ready for spring

i said this earlier, and i'll say it again... you can never truly appreciate spring break until you become a teacher. tomorrow marks the first day of our break and it couldn't have come at a better time. not only has this school year taken its toll, this winter has been a beast and seems to be holding on for dear life. i am pretty sure punxsutawney phil doesn't know what he is talking about. on a lighter note, you can see from our new back porch view, the snow is just beginning to fade away. about damn time.

on a personal level, we are ready for a little husband and wife time that doesn't involve painting, grading papers, and unpacking boxes. thankfully, before this whole housebuying thing, we planned a trip out to california to visit one of husbands' childhood buddies. we are shipping out tomorrow and heading to monterey for a few days. after a brief stay, husband and i will finish our travel week exploring san francisco. neither one of us has been before, so a new adventure it will be. any dining/sights we shouldn't miss?

the blog may be a little light in the load in the coming week, you must forgive me. our camera battery charger is still mia (i am determined to find it for our trip!) and i really am making a promise to myself to unwind this break. i do however, commit to have some worthy content coming up real soon. house upgrades, new recipes and travel pictures galore.

have a happy easter and a marvelous spring break to all my fellow educators!!

exhausted and content

we did it. we finally moved in to our new abode. i couldn't be more elated to have it over with after three very long and very exhausting days. moving is the worst. wouldn't you agree?! i have mad props for professional movers...i bow down to all you mover guys and gals.

right now, husband and i are teetering in between unpacking our things and returning to our rental flat to make it all spiffy in hopes of garnering the entirety of our rental security deposit. our future furniture depends on it...fingers crossed. after nearly six years in the same place, tate has really made his presence known...scratches here and there and everywhere. some more evident than others. husband and i aren't too innocent in the matter as well.

our unpacking will be a slow and lingering process as husband and i must stop to get all our teacher duties in. in the meantime, we are cocooning ourselves in our loft area (which husband is refusing to allow me to call it the "great room"), while the downstairs continues to get beautified for the arrival of some of our new furniture. the pictures above are from the lofted area...we spent our first night here. it was serene and so peaceful. i think we are going to like it here...a whole lot. this will be a great space for relaxing and will be ready for guests a plenty to spend the night...hint, hint.

i also managed to make it over to my favorite antique and vintage purveyor this weekend. more on that heavenly place coming very soon. i picked up some dining room chairs to freshen up and this lovely industrial pendant light. i have big plans for it and will bringing you all along for the ride. stay tuned.

p.s....we don't have internet at our new place, so i am not sure how often i will be able to post in the coming weeks. i will do my best to keep ya in the loop.

p.p.s... you might also have to suffer from some less than ideal photos....dead camera battery. to make matters worse, i packed the charger in some place other than the camera bag. silly, silly choice and i don't even have husband to blame for this one.

the IT list..March 22, 2013!!

• Uniquely Karah features her favorite dresses from Old Navy for spring... these dresses are priced right and are oh-so-versatile! Check out her picks! (find Uniquely Karah on Twitter!)
• Lipstick and Lollies is seriously rockin' maternity style these days... see how she styles stripes for her adorable baby bump! 
• Not Going Out Like That takes a lacey skirt that she wore for an evening event and remixes it into a fabulous daytime look. Check out how she did it!
• Dream in Fashion styles up her army-style jacket with some coral and floral for spring. These layers work so well together and wait until you hear where she got that cute purse from! (find Dream in Fashion on Twitter!)
• Undeniable Style pulls together a casual and stylish look that is decidedly Madewell-esque but without the big price tags. I love this look! (find Undeniable Style on Twitter!)
• Laura Wears is sporting a simple and sophisticated look by dressing up her patterned pants - one of the top trends for spring! See how she does it! (find Laura Wears on Twitter!)
• The Second Best gets sidetracked in the Gap and stumbles upon the perfect "blue" blue jean... and then pairs it will stripes and neon. A winner in my book! (find The Second Best on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation celebrates her birthday in style with the basics: white jeans and a chambray top. One of my favorite outfit combos! And who doesn't love a good "birthday outfit"? (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• Sweetie Pie Style features her favorite camo pieces for spring and then styles them into three fun outfits! Don't pack that camo away for spring ladies! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)
• Loving Every Detail shows off her gorgeous St. Patrick's Day outfit, but this outfit would be perfect for any spring day in my opinion!
• Rose a la Mode puts together lovely layers for a night out at St. Louis' Fashion Week.  She how she perfectly mixed leather leggings with florals! (find Rose a la Mode on Twitter!)
• Pretty Preened features a delicious recipe for Lentil, Kielbasa and Fennel Stew - this had my mouth watering the minute I saw it!  Stop by her blog to check it out! (find Pretty Preened on Twitter!)
• Miss Top Ten Image realizes that a touch of neon pink is all a spring outfit needs (especially when it's still so cold out!).  She how she does it! 

