Jeremy and I got back late on Sunday evening from a long weekend in the pacific northwest helping a dear friend celebrate her marriage. When Monday evening rolled around and we had seemingly no food in our house and I was out the door for a meeting when I quickly took inventory and started crafting a dinner plan in my head. This is what I came up with.

Vegetable Stuffed Potatoes
4 medium-sized potatoes (we used red, but you can use whatever you like)
1 onion
1 summer squash
1 green bell pepper
1 cup of grated cheese (we used Raw Sharp Cheddar)
Taco Seasoning
Fresh Chives
(ingredients in green are local)

Serves 4 (or 2 with enough for next-day leftovers)

I instructed Jeremy to bake 4 potatoes by scrubbing and stabbing the potatoes with a fork, salt and peppering the skins with a little bit of olive oil and to bake in tin foil at 400F for about an hour. I went off to a meeting and by the time I got home they were done. You can also do this ahead of time and refrigerate until you're ready to use.

When I got back I took the one good summer squash, onion and green bell pepper I had on hand and diced and sauteed them in a little more olive oil and sprinkled with taco seasoning. Yes, taco seasoning. I added about a 1/4 c of water to make sure it coated the veggies nicely and wasn't too powdery. The water burns off in the pan and you're left with perfectly seasoned vegetables.

Sidenote: I'm kind of notorious for under-seasoning my food. It's just not something I'm good at yet. So lately, I've been letting my favorite grocery store, Native Roots, do the work for me. They sell little spice mixes (just enough for one or two meals, which is perfect) that they've mixed themselves.

Meanwhile, while I'm cooking the veggies (just until tender), Jeremy is cutting the potatoes in half and scooping out the insides into a medium sized bowl. After the veggies are done cooking I dumped them in the same bowl and mashed everything together. I add about half my cheese to the mix as well.

Then I lined up all the halves (you should have 8) into a baking dish (8x8 should be fine). I sprinkled the rest of the cheese on top and baked under the broiler for about 10 minutes - just enough time for the cheese to melt and get a little bubbly. I garnished the dish with some fresh chives and a little more salt and pepper.

Note: this dish could easily be made vegan by leaving out the cheese or using a substitute.

About the beer.
I'm usually a red wine drinker (shiraz and syrah are my favorites right now) but in the summertime it's just too hot to enjoy a glass of wine. So I've appropriately switched to beer for the season. This Southampton beer is delicious - if I were fancy I would describe the flavors with eloquence, but I'm not fancy. So I won't.

• Labels:
• beer
• eating local
• vegetarian
• what we eat


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My friend Ryan over at Pacing the Panic Room has been working hard on creating a kids album for parents called Do Fun Stuff!



And get this, 100% of the proceeds go to further the study and research of Smith Magens Syndrome. Ryan's and his wife, Cole, are parents to the Littlest Buddy - an adorable boy who is affected (but not defined by) SMS.



I first found Ryan when his maternity series for his wife was plastered all over the internet - he's a fantastic photographer and recently has been making some pretty amazing videos with a Canon 7D. So after you're done buying Do Fun Stuff! watch this video he made for the Littlest Buddy.

• Labels:
• Do Fun Stuff
• Pacing the Panic Room
• Smith Magens Syndrome


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Earlier this week when I got scared about my upcoming Everest Base Camp trek you guys really pulled through and made me feel a whole lot less scared. I can't thank you enough. Blog reader Caitlin sent me a link to this post featuring Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first to summit Everest, knowing I'd appreciate the design aspect of it. And boy did I! Not only did these photos above blow my mind with their Sartorialist timelessness but they got me all sorts of excited about the trek.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

• Labels:
• everest base camp trek
• Mount Everest


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When I first decided to quit my job and work from home I tried not to glamorize the idea of working from home too much. I didn't want to create this unrealistic fantasy but I couldn't help my mind from going there. Then the reality (the reality of actually working and managing myself) settled in along with 105 degree weather and I was started to feel a little overwhelmed.

But then just when I needed it a cold front came in. The fantasy came true when I worked in 70 degree weather, next to my veggie garden, on a tattered quilt that's been in my family forever.

Maybe next year my fantasy will involve landscaping that includes a hammock and a fire pit.

• Labels:
• and kathleen
• freelance
• vegetable gardening


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Our big trip to Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp is coming up fast. Up until now it's been all about the logistics - booking flights, gathering gear and making vaccination appointments.

Now that all of that is about done I'm left worrying about the unknown. You want specifics? Here's everything I'm worried about:
• Getting sick. Specifically throwing up and getting diarrhea.
• Pooping in a hole. And the whole toilet paper situation.
• Dealing with my period during the trek. Which I will be.
• High altitude sickness.
• Getting hit by some sort of falling rock.
• Breaking any bones.
• Our plane crashing. Not the big planes that get us to Kathmandu but the little plane that's taking us to our trailhead. The plane that lands on the most dangerous landing strip in the world.

Yesterday morning my dad sent me an email with a link to an article saying a plane from Kathmandu to Lukla crashed, killing all 18 passengers. My heart sunk. This is the exact kind of plane and route we'll be taking in a matter of weeks. I'm scared and I don't want to die. And my heart goes out to the family of those who passed. After learning about that, Jeremy and I went to the vaccination clinic to learn about all the other things that could kill us. And now I feel so silly that up until now my fears were mostly preoccupied with the toilet situation.

So now I'm trying to find the courage I need to turn off True Blood (or MadMen or Keeping up with the Kardashians), get off my couch and go on an adventure. I'm not very tough but I can be brave. I will be brave.

So I need to know...

How do you conquer your fears? What do you do to be brave?

Usually, I think of the story I'll have to tell. The best stories always involve some sort of risk. But today I had to pull out the big guns and call my dad for reassurance.

• Labels:
• everest base camp trek


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Last night I helped some new friends art direct a photo shoot that will help promote a very cool up-and-coming area of Oklahoma City. An area that also just so happens to be down the street from where Jeremy and I live. We're talking about a shoot full of gorgeous tattooed ladies / entrepreneurs / models who all have what it takes to open a hair salon, vintage boutiques, one-of-a-kind boutiques and a very popular cupcake place. Above is a sneak peek but if you're local keep your eyes peeled for the final photos.

On that note: I've been meeting so many amazing people lately - I'm energized, inspired and almost overwhelmed with all the talent and creativity I've been surrounded by lately.

P.S. This shoot was photographed by the very talented Rex Barrett. The photos above are just snapshots from my phone.

• Labels:
• and kathleen
• designer slash model
• oklahoma city


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I tried dreading my hair when I was 15 and it turned out terribly - I ended up cutting them all off and sporting a pixie. But I'm sure no matter what I tried doing to my hair when I was 15 would've turned out poorly - that's just how it is when you're a teenager. Ever since then I've said that dreads are for dirty hippies and gross. But really, who am I to talk? My hair pretty much dreads itself on a weekly basis.

Until I spied these photos of Shakira - I'm totally smitten with her hair! Now, I'm no she wolf so I don't think I could rock these quite so fabulously... but I'm tempted. (Note: If I were to try and execute this look it would involve professionals and extensions.)

Edit: I've got dreads now. Check them out here.

• Labels:
• girl crush
• hair


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I had to take a little solo road trip yesterday for work and spied this amazing pink bus. I want to take a road trip in it.

What's everyone up to this weekend?

Jeremy and I are out the door to go to brunch with old and new friends, hanging out with family and more friends, and looking forward to the new episodes of True Blood and Mad Men. I think I may make a batch of banana bread too.

• Labels:
• road trip
• weekend


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Remember when I went completely bonkers over this house I stumbled upon last week? Well, shortly after I posted about it I got an email from the owner of the home offering me a tour of the place. And at that moment my mind was blown by the power of the internet. Then I felt slightly self-conscious.

But, of course, I said yes. Jeremy and I headed over there yesterday and met the very kind owner. He was nothing like the lead villain in Sleeping with the Enemy - so there goes that theory.

