Favorite Find: Say What?

One of my favorite Pinterest boards is my “Say What?” board. This is where I collect all sorts of witty, inspirational and sassy sarcastic sayings. I keep collecting these thinking that I’ll make some fun art in my home office out of these, but like a lot of things that project has yet to see the light of day.

Anyquote, I stumbled across the Etsy store, hairbrained schemes and fell in love with their great quotable prints.

Kate

Bahhahahahhahahahahahha

A wearable planter.

"FML"

That's OK Etsy, I ain't mad atcha.




-Bethany

Fall Foods: Apple Inspired

This post comes to courtesy of one of my favorite things (EVER!!), the apple. These American fruit are especially top of mind these days… what with the passing of Steve Jobs (I’m not ashamed to say the news put me in a total funk yesterday and I’m experiencing a bit of a hangover from it today), and for all the happy reasons – like fall, crimson reds, bold flavors, ciders, hard ciders (my fav alcoholic bev), crisp crunching and amazing food stuffs.

I did a little searching on etsy (what’s new?) and put together a quick cache of some lovely apple art. Great for hanging in the kitchen if you like to display seasonal art or food inspired art.

LEFT | CENTER | RIGHT

Now, my real gift to you though is my Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Glaze recipe. Now I’ve been making this for years, so my apologize to the originator of this recipe (be it friend, family, or cook book). I’ve long since lost that detail. But what I do have is a delicious entrée that will certainly stay in my cool-weather cooking rotation.

ROASTED PORK TENDERLOIN with APPLE CIDER GLAZE

Ingredients:

2              1lb pork tenderloins, trimmed

6              shallots, quartered

1/2 c        golden raisins

3 tbsp      fresh thyme leaves (5-6 sprigs)

Pinch       ground cloves

3/4 c        apple cider

1/3 c        dry white wine

1/2 tsp     salt

1/2 tsp     ground pepper

1 tbsp      olive oil

1 tbsp      unsalted butter

2              mcintosh apples, peeled & chopped

Directions:

1.     Rinse pork, pat dry, and place in a large zip-top heavy-duty plastic bag or shallow dish

2.     Stir together shallots and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour over pork, cover or seal, and chill at least 4 hours, turning occasionally.

3.     Preheat oven to 375*. Remove pork from marinade, reserving marinade. Sprinkle pork evenly with ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Cook in hot oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove pork, and add butter to skillet, stirring until melted. Add apples, and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in reserved marinade. Bring to a boil, and boil 2 minutes, stirring often. Return pork to skillet.

4.     Bake for 20-30 minutes, basting occasionally. Slice pork, and serve immediately with glaze.

You’re welcome.

--Kate

You better listen up….

I'm not much into "successories"and the like, but man if this poster didn't my my husband and I laugh out loud!  So true…

 - Bethany

Get’n Inspirational

It’s just about autumn… a time for some serious change. And over the past few weeks we wives have been seeing much change happen in our own lives/careers. There is a lot of promise for what lies ahead and also a lot of uncertainty as we try to find our feet, make new friends, and be the best versions of ourselves. So to celebrate that I’m sharing a quote a friend of mine pinned.

- Kate

Favorite Finds: Photography Fashion

While I’m on the path of prattling on about things I like/love/obsess over, I’m just gonna keep going and take you a long with me. This week’s Favorite Find comes to you from my recent search for my very first digital SLR camera. I love photography and while I think I’ve done a pretty good job snapping my amateur pics with a less than brag-worthy Cannon PowerShot, it’s time for an upgrade.

Like any eager shopper, I’ve also been on the hunt to accessorize said camera once I’ve got it in my hot little hands. I found this amazeballs shop, SizzleStrapz, on Etsy and am completely crushing on everything that’s features.

- Kate

About SizzleStrapz: "We make high quality DSLR camera straps and camera bags for women and men which are geared towards the serious camera fashion photographer in you . We cater to the professional, modern and everyone in between photographer in you, to make you feel comfortable and bold behind the lense. "

Some of my photos

Feeling Inspired

Don't they say a songwriter needs a tear jerking break-up or a down-and-out year in rehab to get the creative juices flowing?  I don't claim to be an artist, but a good dose of emotion will send anyone in search of an outlet.  Despite a turbulent summer, I've managed to hammer out two pieces this month alone; a banner year compared to my forced hand during college art courses.  These are the things that inspired me.

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1 & 9 - Linda Monfort

2, 3 & 4 - Michelle Armas

5 - Stefanie Zehmer

6 & 7 - Sharon Schock

8 - paintingwell

10 - Michael Powell

11 & 12 - Sally Benedict

13 - Nancy Powell

Who inspires you?

- Bethany

A Virginia Thing

While I had a "case-of-the-Monday's" hangover today, I think it's finally starting to wear off. It was a big help that I got my most recent purchase from 1canoe2's Etsy shop. I've ordered the letterpress recipe cards and box, and now a stylish little Virginia print for my home office redo. Please check them out and see if there's a special little something for your home/office :)

- Kate

Favorite Etsy Finds: Week in Review

Kate and I love to scan Etsy to see what awesome things we're missing out on.  I know, I know, it's like asking for trouble, but my treasure hunting isn't always for selfish reasons. I actually bought many a Christmas present this past year (see post here) and so did Kate!  So in keeping with the spirit of all things Etsy, we are starting a weekly column to showcase our finds.

When I first joined Etsy in 2005, it was by accident and rather a means to an end.  I was trying to track down a necklace I was coveting at the time and in full-disclosure I'll share with you that it was this necklace in the movie Monster-in-Law (don't hate). I found a seller on Etsy that made a replica of it and it was super affordable. Score!

 [I still wear it]

And so began my love for the online boutique. So this week's favorites are a combination of things I've purchased and things I want to purchase. I'm pretty sure if I don't stop getting so many packages at the front door (that my husband fields), I may get a talkin' to in the near future :)

#1 - Pair of vintage brass chests

#2 - Turquoise ring

#3 - Photograph of the beach at Assateague Island

#4 - Driftwood dog bowl

#5 - David Hicks pillow (i.die.)

#6 - Purple peacock pumps

#7 - La Jolla Beach oil painting

#8 - Greek key dog collar

#9 - Rose gold Aquamarine ring (HINT HINT, it's my birthstone...would make a great X-mas gift!)

#10 - Chinoiserie wall decal

#11 - slate address plaque

#12 - Giclee print

Have a great weekend, all!

-Bethany