Author Archives: Anne

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About Anne

Family: my wonderful husband, Adam, and our amazing little girl, Isla Dwelling: a small Cape Cod in the suburbs Real job: Human Resources Coordinator and Office Manager for DeskArmor, LLC. Homemaker tip: Even the simplest food can look elegant if you serve it properly. Presenting food on adorable platters is an easy way to impress guests. I am ashamed to admit that: I have never used a lawn mower. (I am blessed with a husband who takes pride in his yard) Three foods I can’t live without: cheese, olive oil, and chicken fingers Most important lesson learned: being a mom is the hardest job you’ll ever love One thing I am afraid of running out of: Clorox anywhere spray…and diapers
by | August 6, 2010 · 1:36 pm

Pineapple Chai

Last week I had the HAP ladies over for an evening meeting.  It has been a HOT summer here in Wisconsin and I wanted to serve something cold and refreshing that we could enjoy outdoors.

I came across this Pineapple Chai recipe in my Fresh Home Magazine.  It was the perfect recipe for a nonalcoholic summer cocktail.  It becomes thick and frothy in the blender and is only slightly sweet.  The black pepper is a surprising but perfect flavor booster.

Pineapple Chai
2 cups water
2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
2 chai flavored black tea bags
2 cups ice cubes
1/2 cup 2% milk
2 Tbsp honey
Pineapple sliced into stir sticks
ground black pepper

In a large pan, bring water and pineapple juice to a boil. Add the tea bags, reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 mins.

Discard the tea bags and refrigerate the pineapple chai mixture overnight or until chilled.

Place the pineapple chai mixture, ice, milk and honey in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into 4 glasses and top with freshly ground black pepper and a pineapple stir stick.

Sip, enjoy and relax!

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by | July 28, 2010 · 8:36 am

How To: Painting Kitchen Cabinets

When we moved into our new house, I knew repainting the kitchen cabinets would be a top priority.  I also knew that using a paint sprayer was the way to do it, however I was hesitant considering I had heard horror stories from everyone who has ever tried to use a paint sprayer.

Luckily I have a amazing father-in-law who stepped in and spent the entire weekend tackling this project with us.  He had some tips and tricks up his sleeve to get the paint sprayer to cooperate and used it without a single sputter!

I will say, the project was somewhat of a hassle, but the results were amazing.  With the help of a new kitchen sink, dishwasher and floor, the kitchen looks instantly updated.

Here are the cabinets before we painted them:

And after:

You will need:

Good quality latex primer (we used Benjamin Moore)
Good quality latex paint  (we used Benjamin Moore)
air compressor
spray gun
sand paper
water
respirator

Prep Work

First, you will want to take down all of your cabinet doors.  It helps to label them so you don’t mix them up.  Although they might all look the same size, each one can be just a little different.  You will then want to sand the surface just enough to scratch it up so the paint has something to grab hold of.

Remove all of the hinges and door handles. Be sure to save the hardware whether or not you plan to reuse it. You never know what kind of problems you will run into when you go to reinstall the doors.

Once the cabinets are prepped, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust and let them dry completely before you start painting.

Next, tape off anything you do not want painted.  It helps to tape newspaper between the cabinets, over the counter tops and sink and on the walls.  Here is a picture of our kitchen taped off with the first coat of primer on the cabinets.

Setting up the paint sprayer

Once you hook up your paint sprayer to your air compressor, you can start to prep your paint.  Latex paint is too thick to be used in the paint sprayer by itself and will cause it to sputter and clog if you do not thin it out.  Depending on what kind of paint you use, the ratios may be different, but we mixed 3/4 parts paint with 1/4 parts water.  That got the paint to a good consistency for the paint sprayer.  Keep in mind, oil based paint should be thinned with paint thinner, but latex paint should be thinned with water.

Next, you will want to fill the paint sprayer and test it on a piece of cardboard to get comfortable with how it works. The sprayer will let you adjust the kind of spray you want and the air compressor will let you adjust the pressure.  Keep in mind this will take some trial and error.  We went to the garage and tested it on a piece of cardboard until we were comfortable with the way it sprayed. You want it thick enough that it covers, but not so thick that it causes paint runs.

Painting the Cabinets


Now you are finally ready to start painting. Be sure to read all of the information that comes with the paint sprayer and follow the directions. You should also wear a respirator while painting.

