Update: Maximizing Summer
Posted on August 21st, 2015
It has come to my attention that in 10 days it will be September??? No thank you.
Remember this list I put together just after Independence Day of things I wanted to do in my quest not to waste my favorite time of year? You, dear readers (or should I say “reader”– hi, Mom!), hold me accountable, so I wanted to update you on my progress.
Go to another Mariners game.
Did this one! Went to the singalong/fireworks night. I would be lying if I said I knew who their opponent was, though… I’m a National League girl.
See two movies.
Trainwreck (good!) and Minions (bleh)
- Take a weekend trip to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
This little Canadian jaunt has been postponed due to budgetary reallocation. I spent a lot at the Anniversary Sale It happens.
Enjoy a beach day (or two!)
Done! We’re becoming fans of Alki Beach in West Seattle. Easily accessible, and cute restaurants along the water when you need a taco break.
Host another dinner party.
Check! I attempted to make scallops… I would give them a solid 6/10. But 10/10 for effort?
- Hike at Mount Rainier.
Still working on this one… it’s far!
- Read two more books– your suggestions here would be SUPER welcome
I read The Dinner on vacation last week– I really liked it. It’s a little bit creepy, but well-written with an interesting premise, and makes you think about what you would do in a similar situation. One down, one to go. I also ordered this one today, and I’m looking forward to getting started this weekend!
- Try a zumba class at my new gym.
…maybe some other time.
Run a half marathon.
I ran the See Jane Run half marathon here in Seattle– it was my fastest half yet!
- Send postcards to my friends (and grandmother) because snail mail is irreplaceable
I technically did send a postcard… but there’s room for improvement.
See a Seattle sunset from a prime vantage point.
Golden Gardens beach on a gorgeous late July night
Not half bad, if I do say so myself. And bonus: I practiced my diving last week at Mohonk.
…I think I still have some work to do if I’m going to make the team for Rio.
Procrastination Station- August 19
Posted on August 19th, 2015
I know I’m generally incredibly subtle about my love of navy so you probably had no idea, but in terms of colors navy reigns supreme. Mackenzie posted about this navy kitchen last week, and I can’t stop staring. Ta-da!
Just kidding. That’s the before photo. Wait until you see the after!!!
With eight workouts a week, I go through a lot of activewear. 90% of each laundry load is spandex. Town & Country took a stab at building imaginary workout wardrobes for style icons. Audrey Hepburn would fit right in at my barre class!
Since I went to an urban college, we didn’t exactly have the sorority mansion you see in movies (but I loved our house!). Southern Living compiled a list of the best sorority houses in America. Can postgrads move in?
The Washington Post has been up to some good shenanigans lately.
My whole job is big data, so I definitely geeked out over this map of America, which is color-coded by natural livability. Minnesota is looking a little bleak…
Regardless of what you think of politics, presidential elections always bring spectacle. I was a political science major so while I definitely like the academic side of politics, I love when people are a little irreverent, too. Jimmy Kimmel knows irreverent, and he roped Josh Groban into a staged operatic singing of Donald Trump’s tweets. See for yourself!
FYI, Donald. I am a (decently) thin person who drinks Diet Coke.
Jordan Year: A Retrospective
Posted on August 19th, 2015
“Turning 23 is essentially meaningless, though. What a boring birthday,” I lamented. I spent my 23rd birthday at the office in the final weeks of training at my new job, and was not in a celebratory mood because coding is hard. One guy quickly corrected me though– “23 isn’t meaningless. It’s your Jordan year.”
The overall cycle of my Jordan year proceeded as follows:
- August-November: Running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Not quite sure which way is up. Adjusting to spending 28 minutes waiting in line at the grocery store checkout
- December-February: Killing the game, but lonely and also really sick of wearing snow boots. Saw all Best Picture nominees. By myself.
- February-May: I’m just here to have fun. Ginning & winning.
- May-August: Jordan status achieved. Dreams coming true.
An oversimplification, of course, but definitely a complex year. Let’s focus on the good stuff, though.
All of this adulting gave me so much insight into what was important to me, and as my faith in my competence grew, so too did my confidence in my ability to make things happen. I was so nervous when I first started the job hunt in Seattle, and pretty much in disbelief when I signed my apartment lease with Ian before I had even secured employment. But like Mike, I managed to pull out some clutch plays, and everything fell into place.
