happenstance home

Today = make invitations and get them in the mail.


Here is where I found my inspiration for our 2013 invite.


Love the color combination (even for Christmas)

I gathered sheet music, kraft paper, washi tape, rayon seam binding, and wallpaper.  I keep changing up my combinations so I'm really not sure what it will look like in the end.

The two fonts I am using are:



Oh - and my wording inspiration ...

From one of my very favorite commercials.  My family does not understand why I get such joy from this commercial.   All I have to do is think about it and I smile.  I think because Shelly is just so happy about her dentures, and wouldn't it be nice if we could all be so happy about things in life - even the things that really aren't that fun.  I admit I even tried to see if she had a twitter.  Seriously, watch this video - let me know if it makes you smile.  I enjoy it every time.  I took some wording from Shelly and am using it on my invites.  It is something we just don't say here in Michigan, but I like it!



One more pretty picture for color inspiration.


I better quit messing around and get back to work!

Before and After Interiors has a new location, and the holiday open house is tomorrow.  You can find all the details at the end of this post. 

Here are some photo's (think sneak peek) taken today.  Enjoy.


All kinds of pretty little things ... those are my flowers :)  also made a bunch of ornaments, garlands, burlap word art, pinwheels, and more.  It's fun to see things I've created mixed in with all of the shops beautiful and unique pieces.  That box of vintage ornaments are the most beautiful shades.



Love this hardware that graces one of the cabinets.


Here are the details:

Before and After Interiors
45141 Van Dyke
Utica, Michigan
 586-322-4467

Holiday Open House - Saturday, November 16th  10-4

Hours:
Wednesday thru Saturday 10-4
& just through Christmas, Sunday 12-4

In my last post (like a month ago, oops) I mentioned that I took up walking/jogging, and shared my breakfast shake recipe.  I'm finally motivated enough to tell you a little about the eating plan I also started sometime last Spring.

So - The Virgin Diet.  Following this plan really made a change in me, and made me think of "healthy food" in a completely different way.

The basics of The Virgin Diet are that you give up the top 7 High-Fi Foods - meaning the foods that are most likely responsible for food intolerance.  You give them up all at once for 21 days.  Some food intolerance symptoms:  bloating, indigestion, fatigue, mental fog, weight gain, moodiness, etc.

Here is a list of what JJ Virgin considers to be the top 7:
gluten
soy
dairy
eggs
corn
peanuts
sugar and artificial sweeteners

After 21 days you begin cycle 2 - every week for 4 weeks you test one of the foods you gave up.

When I started the testing process Spring was well underway, and I began to get a bit confused as to what was environmental allergies compared to food allergies so I ended up getting tested specifically for food allergies.  I can say that when I cut out the above foods I felt great, had so much more energy, was no longer bloated, and the stomachaches I had endured since childhood had all but disappeared. I lost weight as well.  I knew I was finally headed in the right direction.

So, I tested positive at the allergists office for dairy/casein and corn allergies.  Now that I know what allergies I have I do my best to avoid my trigger foods.  I'm right in the middle as far as severity so I just try to avoid them as much as possible.  The dairy is the worst.  That is what I mean about healthy foods - yogurt, milk, cheese - advertised as healthy - and yes as long as you are not allergic they can be.  For me these "healthy" choices were causing many problems.    In my everyday life now I try to still limit the 7 foods as much as possible.  It is not always easy, and I still go out and enjoy myself.  The rewards are just really worth what seems to be a sacrifice.  Simply, I just feel better when I eat this way.  (I'm a baby kale salad addict)

There is so much detail in The Virgin Diet book.  I would really recommend it to anyone.  It lead me to learn more about food and how I personally react to it, and the result is a healthier and happier me.

When you look at my breakfast shake recipe you see that there is no dairy - I've found substitutions that I really enjoy.  There isn't any sugary juice - just berries.  The ground chia seed is super healthy, and gluten free.  The chocolate powder and cocoa powder satisfy my sweet tooth.  Starting the day this way usually makes it much easier to continue to make good choices throughout the day.

So, that is the end of me talking about my healthy changes.  I know the subject of health isn't why you usually stop by to read, but I really believe in this and wanted to share.

I am going to be taking photo's at Before and After Interiors Friday afternoon so please check back late Friday for a peek into Beverlys shop all ready for Saturday's Holiday Open House.

When the Summer started I started something new.  That was to get up, get dressed, and go out walking.  At the beginning 45 minutes felt like torture (mentally and physically), but then over time I began to look forward to my walking time.  It really became a  peaceful moment in my day, and I wanted to get out there on that pavement.  Before I knew it I was walking 4 miles every morning.  When I could walk it all I began jogging some of it, and when you add little by little guess what?  You can end up being able to run the whole thing, and that it a great feeling.  Anyhow - if moving more is something you want to start - get out there and do it!  You can do it!

Now that the weather is changing it can be more challenging to stay warm (50 degrees this morning), but I am keeping up with my walking/jogging/running.  I just go at whatever pace I feel like that day. I thought I would share with you the drink that I make each morning when I get back home.  I always go out on an empty stomach -  a trainer I know told me if you do that you burn your fat instead of the breakfast that you just consumed.  Just a little tip - it sounds sensible.



