Jump Creek Again

Monday, in my latest weekend wears post, I mentioned that I tried to get Will and I out a bit this weekend before he left for a work trip. I decided a hike around Jump Creek would be fun, since it was where we took all the pups last time we were watching Bo (my sister's dog). Crazy that that was my first real post on OWM, it seems like forever ago. Last time we hiked here there was such a crowd of people that we skipped hiking the trail into the canyon to view the falls and instead took the longer hike up and around the canyon. So, we woke up early Sunday morning with the hopes of beating other potential hikers out there and also the heat so we could do both trails.

Bo, I think, must have thought we were driving to the boonies to off him because he whined the entire way there (an hour+ drive). I don't know why, but he is slightly terrified of Will. There was nothing we could do, poor pup, so we just turned the music up to save the rest of us from going crazy. Pippin just wanted to nap the whole way and Scout is content so long as he gets to sit near the window. Once we made it there they were all pretty happy to be running around.

We did beat everyone out there, so we had the whole place to ourselves. We took our time exploring and playing around in the water. I was really amused by all the cave drawings I found. This place really is rather beautiful, so it was nice to relax out there for a bit. I tried to got some pictures of the dogs but they were too busy zooming around (especially Scout) to care about stopping for a second to pose, or panicking when we tried to get some pictures of ourselves. They are all excellent photo-bombers, but Bo is pro. That picture of the two of us that I thought was photo-bomb free, did you spot Pippin? I didn't at first. He made it up that rock, too. He is an excellent rock climber.

We unfortunately didn't beat the heat, though. It got so hot so fast, so we only hiked around the lower area. I didn't want to go hiking up any step slopes in that oven, thank you. Those pups tired out quickly, anyway, and they earned a bath after.

Go away, heat, so I can go enjoy the outsides again.

Weekend Wears: Lace & A Simple Stroll

Will is gone for work this week; he's out surveying/counting fish carcasses in the woods or something. Saying goodbye at 6:00 am is not fun. This is the longest we will have been apart to date, and with him out all week I had a feeling I might be a bit of a home-body these next few days. Which is all right, I've got a bottle of wine and some Netflix. But with that foresight I made an effort for us to get out a bit this weekend and spend time together. Saturday there were lots of errands to run, but we ended the night sitting down together over some greasy, mediocre chinese food :) Sunday we got up early and piled the pups + one in the car (we're dog sitting) for a hiking adventure (pictures to come). These were taken post hike, when we had to go back out to make an exchange of something bought the day before. Will had the lovely idea to go for a walk around Kathryn Albertson's park, while we were downtown, before heading home. So I took off my dirty hiking attire, combed out my tangled hair, and threw back on the dress I had worn the day before.

Outfit details

dress: Bohme, last year 

belt: from a different dress

bag: Target, a few years ago (similar/similar)

flip flops: Maurices, ages ago (similar)

sunnies: ModCloth

bracelet: borrowed

You'll probably see this dress pop up quite a bit come fall/winter; it is my favorite. I've been rolling the sleeves up a bit lately and it feels completely different. I love that I can wear it with anything or on it's own, and always feel so chic. But it's best with boots.

I hope your weekend was lovely as well.

Self-Portrait Challenge Recap

Did any of you participate in A Beautiful Mess's 30 Day Self-Portrait Challenge? If so please leave your instagram username below! I love seeing how others took this on creatively. You can follow me on instagram (@ohwhimsicalme) if you'd like a better look at these.

I took on this challenge with the hope of helping me feel more natural in front of the camera. I recently started a outfit series here, but photo shoots for it can be a little... awkward. I have no idea how to pose and instantly turn into a giant cheese-ball when a camera is directed at me. The results are rarely pretty. For me, unfortunately, I don't know if I got much out of this challenge, to be honest. Elsie and Emma mentioned in their first post about the challenge that when taking pictures of ourselves, "At first it feels unnatural, awkward and pretty self-absorbed." I never got past this stage. I've always felt this way, and I still do. I think this can be seen through the fact that very few of my pictures from this challenge actually show my entire face looking at the camera. For this is more so a result of not liking to take pictures of myself (or have my picture taken) than an attempt at creativity within my portraits. Because, I mean, there are quite a few pictures of my lap and feet. Boring.

Well, I hope I didn't bore you too much.

Happy Sunday!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I love banana bread. It is no secret. In fact, I love bananas baked in just about any form. Banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and frosted banana bars anyone? They make whatever they are baked into so dreamy and creamy and perfect. I usually stay true to tradition and make my mom's recipe every time I make banana bread, but this last time I was missing some vital ingredients and so I decided to mix it up and make my own. My mom isn't much of a fan of spiced breads, but I sure am; I was sure to add both cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as a bit of cloves to this loaf. I also decided to use brown sugar and leave out the vanilla. And of course, this girl must have chocolate. My old recipe was good, but this one is perfect. Yes, my food reflects me. And it is delicious. Next time you've got some super ripe bananas lying around (I always do, I like them that way), give this bread a try before they go bad. 

And you'll have to excuse the fact that I don't have a picture of the full pretty loaf; this was a late night baking whim and the lighting was terrible (and we couldn't wait to dig in). These are the delicious remnants the next morning. 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, makes one loaf

3 very ripe bananas
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup organic unbleached flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine or butter substitute
1 beaten egg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt and ground cloves
1/2 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a loaf pan by coating it with cooking spray. In a large bowl mash the bananas thoroughly with the back of a fork until no large clumps remain. Add the melted butter, brown sugar and the beaten egg stirring thoroughly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Slowly add in the flour while stirring the mixture at the same time; once the flour is combined into the mixture, add all the spices and baking soda. Finally, stir in the mini chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level the batter out by placing the pan on the counter and gently shaking it side to side. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

xx Enjoy with a cup of coffee or a warm chai latte.