Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Since Husband went back to school, we’ve made two really big life changes. In the last month, we’ve gone down to one car. While we’re both having to watch our moods in the morning, we’re getting spend some really lovely evenings together. Second, we’ve made a really concerted effort to eat in more, which has meant a lot of experimenting in the kitchen. I am not afraid to admit that I was in a total rut. So we traded in some old cookbooks for a couple new ones at the local bookstore, and I’ve been learning new techniques, spices, and recipes ever since!
A few rules of thumb:
1.) Always have a back-up meal in your back pocket.
Salad and/or taco ingredients are perfect for the job. It’s also a good idea to keep lots of fruit and cheese on hand just in case as well.
2.) Learn new techniques not just new recipes.
Invest in a couple cookbooks by chefs that have very different cooking styles from your own. I got this great book by Charlie Trotter because I’d heard he has a really amazing restaurant in our favorite city, Chicago. So far, it’s been my top pick; I’m using new ingredients and trying different ways to prepare the foods i know.
3.) Find recipes online.
Most of my cookbooks are either used or gifted so if I’m looking for something in particular, or looking to try recipes from a new-to-me chef, the first place I go is the interweb. I love everything I’ve tried from Emeril & Ina on FoodNetwork.com–and I’m not just saying that because we work for the same company. Also, I adore trying new recipes from blogs. My web-friend, Jess, just started a food blog with another friend of hers, and I’ve already pulled a couple of recipes to try this weekend!
4.) Find random and seasonal recipes in magazines and save them.
I started a notebook, after years of saying I would, with all of our recipes neatly organized and stored in pretty plastic slips. I’ve gotta say, it feel pretty awesome.
Finally, eating in has been a huge money saver! I’ve found that by not eating out, we can buy better quality food and are really learning what it means to make a menu and a budget. With the traveling we may have coming up in the next few months, this has been such a blessing.
Bon Appétit!
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
It’s been a hard week–a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” sort of week if you will. So what else can you do but pour a glass or bourbon, run a bubble bath, light some candles and read Mindy Kaling?
Yep, that’ll do it.
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
{ Warning: This week’s links are very, *very* random, but I think you’ll love them all! }
: Listen :
I read Blaine Hogan’s blog; If you don’t, you should. (Have you read his book yet?) Anyway, last week he posted about this project a friend of his is working on called A New Liturgy. It’s beautiful. Think of it as a personal worship service that you can participate in anytime, any place. It’s perfect for your car ride home, your time on the treadmill, or your lunch hour. I’ve found it really rejuvenating and a great way to start the week off in the right mindset.
: Read :
Last week, Elsie had some really great sewing tips on her blog, A Beautiful Mess. Between her guide to seams and Husband’s encouragement to make a few things for the house and for ourselves, I have a feeling I’ll be dusting off my sewing machine this week. ‘Bout time, huh?
: Dress :
If you saw the Bill Cunningham documentary, or if you’ve ever seen his curated photos in the NYTimes style section, I’m sure you too *heart* Bill Cunningham. So how great is this tee from Barneys?
: Live :
Just try and tell me that looking at these pictures of Martha’s Homekeeping Room doesn’t make your little heart skip a beat. From the organized labeled bins to the wrapping station, these pics make me want to organize, organize, organize. What better way to brighten things up on dreary January days for free? First on the docket this week: organizing the kitchen cupboards.
Happy Monday to all! Make it the best you can! xo* Hannah B.
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012
These 2 photos were cut out and juxtaposed in my sketchbook. For some reason, I just think that’s kind of perfect.
Hope you’re having a *lovely* weekend!
Friday, January 20th, 2012
I have been in a major funk for the past week. I got sick over New Year’s, and I swear I haven’t been the same since. This past week we’ve been trying to adjust to a new routine, the house isn’t in the best shape, I keep feeling like no task is ever complete, and I just haven’t felt like myself. Anyway, I think I’ve figured out at least part of a solution: Creatively I think I need to mix things up a bit. Does everyone get like that? You do the same routine for so long that it loses all it’s spark? I find that learning a new technique or going back to something I haven’t done in years is both therapeutic and exciting at times like these.
I’ve been blogging for a while, but I don’t know if the stuff I’ve been blogging about for the past year is really where my head’s at right now. On that note, I was going through old sketchbooks a few nights ago and came across some really fun things. I thought I’d share some snippets over the next few days. Long before Photoshop and Pinterest, I would cut up magazines and catalogs and make collages in my sketchbook like these…
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
This time of year comes with an abundance of cold, gloomy weather. As a result, I think it’s even more important to add a few little touches to your home that makes it just a bit cozier. The other night I found a few items on ShopTerrain.com that I particularly thought would do the job.
