Hi everyone-

Thought I would share a little DIY that is extremely easy and inexpensive. I thought my office could use a little "pick me up" and this canvas art is just the thing to brighten up any space. Fruit prints are pretty popular and something that adds a little fun. You can use this for your office, bedroom, bathroom, whatever you please.

More to come,
Danielle

Steps: 

1. Cut the fruit right down the middle. Make sure your cuts are as even as possible. This allows for even stamping
2. Dab the lemons on a paper towel as best as possible to get rid of any juice. Let them sit for a little bit (15-20 minutes)
3.  Determine how you want to space them on your canvas. I did three rows (not the most even) but think about how you want it to look prior stamping
4. Dip your lemon into the ink. Fully press down and repeat until you see the ink is all over the fruit. The lemon I used still was wet so I had to press down a few times into the ink.
5. Take the lemon and press it on the canvas for about 2-5 seconds. Push around the edges so all the fruit touches the canvas.
6. Repeat as desired and let dry.

Here is video for your enjoyment as well!

    *Photo by DJ Freesmeier.

Hello everyone-

It's been a minute. With all the summer weddings, events and apartments moves, I have finally found a second to sit down and share with you a recent adventure. This past weekend was one for the books. I was a bridesmaid in one of my best friends wedding in Milwaukee, WI. For those of you who have never been-go now. It's one the coolest and cutest cities I've ever visited.


As some of you know, I am from a mid-size Michigan town called Midland. Midland is very unique yet charming in many ways. One of my favorite things about that city is the people that made my life so great. From my awesome family to many great high school friends, it's always a good time when we get together. This weekend was exactly that. Having one of your closest friends (since 7th grade I might add) marry their high school sweetheart is beyond heart warming. This past weekend was filled with tons of laughs, shenanigans and tearing up one too many dance floors.

Sam and I drove to Chicago Thursday night as a little pit stop. We love this city (I mean who doesn't?). We had a pre-dinner cocktail at Hub51 then headed over to the west loop for some actual dinner at Bar Siena. Then ended our night exploring and topping it off at Parlor.


Friday we headed to Milwaukee to kick off the wedding festivities. From catching up over manicures to ending the night on Brady Street, there was not a minute wasted.

Saturday was the big day. Jill and Matt's photographer was their friend DJ Freesmeier. Can we talk about how amazing these photos are? Obsessed! Check him out friends- www.freesframephoto.com .




Weekends like these always remind me of how much I've been through with these people. Reuniting with my hometown friends makes me so thankful of my home in The Mitten.




More to come,
Danielle

*Jill and Matt-The love we celebrated this weekend was absolutely unforgettable. Hope you two are enjoying the honeymoon. 

Happy Friday!

Summer is here and we couldn't be more excited. What does summer mean to you? More time spent on the beach in your bathing suit? Whatever it may be, we want to spring into this season with feeling (and looking) amazing. I (Danielle) will admit that I love a good workout. It’s huge stress reliever for me and something I look forward to on most mornings. However, I am no trainer, therefore, I am going to turn it over to our friend Brittni (pictured above). She is one gorgeoous and badass trainer who graciously is sharing her tips with us! Take it away B...

How is it that every year bikini season seems to creep up on us time and time again? Fear not because this year is going to be different! While summer days and nights seem to already be upon us, here’s a few of my favorite workout and and simple diet tips that won’t make you want to run for the hills and can help you to get the body you’ve always dreamed of - or at the very least get into last years daisy dukes!

Something I tell all of my clients when starting a new diet plan is to BE PREPARED! There is nothing worse than waking up in the morning and staring into a fridge full of food but no pretty little pre-made meals in plastic containers waiting to be packed into my Thirty-One lunch bag. I get a little panicky about what the heck I’m going to do for lunch and haven’t made breakfast or had my first sip of coffee - this stress is completely and utterly avoidable! So make your life easy and pick a day of the week when you know you have at least 2 hours to dedicate to meal prep. While it may seem like a burden at the time, your future fit self will thank you when:

A) you don’t have to spend money eating out for lunch B) you can sleep for a precious 10-15 more minutes that would otherwise be spent packing food for the day C) you start seeing the results of your hard work paying off


As many of you know, getting into shape is at least 80% diet and only 20% exercise. That being said., your activity level does have HUGE impact on how your body metabolizes food as well as the amount of food that it needs to function efficiently. For example, I run 3-4 days/week and aim for 2 days/week lifting weights in the gym . I allow myself to loosen up a little on the weekend with a cheeseburger, beer and maybe an ice cream cone if that’s where the wind blows! With any diet, I recommend a cheat meal at least once every 2 weeks to give your body a boost (as well as your mind)! Just as long as you stick to your guns the rest of the week.

Here’s a sample menu for a typical day in the life of Brittni - student, runner, trainer, fiance (wedding planner), and domestic housewife in training: