weekly gratitude: seventh edition

{failed attempt for a christmas card photo 2009 | lennon's "i just bit chris on his face" smirk creeped me out}

in all honesty it's been a rough week. this process of reflecting on my gratitude means more to me during weeks like this.

things i'm thankful for this week:

• a weekend visiting my sister and brother-in-law in grand rapids, michigan! i love spending time with family, and really enjoyed our time in michigan. 
• dinner dates with my momma; she has so much wisdom about life, and i'm so thankful that we're able to connect the way that we do.
• hubby making me go to the gym even when i didn't want to (you were right, it did make me feel better).
• reading chic-lit books via the kindle; it literally puts me to sleep every night.
• sunshine. spring is so close ... come on! 
• borders going out of business in chicago; well i'm not thankful for their bankruptcy, i am thankful for the amazing deals!

xoxo

Weekly Gratitude: Seventh Edition

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{failed attempt for a christmas card photo 2009 | lennon's "i just bit chris on his face" smirk creeped me out}

in all honesty it's been a rough week. this process of reflecting on my gratitude means more to me during weeks like this.

things i'm thankful for this week:

• a weekend visiting my sister and brother-in-law in grand rapids, michigan! i love spending time with family, and really enjoyed our time in michigan. 
• dinner dates with my momma; she has so much wisdom about life, and i'm so thankful that we're able to connect the way that we do.
• hubby making me go to the gym even when i didn't want to (you were right, it did make me feel better).
• reading chic-lit books via the kindle; it literally puts me to sleep every night.
• sunshine. spring is so close ... come on! 
• borders going out of business in chicago; well i'm not thankful for their bankruptcy, i am thankful for the amazing deals!

xoxo

in this twilight

{florence and the machine - cosmic love | live on KEXP}

do you ever have days where you feel un-inspired/un-motivated? today was one of those days. a day where i had to convince myself it was worth my energy to get dressed for the day. pathetic.

my little trick to make the bleak days better is to listen and look for beauty. sometimes it's enough to get me through the day. her voice is simply one of the most beautiful i've ever heard. after watching this performance (maybe half a dozen times ... but who's counting?) i always feel better.

xoxo

In This Twilight

http://youtu.be/_gMq3hRLDD0
 

{florence and the machine - cosmic love | live on KEXP}

do you ever have days where you feel un-inspired/un-motivated? today was one of those days. a day where i had to convince myself it was worth my energy to get dressed for the day. pathetic.

my little trick to make the bleak days better is to listen and look for beauty. sometimes it's enough to get me through the day. her voice is simply one of the most beautiful i've ever heard. after watching this performance (maybe half a dozen times ... but who's counting?) i always feel better.

xoxo

weekly gratitude: sixth edition

things i'm thankful for this week

• cupcakes; specifically cupcakes from molly's cupcakes. they're de-lish.
• birthdays - i love celebrating loved ones' birthdays. since my husband and my sister share a birthday, it's a double-whammy!
• good hair days; i know this sounds shallow, but sometimes good hair days just make your day!
• melting snow
• the "spring" smell in the air reminding me that spring is (literally) just around the corner
• evening runs with hubby
• costco specials; 12 freshly baked bagels for $5?! YES!

xoxo

Weekly Gratitude: Sixth Edition

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things i'm thankful for this week

• cupcakes; specifically cupcakes from molly's cupcakes. they're de-lish.
• birthdays - i love celebrating loved ones' birthdays. since my husband and my sister share a birthday, it's a double-whammy!
• good hair days; i know this sounds shallow, but sometimes good hair days just make your day!
• melting snow
• the "spring" smell in the air reminding me that spring is (literally) just around the corner
• evening runs with hubby
• costco specials; 12 freshly baked bagels for $5?! YES!

xoxo

birthday boy

tuesday was husby's birthday. this year he wanted to celebrate: just the two of us. per hubby's birthday requests, we commenced the evening with a pre-dinner run (yes, a run!), sushi for dinner, and finished the evening with cupcakes from our favorite local cupcakery. although i am not a fan of raw fish, i was able to order vegetable sushi rolls (veggie tempura to be precise) and of course, steamed edamame! i love edamame! so yummy.

here are a few photos of the evening. no photos of the run. that would just be wrong.

xoxo

ps. i just have to comment on how handsome the birthday boy is! swoon!

