Weekend Plans

Guess where I'm going this weekend?!

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 I'm sooooo excited!  I have never been to New Orleans before, and although this is an extremely quick weekend trip I can't wait to get a limited glimpse of what this town is about.  I will definitely be taking pictures and have a report for you all next week.  Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Pretty Things

Some pretty things to get us through the rest of the week....

 

*Via Atlantic Pacific

*All images via pinterest unless otherwise noted.

The long awaited (from my standpoint) Adobo post

So I posted here and here that I have had some serious cravings for adobo. I finally made it a couple of weeks ago (so you guys wouldn't have to hear me talk about it anymore). Unfortunately I wasn't extremely impressed; it was just so-so. Maybe when I go out to California and visit my Filipino aunts, uncles, cousins during Christmas I will get the REAL recipe, instead of one I found off the internet. Below are a few pictures capturing the making of my average meal. Next time it will be better, and you can bet that I will report back.

Ingredients: 
Chicken
Soy Sauce
Bay Leaves
Onion
Garlic
Jalapeno (Not called for, but I added it)
Vinegar
White
Peppercorns

I didn't remember to take a picture with all the ingredients until after the chicken was in the pot.  Hehe, oops.

 

One pot dish (besides the rice in the rice cooker), throw everything in and let it cook. 

Once all the ingredients had simmered for about 30 minutes.

Finished dish!  Can't wait to try it again!

*All pictures by me.

Any dishes you've been craving?

L'aviva Home

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I spent the weekend going to estate sales.  I didn't score anything that special, but I still bought a couple of random items that I apparently couldn't live without (a decanter, a few books, candle holders.....etc.).  The weekend before that, the boyfriend came to visit and I actually talked him into going to an estate sale. The sale was in a very nice, couple-years-old, 3-story townhome, so I'm sure that's why he went inside with me (it had nothing to do with my awesome persuasion skills).  While inside the townhome, we were looking at furniture and my adorable money-conscious said "why would anyone ever shop at a furniture store?"  He walked out with a $20 black-and-gold, fairly ornate mirror.  Haha, I'm glad he is coming around to my estate sale-ing ways.

Anyhoo, the point of this post.....

While perusing the internet today, my mom found this wonderful home goods site and I thought everyone should be privy to this company......L' Aviva Home, which features collections of items that are handcrafted by people around the world.  Right now they are featuring textiles, objects, and shyrdaks (rugs and pillows).  The designs are unique and the products are original.  The Moroccan Wedding Blankets are my favorite!

Shyrdak Rugs

Mexican Coverlets

Zulu Lace Wirework

Cowhide Rug

Uzbek Copper Tray

Suzanis

Egyptian Arabesque Lamp

Chiapas Pillows

Granada Lantern

Bolivian Frazadas

Indigo Throws

Moroccan Wedding Blankets

*All pictures via L'aviva Home.

I hope everyone enjoys these beautiful handcrafted goods.  And this can serve as hints for anyone getting me a birthday present in the upcoming month.  ;-)

Amazing....

I just finished watching The Nate Berkus Show from a recording earlier this week.  I can't tell you how glad I am that I watched this show.  Seriously.  The topic of the show was thrifting, and I heart a good thrift store!  Nate and his guest mentioned thrift store shopping.......online.  The first being www.shopgoodwill.com and the second being www.shophousingworks.com.  Go visit www.shophousingworks.com, you will thank me.  If you live in New York then you have the option to the stores and check out the all the one-of-a-kind pieces.  They carry furniture, clothing, accessories, home goods, and books.  If I lived in New York I would have already bid on a few of the items.  Also, Housing Works is for a good cause, so go check it out and buy a few pieces!

Hope you enjoy this site as much as I am! 

Pinterest Randoms

Random pictures from my pinterest.   Hope everyone has a great day!

Is there a zebra in my future?

Since the carpet in my living room has been replaced with hardwood floors, I have been itching for a new rug.  I can't quiet figure out what I want though.  Originally, I purchased an oriental rug for the space, but it looked wayyy too old lady-ish when combined with the hand-me-down furniture I received from my mom.  I currently have a too-small-for-the-space rug that just isn't doing it for me, but I guess it is serving its purpose (kinda).  I thought maybe a jute/sisal/seagrass-type rug would be nice, but then it occurred to me that the room would be too blah/boring (since the couch is beige and the walls are a taupe-y color).  Sooo now I'm leaning towards a rug similar to this....


 

via House and Home

This is the living room of Jenna Lyons.  Ya know, THE Jenna Lyons, who has my dream job and wardrobe.....and house....and office.

via Pinterest via Bruch at Saks

via House and Home

Definitely loving the layering of rugs.  Jenna Lyons also does this in her home (see first picture of post).

via House and Home

via Pinterest

via Lonny

And my favorite......

via House and Home

The "collected" look wins me over again.  The navy couches, cute little settee, gold framed sketches, zebra rug, and metal coffee table on casters all just....work.

The rug doesn't necessarily have to be a zebra print, but I am definitely drawn to that style the most.  And of course, I will let you all know what I end up with.

Gift Guide

This week two Chicago bloggers, Sarah and Danielle, are celebrating their birthdays. They invited everyone to compile a gift guide, and since my birthday is next month I figured I could get a head start!

Also, don't forget to wish the lovely ladies a happy birthday!  And of course, check out their blogs (if you haven't already).

1.  RESTORATION HARDWARE Vintage-Washed Belgian Linen Bedding Collection 

2.  K.SLADEMADE Cream Leather Foldover Clutch

3.  TOPSHOP Cream Faux Fur Gilet

4.  J. CREW Deco Bow Bangle

5.  AMAZON The Graphic Design Book

6.  ETSY Vintage Horse Bookends