bridal shower outfit

I haven't done an outfit post in months, so I figured I may as well take a few photos while I was dressed for my bridal shower. These days I pretty much live in barre clothes. More bridal event outfits forthcoming . . . 

I decided to go the traditional route in a white dress and simple accessories. 

Zack and I got to visit with so many of our family members and friends this weekend. I am blown away by all of the people who support us and all of the gifts we received. 

I didn't give him any input with the registry sooooooo he gave us this face. He has no idea what's coming! 

hand me down earrings from Granny // Trina Turk dress // Jack Rogers sandals

all day, every day kale

My dad's coworker has blessed me once again with produce from her awesome garden, and I have been eating kale for every meal. 

She sent my dad home with a grocery bag stuffed full of organic, homegrown kale. 

After several sessions of instruction from my dad, I filled a 5 gallon bucket about halfway with water, dumped the kale in, swished it around for a while, then pulled out each and every leaf, thoroughly inspecting it for bugs. I let it dry on paper towels and stored it in a sealed plastic container with more dry paper towels. My dad was very adamant that the kale was organic and would probably have dirt and bugs all over it, so I must wash it well. I found ONE bug; still, I recommend this method of washing kale. It has lasted well in the refrigerator. 

To use all of that kale, I though I might need to get creative, but it hasn't been difficult. I have kale salads for lunch every day. I made a one pot pasta dish (different than, but inspired by this one) with what I had on hand--whole wheat spaghetti, vegetable broth, grape tomatoes, mushrooms, kale, and basil. I seasoned it with crushed red pepper. 

I found out the hard way that you can only put so much kale in a smoothie before it tastes like you're drinking kale. It doesn't work like spinach.

So I tried kale in an omelet for breakfast. I wilted a handful of kale a bit, then I cracked two eggs in the pan and added salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper, plus a tablespoon or so of water. Thanks to my ninth grade foods and nutrition teacher for the omelet lessons. 

The green basil in my garden has taken off lately, so I picked a bunch and made a small batch of pesto. It was delicious on top of this omelet!

I will have to show Mrs. Wofford to see if she approves. Ninth grade was an eternity ago, but I learned useful skills! The skills that I've used, I haven't forgotten. 

Do you eat kale? Cooked or raw? How do you prepare it?

Over Under and a new friend

This is my latest made in USA purchase: an Over Under Huntsman Collar. 

It's a handsome collar, and I appreciate the name plate so there's no jingling. 

I also own a shirt by Over Under and gifted my brother the Cannon's Point Single Shotgun Shell Belt last Christmas. I'm so glad that he loves it and wears it often!

I already had one of their coozies from my brother's belt order, and I'm glad to add another to my collection that matches the collar. 

Who in the world would I purchase this collar for?! Well, here's a glimpse of my new [foster] friend . . . who may or may not be staying around. 

Looking good, Dan!



If I had room in my budget, here are a few things I'd add to my Over Under collection:
Bourbon and Boweties collaboration bangle
Sky Blue Original Logo tee
"The Collection" tee for my duck enthusiast brother
The Lewiston Handbag
and can we get a "Go Pirates" version of these stadium cups?

how to make an ice ring

I really enjoy making punch for parties and showers, and my favorite special touch is the ice ring. Not only does the ice ring keep the punch cold without watering it down, but it also dresses up the punch. 

I got this beautiful punch bowl and cups from my best friend; it belonged to her grandmother, and her mom was going to get rid of it because neither Lindsay nor her mom had room for it. I stopped that pretty quickly, "don't give it away; give it to me!!!" I love punch and punch bowls and have not inherited one; the other punch bowl I have used my mom bought at Goodwill because I was so sad that I didn't have one for our first annual cookie exchange. 

I usually use slices of lighter colored fruit, like lemons and limes, and a smaller, contrasting color fruit, like cranberries. I have also used pineapple slices and cherries quite a few times. 

Of course, consider the colors and flavors in the punch you are making, but I don't find that the fruit I put in changes the flavor much, except if you have leftover punch and drink it the next day. 

 

These Tupperware gelatin mold containers (new and similar) are great for making ice rings because they have lids and are lightweight. Mine is a hand me down from my grandmother. Bundt pans work just as well if you have plenty of flat freezer space and are not having to carry the ice ring with you somewhere.

After placing the fruit in the mold, I pour in lemonade. I filled these just enough to hold the fruit together without making the fruit float. You could also use water, which shows off the fruit better, but I wanted to use a flavor that was in my punch.

I have used ice rings a couple of weeks after making them and a couple of hours after making them. Why not make it easy on yourself and have your ice rings prepped well in advance? 

I run hot water over the bottom of the pan to loosen the ice ring, making sure to keep a hand ready to catch it when it slides out. 

The ice ring is ready to be gently placed in the punch. I usually make the punch in the bowl then add in the ice ring. Although it's easy to drop it in and splash out the punch this way, it's difficult to stir up the ingredients once the ice ring is in. I also added frozen lime slices and cranberries to make it prettier. 

I will post the recipe for this punch tomorrow.

Which fruits do you think are the prettiest for decorating punch?

scalloped fair isle fox

I've been wearing this sweater for years, though its subtle elbow patches are currently on trend. 

I'd been eyeing this scallop oxford for months and was so excited to get it on sale after Thanksgiving. Going by the size chart, I ordered a small, and it fit me like a glove. Now that I've washed it, it fits me like a tight glove . . . but it still doesn't gape open like other oxfords. This is a quality made in USA shirt that I would recommend for petite women like myself.

I had to throw in the earrings--and a headband--with my order. Ever since a few summers ago when foxes overran my city, I've been into fox motifs.

Kiel James Patrick Ferress Fox Drift Knots earrings // Kiel James Patrick Pemberton Racquet scallop oxford // J. Crew sweater // hand me down belt from Mom // HMD Gucci bag from Mom (similar on eBay; I like this new one) // Joe's Jeans // Loeffler Randall flats

front porch Christmas arrangement

I used extra limbs from the Christmas tree and nandina from the front yard to make this arrangement.  I added the nandina today and snapped a few more pictures of it. 

What do you think?  How do you use extra greenery from your Christmas tree?  

Christmas decorating: arranging greenery

My favorite Christmas decorations are plants.  Natural greens and reds are so beautiful to me, and the best part is that you can throw them in the compost or burn them in a bonfire after Christmas.  No storage space needed!  

I only wish that I could arrange flowers as well as my mom and grandmothers, but I think I do a decent job with greenery.

HMD earrings // Moon and Lola metal script monogram necklace // Tory Burch shirt // HMD sweater from Granny // HMD belt from Mom // J. Crew cafe capri // Minnetonka moccasins