Monday Motivation

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Friday Roundup

Happy Friday!! It is going to be a wet and windy weekend here in Seattle but I'm excited to spend some time with Patrick (who has been in Oregon the whole week) and Mylo (who is sitting up on his own!). Also, being that I'm definitely a fair weather fan-- Go Hawks!!

Here are some links to get kick off the weekend:

This just blew my mind! Downton Abbey actors being decidedly un-Downton. (Mrs. Hughes! Edith!)

Also, "Downton Tabby" (must buy immediately) and GIRLS remade with kittens as CATS (yesssss.)

The daily routines of famous writers.

25 healthy recipes for the new year.

The best infographics from 2013. Love the last meals one in particular.

Refinery 29 toured Target's AMAZING offices.

I really want this in purple.

Incredible 70 year old untouched apartment discovered in Paris.

How Olivia Pope would handle Chris Christie's bridge scandal.

Amazing window wall house and story.

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A New Chapter

Confession: I have not read a single novel since Myles was born nearly six months ago. This is very unusual for me since I love fiction but I'm sad to say I've spent much more time watching TV and movies than reading. But now that I'm less sleep deprived, Myles is in a normal napping/sleeping pattern, and the winter dreary's have set in I've decided to start reading again! First book up is Gone Girl, I'm sure many of you have read it, about 10 people have recommended it to me. And I need to read it before the movie with Ben Affleck comes out!

Have any other recommendations for me? It needs to be a page turner so I can stay awake (just being honest!). 

PS. 16 books to read before the movies come out in 2014!


(Image above of Leslie Caron reading in her dressing room in 1951 during the filming of ‘The Man with a Cloak’ from this fabulous Tumblr: Awesome People Reading)

Healthier Banana Bread

I had some brown bananas. 

I'm trying to eat somewhat healthier this month. Hmmm...what to do? 

A little bit of googling later, I came across this recipe on Lavender and Olive which substituted agave and canola oil for refined sugar and butter in banana bread, so that's what I started with. I ended up taking it a few steps further, subbing in whole wheat flour and coconut oil. Oh, and then chocolate chips. Because, well... there really wasn't a health reason for that one. Oops!

Healthier Banana Bread 

adapted from Lavender and Olive

Ingredients:

1-2/3 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking power
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup agave nectar
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
3 ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup chocolate chips, or as many as you want :)

Preheat the oven to 350.

Grease a 9x5x3 loaf pan.

Sift flour, salt, baking soda and baking power in a bowl and put aside.

In a separate bowl, mash bananas. Add vanilla, agave nectar, coconut oil and eggs and mix them together.

Fold the wet ingredients gently into dry just until they mix evenly, adding chocolate chips at the end.

Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes. Remove from pan, set on rack to cool. 

Ferry Tale Wedding

Last weekend Jenny and I attended our friend Shannon's wedding to her guy Peter in one of the most unique wedding venue's I've ever experienced -- on the deck of a Washington State Ferry! All 200 guests walked on to the ferry at 5:35 and the wedding began a few minutes later -- the bridal party and bride walked down the "aisle" in between ferry seats and by the time we reached Bremerton the adorable couple kissed and were pronounced husband and wife! We spent the next few hours partying on the water in Bremerton and then caught the 60 minute ferry back to Seattle. Kudos to Shannon and Peter for doing something different, loved the fresh, fun and laid back vibe of their special day. (Thanks for the pics Ash!)

Jenny and I waiting for the ceremony to start

The beautiful bride and groom

Their signature cocktail - the Moscow Mule! Need to get me some of these copper glasses. 

Wedding Wednesday: A Veil

Jason and I had a marvelous time shooting Catherine & Richy's wedding a few weeks back. I was really loving Catherine's entire look, I'd call it classically chic. And the veil really pulled it all together. Here are a few shots...

Enjoying January

Why is it always so depressing to take down Christmas decorations?  It's like the fun part of winter is over and now we have to hunker down and survive the blah-ness that is January-March. So, for me, this is the perfect time to write a list, reminding myself of all the things I enjoy about winter...

1. SOUP! (some of my favorites: Carrot, Truffled Cauliflower, and Teresa's Easy Taco Soup)

2. Sweaters, slippers, tea, candles and all other things cosy and warm. 

3. Fires in the fireplace. Even though it's no longer Christmastime, this still makes things feel festive.

4. Not feeling guilty about wasting a day by curling up inside with a good book (I just started this one...). If it's rainy and grey, you might as well be inside! 

5. Award Season. Each year Teresa makes a goal to watch all of the Academy Awards Best Picture nominees. 

6. Great TV! The Sochi Olympics start in February and Downton Abbey is back on PBS and it's a great time to catch up on shows you might have missed. I have no idea how I missed the memo on Orphan Black (BBC America)  and Bletchley Circle (available on Netflix). I'm starting those now.

7. Healthy living. Whether it's on Pinterest, Facebook or even emails from my favorite yoga studio, inspiration to be healthier abounds in January. It's a great time to jump on the bandwagon and make positive changes. Lets face it, we have no real excuse to eat an entire box of chocolate in one sitting until Valentines Day.