wedding wednesday: the invites

teaching has not always been my thang. before dedicating myself to helping students with special needs, i took a go at the whole graphic designer gig. it worked out for a while, and then i quickly learned that i preferred working with and helping people..face to face. i still dabble in the printed design world from time to time, with a freelance projects here or there. it serves as a lovely hobby...that and this whole blogging thing.

this background certainly helped out when i began tackling the whole wedding invitation conundrum. i knew that i wanted something simple to reflect our outdoor, casual vibe. once i decided on the "look," there was no turning back. i finished the design and promptly marked that check on our list. knowing myself, i could have tweaked the invites until the chevron came home. 

invites can take up a huge chunk of a wedding budget. i feel fortunate that i was able to design ours for no cost and then take my design to a local, trusted printer. we saved a bundle. amazon was a great resource for envelopes, we found the twine on etsy, and bought the keys from a closing scrapbooking store for next to nil.

my recommendation for keeping it cost effective...make a trip to etsy and purchase a "printable" wedding invite. you won't get an actual tangible invite, but a printable file. there are a gazillion talented designers out there, and you can find many of them on etsy. the great thing about purchasing a printable wedding invite file, you support individual talent and can get them printed where you want, on the paper of your choosing. this is yet another way to support local business. in the process, you save some major cash....major. just make sure that you always, always get a proof of the invite before you have someone (whether a local printer or one online) print your hundreds of copies with your name spelled wrong on paper that is too light.

take a gander at these beauties i found on etsy...

go find these beauties on etsy!! 

>> 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 <<

home sweet home

this weekend marked a great beginning. husband and i got started on the remodel of our new abode!! thankfully, we have a lot of help (i am talking a lot here, people) from many handy moms and dads. really...no joke, we hit the handy jackpot. 

first thing on the docket....an interior facelift. as you can see below from the living room, dining room and master bedroom pictures, the previous owners had a little thing for green and hues in the red/orange family. not really my cup of tea. not in the least. without revealing too much, we really lightened things up. looking forward to those after shots!

lentil, kielbasa and fennel stew

husband and i didn't do much in the way of celebrating the ever joyful st. patty's day this weekend. paintbrushes and caulk guns took the place of the usual pints of guiness and reubens. you won't hear us complain though. we were thrilled to get our hands dirty while beginning the remodel. it is amazing what a couple of coats of paint can do to make a home feel more like home....like your home. we are looking forward to sharing our home ownership DIY filled journey with y'all.

we did however, enjoy a little hearty nosh to replenish our energy. lentils take the place of potatoes, swap turkey kielbasa for the corned beef, add a little fennel and we had ourselves a little "irish" stew feast. this dish tastes much better than it looks... i guarantee it.

>> lentil, kielbasa and fennel stew <<

ingredients

olive oil

8-12 oz. turkey kielbasa, cut into circles

3/4 white onion, chopped

3 medium carrots, chopped into half moons

2 stalks of celery, chopped

2 small fennel bulbs, sliced

3 cloves of garlic

5 cups of chicken broth

1 1/4 cup green lentils, picked over and rinsed

1 Tbsp herbs de provence

1 can diced tomatoes

salt, pepper and cayenne to taste

instructions

heat 1 teaspoon olive oil on medium-high heat in a large sauce pan and saute until browned, about 4 minutes. remove from pan and set aside. in same pan, heat two teaspoons of oil on medium heat. add carrots, celery, onion and fennel. saute vegetables 15 minutes until soft and golden. add the herbs de provence and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and saute for 2 more minutes. 

to the pot, add broth, tomatoes, lentils and bring to a boil. reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes or until lentils are tender. if the stew seems thick, you may add more broth to thin it out. salt and pepper to taste. once lentils have become tender, stir in kielbasa and heat through. serve in bowls with a side of crusty bread.

serves 4-6

many thanks to branny for her recipe inspiration

the IT list...March 15, 2013!!

• Lipstick & Lollies is pretending it is spring in a little floral number she picked up on the cheap! Frostbite or no frostbite - she looks amazing!!
• A Fine Line reminds us to think about our fingers and toes when transitioning our wardrobe over! Pop over for tons of mani and pedi inspiration full of pretty pastels! (find A Fine Line on Twitter!)
• It's a Darling Ensemble is pinching pennies and getting a little pick me up in a pink top she thrifted! What a find!
• Not Going Out Like That is adding a little spunk to an otherwise traditional look with some fringe and a moto jacket! Head over to see how you can pull this look off yourself!
• Dream in Fashion goes cute casual for a day full of window shopping and sight seeing and got tons of compliments on her budget buys! So cute! (find Dream in Fashion on Twitter!)
• Undeniable Style is feeling nostalgic about her spotted top and can't seem to part ways with it! It is the perfect blend of neutral and pattern! (find Undeniable Style on Twitter!)
• Laura Wears makes her favorite shift dress work for winter by adding tights and a turtleneck! Such a good tip we can all use! (find Laura Wears on Twitter!)
• The Second Best keeps it classy and shows us her best grown-up St. Patrick's day look! Head over to get ideas for what you will wear this weekend! (find Second Best on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation found an incredible buy at Target and liked it so much she picked up two (in different colors, of course!). Such a good find! (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• Rose a la Mode has some of her favorite items on repeat and one of them is a gorgeous minty top - definitely worthy of wearing a few times a week! (find Rose a la Mode on Twitter!)
• Pretty Preened is serving up a stuffed sweet potato that is delicious AND healthy! Pop over for the full recipe - perfect for a quick weeknight meal! (find Pretty Preened on Twitter!)
• Loving Every Detail put on her comfiest (and fab!) leggings to chase around the newest member of her family all weekend - a puppy! They are both too cute!
• Miss Top Ten Image looks so chic in her new camouflage jacket! Her styling is spot on so if you need any tips with camo, this is the place! (find Miss Top Ten Image in Twitter!)
• Sweetie Pie Style has honed her personal style and gets dressed in a jiffy but you would never know it! Pop over for one of her no-fail fashion combos that takes out all of the guesswork! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)
• Second Street East is taking inspiration from a sweet, but grown up little girls room and using it to create an outfit and a room! Love! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)

the IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second Street East.

For more information on how you can be involved - click here

stuffed sweet potatoes

husband and i do what we can to eat healthy during the week, as we never know what sort of debauchery the weekend may bring. this meal was a welcome change from the usual one pot stews we (...hmm, i) have been whipping up in the recent busy hubbub of things. i admit, i was a wee bit inspired by justin timberlake's recent cameo on snl. this week i made a tofu dish followed promptly by a sausage goulash of sorts. what can i say...he has a way with the ladies. very convincing man, that one. 

these stuffed sweet potatoes pack a punch, both with flavor and spice...husband kept sayin "that's a spicy meatball," while coming up for air between bites. you can certainly leave out the jalapeno if you are not one who prefers the fire, but don't let anything scare you from making these delicious devils.

