Obsession of the Week: Band of Horses

Can't. Stop. Listening.

Plus, how cool is this video?

When I go into my day job, I'm all about my ipod to block out any chatter (well, bitching really). Lately I've found myself playing this song again and again. It's like a really good book that you don't want to end. You know the kind. You're so wrapped up in the characters and their story that you're actually disappointed when you get to that last page. With this song, my favorite part comes right at the end but it's bittersweet because I always wish the song didn't end.

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It's been awhile...

but I'm still here!

Just trying to get the hang of juggling some new projects while giving everything adequate attention. Bare with me!

Regular posts will resume soon...

I promise! :)


sources:
left: If I Pretend Not To Miss You, Will That Make It Easier - 8x10 Original Print by homesickdesigns
right: Set of 2 Best Friends Can Conversation Prints by Meant4amoment

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Monday Mood Board

clockwise from top left:
Candy Bag in Olive Grey by bayanhippo
half strand set of 20 pcs, 11 mm, cloudy rock crystal quartz round beads by judydupin
Silver Lining -- Dimensional Cloud Post Earrings by ForevermoreCreations

Favorite Beach / 5x7 Fine Art Photographic Print by RaindogPhoto
drift earrings - tourmalinated quartz on sterling silver by wingbysea
For That Little Black Dress - Double Wrap Faceted Jasper on Leather by MadRiverDesigns
cloudy asterisk day dish by CeramicaBotanica
Black Convertible Wrap Dress Item 2005 by graziolin

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Obsession of the Week: Dutch Stroopwafels

My friend Aimee (yes, blueberry Aimee from last week) when to Amsterdam for work and brought everyone back stroopwafels as a souvenir. Obsessed does not even begin to cover it!

If you've never heard of them, these yummy little treats are basically two thin waffles with a yummy layer of caramel in between. They are absolutely heavenly!

Now you would think that since they're not that widely available here in the states, I would eat them slowly, savoring each and every bite. But no. She of little self control has already polished off the whole box-- without even trying them softened over a cup of tea (two hot for tea with the 90+ temps plus stifling humidity here in NY).

Now I'll just have to being my search for a place that I can buy them from regularly. So far, I've found these pretty ones from LittleDutchBakery. Now I just have to find a store that carries them in case a craving comes on and I need them in a pinch.

Thanks Aims, for my delicious treat and for yet another food addiction!

Photo: Stroopwafels by LittleDutchBakery

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Wednesday's Word

Main Entry: ¹peace

Pronunciation: \ˈpēs\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English pees, from Anglo-French pes, pees, from Latin pac-, pax; akin to Latin pacisci to agree — more at pact
Date: 12th century
1: a state of tranquility or quiet: as freedom, from civil disturbance b : a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: harmony in personal relations
4a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." Buddha

"Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away." Robert Fulghum

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children." Mahatma Gandhi

"Man's greatest blunder has been in trying to make peace with the skies instead of making peace with his neighbors." Elbert Hubbard

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Mother Theresa

Sources for photos above:
Peace Out on Alternative Apparel Women's Basic Burnout tshirt by rctees
Sterling silver international Peace necklace by JustJaynes

clockwise from top left:

Peace Om necklace by dharmacharms

Buddha- 5x5 Fine Art Sepia Photographic Print by ImageNationphotos

WORLD PEACE by youandmegogreen

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE 2-John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band TABLETOP CANDLEHOLDER by RetroRecordArt

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Mmmmmm, chocolate

To know me is to know I love chocolate. Well, my husband definitely knows me.

The other day he walked in the door after a long, outdoor shoot for work and my daughter greeted him first. "Oooooh Daaaaaddy!" she said. "You smell gooooood."

He walked over to give me a kiss and my reaction was the same. "What is that?!!!" I asked, sniffing wildly. He gave me a silly grin and reached into his bag, pulling out Axe Dark Temptation Body Spray (they also sell it in solid form and as a body wash). Its tagline? "As irresistible as chocolate." And let me tell you, that tagline couldn't be more true. I am a big fan.

Now, don't expect a sugary sweetness from this yummy scent (that might be a little weird actually). There's a hint of spice to it, which makes it an undeniably masculine scent and one of my absolute favorites.

I poked around online a little and found this absolutely hilarious Argentinian ad for it (this ad deservedly won a Gold Lion at the Cannes International Advertising Festival in 2008!). Check it out:

clockwise from top left:
Vegan Chocolate Coconut Macaroons by redbikebakeshop
Chocolate Espresso - Handmade Shea Butter Vegan Soap by KreatedbyKarina
Willow's Whoopie Pies (16 Cookies) by LavenderMintBakery

Chocolate Drizzle (4 oz. jar) Soap In A Jar (Fluffy Whipp) by dennisanderson

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Monday Mood Board

clockwise from top left:

Stained Glass--Sunburst CLEARANCE by RadianceArt
Hot Lave Ring by boulderglassmonkey
Red Shapes by emmarts
Orange Bubble Fused Glass Necklace by wishartglass
Fire Peacock - Original art by carambatack
RESERVED HandSpun FunctionArt ART YARN Fire 62 yards 3.1 ounces by kittygrrlz
Fired Up Vintage Button and Bead Necklace by buttonsoupjewelry

Scarlet Red Faceted CZ Briolette Oxidized Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings - Fire Engine by GlitzGlitter

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Obsession of the Week: Blueberries

I'm not really sure why, but until a recent breakfast at my blueberry-obsessed friend Aimee's house I was completely opposed to blueberries. I've always loved strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, just about any berry, but I never gave blueberries a shot.

Since that fateful breakfast, I've been consuming blueberries at an alarming rate. When I poke around to look into any health benefits they may have, it only adds fuel to the fire-- rich in antioxidants and may help reduce belly fat?! Count me in.

