Butter Roasted Carrots with Lemon Thyme

In the summertime I love refreshing preparations of fruit and vegetables-two favorites include cucumber and tomato salad or watermelon, feta, red onion and fresh mint salad. But on a chilly day I really do crave roasted carrots and this simple preparation (not to mention the beautiful photography) below by Hannah from Honey & Jam looks delicious. 

Butter Roasted Carrots with Lemon Thyme

1 bunch carrots, chopped or left whole
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
5 or so sprigs of thyme 

Preheat oven to 425.
Combine ingredients on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes if chopped, 30 if whole.

All photos and recipe via Honey & Jam

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via: firsthome

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Every Wednesday for the past few weeks I have tried to wake up early enough to make a pit stop at the Green City Market in the morning on the way into work. Today I finally did and it was a great way to start the day. My purchases indicated one thing: I must have really been craving strawberries. I walked away with a strawberry muffin for breakfast, a quart of baby strawberries that I snacked on throughout the day, and some homemade strawberry rhubarb jam for later. A new summer Wednesday morning tradition is born.

We were blessed with such spectacular weather over Memorial Day weekend and I’m hoping Summer is here to stay. When summer rolls around I favor clothing that is effortless and comfortable and this is an ensemble I’d gladly rock throughout the season. Perfect for a daytime BBQ, street festival, or work (if you enjoy a casual dress code like I do). 

J.Crew Panama Hat / Warby Parker Shades / J.Crew Snakeskin Belt / Equipment Sophia Dress / Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. Bombe / Madewell Crisscross Boardwalk Sandals 

Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective opens to the public on Monday May 21st at the Art Institute of Chicago, but members have the ability to preview the exhibit this week. I’m thinking of taking a long lunch on Friday (and braving the perceived NATO Summit craziness) to sneak a peek of the exhibit. Check out this video for a brief glimpse inside an exhibit 5 years in the making.

recently…

I’ve been logging many miles on my two wheeled companion during Bike to Work Week. I don’t really need a designated week to ride my bike - I rode the 5 miles to and from work all throughout the winter and haven’t taken public transportation in 2 weeks (the weather’s been ideal in Chicago). And I’m putting all the bus/train fare I save into a travel fund that can get me a plane ticket to somewhere exciting (did someone say sister+mom reunion in New York this summer?!)

I’ve recently joined a new gym and I love it. I’ve actually have made a big shift in my priorities lately and it’s called taking care of myself. Sleeping enough, exercising, eating healthy-all things that can go out the window when one works late nights (me) and leads a busy life (me), but you have to fight for the things that are important to you. I’ve been swimming laps a lot lately and while I’m no pro (far from it), I do have a goal of doing a triathlon at some point in the future and need to brush up on my swimming endurance to ever make that a possibility. My most recent obsession, however, is Live DJ spin class. You heard that right. Multiple locations of my gym offer this throughout the week and it is just a killer class. The DJ’s tunes are beat-heavy, motivating, and do their part to keep you moving strong through what I think can be one of the toughest workouts (if you really push yourself).

I spent a wonderful four days in Nashville with my family this past weekend for my sister Andrea’s graduation from Vanderbilt. Nashville visits always include a few lovely meals (this time we even went to restaurants on my ‘try before Andrea graduates’ list), as well as much needed sister & cousin time together. I’m trying to carry that joy I felt from the togetherness with the people I love most into this coming week.

Overall I’m staying busy at work and in my spare time, and have some exciting events in just the coming week:

• I’m attending a fundraiser for a cause that excites me on Thursday evening
• I ordered A few books on Amazon today and with prime shipping they will arrive on Friday!
• Saturday morning I’m getting my bikes washed for a good cause
• Going to my second BBQ of the season this Saturday 
• Sunday is for a bike ride and a trip to the beach (because it will be in the 80s!) 
• Monday is for The Moth at Haymarket Pub & Brewery. This month’s storytelling theme: Mothers.
• I’m stealing my sister Andrea for a few fun events before she moves to NY in late June. We’re going to  a ‘Tour of Belgium’ beer tasting next Tuesday at one of my favorite places, The Bluebird
• A brewery grand opening party for Revolution Brewing takes place next Friday.

Lots to look forward too!

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a summer uniform done right

via: champagnetoasts

(Source: graceinplace)

a better guacamole

A new guacamole recipe worth passing along (all thanks to Megan who discovered this gem from Bon Appetit). The key is to create a paste (far left) of lime juice, white onion, jalapeno, cilantro and sea salt before adding the avocados. This was a hit at my friend’s Cinco De Mayo party yesterday. This guac has proven itself after just one batch, earning a place in the group of my go-to appetizers worthy of making for a get together.