New Apartment Decor

Husband and I are moving this weekend.  It was a decision made quickly and a place found quickly and a move being done quickly, and I'm in a whirlwind of excitement, sadness, nostalgia, frantic-packing mode.

Moving out of our first married apartment, and truth be told, the apartment we first kissed in, the apartment we chose paint colors for, the apartment we came home to after our honeymoon... It's bumming me out.  So, to get myself back into excitment-happy stage, I've been pouring over my decor board on Pinterest.  We have a whole new place to decorate!  It just so happens to be a smaller place, so I can't get ALL the things.  But I'm hoping to add one or two new touches (including a new couch, table, and microwave, since our old place came furnished and our new place... well, it does not.)

I love the below-pictured items for their simplicity.  Good lines and gray tones (I can't get enough gray; it's such a soothing color to me).  I'd love to add these items to our new bedroom.

 This Ikea print, as part of a set of three. 

No longer listed but originally found at Rockett St. George via Apartment Therapy

 Homemade curtains using a shower curtain!  Brilliant.

Found at Amanda Carol at Home via Apartment Therapy

I already have so many kitchen items, it would be near impossible to add too many more (aside from the afforementioned need for a kitchen table).

Besides, I already have my homemade art, that's basically my favorite thing ever.

But I could definitely see myself giving someone a good hard kick in the shins if it meant I could get this Salt Bird in return.

It just kills me with it's prettiness.  Kills me.

Maybe I'll have to finally place an order for it as a prize for moving!

And as long as I'm in dreaming mode, let's go ahead and add these to the list:

 This Chesterfield sofa is the most elegant thing.  Fancy and comfy.

Unfortunately, it no longer shows as available at Canvas.

(as if I ever could have afforded it anyway...)

The whole entire house... I die.  It's my absolute dream, my lust, my undying love.

I would have a child with this house.

In the meantime, I might settle for its natural colors and airiness.  Love.

And, while we're dreaming... let's just throw in this shower, too.

Now, about that salt bird.

Happy housewarming to me...

wishlist - march

 

1. I think one of these wall mounted magazine holders might be a good way to store our mail. maybe better than the basket that keeps tipping over when I put too many magazines in it...

2. Ashley showed me these cat rings, and I can't lie. I think they're the greatest.

3. during a lunchtime visit to Lush i got a sample of this moisturizer. i was reluctant to try it because it's a bit on the expensive side. which of course means I won't be able to live without it. i wish I say i'm sorry that i was right. but i'm not! my normally oil-prone face can now make it through the day without someone being able to see their reflection in my forehead!! game changed. also my "one week" sample is still holding strong at two weeks, So I feel like if I take the plunge this might last till brian and I have a baby. (so a few years, is what i'm saying.) also if you have oily, somewhat acne prone skin I also highly recommend this.

4. my friend Hannah keeps getting cool toys for her desk and i'm jealous. these are nice to look at, and maybe will work as some kind of stress ball substitute? at the very least they seem like they would be good to throw at people.

5. let's face it. i'm likely never shelling out the money for hunter boots. these are just as cute and at a much more reasonable price point. we're talking about a Portland trip at the end of the summer and between that and Utah's unpredictable rain cycles, I just think I should be prepared for inclement weather.

6. I need a motorcycle jacket in my life. Like yesterday.

7. i'm seriously considering getting a new bike. I have had some great times on my beach cruiser, but sometimes having things like gears and handlebar brakes would be nice. also this would match brian's new Schwinn bike, which puts us in the finals for cutest/grossest couple of the year award. fingers crossed!

Smoky Cheddar and Green Onion Biscuits

Happy Monday, lovelies.

I've brought you lovely cheesy carbs for the first day of this week.

I'd ordered a pizza stone from my awesome Pampered Chef neighbor clear back in January after making some naan, and finding out how necessary the stone is.

And then I promptly forgot.