My Vegan Based - Dairy and Gluten Free - Protein Smoothie - Chocolate Raspberry

1 cup water
1 cup Silk unsweetened original almond milk
1 heaping tablespoon ground chia seed
 raw almond butter - I just stick the knife in the jar and then drop and big glop of it into the blender
a big handful of Earthbound Farm organic power greens
a couple sprinkles of cinnamon
1 heaping tablespoon of raw organic cocoa powder
Virgin Diet extra fiber - I use a half serving
1 level scoop of Nutri-Bullet powder
2 level scoops of The Virgin Diet Chocolate All In One Shake
1 cup organic raspberries (I like Trader Joe's) 


I use a simple Kitchen Aid blender - just put all ingredients in the blender - then mix-puree-liquify!  Mine is a little thick, but that is because of the fiber.  Omit the fiber if you want a thinner consistency.  I just started playing around with the ingredients, and this is what I came up with that I like and stick with.  One last note is that I also rotate the chocolate powder here and there.  When I don't use The Virgin Diet chocolate powder I use Garden of Life Raw Protein - Beyond Organic Protein Formula in the Chocolate Cocoa flavor powder, and then increase the raw cocoa powder to 2 heaping tablespoons - otherwise I don't think it has enough chocolate flavor :)  The Garden of Life powder is a little chalky.  I also sometimes use 1 scoop of The Virgin diet powder and 1/2 of a scoop of the Garden of Life powder with 1 heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder.  This way I am getting a full serving of protein, but mixing up the powders.


That is a lot of rambling on about a shake, but it's not your normal Smoothie.  Eliminating certain foods from your diet makes it more challenging or maybe I should say just different from traditional thinking when combining ingredients.  I will talk more about the JJ Virgin diet in my next post.  That will give you more of an idea how I ended up with this, and you will see that it is loaded with healthiness and foods that are less likely to cause inflammation in your body.  Let's just say I always thought dairy was a healthy food to consume - and it is UNLESS you are allergic.  The truth is the same for all foods - so just think - that something you think you are eating that is good for you could be causing you problems.

Hope everyone is well.

Happy Thursday!


   

It was my sister's birthday yesterday - Happy Birthday again Field!

I had a little fun with the wrapping using things I had on hand.

I started out by using some scrapbook paper as my main wrap.



I also used some blue wrap that Homegoods uses to wrap up your breakables.  It was a nice shade so I had saved it.   Inside are some of my favorite drugstore lip glosses - rolled them up in the paper - twisted the ends - adding ribbon to one of them.


I decided the scrapbook paper needed some ribbon, and was going to use some butchers twine, but then had a lightbulb moment.  After making many little sweater pumpkins there were lots of  scraps laying around which included some cut off sweater sleeve cuffs.  I thought why not try that as ribbon.

   
It worked out, and was fun for a different option to traditional ribbons.  Hope you enjoyed!

Happy Tuesday and thanks for stopping by!

Actually, I really want to write about the Goat Rodeo Sessions today.




My sister introduced me to the music of Chris Thile more than a few years ago.   Fielder, Josh, Noah, and I have enjoyed his concerts in Ann Arbor as Chris Thile, and with his band The Punch Brothers.  Last night along with my mom and sister I saw him in his newest group - The Goat Rodeo Sessions.  We saw them at Meadowbrook - the weather was amazing (high 70's all evening) - the crickets were loud.  It was the most peaceful concert I have ever been to.  At one point I just laid back on my blanket - shut my eyes - and just enjoyed the perfection of the evening.

The Goat Rodeo includes the following musicians:

Chris Thile
Yo-Yo Ma
Stuart Duncan
Edgar Meyer
and with Aoife O'Donovan (on some of the songs vocals)
You have to listen to her voice.  Just beautiful.

It is really hard to choose which video to put here so I picked one with Chris and Aoife.



The concert ended with them singing a song called All Through The Night.  Check it out on iTunes.  It was the perfect ending.

Here is a longer video about how The Goat Rodeo came to be.  It includes some of what is in the video above.



 I am addicted.  If you like  The Goat Rodeo Sessions also be sure to check out all of Chris Thile's music.  He is unique, and his songs are interesting and different.

Thanks for reading!  It's kinda funny because on one of my recent posts I have something like 1070 views and one comment.  It's sometimes hard to be a blogger out here.  Say hello if you stop by.  I love reading your comments :)

 

I don't know about you, but I find it exciting when someone takes something that is crumbling, and restores it to it's former glory - or in this case maybe even made it better than it originally was.

This story in our local paper is a very inspiring example.


I have fallen hard for the exterior colors they chose.  The blooming tree out front just adds to it's charm.

This home is located in the Franklin Boulevard Historic District in Pontiac.  Prior to 1920 this was a private residence - in 1954 it became an office for Catholic Social Services.  The new owners have restored the property, and it is now The Murphy House Bed and Breakfast.   They hold public and private events - tea parties are also an option.  They have also restored another home on this same street where they run a gallery. 

I had a friend back in high school that lived on one of the historic streets in Pontiac.  Her house had two lion statues at the end of her drive.  There are unexpected historical treasures that truly exist in this town.   If you know the Pontiac area this would probably not be the first thought you would have.  There also exists some very rough sections.  Next time I drive by I will take some photo's of the homes.  They are truly beautiful - they just don't make homes rich with this much character and thought anymore.

For more information on this property and their gallery visit:

www.galleryboulevard.com
www.murphyhousebb.com

What do you think?  Do you love it?