DNI Painted with Love

VO LU M E 5 , 2018

DAT E NI G H T IN

DATE

# DAT ENI G H T INB OX

NIGHT

IN

BOX

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DAT E NI G H T IN B OX // PA IN T ED W I T H LOV E

TO YOUR

EDITOR’S NOTE Hello, and welcome to your Painted with Love Date Night In Box. Although the popularity of brick-and-mortar couples painting classes has been increasing, such activities haven’t exactly been in the cards for my husband and I, considering our two young kids, our jobs and the rest of our lives. Our goal with this date is to bring a virtual version of a painting party, along with several other creative options, into the comfort of your own home.

I would not consider myself a painter by any stretch of the imagination, but when testing out this date, I was pleasantly surprised by what I could create with only a little guidance from a professional!

As always, we are giving away a FREE DATE this month to someone who snaps a pic with their significant other while enjoying this date and posts it on Instagram or Facebook.

Please use the hashtags #DateNightInBox and #DNIPaint.

Paint away,

Megan Pruitt

Founder of Date Night In

PA IN T ED W I T H LOV E // DAT E NI G H T IN B OX

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

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OPTIONAL DINNER MENU AND TABLE TALK SETTING THE MOOD THE COLORS OF LOVE ENJOY A SNACK PAINTING TIME For this activity, two options have been prepared for you: - - Guided Canvas Painting - - Canvas Glue Resist Painting COLOR OF LOVE QUIZ WAYS TO CONTINUE YOUR NIGHT

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR BOX - - Candle

- - Cloth napkin

- - Two 8” × 10” canvases

- - Small cup

- - Acrylic paints

- - Tasty Treat

- - Brush set

- - Liquid glue

- - Paper plate

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DAT E NI G H T IN B OX // PA IN T ED W I T H LOV E

Optional Dinner Menu FROM MARINA MAKES OF MARINAMAKESBLOG.COM

Red Wine Sangria

Hint

When making tapas, use a large board or plate as the centerpiece and place some of the foods in bowls to add depth to the spread.

P R E P T I M E : 10 min.

T O T A L T I M E : 4 hrs. & 10 min.

Tools (FOR A NONALCOHOLIC OPTION, I RECOMMEND USING SPARKLING GRAPE JUICE.)

-- Pitcher -- Long spoon -- Wine glasses -- Large board or plate (as a centerpiece of the tapas board) -- Small bowls for dips and

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

-- 1/2 bottle red wine (I recommend a red wine from Spain.)

Please note that the sangria needs to cool in the fridge for 4 hours or more so that the flavors can marry.

-- 1/2 cup of orange juice

In a large pitcher, add the red wine, orange juice, triple sec, brandy and sliced fruit. Stir to combine. Let the sangria chill in the fridge for 4 to 8 hours before serving.

-- 1/4 cup of triple sec -- 1/4 cup of brandy -- 1/2 orange, sliced -- 1/2 gala apple, sliced

other foods -- Blender or food processor -- 2 medium-sized bowls -- 2 medium frying pans -- 2 baking sheets -- Cutting board -- Tablespoons -- Knife -- Paring knife -- Fork -- Pizza cutter (or knife)

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Hi friends! I’m Marina from Marina Makes (marinamakesblog.com). When I am taking pictures for the recipes on my blog, presentation is key. The same is true whenever I have friends or family over for a meal. Cooking is not only the way that I show love to others, but it is also a way to express my creativity.

This month, I hope that you’ll do the same by creating your own tapas board! I dare you to cover your board or plate with a blend of vibrant colors, versatile textures and bold flavors. Feel free to supplement the recipes suggested below with some of your favorite snack foods! Remember, this is supposed to be a fun way to try a bunch of different snacks during your Date Night In. I’d love to see how your boards turn out, so please feel free to share pictures with me on social media.

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #MarinaMakesEats.

Tapas Board P R E P T I M E : 60 min.

T O T A L T I M E : 90 min.

Ingredients

Happy eating!