Highlights:
+ The view. Amazing.
+ There is reclaimed wood floor in the place that was sourced from the basketball court at UNC. I'm pretty sure Michael Jordan's DNA could be sampled from it.
+ The seamless transitions from inside to out.
+ Totally geeking out over midcentury modern furniture and architecture.

I'm pretty sure I used the words "beautiful" and "amazing" about a million times but that pretty much sums it up. The place left me beyond giddy.

A big huge thanks to Bill for showing us the place and an equally big thanks to Fitzsimmons Architects for building it. Check out more photos of the place here.

• Labels:
• architecture
• oklahoma city


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This entire outfit is about contradictions and compromise:
Exposed leg / covered arms
Conservative cut top / sheer material
Sheer material / flat chest
Pleated menswear shorts / rugged belt
Rugged belt / metallic heels

And to think when I first threw this on I thought it was simple. Plain. Just nice.

Top: Urban Outfitters (recent $5 clearance sale)
Bra: Urban Outfitters
Shorts: Target (from a few years ago)
Belt: Target (again, years ago)
Shoes: Target (I know, I'm a huge fan of Target)
Watch: Casio

• Labels:
• anatomy of an outfit
• what we wear


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Ever since laying eyes on this delicious post at These Roving Eyes I've become obsessed with the idea of baking an egg in a potato.

I only had a couple sweet potatoes on hand so I decided considered making a crispy hash out of them and serving fried eggs on top. But for whatever reason I decided to go ahead and try to twice bake them with eggs on top. I think overall, this recipe would be best with regular potatoes but I had fun imagining this one up.

Twice-baked sweet potato with Eggs
2 medium/large sweet potatoes (or regular potatoes)
3 small yellow onions, diced
4 eggs
4 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
4 oz. cheese (I used a sharp garlic goat cheese)
1 tbs butter
Fresh Chives
Salt and Pepper
Ingredients in green are local

Bake your sweet potato in tin foil at 400F for about 40 minutes. You can do this ahead of time and store them in the fridge. When you're ready to use them hollow out the insides.

Preheat your oven to 375F. Sautee your diced onions and garlic in butter. Once the onions carmelize add the sweet potato insides to the mix. Fold everything together and let the sweet potato cook for a little bit in the pan. Grate your cheese and chop your chives. Layer a little cheese in the hollowed-out potato jackets. Stuff your potato jackets with the mixture you've been cooking. Line the potatoes in a pan side-by-side. Sprinkle the chives on top and season with salt and pepper to taste. Crack an egg on top of each stuffed potato.

Cook at 375F - 400F for 10-15 minutes. Just enough time for your eggs to set. Note: the eggs will be glossy and look wet even when they're thoroughly cooked through - I overcooked my eggs thinking they weren't quite done.

• Labels:
• eating local
• what we eat


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Stephanie and Max found me when they were looking for a unique custom wedding invitation that really spoke to who they are as a couple. I'm so glad they did. Stephanie told me that she wanted letterpress invitations using the colors aqua and emerald. She said that she loves birds and was especially inspired by the vintage tattoo-inspired wedding invitations I did for Courtney and Blair.

Because Stephanie and Max both have last names starting with the letter "H" I thought it was serendipitous to come across a bird flourished H monogram in my collection of vintage woodcut illustrations. I had to use it.

I played around with the scale and color of the illustration in order to keep it from becoming redundant across all the pieces. You can see where the monogram on the bottom of the invite matches up to monogram at the top of the RSVP - little things like that make me giddy.And speaking of giddy - have I mentioned how much I love drawing maps? I was especially happy with how the map on this invitation turned out.

Overall, I was thrilled with how these turned out and so thankful that Stephanie & Max invited me to be a part of their wedding celebration by letting me design their invitations.

And a big special thanks to Oh So Beautiful Paper for debuting these invitations.

