Places and Spaces: Waco, Texas (Part III)

Croquis...love the one you're with

Love the one you're with...So true, ay? I think that love is super important in a relationship. But, the other day my husband and I were chatting about love. Is it true, the beloved words of The Beatles, all you need is love and love is all you need? Honestly, we came to the conclusion that a strong relationship (whether intimate or platonic) needs so much more than love. A solid foundation is built on faith, trust, communication, truth, selflessness, and understanding. While true, you need love...love alone will not make a relationship last the turbulence faced during the flight of life. Sometimes, the ones we love the most, wind up hurting us the most in the end. 

I drew these croquis this week and I loved how they turned out! I was developing a spec/measurement chart for the company I work for and that is how this awesome couple was born! If you follow me on Instagram I posted a photograph of the finished product. I used Adobe Illustrator and a Wacom Bamboo tablet to draw the outline of the figures. I then added some shading to create a little interest. I love working the apparel industry! -Ruth-

Winter blues...

Blouse and skirt (Anthropologie) // Cardigan (Target) //

Belt (Fossil) Boots (Carson's) Earrings (Sam Moon)

It's cold and rainy here in North Texas. It's crazy, Monday and Tuesday were almost 80° and sunny. By Wednesday, mid 40° and rainy. Well, looking at the bright side of things, Spring will be here soon enough. After all, this is Texas! I feel like I've been really busy lately, but I'm not sure if I've actually been busy or if I just feel that way? Sometimes, this time of year really starts to get to me. It's better now that I no longer live in the midwest, but when we get the stretches of bad weather, it starts to bother me. The good news, we will have guests next weekend and I cannot wait! -Ruth-

Hang this print on your wall

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Insta-week

Himalayan Salt Lamps

Grass and concrete

Reflection from the pond at work

Emo-Sophee

Paleo meal prep

Can you guess???

Old number 7

Pattern making

Tea time

Volkswagon

Sweet Potato and Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Sweet potato and roasted cauliflower soup

4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth

4 cups of water

3 medium sweet potatoes

1 medium head of caulifower

4 large carrots

1 medium onion

olive oil

spices

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut cauliflower into bite sized pieces and place on cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and seasoning of your choice. I used a homemade version of Garam Masala. Roast cauliflower in over for 30 minutes. Continue to check it to avoid burning as oven temps may vary. 

Bring broth and water to a boil. Cut sweet potatoes and carrots into 1" cubes and place in boiling liquid. In the meantime, mince onion and add to boiling pot. At this time, add your favorite seasonings. Once the cauliflower is finished, remove from oven and add to your soup. 

Next, I removed the desired amount of solid ingredients (read carrots that I cut in to darling heart shapes during prep) and set aside. Using an immersion blender, puree the remaining ingredients until smooth. Add solids back to soup and enjoy! -Ruth-

P.S. I used this tutorial to make my heart shaped carrots! 

Love the one...Free Printable

In honor of Valentines Day, Love the one......DOWNLOAD

chunky sweater leg warmers DIY

 

Hey y'all! I know some of you over on the East Coast are getting hammered with winter weather. I thought it would be a good time to share this tutorial with you. If you have an old sweater that you don't wear anymore, why not make some awesome leg warmers? Or you could pick one up at the thrift store. These leg warmers are super simple and super cute. All you have to do is cut off the sleeves just under the arms. Overlock, straight stitch, or  even hand stitch the top to prevent fraying, and enjoy the warmth! When I lived back home, in Chicago, leg warmers on top of leggings were standard winter attire.  -Ruth-

 

My thoughts on Photoshop

Okay, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to talk Photoshop, specifically photo retouching. Now, we all know that this goes on. But, do we really know the extent of this "retouching"? I just want to give you an example of what an amateur can do with Photoshop. I spent less than 5 minutes retouching the photographs above and look at the results! I went from looking pale and baggy to looking smooth and radiant, in minutes! I can only imagine the hours that are spent retouching professional photos. So, next time you see a pretty photograph, and you start to get down on yourself, don't believe your eyes. These women (or men) are regular people, just like us! And we are all that beautiful! -Ruth-

Chocolate Mug Cake

This is one of the most simple and most satisfying dessert you can make in the microwave. It rivals some of the best cakes out there! I swear, you'll have to try it for yourself. Best part, it only takes 2 minutes! 

This is what you'll need;

2 minute Chocolate Mug Cake

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 medium egg

Chocolate syrup, chips, and pinch of powdered sugar as a garnish.

Simply mix all three ingredients in a mug and microwave for 40-50 seconds. Easy! -Ruth-

Happy Weekend!

Blouse (Mod Cloth) Belt (Michael Kors) 

Sweater (Target) Jeans (Handmade by me) 

Boot (White Mountain) Bracelet (Flea Market; Mexico) Earrings (Sam Moon)

Happy Weekend folks! It's a beautiful sunny day here in Texas. We just got home from taking our little Sophee to the vet. It's not her favorite outing, but she's a pretty good girl none-the-less. I hope your weekend is bright and beautiful! -Ruth-