year three

Time is such a funny thing. Sometimes I look back on our wedding day and it feels like yesterday. Other times it feels like so. long. ago. I can still remember that anxious-excited feeling when I woke up the day of our wedding. Yes, I was thrilled to put on my dress, hold my bouquet, dance until last call. But more than anything, I was energized by the overwhelming sense of love. I could not wait to vow in front of God and our friends and family to be Al's wife. 

After three years of marriage, I feel like we're in our sweet spot. We're starting to really get things figured out - how to support each other, how to budget and save money, how to argue (a big thing to learn how to do right!), how to love each other more every day. It sounds cheesy, but I really do feel more in love with Al every day.

Now that we'eve settled into our married life routine it's easy to become complacent. It's nice when things are easy. When you're arguments change from the big things (kids, money, jobs) to the small things (dishes, trash, dog poop), it's easy to leave life at that - to only talk about the day-to-day. We have to remember to challenge ourselves and our relationship - to still have the 'big talks' to make sure we're on the same page and to remind ourselves of our goals.

I think the biggest challenge for me in our first few years of marriage was that I was having a hard time living in the present. I was ready for the next step - since our life had been moving in a series of next steps since we moved to New York - engagement, wedding, dog. It was hard for me to just be, even though I knew our next steps were not in our immediate future. But, I'm happy to report that now going into our third year, I think I've really tackled that issue. I revel in our little life here. I'm elated with a Saturday of walking to the dog park and a long, leisurely dinner. I don't just appreciate the little things, I long for them. Because I know someday we'll look back on our life at this moment and think, "gosh, we had it so good".

To my sweet Al - thank you. Thank you for making me feel not just loved every day, but valued. Thank you for supporting me constantly all while challenging me to be better. I'm beyond proud to be your wife. I'm inspired daily by your hard work, generosity, and goodness. Thank you for making me the happiest girl in the world these past three years. Cheers to our next year - I have a feeling it will be the best one yet.

P.S. More anniversary posts here, here, and here.

weekend recap

And we're back! I needed an extra day yesterday to finish editing the photos I took and coming down from what was one of the best weddings of all time. It was one of those weddings where you were overcome with happiness and love watching two really good people marry each other. So much fun at the #duvows.  Here are a few photos...

Early morning flight to Omaha on Friday. Little different scenery, no?

Got to Omaha with a few hours to spare before meeting the gals for a bridal luncheon. Al was pumped because our hotel was right across from The College World Series that was going on. So he watched baseball and I lunched (and took no photos - gasp!).

A few hours later, it was time for the rehearsal!

And the rehearsal dinner. See that faint rainbow? I think it was good luck. Aside from the torrential downpour and thunderstorm late that night, the rest of the weekend was beautiful and everything went off without a hitch.

Wedding day!  The beautiful bride getting all dolled up. She looked STUNNING.

Meanwhile, this is what I looked out of the hair and makeup chair. Frightening! Thankfully, the woman later combed out the curls. It was touch and go there for awhile. ;) 

But back to the bride. What a knock out. And she still looked like herself, which is always nice for a bride to look like herself. And that dress? Oh I loved her dress. It had a hand-made lace bolero that she wore for the ceremony. For the rehearsal, it came off and a jeweled Kate Middleton-esque belt was added. Beyond amazing.

And they're married! So happy!

Some of the details. They used their "logo" on everything from coozies to the welcome bags to the programs. Loved the consistency. And the flowers were beautiful! My bouquet even had some rosemary in it. Thumbs up.

At the reception venue - an old train station in Omaha. It is pretty impressive. Old school architecture, art deco painted ceilings, and beautiful windows. Look at all that beautiful light! Also, yay America! (C&M live in Singapore, btw.)

The sparkle continued on the table. Gold chargers and candelabras twinkled in the space. And even more windows in the dinner location for some more of that incredible light. Speaking of light, they got married on the summer solstice - the longest day of the year. So the light stayed immaculate long into the night. 

First dance.

