speaking of paint

I'm so proud of one of my best girlfriends, Vitale Buford, who will be featured in her second art exhibit in Lexington. She's gorgeous, talented, fun and a wonderful friend - and that's before we even touch on her art!

The first Gallery Hop of the season kicks off tomorrow night - if you're in town, check it out. It's a great night of community, art and fun. I love all the galleries, but tomorrow night, we'll be staking out the Bodley-Bullock House for her exhibit. Come on out!

reclaimed home

With all the recent wrap-ups of projects (I still have a few things keeping me busy!), I've been tackling a few things on the to do list outside of the professional realm. I mentioned the painting project in the powdered room, and we're also changing colors in the dining room. The trim needs to be painted as well and some windows are being replaced too. Ah, home-ownership!

We've been in our house together for nearly a year and Jacob is soon moving his office into a new space, so I think we're kind of nesting and reclaiming this area as our home. After a year abroad, a year moving around the states and nearly a year of moving around our own little town of Lexington, it's starting to sink in that we live here (and we aren't going anywhere - for now!). 

The last time I painted in this house was seven years ago (!). Things have changed so much in that time, and I think these walls are ready for a refresher. Neutrals are perennially popular and, let me tell you, I've found that a neutral palette on the walls can help with integrating styles and belongings of two very different people!

Provence Cream

Nimbus Cloud

Two of my favorite neutrals (and the ones chosen for our soon-to-be-painted rooms), are Martha Stewart's Nimbus Cloud (Glidden), and Provence Cream (Behr) - both at Home Depot. I love the cool, airy grey of Nimbus - perfect for a steamy bathroom, and quite complementary to our white and pale blue tiles and nickel fixtures. The Provence Cream (love the name) is more yellow every other place I've seen it except our dining room, where it settles into such a lovely calm color with just enough contrast next to the white trim (Pro tip: buy samplers! They're available in most colors and only cost about $3, so if you have to buy about 10 of them, it's still not a budget breaker...trust me!).

vehicles...

This morning was overcast and a bit chilly - the kind of morning that I was so thankful that we could take just a few moments to snuggle back under the covers and cuddle before we greeted the world and work. 


When we did make that inevitable step and the feet hit the floor, I decided to put on (maybe for the last time this year?) my big fluffy socks and stir up a warm breakfast. I'm not a cold cereal kind of person, so when I do have breakfast, it usually involves a bit of cooking. 


Oatmeal is a favorite because it's easy (make this in just one pot!), nourishing, wholesome and warm. Plus it's such a versatile food (sort of like that southern staple, grits - see Kathryn Stockett's The Help “That's all a grit is, a vehicle. For whatever it is you rather be eating.”). Well, I do actually like oats, but they sure are good with a bit of somethin' thrown in.


Say, apples, vanilla, maple syrup, brown sugar and a bit of cashew butter for protein? I think yes.


Oatmeal and Vanilla Maple Apples with Cashew Butter
Start with a half apple (I used Granny Smith), chopped
Toss them in a saucepan with about a tablespoon or two (depending on taste) of Vanilla extract 
Add a tablespoon of brown sugar and just a bit of maple syrup and let it boil until the apples are soft.

Ready to go!

When they're soft, pour them into a bowl and set aside. Make your oats and when they're ready to go, combine everything and stir in a spoonful of cashew butter. My favorite is from Trader Joe's. 


Simple, quick, uncomplicated, delicious and nutritious!

Holy smokes! It's been the craziest around here lately. Lots and lots of deadlines, plus work on our home (new paint colors!), topped with travel, holidays, family and...whew. Plus this early warm weather confusion has spurred spring, returned to a frost, popped back to summer and generally wreaked havoc on allergies around here. Do you all have allergies because gosh darn, what are you supposed to do around here this time of the season, eh?


Keep on going I guess...so I'm thrilled that BG Louisville's spring issue (BG Lex here!) has just come through and it looks fab! There was even a wee launch party last night at Napa River Grill in partnership with YPAL, which is a great group of young professionals in the River City. The contributors to this issue brought some great content, like Forecastle...did I mention I have my tickets already? I DO!


