Category Archives: Wonderful

Tuesday Shoesday: Vegas

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There are certain rite of passage trips that every chick takes in their life. One of those is the quintessential Vegas Bachelorette Party (VBP) trip.  One of my best friends is getting married in April, and I have the VBP coming up in a couple of months.  I’ve been slowly acquiring necessary Vegas attire options including a new pair of Vegas shoes.  There are a some things that Vegas shoes can pull off that most shoes cannot, including: extremely high heel, sparkles of any type, impossible to walk in, and cheap.  When I found a pair of sequin 5″ heels at Target on clearance for $14.98, I knew I had struck a rose gold mine.

vegassequinsTarget Rose Gold Pump – $14.98 (update: now only available in black sequin)

I got the opportunity to give my Vegas shoes a trial night out when I went down to visit R a couple weeks ago, who was training for work in Sin City. We decided to head to the strip for dinner and drinks. I confidently put these pink babies on and we headed for the elevator. I could tell that my new Vegas shoes and I were going to be duking it out all night from the first step into the hallway. The toe slopes up, so as I stepped, I wobbled forward, and almost ate it on the carpet. No biggie, they were brand new and still slippery on the bottom.  We made it to the Bellagio and headed toward Olives.  The floor of the Bellagio boasts concrete that has been pounded to look like cobblestone – greeeeat. I stayed close on Rory’s arm as we headed to the bar for a quick drink before our reservation and I started getting more comfortable in my shoes.

After dinner, we decided to walk toward the Cosmopolitan so I could check it out on the recommendation that it would be the perfect place to stay during the upcoming bach party. (I think they were right, a giant shoe in the lobby, bling and jewels everywhere, plus Marquee!) A bit more walking and I could feel a blister coming on in my Vegas shoes. Whatever though, nothing I can’t handle. We gambled a bit and decided to head for temporary hotel home. I walked out toward the taxi lineup and was near the safety of the car, when my Vegas heel clipped a crack in the pavement, and my toe lunged forward. I was going down! Luckily, Rory grabbed my arm, and saved me. Also, luckily, no one in Vegas is judging.

My feet were beat after the night in my cheap Vegas heels, but I still think they are perfect for the upcoming bachelorette party, as long as I can grab someone’s arm at any given time.

xoxo

-h

Happy 2013!

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It’s been a crazy couple of weeks with the holidays. But with any turn of the calender year comes a little bit of reflection.

I got to spend a few days in Whistler with some of my best friends and their families. We played Farkle and Cards Against Humanity (sans parents). Drank the official wine of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and enjoyed some gorgeous days skiing. The sun even graced us with its presence for about a day and a half and we had sweeping views of the Fitzsimmons and Pacific Mountain Ranges.

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Happy New Year! Let’s make this year the best one yet!

A couple things from around the internets:

Gregory’s iPhone Contract

Nickleback Instagram Parody

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis NPR Tiny Desk Concert

xoxo

-h

Tuesday Shoesday: $28 Animal Print Bootie

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Um huuuuhWHAT? $28 from Old Navy? Did you say Old Navy? That was my reaction when I first saw these booties. Even at their full price of $30, these are a steal. With Faux-Animal print and texture, these babies are the perfect way to incorporate a little sass into your wardrobe.

animalprintbootieOld Navy Faux-Animal Fur Ankle Boots – $28 plus an additional 15% off with code ONGIFT

Are you as blown away as I am?

xx

-h

P.S. I originally saw these on Le Catch, one of my favorite fashion blogs.

My favorite things about Nairobi

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As a begin to pack my things and prepare for the journey home, I have been reflecting about the things I like about Nairobi.  The truth is, it’s a hard place to love.  With a nickname like, “Nairobbery” you are constantly on the lookout.  The upcoming election brings fear of the reoccurring violence Kenyan elections are known for.  Luxury weekend getaways such as Mombasa and Lamu have become notorious unsafe places for travelers.  The city is filthy and littered with garbage and holds the absolute worst traffic known to man.  Despite all this, I have found things that I really love about this place…

  • Mangos are not seasonal, in fact they are good all the time.  Once you get the hang of how to cut into them, you are golden.

