friday favorites

My blue manicure!!!!

I wanted it. I got it. I love love love it!

Seriously. It makes me so happy. And it looks like Easter candy on my fingertips.

be mine.

We're almost 4 months into our engagement and I have not yet asked a soul to stand next to me as a bridesmaid {or maid of honor}.

Not for lack of consideration.

Actually, I've given the subject a lot of thought.

I'd decided on the desired size and composition on about December 25th.

David and I are the worst at keeping friends, so we knew we wanted a very intimate group. That's not to say it's the smallest wedding party {in my mind that would consist of one for me, one for him} but an intimate group.

We often discuss adding more to my side. There are more than a million arguments for adding friends that have meant {and mean} so much to me.

We always come back to the start.

There is no perfect answer. So, like the first testing tip you ever learn, go with your first answer.

So, how to ask?

How do other people ask? E-mail? No freakin' way. I'm not judging but... {four words that, combined, mean something quasi-judgemental is probably coming next} people don't really do that, right? Face-to-face? Ideal. But now I live in Rhode Island {makes things a little tricky}. Phone call? An option, but such a small group deserves a bit more. Letter, card, package? Definitely makes the distance a little more personal and personal is key.

What are the folks on the dot com doing?

A gift? Simple as a bottle of wine. {me - but not me enough}. Elaborate as a box of goodies. {easy killer we are on a budget}.

{Artful Beginnings via From Hello to Hitched}

A photo gift? Popular, it seems. Nice gift. {but, while I love photography, this one just doesn't say me}.

{Picture Card from Wiley Valentine, Photo Gift from Elizabeth Anne Designs, Picture Cards from Elizabeth Anne Designs} 

Baked goods? Sweet & eat. Fab.

{The Flour Pot via From Hello to Hitched}

A nice card? I looooooove any excuse for a card. There are some great ones out there, too.

{Bear Hug from Oh So Beautiful Paper, DIY Dresses from Wedding Chicks, Letterpress from Ritzy Bee Blog, Detail Kit from Elizabeth Anne Designs}

Love the letterpress. {surprise}. The little pack of details is great too. {but I think I want to start off the bride-bridesmaid relationships with a bit less neuroticism}.

{Envelope Pocket from Enjoy It}

Again, fun & detailed.

{Folding Bridesmaids from Ritzy Bee}

My personal fav. {I could never master the chain of paper dolls}.

And one for the boys:

{Dude card from Wedding Chicks}

Obviously, I want it to be personal. I want each of my girls to know how much it would mean for them to be there, standing with me.

At this point, I think they know it's coming. There is only so much surprise you can keep.

But the how - I'm the only one that knows. I have the picture in my head. Now it's a matter of execution. I've always been moderately crafty. Here's the test!

Pictures will follow once the invitations have been delivered {and hopefully accepted}.

scenes from this weekend...

As Lent winds down, David and I are keeping up with meatless Fridays (fish allowed). Last week we tried Dave's fish & chips...unfortunately by the time we made it through the line, home & got the cold groceries put away the fish had cooled and batter softened. The combination makes for a less than pleasurable meal. This week we went with tried-and-true: Nice Slice - half margherita half joy ride (white pie with spinach). Again, the pizza cooled a bit more than is ideal between the pizza oven and our plates but it was still unbelievable. So delicious, in fact, that we quickly devoured 3 enormous pieces each. The ricotta on the Joy Ride was perfection. Light, fluffy clouds on their bed of spinach, garlic & mozzarella. Heaven.

We also enjoyed a quite fruity cabernet. Either we were weakened by limited food intake or this wine packed a bit more alcohol than usual. Whichever the case, we left one glass behind.

The rest of the weekend, foodwise, was but a reprise of last weekend's over-consumption. For the most part, I don't even know what I ate. One highlight was a mid-afternoon cup of coffee punched up with some whipped cream and cinnamon. Comfy, cozy in a mug!

Saturday, we got Bella's oil changed for her drive back to the Sunshine State.