Keeneland has also been rocking it out and so the girls and I hit it up this weekend and were a part of the record-breaking Bluegrass Stakes Day (awesome for hanging and cheering and betting and whatnot, but maybe not the greatest for parking - hello!). Maybe next weekend will be a teensy bit more manageable.


Oh, and there are letters up on Lexington's Trader Joe's location! Sad sack because it's not quite ready to go yet, but while Mer and I were up in the ville for the party last night, we stopped on by...just a quick stop.

hello world

You know those times that you just sink into work and life and business and forget how important it is to reflect on what's going on around you? That's been the last week! It's been amazingly busy with tons of assignments (yay, BG!), March Madness (GO BLUE!), new puppies (not mine) and time with friends (Maddy!). 


So here I find myself, nearly at the end of a Monday and I'm so thankful for how quickly (and productively) it went, and thankful for the time I've had this past week.


BG Lexington not only went to print, but it's out and looking good (and it should be online soon). I especially love the stories on our downtown nightlife, art scene and Keeneland (i can haz preddy dres?), not to mention my couple crush, Les & Aumaine (pictured with Victor). I've also nearly picked up the phone more than once to make a reservation at Sabio, but they don't open until April 12. Perfect timing for a new place in town...

In addition to the work life, there's been lots going on, like Mer getting a new puppy! I was in love at first sight and had to be reminded of my own lovie at home (and that I didn't need to adopt Brady's little sister). One of my other besties and I also made a road trip to visit an old friend who just had her first baby (more on this later!). 


And, of course, I could not neglect to mention hometown heroes, the Kentucky Wildcats! In the Big Blue Nation, it is GO TIME as we are t-minus HOURS until the championship game. C'mon boys, bring it home! 


There are just so many things going on right now, and while not every single moment is great and perfect and wonderful, it is life. It is happening. I am experiencing it. I'm thankful for that.

laws: murphy's and motion

Remember a few weeks ago, when my week started off like this? Well, I am here to say thank you so much to Lee at Ridge Construction. He's not only a friend of Jacob's from high school (the wayback!), he's super talented at so many things more intricate and interesting than fixing our bathroom ceiling (he does gorgeous remodeling work as well), but he still came over and spent a couple of mornings of his valuable time doing it anyway. Thanks, Lee! 


(we are totally hoping to bring Lee back for a few days on some projects that might be a little more fun - fingers crossed!)


Now we just have to choose paint colors, because if we're painting the ceiling, might as well, right? This little house is probably due for a couple of updates like that, but I am well aware of the pandora's box we're about to crack open by saying the words "paint swatches". Wish me luck...


P.S. I am no brainiac, but I did once do an entire science project illustrating Newton's laws of motion with The Far Side cartoons, so I can speak to how physical law seems to apply to our bathroom woes. You know the one that goes, "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction."? That definitely happened Monday night. Just about the time that the project on the ceiling was nearing completion, the counterweight on our old, double-hung windows broke, slamming the window closed and breaking the glass in the process. Come on, now. Come on. What the FAIL. 

e Beva!

Alright, I told y'all I had a little follow up for your sipping pleasure. Not surprisingly considering my roots, this one is Italian too. It's a happy comfort zone I pierce only when necessary. I don't think today's going to be that day! So here's a refreshing drink with just a bit of buzz to it. This has been a summer favorite for me and some of my girls - maybe it will be for you too!

Start with lemons, fresh mint and a bottle of Limoncello, well chilled. You can find it in the section with cordials and liqueurs. This southern-Italian classic originates near my family's former home, Naples, with roots extending all the way down the Amalfi Coast and out to islands like Ischia and Capri. It's a delightful consumed traditionally, on its own, as an after-dinner drink in tiny chilled glasses (or mixed up with some other things!). I think I may even try to make it sometime...but for now I'll keep it simple with the store-bought variety.


Put a few slices of lemon in the bottom of a glass and add a some mint leaves. Muddle them with a tiny bit of Limoncello (if you don't have a muddler, you can use the back of a spoon to smash them up and release their flavors and juices). Set aside. 


In a shaker, combine about one to one Limoncello and sparkling water or club soda and shake with ice, then pour over lemons and mint (if you don't have a shaker, just measure into the glass and stir). You can also add a few chips of ice, too, if you want.


Salute!