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Main Dish, Soup & Salad

Mediterranean greek quinoa bowl

I’m not much of a meal planner. I’d love to be. The thought of KNOWING what food you’re making all week, and buying groceries just for those meals sounds heavenly. But the reality is, I’m just not that organized. And I probably won’t ever be.

So instead of “meal planning” I do more “ingredient planning”. There are a handful of things I always use when I cook. My “go-tos”. So every week I make sure I have a few of these things ready to go in the fridge. Cooked grains in big batches, some fresh veggies washed and prepped, beans already cooked (or let’s be honest, just even rinsed out of the can). And then I can easily put together a few quick meals for lunch or dinner.

This mediterranean greek quinoa bowl is essentially me just pulling together a few things (already made and ready to go) from my fridge. It couldn’t have been simpler to put together and it was the perfect summer lunch. Light and refreshing. Delicious, and an added bonus that it’s actually GOOD for you.  

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Design, Lifestyle

How to paint your front door

I could not be more excited about this post about how to paint your front door, or this project. I live for a good DIY. I’m a girl who loves to get her hands dirty. Put me in the kitchen with some dough, out in the garden with my hands in the soil, or my house with a can of paint – and I am one happy lady. Sure I love wearing heels and a fancy dress, but I’m equally excited for an excuse to put on an old baseball cap and sneakers and pick up my sander.

I’ve painted the front doors of our last two homes, but this one has to be my favorite. I’ve painted all of our other doors using acrylic based paints (which worked great), but this time I used Fine Paints of Europe.

I first came across Fine Paints of Europe a few years ago when I started getting into some small DIY projects around our home.  I immediately fell in love with their gorgeous bold colors and shine.  Fine Paint of Europe is a 100-year-old, high-quality, line of paints (mainly oil-based) that is known for their gorgeous brilliant (almost lacquered) finish.  You know a “Fine Paints of Europe” door or piece of furniture when you see it.  There truly is nothing else like it.

I’ve known I wanted to use this line of paints for a while, but never felt like I had the right space or project that warranted it – until now. 

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Beauty, Body, Wellness

My new skin care routine

This winter I turned 40. 40!  I remember when that age used to seem so old to me, and yet here I am, 40 and loving it.

And while not much has changed since I turned 40 (besides the fact that I can’t seem to remember anything), I’m definitely a little more conscious these days about the way I take care of myself, especially my skin.  I’ve noticed that I have to put in a little more time and effort to keep my skin looking good!  It’s not quite as easy as it once was ;).  So I’ve put together a new skincare routine that not only works but is also one that I can feel good about.  One that is safe, clean, and can be done right in my own home.

I know there is a world of options out there filled with treatments, creams, and procedures (like Botox and fillers) that can keep all of us looking like were 20.  And while I don’t have ANYTHING against those options, they just don’t feel quite right for me (at least not for today).  For now, I’m focusing my time and effort on simple, affordable, and clean skincare that I can do right in my own home. 

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Lifestyle

My new summer intentions

A few nights ago I had the pleasure of listening to a group of incredibly talented and inspirational women speak on a panel. They were all mothers, entrepreneurs, and women who are juggling a million things but still going after their dreams.  Full speed ahead.

There were so many great nuggets of inspiration I took away with that evening.  But the one that stood out for me the most was that none of these women were “waiting” for their moment.  Waiting for the right season of their life to go after their dreams.  They didn’t say “in the fall when the kids are back in school”, or “when things slow down for my husband at work”. 

Instead, they worked hard, every day, going after what they wanted.  They created habits and routines and practices that helped set them up for success and stay focused on their goals; regardless of the season of life they were in.

And it got me thinking about some of my own habits.  Some of my own routines.  Especially during these summer months.     

The summer can be a tricky season, for a lot of us. The lack of structure, longer days with the kids at home lingering in their pajamas, more chips, quac, and rose than my eyes can see; all add up.  It’s by far my favorite season of the year to parent, but in that same breath, can be my hardest season of the year to feel productive and focused.  

So in an effort to seize the “now” and not wait for the next season of life to be focused and productive, I’m making a conscious effort to set myself up for success, starting today.  Setting goals and intentions that I can put into practice, now.

My hope is that some of these intentions help me to feel like I can find a little bit of a balance this summer.  To show up fully, and presently for my kids and be able to enjoy these special moments this summer.  While at the same time, carve out time and practices that help me nurture my goals and passions outside of motherhood.  To find balance in both, starting today.   

