Interiors // Miscellaneous Perfection

Sorry, guys, but last night when I should have been writing today's post, I was busy eating a McDonalds McFlurry (serious guilty pleasure) and watching the baby kick. Quite honestly, I don't know how long this has been visible because I don't tend to leave my white belly exposed, but I have been feeling kicks since week 15 and Eric was able to feel it at about 18 (we're at 23 now). So if we'd tried, I'm guessing we might have seen this a bit sooner.

I can't say it enough. This is so. surreal. I was absolutely mesmerized.

Also, Baby is an eggplant. Whoever came up with the fruit and veggie size chart was pretty brillz. I love comparing my unborn to what I should be eating (turns out there are no McFlurries on the size chart. hmmmmm).

Enough baby talk. Let's just look at some pretty pictures, shall we?

One of the best kitchens/eat ins of all time.

Mark D. Sikes via Lonny Magazine

Crazy perfect dining room.

Lindsey Adelman chandelier via Small Shop

And I'd like to be here...

Awesome Eats 01 // No Fail Vegetarian Chili

While I would never in a million years try to trick you into thinking that I'm a master in the kitchen, there are just a few super easy, no-fail recipes that stay on steady rotation at our house. Since I get some interest when I instagram them, I thought I would go ahead and share a few here. You should know that I'm not big on handling raw meat so if I take on dinner duty, it's usually of the vegetarian variety. Sorry meat eaters!

My mom introduced us to this chili a month or two back and we just made it for the third time. The words easy and delicious both come to mind. And both are serious understatements! Most of these ingredients are likely hiding in your pantry, just itching to be thrown together for one of the best meals ever!

Color // Play with Your Food

For those of you that need an afternoon pick-me-up, I couldn't help but repost the fun when I came across dschwen's Pantone food pairings. What a clever idea! This reminds me fondly of a bridal shower some of our dear friends threw when Eric and I were getting hitched. Each guest was prompted to say what we "go together like" on their very beautifully designed invite. All of the cards were read aloud, which made for some fun and also raised a few red flags for our chips and salsa obsession. Guess we aren't very good about hiding our dinner choice of champions (still going strong, too! we ate it last night). ha!

dschwen's instagram via designlovefest (Bri always find the coolest stuff, doesn't she?!)

Care to share your favorite food combo?

World Series of Barbecue

It's Friday!!! I have to tell you guys, today marks the end of a very long and angst-ridden 7 weeks. O-V-E-R. Hallelujah! Since I've earned a little R&R, hubs and I are thinking about heading down to the biggest barbecue competition in the world.

That's right. You've surely heard that Kansas City's barbecue is arguably the best in the United States ('tis true). Well, every year the city hosts the barbecue contest of all contests, and it's open to the public for great food, drink, fun and games. How cool is that??

In honor, I came across this great Eat 17 Bacon Jam designed by Together Design. Being that bacon jam is best served on warm bread, here's a little fall service setup:

Eat 17 Bacon Jam // Spreaders // Server // Old Fashioned // Napkins

Happy relaxing weekend! ox

girls dinner // summer tapas party

about time for a second installment, don't you think?

just like last time, we're keeping things casual with a smorgasboard of deeeelicious tapas and red sangria (one of my personal faves) on the porch, all of which were deceivingly simple.

 first order of business? getting that patio table set. we went with a graphic fabric swatch (one of the girls has this on hand for an upcoming sewing project), but a tablecloth, blanket or quilt will do just as well. if you're forced to go solid, use napkins, dinnerware and accessories to add pattern and texture. there really aren't any rules! one or two standout items (umm...hello! that gorgeous turquoise vase bursting with peonies) can really make the table come to life.

then it was time to get our grub on. in the true spirit of spanish tapas, we divvied up food responsibilities, each with two apps to share. i opted for roasted red pepper hummus with pitas and delectable little herbed goat cheese, strawberry basil sandwiches. there was also beet salad, pimentos, spicy lime shrimp, artichoke crisps, and edamole (that's edamame guacamole).

