Pomegranate Recipe Roundup

From left to right, clockwise: Raspberry Pomegranate Layered Pavlova, The Hungry Australian // Caramelized Onion, Kale and Fontina Pizza with Pomegranate Salsa, Half Baked Harvest // Pomegranate, Kale, and Wild Rice Salad with Walnuts and Feta, Pinch of Yum // No Bake Chocolate and Pomegranate Tart, Give Recipe // Pomegranate Blueberry and Goat Cheese Crostini, Jelly Toast // Pomegranate Scones, Making Today Beautiful // Pomegranate Margaritas, How Sweet It Is

I love when pomegranates are in season. They are beautiful, delicious and fun to eat! Yes, getting the seeds out can be a pain, but I love munching on the seeds while watching a good movie or show. I can't wait to try some of these pomegranate recipes, don' they look awesome? I would love to start with the scones for breakfast, eat the salad for lunch, pizza for dinner with margaritas and the chocolate tart for dessert. Yuuum!

Next week I'm excited to share a really yummy, easy and healthy pomegranate dessert, so keep your eyes peeled for that :)

Christmas Cookie Roundup

Can you believe Christmas is only 20 days away? Crazy! I have a few presents bought, but other than that I haven't done a lot of "Christmasy" things. I'd love to get a tree, but I don't have the space and I'm pretty sure Atticus would knock down all the ornaments anyways. I haven't put up any Christmas decorations or had an eggnog latte. But friends, I have made Christmas cookies. I have my priorities. 

Here are a few cookies I can't wait to try this holiday season! Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie recipe? 

From top left, clockwise: Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, Cooking Classy // Gingerbread Cookies, Mis-Cakes Oven Adventures // Mint and Chocolate Fudge Oreo Bars, Averie Cooks // Melt in Your Mouth Eggnog Cookies, Cooking Classy // Spiked Mint Milanos, Buttercream Blondie // Orange Walnut Macarons with Spiced Cream and Cranberry Filling, Blahnik Baker // Peppermint Mocha Kahlua Truffles, My Baking Addiction // Smoky Cardamon Ginger Molasses Cookies, Reclaiming Provincial // Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, Cooking Classy

One Day, When I Host Thanksgiving...

Oh dear...it's Saturday already? Holy moly, where did the week go!? Also, Thanksgiving is almost here! Hip hip, hooray! Are you ready to stuff your mouth full of deliciousness and then lay around, enjoying family time? I certainly am.

As I get older, I am looking forward to the day when I host Thanksgiving. I'm sure I will be singing a different tune when I'm cooking 10 things at once, and freaking out about forgetting to pick up onion straw-things for the green bean casserole. But until that day, I will continue to fantasize about my crispy-yet-juicy turkey, balanced cocktails and remembering to buy everything. So gonna rock Thanksgiving one day.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? Here are a few recipes I would love to make if I were hosting!

From top left, clockwise: Roasted Garlic Brussel Sprouts, Cider Bourbon Cocktail, Green Bean Casserole, Roasted Garlic Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole, Praline Pumpkin Cheesecake, Soft Honey Oat Rolls, Spiced Rubbed Roasted Turkey

The Perfect Red

Red hair is tricky because it's really easy to mess up. Especially when you dye it yourself like I do, sometimes it turns out too purplish, too dark, light or Ronald McDonaldish. Recently I have been tempted to have it colored professionally because I am dying to get this beautiful orange, golden red! If you dye your hair yourself, any tips on how to get this color?

Sources, top left clockwise: Pinterest (source unknown), Fashion Rogue, Ow Yeah Ginger Heads (tumblr),  The Glamroui, The Ruffle House, New York Times Style Magazine, Redhead Rousses 

I Dream of Sweden

In 1930 my great grandmother, Astrid, traveled from Sweden to live with her aunt and uncle in Yakima, Washington. She was only 23 at the time and didn't know any of her family living in America, so it was a huge decision. With help from her family and women of the YWCA, Astrid made her way across the country to Washington state. A year later she married a well established farmer in the area, Emil Lovestrand, and they had eight children together including my grandmother.

source

I have always found her story to be pretty amazing. I can't imagine sailing to a new country to live with relatives I didn't know, and then having to travel across the states without being able to speak English. I'm so thankful for her bravery! 

Being the proud Swede that I am, I have always been inspired by Swedish culture. It's definitely a place I hope to explore one day. Food and design are two of my favorite things, and Sweden does them both very well! How could I not be proud? Here are a few things I love that come from Sweden :)

Dala horse pint glasses // Dala horse wood brooch // DIY Dala horse garland 

Pepparkakor cookies // Swedish meatballs

top right // top left // bottom

A few Swedish blogs/sites:

My Scandinavian Home

Emmas Design Blogg

Livet Hemma

Svenskt Tenn

From Scandinavia with Love

Yay Sweden! Oh, and I had to throw in this crazy picture of my with this huge dala horse in North Dakota. 

purple + black + white

If I could live my life in only purple, black and white...I probably would. Throw some green in there, and I would be good to go. With my moving in a few weeks, I want to sell tons of stuff and buy up new, awesome, purple things. If only that was how it worked, right? Like, "Oh, I'm moving...time to start over and fill my new space with awesome stuff!" Here are a few things on my purple/black/white wish list.

