I am my mother's daughter..

"Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They came through you but not from you and though they are with you yet they belong not to you." - Khalil Gibran

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. "- Khalil Gibran

I felt it was appropriate to start this post off with a few of my mom's favorite quotes that she often referred to while raising my brother and I. She introduced me to Khalil Gibran, an incredible poet and philosopher, while I was in high school and have never since been the same. Words have never been spoken that are so true to life, yet flow as if they are from the heavens. 

My mom taught me to appreciate so many different avenues of life. She taught me to embrace each moment you have with those you love, and with nature, and keep those memories close to your heart throughout life. She allowed me to be a free spirit always, not even allowed, but encouraged. I could not be more grateful for anything in my life than my mother's constant support, love, and encouragement to be the women I was meant to become. She rarely made decisions for me, rather let me go the direction I was pulled towards and learn from whatever resulted from my decision. Without the knowledge and faith that she kept in her heart and constant reassurance that in the end everything would be okay in life, I would not be nearly as content with the world on a daily basis. I cannot express how lucky I feel to have a mother who allowed me to grow and blossom in my own unique ways throughout my life. 

I am certainly my mother's daughter, which I love and cherish. She is the most amazing women. I have learned to face everyday with a positive attitude, high expectations, and a strong work ethic from her. I have learned to be self-sufficient, motivated, and confident. She always reassured me that I could do anything that my heart desired. Who wouldn't want all of that in a mom!? I am so blessed to call her my mother and best friend! 

Every summer, my mom rushes to the local market when she finds out that organic blueberries are on sale. She freezes several gallon ziplock bags full each year and eats them all winter long, when fresh fruit is nearly nonexistent and expensive. One of my favorite memories from childhood is sitting with her on the couch on a winter's evening eating lightly thawed frozen blueberries that are covered with cream and then drizzled with honey. The cream freezes to the outside of the blueberries and completely coats it with a rich, buttery flavor and a touch of sweetness from the honey. 

Needless to say, when I saw organic blueberries on sale at my local market a few weeks ago, I stocked up! And when I say stocked up, I went a bit overboard really! I bought eight 16 oz packages, so now I have 128 oz and 3 ziplock gallon bags in my own freezer! I am looking forward to tasty blueberry and cream delights all winter long! 

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." - Khalil Gibran

I also wanted to share pictures from a camping trip I went on a two weekends ago for my best friend's birthday. The location is stunning! The company was delightful, I love spending time with my best friend and roommate from freshman year of college, Kallie! We laughed until our stomachs hurt and our cheeks were sore from smiling. What more could you want from a weekend adventure?! The best part, it is only two hours from Boulder, so it is easy to get to for an overnight escape to the mountains! Here is the breathtaking scenery, including my cute little pup:

Yesterday is but today's memory, and tomorrow is today's dream. - Khalil Gibran

Hope you all are having a great start to a fabulous weekend! Cheers! xX Laura Christine

Another Fresh Summer Salad - Lemongrass Dijon Chicken with Cherries, Feta, and Baby Greens

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients."  - Julia Child

Sometimes all I can do when I get home on a summer evening after a busy day at work is throw together a fruit salad and find some protein to add to the mix. Last night, I did just that plus a bit more and ended up with yet another delicious salad! This time I changed things up by creating a lemongrass dijon chicken marinade, which was surprisingly fresh and tangy with a touch of zip. I also pitted some juicy organic dark cherries and threw those into the mix with some lemon garlic feta. Mmm was it good! Here is the recipe!


Lemongrass Lemon Dijon Chicken


1 1/2 to 2 lbs organic boneless chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp dried lemongrass
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
Juice from 1-2 small lemons


Trim the chicken breasts and place in a shallow dish. Mix the marinade and pour over the chicken. Let sit for 30 minutes. Saute or grill until lightly browned, but cooked through.

Cherry, Feta, Chicken Salad Recipe


Marinade and cook the chicken ahead of time. Let the chicken cool while you prepare the salad.


