February 1, 2016

Around the Home: Closet Organization

Remember when I was talking about Habits at the beginning of the year? I had this really bad habit of leaving piles of clothes everywhere in our bedroom. It annoyed the heck out of me but I couldn’t ever figure out what to wear and I never made the time to put things back where they belong. I really wanted to see if I could do a capsule wardrobe this winter and in doing so I created so many new/good habits! I owe it all to the foundation I created in my organized closet.

After living this way for 3-ish weeks I can now say:

I put my clothes back where they belong
I don’t have piles of clothes all over the place
I haven’t felt like I’ve got nothing to wear & I’m not wasting precious time in the morning trying clothes on
I’ve managed my shopping impulses and only buy things I need- which is almost nothing
I love walking into my closet because it’s clean & I have focus
My head is filled with less clutter because I have less to manage

So, let me show you the before. BTW- I am not really good at taking before photos. I realized this a few years ago because when I get an impulse to clean, I just right in and then I’m always like OH CRAP! We’re doing this. I forgot to take pictures!

So this “before photo” is right before I created my winter capsule wardrobe—

my everyday life, Photography

January 30, 2016

My Everyday Life: Week 4

Here’s what My Everyday Life – Week 4 looked like:

I love cacti.

A trip to the nursery after school.

We met a cat named Azriel.

On the way to Ikea.

East Bay sunset.

Hoping I don’t get splashed.

First thing I made in our newly painted kitchen.

Second thing I made in our kitchen. CHILI.

It was goooooood.

January 29, 2016

I love lists Friday!

Welcome to I Love Lists Friday! Let’s surf the internet together:

My dad is…
Hello, dream bathroom.
Growing up with siblings. Too real!
Organizing tips I’m reading through right now.
His reaction made me laugh.
I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since the Challenger Space Shutter Disaster
Love this planner download design & was cool to see what other planners people like.
What a clever/simple way to decorate treat bags.
I want this for my library book bag.
These photos make me want to travel.
When you know your maj is family.
Best job ever.
I want to make these this weekend.
These drone photos look like the movie Inception.
Whoa. THIS CLOUD.
Vacation Goals.
This home is lovely.
The Most Beautiful Building in Every State
I know a few people who have been telling me this for years….
Instagram has changed the way Chefs think about food.
Apparently I have a photographic memory (A+)
# 5!!! I kinda figured that but I totally forgot.
Superbowl + hot wings = true love
How to Basically Freeze Anything! Bookmarking this one.
Regret not.

recipes

January 27, 2016

The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich

On the weekends I crave breakfast sandwiches. Sometimes I sit on the couch with my coffee and try to will one to appear. Actually, I am trying to send Casey some mental vibes…like in my head I’m yelling GET ME A BREAKFAST SANDWICH (in a sweet voice, though). It never works. I take that back. It only works when we’re hungover but then we have to motivate each other to get in the car and pick one up. And then there’s this mental warfare of like should I? Shouldn’t I? How am I gonna feel? Is that stuff really food? I suppose that’s why it’s a no brainer to get a breakfast sandwich when we leave on road trips. You just carry on with your business and don’t have wrappers in your trash at home…staring at you all day.

I was looking through the latest Bon Appetit magazine and this recipe for Homemade Breakfast Sausage caught my eye… It’s an ingredient to their “Best Breakfast Sandwich.” Well, yes. Thank you for luring me in like a moth to a flame, BA.

So, when I’m sitting on the couch fantasizing about breakfast sandwiches, I often think about omitting the bread and sandwiching sausage, cheese & egg in between two crispy hash brown patties. Here it is and IT IS THE ULTIMATE BREAKFAST SANDWICH. Don’t fight me on this. Welcome to Indulgentville. Population 2. We’re saving this beauty for special occasions….like I drank too much bourbon on a Friday night and it’s Saturday morning and I want something super savory and need you to make me a coffee before I talk to you k thanks bye, occasion.

recipes

January 25, 2016

Turkey White Bean Chili

Our kitchen is done and I can’t wait to show you! Here’s the BEFORE if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Yesterday I spent all day putting things away. It almost felt like we moved and we were unpacking. I traveled to the grocery store to fill up our cabinets with essentials for the week, hoping to escape the wrath of the Patriots game. Ugh. But I came home with the ingredients to make this Turkey White Bean Chili and somehow it lessened the blow.

Chili is just an excuse to eat alllllllll the toppings. I love them all.

This chili will only get better as days go on. For day one, I was super impressed. If you like hearty, spicy chili, this recipe is for you. Now if you need me, I’ll be sitting here staring at my kitchen cabinets.