Crafting Your Own Fall Capsule: 10 x 10 Challenge
22 October 2018
10 items, 10 outfits, 10 days.
Can you do it?
This summer I made the decision to attempt a capsule wardrobe. After years and years of having an overflowing closet but still feeling frustrated when it came time to select an outfit-- I said enough was enough. I tried out Project 333 created by Courtney Carver. In that challenge, you reduce your wardrobe to a total of 33 items that you love. You challenge yourself to only wear those items for 3 months. The goal is to simplify, appreciate what you already have and wear only what you enjoy. I enjoyed that challenge so much. Now, each time I crack open the door to my closet I no longer feel discouraged with the impression I have nothing to wear.
So, when I came across others talking about the 10 x 10 challenge I needed to find out more. The 10 x 10 challenge created by Lee Vosburgh from Style Bee. The challenge involves picking 10 items and styling them in 10 outfits over 10 days. The first step involves selecting 10 core items from your closet, including shoes. Accessories are not included. Well, in just under thirty minutes I was able to come up with my 10 items. Thanks in part to my already slimmed down wardrobe.
My 10 x 10 includes:
- one pair black high waist jeans
-one pair dark wash ripped knee jeans
- one sweater
-one layering cardigan
-one short sleeved tee
- three long sleeved shirts
- one dress
-ankle boots
I did not include my diaper bag or my jacket in this round of the challenge.
Style Bee's Basic Formula goes as follows:
2 Pairs of Shoes (1 heel + 1 flat)
4 Tops (Consider pieces that layer well like a fitted long-sleeve, a button-down and a cardigan)
1 Dress
2 Bottoms
1 Top Layer
-Pick practical items for the weather.
-Don't think too hard about it, just choose.
-Go for an easy and coordinating palette.
-Think neutrals, denim, white, black and grey with 1 or 2 colors.
-Pull your favorites first.
2 Pairs of Shoes (1 heel + 1 flat)
4 Tops (Consider pieces that layer well like a fitted long-sleeve, a button-down and a cardigan)
1 Dress
2 Bottoms
1 Top Layer
-Pick practical items for the weather.
-Don't think too hard about it, just choose.
-Go for an easy and coordinating palette.
-Think neutrals, denim, white, black and grey with 1 or 2 colors.
-Pull your favorites first.
The current challenge starts today, October 22nd. Join me!
Let's simplify our closets, our mornings and our life together. Two hashtags that you may find useful are #fall10x10 and #10x10friends. You can find inspiration and observe others who are participating.
Sweet Potato Cottage Pie | Recipe
12 October 2018
Guys! There's true fall weather happening here today in Central Pennsylvania. We wore jackets out to the bus stop and I drank my coffee with the kitchen door open and cleaned the downstairs windows while enjoying the crisp breeze. Now it's time to meal plan and when I think of dinner time during the fall season the first words that come to mind are warm and comfort. There's nothing like a big cast iron pot of chili simmering on the stove waiting to be poured over a homemade batch of mashed potatoes, or a sizzling pot roast on a Sunday afternoon, or a bubbling dish of cottage pie/shepherds pie. Cottage pie has become one of our families favorites. Growing up we always called it Shepherds Pie but I've since come to learn that it's only Shepherds Pie if you make it with lamb-- if you use beef then it's technically Cottage Pie.
My standard recipe is pretty common and includes warm layers of ground beef, country vegetables and home-style mashed potatoes all topped with sharp white cheddar. But, this fall I wanted to try something new and festive to incorporate seasonal flavors. So after a bit of research and a few adjustments I gave the Cottage Pie a try topped with savory mashed sweet potatoes and switched up the filling components. I added some thyme, rosemary, nutmeg and garlic for flavor.
Sweet Potato Cottage Pie
for the filling:
1 lb of lean ground beef
16 oz bag of mixed vegetables
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
3 cups of beef or vegetable stock
2-3 tablespoons of tomato paste
A splash of balsamic vinegar
A splash of Worcestershire sauce
Thyme
Rosemary
Salt and black pepper
Spray oil
for the mash:
1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chucks
1 tablespoon butter (or olive oil if your non dairy)
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk (more if needed)
directions:
-Spray a large frying pan over a medium high heat with spray oil, add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook until softened.
