Ask A New Yorker - Wedding Countdown!

Good morning and happy weekend!

I'm so excited to share this news with you all -- I'm going to be the featured Bride-To-Be on Ask a New Yorker.  Here's my first post: Wedding Countdown!

Hope you'll check it out...

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

Domesticate Yourself!

Check back soon for a new feature...

We I really hope you like it!!

xx,
The Future Mrs. Wolf

Save The Date!

We've now covered our engagement story and our wedding venue. The next logical topic is our save the dates, right? 

Like any normal control freak bride, I make lists to stay organized.  This project was no exception. 

Here's my list of wants:

1. Informal

2. Simple

3. Location and atmosphere appropriate (I loved a grey and pink ombré stripe option I found online, but it spoke to me as Maine beach wedding, not NYC black tie)

Here's my list of things I did not want:

1. Magnet*

2. A photo of me and Boo on the card

3. Something requiring an envelope

*Magnets are an ever-popular save the date option, but our refrigerator does not accept them. Is this a new trend in stainless steel?  Anyway, for this reason, magnets were out for us...

There are so many different routes to take with save the date cards. And Pinterest offers a plethora of cutsie ideas. I found about 79 I was keen on. Boo liked approximately 0 of them. And you know how the old adage goes - happy groom, happy...yeah I've never heard that either. 

All joking aside, I did, of course, want him to like our save the dates. I mean, he is the sweet man who shells 1/2C of edamame for me every night.  Because I can't stop eating them in my lunch.  He's a giver.  So...we compromised. No Pinterest inspiration (for this round at least). 

I considered sending a paperless post, but was vetoed by some voting members of our wedding planning committee.

Instead, I headed to minted.com -- are you familiar with the site? I tried to make holiday cards on this site in November, but failed due to poor iphone picture quality. Dagger!  Next year will be better, once I can use our professional photos from Carly Michelle Photography. 

Minted.com has lots of options for cards of all types -- from bridal to baby to personal stationary. And most cards allow you to edit the text, then providing you with a preview to see what your version will actually look like. Isn't it so annoying when you can't see a version of your finished product until after you buy? What if you don't like it?! At minted you edit the card, receive a proof from a graphic designer, then approve it to move forward with production. No more uncertainties about what your stationary will actually look like! Yippee!

We settled on a blue postcard with the NYC skyline on the front of the card. There are lots of cute details, but I'll spare you the intricacies of my requests to the designers at Minted. 

I ordered the cards on a Monday, reviewed and OK'd the proof on a Tuesday, and the finished product appeared at our door on Thursday. And I didn't even pay for rush shipping! Well done, Minted!

Carefully packaged with bubble wrap:

Our save the dates:

What do you think?  Would you order from an online retailer? 

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

p.s.: If you get one of these in the mail, hope we spelled your name right!  If we didn't, blame Boo.

What I Ate Wednesday

I've been seeing "What I Ate Wednesday" all over the interwebs.  Here's my take on it:

Breakfast -- 1C low fat cottage cheese with 1C mixed berries/cantaloupe  + coffee:

Morning snack -- hardboiled egg:

Lunch -- garbage salad (mixed greens, veggie burger, walnuts, edamame, diced carrots, olives, red onion, avocado and garlic) + string cheese (not pictured) + water:

Snack -- 1/2C roasted chickpeas and 2C heirloom cherry tomatoes + water:

Dinner -- skinny egg salad, garlic pita chips and mixed greens with olive oil and balsamic + water:

Dessert -- homemade trail mix (raw almonds and walnuts, dark chocolate, raisins, cranberries):

Have you ever participated in WIAW?

xx,
The Future Mrs. Wolf

Coconut Cod En Papillote

The term "en papillote" refers to a cooking method using steam in an enclosed space. Traditional methods use parchment paper to form the "pouch". But, I never have parchment paper in my apartment. Literally never. So, I use aluminum foil because its what I have. Literally always.

