Sheridan in the City

Grey and Gold Makeover

2014-01-05T16:06:00.001-06:00

Grey and Gold Makeover by kjprin featuring brass lighting

patterned skirt -- 3 ways

2012-10-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

There are endless ways to wear a patterened skirt. Here are three ways I find myself going back to again and again. How do you style your patterned skirts?

pumpkin decorating inspiration

2012-10-01T12:24:00.000-05:00

clockwise from left 1/2/3/4/5/6/7

October is here and I've been thinking about Halloween decor that I can put up well before and after trick-or-treaters come knocking on my door. The pumpkin decorating ideas above allow for just that, and all but #3 do not require wielding sharp objects. Which idea above would you try your hand at? Do you already have ideas for how you'll be embellishing your pumpkin this year?

lip-smacking good: orange pineapple berry smoothie

2012-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

This morning I threw every fruit I'd want in a smoothie into the blender. As I expected, something very tasty came out. Here's my recipe of sorts.

Do you create your own smoothie recipes? What smoothie combinations have you experimented with?

navy blazer -- 3 ways

2012-09-25T21:35:00.001-05:00

navy blazer -- 3 ways

I love the versatility of a navy blazer. Here are three ways I would wear mine. Do you own a navy blazer? How do you wear it?

before and after: bar cart

2012-09-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

When I moved into my new place, I had the need for more kitchen storage. I decided a bar cart would give me the versatility and mobility and display space I wanted in my extra storage. Not ready to drop the cash for a bar cart worthy of Domino, I settled on a cheap, but sturdy brass bar cart at a thrift store. As you can see from the "before" photo, the bar cart was in dire need of a facelift.

After scouring the web for contact paper or wallpaper in a design I liked, I found contact paper with a brass-colored bamboo design at TJ Maxx. While there were a few designs I liked better, I couldn't argue with the sub $10 price tag of the bamboo paper.

If you want to similarly change the surface look of your bar cart:

1. Thoroughly clean your bar cart.
2. Carefully measure the shelves to be covered. Use kraft paper to make a pattern for your surfaces.
3. Cut kraft paper to size using measurements, and place on shelves of bar cart to ensure that pattern    fits the surface area perfectly. Modify pattern if needed.
4. Use pattern to cut contact paper to size.
5. Carefully place contact paper on first bar cart shelf, and press firmly with a straightedge ruler to
     create a smooth surface without air bubbles.
6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 with second shelf.

I am really satisfied with the way this DIY turned out and have used my bar cart for several get-togethers since moving in.

coral pants -- 3 ways

2012-09-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

coral pants -- 3 ways

I can't get enough of my coral pants. I'm always trying to think of new ways to wear them. Here are three ideas I've had of late. Doyou wear coral pants? What do you pair with them?

scenes from a weekend: hot air balloons abound

2012-09-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

out and about in st louis: balloon glow

2012-09-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

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The Great Forst Park Balloon Race
Friday, September 14th 7:00-8:30PM, fireworks at 9:00PM
Central Field, Forest Park
free

I cannot wait for the annual Great Forest Park Balloon Glow tonight. It is by far my favorite event to take place in St. Louis and I look forward to it with much anticipation every year. This year 70 balloonists will inflate and their balloons across Central Field, lighting them up in unison to the sound of a horn set to go off every 15 minutes. Standing amidst the billowing, bright synthetic fabric, illuminated by bursts of fire you have the opportunity to talk with the pilots about how they discovered ballooning and what fuels their love of the sport. I would recommend taking the MetroLink downtown as parking can be a nightmare. If you can't make the Glow, the next best thing might be the Balloon Race that follows on Saturday morning at the same location.

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3rd Annual Dogtown Street Musicians' Festival
Saturday, September 15th 12:00-7:00PM
1200 Tamm Ave.
free

The only competitive street musician festival in the nation, this festival allows twenty four street musicians to play in front of judges for Best of Show, Best Original Song and other awards. Come be part of the audience and listen to some of St. Louis best street musicians.

