TGIF!

Happy Friday! This morning we were up bright & early (in desperate need of coffee) to chat about a few pop culture topics with our girl, Abby Ham. I’ll post that video at the bottom of this post, but first enjoy a couple of our favorite things from around the interwebs this week.

Taylor Swift on the cover of November 2015's GQ. Story by Chuck Klosterman.

Taylor Swift kills it on the cover of next month’s GQ. The cover story written by Chuck Klosterman is a fascinating profile about how Swift views her life. To quote Klosterman, “It’s impossible for an artist to control how she is perceived. But an artist can anticipate those perceptions, which is almost as good.”

As a side note, if you’re looking for a good weekend read, pick up Klosterman’s “I Wear the Black Hat.” It’s all about the anti-hero.

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If you aren’t subscribed to Lenny Letter, today is the day. It’s a newsletter by Lena Dunham and her partner in crime Jenni Konner that comes right to your inbox covering everything from feminism to style tips. The Jennifer Lawrence piece mentioned in our segment below was part of this week’s Lenny.

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And, finally, here’s our post from this morning! Enjoy and have a great Friday!

 

What a Week, Huh?

Lemon, It's Wednesday | Hannah & Husband

You guys, this week is a little crazy. There are Rivermont projects in the works, we are both busy at work, I turn 30 tomorrow (THIRTY!), and last night our fav newslady profiled us. You can watch the clip below. (disclaimer: I’m mainly posting this for my parents who don’t live here in town… Hi, Mom! Hi!!!)

Hello! & salutations to the new readers who I’ve noticed popping up on our Facebook page & instagram. Today, I thought it would be fun to share eight random facts to break the ice.

1. In seventh grade, James was voted best dressed. He was wearing an Elvis costume.

2. When Hannah was 5, she wanted to marry Johnny Carson.

3. When we first started dating, we bonded over old-school jazz like Ella Fitzgerald. (Read about My Love Affair with Ella here.)

4. We love road trips. (Click here to see the pics from our trip to Middleton Place, an old plantation in Charleston, South Carolina.) 

5. We shop vintage. (Click here to learn Husband’s trick for getting the goodwill smell our of thrifted suits. Click here to see what I did with Nana’s button collection.)

6. We drive old cars. (Like this one and this one.)

7. You’ll want this recipe for Woo-Woo’s sugar cookies.

8. And, finally, (because I’ve been asked several times this week) here’s how I do my hair.

So glad to make your acquaintance! We’ll be back to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.

Birthday Cake Candle Alternatives

Birthday Cake Candle Alternatives | Hannah & Husband

Today happens to be the birthday of one handsome husband! He shares the day with our favorite local TV personality, Abby Ham. So today I was up bright and early to talk birthday cakes with Abby on Mornings with Fox 43. Yesterday, I took a little poll via social media to find out what people would most like to learn and the winner (hands-down) was birthday cake candle alternatives. So here are 4 fun ways to decorate a birthday cake, no candles required!

Birthday Cake Candle Alternatives | Hannah & Husband Birthday Cake Candle Alternatives | Hannah & Husband Birthday Cake Candle Alternatives | Hannah & Husband Birthday Cake Candle Alternatives | Hannah & Husband

The Mary Tyler Moore Show Apartment Style File

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

When I was little, sick days meant red Gatorade, VapoRub, and television—more specifically videos of the Mary Tyler Moore show. This week, I found myself on the couch again turning to Mary Richards for support. She really can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile. And you know what stood out this time? The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment! The working girl’s ultimate abode and every little girl’s first 1970s house crush. So today, I thought we should talk about the six things that made her pad so dreamy.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

1. She lived in a storybook house. Turrets + stained glass would normally denote an over-the-top Disney movie (Pollyanna, anyone?). Instead, The Mary Tyler Moore show made it the ultimate single girl pad.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

2. Long before the days of Carrie Bradshaw, Mary Richards had a walk-in closet. To be clear, she slept on a sofa bed in the middle of the living room, but her mini skirts and go-go boots had a place all their own.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

3. Before the Spice Girls chanted #GirlPower and Destiny’s Child invited all the “honeys who makin’ money” to throw their hands up, their was Mary Richards who hung an ‘M’ on her wall. This independent woman did not need a man to monogram the hand towels. She knew she was important enough all by herself.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

4. She rearranged her furniture all the time just because she could. Growing up, my mother was a serial rearranger. The fact that my father and I have any toes left from tripping over the couch is beyond me! But Mary Richards could change the layout of her studio sitting area every week if she wanted… and sometimes she did.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

5. Confession: The only shag carpet I have ever loved was in this apartment. I think my affection has something to do with the knee-level library.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show apartment | Hannah & Husband

6. Forget shattering the glass ceiling, Mary Richards had 10 foot beauties with windows and draperies to match that she leased all by herself. #winning #girlpower

I’m just going to leave this list here and assume I’m not the only one that ponders 1970s tv set design when I’m sick.

Other Style Files You May Like:

Hello, Dolly!

Lisa Douglas

Lucille Ball 

 

 

Peach Pancakes & Peach Berry Smoothie

This morning I was up bright and early to hang out with one of my favorite gals, Abby Ham. We made peach pancakes and peach berry smoothies on Mornings with Fox 43. The peaches came in more of an avalanche than a steady stream this year because of all the rain we’ve had, so we’ve literally just been throwing peaches in everything to not waste any!

Peach Pancakes and Peach Berry on Mornings with Fox 43 | Hannah & Husband

I mentioned these peach pancakes in last week’s post, but in the video below you’ll get a couple tricks for whipping up perfect pancakes of your own. Also, if you’re curious, we love Bob’s Red Mill 10 Grain Pancake Mix–whole grain and hearty.

For the Peach Berry Smoothies, we mix this recipe up all the time based on what’s in season. (By “we,” I obviously mean Husband who actually makes this in the morning while yours truly is still doing her pre-coffee stagger.) In the middle of winter, we use all frozen fruits and more juice. In the summer and fall, we use whatever fruit is in season and less juice because the non-frozen fruit holds more water. While we like the punch of protein, the non-fat Greek yogurt is not necessary for this smoothie to be tasty. Here’s the breakdown of the recipe I made on air:

Peach Berry Smoothie

3/4 cup juice (We like these Tropicana Farmstand blends.)

1 peach, pitted and sliced

1 scoop non-fat Greek yogurt

1 cup frozen berries

Here’s the segment. Thanks again to Mornings with Fox 43 for inviting me to your kitchen!

Talking Strawberries on Mornings with Fox 43

Talking Strawberries on Mornings with Fox 43 | Hannah & Husband

This morning, I was up bright & early talking strawberries with Moira & Abby on Mornings with Fox 43. I’ve been doing “pretend cooking segments” since I was about two years old so it was crazy exciting to do one in real life! And I learned a lot for next time. You can watch the segment below.

Mornings with Fox 43

Yesterday, we were thrilled to be on Mornings with Fox 43! We’ve always loved the team over at WBIR so it was so much fun to chat with Abby and Moira. We talked about everything from money to household chores! Here’s the clip…

Hers & His

Hers & His | Hannah & Husband

Hers

Read:

Over the weekend, I started reading One-Woman Farm: My Life Shared with Sheep, Pigs, Chickens, Goats, and a Fine Fiddle by Jenna Woginrich. From what I understand, several years ago Jenna Woginrich literally had my job as a graphic designer at Scripps. But after several years of corporate life, she decided to leave the cubicle behind and buy her own farm in Washington County, New York. This book is about her first year on that farm, and (blame the Green Acres complex) I have been completely enchanted with it. She talks very poetically about the tasks that fill her days from one October to the next, but she also describes a completely different way of thinking about time. 

Farmers have different hours, holidays, and seasons than those of us that sit inside from 9 to 5 everyday. One such “holiday” of sorts that she mentions in the beginning of book has really stuck with me: “Days of Grace.”

“…the Days are what farmers in this area call the time of year between fall’s fireworks and the first snowfall–when everything in nature is in a state of transition and naked waiting. This fragile period is a window of reverent preparation, a gift of last chances to farmers in our four-season climate to get everything done before the winter nails us.”

Transitions have been front and center in my mind as of late. As Husband continues his job search, and I try to jump on every opportunity that comes across my desk, I keep thinking that this odd little limbo we’re in will eventually produce a clear picture. But what exactly are we doing to prepare for it?

Missed:

Ah NYC, the land of arts & culture… Yesterday in the sculpture garden at the MoMA a garden party was held for 2 of my favorite artists: Maira Kalman & Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket). It was a 1930s-style soiree to celebrate Maira and Daniel’s new book published in partnership with the museum: Girls Standing on Lawns. (You can view some pics from the party on @MoMA_Live‘s twitter.) The book is full of photographs from the museum’s “vernacular photography” collection as well as new original paintings by Kalman and prose by Handler. (I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!)

I’d also suggest reading this piece on how the book came to be by the MoMA’s Charles Kim.

Listen:

While we’re on the subject: If you’ve never heard this Fresh Air interview with Daniel Handler, stop everything and listen now.

Need a little enticement? There is an accordion version of a Prince’s “When Doves Cry,” and at one point Mr. Handler references the fact that “And then I hit puberty, which wrecked my career as a boy soprano.” Not to mention the fact that Terry Gross giggles like a little school girl for the better part of the hour.

