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21 dates of summer

21 Dates of Summer- Date 3: Book Hunting + Trader Joe’s

June 20, 2012

21 dates of summer

Posted 09/12

Before we were dating in college, a small group of us friends would plan study time at Barnes and Noble. It would always involve a lot of laughter and ruckus. I dared Gabe once to take a few books and pretend to trip and fall in front of the middle clerk desk. I cried laughing because he pulled it off quite successfully, and the clerk’s reaction was priceless. Gabe earned major points that day.
We still love to visit used book stores and Barnes and Noble – we both have an appreciation for a good hard copy book, and consider it treasure hunting…

(We had to check the table of contents in Sherlock Holmes collection to make sure it had all the greats before we decided to take it home..)
(indulging in my favorite find;))
(Dark chocolate covered cranberries – approved)
Trader Joe’s is 30 minutes a way so if we pass it, we simply have to go inside and find loot. 
We ended the night with Trader Joe’s potstickers (amazing) and a movie.
The next date is for my birthday this weekend, so he has a surprise up his sleeve.
Dying of curiosity.
Happy mid-week to you all!

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  1. Tang says:

    Cute date. I love a good ol’ book. I still can’t get into the e-reader thing!

  2. I love this idea!
    I’m hoping to try something like this with Ty next summer.
    🙂

  3. Sarah says:

    Oh my gosh have you tried their chocolate covered bing cherries and speculooos candy bars. I DIE!!!!

  4. Clare says:

    So fun! I could definitely spend hours browsing and treasure hunting in bookstores. And Trader Joe’s… the best. Those potstickers are awesome! The Thai Gyozas (the Thai version of potstickers) from TJ’s are really good, too! And I love all the chocolate covered everythings they carry 🙂

  5. Lindsay says:

    Trader Joes is a must in this house. LOVE LOVE!

  6. Gloria says:

    I love their potstickers – so tasty!

  7. Shea says:

    I love that the date nights you’re coming up with are fun, but not expensive. I was just telling my husband we need more date nights, but he thought I meant lots of fancy dinners. I need to show him this series on your blog 🙂 If it’s free, he’ll definitely be in!

  8. deloom.com says:

    I’ll have to try the potstickers! …I had a horrible addiction to their orange chicken during the fall (I was eating it at least once a week). I successfully kicked the habit and try to stay away from the frozen section lol

  9. Daisy says:

    What a cute date! I love bookstores. I can’t wait to see the next one.

  10. thais says:

    precious pictures and sweet dates 😉
    we also love chasing for good reads together, at half price bookstore.
    how exciting for the coming summer birthday surprise !!

  11. Jenna says:

    I love this date! Simple, cheap, fun. Bookstores are some of my favorite places 🙂 Can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeve for your bday!

    xxx
    Jenna

  12. You two are so cute!! Love this date night – it all sounds perfect! I could spend endless hours in book stores too. Just something about them that I can’t get enough of. We are finally getting Trader Joe’s here in Houston, and I can’t wait to check it out after I’ve heard so many amazing things!

  13. Mags says:

    Every day at Trader Joe’s is a good day. And y’all look so studious at the bookstore! Heh. Great idea.

  14. Sara Flynn says:

    Trader joes is a must. Glad you had fun at Barns N Noble! I could spend hours in that store

    Sara
    http://seventwentysomethings.blogspot.com/

  15. you are way too cute!!! i am in love with this adorable little date 🙂 and, yes! gotta love tj’s!!! those potstickers are scrumptious 😉 XO brynn

  16. i still love this idea! you’re only on 3 so if i hurry i can catch up haha! i hope you have a blessed birthday and a fun date!!

  17. love this idea! also… i’ve never been to trader joe’s but one is opening up in my neighborhood this fall! can’t wait to see what it’s all about. xoxo! kellychristine

  18. You know, sometimes it’s the mundane, everyday errands that you can turn into fun dates – like book shopping and getting groceries. Love this! And it makes me miss Trader Joe’s quite a bit. Thanks for sharing!

  19. JenB says:

    TJ’s has amazing dark peanut butter cups 🙂 What sauce do you put on the potstickers?

  20. Krystal says:

    this summer dates idea is really cute…and i love seeing pics 🙂

  21. You just touched on two of my absolute favs. My boyfriend and I are both huge book people, and honestly can’t seem to NOT make in into a bookstore together. As for Trader Joes… well, I’m in there about three times a week 😉

  22. Loving this 21 dates of summer idea, so precious!

  23. Rach says:

    have a fantastic birthday! I’m sure he’ll have something amazing planned! we love book hunting, too…but we like the really old, moth-ball smelling used book stores the best!

  24. Aney Mei says:

    This is super cute!

  25. could you two be any cuter?!?!

  26. Camille says:

    we need a babysitter before we can do fun things like this!

    these are wonderful date ideas! looks like you two have too much fun. 🙂

    cheers.

  27. alli/hooray says:

    Ah, this story & post are so cute : )

  28. I love going book hunting. I can’t remember the last time I bought a book…Sounds like I need a date night 🙂

  29. Ali says:

    Such a fun idea. You and your husband are cute together.

  30. Julip Made says:

    What a perfect date night idea! The Boy and I need more simple, inexpensive ways to spend time together aside from cuddling up with the pup and wine to a movie. You also are an adorable couple!

  31. aimymichelle says:

    love trader joes!

  32. Kevin moon says:

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

  33. Jenmarie says:

    This is such a sweet series! Can’t wait to hear about your surprise birthday weekend! 🙂 Happy Birthday, by the way!

  34. what a guy! taking on a dare like that to impress his lovely lady, um…Gabe rocks! loved the story Anna and all these darling photos are a joy to see. you’re so cute! happy birthday this weekend, may the next year just explode with continued happiness and blessings so large!!!!! much love and huge cyber hug-its too. xo ♥

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