Design Inspiration: Imokilly Cheese Company

Love this packaging. Definitely isn't something you'd normally see in the cheese aisle of the grocery store. It was designed by Fatti Burke.

I had this post stored away for awhile, I think I originally found it on The Dieline.

Color Me Happy: Day 31

I've been thinking about starting a FB page for Inspire Me. I think it could be a fun way to interact and share the neat inspiring things I find more often. And you can share with me some of the grand things you come across. Plus it will give me an opportunity to practice some HTML...Hello, landing page!

What do you think? Should Inspire Me jump on the social media bandwagon?

Recipe Box: Shrimp & Mushroom Pasta

This is probably one of the best pasta I've had in awhile. If you are looking for a simple to make, yet fancy sounding dish to impress, this is it. Perhaps a good Valentine's Day meal.


Shrimp & Mushroom Pasta

• spaghetti
• 2 tsp olive oil, divided
• 2 tsp butter, divided
• 1/2 lb uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 6 oz sliced bella mushrooms
• salt and pepper
• 1/3 cup chicken stalk
• 1/4 cup white wine
• parsley
• green onion, sliced thinly
• parmesan cheese

1. Cook spaghetti.
2. Heat 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp butter in pan. Saute shrimp until cooked through, it only takes a few minutes. Set aside.
3. Add other tsp olive oil and tsp of butter to plan. Cook garlic for a minute and then add in mushrooms. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. I ended up adding a bit extra butter to keep mushrooms from being too dry.
4. Stir in chicken broth and wine to deglaze pan. Add shrimp and spaghetti into veggies and sauce. Toss everything together.
5. Place over heat again until bubbly.
6. Top with parmesan cheese and green onion.
7. Serve and enjoy!

I used a Chardonnay for my wine choice. I'm not a big wine drinker so thank goodness for the labels on the back telling you what it is best served with.

Color Me Happy: Day 30

Image found on Pinterest

Behind the Lens: Skateboard Memories

     

Last night I while working on a my new photography site, I started to flip through some old skateboarding photos I took back in college. For three years in the afternoon when classes were done I would go out with a couple of my good friends, Marlon and Nick skating. And by skating I mean, they would skate and I would practice my photography skills, occasionally taking a board and rolling around a bit. I was hit with crazy nostalgia wishing for it to be a sunny April afternoon out at the Drop Zone. I'm hoping for a summer full of opportunities to photograph these two skating again.

I didn't realize how many photos I took at the time but there were a lot to sift through. It was hard to narrow down the choices to just a couple. Since these are old photos, it's a good opportunity to share them with those who haven't seen this side of my photography. Most of what I've posted since the blog started have been nature/landscape/cityscape photos.

You can check out my photography site, here. Workin' on those CSS/CSS3 skills I've been knee deep in all week.

Color Me Happy: Weekend Colors

 

Images found on Pinterest

Guest Post: Marlon from Design Your Life

Hey, folks! Marlon from Design Your Life here. Karlie has generously hosted myself and my lovely girlfriend, Alyssa, tonight for the Chuck finale. So, in turn, I'm going to do a Color Me palette.

The photo's from a fairly popular Minneapolis photographer, Collin Hughes. I've often enjoyed his photography and he's done engagement photos for some of my friends as well as promotional shooting for various musicians in the Minneapolis scene. I chose one of his shots from his travels.

I saw this shot and immediately loved the complimentary hues. Hope you enjoy!

Love and Light.

What I'm Listening To: Anberlin

Note: Studying CSS will either:

A) Bore you to death and will put you to sleep

-or-

B) Keep you up all night thinking about how to accomplish some really cool stuff

Color Me Happy: Day 26

Image from Pinterest

Inspire Me: Web Design

 

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What a crazy busy week it's been in the office. But it has me in a refreshed mood ready to really start tackling CSS. 

I think the best part of being a designer is the opportunity for creative problem solving. I never thought working with the technical side of creative problem solving would be something I would enjoy. I was very print focused in college and liked playing with different hand-on materials. My brain thought more in paper stock and different folds. I honestly didn't think designing for a computer screen gave you much freedom. 

Boy, was I wrong. It's just a different sort of freedom. It's a freedom to see how far you can stretch the abilities of technology. Instead of dealing with printers, you're dealing with browsers. And just like printers, each one is different. Perhaps one of the reasons why I've been enjoying it as much as I have so far is because of my curiosity for how things work. There's interaction between all the different types of code, how the different browsers work, how a design even becomes a website, different frameworks for building sites, etc. Have I confused you yet? My Pa had no idea what his daughter was talking about when I was chatting with him...

Have you ever kind of just stumbled into something because an opportunity presented itself and found out you really enjoy it? Game changer, isn't it? 

Color Me Happy: Day 25

It is now mitten weather in Minnesota. We have snow! The ground looks as it should. Hopefully this weekend I can get out and finally snap some pictures. I haven't been behind the camera properly in a while.

I made some of theeeeee best choco chip cookies tonight to mail home to my Pa as it was his birthday on Sunday. I will share the recipe soon.

I'm off to be a nerd and read about CSS. 

Love What You Do: Rules of a Creator's Life

 source

Have I posted that image before? Maybe...Either way how true is that? I love little moments when I realize that I absolutely love what I do. Love it.

I think I am starting to realize its the moments when I feel a bit more stressed out and take a step back when I realize how much being a designer really means to me and what it has done in my life.

Are you drawn to passionate people as much as I am? I like to listen to people talk about their profession when you can just hear how much passion they have for it. It's kind of something I've been thinking about after visiting some friends a few weeks ago. I am starting to notice more and more how I've surrounded myself with people who truly care and have a love for what they do.

I challenge you to find your passion and make it your life. It's amazing how you feel once you do what you love everyday. Life just sort of makes sense.

Color Me Happy: Day 24

Image found on Pinterest

Recipe Box: Fantastic Stuffed Peppers

This months issue of Real Simple is filled with delicious looking recipes. One of them was for a stuffed pepper that I just had to try. And if you are looking for a Tex-Mex like meal, give this one a try.

Fantastic Stuffed Peppers
Makes 4-6

1 cup rice
olive oil
3 green onions, white and greens, sliced
1/2 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 can chopped green chilies
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp parsley
pinch of red pepper flake
1 cup cheese of your choice
2 or 3 bell peppers, cut in half lengthwise, seeds and ribs removed
plain greek yogurt
salsa

1. Heat oven to 375. Place peppers in baking pan, cut side up.
2. Prepare rice according to directions and set aside.
3. In frying pan, cook turkey and scallions in a bit of oil (just enough to prevent meat from sticking.) Stir and break up meat.
4. Once meat is browned, stir in corn, chilies, seasonings, rice, and 1/2 of cheese. Stir until cheese is melty and everything is mixed together.
5. Divide mixture between the peppers. Optional - add half cup water to pan.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes or until peppers are tender. Uncovered and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Bake until cheese is melted.
7. Remove from oven. Top with a spoonful of yogurt and salsa.
8. Enjoy!

These can be made as spicy as you want, just add more or less red pepper flakes and chili powder. I used pepperjack cheese for a little extra kick. I didn't noticed until after I made mine that you were supposed to add water before they baked, but mine turned out fine without it.

This could easily be made vegetarian by using black beans instead of meat. If you have extra filling, slap that in a tortilla, sprinkle with cheese and a bit of salsa. Yum.

Color Me Hapy: Day 23

Image from Pinterest

Color Me Happy: Weekend Colors

 

Ever had one of those days when you just turn your phone on silent and ignore the outside world? Yeah, today was one of those days. Instead I sat on my living room floor crocheting and listening to Dessa all afternoon.

Finally almost got rid of my cold. Being sick is the worst...

Images from Pinterest (Soo...I forgot to name the first two palettes...You can use your imagination.)

Color Me Happy: Day 18 + 19

I blame being sick for not posting a color palette yesterday.

Images found on Pinterest

Love What You Do: Skillshare

Have you ever heard of Skillshare? It's this neat little community of teachers and students who all have a passion sharing knowledge.

"Skillshare is a simple solution to the problem our education system faces today: people aren't learning in a way that inspires them. We believe passion should dictate curriculum, not institutions. Currently, there is only one acceptable way to get an education and 'succeed' in society."

I stumbled across these videos tonight and I wanted to share them. I love hearing people talk about what they do for a living when they have such passion and interest for it. 


Bartending 101 from Skillshare on Vimeo.



Knitting 101 from Skillshare on Vimeo.



Mind Mapping from Skillshare on Vimeo.


Learn more about Skillshare here.

What I'm Listening To: The Best Pessimist

I'm not exactly sure how I found The Best Pessimist earlier this week, but I'm glad I did. Great chill instrumental stuff. I've been streaming it on Grooveshark at work the past couple of days along with some Kings of Leon.

"Sometimes you just have to stop, take a breath and say, "Where I'm at is pretty great." 

Color Me Happy: Day 17

Image found via Pinterest

What a Home: Mid-Century Inspired

 

I am in LOVE with this home! It's so cute and cozy. I'm also a fan of the art they chose for the walls. Nice big focal pieces that are simple enough so it's not overwhelming to look at. I really want to find that ampersand print.

Found on Apartment Therapy.