I'd love for you to meet our Feature Sponsor...The Nerd Nest!

 What is your name and/or business and blog name and your age range...if you'd like to share? (no biggie if not)

Hi! We’re Megan and Jake from the Nerd Nest. We’re 25 and 26, respectively, and we blog about our crafty, nerdy selves and our kiddos, Eliza and Jonas.

What do you do? ...and when did you start?

Megan: We started the Nerd Nest in 2009 as a way to share our family stories, our crafty adventures, and as a companion blog to our Etsy shop. We’ve moved away from selling physical products, and now Jake does a ton of coding work (he’s a master programmer) and I’m a Jane of several trades: work at home mama, scrapbooker, master blogger, and aspiring novelist.

Jake: Over time, our focus really has moved to creating amazing blog content. At the Nerd Nest you’ll find somewhere between six and fourteen posts a week about family, tech, crafts, scrapbooking, reading, photography, and tons of stuff in between!

What/Who are you inspired by?

Megan: I find inspiration everywhere! My favorite places to find inspiration are books, movies, other bloggers, Pinterest, and art. I’ve most recently been inspired by re-reading my favorite books.  However, all of my best ideas seem to come when I’m taking a shower, so maybe hot water is really my muse! (Though more likely it’s just the rare quiet.)

Jake: I’m inspired by puzzles. I’m a problem solver at heart, so most of my great ideas come from brainstorming solutions. For example, my current project is building an affiliate network website (which is technically still a secret), because Megan and our blogging friends aren’t satisfied with the available options for small businesses. Once I have a problem to fix, the ideas start to roll!

Where do you create? home studio? kitchen table? sofa?

Jake: We carved a home office out of half of our master bedroom. That’s where most of the creating happens, but we’ll drag our work to wherever the kids are if we need to!

What are some of your fave movies/shows/bands/music?

 Megan: Ah, there’s too many to list! I’ll name a few we both love off the top of my head:

 Shows - Game of Thrones, Firefly, Friends, Once Upon a Time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hell’s Kitchen, Yo Gabba Gabba and The Aquabats! Supershow!

 Movies – Harry Potter, Star Wars, Donnie Darko, Cinema Paridiso, and Fight Club, and anything related to Marvel.

 Bands - Rancid, Fun., Jack Johnson, Deadmau5, Fugazi, Billie Holiday, and Kid Cudi.

Do you collect anything?

Jake: We are big collectors! Some of our favorite collections include vintage Ohio Art globes, books, Pez dispensers, records, camera equipment, and electronics parts.

Favorite art/craft supplies? 

Megan: My absolute favorite craft suppy is the Project Life system by Becky Higgins for memory keeping. It’s revolutionized the way I document our lives. Other than that, it’s impossible to choose! I do too wide of a range of crafts to try to narrow it down.

Jake: My iMac! I do physical art with Megan and am obsessed with photography, but for me, writing code is like composing a symphony. That’s where my passion lies.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Megan: Hopefully in a very similar place to where we are now, but without student loans (hah!). There should be another little one in the mix by then too, hopefully.

Three favorite websites/blogs/shops...etc? You can both answer! :)

Jake: Other than Everyday is a Holiday, of course, I’d pick Campfire Chic, Stumble Upon, and Dark Cycle Clothing.

Megan: Jake stole part of my answer! Everyday is a Holiday is one of my favorite daily reads. In addition, I love Elise Blaha Cripe’s blog, Rukristin Papercrafts, and Lemon and Raspberry.

Anything else you'd like to add :)

Thank you so much for reading everyone! Make sure to stop by and say hi, we’d love to meet you!  

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Ok, now it's me, Jenny in the non-bold type. Don't you just love The Nerd Nest?! Me and Aaron are big fans. As bloggers, they seriously amaze me. They really do have such varied and interesting content on the regular...and I'm not sure how they manage to pull it off...with the two little ones and all. Me and Aar merely have chihuahuas! But yeah, the little ones...I love every time they show up in a post. In case you missed it...take another glance at the pic with Megan in front of those amazing bookshelves. Ok, now glance to the left, almost out of the frame, to see Jonas doing who knows what...one shoe on, one shoe off! I love it! Megan is the only other person I know besides Aaron who carries around eight pounds of books at all times. And these aren't your garden variety "nerds"...besides the many artful and creative projects, check their food posts...which are fab and just keep getting better since they've started to try to eat mostly locally grown foods.
And Aaron learned something new from this interview...he can't believe how young Meg and Jake are. I mean, they look like tots...but jeez are they some fully formed tots!
Ok, you get the idea...we're big fans of these guys...and totally think you guys should be too. Thrilled to have them as this month's spotlight and I can't wait to see what they do next.

xo, Jenny...and Aaron

Sponsor Everyday is a Holiday in May!