1. Albert Étagère Oak Book Bookcase // 2. Arrowhead Necklace Gold Necklace // 3. Iris Pitcher Plum // 4. Modern Hanging Mobile // 5. The Royal Chalice Glass Set // 6. Fill In The Black Bag // 7. Monochrome Lovins Flat  // 8. Black White Long Sleeve Asymmetrical Striped Dress // 9. Opal Bow Slingback 

Society6 Collage Favorites

Happy Fourth of July! Hope you are spending the day enjoying some sun, eating a hotdog or two, and maybe catching some fireworks. Tommy and I are spending today at his parents house where I plan on eating my weight in ribs and relaxing by the lake.

Today I thought it would be cool to share some of my favorite artists on Society6. If you're unfamiliar with the site, it's basically a place where artists can sell their artwork. My favorite thing about the site is the wide range of art, and the fact that you can buy it as a print, pillow, phone case, stretched canvas, ipad case or several other options! Really neat. I just bought this pillow case today :)

There are a lot of different categories of artwork, but collage is probably one of my favorites.  It  has such a cool vintagey vibe to it, and yet can sometimes feel a bit creepy and hallow. I love it when art makes me feel different things at once. Definitely check some of these artists out, they all have really cool images that I didn't include. Do you have a particular kind of art you feel especially drawn to?

Richard Vergez 

 Exhalation // Brain Ticket

Jesse Treece

 Untitled // Untitled // Goofbutton Collaboration #1a

Beth Hoeckel Collage & Design

 Sunbathing // Float

Sammy Slabbink

Television - Drug of the Nation // The (Make Up) Artist // Learning the Ropes

cinco tacos

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I hope you all will be spending some portion of your day drinking margaritas or eating tacos. Hopefully it's both! Here are a few taco recipes I can't wait to try, and if you weren't sure what to make for dinner tonight...well tacos, duh! Okay, enchiladas would be acceptable too. :)

1. Sweet Life: Roasted Vegetable Tacos // 2. Foodie Crush: Stewed Chicken Tacos // 3. Sandwich Sunday: Carne Asada and Corn Tacos // 4. Spoon Fork Bacon: Achiote Grilled Fish Tacos

Oh, and we can't forget about guacamole! Here a a few really tasty looking guac recipes. 

Joy the Baker // Goat Cheese and Roasted Corn Guacamole

What's Gaby Cooking // Spicy Queso Fresco Guacamole 

Perry's Plate // Loaded Roasted Chile Guacamole 

A Cup of Jo // Pineapple and Pomegranate Guacamole 

Gallery Wall Inspiration

I've started the slow process of putting together a gallery wall for my living room. I have such a hard time choosing art work; there are so many beautiful pieces out there, but it's so difficult to actually commit! I have snagged the mountain painting, "Rain Shadow,"  by Cathy McMurray, and can't wait to buy "Ring of Roses," by Clare Elsaesser.

Do you have any favorite artists? I would love to know about them!

1. Clare Elsaesser // 2. Margol // 3. Cassia Beck //  4. Cathy McMurray // 5. Christopher Scott // 6. Fiona Ackerman // 8. Budi Satria Kwan 

Matcha love

A few days ago I visited my local tea store, the Spice Hut, and stocked up on a few loose leaf teas. Even though I almost always choose coffee over tea, a warm cup at night can be really nice. I splurged and bought some matcha powder as well and I'm really excited to experiment with it! Not only is matcha delicious, but it's also super good for you. According to the all knowing (and always correct) wikipedia, matcha has more antioxidants by weight than blueberries, pomegranates and spinach! Here are a few matcha recipes I'm drooling over. Have you cooked with matcha before?

Matcha and Avocado Popsicles // Matcha Pound Cake // Baked Lemon Donuts with Matcha Glaze // Matcha Green Tea Gimlet

black & white favorites

It's exciting to notice little shifts in your style, aesthetic and taste. I've always loved very feminine and delicate pieces, but lately I've found myself attracted to more graphic, bold objects. Black and white in particular has been a favorite color combo!

1. Dress, Topshop // 2. Sunglasses, Target // 3. Necklace, Nordstrom // 4. Pillow, Society6 // 5. Sandals, Net-A-Porter

PS: Any Html wizards out there who could help me a bit? Shoot me an email (amandakbybay@hotmail.com), there are just a few things I would like to tweak, and it's driving me crazy! 

travel bug

source

I have been badly bit by the travel bug. I'm just dying to hop on a plane and explore a new city! Ultimately I would love a trip to Europe, but that's going to take a few years of saving and planning, and I don't think I can wait that long.

