approaching joy

tasty :: trying Thai in the kitchen

Thai has always been the epitomy of "exotic" to me.
It's probaly that it's Asian and wasn't available in my tiny small town as I grew up but it also may have a little to do with the fact the I didn't even know how to pronounce it until mid-college. {Insert a mental picture of a me with my head hung in shame.}

Regardless of it's exotic flair (or maybe because of it), I decided to tackle it in the kitchen using a recipe I found for "Sumptuous Thai Green Curry Beef".

{A picture of aformentioned "Sumptuous Thai Green Curry Beef"... deliberately blurred because though it is sumptuous it doesn't look too terribly tasty via iPhone.}

 I followed it word for word... except the last part where the home chef is instructed to add the last quarter cup of coconut milk.  Not being the biggest fan of *coconut milk (but usually it the previous two time the recipe called for it), I consulted the Mister and upon learning that he's not a big coconut milk fan either I decided to substitute to same amount of heavy cream and "southernize" it.  That is to say, add calories and extra (less sour) deliciousness.  At least in my opinion, because the end result was amazing and sumptuous and green and just "Thai" enough for my liking. 

What about you guys- Any fun adventures as of late in the kitchen?

wedding wonders :: great wedding inspiration

Image source 1 :: 2 :: 3

Once upon a time (recently) I heard the phrase, "I don't know how people planned weddings before Pinterest." I found this to be a strong assertion pre-engagement since people had been getting married for approximately forever before Pinterest popped up within the past few years. 
Post-engagement I wasn't sure if my opinion would change.  I mean this is where the women of the world (or at least middle class America) comes to document their latest inspiration- How could it not help??  

But I soon realized that personally I was overwhelmed rather than helped.  All the individual images by themselves were just pictures that didn't make a cohesive whole.  I came to realize that I needed meaning and story behind the images since that's what I hope to put together on my wedding day.  

It's with that in mind that I'm sharing these three sites for great wedding inspiration.  All three of these sites have tons of lovely images, but more importantly they tell the stories behind those images.  These stories have given me inspiration in that I look at their stories and can compare it to my own, just like I can look at the parts of their wedding and think, "This is how I make this detail my own."

What about you? Any other wedding sites/ books/ magazines that I need to take a look at?

tasty :: Dinner: A Love Story Cookbook

If you follow me on Instagram you know that last night I was super pumped that I finally got my hands on a my very own copy of the Dinner: A Love Story Cookbook.  I've followed this blog for a while  (maybe a year?) and though it's directed toward families juggling kids and soccer practice and piano recitals and walking the dog, I love the fact that they are able to convince me that I can, in fact, make super delicious food without sacrificing half my day to time in the kitchen.

I'm still reading on part one but am reading like a crazy woman.
I'll share a favorite recipe when I'm all through. 

Happy Thursday friends.

lately...

Lately...
I've been taking pictures of flowers.   There have been pictures of flowers I've attempted to make (following this DIY from Creature Comforts) which I'm still not finished with.  There have been pictures of healthy flowers, which were newly purchcased from the store (the zinnias i.e. gradient awesome-ness).  There have been pictures of non-healthy flowers, which lacked watering and suffered in our southern sun (the same zinnias i.e. droopy mcdroopster).  There have pictures of flowers on rugs, flowers in pots, flowers in vases, and flowers which I have forgotten to water for long lengths of time but have survived anyway, which are technically succulents but I'm going to go ahead and count them since they are pretty.

What have ya'll been doing lately?

things I heart thursday :: new office

So the move has come with quite a bit a arranging and rearranging.  My Mister has good taste so I haven't "needed" to have any big room makeovers, but I did claim an unused closet (with surprisingly great natural light) as my own.  This is my spot where glitter and fabric and scrapbook paper (and blogging) can run amok while only occasionally disturbing other members of the household. 

If you follow me on Instagram you may have gotten a peek at the bright yellow frames I intend to put up on one of the walls of the office.  I also plan to stuff it full of books, magazines, and trinkets/ refurbished furniture that I've had since I was two.  I plan on sharing pictures once it's all up and pretty but until then here are some things I'm lusting after to add to the fun factor that this room is al about.

1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4

1: I've always like the idea of floor pillows but have never actually used them because I always imagined that they would just look out of place.  But this small space is perfect for them to have a cozy home of their own.

2: This is a rockstar of a pillow guys.  The color, pattern, and texture of the material on this material all scream loveliness to me.

3: This chair could provide a simple colorful contrast against my refurbished (and somewhat ornate) desk.  My dilemma?  I'm not sure if I would like the orange of the chair up against the black of my desk (too Hocus Pocus?)... good thing this beauty comes in seven colors!!!

4: An etsy find that blurs the line between clean graphic lines and fussy antique.  I'm absolutely in love with it. 

Random side note: Apparently Gala (from yesterday's mini-post) was the originator of the "Things I Love Thursday" train of thought. Yay for looking at the positive!!