honeysuckle & heart

the bridal shower recipes

2011-07-13T09:00:00.001-04:00

I'm going to try to break down how I set up the menu and include the recipes I used. I made the whole menu vegetarian so the bride could try everything. Three of the recipes I'd never made before, but everything turned out perfectly and was soooo good. We did not miss the meat one bit. Here we go...

three dips:

My grocery sells french rounds (essentially thin slices of a french baguette, brushed with olive oil, and baked), as well as olive tapenade and spinach artichoke dip. These were all bought, and then I only had to make the white bean + parsley dip the night before. I've blogged about that recipe before, since it's one of my favorites.

finger foods:

This asparagus + gruyere tart was a new recipe I found, and it is a keeper. The tart looks really beautiful when it is cooked, but it is also simple to make - only 3 ingredients!

Roasted pepper + goat cheese sandwiches became the vegetarian "main course" of the shower. I roasted the peppers and marinated them overnight (let it be known that roasting peppers is a hot endeavor, and buying them in a jar would make this recipe more simple). I did substitute kalamata olives for the capers because the extra capers would have gone to waste in my kitchen. The morning of the shower, these sandwiches were just quick assembly - spread goat cheese on ciabatta bread, add basil leaves, olives, peppers, red onion. done.

They had incredible flavor from the marinade, herbs, and were a huge hit.

Pesto pea salad was also quick assembly right before the shower. I recommend mixing the spinach and pesto first, then adding the peas, parmesan and pine nuts (so they don't end up at the bottom of your salad bowl). If you have enough basil to make the pesto - go for it! I was running short on time, so I bought mine.

sweets:

Lemon yogurt cake is a three-step dessert that ends up being moist, tart and light all at once. Since Zach doesn't love lemon, I try to make it when I know he won't be around. The recipe starts with an easy cake batter (no mixer needed!), a lemon simple syrup poured over the hot cake, and then a glaze to finish it off. I made the cake the night before, but added the glaze when I woke up the morning of the shower. Berries are so good with the tart lemon flavor.

Crisp elephant ears (miniature size) were a last minute addition the morning of the shower. Since I had an extra puff pastry leftover after the asparagus tart, I decided to make these pastries to serve with coffee. Only 3 ingredients and these some baking time turned out a French pastry success (and the cinnamon is optional). I would totally recommend making them just for fun.

p.s. See more photos of the shower in yesterday's post! Want more brunch or shower recipes? Try this post.

a bridal shower for katelyn

2011-07-12T09:25:00.000-04:00

I recently hosted a little party for my soon-to-be sister, Katelyn, at my house, and our side of the family came to shower her with home essentials (while regaling her with childhood stories about my brother). It couldn't have been more fun to celebrate with her and anticipate their fast approaching wedding.

I made blue watercolor stripe invitations, and the table was filled with streamers in shades of blue, milkglass, and fuji mums. Each guest brought their favorite cleaning supply to help the new couple when they move into their new apartment. Now Jordan and Katelyn have a mini stockpile of dish soap, shower cleaner, laundry detergent, etc... One of my bridal showers included this idea, and I'm still using those supplies four years later!

p.s. Recipes from the vegetarian menu will be posted tomorrow! (My mom was a rockstar and helped me get all the food ready.)

sparklers + siblings

2011-07-05T15:03:00.001-04:00

our garden

2011-06-17T10:13:00.000-04:00

Gardening is quickly becoming one of my favorite parts of the summer. I love spending time getting my hands dirty, pulling weeds, and watching the growth. We were blessed with a home that already had a lot of landscaping done, and last summer my mom helped me add some lavender and speedwell plants to fill in vacant spots.

This summer, there were two areas I wanted to tackle - the bed by the garage and the two beds in front of our porch. The main problem by the garage was that the bleeding heart plant dies around mid-June, so I needed to fill in that area. The beds in front of our porch were lopsided and only contained bushes; I wanted to add height, symmetry, and annuals. It is still a work in progress, but I love it already!

See the changes below:

before :: by the garage

after :: added jalepeno, red pepper, cilantro plants to grow around the bleeding heart

before :: in front of porch (sunny and lopsided)


after :: exchanged little boxwood for a lilac bush, added two peony bushes and thyme to fill in between the plants

before :: in front of porch (shady and too short)

after :: added two astilbe plants and transplanted boxwood

Overall I love the changes and smelling the lilac flowers is the best! Last year, Hayley was so sweet and asked me to post about our front porch makeover. Click here to see the before & after pictures, and here to see how vintage bargains helped me save cash :)

Cinque Terre

2011-06-16T10:20:00.000-04:00


On the sea, looking from Vernazza (Town #4) harbor over to Monterossa (Town #5).

Vernazza from the (intense) hiking trail

Our room in the yellow building at the top of the hill

overlooking Vernazza on our hike to Corniglia (Town #3)

part of the hiking trail

unique lighting at a focaccia shop in Corniglia

focaccia, mid-hike

pesto pasta + fresh anchovies in Manarola (Town #2)

main street of Vernazza on Easter Sunday

our favorite focaccia shop in Vernazza

the church right on the harbor

last piece of focaccia at the train stop

In the middle of our trip, we split from our friends for a weekend jaunt to 5 small villages on the coast of the Mediterranean. They are fishing communities in the middle of a national park connected by hiking trails and a train. The shops, restaurants, and lodging are all locally owned, of which the townspeople are rightfully proud.

This area is known for fresh anchovies and for creating focaccia bread and pesto. We booked a room at the top of our village - Vernazza, in the building that used to be the town mill. Free breakfast was included at Il Pirata, a pastry shop owned by twin Sicilian brothers, Gianluca and Massimo (who are simultaneously crazy and welcoming). A free pastry, cappucino, and Italian granite - iced fruit smoothie - started off our day spent outdoors exploring and hiking.

Between our time spent in chaotic Roma, touristy Firenze, and stunning Paris - this was our little escape to be in the countryside and by the water. It was calming and small, and I'm so glad we included it. The point of being in Cinque Terre is not to see a particular site or museum but to experience true Italian culture, people, scenery, and food.

One of my favorite moments of the trip was on our first night there, which happened to be Good Friday. The town villagers assembled after dark for a walking vigil from the church by the water's edge up to the very top of the town - singing and following a statue of the body of Jesus on the cross. They sang the most beautiful, melancholy songs and had candles lit along the path. It was surreal, and I will think of it every year on Good Friday.

an outfit

2011-06-15T09:00:00.001-04:00

sweater :: anthropologie

jeans :: j.crew

gold belt :: j.crew

black flats :: gap

broke pearl necklace :: gift from husband

Notes-

I'm on summer break now, which makes outfit pictures a little easier during the daylight hours!
Loving a short-sleeve sweater for unpredictable Midwest weather.
These flats helped me through loads of walking around Europe, along with my Converse and Target sandals, and they are seriously comfortable.
Hello, bathroom.

pinterest in action

2011-06-14T10:40:00.001-04:00

recipes made :: crispy sweet potato fries with spicy dip

(thursday night w/ cheeseburgers. easy. go light on the cornstarch. best dip ever.)

good summer style :: boyfriend midi shorts, wedges, white + blue

home updates :: painted our fireplace brick and entry-way white

see these pins and more (follow along, if you'd like) here.

p.s. this is my next project.

Eiffel Tower, day and night

2011-06-14T09:00:00.008-04:00

In total, we ended up at the Eiffel Tower four times in two days. Regardless of our accidental repetition, it was stunning each time and entirely magical at night.

We climbed the stairs to the second level (I totally recommend the stairs with the close-up view of the steel and architecture) and surveyed the city. Following the Eiffel Tower stairs and our picnic, we also climbed the Arc de Triumphe stairs for a gorgeous view of the city. The winding, dizzy staircase of the Arc almost got the best of us, but the scene on top was lovely.

weekend watercolors

2011-06-13T09:00:00.002-04:00

purely fun and a little therapeutic.

Champs Elysses, the funny way

2011-06-10T09:03:00.000-04:00

Husband skimmed the guidebooks. He got stuck on the joy of saying "Champs Elysses" and felt this would be a highlight of our Paris tour.

Imagine his surprise when it turns out to be, in his words, "a bigger Michigan Avenue."

So, we strolled along, and went into Louis Vuitton for kicks...

kick #1 - new luggage

kick #2 - shades

Rue Cler picnic

2011-06-09T22:46:00.001-04:00

Favorite meal of the trip? This one.

After climbing the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, we picked up all the perfect ingredients for a picnic in the grass. Rue Cler is a nearby short street lined with specialty shops and cafes, which made for the most fun, beautiful grocery shopping I've ever done. Each element was delicious - chocolate eclairs, baguettes, gruyere & brie, and the most juicy oval-shaped strawberries.

