Eggs.

For whatever reason, as a youth I was obsessed with egg decorating.  Year round, regardless of whether or not it was close to Easter.  Specifically, I enjoyed the Ukrainian style of egg decorating.  I blame this mostly on the fact that in 4th grade (or thereabout) I saw a Reading Rainbow episode that featured Ukrainian egg decorating and I was hooked ever since.  Luckily for me, my elementary school art teacher happened to have all the Ukrainian egg stuff and I was her TA so she let me decorate a whole bunch and then as a gift for all my TA work she bought me the supplies I needed to create my own.  


Anyway, this general love for Ukrainian eggs led to an interest in other kinds of decorated eggs: painted, fabergé, rock or marble eggs, etc.  In sixth grade, for Easter I decorated my own eggs and had my own Easter egg hunt.  I don't remember how this technically worked since I think I hid them AND hunted them.  Regardless, my supportive mother witnessed and encouraged the whole ordeal.  What's more is that eggs continue to have an appeal to me. Just today I saw this post from design*sponge and my little heart was all a flutter.  I sent the link to my sister and she said, "please create those for your wedding centerpieces. go."  So, all this is to say that I truly love eggs.  Here is some egg eye candy for you...

ukrainiantreasures

P.S. Ukrainian egg decorating goes into the odd list of obsessions I had growing up that were very particular and rather strange.  The list includes but is not limited to: Gone With the Wind, painting metal men, or keeping and treasuring things that I'd randomly find on the ground and being depressed that I'd never find anything else so lovely.

Friday Flowers: Freesia

I have decided to start posting about flowers every Friday.  This isn't a novel idea, in fact I stole it right from A Creative Mint.  Her pictures and flowers are so enticing that I wanted to start my own Friday Flowers.  This week I want to celebrate the Freesia flower.  Freesia was only ever on my radar because there is a scent by it's namesake at Bath & Body Works.  After trying to find inexpensive July flowers for my wedding I stumbled across Freesia which fits into both categories and comes in white, yellow, pink, lavender, blue, red and they also come in bi-colors!  What's more is that Freesia flowers are very fragrant.  The Flower Expert says that Freesia has a light, soap-like floral scent which is why it is so popular for perfumes, scented oils, baths, and lotions.  Freesia is said to symbolize friendship and innocence and is native to South Africa.

Picture 1: JLewis

Picture 2: Martha Stewart Weddings

Picture 3: Flowers Magzine

Picture 4: The Knot

A New Look

I'm working on changing the look of my blog. Who knows how long this title and theme will last. Something about it isn't wonderful enough for me. The title is a quote from Legolas in the Fellowship of the Ring...

"For such is the way of it: to find and lose, as it seems to those whose boat is on the running stream."

Apartment Color Palettes

Since my fiance and I signed a lease for our future apartment, I've been excited about decorating. Most likely these will change, especially based on wedding gifts and stuff like that. But here's a start for my different room color palettes.

Ruche: A Modern Boutique With a Vintage Touch

I have not purchased anything from this online store, but some of their dresses are very cute and very inexpensive. I would have a hard time finding anything at an appropriate length since I'm pretty tall but some of their stuff could work (if for nothing else then for inspiration).

Top - Sugar Plum Fairies Strapless Dress: $49.99

Bottom - You Make Me Blush Dress: $57.99

Top - I Like The Way You Smile Dress: $34.99

Bottom - Silver Moon Rope Dress: $48.99

This Pretty Much Sums Up My Life Right Now

Wedding Invitations, Caffiene, and Books.

Tilapia With Chickpea Ragu

One of my friends is traveling out of town tomorrow so I suggested that I cook her dinner while she packs. I made tilapia with chickpea ragu, salad, and for dessert we had strawberry angelfood cake with strawberry sauce and greek yogurt. It was wonderful! The chickpea ragu is really simple and could be served with so many different types of meat or fish.

Chickpea Ragu

1 tbs evoo

1 small onion, chopped

1 large carrot, diced

1 large zucchini, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbs tomato paste

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

One 15.5oz can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup basil leaves, sliced into ribbons, plus more for garnish

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil and cook the onions for about 3 minutes. Add the carrot, zucchini, and garlic. Cook and stir for about 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste, stirring to incorporate completely. Add the chicken broth and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add 1 cup of basil and cook, covered, until the liquid thickens slightly (8-10 minutes).