Full disclosure: Boo buys the heavy-duty aluminum foil.  I usually don't find an everyday need for it.  I mean, I know...what girl doesn't love shiny metal? But it seems unnecessary to me.  However, I do enjoy cooking with it, and it does a great job tenting the fish and sealing in the steam.  

This method is also low in calories and fat because steam (calorie free!) is what's cooking your fish. Whatever you add to the pouch will of course increase the caloric content, but you'll be saving a lot. 

Coconut oil has a much higher smoke point than other oils such as olive oil.  It also has a strong and sweet flavor like...well, coconut.  

Ingredients for two servings:

10 oz cod

2C wild mushrooms

1tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp olive oil

12 oz green beans, trimmed

1 garlic glove, minced

1tbsp pumpkin seeds

pinch smoked paprika

salt + pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2. Lightly salt and pepper both sides of the fish, sprinkle with smoked paprika

3. Prepare one aluminum foil pouch per portion of fish: Using a paper towel, spread a small amount of coconut oil on the foil (this flavors the fish and prevents it from sticking to the foil), place seasoned fish over on top of the oil, fold the foil to form a tent, cook for 12-16 minutes 

4. In a large pan, saute green beans and garlic in olive oil

5. In a second pan, saute mushrooms in coconut oil (if you need a mushroom refresher, click here)

6. In the same pan you used to saute the green beans, toast pumpkin seeds for 30-45 seconds (they will burn quickly, so be sure not to overcook)

7. Check the fish to be sure it's cooked to your liking, once it is, top with sauteed mushrooms, plate with green beans and toasted pumpkin seeds

Cod was on sale (yippee!):

Ingredients:

Coconut oil:

Sauteed mushrooms:

Green beans: 

Fish, pre-tenting:

Foil tent:

Finished product:

Fish or shellfish can be cooked en papillote with a variety of flavors and sauces.  I especially like lemon with most white fish or ginger and garlic with salmon.

What's your favorite way to cook fish?  If you try this recipe, or coconut oil, I'd love to hear your thoughts!  

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

I Am An Arteeest

OMG totally joking.  I'm literally the furthest thing from artist who has ever lived.  Ever! 

I have big dreams when it comes to DIY projects. Sometimes I recognize the impossibility of my plans, other times not. This would be a not. 

Do you remember our bedroom lamp installation? Well, there's a very large painting centered between the two lamps, and for a while I've wanted to get my paws on that big boy. 

I presented my genius idea to Boo: I could paint a new piece of art for our bedroom, over the preexisting piece of art!

This was met with some skepticism (shocking, I know!). Boo suggested I try a smaller scale piece before committing to a huge painting for home display. How rational and how boring! But, we're into compromise in this Wolf den, so we headed to Michael's for supplies. Since this was my first contemporary non-spray painting project of any kind: I needed a canvas, paint brushes and paint! Duh. 

I've seen this type of art on Madebygirl, so I tried by hand at it:

Boo was my trusty assistant, refilling my seltzer throughout the whole project. Because really - how is an artist supposed to produce while dehydrated?  He also rinsed my brushes between colors, and complimented my artistic genius as I painted.  

We hung this painting on our picture wall in the hallway leading to our bedroom. Just to orient you, this is across from the hallway closets we painted and swapped out the hardware. 

I considered this project like an audition for a Broadway play, and I'm thrilled with the results.  I'm pretty sure I got the part!  I have grand ideas for our bedroom art: similar idea, different presentation. 

What do you think? Where would you display this?

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

Wedding Dress Shopping: Day 1

Sorry, I know that title is a bit of teaser.

As soon as I've made a final decision, I will be sure to share the whole story...until then:

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

We're Off!

Today, my mum, aunt (second mum), sister and I are off to look for wedding dresses...eee!

We have a long day of appointments, and a second set of appointments in two weeks just in case we don't find something we love today.  Bridal gown consultations are hot tickets in NYC...some places book up 3 months in advance. Who knew weddings were such a big business?  Just kidding, obviously!

I can't wait to share our experiences with you!  I probably won't post the actual dress, but I promise to share some thoughts on my hunt. 

Have to run -- white tulle is calling my name...

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

How To Ripen An Avocado

Have you ever needed an avocado for a recipe (click here for ideas), but the only ones available are rock hard and the furthest things from ripe? Me too.

And, HELLO, when you need an avocado, you need an avocado! 

I know these are first world problems at their prime. And if an unripened avocado is your biggest problem, well then pat yourself on the back, because you are doing just fine. 

But, if you are in need of a ripe avocado, I have a trick for you. 

What you'll need:

1 brown bag

1 unripened avocado

1 banana* 

Directions:

1. In a brown paper bag, place one avocado and one banana and close with a chip clip or just roll the top of the bag down to close

2. Give yourself a day or two for ripening 

3. Depending on what you need the avocado for, you may wish to give yourself an extra day, but check to be sure you haven't not left the avocado too long

*this will work fine even without a banana, but it will be faster with one

Avocado + banana together at last:

Ripened perfection:

I know the pain of wanting guacamole and not having a good avocado; it's tough. 

Word to the wise:

You can speed up the ripening process, but it comes with a cost.  

Each banana gives off Ethylene gas, which will not only ripen the avocado, but the other bananas in the bag as well.  So multiple bananas creates a higher concentration of ethylene gas which will quicken the ripening of the avocado, but leave you with a bag of super brown bananas.  

My suggestion: if you have rock-hard avocados that you want to soften ASAP, you should coordinate your menu planning so that you make your avocado dish and banana bread with your newly-ripened avocados.  Waste not, want not!  And, who doesn't want banana bread?

Also, a way to determine if the avocado is ripe is to check the "stem" -- simply remove the little topper stem to reveal the color underneath.  A bright color similar to what's shown below indicates a ripe avocado: 

Have you ever tried this ripening method? What's your favorite dish to make with an avocado?  

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

Chobani Yogurt

I've been loving Greek yogurt for a long time.  But when I was introduced to Chobani, there was no turning back.  

First of all, not all yogurt is created equal.  Let's start with protein: if you look at the nutrition label on a yogurt container, some brands have 5g of protein per serving.  But Chobani  -- oh no...they really pack it in there: 13-18g in a 6oz serving to be exact.  Protein is critical to our bodies, but also helps us to feel satiated.  Then there's calcium and probiotics.  Again, all good things. 

One of my favorite things about this yogurt is its versatility: it can be sweet or savory - skinny egg salad,  tuna with pita chips or blue cheese dressing all include this gem.  I don't eat chicken, but I used to...and when I did, I marinated chicken overnight in plain Chobani with garlic and then cooked it.  It was so good.  Tender and juicy!  And don't even get me started on how I can use plain, 0% Chobani as a fat-free-low-calorie-but-just-as-delicious substitute for sour cream or creme fraiche...

So when Chobani sent me a 12-pack (!!) sample of their 6oz cups of yogurt, there was serious excitement.  Thank you, Chobani!  The company offers different size tubs of yogurt: 6oz, 16oz and 32oz.  

Here are our favorite flavors --

This apple cinnamon yogurt literally tastes like you're eating apple pie.  With ice cream.  (A la mode anything is my boo.)  I'm literally obsessed with this flavor.  Boo is big on this flavor, too.  The combination of smooth, tart creamy yogurt with sweet crunchy bits of apples is delicious.  As evidenced by my instagram feed, I have a problem...like I want to eat them all day.  And nothing else. Ever.

The pomegranate flavor is slightly, sweet but still has the characteristic Greek yogurt tart taste I am obsessed with.  Also there are pomegranate seeds at the bottom...texture!  I love pom seeds.  Do you? 