We all agreed at the end of our trip that (at least for us) this was the best way to eat in Paris.

outfits in Paris

2011-06-08T09:27:00.001-04:00

sweater :: madewell

skirt :: j.crew

shoes :: gap

necklace :: nobletown vintage

Notes:

Even with all my planning, this outfit was a dud. I forgot to check the weather, and spent most of the day freezing from the wind whipping through the city.
I was trying to achieve an effortless, French girl look, similar to photos here, here and here. I'm still not sure if it leaned towards a "schlumpy" though....
This outfit saw me through the Metro, up the Eiffel Tower, down Rue Cler for picnic supplies, over to the Arc deTriumphe and Champs Elysses, and finally around through the Tuileries Gardens.

jacket :: j.crew

jeans :: j.crew

shoes :: gap

necklace, earrings :: gifts

Notes:

The light as we walked back to the Louvre (open late on Thursday nights) was sublime, making for some of my favorite pictures of our whole trip.
Although we had adjusted our outfits for the outdoor weather, no one mentioned that the Louvre would be stifling hot....you just can't win.

p.s. Find out why we were in Europe here!

my Firenze favorite

2011-06-03T11:18:00.000-04:00

While searching for a guidebook-recommended trattoria for lunch, we accidentally stumbled upon a daily market in front of the Santa Maria Novella Church . Willing to improvise, we noticed each awning-covered stand was selling fresh cheeses, meats, desserts, and Italian delicacies. We took our time scouting out and sampling all the stalls before deciding our game plan for lunch.

Splitting a made-to-order panini sandwich and olives bought in bulk, we sat in the middle of the square with locals on their lunch break. Before leaving, we filled a sack with cookies to munch on, while wondering across the Ponte Vecchio to explore more of the city. Our snap decision made for our best meal in Florence!

an outfit in Florence

2011-06-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

jacket :: similar one at j.crew

tee :: old navy

jeans :: j.crew

shoes :: converse

bag :: j.crew (old)

jewelry :: Swiss army watch, green & gold Indian bracelet

Notes about this outfit...

Remember I was sick, hence the whole sitting-on-the ground, while Husband took pictures and I didn't even realize it.
This jacket was a last minute purchase, which became a life-saver. I love the hood, green color, cinched waist, and classic military styling.
I get overwhelmed when packing and add a bunch of random things I might need. Creating a pinboard helped me to stay focused on picking outfits, not just items. I jotted down a list of possible outfits, making sure I had enough for the 12 days we were gone, and brought the list with me. Thanks to said list, dressing became effortless.

Firenze

2011-05-31T16:34:00.000-04:00

As promised yesterday, here are photos Zach captured around Florence, a.k.a. Firenze, while I was recuperating in our hotel room. I love studying the detail and movement of the sculptures right outside the Palazzo Vecchio (plus the fact that art students sit nearby sketching them).

his+hers: expressions in Florence

2011-05-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

his:

hers: 

Our first day in Florence. Who gets food poisoning? This girl.

I was feeling pretty miserable and we still tried to go see sights - including the Uffizi Gallery since we had already booked tickets. I won't go into details (you're welcome), but it was a sweet relief when Zach finally realized I was truly sick and let me go lay down in our hotel room. He used the time to do a some market shopping, photo taking, and Florentine feasting.

It was a downer to have missed a whole day of Italian culture, but I'll post Zach's pictures to show some of the city tomorrow. We did end up with another, better day in Florence later in the trip, while we were waiting for our overnight train to Paris.

p.s. Alli, of Hooray, and Brooke, of pure and noble, started this weekly series together - and I've joined them to play along! Check out other his+hers posts here.

our last day in Rome

2011-05-24T11:15:00.000-04:00

I know, I've been milking this trip for all the posts it is worth, but each day felt like three days because of how much we were able to see during such a short time. I'm viewing this as a preservation of our daily journal from the trip.

Our last day in Rome was gorgeous and sunny. We all felt accustomed to the city, food, and time change. The day started with a cappuccino and morning stop at the Pantheon. From there, we headed along the Tiber River towards Palatine Hill, The Forum, and Coliseum. Part of the beauty of Rome is the old architecture mixed with green trees and the sounds of traffic moving through the chaotic city streets.

Before we bought our tickets into the sights, pistacchio canolis were feasted on at Circus Maximus. Although it now looks more like a sunken gravel parking lot, this was the location of chariot races - which could be viewed from the palaces built above on Palatine Hill.

We meandered through Palatine Hill and The Forum -- filled with ruins of sprawling palaces, temples, and markets. The street carts nearby were calling our name for lunch, so we munched on paninis of proscuitto, salami, mozzarella and basil on the sidewalk. Since we had bought our tickets at the other sights, we could skip the line and get right into the Colisseum (watch out for the crazy steep stairs there!).

After a brief siesta, we strolled through Piazza Navona by our hotel for the last time - stopping by Bernini's The Four Rivers fountain. Dinner at a nearby trattoria felt more like an event, since it lasted almost three hours. And like the running theme in Rome, it was followed by the best gelato before heading to bed for an early morning train to Florence!

the graduates

2011-05-23T09:11:00.001-04:00

Dad ... Husband ... middle Brother ... middle Brother's Fiancee ... me ... little Brother ... Mom

On almost all fronts, 2011 is becoming quite the eventful year for my family.

Both of my brothers are graduating, one from college and one from high school.
My brother's fiancee is also graduating, and they are getting married this summer.
All three of them are moving to a new town to start their next stage of life.

We're spending most of the weekends in May celebrating each step with them and reminiscing as we dig through old pictures. These six people are an anchor in my life, and my big-sister heart is swelling with pride when I see my brothers becoming such godly men.

note:: edited to add a few more photos from my mom's camera...

Roman cappuccino

2011-05-20T10:52:00.000-04:00

Open since 1946, Caffe Tazza d'Oro happened to be right around the corner from the Pantheon and a five minute walk from our hotel. Although we only had their coffee one morning, it was incredible - and really popular with the locals. During the morning rush hour, people had their famed "30 second breakfast" - parking their Vespas right outside, standing at the counter with their espresso, and then continuing their commute .... a little different from the Starbucks drive-through, no?

Roman coffee was the best of our whole trip. Once we got to Paris, it was a challenge to find a good (reasonable) coffee - one morning, we accidentally ended up with shocking espressos and a slightly grumpy barista.

Later that day, Husband was also treated by our hotel's owner to a cappucino at the most famous caffe in Roma (started in 1938) . Once we got back home, we stumbled on tins of Sant'Eustachio coffee for sale at one of our favorite spots in Indy - Locally Grown Gardens. This little store is even adding an espresso machine in June - so soon we will be able to have Roman cappucinos in our own neighborhood. Cannot. wait.

gifts from abroad

2011-05-19T09:00:00.001-04:00

Nepal (those are large singing bowls at the bottom)

loving all the vibrant necklaces and that tiny little stool

Husband bought a Sherpa hat from this guy

Hyderabad, India - the market close to Zach's office building

elephants and bangles

Florentine street markets

a tie booth

Husband did a surprising amount of shopping while he was away. Let it be known that he is decidedly not a shopper, however something about spending rupees was the easiest thing in the world... On the other hand, I did not really shop at all and am totally regretting it now. Thankfully, I love what he ended up finding - and wore most of my gifts on our Europe trip.

We decided to snap a few pictures before we gave everything to our family and friends so we could remember it. Although most of this is from India and Nepal, it has trekked through Italy and France with a pit stop in Dubai. I also included some of the shopping pictures above, so you can get an idea of where they were purchased -- it was killing me not to be in some of these shops stuffed with handcrafted items.

all the elephants lined up - trunk up is a sign of good luck

hand-painted paper ornaments from Nepal

beautiful scarves and cricket balls

hand-painted boxes and a set of coasters

some special items from Nepal - a metal yak, singing bowl (which Zach can play) and his Sherpa hat

ties picked from the markets in Florence

an outfit in Paris

2011-05-18T09:00:00.003-04:00

tee: j.crew

skirt: gift from my in-laws

sandals: target

scarf: gift from husband's India trip

Our first day in Paris was magic. We had taken an overnight train to the city and after checking in at our hotel, we were both so eager to see everything. We walked to Rue Cler, ate lunch at a cafe and enjoyed the beautiful (and short-lived) sunshine. Seeing our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower as we walked and snacking on a mind-blowing chocolate eclair were the little bits of the trip you just soak up to remember during the everyday routine back home.

Paris was gorgeous - loads of cafes with artful menus and pretty awnings and chairs lined up for people-watching, tree-lined streets in every direction, the houseboats along the Seine, and the grey and taupe buildings with wrought iron balconies.

We made it to the Eiffel Tower and sat on the lawn looking up at the chocolate brown architecture. Later - while walking back - we passed this intriguing building covered in plants and saw rows of perfectly trimmed square trees on the Right Bank.

p.s. Husband was there too, see...

tips: streamlined & perfect blog reading

2011-05-17T13:50:00.000-04:00

Ok, this is a little off-topic of normal house & life topics, but a tiny little button has just made my reading experience 100 times more enjoyable! I thought I would share....

When I first started reading blogs, I would use the reading list on the right side of my blog and click on each blog checking to see if they'd updated. It was time-consuming to say the least.

