Kansas City- A Review in Pictures

Monday, June 17, 2013

Kansas City Squares
Some of my favorite moments captured on my phone from our trip.

Top Row:
1. My first glimpse of downtown as we crossed the Broadway Bridge.
2. Visiting the Indigo Wild factory where I bought a crazy amount of goat's milk soap to last me the rest of the year. I have never smelled more amazing scents in one place. It was overwhelming (in a good way).
3. Macaroons and people-watching at the City Market.

Middle Row:
4. Inside Black Bamboo, where I ogled over Herman Miller chairs and other gorgeous out-of-my-league furniture.
5. A drive through some of the fanciest neighborhoods I have ever seen. Governor-worthy mansions were everywhere.
6. The drive back from Weston, where it wasn't hard to imagine the town as it was 150 years ago.

Bottom Row:
7. Exploring the sketchy railroad tracks and the (mostly covered up) graffiti art.
8. Broadway Street.
9. One of the many, many downtown lofts for sale. Trent and I joked constantly about packing up and moving into one of those awesome buildings.

For My Dad

Sunday, June 16, 2013

My Dad and I.
My dad, rocking the polo and black aviators, and me, in the summer of '89 in Osh Kosh, drinking Cranapple.

Things I Inherited from My Dad:

-A unique sense of humor.
-A love of books.
-Appreciation for old movies, particularly ones with Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, and Bing Crosby.
-Secret knowledge pertaining to the Art of the Grilled Cheese.
-A talent for writing and journaling.
-A photographers eye and love of film.

Happy Father's Day, dad. I owe so much of who I am to you.

Mid-West is Best

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Kansas City
City Market
City Market
Something I noticed about Kansas City, aside from the historical charm, was the constant repair work being done. It seemed like everywhere we went something was being painted, spackled, or jack-hammered. There were fountains everywhere, which spouted streams of foamy white water. It is no wonder that Kansas City is known as the city of fountains. Large, long stretches of highway and land separated barns from housing communities. We toured a very large portion of the area, and I saw neighborhoods full of immaculate mansions, as well as neighborhoods that had been in disrepair for at least a decade. I was told that the crime rate in the city is very high, and it’s not hard to imagine why when you observe the discrepancy of wealth. That disrepair and decay was what really drew me to the city though. The imperfection added a sort of delicacy to the industrial brick and metal foundation. Advertisements for Downtown lofts were everywhere, converted from hundred year-old factories and warehouses. It’s the largest city I’ve ever been to, aside from downtown Portland, Oregon. I gasped when we crossed the bridge into the city, which rose up in a sort of story-book way in the midst the flatness of the land surrounding it.

Trent’s mom, Shelley, and a co-worker of hers gave us a local’s tour of the City Market, which was nestled in a clearing between restaurants and apartment buildings. It is one of my favorite places we visited. Rows of collective booths sold varieties of fruit and vegetables, as well as flowers, spices, loose teas, and freshly-baked goods. We bought macaroons and basked in the hustle and bustle.

Culturally, the food stood out to me as something that Missourians take pride in. The portions were enormous, and cuts of meat were high-quality and readily available in grocery stores. Kansas City is famous for their barbecue, and we were blown away by the experience we had at Jack Stack’s. The meat, atmosphere, and service were all top notch, though in retrospect, I kick myself for ordering a salad (who does that at a world-famous barbecue joint?). The burnt-ends and ribs were to die for, which Trent graciously shared off of his king’s platter of samplings. I also highly recommend the cheesy corn, which was like a mac-n-cheese with corn and bits of thick bacon instead of pasta.

The mid-west was warm and welcoming of us, and I was constantly impressed by the art and variety of people we saw. It all seemed very “up-and-coming”, and filled me with a sense of excitement. I am all for places that nurture an attitude of independence and individuality as Kansas City clearly does.

Weston, Missouri

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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En route, long, hilly roads, drizzly weather, old money and large mansions on sprawling estates. The absence of mountains on the skyline. Green on both sides of the road. Spiny trees in thick clumps. Shopping bags in the cramped back seat. Intersecting highway roads, radio blaring. A four-way stop and a sign to point us in the right direction. The sudden feeling of going back in time. Wooden fences. Barns, old and new. Pre-Civil War buildings. Mossy brick walls supporting ledges of sprouting greenery. Talk of an underground bar. Wineries. A broad main street lined with closed brick and mortar shops. Kitschy window displays of children’s toys, cake stands, and porcelain teapots. A vintage shop with an unlocked door and a friendly man and woman who welcomed us in. Small talk and friendly questions regarding my camera. Quaker-style chairs and tassled velvet couches. Large, dark paintings on exposed brick walls. A gorgeous capiz shell chandelier and the warm light it cast when lit. Wet asphalt. Wooden power lines. Steepled churches. A looming black water tower with white blocked letters. Gas-lit street lights. Charming bed and breakfasts situated atop cobble-stone corners. Rocking chairs on wrap-around porches.

