Fun facts with Maddie: I have a bad habit of breaking and losing necklaces. For some reason, every necklace I purchase either snags on something and breaks, or gets lost within weeks of buying it. This one in particular is among my prized possessions, because Collyflower spontaneously bought it for me at a farmer's market in Fullerton last year! Sentiment aside, the true magic of it is its astounding resiliency. I've almost lost it countless times, I've broken it and quickly whipped out some pliers to fix it on multiple occasions, and yet, here it is. Still lookin' cute as ever.

Here's to the unlosable, unbreakable necklace. 

Let's hope I didn't just jinx it.

     

Here's the thing... I have something a little embarrassing to admit. While I can totally go for a nice occasional salad or sandwich, the true lover of my heart is some high quality manfood. My favorite foods are pretty consistently stereotypical testosterone-fueled cuisines. Gimme a nice artisan burger, gourmet sausage, or street taco and I am one happy girl. 

Embarrassment aside, now you'll understand why I was thrilled to hear about a new restaurant in Orange called Linx. Linx is a dimly lit, brick-filled restaurant which boasts gourmet sausages with an extensive array of topping and bun choices (also a large selection of good beer, but I don't get to experience that part until my 21st birthday in November). After long deliberation, I eventually chose a chicken & feta sausage with caramelized onions and lemon garlic aioli. The kicker, though, was the pretzel roll. Put anything on a pretzel roll and I'm in. C wasn't as into his as I was into mine, but I think it's only due to his bias towards Wurstküche (another gourmet sausage joint in Los Angeles).

(Ah. I love that face.)

 We didn't leave Orange without some classic Collin & Maddie explore-time. As usual, it didn't disappoint. I am so incredibly grateful for this season of dating we're in. Don't get me wrong, I have my moments of impatience. I'm quick to resent dating or to wish that time would speed up, shortening the days until we're married. Though I'm prone to ungratefulness, God has been so faithful to consistently remind me to be more present, and to enjoy each moment he lays before me. If I spend all of our time dating looking forward to marriage, I'll miss the joy God has for us in dating. I absolutely love being pursued by Collin in a dating relationship, and so treasure this time we have been given to laugh, to learn, to explore, and to love, preparing for a lifetime together.

Here's to more gourmet sausages and evening explorations.

Here's something you should know about me when it comes to fashion: I rarely buy anything that isn't a jaw-dropping-stop-the-presses steal of a purchase. One, because of the sense of buyer's satisfaction when I find cute things that no one else has. You wouldn't think twice about it, but not many are actually willing to sift through all the junk on a clearance rack or at a thrift store. That being said, the main motivation for my thriftiness boils down to the fact that I have to be. I'm living on my own for the first time in my life, therefore, I'm both incredibly happy and incredibly broke. I'm living for free in a studio apartment in Laguna Beach (PTL, I'm sure I'll blog about what a blessing that has been later), sleeping on a futon with one of my best friends, nannying, and soaking in every moment of God's providential blessing on me. Bargain shopping is for me both a necessity and a joy. I am one of the least athletic people you'll meet, but if deal hunting was a sport, you would be looking at a bona fide Olympian. Somebody get me some sponsors.

Look, Ma! I'm a poor college student! Aren't you proud of me?!