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  • Every ex-patriot wants to be your friend.  They have all been there – in a foreign place where they know no one – it’s like a secret society where everyone is nice.  I love it.  They all have connections all over the world too, so they say things like, “if you ever go to…call me and I’ll have my friend show you around”.  So in return to you friendly people – call me if you come to Seattle.
  • I have met more people from more different places in the last three months than I have my entire life.  Here are the origins, from what I can remember, of the people I’ve met here (I’m sure I’m forgetting some):
    • Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Poland, South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania, Spain, Ireland, New York, California, Tennessee, Sweden, Japan, Virginia, Austria, Germany, France, Zambia, Namibia and Rwanda
  • Outside of the city, it’s really beautiful.  You see more exotic (and some not-so-exotic) animals than you can in a zoo.  Let me see if I can name all the ones I’ve seen:
    • Elephants, Rhinos, Flamingos, Monkeys, Baboons, Zebras, Antelope, Gazelles, Geckos (in my house!), Ostriches, Horses, Camels, Lizards, Giraffes, Cows, Cats, Dogs, Chickens, Goats and Donkeys
  • A lot of things you can buy are benefitting something.  For example:
    • The bag I referred to in the What’s Not to LOVE? post I did last week gives proceeds back to the fishermen and their community in Lamu, Kenya.
    • Kenana Knitter Critter creates charming designs using all-natural homespun wool bought from local Kenyan women.  Money earned by Kenana Knitters goes directly to the women who are able to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families through knitting adorable critters such as this owl-
Knitter Critter Owl

Knitter Critter Owl

    • Pendeza Weaving is a company that uses handspun yarn from locally grown organic cotton, sheared wool and silk to create amazing textiles.  Purchasing their products supports the Pendeza Weaving Project which helps to keep a child free from malnutrition, enable a child access education, enable the girl child access sanitary towels, enable a family access to clean drinking water, enable those living with HIV/AIDS access proper nutrition to boost their immunity, save the environment and decrease global warming and provide descent housing to the destitute community members of rural Bondo.
    • Proceeds from Mara wine go helping Kenyan women provide food, shelter and education to their families.  Proceeds can also help support their entrepreneurships.
Mara Wine - with wine jewelry!

Mara Wine – with wine jewelry!

  • There are some truly unique and fantastic gates and driveway entries around.

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  • They have the highest quality coffee company – Dormans Coffee – in the world…though I might be bias!
  • Chai tea.  To follow up on the recipe from Chai on my Mind posted a couple months ago, I’ve learned that for the extra chai kick to your tea to add cinnamon and cardamon.
  • Stoney soda.  It’s a ginger soda with a zing!  Delicious!

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  • Did I mention charming co-workers who bring me bananas?
Joseph and I

Joseph and I

There are lots of things I really like about Nairobi and the above only scratches the surface.

xo

-s

Christmas Book List 2012

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Books 2012
1. The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook – long awaited, it is being raved about. I can’t wait to see the photos, I’ve heard they’re fantastic.
2. Local Pacific Northwesters know the Tom Douglas name well. This isn’t his first cookbook, but it’s definitely his sweetest: The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook.
3.  Okay, maybe I’m a little late to the Design*Sponge book party, but as an avid follower of the blog. I would love to flip through these DIY pages: Design*Sponge at Home.
4. Also one of my favorite blogs, this one is back ordered right now, but I’m hoping to have a copy before they come to Tacoma in January: Young, House, Love.
5. Okay, I’ll admit, I don’t know much about canning, but I’ve been learning the last couple of years and would love to have a go-to to work from: Canning for a New Generation.
6. I just heard a story about the Jerusalem: A Cookbook, on NPR, it sounds like it’s a mix of cookbook and cultural photography at the same time. I’m intrigued.
7. My go-to for down home cooking, The Pioneer Woman knows her strengths – comfort food, step by step photography for the recipes, and a quick wit. It reads like an actual story, and you can’t help but feel welcomed into Ree’s ranch life.
8. Admittedly, I don’t know much about The Sprouted Kitchen cookbook, and am totally judging a book by it’s cover. But, I can guess that if you’re like me, you’re trying to eat cleaner, more in-season, and more local, and this looks like it could be the inspiration ticket.
9. One that I’ve been coveting for a while: Domino.
10. 10 favorite ingredients like caramel, peanut butter, booze, and chocolate? Baking? I’m in: Baked.
11. Cupcakes and Cashmere is another one of my favorite blogs, Emily has great entertaining ideas and excellent taste. I’m sure this book is an extension of her style.
12. For the coffee table, these photos of Underwater Dogs will truly make you LOL. There is also a calendar option available.
Okay – maybe it’s a little cookbook heavy, but what can I say? I love photos of food!
xx
-h

