February 14th?

i think this may be the first year of my entire life that i actually care about February 14th. even when being with my boy for a while i always found (and still do) the holiday (valentine's day, that is) very commercial and full of "fake" romances and where people found an excuse "not to be lonely" but maybe knowing i'll finally be with my boy on the actual day makes me excited. not to mention all the amazing pinterest boards of valentine's decorations, baking recipes, the color red which i have a new obsession with..it just all makes me more excited for valentine's day than i've ever been. 

ironically (of course), ammu is just not having it this year. he's always been so excited, trying to get me excited for it, and with tons of special plans but maybe with the heat of a new place that's much harder to get around than nyc and with me crawling asking him about any surprises it's a little different for him this year, as well. we did make plans to go for a super Japanese dinner (WOOOO!..super excited) and i'm just happy to have my boy, every day which is what i've always longed for. cheesy but true...we really don't need a day for showing how we feel about one another. 

i love...

baked asparagus with parmesan

when ammu practices all this "doctor" things on me

maybe valentine's day this year?...just maybe.

breakfast for dinner

getting care packages & letters from friends and family
plum-colored nails

matilda...err who i still have to introduce you to. (my car)

cooking for my boy after he's had a long day

babies.

and puppies....hope to get one soon!

but babies + puppies is amazing.

our weekend

our weekend unfolded into so much fun. friday we had to brave the blizzard that was coming. we spent the evening just being together relaxing in pjs (don't we all need nights like that) and had the best (and i mean one of the top 3) cuddle sessions...ever. the next day after some studying and schoolwork, we had a fun mall date..destiny usa, nonetheless (my boy even dressed for our "date night"...looks like i wasn't the only one needing it) and spent a little too much money :/ but it's safe to say we've both added a few items to our wardrobe that we now love. we went to a syracuse basketball game and cheered and cheered and also got these funky tail things!!! and finally on sunday night we told the weekend "see ya" to studying and watching the grammy's of course my favorite performance was wiz. (duh.)

a few of my favorite things around here...

so when i got my mason jars from the thrift store i struggled with thinking about what to put in them. i found these tulips over the weekend and knew i just had to put them in there! nothing like bright flowers to brighten up the apartment with the cold, dreary, snowy weather outside. 

 so anyone who knows me knows i change my iphone case just about every week or two. (yeah..a little excessive, i know) but i do get the cheapest ones on amazon/ebay so maybe that justifies it a bit? anyway i found this orange polka dot case and it's probably lasted the longest than most of my others and i love my phone and ipad more than i probably should but eh whattheheck.

the other mason jar!! hershey kisses. valentines edition. duh. what's more perfect than a candy jar?? exactly. 

ammu and i have been eating grapes by the bunch. no complaints..i really have to be healthier. these aren't the prettiest ones we've bought lately but obviously a favorite thing around here. 

my boy got me this pillow as a house warming present. love him. he says it's my motto..which is probably true: "if it's worth doing...it's worth overdoing." and also a dog on it! we're dying for a little friend (i hope we get mr. fitz soon) anyway this is the perfect addition to our little couch and living room and i can assure you it's being used well :)

my boy's amazing dinners he makes for us. i'm still loving and getting used to being together just about every day and i really love his cooking..really adorable how much he loves it. we're so blessed to finally have each other. 

Happy February, friends!

wishing you a very joyous and fun february! i'm in the midst of being very annoyed with the weather and absolutely want the warmth to come back soon. the snow and cold is just way to much for me, especially up here in Syracuse. it's unlike anything i've ever experienced...even in Binghamton.

but...on a brighter note i think this is the first time in my 21 years that i'm actually excited for/liking valentine's day. though i still believe it's definitely 100% commercial and that you should show your loved ones how much you love them every day but i can deal with one day of over-the-top mushyness with roses, chocolate, and stuffed bears.

what i think we'd all really like to be doing right now.

funk 'n waffles

so ammu and i made a great discovery last weekend. we have been meaning to go to funk 'n waffles since he moved to syracuse last semester but after a fun night out, the morning after we were dying for some great thick waffles and anything else that went well with it :)

ammu got the mackinac and i got a waffle with cheddar and two eggs. the waffles are so fluffy and their syrup is amazing, with it...though you really don't even need it. they're so so good. they have all types of sweet AND savory waffles and i hope to go back soon to try something else. maybe something with ice cream and nutella?? i mean but really, how could you go wrong.