How are you spending your weekend?

lip-smacking good: pesto, avocado, gouda, onion and tomato pizza

2012-09-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

homemade pesto, avocado, gouda, onion and tomado pizza

I made this pizza last night and it was a winner. After deciding we would have pizza for dinner, I discovered that I'd left the cookie sheet I usually make pizza in at Joe's house. Undaunted and unwilling to abandon our pizza plans, I improvised by using two 8" cake rounds. While the sauce can get a little runny and spill over into unused parts of the pan, the pizzas turned out well and I'd use the method again. Without further ado, here's what you need to make one pizza like the one pictured above:

1/2 package whole dough
3-4 tbsp of pesto
1 1/2 slices of gouda cheese (ripped into small pieces)
1/4 c red onion (chopped)
1/3 large tomato (chopped)
1/2 a medium-sized avocado (chopped)
measurements are approximate as I eyeballed all ingredients. Adujust as it suits your fancy.

pizza described in this post is baking on the right

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Press dough into 8" cake pan, making sure it is evenly distributed throughout the pan. Spread pesto over dough. Add ripped slices of gouda cheese, red onion, tomato and avocado as desired. Bake pizza for 13-15 minutes. Gouda will not melt completely. Enjoy!

today and every day

2012-09-11T14:11:00.000-05:00

I've found the following passages comforting and helpful as I reflect on the day today. I know that the truth of these statements blesses and heals.

One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed. --Science and Health 340:23

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Ps 62:7

pink pleated skirt -- 3 ways

2012-09-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

pink pleated skirt -- 3 ways

friday

2012-09-07T12:02:00.001-05:00

We are pretty excited that it's Friday over here. I'm kicking off the weekend by having tea with my mom this afternoon (we're finally using in the Groupon I got her for Mother's Day). Then Dusty, Joe and I are looking forward to a picnic and long walk in the park. We may also attempt to teach Dusty how to catch a Frisbee.

What's in store for you this weekend?

out and about in st. louis: 9/7-9/9

2012-09-06T17:00:00.000-05:00

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Camp Out Weekend: Finding Home in an Unstable World
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Friday-Sunday
Friday events free; Saturday night campout $65-$75

Laumeier has packed food demonstrations, talks, walking tours, and ghost stories, among other activities, into their Camp Out Weekend. On Friday night, resident artist, Kim Yasuda, is hosting Hunt + Gather, a Community Picnic with small samples of Laumeier Garden-inspired dishes created by restaurant partners and South Tech High School. The night will also include entertainment and some artist talks. Bring your own picnic and enjoy an evening amidst the permanent sculptures and temporary installations.

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For those ready to drop some dough, Laumeier Sculpture Park is holding an overnight at the museum to adults ages 21 and older. According to the Park's website, the night will include a cooking demo with edible plants, dinner and drinks, cash bar, flashlight trail hike, campfires and s’mores, stargazing, coffee and continental breakfast, Rise and Shine Yoga and green giveaway. Bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and PJs. Each ticket includes a chance to win the night in Dré Wapneaar’s Treetent (pictured above).

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St. Louis Hispanic Festival
Kiener Plaza Downtown
10A-10P Friday & Saturday + 11A-8P Sunday
free
Hispanic arts and crafts, food, live Latino bands, dancers and a Parade of Hispanic Nations are just a few of the things to expect at this year's Hispanic Festival.

Art Outside
Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave
Friday-Sunday
free

A three-day juried alternative art festival showcasing quality, affordable, local art. Art Outside will also feature music from local pop, bluegrass, rock and roll and country artists, puppet theater, and performances by the Fire Technicians (see Schlafly's site for full schedule and details).

