Life in Photos: Weekend Snapshots

February 24, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

Weekends are what dreams are made of, or at least that’s how I felt about this weekend. I went out on Friday night with my husband and his work friends, and as DD, I was able to enjoy a colorful evening, felt fantastic the next morning and received countless thanks for driving. Good times.

First stop was Red Hook Brewery, so I had a Hale’s Cream Ale and a salmon burger…delish!

Since Friday was a late night, I enjoyed sleeping in, and I find sleeping in the most luxurious think in the whole wide world. I was able to get in some light cleaning and handled grocery shopping, and since I did not buy flowers on Friday, I picked up some gorgeous white hydrangeas on Saturday. I spent Saturday afternoon/evening on the couch, eating takeout and dark chocolate walnut brownies, drinking red wine and watching some of the best reality TV I’ve watched in a long time…via on demand…with my favorite girls. It was the perfect night in with girlfriends.

Some things are meant to be…like this brownie mix being in my cupboard on a girl’s night.

Sunday morning was dreamy. I made a yummy poached egg and finally tried making hash browns in the waffle iron (here’s the recipe), sprinkled some Mediterranean sea salt, pepper and green onion on top, and it was just perfect. I turned on Songza and found the best station, –Tina Turner aaaand The White Stripes?!– sipped my coffee, read my new book and just relaxed. Afterward, I felt so energized and inspired, ready to dive into a project, and so I did (more on that later this week). After I got my craft on, I made a veggie lasagna, and the hubby and I snuggled up for some Game of Thrones.

Today I feel rested and ready for the week. Busy and action-packed weekends are great, but sometimes being home feels so good and I think you just need that every once in a while.

Today’s BGD // 2.20.14

February 20, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

Some days are just better than others, and today is kind of a blah day. In this blah state, I’m choosing to think about a better day, this past Monday. I’d like to preface this by saying, I’m not a huge shopper, and it’s not because I don’t like it, but my frugal side usually takes over. Monday, I allowed myself to indulge a little because I was with one of my favorite shopping buddies, my bestie, Jackie. We hit HomeGoods, and it’s always an adventure with Jackie, Monday was no different–complete with road rage (not the scary kind, the kind you can laugh about), crazy hair (neither of us cared to put ourselves together on Monday, apparently), and a trip to Home Depot (where they looove Jackie and her vast knowledge of all things hardware and DIY). Anyway, it was a really fun day with a friend I don’t spend nearly enough time with, and here’s the loot from our magical Monday.

My favorite item of the whole day is this mirrored tray. It looks so perfect on my dining room table with a vase full of flowers.

I found these great note cards too. I love a good card.

Last but not least, I got a new sketch book and colored pencils. I’m very excited to put it to good use.

January Challenge: For the Love of Friends

February 19, 2014February 7, 20174 Comments

As the big finale to the Apartment Therapy January Cure (I dubbed it January Challenge), we threw our friends a cocktail party. For the first time ever, we did not ask our friends to bring drinks or an appetizer, so I really went for it, providing a good variety of appetizers, a signature cocktail and the basics for the bar. Side note, of course, they all brought a bottle of wine, or a fun treat regardless. Anyway, this was a big undertaking for me, as I always have timing issues when preparing big meals, but it went off without a hitch (with the help of a couple friends in the final hour, how fitting, right?). Truly, I am shocked at the success of the food and drinks, and am so pleased that everyone had a good time. We kept the party fairly small with around 20 people, I put together a little candy bar for favors, complete with mini waters for the road, and we had a photo booth because they are always so much fun. We saw friends, both old and new, and it was a fantastic night. It felt wonderful to host our friends in our home that has come such a long way. Here are some snapshots from the evening.

I used a paper table cloth and a gold pen to show what was being served.
A little close up of that green chile and artichoke bread — get the recipe here. Oh and next to the bread, bacon covered pineapple. All of my carnivore friends loved it. Just wrap pineapple chunks in bacon and sprinkle a little brown sugar on top, bake at 375 for about 25 minutes. There are recipes all over Pinterest.

Since you cannot see the crab puffs in the photo at all, here’s a little pre-bake shot I took. These were delicious, get the recipe here.

Oh and these caprese skewers were so light, tasty and easy to make. I drizzled a little balsamic glaze over them right before serving.

So, clearly, everyone hated the food…kidding. Please excuse the crumbs and such, but this is real life, it happens.

My lovely friend, Angie, pictured in the back there, brought these adorable heart shaped sugar cookies, and they were delicious. Here is a not so great photo of the candy bar favors. Those strawberry Pocky are so, so, so good.
I couldn’t talk about the photo booth and not share a photo. They are so fun and so easy to put together. We used my iPad and found a free app called PhotoBooth. We were able to prop up my iPad, using my painting easel, and then you just had to hit the button to take 4 photos in a row. You got a little countdown, and then if the pics were good, you click on Share and then Save. If the photos weren’t keepers, just move on to the next. We put a little sign on the top of the easel with those easy instructions, and it worked really well. For the backdrop, I just hung a black sheet and then a large white sheet in front of it, and I bought some polka dot balloons. I strongly urge you to have props on hand as well because well, this happens.

SO.MUCH.FUN.

Have a great day!

Lake Serene: Snowy Edition

February 17, 2014February 7, 20172 Comments

A couple weeks ago we went on a little adventure to Lake Serene (learn more here). Given the time of year, we were able to enjoy quite the winter wonderland. Lake Serene is not for the faint of heart, with a 2000 ft elevation climb in only 3.6 miles, and it features endless switchbacks and stairs. The hike is an out and back, so in total it is 7.2 miles.