More recently, I've started using Google Reader which is definitely an efficient way of seeing new posts, but I missed seeing each blog's webpage design. My commenting decreased (sorry!) because I didn't take the time to click over to the author's actual page.

Now for the good news! I just discovered the Next bookmarklet, which goes through my subscription list and with one click I can see the original post as intended by the author. It has all the efficiency of Google Reader, without using the ugly Google Reader page. It is so easy to "install" too. Beautiful.

And when you've read all new posts....this page comes up:

Here are the two posts that showed me how to add the Next bookmarklet....

So, tell me...did you already discover this? Are you happy with the way you read blogs?

Roman gelato

2011-05-16T09:00:00.004-04:00

After trying a few of these Italian desserts, we found a place that not only served tasty gelato, but served it with flair. At Giolitti, the waiters have a tendency to fling the metal spoons back into their gelato "tubs" from across the counter, and they have an uber-fancy dining room where you can have sit down service. However, we chose to eat out on the street at little tables and enjoy the warm, Rome evenings. It was so good, that we came back the next night too!

He was super excited to end our night walk with gelato

A sneaky shot of the flavors and fancy waiters

I tried a crema and fragola combo

Pistachio and coffee enjoyed at the sidewalk tables

Last night in Rome (gelato was already gone at this point!)

A favorite of the trip

may flowers

2011-05-11T18:30:00.000-04:00

Last May in the chaos of moving into our house, I completely missed the tiny lily of the valley growing under our (enormous) pine tree. They are sort of hidden, but this year I could smell them before I could even see them.

My Big Grandma (a.k.a. great-grandma) was the only person I've known who had them growing in a garden, and as a little girl they were my absolute favorite. I picked one stem as we walked to church this past weekend and, giddy with excitement, kept making Husband smell the delicious scent.

an outfit (or two) in Rome

2011-05-11T09:00:00.002-04:00

Here are a few more outfits from our trip to Italy .... forgive me for using some of husband's outtakes to show an outfit. It is a little different when there is no mirror to just stand in front of :)

I think next week I'll post some outfits in Paris

(I had to save the best for Paris, right?)

A day of sightseeing outdoors

tee: J.Crew

pink sweater: J.Crew

skirt: Anthropologie

sandals: Target

scarf: gift from husband!

....and one delicious cappuccino that I seem to be clinging to in every shot.

First afternoon in Rome

top: Anthropologie

jeans: J.Crew

sandals: Target

watch: guys' Swiss Army

glasses: Warby Parker

p.s. want to see more of our trip, sweet friends? click here.

our night walk through Rome

2011-05-10T13:18:00.001-04:00

starting off our night walk around 7:30 pm - a street between our hotel and the Pantheon

the piazza surrounding the Pantheon filled with cafes
notice the cobblestones which composed every street in Rome

date night in Rome = surreal

watching the locals in the windows

heading away from the Pantheon down a typical (gorgeous) winding street

a random, stunning church facade on our walk

this obelisk was taken from Egypt after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra and now stands in front of the Parliament

love how the buildings were lit up

Trevi Fountain!
No street directly comes to the fountain,
so you can hear the gushing water before you see it

tossing our coins to ensure our return to Rome

our dinner spot - more on that here
meals in Europe are more like events - I think we were here about 2 1/2 hours
and the family who owned this place was very memorable and unique

as we strolled past again on our way back, the guys managed to catch a shot with the Moon in the background

Looking back on it, this was one of my favorite parts of our entire trip. Sightseeing at night seems like less work, less chaos, and infinitely more magical.

his+hers: favorite Rome meal

2011-05-09T12:17:00.001-04:00

his:

Antica Taverna, near Piazza Navona

bruschetta al prosciutto, mussels, jamon and parmesan

and best-ever baked eggplant parmesan

bruschetta al prosciutto & mussels

hers:

Trattoria del cav Gino

with a legendary antipasto platter, prawn risotto, and spaghetti carbonara

The guys came up with three simple criteria to determine which restaurants we would eat at:

Restaurant must be further than 15 feet from a monument or museum.
Waiters must not try to convince us to eat there.
Cafe lights are always a bonus

We knew we had stumbled on a real gem when they ignored us for the first 10 minutes while trying to get a table. Honestly, the food in Rome was absolutely wonderful, and probably among the cheapest of the whole trip.

Lent and Easter, revisited

2011-05-06T15:49:00.001-04:00

We spent Easter in a far-away land without our usual Easter basket treats, deviled eggs, family lunch, and familiar worship songs. Instead we found ourselves surrounded by nature and worshipping beside a catholic church on the Mediterranean Sea. It was quiet, peaceful and we both read through the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection.

During a trip that was very busy and eventful, this was our little bit of serenity and focus.

Now that I'm back home, I am planning to continue my Lent commitments because of the simplicity it brought to my life. Officially, I'm done with twitter and facebook (at least on a daily basis). I've fallen in love with investing and communicating with people, in person, face to face. I'm not zapped of emotional energy from surfing the web, and I can put the computer away more quickly.

However, I'm trying not just to rid myself of these habits, but continue with positive ones in their stead. Here's what I'm doing with my time:

being creative - cooking, gardening, painting, and a tiny bit of crafting
reading - especially reading through the Bible and also reading for fun
loving well - intentionally loving God, my husband, and those around us

I know it isn't rocket science, but it is working for me.

when in rome....

2011-05-05T13:41:00.000-04:00

.... drink the free, delicious aqueduct water.

ok, for real - use a water bottle...(also this was after about 36 hours of not sleeping...don't judge :) )

...walk down loads of seemingly straight streets that all lead back to the Colisseum until finally finding the San Pietro Church.

....during walk, stumble upon awesome side streets with huge vines hanging from wires.

...reward yourself with gelato (hint: if you see the word artigianale in the shop name, it is made on location)

...walk in and marvel at as many churches as possible - I seriously lost count, but each one was stunning.

....try to read the guidebook ahead of time, but you will inevitably stumble upon something old when you are least expecting it. check it out and read the guidebook later. oh, and take pictures of the name so you can remember it.

ancient ruins of a forum, which we later found out are right next to The Forum.

....take a siesta, then sightsee more at night. it's much more romantic. (more on our night walk later)

an outfit in Rome

2011-05-04T09:34:00.000-04:00

sweater, tank - J.Crew
green pants - American Eagle (also seen here)
shoes - Converse
bag - J.Crew
black pearl earrings and Swiss Army watch

I tried to pull from some of my inspiration photos when packing for our trip to Europe. I stuck to a neutral color palette and planned layers to mix and match for the fluctuating spring weather. For the first time ever I think I packed well - with the exception of one outfit in Paris when I was absolutely freezing...

Rome was warm and sunny and absolutely wonderful. These photos are from our day visiting the Vatican Museum, Sistene Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. For me, this was the historical sight I was least excited about and it ended up surprising me and being completely amazing. And thanks to that Rick Steves' book we skipped the enormous entrance line and got right in at our reservation time.

cars, trains, buses, & planes

2011-05-02T13:28:00.000-04:00

on our trip - finally back together again!

Using almost all modes of transportation, my husband and I are both finally home and together. For those of you who have put up with my little hints, I can now fully explain the last 2 months....

Starting on the last day of February, husband left on a seven week trip to India to work in his firm's Hyderabad office. Luckily his college roommate went at the same time and they had some crazy adventures there - including celebrating Holi and seeing Mt. Everest.

At the same time, I stayed home (alone) for seven weeks and was lovingly cared for by our community of friends and family. It was rough and good and challenging in ways I am still processing. Hopefully this also explains why I couldn't give too much detail on the old blog (hello, possible internet stalkers). I might write a post about life when your spouse is away, because it was really life-changing and priority-shifting for me. And - I am SO glad he is home.

Following the seven week absence, we had planned a two week trip to Europe with our dear friends and just returned over this past weekend. I flew to meet him in Rome, then we visited Florence, Cinque Terre, and ended in Paris. It was incredible, like a second honeymoon - and coming home together was just as sweet (for those of you counting - husband was gone for nine weeks!). I am still adjusting to having to share my husband with other people after having two full weeks together.

p.s. it really did take all of the above methods to finally get home - and 20 some odd hours of travelling!

late night painting

2011-04-14T08:21:00.000-04:00

Yes, this may be even easier than elementary school painting --- I don't come from an artistic family (father - accountant, mother - math teacher). Although my creative genes may be limited...

I loved it. Mixing the colors, making smooth paintbrush strokes, and mostly - not getting "perfection."

Whiling away an evening on a project where there are no right or wrong answers is simply addictive.

The best part? I still have loads of paint left to try my hand at another blank piece of paper...

a weekend outfit

2011-04-13T09:29:00.000-04:00

So, there is a big difference between this outfit and previous ones. Hello, tan.

This weekend was pretty much perfect - spring blooms, warm sunshine, and no humidity or bugs (yet). I even walked to church for the first time in months. I love those rare occasions when my outfit is in tune with the weather - not too hot...not too cold...just right.

cardigan - J.Crew
tank - J.Crew
pants - American Eagle (my new favorite go-to)
sandals - Target (last year)
bracelet - hardware store diy

I'm linking up to The Pleated Poppy's what I wore series for the second time. If you're playing along too, leave a comment so I can check out your spring outfits too!

his+hers: 20x200

2011-04-11T09:16:00.001-04:00

his:

.....because it reminds him of a scene from The Royal Tenenbaums.

hers:

....because it reminds me of childhood imagination and whimsy.

his+hers: new adventures

2011-03-28T13:50:00.002-04:00

alli and brooke started the his+hers series on Mondays, and i'm joining in.

i love seeing the husband and wife dynamic. i wonder what our husbands would write about us?

his:

hers:

He added some color to the weekend by attending a city-wide Holi celebration. The guy pictured with him is his college roommate -- so cool that they are on this adventure together. Can you imagine having a cultural holiday like this in the U.S, where you just throw paint chalk on one another - even strangers?

I tried out some new specs by ordering online and trying out 5 options at home before settling on the pair above. This was literally the first time I've been able to see myself in glasses before buying them. Usually at the doctor's office when trying on new pairs, I have already taken out my contacts and must rely on others to pick them for me. Equally refreshing = the price + donating a pair to someone in need.

(Has anyone else seen Holi colors on Amazing Race or An Idiot Abroad? Jordan tried it for a birthday celebration, too. She found the colors at an Indian supply store, and I'm thinking it would be so fun to host a party with them over the summer...)

in my spare time

2011-03-24T09:33:00.000-04:00

During the last month, I have had an abundance of spare time on my hands. I mentioned earlier that I have been trying to use it in more productive and beneficial ways and it has thoroughly changed my perspective on the way I use my time.

Here are the highlights:

I love, love, love not being on facebook and twitter. This was part of my Lent commitment, but it has freed up so much time. A month ago, I would have secretly thought it wasn't possible to do without these in my daily routine. In retrospect, I think both of them were overall negative influences on me - becoming more about gossip, popularity, and self-promotion.
Reading is a daily part of my life again. It is such a satisfying part of my day to hear the pages quietly turning, soaking in someone else's knowledge, following a story from beginning to end. Purposefully reading through the Bible has been softening my heart and reminding me of my first love.
Practicing creativity is an accomplishment at the end of the day. Rather than frittering my day away looking at other people's achievements on blogs, I've made time to purposefully complete something. For example - I made this bracelet, cooked a double batch of marinara sauce, and worked on cleaning up my flowerbeds for hours (plus, anything outdoors is lovely after such a long winter!)
Committing to building real community. In the absence of online communities (see #1) and my sweet husband, I've felt a deep need to strengthen friendships and depend on others. It is easy to get trapped by the mindset of "newlyweds" (when you focus solely on your spouse), and I am often paralyzed by the idea that everyone is so busy. However I've found that once an effort is made, community quickly follows. I've discovered that we are richly blessed with thoughtful, caring, Christ-like friends.

bracelet

So, that's what I've been up to in the last month. Small changes are adding up quickly and changing my perspective in a healthy way. It feels appropriate with the season of Lent - the spiritual practice of simplicity leading to renewal and change of focus.

a weekend outfit

2011-03-21T10:33:00.001-04:00

top - anthropologie

jeans - madewell

shoes - minnetonka

So...this outfit was a stretch for me. The black jeans were a steal from madewell's sale, but I am still deciding if I like them or not. If nothing else they will be perfectly paired with black boots.

Regardless, I couldn't resist pulling on a spring top that I've had stowed away all winter.

edit: I am linking up to The Pleated Poppy's What I Wore series for the first time - it makes these posts much more fun! I take my pictures on the weekend, because when I'm working it is still dark when I get dressed :)

his+hers: weekly pictures

2011-03-19T21:59:00.002-04:00

Husband and I are currently on two separate adventures, but we're both armed with a camera to fill each other in while we're apart. Here are our shots for this week:

his:

hers:

weekend outfit

2011-03-13T22:07:00.000-04:00

I hope your weekend was lovely, friends!

Today was the most beautiful day, and I'm hoping it signals the start of spring (without relapses into winter). Starting work in my flower beds was my most rewarding weekend task. Although I planted a few spring bulbs, it appears our home's previous owners loved spring flowers too - tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils are on the way.

This sweater and flats were after-Christmas purchases that have gotten loads of use, but I think it is almost time to stow them away until fall.

cardigan, tee - j.crew
jeans, flats - banana republic

family party

2011-03-10T10:29:00.000-05:00

note: I'm not sure how much I'll be posting over the next few weeks. Recently, I've had some extra time on my hands, but I'm trying to use it in profitable, beneficial ways and I'm still not sure where blogging fits right now. I did want to post this party though because it was so. fun. and I had to document it! Enjoy --

A few weeks ago, we had a party for my brothers. My youngest brother turned 18 - a big cause for celebration, and the other recently got engaged to the sweetest, best girl ever. I am so happy for both of them and the big changes that are happening in our family.

I helped with decorations at my mom's house, and she whipped up a feast for our whole family. Spending the night with my favorite people in the world and seeing how happy my brothers are made it the perfect night.

party supplies:

2 gold megaloons (which are still perfectly inflated!) - Amazon
kraft paper + white tablecloths + plates + napkins - Target
crayons + doilies - found at parents' house
pack of tissue paper + floral wire - Michael's

lent

2011-03-09T10:35:00.000-05:00

This is the first time I've ever practiced Lent. I am eager for brokenness and growth and renewal. I'll be replacing some old, debilitating habits with life-giving time to focus on my Savior and Creator.

Here's my plan:

read the Bible daily
pray continually - clinging to Jesus
get off Twitter and Facebook

Anyone else joining in?

blogs + discontentment

2011-02-18T17:41:00.000-05:00

one of the prettiest prints from 20x200

I've been struggling with discontentment lately.

So many of you write beautiful blogs - each unique and worthwhile in its own way. I love reading them and the ideas and inspiration they provide. I like having space to think and glean from your wisdom, experience, and advice. I like seeing pictures and evidence of the creative energy flowing. Good stuff.

But sometimes too much blog-focus can lead to jealousy or belittling myself, which stinks.

I like this space to be a positive outlet.
It is not my soapbox, or my job, or my diary.
I am more than my blog.

Sometimes it is difficult to think of what to publish -- when days are not positive -- or when my job takes precedence -- or when I'm thinking about issues that won't be debated here. I can easily trap myself with a restless unhappiness for my own abilities in cyberspace.

All this to say: For the next week I'm taking a little break - following the advice of Melanie and friends. Instead of worrying about posts or tweets, I need to be:

soaking up some precious time with my husband ...
counting my blessings ...
celebrating one brother's engagement and my other brother's birthday ...
surviving 3rd quarter with my sweet students (you remember those days, don't you?) ...
pitching-in for an all-American cookout - in anticipation of summer ....
learning contentment and joy in Christ.

Thanks for reading and being so very encouraging. I hope you have a week filled with contentment and blessing too, sweet friends!

my travelling closet

2011-02-17T11:04:00.001-05:00

Zach and I have big plans for a trip to France and Italy this spring, and I'm already getting a bit intimidated by the daunting task of packing well. Chances are the pictures we capture here will be looked at for years to come.

I don't really mind looking like a tourist in some ways - I'm pretty sure we'll stick out as soon as we open our mouths anyways. Trying to dress French or Italian seems like too much pressure - I'd rather feel comfortable in my own skin and still come off as effortlessly dressed.

At the same time I am hoping to avoid the white sneakers, fanny pack, and khaki cargo pants (and haggard tourist expression) worn all too often. :)

Here are my goals:

pack lightly...
leaving room for a few souvenirs
pick classic essentials over quantity
use what I have
accessories - big impact for little space!

Some inspiration tourist outfits (just picture this in front of the Coliseum or Eiffel Tower):

found here

p.s. this shy little girl's style is perfection....love it.

tips: my {homemade} flowers

2011-02-14T17:16:00.001-05:00

Aren't they beautiful?

Using a really simple tutorial, I surprised myself with my crafty skills. I made about 10 of these over the weekend (in a variety of shades), but today I'm enjoying these lilac blooms as my valentine's flowers.

We like low-key holidays (especially New Year's and Valentine's), so I can't wait to cozy at home tonight with homemade pizza. Hope you all are having a lovely day!

p.s. the flowers can be made into a stunning vine garland too!

pizza.

2011-02-10T07:57:00.001-05:00

This is my favorite deep-dish pizza recipe.

It may even end up as our V-day meal because there's so much love baked into these little pies. I've alluded to this baby before, so now I'm posting the whole recipe, step by step. Now I just need to find the perfect hand-tossed pizza recipe. Anyone have a good one you're willing to share?

Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza
adapted from America's Test Kitchen TV
makes 2 - 9" pizzas

Dough:
½ c. olive oil
¾ c. milk + 2 T., warmed to 110°F
2 t. sugar
2⅓ c. all purpose flour
1 pkg yeast
½ t. salt

Sauce:
1 T. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

Topping:
pepperoni
1⅓ c. sauce
3 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
(plus anything else you'd want to add)

Preheat oven to 200°F, then turn off. Place rack on lowest position. Lightly grease large bowl. Coat bottom of 2 - 9" cake pans with 3 T. olive oil each.
Mix flour, yeast and salt in mixer with dough hook. Mix milk, sugar, and 2 T. olive oil. On low, slowly add milk mixture. Increase speed to med-low for 5 minutes. Turn dough onto counter and gently shape into a ball. Place into greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, place in oven 30 minutes.
To make the sauce, cook olive oil and garlic on low for 2 minutes in a small saucepan. Add crushed tomatoes and cook for 10-15 minutes on medium. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red peppers.
Divide dough in half. Shape into 2 - 9" rounds with your hands and press into pan. Avoid getting the olive oil on top of the dough! Cover with plastic wrap and set in warm spot for 20 minutes.
Heat oven to 400°F. Microwave pepperoni for 30 seconds on paper towels (to remove excess grease). Top the dough with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. Bake 20 minutes. Let rest 1 minute.

a weekend outfit

2011-02-09T08:18:00.004-05:00

After the ice-pocalypse, we had to get out of the house on Saturday.

Little did we know - 6 inches of fluffy white snow was about to unleash over Indy.

After picking up some party supplies, we had a little fun in our old Jeep-y driving through snow covered side streets and shopping for a new camera.

The next day we were on childcare duty at church - I got to spend an hour cuddling sleepy babes (and wiping runny noses), while Zach helped out with the preschoolers (who loved the word bacon!).

p.s. this outfit was completed with the favorite winter shoe of the midwest :)

tips: thriving in winter

2011-02-08T17:45:00.001-05:00

"One kind word can warm three winter months."

If anything, winter has only intensified since my last post. This past week has been crazy: sleet wars, fluffy white snow, and ice that is persistently caking our driveway. still.

One of the perks of teaching is the loveliness of snow days, and the giddy feeling you get when the day is called off. However, faced with six days of no planning, grading, students, or errands - even the best of us can easily succomb to cabin fever. I tried to stay up to the challenge of soaking in the simple moments (and not leaping ahead of myself).

Don't get me wrong - I am especially ready for spring now, but here are some of the things that helped me stay occupied for four days in my house.

step #1 - go thrifting (at home). find those boxed up items that can cover up unsightly nail holes and redecorate.

step #2 - keep warm. brew some spicy hot tea (my mother-in-law introduced me to this) and curl up with a book

step #3 - winter colors. clean all the dishes and admire the snowy white dish collection.

step #4 - forgotten projects. reattach the ribbon on those pretty little shoes, so they'll be ready for spring outfits

p.s. all forms of chocolate have been major spirit-lifters lately - hot cocoa, brownies, and 70% chocolate bars (all eaten way too quickly to be caught on camera). hope you are all staying warm and cozy!

finds: knot & bow

2011-02-07T10:40:00.000-05:00

I am completely enamored with this etsy shop chock full of adorable gift trimming.

I'm such a sucker for all types of kraft paper wrapping tied up with twine.

guest post on Tiny Twig Goes Out on a Limb

2011-02-04T08:42:00.001-05:00

good morning friends!

I'm on my fourth day off from school, thanks to the ice that is stubbornly coating the parking lot. If you have a few moments, pop over to one of my favorite blogs - Tiny Twig to see a guest post I wrote today.

If you are new to my blog - welcome! Take a peek around and say hello :)

xoxo

p.s. I think Tiny and I did wear the same wedding dress!

a weekend outfit

2011-02-01T14:26:00.000-05:00

Confession: I love seeing other people's style. I think it is an established fact that girls mainly dress for themselves or other girls.

As a little girl without sisters, I used to be fascinated with my older cousins' closets and their sweet 80's clothes. Since I've finally organized my own closet and made some updates, I'm going to try to post an outfit every once in awhile - to keep my inspiration going...

Saturday breakfast with sweet friends and driving home

...a few caveats:

Since it is absolutely dark when I get dressed, outfit posts are coming from the weekend.
I am no fashionista and I like my little "capsule wardrobe" - so I'm not claiming that my personal style is interesting to anyone else. To be honest, these posts are more for me.
This may be the only outfit post if I start getting freaked out by putting myself "out there" for everyone to see :)

reflections on Homecoming 2011

2011-02-01T10:04:00.000-05:00

little brother was the senior rep

This past weekend we headed to our hometown to see my brother participate in Homecoming activities at the high school where Zach and I met. I loved this school. However, there is a certain point where it feels lame to be going back for Homecoming. Surprisingly, I've reached that stage in my life where I want to have "moved on."

Too cool for school.

After a few years of living away from our hometown community, the "always-a-new-person" feeling has faded. I am known here, and new relationships have become established. Our city has familiarity and memories. All these things are thrilling for a girl who has struggled with loneliness and homesickness. We are home in our little bungalow in Indy ... so why head somewhere else for a homecoming?

But wise friends, you know that is a little too simplistic.

We walked into the same gym where we were high schoolers just starting to figure ourselves out and trying our luck with dating and love. We sat in the bleachers surrounded by family, and suddenly - a shift happened. There is something irreplaceable about being right next to those people who you love most - laughing, holding little ones, talking and remembering.

Even with new roots forming in Indy, Zach and I both agreed that we were reminded of who we were. We have changed tremendously and grown up (moving to an unfamiliar city requires that to happen) - still, our stories are deeper than that. I hugged and talked with teachers and mentors I hadn't seen in several years. I know they pray for me and care about me - and they truly know how I have grown up from being a tiny, awkward middle school student.

In the midst of relearning who I am - as an adult, wife, colleague, friend and child of God - going back reminded me that I don't need to start from scratch. My history is valuable, and I shouldn't start from the day a ring was placed on my finger and we moved away from family and friends. It's good to draw on the personality I have when I am known and feel valuable - and not just a personality for adapting to new surroundings.

p.s If you made it through this long post ... stay tuned for an update about my closet later today.

tips: thriving in winter

2011-01-28T08:45:00.005-05:00

It snowed again last night....

Are you sick of winter and ready for all those spring catalogs to start popping up in your mailbox?

Normally, I would be right there with you ... but I'm trying to be present, soaking in each day (and not jumping ahead to what's next). I suppose this includes the seasons too. I don't want to simply survive this winter, I want to thrive. To enjoy. As Nichole said so much better than I could, "Don't write off the season, waiting for the next."

Let me be honest with you. It is all a mind game. I'm focused on being immersed in the wonder of winter -- without becoming cynical about the weather, or melancholy from the darkness, or sick of staying indoors. Want to see how I've managed it so far?


step #1 - change up the colors in our living room pillows (see the ousted color here)

step #2 - my parents generously updated our 1930s fireplace for Christmas.....genius! I turn it on every day.

step #3 - invest in cute winter accessories since you'll wear them every. single. day. for months

step #4 - read. minimize overdosing on TV and crack open a book on dark winter nights.

Surprisingly, these small steps have made a big difference in our attitude. Any other tips for reveling in the moment (especially a wintry one)?

p.s. I might need to do another post like this for February and March. We have a ways to go until spring in Indiana. :)

a perfect match

2011-01-26T10:35:00.002-05:00

Today, I'll be reading this brand-spanking new magazine. Unlike other online magazines matchbook is more style driven and filled with simple classics.

After a quick peruse, my favorite articles are:

"50 classics for your closet" including American Eagle jeans, a gorgeous coral All Saints scarf, a straw fedora, and Frye boots

"a perfect match" about Anna and Nathan Bond's marriage and company

"an American in Paris" chock full of advice on Paris style, sites, and attitude

caesar salad, from scratch

2011-01-25T09:14:00.000-05:00

I love caesar salad. Both my families can attest that I order it every. single. time. we eat out.

It may sound boring, but let me just say, there is a wide range of caesar salads. Some are mediocre, some are downright terrible (too much dressing, anyone?), and a select few are divine. The hunt for a great one keeps me ordering it over and over again. My all-time favorite was made from scratch table-side at a restaurant in Bermuda. I think the server used about 25 different ingredients, including hot sauce (more on that later). And so, I despaired at ever making a great caesar salad of my own.

Then I found this recipe randomly while working out - and decided to give it a go. Welcome to my new favorite:

Caesar Salad

adapted from Christina Ferrare, via O Magazine
serves 6

For croutons:
1 clove garlic, peeled and mashed
3 T. olive oil
3 c. roughly chopped bread cubes (from sourdough or baguette)

For dressing:
2 T. fresh lemon juice

1 t. Dijon mustard

1 t. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. kosher salt
1 clove garlic , minced
4 anchovy fillets , chopped and mashed into a paste
1/4 c. olive oil
2 T. canola oil
2-3 drops hot sauce - my twist

To assemble:
2 heads romaine lettuce (about 1 pound)

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/3 cup and 2 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)

To make croutons: Combine smashed garlic clove and olive oil; infuse for 20 minutes. Remove garlic from oil (it can be reserved and used to make the dressing). In a large bowl, toss oil and bread cubes together. Heat a small saute pan over medium-high heat and add the bread cubes, stirring occasionally. Cook until golden and crunchy, 10-12 minutes. Remove and cool. Croutons can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

To make dressing: In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic, anchovies, and hot sauce; whisk until smooth. In another bowl, briefly whisk together olive and canola oils. Whisking lemon juice mixture constantly, add oil in a slow, steady stream. Use dressing immediately, or store in refrigerator for 1 day; shake well before using.

