickets. I know it sounds obsessive, but this will be the third time that we have seen them this year, in a third different state. Yeah, okay it's safe to say that we might have a problem...

Today J & I got ourselves mentally prepared for the trip by running some last minute errands & popping into a little hot dog shop around the corner that we have been wanting to try, Twinz Big City Hot Dogs. In classic Aisha style, I managed to get more of the hot dog on myself than I did in my actual mouth & the garlic parmesan fries were absolutely to die for. I can't wait to eat a real New York style hot dog in the city on the steps of the MET. Keep your eyes & ears peeled for a fully-loaded New York trip post when we get home.

Love,

A

Jake // Shirt: Friends United Network // Pants: H&M // Bracelets: J. Crew & Pulsera Project // Shoes: Vans // Sunnies: Ray Ban

Aisha // Tank: PacSun // Skirt: Target // Shoes: Ecote x Urban Outfitters // Sunnies: H&M // Necklace: Helen Latimer // 

Bag: Deena & Ozzy // Watch: Nordstrom

Take a Walk

There comes a point in your life when you realize that someone means so much more than you than you had initially anticipated. You start wanting to do really weird things, like come over to just to help clean their house, or showing up unannounced with a pillow pet & a box of Milk Duds. You start wanting to share everything with this person: meals, thoughts, conversation, & even your past experiences & memories. 

Last weekend, A took me on a trip to South Tampa, where we visited her old stomping grounds & retraced the places where she formed precious childhood memories. We drove past her old high school, walked up to the front door of her mom's old condo, & took a walk on the Ballast Point Park Pier, where she used to spend many-a-summer-day playing with her mom & brother Ashton. It was beautiful to visit the places she used to spend her time at long before she even met me & listen to her recount some of her most treasured memories.

Aside from being a lovely day in the sun with an incredible view of the downtown Tampa skyline, I really enjoyed seeing all the places where A blossomed into the pretty little flower she is today. It feels good to have reached such a wonderful place in someone's life.

Take a walk down memory lane with your loved one as soon as you can, it's as fun an experience as it is beautiful.

Love,

J   

Aisha // Dress: Target // Shoes: Deena & Ozzy // Sunnies: Urban Outfitters 

Jake // Jacket: Levi's // Shirt: Brixton // Pants: Levi's // Bracelets: J. Crew & Pulsera Project // Shoes: Vans // Sunnies: Ray Ban