1.24.2011

Weekend Warmth





We had a terribly cold weekend.  It got down to 0 degrees overnight on Saturday. I have never experienced that in my life! Needless to say, we had a fire going all weekend.  On Sunday, while Tim was at work, I got this craving to make some white chocolate chip cookies. I couldn't really find any recipes that inspired me so I altered this recipe and I loved the results! So here's the recipe if you wanna try it and I changed the name to something more fitting.

Enjoy!

Winter Storm White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies


2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2/3 cup white chocolate chips (or chunks)
1/3 cup sliced almonds


DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375ºF.
Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. (The batter may seem a little bit dry but that's okay, it'll be fine.) Stir in sliced almonds and white chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto parchment paper-covered cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

1.21.2011

Five On Friday

Here are some things that caught my eye this week!

1. I first saw this video on Alicia Bock's blog and after I watched it I thought, "How cool." I hope this guy succeeds in locating those people.

2. Thought about taking this book to read while on the cruise. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life  Have any of you guys read this? Thoughts?  On a related note, what do you guys think about e-readers. I am going back and forth between a Kindle and a Nook. Any thoughts on that?


3.  Also debating on whether or not to get the iPhone with Verizon (I've still got a few weeks to decide). If I decide to go with it, I am definitely buying these to put on the back. Gosh, I love Photojojo! :)

4. I am still dreaming about clothes for the cruise. If I could, (as in, had the extra money) I would get this dress from The Limited. So freakin' cute! (Minus the tights, of course.)


5. Thinking about more branding with livvielane photography and would love to get a custom stamp done. All I have been able to find is pre-made designs though. I would really love to find a place that could use my signature! If anyone knows a great place, please let me know! 

Have a fantastic weekend!

1.17.2011

Good Eats.





Last week we finally got to try Terry's Turf Club on the Eastside. Our first attempt at dining at Terry's was unsuccessful – we missed the mark by a few hours because we thought they were open for lunch during the week (-- as of last week they are now open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays). And then our second attempt was halted by some reconstruction they were doing on the kitchen earlier in the month. So last week we were thrilled when we actually got to sit down and see what all the fuss is about!

Terry's Turf Club came highly recommended from several locals and our favorite wine shop down the street. They also said it had been featured on Food Network's show "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives"  -- so then we knew it had to be good! (Click here to see the Food Network clip with Guy Fieri on YouTube if you want to check it out.)

As you can see from the pictures above, the burgers are huge and built with great toppings. Tim and I both decided to get their classic burger and then add the aged English Cheddar and three strips of bacon. Y'all, I don't even have words to describe how good this burger was. Tim said it was the best burger he'd ever had in his entire life. For real.  And I think I might have to agree. I decided to get one of their fresh-juice cocktails - a blood orange martini - and that, too, was awesome. Oh, and the fries are really good, too.

Afterward, I was really craving some dessert (because I only ate half of my burger and decided to take the other half home) so we tried another new place a little closer to home called Marty's Hops & Vines. Obviously they are a beer and wine shop, but they also offer small plates/appetizers and desserts. I tried their flourless chocolate torte (last picture above) and it was fantastic.We really enjoyed the cozy atmosphere there, too.

All in all, a fabulous night for dinner and drinks and I can't wait to do it again.

1.12.2011

Yesterday: Keeping Warm.




Stayed inside and enjoyed the day off with Tim.
Listened to this soundtrack
and worked on some new products.

1.11.2011

On the way...

A calendar from one of my favorite photographers Alicia Bock 
and this daily planner that I blogged about on Friday.

I can't wait for them to arrive. 
 

1.07.2011

Five On Friday

It's been a while since I last did a "Five On Friday" post. I think with the start of the New Year, it's about time I did another one! So here goes:

1. Twistband - elastic hairbands and hair ties that you can color coordinate with in 31 colors! They are super cute and I am seriously considering getting some for the cruise (and for when it's warmer out) because somehow my hair always ends up in a ponytail by the end of the day. (Not sayin' I would wear my hair like this girl in the picture, but it's kinda neat how you can adjust the hair tie to fit your hair thickness. And my hair is thick.)


