Quotable

Been seeing this quote around the Pinterest world lately, and find it speaks to me every time I read it.  Pinterest is always a great place to find some good soothing words or inspiring quotes.

In between

I'm so glad it's halfway through the week.  The weather here in Minneapolis has been dreadfully winter for so long, and the one glimpse of spring weather (Above 60!  And maybe some sun too!) is this Sunday.  I am so ready for the days of biking to work, outdoor patio happy hours, and Sunday picnics.  It's such an in-between time.  My mood is easily affected by it too - R has been super great at trying to cheer me up, but I'm grasping for that super-excited feeling I had just last summer, on the brink of moving here.

I still haven't quite ditched the opaque tights & boots at work, sad as that is.  Instead, I'm starting to look to classic neutrals & fresh, ligher fabrics, like utility jackets and flowing skirts.  Paired with grounding basics, some new-season pieces can be perfectly transitional (except it will still be a while until I can pull of sandals around here, with snow still on the ground).

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Keep your fingers crossed that it will finally be nice out soon - as soon as it's nice, I'll be showing you my spring/summer collection!   

Standout Brunch: Beer and Pie

This weekend, Half Acre Brewery and the Bang Bang Pie Shop teamed up for the most fantastic brunch in Chicago.

They featured some new and exclusive beers on tap, while highlighting the best pie crust in town.  We drank a few small 5 oz pours to be able to try several beers, and nibbled on a spring vegetable tart (ramps are finally in season!), country ham filled mustard biscuit, and rhubarb crumble pie.

The perfect way to start Sunday, if you ask me.  I wish Mondays could be this good...

craving lately

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Craving easy & breezy style, spring herbs & succulents, a fresh haircut, and irresistible treats lately.

Home Creative Spaces

Do you have an area in your home for being creative?  I have a small sewing table in my living room, I’m thinking this area will be a great easy home update to refresh my inspiration for the spring.

Here are some home creative workspaces that are inspiring me:

Adding Color in a Rental Apartment

After being cold for months, we are itching for spring & all its bright colors and newness.  Bringing in color into your home is such a fun way to spruce up - but for those of us who live in rental residences (our hands go up), something lower-commitment than a fresh coat of hued paint is the way to go.  Try these ideas for some inspiration.

Take a trip to the flea market for the perfect accent piece to paint in a bright, refreshing color, like this unique turquoise end table.  

If you crave a more impactful wall, try removable wallpaper or decals.  This cute polka dot design is a DIY panel project.

Contemporary Frames design by Other Metro Etsy

Art is always a great go-to, but what about accumulating antique frames and painting them in a similar color palate to make a bigger statement?  Hang to form a gallery wall, or lean against the wall on a ledge or piece of furniture.

A bright, graphic shower curtain can be elevated and sophisticatedly refreshing - like this one in a clean, white bathroom.

If you have white or beige walls, you aren't doomed to boredom - invest in a patterned headboard to make a focal statement in your bedroom.  Don't be afraid to commit to a color that inspires you, like this springy coral. 

Will you bring in more color this spring?  

Last Minute Valentine's Day DIY

Happy Valentine's Day! Do you have fun plans for the day, whether it is dinner with your sweetheart, a night in with your very best Valentine (yourself!), wine and Titanic, or a crazy night on the town with your most fun single friends? 

In case you are looking for some special ways to show your loved ones how much they mean to you this Valentine's day, here are some Merrimint favorites.  We love these DIY, quick, and super sweet ideas to spread the love.

1.  On a deck of cards, use a sharpie to write a reason why you love your Valentine on each card.

2.  Cut out construction paper hearts and write reasons your Valentine is special on each.  Sprinkle them through your house, car, etc.

3.  Cut out figures, words, or pictures that remind you of your Valentine from magazines and newspapers, and attach them to a poster to put on the door, fridge, prominent wall, etc. for a fun and lighthearted way to show them you are constantly reminded of how great they are.

4.  Heart shaped pancakes :) 

5.  Write fun love notes on a million post-its, and post them in unexpected places (cupboards, inside the car, on the toothpaste...).

6.  Compile a package of low-cost and frivolous heart-themed items: ice molds, heart-shaped measuring cups, romantic phrase linens, chocolate, anything you can find at the dollar store (or the $1 section at Target!).  Pack it in a box full of pink/red tissue and give it- or send it!- to your Valentine.

7.  Create an original crossword puzzle with reasons your Valentine is special.

8.  Wrap red or pink yarn all over your house, starting where your Valentine will find it and ending with a special treat (see #6).

9.  Of course, a punny card will always do the trick.

We hope you enjoy your day and dedicate it to telling those you love that they are wonderful to have in your life.  We are so happy you are here to celebrate with us- will YOU be our Valentine?

