Inspired By: Cinderella

Source: YouTube | Designer

I recently stumbled upon a lyric video for the song Cinderella by Diana Vickers and not only did I enjoy the song, but I was super impressed with the motion graphics designed by Yianni Papanicolaou.

Check out the video for yourself!

Gone Paleo

Source: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

Remember when I said I would "check back next week with how things went" with the Paleo menu I had put together? Yeah, well...twenty something days later and I'm checking in. That's just how I roll (very slowly).

I'm glad to say that the menu was a success (I stuck to it) and the food was delicious! Friday's meal was a little more time and labor intensive, but well worth it in the end. Recipe links below.

• Monday: Delicata Squash & Chroizo Hash
• Tuesday: Wild Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce with Brussels Sprouts (I cut them in half, season with olive oil, fresh garlic, salt and pepper and bake at 425° degrees for roughly 15 minutes)
• Wednesday: Chile Lime Chicken Wings with Steamed Broccoli (microwave-ready bag)
• Thursday: Easy Paleo Frittata
• Friday: Smashed Steak Skewers with Cherry Barbecue and Mashed Sweet Potatoes (I microwave a couple medium sweet potatoes for about 6 minutes and mash them, season with garlic, salt and pepper)

My favorite meal of the week was hands down the Smashed Steak Skewers with Cherry Barbecue Sauce. One word— amazing!  I've come to realize that I absolutely love cherries in savory dishes. That may have to be a whole blog post in itself.

The runner-up was the Wild Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce. It was super easy to make and the flavors were outstanding. It's amazing how few ingredients can add up to something delicious.

If you want an easy way to access all these recipes in one place, check out the Pinterest board I've created, Going Paleo. I've pinned some other Paleo recipes I'm hoping to try out soon so check those out as well!

Going Paleo

Source: Pinterest (original source unknown/email me if you know)

In an attempt to lose weight, my boyfriend started the Paleo diet last summer and slowly (very slowly) I’ve been converting as well. Have you heard of the Paleo diet? I sure hadn’t before last summer (refer to the image above for a good, simple explanation).

I’ll be honest with you, I never really paid attention to what I ate (horrible, I know). I’ve been lucky enough in life to have been blessed with a high metabolism, but when I hit the age of 26 this past December, I came to the sad realization that after years of consuming crap loads of sugar and carbohydrates, it’s finally catching up to me.

I have yet to completely give myself to the Paleo lifestyle, which is what it has become for many people, including my boyfriend, and who knows if I ever will. I mean I really enjoy eating bread, pasta, potatoes, etc. To me, those things are quintessential comfort foods. Plus, they’re super tasty.

I’ve been getting better though. I try not to eat as many grains or carbs. and when presented with a craving for a bowl of pasta, I opt for alternatives such as spaghetti squash or zucchini strips for noodles (it tastes better than you may think).

I’ve put together a menu for the upcoming week that is Paleo approved and can’t wait to try out some new recipes. I will check back sometime next week with how things went and hopefully I’m also able to capture some images, although have you tried doing photography in the kitchen? One word – messy.

Listening to: Bryan Adams & ZZ Ward

I have this problem. When I like something, I really like something and currently it's the music of Bryan Adams and ZZ Ward.

Let's start with Bryan. I've loved Bryan's music/voice since I first heard Summer of '69 and more recently, I've discovered his live album Bare Bones. It's seriously one of the best albums I've ever listened to, at least one of the best live albums. The tone and texture of his voice really shines through and because he recorded the album just a few years ago, there's a maturity to his voice and his songs that you don't get when you listen to the original recordings, like in All For Love.  Needless to say, I'm obsessed.

ZZ Ward. Her voice and music is a breath of fresh air in an industry where artists like Rihanna and Katy Perry get non-stop radio airplay. Not that there's anything wrong with listening or liking their music, I mean, I've been known to rock out to some of their songs. It's just nice to have something different and ZZ Ward is different. Her album, Til the Casket Drops, is infused with good beats, soul and hip-hop. Give it a listen if you're looking to shake things up.

The Great Lakes States Project

Source

I originally saw The Great Lakes States Kickstarter Project on designworklife and instantly knew this was something I wanted to financially back.

Inspired by a road trip of the Great Lakes states that he took with his girlfriend, Meng Yang (Civic Designs) designed six awesome posters that he is hoping to get screen printed. In order to get funding he set up a Kickstarter campaign where he goes into more detail about each poster and how he plans on printing them.

I'm really hoping he makes his goal because the designs are gorgeous, especially the Minnesota one (not that I'm biased or anything...), and I'm hoping to hang that beauty up somewhere.

Check it out and if you're inclined, show some Midwest love!

Valentine's Day Wear

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

This would be my perfect Valentine's day outfit if A) I had some extra cash just laying around or B) if I really cared enough to celebrate by getting dressed up, but most years when February 14th rolls around you will find me laying in bed half-watching some television show.

My boyfriend and I usually skip Valentine's day because most of the time one of us is working and because our anniversary (of our first date) is February 13th and we feel like that's a lot more meaningful and worth celebrating than a day that everyone else is celebrating.

We haven't made any definite plans, but we'll probably go out for lunch this Sunday to one of our favorite steak restaurants, Pittsburgh Blue and who knows what else. We're supposed to get freezing rain this weekend so that may hinder things a bit as well, but it won't really matter. As long as we're spending time together, even if were just watching a Redbox movie, we'll have fun.

