CURRENTLY v2

Happy Thursday friends. Time for round 2 of "Currently":

via

FEELING: Hot. This 90 degree weather needs to go. Fuh real.

READING: Ender's Game. A coworker lent it to me and I'm just starting on it...SciFi really isn't my jam but let's see where this goes. Anyone read it before? I'm liking it so far.

LISTENING TO: "Can't Hold Us"  by Macklemore + Ryan Lewis. So freaking catchy. It is my pump up, run around, clean the house, drive the car song. 

THANKFUL FOR: Getting to see a favorite old friend this weekend. We've known each other since we were...12 maybe? She's just as witty and ridiculous and goofy as she was then, and it was a breath of fresh air to see her (and her awesome boyfriend).

EATING: Almonds, Onion Chive Cheese, and too many Cesar salads to count. Riveting, I know. Honestly, all this heat makes me just want to eat popsicles 24/7. But, alas, they don't fall too high on the food pyramid. Can fall just come so we can all eat soup and pumpkin seeds?

WATCHING: Portlandia. Now that Michael and I have been to Portland I can't get over how true to real life it is. PUT A BIRD ON IT! GRAB THE GEAR! Anyone? Portlandia fans out there? Also, thanks to Netflix I've been watching an embarrassing amount of Glee while blogging. Watching it right now. Truth.

LOVING: Where do I begin? THIS most perfect fall bag in gorgeous cognac (with a tassel!), THIS Skin Savior- which is by far the best beauty product ever invented, and THIS pair of plum pants. Gap, you're killin' it. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO: BLOGGER FALL FEST! AH! Dani & I are hosting a Wisconsin Blogger Fall Fest complete with flannel, s'mores, and a spiked cocoa bar. You know you want in. If you're local, email me for deets: beautyandbeard (at) gmail (dot) com.  

What's up with you lately friends?

Answer one of these for me! Tell me somethin' good!

xo, lp

NECTARINE BASIL LEMONADE (it's as refreshing as it sounds!)

I make a good amount of cocktails on this here blog...which probably makes me look like a bit of a lush. Truth is I don't actually drink that much (she says as she blogs with a glass of wine), and most of the cocktails I make could easily be made sans alcohol.

This recipe on the other hand, is a virgin drink that could just fine with a lil gin or vodka in it. Take your pick kids, choose your own adventure.

What you'll need:

-Lemonade mix 

- Nectarines

-Fresh Basil

How to make it happen:

You ready for how difficult this is?

Step 1: Mix up your lemonade.

Step 2: Rip 4-5 large basil leaves and muddle in your lemonade.

Step 3: Pour over some ice with a few slices of nectarine & enjoy!

If you want your lemonade to be sweeter, muddle up your nectarines too. I on the other hand, like to eat the nectarine slices once I'm done with the drink and they're all cold and sour from the lemonade. Because I'm weird like that.

 It was 97 degrees yesterday, so this kind of refreshing drink is still absolutely necessary! I fully intend on keeping this easy recipe in my repertoire for parties in the future.

So the question of the day is:

What have y'all been sipping on lately?

xo, lp

(oh, and if you notice I'm a big fan of fun straws- I get them from an Etsy shop called Loollipop, you've got to check it out, her prices are amazing!)

** in the cocktail mood? try out my orange ginger mojitos or my fizzy pineapple lemon punch.

FALL FOOD RADAR

I've been in a food funk lately. I haven't been making any fun dishes- mainly because it's been about 95 degrees every day for the last few weeks. Baking and cooking is just NOT fun in that kind of heat...right?

Now that it is finally starting to cool down, I can turn to my trusty old food Pinterest board full of great recipes from creative minds for some inspiration:

1. Pretzel bites via My Baking Heart- These bites with spicy cheese dip look like the PERFECT Sunday football snack!

2. Classic Swedish Cinnamon Rolls via Have A Yummy Day- I've never made cinnamon rolls from scratch, and I think early fall is the right time to try them out.

3. Nectarine & Fried Mozzarella Stacks via Half Baked Harvest- Nectarines are some of my favorite summer fruit, and I've never thought to put them with mozzarella, basil, and balsamic. Genius!

4. Parmesan Garlic Grilled Corn via Eclectic Recipes- With the last bit of sweet corn at the markets I think this recipe is absolutely in order. Deeeelish.

5. Tequila Battered Onion Rings via Life as a Strawberry- Along with those pretzel bites, I think tequila battered onion rings would be perfect tailgate food!

6. Parmesan Baked Potato Halves via Fav Family Recipes- Michael will eat any potato dish out there, and this is one I'd happily nibble on too.

7. Basil Mozzarella Wontons via Return to Sunday Supper- Now that I've perfected the sriracha cream cheese wontons, it's time for a new kind of wonton to try- these look fantastic!      

What recipes are on your radar?

Leave a link to your Pinterest boards in the comments so I can check it out!

xo, lp

Friday's Fancies #67: Transition Time

Geez. I haven't done a Friday's Fancies in AGES.

I figured this week would be a perfect one to jump back in, since I loved the theme {av} chose this week. The challenge? Take a purely summer piece and make it work in your fall wardrobe. 

Here's what I'm workin' with today:

This Madewell minty silk dot cami is so sweet to just keep in summer. Slipping it under this grey Wallis blazer & adding some jeans takes it from strappy summer to fitting for fall. Throw on some camel driving mocs from Gap, and you're good to go! I mean, as soon as you have your colorblock crossbody & silver hairties in hand..of course.

If you don't already have this Madewell top- you can find this biddy in the sale section at a major discount. Scooooore!

What summer piece will you be wearing into fall?