4 oz of baby greens and or arugula
1-2 avocados, sliced and removed from shell
Approx 12-15 cherries, pitted and halved
1-2 oz feta (I used a lemon garlic flavor which complimented the marinade)
Cooked chicken, sliced


Place all the ingredients in individual bowls or a large serving bowl depending on your preference. Drizzle the salad with my homemade maple mustard dijon dressing or a dressing of your choice. Grind fresh pepper over the salad and serve! 


Cheers! 
xX Laura Christine

Diamonds & Design - Incredible Jewelry Designers, Photographers, and Blogs

Long before I ever thought I would have a blog, I followed my favorite photographer's blog. She shot a friend's engagement and wedding pictures over three years ago. From the first time I saw her work, I have been mesmerized by her keen eye for making everyday moments so much more interesting as seen through her artistic rendering. Her name is Audrey Hannah Brooks, I would definitely recommend checking her work. Over the years, I have actually created an album in my iPhoto of my favorites of her work that I pulled from her website. Here are a few as well as a link to her blog:

*All Photos Above Taken By Audrey Hannah Brooks. Visit her website at http://audreyhannahphoto.net/


Audrey Hannah Brooks was featured on a Colorado Bridal Website, COUTUREColorado, which being in the bridal jewelry industry was fascinating to me. I have to admit, I am also a hopeless romantic and love seeing the ways that wedding planners and DIY brides create their dream day. The author of the blog only started a little over a year ago, but has thought up a genius way of putting together all the information a future Colorado bride would need to plan the wedding of her dreams. Each post generally features several images of a wedding by mostly Colorado photographers as well as the information about the venue, florist, where the dress was purchased, etc. For anyone interested in finding a photographer that can capture their wedding just the way they always imagined, this is great resource. After following this blog for a little under a year, I have added over a dozen photographers to my favorites and now follow their blogs as well. The author also does style posts for different color schemes and types of weddings for people to see what trends are going on in the wedding industry. Here is a link to this fabulous blog: http://www.couturecolorado.com/wedding/


After working in the industry for over three years, I can say I now have a list of jewelry designers that I would highly recommend for anything from engagement rings to pearl necklaces for the big day! I have worked with the designer, Alex Sepkus, for over a year and love his extremely artistic designs and the top notch quality jewelry. They are a fabulous company to work with and have some of the most fascinating alternative bridal options in the industry. Their stone selection is incredible and each piece is handmade in their studio in New York. Check out Alex's work on his website at the link below the images of my favorite pieces from his line:

*Visit http://www.alexsepkus.com/flash.php for Alex's entire Catalogue!


Also, I am a huge Anne Sportun advocate for high quality jewelry that is timeless yet unique. She is a designer out of Toronto, Canada who's slogan for her company is "Precious. Everyday." and it truly is jewelry that is stunning and extremely wearable at the same time. I have a few of her pieces that I receive compliments on daily. Her work is a bit organic in style, some of her shapes aren't exactly symmetrical, but that is what makes them so interesting and different. She works in 14KT white gold, 18KT yellow gold and often uses colored diamonds that range from champagne to cognac in color paired with clear diamonds for an eye catching combination. My favorite piece of all time is a one-of-a-kind ring that she made using a gorgeous cognac colored 2 ct center stone and encircled it with 2.24ct old mine cut clear diamonds and set it all in platinum. It is a killer ring that walks the thin line between vintage and modern without any problem. Here are a few of my favorites as well as her website:

*Visit https://secure.annesportun.com/index.jsp for Anne's entire line.


Lastly, I am starting to become more and more interested in what many in the industry are terming as the "alternative bridal" style. Boulder, Colorado based designer Todd Reed is one of the top designers who are setting the bar high for this style of jewelry. He uses raw, often heavily included, colored, and uncut diamonds, and sets them in ways that push the line for what people generally expect for bridal jewelry. His work is very old world looking, but is also top quality. Follow the link to his website below:

Visit Todd's website at http://www.toddreed.com/

Hope you enjoyed the all the eye candy! Love the industry I fell into over three years ago, absolutely everything happens for a reason! 