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Brave New World: A FarFetched Festival
Plush, 3224 Locust Street
Saturday, 4:00 PM
$10

Brave New World is a music festival that promises to bring together St. Louis's most innovative musical and creative talent. Sponsored by FarFetched, an artist collective based in the city, the festival with include appearances from rock, funk, soul, hip hop and electronica artists. Music will be complemented by live art, skate demonstrations, vendors and music making workshops.

apple picking

2012-09-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

We celebrated Labor Day picking apples with Joe's brother and sister-in-law in a co-worker's backyard orchard.

Amazingly enough, we had the orchard all to ourselves, and found out later that we were the first to stop by the orchard this season.

We loaded up on apples and talked about all the recipes we hoped to make with our apple abundance (apple butter, apple crisp, apple pie, apple cobbler).

Joe's sister-in-law is a master pie maker, so we drove to my parent's house near the orchard to make something good out of our apples and share our apple bounty with my mom and dad.

My mom owns an apple corer and peeler contraption (pictured below) that fascinated the boys, and got them involved in the pie making. Nothing like mechanical contraptions to get guys to participate in activities they might normally shy away from! The pie was amazing, and we finished it off in no time.

What is your favorite thing to make with freshly-picked apples?

california: part two

2012-09-04T17:04:00.001-05:00

This is the day the Lord hath made; be glad, give thanks, rejoice; Stand in His presence, unafraid, in praise lift up your voice. All perfect gifts are from above, and all our blessings show the amplitude of God's dear love which every heart may know.
Laura Lee Randall, verse 1 "Angels' Song"

ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Eph 3:17-19 ye

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Ps 92:13-15

Grace for today, Thou Love divine,

Famishing hearts and hopes to feed;

Blot out all fear, let Thy light shine

With tender warmth on all our need.

Nemi Robertson

out and about in st. louis: labor day weekend edition

2012-08-31T16:03:00.000-05:00

Bluefish
Cicero's 6691 Delmar Blvd
September 2nd 5:00 PM
$10-$12

Bluefish's sound has been likened to Coldplay, Bon Iver, Scattered Trees, Third Eye Blind and John Mayer. If that isn't enough to make you head to Cicero's on Sunday night, check out their website, where you can listen to songs and read the press they've been getting.

Girls Gone Wild: Contemporary Women's Graffiti Exposed
Phantom 1300 Washington Ave. 63103
through September 2nd

The first national showcase of contemporary American women's graffiti is being shown at Phantom through Sunday. See works by artists like Indie 184, Jules Muck and Lady Aiko. Admission is free.

Julian Beever's work

Chalk Festival
Delmar Loop University City, MO 63130
September 1st 9:00AM

The 2nd annual Chalk Festival, sponsored by Blick Art Materials, promises to beautify the busy strip. Participating artists are asked to check in at Chuck Berry Plaza ($10 for adults participants, $8 for 13-18 year olds, $4 for children under 12). Chalk art will be judged and prizes awarded to winners in four categories. Spectators are welcome to watch art in progress. and four categories for a chance to win a prize.

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Japanese Festival
Missouri Botanical Gardens
September 1st - September 3rd
$10-$15

In its 35th year, the Japanese Festival has become one of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most well-attended events. Expect a celebration of Japanese culture through live music, cooking demos, a kimono fashion show, storytelling, and martial arts and sumo wrestling demonstrations. You can also appreciate the garden's 100-year-old cherry blossom trees, a gift from Japan to the United States in 1912.

Art Fair
Queeny Park
August 31st - September 2nd
$5 admission fee

One of the longest-standing art fairs in Missouri, the Art Fair at Queeny Park boasts over 130 top artists from 20 states selling jewelry, paintings, photographs, sculptures and more. You can find a coupon for $1 off admission at the fair's website.