the vibe in there is also really awesome. check out this pic i creeped. i know, i know this goes beyond creeping but i just had to. i love the shirts they wear and the records everywhere. i didn't get to take a good pic of the art in there but it's also awesome. once again...i need to bring my dSLR back to take some good pics. regardless, it's really cozy and the food is amazing i give this another A+ rating and plan to make it another "spot," here in syracuse.

we have rekindled our love for one another...

honeynut cherrios. oh how i love you. you're more amazing than i ever remember.

the essentials of these past few days

the temperatures have been between 0 and 5 degrees these past 3 or 4 days (feeling less than 0) therefore thermals (from uniqlo), thick sweaters (from jcrew), and a little bit of trendy color to make the world go round, obviously..or at least this ice age weather not seem so ice-age-like (from h&m)

the amazing smell of dunkin donuts hazelnut coffee. it is just amazing and makes everything that much warmer.

the amazing taste of the coffee with french vanilla coffee creamer in the morning (the perfect start) and of course in my human touch (see post about it here) mug from my boy!

my amazing ugg snow boots. these have saved my feet and are now the everyday part of my ensembles. i can't complain. i owe and appreciate them :-*

thrift store finds!

!!!!!! i made one of the most amazing discoveries today. thrift shopping. (and no, i do not mean that awkward macklemore song :D) i was walking around doing some errands (although it was below 0 degrees out today eeeegghh) and found these adorable mason jars for just 99 cents!! how could i not get them?! have bene dying for mason jars (most likely to decorate with) and this was the perfect place to find them. i went to 3fifteen at the Marshall Square Mall on University Ave. they had SO many neat things to decorate with, vintage clothing, vases, baskets, shoes, mirrors, jewelry, and even amazing furniture. (i felt like all of my desired creations from pinterest could happen from the store and very uniquely yet cheaply) what i think i love most about 3fifteen though, is that their profits all go to the Rescue Mission, who feed, shelter, and clothe those in need. absolutely amazing. 

i definitely think i will return soon and let you guys know what else i get!! makes me feel great that i can enjoy these items but also give back :) hope you can all find something that makes you feel this way.

23 Reasons Sasha And Malia Stole The Inauguration

i found this on buzzfeed this morning (click on photo to access) and absolutely had to share. it's hilarious but makes me love them even more! and not to mention reminds me of me and my sisters. when watching the inauguration on monday and seeing these happen brightened up my LIFE for sure ;) enjoy!

Mr. Fitz

so ammu and i have decided we definitely want an english bulldog...yes i convinced him!! with the cute little pout, rolls, sweet eyes, and eeeeverything. we already picked a name! Fitzgerald (lol)...Mr. Fitz for short :) we found this perfect bowtie dog collar and he must have it!

me wanty!!!

eeeee stumbled upon this while procrastinatingly (....really need to finish my math hw) running through pinterest. The Lomography Diana F+ Camera is more than to die for and perfect effects of "diana" are what i've wanted to experiment not to mention how cute and vintage the look is of the camera! and film! although i lovelovelove my dslr i can't help but want to mess around with film. definitely not in my "poor college student" budget right now but a girl can dream! ;)

dinner routines

something i'm loving about my boy and i being together is how we take turns making dinner and have already created a routine! it's something i've waited for, for a long time now and i'm so excited to finally have nightly dinners with my boy. especially since the way to his heart is certainly through his tummy ;) i'm also enjoying cooking a lot more and am impressed with myself with all of my creations. maybe i'll blog some time about them.

ammu is currently making turkey chili (smells amaaazing) for us tonight and i can't wait to EAT! hope you're having a great dinner tonight with the people you love!

love,

Nanda Bear

*a photo i took last March of a window in NYC! 