• Labels:
• and kathleen
• custom wedding invitations
• letterpress printing


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I'm not very good at making leafy green salads. They always end up under-flavored and boring. Jeremy's sister sent me a recipe for cucumber and mango salad my way thinking it would be something I would enjoy - and she was right. This is my kind of salad. The combination of flavors was so perfect. The original recipe called for mint leaves - which would've made this dish extra tasty - but unfortunately, I didn't have any on hand.

Cucumber Mango Salad
3 teaspoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
Juice from half a lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 mango cut into large chunks
1 medium/small cucumbers sliced
3 small red onions sliced thin
Roasted pecans - chopped fine
Goat cheese
Ingredients in green are local

Combine the top ingredients to make your dressing. Let it sit while you prepare the rest of your ingredients. Toss the veggies and mango in the dressing. Top with a little goat cheese and roasted pecans.

Serves 2.

• Labels:
• eating local
• vegetables
• what we eat


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My very first crush was on Alf. Yes, really. I was 3 or 4 years old and it was 5am on Christmas morning when I ran into the living room and laid eyes on my very own Alf doll. He came packaged in a little cardboard spaceship. And I completely lost. my. shit. I was obsessed and head-over-heels smitten.

Since then I've crushed on:
Brian Boitano
Cory Feldman
Adrian Brody (I think Alf left me with a life-long thing for big noses)
And last but not least...
Alan Cumming. My #1 crush of all time.

My sister at Kind of a Sideshow recounts the story of when I met Alan Cumming and once again completely lost my shit. Read it here.

In the meantime, I want to know - who was your first celebrity crush?

• Labels:
• blog crush
• kind of a sideshow


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Denim, leather and lace just make sense to me. I love the way the pattern in the belt plays off the pattern in the lace - and the texture in the lace plays off that in the tattered jeans. I think most would define this as an unexpected mash up of clothing but to me they belong together.

And the shoes. I found these while I was shopping for wardrobe for a commercial I was working on. I was at Ross and saw these Eastlands in a size 9 - one size too big for me. I took a break from my job and desperately searched the racks (that looked like they had been through WWIII) for a size 8. And when I finally found them I clutched them to my chest and cried a little - okay, that might be a dramatic interpretation. But I did get butterflies in my stomach and $17 later I have my favorite pair of shoes for life.

Vest: Gap
Lace top: The Limited
Camisole: American Apparel
Jeans: 575
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Eastlands

• Labels:
• anatomy of an outfit
• what we wear


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a.


b.


c.


Wednesday night is typically reserved for cooking a hot meal for all of my friends, drinking beer and wine, good conversation and sometimes trashy TV. Last night Jeremy and I decided to call it off and take the night for ourselves. We had sushi (Pachinko Parlor in OKC has the most interesting vegetarian rolls), split a bottle of sake, and explored our neighborhood.

a.
Merkel X-Ray Co. = gorgeous type + blonde brick

b.
The Century = blonde brick + color blocks + deco corner windows
I first became obsessed with this what-might-be-a-halfway-house building when Jeremy had his appendix removed (on our honeymoon, in case you forgot) at the hospital across the street.

c.
The Case Study House = concrete + glass + patina metal
While I love the coziness of our little historical home I can't help but fall in love with this super modern house. I'm sure living in a space this gorgeous would have to come with a trade-off - like you'd have to be living the life of Julia Roberts in Sleeping With the Enemy. Or at least that's what I'm going to tell myself in order to keep myself from dying with envy. Because I die looking at this house. I do.


P.S. These were photographed with our new iPhones. Yes, we've finally joined the oh-oh's and got ourselves phones that can do everything for us.

• Labels:
• architecture
• oklahoma city


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Fig. A.



Sharp garlic goat cheese, crackers, grape tomatoes (and one homegrown tomato), sliced avocado

Fig. B.