This weekend, a couple of my friends and I went blueberry picking at Secor Farms in Wappingers Falls, New York. It was insanely hot outside, but we had a great time. My little 4-year old muffin decided she wants to add "expert blueberry picker" to the rapidly growing list of things she wants to be when she grows up (also on her list: baby doctor, president, juice pop licker).

We brought home lots of blueberries and a few new recipes. My favorite breakfast of late is blueberry waffles with blueberry sauce (the sauce recipe is courtesy of the farm. Not quite sure where I found the waffle recipe, but I've adapted it a bit anyway):

Blueberry Waffles

• 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of sugar (or sugar substitute-- I use Splenda)
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
  
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups of milk (I've been using unsweetened almond milk and adding a bit more Splenda to make up for the missing sweetness)
• 1/3 cup of vegetable oil

Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl first, then stir in the wet ingredients. Heat up your waffle iron while you clean your blueberries. Take out your measuring cup and put a few blueberries in the bottom. Next, add some batter. Alternate until you have 1/2 cup. Pour into waffle iron and cook! I like mine crispy, so I usually turn my iron all the way up and leave them in a little longer.

Microwave Blueberry Sauce (courtesy of Secor Strawberries Inc.)

• 2 pints of blueberries
• 1/4 cup of sugar (I used Splenda again)
• 1 tablespoon of water

In a microwave bowl add blueberries, sugar and water. Mix together, cook on high for 2 minutes. Stir, adding more sugar to thicken if needed. Continue cooking on high for 3 to 5 minutes, checking after 2 minutes each time. When sauce is thick enough, add 1/8 teaspoon of orange extract (I didn't have any, so I added a little vanilla extract instead).
This sauce would be sooooo good on some vanilla ice cream.

clockwise from top left:
Blueberry Handmade Shea Butter Soap - Vegan by battysbath
Blueberry Quartz and Hammered Sterling Silver Earrings by Nyblaque
Sky Blue Sky - Earrings . Sterling Silver . Gemstone by ThePeachTree
Blueberry Newborn Cocoon by illbeyarned

top of page credits:
Good Morning Sunshine 8x10 Fine Art Photograph Print by ara133photography
Kira Mitts - Blueberry by sushipie

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Wednesday's Word

Main Entry: sleepy

Pronunciation: \ˈslē-pē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): sleep·i·er; sleep·i·est

Date: 13th century

1 a : ready to fall asleep b : of, relating to, or characteristic of sleep
2 : sluggish as if from sleep : lethargic; also : having little activity (a sleepy coastal village)
3 : sleep-inducing (source)

"Decisions, particularly important ones, have always made me sleepy, perhaps because I know that I will have t o make them by instinct, and thinking things out is only what other people tell me I should do." Lillian Hellman

"Marge, what's wrong? Are you hungry? Sleepy? Gassy? Gassy? Is it gas? It's gas, isn't it?" Homer Simpson

"If we feel the least degradation in being amorous, or merry or hungry, or sleepy, we are so far bad animals and miserable men." William Morris

"I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet." Jack London

Sleepy Owls in Tangerine - The Pillow Pouch (Frame Purse) by alliebeans
Man in the Moon- Screen Printed Babydoll Shirt, Pale Slate Blue with Violet Ink by WrenWillow

clockwise from top left:
Sleepy Owls Pillow by OutonaLimbDesign
Sleepy Elephant Brooch by madebyagah
Philomena Petunia- The Sleepy Woodland Bunny Plush by sleepyking
Sleepy Panda Eye Mask by emandsprout

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Etsy Purchase: zJayne Dryer Pillow Sheet

I'm always looking for ways to cut costs and ways to be kind to the environment. When a product comes along that lets me do both of these things, my squeals of delight can be heard from miles away!

Enter zJayne and her awesome recycled products that are made from used t-shirts. I can't recall how I stumbled upon her shop, but boy am I glad I did! I noticed that she had dryer pillow sheets, which I've been wanting to purchase for quite some time.

I've read in a few places about the toxicity of dryer sheets. The chemicals used in them have been linked to a variety of not-so-fun things from cancer to irritation of the respiratory system. On top of that, they take hundreds of years to break down. Think about how many dryer sheets you use in a month! It adds up. I decided to purchase a sample dryer pillow sheet and give it a try.

I won't lie, when I opened the package I was a little nervous. The scent of lavender (the pillow sheets are filled with home-grown organic lavender buds) was pretty strong. I was afraid my clothes would end up smelling just as strongly. I was pretty sure my husband would not be fond of smelling like a lavender dream. I threw the pillow into the dryer with our newly-washed load and crossed my fingers.

When I went back down an hour or so later, my fears weren't eased. The smell of lavender filled the room and became even more powerful when I opened the dryer. The smell dissipated a bit while I was folding the clothes and when my husband picked up his newly cleaned t-shirt and put it on, he didn't even notice. Success!

I'm in looooove. This little pillow should last me from 4-12 months as long as I store it in an airtight container between loads. All it takes to refresh the soothing smell (which I need when I find used tissues in my husband's pockets after I've lectured him endlessly on removing everything from them before putting them in the hamper) is a little scrunching. Another perk? You can even use these little sacks as a sachet for your car instead of having those ugly trees hanging from your rearview mirror.

Check out zJayne's shop for even more eco-friendly goodies from shopping bags to altered art.

clockwise from top left:

Peace with Special Design LINED What's Your Word Pouch Wristlet
Paper or Plastic No Thank You THREE
Treasured Heirloom Custom Art by zJayne (Commission Your Own OOAK Art Doll)
Keep Calm and Recycle On Dryer Pillow Sheets SET of THREE

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