I took a trip to Florida recently, with my daughter and her friend, to visit a few colleges they are both considering. Because the teens were engaged with each other, I was in essence a lone traveler with supervisory duties. As I waited out my travel time, I was struck by the interactions I witnessed amongst coworkers. At the airport restaurant, in between slinging pizza and beers, the wait staff was laughing, dancing and catching up about their children. On the plane, my (special) seat assignment at the back of the plane allowed me to hear the attendants sharing restaurant recs, complaining about the (unnamed) airlines’s policies and generally just passing the time while we waited for de-icing. Maybe it was just my anticipation for sun to break the winter Chicago gray, but I connected with the humanity of folks just doing work together.
We spend A LOT of time with the folks we work with. Focus, attention to detail and the bottom line aside, we are lucky if we can also benefit from connection along with the pay check. One of my favorite things about Two Hands, beyond the beautiful spaces we create, is our love and respect for each other as a team. We trade parenting advice along with cosmetic recs, fashion finds and life hacks in tandem with a listening ear. Monday mornings often find us settling in as a team with coffee and sharing about our weekends. We know each other’s children’s names, we care about the gray hair conundrum, we relish the tales from the younger set of our crew - it’s good, it’s real and I’m grateful. Once the coffee cup is drained we shift to the work at hand, often with a good crowd-sourced list of resources. In the spirit of our community table - we’ll be sharing our random but honest list of recommendations, and perhaps a few things to avoid. These recs may be as varied as the conversations around our table, but trust that they come vetted and worthy of sharing.
Food
SHEET PAN CHICKEN TIKKA - When a new recipe is loved by every family member and requested again, it is definitely worth sharing. Even easy enough for a weeknight and leftovers are great (if there are any!). Definitely use the bone-in chicken thighs and making the pickled onions is a must.
via Smitten Kitchen
HEALTHIER CROCKPOT BUTTER CHICKEN - Digging into Half Baked Harvet's recipes to get out of the dinner slump, Karen's family has a new favorite - this recipe is currently on repeat. And, the fact that she can throw this in the crockpot and have dinner ready when she gets home is a big win.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies (Gluten Free) - Our fabulous intern, Sam, enjoys baking and spoils us with goodies sporadically. These are a favorite among our crowd - gluten free, not too sweet, super soft and a lovely addition to any warm beverage.
Holiday Pistachio Bark - One of our favorite visitors to the studio from a furniture and fabric vendor is well known among our team for her delicious and thoughtful cookies. On a recent visit, she brought amazing (gluten free!) white chocolate bark and it had us all asking for the recipe. For all the gluten free friends, this would be an excellent addition to any cookie platter.
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1 1/4 cups dried cherries, chopped
2 tablespoons water
2 (12-ounce packes white chocolate morsels
6 (2-ounce) vanilla bark coating squares
1 3/4 cups chopped green pistachiosMICROWAVE cherries and 2 tablespoons water in a small glass bowl at HIGH 2 minutes; drain.
MELT white chocolate morsels and bard coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; stir in cherries and pistachoios. Spread into a wax paper-lined 15- x 10-inch jellyroll pan.
CHILL 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.
Summer Salad Favorite - Peaches, basil and burrata, yes, please - on repeat. Rachel has been loving this PEACH BURRATA CAPRESE SALAD and finds it to be summer time must. While she skips the prosciutto and usually uses arugula, the key ingredients are a fresh basil and a killer balsamic glaze from Trader Joe's.
Banana Bread - When the bananas are past their prime for regular consumption, this recipe for BANANA BREAD is a go-to in Kim's house. Sometimes plain, sometimes with chocolate chips - either way it makes a great snack or breakfast. Toast a piece and top it with peanut butter for a real treat.
Instant Pot Keto Tuscan Soup - This easy SOUP RECIPE has become a favorite in Rachel's house. It is simple to make in the instant pot or on the stovetop. Loaded with Italian sausage, kale, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and onion - it is go-to comfort food.
Special Cookies - We were recently chatting about how Karen's son made it to the state competition for gymnastics and how she can celebrate. A festive cookie would be such a fun touch to her gathering and there is a crazy talented local baker who makes incredible customized cookies. Nicollette from @thesweetgirldesserts has such creative designs - for just about any occasion.
