Honeymooning: Kauai
Posted on February 27th, 2017
After I planned the wedding, Ian was squarely in charge of honeymoon planning. I knew we were staying at the St. Regis Princeville on Kauai and I knew we were staying at the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island, but beyond that, I was just showing up and looking forward to sunshine. When we boarded the flight to Kauai on that Thursday evening and Ian handed me an itinerary, my excitement surged as I flipped through the pages. Yummy restaurants. Ziplining. Luau. Poolside dates. Helicopter tours. Hiking. Snorkeling. Y’all, if Ian isn’t careful, I’m going to put him in charge of planning more often.
We arrived after dark at the St. Regis and went straight to bed, and woke up in a magical paradise as the sun was rising. Our room overlooked the mountains, the water, and the pool, and the golden glow the sunrise cast over everything was breathtaking– Ian says that sunrise moment on the first morning was his favorite of the entire trip. Kauai is stunning. The dramatic scenery, with the mountains contrasting against the clear turquoise water, is the most beautiful tropical setting I’ve ever seen. After a sunny long run (our first outdoors together since the marathon!), we spent the day Friday lounging by the water, reading, and feeling incredibly lucky to be there. I read a book on the Donner Party, because that’s such a light and merry beachreading subject.
Friday evening we went to a luau like the real authentic tourists we are. The hula was so much fun! I couldn’t pass up a little theme dressing…
After a major breakfast buffet visit, Saturday was our first big adventure– a ziplining outing! I had never ziplined before and honestly anticipated being a little scared about the experience, but it was a ton of fun. In the middle of the day we hiked down to a swimming hole to cool off and have a little lunch.
We watched the sunset over the best piece of fish I’ve ever eaten at The Kauai Grill. Sunday started with a little hike down to Anini Beach, where we were the only souls around, and passed these rainbow eucalyptus trees– natural artwork!
After a final poolside lunch, we packed up for two tiny island hopping flights– next stop, Big Island!
A Picture Perfect Gift
Posted on February 26th, 2017
After an overnight flight and a workday fueled by espresso, we are back and settling in post Hawaiian honeymoon! Which mostly just means we did five loads of laundry, but we also made a place in our little home for a very special gift. We dashed out of town shortly after Valentine’s Day so I did not have a chance to share my present to Ian with you all, but forgive me as I toot my own horn and declare it to be some of my finest gift-giving work.
In the fall, I was perusing the depths of Instagram when I read about the coolest concept ever. An artist in South Carolina (@cbrookering) would come to your wedding and live paint it– the ultimate wedding momento! Since I got married in the summer I was obviously a bit late to the game on that one, but I loved Brooke’s work and hatched a plan to have her retroactively paint our wedding from our photos. It felt like the perfect way to incorporate into our home the happiest day of our life without creating a full-blown shrine (although I’m still tempted).
Of all the amazing moments on the best day, my favorite was at the end, when we all headed outside for a full firework display. Ian and I stepped away from our guests to watch together, and I was completely overwhelmed by the enormity and joy of the moment. I shared with Brooke a few photos from that part of the wedding, and like a true professional, she took it from there.
Some inspiration…
And the result! Which completely exceeded my wildest expectations, and caught Ian completely by surprise. Our apartment is poorly lit, so it is hard to do the work justice, but the colors and texture are perfect.
Working with Brooke was a wonderful experience. I love to support young female entrepreneurs who are pursuing their passions, and it is even easier to feel excited about doing so when they make it so painless and fun, even from all the way across the country. I would 1000% work with her again on another commission, and would love to add some of her other pieces to our collection, too (the ballerinas are a definite favorite!). Our gorgeous painting is hanging in our apartment, where it will serve as a daily reminder of the day we said I do.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Posted on February 14th, 2017
Happy Valentine’s Day!
As much as I love to scoff at commercial holidays, I’ll never complain about the chance to bake sweets and tell the people I love how much I care about them. I made a batch of almond meltaway cookies (a repurposed holiday favorite) on Sunday evening, and tried rosemary cherry handpies (using this cookie cutter, low degree of difficulty but high degree of effort) last night. Ian and I each got to take tons of goodies for our coworkers today. I’m pleased to say they’re getting good reviews!
