Blue Windows http://bluewindows.net Mon, 13 May 2013 17:02:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 Pinteresting… http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/pinteresting/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/pinteresting/#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 17:02:42 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2600

We are starting something new on Pinterest! Every month we will create a new board of things we find Pinteresting! “write it. wrap it. create it.” is the board/theme for this month. Since I am heading to the New York Stationary Show this weekend I thought this theme would be perfect! Follow this board and all our boards at Blue Windows!
Happy Pinning,
Heather
]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/pinteresting/feed/ 0 my mom… http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/my-mom/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/my-mom/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 06:27:50 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2579

 
]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/my-mom/feed/ 0 40 in Paris… http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/40-in-paris/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/40-in-paris/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 01:28:46 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2529

My adventure begins…

The first night I arrived in Paris I received my room key…40!
Coincidence?

I unpacked my suitcase and went straight to Notre Dame. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the sky was. I completely felt out of my element and was feeling a bit of “what were you thinking’? But the minute I saw Notre Dame I knew I had made the right decision.

I lit a candle to begin my journey..

Today is my 40th Birthday…

Birthday breakfast at Cafe de Flore scrambled eggs with ham and a cafe americano.

on my way to the Opera Garnier…

Good to see you again.

The last time I was here I was 23 years old and dreaming of performing here one day.
Life took me in a different direction but no matter the age a girl can still dream!

A room full of Operas!

Found some music I have sung!

 

A bit of shopping which led me straight to lunch on the 6th floor…

Stew on a cold rainy birthday.

First glimpse of the Eiffel Tower…

Mid-afternoon snack at Eric Kayser.

Walk back to the Hotel to get ready for tonight’s concert at Notre Dame.

Ending the day with French Onion soup at the Luxembourg Cafe near my hotel.

My 40th Birthday is complete!

 My sister gave me a beautiful green blouse for my Birthday before I left for Paris.
She told me she was having the hardest time deciding what to get me that had
some meaning and that would always remind me of turning 40.
Her idea was a beautiful green blouse but was having no luck in finding one.
Then, she walked into Anthroplogie and right in the front was this blouse on a
dress form. What was even more crazy was the label…HD in Paris! My initials!
She searched the store for any other clothing by this designer and found
this was the only blouse! I couldn’t believe this story when she told me.
Needless to say I love my green Paris blouse from my amazing sister,
Laura, and will cherish it always!

40 in Paris,

Heather

]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/05/40-in-paris/feed/ 0 Cooking with Judita… http://bluewindows.net/2013/04/cooking-with-judita/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/04/cooking-with-judita/#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:02:12 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2505  

A day in the kitchen with Judita!
The event is this Saturday so we decided to prep the treats early.
We made the Superfood Seed Bars on page 145 and the Chocolate Haystacks on page 149.
Come by on Saturday to try some.

RAW AND SIMPLE EVENT

SATURDAY APRIL 6TH

11–2 pm

COME AND MEET JUDITA.

]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/04/cooking-with-judita/feed/ 0 Raw “favorites”… http://bluewindows.net/2013/04/raw-favorites/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/04/raw-favorites/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:40:53 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2464  My favorites from Raw and Simple…

 

HEIRLOOM TOMATO STACKS…PAGE 115

This was so pretty to look at I almost didn’t want to eat it. I literally sat and stared at the glorious stack for a few minutes before I even attempted a bite. I foresee myself making this all summer long. The best way to describe the flavor…fresh!

RED BELL PEPPER HUMMUS…PAGE 85
The perfect snack. 

CAULIFLOWER COUSCOUS…PAGE 9o
 A perfect light lunch with many different flavors. Even better the next day! Make a big batch and you are set for lunch for the week!


try it with avocado…

NACHO CHEESE DIP…PAGE 86
On the side with cauliflower couscous and whole foods chips (not raw). 

EASY APPLE PIE WITH SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE…PAGE 161
Seriously so good! You have to try it to believe it! 

These particular recipes have been my favorite so far! I say so far because I have yet to try every recipe in the book. I am sure there will be many more added to this list but for now I can pretty much guarantee you will not be disappointed with any of these recipes. In fact, I think if you try these first you may be surprised on how good raw can taste.

RAW AND SIMPLE EVENT

SATURDAY APRIL 6TH 11-2PM

MEET AUTHOR JUDITA WIGNALL

Hope to see you there and share more insider tips.

Heather

 