Every Belle knows there isn’t a better way to cozy up your home than a wonderful meal. I’ve wanted this particular cookbook ever since I read The Bucolic Plague, but ShopTerrain has an abundance of great cookbooks. One of our personal New Year’s Resolutions has been to eat in more, and I have taken this as an excuse to mix things up in the kitchen. Cooking the same old things was getting old so gathering some new inspiration has been such a help!
These Honey Tobacco beeswax & soy blend candles have become one of my new favorite things. We always try to keep candles burning in the evenings. Our usual choices are cinnamon or apple scents but when someone sent these for my birthday, I became a total devotee! It is the *perfect* scent to cozy up your living room while you eat ice cream and watch Netflix.
As a Southern girl, I have a personal affinity for cotton. Needless to say, when I saw these cotton stems, I needed them immediately! I love decorating with white in the wintertime and for some reason these little guys remind me of snowballs; they’re like winter’s cozy answer to the bright floral arrangements we usually try to keep around the house.
Monday, January 16th, 2012
1.) If you’re going to be on a major awards show, get your roots done. (I’m looking at you, Ms. Witherspoon.)
2.) “Sit up straight!” “Shoulders back!” By the grace of God, I was raised as a Southern Belle, and as such these words will forever be ringing in my head. With that in mind, it pains me every time I see a gorgeous girl in a thousand dollar dress with her shoulders slumped… such a waste. (I’m sure Husband got very tired of me yelling at that poor little Paula Patton all night.)
3.) Accents are sexy! (But we Belles already knew this, didn’t we?) P.S. Thinking of watching Modern Family from the beginning (we never got NBC before cable) just because I adore Sophia Vergara!
4.) I *loved* the headbands this year! Who knew my signature style when I was 8 years old would ever be so cool again?
5.) When Daddy Von Trapp thanked his wife so beautifully at the end of his speech, I must admit a little tearing up. What a sweetheart!
…and lastly, a lady called Elaine, my wife of 43 years,
whose bravery and beauty haunts me still.
6.) Black and White is always a great go-to palette and last night was no exception. Although, my favorite color last night may have been emerald and Laura Dern’s sequins just took the cake in my book!
*Finally, if the Golden Globes teach us nothing else, it’s Drink More Champagne!*
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
{ Record / Xanax jar / I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence / Auntie Mame }
If you ask me that girl could use a few of what we Belle’s call “mama’s happy pills.” I saw this album cover on Spotify the other day and, obviously, things went downhill from there.
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Can you guess what it was?
A little background: I’m 5’9″ish.
I’ve been 5’9″ish since middle school.
Until junior year of high school, I was taller than all but one guy in my class.
When I walked down the hall in middle school, there were classmates that would sing the Green Giant jingle. (My last name was Green at the time.)
Give up? Shoe shopping. Can you imagine how large the Green Giant’s feet are? Size 11 to be exact. But Husband *loves* shoes. For him, the shoes can make or break the outfit. What was the only item to grace his Christmas list this year? Shoes. And, I must admit, that I’ve become a little obsessed myself. Did you know that in the city there are magical places, like Nordstrom Rack and DSW, that carry rows and rows of size 11?
Needless to say, my life has been changed forever. So today I thought I would share a bit of what I’ve learned with you. There are basic shoes that every woman should own for the cool weather months. (Along with your tennies and Sperrys, of course!) Buy something of a little better quality, with a little quirkiness, and you can take any outfit from good to *Gorgeous!* One of my New Year’s Resolutions? Wear better shoes. You should never under estimate what a good pair of heels can do for your booty.
Wondering where can you find these particular shoes?
1 / 2 / 3
4 / 5 / 6
7 / 8 / 9 / 10
And remember, you need the basics but get things that are unique! Buy something with glitter, look for things with funky colors or embellishements, and wear unique combinations…
Why not pair a glitter black stiletto with jeans and a tee?
Do you have a shoe that you can’t live without?
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
Cupcake Mixology on A Beautiful Mess :: Emma (Elsie’s baker-extraoridnaire sister) always has the best recipes. My favorite to make of her’s was this apple pie with hard sauce (a huge hit during cold months) but these 6 new recipes look scrumptious and make me want to throw a party so I have an excuse to bake for all my friends!
The Coveteur Visits Coco Chanel’s Apartment :: It was fascinating to look through the opulent home of a legend… Bonus: you catch a glimpse of the couch that Frasier copied.
Tate Shots: Maurice Sendak :: Need I say more?
Harper’s Bazaar: Portrait of a Lady :: I don’t know how I missed this before but this gorgeous layout by photographer Peter Lindbergh features Julianne Moore as the star of numerous iconic portraits. Gorgeous!
