New Blog and Website are Up!

Hi friends!  As promised my new blog and website are up and running! Please head over to libbieholmes.com and libbieholmes.com/blog and check 'em out! I'd love to hear what you think!

Since this is my portfolio website, most of the posts will be photography-related (natch), but if you were a fan of the style, design and food posts from here at My Lovely Surroundings, don’t fret. I’ll keep those going on the new blog as well. 

See you over in the new space!

Take care,

Libbie

Guess What?!

My blog is moving! MLS (that's My Lovely Surroundings for those of you who don't live in Denver and therefore aren't forced to decipher acronyms on a daily basis) is now going to be a part of my brand new, super sexy, big-girl photography website. It will be a bit more photo-driven than MLS, but I hope you'll still come check it out! I'll send a link once its available, but I hope that explains my lack of blogging lately. Stay tuned lovelies! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope your Valentine's Day is sweet!

And don't forget to celebrate my other favorite holiday of the year..."half off chocolate at the local grocery store day" on February 15th!

Denver Walkaround

One of my favorite things to do with my camera is do a "walkaround" where I take my camera, give myself an hour and just take pictures of things I see and like.  Last fall, on a beautiful blue-sky day, I went out around Denver's Cap Hill neighborhood and shot some of the beautiful buildings I came across. I love shooting architecture and shooting buildings that you see everyday, but with a fresh perspective. I try to find out what makes each building interesting, then try to capture that with my camera. Here's a few of my faves from the day. 

Katelyn and Steven Engagement

Ahhh! I had so much fun shooting Katelyn and Steven's engagement session this past weekend. Cutest. Couple. Ever. Seriously. I ventured up past Lyons to Katelyn's family horse farm for the session. It was absolutely breathtaking there and the two of them were so in love and comfortable in front of the camera. I'm so excited for their August wedding!

Superbowl. Vine-style.

Superbowl Sunday is basically my favorite holiday of the year. I know, I know. Its not technically a holiday, but in my house I treat it as one. Great food, beer and football. Duh. It should totally be a holiday. We had a super low-key day, relaxing and watching the game all by ourselves. We made stuffed meatballs and spaghetti. Amazing. Mozzarella inside meatballs? I'm not sure how I came up with the idea, but I'm glad I did! 

As for the actual game? I thought it was pretty good, as far as Superbowls go. Beyonce totally killed it too. I cried a little when Kelly and Michelle came out. Brought me back to my middle school days. God I loved Destiny's Child. But the commercials? Terrible! Its like the ad agencies forgot about the Superbowl this year and had to come up with crap at the last minute. I want another one of these ads. 

Anyhoo...are y'all vine-ing yet? I am and I love it! Its my new obsession. Here's some videos I made Sunday. Totally cheesy, but oh so fun. I promise my video/editing skills will get better. 

Butternut Squash Soup Two Ways

I know I've mentioned it before, but my parents seriously have a boatload of butternut squash. It seems to take over their vegetable garden every summer and now that I live closer to them, I get to take advantage of the fruits of their labor. Like in this dinner from last week. This past weekend, I roasted three small squash my dad brought to me and made two different soups: a traditional, creamy squash soup and a squash-tomato bisque. 

They both started with a similar base of roasted squash (bake 40 min at 350), chicken stock, cream, and purred garlic, onions, carrots and celery (gotta love food processors!). I added salt, pepper, roasted red pepper flakes and cayenne. I also like things a little salty, so I also added some bouillon. I think its a necessity in every soup, even if you use chicken stock. 

For the tomato bisque, I took the above ingredients and added two cans of diced tomato, a little more cream, italian seasonings like basil and oregano, and about a 1/3 of a jar of pizza sauce leftover from the weekend. Puree in the food processor, and that's it! Two different soups that are super-easy to make. 

Now, don't ask me the amounts I used of each. Y'all know I don't cook that way. I simply add amounts, seasonings and spices as needed. If you need more of a recipe, Martha has what looks like a good one here. Not sure how I feel about the OJ though. Might make it too sweet. 

The only problem, was the number of dishes I used. Eeeek! 

Wednesday Wishlist: Military Inspired

I've always loved mixing tough and girly pieces, so I'm thrilled the military trend is back in (not that its every really out). This season, there's glitter and studding and and lace mixed in and I have to say I'm loving it.

Stud Camo Jacket $116
H&M Blouse $39
Camo Skinnies $80
Stella & Dot Bracelets $49-59
Studded Clutch $25
Rivet Camo Blazer $60