HF4F

Good morning and Happy Friday! Today I have the day off and even though it's early, I feel like I've gotten so much done already!

This day off came just in time. My plan is to create the layout for our table numbers and mount them onto wood!

So here is to the entire day of getting stuff done!

How was your week?

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Top 5 of the week:

1. Purchase a new 2013 Vera Bradley Planner! You will never catch me without it.

2. Had a student bring me this present. "I got this for you because you are a fashionista like me." Aren't they precious??

3. Bought a new blend!

4. Started painting our office one of the coastal colors!

5. Had a ton of left over roast beef so I decided to eat RB sandwiches for breakfast!

Have a great weekend!!

Coffee in the Art Distict

Remember last week's post on Buddy Brew? Well, while we were there, we told the barista where we lived, and he instantly recommended Panther Coffee.

Remember how much I said we love coffee?

& remember how we love to try it where ever we go. Well guess what, Panther Coffee has been in our backyard this entire time and we had never heard of it. We had to travel all the way to Tampa to catch the word.

Oh, did I mention where in Miami this place is? Yup. The Art District. You really should check it out if you're ever in town. It was like nothing I'd ever seen. Graffetti all over the wall, that is there on purpose!

While we were sipping our lattes, we were blown away by the amount of photographers passing by taking shots of the art all around.

We even had a chance to participate in the weekly coffee tasting at the bar. Each Saturday, the baristas line up about 20 different blends from all around the world for the customers to try. And best of all, it is a free tasting! How cool is that!

All in all, we had a fantastic time across town visiting this artsy coffee spot. As a matter of fact, we are going back this Saturday morning for more!

Does your town have any spots like this that you recommend?

Design Dilemma

Hi Sweet Friends! It's already Wednesday and I just heard that SoFlo might see some cooler air tonight. I thought the cold air forgot about us down here. Be prepared, even if it drops 5 degrees, I will be in boots, a scarf and a sweater tomorrow!!

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Ok moving on...

Today I come to you in need of your design advice...You see this blank wall?

I have big dreams for it!

Last year at our engagement party, my b-i-l and s-i-l gave us this plate and I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to use it for decor vs serving.

 PB

Blank wall above my stove + beautiful ceramic plate = designer bliss

Now here is the problem and where I need your advice. This plate is pretty LARGE and pretty HEAVY. How I should put it on the wall?

My fiance and I went to Home Depot this weekend but had no luck with the size of their plate holders.

Does anyone have experience in this department?

How do you hang decorative plates on the wall?

Windowsill Garden

As you may remember from this post, I love growing my own basil. I've been doing it for a couple of years now and have gone through two. With my last basil, I started inside and then moved him outside when he got a little too big. I have come to realize though, growing basil outside just isn't as fun. I'd much rather have him live inside with me!

After moving into the new house, I quickly became attached to my kitchen window and the many possibilities of a windowsill garden.  I currently have my sill seasonally decorated, but decided it is time to buy a new basil.

Basil plants are very easy to maintain and can be used almost every meal.

 Steps to potting your basil

1. I would recommend purchasing a potted basil so you can put it straight on your window sill and give the plant time to adjust to its new home.
2. Once you are ready to move the plant into a new pot, pack the pot with potting soil and dig a hole in the center.
3. Place your basil in the center of the pot with the roots almost touching the bottom. Cover. Water.

Steps to maintaining your basil

1. Make sure your basil has plenty of sunlight.
2. Water once every 2 days.
3. Pull off flowers that may appear. These cause the leaves to become bitter.
4. When pulling basil leaves off, make sure to pinch not pluck.

 It really is pretty simple. 

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Once my fiance moves in and things settle down after the wedding, he is planning on building me a garden in the backyard! Maybe I will take this guy out there to be with the big boys!

Enjoy your lush foliage growth!!

Have you ever had a windowsill garden?

Homemade Whole Foods Pizza

My fiance and I absolutely love Whole Foods. Have you ever seen their pizza??

Oh my goodness, it's heavenly.

So, being the "foodies" we think we are, we decided to try our own version. We made it as our Friday night date dish, and loved it so much, we knew we had to make it again for Sunday lunch with my future in laws.

**all of the ingredients were purchased at Whole Foods, but can be purchased at your any market. I would recommend going to a farmers market if possible for the freshest results! 

Homemade Whole Foods Pizza

- 1 mound of whole wheat pizza dough
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese (hand sliced)
- 2 small tomatoes (very thinly sliced)
- 5 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 2 Tbs olive oil
- 1/2 c grated parmasean cheese
- 1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar
- 1/2 c flour spread on counter
- 16 to 18 basil leaves

1. Roll dough on floured counter. Make sure to not work the dough too much so it does not become tough.

2. Brush oil on rolled dough and sprinkle minced garlic all around. Make sure to leave about an inch border for the crust.

3. Place tomatoe slices, mozerella slices, parmesan and cheddar cheese all around pizza.

4. Place in a 500 degree oven for about 10 minutes.
5. Once cooked, take out and spread basil leaves ontop. Let pizza sit for about 3-5 minutes.

It is very important that you spead your basil leaves over the pizza after it is cooked so that they do not wilt in the oven. Serve fresh out of the oven & enjoy!