Teach me how to henna

 

Kayla and I have been suffering from some major tattoo envy, but we are weenies and can’t actually commit to putting something on our bodies FOREVER. So how do we get our temporary tattoo fix without resorting to those little temporary tattoos you apply with some hot water? Henna. For our henna project we used “India’s Best Dulan” henna; I bought it in Madison, WI, but I’m sure you can find a tube of it on Amazon.

Step 1: Channel your inner artist

Cut the very tip off the henna tube and start designing your henna tat. You’ll need to free-hand the henna design. Do not trace the tattoo with pen first, because the henna has a weird reaction with pen ink, and it won’t turn out right (I speak from experience). 

 

Step 2. Patience is a virtue

Leave the henna alone for a hot minute (probably like 30 minutes), or until it’s dry and flaky. 

Step 3: Brush that dirt (henna) off your shoulder

After a little while, the henna will dry and start flaking off your body. This is where you can start brushing it off. The henna ink is a dark brown, but it’ll stain your skin a dark orange color *neattt*

 

Step 4: Look cool & cultured

Sorry guys, most people know what henna is, so they won’t think you got a tattoo. But I can guarantee you’ll look pretty cool and read up on the history of henna so you can be cultured too. 

 

 

 

Sunshine & Samples

Summer in the city is off to a great start, minus this week of constant overcast. A few weekends back we forced ourselves out of bed and went to the farmers market in Lincoln Park! Chicago is full of markets, almost every neighborhood has their own (Logan Square’s market is next on our list). The absolute best thing about farmers markets are all the *free samples* If you love trying jams, cheeses, and other yummy treats, make sure you pull yourself out of bed early at least one Saturday this summer to check out any of the Chicago markets. Shannon and I both got purple asparagus, which was super fresh and delicious on the grill. Andy got a cherry tomato plant, which weaka I get all the free tomatoes I want this summer (these plants produce like crazy so you get the best bang for your buck!). Click here to find a farmers market in your neighborhood!     *Alert: Dog lovers* The  second best thing to free samples are definitely all the pups at the market!

Andy and I grilling our fresh and tasty food from the market! How do you usually spend your Saturday mornings?

4th Annual Friendsgiving

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Kayla and I hosted our fourth annual Friendsgiving. We started this tradition our senior year of high school and kept it going throughout college. We all go to different universities, so sometimes Friendsgiving is the only time of the year all of us can get back together and have some good ole’ fashioned wholesome fun!

As you can tell by our plates, we don’t usually have a very traditional Thanksgiving meal. A bunch of twenty somethings getting together doesn’t exactly scream hours of food prep like most people’s Friendsgiving meals. Ours consisted of pesto chicken, sweet potato wedges, cheese dip, KFC, and other miscellaneous foods. Regardless, everything was delicious.

This was also the perfect time for us to meet everyone’s significant others *awww*! We all went to the same high school, so college has brought some very new and important people into our lives. Friendsgiving proved a great time to get to know the people that are so important to our friends who we wouldn’t get to meet otherwise!

This year Kayla made a banner inspired by A Beautiful Mess using fabric and twine. It made for a nice backdrop for everyone to pose under. Don’t you think?!

Friendsgiving is truly one of our favorite holiday traditions. What are some of yours?