-Add in the ground beef and a couple dashes of thyme and rosemary, cook until browned- breaking up any big lumps with the back of a wooden spoon.
-Add the veggies and cook until thawed.
-Add the stock, tomato paste, splash of Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil.
-Reduce heat and allow to simmer for approx 20 minutes until sauce thickens.
-Set aside and allow to cool completely
-Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes or until tender.
-Drain well and add the butter, nutmeg, garlic powder, salt and milk.
-With a hand blender or stand mixer blend until they reach a creamy consistency.
assembly:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
-Spray and fill a 13 in x 9 in casserole dish with the filling and spread the mash on top.
-Bake for 40 minutes until the topping is beginning to brown.
[bonus: top with shredded cheddar cheese to create a crispy crust and extra layer of texture.]
extra tips:
You can do a half white potato/half sweet potato combination to cut the sweetness or half sweet potato/half butternut squash combination. You can also omit the nutmeg in the mash if you don't care for it.
My standard recipe is pretty common and includes warm layers of ground beef, country vegetables and home-style mashed potatoes all topped with sharp white cheddar. But, this fall I wanted to try something new and festive to incorporate seasonal flavors. So after a bit of research and a few adjustments I gave the Cottage Pie a try topped with savory mashed sweet potatoes and switched up the filling components. I added some thyme, rosemary, nutmeg and garlic for flavor.
Sweet Potato Cottage Pie
for the filling:
1 lb of lean ground beef
16 oz bag of mixed vegetables
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
3 cups of beef or vegetable stock
2-3 tablespoons of tomato paste
A splash of balsamic vinegar
A splash of Worcestershire sauce
Thyme
Rosemary
Salt and black pepper
Spray oil
for the mash:
1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chucks
1 tablespoon butter (or olive oil if your non dairy)
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk (more if needed)
directions:
-Spray a large frying pan over a medium high heat with spray oil, add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook until softened.
-Add in the ground beef and a couple dashes of thyme and rosemary, cook until browned- breaking up any big lumps with the back of a wooden spoon.
-Add the veggies and cook until thawed.
-Add the stock, tomato paste, splash of Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil.
-Reduce heat and allow to simmer for approx 20 minutes until sauce thickens.
-Set aside and allow to cool completely
-Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes or until tender.
-Drain well and add the butter, nutmeg, garlic powder, salt and milk.
-With a hand blender or stand mixer blend until they reach a creamy consistency.
assembly:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
-Spray and fill a 13 in x 9 in casserole dish with the filling and spread the mash on top.
-Bake for 40 minutes until the topping is beginning to brown.
[bonus: top with shredded cheddar cheese to create a crispy crust and extra layer of texture.]
extra tips:
You can do a half white potato/half sweet potato combination to cut the sweetness or half sweet potato/half butternut squash combination. You can also omit the nutmeg in the mash if you don't care for it.
Enjoy!
From the Vault | Fall Diffuser Blends & Iced Coffee
09 October 2018
When I wrote this post last year the change in weather was just starting and had me excited for the fall season, much like now-- although I can do without the recent 80 degree days. I mean, it's October and I just sent my girls off to school in late summer type attire. I know I'm in the minority when I say that I've been enjoying the rainy and gray mornings. These are typically the types of days that I enjoy spending in cozy socks with a steamy mug of tea or coffee. The fall decor is officially out, and it's simple this year-- our year has been has one of new change so I'm just taking it all slow and getting adjusted to our new surroundings. That being said-- as far as clothing goes I'm definitely counting down the days until scarves, ankle booties and flannel shirts are acceptable daily attire.
As for drinks of the season I'm still not a PSL fan. I love pumpkin, but real pumpkin and only in specific ways. I've been waiting two years to see if Starbucks will bring back my favorite seasonal drink, the Spiced Sweet Cream Cold Brew-- not to be confused with the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew. They haven't yet so I'm still making mine at home. I make my cold brew in my french press and let it steep overnight. And then I add the cream and syrup recipe to my liking.