To make salad: Wash, dry, and tear lettuce into pieces. In a large bowl, toss together lettuce, salt, 1/3 cup Parmesan, most of the croutons, and 1/2 of the dressing (reserve rest for another use). Toss salad together, making sure everything is thoroughly mixed. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, a handful of croutons, and a sprinkle of fresh black pepper.
My Notes: Using anchovies for the first time was surprisingly easy and not as gross as I was expecting. Also, hot sauce contains just the right amount of spice and kick to this dressing. Be careful not to overdo the salt - between the dressing and parmesan there is plenty of it. Finally - the homemade croutons were awesome!

creating my closet - part 3

2011-01-24T09:08:00.000-05:00

Once I cultivated a closet of items that work for me - sometimes a little inspiration is needed to avoid falling into a rut of boredom. I have not been good about having a vision of my style, so this is my first attempt at building a digital style-board of outfits I'd love to recreate with pieces I already own.

Instead of constantly feeding the desire to shop, I want to focus on contentment and simplicity - while still having a daily style that makes me feel good. New items aren't necessary for that, but perhaps new combinations are the ticket to a creative closet.

1. I absolutely adore reading Joslyn's outfit deconstructed posts. Her bold jewelry, dresses, and wedges are my favorite.

2. Reese Witherspoon's style is right up my alley - casual, classic, girly and approachable. Her casual sweaters, flats, sunglasses, and cross-body bags are standards in my wardrobe (ok - not the sunglasses, but everything else).

plus, I think her hot pink necklace could be fun to recreate on the cheap...

3. Emersonmade's clothes are fabulous, but I love the simple styling with perfectly tailored pieces in neutral colors.

4. A few images from Liz's style inspiration posts.

Now that I've compiled looks that I truly love, I'm seeing the trends in my style:

loads of neutrals // long, layered hair // cardigans // flat boots or ballet flats // all shades of blue // little pops of pink or yellow or green // dresses that hit slightly above the knee // menswear-inspired

part 1 - building my closet
part 2 - shopping for my closet

creating my closet - part 2

2011-01-21T09:53:00.000-05:00

After organizing my clothes, I shopped. The trick was to buy for my own closet. I've gained a better idea of the clothes I wear often and love on my body for school, church, & cozy weekend dates. This quote helped me focus:

"Buy clothes that you’ll wear on a Tuesday afternoon, not a Saturday night— few people lead Saturday-night lives."

--Lucky Magazine, December 2010

So using some Christmas gift money I stocked up on winter essentials from J.Crew. With their sale items an additional 40% off, it could have been easy to get distracted by cheap thrills (dainty blouses, outerwear, or dresses). But I'd done my assessment once my clothes were all in one place. I needed a few more long sleeve tees and cardigans for the three winter months that loom ahead.

To mix things up and add some youthful edge, I also experimented with some new pieces from Madewell, J.Crew's younger sister store. Here are the items I picked:

perfect fit tee

this rich blue color is my favorite

matchstick cords

warm, durable, and fabulous colors

sequin + stripes boatneck tee

shimmer sweatshirt tee

drapey fabric and a cute, modern cut

twilight cardigan

cozy wool cardigan with a retro, grandpa style

If you need to add some essentials for your closet -

the 40% off sale is on again this weekend at J.Crew and

30% off sale at Madewell!

creating my closet - part 1

2011-01-20T16:47:00.001-05:00

Old houses have very limited closet space. Homeowners get creative with maximizing space, like the gentleman who previously owned our home. He had partially finished the attic space by the master bedroom (read: still open to the outdoors with swinging temperatures and bugs space) to hold his surprising amount of clothes. Check out the sleeveless turtleneck sweater - totally awesome...

Before shot #1 - the attic space

Once we moved into our house and realized I wouldn't have a closet, we contemplated finishing this attic space and turning it into a true closet. During these seven or eight months, my clothes lived here:

Before shot #2 - hanging rack in our bedroom

Before shot #3 - guest bedroom closet

Last weekend though, we made the plunge and headed to ikea's winter sale to pick up a hemnes wardrobe that was drastically discounted. This post and this video by Michael Penney gave me the confidence that an ikea piece could stand the test of time, be multipurpose, and be painted to look a lot better. We bought the piece in those huge ikea boxes, trekked home, and built it - all in one day. No small task.

Then I spent the next few days reading through Kendi's working closet posts, and organizing my clothes to make my new closet work for me.

First I purged a few items to be donated to Goodwill. Mainly I rid my closet of stuffy button downs, painful high heels, and any other items that I don't wear anymore.
I separated my clothes by leaving anything I would wear in the dead of winter in my bedroom and putting everything else back into the guest bedroom closet. Pretty easy!
Finally I started filling the empty wardrobe with clothes...

So, what do you think of her? I am a bit smitten.
Stay tuned for closet assessment and shopping in part 2 tomorrow, friends...

shapiro's deli

2011-01-19T09:16:00.000-05:00

I recently stumbled across some photos of my brother-in-law's visit to see us in the fall. Somehow they got lost once I uploaded them. We ate at a great Jewish deli downtown and then went rock climbing (what?). We went on an afternoon following one of the Indy marathons, and it was packed with runners!

Any type of deli or cafeteria line makes me extra nervous. I feel so much pressure to pick things up since there is no going back! Thankfully - the guys always put more than enough food on their trays for me too. For me, the best things in the line aren't always the deli sandwiches. I get sucked in with the cakes, pies, mac-and-cheese, mashed potatoes, fresh rye bread, and Saturday's fried chicken special. It is a dangerous place, my friends!

recipe: pecan squares

2011-01-18T09:16:00.001-05:00

flaky, caramel & pecan goodness for our family Christmas party

Pecan Squares

adapted from Barefoot Contessa's recipe - by cutting the recipe in half
fills one baking sheet

crust:
⅔ lb. butter, room temperature
⅓ c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
⅓ t. vanilla extract
2¼ c. all-purpose flour
¼ t. baking powder
⅛ t. salt

topping:
½ lb. butter
½ c. good honey
1½ c. light brown sugar, packed
1 t. grated lemon zest
2 T. heavy cream
1 lb. pecans, coarsely chopped

For the crust, beat the butter and granulated sugar in a mixer until light, approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough evenly into an ungreased baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.

For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir. Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans. Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

icicles + play

2011-01-17T10:09:00.000-05:00

I can claim three good reasons for posting these pictures:

a. the icicles are so pretty forming outside our bedroom window

b. the light feels warm and I'm craving sunlight these days

c. best of all, husband came to find me armed to the hilt and we had a sword-fight with the icicles - which makes me giggle just thinking about it.

plus, there's a whole new batch growing outside now....

honest & random

2011-01-15T13:39:00.000-05:00

an honest picture - sans makeup

Sweet emilylime tagged me to create a list of 7 random things about myself. Have you checked out her blog - she is so cute and funny! In an effort to keep with my new resolution, I've done a little introspection of my quirkier side and asked husband to help me when I got stuck - funny how he could just spout off things....

Here's my odd, honest rundown:

Background music or noise doesn't fade into the background for me. Somehow my brain concentrates on the noise and drives me a little insane if I'm trying to have a conversation.
I'm pretty talented at making dinosaur noises, especially a Pterodactyl. Did I really just put that on here?
Three students have fainted during my class, and I caught them. I know the warning signs (white face, cold sweat, eyes roll) because I am a fainter - first day of college, first day joining a gym, and when I get the flu.
I love pizza. Most nights I say, "What should we have for dinner? Pizza?" and then we actually decide what to eat (this is my favorite recipe, too)
Husband and I have loads of nicknames for each other, and rarely call each other by our first names - see my new blog title for proof.
Sometimes I feel really out of place in my chosen profession - especially the time when I went to see Ben Stein's movie, Expelled, on opening night and the whole theater was full of middle-aged guys with pocket protectors and short-sleeved collared shirts (read, Dwight Schrute). Great movie, by the way.
I like cooking and baking because it reminds me of my chemistry labs in college - only you get to eat the end result.

p.s. If you're reading, consider yourself tagged. Play along and leave a little list or link to your own post in the comments. I'd love to read some of your quirky tidbits, too!

one resolution for 2011

2011-01-14T09:21:00.000-05:00

Chicago lights and snow

In the wake of the holidays, a deep calm has taken over our house. Traditionally we schedule very few commitments in January, we don't travel much, and the weather keeps us tucked in our snug house most nights. Even taking down our Christmas decorations was liberating - the house became more simple. We both breathed a sigh of relief with the much-needed space.

