Update on the 101 in 1001 List

Recently I posted here about the 101 things I'd like to accomplish in 1001 days.  Happily I can report back that I've already knocked a few of them off my list!


25. Find a new hobby - A couple weeks ago I played racquetball for the first time, and I think I'm hooked! It's great exercise and such an effective stress reliever to whack that little ball as hard as possible.

35. Speak in public without feeling nervous - I had a class presentation on May 6th and, okay, so there were only twelve people in the class, the important thing was that I was almost totally comfortable standing up in front of everyone.

68. Purchase something Kate Spade - Last week Kate Spade had a humongous sale on their website, with up to 75% of some items. I couldn't pass up this opportunity, and I'd been needing a new wallet (my trusty leather Fossil one was showing its age), so I ordered the Cobble Hill Stacy! Here's a picture, innit a beaut?

They're small things, yes, but I'm still proud of my three accomplishments! I've also made progress on a few of the amount-based ones- I donated $5 to the Children's Miracle Network when I was at the store, I used my typewriter to write one kind letter, and I've already seen 22 out of the 50 classic Matchbook girl movies! I kind of cheated on that one because I'd already seen them before making the list... but we can overlook that;)

xo
Courtney

P.S.- It looks like it'll just be you and me for a while since Katie's off to Italy to study abroad for a month! Let's just hope she doesn't fall in love with a hunky Italian vespa-riding pop star who turns out to be a lip-synching jerk. If you didn't get that then please stop reading this and go watch the Lizzie McGuire Movie, stat. K bye!

It's Finals Week...

If we don't post as much in the next few days, just know that this is why:)


xoxo,
Courtney and Katie

Instagram Roundup II

Happy Friday!  Here are a few snaps I've managed to take with Instagram over the past week.

McDonald's iced coffee with half sugar-free vanilla and half caramel syrup= bliss

Providing moral support {and photographic evidence} of my good friend Marissa's nose-piercing adventure

Jamming out to my middle school soundtrack in the car

Little notes are much more fun to make on a typewriter

A treat for finishing endurance cycling class! Note to self: Fiji sadly does not have any magical taste like I was expecting it to.

Rose gold + light blue gingham

And lastly, wise words from my dear friend Megan

Hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!  Any fun plans?  Tonight I'm going to a banquet/party (more on that next week!), then the rest of my weekend will consist of working, studying like a mad woman, showin' mumsy some love, and squeezing in a trip to the theaters to see Gatsby somewhere in all that craziness.

xo,
Courtney

Florida Flashbacks

Ahh, Naples.

Lazy poolside breakfasts with the newspaper crossword.

Morning walks amongst friendly retired exercisers.

Driving with the windows down on Tamiami, country music blaring.

Outdoor Jimmy Buffett tribute concerts.

Fruity drinks every. single. day.

Window shopping at the Lilly Pulitzer boutique.

Soaking up the sun in Tommy Bahama beach chairs.

Unashamedly acting more like our grandparents' age than our own.

Long, long walks along the shoreline, sharing thoughts on life and excitement about the future.

Sneaking into the Ritz Carlton, pretending to be guests...

...and helping ourselves to the most refreshing lemon-lime water we'll ever drink.

The not unpleasant surprise at seeing guys around our age.

The huge aromatic flowers and palm trees as far as the eye could see.

The coconut scent of Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen/tanning oil (guess who used which).

The amazing feeling of showering and dressing up for the evening after a long day in the sun.

Sunkissed skin, freckled arms, rejuvenated spirits.

The best, sunniest week of 2013 thus far.  My grandparents graciously hosted Katie and me over our winter break, and pretty much ever since our flight touched down in St. Louis we've been wanting to go back.  

For now we'll have to reminisce with pictures.

Sigh:)

xo

Courtney

Viva la Vida

We all seem to find those places to go that are our home away from home. For the Gilmore Girls, it was Luke’s. For Friends, it was Central Perk. For Courtney and myself, it’s Vida.

The decor is bright and cheerful, with a colorful chalkboard lining a wall

Starting the day off with a hot (now iced, thank you spring) coffee, reading blogs, catching up on emails, is how I find balance in my day. I don’t remember when we found it or realized how important it was to us, but Vida has been our meeting spot/studying spot all semester. We have shared good news, bad news, stressed over tests, fawned over online shopping, and much more here.

As far as coffee goes, we have used our usual thriftiness in creating delectable coffee. Starting with the base coffee, each visit involves sampling a new flavor added to our coffee. Adding a splash of almond milk completes the coffee with that perfect touch of nuttiness. 