Valentine’s Day has the reputation of causing loneliness and even bitterness for some, but I think it’s a great opportunity to appreciate all of the loving relationships in our lives, whether that is with a romantic partner or your mom or your dog or your colleagues or your friends. Any opportunity that encourages us to cherish love and send extra love out into the world makes the planet a better place!
Friday Five
Posted on February 10th, 2017
It has been a rainy/snowy/windy week in Seattle, but the sun promises to come out this weekend and isn’t that just the loveliest metaphor?
Recommending… Lion. Of the Oscar Best Picture noms Ian and I have seen so far (La La Land, Hidden Figures, Lion, and Moonlight), we both agreed this was our favorite. I cried every emotion under the sun– what a beautiful, poignant (true!) story.
Mailing… all my Valentines! I love stationery, and I love to tell people how much I love them, so it makes sense that I’d go hard on sending love letters to my favorite people on a publicly recognized occasion. I got a gift for Ian that I’m pretty darn excited about, too, but my lips are sealed for now!
Watching… The Crown. Now that the Super Bowl is over, I have time on my hands to watch something besides football. Weird. Like many people I find monarchies so intriguing, and the focus on one as she’s learning the ropes is such an interesting perspective. It’s probably wildly inaccurate? But very enjoyable.
Soliciting… Book recommendations! One week from right now we’ll be honeymooning in Hawaii (to be good to be true!) and after the craziest season at work during which I haven’t done nearly as much reading as I would have liked, I am so excited to sit in the sun and read. Have you read anything good recently? My only requirement is the writing must be of good quality– no drivel.
Gearing Up For… Sweetheart Bar Method class. My Bar Method studio offers one Sweetheart Class around Valentine’s Day, and Ian has agreed to go with me tonight. There will be 17 couples, and half of us will be devoted Bar Methodists, and the other half are newbies. It sounds highly entertaining– my abs will probably get an extra workout from all the laughter! Hopefully Ian doesn’t hate me too much by the end…
PS The quest is over! (And just in time.) This one piece arrived earlier this week, and it was exactly what I was looking for. It’s on sale in black and white, and also comes in an amazing blue if you’re worried about white getting dirty.
The Night Before
Posted on February 8th, 2017
I am so excited to be sharing a first official glimpse of our wedding weekend with you! While of course I was unbelievably excited for our wedding, I knew that August 27 would be a bit overwhelming and fly by in a flash. With a smaller guest list and less pomp & circumstance, it is easier to make the rehearsal dinner more intimate, and I knew I would really treasure that first feeling of being surrounded by friends and family from near and far.
I had always been 100% set on our venue choice for our reception, but I had always had a pretty clear vision of where I wanted to have our rehearsal dinner, too. The Piper Palm House is the oldest greenhouse west of the Mississippi, has a lovely Victorian vibe, and is flooded with natural light. It has a patio on the pond in a park that I knew would make a perfect cocktail hour setting, too. We were lucky that the weather cooperated. Given the venue’s name and history, we definitely played up the floral/palm theme– right down to the bridal party theme dressing!
The rehearsal dinner featured the best surprise of the wedding weekend– clydesdales!!! My grandparents arranged to have clydesdales during cocktail hour, which was incredible. My irrationally sentimental love of my hometown means I can’t even think of the Anheuser Busch clydesdales without tearing up, and to have them there to wish us well on our wedding was so special.
We wanted to make sure the rehearsal dinner had a vibe that was distinct from the wedding day that followed, so we looked for points of contrast wherever possible. We brought people downtown into one of the most historic parts of St. Louis rather than stay in the suburbs and the more elegant blush and navy color scheme of the wedding contrasted with the bright floral colors we highlighted that night. We opted for stations for dinner rather than several seated courses, and focused on a menu that had more of an international influence than would be served the following day (except we did serve traditional St. Louis gooey butter cake both nights!).
