august blogger book club linkup

hey y'all! my friend molly of hey there sunshine started an awesome linkup called the blogger book club, where we can link up & share what we're currently reading, our last read or what's our our "to read" list. since i graduated (which was a year ago y'all, i really don't have any excuses anymore) i've tried to teach myself to read for pleasure again, and i think i've finally accomplished that.

in the past month, i've been reading some great girl power reads! in july, i read sheryl sandberg's lean in and i am so, so happy i did. her insight is fantastic, and i already feel as if i need to read it again. currently, i'm reading tina fey's bossypants, which is hilariously candid and inspiring. i'm thinking for my next read i'll go in a totally different direction - maybe some fiction?

to join in on the blogger book club monthly linkup...

An InLinkz Link-up

moving time!

i ventured down to perdido key, florida this past weekend with some dear friends for a relaxing time at the beach. i got burnt (pale girl problems), enjoyed my bushwacker at flora-bama, and relished the beach i miss so, so much. and now, i'm settling into some time in birmingham after a crazy summer of working long hours and traveling across the country.

and to top it all off: i'm moving this week! i've lived in a beautiful, historic home in highland park for a year, and i am so grateful for that opportunity. that little house holds so many dear memories for me, and i'm sad to leave it - even if it is 3 flights of stairs to the front door (which makes moving a blast, lemme tell ya)!

i'm not going far. i'm staying in highland park, actually, and moving into a 2 bedroom apartment. less space to clean, cozy rooms, woohoo! it's going to be a long weekend of hauling furniture down the hill, but i'm ecstatic. i'll be back to regular blogging as soon as i'm settled in! i can't wait for a fresh start.

perfect & simple brownies

these are so, so easy and foolproof, but i couldn't not share them. this was my first time using this recipe and i'm not sure why it took me so long! i found it via pinterest.

if you like fudgey brownies with just the right layer of crisp, you will never need another recipe in your entire life. yes, i mean that. i italicized it, after all (salinger & i would get along).

you will need...

• 1 + 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4cup flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip 

in the original recipe, the quality of the chocolate is stressed, and this is so important! because the recipe is so simple, the chocolate itself really shines through. i used ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa powder and ghirardelli chocolate chips -- so be sure to splurge for some nice chocolate, no hershey's!

preheat your oven to 325 degrees. no need for a mixer -- toss everything into a bowl and stir until just combined. be sure not to mix it too much. add in your chocolate chips, grease your pan 8x12 pan and voila! i baked mine for exactly 30 minutes and then let them cool.

i'm never making brownies from a box again. these literally come together in minutes and are absolutely the best i've ever had! enjoy!

recipe via cook like your grandmother.