April 19, 2017
10 April DIYs
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April 17, 2017
5 Favorite Food Blogs of the Moment
Heartbeet Kitchen is a celebration of sweet and savory recipes along with some other tidbits from author Amanda’s life in Minnesota. The recipes are based around seasonal vegetables and whole grains, as well as eggs and dairy from happy animals. Many are vegetarian, and all are gluten-free with a specialty in baking with alternative flours.
Recent Favorites: Creamy Polenta Porridge with Berries and Honey, No-Bake Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Pots with Pretzel Crunch, Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Garlicky Beet Sauce
The Vanilla Bean Blog, aka Sarah Kieffer, is a site I’ve been following for several years now. Started as a way to document her family’s food history, it’s also a space full of baking recipes, kitchen moments with friends and family, occasional musings and reflections, and some poetry and prose – in another word, connection.
Recent Favorites: Olive Oil Sugar Cookies with Blood Orange Glaze, Chocolate Chip Mini Cakes with Peanut Butter Buttercream, Blackberry Jam Buns with Creme Fraiche Frosting
Salt and Lavender is full of delicious from scratch recipes that are also simple to make. Fresh, real ingredients play a big role, with not nearly as much salt as the name might indicate. Author Natasha provides a healthy mix of good for you foods mixed with a few indulgences.
Recent Favorites: Tropical Chicken Nachos, 15 Minute Garlic Lime Cashew Zoodles, Thai Sweet Potato Coconut Red Curry
The Almond Eater is the place where self-taught cook Erin shares the wholesome recipes created in her kitchen. Each one is double-tested before she shares it on the site. (Quiet admission: we also both live in Pittsburgh and have the same two major food dislikes – mustard and pickles!)
Recent Favorites: Coffee Orange Granola, Cinnamon Tahini Pancakes, Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Salad Sandwich
What to Cook Today is a newer find, there are just so many talented Minnesotans out there! Marvellina shares recipes she grew up with in Indonesia that have a heavy Chinese influence as well as local flavor – think lots of boldness often sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and umami all combined into one dish! Marv also experiments with plenty of foods from other continents though, if southeast Asian flavor isn’t your cup of tea.
Recent Favorites: Mexican Cinnamon Horchata, Panko Chicken and Waffles, Pumpkin Custard Baked Buns
Posted In blog love, food, living, recipes, series
April 13, 2017
Tips + Tricks: Creative Business
It’s been awhile since we last shared a tips + tricks column, so today I thought I’d share a little about what I’m always reading up on – running a creative business. You don’t have to be a blogger to benefit from this list of advice, honestly you don’t even have to work in a creative field. I’m forever searching for a work/life balance, trying to figure out my next step should be in this ever-evolving field, and how to make the most of the 24 given hours in each day. (And about 100 other things.) Drop any go-to advice of your own in the comments!
How to Negotiate Your Own Licensing Agreement
You Need a Contract, Here’s How to Make One
5 Tips for Writing a Solid Business Plan
Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance
How to Get Your Life Back When Freelancing Has Taken Over
10 Steps to Get Verified on Facebook – and Why You Need to
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Hire?
Your Ultimate Goal to Saying No to People You Can’t Say No to
13 Gmail Hacks That’ll Instantly Maximize Your Productivity
Photo Tips From Instagram Stars
How to Get a Reply From a Cold Email
45 Things You Can Outsource to a Virtual Assistant
6 Scientific Hacks to Keep You Focused at Work
10 Habits of Healthy and Happy Business Owners
What to Say When a Non-Profit Asks for Free Work
What to Call Yourself When You’re a Multi-Talented Freelancer
Why Every Solo-Preneur Needs a Hobby
Media Kit Checklist: 15 Must Have Items
Posted In behind the scenes, my design, series, tips + tricks
April 12, 2017
11 Perfect White Tees
Few things in my wardrobe have been more elusive than the perfect white t-shirt. One that’s not too long or too short, too tight or too loose, with a neck that’s not too big or too small. It makes me feel like Goldielocks. When I think back, the closest I ever had was a sort of thin, boxy cut version from the Gap when I was in high school. (My Grandma actually found it at her house and we were reunited last year!) How about you, have a favorite white tee that just goes with everything?
Basic White Tee from Sabo Skirt // Relaxed Casual T-Shirt from James Perse // T-Shirt from Baserange
The Cotton Scoop-Neck Tee from Everlane // The Cotton V from Everlane // The Luxe Drape Deep V Tee from Everlane // The Perfect Pocket Tee from Levi’s
Remade Dancing Tee from Urban Renewal // V-Neck Tee from Wear Pact // Valmere T-Shirt from Talula // Whisper Cotton V-Neck Cotton Tee from Madewell
Posted In round up, series, style, wear it
April 11, 2017
16 Face Serums
You may have noticed during our monthly favorites posts just how obsessed I’ve become with face serums. I resisted for months, thinking that they’d probably only serve to clog my already problematic skin. Then in February I as convinced to try one and I’ve been hooked ever since – the hydration! the smoothing! the glow! I now use two different serums a day, vitamin C in the morning and a rejuvenating formula before bed. Do you have a favorite?
Aesop Lucent Facial Concentrate // Balm & Co. Glow Serum Nourishing Facial Oil // Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum // Deciem Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel // Fig + Yarrow Rosehip + Argan Facial Serum // First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum // Glossier Super Glow
IT Cosmetics Feel the Moment Anti-Aging Hydrating Sensory Awakening Serum // Kate Somerville Quench Oil Free Hydrating Face Serum // Skin Inc. Hyaluronic Acid Serum Long-Lasting Hydration // Lapcos Blue Water Micro Serum Mist
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum // Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil // Vinter’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum // Youth to the People Kale Tri-peptide 37 Vitamin C Age Prevention Serum
Posted In beauty bag, round up, series, style
April 7, 2017
Hippin’ + Hoppin’
DIY Bath Salt Easter Egg Bombs // DIY Easter Mood Eggs // DIY Happy Easter Banner
My default decor for Easter is fresh flowers and dyed eggs, aside from a big meal with family I don’t have a lot of tradition surrounding the holiday. Maybe that will change one day if I have a child, but in the meantime I love the few things I know I can count on being present. But if you’re hosting, looking for creative ideas to decorate eggs, or curious about treats for baskets check out the nineteen ideas we’ve rounded up!
DIY Modern Brushstroke Easter Eggs // DIY Paper Carrot Treat Box // DIY Swedish Easter Wall Hanging // Easter Bark
Mini DIY Easter Bouquets // DIY Pastel Egg Easter Soap // Rosé Creme Filled Marbled Eggs // DIY Dyed Robin Eggs
DIY Egg Vase Centerpiece // DIY Hologram Galaxy Easter Eggs // DIY Monochrome Eggs // DIY Sprinkle Easter Eggs
DIY Illustrated Eggshell Centerpiece // Easter Printables // Natural Tea Dyed Easter Eggs // Printable Easter Bunny Treat Cones
Posted In downloads, easter, food, grow it, holidays, living, make it, recipes, series
April 4, 2017
Let’s Talk Pantries + Organizational Tips
In my dream home I have an entire room as a pantry, a la Martha. But in the real world it’s about working with what you’ve got – whether that be a closet you can convert, a corner to build out, or a few existing cabinets that need to do all the heavy lifting. Or you can get creative, make it an entire wall of open shelving or a free-standing piece of furniture. Whatever the case, we all know food storage in the kitchen is a necessity, read on for some organizational tips and inspiration!
Keys to a keeping a super functional pantry:
1. Go through and clean it out regularly.
2. Use it for more than just food – serving pieces, cookbooks – if you have the space.
3. Have everything visible, or as much as possible. Risers work great!
4. Group like with like (cans, baking ingredients, etc).
5. Place the things you use most often at arm’s reach.
6. Think vertically as well as horizontally, store cookie sheets and serving trays upright.
7. Set shelves at different heights to use your space best.
8. Bring in baskets to collect dish towels and more.
9. Use glass containers to store dry goods, they’ll stay fresh longer and you’ll always know how much you have.
10. Take advantage of the inside of the door as well, it’s a great place to keep spices and food storage supplies.
via Trendland
via Decor Pad
April 3, 2017
April Desktop Calendar Download
April showers, spring flowers, and a fresh calendar for your desktop!
March 30, 2017
March Favorites
1/ Alba Botanica Acnedote
That’s right, I’m still on the hunt for the perfect skin regiment. I finally have the right level of moisture (just as the seasons change again, of course), but am randomly experiencing breakouts. I’m using the Deep Pore Wash, Deep Clean Astringent, and Clean ‘n Treat Towelettes, and thought it’s only been a few days I feel like I’m seeing and feeling the difference.
2/ Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream
I’ve had this moisturizer in the rotation since last December and really love it. It’s good for all skin types and evens out tone while brightening your complexion, for these reasons it’s usually my morning moisturizing cream.
3/ Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of my all-time favorite scents, so I definitely use this in my diffuser. But lavender oil is also an antibacterial and I’ve been using it to spot treat breakouts, especially ones that I haven’t been able to keep my hands off of. (Ugh.)
4/ Miss Jones Baking Co.
These guys use only the highest quality ingredients and it really comes through in their boxed baking mixes. Plant-based, responsibly sourced, and free of all kinds of other junk, it’s also organic! The brownies are seriously the best boxed mix I’ve ever made.
5/ Printic App Photos Box
Download the app then choose fifty of your favorite Instagram photos and Printic will print and deliver them in a sweet little box. I love the vintage Polaroid-like style! Use code B9962C for $7 off your order.
6/ RXBAR
Everything inside these insanely good protein bars is *literally* right on the (well-designed) packaging. It’s real food and the main ingredients are egg whites, nuts, and dates no matter the flavor. I’ve been having either a blueberry one for breakfast or a chocolate sea salt for an evening snack almost daily.
7/ Sustainable Youth
About a month ago three of their products made it into my bedtime skincare rotation – Super Boost Night Serum, Ultra Creamy Cleansing Lotion, and Anytime Lift Eye Treatment. My favorite is the serum, formulated to rejuvenate while you get your shuteye.
8/ Trigg Vases
I love how versatile these vessels are. Use them as vases, planters, utensil holders, desk accessories and more. They come as a set of two and the ceramic body can even be oriented two different ways in the wire frame.
9/ Vitamin C Serum
Another new addition to my morning routine is a few drop of this serum all over my face. Since I started using it I’ve noticed a brighter complexion as well as decrease in dark spots from old acne.
March 27, 2017
Doormats for Dirty Soles
Adventure Doormat // Anchor Coir Doormat // DIY Winking Doormat // Fern Fronds Doormat
If you have kids or pets or simply wear shoes, rainy spring weather can really play havoc with your clean floors. A sturdy doormat with lots of texture is key to tracking the least amount of dirt into your space. I actually like to go with the one indoor/one outdoor combo during especially wet days for maximum grime grabbing and minimal cleanup.
Flow Doormat // Hello Sunshine Door Mat // Hey Good Lookin’ Coir Doormat // Picture Frame Doormats
Pineapples Doormat // The Crib Doormat // Welcome Doormat // Well Hello There Coir Doormat
Posted In accessories, house and home, living, round up, series