Forget Nature Valley

By | Published Wednesday, May 4, 2011


My Mom used to make granola bars for me when I lived at home and would continue sending treats like these to me via mail at college.  I've never been a fan of store bought granola bars; they are usually too hard, processed, and expensive for me to justify buying.  Plus, homemade is always better, so forget Nature Valley! These are not that healthiest of homemade granola bars that I've ever made, but they are delicious and double as a easy snack and dessert! 



Ingredients
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup Earth Balance spread (vegan option) or butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)
1 (6-oz) pkg semisweet chocolate chips or carob chips

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13X9 inch pan. 
Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, agave, Earth Balance, and vanilla in a bowl; blend well. Add all remaining ingredients and mix. Press evenly in pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly brown. Cool for about an hour before cutting bars. 


Did you mom or dad ever send you sweet little treats for you while you were away from home?
What were your favorite to get?

Enjoy your Wednesday!
 I'm heading out for a run in this beautiful sunshine. 

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On the Shores

By | Published Monday, May 2, 2011

On the shores of Lake Michigan is the perfect setting for a wedding...or at least Zach and I think so.
Saturday afternoon was spent at Camp Blodgett, where we will be getting married! We took much needed measurements and pictures so I can create a layout and floor plan for the ceremony and reception. It was really windy on the beach, but the sun felt so good and got me so excited about how the wedding day might be!  Aside from heading out to Camp Blodgett and walking through nine open houses on Sunday, we really didn't do much. Yay for a not so busy weekend! 



This is the amazing view we'll be enjoying on our wedding day. I love it. 





Shirt: Target, Skirt: Tulle,  Shoes: Thrifted
Necklaces: Karla's Place, Bloomington Craft Fair, Bridal Gift from Kenz
Watch: Heirloom Estate Sale, Bracelet: Gift

I love pockets in skirts. 

After surveying the Camp, Zach and I headed down to Holland. I wanted to do a little shopping and Zach needed to catch up on papers for his MBA class, so I left him at Lemonjello's. Sometimes I miss living in Holland. This weekend was the perfect example of what I adore about this quaint lake shore town...beautiful weather, tulips starting to bloom, and everyone out and about.  As much as I now call Grand Rapids home, a little part of me will forever stay in Holland. 




Happy Monday lovelies! 
I hope this week treats you well. 


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A Hearth At Home

By | Published Friday, April 29, 2011


Let me tell you, house hunting is deceivingly harder than it appears. What HGTV doesn't tell all you "property virgins" out there is that you will spend way too much time looking at all the houses for sale, fall in love with a few, stress about making an offer on the right house, freak out about the finances involved, and then become incredibly distraught and nervous when a couple of the houses sell before you can even walk them. Someone please remind me again why we decide to look at houses two months before the wedding? 
I'm going to blame this one on Zach. :)  

This past week as Zach and I scoured the real estate websites for houses, I began to realize that all the houses I immediately adored had one thing in common…a fireplace. 

Here is what I envision when I ponder about my future home with that glorious fireplace:
As the sun starts to set and dinner is finished, I grab my latest read with my Pinot Noir in tow.  Walking to the den, the scent of burning logs envelops the room in a pleasing way. My feet cross over from the hardwood floor to our plush shag rug, where our new doggy rests upon. Flopping down on the sofa with a sign of relief, the flames from the fireplace crackle and dance about; I'm instantly subdued by it's song.  Hours I spend absorbed in my novel, only taking a break to stoke the dwindling fire. As the fire warms the room, it is only a matter of time before it lulls me to sleep.  It is the perfect end to a quiet night at home. 



Just few lovelies I like. 
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So what would be the one element of a house that you couldn't do without? 
Any down sides to having a fireplace that I should be aware of? 

Happy Friday to you all! Have a lovely weekend!

-KateLainey




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Purple Aubergines

By | Published Wednesday, April 27, 2011

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The eggplant, otherwise known as an aubergine, has been a fruit that I've loved since grade school. Unfortunately, it hasn't been until the last year that I've actually ventured out and tried different recipes for this tender nightshade. In stews, pasta sauce, and Indian masala; eggplant can be utilized like a vegetable to enrich a meal to it's potential.  I've been trying to come up with meals that I can teach Zach; ones that require no recipe and just a few ingredients.  Grilled eggplant on ciabatta has become one of his favorites. 