So naturally, I jumped for joy.
I’m not sure I’m ready to call this the best year of my life, but hopefully I did ol’ MJ proud. At the very least, I used my Jordan year to work on being the world’s best version of me. Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.
And now I just need a mascot for 24. Kobe?
Cheers, y’all.
Upstate Girl
Posted on August 18th, 2015
I think the opportunity to travel new places is one of life’s great joys, but so too is returning to spots where you just feel at home. In 1994, my family (minus one then-unborn baby brother) first visited Mohonk Mountain House in New York for a few days between my parents’ college reunions, and we have returned 10+ times since. I have memories at Mohonk from every phase of my life– as a toddler who needs to be reminded not to run down the halls, as a child enjoying fun-filled days at the kids’ camp, as a teenager learning how to boulder, and now as a twenty-something who looks for active relaxation in her dream vacations. From the way the stairs creak when you’re heading up to your room after dinner to the smoothness of the weathered outdoor handrail, there are so many little nostalgic moments that literally bring tears to my eyes.
If you relish clean lines and a modern aesthetic, Mohonk is not for you. The resort was built in 1869 on a small private lake in the Shawangunk Mountains by the Smiley family, who own and operate it to this day. The house is an amazing castle of sorts, with six floors of guest rooms sprawling along the hill by the lake. One side features a picturesque Hudson Valley view; the other, Lake Mohonk. Sipping coffee in the early morning in your rocking chair on your private balcony, you really can’t go wrong with either. The resort is about a twenty minute drive up the mountain from the small town of New Paltz, so you don’t really leave the resort once you arrive.
But why would you want to? Mohonk has everything! Hiking, canoeing/kayaking, stand up paddleboarding (a recent addition!), rock climbing, a beach and docks for swimming, tennis, golf, sprawling gardens, horseback riding… Since it’s fairly remote, meals are all included (including afternoon tea!), but there are several options for each meal. The resort is exceedingly family friendly, but there are also toddler/children/teenager “camp” programs so parents can get some time on their own, as well. I always try to do everything when I’m there, but there’s never enough time!
We also spent a few days at the Otesaga, an old resort in Cooperstown. When we first visited Cooperstown in 2000, I pictured a town full of t-shirt shops and strip malls with easy options for the Baseball Hall of Fame tourists. I was so wrong! Cooperstown is charming, and also happens to be almost 300 years old. The Otesaga is more incorporated with the town, but is still situated right on Otswego Lake, so it’s kind of the best of both worlds. And as a Cardinals fan, I’m always happy to have a quick Hall of Fame visit. We also played a little tennis, and I feel I must disclose to you how dramatically my backhand has gone downhill.
The surroundings are certainly idyllic, but nothing beats the company. Right now, I live in Seattle, I have one brother in college in upstate New York, we have our house in St. Louis while my other brother finishes high school, but my dad now commutes for his job in NYC… it’s hectic! And sadly, we are rarely all together. To have a whole week together was truly luxurious. Three hour dinners with stimulating conversations about politics, sports, and our future plans and goals are the memories that give me life when we are apart. Nothing like time with your family to give you perspective about what is really important.
I do admit to being a little bit excited about being back home. I wouldn’t call the contents of my suitcase “fresh,” I hadn’t slept in a real bed for ten days, and I missed Ian. But mostly I feel so lucky to have spent quality time with my crew in two beautiful places… and I’m sure by the end of the week, the wanderlust will have kicked in again.
No-Look Recipes: They’re Egg-cellent
Posted on August 4th, 2015
There comes a time in every young 20-something’s life when they are expected to be able to feed themselves. This societal requirements go beyond picking up Chipotle, and generally involve turning on an appliance. I have always loved baking, but I have been out of college for over a year now and I’m just getting into making dinner in any kind of a regular way. This is because:
- My kitchen in New York was tiny and outdated
- It’s quite difficult to cook using fresh ingredients in a cost-efficient way for one person, especially because endless leftovers make me kind of sad
- I worked long hours, so I was able to expense my dinner many nights. Free Whole Foods hot bar is way better than anything I was going to make at 9pm
But now I live with Ian, have a great apartment kitchen, and generally get off much earlier, so I’m out of excuses—plus, cooking is actually fun. I have developed a few recipes that are really perfect for week nights. I think of them as “No Look Recipes” because I don’t have to consult a cookbook to get them on the table and they are very low maintenance to actually prepare and cook.
So today’s topic is quiche! Quiche is kind of a superhero in the food world because it can hang out with the breakfast, lunch, and dinner crowd fairly easily. It’s perfect for us because we can use whatever is in the fridge, the ingredients are cheap, and the leftovers taste great.
My mom is kind of a quiche goddess, so I try to channel her whenever I put this together. Here’s the basic way to do it:
Preheat the oven to 400*. While you’re waiting, saute whatever vegetables you plan to use. If you put them in your quiche raw, they will release moisture and your eggs won’t be able to cook properly. My favorites are mushrooms, onions, and spinach, but this week we didn’t have spinach and tomatoes entered the mix, too. Quiche is flexible, though, so use whatever you want. Last time, Ian wanted a little meat, so I grilled a little chicken sausage and cut that in, too.
Roll out your *refrigerated* pie crust into your pie pan. I don’t really feel like I have the time or energy to make the mess of making my own pie crust after work. I admitted this to my DIY grandmother, expecting her to be disappointed. Her response? “Smart thinking. I figure Pillsbury has spent millions perfecting their refrigerated pie crust recipe. What makes me think I’m going to do any better?” Now you have my grandmother’s blessing to skip a step.
Once the oven is preheated, put empty pie crust into the oven for 8 minutes. You want it to get a little cooked before you put the ingredients in.
While your pie crust is maturing (technical term), turn your attention to the liquids. There are different schools of thought on quiche ratios—I say don’t overthink it. I make a light version using 1 egg, 5 egg whites, and about 2/3 cup of milk, which is a very healthy preparation. If you want to treat yo self, substitute 1/3 of a cup of cream, or throw in a dallop of sour cream. YUM. I stir in my veggies, add about 1/3 cup of feta, and salt/pepper to taste. Of course, you can use whatever cheese your heart desires! I tend to use feta with everything because it’s a lower calorie, higher protein cheese.
Your pie crust is ready to come out of the oven? Great! Take it out, reduce oven temperature to 350*, pour the quiche filling into the crust, and get it back in the oven! It will cook for about 35-40 minutes, and once the top feels more firm and the crust is golden, your dinner is served.
I always enjoy how pretty quiches look. Here’s a professionally photographed one, for reference:
As usual, it’s not even worth trying to out do Martha.
Procrastination Station- July 29
Posted on July 30th, 2015
I know you’re not supposed to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, and I think I probably shouldn’t blog on an empty stomach, either.
I would do unspeakable things to eat a slice or four of this cake right now. Although I’m skeptical of the “easy assembly” thing… I’m sure it would taste delicious, but that I could still figure out a way to make it look gnarly.
And speaking of pineapples…
Julia Dzafic of Lemon Stripes just released a collaboration with Minnie & Emma. I think of all their blogger partnerships, this one is my favorite. This case in particular is calling my name– I love the color scheme. My hesitation in pulling the trigger is the description: “very slim case that shows more of your iPhone.” Do I trust myself to have such minimalist protection?
I didn’t know people had multiple closets for different genres of clothing… but Kim Kardashian’s fitness closet is certainly drool-worthy. If that doesn’t get you to the gym, nothing will.
Would you publish your transcript online? Vasi Kulkarni was moved to do so to send a message: even when things seem bad, things can turn out okay. His post is aimed at college students fighting depression, but I think it is relevant to anyone who needs a dose of perspective. I also went to Penn, and I was consistently grateful for having the emotional preparation that came with graduating from one of America’s best high schools. Since I wasn’t used to feeling like the best and had absolutely had moments of teenage failure, I was more prepared for the adversity and challenges I faced as just another fish in the sea. But you should just read his thoughts– definitely more eloquent than this mini monologue I just started on.
FYI, I’m still thinking about the cake.
5 Instagrammers We Know And Love
Posted on July 27th, 2015
…and sometimes hate a little bit, too.
