Date "Night"

Do you have a regular date night? My parents did (and still do!) and they're pretty religious about it - Thursday nights were always sacred to them.

Max and I don't have a specific day set aside... we do things sporadically and spontaneously. We are masters of what I call the "errand date": when you go out to run an errand together, but then make a point to stop somewhere and enjoy a shake/frozen yogurt/coffee somewhere and just chat.

But just last Saturday, we decided to do a date "night" (we rarely go out in the evenings - everything is cheaper during the day, haha!). We ate at Chipotle's, and then went to see a matinee: What to Expect When You're Expecting.

We very much enjoyed this movie - I'm not sure if it's because we are right in the middle of this time in our lives, or what?! But we laughed a lot!

I have a feeling that getting away for date nights is going to become even more important once the little one arrives. We may have to be more intentional about it in the near future!

What about you? Do you do date nights?

Shoe Envy

I have a love-hate relationship with shoes. On the one hand, I love pretty shoes. On the other hand, my feet groan in protest if they're not comfortable enough!

That leaves me unable to buy cute cheap shoes. It makes my wallet sad! I'd love a closet full of shoes but if I'm going to be comfortable wearing them, I'll have to shell out a lot of cash for them... and I'm frugal!

Some of my favorite brands that carry cute and comfy shoes are Naturalizer, Reef, Aerosoles, and Clarks. Here are some I'd love to have on my feet:

1. 2. 3. 4.

What about you? Do you have a shoe obsession?

My, um, Style...

This month's inspiration workshop prompt is My Style. This is an out-of-my-comfort-zone kind of post for me to write. I've never done a "what I wore Wednesday" outfit post or anything like that.

Frankly, my approach to fashion can be summed up this way:

1. How much does it cost?
2. Does it fit? Is it comfortable?
3. Is it flattering?

I end up shopping a lot at thrift stores and clearance sales. And I'm perfectly okay with that!

However, if you were to give me a blank check and tell me to get a new wardrobe, there are some stores I would definitely hit up: Down East Basics, Naturalizer, Fransesca's Collections, Gap, and Ann Taylor Loft.

And of course, I would love to accessorize solely from handmade shops!

But these days, seven months pregnant and practically waddling, I go for comfort:

What about you? What's your style?

Spring Garden Party

Nothing says SPRING like a good ol' fashioned garden party. The weather is warmer, the flowers are blooming, and the birds are chirping.

If our backyard looked fabulous and wasn't overrun by mosquitos half the time, this is the kind of garden party I'd throw:

Fresh flowers and romantic lighting:

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Fun music in the background:

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I'd serve some fancy drinks:

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And there'd be plenty of cupcakes:

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And don't forget your garden party hat!

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And of course, you're all invited! :)

Pretty Pantries

When I dream about organization, I think about my pantry. There's just something about a de-cluttered and PRETTY pantry that makes me drool. Like these:

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I'm thinking my own pantry may need some sprucing up. Some wallpaper and paint (and some matching containers) just might do the trick... it may even inspire me to cook more. What about you? Are you happy with your pantry?



In the Bedroom

Today's Inspiration Workshop is all about the bedroom. And for the first time in 9 years of marriage and four different apartments/houses, I can say that I truly do like our bedroom. Here's a peek:

I made the silhouette art of my husband and me. Here's a closer look:

But the wall across our bed needs something. I'm thinking a bold and graphic decal.

I love that our bedroom is a pretty place to relax. How do you feel about yours?

The Christmas Mantel

One of the things I would love in our next house is a fireplace.

With a mantel.

That I can decorate for the holidays!

But since we don't currently have one, I'm just drooling over everyone else's :). Here are a few of my faves:

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Do you have a mantel to decorate?

Holiday How-To: Bring your Childhood Back

How to bring back that childhood excitement on Christmas morning:

 

1. Have kids. If you don't have kids yet, try the following:

2. Wake up at four in the morning to sneak a peek at the Christmas tree

3. Shake a few gifts and guess what they are.

4. Leave cookies and milk out for Santa. For reals!

5. Wear a Santa hat.

6. Countdown to the big day with a CHOCOLATE advent calendar.

7. Forget about calories for just one day.

8. Wear your PJ's all day long.

9. Get out and actually PLAY in the snow!

10. Watch your favorite holiday movie - from a blanket fort in the living room and with plenty of hot chocolate!

Dining in the Dining Room

Be honest... do you actually eat at your dining room table? Maybe if you have kids you do. But my husband and I are guilty of eating on the couch in front of the TV. We save the dining room table for our mail when company comes over.

When we first moved here, we spent months looking for the perfect dining room table. Do you know where we found it (of all places!)?? COSTCO. Yes, Costco. We love it there, and we love our Costco table!

I had a lot of fun creating the art to hang above the table (check out my tutorial here):

And I've had my eye on some table runners for a while now:

1. 2. 3. 4. 

What about you? Do you eat in your dining room?

Flowers in Fashion

I don't know about you, but I've been loving the floral trend in fashion these days! Here are some floral finds I've been drooling over lately:

 Sparkle Tank from Down East Basics

Garden Rose Hair Pins from Along for the Ride

Flower Belt from Nordstrom

Trio Rosette Necklace from Seek First

Peppering Skirt from Anthropologie

Czech Glass Flower Earrings from Tell your Girlfriends

Make Ahead Quinoa Goodness

So I have this aversion to homemade sandwiches (with the exception of grilled cheese). I don't want to bring them to school for my lunch. I would bring leftovers, but I'd rather save those for dinner!

That's why Gussy's prompt this week is so timely: RECIPES. It's the perfect opportunity for me to share the healthy lunch I make ahead of time - it takes about two hours to prepare on a Saturday and it gives me three weeks worth of lunches!!

(Do you know how awesome it is to grab my lunch out of the freezer every morning with nary a thought or worry about it? Done, and done!)

So here it is:

Quinoa Goodness 

(if you've never tried Quinoa before, it's kinda like rice - this is a good recipe to start out with!)

Disclaimer: recipe is adapted from here and quadrupled to make a lot of lunches!

4 cups quinoa (cook according to directions-easy!)

4 cans (15.5 oz) chickpeas (aka: garbanzo beans)

2 cans diced tomatoes, drained

1 can of corn

4 chopped/halved zucchini (or yellow squash)

1 red onion, diced

2 tsp garlic powder

3/4 cup lime juice

1 cup olive oil

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp. dried parsley

Salt to taste

Directions:

Cook quinoa as directed. Chop zucchini and red onion and cook in some olive oil. Drain tomatoes. Throw quinoa, zucchini, red onion, and tomatoes in the biggest bowl you own. Dump in the seasonings.

Recommendations:

If you're feeding an army, let it chill for an hour or two (this tastes best cold or at room temperature). 

If you're making 3 weeks of lunches, scoop out 1.5 cups of quinoa goodness and freeze in a ziploc bag. Then all you need to do is grab a piece of fruit and a cookie in the morning and you're all set to go! (I keep a bowl and a spoon at work.)

Enjoy :)

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Contain Your Pretties

Gussy's prompt this week is all about ACCESSORIES! I don't know about you, but I love me some pretty accessories! The trouble is.... they can get out of hand - fast!

Here are some organizers (some for purchase, some DIY) to help you contain all your pretties:

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How do you organize your jewelry?

PS: The winner of the Threes 4 Me giveaway is Lauren from Seek First!

PPS: Ready to boost traffic to your shop? November sponsorships are now available!