Wonderful Gift Guide 2012

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1000 Wonderful Things Gift Guide
1. Clover necklace for my sister-in-law who loves green and her Irish heritage.
2. Monogrammed red leather bag for Mom who totes reading material everywhere.
3. Rope towel rack for…me? ….
4. Festive air plants for my bffs, my co-workers, everyone in my family. Okay I’m slightly obsessed.
5. Cantaloupe vegatabowl for my future sister-in-law who loves to entertain, my sister who will be moving out on her own soon, or my mother-in-law who always has fresh fruit on her dining table.
6. Kaleidoscope kit for my adopted sister-in-law who is 8 and super creative.
7. Monogrammed log holder that can hold blankets, toys, games, or…logs.
8. Latitude/Longitude key chain for everyone in the family with our cabin’s coordinates.
Maybe I should have waited to post this until AFTER Christmas.
xx
-h

Before and After: Candle Sconces

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I picked up these candle sconces at a thrift store a couple weeks ago. I liked the swirls, but the bright golds didn’t match anything else in our house.

Before:

 

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Primed:

 

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I was feeling a little lazy, so I didn’t actually sand them, I figured the Rust-oleum would do its job of making the paint stick, and since they are just candle holders and won’t be used daily, it would be fine.IMG_1876

 

Feeling inspired by this post from Jenny of Little Green Notebook, I wanted to paint them a bold color, but we have a pretty monochromatic scheme around here, so navy was about as bold as I ventured. 

IMG_1877After:

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I’m learning that if I find a piece of furniture that has nice lines, or accessories that I like but hate the color, I can always paint it.

xx

-h

Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake

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I’ve had a stash of frozen blueberries that I kept adding to over the summer. So, this week, when I cleaned out the freezer, I found my blueberries and instantly remembered pinning this breakfast cake recipe from Alexandra’s Kitchen. I had a lemon that needed to be used, so I did what anyone with an inkling for blueberry coffee cake would do, I started zesting.

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I had thawed the blueberries, and then coated them in flour, per Alexandra’s recipe.

IMG_1938I got half way through the recipe and realized I was out of vanilla extract. But, I had some vanilla beans leftover from making Kahlua (recipe to come). So I scraped one bean in (about equal to 1 tsp of vanilla extract).

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I got the vanilla beans from Beanilla.com, they’re pricing is significantly less then a supermarket or Costco. Shipping was fast, and there are a ton of options. When I scrape a bean into a recipe, I like to take the outside part and put it in a bottle to make homemade vanilla extract. To make extract, you simple take sections of a bean (scraped or not) and put them in a bottle or jar and cover with cheap vodka. Let it soak for 6-8 weeks and gently shake the bottle once a week to disturb the contents. The longer you let the extract sit, the more intense the flavor will become. I like to just add whatever extra bean parts I have over time. This would also make a great gift!

Anyways, back to blueberries and lemons, oh my! My favorite part of any coffee cake is the crispy/flaky top and edging, and by sprinkling a little extra sugar over the top, this is achieved beautifully.

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Additionally, I ended up baking the cake for a total of about 45 mins.

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Enjoy, and thanks Alexandra for the delicious recipe!

xx

-h