Of course, the toasts were the best part. We laughed and cried at so many of the lovely memories our friends and family shared. My brother Turner’s toast recalling one of my earliest leadership endeavors had us all in stitches– most of the photos during the dinner of me look just like the one below. Though untraditional, I couldn’t resist sneaking in a quick toast myself to surprise Ian with the Lego groom’s cake of his childhood dreams.
Sitting in that gorgeous room that night with candles flickering and the glasses clinking around us, it all became real. Our friends and family, the ones who had made us into the people we had become, had brought their love to give to us as we prepared to declare ours the very next day. After months of fretting and logistics, any nerves were replaced with the purest joy.
Super Bowl LI
Posted on February 6th, 2017
Super Bowl LI is in the books, and while I may not love the outcome of the game, I am definitely pleased with the outcome of our little Super Bowl Party. Much like an elite athlete, I train for the championship. The Super Bowl is only once a year, and I see it as my duty to make sure my guests are satisfied with their decision to spend the annual game food gorge with us.
Besides the activities I do to stay in shape (cooking and baking nearly daily throughout the year, routinely hosting smaller dinner parties, weight training so I can effortlessly wield cast iron skillets, etc.), preparation starts with menu planning several weeks prior. I build out a menu that offers something for everyone with several courses and careful thought into how execution works when they are all prepped and served together in an open concept kitchen with one oven. There is a time and place for julienning, French pastry, and seventeen ingredient spice rubs, but the first weekend in February is not it. All of these recipes are simple and made with grocery store staples.
Once the playbook is built out, we head to the grocery store under the assumption that if we’re out in fewer than two hours with a bill under $300, we’re emerging victorious.
Pro tip: Go early on Saturday. If you wait too long, they may be out of the good stuff that everyone wants. You simply cannot make guacamole without avocado.
There is always a heavy focus on appetizers– people arrive excited to stake out a prime couch spot, crack open a beer, and dig in. This year, we had five offerings. Pizza pretzels (served with marinara for dipping) were assembled in the morning and popped into the oven just before kickoff, while sweet and spicy meatballs bathed in the slowcooker for four hours. Hummus and guacamole with both chips and carrots for dipping are always popular, and a friend brought Loaded Tater Tot skewers that were everything you would expect in a Super Bowl app.
Living on the west coast means halftime coincides with dinner, so once we picked our jaws up off the floor after Gaga’s performance (I was tired just watching her!), we headed back for round two. I had seen the recipe for French Dip sliders a while ago, and knew they would be absolutely perfect. We served them with wings (catered, sorry), a cucumber salad, and barbecue brussel sprouts that had just the right amount of char. You may be stuffing yourself with all manner of other rich delicacies, but at my house, you will eat your vegetables.
We set out lemon bars and mini pecan pie tarts for second half dessert. The citrus in the lemon bars strategically offered a bit of freshness, and Ina’s recipe has a particularly noticeable and welcome tart flavor to complement the sweetness. Truthfully, the pecan pie tarts were not my favorite– I don’t know that I would make them again.
You’re all invited next year.
As with Christmas Day, I always feel a bit melancholy going to bed on Super Bowl Sunday. Only 199 days until it is football season once more!
Friday Five
Posted on February 3rd, 2017
Friday! We made it! I continue to feel way more overwhelmed at work than I would like, hence the infrequent posting, but I’m looking forward to a fun weekend and a little recharging.
Browsing… Pottery Barn’s new collection. If you live in a little apartment and want to break free of the IKEA stronghold, this collection is for you. Lots of little ways to add storage and function like this floor mirror or this set of hooks, and I can’t get over the price point of the sectional! If you’re feeling extra ambitious and like a touch of the industrial, this lighting is amazingly affordable, as well.
Colors of California
Posted on January 29th, 2017
I visited the Bay Area to join my parents at a conference this weekend. We had some amazing and inspiring meetings and sessions, but time for fun, too. San Francisco weather can be hit or miss, but we enjoyed some pleasant, mild days quite conducive to gorgeous vistas and sunny strolls.