Start with your primer and spray one thin, even coat on the cabinets. Allow this layer to dry completely before you add another layer.  To paint the cabinet doors that have been removed, just set up a paint shop outside or in your basement and spray the doors the same way you are painting the cabinets.

Let each layer dry for at least a couple hours before you add another layer of paint. Don’t let paint sit in the sprayer while you wait for the layers to dry. You will want to rinse it each time to ensure it does not dry and ruin the sprayer.

Once you have the cabinets primed, continue to paint with your paint color each time putting on a thin, even coat. Our cabinets took 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint.

Putting the cabinets back together

Let the cabinets dry completely before you attempt to put them back together.  If you have a hard time installing the doors and making them level, it is helpful to slip a piece of cardboard under the bottom of the door while you drill it to the hinges.  That will keep it level and prevent it from being installed at an angle.

Once your cabinets are up, step back and admire your work!

Although painting cabinets is a slow and sometimes tedious process, your hard work will definitely pay off.  It is an inexpensive way to freshen up your kitchen!

Good Luck with your home projects!

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by | July 21, 2010 · 8:23 am

A Vintage Summer Wedding

A couple weekends ago my family and I traveled to St. Louis for our cousin’s wedding.  And boy was I glad I remembered to bring my camera.  I know wedding month has ended, but I just had to share this adorable wedding!

Matt and Candace were married at the St. Louis Zoo in the reptile exhibit.  Then we went over to a local brewery for the amazing reception.  You could really see Matt and Candace in all of the details.

Matthew Jay Photography

When guests walked in they were greeted with a lovely table decorated with pictures, favors and other personal artifacts.

Pictures of their parents and grandparents on their wedding day were hung with clothes pins.

As party favors, guests were asked to take small birdseed treats home to feed the birds.

Instead of using a traditional guest book, Matt and Candace had a tree outlined.  Guests were asked to put their fingerprints on the branches and sign their names by the “leaves.”

Table cards were hung with clothespins on an old vintage window.

Each table had a gorgeous arrangement of wildflowers in old blue mason jars and table numbers adorned with hummingbirds.

Matthew Jay Photography

Congratulations Matt and Candace!  Thanks for letting us share in your special day.

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by | July 14, 2010 · 8:14 am

The Perfect Bratwurst

As a born and bred Milwaukee girl, I practically came into the world with a bratwurst in my hand. Ok, maybe that is a little extreme, but I have had enough brats in my life to know how to prepare them the right way. In my opinion, any tailgate or summer BBQ is incomplete without the perfect brat.  That is why I am always rooting for the bratwurst in the Miller Park sausage races!

In order to truly cook a brat the right way, you need to follow a few simple steps, 2 of which involve beer.

You can purchase bratwursts either precooked or raw. Depending on how much time you have and what you are preparing them for, either will be equally delicious. If you purchase precooked brats, you can skip the step of boiling them. But boiling raw brats keeps them juicy and cooks them through so you are just crisping them up on the grill.

How to boil raw brats in beer

In a large pasta pot, put equal parts beer and water. I usually start with 2 cans of beer and 2 cans of water and then add more if necessary.

Pierce your raw brats a couple times with a fork and place them in the beer/water mixture and continue to add water and beer until they are covered in liquid.

Turn on high heat and allow beer/water mixture to come to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer 20-30 minutes or until brats are cooked through. Warning: your house will smell like boiled beer and you might see a strange foam form on the surface of the pot. This is normal…and all part of the fun!

Remove brats from beer and pat dry.

Now, you can grill the brats right away or place them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to grill at another time.

Grilling the brats

Place precooked or packaged brats directly on a medium high grill, and cook, turning frequently. When brats are brown all over and warmed through, they are done.  Keep in mind they are already fully cooked, so you are just browning them and giving them a grilled flavor.

Now, if you eat your bratwurst immediately after grilling, it will be delicious and cooked to perfection. However, we Wisconsinites like to take it one step further and put our brats in something called a beer bath. Sounds interesting? It is, and it’s unbelievably delicious.

Brats in a Beer Bath

Fully cooked, grilled bratwursts
3 cans of beer
1 large onion,  sliced into rounds
pam nonstick cooking spray
1 stick of butter

A beer bath can be prepared in a large pot on the stove top or on the grill in a large aluminum drip pan. It will depend on where you want the brats and if you have access to a stove.