A Birthday Boy

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tuesday was husby's birthday. this year he wanted to celebrate: just the two of us. per hubby's birthday requests, we commenced the evening with a pre-dinner run (yes, a run!), sushi for dinner, and finished the evening with cupcakes from our favorite local cupcakery. although i am not a fan of raw fish, i was able to order vegetable sushi rolls (veggie tempura to be precise) and of course, steamed edamame! i love edamame! so yummy.

here are a few photos of the evening. no photos of the run. that would just be wrong.

xoxo

ps. i just have to comment on how handsome the birthday boy is! swoon!

a valentine's list: for hubby

A Valentine's List: For Hubby

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weekly gratitude: fifth edition

{me, circa 1984}

things i'm thankful for this week:

• dubliner cheddar cheese it's simply delectable
• $3.99 bottles of wine from trader joe's (don't hate! the cheap wines are sometimes the best!)
• down blankets: this week has been absolutely freezing, i don't know how i'd survive without my down comforter
• my new kindle cover, thank you hubby for the early valentine's day gift; it's perfect!
• having time to work out with hubby this week, even if it was indoors on the treadmill
• the INDIE e-conference; i'm really enjoying learning new things about blogging!
• extra time with friends watching the commercials during the superbowl. so fun!

learn more about the weekly gratitude project here.


xoxo

a skirt & a scarf

{sweater & skirt - gap | tights - betsey johnson | scarf - gifted russian scarf}

i'm desperately behind in posting my 30x30 posting of picks, photos, etc. i've got my items, and i've been faithfully wearing them since last tuesday, but since i'm essentially working two jobs, i just haven't had the time! mix that, with the f-f-freezing cold weather, getting outfit photos has been absolutely out of the question. here are a few photos of my outfit from today. and just for the record, it's my second time remixing this skirt. i.love.it. especially paired with the bright scarf that almost matches perfectly, i thinks this outfit  is part feisty & part fashionable. and that's okay with me.

xoxo

recipe: black bean brownies

you may not think that black bean brownies are particularly fashionable, but i will vehemently disagree.  it's often trendy to be vegetarian/vegan (mostly as represented by celebrity culture). i've been both in my life, and i simply could not stick to it. serious props to all of my life-long vegetarian and vegan friends. i still don't eat a ton of red meat and other carnivore heavy foods, but i do enjoy myself a good burger every now and again. but, i digress...

brownies are supposed to be delicious and guilty delectable treats. right? right? these brownies really are an amazing invention. i'm always on the lookout for ways to enjoy sweet treats without all of the added bad stuff (butter, loads of refined sugar, calories, etc.). these brownies do just that! the black beans replace the flour, so friends with gluten allergies can still enjoy these babies! and with only eggs, the animal products are limited.

ingredients:
1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

3 eggs

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder*

1 pinch salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup white sugar

*i added the baking powder based on some of the reviews of the recipe, to make the brownies more cake-like. i also omitted chocolate chips and instant coffee from the original recipe.

instructions:

preheat oven to 350

lightly grease 8x8 square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray

combine black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, sugar, and baking powder into a blender (i used my food processor)

bake in preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, approximately 30 minutes.

nutrition information: calories: 126 | fat: 5.3g | cholesterol: 40mg

enjoy!

INDIE conference

{info about conference here}

I'm excited to share that I will be participating in the INDIE conference hosted by Selective Potential & Delightfully Tacky. I'm excited to learn more about blogging from these two ladies! I'm excited for the seminars and the tips that they will be providing about the magical world of blogging.

Stay tuned for some updates!

xoxo

weekly gratitude: fourth edition

things i'm thankful for this week:

• the massive blizzard that hit chicago that provided me with two extra days off of work this week!
• extra time at home with hubby and lennon: playing, cuddling, and laughing about the ridiculous things people do for entertainment when they're snowed in
• funfetti brownies!
• groupon deals: this week i scored a gift for hubby that i'm saving for a valentine's day surprise
• my hunter boots: they're incredibly waterproof/durable and perfect for this weather
• sunshine; the sun has been shining every day since the storm

snow days!

today was a snow day for hubs and i! we went exploring today to see what was open (not much) and to scope out the neighborhood. the city becomes an interesting place when schools are closed. cross-country skiing in the streets, middle aged adults launching themselves into the snowbanks, neighbors helping neighbors dig their cars out, and things are overall more quiet. 

tomorrow is another snow day! we will see what adventures ensue. 

xoxo