But I ran into that neighbor over the weekend, and we finally exchanged money for stone!

And then, on Sunday, with buttermilk, and cheddar, and green onions floating around in my fridge,

and visions of this recipe floating around in my head,

and hopes and dreams of breaking in my pizza stone,

Husband and I busted out the biscuits.

And I made them heart shaped for you!

 But not because I'm actually that cute.

It's because a heart is literally the only cookie cutter shape I have.

 (Ignore the top right guy.  He's just all the leftover dough mashed together.)

Maybe I should get a new cookie cutter shape.

Cheddar and Green Onion Biscuits

(as adapted from Smitten Kitchen here)

Yields approx. 16-18 biscuits (depending on cutter size!  Your yield could be smaller)

1 3/4 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. whole wheat flour

2 tsp. sugar

1 Tbs. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika*

9 Tbs. chilled butter, cut into chunks

3/4 c. buttermilk

2 green onions, chopped

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese (or whatever looks right to you!)

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Mix together flours, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and paprika in large bowl.  Add butter, and using fingers (or a pastry blender if you're fancy), incorporate butter into dry mix.  You're done incorporating when the mixture looks a bit like coarse meal.

Add buttermilk, and stir together until it turns into a rough dough.  Add chopped green onion and the cheddar, and use your hands to mix everything together well.

Transfer the dough onto a nice floured surface, and pat it out until you have an approximately even  1/2 or 3/4 inch tall dough.  Cut out your biscuits with whatever shape your heart desires.  Even a nice tall glass would work!  Be sure to push your cutter straight down for nice flaky edges.

(Alternately, you can just grab 1/4 c. size fistfuls of dough and shape them into rough circles, for drop biscuits that look like that odd guy out up there.)

Transfer biscuits to your pizza stone (I greased mine, since it's brand new and can still stick!), or to a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet.  Give them some space to grow!  Bake until golden brown on the tops, about 12-15 minutes.  And enjoy!  While they're still warm and the cheese is still gooey, preferably!

*P.S. A note on the paprika.  Smoky paprika is changing my life!  It's incredibly delicious and fragrant.  And it's absolutely worth a new spice purchase.  However, if you aren't willing to buy it, regular paprika is great, or just completely omit it.

Look at those layers!

This recipe made a lot more than we expected!  We put about 9 or so cut biscuits into a ziploc and they're in the freezer, just waiting to be baked.  Yum.  Bake them up according to the same instructions above.  You can put them in the oven still frozen; just give them a few extra minutes of baking time.

Friday Favorites

It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday

You. Guys.  I found out last night, on the brink of sleep, all lights turned out, good nights said, that Husband had never seen or heard the Rebecca Black Friday song or video.  He had never seen it!  That particular problem was taken care of immediately.

Don't even worry.

I'm not even going to link it because I know that YOU guys know what I'm talking about.

 Here's today's line up:

FIRSTLY!  Adult Summer Camp!  I think I've alllllmost got Husband convinced that we have to go.

We're moving, and with it, I have all the desires to want new decor.  Love this.

Easter traditions!  I think I may try these Hot Cross Buns tomorrow.

And I love the sounds of this Japanese Cheesecake (cooked in a loaf pan?  brilliant)

More decor, but I think this is truly beautiful.

My grandma gifted me a hand-crocheted doily for my wedding, and it holds a special place forever and always.

And lastly, an entire composition page created for the coin sound.  So amused.