Seriously, throw a blazer over just about anything and you're good to go!

xo, lp

PNW FOOD (+beverage) GUIDE

We ate (and drank) a ridiculous amount while we were in the Pacific Northwest.

Here's where we went, and what we thought:

Oregon (Portland)

Salt & Straw - The Stumptown Coffee & Bourbon ice cream was unreal. Oh, and the chocolate with gooey brownies? Heavenly. Totally worth the wait in line.

Fireside- Fried spiced chickpeas are the best snack on earth. Michael's farro salad was pretty solid too. Outdoor seating is excellent people watching since 23rd Ave is busy!

Bamboo Sushi - Even if you're not a vegetarian you must get the Green Machine roll. Tempura asparagus, avocado, sweet chili cilantro aioli. Nom. Also awesome people watching on 23rd. 

McMenamin's Blue Moon Tavern- We went late night for drinks & cajun tater tots. Oh, and the boys got hot dogs. They're classy like that. Fun, busy atmosphere. Super casual.

Lompoc Tavern- We loved everything about this place. Great outdoor seating, great homemade beer, great food. Michael loved the Bleu Piggy fries & the Cubano, and my strawberry salad was a perfect summer meal. If you go to Portland, this is a must-go!

Cafe Nell- Brunch is a culture here. Fig & goat cheese flatbread with honey? Sold. I can get down with brunch with that kind of food available. Michael got some kind of hash. I was too busy downing my flatbread.

Besaw's- Brunch, again. More Hash. Lots of Coffee.

Stumptown Coffee- Portland does coffee well. I'll give them that.

Blue Star- Sea Salt Caramel Donuts. That is all. 

Rocket Fizz- This candy store has everything you could ever dream of, especially vintage candies & sodas. Clearly I just got an obscene amount of Salt Water taffy...

Washington (Tacoma, Seattle, Woodinville)

Net Shed #9- We stumbled across this place in Gig Harbor & it was fantastic! Right on the water with a goregous outdoor patio. My veggie & hummus sandwich was the best vegetarian sandwich I've had in a long time. 

Dirty Oscars Annex- We checked out this place because it was on Diner, Drive Ins, and Dives. The Tacoma Tea was delish, and the Parmesan Tots were so effing amazing. Everyone drop what you're doing and drive there right now and get some! M's Tasso Tacos were awesome- but unfortunately my Smoked Cheddar nachos were less than stellar. If you go here, just skip those!

The Original Starbucks-Touristy? Yes. We got a Pike Place roast, since we were at Pike Place and all...

Michou (Pike Place Market)- For the love of all that is good, go here an get a Bomboloni. Look kind of like a donut- but much bigger with a bigger hole. Covered in sugar and heavenly. My mouth is watering right now thinking of them. Gah. 

7 Seas Brewery- MUST visit- serious gem hidden in Gig Harbor. We did a sampling- and the Rude Parrot IPA was by far our favorite. Best craft beer on our trip!

Harmon Brewing Co.- This spot in Tacoma had okay beer and okay food. Nothing too special.

Rock Bottom Brewery- Definitely not a place I'd visit again in Seattle. Bad beer, bad service.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery- While the customer service of the lady doing our tasting was lacking, the wine was great, and the estate was completely stunning. 

Red Hook Brewery- People, you MUST go for their $1 tour of the place. You get to sample a bunch of their beer and if you're lucky like we were- you'll get a great tour guide. When you go there, ask for Sophie to do your tour. We learned a lot about the brews, as well as the history of RedHook. If we went back to WA, we'd do this tour again for sure.

Forecasters Pub- RedHook Brewery has a full restaurant in it- with awesome food. The meal-type food was great- but the pretzel with beer cheese dip was the BOMB. I could eat it every. single. day.

So, if you're planning on going to the PNW, take this guide with you- or pass it on to someone you know might be traveling there!

Been to OR/WA and have a cool place you'd like to add?

Leave it in the comments for others to find!

xo, lp

COLLECTION #3.

Collection #3 is LIVE people.

If you're new to the party, check out past collections here and here.

Do yourselves a favor and buy the items you like right away. The collection is only in its 4th day and the item I wanted is already sold out. You'd think with A MANO being my sister's I would have some pull here, but I don't. RUDE. 

Here are my absolute favorites this time around:

That Pendleton clutch is AMAZING, and those gold striped ring/change dishes are darling. I mean, I know I don't NEED anything but...is it wrong to kind of want it all?

Which items are you loving this time around?

Go to A MANO and show my sista some love!

xo, lp

** all images are from A MANO used with permission

TINY BABIES AND DEEP FRIED OLIVES.

Holiday weekend is over. UGH.

I'd like another 3 hours in bed today. #amiright?

Let's play catch up.

First things first I want to say  THANK YOU for all the awesome feedback and support from #hairweek last week. Every pin and comment was like a big fat hug. Big old callout to you cool kids who tried the tutorials and snapped a picture on Instagram and tagged me (@lpodlich). YOU ALL ROCK. For those who are going to try them in the future, I'd love to see how they turn out!! 

The most important thing that happened last week was the birth of my NEW NIECE! AHHHH!

She is about 5 lbs and the tiniest thing ever. I'm obsessed. Look how little she is:

This weekend was full of awesomeness. Michael and I got to see our families and friends, which was fantastic. Best part of the weekend hands down was spending a day out on my parent's lake with some of our favorites. Can life just be a permanent vacation so I can see everyone all the time?

Labor day weekend wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Minnesota State Fair. My favorite new food there was the stuffed,deep fried green olives. So. Good. 

 Tell me about your long weekend, kids!

Get your last minute white-wearing in?

xo, lp

(psst, find me on instagram here!)