Pretty on the Inside and Pretty on the Outside

Dress: Francesca's Collection, Bracelet: gifted, Tights: Francesca's Collection, Shoes: (?)

I started this blog at first to begin keeping recipe and DIY projects and pretty things. I returned from Africa almost two months ago, and I decided I want to create with God. I love pretty clothes and dressing to look pretty. As much as I want to look pretty on the outside, I want more than that, so much to be absolutely stunning on the inside! I want beauty, encouragement, and words that bring life to flow out of my mouth. I want encouragement to spill out of my lips instead of complaints and rude remarks. I  want joy and kindness to be my demeanor. Join me as I explore beauty on the outside, but as I choose to be beautiful on the inside. How did I do that today? I thanked the Lord today for dear old friends, who always leave you feeling understood, encouraged and loved. Thanks Megan!

Snow

 Knit Bows: a christmas gift from my sister, Sweater: AE, Dress: Bella Mia, Belt: Delia's, Fleece lined tights: Francesca's Collections, Socks: Aerie, Boots: Urban Nog, Bracelet: Gift from my husband

It is snowing today while we are visiting Michigan for a few days! 

Christmas was spent with my parents and it was completely lovely. So much love, and time spent playing board games like this, this and this. I am so grateful for the birth of Jesus, who's life was such a beautiful part of God's redemption story for us. I was so grateful to be able to make and give gifts to those I love. There is nothing more exciting to me then spending time creating and choosing the perfect gift for someone dear to me and then wrapping it carefully and giving a little piece of my heart to them. Love always multiplies - our hearts will never run dry.

Merry Christmas

From our classy family to yours!

Ugly Christmas Sweater

 Classic traditions on the 7th day of Christmas!

 Scarf: Delias, Jacket: Target, Shirt: Target, Skirt: Delias, Tights: Target, Shoes: Target

12 Days of Christmas

Sweater: Target, Belt: AE, Skirt: Bella Mia, Tights: For Love, Shoes: Target

Today is the 3rd day of our Christmas advent. We start 12 days before the 25. We plan fun little activities to spend time together enjoying our favorite parts about Christmas. Last year I made this envelope advent and I love using it again this year!

Tonight we are drinking a very special cocoa recipe and sharing our favorite things about Christmas.

What is your favorite thing about Christmas? 

Butternut Squash Lasagna

I love all thing butternut squash! It is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with!

I saw a recipe in my Pike Place Market cookbook for butternut squash lasagna with blue cheese and heavy cream, and I knew I had to create my own twist since blue cheese isn't very appealing to me. I came up with this!

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Spinach:

Ingredients: 

2 Cups Butternut Squash Puree* Recipe follows

1 1/2 Cups of Ricotta

6 Cups of Spinach chopped and blanched

Mozzarella Cheese

1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese

4 Strips of Turkey Bacon cooked

6 Lasagna Noodles cooked 

4 Fresh Sage Leaves chopped finely

Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a small pan with olive oil or butter. 

Mix ricotta, spinach, parmesan cheese, sage and salt and pepper together in a bowl

Spread a thin layer of butternut squash puree and layer 2-3 noodles on top, then spread ricotta mixture over the noodles. Start again with butternut squash, then the noodles, ricotta, butternut squash, and end with the noodles. Cover the top with mozzarella cheese and crumbled bacon pieces. Bake for 350 minutes or until cheese is golden brown. Serve with warm crusty bread!

My family loved this - they were very skeptical at first but after trying it, they each went back for more! 

*Butternut Squash Puree

1 Butternut Squash

Olive oil

Thyme

Rosemary

Salt 

Pepper

1/3 (maybe more)  cup Chicken Stock

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise and spread a generous amount of olive oil, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Roast for 30 mins or until very soft. Then just place in blender with chicken stock and puree.

Snow Globe

 Necklace: Francesca's Collections, Scarf: AE, Belt:Aerie, Skirt:Heritage, Tights: Target, Boots: Urbanog

I made these snow globes that I saw at anthropologie. I thought it would be fun to make them at home and much cheaper! 

 Things you will need: 

Small trees (I bought a bag at Joann Fabrics)

A Large Mason Jar, Small Mason Jar, or any other jars.

Pine Cones (I bought cinnamon scented pinecones)

White Glitter

Hot Glue Gun and Glue

Glue the trees to the bottom of the jar’s lid along with pinecones or anything else you might want to add.Put glitter in the bottom of the jar. Screw the lid back on the jar and ta-da! Lovely little snow globes!