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

happy Friday party people!! guys, this has been a tired week. was it just me? or was everyone having a really hard time trying to get the motivation to do the dishes instead of laying on the couch watching the o.c. (it's so bad it's good. somehow?)

anyway i'm looking forward to making a blanket fort with brian and watching a lot of movies this weekend. hopefully the fort lasts till sunday. fingers crossed!

here are a few things I was into this week:

 this wooden sign tutorial. super cute, right?

 this picture makes me want some hunter boots and a little girl to go with them.

 umm, this is so accurate it almost makes me uncomfortable.

 have I already talked about away we go? have you watched it yet?
seriously my favorite.

i'm so glad ira glass can so eloquently put into words the things i'm thinking.

this pizza recipe from shutterbean almost made me drool at my desk. gross, right? I don't sugarcoat things around here.

the Provo airport is offering non-stop flights to San Francisco! Brian and I are seeeeeeriously considering booking an anniversary trip back to that magical place. (the tickets are pretty discounted for the next week)

have a beyond wonderful weekend everyone. make sure you eat some cookies or you're just wasting it.
 

in search of...

the great white shirt. by lacy-walker

i remember purchasing my very first white button-up shirt. it was the summer before my junior year of high school, and i found the perfect specimen waiting for me among the dillards' sale racks. back then, i mostly wanted a white button up to wear under band shirts with the sleeves rolled up and the collar poking out. (i was pretty cool, right?)

i again find myself longing for a crisp cotton shirt. but instead of pairing with a green day t-shirt and black vans, i would love to wear it any of these ways.

+

+

+

+

+

+

 

augh, i just love all these looks so much. the button up looks pulled together but also kind of tomboyish? classy but still relaxed. and pairing it with a skinny tie? loooove.

 

i've browsed a bit online, but i think to get the fit i want i'm going to have to find a shirt i can actually try on. i want it loose and long, not too tailored or business-like. this is enthralling stuff, right?

 

i'll keep you posted on the search, because i know you're all anxious to hear what happens. happy thursday!

Monday Belting and Birthdaying

Happy Monday!

We had a lovely weekend over here, celebrating Husband's 30th birthday.

I made him a chocolate cake with salted caramel bacon buttercream.  It was pretty delicious (and rich!) if I do say so myself.

But instead of showing you the party festivities (there was a rented popcorn machine and a homemade banner involved), I will show you what a wore!

Look, I know you all hang at the edge of your seat each week to see my clothes.

Ha, kidding.  But I'm mostly excited about this outfit because

a)  I'm learning how to layer

b)  I'm learning how to accesorize

c)  I'm wearing sandals!

Oh, alright, alright, I'll show you some pictures from the party.

He loves dinosaurs.  And popcorn.  And bacon.

I think we hit all those marks sufficiently.

The Oil Cleanse Method. Proven.

And we're back!

I mean, we were back three days ago.  But it was hard enough dragging myself back to work, let alone write something up.  Sometimes the sunny Vegas weather just clogs the creative flow.  BUT! I have something awesome for you today.

Have you heard about the Oil Cleanse Method?  Lacy first introduced me to this face cleansing technique about a year ago, and I scoffed and scorned her for ever about it.  And then.... we made the leap.  One night, we decided we'd do this crazy thing and risk oily skin and breakouts galore.

 

 
Lo and behold, it ended up being the best thing I've ever done for my face, and I haven't looked back since.  If I ever use a different cleanser for even a few days, I notice a marked difference.  I use the oil cleanser every night, and typically no other cleaner in the morning.  Just a rinse of water, and that's it.  My skin has never looked better.  Even my mom was like, What have you been doing?!

So, here it is.  Make a mix of half castor oil and half olive oil.  I cleaned out an old travel-size antibacterial container for my mixture.  And got to mixing!  (Side note: can we talk about how hilarious it is that Trader Joe's likes to use fancy monikers like 'Trader Giotto's' and 'Trader Jose's'?  I'd probably think it was just the teensiest bit un-PC if I didn't think it was so funny.)

Anyway.  That picture up there is my 50% olive oil.  I just eyeball it.  Like I do in pretty much all of my cooking as well.

And then I fill it the rest of the way with castor oil.  I love watching it sink through the olive oil and settle in the bottom.  But be sure to shake it up well to mix it before you use it!  (I'm not going to pretend it's okay that I'm posting a giant picture shouting LAXATIVE on our blog.  I only use this for cleansing! I mean, FACIAL cleansing!)

