1. Tuesday, December 6, 2011

    Working late filling orders tonight!! Good thing it’s fun :) (Taken with instagram)

    Working late filling orders tonight!! Good thing it’s fun :) (Taken with instagram)

  2. Tuesday, December 6, 2011

    Seriously good (& healthy) roast

    Do you ever just get a craving for red meat (assuming you’re not vegetarian)?? I believe that sometimes food cravings can be indications of vitamins your body is lacking /craving (hello my current OJ obsession!). I must have been low on iron as well because I really had a taste for a good beef meal yesterday! Since I don’t often cook meat other than chicken, I wanted an easy recipe — enter the slow cooker, which as an added bonus, makes the meat perfectly melt-in-your-mouth cooked!

    I found this recipe and adjusted it a bit to make it healthier. First, I picked a super lean cut of beef roast to use. Then I sub’d the potatoes for turnips (really similar texture when cooked and tastes great!), and used freshly chopped carrots and onions. I also didn’t use canola oil (just a bit of olive oil to brown the meat), skipped the onion soup mix (though I’m sure it’d be a tasty addition), only did a couple of shakes of steak sauce, and used about a third of the cup of the cream of celery soup. 

    The result? Just as melt-in-my-mouth delicious as expected (pic doesn’t do it justice, but here it is anyways!). Seriously, you must make this if you have a taste for meat — so quick & easy, and good for you! 

  3. Tuesday, December 6, 2011

    Cuddle time with Stella…one of the many many reasons I love this dog :) (Taken with instagram)

    Cuddle time with Stella…one of the many many reasons I love this dog :) (Taken with instagram)

  4. Tuesday, December 6, 2011

    I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to pay closer attention to all the beautiful things that surround me in everyday life — from the changes in nature to the smile of a baby passing by in a stroller — the little things can really be incredible things. This can be a difficult task because I often forget to take the time, or allow the not-so-beautiful things to annoy me (sound familiar to anyone else?). For instance, shopping at this time of the year can often be an impossible frustrating experience. Tonight, however, I decided to slow my fast pace and appreciate the pretty decorations and the other wonderful seasonal joys, like excitement for picking a gift that will be meaningful. This quote makes me think of how we are lucky to have our vision, to take in such beautiful things and store memories. We should strive to make the images joyful, happy ones as much as possible! Here’s to a lifetime more of beautiful moments…fa la la, la la LA :).

    I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to pay closer attention to all the beautiful things that surround me in everyday life — from the changes in nature to the smile of a baby passing by in a stroller — the little things can really be incredible things. This can be a difficult task because I often forget to take the time, or allow the not-so-beautiful things to annoy me (sound familiar to anyone else?). For instance, shopping at this time of the year can often be an impossible frustrating experience. Tonight, however, I decided to slow my fast pace and appreciate the pretty decorations and the other wonderful seasonal joys, like excitement for picking a gift that will be meaningful.

    This quote makes me think of how we are lucky to have our vision, to take in such beautiful things and store memories. We should strive to make the images joyful, happy ones as much as possible! Here’s to a lifetime more of beautiful moments…fa la la, la la LA :).

  5. Sunday, December 4, 2011

    Holiday season celebrating is in full swing for me..rounding out the weekend with watching The Holiday tonight, yay! I found a huge ornament this weekend at “The Arboretum” where we went to the movies (personalized via my clearly AMAZING Photoshop skills hehe).  Feeling very inspired here and hoping for a great week! Happy Sunday night :)

    Holiday season celebrating is in full swing for me..rounding out the weekend with watching The Holiday tonight, yay! I found a huge ornament this weekend at “The Arboretum” where we went to the movies (personalized via my clearly AMAZING Photoshop skills hehe).  Feeling very inspired here and hoping for a great week! Happy Sunday night :)

  6. Friday, December 2, 2011

    TGIF. I could go for one of these, though preferably spiked with somethig pepperminty. Mmm welcome weekend!

    TGIF. I could go for one of these, though preferably spiked with somethig pepperminty. Mmm welcome weekend!

  7. Thursday, December 1, 2011

    Give Into Me. Just because it’s great and I’m addicted to the song. Even as someone who isn’t a huge country fan. Listen, listen, so romantic!

  8. Thursday, December 1, 2011

    Winter treat for your skin and (chapped) lips! It’s a slab of lemon mint shea butter I picked up at Sabon — the coconut / vanilla coconut sounds lovely too. Great gift idea too — I didn’t have a dish to put it on, so it sits within reach on my desk in the wrapping it came with…I even kept the bow to make it look pretty :)

    Winter treat for your skin and (chapped) lips! It’s a slab of lemon mint shea butter I picked up at Sabon — the coconut / vanilla coconut sounds lovely too. Great gift idea too — I didn’t have a dish to put it on, so it sits within reach on my desk in the wrapping it came with…I even kept the bow to make it look pretty :)

  9. Wednesday, November 30, 2011

    INSPIRED…how I’ve been feeling lately :)

    INSPIRED…how I’ve been feeling lately :)

  10. Tuesday, November 29, 2011

    Unique gift idea!

    I love Audrey Hepburn (as I’m sure you know), and I’m also crazy about watercolor paintings, so this etsy find is one of my favorite recent purchases!

    My picture is the 8.5”x11” print, and I added custom framing to it. I love giving gifts with meaning (that’s what Stella is all about!), so I think finding original art that has significance to the recepient is a wonderful gift idea!  Esty has tons of great artists — even this artist that made my Audrey painting has several other pictures that would be great for fashion lovers, dancers etc. There are also great ideas for animal lovers - message me if you want suggestions! 

    I hung my new watercolor next to a print that my wonderful boyfriend framed for me a couple of years ago (another great gift idea!). They cheer up my work-space quite nicely :)