First corn I've tasted this year!
Anxiously awaiting fresh ears from Illinois. 




Ingredients
1 eggplant (used half)
Few mushrooms
Pasta sauce (homemade or store bought)
Ciabatta bread
Olive Oil

Directions
Slice the eggplant and place in colander, sprinkling evenly with salt. 
(This will help remove excess moisture and prevent the eggplant from being super soggy!)
Let sit for at least 20-40 minutes. Once they are drained, use a plate or cookie sheet to press down and remove more moisture. With a paper towel, remove excess salt and wipe dry.
You can use a grill or saute the eggplant on the stove, but we just used our panini maker to grill them. 
Brush just a tad of olive oil on eggplant, adding mushrooms, onions, or whatever toppings you prefer. 
Slice bread and toast in oven. 
Place eggplant, toppings, and spread pasta sauce on top.

Easy aubergines!

What ways to you enjoy eating eggplant?
I'm thinking eggplant fries might be on my list of recipes to make...


-KateLainey



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Easter Weekend

By | Published Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter is always a wonderful holiday I look forward to each year. 
 After a long and hilly 20 mile run on Saturday, it was refreshing to bum around for the rest of the afternoon, head to Portage to bowl with friends, and sleep into 8:30 a.m. on Sunday!  Getting together with family (even if they aren't my own...yet) and celebrating new life was exactly what I needed this weekend. 
Spring seemed so evident on Sunday, especially as I hid Easter eggs amongst the flowers and budding foliage.
I loved that I could sport a skirt sans tights...still waiting on that tank and shorts weather. 










 Top: Thrifted, Vest: jb & me, Skirt: Thrifted
Belt: JCrew Outlet, Shoes: Target, Necklace: c/o Blue Poppy Jewelry

Spring is such a blessing after a crummy winter. I love seeing all the animals run about as nature becomes more vivid in colors. Life in abundance makes it appearance; I swear I always seem more pregnant ladies or super cute babies around spring time.  As much as I disliked this past winter, it takes the bad to make the good seem so much sweeter. Things must fall apart before they can be fixed. We must go through the dead of winter to get to the birth of spring, our houses and lives become messy and hectic before we can clean it up, muscles need to be torn in hopes of building bigger and stronger ones, and relationships must be broken in order to be mended.  This is why I love spring, it is a constant reminder that life is a cycle...that no matter how hard it is, it will get better.


Did you have a great weekend? Get any goodies from the Easter bunny? :)

-KateLainey






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Daisies & Roses

By | Published Friday, April 22, 2011


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This past week I finalized the flower selection for my wedding!  Back in October I had pretty much narrowed down all the flowers, but recently realized that I wanted to create more color to the bridesmaids bouquets and centerpieces, so additional pale and bright yellow roses and daisies were added.  I'm super excited to see how these turn out; I know my florist, Laura Truer, will do an amazing job! 

Do you think this floral selection will cohere well with my color and style scheme? 
I know I can't go wrong with my favorite flower. :)

Happy Earth Day and Good Friday! 
I hope everyone enjoys their Easter weekend. 

-KateLainey



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Cheery Kitchens

By | Published Wednesday, April 20, 2011

With a little more than two months to go until the wedding day, thoughts of where Zach and I will settle down and call home have been lingering in the backs of our minds. Every so often when we look at houses I dream of cheery kitchens where I can cook my heart out. 

I really want to make my future kitchen appear bright and playful. The colors I have been currently contemplating are turquoise and yellow.  I know these color schemes will probably change a thousand times over until we actually buy the house, but inspiration never hurt anyone! 
Here are a few of my favorite turquoise and yellow kitchens.


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Black White Yellow Blog

Creative Home
Which kitchen is your favorite? 

I'd love to do a back splash in one or both of these colors. Or I could keep the whole kitchen pearly white and bring in all bright accent colors in yellow or turquoise. So many cool choices! 
 If you could remodel your kitchen; what cheery color would you use, if any? 

I hope everyone's week is going well so far. 
Happy Wednesday Lovelies!


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