Super Healthy Power Juice

I realize I have a habit for leaning towards the sweet, so today I thought I'd start the week off with something designed to give you energy: Power Juice. I broke out our juicer for the 1st time ever this weekend and the process was actually way easier than I thought it was going to be. I'd say the most difficult part was cleaning the machine afterwards- although the same problem arises whether I use a food processor or blender- so there really shouldn't have been anything stopping me. Just look at the pretty color...

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of kale, washed and chopped
• Handful of spinach (I used about a handful and a half)
• Handful of beets (I used 4)
• 1/2 an apple, not peeled (For fear of wasting, I used a whole apple)

So here's how easy it is. Turn on your machine and place a cup under the spout.

Put veggies in and Bam! You have juice. Why was I so scared of this??

Most of the juice came from the apple and beets (hence the pretty color).

Once you've put everything through, chill the mixture, and enjoy.

Next time I'm going to make the juice in much bigger batches. This recipe is for a single serving. Warning: This is veggie juice- so please do not expect a sugary sweet smoothie- although I love those too. This is a simply a great way to get your veggies, a good way to start your morning, and a good recipe to do it with.

Does anyone else use a juicer? Or are you a scaredy cat like me?

(Recipe from Tracy Anderson Method Eating Plan)

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To the Weekend

Happy Memorial Weekend!

Image via here

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For the Love of Snail Mail

I love stationery. I have ever since grade school. I was the girl who picked up Giraffe stationery as my souvenir while other kids were snatching up gorilla masks and wooden jewelry on field trips to the zoo (We went on abnormal amount of field trips to the zoo). And yes- I was that cool.

Flash forward a million years and I still have the same love and adoration as I did before. Pretty paper, a handwritten hello, what's not to love? And so with all of the stationery that I've continued to collect (and use) over the years, I think I've started a mid year resolution. From this point forward, I'm going to try and write at least one hand written (non- email) hello to a friend, and at least once a month. It's nice to get mail that doesn't contain a bill anyways.

In grade school, I also used to have all of my friend's addresses memorized... and not in a creepy way. I actually sent mail that often. I used to have everyone's phone numbers memorized too but now with my cell I just scroll and tap. I should probably start playing that Memory game.

So today I'm sending off my first letter (using the cute stationery below). I wrote to my great aunt Mieko. She's incredibly special to me and if I've learned anything over the past couple of years- it's the importance of letting the people you love know it, while they're still healthy and well. My letter is sealed, stamped, and ready to go.

Does anyone else have a crazy love of stationery?

(Images in order via, sarahparrott825, 1Canoe2, Rife Paper Co)

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Love This!

I recently purchased this super adorable clutch from Etsy seller MadebyHank. I love the color combination of the avocado linen against the aqua cotton... which is pretty much my favorite color combination ever. Ask my college roomie, look in my current office- I love these colors together!The bag is super well made and incredibly priced for the craftsmanship that goes into each piece. I will definitely be eying madebyhank the next time I need to buy someone (who's a girl) a gift.I also love the floral fabric on the inside. It reminds me of a pillowcase or sheet set I had when I was younger... which makes me like it even more.

Stop by madebyhank and check out all the beautiful bags. This is not a sponsor piece. Just loved the bag and thought I'd share :)

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Elk Fest

This past weekend was Elk Fest in Jackson.

Each Spring, the elk in the Elk Refuge here in Jackson shed their antlers before heading out for the summer. The Boy Scouts then help the folks at the Refuge collect these antlers which they auction off to furniture dealers, collectors, and rich folks. The proceeds then go back to the Refuge to care of the elk.

And these antlers go for So. Much. Money. While we were standing here, the bidding was already at over a thousand for one of the stacks.

Cute, little boy scouts then haul over the antlers to the winning bidder

While the auction is going on, there's also activities going on in the park for the kids and boy scouts who aren't hauling antlers

Antlers waiting to be auctioned off...

Along a side street, private sellers sell to people who aren't in the market for Costco sized portions of antlers

The private sellers also have more than just elk antlers.

Some of the activities the boy scouts had set up reminded me of Frontier Land at Disneyland

We didn't stay that long... because if you're not in the market for antlers, there's really not much else to do :)

But I love going to events like these in our town- even if just for a short while. I love the community aspect of it... and the fact that I can walk there just makes it all the more better.

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To the Weekend

I'm so excited for this weekend. Not only because this past week has been one of my busiest work weeks ever- and this one woman show needs a little r&r. But also because so many fun things are going on. First off, the annual Elk Fest will be going on in the town square. I'm also meeting up with some friends Saturday morning to do some garage saling (saleing? I'm so confused on how to spell my non word)- and finally- the library is having a huge sale and I'm hoping to stop by later today to stock up on some classics... as well anything else that catches my eye. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you back here next week.