These are some of the things that I will remember about Weston, a place I would love to revisit again someday. At the time, I kept thinking what a nice wedding destination it would make, what with all the bed and breakfasts, wineries, and old-world charm it had to offer.

The photo below of Trent is one of my favorite from the trip. Being there on a Sunday gave the eerie sense that we were the last people alive (aside from the two shopkeepers, who explained that most of the old buildings had no back entrances, hence the unlocked door).

We took this day trip all the way back in April alongside our vacation to Kansas City where we were visiting Trent’s mom. I hadn’t gotten around to editing the photos until now, and looking back, I miss it a lot.

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I Take a Walk

Saturday, June 8, 2013

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A walk from last weekend meant to clear the cobwebs in my brain and soak up some sun.

Me, camera in hand, sunglasses in hair, skipping from uneven corner to uneven corner, snapping pictures beside bemused dog walkers and gardeners.

Too much consistency is as bad for the mind as it is for the body. Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are the dead.” -Aldous Huxly

The Spring Jacket

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Spring Coats
Yes, Summer is very much just around the corner now, but I've been on the hunt for the perfect Spring jacket for months now, and it has been maddening trying to find something I like online and in stores.

In going through some of my inspiration, I'm noticing my love for loose-fitting, flow-y coats. They look so versatile and comfortable!

Ikea Family Postcards

Thursday, May 16, 2013

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How about these postcards that I found in an Ikea interiors book? I took a trip there with my sister for a bit of list-making/idea generating and came out with their collection of three Ikea interiors books. To be honest- I wasn't too impressed with a lot of it, though there is some fun styling.

Tucked in an envelope on the inside cover of one of them was a handfull of postcards that seemed more 'lifestlye' than 'artificial-lit set' and I just had to share.

I love that about Ikea- most of it seems flat and unspecial- but every now and then they'll surprise you with some gems.

Lately on Instagram

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Lately on Instagram

The weather is (finally!) warming up around here, and with it, a new sense of excitement and inspiration. I've been attacking home projects like crazy on the weekends, getting closer and closer to my vision for our home.

A bit of a recap of the last few weeks via my Instagram feed:

Top Row
1. Caught this scene of someone working on a backdrop in Anthropologie - one of my favorite stores to wander on my lunch break.
2. One pop tart. Plain and untoasted, please.
3. Inside Black Bamboo- a modern furniture store we visited while in Kansas City a couple weeks back.

Bottom Row
4. Typical Sunday breakfast of eggs with shredded spinach and goat cheese.
5. Some street art seen on my daily commute downtown on State Street.
6. A wall in progress- the color is by Martha Stewart and is called "Bone Folder". It's a gorgeous cross between white and a sunshine-y eggshell.

Follow my feed here!

West Elm

Sunday, March 31, 2013

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I love the styling in the newest West Elm catalog. It has all the elements of something coming to life- something old, something new, and something green.

Lately on Instagram.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Lately on Instagram

I was a late joiner to the Instagram craze, and now that I'm a part of it, I completely understand the allure. I love that I'm able to follow all of my favorite artists, photographers and bloggers all together, and in an equal format. It's such a great way to connect to people and to follow interesting lives and careers. Not to mention the ability to keep tabs on my close friends!You can find my feed here.

Some of my favorite Instragrammers:

3191milesapart
heatherzweig
bonnietsang
suskandbanoo
anotherfeather
amerrymishap

Who are you following that you can't get enough of?

Quiet Contemplation

Sunday, March 24, 2013

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Spring is finally here, but with it came more snow and freezing mornings. I'm trying to relish in the last bits of cold- as I always seem to miss it as soon as it's gone.

One of my favorite meals to make lately has been a chicken broth-based soup of some kind- made with a simple grocery store rotisserie chicken, picked clean and eaten with rice, then stewed with vegetables and water for a few hours until the bones are clean.

The soup above was split pea with mushroom. I used this recipe as inspiration.

I sure have missed this space. It feels good to be back into the semi-swing of things after so much change and craziness since November when I started working downtown.

I can say with some confidence that I feel I've carved out a bit of a groove for myself amidst the chaos, and I feel newly resolved to throw myself back into art and writing and the projects that have been resting on the back-burner of my mind for far too long now.

It feels good to be back.

Winter Light

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

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This time of year gets so busy...

The holidays creep up (Christmas is in six days!), the days are dark and cold, and I'm hard at work at my new job- trying to learn all that I can before I transition into my official position as an admin at the bank. It's all I can do lately to find the quiet, light moments in the day and really relax into it. I relish in the weekends- the mornings I can sleep in and make a nice breakfast. Most of my shopping is done, save for a few small, last minute things. Trent and I had the idea of buying each other knit stockings this year and filling them with small gifts. I have my hopes up for some black licorice and Burt's Bees hand salve.

Also- Our little Charlie Brown tree is a great- no messy needles! I'm enjoying the no-pressure approach to Christmas decorations this year..

"Casual Feasting"

Sunday, November 25, 2012

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Much delicious food was had and many feelings of gratefulness were felt.

We visited family and explored a little farm full of goats, chickens, and a flirtatious cow.

I scribbled notes on green and yellow paper leaves and pasted them to a hand-painted kraft paper Thankful Tree full of things like "friends", "family", "self-service checkouts", and "high water pressure".

This year we were also invited to a post-Thanksgiving "everyone bring something" dinner with close friends, and I'm convinced that this will become a yearly thing. All the traditional dishes were present (and then some), with good wine and even better conversation.

Above: fixings for a truly incredible pecan pie. Corn syrup- free, with maple brown sugar and roasted cinnamon. I adapted the recipe from here.

Pumpkin-Ginger Banana Bread

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

banana bread
As I scrolled through my morning blogs on Sunday morning while sipping coffee, I suddenly had the urge to make something delicious that embodied the autumn weather we're in right now. When I pictured it, I imagined something moist with ginger and pumpkin puree, so I went to work researching a simple recipe I could whip up quickly and throw into the oven.

I used this recipe as a jumping off point- and a substitution of coconut oil for canola oil added even more subtle flavor.

It was warm and fragrant, and became more and more delicious every day. I highly recommend you eat it on a lazy Sunday afternoon with no agenda. (It would also be fantastic with some slivers of dark chocolate.)
I can only imagine what fresh or crystallized ginger would have done.

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Pumpkin-Ginger Banana Bread: 
2 mashed ripe bananas 
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil
2 eggs 
2 cups flour (I did one cup of white, one cup of wheat)
1/2 cup rolled oats 
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda 
1/2 tsp salt 
2/3 cup sugar 
1/2 tsp nutmeg 
1/2 tsp ground ginger 
1 tsp cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 350 and spray a loaf pan (or 4 mini loaf pans) with non-stick cooking spray or oil. Place mashed banana, pumpkin puree, coconut oil, and eggs in a large bowl. Beat with an electronic mixer on low speed. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon in  and stir with a whisk. Add flour mixture to banana and pumpkin mixture and beat until just moist (don't over-mix!). Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 1 hour or until toothpick placed in center comes out clean. 

Serve with a generous pat of butter and enjoy.

Catching Up.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

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The floors are chilly, and my winter clothes are strewn about the bedroom because I have no room in my closet for anything more. I have yet to sort through it all. This week I focused on catching up- I took the week off from work to organize my thoughts and clean up the house. Over the course of a few months, the small things that used to be manageable were overwhelming, and I knew I needed a time-out. 

I woke up late, drank tea in front of my computer for hours, washed dishes by hand, and got a haircut.
I set my Pandora station set to Caribou radio, and it’s been fueling desire to get things done.
I joined Istagram and attempted to wrangle my iphone camera. I pinned. I revisited my tumblr. I tweeted. I read and caught up on my favorite blogs.

I am about to start a new job. It is on the 13th floor of a  tall building in downtown Salt Lake City, and I have that nervous flutter in my stomach every time I think about it. The change is as scary as it is good.


For Halloween, we spent time with close friends. We drank cider and ate pecan pie. Pumpkins were carved, and a scary movie or two was watched. 


Overall- life is good. We are happy.


Apparitions

Thursday, October 18, 2012

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As that little plant wanders around the sunniest spots in the house, Spook will follow.
I have my eye on you, Spooky.

At Its Core

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Butcher Station.

“Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.” 

Lao Tzu

Small Pleasures

Sunday, October 7, 2012


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I'm rediscovering simple pleasures after a two week long business trip to Scottsdale, Arizona for the company I'm working for.

I love simple living, but after a few days of travel-sized everything, I started to yearn for small, seemingly insignificant comforts.

Things like drinking out of my own coffee mugs in the morning before work,
the smell of our towels after a hot shower,
polished fingernails,
watching my favorite movies in bed,
and slow cooked, home-made meals have a whole new depth and pleasure to them.

It feels so good to be home.

The sassy teacup above is the creation of Michelle Christensen, a wonderful artist and illustrator I met at the 9th and 9th street fair a few weeks ago. It was amazing to meet her in person. I'm a huge fan of her illustration work, and her collection of hand-painted dishes was irresistible. I need to own them all!

In the bedroom.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

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I want this to be my life always right now.
To be able to stay in bed forever and never leave these two.

Over the last few very busy weeks, my favorite pastimes have become:

-Napping
-Brunch
-Staring at the unpainted corners of my bedroom.
-Netflix.
-Acoustic versions of my favorite songs.

Hope you are doing well as well.

Ghost Shell

Sunday, September 2, 2012

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My neighborhood is changing. Sugarhouse has always been this old, charming bit of town- far enough from the city to feel intimate, but close enough to feel connected. I've always loved it for that reason.

A big shopping center is being built, which I'm sure will bring a lot of money and opportunity to my part of town, but it's hard not to feel nostalgic about the change.

Change is completely inevitable. I find myself battling against it- sometimes without even realizing it. The most shocking can be when you suddenly look around and realize that the change has already happened, and you're now in a different present than you had previously thought. It's a double-edged sword. Like anything, it becomes whatever you make of it.

The most I can hope for is that I can do what makes me happy. And I am happy. Very happy.

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