New Shoes

Dress: Forever 21, Tights Forever 21 and Target, Shoes: Francesca's Collections, Jewelry: For Love 

These wedges are new and so pretty but after standing all day at work today, I realized they are not meant for work. Shoes, you are so cute. But my feet are not very happy with you. You will now be strictly used for parties and dates at a coffee shop. I hope you understand.

If you are anything like me, you have a drawerful of tights with runs in them. I can't seem to keep them together! Today I put a sheer pair of silver tights understand these burgundy floral fishnets. I like the burgundy tights even more now! Bonus: you don't notice the small runs in either pair.

Tomorrow, a tutorial for these:

Anthropologie Snow Globes

DIY Tea Soap

 Cardigan: Target, Scarf: NYC Street Vendor, Top: J Crew, Jeggings: Aerie, Shoes: Francesca's Collections

I made DIY Tea Soap for a few people on my Christmas list! I hope they don't read this..

It is so easy and smells so good!

Britt has a super cute tutorial. It's so simple!

I made mine with Teavana fancy Youth berry and Wild Orange Blossom tea. It is divine!

I love Christmas because I love giving. Making, buying, creating, spending time thinking about the ones I love. I know Christmas is not about the gifts, but I love blessing people with handmade, homemade acts of love.

What are you making this year?

My Special Dress

 

Dress and Belt: Forever 21, Necklace: For Love, Tights: Target, Shoes: Thrifted

Kyla's Puppy Coat: PetsSmart

This is one of my favorite dresses and a few days after our honeymoon I melted it with an iron. worst. But my mom found it in another store and I am still excited after a year!

Anybody else watch Gossip Girl? I hate admitting it but it has become very addictive to me. The storyline, characters, amazing clothes and one of my favorite places in the world - New York City.

Last night, two of the main/my favorite characters were in a car accident...  I know it's just a tv show, but I hope the writers know that this feels personal. 

In other news, almost my entire family, at different times have found their christmas presents, apparently my hiding spots are unimpressive. Shoot. Oh well, Merry Christmas!

Picture Taking

Glasses: UO Scarf: AE Shirt: H&M Jeans: Bella Mia Shoes: TOMS Jacket: Eddie Bauer

I've realized that it's a little bit awkward to take these outfit photos. Sometimes people stare at you, usually the poses you think look great in your head - actually look quite strange in a picture and for me, lighting is never on my side.


But tomorrow, I will get dressed and be ready to do it again. It's still fun.

DIY Dining Table

I have been shopping for dining room tables for awhile. I couldn't find one that I liked that wasn't a million dollars. So, naturally, I told my husband he needed to make one. He surprisingly was very excited. So he cut the wood, we both distressed the wood and then I stained it. First with gray and then with a dark born stain. I love the way it turned out! Let me just tell you, staining is hard work.. I know I have much bigger muscles in my arms now after how sore they were.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone tomorrow!

Moving.

Sweater: Target, Jeans: Aerie, Shoes: AE, Jewelry: Aerie and Target

Moving is a lot of hard work.
It seems like for us, it's a lot of back and forth, up and down, "where did we put that?!"
Anybody else feel that way?
I like moving though, a new city, new friends and new coffee shops to try.

Stonecreek,
Your pumpkin chai was tasty. But next time, let's add some sugar. Okay?

Also Waukesha, do you have any good ballet studios? Please?

Welcome to Waukesha.

Sunglasses: UO, Scarf: Knit by me, Vest and shirt: AE, Jeggings: Aerie, Shoes: Steve Madden, Bracelets: Gifted

Husband and I moved to Wisconsin on Sunday.

Our one year anniversary was on Monday.

Tuesday: I got a job, Jamie renewed his license, and settled things for his flight training.

Now I know what it means to live life in the fast lane.

The Centennial State

Did you know that Colorado became the 38th state of the united states - 100 years after signing the declaration of independence?

Me neither.

What I do know is that we made it! After about 26 hours in the car, many bathroom breaks and the world's LARGEST truck stop, we are here in Colorado! It's even more beautiful than I remember.

See?

Jamie and I feel so blessed to be here. 

Thank you to the many people who helped us get here. We know how much was sacrificed, sincerest thanks.

Life Remodeled

Today I am thinking about this:

We built a house in six days! What?! Keep in mind when I say we, I really mean, professional volunteer contractors built the house in six days.

What a miracle. It was a wonderful week! 

Eagle Rock

This summer we camped..

 We hiked....

We roasted...