Eats- Pappy's

Saint Louis has lots of great little eateries that are off the beaten path, but super popular gems of the city.  Pappy's is no exception!  Stuart has been raving about this restaurant since he went for a business lunch, and I have been eager to try it ever since.  On one of our random road trips around the area, we found ourselves very close to the restaurant, so we decided to stop.  Wow!  I love barbecue, but this is awesome.  The lines start to form pretty early and will end up out the door until they sell out of food, so get there early!  As a lover of brisket, this was probably the best one I have ever had, but really anything you get is probably delicious...and deep fried corn on the cob-what!  Perfect.

 Try it and let me know what you think!

One Fabulous Year Later...

If this were a year earlier, right now I would be soaking up the sun in Hawaii on my honeymoon, but alas, I am sweltering in the Saint Louis heat- ha!  But, that DOES mean that we got to celebrate our one year anniversary!  And what a great year it has been!  We have had so many exciting adventures and experiences, and with the addition of the little one in October, so many more to come.  As is traditional in the Presley household, we like to re-create our very first date, as it was the first time we met and also the day (a year later) that we got married.  It includes gift-exchange, dinner at Blueberry Hill, and a trip to bubble tea.  Since we did not get to keep our cake topper, I secretly planned to have a small replica of our wedding cake made from the bakery where we got our original cake.  So delicious!  It was a fantastic day, filled with love from family and many new memories. 

 

On our way to dinner to celebrate!

It was a crafty anniversary...with a personalized scrapbook 

and hand-stamped keychain (also serves as a reminder-hehe) 

Can't wait till next year!

Food Truck Fridays!

One of my most favorite summer activities is the annual Food Truck Friday event that happens in Tower Grove park.  I love to see how each trucks' individuality, with their whirring generator and precisely placed mini-kitchen, brings flocks of us to enjoy their goodies!  My first adventure in food trucking was last year, and I was totally unprepared for the feast that lay ahead.  This time, with camp chairs slung over one shoulder, plenty of cash to spare, and a map of which food truck was where (pre-highlighted, I might add- hey, a girl has to be prepared), Stuart and I managed to try three different trucks.  Good thing this event happens more than once because we made note of which one to try next time...everything was so delish!

So clever!  The banana/nutella crepes are sensational.

Guerrilla Street Food...Asian Limeade is a MUST

Always save room for dessert-

especially peach cheesecake cupcakes (mmmm)

We are already planning for next time.  Maybe go in a group and divide and conquer...?

Today was absolutely beautiful!  I just had to drive home with my windows down and enjoy it while it lasts!  Maybe a walk around the lake is in order for tonite's activities...?

Also, be sure to check out the interview I did with my friend Katie Sheridan over at her blog Sheridan in the City about my artistic endeavours and inspiration.  I had a lot of fun answering her questions and there are some new pictures of a special project I have been working on!  Enjoy. xo

The Sloup!

So Saint Louis has these great little nooks and crannies of awesome art groups that gather for a tradition known as "Sloup". What happens?  Artists submit possible project proposals which are voted on while enjoying homemade soup (for a small cover)!  I heard about this adventure from Katie, who always has the most interesting ideas for things to do.  I love it!  This time around, it was hosted at various places around South City, and our eventual choice was at a local chef's house.  She was serving both vegan and omnivore soup, which worked for both of us and our significant others, so off we went.  So delicious!  Stuart tried the fancy cocktail that consisted of about 15 ingredients, but he got lost after "cognac"-ha.  We voted, enjoyed some cheese and soup, mingled, and then made our way to Bailey's Chocolate Bar.  For real.  Recommended: bittersweet and bacon truffles and banana nutella crepes.  I didn't take pictures...because it was so good, I forgot.

 Butternut Squash and Ham and Beans...Delicious

Stuart enjoys the 15-ingredient cocktail!

Our chef had an amazing collection of cookbooks.  She said at one point she had about a thousand in stacks around the living room.  Well they were worth it!  Her soups were delicious- and for such a fun cause!  ...Maybe I'll see you at the next one! 

Craft Fair Love!

Thanks to everyone that came to hunny::plum's first craft fair appearance!  It was tons of fun and Katie and I had a blast.  I was really nervous at first because everyone seemed to know what they were doing, but it was so much easier than what I had made up in my head.  Once Stuart and I set up, we were peppered with customers and eventually got selling!  Apparently hot for the season: knitted ear warmers with an extra special detail.  I have been making these for a little while, but started to add embellishments and twists to make it more special.  Also a big hit were the weighted wrap necklaces...so I will be making more of these for the next go-around.  All in all, it was so great to see what worked and I look forward to the next one!  Here are some pictures from my booth:

To anyone that is interested in something they saw at the fair, but were unable to purchase, or if you are interested in custom work, please feel free to email me :)  Thanks again xo

GroveFest

St. Louis is really a great city to live in.  There are so many nooks and crannies, towns and neighborhoods to explore.  One neighborhood that is up and coming is lovingly known as "The Grove".  Still with boarded up buildings and struggling shops, GroveFest brings together a street fair and awareness about the neighborhood...and a fashion show (in which my friend rocked the runway with her designs)!  Oh, and did I mention roller derby?  Yes please!

 

 The Arch Rivals Roller Derby (how clever!)

 

Bubble maker in the street

 
The middle of Manchester.  You could just stand there!

Welcome to The Grove

We have such great adventures!

I Found My Thrill...

With varying degrees of free time due to our wedding being less than two weeks away, Stuart and I took a break on Sunday to spend some time together before it got busy again.  So, what's the best way to do that?  Re-create our first date and add an incredible concert! 

It all began (again) at Blueberry Hill...

We sat in the exact SAME booth we had on our first date

...Stu was a little creeped out

Thumbs up for reminiscing!

Then it was off for the traditional dessert- Bubble Tea! 

This was just funny.  Clearly...they accept more than just cash

Yummy!  Slushes and Snows help when it's 95 degrees

As a special treat, Stuart got Mumford & Sons tickets at The Pageant and they. were. awesome.  They played old songs and tested out new ones...all of which were so good.  Despite sitting in probably the most freezing area of the place, it was SO worth it.  It was impossible to move to get a better spot (we managed to get seats, so we weren't about to give them up to look for something else) but the view was pretty darn good for how packed the Pageant was.  I highly recommend going to a concert there.  This certainly won't be our last!