>> tofu and black bean stuffed sweet potatoes <<

ingredients

4 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed, rinsed and poked with a fork

1/2 red onion, diced

olive oil

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 red pepper, chopped,

handful of cilantro, chopped

1 12-14 oz. block of firm tofu, drained and crumbled

1 jalapeno pepper diced (seeds removed if you want a more mild heat, we used canned)

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp chili powder (we used penzey's ancho ground chili pepper)

1/2 tsp paprika

lime juice

for the avocado salsa verde:

1 cup mild or medium salsa verde, jarred

1 ripe avocado

juice from one lime

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

dash of salt

instructions

preheat oven to 400 degrees. place sweet potatoes on top rack and bake for about 40 minutes or until potato is soft to the touch. while potato is baking, prepare the filling and avocado salsa verde. to a blender or food processor, add the avocado flesh, salsa verde, garlic, and lime juice. blend. add the cilantro and blend again. if mixture is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water and continue to blend until smooth. set aside.

heat one-two tablespoons of oil in a skillet and saute the red onion for about 3-5 minutes. add red pepper and jalapeno and cook for another 5 minutes. red pepper should still have a bit of a crunch to it. add 1 1/2 teaspoons of both cumin and chili powder, juice from half a lime, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro,  and the black beans. cook until beans are heated through. place bean mixture aside. 

drain firm tofu and place on a thick stack of paper towels on a plate. place another stack of paper towels on top and push down firmly to soak up some of the liquids. change paper towels and repeat this step two times. heat one tablespoon of oil in a pan and add crumbled tofu. saute for about three minutes. add 1/2 tsp each of paprika, cumin and chili powder. continue cooking until the tofu reaches your desired consistency. 

once potatoes are done in the oven, cut a slit in the potato and top with the tofu and black bean mixtures. add a mess of avocado salsa verde and you are well on your way.  grab your favorite cerveza or the nearest margarita and you are headed to healthy, comfort food heaven. 

don't mind if i do.

serves 4.

wedding wednesday: the groom

i sure know how to pick em. well... it worked out for me that one time. the time when it mattered. this guy is sticking around and i've got the ring to prove it. one of the best moments of our big day was walking down the brick pathway to this face. at the end of the aisle was my dream. at the end of the aisle was my future...and it looks to be a good one at that.

as i sit here and reflect while all of the madness and chaos of life surrounds me nine months later, i am so grateful and thankful for this man. he grounds me and supports me like no one else can. he puts up with my incessant requests to bring me things while i toil away at my computer. he puts up with the stubbornness that surrounds me and my need to always be right. he actually wouldn't have me any other way. that's what i like to believe anyway.

all joking aside, when you find that "one," make some room for their nuances and annoying habits. i like to think they make life interesting. they did in our case....don't get me started on all the things i have to put up with. he he...

the cowhide craze

cowhide is gracing the interiors world and its not just for the great northwoods. cabin chic is trickling into modern abodes and you simply can't avoid it... antlers and hides alike. we here at pretty preened bit the bullet and purchased one for our new abode. husband took some convincing... but as with most things relating to decorating, i may have won in the end. lets be realistic... if it was left up to him we would have matching lazy boys, a 72 inch flat screen tv and bare floors to boot. it is simply better this way.

all might not agree...with the whole cowhide thing that is. i questioned my decision as well, but fell for the look and rustic feel that cowhides bring to the home. when shopping around the interwebs, i wanted to make sure that i purchased from a purveyor against animal cruelty, one that sells hides that are a byproduct of the meat and farming industry. i found just that in ecowhides.com. another great bonus is the price. can't be beat. ours should arrive in the next few days and i will be sure to update on the quality in person.

images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

vegetarian lentil curry

you might just notice, we tend to put ingredients on repeat in this household. curry... check. coconut milk... yep. chick peas... certainly. lentils... you don't say. 

we are clearing out our pantry for our big move!! there is no better way to treat our bodies (as we deal with the stress of new homeownership) than with this curry. it is powerhouse of nutrients, easy to prepare and super filling. we just reheat and repeat. simple. delicious. the cauliflower is a must here....it adds a much needed crunch to the dish.