And - while I still do like to burn the occasional candle for ambiance, I also really love diffusing my oils during the fall months because there are so many great 'fall' related scents that also have immune boosting effects. During this season that is always a extra added bonus (with all of the back to school cooties that make their way home)!
So if you pop by our house on an October morning you will probably catch me with my Spiced Cold Brew in hand and the Warm Cinnamon Buns blend in the diffuser, only one has calories included.
As for drinks of the season I'm still not a PSL fan. I love pumpkin, but real pumpkin and only in specific ways. I've been waiting two years to see if Starbucks will bring back my favorite seasonal drink, the Spiced Sweet Cream Cold Brew-- not to be confused with the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew. They haven't yet so I'm still making mine at home. I make my cold brew in my french press and let it steep overnight. And then I add the cream and syrup recipe to my liking.
Spiced Sweet Cream Cold Brew [or Hot] Coffee
directions:
Combine 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 whole cloves, and 1/4 cup water in a small pot. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and let steep at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. Strain into a clean container. Meanwhile, make the vanilla sweet cream by stirring 1/4 cup cream, 1/2 tsp. sugar, and 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract in a small bowl to combine. Keep components in the fridge. When you are ready to make your coffee just mix 12 ounces of cold brew or hot coffee with 2–4 Tbsp. vanilla sweet cream and 1–2 tsp. maple-spiced simple syrup, adjust the amounts depending on how sweet you like it.
And - while I still do like to burn the occasional candle for ambiance, I also really love diffusing my oils during the fall months because there are so many great 'fall' related scents that also have immune boosting effects. During this season that is always a extra added bonus (with all of the back to school cooties that make their way home)!
So if you pop by our house on an October morning you will probably catch me with my Spiced Cold Brew in hand and the Warm Cinnamon Buns blend in the diffuser, only one has calories included.
Below are my top 4 favorite Fall Diffuser Blends:
Love. Often a choice, rather than a feeling.
05 October 2018
Love and marriage- some days it can be more of a choice rather than a feeling.
I think that's the point.
What if we wake up every day and simply choose to love the person next to us? Or, in my case the person who's already been out in the fields or at the barn for two hours by the time my feet finally hit the floor. What if we put the feelings and needs of our spouse at the top of our already incredibly long and almost impossible to-do list? We already do this with our children [assuming that you started your own small tribe of dictators] but do we do that with our spouses, daily? OK-- eye rolling at the computer screen, right? This chick, she's thirty, been married less than a decade so what does she know? Valid. I'll give you that, I mean- what do I know? What do any of us actually know for sure? But, stay with me here-- I truly believe that loving our spouses is a daily choice. Choosing to love them even when the shiny parts start to fade, when the butterflies flutter a bit slower, when the excitement of the unknown becomes known, and when the real-life rhythm starts to take a steady pace. I've only been married going on eight years now so I don't have decades of experience under my high waist jeans- but even in our less than a decade relationship we've dealt with our fair share of growing pains and still do, every day. The two of us are continually adjusting our exceptions of each other. Our spouses and our partners, we're not always going to like them but we can surely always love them. So, what if, every single day we woke up and simply made the choice to love the person next to us?
Take our story for example.
In the beginning, our relationship went from zero to one hundred and sixty in 80 days flat. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm talking about from the time of our first date to the night of our engagement it was a relationship that consisted of a grand total of 80 days. Did we really truly know each other at this point? No, probably not. Did we truly believe that we found the person we were supposed to love and share our lives with for the rest of time? Yes. Well, after that whirlwind ride, we had this crazy idea that we would bring three humans into the world in just under 5 years time. So, believe me when I tell you that I will never claim to have all the answers and I am no expert. I'm probably just plain crazy.
In the beginning, our relationship went from zero to one hundred and sixty in 80 days flat. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm talking about from the time of our first date to the night of our engagement it was a relationship that consisted of a grand total of 80 days. Did we really truly know each other at this point? No, probably not. Did we truly believe that we found the person we were supposed to love and share our lives with for the rest of time? Yes. Well, after that whirlwind ride, we had this crazy idea that we would bring three humans into the world in just under 5 years time. So, believe me when I tell you that I will never claim to have all the answers and I am no expert. I'm probably just plain crazy.
I remember after having each one of our children I would always think to myself-- how on earth can this man still love me after witnessing all of that, I mean...like, all of that. Thankfully he chose to love me through it, the highs and the lows, even when I wasn't the easiest and my emotions and hormones controlled my every action. Life happens, and then kids happen and we tend to subconsciously stop choosing to put our partner at the top of our priority list. [And, now is probably the part where you probably want me to say that kids should always come first above our spouses but I really don't think they should {gasp} right?]. I've read a few books and a handful of articles stating that the best thing for our children is to see us taking the time to place our significant others ahead of them and other priorities. When we do that they get to see how marriage works first hand and have a front row seat to experience love in the most secure way. I know, this idea usually isn't an easy sell and it was hard for me to wrap my head around at first but showing them a strong marriage and a strong parental team is just way too important. Also- I don’t want to wake up in twenty years, with fully raised children who are leaving home and realize that I don’t know the person next to me anymore. I don't want to come to find out that I don't know their passions or their desires in life because I was too busy pushing them to the bottom of my list.
But, with that all being said- we are your average married couple. We argue, we push buttons, we trigger each other but we do know how to love fiercely. Everyone has shortcomings and annoying habits that come to light when you live close proximity to another human being, sun up to sun down, 365 days a year. These people of ours are bound to get on our nerves and creep under our skin. I grew up as an only child, a fact that I can't change about myself. While my parents did a remarkable job of keeping me socially integrated with peers and fairly grounded from a life in the clouds; I still have a few only child attributes that makes it hard (at times) for my husband to understand my thought process and reasoning. Full disclosure, I do truly love being an only child. I can count on one hand the times I thought I should have had a sibling. But, my husband--he grew up in a home of multiple children where space and belongings had to shared and daily compromises were made so, by definition, we grew up in completely different worlds. Neither one better or worse than the other, just different. So, when it comes to us co-existing as people, spouses, and parents it can; at times, cause a wrinkle. I can usually recognize some of my 'only child' behaviors and adjust accordingly, he still chooses to love me despite it. So, if he loves me in spite of my flaws why shouldn't I wake up every day and choose to love him completely-- in spite of his flaws. For example laundry is my kryptonite. Hands down. I hate it. And this simple truth annoys my husband from here to a high, high hill somewhere. I know this and I try to do better. That's it, that's all that we can do friends. And you know what, he's annoyed with me but he still chooses to love me. I also have some poor time management skills and he is overly [annoyingly] punctual. He throws his wet towels on the bed, dear Jesus, that ones goes through meeeeee-- have you ever tried to crawl into a bed after a damp towel sat there for hours? Eek. Also, I don't vacuum and clean out the goldfish and crumbs from the car weekly, that gets under his skin. I will also run my SUV with the gas light on for a good 20 miles before filling up, this comes in second to annoying him back up to that high hill somewhere. He doesn't understand why I write on a computer to connect with people and I don't get why he enjoys chatting on the phone for long periods of time. We all have our things.
The people we fall/fell in love with will not always be the exact people that they once were, over time we all grow, evolve, and change. Which, I don't think is a bad thing- it's human nature. These people that we are committed to sharing our lives with will change, sometimes in little ways and at times in bigger ways. So, what other choice do we have than to keep connecting and finding common ground. I believe, in my only 30 year developed brain, that every day, you show up and you choose them, you choose to love that person. You put in the time and the effort-- you 'do the work' no matter how hard it may seem to be at the time. So we can lean on them, share our struggles, tear down the walls to let them in and be vulnerable. Marriage isn't easy but it can be so rewarding.
So, what if you wake up every day and mindfully choose to love the person next to you and put them first. Above everything. As for me, I do choose to love him every day but I do need to work on continuing to keep him at the top of my priority list. The little tribe that we created has made this task a 'teeny' bit (our middle daughters new favorite word) difficult but I feel it's far too valuable to forget. Let's faithfully and habitually choose our spouses' first. We can't put marriage on autopilot and think that we will always feel the way we do today, we have to choose to feel that way and continue making that choice. It will be perfectly imperfect and worth the sacrifice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons