heather & olive

This weekend was glooooorious--my sister and two of my very dearest friends came over Friday night, and we had a great time catching up. Saturday I went to my cousin's baby shower and was able to see a bunch of family, and Sunday I did my taxes and enjoyed the gorgeous weather. It seems like spring is finally here--I even went for a run.

Post-run, I deserved a cocktail and the warmer temps called for a refreshing drink. I decided to make a French 75...with a twist.





A French 75 traditionally consists of gin, champagne, lemon juice and simple syrup. I used Hendrick's and subbed St. Germain for the simple syrup and the results were amazing--definitely my new favorite summer cocktail.

When I made the decision to purchase my first home, I was simultaneously making the decision to live in the middle of nowhere. Although I grew up in central Massachusetts, there are undoubtedly times in my adult life when I miss walking out the door and having a plethora of amazing restaurants and nightlife to choose from--but with a long-term view, I ultimately want to settle down and raise a family in the sticks.

This leads to my current struggle of having fun places to go while living in an area where there is not a lot going on.

Which brings me to road trips.

Last night, MET and I ventured to the Waterhouse in Peterborough, NH. I had eaten there last fall for brunch after my sister Mer ran her first marathon, but I'd never been for dinner. And it was DELISH:

Clockwise from Top Left: Menu, French 75, Tuna, Fried Mushrooms, Quail.

It was such a fun dinner, and I'm looking forward to going back when the weather is better and being able to sit outside on their patio--well worth the trek.

We stopped for a nightcap at Harlow's Pub which was another fun spot:

This weekend, I...


...painted my downstairs hallway Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter. It took FOREVER, and I still need to make my way upstairs, but I'm really loving the color.

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...started reading A Little Life. I'm not that far into it, but I've heard such good things.

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...ran a 5K with my mom, sister and MET. It was for a good local cause, but it was brutal. I hadn't run since (maybe?) November 2014 and the event served as a gentle reminder that I am completely out of shape. I'm hoping my debilitating soreness is a motivator to get back into the running game.


...reintroduced Olive and my niece Piper at my parents' Easter Brunch. Olive was a little uncertain, but I think they'll be BFFs eventually.

Coming back from vacation was the worst--I had great plans to do a complete recap of the Bahamas trip last week but readjusting to usual life took its toll. (Recap is coming this week). Luckily, I had a super low-key weekend on tap to get back in the swing.

MET went away, and I was left to my own devices:


Friday consisted of Panera's Autumn Squash soup (my fave, and I love that it's available at Target/your local grocery store) and catching up on HBO. I have a total love/hate relationship with Lena Dunham/Hannah Horvath/Girls, but I absolutely loved how this season ended. I have high hopes for season 5.

Saturday I did the typical suburban errands with my mom, and scooped up these at Target. They're currently situated on my mantle and they're fabulous.

My dad came over to help with some lighting fixture replacements in the kitchen, and I'm beyond pumped with the results:

Befores on the left, afters on the right.

Saturday night I decided to lay low and catch up on season two of House of Cards.

Clearly this weekend consisted of coffee table snacks and Olive attempting to eat them.

And Sunday my mom came over for bellinis, rom-coms and leftover cheeses and MET whipped up a delish dinner. I was a happy camper.

Here's to a productive Monday.

Oh man, this week was a doozy to say the least. The light at the end of the tunnel is that I'm off to the Bahamas with MET and his family for a glorious week of sun, sand, trashy books, cocktails and sleep. This trip could not have come at a better time, and I'm hoping I'll return to a snow-free front yard (sunkissed and refreshed, obviously).

Follow along on instagram (@heatherandolive), and happy weekend!