tips: streamlined & perfect blog reading

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....

• whoorl, Reunited (with blogs) and it feels soo good
• rage against the minivan, if you read blogs you should read this

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

tips: my {homemade} flowers

 

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!

tips: thriving in winter

"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!

tips: thriving in winter

 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 few Christmas tips

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. 

winter houseplants

Last week I found myself at a crafting/fabric store with an impending craft date scheduled with some girls in my house church (a.k.a small group).  I had several diy ideas in mind from the blogosphere --- a cute scarf tutorial from hayley, simple crafty-necklace like joslyn's, maybe something with chalkboard paint, or even a fall/winter wreath idea like emily's. 

After spending an hour hunting for supplies, I ended up buying basically nothing for any of these projects and left feeling frustrated with crafting in general (deciding to go on a Friday after school may have caused these feelings of frustration - just sayin').  So, with the help of a very calm hubby, I shifted game-plans and spent the craft date making something I wanted for my house with supplies I already had (and loving my time with the amazing women in our group). 

Here are the results:

supplies assembled - plants, potting soil, pots, fertilizer, spade, and gloves

baby's tears moss in our bedroom, with a thrifted milk glass plate underneath protecting the wood dresser

This rosemary plant jump started this whole "craft" idea since I'd been meaning to move it to a smaller pot and bring it indoors before the first frost killed it.  Now it is situated next to our fireplace and adds an amazing scent to the room.  I'm looking forward to cooking with it all winter.  The other benefit to all these houseplants is air purification and filtering out formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. 

natural reindeer moss, $3 purchase

simple dining room table centerpiece update: remove 1/2 of sand and add reindeer moss

fall favorite: flannel

for Zach
bought here

for my bed
bought here

These makes the long Indiana winter much more snuggly, and I like them in the fall too.

progress

photo from emersonmade

A few months ago, I posted about my feelings of isolation and homesickness, and I'm so glad some of you chimed in to encourage or empathize with me.  I can't tell you how much that helped on a day when I was feeling blue.

Since then, I've been working on being more intentional about being present in my community - saying yes to new friends, speaking up, and asking for help or support when I need it.  Although I still have those sad days when I miss my family and hometown, we've been putting down roots and growing in community with others.  This isn't a huge milestone, but to me it's a big deal to celebrate the little ways God answers prayer (and not focus on the negatives).

I know some of you have struggled with feeling isolated because of moving away from "home" too, so I thought I'd post some of the things that have helped me build relationships.  Please add to the list with your own suggestions.  It would be so helpful to get some fresh ideas from you lovely and wise friends!

• Invite people to your home.  Our home is one of the best expressions of who Zach and I are, and inviting new friends into our house has helped them to quickly get to know us.  It stimulates conversation and since our Indy friends don't really know our family, our house gives them some background info about our lives.

• Say yes to invitations.  For the record, I am a bit of a homebody.  I like our routine on the weekends and am accustomed to spending free time with Zach.  If I am going to make relationships, I have to be willing to allow others into that time.  For example, instead of our normal Friday night date, we played volleyball with a group of work-friends.  (I was more than a little apprehensive about this, but it was so fun!)  

• Join a group.  In our case, we joined a house church and everyone lives within a few blocks of each other.  We'd been putting this off because we thought we couldn't fit it into my husband's crazy work schedule.  But he's been able to make it work for the past 8 weeks, even in busy season.  The thing that I love is that we are committed to living life together - on Wednesday nights, and also throughout the week.  These are the people who are quickly becoming our family in Indy.

• Find favorite spots.  One of the things that made me miss home was not being able to go to those spots around town that I'd gone to for years.  Those places that ground you after a long week, you know?  We've found a couple spots around Indy that have slowly become favorites - Patachou, La Piedad, Brugge, all the walking/biking trails, the IMA gardens, and Fresh Market.  When I go to these places, I sort of breathe a sigh of relief because of their familiarity.  We still like to explore, but too much exploration can leave me feeling more exhausted than exhilarated.

• Practice good habits when you are alone.  Cooking in my kitchen, reading (good books and the Bible), walking around our neighborhood after dinner, blogging/reflecting, and working out are the habits I need on a consistent basis.  They ground me and remind me of who I am, which makes it easier to be myself with others. 

So, go ahead and chime in with your thoughts!  We're heading home for the first weekend in a long time, and I'm stoked.  I hope you all have a lovely weekend too, friends!

Tips: scarf-tying

Since it's just about time for scarf-weather here in Indiana, I thought I'd add a new way to tie scarves to my repertoire.   My favorite methods keep most of the scarf close to my neck because that is always the part of me that is most exposed and chills me to the bone.  I like this one paired with a cute ponytail, since most of the fabric is on the back of your neck.