Only fully cooked brats should be put in a beer bath.  Doing this will simply keep them warm and give them additional flavor.

Mist the sliced onions with pam and grill them over medium heat until they show grill marks and are partially cooked.

Place the beer, butter and grilled onions into your pot or pan and heat over medium heat until warm, but not boiling. Place the cooked brats into the beer mixture and simmer for 30 mins – 1 hour either on the stove or on the grill.

Serve on kaiser rolls with whatever condiments you prefer. A true bratwurst is served with mustard and sauerkraut, but I prefer mine with some plain old ketchup!

Enjoy!!

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by | July 7, 2010 · 8:21 am

Freezer Friendly Bolognese

On hot summer days, the last thing I want to do in the evening is turn on my oven and cook dinner.  That is why I absolutely love recipes that I can double and freeze into batches for days when I don’t feel like cooking. They make weeknight dinners quick and easy.

This short cut Bolognese recipe is so easy to make in a double batch and freezes wonderfully in individual or family size portions. Add some freshly cooked pasta and you have a delicious meal!

Bolognese sauce

1 cup finely chopped onion
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb extra-lean ground beef
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 Tbsp. Cream Cheese

Saute the onions in olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until tender. Add meat and cook, stirring frequently, on medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.

Stir in tomato sauce and tomatoes and bring to boil. Turn heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in cream cheese until melted.

Pour hot sauce on top of fresh cooked spaghetti.

If you are going to freeze the sauce, ladle it into freezer storage containers, refrigerate until cool and then transfer into the freezer.  Don’t forget to label the container with the date and contents and use it within 2 months of freezing.

To thaw the sauce from frozen, either microwave it until piping hot or heat it on the stove top until boiling.

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by | June 29, 2010 · 8:42 am

Bridesmaid and Groomsmen Gifts

Many brides and grooms give their wedding party special gifts at the rehearsal dinner to thank them for all of their assistance in planning and participating in the big day.

It was tradition to give the girls jewelry to wear with their dresses and the boys something related to their hobbies.  But why not step outside the box and get your bridal party something they can use on your wedding day and beyond?

Here are some fabulous ideas for your maids:

It is true, you can never go wrong with jewelry, buy why not get creative and go for a fabulous cuff or statement necklace that can also be worn to a day in the office.  If you are getting married in the fall or winter, your girls will surely appreciate a cute shrug, shawl or scarf that they can pair with jeans another day.  Or, get creative and give them a purse or tote filled with fun items for the big day like lip gloss, a hair pins and perfume.

And for the boys, try to get a little creative:

Get the men each a pair of cuff links in a design or pattern that relates to them or a fun pair of argyle socks that express their personality.  Go traditional them each an engraved flask and then go the extra mile to fill it with their favorite liquor.  If you have a slightly higher budget, you could get each of your men a designer watch to wear on the big day.  Or, if you want to give them a gift that they can enjoy all year, get them each a magazine subscription or book that relates to their hobbies and interests.

For all your bridesmaids and groomsmen do for you on your big day, it is only appropriate to reward them with something special!

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by | June 24, 2010 · 8:09 am

Saying ‘I Do’ to a Destination Wedding

In a former day-job life, Colleen researched, worked and helped to develop a destination wedding blog for a travel company. Although she’s recently switched gigs, she’s still got a lot to share on the subject. For more general travel recommendations and creative inspiration, you can check out Colleen’s blog, flee fly flown.

He popped the question, you said, “Yes!” you both decided on a destination wedding, what next? A traditional beach wedding somewhere warm with friends and family? On a vineyard in Napa? A private affair across an ocean?

Photo by Maurice Ramirez, based in San Francisco, http://www.destinationweddingmag.com

When it comes to destination weddings, the world is your oyster. When deciding on where and to what scale yours will be, here are a few things to consider:

* Guests: While choosing a destination wedding may seem cheaper for you as the couple getting married, consider your guests upon determining when and where you’ll be having your nuptials. When guests plan on attending a destination wedding, they’re committing more financially than they might have if attending a wedding closer to home. If planning a wedding at an all-inclusive resort somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, chances are your guests will plan to get a little relaxation time in, along with the festivities. Finding the balance between an action-packed wedding getaway versus time for guests to relax and get to know each other should also be considered.

* Cost: A destination wedding is often cheaper for the bride and groom to put together. Many beach destination hotels and resorts have wedding planners on staff that will put all of the details together for you, no matter how large or small the wedding. When determining which hotel, resort or other venue in your destination of choice, inquire into their wedding planning services and costs.

Planning something a little more off the beaten path? You may not find as many venues with on staff wedding planners, but wedding planning services are most likely available in some shape and form. Consider a wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings or work with a travel agent who has put together other destination weddings.

Also, consider the cost of what your guests will be paying. By having a destination wedding, it’s often cheaper for the bride and groom, but the cost for your guests jumps up. Also, be sure to invite your guests further out from the wedding that you would at home. This allows for better planning and budgeting for your guests.

* Time of Year: You’re planning to escape from the cold and snow, to a warm and sunny destination to get married. Great! But not all warm climates have the same warm seasonality. Consider things like hurricane season in the Caribbean (typically June through November) or the rainy season in Hawaii (typically November to March). Note: There’s no guarantee the weather will be perfect even if you avoid the inclement seasons, but it’s good to consider as you’re deciding when and where to have your wedding.

* Scale: Just an intimate wedding for two built into the beginning of your honeymoon? Or a big beach bash with 150 of your closest friends and family? When deciding the scale of your wedding, consider how you’ll manage the outlying factors. Maybe you and your husband-to-be really want to keep it a private affair, but want to find a way to celebrate with friends and family as well. Consider having a lower-budget reception or celebration upon your return. That way, the two of you get the best of both worlds. Also, consider the amount of people you are able to reserve rooms for at the resort or hotel at which you’ve chosen to block rooms.

* Besides the wedding: When traveling for a destination wedding, your guests are all in one place for more than one day. Consider what other activities you’ll be providing for your guests to make the trip even more special. Will everyone be invited to the rehearsal dinner? Will there be a day-after brunch? What about a special guided tour around the island? How about welcome gifts and buttons for guests to identify each other so they know who else is attending the wedding?

* Travel: It’s not expected for the bride and groom, or their families, to pay for their guests’ flights or hotel rooms when hosting a destination wedding. However, do consider the price that they will have to pay when working with a resort and definitely consider flight schedules, cost and accessibility to your chosen destination when determining your wedding spot.

Also, be sure your wedding party plans their arrivals with plenty of wiggle room. A destination wedding can wait for no one. If the groom or a bridesmaid plans to arrive just a few hours before the wedding and has a flight canceled thanks to weather, there isn’t much that can be done about it. Of course these things can happen no matter where you get married, but when everyone is traveling to a destination, it’s best to plan for extra travel time for just in case of unexpected delays.

* Wardrobe: There are definitely a few things to consider when determining both yours and your wedding party’s destination wedding day wardrobe. For one, heat. Are you going to make the groomsmen wear a heavy 3-piece suit or coat and tails in 95-degree weather? Are your bridesmaids expected to wear heels on the beach? Are you planning on carrying a heavy, ball gown-style wedding dress on the plane and squishing it into the overhead compartment?

If you’re the no-frills, keep-it-simple bride, some of these issues may not even be a problem, but for those of you who want it all, keep packing logistics and temperatures in mind.

Photo by Laura Grier, of Beautiful Day Photography, Venice, CA, http://www.destinationweddingmag.com

Of course this is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to planning a destination wedding. For much more detailed and far more expert advice, start with these resources and determine what works for you and your groom:

* Destination I Do
* DestinationBride.com
* Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine
* World Weddings
* The Europe Wedding Guide
* Dresses designed for destination weddings
* 40 Destination Wedding Dresses for Any Budget
* Ultimate Destination Weddings
 * IslandBrides.com

Also, be sure to check the Tourist Board of the destination you choose, chances are they have local planning resources available on their website.

Photo by Serena Lee of Serena & Jason Photography, based in Santa Barbara, CA, http://www.destinationweddingmag.com

Congratulations on your engagement and happy destination wedding planning!

– Colleen

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by | June 21, 2010 · 8:05 am

Tips for great wedding photos

Finding a wedding photographer is not an easy task for any engaged couple. This is the person who will capture every special moment of your wedding day, and you only have one shot to get it right!

I asked my wedding photographer, Sarah Immel, for tips on getting great wedding photos.

Read on to hear what she has to say!

1.  Find a photographer whose work you love, look at all their best stock photos – It’s easy to obsess over price points and packages, but ultimately loving your photographer’s style is what matters most. Look at their website and blog. If you love what you see, they could be the one for you.

2.  You should feel comfortable with the photographer taking care of your wedding photography – You need to connect with him or her. If you don’t, it will show in your photos. You may love their style, but if you are not like minded, it will be hard to enjoy sharing your day with them. Your photographer is going to be with you most of the day, so make sure they are a good match for you.

3.  Set a timeline for the day with your photographer’s input – This helps create a flow to the day and allow enough time to create the photos that are important to you. Share your ideas with them and they will have suggestions to share with you as well on how much time is needed and what locations may be a good fit for you.

4.  Relax, be yourself, and have fun – You hired your photographer for their experience and expertise. Don’t worry about the small stuff, enjoy your wedding, and your photos will be fabulous.

Click here to see more of Sarah’s amazing photos.

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by | June 11, 2010 · 8:39 am

Haute Wedding: Tasha & Jeremy

Tasha sent over pictures of her amazing Backyard BBQ wedding.  The wedding was so unique with every detail being though of.  We just had to share it with you!

Read on for the details as told by Tasha:

My husband and I were both very hands on in the wedding process as I am an event planner by trade and he is in the music business.  Our goal was to have the wedding reflect “Everything Us.”

We are both very down to earth, healthy, active, family oriented people with great taste in music.  We were originally inspired by the common Backyard BBQ.  We have small parties throughout the year with family and friends and wanted to take that feeling and just make it bigger.

The ceremony itself was something we both treasured very much.  We had our dear friend marry us overlooking Lake Michigan in Milwaukee.  We were surrounded by green plants as our guests sat on hay bails covered in different linens enjoying the music of The Hen House Prowlers (a Chicago bluegrass band).  My husband’s father had passed the year prior, so rather than lighting a unity candle, we invited our parents up to add soil to Ivy which represented eternity and growth of his father’s memory.

At the reception we continued the Backyard BBQ with banquet/family style tables covered in brown linens with fruits & veggies for table names.  We also brought in Saz’s catering (Milwaukee’s #1 BBQ) to bring the experience to life.

Overall, the wedding was everything we dreamed of and were so happy with every decision once it was complete.

Photos by Kat Berger.

Thank you so much, Tasha, for sharing your special day with us!

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by | June 8, 2010 · 8:11 am

Building a Bridal Emergency Kit

I was my sister’s Maid of Honor when I was in college and it was the first time I was part of a wedding party. All of the bridesmaids told me it was my job to bring the “Bridal Emergency Kit.”  I remember thinking it seemed excessive to think that emergencies happen when a bride and her bridesmaids are getting ready for their walk down the isle.

Well, 6 years and many weddings later, I realized that the Bridal Emergency Kit is extremely important and almost always used.  I have experienced bridesmaids with extreme static, a bride’s broach breaking and needing to be reattached to her dress, broken dress zippers, groomsmen with loose buttons and a bride with a sudden need for a granola bar or gum.

Next time you are in charge of the bridal emergency kit, keep this list of “must haves” in mind.  You never know what is going to come up!

hand lotion
wet wipes
cotton balls or swabs
brush and comb
clear nail polish
small scissors
lint brush
tissues
earring backs
tweezers
baby powder (great for covering up little stains on a white dress)
double sided tape
straws (so the the girls can stay hydrated without messing up their lipstick)
nail file
hairspray
bobby pins and hair elastics
portable mirror (in case the bridal room is without one)
static-cling spray
toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
eye-drops
contact lens solution
razor
antacid
mints and gum
tampons and pads
deodorant
extra buttons
lip balm
a sewing kit
stain removal towelettes
Advil and Tylenol
band-Aids
bottled water
safety pins
granola bars or other easy-to-carry snacks
Krazy Glue (shoe heels, broken jewelry…)
insect repellent and sunblock if it is an outdoor wedding

Just throw everything into a tote or easy to carry basket and don’t forget to bring it to the reception!

Have you encountered any bridal emergencies that needed to be remedied?

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