Baby Went to Amsterdam

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Sarah S.

Ready for a quick trip through the stunning Netherlands? Scroll through my favorite photographs from my week-long stint in my sister’s new home.

Amsterdam

bike culture at its best

vintage shopping in Jordaan in Amsterdam

the moment I realized that I bought the right back pack for this trip

hagal slag (aka sprinkles. but doesn’t it sounds so much better in Dutch?)

Badgers’ pride in Den Bosh

beauty at the rijksmuseum

the Heineken Experience. there’s only one.

den bosch garden of earthly delights mural

Hieronymus Bosch leaves his mark

Dutch roses in bloom

high top sneakers european fashion inspiration

black eyelet high tops that served me well on cobblestone, train platforms, and bike pedals alike

stroopwafel- a dessert second only to gelato in my book

the best thing about The Netherlands? a beautiful and thriving bike culture. not to mention no hills.

the cathedral in Den Bosch

a little bit of our nanno in Holland

Want more inspiration from Amsterdam? Check out my newest Pinterest board:

tot ziens!

Sarah

Congrats, Class of 2014!

(Especially, you, Michelle)

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
-Theodor Roosevelt

Sprezzatura

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Sarah S.

Almost half a year in Europe and my sister‘s fashion sense is starting to look like a cross between Madewell and Florentine street-style (apparently, she was once confused for a true Italian) . I recently visited her at her new home just outside of Amsterdam; these are my favorite shots of her new style.

p.s. sprezzatura: a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it.

Two Hundred Miles

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Sarah S.

Two hundred miles. That’s how many miles I’ve run to get to the start line of tomorrow’s marathon. Two hundred.

At mile six, when I’m thinking, “Oh God, I’ve still got three and a half hours to go!” I’m going to think of those two hundred. At mile 17, when I wonder if I can make it the last nine, I’m going to remind myself of the those two hundred. At mile, 25, when 1.2 seems like it will never come, I have to think of those two hundred. Because 26.2 is nothing compared to all the work I’ve done to get here.

14 hours to go, guys! Keep me in your thoughts at 7am tomorrow!

p.s. I’m loving my race day outfit for marathon #2. Showing off some aerie pride!

#aeriereal tank, Moving Comfort sports bra, Under Armour compression shorts, VSX fanny pack, Brooks Ghost running shoes, Balega compression socks, Nike visor, Stinger energy gels

p.s. one week until the Pittsburgh marathon!

Pirates, Sparkle, & 16 Miles

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Sarah S.

Being away from family can be hard enough, but when holidays roll around it becomes that much harder. Thankfully, for Easter this year, my little sister was able to take a break from being a genius med student at RIT to spend the weekend with me here in Pittsburgh. The weather was perfect! And compared to Rochester, NY, it probably felt like heaven.

Before Michelle made it down here on Saturday afternoon, I snuck in a 16 mile marathon taper run. Why am I tell you this? Because sometimes, when you’ve run over 20 miles in one go, you start to forget that even 16 miles is impressive. This is my attempt at reminding myself that running 16 miles (or any amount for that matter!) is an accomplishment–one of which I should always be proud!

Sparkle was a key component of our Easter weekend attire.

I took Michelle to her first professional baseball game. The Pirates lost, but it was an exciting game no less, complete with the classic Pittsburgh Pirates fireworks show. (By the way, I don’t think I’ve ever been to a professional baseball game that didn’t involve the Brewers. Seriously. I saw the Cubs play them in Chicago…then again in Milwaukee…and now they played the Pirates in my new city. It’s like my Wisconsin ancestors are trying to speak to me…)

Instead of the traditional Easter ham dinner, we opted for homemade squash pizzas, complete with kale, Brussels sprouts, and vegan cheese. Recipe (Michelle’s original) soon to follow!

My Easter outfit of choice: Madewell fruit dress, Lands’ End Canvas Merino sweater, vintage Salvatore Ferragamo heels, statement necklace (a great find from a Chicago second hand shop), and a gorgeous sparkly clutch (a gift from an old roommate). Michelle looked gorgeous in an Loft eyelet tee, J.crew cardigan, Ann Taylor pencil skirt, and sparkly J.crew flats.

Hope you all had a fabulous Easter weekend as well! Here’s to more sunny days filled with Pirates, sparkle, and lots and lots of miles.

Cheers!

Sarah

What a Day to Celebrate the Earth!

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Sarah S.

I’ve been celebrating Earth Day with a month of car free Fridays, but today I also made a point of taking my run outside (despite the heavy wind and dipping temps). I chose a stretch of the Three Rivers Heritage Trial located on the South Side. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the trails so clean! The crowds of volunteers picking up trash and debris from the river front was a happy sight.

I also had the privilege of running through eagle territory. Yes, there are real life eagles in the middle of my city. I’ve seen a pair of baby bald eagles on one of my runs last week, and now that the word has gotten out about our native eagle family, pedestrians and cyclists slow down to stare expectantly up into the wooded hillside along a now designated “eagle viewing area.”

And there was also that moment when the sun’s setting rays caught the bridges. Sometimes, I can catch that one second when the bridges glow golden with the filtered light. Unfortunately, my camera was too slow. You’ll just have to come to Pittsburgh to see the sight for yourself.

How did you celebrate Mother Earth today?

Cheers!

Sarah

I Hosted a Party! And It Was Vegan!

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Sarah S.

And, I think, a success! I had a great time hosting (I usually do!), and I hope my guests left full (of plenty of wine and homemade vegan appetizers) and happy.

Mango Red Pepper Salsa/Bruschetta (my own recipe!)/

Cucumber Tofu Rolls/Chocolate Chip Magic Bars/

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Miracle Cookies

I’ve hosted a few parties with my sister and friends before, but never have I tried to 1) make all the food myself 2) cook and bake completely vegan for a party. Honestly, it wasn’t that difficult! I just used some of my personal favorite recipes, which besides being delicious, are also pretty easy too. It felt good to offer my friends delicious, healthy food that they didn’t have to second-guess. Because who wants to go to a party only to stare guiltily at a plate of mozzarella sticks (from which you’ve already taken at least three…)?

But let’s be real. The part was also a chance to show off my (nearly) finished living room. I’m quite proud of the color and vibrance that I brought into the space. And how open and comfortable it feels. My only complaint: this horrible futon. I’m sitting on it right now and it’s literally sinking slowly beneath my weight. Here’s to hoping my guests didn’t notice because they were too busy eating my vegan chocolate chip magic bars…

Cheers!

Sarah