Snickers Gap
Posted on November 29th, 2016
This Thanksgiving was the first holiday we have spent with Ian’s family. Ian and I grew up together in St. Louis, but his parents moved to the DC area a few years ago, and this occasion was long overdue. Most of the Thursday celebration was pretty standard Thanksgiving fare (a totally lovely day with tons of food and tons of family), but there was one family tradition I could not wait to experience: the Christmas tree farm. Their family observes Jewish and Christian traditions, but they definitely don’t hold back when it comes to Christmas decor. My family switched to artificial trees years ago after evergreens were linked to my brother’s asthma, so I had never had the chop-your-own-tree experience.
I loved it.
We visited Snickers Gap Tree Farm (a name too absurd to invent) bright and early on Friday morning to pick a winner. A hillside covered in trees was an impressive sight, but it was the rich, earthy pine smell that I could not get enough of. Once the winning flawless fir was identified, Ian and I volunteered to handle the sawing process, and we retained all of our fingers so I suppose we can count it as a success. Watch out, Paul Bunyan.
Between sipping on sweet (and hard!) cider while waiting for the trees to be bagged and blasting Christmas tunes in the car on the way home, I was feeling all kinds of festive. Artificial trees may be more conducive to my current urban apartment lifestyle, but I am definitely hoping for more Christmas tree farm visits in my future.
Season of Giving
Posted on November 29th, 2016
There are all sorts of ways to do your part in the season of giving. I have always found it so empowering that whether you choose to focus on showing your tribe a little extra love or share with strangers, whether or not you have any disposable income or free time to speak of, you can do something to make the world a better place.
I get it—realistically, life (and particularly the holiday season) is busy. There isn’t always the time or resources to be a super hero. But there is no excuse for not doing something. Some of the easiest suggestions:
- Bake for your coworkers. Food really is the way to so many people’s hearts—a practice I have perfected over the years! I made a no-reason pecan pie for my office a few weeks ago, and it was gone by noon.
- Say thank you. Write a handwritten note or email or even a text to someone you’re so glad is in your life—and let them know it.
- Shop with Amazon Smile. You don’t even have to give extra money to contribute to charity! Set your Amazon Prime account to support your favorite nonprofit (instructions here), and a portion of all your purchases will be donated.
- Give a big tip. The holiday season is a stressful time if you’re in the service or hospitality industry, but when you click with someone who does a phenomenal job, recognize them accordingly! I still remember my dad giving our waitress a $100 tip on New Year’s Eve in 2002 and thinking it was the coolest thing.
- Start at home. Do your boyfriend’s laundry. Scrub the dishes your roommate left to soak in the sink. Bring fresh flowers to a Netflix marathon at your friend’s apartment. We take the ones closest to us for granted too often. Make sure they feel merry and bright, too!
- Match your donations. So many employers offer matching on charitable donations, but it’s such an underutilized benefit. Remember to double your dollars– the causes that mean so much to you will reap the rewards so much more.
- Always give $10. As you’re scrolling through your social media feed and see your friends’ campaigns for their favorite organizations, take 30 seconds to recognize them by giving a small donation. You may not be able to afford to do everything, but you can afford to do something. After you donate, see above to make your dollars work harder
An added bonus: When you give to others, they tend to give back to you—something I’ve discovered in my marathon training campaigns.
(Of course, I also encourage you all to really sink your teeth into a cause or two about which you’re particularly passionate. My work with JDRF continues to be a hugely gratifying, rewarding influence in my life. But I understand now may not be the time—add it to your New Year’s Resolutions!)
Wherever you go this season, bring the jolly with you, share it with others, strive to give more than you take. You may be surprised at how much comfort and joy it will bring!
One Room Challenge Fangirling
Posted on November 11th, 2016
I’m not much for reality TV (except Fixer Upper, naturally), but I have a favorite substitute: the One Room Challenge. For those unfamiliar, House Beautiful rounds up some of the best design blogs to transform a space in six weeks. On HGTV, 6 weeks is enough to build a whole house, but this is the real world, and it’s a wild ride. It takes me about six weeks to commit to ordering a lamp, let alone renovate a whole room. The blogs post updates every Wednesday on their inspiration, their design decisions, and their progress, culminating in gorgeous reveals on the sixth week.
As someone constantly working on cultivating my design style, I find following the One Room Challenge to be quite educational. Some of the rooms are right up my alley, some are not my taste but I can respect they’re extremely well done, and all of them incorporate a level of design sophistication that is totally beyond me. I am always struck by the layered textures, the thoughtful vignettes, and multidimensional aspect every design seems to offer. Some of my favorites from this set of reveals:
My thumbs are tired from all that pinning. If you’ll excuse me, I have a very busy evening planned of browsing Zillow for houses to renovate that we will never actually buy.
Manhattan for a Minute
Posted on November 10th, 2016
Because Ian and I can’t seem to go five minutes without taking a trip, we swapped coasts and flew to New York last weekend! I may not really miss the hassle that goes with living in Manhattan, but it was so fun to visit our friends and some of my favorite haunts. It was also my first time visiting my parents since they moved to the city full-time in September, and though I admit it was a little emotionally weird, it was good to see the place they now call home. I hadn’t spent time in NYC since I moved in June 2014, so it was long overdue.
That last picture is the view from my parents’ apartment. Not bad, right?
We had two particularly important occasions to celebrate. On Saturday, I went wedding dress shopping with my best friend. Who knew it’s more fun to look at dresses when you don’t have the stress that goes with being the one getting married? She is going to be a stunning bride! She looked a handful of places, including Lovely Bride downtown. The only thing that could convince me to leave their gorgeous waiting room was their dress selection! Ian and I also squeezed in a half marathon training run in Central Park on Saturday morning, which is my favorite place to run in the world.
Speaking of running… my little brother, Turner, ran the New York Marathon on Sunday! It was his fourth marathon, and he is seriously fast. It was a picturesque morning in New York– perfect for watching the runners and getting excited for my own race in January.
I will be back in New York for our first family Christmas in the city, so it was less of a goodbye and more of a see you later. And there’s nothing like the holidays in New York!
Going Forward in Love
Posted on November 10th, 2016
I haven’t written in a while. Finance can be a seasonal job and I’ve been working long/weekend hours, I’ve been traveling, and then I didn’t want to post too close to the election. It felt artificial to write about anything other than the one thing that was gripping the nation.
On the day after, it feels artificial to do anything but openly acknowledge it.
I’m a bit of a political junkie. I was a political science major in college, and I read political news daily even when it is not an election year. I love looking at sets of policies, collecting data, thinking about the possible implications, and formulating opinions. I have always rolled my eyes at single-issue voters– political climates are so much more nuanced than checking off one box.
In the 2016 presidential election, I became a one-dimensional, single-issue voter, and my issue was human equality. Discrimination and prejudice against large swaths of people are non-starters. It was hard for me to get invested in comparing candidates’ proposals for making higher education more affordable or assessing trade deficits when I knew one of the candidates also supports a culture in which I am an object to be taken.
I have always been fiercely proud of our country, and I still am. I believe so strongly in a system that gives a voice to those who feel they are not being supported by the government that is supposed to serve them. But I am so sad that in doing so, those voices also expressed a belief that there could ever be a higher priority than human equality.
To end on a moment of gallows humor, my husband laughed when he first saw the popular election hashtag #lovetrumpshate. Rather than reading it as “love will overcome hate,” he first observed it with a connotation that said “I love Trump’s hate.” We never guessed the latter interpretation would turn out to be correct.
I cannot wait to shower everyone in this whole country, regardless of their race, creed, religion, gender, or 2016 presidential vote, with all the love in my heart.
Monday Surprises
Posted on October 24th, 2016
Most Monday surprises involve unexpected deadlines and caffeine shortages, but today brings two brighter surprises: the Draper James Lucky You sale, and a Kate Spade surprise sale! I love that each of these brands have such a distinctive brand voice, so every product feels like it has a story to go along with it. If you’re the kind of person who likes to get holiday shopping done early, it’s a good opportunity to check some loved ones off your list. If you’re the Amazon-Prime-on-December-22 type, there are plenty of items that might pique your interest, too.
Draper James Lucky You Sale
I have this platter and totally love it, and I’m going to order the Game Day set, too. This cardigan will have you ready for holiday fetes! My favorites:
Party dresses, work bags, weekenders, baubles… And some more practical things! I live in Seattle, where an umbrella is essentially just an extension of my arm for half of the year, and this one is darling. I’ve been using a Henrietta case as my pencil case for 6 years. Never too old for school supplies, y’all.
Magical Multiples
Posted on October 21st, 2016
You know when you find those things that make you feel good? You put them on, they’re just what you need, you feel comfortable, and you’re ready. Moments like that don’t happen often enough, so I take note when they do.
Everything in my outfit above is what I think of as a multiple. I have multiple colors, multiple pairs, etc. Sometimes, winning items are not worth not only celebrating, but hoarding. Some of my favorite closet multiples:
Jeans- These are the only jeans I own. I have two dark wash and one white pair. Jeans, however, are not something you should buy in bulk in the store right away. So often, you try on jeans you think are The Ones, but then you get them home and they stretch out in five minutes, or they rub your waist the wrong way. If your magical pair holds up after real-world wearing, that’s when you know to go back for more.
Cardigans– The amazing green and maroon colors originally drew me to this style, but they’re a perfect mix of polish (gold buttons, pockets, grosgrain trim) and slouchy fit. I do recommend sizing up, particularly for a looser feel. (Also available here) My lighter weight go-to is this one— I have four!
Tassel Earrings– These make me feel ready to party. I got my first pair for to wear to my rehearsal dinner, but I’ve discovered this super affordable option, and I’ve stocked up! (Slightly different style available here)
Booties– I was drawn to these because they can work with skirts, a dressier top, or a casual sweater outfit. The sturdy heel makes them comfortable for walking around all day, but its height is super flattering. I grabbed them in black leather (so did my mama!) and gray suede. Bonus: they’re on sale!
Leggings– Just as flattering as the Lululemon pairs, but half the price. I wear these to Bar Method, but I also wear them with sweaters and boots on the weekend.
Open Cashmere Cardigans– I have a handful of these cozy, flowing Lilly Pulitzer offerings, and I probably wear one at least 50% of the time to work in the winter. They’re a little above my usual sweater price point, but I stock up during Lilly’s biannual sales– they’re always about half price!
Flats- These are buttery soft and require no time to break in, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a flat. I wish it rained a little less in Seattle so I got to wear them more often, but I love the pairs I have!
Racer Tank– This tank isn’t too fitted and isn’t too flowing, and it’s a little bit longer so it holds its shape during those classes where you wave your arms around a lot. It comes in a jillion colors (and there are usually some on sale), so you can always find the one you want.
Next on my list is a second Patagonia— I find myself wearing the one I have most days at some point, and my laundry cycle can’t keep up! Shop my favorite multiples below (click here if you’re not able to see the items):
Recent Recipes
Posted on October 19th, 2016
Even during the week, cooking continues to be a source of joy. From the recipe pinning, to the grocery shopping, to the stirring, to the eating, it’s a labor of love. I (usually) find it relaxing after a long day, made possible since I plan carefully for weekday meals and do as much prep as possible on Sunday afternoons. Since I don’t get home until 6:45, speed and convenience continues to be somewhat of a priority, but it’s amazing what can be accomplished in 20-30 minutes!
A few of the recipes with which I’ve played recently:
Low Carb Cauliflower Risotto– I’ve always been a fan of the veggie carb substitutes, and this one amounts to eating cheesy cauliflower for dinner. I added a slice of bacon to make it a more complete meal– genius, if I do say so myself.
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes– There have been a few occasions recently where I’ve needed a simple starchy side dish, and this one is easy, relatively clean, and does the trick.
Cleaned Up Butter Chicken– This one is so healthy that it might lose its “butter” qualification, but it scratches the itch when you’re in need of Indian comfort food. I served this with a simple cilantro cauliflower “rice.”
Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad– I actually swapped in golden raisins instead of cranberries, but you get the idea. Everyone seems to have a glutton of apples from their apple picking photoshoots, so this would be a good way to make a dent. And you know I added fat free feta, one of my best friends, to this. #saycheese Next time, I plan to add roasted butternut squash, too.
20 Minute Broccoli Teriyaki– Probably the dinnertime winner on this list! So hearty and filling, we didn’t even need rice. Just alllll the broccoli and allll the sauce.
Healthy Alfredo Sauce– I haven’t had this with pasta yet, but the sauce itself is great and so versatile– on broccoli, on cauliflower, on brussel sprouts, on shirataki noodles. Genuinely every bit as good as it’s less healthy condiment cousin.
Hearty Vegetable Soup– I swapped ground turkey for ground beef, but otherwise made this as is. Exactly what you want to eat on a rainy fall night! Already looking forward to the leftovers I froze.
Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Dip– I have a new cast iron skillet so I’m feeling fancy, and I served this at a Sunday night football watching party with carrot sticks and tortilla chips to GREAT success. I will definitely be making AND eating this one again. We had a smidgen leftover that turned into a sauce for sweet potato “noodles” the next day.
2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins– These have been a quick autumn staple for me since 2012. So easy I’m not even sure it qualifies as baking? The last time I made these, I drizzled them with a maple glaze that took them to the next level. My coworkers like me a lot more now.
Looking forward to more soups, more pumpkin, and more hearty veggies in the weeks ahead! As always, you can find my recipe arsenal here.
Rain-Friendly Seattle Activities
Posted on October 17th, 2016
If any of you will be spending time in Seattle between now and next May, you can be pretty sure it will be raining for most or all of your stay. It’s not just a pop culture trope; it’s real. Of the next ten days, rain is predicted every day, with a higher than 50% chance on eight of them. Treating every rainy day as an opportunity to snuggle inside and eat cookies would turn one into a roly poly recluse, so we do our best to go about our lives. Here are five of my favorite rainy season activities:
Chihuly Museum– Native Pacific Northwesterner Dale Chihuly‘s art is the standard bearer of blown glass excellence. His works are showcased at a gorgeous museum right next to the Space Needle. This is my #1 attraction recommendation for out of town visitors– it’s distinctive and unique to Seattle, and since it also takes only about 90 minutes to go through, it’s also digestible for all attention spans.
Watson Kennedy– My favorite boutique in Seattle! If you’re visiting Pike Place Market, they have a smaller outpost there, but their full store, less than half a mile away on 1st Ave, is absolutely worth the short walk. They merchandise by color. So, so aesthetically pleasing.
Rhein Haus– Definitely worth mentioning during Oktoberfest! There’s something inherently cozy and hearty about a German restaurant during a rainy, cold winter, but this place is about more than just the schnitzel. They have indoor bocce courts so you can play with your pint and fresh pretzels, and it’s a great spot for watching sports, too.
Cinerama– Through the patronage of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Cinerama offers the coolest date-night-at-the-movies experience. They have one theatre and show one film, and it’s projected using a special technique onto a huge, curved screen using multiple projectors– one of only four theatres in the country with this technology. If that doesn’t persuade you, perhaps the recliners, 21+ concession stand, and chocolate popcorn will.
Elliott Bay Books– One of those places you slip into and completely lose track of time, Elliott Bay is everything that is wonderful about local bookshops. It’s laid out in a way so you always find exactly what you need but didn’t know you were looking for. An aesthetically perfect cafe in the back can provide sustenance and caffeine while you browse, or a place to sit and read if you just can’t wait to get your purchases home.
What I’ve found about the rain is that it has made me that much more appreciative of the rare moments when the sun shines– truly an unexpected lesson in gratitude. And an excuse to buy cute wellies.
Last Day for Holiday Card Special!
Posted on October 15th, 2016
I had allll sorts of great content planned for this past week… but I ended up being put on a tight deadline at work that lead to long hours (and rewarding experiences!) so that just didn’t happen.
But I did want to pass along the message before it’s too late that today is the last day to get 20% off on custom designed Nico & Lala holiday cards! Y’all know how much I adore Nico & Lala’s work (this post is in no way sponsored!), and their Christmas cards have been an annual Rapp family tradition that the Nightingale Newlyweds are adopting, too. They run an amazing special to benefit earlybirds who order and pay the $75 design fee by October 15. You have until November 1 to send in your photos, and I fully anticipate we will be hitting send at 11:59pm.
I took the liberty of going back 151 weeks in the Nico & Lala Instagram archives to pull out some of my favorites, in case you need additional persuasion.
I love the way they make the design match the photo, like picking up the boys’ wellies in the envelope liner, or the striped dress in the bottom image. I tried not to take the cuteness of the featured children into account, but I admit I’m noticing a common theme… Hopefully ours will turn out well despite our lack of tots. I can’t wait to see what they come up with, and share the design with you all next month!