Watch:

Maira and Daniel performing an Ode to Libraries…

Hers & His | Hannah & Husband

His

Watch:

Thanks to Amazon Prime teaming up with HBO, I’ve finally started “The Wire”. Thanks to a wicked cold last week, I had a lot of time to watch “The Wire”. It’s realistic, gritty, and just as amazing as everyone has said.

Plus–Idris Elba. Speaking of, if you like Mr. Elba and “The Wire”, you must check out “Luther” from the BBC. It is streaming on Netflix. Don’t watch it late at night. You’ve been warned.

Listen/Reading:

I stumbled back across this on the radio the other day and the poem inside hit all the feels. Hindemith’s Sonata for Alto Horn and Piano has a dialogue poem to start the fourth movement. When I performed it on my college recital we skipped the poem (since I played it on saxophone it made a little less sense), but it really stood out to me as I heard the recording.

The Posthorn (Dialogue)

Horn Player:
Is not the sounding of a horn to our busy souls
(even as the scent of blossoms wilted long ago,
or the discolored folds of musty tapestry,
or crumbling leaves of ancient yellowed tomes)
like a sonorous visit from those ages
which counted speed by straining horses’ gallop,
and not by lightening prisoned up in cables;
and when to live and learn they ranged the countryside,
not just the closely printed pages?
The cornucopia’s gift calls forth in us
a pallid yearning, melancholy longing.

Pianist:
The old is good not just because it’s past,
nor is the new supreme because we live with it,
and never yet a man felt greater joy
than he could bear or truly comprehend.
Your task it is, amid confusion, rush, and noise
to grasp the lasting, calm, and meaningful,
and finding it anew, to hold and treasure it.

Hers & His

Hers & His | Hannah & Husband

Hers

Reading:

I’m finally reading Julia Child’s My Life in Paris, and I cannot believe it has taken me so long! I bought the book in 2009, the year Julie and Julia came out–such a stereotype. That was also when I fell in love with the cookbooks but, not being an avid reader until recently, I’m just now picking it up. The way she describes the food and the markets is, of course, completely enchanting. But what I’ve really loved is her little observations. Here are two that I wrote down in my notebook…

[Speaking of her walks with her husband Paul, an artist] “I discovered that when one follows the artist’s eye one sees unexpected treasures in so many seemingly ordinary scenes.”

“In late 1949, the newspapers informed us that something called “television” was sweeping the States like a hailstorm. People across the country, the papers said, we’re building ‘TV rumpus rooms’… in order to sit around for hours watching this magical new box. …When we read an article about the horrifying effects of TV on American home life…”

Hers & His | Hannah & Husband

 

Watching:

Speaking of television. I have serious, hardcore fangirl feelings for Mindy Kaling. And the season finale of The Mindy Project is Tuesday night, y’all! Last week I tweeted this after watching Mindy throw a mug out the window because there was a bug in it…

 

Side Note: If you haven’t read it yet, her book will make you laugh out loud! It’s a total must read. 

Hers & His | Hannah & Husband

His

Reading:

I’ve been reading Bart Ehrman’s How Jesus Became God. I must admit, I started it feeling very separated from religion, but as I’ve read this skeptics historic view I’ve come to question many of his arguments. The historic norm doesn’t necessarily mean the historic every time, most notably as it applies to Joseph of Arimathea. Never underestimate the power of rich friends. That being said, still keep me firmly in the ecumenical camp. Religion, like style, is a highly personal thing.

Hers & His | Hannah & Husband

Watching:

Sorry.
Can’t talk.
I DVR’d 24.

Television’s Southern Sage

Last week, with all the unspeakable things found on the newsfeed every night, the only thing I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and watch a little Andy Griffith. I know it may seem silly, but it was just nice to escape for a little while into a time when everything seemed to make a little more sense–happy families and friends in a small town just gives me a little more faith in humanity. Doesn’t it you?

So tonight, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite lessons from The Andy Griffith Show in hopes that it warms your heart and brings a little smile to your face.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

1.) Anytime you can, take an afternoon to picnic with family & friends.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

2.) Parent + child bonding time is of the utmost importance.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

3.) When someone you love makes you something inedible, sneak into the kitchen and secretly exchange the terrible something for a tastier something. Then, you won’t have to lie when she asks what you think.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

4.) You’re never too old for a little dress-up.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

5.) Be ready for action at all times… & always dress the part!

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

6.) Always be willing to offer your friends a place to stay when they’ve had a little too much.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

7.) When your best gal wants to run for council, your time would best be used just making posters with your mouth shut.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

8.) If you want to feel better about the state of the world, put the Christmas episode from the first season in your Netflix queue. (It’s episode 11.) You can thank me later.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

9.) When in doubt, go fishin’… or, at if you’re anything like me, just lay out by the lake.

Southern Sage | The Andy Griffith Show

10.) There is no better way to end an evening than with a little singin’ on the porch.

So tell me: What television shows do you use for a little escape?