honeysuckle & heart: weekend

Showing posts with label weekend. Show all posts

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

a weekend outfit

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 :)

shapiro's deli

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!

indy field trip

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.

scenes from chicago

Chicago has been one of our favorite weekend spots throughout our relationship. It's close, fun, and inspiring. Even more so since three of Zach's college roommates live there, and we can hang out with them at their favorite local spots.

As a couple, we've evolved to a place where we would rather experience local spots than touristy spots, although sometimes it's still hit and miss. Case in point - my urge to go to Giordano's the first night we got into town. We waited over an hour and a half, and the pizza wasn't really that good. The next day we tried the locals' favorite, Lou Malnati's - and it was amazing! The sauce, the crust......so. good. (We're even shipping their pizzas to my parents to eat together over Thanksgiving break)

Instead of spending our Saturday shopping (we did pop in a couple stores), we checked out some side streets filled with old brownstones and walked down to see Navy Pier for the first time. The hustle of the pier wasn't really our style, but sitting by Lake Michigan on a crisp, sunny fall day was surprisingly peaceful.

Another new stop on our list was the Lincoln Park Zoo with some friends. Love that this is an amazing free zoo, although I think zoos are making me more sad the older I get.

We rounded out the weekend with a sushi dinner with friends, a dart-throwing competition, watching the Bears game while cooking lunch in one of our favorite couple friends' condo (and meeting their sweet, new little girl), and a stop at Portillo's on the way home.

My favorite part was snuggling with Zach all weekend long.

By far.

weekend list

birthday dinner for Zach's mama
weekend staying at my parent's house
campfire with roasted marshmellows and smores - thanks Mom!
snuggling with my puppy
celebration dinner for my little brother's college scholarships
meeting up with my best friend from school....love that we pick right up where we left off
Colts win!
seeing my cousin Alissa and her lovely family
a long drive with Zach - perfect time to talk and see the leaves changing colors
coming home to a clean house (one of my favorite things)

the birthday girl + Ryan + a big present

Sunday lunch at Casa's .... one of our hometown local favorites

fall at the farmer's market

Breakfast sandwich: homemade bread, country sausage, brown eggs, and cheddar cheese

we stocked up on apples from Wild's orchards

Frilly sunflowers

treats from Renee's Bakery and Hubbard & Cravens

tips: hosting Sunday dinner (or brunch)

Growing up, my Aunt Karen always had our entire extended family over for lunch after church. It was one of life's consistencies. Everyone sat shoulder-to-shoulder, but no one ever seemed to mind. My brothers and I always ended up sitting together on the piano bench pulled up to the end of her long farmhouse table.

Since we bought our house, I've been dreaming of having a big Sunday lunch of my own. We've had a couple family grill feasts over the summer, but this past Sunday I tackled my first solo meal.

We invited our small group for a meal, because they are like our Indy family. Most of them hadn't seen the house since helping us move (thanks guys!). For our meal after church, I decided to serve brunch food, with some extra sides provided by the guests:

Menu: 

zucchini chocolate chip muffins

cheese danishes

sausage & mushroom egg casserole

During the process, I learned a few things:

Pick dishes that are best made the night before. This is absolute perfection in my book. I started by whipping up the egg casserole and popping it in the fridge, then moved on to the muffins and danishes. Letting them sit overnight makes all three taste better.
Kitchen clean-up should happen before you go to bed. I woke up and just had to turn on the oven for the egg casserole. There is nothing fun about having a sink full of dishes when people are coming over.
If people offer to bring something - let them, but try to offer specific ideas. I was too vague and didn't think of specific suggestions. This probably made it confusing for my guests to know what to bring. (For future reference: granola, yogurt & berries, grapes, or juice would have been perfect suggestions.)
Buy flowers, light candles, open windows, and turn on the lights. These are my rituals when people are visiting. It's not just to welcome them - it makes me feel ready for a party too.
Wear a cute top or necklace. When you're sitting down most of the time, who cares if you have on a new skirt? Focus on what will be visible.
Have everything out for easy access. In the morning we spread out glasses, dishes, silverware, coffee mugs, pitchers for water. Have a pot of coffee ready to start brewing. I loved using "real" dishes and silverware, but if you're lacking a dishwasher I fully support paper products!
Only sweep the floors where it is absolutely necessary. (...but always clean the bathrooms). I needed to sweep in the kitchen, but decided to let the dining room and living room go. By moderating my need for perfection, I was less worried with keeping my house clean, and more concerned about being present with the people I love.

p.s. I wish I had taken a picture of my mom's egg casserole recipe! It was a rich, filling centerpiece for the meal. Soooo good!

penrod art fair

Riding through Butler to the fair

we had the trail to ourselves, thanks to a rainstorm

i loved the colors in this trio, but now i'm loving the bigger painting more

people + mud

loved this artist from rural ohio

hello #87

our favorite of the day - Lindsey Tull

the county fair

Fiske fries + rabbit barn

One of my family's traditions is to head to the county fair every year in the little town where we grew up. Although we moved when I was in middle school, I love coming back with my siblings. We run into our extended family as we walk around the fair and hit all our favorite food stands. For me, a state fair has nothing on a small-town country fair.