Category Archives: Wonderful

Kiambethu Tea Farm

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A couple weeks ago I went to Kiambethu Tea Farm for a lunch in the garden and tour.  I found the rolling hills covered in tea really beautiful, and the lunch in the garden was delicious and scenic.  They also had several animals roaming the area including some adorable pups and cows who’s milk is used for homemade ice cream.

Lunch in the garden

Lunch in the garden

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A tree that people used to come to for worship

Weiner dog

Weiner dog

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Ice cream cows!

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Tea

If you come to the Nairobi area, check out Kiambethu Tea Farm in Limuru for a fun afternoon.

xo

-s

Turquoise and Grey Bedroom

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S sent me this link for ideas to decorate when she moves into her new place and I’m a little obsessed with the color scheme.

image: Nordstrom

The Pom Throw ($49) and Pom Pillow ($29) would be perfect gifts for someone this Christmas. I love the different textures and patterns but how they are all the same color scheme. Plus, who doesn’t like a Missoni accent?

xx

-h

Festive Table

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and mini-vacation. Although, the holiday has passed, I wanted to share our festive table. R and I hosted this year, and I was pretty proud of how well everything turned out.

Here are the deets:

  • Table runner from Target (actually a tablecloth folded)
  • Pumpkins from Terry’s Berries and Scholl Farms
  • Brass candle holders – vintage, the tall ones were wedding presents to my parents that they lent us
  • China – vintage from my grandmother’s aunt
  • Silverware – Vintage Gense gifted from the Nana
  • Flowers from Metropolitan Market arranged in stemless wineglasses
  • Water glasses – double Manhattan glasses from when Canyons Resort hosted the MLS All-Star Game events
  • Champagne Glasses – Stolzle
  • Water pitcher – Gurgle Pot
  • Napkins in Golden Yellow and Henna  – World Market

Some highlights from the actual meal:

  • Turkey, braised using bourbon and fresh rosemary, I sort of made the recipe up. I would recommend buying a turkey that has the belly button that pops when it is done. It makes it so much easier to gauge if the turkey is ready to be pulled from the oven or not.
  • Brown butter green beans from Real Simple.
  • My mom brought The Pioneer Woman’s Stuffing.
  • My brother and sister-in-law did an amazing cheese platter, with tons of cheeses from Grocery Outlet (whaaaat?) and crackers from Trader Joe’s.
  • Bourbon-Apple Crumble Pie adapted from this recipe.

Drinks

So many things to be thankful for this year, and always.

xx

-h

Apres Ski

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Yesterday I shared my ski picks, so today I’m sharing my apres ski picks. Post ski-day, it’s all about comfort and warmth while layering. My picks include the Icebreaker base layer, a J.Crew flannel, Columbia vest that has removal fur/hood, a Discrete beanie that can be worn slouchy style or not, Zella leggings, and Smartwool socks.And most importantly – Sorel boots. My go-to for any winter day, they’ll keep your feet dry and warm.

I would top the look with my favorite Pur Cashmere tissutissu scarf.

Apres Ski
If you’re looking for a new awesome game apres ski, check out Cards Against Humanity.
But, don’t expect to play it with your grandparents, it can be a little inappropriate.

And of course, my favorite post ski day drink (besides Champagne) is the Hot Apple Pie.
Here is my recipe, which cuts a few calories off the original:

Warm your mug with a little hot water and then:
– 1.5 oz Tuaca
– 1/2 packet of sugar free apple cider mix and top with hot water
– dallop whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg

xx
-h

Hannah’s Ski Picks 2012/2013

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Yay ski clothes!

If you haven’t checked out Columbia’s new omni technology, give it a look. The technology heats your body when you’re cold and cools you when you’re sweating, virtually keeping you the perfect temperature all the time. They have really been stepping up their game in terms of style as well.  I love the light blue color of the Parallel Peak Jacket, and the 20k rated fabric means that here in the Pacific Northwest if the resort says it’s “snowing,” but it looks more like rain, you’ll stay dry.

I’m a Smith girl for helmets and goggles because that means no gaper gap, which also prevents brain freeze. Plus, the I/O’s are super easy to change out lenses.

For skis and boots, I love my Salomon boots. Remember, new boots are always horrible to break in, so don’t plan on too many runs your first few days getting used to how tight they are. The Rossignol S7 is a great all around ski and has been winning awards since it first came out a couple of years ago. Rocker technology makes them easy to turn in the tough stuff, and they’ll float in the deep stuff. Anything that makes skiing easier is good in my book!

For layers, I prefer Nike sports bras to hold the girls, and Icebreaker base layers because the natural wool is wicking, and they are super soft. On the bottoms, I don’t like my long-uns to go under my socks because that creates bunching, and leads to sore shins. So, I prefer the cropped kind. I pull my Smartwool socks up to prevent leg-gappage.

I LOVE Hestra mittens, because my hands never get cold wearing them, plus the cuffs of my jacket can go over the top, to prevent wrist gappage. Are you seeing a common theme here? I hate gappage.

Lastly, I’m obsessed with my Surface rainbow poles, because, who doesn’t like rainbows?

Ski Picks 2013

Now, let’s just pray Ullr gives us a great snow year!

xx

-h

Wicked

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I saw Wicked last weekend with my mom and some of her lady friends. It was amazing! The costumes, the set, the music, the voices. So fantastic. When I was little, I loooved the Wizard of Oz. Still do. Whenever I watch a movie or see a play, I always want to know more, what happens next? I think that is my favorite part about Wicked, you really do get to learn the back story about Oz, and how the lion, tin man, and scarecrow came to be.

Have you seen Wicked? It just finished its run in Seattle, but hopefully will be back again.

xx

-H

 

Learning to live with me

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I came to Kenya with close to no expectations.  I really didn’t know what to expect in terms of environment, culture, living-situation, climate, people or really anything.  As my time here winds down, I am leaving with a different view about myself.  This experience has been life changing for me, but I think, not in the way you would expect.  I’m not leaving with a new view of the world.  I haven’t decided to give up all consumerism things at the realization that very few people in this world are able to even consider buying something just because they feel like it.  And I haven’t been humbled.  Growing up in America, everywhere you look there is some sort of foundation for those in need.  There is no shortage of awareness of how lucky you are to be born into a rich country.  For me, I haven’t been shocked at what I’ve seen here.  Maybe it’s me being selfish, I don’t know, but what has been most life changing for me is learning to live with myself.

I came to this country without so much as a familiar face to rely on.  At home, I am constantly surrounded by familiar friends and family and after recently moving from a house with six people, living alone felt…well lonely.  I admit, the first month here for me was really hard.  I found myself wallowing in my loneliness, but I got past it.  I started to meet people, get out and even make some friends.  More than anything, I feel confidence.  Confidence in my independence, personality and self.  Coming somewhere I knew no one was the best thing I could have done for myself.  It has helped me grow and learn to live with who I am.

xo

-s