Yummy PH Day...and the new Starbucks review

I have been such a slacker with my blog lately and it's so frustrating to me!  I am on a mission to get much better....and try to figure out what platform to switch to so that my photos will work.

Moving on....today is my day over at Prairie Hive where you can see our raspberry picking from last friday.  And you can ge a super yummy fruit pizza recipe!

Today I am working at the newly renovated Starbucks down at Utica Square.  I was so excited to see what they changed, and sadly, I'm a little disappointed. 

It just doesn't feel like a Starbucks.  Don't get me wrong, it's really pretty, just not the same feel as before.  Everything is very neutral, cream walls with grey ceiling accents.  Lots of wood, but not the espresso wood like some of their stores now.  It's a dark, more traditional looking wood. 

I do like the floor.  It is a wood plank tile {not wood, just looks like wood} and they laid it in a herringbone pattern. 

All of the lights have changed from the fun, funky colorful shapes to simple opaque white cylinders.  And the backsplash is now a cream 2"x6" {approx.} subway tile.  No glass tiles or marble mosaics.

All of the artwork is sepia toned photos of coffee, in the field, being picked, etc.  Oh, and finally, the furniture.  The tables and chairs are all a cherry wood color.  Only two comfy chairs to relax in and a wall with banquettes.  There are so many tables and chairs that it feels like more like a restaurant than a fun coffee shop.  So not the same "homey" feel as before. 

So there you have it.  My take on the new and improved Starbucks.  They say it's the new "flagship" store...hopefully some changes will be made before all the stores change.

PH Day, Good Cookin', & Newborn Hudson

You saw on Monday that I was at my grandparent's farm.  Well, check out my Prairie Hive post today to see what I found!

In other news....last night I made up a recipe....Bruschetta Chicken.  And it was super yummy.  Wish I had taken a picture, but I didn't so I'll just tell you about it!  Grill chicken breasts seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.  Once they are done, place them in a casserole dish and top with pesto {you can skip this step if you don't like pesto....sarah}.  Then top with fresh bruschetta {tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, balsalmic vinegar, fresh basil, pepper and salt} and finish it off with grated mozzarella cheese.  Pop in a 350 degree oven until the cheese is nice and melted. 

I served the chicken over farm fresh garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes.  Even myMichael liked the mashed potatoes {he hates potatoes, so that means alot}!

Trust me, it was tasty. 

My blog is still messing up my pictures, but I just have to share a few from a newborn session.  Even if they are small.  Meet Hudson....

We worked very hard to get a shot with daddy's guitar!

happy thursday!

Prairie Hive Day & Blogging Issues!

It's Thursday....my day over at Prairie Hive!  Be sure and check out some Color Pop's with PH's Issue One Mag.  Lots of lovely colors!

In other news, I am having issues with blog spot.  About a month ago I posted photos from a session and noticed that when I made them bigger the color got washed out.  I didn't have the time to figure it out that day, so I left them small and went on.  Well, I have more pics to post and I am having the same problem again.  I have done some googling and have seen where others talk about this problem, but I can't find a solution.  I know some of my readers are blog spot bloggers, so, are you guys having this problem?  Do you know how to fix it? 

So frustrating!  If I can't figure it out, I may have to switch blog hosts.  Doesn't really work for me to be a photographer and only be able to post small photos.  Argh! 

It's also annoying that all of these free programs and services have absolutely NO customer service contacts.  No number to call and ask a question, they might have an email address but it's followed by a statement that says "we don't answer all emails....", nothing!  I mean, how in the world are you suppose to get help???

The good new is....tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Prairie Hive Mag, Issue One

And, it's done.  After a super long week and weekend, we finally got the Prairie Hive Mag, Issue One, up and running at Prairie Hive.

It has been a super fun & learning process along the way.  Not gonna lie, last night around 10:00pm {after having worked since noon on sunday and 11am - 3:30am satuday, oh and 4pm - 10pm on thursday, and all the days before} I wasn't sure it was actually going to happen.  We kept hitting wall, after wall, after wall when dealing with all the file compression, uploading, linking, etc.  BUT, around 11pm last night...it worked!  And then we saw a couple of corrections that needed to be made, so another hour later it was finally done.

It is very exciting to see something you have worked on for so long finally come to completion.  That's one thing that I love about interior design.  You start with something, or sometimes nothing, and in the end you have results that you can see and be apart of.

So, all that to say, take a few minutes and check it out!  Our next one will be out in August and will feature a totally different style of house and everything.