How are you spending your long weekend?

lip-smacking good: red velvet cheesecake mousse in chocolate cups

2012-08-30T17:30:00.000-05:00

I am always looking for delicious, party-friendly recipes that have big impact but can be made quickly and easily. This red-velvet cheesecake mousse fulfills all of this criteria. I made some for Diane's Baby Shower and had several guests ask me for the recipe. What's more, all of the mousse cups were gone by the end of the shower. My modifications to this recipe appear below:

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c soymilk
1 box cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix
1/2 c red velvet cake mix
3/4 small tub cool whip
1 bag chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Combine soymilk and pudding mix in medium bowl.
2. Mix in cake mix.
3. Fold in cool whip and use hand mixer to incorporate thoroughly.
4. Melt chocolate in microwave and pour into rounded cup mold.
5. Freeze molds until chocolate becomes hard (15-20 minutes).
6. Pop out chocolate from molds and spoon mousse into cups (you can use icing decorating tool instead of spoon if you prefer)

california: part one

2012-08-29T11:54:00.003-05:00

the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalms 37:11 the

God fashions all things, after His own likeness. Life is reflected in existence, Truth in truthfulness, God in goodness, which impart their own peace and permanence. Love, redolent with unselfishness bathes all in beauty and light.

Science and Health 516:9-13

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you?

Luke 12:27,28 (to 3rd ,)

The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by His creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.

Science and Health 516:4

**This summer, I spent a few weeks in California engaging in spritual discovery and growth by taking a class through my church. In the evenings I would take walks in the hills and woods that surrounded me and contemplate all that I was learning. Over the next few days, I'll be sharing a few photos from my trip.**

dusty's birthday

2012-08-28T17:02:00.001-05:00

Dusty celebrated a year of growth in grace, loyalty and obedience with a beautiful, tasty sundae, made with love by the Three Dog Bakery. We also enjoyed a long walk together and plenty of cuddle time. Looking forward to many more celebratory sundaes with my best bud.

scenes from a baby shower

2012-08-27T21:08:00.000-05:00

My friends Diane & Stuart are about to welcome a baby girl into their family. On Saturday a few friends came together to celebrate this special time and shower Diane with new-parent essentials and cute clothes and accessories for her baby girl.

We snacked on cupcakes, red velvet cheesecake mousse, fruit salad and veggie sticks while we decorated baby clothes with fabric and embroidery floss.

We provided pre-cut shapes in different fabrics and patterns for people to cut out their designs in a fabric of their choice. We used Wonder-Under on the back of the fabric so it could be ironed on to the baby clothes.

We ended the afternoon with gift opening and a round of Loaded Questions: Baby Edition. For the game we asked everyone to answer the question, "What will the baby's first words be?" Diane had to guess who said what. The answers were clever, funny and sweet.

Grannie and mom-to-be with the baby outfits they decorated

We all agreed we can't wait to meet the little one, and if the love and support shown by guests at the baby shower is any indication, Diane and Stuart will not suffer for willing babysitters.

blog love: kings & cosmics

2012-07-25T21:05:00.000-05:00

I have a handful of blogs I read daily and one of the newer ones I've added to the lineup is too great not to share. To say that Naomi has a way with words barely scrapes the surface. Her posts are hilarious and relatable and her blog has quickly become a favorite.

What blogs are on your must-read list?

10 ways to be more productive

2012-07-20T17:09:00.004-05:00

Take five minutes to write out what you want to accomplish. Allowing yourself to reflect on what it is you need to do for the day/week/month/party/whatever else you may be tackling and then jot it down will enable you to visualize the tasks at hand. You'll also be able to see all of your "to do's" in one place, which should help you figure out things like the time needed to finish the list, which tasks can be grouped or completed at the same time and what you might need to complete the tasks.
Prioritize. Related to the step above, rank the things you need to do in the order you want to accomplish them. You can prioritize based on importance, time needed to complete each task or another measure. Taking this step will enable you to finish the tasks you deem most critical first, and prevent you from half-completing several tasks.
Set mini-goals and reward yourself with a break once you reach them. I find myself most productive when I identify goals I can accomplish every few hours and then reward myself with a small break. I feel guilty taking breaks when I haven't accomplished something, which can sometimes result in the break feeling unsatisfying (and then me feeling like I need another break soon after).
Know when to multi-task and when to be single-minded in your focus. There are some (more mindless or repetitive) projects I know I can tackle while talking on the phone, watching TV or riding in the car. Others, require my undivided attention. When I fail to focus on a project that needs my full concentration it ends up taking twice as long and the quality often suffers. Know when you're dealing with a project that falls into this category, and find a time to tackle it when there are minimal distractions. On the other hand, if there is an activity that requires minimal thought (for me folding laundry, cleaning the kitchen, tidying up around the house and working on some crafty projects fall into this category) save time and accomplish more by combining these with another activity that you want or need to do.
Know thyself. Self-awareness brings endless benefits, some of which relate to productivity. Knowing the work environment under which you thrive will help you be more intentional about creating an atmosphere conducive to productivity. If you're a morning person, arrange your schedule so that you have the time and energy to work in the early hours. If you find that quiet helps your efficiency, carve out a time and space to work with minimal noise and distraction around, or invest in some good earplugs.