I had never driven over the Golden Gate Bridge, and I couldn’t help but be struck by the beauty– lucky, I wasn’t the one driving! I’ll go anywhere to be with my favorite people, but I must say a weekend in California is always an easy sell.
Recent Recipes
Posted on January 25th, 2017
Between holiday travels, the final days of marathon prep, and our time in Florida, we definitely experienced some irregularities in our regular routine. It has been a bit of a relief to get back in the groove of regular grocery shopping and usual weeknight dinners. I know this is a time of year when many are recommitting either to healthier or more fiscally responsible eating habits, so I’m linking up recipes I’m enjoying to make that a little easier.
Dill Potato Soup- I’m just getting this one out of the way first so there are no surprises later. This is your run of the mill potato soup, but with a little kick: pickles! As a passionate lifelong lover of pickles (no, certainly not a pregnant craving) I was intrigued when I first saw this recipe, but skeptical the flavors actually came together– but they did. I lightened this one up by using half potato/half cauliflower, and cut the sour cream/cheese in half, and it was delicious. Frozen leftovers will be dinner next week.
Slowcooker Spaghetti Squash Bolognese- I’ve never cooked spaghetti squash like this, but it worked like a charm. I halved the recipe, and used ground chicken sausage to make this a bit healthier.
Spiralized Sweet Potato Casserole- Definitely evokes a holiday side dish vibe, but truly delicious as a hearty side dish whenever you so choose. I’ve made it twice!
Frittata- I love making quiche but don’t seem to have the time these days. Frittatas scratch the same breakfast for dinner itch, are quicker and a tiny bit healthier, and sound impressive but are easy peasy. I use egg beaters, veggies, and lots of cheese. You can mix and match with whatever ingredients you have on hand (tonight I used caramelized onions, mushrooms, and spinach), but this link is a great baseline tutorial.
Tossed Mushrooms- A great side dish paired with a simple protein.
“Baked Ziti” Zucchini Noodles- Cuts the pasta craving, and are you picking up on the cheese theme yet?
Cashew Sauce- Having a batch of this ready in the fridge is a game-changer. Tastes great on veggies, meat, pasta, and all else! Tossing in some fresh herbs awakens it and helps it match to whatever other flavors you have in your dish.
Chicken Salsa Verde- This is the easiest slowcooker recipe I use. This chicken isn’t a full meal by itself, but is easily paired with any manner of other things. My favorite slowcooker recipes are ones that require NO pre-cooking, and this one fits the bill.
…and Almond Cookies– Ending on a sweet note. Ian has probably tasted 100, if not more, sweets I have made over the past 7+ years, and he insists these are top 5. And no modifications. This is a big deal! I’m planning to make them again around Valentine’s Day with pink icing and heart sprinkles– you should too.
Other recipe roundups: December 2015, March 2016, May 2016, July 2016, October 2016
Just One Piece
Posted on January 23rd, 2017
Ian and I are heading to Hawaii for our honeymoon next month, and while I am hardly amassing a trousseau for the trip, I am on the hunt for a one piece bathing suit for ocean activities. Bathing suit shopping is a bit of a process, particularly in January. It’s slim pickings before many lines release new product! Without much in store selection, I’m adding-to-cart on websites from every corner of the internet and waiting for packages to arrive. Although pre-tan, trying on at home is probably for the best anyway…
If I look half as darling as these gorgeous girls, I’ll be thrilled! Here are some of the options I’m considering:
Striped lace back // Colorblock wrap // Black & White
Blue wrap // White mesh // Lemon print
Vertical stripes // Scallop stripes // Knot front print
I liked the look of this one online, but once it arrived it was, shall we say, not a winner. Couldn’t get it out of the house quickly enough. This Nanette Lepore print and this cut out option are the current front runners, but I still have three more on the way. I’m just looking for something that is comfortable, flattering, and makes me look like a mermaid. Is that so much to ask?
Shop options below:
