Working from Home

It's been about three weeks since my last day of nannying.  Since then, I've been working from home... although it's only been one week since grad school wrapped up.  This whole working-from-home thing is still very new.

Today was a little different.  I had an in-person meeting at a marketing firm downtown this morning.  So I dressed in professional clothing and set off for the 'L' with my portfolio in hand.  It felt good.  And the meeting went well (from what I could tell!) so that's a plus.

I created a portfolio of my work this week in anticipation of today's meeting.  It's cool to flip through and see what I've written all in one place... hard copies that I can touch, not just click to read like the writing samples on my website.

That iced coffee looks gigantic, but it's normal-sized, I promise... just in the foreground :)

Lunchtime and the afternoon find me back at my desk.  I love to surround myself with pretty, colorful things.  Inspiration within reach at all times.

My sister A. gave me this cute pencil cup for graduation...
and the fun writing utensils were a gift from the family I nannied for.

Motivation + decoration... postcards from Kate Spade and Jess LC

I'm still adjusting to my new lifestyle... or "workstyle" if you will.  It's nice to have the flexibility, but with that freedom comes responsibility.  The success of my business is totally up to me.  I find myself thinking, Is this real life?  Is this really my job?!  It's exciting.  It's scary.  It feels right.

Those of you who work from home: any helpful tips to share?

Logos make everything look more legit... right?

Tomato, Tomahto

When produce is fresh and ripe, it doesn't take much effort to assemble a flavorful meal.  I love the simplicity of a tomato sandwich. 

Easy and delicious...

Smear some mayo on two slices of toasted bread.
Layer on thick slices of tomato.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Hello, summer!

Party Time... Happy Graduation!

As of this weekend, I'm officially finished with grad school (!!!).  Since the actual ceremony was scheduled for Sunday morning at 8 am outside the city (ugh), I decided a party at our place would be a more fun way to celebrate.

Family and friends came over on Saturday.  The party was "BYOM" (bring your own meat)... so we fired up the grill and dished up dips, sides and desserts.  Thanks to everyone who brought food to share!

Our porch was full throughout the evening, we had a total of three babies and a puppy in attendance, and I sipped champagne most of the night.  (Those of you who gifted me with bottles of bubbly know me well... you're awesome.)  It was so great to hang out and celebrate with everyone who has supported me through the last two years.

A big thank you goes to the one guy who has dealt with all of my late nights of paper writing, weekends full of homework, evening classes, stacks of books, and stressed-out moments... my wonderful hubby.

Of course, here's a peek at our party spread...

Recipes: cheeseball, 7-layer dip, artichoke-jalapeno dip, oatmeal carmelitas, Reese's bars

Thanks to: my mom for baking and shipping the chocolate cake & to Scott's parents for bringing fruit, cheese, and cookies!

In case you were curious about the tray on our coffee table above, here's a close-up I snapped a week or two ago while we were savoring some margs.  This fun little item is from Target (only $24.99!)... and it was the inspiration for my feature on Glitter Guide today, a round-up of seven pretty trays that will instantly organize your home.

Navy and Neon = My New Running Shoes

I needed new running shoes.  Not for running exactly, more for power walking.  And I wanted something fun and colorful and bright.

Call me crazy, but these are the shoes I bought today.

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This design is much sleeker and a lot less clunky than my old sneakers... a good thing, but it might take some time to get used to.  I couldn't quite go totally "minimal," so they do have some support and are a little less flexible than the super "lightweight" models out there these days.

I really considered the bright purple Nikes (my fave color!), but the laces didn't go far enough down towards the toe so they felt too wide for me.

As for these New Balance ones, the yellow soles and pink on the tongue are actually neon... like glow-in-the-dark bright.  They're so... happy.  I think the colors will give me an extra boost of motivation.  And this gorgeous weather doesn't hurt either.

Two Years of Marriage

Five years ago today, Scott and I went on our first date... an Italian dinner (BYOB but oops, we didn't bring wine) and ice cream and a walk along the lake.

Two years ago today, we celebrated our wedding day... with lots of love, dancing, and champagne.

To celebrate our anniversary, we've got a bottle of this chilling in the fridge right now.