Cheers!
xX Laura Christine

Fresh Summer Salad Paired with a Nice Glass of Wine and Whitman

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." 

- Walt Whitman

I have to admit I love this time of year! I love everything about it: the sunshine, the birds chirping at the top of their lungs, the flowers, the lush green plants, and the afternoon thunderstorms that last well into the night! 

I love this time of year for cooking too, because I can't get enough of adding whatever fruits are in season to a bed of fresh baby greens. There is something about the combinations of fresh and vibrant flavors and colors that makes my mouth water. I love to throw together an easy salad bursting with unique flavors and pair it with a glass of chilled white wine to have a little gourmet end to my day. 

The other day my local market had organic blackberries on sale and so far this year has been the best blackberry year I can remember. Each berry is plump and juicy with a bit of tart flavor that is barely noticeable over the intense sweet flavor. Whenever I see organic blackberries on sale, I buy up more than most people would think is necessary. This week I went for 4 small plastic containers of them, since I figured the peak of the season is probably well over by now. I always add the berries to my daily breakfast of greek yogurt and fruit, because it adds so much color, texture, and flavor variation to the mix. A few nights ago, I got the urge to add a handful of the berries to my salad and WOW was it good! Here is the recipe for an easy, gourmet salad that anyone would love! 

Blackberry, Apple, Gouda, Baby Greens, and Chicken Salad

What you will need (makes two to three large dinner salads plus more)

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thawed and sliced horizontally or pounded thinner)

Marinade of your choice (see my homemade simple marinade recipe below)

4 oz fresh baby greens (I added arugula to the greens for more flavor!)

3-4 oz fresh blackberries (I recommend organic if available)

1-2 oz high quality gouda (I am a huge fan of Boar's Head Gouda - amazing flavor)

1 med apple (I chose a Pink Lady for the color and crisp flavor)

1 ripe avocado

Dressing of your choice (I used my homemade Maple Dijon Dressing - see recipe below)

Bottle of chilled white wine, summer cocktail, or beer of your choice

Simple Marinade Recipe:

Juice from 2 small to medium lemons (roughly 1/4 cup)

1/4 cup of olive oil

1/4 cup white wine (anything you have open or cooking wine works)

4 tbsp sugar (I used coconut sugar and often times use maple syrup instead)

Fresh ground pepper to taste

Salt to taste

Slice the boneless skinless breasts horizontally or pound them to make them thinner. Combine all the ingredients above and pour over the chicken and let sit for 30 minutes. Saute in a skillet or cook on the grill.

Here is the Maple Dijon Dressing Recipe:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup dijon mustard

Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well before serving. Makes 1 1/2 cups of dressing, so you can either scale down the recipe or just keep it in the fridge for next time! It saves well for weeks if not longer!

Salad Recipe:

Pour yourself a glass of wine!

Cook the chicken and set aside for 10-15 minutes while you make the dressing and prep the salad. 

Layer the bottom 2/3 of a large salad bowl or pasta bowl with fresh baby greens and arugula. 

Dice the apple and layer it on top of the greens.

Dice the avocado and place it on top of the greens and apple.

Thinly slice or dice the Gouda and add to the top of the salad.

Dice the chicken and layer it on top of the salad.

Add a handful of blackberries on top.

Grind pepper over the salad.

Pour as much dressing as desired over the salad.

Enjoy! 

A little passage from Walt Whitman that I felt the need to share:

"This is what you shall do; Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body." 

