FF91C70D-29C5-45C6-92C5-5B6BD5E1DBB4 Relatively Offbeat: November 2014

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Eastown Center of the Universe

Katelyn and I finally had a brief opportunity to meet up for lunch today. It has been so difficult to spend time together lately due to our opposing schedules. Katelyn has been really busy working at the airport, outside, in the freezing rain, snow and sleet. I don't know how she does it, but she deserves a medal. I can barely handle stepping out my front door and walking to my car to leave work in the mornings and she's out there all day and night directing air crafts. The girl is a machine. 
It's always nice to finally have a moment to sit down, catch up, and stuff our faces with delicious food. We grabbed lunch at Marie Catrib's, a local favorite of ours, which is located in my neighborhood. I just love the sign in front of the Eastown Center because it reads: "Eastown Center of the Universe".  It seems fitting because Eastown really is the greatest (in our expert opinion).
Laura's wearing: Coat- Steve Madden f/ Modcloth (similar) // Jeans- Abercrombie & Fitch (same)
Sweater- Forever 21 (same) // Shoes- Samantha Pleet Blixen Boot f/ Wolverine // Socks- Maurice's (similar
Necklace- Sparrow (same) // Beanie- Forever 21 (similar)

Katelyn's wearing: Coat- H&M // Sweater- Pull&Bear // Dress- Thrifted // Scarf- Target (similar)
Necklace- Forever21 (similar) // Pants- Marshalls // Shoes- Minnetonka (same)
Katelyn and I shared conversation about non-profit business, goals for the upcoming year, and the importance of giving. I look forward to the coming year and want to make sure I'm doing more for others than I am myself.
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Gandhi

We sincerely hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
xoxo,
Laura & Katelyn

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Fall Fashion: Layering

Fall is our favorite season when it comes to style. There is something satisfying about getting up in the morning and putting all of your favorite pieces on, layer after layer. From the undershirt to the boots and scarves, everything is worn to complement each other. Patterns, textures, fabrics, and colors can all be intertwined to customize the perfect look for your personality and taste. Fall fashion is the best season for showing off who you are as an individual, and we love that. 
In honor of the ever-changing seasons (especially here in Michigan right now), we wanted to share our favorite Modcloth layering pieces for Autumn. Let's get bundled up!

Laura's picks: 

ModCloth Layers

I'm currently into wine hues: burgundy, mauve, rose, blush, etc. Mix those with some taupe and grey accessories and you have an entire collection of interchangeable staples. I feel like all of these selections would mix well with any outfit.

Katelyn's Picks: 


Autumn Layers
I absolutely love big cardigans like this one. They're so easy to throw on and go! I love layering really flowy pieces so I don't feel like I'm suffocating especially once I have to throw on a big coat to go outside. I'm really into black lately mixed with one little pop of color, and this outfit would fit in perfectly in my closet.

You can shop through the entire selection of Modcloth cardigans at www.modcloth.com/cardigans. There are so many different styles, lengths, and patterns to choose from!

What are your current favorite layering pieces?

xoxo,
Laura & Katelyn

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Homemade Chicken Pot Pies

I am a total sucker for comfort foods. I love nothing more than a rich, delicious dinner that has me feeling like I could pass out moments after filling my belly. One of my all-time favorite comfort food dishes (aside from mashed potatoes) is homemade chicken pot pie. Ever since our visit to The Old Mill restaurant in Pigeon Forge during our honeymoon, where I ate the largest and most delicious southern pot pie I've ever tasted, I've been working to perfect a recipe of my very own. I've made this one a few times now, and my husband and I love it.


