Things I'm Loving Thursday | May 7th, 2015

Where did the lovely spring weather go we were having? I hope it comes back because I am not loving the wind storm that is sweeping through at the moment. Cheers to another Thursday and a happy Friday tomorrow!

 Minnetonka Canvas Moccasin
I love Minnetonkas, always have and always will. I blame thank my mother for getting me hooked on them at a very small age. I can still remember some of my favorites I had when I was younger including a white pair with tiny jeweled studs on them, unfortunately they no longer make these, boo. If I did not insecurely worry about people thinking I never changed my shoes I would wear my cheetah pair every day, no joke. I was browsing their website the other day and discovered they have a new canvas moccasin! Immediately I wanted to order a pair but was faced with the dilemma of choosing a color because I love every single one. What color would you go with?

The Royal Baby
This can pretty much go without being said and needs little explanation. I can't wait to see the adorable pictures of her and brother Prince George growing up.

Julep Glow Highlighting Power
I recently received this product in my monthly Julep box and it is quickly becoming something I use everyday. It gives your skin a soft glow and doesn't look like you got in a fight with the body glitter fairy. Just swipe across your brow, temples, cheekbones, bridge of nose, and Cupid’s bow and your skin will be glowing like JLo's in no time. 

Kombucha
I do not know if kombucha is just an Oregon thing or if it is popular elsewhere. If you have never heard of it or do not know what it is, it is fermented tea that is often times flavored. If you are looking for a good brand I love, Humm Kombucha. It is made in Bend and is one of the only kombucha breweries in the nation. Their lemon ginger and pomegranate lemonade are my two faves. The problem with buying kombucha though is that it is +$3.00 for each small bottle. If you have a daily Starbucks addiction than that probably does not seem like that big of a deal but frankly I do not want to pay that much for a daily habit when I can make my own at home for around $1.00/gallon. It is fairly easy to make, you just need to make sure everything is sanitized and your hands are clean. You will also you need a SCOBY. Do not ask me what is stands for because I cannot remember. After you see a picture of one you will probably not be so gungho about drinking it, so try it first and then look. Or never look, your choice. 


Rising Tide Society
If you follow over on Instagram (if you don't, you totally should! @ktmichelledesigns) you might have seen a photo of some custom kraft bags I made to be stuffed with donuts for a Tuesdays Together meeting at the home of Laura Hernandez (check out her photography website). Tuesdays Together happen the first Tuesday of every month and are a chance for creatives (photographers, graphic designers, wedding planners, interior designers, makeup artist, painters, bloggers, ect.) to get together, discuss what is going on, connect and support each other in their endeavors. Their slogan is, "Community over competition," and I could not agree more. Tuesdays Together are part of the Rising Tide Society. I love this idea and would love for their to be one in Oregon, especially Central Oregon. I have submitted a request to start/lead a group here. I will let you know what I hear back so if you would like you can join in too!


And always, comment below with some of the things you are loving this week!

Sisterhood Tag

I love meeting new people and learning fun, random facts about them. When I was an FFA State Officer, the random facts were what always helped me remember people's names! So this last week when I was tagged by Jenny, from the Prairie Californian, in the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, I knew I had to participate! 
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1. Why did you start your blog? 
This is the third blog I have started. I do not know if you can classify my other ones as "starting" because they quickly dwindled after a couple blog posts. I initially started my blog to help connect with my clients and to also share what is going on behind the scenes of KMD and my daily life. Once I fully committed and got in the habit of writing I loved it and love meeting other bloggers. Blogging takes time but for me personally, it is a great creative outlet. I believe that everyone has a story to tell and no matter who you are, your story is important and needs to be heard. Blogging is a great outlet for people to share who otherwise may not speak out. 

2. What is one thing you can’t live without? 
Opal Springs water. *REALLY KATIE?!?!* Yes. We are blessed to have some of the best water on Earth, literally. Our drinking, our every day water that we flush our toilets with and take showers in, is actually sold as bottled water in the stores. I have gotten very spoiled growing up with such great water so much so, when I go to other places I find myself getting dehydrated because water from other places just does not taste very good. The first thing I do when I get home is drink a big glass of ice cold water straight from the tap. 

3. If you could travel one place, all expenses paid, where would you go?
Paris. I visited my sophomore year of college and fell in love with the city. I said when I visited next, I would be in love and they would be with me. Since I am in love AND married now I think it is time for me to go again, right?!? I would eat my way through every patisserie, drink champagne in the park below the Eiffel Tower, visit the giant flea markets, go to mass at Notre Dame, tour Coco Chanel's apartment, eat crepes from a food cart every morning for breakfast, do I need to keep going on?! Now I REALLY want to go back! 
4. What’s one of the scariest things you’ve ever done? 
Right before Travis and I got married I left my job. I was commuting everyday to a high stress job that I did not love. I was thankful to not only have a job but also one that was related to field of study but each day more I had to go there my anxiety grew. I had no idea what I was going to do after our wedding was over and was terrified about finding a new job. Two weeks after we got back from our honeymoon I got a call to come in and speak with a person from where I now work, for a position I had never even applied for. Three years later and I am still working there and love it. Trusting that things will workout and not worrying so much, are things I am trying to work on every day and this instance is a great reminder of that. 

 5. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
My mom had these memory books for us when we were growing up and each section highlighted a different age/school grade. The sections would ask different questions like, "Favorite color," "Who are your best friends," and "What do you want to be when you grow up." The latter was asked at a couple different ages and I always wrote a mom. Nowadays I want to be so many different things "When I grow up," but I still very much so want to be a mom...when the timing is right!