 I'm considering taking a week of vacation this fall...but where should I go? I'm thinking either Washington D.C. or New Orleans. I would love to eat beignets all day long in New Orleans, but it would be amazing to visit the Smithsonian in DC. Both sound like so much fun! Hmm, decisions decisions. Have you been to either city, or maybe live there and have some suggestions/advice?

source

ashley goldberg patterns

Really loving Ashley Goldberg's fun and playful patterns. You can visit her blog, flickr, and etsy shop to see more.

new couch

A week ago I splurged on this beautiful tufted sofa from Urban Outfitters. I'm so, so excited for it to arrive in a few weeks! I'm already dreaming up a whole new living room. 

1. Couch // 2. Lamp // 3 Print by Cathy McMurray // 4. Rug // 5. Bookcase 

Stocking Stuffers: Cosmetic Junkie

Stockings are one of my favorite things about opening presents on Christmas morning. Stockings aren't a huge deal at my moms house, one year they were even forgotten about for a couple hours. Usually filled with M&M's and shaving cream, stockings are a silly way to end the morning.

But, my dad would go all out when it came to stockings. He would buy a bunch of little things  and wrap everything individually so it was like opening another five presents! Some things were from the dollar store, and others were things we had asked for.

Because of my love for stockings in all their different purposes, I wanted to present a few collections of stocking inspired gifts! First up, the gal who loves all things cosmetics! Some of these items I have used and loved, and a few are on my wish list.

1. M·A·C 'Perfectly Plush -Mineralize' Brush Kit
2. Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm
3. Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask To Clear Pores
4. Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara
5. Urban Decay Naked2 Palette 
6. NaiLuv 'Merry Mermaid' Gel Nail Polish
7. sara happ 'The Lip Scrub - Red Velvet' Lip Exfoliator

a very mod halloween

Last year for Halloween Tommy and I just watched movies and handed out candy. That was fun, but this year I am ready to get dressed up and go out! I have been trying to figure out a fun and easy Halloween costume for a few weeks now, but just couldn't decide.

Then it hit me, MOD! Fun and dramatic eye makeup, bright tights, cute shift dress and maybe some awesome boots if I can find them. Halloween, let's do this.

it's soup season!

Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons, one of which is the food! I mean com'on, fall means pumpkin flavors, casseroles, and of course SOUP! I love making a huge batch of soup to eat for several days after. It's comforting, delicious and often healthy! Here are a few soup recipes I would love to be eating right now. Seriously, get in my belly.

1. Chipolte Tomato Soup 

2. Thai Chicken Coconut Soup

3. Mexican Chicken Lime Soup

4. Corn and Potato Chowder 

5. Rustic Three Squash Soup

6. North African Chickpea and Kale Soup

wood walls

Yikes...it has been quiet around here. But every now and then life happens, you know? Today I spent the day in Seattle attending a Clinique strategy class. Every few months Clinique has a class to teach consultants about new products coming out. It's always a pretty fun time, but having to drive down to Seattle at 7:00 am really wears you out!

Right now I am vegging on the couch before heading out to watch Tommy play a show. As I sit in my living room I'm staring at dark, wood panel walls. I love just about everything about my house...except for the walls. If I had my way, I would paint them, but alas I'm a renter. They just seem to make everything very dark and brown. I'm not a brown person at all.

Yes, the above picture is a little extreme; my entire house is not filled with wooden items. But, I didn't have to move anything to get that shot either. So, I have been scouring the internet for ideas on how to work around wood paneled walls, and while I haven't found inspiration with a room that has ALL wood walls, these rooms have given me some ideas!

starting top left, going clockwise: mint peach, apartment therapy, emily a clark, one kind design, design sponge,

Do you guys have wood paneled walls? Love them, hate them? I love, but only in moderation!

Print  // 1. ModCloth dress // 2. Rupert Sanderson shoes // 3. MSGM bag

frozen treats

I got a little sunburned today...and I'm happy about it. Before you decide I'm nuts, hear me out.

Two weeks ago, Washington was still in winter mode. Acquiring a sunburn means the sun came out, and I had time to enjoy it. It also means I will soon be tan, and by tan I mean not ghostly white.

Another reason why my sunburn is making me happy is because it's just the right amount of burn. It's red, but not the lobster red. It's warm, but in a cozy way, not in an uncomfortable way. Aloe vera feels good, but I don't feel the need to reapply every 5 minutes.

So thanks for finally arriving summer. I think this sunburn calls for popsicles.

Source: ruemag.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Champagne pops!

Source: chocolatecoveredkatie.com via Shawna on Pinterest

Mint chocolate chip fudge pops, and made with spinach!

Source: theblackpeppercorn.com via Gilbert on Pinterest

Mango lassi popsicles. Mango smoothies are my favorite, why have I never thought to freeze them?

Source: munchinwithmunchkin.com via Zea on Pinterest

Avocado green tea popsicles, two of my favorite things. Sounds like such a good combo.

Source: endlesssimmer.com via Casie on Pinterest

Blueberry cabernet cheesecake popsicles. Not the healthiest on the list, but let's face it, probably one of the best.

Source: forkandbeans.wordpress.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Peanut butter and jelly popsicles. I would love to make these and swirl the two flavors.

Source: familyfreshcooking.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Raspberry,coconut and chocolate popsicles. Yum!