Welcome to The Weekly Mix: Your Fresh Dose of Inspiration, Recipes, and Lifestyle Finds

Introducing a brand new weekly series here on A Beautiful Plate, designed to bring you a delightful blend of inspiration, personal insights, and cherished discoveries every single Friday.

After reviewing last year’s blog survey results and reflecting on general reader engagement, it became wonderfully clear that The Sunday Thymes held a special place in many of your hearts as a favorite blog series. This revelation was both heartwarming and, admittedly, a bit surprising! I’ll be completely honest with you; towards the end of last year, I found myself growing a bit creatively stagnant with those posts and felt a real need for a hiatus. My intention has always been to share content that genuinely excites and resonates with me, but for a period – when life became exceptionally demanding and chaotic – I began to feel as though I was merely producing content to maintain the series. It started to feel somewhat forced and less authentic, a sentiment I believe many creators can relate to.

However, as the old adage goes, absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. The break has reignited my passion for discovering new things and, more importantly, for sharing those discoveries with you. I’ve deeply missed the casual, conversational nature of these posts and the unique connection they fostered. So, I’m thrilled to announce that the core concept is making a triumphant return! This time, however, we’re expanding the parameters significantly. We’re also embracing a fresh new name and a new publication day. As I’ve openly shared, 2017 is the year I’m committed to embracing new things wholeheartedly, and this relaunch is a perfect embodiment of that intention. Welcome to the Weekly Mix! Here’s everything you need to know about what’s coming your way:

When and Where to Find Your Weekly Mix:

Mark your calendars! Every Friday morning, without fail, you’ll discover a brand new installment of the Weekly Mix right here on the blog. Yes, I’m committing to consistency – every Friday, I promise. To ensure you never miss out on this delightful compilation, I highly recommend signing up for my newsletter. If you subscribe, you’ll receive the latest Weekly Mix directly in your inbox, making it incredibly convenient to catch up over your morning coffee.

For those of you who prefer to keep your email inbox clutter-free (and believe me, I completely understand – no explanation necessary!), there are fantastic alternatives to stay updated. Feedly and BlogLovin’ are my personal favorite platforms for following blogs and staying current with all my cherished online reads. These aggregators allow you to gather content from all your favorite sites in one organized place, ensuring you can browse at your leisure.

Why This New Series and What to Expect:

Let’s be real, at the close of a busy week, we all deserve a moment to unwind, relax, and discover something new and inspiring. In today’s fast-paced world, finding those small pockets of joy and relaxation is more crucial than ever. By publishing on Fridays, I aim to provide you with the perfect prelude to your weekend. If I happen to share a tempting recipe from another blog, you’ll have ample time to gather your ingredients and try it out over Saturday or Sunday. Likewise, if I highlight a thought-provoking article, you’ll have the entire weekend to bookmark it, delve in, and perhaps even discuss it with friends and family. It simply makes perfect sense – Fridays offer a better lead-in to leisure than Sundays.

When it comes to content, I’m truly embracing an “anything and everything” philosophy. You can expect a delightful assortment: captivating pictures, useful links, reflective thoughts, glimpses into books I’m currently enjoying, new insights I’ve recently acquired, and much more. If it piques my interest or makes me smile, chances are I’ll share it. Yes, I tend to be a bit wordy at times, but I promise it’s always from a place of genuine enthusiasm! While some elements will undoubtedly involve delicious food or exciting recipes – a core part of A Beautiful Plate – many others will venture beyond the culinary world, exploring lifestyle, travel, home, and personal growth. I’m simply going with the flow, writing and sharing whatever truly inspires me in the moment. This approach feels incredibly liberating and healthy, fostering both balance and variety. It’s truly a wonderful feeling, and I hope it translates into a refreshing reading experience for you too.

Fostering Connection and Extras:

Here’s something that’s incredibly important to me: I sincerely hope this new series will evolve into a vibrant, two-way conversation. While I’ll be sharing my discoveries, I’m equally excited for you to share things you’re currently loving with me. Because, well, I absolutely adore when you do that! I genuinely miss hearing from you and learning about what’s enriching your lives. Whether it’s a new kitchen gadget, a captivating book, a travel tip, or even just a funny anecdote, I want to hear it all! Heck, send me a picture of your adorable dog (or cat, or any other beloved pet!), and I’ll pretty much adore you forever for it. There are so many ways to connect: leave a thoughtful comment right here on the blog, hit reply on one of my newsletter emails, say hello on Facebook, tweet me, or send me a message on Instagram. I truly cherish every interaction and look forward to building this community together.

And to reassure you: You will always, without exception, get a thoughtful reply from me. Really.

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Now that we’ve thoroughly sorted through all the exciting details and the philosophy behind The Weekly Mix, let’s dive into the fun stuff – a taste of what I’m loving right now:

Okay, so… when I first heard about the Instant Pot phenomenon (I personally own this specific model!), I was incredibly skeptical. I’m a born skeptic, always approaching new gadgets with a healthy dose of doubt. I finally got one during a holiday sale, and even after using it once or twice, my skepticism lingered. The manual, to be frank, is notoriously unhelpful, and I haven’t found it ideal for cooking rice. Plus, its sheer size and pressure features look a bit intimidating. Despite these initial hurdles, I can honestly say I am genuinely loving it now! It’s been a game-changer for specific dishes, drastically cutting down cooking times and making weeknight meals so much easier. I promise to share a detailed post soon about why I’ve become such a convert and what I’m using it for. Do any of you have an Instant Pot? I’m considering starting a dedicated Instant Pot recipe series on the blog, and I’d love to hear if that would be helpful or exciting for you!

Chicago, even on its darkest and coldest days, possesses an unparalleled ability to surprise and enchant you. Last weekend, Marley and I bravely ventured out into single-digit temperatures, bundling up to take a brisk walk along the shores of Lake Michigan. We were immediately greeted with this absolutely stunning view of the partially frozen lake and vast, serene expanse. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and it’s a reminder that I never, ever regret making the effort for a walk along the lake, regardless of the weather.

Speaking of braving the cold, I have to share that my absolute favorite winter coat is currently on sale! Seriously, it’s not just a coat; it’s basically a wearable sleeping bag. The warmth and comfort it provides are truly amazing, making even the most frigid days tolerable.

This article about working from home managed to be both hilariously relatable and, at times, a little too depressing for comfort – especially for someone like me who often works remotely. Thankfully, I’ve managed to avoid getting completely sucked into the YouTube vortex recently, but the struggles of balancing work and home life felt incredibly familiar.

Lately, I’ve cultivated a new and surprisingly enjoyable nightly ritual: tackling the NYT crossword puzzle before heading to bed, and sometimes randomly throughout the day as a much-needed mental break. It’s an oddly meditative practice that helps me switch off from the day’s tasks, and the best part is, I’m actually getting significantly better at them! Like, a lot better. It truly feels like miracles do happen when you dedicate consistent practice to something.

For those inevitable evenings when cooking feels like an insurmountable task, these 25 recipes for when you don’t feel like cooking are an absolute lifesaver. I’ve definitely been there more times than I can count, and having a reliable resource like this makes those nights much less stressful.

I recently shared these delightful small batch almond raspberry cakes on the blog, and honestly, I cannot wait to make them again! Their perfect size and exquisite flavor make them an ideal treat for any occasion.

The vibrant and abundant winter citrus currently available in stores is making me incredibly nostalgic for this stunning triple citrus tart with chocolate crust and berries. It’s a beautiful, bright dessert that perfectly captures the essence of the season.

I recently decided to take advantage of a free trial for Lynda.com, and it has genuinely been a game-changer for me, particularly the Adobe Lightroom tutorials. Photography editing has always been a significant part of my workflow – sometimes I absolutely love the creative process, and other times it feels like a tedious chore. After dedicating time to watching just a few targeted tutorials, I rediscovered and learned invaluable keyboard shortcuts and practical tips that have drastically sped up my editing process and made it far more enjoyable. It served as a powerful reminder: when you’re struggling with something, often the most effective solution is to go back to the basics and refresh your foundational knowledge. It truly helps!

You absolutely have to see these cutest homemade Valentine’s cards. They are so clever and charming! On that note, I’m totally obsessed with the blog that created them right now. This incredible backyard makeover they featured is nothing short of insane – truly inspirational and beautifully executed.

Seriously, winter salads simply don’t get prettier or more vibrant than this stunning beet, citrus, and chicory salad with ricotta salata and pistachios. The combination of colors and flavors is just “Woh!” – it’s a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

I received one of these incredibly comfortable sleep shirts for Christmas, and I have practically been living in it ever since (referencing the work-from-home article, it’s essential for comfort!). It is ridiculously soft and comfortable, which is saying a lot coming from me, as I’ve always disliked sleeping in long sleeves. This piece has completely changed my mind.

Confession: I have always been horrible at weekly meal planning. My attempts often ended in frustration or simply fizzled out. That is, until I got my hands on this incredible planner, thoughtfully designed by my talented friend Heidi! For reasons I can’t quite articulate, its specific structure and layout have genuinely motivated me to get on track with meal planning, and I absolutely love the way it’s organized. It makes the process intuitive and, dare I say, enjoyable. Unfortunately, they are currently all sold out, but I highly recommend bookmarking the site now for next year’s release – it’s worth the wait!

My friend Jessica shared this brilliant article on email organization tricks a few weeks ago, and I immediately implemented her system. It has been incredibly helpful for me in managing my inbox. Here’s what I do: I dedicate a specific time in the morning (or evening) to sort through all new emails, designating and moving them into various organized folders. This method allows me to maintain that satisfyingly clean inbox I crave and, crucially, helps me avoid the constant distraction of responding to non-urgent messages throughout my workday. It’s a simple change with a massive impact on productivity and mental clarity.

Have I managed to convince any of you to embark on the delightful journey of making homemade pasta next week? It’s a truly rewarding culinary experience. Any takers? Bueller… Bueller…

I’ve been eagerly looking forward to Monique’s master bedroom reveal for weeks, and it did not disappoint. Seriously, that mirror is absolutely the mirror of my dreams – the entire room is stunning and provides so much interior design inspiration.

Exciting news that I simply couldn’t wait to share: My husband and I are absolutely thrilled to be traveling to Japan this April to celebrate our second wedding anniversary! We were incredibly fortunate to snag free tickets using our accumulated travel miles, which felt like a huge win. We’re still in the exciting process of finalizing our itinerary and researching all the incredible sights, but I literally cannot wait for this adventure. I’ve never had the opportunity to visit Asia before, and Japan has been at the very top of my bucket list for years,
captivating me with its rich culture, incredible food, and breathtaking landscapes. If you’ve been to Japan, please, please send me all of your recommendations, ideas, and must-try food places! Your insights would be invaluable in planning the perfect trip.

On that wonderful note, I randomly happened to listen to our first wedding dance song last night, and I was instantly transported back to that magical day. It truly highlighted the incredible power of music to evoke memories and emotions so vividly.

I genuinely can’t handle how visually stunning and incredibly healthy this pineapple, orange, banana juice with vanilla and turmeric looks. It’s vibrant and appealing. Although, I must confess, I’m petrified I would inevitably stain everything in sight with the turmeric! I speak from unfortunate personal experience on that front.

And with that, I’m out for the week! Please dump all of your thoughts, recommendations, and anything else you’re loving in the comments section below. I hope you all have a truly wonderful and inspiring weekend!