SOME ADDITIONAL RECIPES FOR YOUR TAPAS BOARD CAN BE FOUND BY VISITING NIGHTINBOXES.COM/PAINTED-MENU

In addition to these foods, fill your tapas masterpiece with cheeses, meats, carrots, pita chips, grapes, candied pecans and more!

- - Cheese of choice (recommend a fontina and parmigiano reggiano) - - Meat of your choice (recommend prosciutto and sopressata) - - Olives - - Pita chips - - Carrots - - 1 medium red pepper

WHITE BEAN BASIL HUMMUS

PESTO AND SUNDRIED

- - 15 oz can of cannellini beans

TOMATO POLENTA BITES

- - 1/2 cup of loosely packed basil

- - Half of a 16 oz tube

- - Juice of one lemon - - 1/2 teaspoon of salt - - 1/4 cup of tahini - - 1 small garlic clove - - 2-3 tablespoons of EVOO

of polenta - - 4-6 tablespoons of jarred pesto - - 1-2 teaspoons of sundried tomatoes, diced into strips

- - 1 medium orange pepper - - 1 medium yellow pepper - - 1 ripe avocado - - 8-10 strawberries - - Mini angel food cake or mini pound cake - - 8-10 blueberries or blackberries - - 1/2 cup of candied pecans - - Handful of grapes FLUFF DIP - - 1/2 cup of marshmallow cream - - 1/2 cup of cream cheese - - 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar

KALE AND GOAT CHEESE

PROSCIUTTO PUFF PASTRY

STUFFED MUSHROOMS

BITES

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8 medium-sized white button

- - Half sheet of puff pastry, thawed

mushrooms, washed and dried

- - 6 slices of prosciutto

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1 garlic clove, minced

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1 cup of finely chopped kale

- - 1/4 cup of frozen peas, thawed

--

Salt

--

Pepper

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1 tablespoon of panko bread crumbs

- - 1/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese

(GF option: GF panko bread crumbs) --

2 oz of goat cheese

--

1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese

--

Milk (can be skim, two percent or whole)

RECIPES CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE

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DAT E NI G H T IN B OX // PA IN T ED W I T H LOV E

Tapas Board continued. . with additional salt and pepper, if needed. If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash or two of milk.

MY SUGGESTED PREP ORDER: - - White bean basil hummus (cooling in the refrigerator while you prep the rest of the food) - - Fluff dip (cooling in the refrigerator while you prep the rest of the food) - - Kale and goat cheese stuffed mushrooms - - Angel food bites (available on website) - - Avocado rose and strawberry roses - - Pepper circles (available on website) - - Prosciutto puff pastry bites and pesto and sundried tomato polenta bites (simultaneously) WHITE BEAN BASIL HUMMUS Add the beans, basil, lemon juice, salt, tahini and garlic to a blender or food processor.

Pulse a few times to mix the contents together. Continue blending, adding a couple of tablespoons of olive oil at a time until the hummus reaches your desired consistency.

FLUFF DIP In a medium-sized bowl, combine the marshmallow cream, cream cheese and sugar using a hand mixer or whisk. Mix until smooth and completely combined.

KALE AND GOAT CHEESE STUFFED MUSHROOMS Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

Prepare the mushrooms by first removing the stems; a small tug should get them out. Place all of the stems on a cutting board, finely dice them and set them aside.

In a medium bowl, add the mushroom caps, a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.

Next, heat a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sautĂŠ for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant. Next, add the diced mushroom stems and the chopped kale. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.

Cook until the kale is wilted and the mushroom stems are tender. Add the panko and cook for another minute or two, until the crumbs are slightly browned.

Remove the pan from the heat and add the goat and parmesan cheeses. Stir to combine and then season

Place the mushroom caps on a baking sheet and stuff each one with a heaping tablespoon or two of the kale and goat cheese mixture.

Cook in the oven for 3545 minutes, or until the mushrooms are browned and slightly bubbly.

AVOCADO ROSE To make an avocado rose, cut the avocado in half lengthwise. Peel the skin off and place the interior of the fruit on a clean, flat surface, with the pit side down.

