Pierogi Heaven

This weekend my family and I made our annual visit to Whiting Indiana's Pierogi Fest! What is Pierogi Fest you ask? Why, it's only the most delicious celebration of Polish food, culture, and fun that anyone could possibly ask for! The fest has been pretty widely publicized within the past few years, (It was even on the Food Network!)  but my grandparents live in Whiting, so I've been a loyal Pierogi Fest attendant since my stroller days. Thankfully, it was nice and cool outside this year without bad crowds- so this Polack girl got to CHOW DOWN! 

Okay y'all,  I know this doesn't look too Polish, but Wild Bill's Soda has had a booth at the fest for the past few years, and they make the MOST delicious Root Beer on earth! 

My momma, enjoying some Halupki (Stuffed Cabbage). 

POTATO PANCAKES!

My cousin Camille was a Pieroguette, Miss Chicken! 

                       I'm a Sauerkraut lover.

And what would Pierogi Fest be without a little Daddy/Daughter Polka? 

XO, 

Melina

It's Gettin Hot In Here

Melina is wearing... {top/H&M...shorts/Urban Outfitters...flats/Target}

Alex is wearing... {tank top/Old Navy...shorts/Urban Outfitters...Necklace Charm/Anthropologie...Sunnies/Anthropologie...Headband/Forever21...Shoes/Jessica Simpson for DSW...Purse/Accessorize (London)}

It continues to be hotter than hot here in Chicagoland, so Alex escaped to Colorado for vacation today (pictures to come soon!). Before she left, we HAD to snap some shots of this Russian Doll bag she bought in London. Isn't it adorable!? Also, I'm in the process of growing out my pixie cut, so get ready for my hair to start looking insane! 

XO, 

 Melina  

When Life Gives You Limes

Yesterday was so hot and humid that Alex and I might as well have been vacationing in the Florida Keys (note: Key West is a definite on our list of must-visit vacation spots) rather than spending an average Sunday afternoon in the Chicago burbs. We decided to roll with the tropical mood and whip up some Key Lime Cupcakes! We tweaked this recipe from Bon Appétit. Our version is slightly lazier and more lime-ish! 

For 12 small Cupcakes you'll need:

• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• The juice of 2 limes (The recipe only calls for 2 1/2 tablespoons, but I LOVE LIMES)
• The grated peel of 2 limes
• About three drops of green food coloring (we used gel food coloring). 
• 1/2 cup Almond Milk (yes, the original recipe calls for Buttermilk, but we were lazy, and had Almond Milk in the fridge). 

For the Frosting you'll need:

• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
• The grated peel of 1 lime
• A splash of lime juice
• A splash of vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place 12 liners in your cupcake/muffin tin.  Beat butter and sugar together in a medium bowl, then beat your eggs in one at a time. Grate the rind off of your limes, and juice the limes right into the bowl, add the green food coloring, and continue to beat smooth. Next, beat in your flour, then the Almond Milk. (note: If your batter is looking dry, add more Almond Milk!) 

Bake your cupcakes until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean (Our cupcakes probably took about 20 minutes.) Remove cupcakes from tin and allow them to cool (we took ours out of the liners too, but that's up to you!) 

Beat all of your frosting ingredients together in a medium bowl and pipe onto your cooled cupcakes!  

TA-DA! You've got a delicious treat for a hot summer day! These were surprisingly fast and easy, and would be great for a barbecue or picnic! 

Enjoy! 

xo

Melina

My Baby Sparkles and Shines

Melina is wearing... {top/H&M... dress/Forever21... shoes/ Litas by Jeffrey Campbell... flower headband...DIY}

Alex is wearing... {dress/ Forever21... satchel/ Cambridge Satchel Co.... wedges/Target... flower crown/DIY}

Hello friends.. Alex here!

This weekend Melina is starring in a local production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I saw her the other night, and basically, she is fantastic. She is marvelous. She is sensational. And that's not just my best friend bias talking.

I am so incredibly proud of her. It's the best feeling, sitting in the audience and watching her do her thing. I am so lucky to call her my best friend. It's going to be so hard to be apart from her next year, but I know-- New York needs this girl.

And the best part? Think of all the comp tickets I'll get to Broadway shows!

Hope your weekends have been lovely!

xo

Alex 

(Wondering about the title of this post? Click here!)

Sweet July Days

Alex is wearing.... {dress/Forever 21...belt/TJ Maxx...shoes/Target}

Melina is wearing... {dress/thrifted...purse/thrifted...flats/Nine West}

It's summer time... which for us, means raspberry iced tea, sundresses, and lots of time to spend together!
(P.S. While you would think we would take advantage of every second of this glorious weather, we spent approximately 118 minutes of our day on the couch, eating sandwiches, watching Behind the Candelabra.)

xoxo
Melina & Alex