Who knows the places we will find in the future that bring a sense of home, but for now to Vida we will go and in turn work on living “la Buena vida”.

What are your favorite spots? What is your favorite coffee drink?

Top photo taken by Katie; others accumulated by Courtney and her Instagram-happy tendencies over the weeks.

Valentine's Day

Don’t have a mate? Don’t worry, It’s time to celebrate!

Holidays. They start earlier each month with the aisles of the grocery store filling up months in advance, but what are they really all about? Ever since I was a little girl, my mom would celebrate each holiday without overlooking any details. We wore our matching socks, our outfits coordinated with the colors of the holiday, accessories were worn, and sometimes our food was even different colors.

From a young age, I began to appreciate these little celebrations amongst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. As another holiday, the one associated with love, approaches there is much debate about this somewhat Hallmark holiday. I understand people should not need a day to celebrate someone they love, but to me, who said it has to be about one person? Valentine’s Day reminds me of all the love that I have in my life. Whether it is the reminder of the best friend, a phone call away, or the dark chocolate M&M’s that always satisfy the chocolate craving, or the new shoes I just bought, all of these add love to my life.

Whatever love is in your life, take this day to embrace it. The holiday doesn’t amount to who you are spending it with, but rather take it as a love day for yourself. Maybe write down some things that you love the most (remembering to add yourself to the list) and see how these things, people, or places enhance your life. Send your best girlfriends those funny or homemade cards you used to get. Embrace the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine and with the perfect pairing, chocolate. No matter what the celebration may be, I have vowed to thoroughly embrace each holiday to the best that I can. 

So if you see me on February 14th, I will be following the advice of a holiday extraordinaire, Lilly Pulitzer, who once said, “Wear pink and make the boys wink!” And that I will do Lilly! 

What do you all think of Valentine’s day? What ranks highest on your loveable list?

Xoxo,
Katie


image via dustjacketattic.blogspot.com.au

Making Acquaintances

Hello!  We are the Hunter-Gatherers, aka Katie and Courtney.

For some reason we have our specific sides when it comes to picture-posing.



You might be wondering, "Why the strange title for a blog like this?  Why not something girly and fun like 'Make-up and Macaroons' or 'Lattes and Lanvin'?"

It all originated one rainy Sunday morning at the downtown Columbia Panera (this morning, actually).  I was so psyched that it was raining because my purple Hunter boots had just arrived in the mail and I needed that cost-per-wear assurance.  For a college student, they don't run cheap!  Katie was wearing her dark green Hunters as well.  We'd been entertaining the idea of starting a blog for a while, and suddenly these boots proved to be the perfect inspiration.  We would be the Hunter-Gatherers.

The name not only showcases our love for the brand, but also the fact that we are huge foodies. Healthy snacks or sinful desserts, we don't discriminate.  And lastly, we love the thrill of the hunt when it comes to finding new closet gems or the perfect soundtrack to a certain situation.  With this blog, we hope to encompass all of these things as well as our thoughts on more serious issues, and life in this weird transitional stage called college.

So enough about that.  We conjured up a little questionnaire so you, our lovely readers, can hopefully get to know us a little better if you don't already!

xoxo,
C&K



Courtney

I take my coffee with... Stevia and a generous splash of some dessert-y creamer.

I'd love to visit... Paris! Or anywhere in France, really.

My most prized possession is... My handy dandy MacBook.

My signature scent is... Burberry "The Beat".

My go-to recipe is... Anything that can be made in a CrockPot.

My girl crush is.... Karlie Kloss. She's like not even human and I'm slightly jealous.

My guy crush is... Bradley Cooper. This was reaffirmed in Silver Linings Playbook. If you haven't seen it, go! Now!

I'd love a bouquet of... Peonies, please:)

I'm saving my pennies for... Decorating my future place!

I'm currently listening to... Electric Light Orchestra...so much ELO.

Katie
I take my coffee with... a splash of half and half and a dash of cinnamon, oh and a good friend!
I'd love to visit... Ireland, the Hamptons, all 50 states; I'd really travel anywhere!
My most prized possession is... my high school ring.
My signature scent is... Viva la Juicy.
My go-to recipe is... salmon finished off with anything sweet!
My girl crush is.... Kate Middleton
My guy crush is... Prince William and Harry.
I'd love a bouquet of... daisies!
I'm saving my pennies for...Italy this summer.
I'm currently listening to... the Avett brothers and as always, Sara Bareilles.