And time to party! So Michael, the groom plays guitar (very well, I might add). You may recall some of our sing-a-longs from when they lived in New York. Michael and his brother sang a few songs and the band would NOT let them get off stage. Like nothing I've seen before at a wedding. So. Much. Fun.

And then, all of the sudden, it was over. But first, we took a selfie (and in my summer solstice headband that they gave out - loved that touch). 

A flight home, a Taco Bell dinner (you knew I would right?), and some #duvows withdrawals later and things were back to normal.

What an incredible wedding. Two insanely fun, loving, caring, and talented people (from two amazing families, I'll add) coming together forever. Now if we could just get them back to New York, I'll be happy... :) So much love C&M. So much.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! How is June almost over?!

love letters

Do you ever write love letters? Real letters. Not love emails, or love texts, or love sentiments on a sticky note, but real, old fashioned love letters. I don't. Not really. I try to really write good-quality, heart-felt content in cards to my loved ones, but those are usually related to a holiday or birthday. Is the old tradition of love letters gone? 

I ask because I was so moved by the below video from Humans of New York. The video shows a 100 year old woman remembering her deceased husband. My favorite parts are when she reads letters he wrote to her long ago. Some of which she's memorized. Just watch. 

How about those letters? 

"The ships come and the ships go, but I stay here with my thoughts of you wondering how soon I'll be once more with my little angel."

"And the nights grow cold without you and the world is filled with the anguish of my loneliness and the stars join me in sorrow while I long without weary to hold you once more in my arms. To embrace you. And kiss you. And love you. All my love."

And I love what he told her before he passed away:

"Take the love you have for me and spread it around. In love spread around, there beauty is found."

What beautiful, beautiful words. Hardly anybody writes like that anymore. What a nice sentiment to take a moment to really think about your feelings and write them down, rather than immediately blasting them into the atmosphere like so many of us do now. These days, our feelings and thoughts and actions are so instantaneous. 'I feel, I tweet. I move on to the next emotion.' 

I'm going to make a conscious effort to slow down, pause, reflect, and write something to my loved ones of real value. Something that when I'm not around, they'll want to pull out and reread for the emotion and beauty it conveys. 

What do you think? 

Do you write love letters? 

Have you ever received a letter that you saved and reread?

xo,

K

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weekend recap

Oh hi! How was your weekend? We had one of those really good weekends where it's the perfect balance of time together, time with friends, and time at home. I'd like to recreate it right this second. Here are a few photos...

Friday night we met friends for dinner and drinks at MoMo.  Such a charming little spot and was nice to catch up with everyone.

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Saturday morning was spent at the salon. It's one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning, actually. My salon is in the cutest spot and I love sitting still for a few hours, reading, chatting, and getting styled. Nothing too drastic this time, just a trim and a little reshaping. And some fresh highlights for spring. Annnd I'm that person who takes selfies in my friends' bathrooms. (Outfit look familiar?)

That'd be our friends' Kara and Kate's beautiful bathroom in their beautiful apartment. We stopped by their "Pancakes and Pimm's" party in the afternoon. Look at their little puppy, Chewy being adorable.

Sauntered around the village afterwards with Al. Beautiful blue sky day.

Look at those crazy vines!

And then, story of my life, I got hungry. Popped in to Morandi for their delicious focaccia egg sandwich.

Went home to rest up and clean up for our date. Does anyone else love doing your hair after just getting it cut? It's so fun to go home and play around with it. Curled and ready for our date. Hey-o.

I told Al we were going to Cafe Select for dinner. What I didn't tell him is that we were going to the 'secret' fondue restaurant in the back. He was a little shocked when the host took us through the kitchen and down some stairs into the tiny space. Had a long, leisurely dinner. One thing I love about dating Al (yes, we still 'date' even though we're married), is that we never run out of things to say.

^^ the little secret space.

^^ obvi I took a fondue photo (a bad one at that). And side glimpse of Al in his cute cardigan. :) 

Sunday was for chores, a VERY cold walk outside, and a sweet treat for our sweet Lily.

Oh, and duh. We napped.

