hey gang. as you’ve probably noticed, my presence has been a bit spotty for the last, oh i dunno, year or so. that’s because i have an announcement to make… i’ve decided to take my talents to http://forageandfodder.com. trust me on this, it’s an upgrade, and i think you’ll love it.
this means that in exactly one month i’ll be deleting this blog from existence. it’s been fun, but let’s face it, we both can do better. visit my new blog and subscribe if you want to stay in touch.
love,
dani
this is the first spring break in a long time where we actually got to take a few days off and relax and it was much needed. this semester has been so crazy that between work, school, teaching, coaching, and everything that needs to happen in between austin and i barely had any time together. seriously, we haven’t had a free weekend in 3 months. so we sought refuge at the lakehouse for a few days of r&r.
it usually takes about three hours to get there, but the drive itself can be a nice way to unwind. plus it’s been rare that we get that much undivided time to just enjoy each other.
each day started with a cup of coffee out on the porch and ended with a glass of wine under the stars (which were bright & fantastic). in between all of that there were gigantic breakfasts, lots of music, pool rallies, dominoes, micheladas, sunbathing, james bond movies and of course fishing. it’s pretty amazing to go three days without internet, cable and wearing shoes. i could get used to it.
having a few days off with loved ones means so much to us. and gosh it’s nice to leave all of the distractions behind and just focus on simple fact that i am completely and totally in love with my husband and beyond smitten with my pup. spring break 2013 totally rocked.
remember when i told you that our good friend mackenzie did a wedding photoshoot at our house? well she has officially launched her website which means i can share some of my favorites with you:
for those of you looking for wedding photography rollinscole is where it’s at. mackenzie and mel are very loving and down to earth women who make even the most camera shy people (ahem, me) feel like royalty. she shot our wedding (almost 4 years ago!) and we couldn’t have been happier with the results (some of which you will find on their website).
i do my best thinking in the shower. maybe it’s because it’s one of the few times i’m alone with nothing to distract me. or maybe it’s because i take really long showers (sorry mother earth!)
anywho, while in the shower i was thinking about food (shocker) and the list of recipes and restaurants that i wanted to post about and then it hit me like a turkey leg to the face; why am i posting anything but food-related stuff? it’s basically my reason for getting up in the morning.
thus i’m embarking on a pilot project of predominately foodie posts. life and family updates will hang around on this blog, but i’m bidding adieu to just about everything else for a bit. let’s call it a new year’s project whaddaya say. you can find the new stuff here.
i felt like this lamp.
a little bit tangled and worn down. a few days into january and i was feeling less than inspired, less than energized, and less than well…exquisite. i’ve gotten past the days of putting new years eve on a pedestal of epic party-going and champagne toasts, but there is still a part of me that hopes each new year will be entered with a childlike wondering of ‘what’s next?’ instead, kicked off 2013 exhausted, annoyed by to-do’s that weren’t accomplished over the holiday, and my shoulders were tight with the impending stress of night classes looming in the coming weeks. if we’re being honest, i’ve used the phrase ‘pull yourself together’ way too many times this month.
after being off of work for so long, i realized i had little to nothing to look forward to upon returning to my beige desk equipped with two computer screens and a phone that rings incessantly. (did i mention my office is in a metal box building with no windows?) i find that i ping pong between the notion that ‘work is supposed to be this fulfilling and enriching atmosphere of creativity and connecting’ and ‘suck it up you baby, the economy tanked, and jobs are hard to find.’ and i was deep in the former and wishing for something more. however when i step back from the emotion of it all, i see that my job serves a purpose. it is keeping me out of heaps of school debt and i am very thankful for that.
