See you Sunday!

We're getting ready for the Blogs & Book event on Sunday. Colleen made this polka dot awesome table cloth.

Some of the highlights will be.....
- book club discussion on "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin
- Summer lemonade demonstration and tasting
- Snacks from Treat Bakery
- DIY tutorial "How to gift wrap a book"
- Fun summer flowers from Fresh Design
- Smock notebook giveaway from Monograham


We'll mingle, we'll learn, we'll discuss, we'll have fun! See below for the event flyer. The more the merrier, so bring your friends!

Next week, I'll post some highlights of the book discussion and the DIY tutorial! So stay tuned.



*top photo: Colleen, Artwork: Marisa

Blogs & Books: Sneak Peek

We're getting ready for Blogs & Books this weekend!

Today I'm getting some discussion questions together on the book, "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. It's about a woman's quest to find happiness in her daily life - being conscious of actions and feelings - it's a real 'stop and smell the roses' kind of book. I'm not quite finished with the book yet, myself, so don't worry if you haven't finished (or haven't started) the book. This book club is more about getting together and chatting about ideas. And there will be fun stuff like pecan treats from Treat Bake Shop, some DIY projects, and giveaways! AND fun summer drinks like this basil lemonade, my partner in crime, Colleen from Inspired to Share will be making. Can't wait to try it!



Basil Lemonade

1/4 cup squeezed lemon
2 cups filtered water
stevia (sugar free version) or symple syrup, to taste
4-6 fresh basil leaves, sliced
2 basil leaves for garnish

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!

For more info on Blogs & Books, check out the Facebook page here
We'll be at the Pabst Theater pub from 1-3pm on Sunday, August 26th! Hope you can come!!

Backyard Discovery: Vintage Rentals

In addition to serving some pretty rad catering, I just found out that Ball 'n Biscuit also rents some pretty rad vintage place settings -- like old plates, napkins and silverware. And if you want to decorate, they'll rent out decor items like old doors, wooden crates and suitcases. For a big dinner party or small event, this would add a ton of originality to the decor. It would probably cause some audible OMGs and jaw drops. And at a dollar or two per piece, what's not to love. If you live in the Milwaukee area, you can pick it up or they can arrange for a larger order to be delivered most anywhere. I'm really loving this business concept.
Time to get my vintage dinner party flair on, I'd say.

*Photos by Kat Schleicher for Ball 'n Biscuit

Red sky at night

We were driving home last night from my parents' house up north when we saw this scene building from the west. A heavy downpour had just ended and the sun was just beginning to set. The exact combinations of light and moisture in the air had created what looked like a yellowy-red firestorm. It was crazy. And a little scary.

So, like any normal person, I went home and googled it. I then found this: an old folklore used to predict the weather, "Red sky at night, sailors' delight. Red sky at morning, sailors' take warning". It was right, it did not rain today. There was a whole scientific explanation here from the Library of Congress, but it kind of ruined the majestic beauty of it all. Sometimes it's nice just to look out the window and be amazed by something bigger than yourself.

Reading.....for fun!

With finals over, my summer vacation has finally begun (albeit a little late and a little short - I'm back in in 2 weeks). That means I can finally finish my summer book, "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. And on August 26th, I'll be at Blogs & Books book club to discuss the book, hangout, and meet some new people. I'm excited to see what Colleen from Inspired to Share dreams up for decor and goodies. She's so great at that kind of stuff. I hear that summer lemonades will be served. Yum!

Meet me there!

See the new Blogs & Books Facebook page here
Sunday August 26th at 1pm at the Pabst Theater Pub
144 E. Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI

Totally Into: Ankle boots

(clockwise from top), Muse blue boot, Quincy lace up boot, swedish hasbeens jodhpur, sam edelman lisle boot, madewell red suede boot madewell buckle boot

My last paper for the summer is almost done so the clock to official summer vacation starts in less than a few hours. BUT, all I can keep thinking about is back to school shopping. What gives? And ankle boots are at the top of my list. I love the fun colors, but I feel the need for a good basic leather boot as well. Either way, it will have to wait a few paychecks. I got a little crazy at Ikea yesterday. My home apparently benefited from my shopping urges more than my back to school wardrobe. Patience, wardrobe, patience.

Can't stop listening to: Wild Nothing

I've been listening to these smooth beats the last few days. Wild Nothing has been making a buzz on the indie music scene and with their new album coming out later this month, you'll probably be hearing more of them. You can download their new song, Paradise, that came out yesterday - here. Enjoy!

Out and About: Pabst Pubcast

If you were listening to 88.9FM last Friday you might have heard them cut live to the Pabst for a special pubcast with Sharon Van Etten, Tennis, and Yellow Ostrich before the they took the stage that night. Pubcasts are sort of impromptu radio shows from the Pabst Theater pub with touring artists. Not all artists do pub casts, but normally, you can find out about these secret shows by entering a contest at radiomilwaukee.org or follow @PabstTheater to get updates and directions the day of. You might have to be a little flexible and run over the theater at a moment's notice, but these little-known shows are great to see in person! Tennis was great, btw.

Milwaukee Faves: Friday Fish Fry

On Friday I tried the "Damn Good Fish Fry" at Maxie's Southern Comfort. I love their po'boys, mojitos, and shrimp 'n grits, but now I can add their fish fry to that list. Friday Fish Fry is pretty popular in Wisconsin and they all vary a little bit. Maxie's serves beer-battered cod with french fries and coleslaw. I'm a big fan of beer-battered cod...and potato pancakes. What kind of fish fry do you guys like??