[It was a] Happy Valentine's Day.

I procrastinated writing this blog. I actually planned on making a playlist for the most romantic greeting card holiday of the year. One he could listen to and maybe find some new favorites. With a whole bunch of I love you's throughout. That would be a part of this entry, but it is not. Instead I only had time for a few construction paper hearts and poems scratched out in Sharpie. And dinner!! I had time for dinner.


I cooked Valentine's Day dinner. That's right. I did it. Without wearing the vintage inspired apron I just HAD to have. Giant baked potatoes stuffed with broccoli and cheese. Tomato basil pesto pasta with corn and black beans. All topped off with vanilla bean ice cream with dark chocolate and berries. I gave myself a pat on the back. Since moving in with my lovely boyfriend I haven't had to do much in the kitchen. I was afraid I might have forgotten how to boil water. Well, turns out I remembered.

[This is not Valentine's Day dinner, but close enough. I made it.]

If you haven't made a pesto before it's ridiculously easy. There are more than a handful of simple recipes floating about the internet. All you need to know though is the list of ingredients. Use common sense and your taste buds for the rest.


- Olive oil
- Parmesan (or other similar) cheese
- Garlic
- Basil
- Salt and pepper


As for the basil I prefer fresh to dried, but usually end up using half and half. That way I conserve the fresh stuff to use in another dish. 


There you have it. It's done in seconds. 


I think I'm going to start using these. The only way I can safely assure I'm being taken seriously in the kitchen.

Diamond Ring Measuring Spoons

Just ridiculous enough for me to think they're wonderful.

Another thing I feel inclined to share are these chalkboard kitchen cupboards. Sure they'd make the kitchen messy, but isn't that the state it's always in anyway? I say it's a fair trade.

Partly cloudy. High of sixty-four.

1. Young Folks - Peter, Bjorn and John


2. Inside and Out - Feist


3. Do You Wanna Dance - The Mamas and the Papas


4. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend - The Ramones


5. This Boy - The Beatles


6. Kids (MGMT Cover) - Ben Lee


7. Big Break - Emma Burgess


8. Time to Pretend - MGMT


9. Windows are Rolled Down - Amos Lee


10. Bohemian Rhapsody - Jake Shimabukuro

I'm always reading. Doing crosswords. Picking at my nail polish. Anything to keep my brain and hands busy. I've found that employers typically frown on this type of behavior. Not exactly productive. Bringing coloring books to work isn't exactly something covered in the handbook, but still. 

The Colour-In Dress seems like the solution to it all. Berber Soepboer is the genius behind ideas like this and the Replacement Dress. It allows you to swap out certain pieces of fabric to re-invent your look in a second. Twenty-five year old kindergarten kid friendly.

A place for all crap and all crap in its place.

Darling, I'm a mess.
Scraps of paper litter my purse and are taking over my apartment. Phone numbers on napkins and addresses on index cards. Mostly though these pieces of paper are filled with "ideas and inspiration". Little bits I stumble upon throughout my day and find too good to let go. 
[I thank God for Post-Its everyday.]


Thanks to my friend, Kristina, I now have an adorable solution to my problem. 
Something to control the overflow.

ModCloth - Personal Assistant Organizer

...and it's because of that crap that I bring you this. 

A little love for your ears. 

1.) Warpaint - Undertow [2010]

There's a reason I listed this song first. It's sweet and haunting with a line stolen straight from Kurt Cobain's mouth. Currently the line up features all females, but in the past they've worked with members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

2.) Ben Folds - Password [2010]

The first song I heard off the Lonely Avenue album featuring songs by Ben himself and author Nick Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity, Speaking with the Angel, etc.)

3.) A Camp - Algebra [2001]

Nina Persson's side project. (The Cardigans)

4.) Sarah Jaffe - Better Than Nothing and Clementine [2010]

5.) Avett Brothers -  I And Love And You [2009]

6.) The XX - Night Time [2010]

7.) The Knife - Heartbeats [2003]

8.) Eric Clapton - Travelin' Alone [2010]

Free Blockbuster Express Movie Rental

Just enter the code MRC37H at checkout and ta-da! 

Offer expires 2/25/11.

A bunch of shit for the good housekeeper in all of us.

As you may know we moved to our new town in September. A few months later we packed it all up and hauled our things across town to a bigger more bad ass apartment. It's there we plan to stay for the next couple of years. I'm so excited to have our own space to decorate, create and love in. So, I thought I'd share some of the things I've got my eye on. My wish list of sorts. A not completely selfish project in which I'll get to post and save the links to the items of my apartmental dreams, and share them with you as well. As my taste in things is nothing short of exquisite I'm sure you're just as excited. Right?!

While this apartment is much larger than the last some areas are still limited in space. So, when I saw this I knew it had to be the first thing on my list. Wilton's three tier cooling rack is the perfect addition for the kitchen with little counter space. Oh! And get this...if you purchase more of them you can stack them as high as you want.

Cookies to the ceiling!

At five foot nothin' the rest of you are always towering over me. My mood-boosting, calf-toning secret is a pair of simple black heels. They go with everything in my closet and leave me limping around barefoot by the end of the night. I wish someone would have told me about these sooner. Fit in Clouds foldable flats come in a tiny pouch you can tuck in your purse. These little darlings to the rescue when your heels turn on you. There are plenty of brands offering these now in all sorts of colors and styles. Just search away. Smart stuff, huh?

This is an awesome freebie. Up to a $5.99 value. Limited to only 10,000 a day. So, if you don't qualify today just try again tomorrow. It took me a while to get through myself.

Free Excedrin Offer

The snoozeberries taste like snoozeberries.

Maybe it's like Vitamin Water for insomniacs...
Sign up to get your free bottle of Dream Water at a participating retailer near you.

Free Dream Water Coupon

Sitting still.

I often find myself comparing myself to others.

As much as I try it's not an easy habit to break.

From body parts and clothes to wallet sizes.

Constantly stacking myself up next to them.

I have the flip-flopping self esteem of a female.

Especially when asked the old stand-by,

"So, what are you doing with yourself?".

I can't remember how many times I've found myself fumbling for something legitimate sounding.
Some excuse as to why I haven't returned to school.
"Haven't thought much more of working towards your degree?
The thing is I have.
I've thought about it plenty, and it is something I would like to do.
Eventually.
While it may seem to you as a lack of motivation or procrastination on my part...
I am doing things.
Currently.
Small things maybe, but they're just as important as the rest.
Why should I feel guilty about sleeping?
Why is it that I feel the need to justify exploring my creatvity?
Or sitting still?
Or reading books?
I now see the importance behind everything I do.
Learning how to live with someone again is excting.
It's brand new...again.
Hopefully permanent.
I put myself wholly into everything try.
I am aware this isn't, by any means, an original thought.
I've been witness to people recognizing these things many times.
How often though do we stick with it?
Keep within the mindset healthiest for us?
See the value in all we do?
I'm beginning to see that it's rare.
My wish is to continue to not take what I have for granted.
To each day wake up and appreciate everything.
Because it is beautiful.
And I am so thankful for all of it.