During wintry nights, I've been reading my favorite bloggers' posts and a line from Joslyn's post leapt out at me:

"I want to dive into a few things and get really good at them, I want to 'specialize' a little more and 'generalize' a little less."

...along with this bit from a "genius" little article:

"I frittered away my brainpower on everyday problems because they felt safe, solvable, and significant -- those bills do have to be paid, after all. I had no space left for things that really matter to me, the ideas that need time and wonder to come to fruition."

...and all of a sudden, I have my first resolution ever:

Be Focused.

Somehow in the last five years, I've been lost between finishing school, finding a job, moving cities, getting married, and moving to three different homes. 2011 is a year of adventure for us, and I don't want it to slip by unnoticed. Speeding through life - doing everything, but succeeding at nothing - is not the life I choose. Instead, here are my "specialties" this year:

Cooking - While owning the fact that I am not a craft queen or talented artist, I am making this year about creating in my kitchen. My mantra? Try new recipes; plan grocery lists; don't let those dirty dishes discourage!
Reading - I never feel more like myself than when I'm reading (if you're wondering, I was definitely the nerdy, skinny girl in huge glasses with her nose stuck in a book). So I'm limiting my blog reading, tv-watching, and keeping my library stockpiled.
Introspection - Although I've always been an introvert, that doesn't necessarily translate into self-growth and reflection. I know the role I play as a teacher, but so many other areas of my life haven't had the same attention. I want to spend time with a journal discovering who I am as a woman, wife, and daughter of the King. Also - lose the "teacher hat" when I'm not at work - loosen up, laugh more, be merciful and more spontaneous. Focus on celebrating each adventure. (Oh boy, I saved the hardest one for last....!)

excuse the dust...and little blog has a new name!

2011-01-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

p.s. today husband is buying tickets for a trip to this city!

Please don't mind me....just making a few changes around here! (Look for a new post tomorrow, too.)

psst...What do you think of the new name? Nothing like starting the new year fresh :)

the long winter

2011-01-06T15:18:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't been blogging lately.

But really I'm not sorry. I've been having so much more fun living life with friends and family, and I haven't pulled myself away to blog. No pictures snapped, no recipes recorded - but lots of memories are logged away in my head and many feasts have been eaten.

....books were read // carols sung // a children's Christmas program made us laugh // a whole two weeks of vacation time spent with my husband // big plans are being made by our brothers // sleepovers at our parents made us feel like kids again // zach's homemade whipped cream on hot chocolates // candles and twinkle lights everywhere....

It was all about renewing our spirits for the new year.

Also, less blogging has meant more time to follow through: meeting up with friends (like this sweet girl and my childhood friend), eating healthier, exercising, and games (Settlers, anyone?).

I hope you understand, sweet friends. I like writing when I am inspired, intrigued, or excited. But right now, those feelings are on the back burner as I'm needing a little more rest, renewal and simplicity. So, even though the holidays are over and the long winter looms ahead, I'm hanging on to the little bits of joy that I gained and letting the blog be for awhile.

I hope the holidays made you ready for a marvelous 2011!
xo.

decking the halls

2010-12-16T18:40:00.000-05:00

I love when our house is decorated for Christmas and the routine of turning the lights on each night when I get home from work. Last year, I posted about my ceramic Christmas trees and favorite ornaments. This year, I thought I would show you some of Zach's favorite things about the tree.

First - he adds our Christmas cards and some photos of our ski trip to the tree in strategic spots. Second - the two mittens (that came with Starbucks gift cards a few years ago) are placed on the branches to make the tree look like it has arms. It makes us smile!

Since this was our first year with a mantle, I bought a nativity set on ebay. It was always my job as a kid to take care of decorating the mantles, and I loved taking out each of the pieces of the nativity set and placing them carefully on display. There are a lot of different sets to choose from, but this one was classic, simple, and white (my favorites).

Happy Christmas!

a few Christmas tips

2010-12-14T13:18:00.000-05:00

Last night I watched Sarah's Holiday Party on HGTV, where my favorite designer threw a holiday party in her house for 200 people. I have a total girl crush on her - and all her ideas are practical, simple and stunning. The party was taped a few years ago, but I love picking up some of her tips and using them in my home - and maybe you will too.

Here's what I liked:

"Presentation is key when serving food for a holiday party. A few kale leaves add a hit of color to this cheese platter, while vegetables served out of glass vases are an unexpected yet elegant touch." The cheese and flower shops she visited looked amazing, and I love the simplicity of the white dishes.

"Frasier fir is my Christmas tree of choice. Unlike other species with long, sharp needles, Frasier fir's short, soft needles allow ornaments to really stand out." I would love to get a real Christmas tree next year, although right now it isn't practical since we're gone visiting family for much of the holiday. I'm sure I would be overwhelmed with the choices, but I like the practicality of Sarah's tree suggestion. We currently have loads of ornaments from when we were kids, which I love, but I think adding some white, silver and gold would look nice instead of so much red & green.

"I do simple things. Lots of candles. A tree where literally the branches have so many ornaments on them that they start to sag under the weight. But I don't go visiting those Christmas stores in the middle of July. My favourite ornaments are the simplest, the ones that come in boxes of twelve from Loblaws, Canadian Tire, Sears, you name it. I don't do swags and garlands and things are impossible to put up and a nightmare to take down." I loved the simplicity of her mantle decorations, and lighting candles is my favorite thing during the winter when it gets dark at 5:30 each night.

"Less is more. Buy fewer gifts for each person, but make sure they are good quality and will become keepsakes instead of temporary amusement." Amen.

"Try using something unusual for a tree skirt, like IKEA sheepskins for a soft, white glow under the tree." We've used a plaid tablecloth from Meijer as our tree skirt, and it is time for an update. The next time we head over to IKEA, I'm definitely picking some of these up for our house.

our christmas cookies

2010-12-13T12:26:00.001-05:00

It snowed all weekend, and Zach was busy finishing up a big tax return for December 15th. While he worked, I made a few batches of cookies from a recipe his mom gave me. The icing is meant to be painted onto each cookie with a watercolor paintbrush - so fun! (Plus, this seems a lot easier to me than using frosting).

Soft and Painted Christmas Cookies

Dough:

1 c. butter, softened
1½ c. confectioner’s sugar
1 egg
1½ t. vanilla
2½ c. flour
1¼ t. salt
3¾ t. baking powder

Painter’s Icing:

1 c. confectioner’s sugar
2 T. water
1 T. light karo syrup
½ t. almond extract

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add flour, salt, and baking powder. Divide dough in half. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Lightly flour the dough and roll out as normal. Cut shapes and bake at 375°F for 5-6 minutes.

Cool 2 minutes before removing from pan. Once completely cool, brush on painter’s icing with small paintbrushes. Allow icing to harden, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. (The cookies will soften as the icing soaks into them.)

NOTE: It is better to go on the low end of the cooking time, so cookies don't get brown edges (see below). Also, when rolling out the dough, avoid making the cookies too thin.

a little too crunchy for our taste - anyone else want them? :)

currently reading:

2010-12-08T11:33:00.000-05:00

During the first big snow last weekend, we spent a couple of days cozied up inside reading. Zach is making his way through the Harry Potter series after seeing the most recent movie (I am stoked that he is finally reading the books!). I picked one of the classics I had never read - Tess of the D'ubervilles. To be honest, I had no expectations for this book, and it has been a surprising, heart-wrenching story so far.

I'm almost to the end and I can't wait to see what happens.

my christmas indulgence

2010-12-07T10:41:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, a parent gave me a box of these cookies for a Christmas teacher gift with a note of encouragement attached - best. parent. ever.

Now, I stock up on them for the few weeks that Trader Joe's stocks them and give them away as hostess gifts and to our family. Of course, a few boxes get consumed at home each year because they are so delicious!

If you are looking for a thoughtful, easy-on-the-wallet gift ($4) with cute packaging - add some of these to your shopping cart.

terrariums and cloches

2010-12-03T12:39:00.000-05:00

from unruly things

Although terrariums are a big trend in home design, I think their vintage and industrial appeal gives them lasting power. The scientist in me is loving each little combination of green and glass. Terrariums are functional, beautiful, and earthy. I have a large one in my classroom filled with coleus, but my Christmas break project is to add one to my house. Terrain, Anthropologie's sister store, is featuring some of the best terrarium supplies (+ they have a free shipping).

from studio choo's post on design*sponge

from this gorgeous outdoor wedding on 100 layer cake

from simple lovely's post about her daughter's terrarium birthday gift

from once wed

check out this terrarium from Terrain, $18

dreaming in busy season

2010-12-02T10:16:00.000-05:00

image

Zach has been working every day until 11pm or later for a work deadline on December 15th. We see each other for a total of 10 minutes each day (and sleeping of course). If I had my way, we would escape to this woodland cottage without any electronic access. Isn't it dreamy?

the pre-Christmas spending freeze is OVER!

