You know those weekly roundups that people do on their blogs? I love them. Although I don’t currently have my own version on Espresso and Cream, I soak up the roundups from other people. Recently my dear friend Laura posted a round-up which included a link to the blog Un-Fancy. It was all about creating a capsule wardrobe. If you’re like me and have no idea what a capsule wardrobe is, then check this post out. As I was reading … Read More
Summer Entertaining: Patio Parties
Now that summer is practically here, it seems like everyone in Minnesota is coming out of hibernation and getting outside after a very long winter being stuck indoors. We put our stamped concrete patio in late last summer, so we’re dying to put it to good use this year. It’s amazing how much bigger our house feels when we have an outdoor space that we love. For the longest time after college, the idea of entertaining sent me into a … Read More
Homemade Hamburger Buns
I’m not quite sure what makes some weekends so wonderful and fulfilling, but this weekend was one of those great weekends. It felt like the perfect combination of relaxation and productivity with just the right amount of time spent with friends and family, and a little down time, too. Since the weather was absolutely beautiful, we grilled and spent more than one night drinking wine out on the patio. Joe and I have this pretty great deal going. Since his … Read More
Caramel Chocolate Rolls
My husband is the first person to tell you he isn’t big on sweets and dessert. He would much rather have a beer after dinner than a piece of chocolate and almost always prefers savory over sweet. There are, of course, a few exceptions to the rule, like when pie or chocolate cake or caramel rolls are involved. I made these caramel rolls on a whim the other day (on a weekday, actually!) as a way to mix things up … Read More
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!
I’m not very good and remembering or celebrating food holidays, but one of my favorite desserts on the planet is a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie. I think it has something to do with the simplicity of a chocolate chip cookie and the nostalgia having eaten them a lot as a kid. If it were up to me, I would have freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies in the house every day*, if not for the taste but for the amazing smell … Read More
Basics of a Well-Stocked and Healthy Pantry {& a Giveaway!}
One of the post requests I get most frequently is around the topic of what I keep in my pantry. Having a well-stocked pantry is something I’m still trying to figure out, but I do have a handful of basics you can find in my pantry at any given time that make putting a meal on the table a breeze. I’ve also included my favorite freezer items, since I think of my freezer as part of my extended pantry. Instead … Read More
Eating Repetitively
Today I’m going to get a little bit personal. I guess talking about miscarriage and body image is very personal, but I find talking about what I eat to be every bit as personal. I don’t know why but I always feel so vulnerable talking about what I eat with other people. Anyone else feel the same way? Food is just so incredibly personal sometimes. If you know me in real life chances are you also know that I tend … Read More
DIY Rope Leash for Dogs
When Joe and I were in Austin a few weeks back, I saw a bunch of really cool rope leashes for dogs. Our hotel was even selling them, and I loved the casual, rustic, cool look the leashes had – much cooler than the leashes we currently used for our pups. But when I saw that each leash was upwards of $60 I couldn’t justify buying two for our dogs. Thankfully, it’s incredibly easy to make a rope leash at … Read More
Stitch Fix April Review
It’s been a while since I did a Stitch Fix review, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t still been receiving boxes every month. To be honest, I was just a little lazy when it came to snapping photos of my last two fixes, so I had nothing to share. But now that we have more sunlight (aka time to snap nice photos) the reviews have returned. In the past, I’ve been very vocal about my love for Stitch Fix. It’s … Read More
May Food and Fitness Goals
This month I’m taking part in The May Challenge over at Dani’s blog, Thyme is Honey. I don’t usually sign up for many health or fitness challenges, but I liked that you got to set your own goals for this challenge. Participating in the challenge got me thinking of other goals I have for the month. It seems so much more manageable to set monthly mini goals rather than large goals at the beginning of the year that you forget … Read More
Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies (4 Cookies)
I mentioned on Instagram this past weekend that I had a great small-batch chocolate chip recipe for you. Since a lot of you mentioned you were excited about the recipe, I figured it’s best not to keep you waiting any longer than necessary. Over the years there have been many times when I want just a little something sweet. I don’t want to bake two dozen chocolate chip cookies because of the time and hassle and amount of ingredients required, … Read More
Mother’s Day Gift Idea {Giveaway!}
My mom (isn’t she pretty?) is one of my absolute favorite people on the planet. Actually, now that I think about it, three of my favorite people on earth are in that photo above: Joe, my mom and my dad. Since Mother’s Day is just around the corner, I’ve been thinking about gifts for both my mom and my mother-in-law. It’s not an easy task when you have two women who both claim they don’t need a single thing. Can … Read More