^^ Not actually strangling her. Just holding real tight.

And then a much overdue bath for our stinky girl. I hope I have as much fun with bath time when I have human children as I do with Lily. She's so funny. First she runs away. Then she relaxes in the water. And then she spazzes out after. (Remember?). Is it sad that the highlight of my Sunday was bathing my dog?

Supper was this delicious recipe from Bon Appetit. Poached cod in a savory and spicy broth of tomatoes, garlic, white wine, and saffron. And lots of bread for sopping.

And finally baked off the last of my cookie dough. Two hot cookies for dessert. Best way to end the best weekend.

Hope your weekend was just as excellent. Cheers to a quick (and warmer, please oh goodness make it warmer) week!

xoxo,

K

how to do valentine's day at home

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Do you have any traditions you do for Valentine's Day?  We're not big on gifts - we usually use it to justify purchasing something that we wouldn't normally (i.e. "Oh, Al I bought this cashmere sweater full price at Club Monaco, let's call it my Valentine's Day present").  

You know the one thing we definitely DON'T do on actual Valentine's Day? Go to a restaurant.  Maybe it's different outside of New York, but the restaurants here on Valentine's Day are awful.  They pack you in, have an over priced prix fix menu and feel so...what is the word...impersonal (imagine that scene from Sex And The City Movie with Carrie and Miranda - yes, it's really like that).  Instead of going out on V-Day, our tradition is to stay in and cook together.  Since I'm the one who usually cooks (in my pajamas) while Al is on his way home or works from the couch, it feels different to cook together.  We turn on some music (I love my sister's Valentine's playlist on Spotify), I wear my nice soft clothes (a step up from my flannel pjs - think long comfy sweaters and soft leggings), we pour a bottle of wine, set out some cheese to snack on and stand together in the kitchen cooking and talking. It feels incredibly romantic and special.

The key to all of it to not make it a big deal.  Here are four easy ways + menu options to have your own Valentine's meal at home.  

1.)  Keep it Simple.  Most experts tell you to only cook what you've made before for guests.  But that's hard if you don't cook much to begin with.  Here's my favorite tip from Ina Garten - cook one thing, assemble one thing, and buy one thing.  For example, cook some steaks, assemble a salad, and buy the dessert.  Or, if you prefer baking, cook pasta with jarred sauce, bake a cake, and assemble an antipasto board.  Get it? It's much less stress and helps you to focus on the one main dish you're preparing.  The goal here is to have fun together, not shout at each other as you burn the house down trying to earn a Michelin star.

2.)  Plan Ahead.  Know what you're going to make in advance and go to the grocery store and liquor store BEFORE the day of.  You want to go to a grocery store (or even worse the wine store) after work on Valentine's night?  Have fun.  It's a mad house as everyone with the same idea as you struggles to find the saffron/pizza dough/arborio rice in Fairway as the clock ticks.  Instead, the weekend before get the essentials (non perishables) and the day before pop in for the things you need fresh - fish/meat/produce.  Planning ahead also means to read through the entire recipe at least once before you even gather one ingredient. Nothing is worse than starting a recipe and then getting to the part in the directions where it tells you to "simmer for 6 to 8 hours".  

3.)  Assign Tasks.  Our kitchen is small.  We don't have room for both of us to be standing over the stove. Have whoever is more confident in the kitchen do the hard stuff, and give the other person a task - make the salad, read the directions, stir the risotto, refill the wine.  You need to find a bit of a rhythm.  If you set out each person's tasks ahead of time it will be less of one person bossing the other around the kitchen (guilty of that one, for sure).

4.) RELAX.  The thing I find happens most when people cook together, especially those who don't cook often, is that they get caught up in the recipe and don't stay calm.  No one is timing you.  This isn't 30 minute meals.  Go slow, follow the steps, and don't get stressed out.  It's supposed to be fun!

RECIPE IDEAS: Now for some easy recipes for your Valentine's Day at home.  I love how all of these seem impressive, but are actually relatively simple. Many of them are hands free in that you just throw the ingredients together and pop it in the oven - leaving you time to clean up and set out the other dishes.

