Hey, How's Your Marriage?

This week Fred sent me a link to a GQ article titled "35 Truths About Marriage," and while it consisted mostly of fluffy things like "How to Read Your Wife's Face" and the "Archetypes of Coupledom," it did share a few interesting points. Like "You're in a Good Marriage If ...": 

1. You don't take it personally when she is in a bad mood.

2. You don't take for granted the thoughtful things your partner does—replacing your toothbrush or asking how the Cubs are doing when she could give a crap about sports.

3. When you fight, neither one blames the other, and each takes responsibility. (Note: If you act like this, you were created in a lab by Dr. Phil and the woman who wrote The Secret.)

4. The division of household responsibilities feels fair (regardless of the truth).

5. You can talk to each other about what turns you on.

6. You don't feel like you're being compared to other people.

7. You still have big, openended conversations about the future—"Are we happy at our jobs?"—just like you did when you were falling in love.
 
[photo from the new For the Love of Pie series by Forty-Sixth at Grace, shot by Parker Fitzgerald]

The Common Pursuit

We're getting ready for a little trip at the beginning of June, so I've been researching interesting places to see and stay in Europe for the past few months. Of course, only after everything was booked did I find a site called The Common Pursuit, which showcases "characterful, comfortable and interesting places to stay" around the world. They're all pretty breathtaking.

This one, called Son Gener, is in Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain and ... what can I say? I'm in love. It's too late to change our itinerary, so I'll just file these images away as home inspiration.

I Like Food, Food Tastes Good

On our radar: the book I Like Food, Food Tastes Good: In the Kitchen with Your Favorite Bands by food writer Kara Zuaro. Think Franz Ferdinand, Death Cab for Cutie and over a hundred other bands listing their favorite recipes, often verbatim: “Each one bears the often quirky stamp of its source—while these are thoroughly tested, cook-from-me recipes, Zuaro has left the musicians’ wording and instructions intact, which makes for a collection that’s as much fun to read as it is to use.” Pretty rad.

What band or musician would you trust in your kitchen? 

Beatin' the Blues

When there's something on your mind, talking about it during a walk around the neighborhood or getting it off your chest over fish tacos at your favorite Tex-Mex dive should definitely top your list of methods for solving problems with your significant other. A close second? Retail therapy, as every wifey knows. Your issue might fester but, damn, you will look good in that new dress.

[1 a boquet of chamelaucium | 2 a chambray shirtdress for a trip to the farmers market ... or Smashburger | 3 a rad initial stamp from MaeMae Paperie | 4 peony scented soap with shea butter  | 5 a set of Japanese tea mugs. for tea. or sparkling sake]

A Long Week + Family Weekend

Consider us officially exhausted after a long week that began on Tuesday with our first trip back to the Varsity Theater since our wedding, and wrapped up with my family here at The Model Home for a big dinner on Saturday. 

We were at the Varsity to see Grouplove and a little band called Reptar—whose lead singer seems to be smitten with my sister-in-law—and we're so glad she got us those tickets, because it was amazing being back in that space. Lots of great memories. 

My parents drove up from Lake City and my sister and her boyfriend (and their three pups) came up from Iowa City on Saturday to tour Northeast and take in their first Art-A-Whirl experiences, which meant we saw a lot of great art, revisited the Mill City Museum + got in a lot of puppy cuddling during the evening thunderstorms. 

For our big family dinner, dad and I made my Gram-Gram's famed fried pork chops and Fred made his legendary mashed potatoes, which were served with fried pork chop gravy (which I'd actually never had before, but can now confirm, is like crack). It was the perfect summer meal. I'll have to get those recipes up here. You all deserve to try it. 

How was your weekend, friends?
—Kate 

World Spins Madly On | Rad Mixed Tape : Three

For whatever reason, these songs are soothing to me when things start to feel overwhelming. My theory: it's a bit of a "hair of the dog"-type situation. Oh what's that? You're feeling a bit down? Then close the blinds and turn Band of Horses (or whatever melancholy alternative rock band strikes your fancy) up to eleven. 

[Little Lion Man] Mumford & Sons
[Middle Distance Runner] Sea Wolf
[Furr] Blitzen Trapper
[Hurricane Drunk] Florence + The Machine
[The Greatest] Cat Power
[No One's Gonna Love You] Band of Horses
[World Spins Madly On] The Weepies
[Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full of Promise] The Avett Brothers
[Dirty Paws] Of Monsters and Men
[Roll Away Your Stone] Mumford & Sons
[Cats and Dogs] The Head and the Heart
[Carry On] .fun 

[Listen]
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My Cooking Diary

There are ten thousand and eleven ways to organize your recipes, to keep track of the ones you liked, the ones you hated (the ones your husband hated, but you liked), the ones you always use at Christmas, and the ones you can use to quickly throw together a good meal at the end of a long day ... Lord knows I've gone through at least three recipe boxes and four binders of various sizes. 

This idea recently caught my eye from Sharon Hwang of My Cooking Diary, who charts meals in a little Moleskin journal. Check out her food travels on her blog and Twitter. You'll be inspired, too. 

Let's Rise Above | Rad Mixed Tape : Two

These are the kind of tunes that get stuck in your head. And then you end up whisting them when you least expect it. And you realize, "Life must be pretty good—I mean, I'm whistling for goodness' sake!"

[Take a Walk] Passion Pit
[Young Blood] The Naked And Famous
[It's Time] Imagine Dragons
[King of the World] First Aid Kit
[Into the Wild (Live)] LP
[Generator (First Floor)] Freelance Whales
[Lost In the Light] Bahamas
[Ho Hey] The Lumineers
[Airplanes] Local Natives
[Disparate Youth] Santigold
[Always Like This] Bombay Bicycle Club
[Blue Skies Again] Jessica Lea Mayfield
[Need Your Love] Temper Trap 

You can listen to this playlist (over and over again, if necessary) right HERE (it's free to sign up for an account). And while you're over on Rdio, why don't we connect? I'm always looking for new friends to share music with. Fred too.

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Black, White + Rad All Over

We celebrated our one year anniversary at The Model Home in March, and it was around that same time that I looked around and realized I was starting to get comfortable with the fact that we didn't have every room finished. In fact, I was really appreciating the less-is-more mindset we had apparently taken in our approach to home decor. But lately I've been wondering, "Is our home minimalist enough?"

I blame the Scandinavian blogs (like this gem, with which I am obsessed) that are always posting such gorgeous, simple homes. (And yes, in my opinion, simple can include chandeliers and lush leather couches.) My new fascination is with black and white color palettes, as you may have noticed. What do you think, dear friends? 

[photos 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 ]

A Thought for Friday

You guys already knew this. But it never hurts to say it again.

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