Ingredients:
  • 1 bag frozen carrots
  • 1 bag frozen peas
  • 5-7 red skin potatoes, chopped
  • 1 48 oz. box chicken broth 
  • 2/3 C. flour
  • 1/2 C. 2% milk
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tbsp. celery seed, pinch celery seed, divided
  • dash salt, to taste
  • dash pepper, to taste
  • 2 refrigerated pie crusts
  • ramekins or small pie plates
 Directions:
1. Set oven to 350 degrees. Cut the chicken breasts into cubes and sauté in a frying pan with olive oil and a pinch of celery seed. 
2. Pour chicken broth into a large pot over high heat, bring to boil. Once boiling, set to medium heat. Add cooked chicken, frozen peas, frozen carrots, and potatoes. Boil and cover for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set to low heat.
3. Add 1 tbsp. celery seed and 2/3 C. flour. Stir well to thicken until no clumps of flour remain. Add milk and stir.
4. Prepare ramekins or pie plates by lining them with pre-made pie crusts. 2 pre-made crusts should make 2-4 pies, depending on size.
5. Use ladle to pour pie filling into the pie crusts. Once pies are filled, use remaining pie crust to cover the filling.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees, or until crusts turn golden brown. Let cool before eating, insides get very hot!
Serves: 2-4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes


This quickly became one of my favorite recipes. I typically prefer baking over cooking, so making pies for dinner is enjoyable. I hope you all love this delicious dinner recipe as much as I do!
Enjoy!

xoxo,
Laura


Monday, November 10, 2014

Downtown at Dawn

We're so thankful to still be catching a little bit of sunshine before winter comes at us full force. I keep avoiding looking at the forecast because I know one of these days there will be a snowflake, and that's just the beginning you guys. In the meantime, Laura and I are still taking advantage of our early morning coffee dates at Madcap.
Katelyn's wearing: Glasses-Firmoo // Sweater- Forever21 // Jacket, Belt & Tank- H&M
Shoes- Wolverine

 Laura's wearing: Shirt- Forever21 // Vest & Pants- H&M // Bag- Sparrow
Shoes- Samantha Pleet Arc Boot f/ Wolverine // Watch- Kohls // Necklace- Old Navy 
How was everyone's weekend? Do anything exciting? 
xoxo,
Katelyn & Laura

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Traverse City Weekend Getaway

This past weekend, Katelyn and I headed to Traverse City with our husbands + my sister and brother-in-law and Katelyn's brother and his girlfriend. It was a family getaway for 8! Our first stop when we arrived was at Right Brain Brewery, a quirky and unconventional craft brew house set in a warehouse-like building. We took the grand tour of the facility and got to see how their beers were made. It was really interesting.
The beers at Right Brain were phenomenal. Since I'm a big fan of stouts and porters, I loved the Naughty Girl Stout (which was a mint stout) and I was also a big fan of the Smooth Operator (Cream Ale). We definitely recommend paying a visit to this brewery, and if you can-- take the tour! The staff was extremely knowledgeable and fun.  

Our next stop was at Grand Traverse Distillery. We sampled several whiskeys and vodkas and practically made ourselves sick at this point. I never knew until now that whiskey gets it dark color strictly from the barrels they are in, they are never colored intentionally. What?!

The rest of the night consisted of dinner & drinks at the hotel while playing Cards Against Humanity. It's always fun to travel to different states and countries, but sometimes it's nice to be a tourist in your own state. Michigan has so much to offer and we're blessed to have weekend getaways like these.

What cities do you like to visit in your home state?

xoxo,
Laura & Katelyn

Friday, November 7, 2014

Before Dusk

We just cannot get enough of this golden sunlight we've been getting right before sunset. The only downside is the darkness that falls at nearly 5:00pm now, thanks to daylight savings. Is anyone else out there struggling with staying awake past 8pm lately? No.. just me?
 Laura's wearing: Jacket & Beanie- Forever21 // Blouse- Guess // Jeans & Sweater- H&M
Booties- Crown Vintage from DSW // Earrings- Old Navy
Katelyn's wearing: Boots-Target // Leggings- Forever21 // Shirt- H&M
Sweater- Gap // Hat & Scarf- Target // Earrings- World Market
These photos were taken right outside the Grand Traverse Distillery where we drank too much whiskey and feasted on spicy pretzels. We'll be sharing details of our weekend getaway soon! 

xoxo,
Katelyn & Laura