Cheers! 

xX Laura Christine

Homemade Kombucha

"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it."  - Julia Child

My mom and aunt have recently been into experimenting with fermenting and their first experiment was homemade kombucha. I have been somewhat addicted to kombucha for the past three years, but never even considered making it myself. After reading a book called "Wild Fermentation", my mom and aunt were determined to start making their own "homebrew" of kombucha. So for my moving away present, my mom gave me one of her kombucha mushrooms, because the mushroom she had gotten from my aunt had duplicated during her first kombucha fermentation. Only my family would consider giving something as slimy and gross as a kombucha mushroom as a gift, but I have to say I was excited to try making it on my own in Boulder. It is fairly simple and more cost efficient than buying the small bottles of it at the store for $3 or more each.

Homemade Kombucha

Here is what you will need:

1 large glass container (I used a gallon jar)

1 soft muslin or cheesecloth to cover the jar during fermentation

1 bottle of original flavor kombucha from the store

1 kombucha mushroom (can purchase at several online retailers)

6-8 black tea bags (I recommend organic and the highest quality available)

4 oz organic maple syrup

8 oz organic/raw honey

*you can also use 8-12 oz organic sugar to replace the honey and maple syrup

Bring 12 cups of water to a gentle boil and remove from heat. Add in the tea bags and let steep for 10min. Pull out the tea bags and add the honey/maple/sugar and stir well. Pour the mixture into your glass container once it has cooled enough to touch. Cover with muslin/cheesecloth and let the mixture cool completely to room temperature, I cool mine overnight. Add the kombucha mushroom plus 8-10 oz of already fermented kombucha. Replace cover and store for 7-10 days in an area away from bacteria and vinegar. I choose to keep mine in my laundry room. Check up on your mixture every few days to see how it is coming. You will definitely notice it getting less sweet and bubbly around 7 days. After the mixture has reached your desired level of fermentation, pour into smaller glass containers and refrigerate. If you wish, repeat the process for another batch! Keep your kombucha mushroom at room temperature and with at least 4-8oz of already fermented kombucha during the time that you are making your next batch. Enjoy! 

My homemade kombucha 

Brand of kombucha i used in my recipe - keep the jar and refill with your own kombucha later!

Kombucha mushroom, not the most appealing thing!

Cheers! 

xX Laura Christine

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. - Confucius 

As many of you probably already know, my decisions in life are driven much more by what my heart and intuition tell me to do, than by the logistics and facts that surround a situation. It has been difficult for others who make logical, well-thought-out decisions to understand why I have made the choices I have in life. As much as I'd like to say that I regret making decisions based on my gut feeling, I don't at all. In fact, it is something I cherish and appreciate most about who I am. The choices I have made throughout life haven't always been "ideal", but they led me to the path that I was meant to travel. I have met the most amazing friends along my sometimes windy and even circling back path and for that I am beyond grateful. 

So here I am, back in Boulder, Colorado enjoying the city amenities while living against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in what feels to be a rather small town for 100k plus. When my mom recently told someone I was moving back to Boulder (for the 3rd time), he replied "it seems like its becoming habitual". I have to say, I have fallen in love with Boulder over the three years off-and-on that I have lived here. At first, it was terrifyingly big to me as a little freshman in college fresh out of high school and my somewhat sheltered life in my much smaller mountain town of Durango. Now, it feels just right! There is so much going on all the time, so many trails and open space parks for Layla and I to walk and hike, and life here is really quite phenomenal. 


I am back at Art&Soul Gallery, which is like coming home to me. The women I work with are like a second family full of guidance, encouragement, and support for me in every aspect of my life. I love the beauty of the art and jewelry I am surrounded with at the gallery. I love that my first day back, we re-hung the entire gallery and have several good sales on the side. It was so busy that I didn't even look at the clock until 4:30 and before I knew it, I was out of there for the day feeling satisfied with the work that had been completed. 


It was hard to leave my life in Durango and Silverton from the past 10 months behind, no doubt about that. I miss all of the friends, family, and boyfriend so much. I think of them several times a day and smile because of all of the positive ways they brightened my life in such a short amount of time. I will never forget them or my time in the mountains over the past months. It prepared me more than ever to know what I wanted for my future and have the strength to purse it when the opportunity came my way. I am so blessed!