Trader Joe’s “Ajika” Georgian Spice Blend - This SPICE BLEND makes grilled vegetables, chicken or even omelettes taste even better - and, we're here for it. It is a little bit spicy, a little bit garlicky and overall delish. Trader Joe's does it again with making adding flavor easy. Rach uses it to make a basic soup a little more interesting.
Pasta Primavera - This meatless recipe is a long time favorite in Bryn's family. Her kids give it two thumbs up and it is always in rotation.
Meatball Soup Recipe - This recipe has circulated our office and is always the envied leftovers for lunch.
Vegetarian Dish - Braised Beans with Burrata - As Rachel's family is attempting to eat more vegetarian meals, a game changer has been making beans from scratch - they really are so much better than canned options. This recipe was a winner with her family and they are finding more gems in the cookbook, Weekday Vegetarian.
Beauty Products
Go-To Summer Make Up - Bryn's favorite lightweight summer option for that all over glow feeling.
New Makeup Option- In the ongoing search for “clean” beauty products that work, we came across Jones Road. Founded by the makeup artist, Bobbi Brown, this brand promises clean “no makeup makeup”. The starter set is worth trying!
Face Sunless Tanner - Il Makiage Magic Moisturizing Sun Foam Face and Body. This one came from an exhaustive search to find an option for a teenage daughter who loves a tan. No one needs a face sunless tanner that turns you orange!
Fashion
Crossbody Clutch - When a client brought this bag to a meeting, it caught all of our attention. She found it as a general store in Knoxville, Tennessee and between the size, the function, the color (and the strap she had swapped out), it is such a find. Plus, it comes in 6 colors, so what is not to love?
Shoe company with purpose - NISOLO is a certified B corporation that not only makes cute and comfortable shoes, but a purchase provides a living wage. Plus, Nisolo offsets all carbon emissions. There is so much we like about this company.
Swedish Wooden Clogs - These homemade clogs from LOTTA ON ETSY were originally found by Karen, but we are all converts now. They have a sweeter price point than you'd expect from handmade clogs!
Everyday cute and comfy boots - Bryn and Karen both have versions of this shoe, but Karen reports hers, by Sam Edelman, are more comfortable. As all the reviews said, order in a wide for extra comfort
Home Furnishings
Versatile Chair - This chair is in the corner of the conference room of our studio. It has nice lines, is great for a smaller space and wasn’t expensive - thank you, Target. It would be great in a guest room or a place that doesn’t get daily use.
Fun Dog Bowls - Rachel was showing these dog bowls from CalamityWare. They are such a fun riff on the Blue Willow china many of us love. Rachel even gave the team Calamity Ware Christmas ornaments back in 2019.
Services
An Impressive Car Detailing - Delta Sonic Car Wash took Bryn’s daughter’s car from a gross teenage swimmer’s car to looking brand new again.
A Fresh Fish Subscription - With the efforts to eat less meat, this service has been bringing the freshest seafood to Rachel's family's door. Sitka Salmon Shares sends sushi grade salmon that rivals what she previously found at Whole Foods.
Podcasts
Comic Relief - When Rachel found herself stuck at the Philadelphia airport, one thing led to another and she drove 14 hours home with strangers turned friends. One of her fellow travelers was Kelsey McKinney, a podcaster on her way home for a sold out show in Chicago. This is her well loved podcast, NORMAL GOSSIP.
Parenting Podcast - Raising teenage girls, we'll take all the help we can get. The podcast, ASK LISA came up when chatting about different places to turn for insights, ideas and information on the wild ride of parenting.
Books
The Overstory
by Richard Powers
The Last Thing He Told Me
by Laura Dave
The Swans of Fifth Avenue
by Melanie Benjamin
Fates and Furies
by Lauren Goff
The Last Days of Night
by Graham Moore
American Dirt
by Jeanine Cummins
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Other
Pack and Carry it all Bags - With college move-in on the mind, these BLUE BAGS are super handy and will be packed to the brim with all the things.
Stocking to Hang With Care - Both SCHUMACHER and a quaint shop in Door County, Wisconsin, SISTER GOLDEN have precious new stockings for the holidays. From coordinating fabrics with some of our favorites to vintage rugs turned into stockings, these two options fit a range of holiday styles.
Portable Dog Paw Washer - The MUDBUSTER can be a true life saver - especially after this rainy spring. While we hear many clients asking about adding dog washes to their mudrooms in new construction or renovation projects, this handy little paw washer keeps the mess in the bottle and not on your floors - for anyone who hasn't gone all in on the dog wash station, it is a great solution.