Image by thewheatfield via here

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New Design!

I'm so super excited about this new design. Because I generally just make bridal flowers, I don't really get the chance to wear any of my designs anymore. Which is why I made this one. When things slows down a bit, there will be more to come as well. But I love this hair flower and I've already made one for myself. I hope you love it too.

Lake House

Lake House will by in my shop soon... hopefully by early next week

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Grab Your Bike and Go!

It's National Bike- to- Work Week! So dust off your 2- wheeled ride, hop on, and take some time to enjoy the scenery on your way to work. Or if you're like me and work from home, take a ride somewhere that you would normally drive to. My husband checked my tires last night and said they're flat so I'll be taking my vintage orange Schwinn into the local bike shop to get them pumped up. I read in Shape magazine that an hour of riding your bike also burns 560 calories- so a half hour to work and back and you're done for the day. Happy Bike Week!

Image by Hannes Kroneberger via here

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Listening to...

I've been listening to a lot of my older albums lately. One in particular is Sara Tavares' Balance. It's so relaxing and yet optimistic. I used to solely listen to Portuguese and French music while cooking, but I've found it to have such a calming effect while working lately as well. Here's one of my favorites from the album: Lisboa Kuya. Enjoy

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Lazy Sunday

There's really no sense behind this post. I realize it's Tuesday... and not Sunday. But as I was creating this collection of items... it just kind of reminded me of a lazy Sunday... walking around town, having brunch, looking in shops, etc... That's not even my normal Sunday- but, as I said... no real point behind this collection. But I liked these pieces... and maybe I'd like to be wearing that outfit, while looking at those sorts of things and getting those flowers. Thank- you for putting up with me

Madewell striped sweatshirt, $65; Level 99 straight jeans, $98; Forever21 fedora hat, $6; Forever21 sunglass, $5.80

stila cosmetics - long wear liquid lip color; Velo Silk Pillow, $100; Kettle Black Shirt Dress in Emerald, $130; Scented cream hand tied bouquet - THE REAL FLOWER COMPANY - Selfridges..., 85 GBP

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Propose to Him Banana Cupcakes

Very often, I make myself a peanut butter and banana sandwich. It's usually takes the form of a late night snack and there's usually lots of peanut butter involved. It's tasty and filling... everything a late night snack should be. So when I saw the recipe for these Propose to Him Banana Cupcakes- with bananas and peanut butter taking the main stage- I knew I had to try it myself.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups of sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1.5 tspn. vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 tspn. baking powder
• 1/4 tspn. salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 ripe bananas mashed

(Ingredients for frosting listed farther down)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy.

Add eggs...

And vanilla. Mix until batter is smooth.

I took a break from mixing to try the batter...

Combine all dry ingredients.

And mix into batter in 3 parts, alternating with buttermilk.

Reduce speed to low and mix for 2 more minutes. Using a spatula, gently fold mashed bananas into batter.

Line cupcake pans with wrappers. Scoop into cups until 2/3 full. (I use an ice cream scoop. It works wonders and I never have extra drip on the pans).

Bake for 25 minutes.

Let cool.

For frosting, combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 stick softened unsalted butter, and 1 tspn vanilla.

Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter and 3 tblspn. milk.

Mix until spreadable.

And then turn your cupcakes from looking like this...

To this!

And even though the peanut butter/ banana mixture is good... it was still missing that little something extra for me... so I added chocolate chips to the top.... because dessert without chocolate is hard for me to get behind. Next time- I'm going to mix chocolate frosting with the peanut butter... yum!

(Recipe from Glamour via Butter Lane Bakery in NYC)

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To the Weekend

One year ago today we left southern California, and moved here:

We said good- bye to ALL of our family and friends. To stable jobs, health insurance, long commutes, and crazy gas bills . To wonderful stores like Target, Starbucks, and Anthro. To traffic, smog, In N Out, orange trees, and 100 degree temps. To the desert. To the beach. Good- bye to everything we'd ever known.

And said hello to this small mountain town 16 hours away. To seasonal jobs, active lifestyles, and being within walking distance of almost everything we need. I walk in shops and meet the owner. Before when we'd both have the same day off, we'd go out to eat and maybe then to a movie. We still do that, but maybe we'll go on a long hike beforehand now. I love the transformations this new lifestyle has had on both of us. I never wake up counting the days to the weekend anymore... I just wake up and go.

It's crazy how fast time flies by... and I'm so happy to be living this life right now.

I hope your weekend is full of adventure, reflection, and joy. And I'll see you back here next week with a recipe for banana cupcakes!

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