Due to all of the above, I haven't made it to the grocery store for this week.  Probably needs to happen soon.  For my sake, here is what I'm thinking for meals this week....

Sauteed Shrimp w/ Sherry and Chiles {didn't get to it last week}

Indian Food - Tikka Masala w/ Basmati Rice & Naan

Beef Taco Salad

Grilled Chicken & Vegetables w/ Red Potatoes

Have a great Monday!

Sweet Thursday...Recipe & PH Day

Oh yes, this is definitely a dessert you will need to try.  Do you love chocolate chip cookies?  Then this will be right up your alley.  I give you.....Chocolate Chip Pie.  Super tasty and super easy.

Chocolate Chip Pie
1/2 cup margarine, softened
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips {I use 1/2 milk chocolate and 1/2 semi-sweet}
1 cup nuts {I use chopped walnuts}
1 9 inch unbaked pie shell

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In mixer bowl cream butter; add eggs and vanilla.  Combine sugar and flour in separate bowl and slowly add to creamed mixture in mixer.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts; pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake 45 to 50 minutes until golden on top.  Great served warmed or room temperature with ice cream.

Try it and let me know what you think.  This was my sister's favorite dessert growing up!

It's Thursday so it is Ruby Jewel Day over at Prairie Hive!  Movie to Reality - Sex and the City 2....must see beautiful blue sofa find.

Also, get excited b/c Monday we will be launching Issue One of Prairie Hive's online magazine!  If you have been to the site, you know the "coming soon" on the home page?  Well, it will no longer be coming soon, the magazine will be front and center.  You will definitely want to check out our feature story about a couple in mid town with a great mid century modern house..and then how to take that style and use it for entertaining.  Lots of eye candy and inspiration coming your way!

Hope you have a great Thursday!

Prairie Hive Post & Randomness

Today is my day at Prairie Hive.  I got a tad bit sappy over there talking about Mother's Day, so be sure and read!

In other news....this Saturday is the Arts & Crafts Show at my church, Jenks Church.  The perfect place to find a unique Mother's Day gift and a boat load of other great things.  More details at their website, http://www.jenkschurch.org/ and below...

My facebook page is up and running {finally}!  I have some photos posted of my interior design projects, photography clients, and travel photos.  If you, or anyone you know, needs commercial or residential interior design help, please give them my name.  There is a lot more information on my website:  http://www.rubyjewelstudio.com/

I'm going to do a post soon on my e.design services.

Also, when you go to my website I have a new category under photography, "prints".  Certain photos from my travels are for sale.  I am still adding to the collection, but it's a start.  Does anyone have an etsy shop?  I'm thinking about maybe getting one, but would like some feedback on it.

And finally, Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!  If you want to throw together a quick fiesta tonight, check out this Prairie Hive Post.

Happy day-before-Friday!

Prairie Hive.....a new project

{some of you readers have already received this....if so, just skip to the bottom!}

I am so excited to share with you a project that I have been working on for a few months - Prairie Hive!


A couple of months ago, we gathered a group of talented individuals from various creative fields - design, photography, writing, entertaining and crafting - and put our heads together to form this collaborative website. The first part of the project is our blog, which will include ideas for inspiration, design trends, local finds, DIY projects, fashion finds, entertaining ideas...and whatever else we decide to share! We have been posting for a couple of weeks now and have some great content up - and much, much more to come as we establish weekly features and get into the groove a little more.

We are also currently working on an online magazine that will spotlight local people with great homes and style each month. The magazine will also include entertaining ideas, a DIY project or two, and design ideas for easy, quick ways to transform a space. We are shooting these now (if only the weather would cooperate!) and plan to launch it May/June.

I would love for you to give us your feedback, make comments on the blog posts (please!) , and let us know what you think!

We would also love suggestions for content...new products you've seen, local shops/venues/events to check out, ideas for DIY projects, etc. We want to include both local and national/online finds and are open to new ideas (there are 6 of us, but we can't get out and see everything!)! In the future we may also bring on additional contributors and/or feature columns as we grow.

Learn more about the group at www.prairiehive.com/about and check out our blog at www.prairiehive.com/blog.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.  Friend, follow, comment, like....etc!!

Here are some fun photos we attempted to take downtown on a very windy day!  Thank you to C.C. Miller Photography for helping out on our group shots!

Now, head on over to Prairie Hive for my post of the week.  It's part of our "Meet the Hive" series.

Thank you so much for your support and feedback!