The End of Colorado

I know that I've had a lot to say about our trip. We've been back for ten days and we are still reeling, even through the move. The end of our story beings with our drive through Independence Pass and our day in Denver. It was a long journey and the views were amazing. We stood in snow, ate amazing food, and dove into a rooftop pool (ok the boys did that not me). Here's how it looked.

Yes, that is the windshield and I apologize but it was such a nerve-wracking drive and we didn't stop all that much.  That sign is basically suggesting a full on U-Turn in the snow, on a mountain, with no guard rail. No biggie. 

We hopped out at the Continental Divide for our official photo while the babe slept in the back.

One of the most important things that happened that day was this amazing cup of coffee from Happy Coffee once we got to Denver. I was tired and ready to get out. What a great neighborhood recommendation from a friend (you Jennifer). We loved every store and picked up a few things to take home

The rooftop pool was amazing and O loved looking down on the city. We ate at Steuben's and walked the city blocks. It was the perfect get away.

And once we got home, we were all happy to be there for a couple of more days. Happy Friday, friends!

The Move

This has been exhausting. Even with the incredible help of professional movers this has been so much work! We are getting dressed out of boxes and dealing with a very confused toddler that refuses to sleep though the night. All that said, I'm doing my best to recognize that old saying that home is where the heart is and right now that's in this apartment with my boys. Happy Wednesday!

P.S. If you live in Cleveland, check out Live on Lakeside today on WKYC Channel 3 to catch a glimpse of my bow ties! If not, I'll try and post the online version once it's up!

Super Tomato Sauce

Oliver has been on a bit of a vegetable strike these days that came out of nowhere. The only exception being the kale in his breakfast smoothies. So I had to come up with a plan.

I talked to a mom friend of mine about a "super vegetable" sauce that she'd read about online and that inspired me to make my own. Well sort of, I started with a jar of sauce from the store. Here's what I did.

Ingredients:
1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
1/2 red pepper
1/2 cup frozen peas
3/4 cup chopped frozen broccoli
Vegetable stock as needed
Cooked pasta
Parmesan cheese

Thanks to the Vitamix I can just put all the frozen veggies directly into the blender with vegetable stock. I chopped them on a low speed then turned it up and onto high to steam and cook the veggies. If that's not an option steam them on the stove and purée.

Warm the jarred sauce on the stovetop and mix in the super veggie mix. Ads grated cheese and stir into pasta. I just felt like this was the added vegetable meal that little man needed. The sauce was thick and tasted almost creamy. Give it a try and see what you think!

A Wedding in the Mountains

Two of our friends got married up in the mountains of Colorado, although I'm sure you already know that since I can't stop talking about it. The ceremony was heartfelt and sweet. The couple had already been together for ten years to the day and their little guy just turned one the week before so it was a pretty special day. The step-father of the groom performed the ceremony with wisdom and true love in his heart. It was an honor to witness their union and be surrounded by an amazing bunch of people.

The sweetest moment between father and son right before the bride came down the aisle.

After the ceremony we enjoyed mountain views in very bright sunshine, had an amazing meal, and then let loose on that dance floor. I tried my best at the Greek dancing but I just couldn't keep up! Congratulations my lovely friends, we are still so happy we could be there. 

Thank You, Cleveland

I know I've said this before, but this time is special. Every once and awhile exciting things happen to me and this is one of them! Cleveland Magazine awarded me a Best of Cleveland Award for Best Baby Bowties! Check out the article in stores now (there aren't links up yet otherwise I'd provide). I'm super excited and humbled to even have been noticed out there in the sea that is Etsy. What an honor. I can only thank the inspirational photos that I saw many months ago that inspired me to set forth on making bow ties for my little guy. He's the best model, and sport for wearing my ties on a whim, on a Tuesday morning. I also have to thank Charity for spying my ties on Instagram and inviting me to take part in her show in July. It gave me a goal and set me on a path to styling any little guy out there willing to clip on a tie. The cheering on from friends and family has been amazing as well. And Brian, your branding is just so great. So thank you Cleveland! I love you, happy Friday!

Babes on Planes

Oliver came back from Colorado a seasoned traveler. He was a champ on the plane! And the train, and the subsequent three hour car ride. Getting up to Snowmass required a lot of travel but he did it perhaps even better than me! We kept him busy with a few new small toys, a decent amount of his favorite snacks, and borrowed an iPad (although that didn't prove to be the winning element). 

He wore these headphones for about as long as it took for me to snap this photo. He much preferred them on the floor than on his head. I think the new scenery was distraction enough for the most part. Although we would not have minded if he slept on the plane but that wasn't happening.

He got to stretch his legs as we waited for the rental car and even played a bit with another waiting toddler. Once we were in the car he was knocked out! We stopped again and played at this beautiful rest stop that had a scenic river and a real live train for him to snoop around in. Other than a few irritated squeals towards the end of the drive he did great. How do you keep your little one entertained for travel?

Bye, Bye Balloon

Let this be the first of many posts about our amazing trip to Colorado. We had such a great trip sightseeing, visiting with friends, and enjoying the fresh mountain air. The wedding weekend luckily coincided with the Snowmass Balloon Festival. And our first morning unfortunately started well before dawn so we were up and ready to go and see these color balloons against the most amazing backdrop. The skies were bright blue and the mountains were glorious. It was a bit chilly but the sun was warm. We grabbed a cup of coffee at the festival, a croissant for the babe and we were ready to enjoy. As each balloon took off Oliver waved and said "bye, bye balloon." It was just so cute. There is no other way to proceed than to just do a photo dump for you to enjoy. I hope that you do!

We are happy to be home and lucky to have had such a great trip as a family and also to spend it with so many good friends too!

Appliance Love.

I recently fell deeply in love with an appliance and I think it's an everlasting love. Yes, Vitamix, you are everything I dreamed of in a blender. You make me delicious smoothies, cook my soup, and mix my pesto up to perfection. I have already picked out a spot for you in the new apartment. Thank you for understanding what we need. I'm sure I sound like a lunatic, but I mean it. You're the best! Happy Tuesday!

One Week

In one week this won't be our house. Goodness what a mixed bag of emotions! It's so fabulous that we sold so quickly but the reality of not going home to this place is tough! We've been lucky to have great neighbors while making a home here. We'll miss you! We are looking forward to a new beginning though. On that note, happy Monday!

Cleveland City Nights

Tonight is Art Walk in Tremont from 6-9 and Banyan Tree is featuring the fabulous jewelry of Erica from On The Lookout. I picked out my very favorite new necklace from her summer collection back in July and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for fall! So grab your buddies and come on down to a fun event and support local arts!



Happy Friday friends! We are really looking forward to a fun wedding tomorrow night! What are you up to?

Images: On the Lookout

Away We Go

Ok, so those aren't the mountains that we are headed to but isn't that a cool shot? It's from a few years back on our way to Seattle. Vacation could not have come soon enough! I'm a little nervous about the flight and then drive to Snowmass with the babe in tow but I think he'll be a trouper. Fingers crossed! We've been packing, moving, and stressing pretty much nonstop these last few weeks so I'm more than excited to take off! We will be spending the next few days up in the mountains of Colorado. I'm so excited to check out the places that you all recommended, swim, eat, and relax. And of course, celebrate the wedding of some pretty awesome friends!

There's just something about airplanes that makes me excited, even when I just see them flying overhead. It's the allure of the destination, the promise of a new adventure, the dream of sunshine. Wave when you see us fly over today, we'll see you soon Cleveland.

Tomato Jammin'

Last Saturday I picked all of these tomatoes at once! It was pertinent that I do something with them. They were on their last legs and needed to be used stat. I'd been thinking of tomato jam since I read an article about it way back when. Then I saw someone on TV making it and it seemed like a sign. I found a few different recipes, here and here. I would like to note that the cooking time is really long so make sure that you have time on your hands for this one! I based mine on those combined with what was in our cabinet and it turned out so delicious! We've used it on an egg sandwich and on grilled cheese. I'm a huge fan and hope that you love it too! I

 Image: bottom

Seven Years

Today is our seven year wedding anniversary! Where does the time go? I wanted to share a few of my favorite wedding photos in honor of my favorite man today. I feel like such a lucky lady to have someone to share my days with. We've truly been blessed with a happy life together. Thank you babe, I love you.

Images: Stephen Cutri

Surrounded

Our life at home is surrounded by boxes. Room after room packed up or thrown out. We have to decide what we can't live without for the next few months in the apartment and what we can stash away in various homes around the city. Patio furniture is obvious but what's in the box that I ambiguously labeled "decor" when we had to depersonalize this place to sell it? Do I need it? Should I open it or continue to live without it? Time will tell.

But last night we got to have the best welcome to our new home...Oliver's BFF came over and ran up and down the hall (sorry new neighbors...) laughing and playing. We ate a picnic on the new porch and listened to the sounds of the new neighborhood. This will work. It will be great. Happy Friday, friends! Here's to new beginnings!

On the Grill: Vegetable Feast

We feasted on vegetables from the farmer's market over the long holiday weekend. Corn is a household favorite these days so we have to grill two ears for the boy. He ate both! We also picked up some semi-hot peppers, which were actually fully hot just to be clear. Tossed them on the grill with a little olive oil until they charred up, smashed them with a fork and spread on a nice grilled baguette. It was so simple but so tasty. I think it would make a great dip if you mixed it with the right cheese.

Oliver's place setting makes me happy. Glistening peppers ready for the grill. Yow, they were spicy! And a nice country wheat baguette to round out all those veggies. What are your favorite things to grill?