in the midst of my pity parties i am seeking solace in a few new interests, and if there is i make time, i hope to find myself somewhere balanced in all of the pingponging. last semester i started reading up on mindfulness and lucky me, it’s a focus of one of my classes this spring. i’m almost done with mindsight (i love it), and just started mindfulness and psychotherapy (a little more textbooky, but still good). if you’re curious, spend some time hearing what dr. dan siegel has to say – i promise it will be fascinating and it could do ya some good too. after reading this article i’ve decided to put words to how i can improve my everyday by becoming more intentional with how and what my time and mind are focused on (i’m looking at you people.com). sabbath manifesto’s ten principles are a good starting point i think, but i hope to create my own principles.
i’m already feeling a bit more grounded.
from the ol’ phone…
delightful macarons from pearl cup // first homemade latte // about to add more to our wedding wall // a curious bedfellow // frank brunch // miller family monopoly // hotel robes are the best // christmas day cocktails // hill country view // impromptu hookah night // date night with mr. handsome // a sweet treat on a stressful day // a colorful breakfast spot // the coziest socks in town
we’ve spent the last few weeks working on a console to go behind our couch. it has been a hell of a project and i’m beyond proud to say that the finished product is all we’d hoped for and then some. we sort of love diy. and surprisingly, we’re not half bad at it either. we’re already looking for the next big project – which i think is going to be a dog house for lil’ miss sadie mae.
this was a multi-step project with a lot of planning behind it. we acquired some new skills (and some new tools) along the way and ultimately ended up with something custom that we absolutely love and never could have afforded at store prices, even on cyber monday.
first cut down a nicely sized branch from any neighborhood tree.
just kidding. this is just austin working on the massive branch that fell out of our dying tree in the front yard. (arbor neglect i know) we just used the cheapo white wood from home depot and then picked 3 different but complimentary stains to add a little bit o’ dimension.
this is not a difficult project, but it is most certainly a tedious one. there is a fair amount of detailed planning, and the staining itself can take awhile. have a friend to share the load when things get annoying. and music. and beer.
measuring is the single most important part of this project. if there were ever a time to be exact, it’s in getting your wood cut. home depot will cut it to size for free (yay) but don’t just assume it’s right. we got home with 8 pieces of mismatched sizes. so now i’m on those orange aprons like white on rice. for reals.
once it’s stained, sealed (important if you want to set drinks on it) and has dried for at least 24 hours. bring that sucker in! we used this as our starting point, but altered some of the design aspects to make it work better for us.
now on to some strategic accompaniment aka some family pictures and perhaps a lamp.
i’m considering a new shoe. normally this wouldn’t be blog-worthy news, but these ballet flats from linge are actually a modified ballet shoe, and not just like every other heelless shoe deemed a ‘ballet’ flat. i think i love them, but i’m not quite sure. 
the colors are great and they seem super functional. but i continuously run into the big foot dilemma, where i tell myself “yes dani these are cute in a size 5, but what happens to them in a size 11?” either they still maintain said level of cuteness or they instantly become clown shoes.
over the last six months i’ve found myself in the midst of a pretty intense obsession with barre and perhaps this plays a role in my wanting of such a shoe. p.s. ladies, if you haven’t been to a barre class, try it, you’ll never look back. coming from a sports background, ballet is such a challenge for me. the strength, grace and body awareness involved in barre workouts is unbelievable. i have mad respect for dancers.
anyone tried these puppies out? i’m also seeking opinions on the whole ‘barefoot’ shoe revolution that i’ve basically ignored since its inception. i’m all ears y’all.
photos from here.
two things that are fantastic right now:
[one] we have been graced with cold weather and that is exciting.
[two (and more importantly)] austin had his first of many tattoo sessions, which is rad.
he’s been planning this sleeve for awhile now, and this was just the first of three sessions. (it’s his birthday & christmas gift this year) even without the shading i think it’s beautiful already.
i can’t stop looking at his arm, which is probably pretty annoying, but who can blame me?
the entire inspiration came from the book ‘goodnight moon’ which holds a lot of meaning for him so we’re thrilled it turned out so well. the rooster is my favorite part.
translation…
when i'm not sleeping 