2010-12-01T12:25:00.000-05:00

a cozy Christmas farmhouse from an article full of holiday decorating ideas

As today is the 1st of December, we are officially finished with the pre-Christmas spending freeze. I'll give an account of the weeks 6 & 7, but be warned - Thanksgiving break was full of online shopping. Most of it was for Christmas gifts, but a little of it was breaking the rules (oops!).

- no Target purchases:   check. This has been so liberating and probably the biggest lesson for me is that I do. not. need. to buy so much from this store. The bright lights and stocked shelves attract me, but rarely do I love the things I buy there. True - there are exceptions (like this dress) but I plan to stick to the essentials from here on out.

- no clothing purchases:   uhh...this is where the holiday shopping comes in :) I could say they were presents, but really I just couldn't pass up the free shipping at Homage and bought some new tees for us.  (Plus, I fully intend to wear mine before Christmas.)

- Goodwill donation:   check. I finally took in 2 boxes and a bag full of items to the Goodwill drop off, and subsequently organized our basement. It looks so much better now. I get a serious high from simplifying my home. (am I alone in this?)

- no home purchases:   check - sort of. I did buy a Christmas nativity set for our mantel on ebay. It is the same set my parents have and I LOVE it. I couldn't pass it up. If you follow me on Twitter, you know I've also been eyeing a gorgeous vintage lamp. So far I've resisted, but I still wish I could buy it.

Over the past 7 weeks we have saved a lot of money, and it has definitely been worth it. The timing was perfect with Thanksgiving. I have a regained contentment for what we have - but more importantly a decreased dependence on consumerism. We will keep up all these "rules" in the future but just not quite as strictly. Thanks for the accountability, friends!

Want to see the rest of the story? Check out these posts:

The Rules
Weeks 1 & 2
Weeks 3,4 & 5

one gorgeous ring

2010-11-30T15:34:00.000-05:00

i am not "a fancy, ridiculously expensive jewelry-gift" girl,
but this lovely ring is right up my alley (and less than $60).

On a related side note...you know it's the holidays when you see the cheesy jewelry commercials come on the air.

thanksgiving pie

2010-11-27T11:05:00.001-05:00

I'm feeling so blessed this year and thankful beyond words for all the wonderful people in our life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pecan Pie

adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks

1 whole unbaked pie crust

1 c. sugar

3 T. brown sugar

1/2 t. salt

1 c. corn syrup

3/4 t. vanilla

1/3 c. butter, melted

3 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 c. pecans - some chopped, some whole

Mix sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, butter, eggs, and vanilla together in a bowl.

Pour chopped pecans in the bottom of the unbaked pie shell.

Pour syrup mixture over the top. Cover top and crust lightly/gently with foil. Bake pie at 350º for 30 minutes. Remove foil, then continue baking for 20 minutes, being careful not to burn the crust or pecans.

NOTE: PIE SHOULD NOT BE OVERLY JIGGLY WHEN YOU REMOVE IT FROM THE OVEN. If it shakes a lot, cover with foil and bake for an additional 20 minute or until set. Required baking time seems to vary widely with this recipe. Sometimes it takes 50 minutes; sometimes it takes 75!

Allow to cool for several hours or overnight. Serve in thin slivers.

my first pecan pie!

In an ultimate blog failure - I didn't get any pictures of us together, but here are our smiling faces to say thanks for reading! I really like you guys. I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving too!

to give and get {for guys}

2010-11-24T10:12:00.000-05:00

I have 10 solid years of buying (a.k.a. madly hunting for) gifts for the men in my life. Between Zach, his two brothers, my two brothers, not to mention our dads - that adds up to a lot of gifts! At the beginning, I was not very intrigued while shopping in the men's department and settled for less than inspiring gifts (sorry guys!). However, since getting married and understanding the male psyche a little better - gift buying has become much more interesting. Here are my favorite gifts:

Homage t-shirts, $24

Quirky, retro, and best of all - so soft! They feel like you've worn them for years. They have loads of styles, and although I spring for the OSU tees - they have plenty of other cities and states represented. (Plus, this Friday all tees are $10 to $20 on sale....I'm definitely picking up a couple.)

A Watch, $20 and up

Zach recommended I add this to the ultimate guy list. I'd splurge on a great brand - like Swiss Army and view it as a heirloom gift. Zach bought his after a big promotion and wears it everyday to work. He also has some simple Timex watches that are classic, sporty designs too. The best finds for watches under $100 are the great field watches and vintage styles at Urban Outfitters.

Instax Mini 7S Camera, $130

Although I usually end up taking pictures most of the time, I think Zach would totally dig having a small Polaroid-type camera. He's heading to India in the spring, and this would be such a cool way to record the trip!

The Mustache, $12 and $8

Sweet. Add a mustache to anything and it works for guys (at least in my experience). Last year, I bought these glasses for Zach, but I love the fingerstaches for a stocking stuffer and mustache mug this year.

Vosges mo's bacon & chocolate pancake mix, $12

I've seen my husband and brothers eat breakfast enough to know that they love the sweet and salty combo of chocolate, syrup, and bacon. I think this mix would be perfect for any bachelor who wants to recreate the flavor sensation at home.

J. Crew Men's Sale

Finally, I figured out how to successfully buy clothes for Zach. My secret is this - find one store whose clothes fit perfectly and buy all gifts there. For his "athletic" build (broad shoulders and trim waist) that store is J. Crew. Luckily their men's sale items are fantastically marked down and I only shop in bulk with additional % off and free shipping promo codes. My favorites include: cotton-cashmere v-neck sweaters, long sleeve henleys, flannel shirts, and secret wash shirts (especially the gingham ones).

Hanes Waffle-Weave Tee, $10

For an even cheaper clothing item - last year we discovered these awesome Hanes waffle tees with a Christmas gift card. They look like a J.Crew shirt, but only cost about $10 at Kohl's. And I know some of you are the die-hard Kohl's shoppers with all those coupons, so you can probably buy it for like 35 cents!

Soccer Pants, $30-45

A couple years ago, Zach and I went to Soccer House in my hometown to pick up a pair of warmup pants for my brother, Ryan's, Christmas present. Once there we both ended up buying a pair as well since they were a great deal. (You can see mine in this post.) Zach wears these all the time, and I'll probably pick another pair for him this year (shh...it's a secret!).

Planet Earth DVD series, $45

These shows are amazing if you haven't seen them. I show Planet Earth to my biology classes, and guys and girls love it. It's an investment, but after 4 years of teaching I've probably seen all the episodes 20 times each and I'm still not sick of it. This was a great gift for my dad several years ago. If you're looking for a wow episode - try Shallow Seas, Jungles, or Deep Ocean (my favorites). Added bonus: David Attenborough's British accent and dry humor throughout the narration.

Last but not least - if you're still at a loss, gear your man up for winter with a pair of cashmere-lined leather gloves, a big umbrella, and galoshes (Mad Men style!).

I really hope this little guide gets you going in the right direction!

to give and get {for girls}

2010-11-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

a print of a favorite flower in amber glass, $13

I've already bought several presents for people on my list, and there are a few rules to help guide me while shopping. Usually, I try to pick items that are practical, pretty, and have some personality (alliteration!). I also tend to choose gifts that I don't buy with my own money but would enjoy having and using. For me - these rules usually mean I'm purchasing accessories, jewelry, and books.

Due to my great anticipation of the holidays, here are my favorite items to give and receive for girls. Everything is under $40 and follow the links to get more information! Here goes:

ruffled peony print, $35

sparkly quartz necklace, $24

a girly pair of flannel pj's to wear all winter long, $40

simple ribbon posts, $24

Beautifully detailed monogram cards, $18 and cute new pair of mittens, $25 are pretty, yet functional gifts

a classic clothbound book, $14 and a delicious scented candle, $18

4 new nail polishes brighten up winter's gloominess, $20

Last but not least, I love getting new socks and tights.

Plus, coming soon: my favorite gifts for guys - and I have loads of practice in this area (husband, two brothers, and two brothers-in-law)

indy field trip

2010-11-19T12:50:00.000-05:00

While Zach was away on a business trip, I headed downtown to the Midland Arts & Antiques warehouse for a fun distraction. There are two factory floors filled with vintage and antique furniture, art, jewelry, clothes, and decor. I love the abundance of industrial and schoolhouse items and the wide range of prices. It provides easy inspiration and also some items that could be put to work in your home.

My favorite finds included:

a educational wall map
sturdy wooden dressers with glass knobs (true bargain pieces)
a mirror surrounded by studded wood
a plethora of vintage lamps and chandeliers
science glassware collections, including cloches and amber bottles
colorful globes

I walked away without any purchases (thanks to the spending freeze), and because I didn't see anything I needed enough to justify breaking the freeze. Regardless of money spent, I love visiting a huge place filled with such unique pieces.

similar, right?

2010-11-18T20:27:00.001-05:00

In honor of the Harry Potter premiere, I must tell you my little brother's nickname is officially Ron Weasley. I think it's an uncanny resemblance, but is it just me?

p.s. truth be told, I LOVE this book series, and they are on my all-time favorite list of books.