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Lifestyle

Loving my body, exactly as it is

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to feel truly comfortable in your skin?  If you loved your body, exactly as it is.   

A few days ago, I was out for a walk with Frankie.  The day had started off foggy and cool.  I was dressed as if it were January (I wish I was kidding).

As my walk progressed and the morning sun burned off the fog I found myself regretting the sea of black layers I was donning.  And as if without giving it any thought, I went to take off my thick, long sleeve shirt. 

But then quickly paused. 

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Appetizer and Snacks

Mediterranean hummus platter

This was one of the first weekends, in a long time, that our little family didn’t have anything scheduled. No ballet recitals. No first communions. A wide open weekend.

But of course, you know what that means for me; what once was a “free” weekend ends up instead becoming a few days where I cram everything onto my once empty “to-do” list.

This weekend that “to-do” list was filled with some daunting yard work. Thankfully my better half is a trooper and somehow still agrees to my crazy plans. Even after 10 years of me saying, “you know what I was thinking we could do…?”, he just smiles and goes along for the ride.  He should just run when he hears those words.

JonPaul, with the help of our kiddos too, did a pretty awesome job tackling my “to-do” list and sprucing up our yard.  Read More

Lifestyle

Being enough

Last night, JonPaul and I were out on a date in New York, when he casually asked me what at first I thought was a simple question; “What do you want?”.  And then he probed a little further, “what do you want with your life?” 

I don’t know.  I want what everyone wants.  I want to be happy and healthy.  I want our kids to be healthy and happy.  I want to spend time with family and friends.  Maybe go on a few family vacations.  Eat some great food.   Isn’t that what everyone wants?

And then, of course, he pushed harder.

“Yes, that’s what everyone wants. But more specifically, what else?  What do you want, for you?  What are you searching for?  What do you really want?”

I paused for a moment because I hadn’t ever really thought of myself as “searching” for something or wanting something more.  But maybe he was right.

So I answered him with the first thing that came to mind, but something I don’t think I had every consciously thought of before last night.

I want to feel accomplished.  Like I’ve done something.  Created something.  Achieved something.

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Design, Lifestyle

Choosing the right white paint

Choosing the right “white” paint for your space can be harder than one might think.  There are so many nuances that come with white paint.  

When we were moving into our new home, I knew that I wanted to paint every square inch of our house. I wanted to be intentional with the color palette, and make our entire home feel cohesive. So choosing the “right” color was really important.  I knew we would land somewhere in the “white” family, but I just wasn’t sure where.  

My kids always laugh that I “love white”. And I do. It’s for sure my favorite color. And here’s why…

It makes every other color that much more gorgeous. Pinks pop. Blues feel cooler and more tranquil. Even black looks gorgeous against this hue.

But choosing the “right” white paint for your space is tricky. Scratch that. It can feel impossible.

We’ve used white a lot in our homes. In fact, three of our last homes were painted entirely white (I know…I have a problem). But each time, I used a different white.  And here’s why.  Each home had different colored flooring, different lighting, different architectural details.  And all of that matters.

Here’s what we learned to consider before picking out the “right white”. Read More

Side dish

Za’atar roasted carrots with a carrot top pesto

I’ll be honest, I’m not really a roasted carrot person. In a salad, sure. But as a side dish on its own, not so much. I feel like they’re pretty boring. So when I started playing around with these za’atar roasted carrots, I didn’t have the highest of hopes. Which is why this recipe blows me away even more.

 

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Soup & Salad

Spring pea & asparagus salad

I feel like spring officially starts when I start cracking my kitchen window open…all day. You know what I’m talking about. That breeze that comes through when you’re standing at the sink all day long.

It first starts off a little chilly, and almost too cold you’re tempted to shut the window.  But by the afternoon the breeze feels likes a welcome change.

And all the sounds and smells that come with that one open window. It’s as if a whole season of sensation comes rushing through that tiny cracked pane of glass. It’s for sure my marker of spring.

And this week, it happened. My kitchen window was cracked ALL DAY. It made me so happy.

So I suppose spring is here.

In honor of this glorious time of year, I’ve been working on some new dishes using some of my favorite spring ingredients; fresh shelled spring peas, and asparagus.

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