Steaks.  My go to recipes for tender filets or juicy rib-eyes.  Same technique is used for both recipes.  Just make sure you turn on the vent and crack the windows, it will get smoky.

Lamb.  A protein that always impresses.  Ina Garten's Rack of Lamb Persillade is killer and so easy it's laughable.  (Note:  if you don't have a food processor just finely chop everything and stir together, crushing some of the mixture with the back of a spoon.)  Or go more relaxed with stuffed lamb burgers.

Risotto.  One person stirs, one person fills the wine glasses. :)  My favorites are vodka sauce risotto with smoked or fresh mozzarella and tomato, sausage, & spinach risotto.  I'm thinking of trying this crab risotto this year.

Pasta.  Gosh there are so many pasta favorites thanks to our Wine Nights.  Truffle mac and cheese, orecchiette with sausage & broccoli rabe, tomato and cream cheese fettuccine (my sister and her boyfriend's favorite to cook together), and ravioli with pumpkin sage sauce.

Fish & Seafood.  Fish is easy because it's fast.  We're currently obsessed with Parmesan Tilapia, but we also went through a big phase of bang bang salmon.  And roasted salmon and potatoes couldn't be easier.  I'm also a big fan of cooking seafood in parchment/foil like this and this.  I'm tempted to make this poached cod with tomato and saffron for our meal this year.

Salads.  Typically I go for standard arugula mix with a lemon vinaigrette, but you could also try kale and brussels sprouts salad, the ultimate Caesar salad (Al's favorite), or apple, pecan and blue cheese salad with dried cherries.  Another easy side is these green beans that steam in a bag in the microwave.

Sweets.  We're more of an ice-cream or cookies and milk family, but some of my favorite dessert options are salted caramel cheesecake (a real show stopper, but this one takes some time), butterscotch pot de creme (make the night before, oh so so so tasty), and this brownie "pudding" is just ridiculous   Also a big fan of the affogato - pour hot espresso over scoops of vanilla gelato.

Now that you have the tips, tricks, and recipe ideas - why not do Valentine's Day at home?

source.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

K

P.S.  Some great Valentine's gift ideas

2013: a look back

{sunrise in Mexico}

Oh hello!  We are on our way back to New York today after an amazing time in both Kansas and Mexico.  Recaps to come, but for now I thought I'd kick off the new year with this fun list of questions. I saw these floating around on tumblr and I thought it would be a great exercise to recap our year...

1: What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?

Traveled to France, got promoted, grew the blog (big woop for brands asking me to sponsor posts!).

2: Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

(A reminder of last year's resolutions.) As for eating better, we really did a great job until about November.  Since then, we've been eating like we're on vacation.  So ready to feel healthy again.  I still use two spaces after a period and I’m convinced that’s now an unchangeable trait.  I am a little better at being on time, maybe an increase of 25% but I'm still not up to ALWAYS on time.  We did great “going” to church for the first six months, but then went through our summer slump and never got back on it.  Working out twice a week still is a hilarious concept to me; one that was never reached 2013.  Here’s to starting fresh this year…

3: Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, apparently everyone I’m friends with on Facebook had a baby or got pregnant this year.  It’s funny to see the stages of life via social media.  A few years ago it was all engagements, then weddings, then houses, then babies.  We have done the first two – house and baby still pending. ;) 

4: What countries did you visit?

France (Paris, Avignon, St. Tropez - yikes! I still need to blog about St. Tropez!), UK (just the LHRairport), Mexico.

5: What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013

More patience. 

6: What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Continuing to blog despite being massively busy at work.  It seems silly, but those of you who do it know how much time, thought, and creativity it takes and how some days it just seems like you took off way too big of a bite.  It really is such a great outlet for me to feel like I'm doing something else with my brain.  I'm happy I kept it going, even if some days it felt like this little site was on life support.

7: What was your biggest failure?

