friday finds & favorites #12

Lately I have been feeling thankful. Just overly thankful, grateful for so many little things. But a few things-- er people-- I'm thankful for, in particular, is my mom and husband.

Black Friday is coming up, but even more than that, I have a huge craft show coming up-- my first big one. And of course I'm behind, and stressing out... and you know how it goes. The husband is being so gracious-- cleaning the house when I'm glued to the sewing machine and my mom is picking up fabric for me, cutting out patterns and chipping away at some sewing too. I can not be more grateful.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity-- but of course I'm nervous! Selling online is so different from selling in person... and I'm not always so good talking about what I make in person. 

But I am excited. I'll have some new things that will debut there (eee!), and I'll also be selling something brand new to the shop-- this beautiful polka dot and leather tote. 

Every time I make something new, I proclaim it as my favorite-- but I really do think that this may stay my favorite this time. 

You can check it out in the rouge and whimsy shop. 

A few other favorite things from this week:

--> my soup obsession continues-- this is the next recipe on my list to make (via delightfully tacky)

--> oh goodnessgraciousholycow Mandy's daughter KILLS me with adorableness. (is that a word?)

--> you can make SECRET pinterest boards now. I don't know what I'm going to do armed with this knowledge, but I'm stoked.

--> chelsea of the paper mama is doing 50 (amazing) christmas diys.

--> I saw a girl rock a hat like this and ever since, I've decided someday I will have confidence to rock a hat like that too. (maybe by Christmas?) ;)

So how was your guys' week? share some of your favorite things from the web and real life with the weekly friday finds & favorites link-up hosted by Beth and me. Please link up just your blog post with your faves (not your entire blog) and link back to Beth or me somewhere on the blog. Please, also, make sure that your post is relevant (i.e. no giveaways or that sort of thing.) And, of course, be sure to go visit everyone else who links up! :)

xo, erika

<a href="http://rougeandwhimsy.blogspot.com/search/label/friday%20finds%20and%20favorites" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpb5Pp81i8PFOkw9BVD6Cautjs6SddFofo8Veaf__E0NJD5wKVwLBSyMS3yKIveSvmK3VmUIhtZ09NcNholPq4nYFGRmGEuouzZ75L1LEdNdJCXZGQ6b8irVa9I3wz8-PhVF2Mm91uUuRO/s400/18383449009.jpg" border="0" alt="Rouge & Whimsy" /></a>

diy: painted glasses from yellow bird, yellow beard

Is it appropriate to talk about umm... (whispers) Christimas...gifts yet? I mean, if not, that's cool-- feel free to go elsewhere, but I've started thinking about gifts and, in particular, making gifts.

I'm excited to share a super cute DIY from Janee of Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard. (If you haven't checked out her cute, cheerful and inspiring blog & shop, I highly recommend it.) These painted glasses would be a great Christmas gift or maybe a just a fun project in general.

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**you can find the glass paint pen here**

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Adorable right? I can think of a million ways to design a glass or two! Monogram? Chevron? Snowflakes?... I could go on. 

Thanks, Janee, for sharing this cute project! Be sure to come say check out her blog, shop and say hi to her on Twitter and Facebook. :)

xo, erika

glasses are cool now

Once upon a fifth grade I got glasses for seeing the board. And I was a little excited at first until I realized that glasses weren't cool.

Fast forward to high school when glasses for seeing the board turned into glasses for all the time and contacts became my obvious choice.

From then I just wore glasses when I had to, like when I'm sick or when my contacts just straight won't stick in my eyes. But what I've noticed lately is that glasses are in-- geeky is cool.

And when Firmoo said I could try a pair for free, I thought why not?

I like 'em-- I really do-- and I feel smarter wearing them, but I'm not quite sure I'm a glasses convert yet but maybe I'll rock 'em a little more often. (I'm wearing these fyi)

They are a tad big for my face and I have to push them up on my nose if I look down too fast, but I think with a little tweaking at a local eyewear shop will make them perfect.

Firmoo's service was fast, easy and affordable. Want to try out your own free pair? Firmoo is offering free specs to you guys too!

xo, erika

recipe: kale white bean soup

or alternatively titled-- how to get your husband to eat kale.

Kale is not the most friendly vegetable-- it's not dippable like carrots and it's got a bitter taste if you eat it straight off the stalk. But, prepared right it's pretty delicious (at least I think so) and of course, it's super healthy.

Of course, if you're like my husband, kale is is like getting a shot-- sure it's good for you, but it's not an enjoyable experience. (in fact, moments ago he just told me: honey, I just don't like kale.)

I've tried a number of ways to get the husband to eat it... and the best way is to hide it in soup.

Kale White Bean Soup
1 tbs olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, finely diced
1 small white onion, finely diced
4 cups chopped kale (removed from stalks)
2 cans low-sodium white beans (cannelli beans are what I usually use)
4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 can no salt added diced tomatoes
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp sage (or a few sprigs of fresh sage)
1 tsp dried basil (or a few leaves fresh)
salt & pepper to taste
optional: chicken sausage diced and added to the soup
optional: pecorino-romano (or parmesan) cheese grated and added to the top

- In a large pot, saute garlic and onion in the oil until translucent. Add kale and saute about 4 minutes or until slightly wilted and bright green.
- Remove the kale from the pot and add the beans, broth, tomatoes and seasonings. Bring to a boil and boil for one minute.
- Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often.
- Using an immersion blender or blending in batches, blend about half the soup.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, and kale. Cook until kale is heated through.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread and top with cheese.

healthy and a sneaky way to get your kale fill.
 

xo, erika

kitty shirt (stitchfix #2)

The husband and I have different viewpoints about what's fashionable. While I believe in a wide spectrum of "what's in" -- I think some of the things I wear confuse him. Take for example, a recent conversation we had as I tried on items from my stitchfix box.

Blouse:
Me: what do you think?
Husband: It's cute. But what are those on there. Are those cats on there? Why are there cats on there?
Me: It's cute! I like the cats.
Husband: I would like it but it's weird it has cats on it? What if it had corgis on it? That would be weird. It should have diamonds or moonbeams or something else on it.
Me:  Well I think it's cute. Your sister would like this shirt (His sister loves cats.)
Husband: What else is on there? Birds. Keys. Cages. My grandma would like this shirt too.
Me: laughs
Husband: I'm not being mean. She would like it!

Blazer:
Me: I like this one!
Husband: Uhh. I think my grandpa has that. Like you could have one of his and wear it.
Me: Why do you say that?
Husband: No, really I think my grandpa has that jacket. I'm sure you could have it if you asked him.
Me: So you're saying you don't like this...
Husband: No, I'm just saying it looks like something my grandpa has.

I didn't keep the blazer-- it was pricey and while I loved it, I already splurged on a leather jacket that fits similarily.

The blouse, however, despite the husband's concerns about the cat print, I couldn't resist keeping.

Have you tried Stitchfix? It's a fun little thing to do -- I love getting mail -- and clothes in a box is like the best mail to get.

My tips if you try:
- Price: The items in Stitchfix are going to be priced higher than items you would find at Forever21 or Target but I think the quality of the items are match the price. I've had a couple of wool-blend and silk-blend items.
- Be specific: At the end of the Stitchfix survey there is a place to "tell them more." I wrote this time that I wanted a fun, printed blouse or dress. They delivered. Tell them exactly what you're looking to add to your closet and what is a no go. (For me it's pants. I can really only wear one brand of jeans.)
- Be open: Some of the things I get I look at and think no way-- but once I try them on, I like it! It's also a great way to just open yourself up to new styles and looks.

Wanna try it out? You can use my invitation here.