Life
-
Weekday Vegetable Soup
When I went off to college, my mom sent me with a cooking binder that included a bunch of recipes I loved growing up. Most were pretty straightforward recipes, but I didn’t really start making them until I was out of school. I cook much more now that I am married and have a house to call my own. And despite the fact that my husband doesn’t eat this soup for the lack of meat and presence of vegetables (eye roll), I make it quite often and enjoy every spoonful of it. This soup is definitely the recipe I make the most out of the binder, and for good reason.…
-
How I Proposed To My Bridesmaids
I had seen so many cute bridesmaid proposal ideas on Pinterest that I knew even before I got engaged that I wanted to put together some pretty boxes for my girls. At the time that I put these boxes together, I was thinking our wedding colors would be blue and white, so I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to do something feminine and pink. Here’s what I included in each box: 1 gold-rimmed pink stemless champagne flute 1 mini bottle of La Vostra sparkling rose 1 Sugarfina Champagne Bubbles candies 1 Scentsational natural candle The champagne flutes were Martha Stuart from Macy’s. I’ve noticed that she usually comes…
-
Our Proposal Story
Before I get to the exciting part, I think I should start a little further back in our love story to bring you up to speed. Steven and I met on July 19th, 2014 through mutual friends and instantly hit it off. That night we hung out in a group and connected over cars while playing pool and Wii Sports. He asked for my number that night and to take me on a first date just a couple days later. I honestly wasn’t expecting anything to come of it, but little did I know that was the last first date I’d ever go on. We made it official three weeks…
-
MY QUARANTINE TO-DO LIST
While this time is hard for everyone, many of us also have a unique opportunity to spend lots of (free) time at home. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I was made for this quarantine. I’m the kind of girl who loves taking on lots of hobbies and starting projects, which leads me to be “doing” lots of things all the time. Yet, I also like just chilling and watching Netflix in the evenings or on lazy weekends, which results in very little progress on all those hobbies I picked up and projects I started. While I have absolutely no problem staying home and definitely don’t need…
-
Frances’ Test Kitchen: Pinterest Recipes You Need to Make
If you don’t already know, I’m addicted to Pinterest and have been since I first started pinning about 12 years ago. Follow me on Pinterest here. I still go on every day and love it for finding so many things like recipes, outfit inspo, DIY projects and so much more (I have over 100 boards and 36,000 pins). And I don’t just like to pin things – I like to use the pins I’ve collected over the years and make things! I also love sharing recipes I’ve made that I find on Pinterest with my friends, family, and everyone on social media. If I find a good recipe, I tend…
-
Easy DIY Liquid Hand Soap
*This post was updated August 2022. I started making my own liquid hand soap back in November and wish I had done it sooner. Store-bought hand soaps create so much plastic waste, are commonly tested on animals, and most have harmful artificial fragrances in them. They also really don’t last very long and can become an expense you can decrease by making your own. Some notes on the three (yes, only three!) ingredients used in this liquid hand soap recipe: Castille Soap – I get this in bulk at my local PCC. I bring in an old (clean) plastic peanut butter container, ask the cashier to weigh it for me,…
-
What I Ate During My First Week as a Vegan
I never thought I would go vegan, simply because I love seafood and cheese too much to give them up for the rest of my life. But I also love animals and the environment with a deep passion, so I decided to go vegan for the month of April in celebration of Earth Month (Earth Day is April 22ndthis year). Before I dive into what I ate during my first week as a vegan, let me give you a little background on my eating habits so you know how I went into this new diet. (Veganism is not simply a diet, but the food aspect is all I’m going to…
-
DIY Orange Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner
I don’t know about you, but I am in full-on spring cleaning mode. I spent March decluttering (let’s be honest, though…I’m still decluttering (eye roll)) and now I’m ready to do the actual down-and-dirty work of cleaning my house. Winter can make a space feel stuffy and I personally LOVE a clean, organized, and fresh smelling environment. Last fall, I started experimenting with making my own cleaning products in an attempt to decrease my plastic consumption. Not only am I finding that I actually really like what I’ve made, but the recipes are affordable, easy, and fun to make! Plus, they are ALL-NATURAL and NON-TOXIC. Can I get an amen?!…
-
My 2019 Goals
I’ve always loved setting new year’s goals and resolutions. I get so motivated by the thought of a fresh start, even if January is just another month on the calendar. In past years, I’ve only put a little thought and effort into the changes I wanted to make for the new year, with very little actual plan to make things happen. The funny thing is that I love planning, so really digging deep into my goals for the next twelve months and coming up with a strategy on how I’m going to accomplish them only seems natural. However, this year is the first year that I’m actually doing it. I…
-
Homemade Spiced Chai Mix
There’s nothing more cozy than sitting by the fire with a hot cup of chai on a cold day. Or walking though the snow with a hot mug full of the creamy, spiced drink. Mmm I can see the steam rising as I type this. YUM! I have been making this chai mix recipe as long as I can remember. It is delicious and perfectly warming for those cold winter days. It also makes a great gift! Just put the mix in a jar and add a homemade label on a pretty ribbon. Without further ado, here is the recipe for my favorite winter drink! Spiced Chai Mix Ingredients: 3…