Fresh Fête

Hello, I like you

Photo from El armario de Olivia · l e b l o g · 

Today my husband and I start our fourth year of marriage and I’m completely smitten with him.

I met Ben at the job I had in college.  We were walking out to our cars after work one night in the absolutely freezing Illinois weather, and I was hit with the importance of not letting him get away.  We stopped in the courtyard nearby and talked through shivers and chattering teeth, and that was when I knew Ben was going to be in my life.  It seemed like the most normal thing in the world and I didn’t question it. 

Afterwards, I started walking towards my car and searching the bottom of my purse for my keys with a huge smile on my face, as I walked away from him I was absolutely certain I was going to marry him.  I even said it out loud in my car just to make sure the universe paid attention.  Then I quietly waited for him to get caught up with me and nine months later Ben proposed.  

 A year after we got married and moved to St. Louis there was a new bench put in that courtyard that reads “We fell in love at ISU” which (in my mind) is only a tribute to my husband and I. Obviously.  I can always depend on that story to remind me of the magic between us. 

 

Last minute going away gift

Talk about a busy summer! Time is flying by - so much so that I completely forgot that we are having a little goodbye dinner tonight for some friends of ours who are moving to Minneapolis this weekend.  We have them over to dinner all the time. As a last minute going away gift I thought I would share some of the recipes I always make when they join us for dinner.

Thankfully I found a great free printable right away from Love vs. Design who totally saved the night! Isn’t it cute?   I kind of want to print a ton for myself!  Now I just need to figure out which recipes to give her...

I'm going to post the cards filled out on Instagram so follow me at FreshFete! 

Backyarding for Beginners

It doesn't get much more exciting than moving into your first home.  I haven't lived in the same space for more than two years since I was in high school, so I'm ready to snuggle in to a home and stay put for more than a few years.  We are moving to Maplewood slowly throughout the month.  

This move is different - not only because we are moving into a house, but we have a yard! AND a deck with a patio.  It's actually very private, all fenced in with big trees that keep it nice and quite back there.  Our dog, Clark, is in heaven back there.  

A yard comes with all sorts of new challenges and the top two obvious topics on my mind are (1) staining the nearly falling apart deck and decorating with furniture to make it cozy/adorable & (2) the garden and landscaping.  I'm excited to post the before and after photos of the deck, it's going to be drastic. 

After some shopping for outdoor furniture this past weekend, I realized it is going to take a little more digging than I had hoped to find outdoor furniture that is affordable and comfortable.  I was so excited to see A Beautiful Mess had a DIY outdoor pillow featured today (photo below!) and I'm looking forward to their other posts about their outdoor space (PERFECT timing!).  Those pillows are a big money saver and much cuter than what I've been seeing, I can't wait to try a version of my own.  I envision many hours on craigslist ahead of me for the furniture.

The garden is being planned out with my father-in-law who is a lifelong vegetable gardener & my mom, who is helping with the lay out of planting flowers.  Unfortunately nothing pretty will be taking place this year - but by next spring we will see some of it coming together.  Until then, I've been pinning for Backyarding inspiration, check out my Gardening Board and let me know how you are spending your summer at home!

Hello May

April was quite the busy month.  I had my 25th birthday, finished my first full time semester at Maryville University as a graduate student and went to Europe!  April was a great month but I think May has some very exciting things in store for me as well...

We are moving in June so I'm selling and donating as much stuff that we haven't been using this month.  If it hasn't been used since the last move two years ago, be gone with you.  

The home we are looking to move in to has an incredible back yard.  We found a home through a friend who rents out his first home in Maplewood. I got a peek at the backyard and I was sold.  I'm pinning gardening ideas like crazy. This post from A Beautiful Mess got me thinking about what we would put on the deck and patio, which will be a first outdoor space for us.  I hope it works out!

One of the most exciting parts about Maby? This month I will be completely redesigning and reworking my blog in preparation for The Blogacademy in Minneapolis at the end of June.  I am ridiculously excited and can't wait to attend!  

 

 

Italy...

Italy did not fail to be an inspirational and unforgettable vacation.  Is to too dramatic to say that Italy changed my life?  Probably a little dramatic.  Here’s a little bit about the over all experience we had.  I have much more to write about the trip, but let me start with the inspiration for the trip in the first place, the food. 

To try to save money, we only ate at restaurants for dinner.  We would fill up during breakfast on tomatoes and cold cuts at our hotel and hit the market or maybe a cafe in the afternoon.  My husband and I each had our own list of food we had to try.  His was oxtail, veal, and varieties of pizzas and mine was pretty much to eat a different pasta every day.  We did not go home disappointed. 

One thing for sure, I’ve changed the way I cook.  Specifically let’s talk about pasta.  I had never had home made noodles until two weeks ago.  I find it strange that I’ve never paid attention to one of the most basic ingredients I use so frequently.  The pasta was more substantial and satisfying that what I was used to.  The simplicity with  the ingredients made it all the better.  

I can’t wait to tackle making my own home made pasta and different sauces.  From what I’m reading it seems a little too easy to be true.  I’m up for the challenge.      

Easy Recipe for Kale Chips

This week I am cramming for finals which calls for power foods.  Each morning I'm starting with green juice and today I made some kale chips to bring to campus for a snack while I study.  It's a very simple and only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, I promise.

All you need are a few bunches of kale, olive oil, salt and pepper.  Heat the oven to 350 and roast on parchment paper for 15 minutes.  Make sure the leaves aren't crowded and do not skimp on the parchment paper!  

Tip: I found out after I made these the chips are easier to eat if you cut the middle rib out when you are cleaning and cutting the kale. Enjoy!

Sneak Peek of Europe Trip

Yesterday we returned home after a week in Europe.  It was a dream vacation and I was  so inspired and have so much to share.  Until then, here is a sneak peek at a few of my favorite moments on our get-a-way...

Start Up Smart: Monetize Me

Networking has changed my blogging experience.  Just like looking for a job, who you know can change your results. For entrepreneurs in St. Louis there are no shortage of events that you can attend.  This months calendar on Accelerate St. Louis is packed!

In St. Louis specifically there was a workshop on Social Media Networking on Wednesday Feb 27th about networking I wish I could have made it to. Kathy Bernard (Founder of getajobtips.com) opened the event with some tips about networking specifically on LinkedIn.  Here are just a few of many tips she had.  Here is the full list. 

• Do not select the default messages when connecting with someone over LinkedIn, focus on building the relationship with a personalized message.

• When sharing articles, select stories with images because they have higher rates of engagement and add your own verbiage to the post to introduce the article.

• Be an active group member by sharing articles, asking and answering questions, and liking posts by other group members.

• To make your profile more visually appealing, add an online portfolio or presentation education, work history, or summary section.

There are also a lot of blogger workshops that are popping up, (mostly outside of St. Louis) and one I’m signed up for in June is Blogacademy.  This workshop is lead by three very successful young bloggers. I’ve been following Gala Darling for about a year, and she’s a mini celebrity to me.   I’m incredibly excited and motivated to get my blog in tip top shape. 

Not all events have to be a costly weekend event, though.  I reached out to bloggers in St. Louis and everyone has been quick to respond and happy to talk about their blog or freelance work.  I email at least two people per month and set up a meeting.  It’s been an overwhelmingly positive response. 

A networking tip I keep reading over and over and agree with is always having a business card handy.  I used moo.com and they were very easy to work with.  I have my eye on their mini cards!  

 

 

How can I look taller? Here are three simple ideas that won't kill your feet...

I am 5'2 ... on a good day.  So I am constantly trying to dress to look taller.  I used to wear sky high heels on an all too regular basis (and I still do occasionally but absolutely not a practical or lifelong solution to this conundrum).  I'm more interested in other ways to magically add some inches.  

1. When wearing ankle lenth pants, leave the waistband exposed and finish with classic heels that come down low on your foot.  I'm talking about a classic stilleto that just covers your toes, not a bootie. So, ankle length pant, waistband exposed, cute stilleto. Done.

2. Keep it light and neutral.  Pale tones are always create visual space (unlike a dark color that creates more negative space  - good for other body issues).  A nude heel with a pencil skirt is also a good choice. 

3. With your pants specifically (and yes it obviously helps to have at least a medium heel here, berate me in the comments if you think this is misleading)  choose a pant that has a wide bottoms and tuck in your shirt.

Here are my bonus tips - being that you've read this far you are most likely a petite lady like myself.  Here are the two rules when getting you pants altered.  If they are pants you plan on wearing with flats let the back hem just barely hit the floor.  If you will be sporting your heels, leave a half inch of your heel exposed so you don't trip!

 

Snowy St. Louis

It has been a snowy warzone this week.  Snow in late March is a bummer.  I haven't packed away my winter clothes yet so I had plenty of snow gear still out when I was braving it down my street to get some coffee today.  My boots have saved me a few times this year and they are completely waterproof and warm which is amazing.  I remember hearing about Sorels a few years ago and I'm so happy I have a pair.  If I had a do over I probably would have gotten the classic boots like these instead of my furry fabulous ones.  Either way it's a great time of year to get snow gear while it's on sale and you will actually use it this week.  Keep warm this week!