Getting in a rut.  Or, rather, not getting out of it.  I had a month or so this fall where I couldn't seem to kick my negative attitude.  It was one of those times where I couldn't see the good in anything and I struggled.  I’m happy to report I’m out of that funk and look back at it as an opportunity to learn how important it is to find happiness in even the crummiest of times.

8: Did you suffer illness or injury?

I’m convinced I sprained my wrist in Mexico.  But I’m a bit of a hypochondriac about sprains in general so Al has been ignoring my complaints completely.  Oh, and I had that rough bout with the flu in January for about a week.  Awful, awful thing.

9: What was the best thing you bought?

Maybe that chalkboard table runner paper.  I also used it for wrapping paper this year.  Oooh or maybe the Lily wrapping paper (you'll see it in my Christmas recap).  And also my black booties and green coated jeans from Madewell.  Both got a lot of play this winter. 

10: Whose behavior merited celebration?

Jennifer Lawrence, Al - he has a great attitude even though he works 16 hour days, and Ina Garten (always).

11: Whose behavior made you appalled?

Miley, Kris Jenner.  Ugh to both of them.

12: Where did most of your money go?

Thanks to Al’s extensive budget (he keeps a crazy excel budget and notes every dollar we spend and to what category it belongs), I can tell you that we spent the most this year on eating out (we had some pricey, but exceptional meals this year. God bless Blue Hill), and vacations (again, so so worth it).  

13: What did you get really, really, really excited about?

France (do you see a trend here?), Mexico with my family, Christmas in Kanas, Friendsgiving, Stone Barns Farm.

14: Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

a.) Happier

b.) Fatter – I’ve been pretty much eating like calories don’t count since Friendsgiving.  I need to reintroduce myself to the treadmill this year.

c.)  ha.  Do people really answer this?  I’ll say richer – in that I feel over the past year my life has grown in richness exponentially.

15: What do you wish you’d done more of?

Worked out.

16: What do you wish you’d done less of?

Work.  

17: How did you spend Christmas?

With my dad and Melanie,  in Lawrence with snow on the ground.  Joined by my sister, step-sister, step-brother, a french bulldog, a labrodoodle, and a grate dane.  Oh, and Mel’s amazing biscuits and gravy.  It. Was. Spectacular. 

19: Did you fall in love in 2013?

Yes.  Over and over again with my sweet man.

20: What was your favorite TV program?

As you know, we’re big TV people.  Shows we binge watched:  Homeland Season 1 and 2, Downton Abbey, House of Cards, The Wonder Years, Al went on a huge Wire kick, Orange is the New Black.

21: What was the best book you read?

I really grew to love The Interestings, although in hindsight I dislike the ending (although, I always dislike endings that don’t go the way I think they will).  Fell in love with this cookbook as well.  Currently entangled in the life of Theo Decker in (the extremely long tale) The Goldfinch.

22: What was your greatest musical discovery?

Not caring generally too much about music and not having a car in which we listen to the radio, I’m sad to say that most of our musical discoveries are songs we come to know months after they became popular.  Al joked the other night that we are now the category of people who think the 'Now That's What I Call Music' CDs' are current.

23: What did you want and get?

Time with my Al and our extended families.  Bernice the Camera.

24: What did you want and not get?

A sick pack.  Abs, not beer.  The beer is partly what prevented the abs.

25: What was your favorite film of this year?

Argo

26: What was the best thing you made this year?

Probably the roasted shrimp with feta.  Or the seafood gratin.  Both were simple, yet elegant and very satisfying.  Both from Ina, of course.

27: What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Travel and leisure.  Verbs – not the magazine.

28: How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

Ask Ashley and Jolie and do what they say.

29: What kept you sane? 

Al, Lily, Sleep, Wine Nights

30: Who did you miss?

My sister. Every day.  I find myself constantly wishing she was next to me so we can laugh at all the funny moments of life together.  She's also really good at snugging. 1,200 miles apart sucks.

31: Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

Take time for yourself.  Find the good.  And these 28 things.

32:  A quote that sums up your year.

"It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are." - James Mackintosh

Wow.  What a year.  Feeling very fortunate.  Wishing you a enlightening 2014 full of happiness, silliness, and lots and lots of snugs.

xoxo,

K

28 things

Wow.  28 years old today.  Sometimes I feel older than that. But most days I feel like I should still be 25.  It sounds so cliche, but now I get it when people mutter "where has the time gone?". 28 seems nice though. 28 seems wise, settled, fun.  I think I'll get used to 28 just fine.  

I've learned a thing or two in my 28 years years.  Here are 28 things I know to be true:

1. Dogs > humans
2. I've said it before, and Ill say it again:  Hallelujah for the cleaning lady.
3. Friends can be family.
4. Early to bed early to rise.  (i.e. sleep is important.)
5. It's okay to argue as long as the end goal is a resolution.
6. Seasonal decor, while seemingly a waste of time and space, does make a difference.
7. Communication, communication, communication.
8. In the morning:  hot water with a squeeze of half a lemon.  It's a must.
9. Listen to what is being said, instead of thinking about what you are going to say next.
10. Celebrate the little things.
11. The only trick to good skin is to wash your face before bed.
12. In a confrontation, avoid the words 'never' and 'always'.  Hyperbolizing about a fault or mistake won't get you anywhere.
13. Travel is more than seeing new places. It opens your mind and your heart and leaves you forever changed.
14. Shake Shack makes the best burger.
15. Avoid constantly wanting the next step.  Focus on living in the now.
16. Know what time of day your mind is the sharpest and tackle the more difficult tasks at that time.
17. Admit when you're wrong.
18. No matter how comfortable you get living away from your family, you'll always miss them just the same.
19. When overwhelmed, break things down in to parts and do one step at a time. 
20. Food is so good.  So is portion control.
21. Don't compare your life to others.  Make your own life.
22. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do for longer than you'd like. And that is okay. 
23. Drink. More. Water.
24. Every day:  Be a good partner. 
25. Know when to say no. But don't say no just because what is asked of you seems difficult.
26. There is no relationship quite like that of sisters.
27. Marriage is the most important thing. Sometimes it comes easy and sometimes it is work. Sometimes it is the focus and other times it is in the background.  But it is always the most important thing.
28. Find time each day to do something that fulfills you.

Here's to my 28th year.  May it be my best year yet.

xoxo,

K

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cheers and thanks

Hi Friends!  I'm buried in emails - both work-related and Cyber Monday- related.  I'll be back tomorrow with our Weekend (and Friendsgiving) Recap.  But in the meantime, I wanted to share the toast I wrote and read at Friendsgiving.

Happy Monday!

xoxo,

K

Once in a while it is smart to remember

The good that exists not just in November.

The big moments of life and the little ones too,

They are what make us unique, me and you.

So this year I’m thankful for the following things,

I hope you don’t think I’m just rambling…

I’m thankful for our families, those far and near

For the health and happiness they’ve had this year.

Kansas and New York City you’re both on the list,

As our homes past and present we could never forget.

I’m thankful for France - Paris, St. Tropez, and Avignon,

What an incredible vacation - the memories live on.

I’m thankful for our jobs, though they work us to the bone.

They let us live this great life in this city we call home.

We give thanks to the people who make our daily lives better -

The cabbies, the doormen, those picking up litter.

And those home and abroad who protect this great nation,

We thank you and praise you for your service and dedication.

To the things and people that keep me smilin’ -

Cheers to cooking, Wine Nights, and Ina Garten.

Thanks to the friends that circle ‘round this table,

Your support, laughter, and dance moves make us all the more able.

Don’t worry readers, my list is just about over,

Just a pup and a boy to discuss further.

To the dog who stole my heart, I can’t put it in rhyme,

Just how much better life is with Lily all of the time.

And finally to the man who is hard to forget,

His wit and his height, and his Lisa Loeb bit.

Al you make this life worth living.

It is you whom I’m thankful for most this Thanksgiving.

So let us raise our glasses in hope and cheer,

For another unforgettable and incredible year.

♥