Wedding Weekend in Cleveland OH

Hello and thank you everyone for all your sweet comments while I've been away and feeling a bit under the weather. I've been feeling a lot better.  Theresa, I think you nailed it when you said that this road trip would be just what I needed! It feels good to be back from our little weekend road trip to Cleveland Ohio.  It was about a 6 and a half hour drive from where we live in Chicago, so instead of driving we decided (last minute) to hop on the Mega Bus! It was great,  I got to catch up on some reading, writing, relaxing, and napping! And the wedding was so beautiful, our friends Annie and Steve looked stunning together and looked blissfully happy the entire night. It was so fun to mix and mingle with some of Joe's closest high school friends. We even had time to take a brewery tour at Great Lakes Brewery (yum) and enjoy a great dinner at there pub. Here are a few of my favorite iphone shots from this weekend. Much love to Steve and Annie on starting this new adventure together :)

MIA

 

 

Please excuse me when I say that I've been in rest and recover mode for this week.  The soreness has been hanging out in my glands like an annoying pest that just won't go away.  Speaking of going away, Joe and I are packing up to head to Cleveland for a long weekend to celebrate in the wedding festivities of Steve and Annie! Joe's known Steve since he was in the 2nd grade!! We hang out with this fun couple (but not often enough) and so I'm looking forward to spending time celebrating them in Annie's hometown of Cleveland Ohio.  So hopefully I'll have some fun stories and photos to share with you next week... until then, have a nice weekend! Stay healthy :)

DIY: The Beauty Department

Photos by The Beauty Department

Have you heard of this great online beauty blog known as The Beauty Department?  I spotted it over the weekend as I was browsing through Pintrest.  For someone who is looking to shake up the everyday hair  and to finally know how to pull off a smokey eye, I think I've found the answer.  With great layouts, clean photography, and a DIY attitude, I think this site will be frequented whenever I get in a style rut or just looking to pull off a fun new do... Check it out for yourself!

Inspired by: DIY Wedding Materials

Hanging Decor, Boutonniere, Bunting, Outdoor Love Set

Book Planter, Bouquet, Table Display, Table Numbers

Fabric Garland, Circle Paper Garland, Heart Music Garland

Moss Paint, Planter, Moss Ring Pillow

Quilting Inspiration by Denyse Schmidt

A few years ago I rediscovered my love for quilts and all the comforts that they bring. My curiosity and interest came in the form of the book Quilt by Denyse Shmidt. Her modern take on quilt patterns, color pairings, and simplicity really resonated with my love to create something functional, timeless, and authentic. Around the time I picked up this book I also happened to have a collection of tee shirts, in similar neutral colors of cream, white, grey, and tan that I had a feeling would all pair well together. So fueled with inspiration by this book and a season of Project Runway, I set off into my first quilting adventure. I posted about the finished project a few years ago and included some of the lessons I learned in the process. Patience, finding beauty in the flaws just to name a few. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat and I can't wait until inspiration strikes again! Which makes me curious to know, have you ever taken on a long term project that was so worth the wait?


* First Photos & Patterns by: Denyse Shmidt
* What's In Your Toolbox Interview by Design Sponge

Instagram Week

Happy Friday to you all as we round up the first full work week of the new year! Did it treat you well? I sure hope so!  I find that the key to my best and productive work weeks have been by making time to move my body at the end of most days.  Even if I can't haul it to the gym, an impromptu dance party in my living room always get the blood and energy flowing just as well!  Plus I notice that exercise, in whatever form that may take, almost always guarentees a beautiful night sleep! Cheers to more productive weeks ahead and deep sleep too! Before I head out to start the weekend here are a few Instagram shots that made up my week.
xoxo,
~Liz

Food Bites: Butternut Squash with Ricotta Ravioli

Since joining the local CSA, Joe and I have been receiving a bounty of butternut squash.  So much so that they have taken over the top of our microwave for quite a while now. And besides roasting this veggie (I can only eat so much of this seasonal item) we figured we'd roll up our sleeves and dive into- what else- making butternut squash with homemade ricotta ravioli.  It was all quite simple, just time consuming. 


 To make your own batch of these tasty bites you'll need to roast about 2 butternut squashes (cut them in half lengthwise and discard seeds first) in the oven (450 degrees for about 50 mins). Scoop out the insides into a bowl and add a minced sprig of fresh rose merry, crushed pine nuts, and salt and pepper to taste. This will accompany the ricotta as the ravioli filling.  Here's the super easy way to make your own ricotta. Pretty easy, right?!  Next roll out your pasta sheets, we used fresh, uncooked sheets. Cut them to the size you want your Ravioloi to be.  We played around with a mix of sizes. I liked the bigger sized guys. Next spoon in your squash and ricotta into the middle of one piece.  Next brush the edges with a quick egg wash (this is going to help keep all the filling inside your pasta).  Top your half with another pasta piece and use a fork to seal all of the pastas edges (as demonstrated by Joe). Cook your pasta according to your desired tenderness. I like mine al dente, you know with a slight bite to it where as Joe prefers his on the verge of dissolving as soon as it enters his mouth..I tell him at least he's dentures will thank him in the future..hehehe!  Oh and then the best part of all comes the feasting, yum! We still have a few more squashes in the house, I'd love to hear any tasty suggestions on your favorite way to prepare squash!? Cheers!