After your mixture is made, all you need is a good wash cloth!  And steamy hot water.  First, I rinse off my make up.  I do this by using soap and water. Preferably liquid hand soap.  I KNOW, I know, that's the most terrible thing I could ever do to my face... I'm not buying it.  I've never noticed soap to mess with my face, unless it's the really cruddy $1 bar soaps.  And then those dry out my face.  But to be fair, those dry out my hands and body as well.

After my makeup is off--this doesn't take much more than a 20 second rub of soap on eyelashes to remove the mascara* since I don't wear much make up anyway--I pat dry my face as completely as possible.  Then, I pour somewhere between a nickel- and quarter-size circle of oil into my palm, rub it on my other palm, and go to town rubbing my face.

I give a good 30 second massage all over every part of my face, sometimes with a little extra focus on problem areas like chin or nose.  Then I wet my washcloth in the hottest water my hands can stand.  You want the wash cloth hot (but not burny.  come on.)  Wring out the excess water, and plop the cloth on your face to rest and steam out your pores.  Like a mini facial every night!  Once the wash cloth cools.  Rinse it out in hot water again, wring, and gently wipe your face.  But don't wipe off ALL of the oil.  Leave that there for your moisturizer!

Firstly, I promise I'm not naked in that picture.  But it was either you get a glimpse of bra strap, or I crop it out.  I couldn't decide which looked more modest...    Secondly, I'd normally never be like, look at this picture of my face!  But I feel like a cleanser post requires it.

Anywho, I've found that in the winter, I typically have to use a bit of additional moisturizer, and I use Clean and Clear.  I've been using this for years and it is my favorite.  I can't stand heavy things on my face, and this is the best moisturizer while still being thin.

My face has seriously never been so clear of acne or red marks.  I have such pale skin that redness from zits is more of a problem than the zit itself.  That red would stick around for a week or so!  But with the oil cleanse method, it clears up in just a couple days.  So amazing.

Disclaimer:  I know some of my friends haven't had quite the same kind of results as I have with this method.  All skin is different!  But if I can convince someone to at least try this, and they get the same results as me? they'll love me forever.  And that's all I want.


*Whilst in Vegas, I mystified Lacy on how I could put liquid soap on my eyes without getting it IN my eyes.  Years of practice, maybe?  Or... I'm somehow magical.  My eyes are impervious to soap burning!  What a power to have.

Friday Favorites

Happy happy Friday!

 

We'll see you on the flipside (what does that even mean?) when we return from sinful Las Vegas.

In the meantime, enjoy our favorites!

This gif I found whilst blog-stalking Lacy's tumblr.

(Ha, her face is priceless...)

 

This brilliant idea to use angel food cake for french toast.

A gorgeous pop of blue in this white washed kitchen

A nostalgic RV that makes me excited to road trip (even if we're not cool enough to have an RV)

An inspiring comic. (I want to write this on everything)

And this AVClub feature, HateSong, that cracks me up when I need a vitriol release.

Especially Kyle Kinane's take down of 'Little Drummer Boy'

...

i don't know about the rest of y'all but i am ready for this week to be over. i've found work is waaaaaay worse when i actually have a ton of work to do. who knew? i'm ready for road-tripping and wearing shoes that don't require socks.

this week i've been loving...

this adorable packing tape.

 

 joy the baker's homemade cat toys. (i want a fluffy orange cat someday)

 

 this striped top to add to my collection.
i wouldn't mind pairing it with this.

these mint chocolate cheesecake popsicles that i want to eat RIGHT NOW.

calvin is such an inspiration.

also this post on expectations by unconventionally beautiful.

and the av club is doing a classics rewatch of gilmore girls! anyone else excited?

have a lovely weekend all! hopefully we're not too hung over to post on monday!
(i'm kidding...probably)