Friday Fancies

This week was the first week of classes, and it flew by. Hopefully the rest of the semester goes as quickly, but I doubt it. Except for a couple, most of my classes are blah.

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The Purl Bee has some of the cutest knitting patterns I've ever seen. I really want to learn how to knit, but it is really difficult for me for some reason. There was a man sitting next to me on the trolley this week who was knitting, and I was trying to sneakily watch how he did it. If anyone has any beginner's tips, let me know.

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I really love vintage stationary, especially Christmas cards. I was looking at them on Etsy (yes, I know it's still August) and these are some of my favorites. My mom got a whole box full at a flea market a little while back, and we spent the day reading all the notes inside. All of the cards were sent to the same person, so it was like a little snapshot of her holidays throughout the years.

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I've really been liking leather jackets lately. These three are so far the ones I like best. Of course, my favorite is the first, most expensive, one. But the third faux leather one is pretty adorable too.

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I love this bowl and plate set so much! I would use it alllll the time. The soup and sandwich look pretty delicious too.

Enjoy your weekend!

Bunting!

I finished making the bunting I was working on this weekend and I love it. I hung it in the bedroom and it's definitely making it a little more cheerful in there.

I'm still working on building my collection of art for the bedroom. I'm not a hundred percent pleased with the arrangement at the moment, but I don't know how I would change it yet. I would like to find a little embroidery for the little square space and another for below the bunny cross stitch.

Isn't this adorable?? I got it at Goodwill for $1.75. It has a stain in the middle, but I'm not sure what to use to get it off. I don't want to ruin it.

Pasta with Eggplant and Roasted Red Peppers

Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables, but I never really did very many things with it. Our usual way of cooking eggplant in the summer is frying it. We peel and slice the eggplant, salt it and let it sit for a bit, dip it in an egg wash, coat it in bread crumbs, and pan fry it in olive oil. It's so delicious. But we got these little eggplants at the co-op the other day (I think they're Japanese eggplants) and they were too skinny to fry, so I made this pasta instead. It turned out really good.

Ingredients (for two):

• 1/2 lb pasta of choice (I have no idea what this pasta is called. The bag just says "Italian Pasta.")
• 1 large eggplant or 3 small Japanese eggplants
• 1 large tomato
• 2 cloves garlic
• handful of fresh basil, chopped
• olive oil
• 1/4 grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 roasted red pepper (optional- I've made it with and without, and they were both good)

Peel and dice eggplant into 1/2 inch cubes. Put in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit in the sink or over a bowl for about 10-15 minutes. Heat 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and add the eggplant. Chop garlic and add to the pan. Season with pepper.

While the eggplant is cooking, dice the tomato. If you are using the pepper, begin roasting it. I just cut mine in half lengthwise and put it under the broiler until the skin was charred. Once roasted, peel off the skin and dice.

When the eggplant is about halfway cooked, add the tomatoes, peppers, and about 2-3 more tablespoons of olive oil. Put on water for pasta and cook until tender. When eggplant mixture is cooked through, add pasta, cheese and basil to the pan. Let cook a few more minutes and add salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve with crusty bread.

Weekend in Instagram

I didn't do very much this weekend, mostly stayed in and worked on some projects, one of which I will share this week. I did, however, find a place to get my pinking shears sharpened, so I'm going to get that done this week. I'm so happy, I have several projects that I wasn't able to finish because of my pinking shear situation.

I rearranged and organized my crochet supplies. Now all of my works in progress are within easy reach, and my yarn stash is stored out of sight. I also found the perfect place to keep my hooks. Before, I had them in the basket, and they kept poking out of the holes and rolling onto the floor. Now they are all cute and I can find the ones I want quickly.