Sunday, we started our day with our golden puffs of heaven (croissants) and got in a game of Scrabble. The game started on the wrong footing. David pulled away quickly. Then he played a 6 point word. He could have made it back from this blunder but two plays later he could only summon 8 points. That was the beginning of the end for him. I took the game 400 to 286. I am by no means a superstar Scrabble player but I can usually eke out a double digit play even with the most dire rack. Just a lesson for any potential opponents out there.

{Not pictured:

*Scrabble

*the junk food smorgasboard

*Sunday morning croissants

*my littlest herb sprouts - I refuse to remove the greenhouse lid til it's time - then you'll see 'em}

friday favorites

Today's favorite: Kate Middleton hair...I typically call it my "big southern hair" {and typically has more fullness on top} but today it was especially almost-royal.

**I couldn't get the photo color right but even my hair coloring is quite Catherine right now

And what better way to represent royalty then with my ultra-casual clothes & Pumas.

Late post. Better late then never!

we need a wok: registering

I am in full-swing wedding mode today!

Our planner sent us some photographers to check out {in addition to those we'd reached out to on our own} so I started by checking those out. Some we'd already looked at. Some we hadn't. I'm somewhat relieved that there were none that stole my heart. Since photography is super subjective we really took the wheel on that one. And, while Staci {planner-select} may think we're totally nutso transporting our photographer from Florida's East Coast, we say if the price is right and the work is beautiful then what's the difference?

{sidenote: I'd love love love feedback on the photographers we think we've narrowed it down to: Kallima, Bee Photographie & Jessica Lorren}

Now, to the wok:

Last night we made yet another go-to meal for dinner: fried rice.

Every time I'm mixin' up that meal in our largest saute pan I make a mess of my lovely stovetop!

So go buy a wok. Simple solution.

For some reason we have it in our minds that we're going to register for one, silly as that may be.

We have a tool we can use for the time being. That's just one that we want.

So, how early is too early to register?

Obviously, one must have a date. Check...well, kind of...we have a date reserved...we also have a contract to be signed...I digress.

I tend to think the earlier the better. I mean, no one is going feel obligated to started buying just because a registry exists. Right? Plus, it'll be something I can check off the list. And it will be fun-ish. I imagine it will take more time then we think it will. So start early and take it slow-ish.

We know where we want to register. David was initially concerned that the stores aren't necessarily in close proximity to our guests that will (or will not) be buying from them. We have since agreed that our physical distance from said guests would make it a little nonsensical for them to be going into a store to purchase from our registry to then ship it to us? Or, better yet, buy a gift from whichever store then traveling with said gift to our wedding in Florida for us to then travel with said gift back to Rhode Island {or wherever in the world we are living}. A wondrous thing that interweb!

P.S. Staci also got me talking food...let me tell you, I managed to write her a novel, leaving out many specific ideas. It was, after all, just to get her started. But you, my friends, will have to wait for those details...

scenes from this weekend...

Such a Spring-y weekend.

I started my Saturday with a super-delicious grapefruit (with a bit of Truvia). Then it was up to Natick to find clothes. I wanted an Easter dress. Result: ring cleaning and lunch at Nordstrom. {who knew their café had such yummy food?} I really need to make an effort to capture my non-domestic food adventures. David had a steak sandwich. I opted for the beet salad: spring greens, roasted beets, goat cheese, candied pecans (I added avocado), all dressed with black cherry balsamic vinaigrette. A simply irresistible combination. It was a-mazing!!! However, I wished I'd added tomatoes. That would have been perfection.

That salad marked the end of my eating quasi-healthily. As soon as we returned home I couldn't eat enough. Anything I could get handfuls of I ate. I started with the healthiest (by comparison) air-popped popcorn with alt and butter. I love popcorn - all kinds, kettle corn, Smartfood, movie theater...I digress. I think I moved on to ice cream next. But I was on such a spree that I don't remember. Then, when David had dinner, I polished off his box of Cheez-Its. I decided random junk would be a great replacement for a more balanced dinner.

I don't even know where the desire came from. I don't restrict myself. No food is ever off limits. It just so happens that during the week, when I'm regularly going to the gym, I eat pretty healthily. As I am a total slave to cravings, I have to credit my body for keeping me pretty straight-laced. On the weekends I don't really pay as much attention to what I eat (protein, fat - whatever, who cares?). I do try to get some color (read fruit & veggies) into my diet, especially since my junk intake is higher. This weekend, specifically, was out of control.