The start of the hike is this incredible mossy, green, rich forest, and it’s calm and flat–the complete opposite of the next 2 miles. Everywhere you look, moss is strewn from branch to branch, and moss blankets the fallen trees.

Out with the green, in with the stairs and snow!

This photo was taken back in September of 2009 when we first visited Lake Serene. It’s amazing to see what it looks like without the snow, and you get this gorgeous mountain reflection on the water.
This is a similar point of view as above, but it is just a sea of white.

And, I just have to share an adorable pic of our little Mia girl, taking a much deserved break on the hike.

We may be deep into winter here in the PNW, but the great outdoors are not off limits. Get outside and enjoy it!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

A very happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours! Today is one of those days that my husband and I have never really celebrated. We always refer to each other as “my Valentine”, and sometimes we will make an extra special dinner, or maybe a delicious dessert, but we are not the weekend get-away couple, not the dozen roses couple, and certainly not the crowded restaurant couple. For those that embrace it and go all out, fantastic! There is no better reason to spend some extra money or to really put yourself out there, than for the one you love. But, if you’re a little more like us and keep it low key, know that it makes your love story no less special. Some of the greatest moments in life are the simplest, right?

My Valentine is the greatest in the whole wide world and to quote my wedding vows, he “makes me happy when skies are grey.” What more does a girl need?

Enjoy your day, whether you care about Valentine’s Day or not. Today is Friday after all, and you know what that means…FRIDAY FLOWERS! Go out and pick up some flowers to brighten your home and spirits. And while you’re there, grab some chocolate and champagne…because, why not?

Life in Photos: Busy Bees

February 12, 2014February 7, 2017Leave a comment

Sorry for the blogging lull, but we have been busy little bees lately. Work has been overwhelming, I’m in crunch time for the party this weekend, January Challenge tasks have fallen to the wayside, and my kitchen is a little, well, out of sorts.

Work has been taking over my days and evenings lately, with long weekday hours and long weekend hours.

Don’t worry, we squeezed in a very fun hike/sledding day on Saturday. More on that later!

The concrete countertops are coming along beautifully, but until this slab is sealed and totally dry, we can’t use it, so the microwave, fruit bowl, blender, and other kitchen essentials are currently living in the dining room…on the table…totally taking over. Also, I really need to make a decision on the backsplash–ideas and suggestions are always welcome.

Projects that I’ve been dying to delve into but haven’t are really beginning to add up, but a wise friend told me that the January Challenge is “extra credit” and boy, did that make me feel better. It’s so true! The improvements we have made thanks to the January Challenge are crazy good (put “January Challenge” into the search to see all of the projects), so I will not fret another second.

Besides, it’s party time this weekend, and my January Challenge time isn’t up yet. I’m very excited to have our friends over, relax and enjoy these amazing people in our lives. If I complete another task, fantastic, and if not, it’s not going anywhere, so I’ll tackle it another day. Sometimes, you need to snap out of the craziness that can be our lives, and just enjoy what’s happening.

Today’s BGD // 2.6.14

February 6, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

Donuts may be making their first appearance as a BGD, but I promise that it won’t be their last. Donuts are unhealthy, but with their delicious dough, covered in chocolate and sprinkles, they can bring instant joy to an office. Today is going to be long and grueling for us here at my office, so I thought I may need to bring in the big guns.

It’s time to get to work and handle business, but first, enjoy a donut.

Have a great Thursday!
xo

January Challenge: Update

February 5, 2014February 7, 2017Leave a comment

It’s been a while since I have checked in, and I have been all over the place with this challenge. As of now, party planning is in full swing, home improvements are a daily occurrence, and I’m not exactly following the Apartment Therapy January Cure calendar anymore on a day to day basis. Projects for the week include:

Medicine Cabinet Clean Out // Check out my before and after!

Hanging Artwork // I tried framing artwork last week but loathe the matting color with the frame color, so I’m painting it!

Party Planning // I’m a Pinning and list making machine!

Image from Pinterest

Dining Room Project // Will be revealed later this week, but here is your clue.

I’m still loving this challenge and really enjoying the transformation at home. One of my favorites…Friday Flowers. That one is going to stick.

Are you participating? How are you doing with it?

Taco Tuesday: Sweet Potato & Soyrizo

February 4, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

As I was leafing through my Sunset Magazine (thanks for the subscription, Dad!), I came across a recipe for sweet potato and chorizo tacos. Since I don’t eat meat, and I happened to have soyrizo in the fridge, I decided that this recipe must be tried. One of the best things about this recipe is that you don’t need a ton of ingredients, so it won’t cost you and arm and a leg to try something new. You can find the recipe here.

Mine didn’t look nearly as pretty as the mag, but I promise, the flavors were fantastic together. This recipe was quick and easy, making it something we will definitely do again.

Enjoy!
xo

Tray Table: Done, Finally!

February 2, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

This project has taken forever, thanks to a healthy dose of procrastination and frustration. My first round of artwork was a fail, and then I just didn’t have a clear vision, making it nearly impossible to complete. I have learned a big lesson from this project, and that is, you can’t force creativity. If you’re not in the mood, you’re not going to enjoy it, and you’re probably not going to like what you do. Embrace creativity when the mood strikes you, but always, always do your best to nurture your creative side and coax it out.

The official plan for the tray table is to get some hooks and hang it on the wall, providing some art as well as function. We do not have a coffee table, so when we entertain, guests are always looking for a place to put their drinks and plates. This isn’t much, but it will certainly be small enough to fit the space comfortably, and big enough to do the job.

What have you been working on lately?