Renew. Reflect. Refresh.

It's the end of this year, and the beginning of a new one where we get to summarize our living. What worked and what did not work. What was in our best interest and served the greater good or what repeated habit/habits provided a continuation of holding us back. Cleaning out the closet is one of the hardest jobs, but letting go of unnecessary burdens and struggles is so freeing. Mental clutter as well as material clutter are all things that we stuff in a closet to be dealt with later. When does later come? Later is now and now is the perfect time to renew, reflect and refresh. Making this is a daily practice or at least a weekly practice helps to prevent build-up. So, renew you spirit with unclaimed dreams, or make that vision board if you need a visual hands on reminder. Reflect on the order and ways to make what seems impossible, possible. Lastly refresh, never forgetting to breathe through it all. And remember to enjoy yourself and share yourself; we're in this together.

ART BREAK: For The Love of You

Good Morning: Diner Style Breakfast Complete with Whole Wheat Toast and Peach-Mango Preserves

Breakfast always wins. Eggs and toast kicked up with muenster cheese, onions and of course spinach. Incorporating spinach to a dish can really work in unexpected places, it pairs with so many things. Love it. This is one of those once a month diner style breakfast delights. We feel it even measures up to one of our local favorite diner spots. Enjoy.

Morning Fajitas

Leftovers never tasted so good, especially at this particular breakfast. Yes breakfast. We had red beans or kidney beans leftover from the red beans and rice dinner. So why not early morning fajitas with spinach even. There were no complaints, not even about the spinach. None, only yum and seconds.

Legacy Magazine: Muhammad Ali

GQ Magazine Style Manual and The Classics

This special issue of GQ magazine captured my attention immediately because of the graphic design and cover layout. Sleek, Simple and Beautiful. The added bonus was seeing classic photographs of Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali inside. Always fashionably on point in their presentation of themselves to the public. Such stunning men with discipline, courage and vision. Not to forget Andre 3000 is also inside doing what he's good at, being himself. Propelling fashion and the entertainment business forward and mixing it up along the way. This special edition issue of GQ is a graphic designers full of flavor at this moment fix, it's well designed and layered with typographic treats throughout. Pick one up or flip through it at the check out.

 

Roasted Butternut Squash with Caramelized Onions and Garlic, Sautéed Green Beans in Olive Oil

Butternut Squash Lasagna a family first but soon to be a favorite go to dish. We loved this. I roasted the squash instead of boiling it like the recipe called for, this also allowed me to have roasted squash seeds to snack on.  This recipe was very involved and a little messy but the taste is award winning, worth the effort. Another vegetarian dish to add to the repertoire, the cheese eating vegetarians in this case. This recipe was inspired by Giada of the Food Network.

Eggs, Spinach, Caramelized Onions, Chili Peppers, Italian Five Grain Toast

Breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, eggs are the most versatile meal. Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner, it's always a welcoming exchange. Try it, make it your way. But always enjoy.

Bilal: Is This Love

It's always the perfect time to enjoy Bilal. Especially these days when he seems to be really coming into his own as an artist. The self expression with total unabated freedom is a beautiful thing to witness. This Bob Marley cover is no exception to his skills as performer and artist. Do enjoy.

FULL SCREENThe Sounds of VTech / bilal_isthislove_web   

How The Ghetto Burger Got It's Name: Ask Ann Price

Her work ethic and her burgers have put her on the map as a destination by many. Check out the story of Ann's Snack Bar of Atlanta. Her dedication is the fuel behind her success. A dream with a purpose, and now she's ready to retire. These are the ingredients that makes a life story. Click below and go.

Photo by Access Atlanta

A Perfect Day

Happy Thanksgiving: To Family and Friends. To Caring and Mending. To Sharing and Gathering. To Serving and Loving. Togetherness. Cheers.

Enjoy the [Experience]

Gathering together to share moments together is what we do as humans. Sometimes it's at special occasions, sad occasions or just because we miss the feel of home. Hopefully, we are lucky enough to have come from a place that we can miss and not from a place that causes anxiety or memories of bad experiences. But to commune with those that we call our family, either born into or relationships developed through time, these are the social ingredients that help make us who we are. We need each other in order to thrive. Life should not be lived alone, it should be shared, nurtured, learnt from and passed on. Of course life is not perfect but that's part of the journey of being better. We struggle, we have regrets, misunderstandings, bad experiences, many things that require us to move beyond. Moving is hard sometimes but remaining stuck is equally as hard with the added burden of being a thief of time.

Love and forgiveness are the key. They are very powerful tools and very useful tools. Especially if we need to apply them to ourselves. Oh, and forgiving doesn't mean the continuation of negativity or remaining in a harmful situation. It just means that you are no longer held hostage by the actions or bad choices of another. Self love: if we're not loving ourselves properly, how can we love another properly. Know yourself, it's worth the commitment.

WHAT'S ON TAP NOW: Architecture • If You Can Dream It, They Can Build It. A Home By The Sea

Pushing the envelope on a room with a view and sitting at the very edge of a 70-meter cliff. The sun and the sea, together in perfect harmony. Have a seat because it's just absolutely beautiful. Livable, breathtaking art. Click it. Check it out.

Roasted Carrots in Olive Oil with Onions, Garlic, Salt, Pepper = Delicious Carrot Dogs with Fresh Coleslaw and Bakery Fresh Bread

WORDS UP / quality over quantity

"If power in numbers is a goal for standards, ego, power, or self gratification, it will often fail as it is solely based on one's desire to attain more and more rather than simplify the goal of an intention or function of a thing. Often, a few friends, a few days, or a singular object can fill our hearts with supreme happiness and gratification. If we keep searching for more and more outside of ourselves and want and want we will look around one day and find nothing but material objects sitting as dead weight taking up space and our thoughts. And empty days passed without knowledge of the true self. But, if we think, choose and spend wisely based on what we really need and can use for self discovery, we will live simply and harmoniously in our life. We will be surrounded by a few things that have an intention, a purpose, and a role. Our company will uplift us not bring us down. Our bills will be in control. We will not keep taking to have more which pollutes the heart and causes us to keep wanting and wanting instead of being still and feeling content with exactly what we have now. Exactly what we might have if our house burned down. Self knowledge and experience. There is a great amount of quality in self knowledge. Self knowledge, as it is revealed to you will eliminate all wants and desires for that which does not serve you. You will live simply in a space that is purified from ego, illusion, and lack of wanting more stuff, notice, fame, name and dwell in a place of ease."

by Tara Hogan / INK+WIT

The Magic of White Dishes, Vintage or New. They Make Every Dish Look Wonderful. White on the Forest Floor, Equally Magical.

The Makings of Lunch: Salmon Croquettes, Fresh Pears, A Remoulade Sauce, and A Simple Garden Salad

The Breakfast Club

SWEET + SOUR = Lemon Pound Cake

One of my many favorite memories is of my grandmother's pound cakes. These cakes always showed up at church functions, from selling dinners for the church building fund to a Church Tea or Social. Sweet, and soft and often accompanied with punch. Homemade punch and every preparer had their own special blend with ginger ale and pineapple juice providing the base. Pound cakes also made it's way to funerals, family reunions, Daytona Beach trips and train trips to Hartwell, Georgia, wrapped in wax paper along with fried chicken. Pound cake added a little sweetness to any occasion, even sad ones. And just the opposite, a pound cake would show up for your birthday, dedicated to only you. The simple things, and the sweetest things are right down Memory Lane.

The Moment Café

The Moment Café in St. Augustine, FL is by far the tastiest raw dining that I have ever experienced. I repeat, it was so good. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. The vibe was smooth, friendly, warm and inviting. I'm looking forward to returning. From the photographs you can see the presentation of the food was so beautiful and you could just feel the love and the attention to detail. Each dish an artistic masterpiece. Check it out for yourself. Loved.

A Middle East Peace Hummus

Viva Burrito

The Beginning of Yum + Delicious

Tacos of Life 

Sunlight Burger

ART BREAK: The Ballerina

ART BREAK: The Bird Lady

Fly as you want to be. Free your mind and soar; believe in the unbelievable. Spread your wings and ruffle some feathers. You got this...

The Veggie Pizza

A pizza to call her own, veggie style. The family vegetarian is lifting up the entire family to her standards. Maybe. Some are not hearing it at all. For the sensible few, no big deal. Bring it on. However, things change just like life, and you never know when. One day you're in and the next day you're out. But right now the pizza was absolutely delicious, hands down. We enjoyed. She won.

What's For Dinner: Eggplant Parmesan

Everything that I love in one mix, cooking, photography, and graphic design. Yesterday was my first time making Eggplant Parmesan and it turned out fabulously. So unbelievably delicious. The yum factor was sky high. All of this because my daughter has decided that she is a vegetarian. Must be nice to have a personal chef, right? Don't ask. So for a second thrill, my very own personal thrill, I decided to experiment with type + image. Since I photographed the eggplant dish, and I photograph the door from Art Walk last night, I created an invitation that can be used as a dinner invite. I'm satisfied.

WHAT'S ON TAP NOW: Influencers

The film short, INFLUENCERS by R+I Creative has been released. It's a documentary examining the ingredients of what an influencer is, and what it means to be an influencer all while taking us on a short trip through the fashion, music and entertainment industry. This short is creative, informative and very well done. Not to mention that it's all under 14 minutes of viewing time. Oh, can I also say that the soundtrack is equally dope. Enjoy. Click below to view the film.

Function and Form: The Recipe

A fun and wonderful example of form and function. This is so simple, clever and complete. This could very easily be a nice note card or gift tag with the ingredients as part of the gift.

shared by ilovecharts via rehes

Trick or Treat + BOO = Candy Coated Fun

Boo! A little Halloween fun, to get the weekend started. Parties, candy, and dress-up. Oh my. Halloween has become a major holiday, complete with flashing lights, talking ghouls, and dancing ghosts. Who's going to have the best carved pumpkin? This year it's the weekend to escape into fantasy, coupled with football and tailgating. Halloween is going to be that extra accessory that puts fun over the top this weekend. We all could use a little fun, football, and some extra candy. Right?

Moody Blues: Loved

Easy and free flowing like a gentle breeze, in the mood for love. Sharing and caring for all things beyond this moment. Taking it in. Exhale. Breathe. Relax. Repeat. Don't stop until you get enough. Always and forever. Remember or did you forget...

Dresses by J. Morgan Puett

Asparagus

Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle: The Suitcase Chair

Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle. The Suitcase Chair by Interior Designer, Katie Thompson of South Africa is simple and wonderful. It's a fantastic accent piece that would capture attention in any interior space, and it may just steal the show. Recycling just doesn't get any better than this. Once a discarded suitcase, now a classic low slung chair with a cameo print. It's an art piece all in one. Eclectic and memorable. Love this.

Recreate Interior Design & Recycled Furniture

Dorothy Dandridge

Inspiration: Dorothy Dandridge looking casual and marvelous. Her photograph sets the mood for vintage and sepia hues. Simplicity was the underlying direction. Soft and quiet tones, just the opposite of Ms. Dandridge captured expression.

1. Bill Hartmann 2. Alan Gregg 3. Pink Sherbet 4. Kicha

MonaMade Design: Event Invitations

Invitations and announcements for a Lending Product overview, an Annual meeting, a Board Meeting and a Reception were created to announce the dates, times, and locations of the various events. For the annual meeting announcement, two invites were design because not everyone would be attending the board meeting, some guest would be invited to the reception only. All designs were created to peak interest and get a good turnout. Too many times business invitations are plain and underwhelming with zero wow factor. Designing something a with a little extra makes a lot of difference to the event.