I finally finished the bag! Just in time, too, since classes start tomorrow. It is gigantic. I didn't realize just how big it is until I saw the picture of me carrying it. For the handles, I had wanted to get grommets, but I couldn't find any big enough. So I got these d rings instead and found this beautiful flower... trim? edging? (I'm not sure what to call it) for the handles. I love the way they turned out.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Friday Fancies

This week was my last week of summer before semester starts, and  I was hoping it would be super relaxing butttt no such luck. I did finish a scarf I've been working on and made some progress on another. I'll post pictures next week.

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This blog is so adorable and has some of the cutest crochet I've seen. I love all the different colors she uses. Whenever I try to do that it just looks silly, but her projects always look great.

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Look at this reusable shopping bag. It is precious. I would totally buy it and use it for all of my shopping (shipping it to the US is super expensive though :( ).



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I know I have been all about fall lately, but I really love this dress from Free People. There is a new Free People store downtown, but I haven't gone yet. Everytime I walk by, though, I have to stop to admire their gorgeous window display and doors.



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I keep seeing people make projects from this book and they are beautiful. I'm going to try to pick up a copy soon.
Enjoy your weekend!

Our Apartment

Avery and I moved into this apartment about a year and a half ago, and we have really loved living here. It has undergone quite a transformation since moving in. I don't have any before pictures (because the apartment was left super-gross by the previous tenants), but I thought I would share some now pictures.

I found this record cabinet at a yard sale a few years ago for $10. It is probably my favorite thing I have ever bought. I can't believe anyone would give it up, especially so cheaply. Also, I have quite the collection of glasses. We ran out of room in the kitchen, so they spilled over onto the bookcase. I'm still working on a cute way to display them all.

One of our bookcases/catch-all in the doorway. This bookcase was also $10. It
baffles me that people pass up furniture that is solid-wood and well made (and beautiful) for the much more expensive but cheaply made furniture you find in the stores.

The little hallway that leads to the rest of the apartment and my favorite corner in the apartment. I just love the little bookcase with the candles and Avery's fossil collection. It is also one of the darkest corners in the apartment, so it's super difficult to get a good picture of.

And our living room. Yes, that bookcase is from Target. But we really, really needed one, and for the longest time we could not find a single bookcase at thrift stores or flea markets. Then after we got this, of course we saw them everywhere.

I didn't post any pictures of the bedroom because I really don't like the way the bedroom looks right now. The walls are painted the most depressing grey-green color, and everything I've tried so far to brighten it up has failed. But I am working on a few things that I hope will make it feel a little cozier. Once I get everything arranged in there, I will be sure to post some pictures.

*So, at the moment, I only have a zoom lens for my camera. My other one was stolen a while back (long story) and I haven't been able to get a replacement yet. This is why I sometimes have to use my phone's camera. So I apologize once again for the ugly pictures.

Soba with Carrots and Cucumbers

Soba is one of my favorite things to make when it's hot out. It's served chilled and goes great with fresh vegetables and a light sauce. Plus, the only thing you need to cook are the noodles, which is perfect if your kitchen gets as hot as mine does in the summer. You can get soba noodles (which are just buckwheat noodles) at most Asian supermarkets. It comes with the noodles individually portioned, and for two people I usually use three portions of noodles.

Ingredients (for two)

• Soba noodles (three portions)
• one carrot
• half a cucumber
• scallions
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 tsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste- optional)

Put on a pot of water to boil. While waiting for the water, peel carrot and grate with a box grater or shave with a vegetable peeler. You want thin strips. You could also buy pre-shredded carrot instead. Then, peel your cucumber, cut in half, and cut each half into quarters. Remove seeds and cut into thin strips. Chop scallions, about 1/4 cup worth. When water is boiling, add soba and cook until tender (it only takes a few minutes). Drain pasta and rinse with cold water until noodles have cooled.

Mix vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and gochujang, if using (you could also use sriracha instead). You may want to adjust your sauce according to your taste. I really like a sweet and sour sauce with this dish, so I use a good amount of vinegar and honey, but if you prefer more soy sauce or a spicier sauce, then add more of those ingredients.

In a large bowl, mix together the soba, cucumber, carrots, scallions, and sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top, if desired.