Set a time limit on TV & Internet time (or tackle a project during commercials). I like technology as much as the next guy, but if I spend too much time reading blogs or watching Bachelorette re-runs, I usually wish I'd spent the time doing something more productive. Instead of making me feel restricted, capping my Internet and TV time allows me more time to tackle creative projects and participate in activities that leave me feeling inspired and refreshed. If you can't pull yourself away from TV, make tomorrow's lunch on the commercial breaks, dust between shows or fold laundry during an episode.
Keep a pad of paper by your bed for late-night lists. Some of my best ideas come to me when I'm busy counting sheep. I'd be up all night brainstorming and thinking about how to solve the most pressing problems in the world and my own life if it weren't for the notepad by my bed. When brilliance strikes, I jot down what I need to, and vow to pick up where I left off in the morning. The notepad also works well for reminders.
Respect your own time (and learn when to say no). While most of us don't have the luxury of choosing only those projects which thrill us to the core, we also don't have to say yes to every last thing we're asked to do. I think women sometimes have a particularly hard time saying no when asked to donate time and energy to something, but all of us need to learn to value ourselves and our time enough to set reasonable boundaries on what we do with the time we have. If you find your plate full of things you'd rather not be doing, identify which things you could say no to in the future, and think about what you could add to your day/week/month that you would really enjoy as a result. If you can't say no to something, see if you can modify it in such a way that would make it a more satsifying and less time-intensive activity.
Set reasonable expectations for yourself. For long-term productivity, it helps to set realistic expectations for what you can accomplish. While you may be able to go full boar for a while, be kind to yourself and take steps to ensure you don't over-extending yourself. Ultimately, avoiding burnouts will ensure greater productivity. If you're finding it hard to determine realistic expectations for yourself, think about the load you'd expect a friend or co-worker to handle as a benchmark. Remember to respect yourself as you would others.
Work hard, play hard. When it's time to work, work in a smart and efficient way by following the advice above and your own tried and true methods. When it's time to play, fill your time with activities that move you, energize you, satisfy you and make you feel like you've really had a break away from work. This balance will help you feel motivated for both work and play, ready to give your all in both environments.

How do you stay productive? What advice do you have for people looking to be more effective and efficient?

brunch

2012-07-17T17:10:00.000-05:00

ingredients for a successful brunch:

friends
red velvet pancakes
an extra-large dog bone
powdered sugar
conversation
fresh-squeezed orange juice
card table and extra seating brought in from the patio
growling tummies
something to celebrate

bbqs, strawberry lemonade, and a new home

2012-07-10T08:22:00.002-05:00

We sure know how to pack a lot into July. Dusty and I are mostly moved into our new place. Two days after moving in, Joe and I put my small kitchen to the test making strawberry lemonade and veggie skewers. At one point we had the juicer, grill, blender and trays for the grilled veggies out at the same time. We brought our culinary creations to a family 4th of July celebration, where we spent the evening being chased by kids with bubbles (Joe) and winning impromptu hula hooping contests (Katie). We may have also formed a Justice League when the glow bracelets came out.

What have you been up to so far this July?