Do you guys celebrate Valentine's day or do just skip it altogether?

Let's Talk Television

Photo Source: Fox

I've started watching a new Fox show, called The Following. Have you heard of it? It stars Kevin Bacon as a former FBI agent who gets hired on as a consultant on a case he had worked on previously. It turns out the case involves escaped serial killer Joe Carroll who Kevin's character, Ryan Hardy, has a bit of history with. I won't go into much detail in case you guys are still planning on tuning in, but so far I like it.

I'm a huge fan of psychological thrillers and the murder mystery genre so The Following is right up my alley. I also like Kevin Bacon as an actor (he's cute, no?) and I especially like him in law enforcement type roles (Mystic River, anyone?) or things that have a darker story line (Stir of Echoes).

I think the writers of the show have done a good job so far, especially in the first couple of episodes, of creating character development and weaving the past with the future. There are also some plot twists that keep things moving and interesting.

In my opinion though, I don't see the show lasting more than two, maybe three seasons because there seems to be only one story arc, at least at this point. I mean, what happens when the case is solved? How long can you stretch a mystery until viewers get sick of wondering when it will end or the writing becomes so convoluted or ridiculous? Although, there are exceptions such as Lost, which lasted six seasons and made it through the writer's strike. But c'mon, Lost is on a whole other level.

I actually am rooting for this show though because it is entertaining and engaging. Also, one of my favorite shows (Fringe) just ended and it has left a whole in my television heart.

Let me know what you're currently watching or if you have suggestions on what shows I should check out. Also, I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on The Following if you've been tuning in.

Thank You

I received heartbreaking news yesterday that one of my favorite teachers, Clay, passed away.

I of course felt sad, but then out of nowhere the water works started. I started remembering all the classes I took where I was lucky enough to have him as a teacher, the invaluable feedback and encouragement he gave me which undoubtedly helped me to become a better designer and the passion he had for not only teaching, but for life.

One of the things I will remember most about Clay is that he always had a smile on his face, even when his health wasn't at its best and my heart goes out to his friends and family for having to lose such a great person so young and so soon.

Sometimes we get lucky in life and our paths cross with someone who leaves us feeling inspired. I have been very fortunate that many of those who have inspired me have been teachers. So I want to take a moment and say thank you. Thank you to all those teachers out there who give of themselves everyday. To those who are so passionate about what they do that it just radiates out of them.

But most of all, thank you Clay.

A Snippet of December

I finally got around to transferring the photos from my camera onto my computer so I thought I'd share with you guys a small part of December. A small part because I really didn't take as many photos as I thought I did. Oh well. I guess that's what happens when you're living in the moment.

Celebrating my birthday (and Christmas gift exchange) with my friends at one of our favorite places – Caribou Coffee!

Yes, I like to wrap presents and yes, I tend to go overboard... This year I placed fairy LED lights (from Amazon) inside some boxes (from Paper Source), along with some natural wood fiber (from World Market) and placed the gift – a necklace with a personal engraved saying (ordered from Brooklyn Charm) on top. The reaction my friends had when they took off the lid was definitely worth the effort it took to wrap everything!

This was my family's Christmas tree this year. I'm not sure if you can see very well, but my Mom is kind of obsessed with snowmen, which is why the tree is littered with them. And of course it wouldn't be a photo blog post without a shot of some food (seven layer salad & sparkling grape juice pictured).

New Year. New Start.

Photo Source: Feather + Arrow

I've been thinking a lot about this past year and although there were definitely some rough patches, I was fortunate enough to have many great experiences and adventures with some pretty awesome people. Here's the cliff notes version:

• I interviewed and was chosen to be a part of The Girls With Glasses Show team.
• For the second year in a row, I got to be the designer for Twin Cities World Refugee Day, an organization that celebrates diversity in Minnesota. (View my work here)
• I got to celebrate and be a part of the marriage of one of my closest and oldest friends, Katherine. And since I'm on the topic of weddings, my favorite cousin also got married to the man of her dreams. I couldn't be happier for you Beth (and Glen)!
• I also squeezed in some freelance projects which included a wedding invitation and a website for a local business.
• Plus, many other small things that when added together, made up for a memorable year.

In this upcoming year I've decided that maybe making some resolutions would be a good thing and publishing them on this blog for the whole world to see would probably be even better because I know myself. I know that if I don't put things into "writing" they somehow seem less important. I feel no obligation to do them. Does anyone else feel that way?

So, this year I plan to do the following:

1. Design More
   This is something that is always on the list. I really want to do more freelance work this year, with a big emphasis in print design. I've been doing a lot more web design work, which I have a hard time turning down because it tends to pay better, but I'm not particularly good at it and I don't enjoy it nearly as much as print work.
2. Get Organized
   I'm really bad when it comes to organization. I have a hard time throwing anything away and whenever I do, I just end up accumulating more. I plan on going through all my stuff and donating what I can.
3. Read
   People always assume that I read a lot. I think it has a lot to do with the glasses. The plan is to read 12 books by years end. It seems like a realistic number and I know I have plenty of books in my collection that I haven't read yet (if anyone has recommendations leave them in the comments section).
4. Pay Down My Debt
   Between some major purchases I made this past year, along with my credit cards and student loans, I have more debt than ever. I have a plan on how to go about paying down my debt, which mainly involves #1 from above and of course not spending as much money, especially on things I don't need. Thank goodness for gift cards, right?

What are your new year's resolutions?