>> vegetarian lentil curry <<

ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced or grated
4 medium carrots, diced
3 tbsp mild red curry paste
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
3 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp salt
3 cups crushed tomatoes
2 cans light coconut milk
2 cups whole green lentils, rinsed and picked through
2 cans cooked chickpeas, rinsed
3 tbsp honey
1 head of cauliflower, chopped into florets
1 1/2 cups frozen peas
veggie stock (optional)
handful of cilantro, chopped
plain yogurt (optional... omit this and its vegan all the way)

instructions

in a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. add the onion and cook until soft, about five minutes. add the garlic and ginger, carrots, curry paste, spices and salt. stir well and cook for a couple of minutes. stir in the crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, chickpeas and honey. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium low so it's simmering. cover. stir every 10 minutes or so. (it should take about 40 minutes for the lentils to cook). 

when lentils are tender, stir in the cauliflower and peas. cook just until cauliflower is soft. if curry is too thick, thin it with a bit of veggie stock or water. stir in cilantro. adjust seasonings with more salt, pepper, and if you like it spicy, you can add hot sauce too. scoop into bowls and top with plain yogurt and cilantro. 

serves 6-8.

many thanks to sweetsugarbean for inspiring this dish!

the IT list...March 8th, 2013!!

• Uniquely Karah is rocking her favorite pattern combination in honor of spring's approaching return! Such a fun and happy mixture! (find Uniquely Karah on Twitter!)
• Lipstick & Lollies hesitantly tried out her polka dot leggings for the first time and has fallen in love! They look amazing and are comfortable to boot!
• A Fine Line is giving us a little treat to brighten up our computers! Pop over to choose from one of three fabulous desktop backgrounds she whipped together! So fun! (find A Fine Line on Twitter!)
• It's a Darling Ensemble is channeling her style icon, Jessica Alba, in a fabulous plaid skirt that she pulled out of the back of her closet! Love this look!
• Not Going Out Like That is colorblocking for a day at the office and trying out one of spring's new trends - kitten heels!
• Dream in Fashion is feeling the warm weather love and pulling out an adorable coral and navy combo! She even went sans blazer for a bit! (find Dream in Fashion on Twitter!)
• Undeniable Style is taking a global approach in a gorgeous statement top! Half bull fighter half flamenco dancer - it is a must see! (find Undeniable Style on Twitter!)
• Laura Wears is working to get over the winter blahs by adding a little vibrant color to her look with a great transitional piece that is perfect for cold and warm weather alike! (find Laura Wears on Twitter!)
• The Second Best is sneaking a little spring into her winter wardrobe by incorporating floral! Pop over to check out this amazing transitional look! (find Second Best on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation goes comfy chic for a day full of travel. Head over to check out her latest purchase fit for road trippin'! (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• Rose a la Mode is sporting her most recent purchase - a jacket that does double duty for spring and fall! Best news? It is under 40 bucks! (find Rose a la Mode on Twitter!)
• Pretty Preened is showing us how to put together a smoked salmon pizza - a recipe sure to impress even your fanciest of friends! Pop over for the full rundown and get this baby on your meal plan ASAP! (find Pretty Preened on Twitter!)
• Loving Every Detail just got back from a swoon worthy trip to Napa and is sharing the details on the clothes, food and wine! Looks like the perfect getaway!
• Miss Top Ten Image looks like she stepped right out of a glossy magazine spread in a chic black and white looked topped with a hat! So lovely! (find Miss Top Ten Image in Twitter!)
• Sweetie Pie Style is doing the dirty work for us and finding all of the great spring deals to be had! Tons of goodies here to update your wardrobe on a budget - a must see! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)
• Second Street East scored majorly at HomeGoods with a couple of lamp purchases! Pop over to check out her new beauties and to see where she is putting them! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)

the IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second Street East.

For more information on how you can be involved - click here

english muffin bread

baking is not my usual forte. too much precision for this lady. i tend not to stray from recipes while attempting to fill my home with the smell of freshly baked goodies. thankfully i followed this one to a tee. no changes needed. ever.

this english muffin bread is dense, yet delicious. it is best served toasted and topped with any number of things. cinnamon and sugar, strawberry rhubarb jam (my personal fav), butter and honey all suit this bread well. i am dying to use this in a homemade grilled cheese and tomato soup combo one of these wintery days. hmmm...even thinking about recreating eggs benedict in sandwich form. oh, the possibilities when you have this recipe in your box.

>> carole's english muffin bread <<

the recipe below makes four loaves. we opted to halve our batch, though this recipe does freeze well!

ingredients

5 1/2 cups warm water

3 packages RAPID RISE yeast

2 Tablespoons salt

3 Tablespoons sugar

11 cups flour (i used all-purpose flour, but you can use bread flour as well)

1 1/2 Tablespoons melted butter

instructions

preheat oven to 350 degrees. mix all ingredients together in a extra large bowl. (i mixed my batter by hand, but you can certainly use a mixer). dough will be incredibly sticky. spoon batter into 4 well greased pans (i used cooking spray). let dough rise in pans until dough reaches the top of the pans. bake bread for about 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. 10 minutes before removing the bread, brush with melted butter. bread will be moist at first. allow to COOL COMPLETELY before cutting. 

makes four loaves.

many, many thanks to jillee of onegoodthingbyjillee for this oh so repeat worthy recipe.

smoked salmon pizza

the french just always get it right. well... mostly when it comes to food-- and fashion. this pizza recipe just happens to be a copycat (flattery in the most sincere form) of my favorite pizza at my most favorite milwaukee french restaurant, coquette cafe. favorite all around. the key here is a thin, crispy crust and quality lox.

this pizza is really great any time of day...even breakfast. lox and bagel, anyone? i know i rave about many of the recipes i post, but this one really is a flavor combination that would just be wrong to pass up (unless you are vegan/vegetarian, then i will forgive you).  serve with simple mixed green salad and you are set. this makes a great appetizer to share too with the masses.

make this. you won't regret it.

>> smoked salmon pizza <<

ingredients

2-3 ounces smoked salmon (lox), sliced

3 ounces goat cheese, room temperature

3 ounces whipped low-fat cream cheese, room temperature

1/5 red onion, thinly sliced

10-12 grape tomatoes sliced in half, excess seeds removed

1/2 Tbsp. capers

1 bunch of scallions, chopped

olive oil

premade thin crust pizza shell or thin crust pizza dough mix 

     (we used a premade pizza mix and a thin crust boboli crust....or you can get crazy and make your   

        own. both of our non-homemade options worked out quite well in our favor. i just wouldn't 

         recommend the kind of pizza dough you find in a tube. no tubes).

instructions

preheat oven to 400 degrees or higher according to crust package/box/recipe instructions. make crust according to package instructions. (i like my crust crispy so i tend to always reheat my crust a bit before layering on the toppings...typically just a few minutes at most). 

mix together goat and cream cheese in a small bowl until it reaches a spreadable consistency (microwave for a 10 seconds or so if cheese is difficult to stir). spread cheese in a thin layer over the crust leaving the outer edge exposed. evenly place capers, red onion, and halved tomatoes cut side up on the pizza crust. bake about 8 minutes if using a thin crust, or until crust is golden brown.

while pizza is cooking, place chopped scallions in a blender or food processor. add a tablespoon of olive oil and blend. continue to add oil while blending until a drizzle is formed. I used about 3 tablespoons or so. sprinkle in a dash of salt for good measure.

remove pizza from oven and top with sliced lox. finally drizzle with scallion oil.

serves 1-2.

a change is gonna come

this lovely print is found here

this darling image is a mild description of my life lately. well, minus the whole onesie and typewriter of course. oh... hang on for a sec. you thought this was going to be a baby announcement. not so much. 

