On a High Note Vol 32

Here we are again–another Monday! (Which means it’s another Monday closer to lots of good things! The Inauguration, spring, the end of the Pandemic…) Last week was a rough one, and I’m thankful for a fresh start. More good news: Kendall is back from maternity leave! I have missed her SO much and I’m so glad to have her back! She’s already working on a couple great posts I know you will love. In the meantime, I hope you love this weeks On a High Note featuring some fun things to cook, read, do, drink, and so on! Let’s jump in.

Read...

The Art of Inheriting Secrets

I read this book over the span of a few days last week, and it was such a lovely escape. A beautifully written book with an intriguing storyline–part family mystery, part love story, part “finding yourself” journey–set in the beautiful English countryside. The best part? For Kindle readers, it’s free with Kindle Unlimited! (If you wish to buy the physical copy I always recommend reaching out to your local bookstore to buy it directly from them, or via Bookshop.org where part of your proceeds also help to benefit small bookstores!)

Here’s the book description:

When Olivia Shaw’s mother dies, the sophisticated food editor is astonished to learn she’s inherited a centuries-old English estate—and a title to go with it. Raw with grief and reeling from the knowledge that her reserved mother hid something so momentous, Olivia leaves San Francisco and crosses the pond to unravel the mystery of a lifetime.

One glance at the breathtaking Rosemere Priory and Olivia understands why the manor, magnificent even in disrepair, was the subject of her mother’s exquisite paintings. What she doesn’t understand is why her mother never mentioned it to her. As Olivia begins digging into her mother’s past, she discovers that the peeling wallpaper, debris-laden halls, and ceiling-high Elizabethan windows covered in lush green vines hide unimaginable secrets.

Although personal problems and her life back home beckon, Olivia finds herself falling for the charming English village and its residents. But before she can decide what Rosemere’s and her own future hold, Olivia must first untangle the secrets of her past.

Make...

Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Icing

Wearing Luella Sweatpants and Sweatshirt c/o Outerknown

I am always down for a good semi-homemade hack, and this one is absolutely worth sharing. I had seen someone make delicious looking cinnamon rolls on Instagram recently and decided they were the perfect weekend morning indulgence–but as you know, I have no patience for baking. 😂 So I picked up a roll of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls at the store and finally made them this past Saturday (I think we all earned a few cinnamon rolls after last week).

After tasting the store-bought icing that came with the rolls, I decided I could do much better. I am a sucker for cream cheese frosting. So I googled the main ingredients in it and threw some cream cheese, butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract into a bowl, (to taste–no need to measure since I was making such a small quantity) and popped it in the microwave. I used my handy little milk frother to whip everything together and it worked SO WELL. (I know I say this all the time but–the little things, ya know? 😂)

I highly recommend giving this a try–it was such a delightful way to start off the weekend.

Drink...

Mocktails with Seedlip nonalcoholic spirit

One of the biggest content requests I’ve been getting this month is mocktails–no doubt due to how much we’ve all been drinking during the Pandemic, many of you are wanting to cut back on the booze and needing some inspiration. (And also, lots of pregnant readers–congrats!!)

My favorite little delivery market, Foxtrot (they have many locations in Chicago) had a whole new section of their app on January reset and this non-alcoholic Seedlip spirit I’ve been seeing everywhere was featured, so I decided to add it to our order to see if it lives up to the hype.

We got the “Grove” flavor which is described as a “sophisticated, bright, citrus blend of Mediterranean Orange, Lemon Peel, Lemongrass and Ginger with a dry finish.” I wouldn’t say it tastes like alcohol, (especially not straight!) but it does give your drinks a little something extra and more complex than just “virgin” cocktails–which are often too sweet and one-note without the alcohol, IMO. So far, I think it’s worth a buy–we used it to make zero proof Gin & Tonics last night, but will report back as we try other things!

Follow...

Devol Kitchens

I have talked about Devol Kitchens account before, but I think it needs its own spotlight. Their account never fails to transport me to a different world and every photo is more beautiful than the next. If you love home decor accounts, specifically kitchens full of character and rich, moody color palettes, you will be equally addicted.

Wear...

Slouchy Amazon Socks

I was wanting some comfy slouchy socks to wear around the house so, per usual, I took Grace up on her recco and ordered these slouchy socks she raves about and I love them! They make me so happy! I love their 80’s vibe which brings me a little joy every time I put them on. And somehow makes me feel cuter when wearing the same leggings I’ve been wearing for 4 days in a row 😜. I also think they’re a good thickness to wear with boots. They’re not so thick that they make your boots too tight, but they’re not too thin either!