There are clearly a few distinct patterns present in the social media world, and on Instagram, these are particular apparent. Generally, we can break most Instagrammers into five categories:
1. Food ‘Grammers. It’s a total cliche now, but I think Instagram was possibly made for sharing food photos?
Subcategories:
- Fancy foodies who are dining at fancy restaurants you can’t afford with tiny portions that are artfully drizzled with a reduction. These are your same people who drink lattes with elaborate foam decoration.
- DIYers. Think they’re gourmet chefs, but their plating skills (and photography!) could use some work.
- Aggressively healthy. When they Instagram about raw eating, they’re not talking about eating cookie dough straight from the tube.
Hashtags:
- #foodintheair
- #cleaneating
- #foodporn
2. Birthday Basics. They want to make sure you know just how many friends they have, how long they have known them, and exactly how they feel about them.
Subcategories:
- Inside jokesters
- Mushy girlfriend
- Those who are #blessed with such wonderful people in their life
Hashtags:
- #BFF
- #sisterfromanothermister
- #since2008
3. Landscapers. Always in beautiful places at the right time.
Subcategories:
- Skyliners
- Outdoorsy hikers
- Jetsetters who always make sure to get the window seat
Hashtags:
- #nofilter
- #GodsHandiwork
4. Selfie Servants. You always know what they look like, and God help us all if they get a haircut or new glasses. Usually heavily filtered.
(An actual caption I saw: “When you have to pause your core workout to take a selfie.” What a problem to have.)
Subcategories:
- People involved in fitness-based multi-level marketing companies
- Crossfitters
- Duck face divas
Hashtags:
- #selfieSunday
- #longhairdontcare
- #beauty
- #smize
5. Blogger Babes. They know staging is everything, and if they’re successful will send you liketoknow.it links until the cows come home. There will probably be at least one of the following in their photo:
- Bouquet of flowers, likely peonies or hydrangeas
- Stationery product
- Starbucks cup or cute coffee mug
- Inspirational etsy print
- Macbook
- iPhone with cute case
They use relatively few hashtags, but always tag key brands.
Of course, most of us are a little bit of all of the above– I know I certainly am! Each of the photos above came from my Instagram, and while I have never shared a true selfie, it’s only because I have other outlets for my narcissism. By representing each zone, I try to strike just the perfect balance. After all, being this basic requires careful calculation and curation.
Planners Gonna Plan
Posted on July 26th, 2015
I’m not ashamed to admit when I make a mistake in life. Approximately twelve months ago, I made one when I bought this Kate Spade planner. I had been using Lilly Pulitzer planners for years, but starting out my consulting career I was looking for something less… pink and printed. I love Kate Spade, and thought the white and gold color combo would be a good way to tone it down while still fitting with my personality and general aesthetic. Fairly quickly, though, the gold spots started to rub off, and other dirty marks marred the surface (presumably from just being tossed around in my tote?). I discovered I didn’t like the binding as much, either, but that’s obviously a point of personal preference. I went from being someone who couldn’t leave the house without my planner to finding myself behind on keeping it updated… I didn’t like the look or the function, and I just didn’t use it as much.
So 2014-2015 was a lost year in my planner life. But! I’m hoping to reclaim my planning grove this year. In my selection, I stuck with what I know. There’s a reason Lilly sells about 50,000 of these every year– they’re cute, they’re durable, and they’re very affordable. And what I know and love is navy, so the Wild Confetti was my selection. Not the most professional option on the market… but it’s a Nordstrom product, so I’m just supporting the business! (This is what I say to myself each and every time I swipe my Nordstrom card at the cash wrap. I’m such a loyal employee)
If Lilly is not your jam, or you’re hoping to try something new, there are plenty of other killer options on the market:
This option from Paper Source is actually kind of giving my buyer’s remorse. It’s navy, it’s monogrammed, it’s simple, it has cute stickers but seems to assume you get a whole lot of haircuts. Just saying. You do pay a bit more for the personalization, but it’s still reasonable for something you will use every single day.
I stumbled across this photo of this cheerful “Happy Everything” agenda detached from its source link on the internet, but some frantic Googling led me to the right place: Coton Colors. The interior looks really cute, with a special section for collecting Happy Notes on each week’s page.
I love Anna Bond’s work across Rifle Paper, and this agenda is no exception. The black background is sophisticated, but the floral print is elegant, too.
Speaking of black, I did not personally have luck with the Kate Spade agenda last year, but I think the biggest part of that was the issue of the gold foil not holding up. If you need a slightly more sophisticated option for a planner, I still think this striped option will do the trick.
If you go with this ban.do agenda, you’ll have essentially the same basic product as the Lilly agenda, but one million other girls won’t have this print. Be a trendsetter.
How can you not love Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner? Supporting female entrepreneurs is extra satisfying, and with Emily Ley you know you’re getting an incredible product, too! The one problem: these planners are tough to find!
I have never been able to justify the increased cost given my satisfaction with options at a lower price point but so many people swear by Erin Condren. They have a whole support network to make sure people maximize their planners. Serious business!
And finally, speaking of serious business, if you actually need a serious, professional option, break out the Moleskine. Comes in a range of colors, from purple (I’m serious, but I have a personality) to black (I’m an investment banker and I work 90 hours a week)
Note: I only use Staples Optiflow pens in my planner. Consistency is key. They’re so smooth! Although if you fly with them, they will leak ink all over your hands and clothes and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Procrastination Station- July 22
Posted on July 22nd, 2015
I have a lot to tell you about this week. Be ready to open some new tabs. Mixed feelings about this first item…
Maybe some things should stay in the past? I absolutely had a Limited Too phase, but I wouldn’t say the brand was a bastion of class. I seem to remember them as the champions of booty shorts and sassy slogan shirts… but I suppose today’s 11 year olds are entitled to make the same tragic mistakes as I made in my own youth. Bless their hearts.
Yes, my Limited Too khaki capris laced up the side. BOTH SIDES.
Nowadays, I’m much more likely to be shopping at Shoes of Prey. I’m usually super basic when it comes to shoes– I pretty much just buy neutrals in classic silhouettes– but designing your own custom creation seems SUPER fun. When I read about this and clicked through the link, I thought to myself, “Well, I will enjoy playing around on the site and not ordering the $348 shoes I design…” Except they are very affordable considering the custom work! I may turn into an actual customer. My feet just may be fancy yet.
For more outdated un-news, I stumbled across this New York Times article on slow love (hot off the presses! only a month ago!). It discusses the concept that people sometimes change their initial thoughts on someone after getting to know them, and that attraction increases overtime. Relevant in my case– I knew Ian for seven years before the idea of dating him ever really crossed my mind! I have long felt that the best relationships can come from those who are friends for a while first, and the article kind of agrees with that, too.
Book your flights to come see me! We need to try every single place on this list of the best brunch spots in Seattle. Don’t worry– our sleeper sofa is arriving next week. Plenty of room for all of you Internet strangers.
In other eating news (the best kind), Emily published this list of the 15 Best Things she ever ate as a play on the Food Network series. I think this list is so much fun! I may even put together one of my own. I’m sure y’all are waiting with bated breath.
So, I told you about shopping, eating/drinking, and being in love. What else is there?
Feeling Blue
Posted on July 22nd, 2015
It’s no secret I love color. I err on the side of “more is more”; I own very little black. After I posted this photo on Instagram last week, I started to think about what the actual color scheme of my life would be. 16-year-old Helen would have said pink & green (you KNOW I had a pink & green theme Sweet 16). And there is still 100% a place in the world for that marriage of hues, but it doesn’t resonate with me quite the same way.
Is navy a color or a neutral? Who cares? I love it. Yesterday my coworker saw me walk into work, saw my outfit, and said “navy again??” You bet, Ashley. Navy every day. One of the reasons I love navy is it looks good with essentially everything (white, red, pink, yellow, green…), and this extends to other shades of blue. Birds of a feather flock together, I suppose.
There are a range of options here, but I love the the following three:
- Pantone PMS 289 (Navy)
- Pantone 17-3932 TCX (Periwinkle)
- Pantone 292U (Light Blue)
Mackenzie Horan is a leader in this aesthetic. Her Instagram by itself is practically a tutorial!
…And her close friend, Amy Stone, captures just how well shades of blue can work together in her hydrangea photos. I’m ready to go to Nantucket now.
Are you ready to jump on the blue train? Stock up on these key pieces!
For your closet:
For your home:
Cheers to blue!
PS If you’re really ready to commit… track down these shoes!