Well April is coming to a close. It was a busy, exciting, fun month. I shared some big news about our upcoming book, as well as our next teaching gig...which me and Aaron are sooo excited about! I've been seeing and hearing from lots of new friends and readers. And I feel like things are starting to finally come together for us. Our home is beginning to shape up a bit. Big post storm repairs are underway. And our plans, big and small, are closer to being realized. So I guess it truly is Springtime for Everyday is a Holiday!

The merry month of May is upon us! This has traditionally been our most creative time of year as an artist duo. We've got big deadlines that we're on the verge of closing out and we just know that the vacuum is going to fill up quick with all new projects, DIY's on the blog, tutorials, quick craft ideas, home improvement, decor...and of course FOOD! Expect lots of recipes.
We're expecting lots more traffic and this would be the perfect time to advertise on Everyday is a Holiday. I feel like I've been able to connect more with our readers lately and what I've always assumed seems to be actually true. Peeps who visit Everyday is a Holiday lean towards a creative, artful lifestyle. They love to make things with their hands and support artists who make things with their hands. They've got style, and love to cook and bake.
Does this sound like you? More importantly...does this sound like the people you'd like to hang with, chat with, and laugh with? If so...we'd love to hear from you! It's time to expand your own blog audience, get your art or products seen by the eyes of more like-minded peeps. Our feature spot is booked through September but we still have large spots which include a group spotlight containing photos and links...and there are medium ads to be had as well! If you'd like all the deets on this front be sure to pop over to our Sponsor info page.

May is going to be a great month!

xo Jenny & Aaron

I can't believe it's good for me Mac & Cheese

Ok, I'm from the planet Earth...translation: I Love Mac & Cheese.

I'm also over 30, not a marathon runner, and a bit hypochondriacal about arteries slowing down over time etc...translation: I try not to eat Mac & Cheese frequently.

Me and Aar love to eat good stuff. Food that tastes amazeballs and that also makes us feel good. Not a "diet"...not calorie counting...no rules whatsoever. Just being conscious of whats going in. Lot's of veggies and fruit, leaner proteins, less sugar, less salt...and lot's of herbs and spices. And everything tastes waaaaay better than the stuff that I say "sticks to your bones". We also don't seem to have as many mood lulls. Eating consciously throughout the day gives us way fewer rollercoaster moments.

But I still love Mac & Cheese. And when I came across a couple recipes for healthier versions I was all ears...or eyes...since I was reading them. 

Here's what I love about eating consciously and recipes like this one. You do not simply take the bad away...you also add good. So this Mac & Cheese has all the gooey goodness, minus the sludge and drudge, plus some veggie goodness. No butter, no heavy cream...it's got low fat sharp cheddar, broccoli, and a bunch of Butternut Squash that adds fab flavor and creaminess. And the butternut squash is easy to prep and so so worth it. Trust me! 

And since butternut squash is a bit sweet this recipe balances that out with the sharp cheddar, some mustard, and cayenne. You will love this guilt free, healthy version of a classic comfort food. Promise.

What you will need:

1 small butternut squash ( we used 1 1/2 cups pureed )

1- 1/2 cups steamed broccoli florets

3 cups whole wheat pasta cooked al dente (we used rotini)

5 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese (divided: 3 tablespoons for topping and 2 tablespoons for mac 'n' cheese)

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

2 1/4 cups fat-free milk (we used plain almond milk)

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons light cream cheese (cut into chunks)

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

2-3 teaspoons garlic finely chopped

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 3/4 cups shredded low-fat sharp cheddar

You'll be pureeing the butternut squash, so first you need to get it cubed. To do this cut off the top and bottom, about a 1/4 inch from each end.

Then stand it up on the flat end and use a peeler to skin it. (When done with this step you can find a little top hat and cane and do a little puppet skit called "Mr. Peanut gets a spray tan.")  

Once it's peeled, cut it in half.

Then scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff with a spoon.

Then cut into 1/2 inch cubes.

In a large sauce pan, bring about 2 1/2 inches of water to a boil, add your cubed squash, and return to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for about 15 mins until tender.

Drain your squash, put cubes into a food processor, and puree till smooth. Put 1 1/2 cups puree to the side for this recipe and you can freeze the rest for a future recipe.