Homemade whole wheat biscuits, fried eggs, roasted grape tomatoes

Fig. C.



zucchini & onion fritters, skillet smashed potatoes, sharp garlic goat cheese, greek yogurt

Fig. A:
When I still had a day job I would always take a lunch. No matter how busy I was always took that hour to treat myself to food. However, I always felt funny when I came home for lunch - unsettled in my space. I suppose because I couldn't fully decompress. Well, now that I work from home it's the same thing - I feel uneasy at lunch time - and buzzing with anxiety does not an appetite make. My solution is to adopt the snacky-lunch. It's unfussy, easy and somehow calms my lunch-time nerves.

Fig. B:
I was craving whole-wheat biscuits the other evening and didn't have any milk for them (here's where place where a soy or rice substitute just fails to compare). So I used Greek yogurt in it's place. It gave the biscuits a tanginess and made them a little more cakey rather than the desired flakey - next time I'll make a quick run to the store for milk. Lesson learned.

Fig. C:
I feel guilty when my meal is mostly one color - but this one is actually chock full of veggies. I used this recipe for the zucchini and onion fritters and this recipe for the skillet smashed potatoes. The super exciting thing about this meal though, is that aside from spices and baking power, this meal is 100% local.

• Labels:
• eating local
• vegetables
• vegetarian
• what we eat


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I was beyond excited when Carlee approached me to create a logo and landing page for her business by the name of Sweet B. Sweet B includes Zoodies (hoodies modified to look like animals, so cute!), a vintage line, and an Etsy site featuring other handmade clothes by Sweet B.

The client wanted a logo that felt youthful, energetic and whimsy yet modern. I always start my projects with pen on paper but quickly move everything into the computer to start refining the look.



While a logo may look simple enough a lot of thought goes into each detail (or lack thereof). Together, we decided on a look that perfectly communicated the Sweet B brand. One thing I consider when creating a logo is how it will look large (for billboards and other signage) or small (on business cards or letterhead) - and also how it will look black and white for print ads and faxes.

Once I create a logo for a client I provide them with final files in various formats for print and web. Often times I will create a horizontal and vertical version for various applications. Here Sweet B needed a tag and web banner with the URL - so I adapted the logo accordingly.



From there Sweet B needed a landing page to act as a catch-all directory to all the various Sweet B sites out there. While I don't specialize in web or do any web development or coding myself I can certainly design for it keeping best practices in mind. There are lots of issues to consider when designing for web such as search engine optimization, how the viewer will navigate the page, making each store's purpose clear and getting everything on a single-page without cluttering the space. I love making sites feel like they exist in real life - so this entire landing page takes place on a hanging sign. I also kept the color palette and typography limited in order to keep everything cohesive and clean.



I really enjoyed working on such a fun identity project for Sweet B - and you better believe I put in a request for an adult-sized Zoodie or two.

• Labels:
• 2-color design
• and kathleen
• brand identity
• logo design
• sweet b


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We haven't had the best success with our vegetable garden so far. Between the vine borers and the 100+ degree temperatures we've yet to enjoy a good harvest from our backyard. The one exception has been the cantaloupe - the seed that found it's way through our compost and thrived in our little veggie patch.

This cantaloupe was finally ready to eat this weekend - ate it we did. This is what survival of the fittest tastes like - a juicy cantaloupe.

• Labels:
• compost
• square foot garden
• vegetable gardening
• what we eat


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I've been suffering from a serious case of wanderlust lately - and not just any wanderlust - something extreme. In just a couple months we'll be traveling to the other side of this little planet to trek Nepal - aside from Mexico and a brief stint in Canada, we've never even been out of the country. I've been fantasizing about picking up and moving to Berlin or Stockholm. And as much as I love our great state, I've been feeling guilty for staying put in Oklahoma my whole life.

So when I stumbled on Big Bang Studio's cross-country adventure in a 1978 Scamp travel trailer it reminded me of an identical dream I've been simmering on the back burner for a few years now: a restored Airstream, a baby clothed in a fresh white onesie and the open road - romantic, right?

For now we're staying put, but I'll remain inspired and live vicariously through the fine folks at Big Bang Studio.

Found via Kate at For Me, For You.

• Labels:
• blog crush
• dream
• road trip
• travel


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