Summer > Winter
Best mail day ever.
Just got my first issue of ELLE Decor and also two Target gift cards that I redeemed from my Chase reward points!
Smile Friday: The “Pretending to be a hipster while in Williamsburg” edition
These three lovelies are the newest additions to my bedroom (that I move into next week)!
I got the lamps at Target last night for about $35 each. I bought the bases separate from the shades; the bases were about $30 each and the white fabric shades were on clearance. For some insane reason, the lamp you see above is listed on the Target site for $250 (for one!), but I assure you, mine look identical.
I bought the comforter at Kohl’s over the weekend and got a Queen size with two accent pillows for around $100! I am using a lot of neutrals around the apartment (besides the horrid pink bathroom tile), and when I look at this bedspread the words calming, clean and comfy come to mind.
I plan on placing each lamp on a nightstand on either side of the bed. But I can’t seem to put my finger on what color, or what kind, to buy. Is white too little-girlish? Would the lamps still look OK on dark walnut? Nightstands can be expensive!
Check out the color of the wood floor to help visualize the room. What color nightstands would you get? Any affordable suggestions?
And the smartest photojournalist of all? The one who took this photo. The one who took a step back and thought this shot also speak volumes.
meredithbklyn:choire:
Photojournalists surround a Haitian policeman as he aims his rifle at looters in downtown Port-au-Prince, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) #
Adventures in cooking: Black Bean Brownies
When I first saw this recipe on reallykatie’s blog, I knew I had to try them. Low-cal brownies packed with fiber and protein? Sign me up.
I was apprehensive as to what they would taste like in the end, but I loved the fudgy, rich flavor! You really cannot taste any hint of beans.
I planned on bringing them to a party and thought if I told people what was really in them, it might scare them off. So I promised I would only reveal the secret ingredient after the daring brownie-eaters took their first bite.
No one believed they were made with black beans! I think I may make them this way from now on.
Ingredients:
— 1 15 oz. can black beans (I used organic)
— 1 box brownie mix
Directions:
1. Drain beans and rinse well (you can do this in the can). Put beans in can and fill with water.
2. Put beans and water in blender until liquid with a few brown flecks.
3. Mix liquid with brownie mix. Do NOT add oil or eggs.
4. Cook according to box and enjoy!
Seen on Apartment Therapy today, these cute, white boxes hung on the wall above the bed with a single candle on top gave me some bedroom inspiration.
This would be a really easy and inexpensive way to spice up your walls. Just need to make sure they are both secure and straight.
Click through for more photos of the Astoria, Queens apartment.
ericyumyum asked: If you could change one thing in the world, just one thing, what would it be?
I’ve been pondering this question for several days now — deep! My struggle came in picking only one thing, since it seems there are an infinite number of things that should be changed in this world.
I also struggled with picking something that affects me directly, or affects the collective world. Although it’s hard to pick just one thing to change, I think I’ve finally settled on what I would change first.
The food system.
I wish that the food system in our country was not monopolized by a handful of corporations. I wish the food system was different in that healthy food for our bodies could be purchased inexpensively.
It is reality that fast food is cheaper and also such that many families cannot afford organic or locally grown meals the majority of the time. I certainly can’t afford it.
It makes me sad that in my work cafeteria it costs a mere $3.50 for a cheeseburger and french fries, but almost $8 for a grilled chicken caesar wrap. It makes me sick that the meat in that one burger could potentially come from hundreds of cows.
If more people took notice about what they were putting in their bodies — and could afford to eat healthier — it could prevent more cases of diabetes, heart disease and even cancers.
Something that really changed my perception was watching Food, Inc, and I’ve made it one of my goals this year to be more aware of what I’m putting in my body. What are your thoughts?
More questions? Ask me here.