Weekend in Instagram

This weekend went way too fast, but it was fun. Saturday I just stayed in and relaxed, and today I went out with my mom and sister. I am not ready to go back to work tomorrow, but this is my last week before semester begins so I want to make the best of the free time I have when I get home.

Saturday morning breakfast. I used to make a big breakfast every weekend, but we've had so much stuff going on this summer that I haven't really had the chance.

Started making some bunting for the bedroom to help make it more bright and cheerful. I really love this yarn, but I got it at a thrift store and there was no label or anything on it :(

Taking pictures with Avery. This started out as Avery taking pictures of me wearing clothes I made for some tutorials, but I got self-conscious so I just took some with Avery instead.

I went to Target for toiletries and left with boots. But the rain boots were only $8 and I really needed some. Whenever it rains I come home with wet socks.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Friday Fancies

This week turned out to be super busy, which is why I haven't posted anything. But I'm looking forward to the weekend to relax and to work on some projects. I also want to come up with a more organized posting schedule that includes specific weekly posts so that things aren't all over the place here. We'll see how that goes. On an unrelated note: I really need a haircut. My bangs are driving me crazy and I don't trust myself to cut them myself. And the sad part is, the place I get my haircut is literally two doors away from me. I just haven't gone over yet. Because apparently I am super lazy.

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I am absolutely in love with this bag. The color is perfect and the bag is beautiful. And, it really makes me wish it was fall now. I can't wait to wear scarves and boots and sweaters.

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I just found this blog yesterday, and I really wish I had known about it sooner. There are sooo many lessons and tutorials that would have been really helpful while I was figuring out how to make my white dress.

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I have been wanting these boots for ages, but I keep waiting to see if they go on sale. At the end of last winter, I found them for $80, but I still didn't buy them. I wish I had, cause they are a lot more money now. They even had them in the same green as that bag up there. And I've have been looking at them so often on Amazon that now all the ads I see on websites are for these boots. It's like torture.

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Look at how cute this scarf is. It looks so cozy and warm, and it has adorable little deer all over it :3 I really like a lot of the scarves in this shop.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Avocado and Poached Eggs

Avocados are probably the perfect food. They are so creamy and buttery and delicious. Also, they're good for you, which makes it okay to eat them for every meal of the day. My favorite way to eat avocados is with a spoon or sliced up with some lemon juice, but this meal takes a very close second. It is one of my favorite breakfasts ever, and it's really quick to make. I can't really call this a recipe. It's more like assembly instructions.

Ingredients (for two people)

• one avocado
• two slices of toast
• butter
• 2-4 eggs (I like two eggs on one piece of toast, but Avery only wanted one)
• half a lemon

Put a few inches of water in a saucepan and turn on medium-high heat. While the water is heating, peel and slice your avocado, however thin or thick you like. Squirt with the juice of half a lemon. 

Butter your toast and lay your avocado slices on top (you can also use mayo instead of butter- it's really good that way too). When your water is simmering, poach the eggs by cracking each one into the bowl (or directly over the water, like lazy me does) and swirl the whites around the yolks some. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, depending on how runny you like your yolks. Drain them on a paper towel.

Put the eggs on top of your toast, sprinkle with some salt and pepper, if desired, and enjoy.

Weekend in Instagram

Oh, Sunday. I like Sundays because they are laid back and relaxing, but I also hate them because it means the weekend is almost over. This was a three day weekend for me though, so I shouldn't complain. Thursday night, we drove up to Avery's parents' house for a little visit. When we were about a half hour away, though, a huge thunderstorm came in. Usually, I love thunderstorms. When I'm inside. But we were in the car and this was the scariest storm I've ever been in. There were lightning strikes practically ever ten seconds, and they were all cloud to ground. I'm terrified of lightning unless I'm in the house, and we were driving through trees on little, dark, winding roads, so it was even scarier. I was so glad to finally get to the house. But the next day, everything was extra pretty.