Smile

i love macaroons!! SO much. i stumbled upon this link the other day on Craft Passion and had to share. especially for all of you who like to sew and create little nicknacks. click on the photo to see how to make the adorable little macaroon coin purses!

make someone smile

this post is a bit overdue..i know but anyway my weekend challenge from last weekend spilled over into my last week a bit but it was still amazing. being a guyanese girl, i never really meet many other guyanese people. one of my first graduate school classes, i walked in and saw a tall, brown guy. a brown guy! AND HE WAS GUYANESE! we immediately connected and once telling him of my ancestry and past he was smiling and excited to continue and build this relationship.

i'm certain that what i learn from him will be more than from the class itself and i look forward to building the relationship that i could with a guyanese scholar, which is something i would like to be identified with by the end of my degree(s)...a female first-generation Guyanese-American scholar. :)

a few of my favorite things around here...

so as i'm still settling in there has been this new feature that's come about... "my favorite things around here" it's only the second one but i sort of like it as an update and to share some cool photos, especially as my life here is unfolding. i'm still getting used to my new apartment and all of the decorating and making it "mine" is almost done! yay! but here are a few things (mostly all from my bedroom) that i'm loving! hope you enjoy :)

please meet Puffer, my puffin. this was one of the first little presents ammu gave me when we first started dating and he sent it to me on a monthaversary during the first few months of us dating :) puffins are my favorite animal! ever since, Puffer has come with me every where and has a little personality of his own. i love him and i'm sure he has plenty to say, himself ;)

i'm loving the amount of candles, tea lights, and little tchotchkes that are all over the apartment. just little things to lighten up the rooms and the little box on the right, ammu's mom gave it to me :) so a very special little addition to the apartment :) 

my Essie "go overboard" nails! it's been a while since i did my nails and although a spring color i think this is the perfect color for the cold, dreary, winter but also adds some color!

but i think my favorite thing of all are these feet right here; my boy's. being able to now see him just about every day has been amazing and something i've waited for for three and a half years, now. the little quiet moments of studying together, making dinner, and lunch dates between classes has been amazing and i don't know when this will all sink in but i'm so blessed and happy to finally have this with you, ammu <3 you're my best friend and my everything.

these two little feet

i spy two little toddler feet. these two little feet would not nap. repeated "no ni-ni (night-night)" even when i pretend slept next to him he poked and played with my arms and hair! it was actually very hilarious but became very annoying. eventually these little feet fell asleep and at first bottom in the air (adorable!)

i would definitely say that my first day at Syracuse University was a success. grad school is so different than undergrad but also really exciting as everyone else in your program has the same goal and is passionate about the same things and i really enjoy that. i'm sure once it has all sunk in i will have more to elaborate on and share!

little letters

dear apartment,

thank you for letting me in! i promise to be very good to you and finish adorning you soon :)

dear syracuse university,

i'm excited to start tomorrow but also very nervous...please don't be too hard on me!

dear body,

i know i have to get in shape again...working on it!!!

dear snow,

now that all of what's left of you is pretty much gone and i have yet to see a beautiful, white snow storm i'd love if you could bring one soon for me to play in :) please?

dear car (name to soon be announced),

i love you and thank you so very much.

all my love,

nanda bear

weekend challenge: doing something for myself

and now #3! all weekend i've been decorating and prepping my apartment and it's finally all unpacked and the decorating is gradually coming together. this is something that's definitely doing something for myself. i'm loving my apartment more and more and am excited to have the next chapter of my life here. :)

thought this was the perfect place for this piece and very appropriate for this time (please excuse the unmade bed, rarely like this...i swear!)

so my mantle is now another step closer to being done. i thought the black, white, and red theme was perfect (inspired by my piece from China) and it looks great so far. found the awesome red frame from Target for $1! that place is incredible! definitely going back for some other home decor stuff! (also need to print some new pics- one for the red frame!)

Laci's!

so going on with the weekend challenge... #1 is now complete! "try something new" the word "new" has been used over and over again this past week with my new apartment, city, and so on but last night ammu and i went to Laci's Tapas Bar.

it. was. amazing. and that is an understatement! the service was incredible...we even made jokes of wanting get to know the staff there better and we easily concluded that we'd like it to be our new "spot" here, in Syracuse. the tapas were also perfectly sized, were delectable, and were some of the best things i have ever tasted. boy and i shared the lobster ravioli, lamb chops with apple-mint chutney, and the garlic chicken flatbread. the items on the menu were so unique and perfect for anyone wanting to try any type of new food. i would 100% recommend Laci's and it was so funny that we literally stumbled upon them when looking up "food" on our iPhone map, so we also surprised ourselves.

the space was so, so cozy and great and i regret not bringing my camera to take and show you some pics!! but i promise we'll return soon, and when we do there'll be a photo-overload ;)

 *all photos from Laci's Tapas Bar website.