 6. Who in your life has influenced you the most? 
As cliche as it sounds, easily my parents. They have both taught me so much about anything and everything. I know I can always count on them to be there and help out with anything I would ever need. They have been a great example as parents but also as a married couple. 

7. How do you like your steak cooked?

 Medium rare for sure and I will always choose a good steak over chicken. Whenever someone in the family isn't feeling well my dad's cure all is to, "eat some red meat and a baked potato."

 8. What are some of the first things you do in the morning? 

 Generally when my alarm goes off in the morning I stay in bed at least a good 20 minutes before waking up. I have it set to go off just in time to hear the morning news and the weather. Then I'll lay in bed and check emails and read the news. As soon as I get out of bed I brush my teeth, I can't stand the feeling in my mouth after waking up. In the winter I am super lucky and spoiled in that Travis will have made me breakfast. Pretty exciting morning right??? 

 9. What is one of your favorite quotes? 
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
Leo Buscaglia

 10. What is your favorite season of the year?  
Fall...leaves changing color, scarves, Frye boots, sweaters, hot coffee drinks, harvest moons. Everything about Fall I absolutely adore. 

 Part of the Sisterhood Tag is to tag seven new bloggers and have them answer ten questions you have created. I can't wait to see what some of these ladies have to answer!
Here are 10 SUPER random questions for you all to answer! If you are reading this feel free to answer some of them in the comments section, I would love to hear your answers too!
  1. What has has been one surprise about blogging?
  2. Salty or sweet?
  3. If you could have any talent what would it be?
  4. What would your last supper be?
  5. If someone handed you $1,000 to spend in 30 minutes what would you buy?
  6. What is something you wish you knew when you were younger that you know now?
  7. What is your ultimate dream vacation?
  8. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
  9. Who would you want to play you in a movie?
  10. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Follow along on the ladies blogs above to see what they have to say!

The Only Guacamole Recipe You Will Ever Need



My cousin Michelle (Big Cous) and I (Lil Cous) often like to refer to one of our college terms as, Winter of 08, in a not so loving way.

 Winter of 08 was a little rough. For starters, it was winter. Neither one of us enjoy winter, especially in Corvallis, Oregon. Winters at OSU can get downright gloomy, especially when you come from an area who's slogan is, "Over 300 days of sunshine a year." 

 Secondly, we were both getting over severally broken hearts, which I think know, contributed to most of our hatred for the term. 

 To get through the term we would watch a lot of Food Network and cooking shows, sometimes on mute. Don't judge, it is actually very relaxing, just try it. In turn, we discovered a lot of great recipes but also gained some poundage since we were eating our emotions and not partaking in much physical activity. Just add that to the list of something else we would have to deal with once we pulled ourselves out of our funk.

 One morning, as we were leisurely lying around, drinking coffee and watching Martha Stewart, we discovered two things on her show that would change our lives.

  1. Ironing your bed linens before putting them on your bed.
  2. Eva Longoria's guacamole recipe.
For the record, I do not always our iron bed linens, ain't nobody got time for that. However, I have ironed my pillowcases on occasion and it sets the feeling of getting into a freshly made bed, over the top. Take five minutes and try it the next time you are changing your bed sheets.

 Moving on to more important things though, mainly Eva Longoria's guacamole recipe. Now, I do not remember if this is the EXACT recipe she shared that morning, but Big Cous and I have been making a version of this since Winter of 08. In my opinion it is the only guacamole recipe you will ever need and if you are currently using the powder pouches of guacamole seasoning to make this dip, please stop doing so and replace it with this recipe.

 Keep the Cinco de Mayo celebrations going this week and try out this recipe! What are you doing today to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Winter of 08 Guacamole

4 ripe avocados (or 2 large Hass Avocados)
2 jalapenos
1/2 small red onion
2 tomatoes
1 bunch of cilantro
1 lemon
2 tsp. kosher salt

 Before you start, DO NOT mix anything until instructed, this is a secret to guacamole making. 

 Seed and chunk avocados and jalapenos, place in a medium size bowl (save one avocado seed/pit to place in guacamole once you are finished, this helps prevent browning). Dice onion and tomato and add to bowl. Dice tops off of cilantro, also add to the bowl. Sprinkle one teaspoon of kosher salt over the ingredients in the bowl. Cut lemon in half and squeeze the juice, of both halves, over ingredients, being careful to not let any seeds fall into mixture. Stir all ingredients together. Take a tortilla chip and taste, adding more salt if necessary. Plop avocado seed into bowl, cover with saran wrap and let chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. 
Simple and fresh ingredients.
Notice there is no powder packet?
Creamy avocado, mmmmm.
To get easy chunks, slice diagonally one way and then diagonally the other way.
Then just scoop out with a spoon!
I like to live life on the edge so I leave the seeds and membranes in for extra heat.
This is the part that the spiciness comes from. 
If you look really closely you can see a heart, awwww.
Do not seed your tomatoes, the juice adds to the guacamole. 
Some people are opposed to cilantro, I think they are crazy.
Just kidding, but seriously.
I would not suggest leaving it out in this recipe.
To catch the seeds while juicing the lemon, cup your hand and use it as a strainer.
If you do not have kosher salt you will want to only use 1/2 tsp. of table salt.
Table salt has a much stronger, harsher taste than kosher salt. 
Once it has chilled, serve in your favorite chip and dip bowl...
Or just eat it straight of the mixing bowl.
No judgement here.