Negroni, Merrimint Style

One of my New Year's Resolutions this year was to learn to make a few key cocktails that I can whip up when people come over.  My goal was to learn a few solid before dinner drinks, or aperitivo in Italian.  These drinks tend to be on the bitter side and not very alcoholic to rev the appetite and prepare your taste for the flavors of dinner.

I decided to make a twist on the classic Negroni to serve for my first aperitivo gatherings in my new apartment.  Here's how...

What you need: Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, orange peel, and sparkling wine (optional)

Pour equal parts of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth into a short old fashioned glass.  I used 1 ounce of each, which yielded the perfect sized cocktail for before dinner.  Stir to combine.

Peel a strip of orange rind, twist over the drink to release aromatic oils.  I like to rub the peel around the rim of the glass as well to make the orange flavor really stand out (don't forget to wash your orange well before peeling it though!).  Add ice, and stir until well combined.

If you like, you can top off the drink with a few ounces of prosecco or sparkling wine- I love how this adds nuanced flavors and a bit of sparkle to the drink!  You can also use Aperol instead of Campari to take the bitterness down a notch, and make it a touch more sweet.

This drink would be the perfect way to start a Valentine's Day dinner with your significant other, family, friends, or even by yourself :) Just add a few heart shaped ice cubes to bring the loveliness of this drink over-the-top!

Featuring: The Foundry

Here is a photographic spotlight on a Minneapolis favorite.  The Foundry is an amazing boutique shop, supplying the perfect household items.  Each good is hand picked by the owner (who was also working  the shop whenever we stopped in), and is chosen with great intention and care.  Basically, living in the shop would be like living in Kinfolk (so dreamy).  Though you can't shop the store online, it is full of great inspiration and happiness, so take a wonder over there and see what the shop is all about.  It is the kind of place that makes you breathe deeper, you know?

Hope your week is happy and calm.  We've almost made it to Friday...

Don't Eliminate, Exchange

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Did you make a New Years resolution? Though we are almost to the end of January (can you believe it?), it's never too late to make some resolutions to make small changes that can make a big difference in the overall health equation.  Whether it is adding a short walk during the lunch hour, one less cup of coffee, or one more piece of fruit everyday, making a small habit that can stick can have a huge impact.

That said, there isn't always a need for deprivation or completely taking out the luxuries that make life great.  I am a huge fan of swapping in healthier choices that feel just as special as the originals.  Sometimes the swap ends up being more satisfying and more fun to enjoy!

Swap #1: Pure Dark Chocolate for Candy
Candy might satisfy that sweet tooth, but it is definitely not doing your body any favors.  Dark chocolate is rich and velvety, and a small amount can be super satisfying.  It has beneficial antioxidants and flavanols, and has less impact on blood sugar than other chocolate varieties or candies.  Forget those Sour Patch Kids... bring on the Ghirardelli!

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Swap #2: Banana Frozen Yogurt for Ice Cream
Have you heard of the banana ice cream revolution? It started with a post from a vegan blogger, and took over the cyber world.  I have tried it, and it's great! Just freeze a few peeled bananas (one per serving) until frozen solid, and blend them until light, fluffy, and smooth.  For fun, add some dark chocolate chunks (see swap #1!), cinnamon, or vanilla extract.  This swap decreases sugar, fat, and dairy intake, provides fiber, and adds to your daily fruit intake.  What's not to love?

Swap #3: Vegetable Blended Soups for Cream Soups
There is no time for hearty soups like January.  Instead of packing in the calories and fat with a cream soup, try making a pureed soup using vegetables for the "creamy" component! Some successful recipes: potato, cabbage, and leek; celery root and cauliflower; butternut squash with ginger; and white bean.  It's easy- boil chopped vegetables in broth or seasoned water until tender, blend with a blender or immersion blender e voila! Creamy soup! Be sure to use potatoes, beans, cauliflower, celery root, or another starchy vegetable/legume to up the creaminess.
(Bonus: look for a creamy vegetable soup recipe next week!)

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Swap #4: Honey for Sugar 
Do you use sugar in your tea, coffee, on your cereal, or perhaps to add sweetness to fruit? This is a beyond easy swap.  Use honey! It is as sweet as sugar, but is natural and minimally processed.  There are more benefits too if you choose a raw, local, organic variety.  Honey may decrease regional allergy symptoms (since pollen is the basis of honey, your body develops a tolerance to regional types), and is a natural antibiotic.

Swap #5: Red Wine...
Kidding! Why would anyone want to swap out wine? Plus there are beneficial antioxidants, as long as you choose red varieties.

Have you made any healthy swaps this year? Are there any foods/drinks that you want to swap out for a healthier choice?

Pantone's 2013 Color of the Year

Images via Pinterest and OnceWed

How inspiring is this year's Pantone Color of the Year?  From fashion to decor to food, we're loving the idea of adding more rich, luminous emerald to our lives.