2. Kinies purse - I love this little purse! It's like the 2011 version of the fanny pack -- and way cuter! And might I also add, very handy for a person on crutches who cannot throw a purse over her shoulder or carry a clutch in her hand. Two thumbs way up for the color selection too! (If you don't like the "waist purse," take a look around her Etsy shop, they have normal handbags too.)


 3. 3191 Miles - A really cool photography blog about everyday items. The 3191 comes from the distance between the two friends who post to this blog every week. The blog became so popular over the past few years that they have even published books from their daily photo blogs. Great for photography inspiration. I would definitely like to get the book someday.

4. Laurel Denise 2011 Planner - Since my Ansel Adams planner from 2010 is all worn out I definitely have to get on the ball with a planner for this year. I really like being able to write down several items onto my days and see the week (or month) at a glance. This little planner seems to have everything at your fingertips and I think it will be purchased very soon!



5. Manolo Blahnik photography book - I already mentioned this on the Facebook fanpage the other day but this little gem deserves a second mention! What's not to love? Two of my favorite things:  shoes + photography = genius!

Happy Friday everyone!

1.05.2011

Now Taking Suggestions for Entertainment

Here are some things I've been doing while my ankle is healing:

* listed some new products in the shop

 
* watched Eat Pray Love
* decided I need to visit Italy someday
* daydreamed about our upcoming cruise
* tried a new sushi place
* played with my new camera (still need lots of practice with manual settings)

I wish it were way more exciting than that, but you can only do so much when you can hobble around. :)

So, with that being said, I am very open to suggestions for new books to read or excellent movies to watch. I probably have at least another week to go before I can go back to work so feel free to comment and keep 'em coming!!

1.04.2011

New Year's Sale!

Who doesn't love a good sale?! :)

For the month of January, any purchase that includes a calendar will receive 20% off with the coupon code: CALENDAR20. Wait, there's more! This includes custom orders! If you see a photo that you would like to have made into a beautiful 2011 calendar let me know and I will create it for you. Please leave me a comment below if you have any questions.

Here's to a great 2011!

1.01.2011

One One Eleven

That is today. The start of a new year and another chance at a fresh start. Unfortunately, I am starting my new year with a broken ankle (which I am hoping will heal in time for our cruise in a few weeks!) but I am trying to be optimistic nonetheless and make some plans for a bright future in 2011!

First on the list, as I just said, is our cruise to the Caribbean at the end of the month. A fantastic eight days of tropical splendor that I have been craving for what seems like forever (basically since the last time I had a vacation). It will be the perfect opportunity for me to break out my new camera (a Canon DSLR) and finally feel a little more professional. ;)  Not to mention it will provide a break from the crazy cold weather here in Ohio! I just cannot wait.

And then, before you know it, it will be April and I will be turning 30 years old (gasp!).  It's so funny when you look back and 30 seemed SO old when I was 13! And now, I feel (for the most part) like I have so much to learn. Gosh, how crazy is that?

Then, after that, who knows. It will be whatever life brings me, right?


This year professionally I am planning to continue building the livvielane brand and introduce more new items into the shop.  Additionally, I would like to find a local boutique or shop where I can sell my photography in a gallery setting. I feel like that will definitely help to establish my name locally and to help bring in a little more income on the side (which is the whole point of doing this right?). 

Other than that, I have a few goals that I am keeping to myself and just marking my progress as I move along. Sometimes the best goals are the ones where you know you are the individual keeping yourself on track and in check. And right now, that's exactly what I need for the next two weeks. I will let my ankle heal and refresh myself for the start of a prosperous 2011!

Thanks to everyone for your support in 2010 and here's to a wonderful 2011 for everyone!

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