I started reading a new book since I finished all the books in the  A Song of Ice and Fire series so far. I love Sherlock Holmes; I started reading the stories when I was about nine years old and have read all of them probably a dozen times. I read once that Doyle was upset that everybody loved Sherlock Holmes, but never really payed any attention to the other things he wrote. So when I found this in the bookstore a little while back, I picked it up. I've only read one chapter so far, but I'll let you know how it is when I finish. 

I also started working on a cowl with some yarn I got super cheap at A.C. Moore a few weeks ago. I'm using a stitch I found my Reader's Digest: Complete Guide To Needlework book. I love this book so much. I think I'm going to learn how to do embroidery next. 

I got chaat for lunch today. There's a place about a half a block away that has the most delicious chaat (though, honestly, I don't really have much to compare it to :) ). It's my favorite summertime meal because it's cold and has really fresh flavors. 

I forgot to take a picture until I was almost finished. I was too excited to eat.

And my dad found a baby bunny in my parent's yard while he was mowing the lawn. There's a little family of bunnies under one of the bushes, and I guess this guy got left behind. I'm so sad I wasn't there to see it.

Well, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Friday Fancies

So, I am not home right now. I'm at Avery's parents' house in the middle of the woods. Literally, it is in the middle of the woods. All I see when I look out the windows are trees. Not that I have a problem with trees or anything. I like visiting Avery's parents, it's very quiet and relaxing here. Also, the best pecan pie in the world is located here, and I can never say no to delicious pecan pie. But then I go outside and it's hot and there are bugs. Huge bugs. Like giant black beetles almost three inches long and the biggest ants I have ever seen. Those are the moments when I feel like Charlie. But anyway, here are my Friday Fancies.

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I found the blog Kendi Everyday this week on Pinterest and I am pretty much in love. She has the cutest style and is so funny. I've been reading through all her old posts all week.

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I really want these shoes. They look like a tapestry, which, for some reason, I have been liking a lot recently. Last week I bought a pair of tapestry shoes at a thrift store that are sooo cute.

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Look at this necklace! It's gorgeous. It is also almost $400. I might try making one, but I highly doubt it would even come close to this.

Umm... so I have no idea why I have not seen this video until two days ago, but it may be the cutest thing in the world.

Well, I'm off to pester Avery until he takes me to get some of that pecan pie. Enjoy your weekend!

Tote Bag Tutorial

First off, no, there are no handles on this bag. Yet. I am in the process of searching for grommets to make said handles, and have so far been unsuccessful. I may have to order them online. But I promised I would post this tutorial. Twice. And I did not want to break my promise the second time, because I'm sure everyone was on the edge of their seat waiting for this. I know the picture is dark and blurry, but I promise, this bag is pretty darn cute in real life. And giant. I have so much trouble finding bags for school that are big enough and strong enough for all of my books. But I think this one might do it.

My mom got me this vintage upholstery fabric from a thrift store a few weeks ago when they were having a 50% off sale. It cost $2.50 for 5 yards. I had no idea what I was going to do with all of it, but then I saw this tutorial and decided to make my own version of it to use for school. I made mine pretty big, but the size can be adjusted to whatever you like.

Follow the jump for the tutorial.

Weekend in Instagram

This weekend was spent doing chores, going grocery shopping, sewing, and.... getting sushi! I was so excited about it that I scarfed down all the sushi before I even thought to take a picture. I did manage to get a picture of the Turkish juice Avery and I got later though. Mine was sour cherry and peach, and it was deeelicious.

I got a planner for school, and it is so pretty. I think so at least. Avery said it's ugly. But it has a whole section just for lists, and they're perforated so you can rip them out. I was so excited when I saw that. I also painted my nail fall colors because I am sick of summer. I hate the heat and I'm hoping I can will Fall to come sooner with my nails.

Today I worked on a bag that I will be posting a tutorial for this week. For real this time. I just need to pick up something to finish the handles and it'll be finished. For dinner I made Zucchini Rice Gratin. It was so good.

Enjoy what's left of your Sunday!