we stuffed ourselves silly, to say the least.

stringing up some lights added serious ambiance, and allowed us to keep the party going a liiiiiiiittle later than anyone intended....but such it is when ladies find time to get together, right??

laura conjured up some festive belly bands for our glasses o' fruity delight (diy details here).

the girls over at ampersand are detailing how you can get the look yourself.

and for your drinking pleasure, a recipe card for that delicious red sangria from yours truly.

 available for download here.

mandatory group shot:

all photos courtesy of the very talented eric linebarger

awwww.

also, if you're like me and are sometimes challenged by the task of creating the perfect dinner mix, this one sure delights the earlobes.

hope this inspires you to call your girlfriends for a little dinner fun of your own! ox

 { find our previous dinners here }

type tuesday // edible cookbook

pages of gorgeous type and instructions for making lasagna??!? i just died 1000 times!

genius concept by korefe // via good design makes me happy

talk about a conversation piece!

design || food sketches by erin jang

thanks, peeps, for the awesome words re: the guest room. i am determined not to let you down! ha!

today, can we please talk about how i am in loooooooove with the incredibly talented erin jang's new project, food sketches, where she'll be illustrating random food eaten over the next year? bon appetite indeed!

illustrations via erin jang's food sketches

father's day fiesta

i have quite the line-up of dads to honor this weekend! besides my own, we'll be celebrating husband and my little brother. i'm so amazed by all of these men, and the incredible father figures they are to their kids. there is nothing like having a father to look up to as a young woman. though my dad and i have had strains in our relationship from time to time, i could never ask for a more amazing man to have contributed to the woman i am today.

to these very special men (and to the ones you're celebrating this weekend), we thank you with our whole hearts, and we raise a very full (ahem . . . margarita) glass to you this sunday and everyday!

my mom and i will be putting together a stylish fiesta for our special men, complete with homemade salsa, guac, enchiladas and assorted mexican beverages.

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will you be celebrating the dads in your life?

dapper dining || colonie

brooklyn heights dining destination, colonie restaurant, boasts some seriously charming decor. the restaurant features is a sophisticated marriage of reclaimed and industrial materials, creating a warm and cozy dining experience, a glorious feast for the eyes as well as the belly for sure.

images for the colonie restaurant via yatzer

on the boulevard

day or night, the ambiance of the eveleigh on LA's southwest boulevard would definitely draw me in....and probably hold me down for hours! aside from their cozy, laid back scene, their menu and unique spirits list look absolutely mouth watering.

images via the eveleigh

one tequila, two tequila....

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happy cinco de mayo, all! will you be celebrating?

lunch reads || caprese salad + julie's digs

i tried to sushi theme this week's lunch post in honor of the devastation in japan, but i just couldn't force it. truth is, like most creative people, i am an uber feeler and these kinds of heart-wrenching events throw me into deep emotional turmoil. as in, if i let myself think about it too much, i completely shut down. my heart goes out to those suffering -- and, honestly, to all of those whose heart strings are tugged by a tragedy like this. because, strangely, it feels mildly devastating to be happy and healthy and safe when hardworking, innocent people are suffering. guilt is a powerful emotion. just last week, my husband's (beater) car broke down, and we found out yesterday how much repairs will cost, rendering us unable to make the kind of immediate donation we wish we could. (note || we will definitely still be donating in some capacity)

but, seriously, that's heavy. we're talking convenience over salvation.  how does a person justify that?

i meant for this post to be eloquent and insightful, and i'm finding that it is more along the lines of ugly and selfish. so please forgive me for momentarily practicing avoidance and bouncing blissfully into springy thoughts....

it's no less than gorgeous today and i'm more delighted than words can say that a lighter -- dare i say, springier -- meal is due this week. enjoy some gorgeous caprese skewers while perusing the pages of julie digs design, whose inspiring posts rival the total randomness you find here, but are perfectly succinct in their beautiful voice and tone.

images 2-5 via julie digs design

thanks for listening, friends.