***Skip to astricks below if you've had enough of this food-venture***

Sunday, despite my resolve to do well, we enjoyed our new tradition: Willy-Sonoma croissants. A bit of light & flaky heaven - no problem yet. Lunch started with oatmeal. Then an apple (and lots of Skippy Natural Chunky Peanut Butter, my current obsession) served as my attempt at taking the healthy path. That quickly deteriorated into more of the same from the day before.

Oprah says she can't eat potato chips due to their irresistible nature...I'm in the same boat. One of my specific weaknesses is for Ruffles. {almost} No chip compares. Imitators don't {usually} come close. That was until we discovered Wise Ridgies. Plus, I love the name. David brought the bag over with his lunch. Bad plan with the junk food destroyer sitting next to him. Eventually he took the bag away. But, not before the damage was done. {I fell asleep at some point after my feast so I managed to make it to dinner without further incident}

Now, this isn't just a "skinny girl" rant. Perhaps still annoying, but so went my weekend! I wasn't saddened by my epicurean selections, just surprised by the insatiable nature of my weekend junk food needs.

I think the whole adventure threw off my food signals yesterday though. I didn't get hungry {one's normal cue to eat}. I found myself consciously trying to decide if I was hungry or not - even then my belly wanted no part of solving the mystery. This led to my using physical shakiness to indicate hunger. One major caveat to this method: too little, too late. By the time I recognized that I needed to eat, I didn't have the strength or focus to make it through getting my meal together, which led to inhaling my meal and feeling worse than when I started. {it didn't help that David was scheduled to work til 7:30 so I was trying to wait for him, only to find out that he would be late - after 10 late}

Fortunately, the excitement of the weekend + Monday has been reset and today I have been normal. So far.

***

Sunday was also a day of planting. I'm so excited for these little seedlings to start.

Last year, we miss the timing for starting our herbs so they only enjoyed a short life before it got cold.

This year we went with super sweet grape tomatoes, yellow pear grape tomatoes, rosemary, basil, chives, thyme & sage. We skipped parsley. It's affordable and it just doesn't grow as lusciously as what can be purchase.

We bought a seed-starting kit this year too. Hopefully, that will get things moving a little faster. I'm like a child. I check the "greenhouse" often. I'm so excited.

We had also picked up some cut tulips. Again, I was captivated by the golden hue. {sidenote: the grocery store had no more Opal apples - I spent 10 minutes in produce hunting} I know the cut tulips will die faster than almost any other flower I've picked up. They're just so lovely...

{not pictured:
*our delicious lunch from Nordstrom's Bistro
*my diet of junk
*croissants - you saw them last week - Sunday breakfast
*baked ziti - Sunday dinner}

friday favorites

The favorites have returned...

I began a "series" and then completely failed at getting anything posted on Friday!

To be honest, this post was intended for last Friday. New month, new start. Guess the joke was on me, because I ran out of time in the day...

I give you "Asian Vegetables."

This has been my savior during lent. Friday means no snacking and no meat (and really only water to drink but I have my routine coffee and tea...what can I say, I do my best). The meat part isn't too hard for me - I have plenty of meals in my repertoire that are completely meatless or we can make fish. But no snacking!? I'm a grazer. I eat when I'm hungry. I eat something little. Then, an hour or two later, I eat something little again.

Lenten Fridays mean 2 small meals, one larger meal. That's where the asian veg come in. Lots of veggies, nuts, pasta. Small portion. Well rounded. Gets me through. Recently, I've been tossing in some flaxseeds for added fiber and omega-3s. And a little more texture.

My mighty mini meal.

the trigger man

{Beluga Butter Dish - Anthropologie}

Is that not the cutest butter dish you've ever seen?

I met this little fella at Anthropologie about 100 years ago. I fell in love.

I left him that day. Didn't make the purchase. I have never forgotten the little treasure. I even talk to David about "that whale butter dish" on occasion.

Of course I romanticize my decision not to buy. I think of him as an inexpensive little indulgence that I let pass me by.