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To my loving, kind, hilarious husband,

Thank you for five wonderful years together... an amazing two years of marriage.  You never fail to make me smile.  You care so much about your family and friends... I think that's what I love most about you.  Being with you and taking on this adventure called life together... there's no one I'd rather have by my side.  I'm so excited for everything that lies ahead.

Love you,

Melissa

xoxo

And as the two of us remind one another from time to time, when life gets a little crazy, "Just Love"...

Wedding photos by Tydell Associates

Simple, Fresh Food - and My Glitter Guide Feature!

Let's start with the exciting stuff!  I wrote today's feature on Glitter Guide!

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I love baking and entertaining, but when our oven is on, it heats the whole condo.  And no one likes a sweaty hostess.  So I was inspired to share a few no-bake dessert recipes as a way to celebrate summer and stay cool.  It was so fun to select these sweet treats and write the piece.  Check it out and let me know which recipe sounds most delicious!  (You may recognize a couple of my favorites...)

On the topic of food, I love having food in the house again.  I made it to the grocery last week and stocked up on fruits and veggies, meat and milk... and a few fun things too.  Packaged foods will always have a place in our busy household, but there is something so satisfying about fresh food.

Okay, and I couldn't resist making some butterscotch chip cookies.  Having baked goods on hand makes me feel like I'm at home :)

And one more thing... I am honored to be one of the ten people included in this article: "10 Creative People Share What Inspires Them" on Psych Central.  In the piece, I give insight into what inspires me as a writer...  I enjoyed reading the article as a whole, learning about other people's sources of inspiration and seeing the different types of creativity among the group.

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Now, I'm off to paper writing.  It's finals week...  But at least I've got some caffeine and yummy food to keep me going.  (Starbucks tip: sign up for Starbucks Rewards and register any gift cards you receive... you'll earn free drinks in no time, which is the only way I'm picking up a venti skinny vanilla latte!)

Happy Monday!  Fingers crossed for a productive day....

Baking for Birthday BBQs

As we head into another weekend, I thought I'd give you a peek at the bars I made for last Saturday.  It was my BFF's birthday and she hosted a low-key BBQ.  (N. and I have known each other since 5th grade when we went to school together in Kansas!)

To kick off the summer season, we all relaxed on N. and M.'s deck from the afternoon into the evening.  M. grilled chicken, shrimp and corn-on-the-cob (seriously, amazing!).  Plus, they served a keg of Boulevard Wheat from the Kansas City brewery.

Adding to the spread of dips, chips, cheese, and sweets, I brought Peanut Butter M&M Blondies.  Nothing like a tasty bar topped with my favorite type of M&M.

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Peanut Butter M&M Blondies

from greens and chocolate; adapted from my kitchen addiction

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups peanut butter M&Ms (from a medium sized bag)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease 9x13 inch baking pan.

2) In medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar, stirring until smooth.  When it is smooth, remove from heat and add peanut butter.  Allow to cool while combining the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Butter + brown sugar

Add the peanut butter...

Combine dry ingredients...

3) Add the eggs to the brown sugar and peanut butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.  Add the vanilla and stir to combine.  Pour the mixture into the mixed dry ingredients and stir until combined.  It will be a thick, smooth batter.

Add eggs... then vanilla

Pour into dry mixture

4) Pour into prepared baking dish and top with peanut butter M&M's, pressing them down into the batter.  Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.  [My oven is "hot" so I could have pulled them out a few minutes earlier for softer, more gooey bars.]  Allow them to cool in pan before cutting into bars.

Ready for the oven...

After baking

YUM!

We also celebrated the 1st birthday of Scott's cousin's daughter (the one I've been nannying for over the last few months).  She's gone from a baby to a toddler before my eyes... from not even crawling to almost walking. 

When her mom D. asked if I would make a giant cupcake cake, just for the birthday girl, I was honored.  And it felt like things had come full circle since I made this cake for her baby shower last year.  How much has happened and changed since then!

Happy weekend!  For us Chicago folks, let's hope the sun comes back after all this rain.  I'm off to an end-of-the-year reception at DePaul today and then dinner with my ND girls tonight.

Saturday and Sunday are wide open.  Looks like I'll be paper writing... maybe making dinner on the grill with Scott... and hopefully heading to my third yoga class this week (feels good to get back into it!).