Well this is a dream come true...

It was the best weekend.

If you've spent any time with me IRL, you know I love the team at A Beautiful Mess. I've been an active reader since Feb. 2014 when my blogging (& real life) bestie sent me Emma's post On Changing Dreams. They are the craftiest, loveliest, happiest, most colorful group of  gals (& guys!) I follow.

It was the best weekend because ABM.... TOURED MY STUDIO. I know!!  So if you missed it, not to worry!  Head on over & take a read. Don't worry about me -- I'm still hyperventilating on my tiled kitchen floor :D

Now: if you've just recently found your way to Ida Street, welcome! I am so glad you're here. I hope you make a habit of stopping by because I'd love to spend some time together. Please, peruse around! Drop me a note if you'd like :D

xox

Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites

How many of you freeze your bananas? Throw your hands in the air, if you'se a true playa. (That song has been stuck in my head all week & I really wanted to work it into this blog post for you -- playa banana freezin fools.) Seriously though, when you notice your bananas are near the end of their life, I seriously suggest you peel, cut & freeze them. It comes in really handy. 

Banana bread.
Banana "ice cream".
Smoothies.
or...

Dark chocolate frozen banana bites. I know.

It's easy. You will need:

• Bananas
• Candy making/dipping chocolate wafers (in the baking section)

So, melt your chocolate according to the directions on the back of the bag. I did it in the microwave, stirring at every 15 second interval. Then take out your frozen banana pieces. & dip! Return to freezer until you are ready to eat.

So mine didn't turn out so pretty, but they did taste good! Stored properly (in an air tight container), I think your banana bites could last in the freezer several months. If you don't eat them by then. 

How else do you guys use your frozen bananas? Now I'm curious.

Photos: Taken with Nikon D3200/ Edited with VSCO filters for Lightroom

Crushing on lately...

Whew! It's been a crazy few weeks. I've missed you so!! 

June started a big slew of travel for me.  San Jose, Buffalo, Indianapolis & back to home to close out my events. It's been a lot! During that crazy 12 day span I turned 25,  worked between 10 & 20 hours a day & hardly was able to check in on Ida Street. 

But now I'm hoooome!  & it's a little cold! & I love it. 
So let's chat. Here's what I've been crushing on lately. What about you?

• This website. 
• This song. 
• This haircut. 
• These shoes.

• This video.
• This blog.
• This drink.
• This sale. 

• This book.
• This instagram feed.
• This movie.
• This.

Photo by Mintwood Photo Co.

Cold pressed iced coffee [video]

Coffee. I want it. I love it. I need it. But in this summer swelter, sometimes I can't handle the hot stuff. So lately I've had it in my head to brew my own cold concentrate. I thought it would be more economical than buying iced coffee every morning at one of my fave coffee shops. & I think it will be more economical.. when I get it all figured out.

So I took a shot. I don't have it perfect yet, but I do have it documented. & I made a video!! Wanna see?

A few notes:

1. Your coffee beans should be ground on coarse (as pictured above). 
2. I did a 1:2 ratio of coffee grounds:water for the concentrate 
3. & a 1:3 ratio of concentrate:water. 

Confession: It wasn't quite enough. I need it stronger & I need more of it. So let me figure out the right ratios & get back to you ;D

Video: Shot with Nikon D 3200/Edited in iMovie
Music: Highway 101 by The Losers
Photos: Nikon D 3200/Edited in Lightroom with VSCOcam

Today, I'm 25.

Today is my twenty fifth birthday. Can you believe that? A quarter of a century. As a kid I never pictured myself at this age. I saw my childhood (obviously) & I saw myself as like a 40-year-old. Nothing in between. 

Yet, here I am. & here are you. & today I'm 25. 

Your twenties are hard. You'll go through a lot of ups and downs. I hardly have anything figured out about myself, my life, or my future. But, I have learned a few lessons over the years & I wrote them down. Take a read if you're bored at work ;D 

Sending you tons of love on my drive home from Buffalo. Thanks for being a part of my past 4 years. 
PS. If you're up for a trip down memory lane… I've linked my birthday posts from 2014, 2013 (n/a), 2012ish, 2011 & 2011 (Two post day, aww. I was so excited about being 21).

xox 

• Love yourself. You are your only permanent companion.  Accept your quirks. Celebrate your strengths. Don't be so hard on your weaknesses. Play up your good stuff & accept the other qualities. You aren't perfect. & that's okay. Perfection is boring, anyway.
• Confidence is the most attractive quality. 
• French press.
• Stay modest. Remember where you came from. Try to put others before yourself. What you put out into the world is what will come back to you.
• Train your mind to see one small happiness every day. Write it down at night. It will affect your entire life.
• The best book you will ever read is Tiny Beautiful Things. Send it to all of your friends. Read it once a year.
• Learn how to cook. It is cheaper than eating out  & it is lovely fun. 
• Accept help. So many people want to see you succeed. Help others, whenever you can.
• Drink two Nalgenes of water every day. It clears your skin & will help you feel good on the inside.
• Treat yourself.
• Eat dinner with your family as much as possible. 
• Wear whatever you want. You can pull off any fashion trend if you do it with enough confidence.
• Always be honest. In all your relationships. With others & yourself. At work, at home, with friends, with loved ones. Always.
• The bad days will help you appreciate the good ones. The long days at work will help you appreciate the easy days lounging in the sun. 
• Celebrate. 

---

Photo by Lydia Phillips at Mintwood Photo Co.