Pomegranate Guacamole
Jasmine and Honeysuckle Simple Syrup incorporated into Margaritas
and fish tacos, my new love after a visit to Rubio's in Phoenix!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Looking Good Today
Strawberries and Basil in:
A Tart
and A Cheesecake
One of my favorite drinks: The Lemon Drop at Serious Eats
Stripes and sequins from the Gap in this clutch
My weakness, tulle, from Kate Young for Target
A Tart
and A Cheesecake
One of my favorite drinks: The Lemon Drop at Serious Eats
Stripes and sequins from the Gap in this clutch
My weakness, tulle, from Kate Young for Target
Friday, April 19, 2013
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Owl Mail
I have made a free owl mail suite for those Harry Potter fans. For personal use only - do not sell or modify. It has 2 parts: a mailing label and stamps. Print it out on sticker paper and get mailing!
Click here to get the mailing label
Click here to get the stamps
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Change of Heart
I hate ankle boots. I hate tight pants. I really hate the whole 80's revival thing going on in fashion.
And then I saw this on Sartorialist:
And I fell in love. The folks pictured on that blog don't look like anyone else, and sometimes you see something you hate in a new way. It doesn't hurt that the woman is a Parisian, either. Some other boots I don't hate:
BeautiFeel Valeria at Zappos.com
Vigotti Teela at Zappos.com
And then I saw this on Sartorialist:
And I fell in love. The folks pictured on that blog don't look like anyone else, and sometimes you see something you hate in a new way. It doesn't hurt that the woman is a Parisian, either. Some other boots I don't hate:
BeautiFeel Valeria at Zappos.com
Vigotti Teela at Zappos.com
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Six Minute Mile Project
When I was in high school, my goal was to run a six minute mile. Now I am not a gifted natural runner, but I ran track and cross-country because I enjoyed it and it kept me in shape. I worked and worked, and I eventually got to a 6:20 mile. And I could never get any lower than that.
I have decided to resurrect the six-minute mile project. If I couldn't do it when I was 17, what makes me think I can do it know, at 32, after 2 children, one quite recent, an exhausting pregnancy and a 30 pound weight gain that's sticking around too long?
I can actually do a lot of things now that I couldn't when I was 17. I'm not sure that running a six minute mile should be any different.
In case anyone is interested, you don't just go out and run miles really fast. Nope, you start with a reasonable goal, and you start running quarters, then halves, and then miles, and work your way down to your final goal.
Reasonable Goal: 8 minute mile
Quarter/Half/Mile
2:00 / 4:00 / 8:00 min
1:53 / 3:45 / 7:30 min
1:45 / 3:30 / 7:00 min
1:37 / 3:45 / 6:30 min
1:30 / 3:00 / 6:00 min
So, it starts today!
I have decided to resurrect the six-minute mile project. If I couldn't do it when I was 17, what makes me think I can do it know, at 32, after 2 children, one quite recent, an exhausting pregnancy and a 30 pound weight gain that's sticking around too long?
I can actually do a lot of things now that I couldn't when I was 17. I'm not sure that running a six minute mile should be any different.
In case anyone is interested, you don't just go out and run miles really fast. Nope, you start with a reasonable goal, and you start running quarters, then halves, and then miles, and work your way down to your final goal.
Reasonable Goal: 8 minute mile
Quarter/Half/Mile
2:00 / 4:00 / 8:00 min
1:53 / 3:45 / 7:30 min
1:45 / 3:30 / 7:00 min
1:37 / 3:45 / 6:30 min
1:30 / 3:00 / 6:00 min
So, it starts today!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Handwriting Font
And then you can make this great calling card from Creature Comforts with your own handwriting!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Book Pocket
It's back-to-school time. Here in West Virginia, we are not allowed to purchase school supplies for our children, although of course we can buy them and keep them at home. The schools provide everything the children need. But for those of us with the new notebook itch to scratch, I offer a free template for a book pocket. I keep knitting patterns, grocery lists, pictures and other floating pieces of paper in mine. Print on cardstock, fold, glue into your notebook and have a spot for your bits and pieces.
Download the free pdf here
If it seems like I am doing a lot of printables lately, it's true. I am feeling the stress of sending my first child to kindergarten and sending my 3 month old to daycare. When I'm stressed, I design, and you benefit. Cheers!
Download the free pdf here
If it seems like I am doing a lot of printables lately, it's true. I am feeling the stress of sending my first child to kindergarten and sending my 3 month old to daycare. When I'm stressed, I design, and you benefit. Cheers!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Free Printable Wedding Invitation
This is a peacock-theme invite free for download. The suite includes a invitation, response card, and an envelope liner for an A6 envelope. The invite requires an A6 envelope, and a 4 bar envelope for the response card. It is shown with a sheet of red Japanese paper to illustrate how nice this would look in a red envelope. I myself would choose the ones from Paper Source in red.
The invitation suite is in Adobe Illustrator format, so that it can easily be edited. If you don't have Illustrator, feel free to contact me and if I'm not too busy I will put it into another format for you.
Download the Invitation & response card
Download the A6 Envelope liner
This design is copyright 2009 by Angela Dudek. You are free to use it and distribute it, but do not sell it. If you do I will track you down and call you really bad names.
The invitation suite is in Adobe Illustrator format, so that it can easily be edited. If you don't have Illustrator, feel free to contact me and if I'm not too busy I will put it into another format for you.
Download the Invitation & response card
Download the A6 Envelope liner
This design is copyright 2009 by Angela Dudek. You are free to use it and distribute it, but do not sell it. If you do I will track you down and call you really bad names.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Slowly But Surely - Craft Update
The Planets embroidery pattern from The Floss Box - in progress.
A sample quilted dot, practicing for a baby quilt from the Polka Dot Quilt pattern from And Other Silly Things
A Shapely Washcloth in Lily Sugar and Cream Rosewood Ombre cotton.
Lace scarf in Elann Super Kydd in Almond Blossom and Baby Silk in Seashell Pink, from a pattern in Feminine Knits by Lene Holme Samsøe
Monday, July 27, 2009
Polyvore World
Polyvore.com is a completely awesome site that lets you put together outfits or rooms from any products you can find on the web. Go try it out and lose many hours. Below, my bathroom renovation:
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
If Wishes were Fishes
I had an idea around 3am this morning, and that idea was this:
What would I do if I had no children?
Children are lovely, and bring a lot of joy to life. They also absorb an extraordinary amount of time and energy. So I thought, I'll make a list of things I would do if I didn't have children. And then I'll do them anyway.
Go to Paris
Sew my own clothes
Cook dishes that contain blue cheese, capers, or zucchini, all of which I really like
Paint my nails
Ride my bicycle
Walk to work
Go to the farmer's market
Wear expensive jewelry, silk dresses and pretty shoes. Maybe not on the same days that I walk to work.
Drink wine
Go on picnics
Go see grown up movies
What would I do if I had no children?
Children are lovely, and bring a lot of joy to life. They also absorb an extraordinary amount of time and energy. So I thought, I'll make a list of things I would do if I didn't have children. And then I'll do them anyway.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Grill It Up - Portobellos in Heaven
We recently had a barbecue and I invented an entree for the veggie guests. It was a huge hit, so without further delay I give you the recipe for Grilled Portobello mushrooms with brie and lemon thyme. Just be prepared to be knocked over by greedy guests trying to get to these...
portobello mushrooms
olive oil
fresh lemon thyme
pepper and sea salt
brie
Oil the tops and bottoms of the mushrooms. Place a couple slices of brie on each mushroom. Top with sprigs of lemon thyme and grind over some pepper and sprinkle on the sea salt. Grill until mushrooms are shriveling a bit and brie is melted.
If you were ambitious, you could serve these on a slice of buttery grilled garlic toast with a little dressed frisee on the side.
portobello mushrooms
olive oil
fresh lemon thyme
pepper and sea salt
brie
Oil the tops and bottoms of the mushrooms. Place a couple slices of brie on each mushroom. Top with sprigs of lemon thyme and grind over some pepper and sprinkle on the sea salt. Grill until mushrooms are shriveling a bit and brie is melted.
If you were ambitious, you could serve these on a slice of buttery grilled garlic toast with a little dressed frisee on the side.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Printable Stationery
I'm in love with printable stationery. It's instant gratification (you are emailed a pdf) and you print only as many as you need. And it's CHEAP! Here are some of my recent purchases:
Printable cherry blossom stationery set from print.abilities on Etsy. Free library card and envelope printables from creaturecomforts
Creature Comforts Personalized Owl stationery set from vanityclaire on Etsy.
Printable cherry blossom stationery set from print.abilities on Etsy. Free library card and envelope printables from creaturecomforts
Creature Comforts Personalized Owl stationery set from vanityclaire on Etsy.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
We're in Outer Space
It's all about space at our house these days (and poop, but you don't want to hear about that). We found this book at the library last night and read it before bed. What a great idea! Jack wants to visit all the planets and this book discusses what it would be like to go on a mission to the moon.
We recently bought him this poster and framed it and he sits in front of it naming all the planets.
We recently bought him this poster and framed it and he sits in front of it naming all the planets.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Question
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them?
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Making me Happy - June
Jack is so interested in outer space these days. Fortunately, we've got lots of space books, and we've gotten some videos from the library. I also came across these posters at art.com:
The vegetable garden in May:
The vegetable garden in June:
The vegetable garden in May:
The vegetable garden in June:
Monday, June 15, 2009
Post. Just post.
This should be post-partum, or post-pregnancy, or post-birth. But there has been so much going on, I can't sum it up in one word. Post-chaos, maybe.
We had a baby on May 10th, and I had a successful VBAC, and no, I didn't die, which almost never happens, but that's not the same as never. And then I had a major depressive episode and spent three weeks wishing I had died there in the delivery room. And then there were doctors and meds and sleepless nights and going back to work and money and all that. But Charlie is doing well, he's getting the hang of sleeping at night, and he's starting to smile and laugh. That makes things much easier.
It's hard. Sometimes I wish I wasn't here, but somewhere else alone. The desert maybe, watching the sun set, or Paris, sitting in a cafe and maybe not quite alone. Being a mother involves a certain loss of identity - you sometimes feel as if you are the least important person in your house. But you aren't; you are the most important person, but only for what you can give.
We had a baby on May 10th, and I had a successful VBAC, and no, I didn't die, which almost never happens, but that's not the same as never. And then I had a major depressive episode and spent three weeks wishing I had died there in the delivery room. And then there were doctors and meds and sleepless nights and going back to work and money and all that. But Charlie is doing well, he's getting the hang of sleeping at night, and he's starting to smile and laugh. That makes things much easier.
It's hard. Sometimes I wish I wasn't here, but somewhere else alone. The desert maybe, watching the sun set, or Paris, sitting in a cafe and maybe not quite alone. Being a mother involves a certain loss of identity - you sometimes feel as if you are the least important person in your house. But you aren't; you are the most important person, but only for what you can give.
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