]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/04/raw-favorites/feed/ 0 Raw Day… http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/raw-day/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/raw-day/#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:57:54 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2448 
BREAKFAST: BANANA WALNUT OATMEAL
LUNCH: SUNNY PEACH SALAD WITH CHIPOTLE-MAPLE DRESSING
DINNER: FIVE-PEPPER VEGETABLE CHILI
RECIPES FROM RAW & SIMPLE
BREAKFAST: PAGE 47 LUNCH: PAGE 108  DINNER: PAGE 123
I thought since Judita will be at Blue windows for a book signing and discussion I should know how some of these recipes taste. I have tried several so far and have liked pretty much all of them. I will blog later on my personal favorites! These three shown above were delicious and filling. The banana walnut oatmeal was definitely a hearty breakfast. Tip: don’t over blend and if you choose to heat it up make sure you are stirring constantly and add splashes of almond milk if need be. The salad for lunch is definitely a favorite. Peaches were out of season so I added avocado in the picture shown above. On a different day I added pears but I’m pretty sure any fruit would be good (strawberries, apples…etc). This salad was really easy to put together and the dressing is soooo good. I will be making this quite often! Dinner was a bit hard to prepare and you have to settle into the kitchen for a while but worth it in the end. Make sure you make a batch of the creme fraiche on page 140 to put on top. Amazing how the flavors all come together and taste like chili with a bit of sour cream. Eating raw never looked or tasted so good! Make sure you come and meet Judita
in person for helpful tips and questions on the raw lifestyle.
Saturday April 6th from 11-2pm!
More opinions to come…
Heather
]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/raw-day/feed/ 0 denim brunch… http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/denim-brunch/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/denim-brunch/#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:19:36 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2407

 Our first private event was a success!
We closed the store to the public and had an “invitation only” denim brunch.
We thought this would help to educate us as buyers on what our customers
are looking for when it comes to denim.

Let’s face it! We all wear jeans and want them to look and feel great!
I don’t know about all of you but I find it the most difficult item in my wardrobe to fit JUST right!
This event allowed women to try on an assortment of styles and get help from my
denim rep from DL1961 to find the perfect fit for their body type.

 

Taylor from DL1961

goodie bags…

 

 

a little thank you gift…

personalized goodie bags…

We will have many more “private parties” to come…
Come into Blue Windows and let us know if you would like to be a part of them!

Heather

]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/denim-brunch/feed/ 1 raw and simple…“getting started” http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/raw-and-simple-getting-started/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/raw-and-simple-getting-started/#comments Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:46:11 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2358

A raw lifestyle is not one I ever thought I would be interested in. When my cousin, Judita Wignall, published her second book Raw & Simple I immediately was intrigued. The recipes looked amazing and none required that I had to own a dehydrator. The logical idea, since she is family, was to have her come for a book signing at the store. I then realized I need to be personally acquainted with these recipes in order to attest to how great the book is. So, here my journey begins in eating raw. Of course for the time being I am still having my coffee and an occasional non-raw meal but for the most part my daily meal routine will be recipes from Raw & Simple.
First things first…grocery shopping.

 Hours later…organizing at home.
 

the equipment…

 

Almond milk…

Soak almonds for 8–12 hours. I usually just start the soaking process in the morning and by the time I get home they are ready to be processed. Or just soak them right before bed and they’ll be ready for you first thing in the morning!

1 cup almonds + 4 cups water in blender

 

Pour milk through a nut bag and let it drain for a bit. I pour it in thirds so it makes it easier to get all the milk out. The messy part is you have to squeeze the bag in order to get all the milk from the almonds. Squeeze from the bottom (like milking a cow) otherwise you can make a hole in the nut bag. Keep repeating this process until all you have left in the nut bag is tiny bits of almonds. The almond milk will store for 3–4 days in refrigerator. I promise you this process looks way harder than it actually is. It’s quite simple. I use almond milk all the time now. Especially in my smoothies, which I will get to in a later blog.
 

The hardest part so far was finding things in the grocery store. I had no idea what some of the ingredients were so I found myself asking a ton of questions at Whole Foods. Fortunately they are very helpful there and steered me in all the right directions. I’m looking forward to starting this process. I think I will feel better and it will be fun to get back into the kitchen and cook (or not cook). 

 

I’ll keep you posted,

Heather

 
 
]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/raw-and-simple-getting-started/feed/ 0 14 years ago… http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/14-years-ago/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/14-years-ago/#comments Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:42:32 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2349 I wasn’t there from the beginning. I wasn’t there when the doors first swung open and the first customer came through the doors. I wasn’t there to create the name, the windows, the layout and all the behind the scenes work it takes to open a business. I came 5 months later. A part-time job. Now I could start putting my stamp on it. I could start doing displays, helping customers and learning all about the behind the scenes. I am so amazed that 14 years have gone by and for almost 9 of those years it has been mine. I am so amazed at how this community continues to embrace this boutique. There are so many special people who have walked through those doors and I am honored to have met them and become a small part of their lives.

Next year we will celebrate in a big way…but for now let me just simply say…thanks!
Heather
]]> http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/14-years-ago/feed/ 0 paris is calling… http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/paris-is-calling/ http://bluewindows.net/2013/03/paris-is-calling/#comments Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:33:41 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=2337 

paris is calling...

I’ve had this photo on my inspiration board for over 15 years!  The Opera Garnier in Paris is one of my favorite places. I think about it from time to time. The grandeur, the beauty, the possibility it once meant for me. I was 19 years old the first time I saw it. A kid with a dream to become a classical singer. I was overwhelmed…literally. The second time I saw it I was 23 years old and about to start my degree in music. The dream I had once felt was a bit more in my reach. I was about to embark on a new journey that could possibly lead me to this very place. I know, I know my dreams were high! Well, my life did not end up singing in this beautiful Opera House but instead led me to Blue Windows. I have no regrets on the path I took but I do miss singing. I am returning to my beautiful Opera Garnier shortly and am looking forward to what emotions I will feel this time.

Heather

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