feel the love

Happy (almost) Valentine's day! Now that our Valentines have hopefully arrived in the mailboxes of our friends and family, I can share them with you.

I'm normally not a pink-and-gold kind of girl, but for some reason, I was really feeling a Marie Antoinette-esque color scheme for this design. After all, it's happy and lovey and Valentiney, right? Plus, I'm not gonna lie — I do enjoy the metallic ink when it comes to Gocco projects. It's sparklyyy.

I chose to design our card around a quote from Vincent van Gogh, one of my favorite impressionists. Using Blossom cover stock and A6 envelopes from Paper Source, I screen printed the design with my Gocco and gold ink.

See? Sparkly!

Sending Valentines may become my new tradition — it's not like Christmastime, when everyone expects several holiday cards in their mailboxes each day, so I've loved the genuine surprise and delight that our friends and family members have displayed after receiving our Valentine's Day cards.

Happy Valentine's Day, all! Enjoy the weekend with someone you love.

rocky road crispy bars

We hung out with my cousins on Superbowl Sunday, and I decided to contribute a tasty dessert to the already fat-filled spread (because it just wouldn't be Superbowl Sunday without lots of unhealthy food). My cousin's fiancée cannot have gluten, so I wanted to make something that she could eat. I found this recipe for rocky road crispy bars and decided it sounded too good to not try!

These were extremely easy to make, and SO super duper tasty! We just polished off the last of them tonight (I have eaten an obscene quantity in the last few days... I'm not proud). If you like peanut butter, chocolate, marshmallows and rice krispies, I'm pretty sure you won't hate these.

Here's the disclaimer, though — despite the recipe saying "gluten free," I found out after I made them that Rice Krispies are not actually gluten free. They contain malt, which is derived from barley, which is a no-go in a gluten free diet :-( However, there are brands of rice crisps out there that are gluten free, so if you switched them out in the recipe, you'd be good to go! (And in case you're wondering, my cousin's fiancée decided to take the chance and had no side-effects, but I do not recommend trying this if you can't have gluten!)

Ingredients

1. 3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
2. 1/3 cup light corn syrup
3. 3 tablespoons sugar
4. 2 1/4 cups Rice Krispies
5. 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
6. 1/2 cup light corn syrup
7. 1/4 cup sugar
8. 1/4 cup butter
9. 2 cups Rice Krispies
10. 1 1/2 cups small marshmallows
11. 1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Directions

1. Cook 1st three ingredients in saucepan until peanut butter is melted, stirring constantly.
2. Stir in the 2 1/4 cups rice krispies. Spread in baking dish (9x13 size is good, or Tupperware cold cut keeper).
3. Cook chocolate chips, 1/2 cup corn syrup, 1/4 cup sugar, and butter over low heat, til butter is melted (stir constantly).
4. Stir in 2 cups cereal and marshmallows.
5. Spread over 1st layer.
6. Sprinkle with nuts. Cool.

Recipe found on RecipeZaar

retro pretties

I always used to dream of my future kitchen having a colorful, retro vibe, like an old-fashioned soda shop. I'm not so sure that's a realistic vision anymore, but boy oh boy, one of these Smeg refrigerators would be the perfectly retro addition to my awesome imaginary kitchen (yet, hopefully with the reliability of something a bit newer).

first image via Design Mom; second image via Casa Sugar

sentimental clutter

I am, without a doubt, a hoarder of sentimental clutter (but I promise, not a hoarder in the sense of the tv show.... *shudders*). This post on Unclutterer really resonates with me and reminds me of why keeping everything may actually be doing more harm than good.

Sentimental clutter plagues our attics, basements, closets, garages, and desks. These sentimental trinkets can keep us from moving forward with our lives physically and emotionally. If there is so much of the past taking up space in the present, there isn’t room to grow.

Photo of me as a kid on a field trip. Photos NEVER get thrown out, in my book, even the bad ones... although, maybe burning those fat-faced photos of me from college wouldn't be such a bad idea. Hmmm...

Apparently, even Lindsay Lohan has recently figured out that the clutter in her life is suffocating her. Li-Lo, when you donate all of your old stuff, maybe you'll find the cute little Lindsay from The Parent Trap era. Bring her back, please.

How do you decide what stays and what goes in terms of sentimental clutter?

do you believe in miracles?

I am very excited for the Olympics this year. Although I've never been much of an athlete myself, I have always been drawn to sports stories of overcoming the odds, sacrifice, and triumph; that's what the Olympics represent to me. While many great Olympians go on to collect millions of dollars in endorsement deals, there are no monetary guarantees (like in the world of professional NFL and NBA athletes) when they arrive in the Olympic village; those athletes are all there first and foremost for the love of their sport and their devotion to being the best.

My favorite Olympic moment is one that occurred a few months before I was even born, but it is beautifully reenacted in the movie Miracle. The story of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team is so uplifting to watch, and it was undoubtedly uplifting to live through during a time of political uncertainty and tension. I know, I know — it's just another Disney feel-good story — but if you can say you didn't shed a tear during this film, I'd reckon to say that you're lying. I won't spoil the story for anyone who hasn't seen it, but if you haven't, do yourself a favor and rent it, pronto. Nick and I watch it at least once or twice a year, and neither of us can ever make it through with dry eyes.

What is your favorite Olympic moment? What sport are you most looking forward to watching during the Vancouver Olympics? (PS, don't forget to watch the opening ceremonies to look for my friend Kasia! She'll be the cute prego sporting her Vancouver pride!)

Monday music, vol. 2: I've Got the Music In Me

Every Monday, I'll be sharing a pick-me-up song with the hopes of helping you to begin your week on a positive note. Happy Monday!

Did you know that Kiki Dee had hits other than "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Elton John? I didn't, until I heard this song on American Idol several years ago and had to look it up.



Buy this song here.

The Weight of Silence

Within ten minutes of waking up this morning, all of the power went off in our apartment, thanks to the crazy snow storm currently sweeping through the northeast. This, combined with having answered a question just last night about my reading habits (and feeling embarrassed at how little I read), was just the encouragement I needed to curl up with a book (and my Snuggie) for a few hours.

I had begun reading "The Weight of Silence" a month or two ago but I admittedly hadn't made much time to read lately. I finally finished the last 2/3 of the book today, and while the story kept me captivated, I am a tad disappointed that I figured out the twist about halfway through. (Although, maybe this should make me feel particularly smart.) Each chapter is told from a different point of view of one of the main characters, and I enjoyed the way this developed the story; I did not find the writing itself entirely interesting, though. There were certain chapters I rushed through just to find out what happened next, without being particularly sucked in by the writing itself.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5. I enjoyed the overall story, but the writing itself could have been less simplistic and better developed at times, in my opinion.

What are you currently reading, or what good books have you read lately that you'd recommend?

early art from my formative years

Ever since I've lived on my own, I've had the same piece of art hanging in my bathroom. It's a piece from 1985, and it's truly invaluable to me; I could never sell it. You see, I actually created the piece myself. I think it strongly represents the eye I have always had for fine art, and my early appreciation for the nude form. Don't you agree?

Yes, it's true — I started with nudes at the incredibly young age of 4 1/2. I was quite advanced for my age, if I do say so myself. This piece, aptly named "Mommy Getting Ready to Take a Shower," is approximately 8" x 10", Crayola on scrap paper. The detail is remarkable. Shall we have a closer look?

I was too young to sign it, so "Mommy" herself labeled it for me.

Now if you'll excuse me.... the MoMA is calling.

attention New York brides!

If you're getting married in the NYC area between August 1st and December 15th, you could win FREE event design services from Inspired Goodness! Not only is the IG owner, Kimberly, an amazingly talented event designer, she is also my wonderful sister-in-law. Believe me — you do not want to miss the opportunity to work with her. She's fabulous!

Just go to this blog post and in the comments, share the story of what makes you and your love such a unique couple. Hurry — the contest ends Friday, February 12th at midnight!

Brent Couchman is my hero

I've mentioned about 72 times on this blog that I am a superfan of Fossil. I love their branding, their packaging, their clothing, and their accessories. Brent Couchman is one of the über talented fellows behind Fossil's branding design... and I think it's safe to say that I love him.

In addition to designing for Fossil, check out some of his other beautiful works of art.

It strikes me that no two images are totally alike, yet his very defined style and knack for color is clearly apparent in every piece. I aspire to someday produce work this refined and wonderful.

all images via brentcouchman.com and Brent's Flickr

Valentine's Day card sneak peek

In 2009, I was not able to check number 84 off of my 101 in 1001 list: mail Christmas cards out before Christmas. Call that a big fat FAIL... I had all intentions of sending cards — really, I did — but the holiday madness took over and I just never got around to it. Then I told myself I'd send New Year's cards and, well, that didn't happen either. Pathetic, I know.

This past weekend I dusted off my Gocco and screen-printed some Valentine's Day cards to send to our friends and family. I'm so pleased with how they turned out; hopefully this will make up for the lack of Christmas and New Year's cards, and be a nice surprise in people's mailboxes, to boot!

I can't show you the full design until they're all mailed out and received, but here's a sneak peek of my pink and gold creation...

Do you send holiday cards on time every year (or ever)? Anyone else making up for their lack of Christmas/New Year's cards with Valentine's Day cards this year?

Monday music, vol. 1: Dance Tonight

Happy Monday! And, happy February, for that matter... where did January go?

I am a firm believer in the power of music in affecting mood and mindset — personally, there is nothing like a good song to lift my spirits when I'm having a rough day. With that in mind, I thought I'd begin a new regular feature on the blog, where I'll share with you all a pick-me-up song each Monday. Some may be cheesy... some may be ballad-y... some may have a clear message while others are just plain happy... but all will be chosen with the intention of helping you to begin your week on a positive note!

To start things off, my mom's boyfriend (hehe) and my favorite Beatle, Paul McCartney, singing a simple, peppy ditty that makes me smile. Enjoy!



Buy this song here.