In trying to find a picture to share, I found that he is still available, just not from Anthro. He's a Jonathan Adler piece. And he costs $68. I'm guessing my decision not to bring this little bit of happiness into my home was because I would feel completely mental spending $68 on a butter dish!

He's still a love lost.

The sting of love lost: part ii.

{Modern Heraldry rug via Modite}

The "Modern Heraldry" rug. Again, Anthropologie. {their home buyers do such a good job}

As I have mentioned, our apartment is painted grey. We are always on the lookout for a great rug for the living room. We saw one on Kathy Griffin: Life on the D-List that we completely fell for. It was pink and red and orange. It would bring so much life to this room. We couldn't find any info on it anywhere (it was only shown in someone's house).

This ray of sunshine was the first rug we found that we thought would fit the room perfectly...great looking rugs are surprisingly hard to find.

We didn't buy it. Now, it's gone.

At the time, it was money we could (and probably should) spend elsewhere - or save. Now, it would have been a great addition to the room.

David and I are savers. We cannot pull the trigger. Unless it's true love - or we're in desperate need. And even then we struggle. 

This has tested true with everything. 

We held on to my old laptop until the threat of it dying for good was imminent. We ate at our coffee table for lack of a dining room table for 9 months here! We do it with clothes all the time. We stick with our standbys and only buy new things when we can't live without them. 

This weekend we went out with the intent to spend. We came home with a receipt for 2 shirts David had to special order, a honey dipper, a brown sugar saver, and some concealer. Our mission for a new wardrobe: clearly a bust.

The moral of the story: if you love it. Buy it.

{Please note: Future indecision is likely and lack of trigger pull will likely remain unchanged}

a bride(to-be) in white: blush

Part II: Blush

Not quite white. It has the same feeling. Romantic color. Romantic fabric.

{clockwise from top left: Halston, Nightcap, J. Crew, Rebecca Taylor, Valentino, Badgley Mischka}

{clockwise from top left: Aidan Mattox, Sue Wong, Badgley Mischka, L'Wren Scott, L'Wren Scott, Badgley Mischka}

If only I were half as inspired by the clothes I can actually find (and afford).

an apple a day

They say you eat with your eyes first. Well, let me tell you, Dave's (my favorite grocery store) got me. Having worked in visual, I understand the little things retailers do to make you buy. Regardless, this beautiful apple was too pretty to pass up. There was a mountain of these beauties staring me in the face right when I walked through the door Friday night. The color was so delicious. A perfect yellow, verging on mango. I limited myself to one (every time I experiment with new apples and buy more than one, they fail). Now that it's gone, I wish I had more!

It's called the Opal. It's the offspring of the Golden Delicious and the Topaz (haven't had this one, but am now intrigued). From what I can tell, Opal was introduced to the market about a year ago. Now, I love a great apple. If someone new pops up in produce I'm the first to try. I like 'em sweet with a tartness to balance. And they must be crisp, crisp, crisp. Typically the apples I like best also take a little while to oxidize - perhaps it's the acidity.

So, run, don't walk, to get yourself an Opal (or a bunch).

{Others to try: Jazz (my longstanding fav) and Honeycrisp (typically limited availability, sweeter and ridiculously juicy - wear a bib)}

scenes from this weekend...

This weekend was all about food. Mmmm delicioso!

David was in a conference Saturday. I cooked.

Best use of leftovers: Banana-nut bread. Half with mini chocolate chips.

Best imitation Italian: Meatballs and scratch sauce. {imitation because a. I am not Italian, b. I call it sauce, not gravy, c. my sauce probably has more ingredients than its true italian counterpart}

Best Sunday morning treat: William-Sonoma croissants. David had the chocolate croissant.

 Worst injury: Possible 3rd degree burn. {actually happened the week prior - now on the mend}

Runners up: 

*Cramped neck. No looking left for 3 days.

*Internally bruised right foot. Too much running?

Other deliciousness not pictured:

*40 carrots Garden Delight juice

*40 carrots chicken salad wrap

{I brought my camera to Bloomie's knowing I would partake in some yumminess...forgot to get the shots}

*Bloomie's - not food, simply delicious