Saturday, November 29, 2014

Advent Calendar and some Friday links (on a Saturday)

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was a quiet yet good one. I had visions of creating this beautiful spread for my family, but a lot of the day involved me sitting with a heating pad, giving Red instructions from the kitchen table. And you know what? It was fine! The turkey ended up being the most delicious turkey we've ever had (we are going to brine our turkey every year I'm hosting from now on), and I was able to just sit back and enjoy the day with my family despite it not looking just so. I was reminded of the Thanksgiving when Red was in Iraq and I just wanted to get through the day in one piece because I missed him so much. Not to mention- we have a little girl with a baby on the way…..and life is so, so good.
~
As December first approaches, I thought I would share the DIY advent calendar (and free printable) I made last year. I had nearly decided that with the new baby (coming any day!) we would leave this tradition and pick it up again next year, but then I saw this idea for a movie advent and loved it. A movie advent? Now that's something I can do, newborn and all.


and here are some favorite links:

How to make your own latte art
Pretty Christmas inspiration
12 amazing inexpensive wines (for under $12)
Ikea's new "greatest hits" collection
Along with drooling over the IG pics of her new home, I'm loving how Kate Arends is decorating for the holidays…
Calvin Klein's home
This photo shoot makes me excited for winter
Love this nursery
Dream coat



Monday, November 24, 2014

Healthy Living Post: Butternut Squash and Pear Soup with Rosemary croutons

It seems I'm sharing this recipe on the tail end of butternut squash season, but better late than never! Last Fall I stumbled upon this recipe via Jacquelyn at Lark & Linen, and it's quickly become a favorite in our home. I love this recipe for a couple reasons- not only is it healthy, but my family loves it (picky two year old included!). In my mind, there's nothing cozier than a bowl of soup as the temperatures lower. Enjoy.
Ps. I should add that cooking has not exactly been my forte this pregnancy, so anything with homemade croutons (no matter how simple) feels like a huge triumph!


Soup
-3 Tblsp. oil
-2 medium onions, diced
-1 medium butternut squash (peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 in. pieces)
-4 pears (peeled and chopped into 1 in. pieces)
-chicken stock (enough to cover)
-1 sprig of rosemary
-2 Tblsp. heavy cream (optional)
-sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
-optional: pad of brie and sriracha

Croutons
-1 slice bread
-1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
-olive oil
-sea salt

*In large pot, heat olive oil & add onions. Cook 4-5 min. until translucent. Add squash and pears, cooking 4-5 min until they soften. Pour in chicken stock (enough so submerged). Add sprig of rosemary and bring to simmer. Cook until squash tender (18-20 min). Remove rosemary and puree with immersion blender. Add cream and season. Serve with croutons (and optional pad of brie & sriracha).

*Croutons- Preheat oven to 400. Slice bread into 1/2 inch strips. Drizzle with olive oil, rosemary and sea salt. Bake 10 min or until toasty.



Friday, November 21, 2014

For the last minute Thanksgiving table- Frosted Wheat

I have had a serious lack of inspiration the past couple months when it comes to Fall decor, and had nearly moved on to Christmas, until I made a stop at Anthropologie the other day. Not the first time their gorgeous displays have brought inspiration my way, I spied the prettiest twist on this Fall's wheat trend….frosted wheat. It's also very fitting as we have snow on the ground this year. I immediately made a stop at Hobby Lobby for some wheat, spray glue, and glitter and got to work. It was the most rewarding five minute DIY, and now I have something festive for our Thanksgiving table. I'll probably keep it simple and just be adding some greenery to the mix.
~
Ps. After spraying the glue and sprinkling glitter, I added epson salts to make the "frost" stand out more.



Friday, November 14, 2014

Friday Favorites

This morning I woke up to snow dusting the ground outside my house, and while I'm sad to see Fall leave so abruptly (it always feels that way, right?), I can't help but welcome these cooler temperatures. It's a sweet reminder that we are that much closer to meeting this baby I've been carrying for nine months. I just have a couple minor finishing touches for the nursery, then I can't wait to share that part of our house with you. Here are some things that have been catching my eye this week:   
~
This pretty kitchen 
This holiday tablescape


and these links:


Entertaining tips from one of my favorite bloggers, Victoria Smith
The trench
These pretty coasters
This french onion soup looks incredible
Give lockers new life (I love the set we have in the office)
Fall staples (check out that coat!)
Homemade apple cider marshmallows? Yes please.
Emily's brass and marble backsplash
Sofas under 1000
This pretty home



Monday, November 10, 2014

Black Fireplaces

Recently I've been entertaining the idea of painting our fireplace black. I'm not sure why I haven't considered it before…if you remember this post a while back, I think I was so fixed on having a white brick fireplace that it never occurred to me to paint it black. I still love a white brick(floor to ceiling please!) fireplace, but unless we are planning on getting hardwood floors (I wish, but the beige carpet will have to do) anytime soon, there simply is not enough contrast or character in our living room. Now, for the nerve wrecking part- painting over brick. I can still hear the disapproval from the guy at Home Depot eight years ago when I told him I was painting our used dining table and chairs black. I never regretted that decision, but for some reason painting over wood or brick still makes me nervous. I don't think the brick in our fireplace is particularly beautiful, so that helps in the decision making process. I could also use another project to keep my mind off of my nearing due date:). Here are my top inspirations for the job….thoughts?  

1/2/3/4



Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Five Things



1. I have been on the search for the perfect camel coat for a couple years now…this one is beautiful
2.  This cookbook looks amazing
3. These pretty boxes from Anthro
 4. I fell in love with this tablescape by Bri of DesignLoveFest. I seriously don't think I've seen a prettier Fall spread.
5. Reese's Halloween costume as the morton salt girl last Friday….it was a magical night for her, she is still talking about how she wore a dress and had an umbrella.