For an easier option, try an infinity scarf:

 all images from anthropologie.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.)
4. 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.
5. 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.  
6. 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!
7.  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!

finding your signature pieces

I've done a lot of closet-cleaning since we've moved twice in one year.  Each time I try to whittle down our possessions to the things that are loved, functional, or both.  It can be hard to do, but it is worth it -- especially when you have to move.  The best part for me is not having to weed through my wardrobe to find something I want to wear.  The pieces inside are items that are comfortable, but still have some cute details.  Here are some of my signature pieces that made the cut as both loved and functional...

casual, striped tops

v-neck cardis with a little something extra

sweater dresses to pair with boots

Once this is accomplished, add in some new pieces to help fill in the gaps and express your style as you grow and evolve over time.  It is a lot easier to buy things you will use, when you have visualized a closet of clothes you really wear and love.  Right now, I'm digging this statement-making necklace....

found here

...for $38, I could wear this beauty with all kinds of outfits, casual and professional.  Plus the necklace matches my style - simple but with girly details.

adding new recipes

One of my New Year's resolutions was to compile a cookbook of my favorite recipes by the time Christmas rolls around.  I decided I had better start now or it would never happen once school starts.  So, I've downloaded the software and made my Table of Contents.  Once I saw the list of recipes to include, I started experimenting with some recipes from my favorite, new cookbook from America's Test Kitchen.  Their recipes seriously don't fail me - perhaps it is the scientific method applied to food that I like?

It is a textbook-like compilation of recipes that I would love to work my way through (kind of like Julie & Julia).  I have already made their brown-sugar cookies, triple chocolate cookies, and deep dish pizza from watching their show on PBS.  Bonus: You can find almost all their recipes online if you want to try them out before committing to a whole cookbook.

This weekend, Zach and I tried two recipes with good success, and then went back to an old favorite on the grill.  First up...instead of going out on Friday night, we decided to recreate a favorite meal from Mama Carolla's Italian Restaurant, garlicky shrimp pasta, for less than the restaurant charges for a single plate ($15).  Find the recipe here.  We had delicious results, although I would switch the rigatoni to capellini next time.

{garlic shrimp pasta}

The next morning, I got up to try my hand at pancakes, from scratch.  Traditionally, we have always been pancake-box-mix people.  It started with Hungry Jack buttermilk pancakes (which only stopped when we read the ingredients - yikes!) and then evolved into Hodgson Mill  whole wheat buttermilk pancakes.  Unfortunately, Zach never liked the whole wheat variety, so we never make them anymore. 

A.T.K.'s recipe for homemade blueberry pancakes sounded like a winner to me, since I had everything in my pantry and it didn't include buttermilk (which I have never bought).  The resulting pancakes, with and without blueberries, were absolutely the best I have ever made and were light, fluffy, and slightly tangy from the lemon juice.

{pancakes, from scratch}

indy favorites

This summer, we've been lucky to have loads of visitors come down to check out our little house and neighborhood.  It has taken us awhile to accumulate our go-to local list, but slowly and surely it has built up (mostly by avoiding any chain restaurant and asking for loads of recommendations).  Here are some of our favorite things to do to show the flavor of our little corner of the city:

1. Stroll through the streets filled with historic houses. 
2. Enjoy an omelet and cinnamon sugar toast at Cafe Patachou.  If it is a girls-only trip, we'll head to PetiteChou instead (you may even spot Peyton here).
3. Pick up a box of Long's Donuts....easily the best bakery in town.
4. Go to church at Common Ground with us.  We love this community.
5. Bike along the canal to the IMA and check out the gardens.
6. Munch on french fries, crepes, mussels, and endive salads at Brugge Brasserie.
7. Visit the Broadripple Farmer's Market and load up on salsa ingredients to make at home.
8. Take little ones to the Children's Museum or the amazing downtown library.
9. For a fancy celebration dinner, we love Harry and Izzy's steaks and spicy shrimp cocktail (the kid sister restaurant of St. Elmo's - same food, but low-key atmosphere)
10. Go duckpin-bowling or learn to swing dance in Fountain Square.

We LOVE having visitors, so if you want to come down for a weekend just let me know or email me if you want more info on any of these favorites for a trip of your own.

{Harry and Izzy's feasting}

{IMA in the summer}

{Farmer's Market}

{duckpin bowling}

Indy Neighbors: What would you put on your list?

before and after: branching out from white

I really like to paint.

I tend to pick white as my fallback whenever I'm painting furniture.  I like it....Everything goes together....It is simple.  Anyone else fall into these ruts?

Here's the twist...Last weekend while at Home Depot picking up more paint, I was also browsing for paint for my cherry-stained Target stools and a traditional side table passed down from my mom.  I jumped for a Martha Stewart color that I thought could work.  This past weekend I dragged everything out to the porch and got to work. 

Before:

Martha Stewart magnetite, semi-gloss

After:

 {now cute and functional}