things are chaotic to say the least, but for good reason. work is fulfilling as always,  yet this time of year gets insanely busy between countless iep meetings, professional developments, grades and upcoming parent teacher conferences. that and all the other normal life chaos aside, i am happy to report that husband and i are closing on our very first home this friday!! i think it is safe to officially tell the world. nothing can go wrong at this point.. at least that is what i keep telling myself. come friday we will be wearing two new hats...those of homeowners and landlords. yep, we bought a duplex. score.

husband and i couldn't be more thrilled. this is unchartered territory for us both, but thankfully we come equipped with a "better" half to guide us through whatever mess we are in for. i say mess, but hope for smooth sailing. however, i don't think people normally put home ownership and smooth sailing in the same sentence (especially when said home is over 110 years old). whatever, we'll give it a shot and hope it sticks.

a few deets...our "almost" home sits atop a hill with a sweeping view of our beloved milwaukee. our backyard butts up to a park...with a band shell and squirrels (lots of them i hear...tate will be in heaven). summer can't come soon enough, people!! i look forward to sharing our new journey, but you will have to bear with me. i honestly don't know how often i will get to post in the next month...and a lot that i might jabber on about may primarily focus on the house and diys galore. i don't foresee many outfit posts as most weekends will be spent in paint stained overalls. though those might just be making a come back.

that being said, i plan to remain true to myself and not push it. i love, love love blogging, creating, cooking and plan to make it part of my everyday, yet know that some days it just might not be possible. i don't want to drive myself mad or give any less to my students.

i know you understand. some time life just takes over. (smile)

the IT list...March 1, 2013!!

• Uniquely Karah has a crush on a pair of tennies that work for the guys and the gals! Comfortable and stylish - what more could you ask for?! (find Uniquely Karah on Twitter!)
• Lipstick & Lollies is rocking a dress as comfortable as pajamas for her growing preggo belly and is looking as stylish as ever! Mommas and non-mommas alike can take a cue from this look!
• A Fine Line is looking ahead to spring and all of the new color combos it will bring! Head over for a pastel fix and inspiration for your next color pairing! (find A Fine Line on Twitter!)
• It's a Darling Ensemble tried out a new color trio and knocked it out of the park! A hint of spring but grounded with a winter neutral - this look is perfect for transitioning to warmer weather!
• Not Going Out Like That is punching up her work wardrobe and thinking pink! Head over to check out this versatile look that can switch from business to casual with the change of a shoe!
• Dream in Fashion is feeling glam in a black and white ensemble that is quick and easy - definitely one to recreate! (find Dream in Fashion on Twitter!)
• Undeniable Style proves it's all in the details by transforming an all black look with a few colorful accessoires! She looks amazing! (find Undeniable Style on Twitter!)
• Laura Wears mixes old and new with a vintage dress and a pair of killer hills that she found at an incredible price! Love this look! (find Laura Wears on Twitter!)
• The Second Best is showing her edgy side with a fun accessory and a little leather! Biker chic at its finest! (find Second Best on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation pairs polka dots and stripes for a playful look fit for day or night! Pop over to check out her playful tights! (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• Rose a la Mode is piling on the layers to stay warm, but of course still looks so cute! Head over for a little cold weather inspiration! (find Rose a la Mode on Twitter!)
• Pretty Preened is serving up a delicious soup recipe to help warm our souls this winter and boy does it look good! Pop over for the full run-down! (find Pretty Preened on Twitter!)
• Loving Every Detail lets her accessories shine! With a fab furry vest and a few pretty necklaces, this look is the epitome of winter chic!
• Sweetie Pie Style shares her go-to night out look - skinny pants and booties paired with a cute top! Love this look! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)
• Second Street East is taking inspiration from a classic color combo - black and white! Pop over to check out the outfit and room looks that this living room inspired! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)

the IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second Street East.

For more information on how you can be involved - click here