Cut your broccoli florets. Then wash, and steam them.

For the deeelish crusty top...In a small bowl combine your panko, olive oil, and two tablespoons of Pecorino Romano. Using a fork or your fingers combine. Put to the side and think about how toasty, golden, and crusty it will be atop your magnificent dish. This is a good time to prepare your casserole dish (we used a 2 quart). Spray the dish and preheat your broiler, put the rack in the center slot of your oven.

Cook your pasta, drain, and set aside.

Get your sauce ingredients ready. The shredded cheddar, the cubed cream cheese, the garlic, the mustard, the spices. 

Then using the same pot you used for your pasta, whisk together the milk and flour until smooth.  

Now add the cubed cream cheese. Whisk over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil, just about 5 minutes. Whisk in your salt, mustard, garlic, nutmeg and cayenne. Reduce the heat to a simmer,  whisking periodically as it thickens, for about 2 minutes. 

Remove the pot from the heat, then stir in the sharp cheddar, Pecorino Romano, and squash. Stir until cheeses melt.  

Then stir in your pasta and cooked broccoli florets.

Now, pour it into the prepared baking dish and top it off with your panko mixture. Broil for about 5 mins or til your topping is a nice golden brown and your cheese is bubbling.

Let it sit for about 5 mins before serving. This dish is just fantastic! We both went in for seconds...and had some for lunch the next day as well! It reheats great! We'd even say we liked it better the next day, mac & cheese is probably always better the next day.

After me and Aar cook a meal, we sit down, eat for a bit, and then we ask each other if there should be any changes to the recipe...things we'd add or take away. With this one we'd stick to the script...though one thought we had was about the cheddar. We went with a healthier low fat version...but being big cheese fans we could totally see amping up the flavor by shredding up some extra sharp Tillamook cheese. Your call entirely...it's deeelish as is.

Ok, hope you guys enjoy! Be sure to let me know!

xo, Jenny...and Aaron

*adapted from A cup of mascarpone.

Friday Favorites

Busy Friday! But we just paused to make a deeeelish dinner...will blog the recipe soon...and now we are working on getting our second wind for the evening writing, photo editing, and box packing. Hopefully we can squeeze in a long dog walk sometime before dark. For now, before we get back to the grind, let me share my latest Friday Favorites!

To begin with...this painting by Artist Elizabeth Mayville, which is part of her "Top Knot" series. Love it!! 

Oh gosh... this! The Travelling Tea Room Emporium by Becky Hood Photography. You must click over to view this image larger!  Oh how I wish this would roll up here on our street...since there's no time for us to break away...and we could set down the art supplies, run outside and sample the sweets and treats.

 I absolutely love carnivals and fairs. There are always a couple vendors who have something really special, though admittedly they are never as good as the above. I just love the here today, gone tomorrow aspect...and how the vendors do their best to bring as much attention-getting flash and color as possible. 

This duo know as Tumbleweeds Handcraft. They are the makers of the Original wood veneer and stone Sunglasses. They totally rule! I follow them on instagram...and you don't have to spy on these guys for too long to recognize that they are workhorses. They make these by hand!! Me and Aar have seen plenty of those 3am work nights and we know what it takes. I just Love seeing such an incredible product, made by peeps with stellar style! This is wearable art at it's finest.

This Triple Berry Curd  has got me thinking of Summertime. Oh jeez, a couple summer's ago me and Aar had a Summer of Scones. Every morning we took a drive down the shore to a different local cafe type place to sample their respective iced coffee and scones. We actually wrote down our thoughts on a score card. Some days we drove really far just to find a place we had yet to try. But yeah, the curd...jeez, imagine it atop a vanilla or lemon scone!!

I read a very interesting little article in the New York Times Magazine about the Ferris Wheel. They are one of my fave visuals as far as civilized landscapes go. You'll be surprised by the heartbreaking tale regarding the creator of this whimsical wheel.

Ok, I think I'm gonna grab a carrot muffin before I get back to the daily function.

Hope the rest of your Friday is Fab!

xo Jenny!

lately...

Oh boy oh boy... Wednesday already! Honestly, I don't even know what day of the week it feels like...so I shouldn't try to be the authority on whether it feels like Wednesday or not. I guess I'm just saying that all the days are melting together. We're in a pretty good groove finishing up last minute book details.

There's a certain weirdness knowing that the stuff we're working on right now will all be captured forever between two covers. I know this is a common practice...making books...but to me it's a bit surreal. And very exciting. For years our days have been filled with paper, paint, and happy vintage bits of ephemera...but now there's an added layer of self consciousness...ya know, because it's for posterity's sake now...the projects are for everyone to do right along side us for years on down the line. Hopefully! : ) 

I posted this pic the other day on Instagram and facebook and received SO many messages and emails asking where I got it and if this was the original color, and if I had any more I'd be willing to sell. I'm such a sucker vintage toys...and this one is plastic...and aqua! It brings back so many memories of "playing store".  I did a quick search on ebay and found this exact one...and a few others equally as cute. I have two others in my fledgling collection. One is pink, the other tan. But they are metal. So the question of whether I had any that I'd be willing to sell...fat chance...I don't think I've even scratched the surface yet in my toy cash register obsession. 

This is a familiar site around here...each morning starts with a pile of cute stuff and a "story board" to outline projects.  

Oh and yes we had a day of clay! Always a great time!

Yep... check this mess out! And yes that is a "garbage box". I spy a Kashi wrapper and an old sponge in there. ha! 

Did you guys know that writing a book entails using a blowdryer? Well yeah it does! It's a fact Jack! 

ha! I'm laughing as I type this... Just tonight we were prepping dinner, and Aaron was on cutting board duty. He asked me "How much green onion?"...my reply, "a month".

 hahaha!!! Yep! I meant to say a cup! My brain is fried guys! Holy Crow! 

Oh and why not share this pic? This guy is the best napper on the block! It was such a struggle to keep these eyes open as I was talking to him. Such a little moosh!

Yep, so that's what's going on over here! Tomorrow is a day full of errands...orders to ship, groceries to shop for and a few other things.  

Thanks for popping in friends! Hope all is lovely on your end!

xo Jenny...and Aaron!

Some happy bits from across the pond...

I'd say that England is at the tippity top of my list of travel destinations. I wanna take Black Cabs all over London, safely in the hands of drivers who are well versed in The Knowledge. I want to walk the boards of Brighton Pier and get a whippy. I want biscuits and crisps...

Oh don't worry...I'm stopping there...you get the idea. 

So, I bring this up because the anglophile in me went on a wee bit of a spree. (I didn't mean for that to rhyme.) Got these tea towels and some other UK borne goods from my fave online shop of the moment: Not On The High Street.com.

Me and Aar are kitchen people. Decor-wise the kitchen would be our starting point and then every other room should spool forth from there. I mean, we've been painting cakes and cupcakes since the 90's I think! Unfortunately our home is a bit of a wreck due to Stupid Storm Sandy, and the kitchen needs a complete re-do. But maybe it's not so unfortunate...isn't a kitchen re-do supposed to be a dream project?! Well, after we make headway in bathrooms and the living room we will then take on the heart and soul of our living space. In the meantime I'll start to gather the accessories...like these tea towels!

I'm big into grey and I love single tone graphics.

 So, being from the Jersey Shore, I'm absolutely in love with boardwalks. It's like the cornerstone of every Jersey Shore childhood. Ineffably magical memories. 

So...years and years ago...when I first caught glimpses of Brighton I swooned. It's this parallel universe where everything is kinda the same as here but all wrapped up in gauzy English wonderment, pretty words, and sun faded colors. So the above tea towel was got just as much for it's aesthetic as for the dreams it's text evokes in me. 

And I've included these examples just in case you thought Not On The High Street was a mere tea towel shop! No...they've got everything. I fell in love with these wire baskets. And look how perfectly my Thickers fit!

Ok, my rave must stop for now...because it's time for you to click the proper link and behold all the splendor. 

xo, Jenny

Announcing Sweethearts On the Homefront, a 1940's inspired Art Retreat! Join us!

 I've got some very exciting news! This October me and Aaron will be teaching at a too fabulous for words Art Retreat in Atlanta, GA! Well, even though it's too fab for words I'll still venture to give as many wonderful deets as I can. As many of you know, we've been dealing with a whole lot of work here at home, so teaching at an event would've been impossible. Which makes this outing all the more special for us...we can't wait to get out and mingle with like-minded creative souls. Can't wait to (in the wise words of Andrew WK) Party!!!

Ok...where do I start?? Alright, first off...100% of proceeds from this event will go to Operation Stars and Stripes...which supports our military here and abroad. And the theme of the event is so so up our alley! As you've seen above, it's called Sweethearts on the Homefront. And that means it'll be all things 1940's/WWII. Well, all the GOOD things of course. The focus on strong women creating and working and making the best of things while their beloved husbands are overseas. Think Victory Gardens, and canning, and crafting special gifts for your sweetheart. Baking and Homemaking and being a patriot in the best ways possible...with a hopeful loving spirit. And I don't think there is ever a time when that spirit isn't oh so necessary.

The event is hosted by Rosalyn-Sue Smith of The Patriot Girl Society and Jennifer Hayslip of the Whimsical Belle in Atlanta, Georgia. Together these two gals are sure to create an unforgettable weekend retreat. Rosalyn-Sue, an absolute sweetheart who lives to the support the troops...and Jenn, well, everything she touches turns to magic...fo'real! The fact that these two gals thought of us as a perfect fit for this event makes me one happy and humble little lady.

Upon arrival, you will be transported back to the 1940′s Homefront, where letters were still handwritten, victory gardens were planted, and sweethearts showed their love of country as they tended to the Homefront with such care.  While husbands were away fighting the war, women rose to fill new roles on the Homefront.  They took pride in their craft, whether it be sewing, baking, tending to the garden, or joining the workforce.  Such tasks were more than just a passion, they were a necessity and became a new way of life for American women.

Ok...here's where the deets get even more Amaaaaazing! You will be getting all sorts of creative in an honest to goodness airplane hangar at the charming Peachstate Aerodrome Airport! You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time while being surrounded by vintage planes and old swing music tunes from the 40’s.
And get this...Pin-up and sweetheart-styled photography will be offered for a small donation to our troops. You can strike your best Vargas girl pose while sitting in a vintage plane!

There will be a living history presentation, fresh made snacks and treats...and this part is totally nuts...You will have the opportunity to fly in a bi-plane!!!! Like, whaaaaaat????

So, ok...that's a brief summary of the overall theme...I got ahead of myself a bit. Now, below are the classes you'll be attending. 

A Wise Woman Knows Her Baking

with us!

Using an array of mediums and skill sets each class member will create their very own recipe scrapbook from scratch. Inspired by old fashioned cookbooks and kitchens, fabulous Golden Age advertising, and the soft pastel tones of vintage wallpapers and fabrics…this recipe book is a visual treat that may even be sweeter than the favorite recipes kept inside. Combining your love for paper craft, art journaling, scrapbooking, and baking, all together to make an artful album that’s sure to fill up with recipes that hold all the ingredients to a warm, loving home.

As you may know...sweets are kinda our thing. And vintage recipe books are one of our fave collectibles. Well, we've put our heart and soul into this project...it's got all of the elements that inspire our everyday creative spirit. The three ring binder style recipe book you'll make and adorn with our very own custom artwork and papers and patterns will be large enough to fit a lifetime of favorite family recipes! 

Let Me Call You Sweetheart

with Andrea Singarella

Inspired by the romantic soldiers, sailors and airmen of the 1940’s, Let Me Call You Sweetheart is a fresh twist on the popular  “Sweetheart Jewelry” that thoughtful servicemen would send back home to their wives and girlfriends during their WWII deployments.

In this workshop, we will use basic jewelry-making techniques as well as wire-wrapping, to create a nostalgic necklace in beautiful shades of blush pink, antique gold and pearl. We will combine faceted Czech glass beads with shimmering glass pearls, vintage brass findings and gorgeous vintage rhinestones for some good old fashioned sparkle. The classic heart-shaped brass locket which dangles from a vintage “Sweetheart” stamping is the perfect place to keep a cherished photo of your love.

Workshop kits will include everything needed to make this necklace just as pictured. Feel free to bring along any special beads and baubles you’d like to incorporate from your personal collection. Please bring jewelry pliers (chain nose and round nose) and wire snips. And of course don’t forget the most important part…. a picture or two of your sweetheart to nestle into the brass locket, so he’s always close to your heart!

An American Beauty

with Heidi Meyer

From blooms growing beside victory gardens to Sunday hats brimming with millinery, American sweethearts adorned many things in their homes and clothing with beautiful flowers.  Using new and vintage materials, we will be making a vintage inspired millinery bloom with delicate lace, netting, and lustrous pearls.  This American beauty can be pinned to an evening clutch or clipped to a special spot in the home to bring some of nature’s beauty indoors.

......................................................................

Yeah, I know...me and Aar are in good company!

And how cool is this? You will be in town for the amazing Country Living Fair!

Presented by Country Living Magazine, it is truly a shopper’s paradise – from antiques, to handmades, and gorgeous supplies.

Can you even? And there is so much more! Grab your vintage apron, your red lipstick, rolling pin, and sign up right here for an event not to be missed!! Can't wait to see you there!!

xo Jenny and Aaron