The raspberry yogurt feels like you're eating yogurt with raspberries in it...not typical for raspberry yogurt.  This is a very good thing.  And the seeds!  Thank you! Love seeds.

The blood orange flavor is really good and very different from most yogurt flavors.  Also, there's a little pulp.  I love pulp.  It just gets better and better.  I have to be honest, I didn't think I would like this flavor, but it was really good.  You might think citrus and yogurt don't go well together.  But here they do.  Chobani is no joke.  They know what's up.  

The black cherry 0% is bomb.com, if you like cherry (and even if you don't!!) this is a must-try:

Blueberry is one of my favorite fruits.  All time favorite fruits.  And Chobani blueberry tastes like little bursts of blueberries in every bite.  I ate mine like this, piled high with these jewels:

Chobani recently came out with some new products - flip and bite.  OMG.  Like. O.M.G.  I haven't tried these yet, but promise to report back as soon as I do.  Until then...I'm off to have another apple cinnamon.  I'm shameless like that.

Have you tried Greek yogurt?  What's your favorite yogurt flavor?

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

Disclaimer: Chobani graciously sent me a complimentary boxes of yogurt, but I was not compensated for my time or for this blog post.  All opinions are my own. 

Don't Slam That Door!

My soon-to-be father-in-law is a jack of all trades. Though not a professional handyman, he is a skilled craftsman and is my go-to for home improvement questions. 

A project that's been on my to-do list for a while is installing soft closures for our kitchen cabinets. Soft closures are additions added to existing hinges which prevent the doors from slamming. They can either be installed at the time of cabinet installation, or as an add-on feature. 

Shockingly, our kitchen has 20 cabinet doors. 20 cabinets might not sound significant, but when you think about installing a troublesome little device in each of them, it quickly adds up to a big project. 

We started with one set of soft closures, but my father-in-law wasn't satisfied with their quality, so we headed to Home Depot where we bought a new set. If you are in the market for these babies, pay close attention to where the screw must be inserted. This detail made the new set much easier to install that our first set. 

This is also a perfect excuse to clean out your cabinets: throw out expired food, combine duplicates, rearrange in a manner that makes sense for you.  I also washed the fronts of each cabinet and drawer because now that I have slam-free cabinets, I don't dare have a little mark on them! 

This DIY project should be categorized as "non-obvious improvement". It's something that won't be noticed as a clear upgrade (in the way granite counter tops are when replacing Formica), but instead, adding luxe to your existing floor plan. And really, who doesn't love luxe?  

There are two methods - predrilling or not predrilling*, you'll find both sets of directions below, use whichever makes most sense for you:'

*The soft closures are attached to the cabinet doors with what they call "self-starting screws," which have a sharp tip and are supposed to penetrate the wood without needing a drill.  My father-in-law advocated pre-drilling, but Boo and I found it to be too much trouble, and too little reward.  You can decide for yourself....

Directions with predrilling:

1. Place the soft closure mechanism where you want it, and using a drill bit, pre-drill a hole in your cabinet ceiling through the screw-hole (this is where you will eventually the soft close contraption), be sure to align the top of the cabinet with the soft closure's "lip"

2. Remove the drill bit from the drill, replace with a screwdriver attachment

3. Take a screw and just barely insert it into the hole on the soft closure 

4. Replace the soft closure to the same position you had it when you pre-drilled, drill the screw into the cabinet adhering the two together

5. Close the cabinet to be sure the soft closures are working - there is usually an adjustment on the back of the soft closure mechanism which will help you adjust the pressure of the close (for whatever reason, we adjusted some doors, but not all), just turn the dial until you have a close you are satisfied with 

6. Pat yourself on the back - job well done!

Directions without predrilling:

1. Align the top of the cabinet with the soft closure's "lip", just barely insert the screw into the basket (if there are two baskets for a screw, be sure to choose the one farthest from the cabinet's hinge)