Using a knife, thinly slice the avocado, starting from the top (smaller) end.

STRAWBERRY ROSES Place a strawberry on a fork by pricking its stem and hold it with the stem facing downward. Using a paring knife, form the first petal by slicing downward toward the stem. Use the edge of the knife, fan this cut outward like a petal. Do this three more times around the base of the strawberry. Next, create layers by cutting a second row between the first-row petals. Finish off the rose by slicing the top of the berry in half. Repeat this process with the rest of the strawberries. I used the steps from the video tutorial on nightinboxes.com/ painted-menu.

When you’re done slicing the avocado, spread the slices out to form a big half circle. Working from one end, begin turning the slices into one another to form a rose. Please use the video on nightinboxes.com/paintedmenu for reference.

PESTO AND SUNDRIED TOMATO POLENTA BITES Slice the polenta half-tube into half-inch thick circles.

In a medium frying pan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Let the oil heat up for a minute or two and then add the polenta rounds to the pan. Cook on each side for 3-5 minutes,

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#Tabletalk FROM AMY MILLER OF FRESHLYMARRIED.COM

until slightly golden and crispy.

Turn off the heat and place the polenta rounds on a plate.

Top each with a tablespoon of pesto and a couple slices of sundried tomatoes.

Both my husband and I have artistic talents, but we have different ways of applying them in our lives, and I love that about us! I tend to be loud in the arts and crafts, whereas he calms me down with simplicity and innovation, and we complement each other in this way. Looking back at our first dates, we did many creative things together, such as painting at the park, building a dominoes track, and carving pumpkins. And we even gave each other gifts that displayed our artistic talents! As I’ve thought more about what “creativity” means, it’s allowed me to see the unique ways in which we bring color, imagination, and unique ideas into our lives and our relationship. I am confident that this #tabletalk portion and the activities throughout this date will allow you and your partner to do the same!

TABLE TALK TO ENJOY DURING YOUR DINNER: Have you ever thought about creativity in your relationship? Hearing that might have some of you thinking, “Uh-oh… I’m not artsy or crafty whatsoever! What did we get ourselves into?!” Before you get worried, know that creativity is more than arts and crafts, decorating, music, designing, drawing, or writing. It’s also about imagination, thinking outside of the box, and reinventing something conventional.

PROSCIUTTO PUFF PASTRY BITES Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut the puff pastry slices into six squares and place them on a baking sheet.

When the oven is preheated, place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for about 5 minutes, until the puff pastry has puffed up and is slightly golden.

Take the sheet out of the oven and brush each square lightly with olive oil. Top each square with a piece of prosciutto, a few peas and a sprinkle or two of parmesan cheese.

Place the squares back in the oven for an additional five minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Take Marina’s menu and instructions, for example. You could totally eat an avocado by spooning it all out, but wouldn’t it be more beautiful and fun to slice it into thin pieces like rose petals and then form them into a pretty rose shape?! Creativity is turning an avocado into a work of art; turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

We can do the same in our relationships, and we can do it on a regular basis to keep things fresh!

Here are three little tips for bringing creativity into your relationship: -- Take time to research some fun activities to do together. Going along with this, put a little more thought into your gift giving to each other, being more thoughtful and calculated.

-- Don’t be afraid to tap into that sentimental side to create a special celebration, gift, memory, or experience for each other.

-- Go back to the basics of being a kid again, doing those simple, yet entertaining activities you did as kids, such as rollerblading or drawing with sidewalk chalk.

Take time to discuss the following questions, which will allow you to connect further.

I hope that throughout your conversation, you discover your creative strengths and find more ways in which to use them to enhance your relationship!

- - How do we each bring creativity into our relationship?

- - When was a time that you demonstrated creativity in a gift you gave to me?

- - When was a time that you demonstrated creativity in a date activity you planned?

- - When have you turned something ordinary into something special?

- - How can we continue to be creative together in the future?

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Set The Mood

To set the mood this month, we have included a custom playlist for you to enjoy. Simply visit nightinboxes.com/music.

If you haven’t already, unscrew the cap of your Northern Lights candle and enjoy the mouth-watering scents of Anjou pear and tropical lemongrass, infused with alluring plumeria, white jasmine tea and Italian bergamot.

If you enjoy the scent of your candle and would like to make an additional purchase, you can find a discount code from our friends at Northern Lights at northernlightscandles.com.

This code grants you 20% off any purchase of Anjou pear and lemongrass candles. Use promo code PERFECTPEAR20.

Th e Co lor s of Lo ve Did you know there is such thing as a color psychologist? Apparently, this is a real thing!

Professor Max Lüscher’s Color System dates back to 1947, when the young Swiss psychologist presented his Clinical Color Diagnostic Test at the first Congress for Psychology. Now, seven decades later, Professor Lüscher’s work has been translated into 31 languages and applied at universities and organizations across the world!

Later on in the date, you will take a quiz to find out how colors reflect you as an individual, as well as you and your partner as a couple.

SUPPLIES NEEDED - - Two 8” × 10” canvases - - Acrylic paints - - Brush set - - Paper plate

- - Cloth napkin - - Small cup - - Liquid glue

PA IN T ED W I T H LOV E // DAT E NI G H T IN B OX

WE HAVE PROVIDED YOU TWO OPTIONS FOR YOUR DATE TONIGHT. CHOOSE THE OPTION THAT BEST SUITS YOU AS A COUPLE.

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Make sure you enjoy your included snack as you paint your masterpiece!

OPTION ONE:

Guided Canvas Painting Date Night In has teamed up with PaintingParties.com to help you create your very own dual-canvas masterpiece!

PaintingParties.com brings the painting-party studio experience into your home via easy-to-use videos that teach you-step by step, stroke by stroke-how to use the included supplies to complete the painting of your choice.

This option requires you and your significant other to work together, as your two canvases will become one! You will have two versions to choose from. Painting easels are completely optional. The instructor in the video uses them for filming purposes.

VISIT THE FOLLOWING URLS AND CHOOSE THE PAINTING YOU LIKE BEST: paintingparties.com/ date-night/first-date/ paintingparties.com/ date-night/twin-palms/

OPTION TWO:

Canvas Glue Resist Painting If you enjoy an element of mystery, this option might be the best one for you! Using the glue that is included in your box, create a drawing. After you have let the glue dry, paint over it, and then remove the glue to reveal the glue resist painting that you created with love.

After you have made your masterpieces, please snap a picture using the hashtags #DateNightInBox and #DNIPaint. One lucky winner will receive a FREE DATE next month.

GLUE RESIST EXAMPLE

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Next, you will both take a short quiz based on Professor Max Lüscher's theory. This is a simplified version of the test, as the full version is quite involved. Follow the instructions below.

Taking turns, rank the 8 colors shown to the right from your most liked to least liked, with 1 being your most-liked color and 8 being your leastliked color. Use the spaces below to write out your rankings. Try not to be influenced by what colors you might choose in other circumstances (e.g., what colors you typically wear, what color car you prefer, or what colors you might paint your house). Rather, solely consider the colors as they are shown on the card in front of you.

Name:_________________________ 1

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Name:_________________________ 1

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WHAT DOES YOUR RANKING OF THE COLORS MEAN?

1

Your most-liked color reveals what Lüscher calls your “personal brand.”

2

Your second-ranked color also shows an important subject, as it commonly represents who you really are, including aspects that you might not be aware of.

3&4

These two colors show the actual state of affairs; this could also mean the situation that you think you actually are in or the manner in which you must act due to your circumstances.

5&6

These two colors indicate indifference and do not have much importance according to Lüscher’s theories.

7&8

These are the colors that you most dislike and that Lüscher says “represent a need which is suppressed out of necessity.”

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WHAT DO THE COLORS MEAN IN CORRELATION TO YOUR RANKING?

Gray: The color gray signals emotional coolness. If

you chose gray in your first position, you likely desire to be free of obligations and commitments. If gray was your second choice, you are likely compensating for your first choice and attempting to suppress the other options.

It might be difficult for you to act in response to your immediate experiences. If you placed gray in the third position, this choice is likely the result of having conflict or imbalance in the first two colors.

Blue:

The color blue represents a depth of emotions, a concern for the self and a preference for the well-known.

If you placed blue in the first position, emotional peace, harmony and ethics are likely important to you. In the top positions, blue can also signal a desire for orderly surroundings, physical rest and a strong sense of trust in those around you. Having blue at the bottom of your list could indicate a lack of peace and trust or a desire to change your circumstances. Specifically, if you ranked yellow highly and rejected blue, you might be searching for a solution to your problems.

Green:

The color green signals traits such as endurance, perseverance and resistance to change. If green is one of your top choices, you might prefer to have control over situations and might take care to fact-check when possible. In the first position, green often represents a desire to be recognized. If green falls toward the end of your list, it might be due to a lack of recognition or self-resilience. The combination of a rejection of green and a top ranking for blue can symbolize a desire for a peaceful haven where you don't have to prove yourself.

Red/Orange*: The color orange represents a

desire for fulfillment and rich experiences. In the first position, orange signals a need for wholeness. Orange can also reflect where you release your passion: through leadership, artistic expression, sexual desire, etc. A rejection of orange might signal burdens, difficulties or overstimulation.

*The color LĂźscher originally used for red is actually quite orange; therefore, it is often referred to as orange in literature.

Yellow: If you ranked the color yellow as the top

choice, then spontaneity, expansiveness and relaxation are likely important to you. You show concern for others and hope to bring them relief from burdens and restrictions. A low ranking for yellow can signal past disappointment, rejection or loneliness. Green and yellow often clash because green represents ambitions and desires for success, whereas yellow indicates hope for experiences and adventures.

Violet: The color violet in the top position often

indicates a charming, charismatic and sensitive personality. If you ranked violet highly, you might spend time dreaming or imagining different scenarios and pushing the bounds of reality. You also might desire intimate and mutual understanding. A rejection of violet can signal a reluctance to commit, a dedication to facts or scientific interests.

Brown: The color brown in the top position signals

physical sensitivity, particularly with regard to physical discomfort or illness. Brown also represents a need for roots-home, family and other social affiliations. If you placed brown at the very bottom, you might be suppressing your need for physical comfort, or you might view it as a weakness.

Black:

The color black represents life's finality, as well as denial and rejection. A top ranking for black can symbolize a protest against the status quo or fate.

Placing black in the second position indicates the absolute importance of the top-ranked color and the insignificance of every other color. Most commonly, black is placed in the last position, indicating a desire not to reject anything and a need to maintain control.

Concluding Thoughts: The LĂźscher test distinguishes between basic colors and auxiliary colors. The basic colors represent mainly "good" personal features, whereas the auxiliary colors represent less "good" personality features. The basic colors are blue, green, red and yellow, and the auxiliary colors are gray, violet, brown and black. According to LĂźscher, a person who is healthy, balanced and free of conflicts and repression, must have the 4 basic colors among his or her first 5 choices.

Were your results what you thought they would be? Do your colors match your partner's, or are they different?

How do they complement each other, and is there room for acknowledged improvement?

CONTINUE YOUR NIGHT… HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTED MOVIES AND TV SERIES TO COMPLEMENT THE THEME OF THIS DATE SO THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR EVENING IF YOU SO CHOOSE.

-- ABSTRACT: THE ART OF DESIGN (NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY, 2017) -- ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL (2006) -- BIG EYES (2014) -- BLURRED LINES: INSIDE THE ART WORLD (2017) -- DOWN TO YOU (2000) -- FRIDA (2002) -- GENIUS: PICASSO (NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL SERIES, 2018) -- GHOST (1990) -- IRIS (2015) -- MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011) -- POLLOCK (2000) -- THE ART OF THE STEAL (2013) -- THE GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING (2003) -- THE MONUMENTS MEN (2014) -- THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1999) -- WHEN IN ROME (2010)

- THE NIGHT IN BOXES TEAM