2. With your drill attached with screwdriver attachment, screw into the cabinet adhering the closure and cabinet together

3. Close the cabinet to be sure the soft closures are working - there is usually an adjustment on the back of the contraption which will help you adjust the pressure of the close (for whatever reason, we adjusted some doors, but not all), just turn the dial until you have a close you are satisfied with 

4. Pat yourself on the back - job well done!

Drill bit:

Pre-drilling a hole:

The pre-drilled hole:

Screwdriver attachment:

Right side of a tall cabinet - be sure you are inserting the screw in the hole furthest from the hinge:

Same cabinet's installation, different angle:

Here you can see the soft closure is flush with the lip of the cabinet ceiling:

Some tips:

1. Use the lightest possible drill -- many angles are awkward and it's harder to do with a heavy drill

2. Always try to steady or anchor your drilling arm, this will help you to more easily drive the screw into the cabinet 

3. Pay attention to where you are drilling, if you do not align the lip of the closure to the lip of the cabinet, there will be too much space between the door and the device and the door will continue to slam 

4. Do not push the screw all the way into the closure's basket before you drill, this will prevent you from aligning the closure with the cabinet and lead you to run into the situation described above in #3

5. Inspect your closures to be sure these directions make sense for the product you have -- not all may be alike

I had to say uncle a few times, especially on the cabinets requiring my left hand as the drilling hand. That wasn't pretty. I was behaving like a very undomesticated wolf...

Do you have soft closures in your kitchen?  Is this a project you would consider doing yourself?

xx,
The Future Mrs. Wolf

Silver Coffee Beans

A few months ago, I saw this pin on my beloved Pinterest and really wanted to recreate silver coffee beans. Remember my coffee bean makeup brush holders? What can I say? I'm big on the bean! 

After doing a little more research - as in, clicking the picture and being redirected to the link - I noticed these beans were not decoration! They were used to keep drinks hot. Oh well...when inspiration strikes you have to go with it, right?

And I was off! I gathered my supplies and got to it. But, like many DIY projects, this was not seamless. I couldn't get the spray paint to stick! And at the time I didn't have a sophisticated studio like I do now. 

But, you, my beloved readers will benefit from my mistakes!  Good luck...

What you'll need:

1 bag of whole coffee beans*

2-3 small-ish cardboard boxes

1 can metallic spray paint (silver, gold, copper)

1 can polyurethane spray 

1 display vase

*refer to this coffee bean post for directions on where to buy, and this spray paint post for how to apply

Directions:

1. Distribute the coffee beans equally between the cardboard boxes

2. With a light hand, spray the beans from at least 10" away, being sure not to get too close as you want a thin coat, let dry at least 24 hours

3. Shake the cardboard box to loosen the beans and "flip" them (not all of them will flip at the same time, don't worry, you'll still get a good result)

4. Reapply spray paint to beans, in the same light and even way, let dry 24 hours**

5. When you are satisfied with your work, apply a clear gloss spray (polyurethane, or any other high gloss product), and follow directions on your spray to allow for appropriate drying time

6. Display in a clear glass vase or vessel of your choosing 

**At this point you should have beans that are painted on both sides, but if you have too many brown sides, keep shaking and reapplying until you have a satisfactory amount of metallic coverage. You might not be able to finish every single side of the beans, but they will still look wildly metallic! 

Here's where we started, after my first attempt.  Can you see some of the dark spots?  They drove me crazy:

Awaiting studio admission:

More spray paint:

And more still:

Our finished product -- We display our coffee beans in a short square vase on a side table in our living room. You may have seen them here or here or here or here or here. Needless to say, I'm thrilled with the result:

I did not follow these steps meticulously until my second attempt at this project, and because of that, the paint came off a little on my vase. For this reason, I'd suggest not using a vase of great value. 

Where do you think you would display your coffee beans? I'd love to hear from you if you try this project!

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf