8 Things Make Me Happy This Week

1.  Goodbye, I've spent my entire life savings on miniatures.

2.  Sometimes my brain thinks that creativity is a scarce resource too.  (ppssst, it's not)

3.  Hi.  Duh.  I'm doing this obviously.  

4.  Ya know, if I didn't have a 9-5 job, I could make cakes like this too. That's whats holding me back. Not, like, ya know, talent.

5.  Love these travel beauty essentials since I'm going on a cheeky little trip to merry ol' England next week!

6.  Everything makes sense now!

7.  This is everything.  (See what I did there?)

8.  The Sephora VIB Sale is next week.  Someone get my smelling salts!

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

What a week.  Friday already?!  I ain't complain'.  I have a haircut coming my way tomorrow and I.can't.wait.  You've never seen a person who needs a haircut worse than me.  Anywayzzz, let's get crackin'.

1.  If you are a food blogger, these tips make tons o' sense.  Especially the "movable background" bit.  I've got a few "prop" backgrounds and I'm never going back.  

2.  I'm sailing.  This is what sailing is.  

3.  Colorized pictures seem too real.  

4.  Yes, I'd like one order of the Taos Sweet Ass Chops and a side of Ms. French Fries please. 

5.  Ya know what?  I'm not mad about it.  

6.  Tell me something that these Honey Candied Walnuts wouldn't taste good in.   I dare ya'.  

  

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

I'm reinstating my "Happy This Week" posts after a brief unexpected laziness-induced hiatus.  Just bein' real with you.  

1.  Roasted Chicken Ramen- I've made this recipe twice already and it's amazing.  Who knew homemade ramen was so simple? (probably a lot of people)  And my god people, have you smelled a bottle of sesame oil?!  Heeaavvveeennnn. 

2.  Hey, I agree with all these.  My grandma loved making her "salves" (crushed vitamins with vaseline in a mortar and pestle.  We didn't ask questions) and she was so resourceful and frugal.  She saved ziplock bags and washed paper plates.  She even saved stale bread to feed the birds.  I think we could all do a little good to live a bit like the grandmas of the world.  

3.  Being a very frequent visitor of comment sections for other baking blogs, I can attest that these are all hilariously true.

4.  MY DREAM HAIR.  Ugh.  

5.  Nope.  Nope nope nope.

6.  I've long professed my adoration of EssieButton's YouTube videos and now her boyfriend, Aslan, has a new channel called The Worktop.  It features recipes/crafts/DIYs and it's basically a delightful mix of useful ideas paired with the most beautiful dang editing on the internet.  

So what's making you happy this week?  

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Oh hey I got a new blog design!  The mood struck last week and 2 hours later, I had me a new blog.  That will likely happen in another 3 months when I decide I hate my current design again.  I'm smart like that.  

1.  The thing is, I don't think these are even the most ridiculous ones.  

2.  Ya know what, I'm into this.  I've been considering a new ear piercing lately or even my nose pierced (...again) but is 30 too old for that sorta thing?  I've got about 2 more months of my twenties left in me so it just feels like now or never!  

3.  This is my ddrreeaaaaammmmm.   I once worked at a salon that mixed its own lipglosses and I did not truly appreciate the magic at my fingertips at the time.  Youth it wasted on the young!  

4.  I was just telling the hubs the other day that I want to make a big batch of fudge to keep in the freezer for some sneaky snacking every now and then.  I mean, it's unlikely to look as beautiful as this but a girl can try.  

5.  I'd like to add one thing to this list: "All bugs extinct forever guaranteed" and Eric's would be "Allergies are no longer a thing anymore" 

6.  Well hey, that's pretty easy huh?  

What's making you happy this week?

5 Things Making Me Happy This Week

It's actually hot and humid in Chicago this week after nearly a whole summer being mild and I know I have no right to complain but I'm still gonna complain like hell and you can't stop me.  UGH IT'S HOT.  Ok, now happy stuff:

1.  Someone Ate This makes me feel so much better about my own food photography skills.  And just about life in general actually.  No matter how bad it gets, at least my food never looks like this.  

2.  Something about summer has me majorly craving cole slaw and crunchy noodley salads.  This  Crunchy Spicy Peanut Lime Salad is hittin' allllll the right notes.  Wouldn't mind a little chicken up in there too.  

3.  Perhaps the best MAC Collection yet?  If there is any product that I will purchase purely for the packaging, this is it.  And I'm not ashamed to admit that.  

4.  Who knew that so many foods would have so many sexual references?  Say what you want about Buzzfeed, they know how to bring the goods sometimes.  

5.  Blueberry Pie Donuts?!  Uuuggghhhhhhh.  I just want them right now without the effort required to make them.  Life is so unfair! 

What's making you happy this week?

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

The weather in Chicago has been nearly perfection the last few days (aka it feels like fall) and I've got a mug of chamomile tea by my side.  Oh, and FRIDAY.  

1.  This Blackberry Jam Donut Bundt Cake.  Donut!  Bundt!  I mean, duh, why hasn't this been thought of before?  Anything bathed in butter and coated in cinnamon and sugar is a sure win.  

2.  This is real?!  Wanna know what's even better though? I'll be able to see it in person.  WHEN I GO TO LONON.  Eeep!!!  Mark your calendars: November.  I'll come back so European.  

3.  I've got what could be considered a mild obsession with thrift store china saucers and the thought of upcycling them never occurred to me.  This is an adorable idea but I maayyyy not go with the bug theme.  Not quite my style on account of my inability to see a bug without practically losing consciousness.  

4.  I've never done a juice cleanse but I am highly suspicious of all this "detoxing" people speak of.  The thing is, no one has ever named exactly what is being detoxed.   And it seems like most people are either all in or all out.  Love 'em or hate 'em.  It was nice to find an article with a balanced approach to it.  Stop the madness people!

5.  Ok yeah I'll take some of these Kahlua Crunch Bars please.  NOW.  (See how quickly I can forget about detoxing?)

6.  I have discovered what is possibly a major game changer.  The Perfumed Court is a website that sells high-end perfumes for prices that don't make me weep!  They decant those lovely expensive perfumes you never let yourself buy (but smell every time you enter the store and ask for samples for the millionth time) and sell them in smaller sizes for cheaper prices.  Being someone who can sometimes go from loving to hating a perfume with the flip of a switch, I'd prefer to have several selections in smaller sizes than one or two choices in full bottles.  The first one I'm eyeing up is Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir.  It's sweet and slightly spicy and reminds me of cough syrup but in a really good way.  (Remind me to never describe perfume again).

What's making you happy this week?

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

That sweet sweet moment on Saturday morning when I enjoy a homemade iced coffee and watch the Food Network is calling to me!  I'm comin' Saturday! 

1.  This is just the saddest.  I actually don't find many food advertisements to be appetizing anyways (they always looks so plastic-y to me) but dang, those real pictures are rough.  Somebody doesn't know the value of some natural light.  #bloggersknowhatsup  

2.  Brownie Brittle!  Dyyiinnnggg.  I found Brownie Brittle a few weeks ago in my local grocery store and that stuff is like crack.  It's got the absolute essence of a brownie but it's crunchy and tastes light as air.  And it's 0 calories (in my mind)!  I wanted to try a homemade version but I never got around to testing it out.  This recipe is heading straight to the top of my list!  

3.  This is possibly the world's best pasta.  I haven't even tasted it but I'm confident I'm right.  

4.  The thing is, if I were to try this eye look myself, I would look like a 1980's prom queen who got caught in the rain.  There's just no way I could make it work.  But I so badly want to try!  So the question is, what day of the week is best to look like a 1980's prom queen who got caught in the rain?  

5.  I am 100% certain that this is what every yoga teacher wants to say.  I'd like to take a yoga class where people just be real with me.  

6.  Feel like I just need to tuck these affirmations away for a rainy day.       

What's making you happy this week?

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

A little quiet around these parts this week, eh?  Between traveling a bit, getting back to work and feeling a little blah, I've fallen a bit behind.  Fear not, I've still got happy-making things this week:

1.  These industry food styling tips explain why I never really find advertisement food to be appetizing: because it's hardly real food.  I've got mad respect for food bloggers who don't use these tips and still make food look downright irresistible.  

2.  Tea fanatics like myself will like this handy guide to tea.  I hardly consider myself to be a tea snob but loose leaf tea is where the magic happens.  

3.  Well, while we're talking about guides to things (I lead an exciting life, don't I?), how about oats?  I found this to be SO helpful.  It's like, I sorta knew these things but I also sorta didn't?  I sure as heck didn't know what to do with a groat though.  If I had to guess, I would have said a groat was a troll-like man who lived under a bridge.  

4.  Uuuhhhh, where was this list of questions you should ask at every job interview back when I was interviewing and miserable?  Because I always know you should ask questions after an interview but obviously my mind is blank and all I can think of is that I usually have to pee and I'm probably sweating and I'm so thirsty and "what's the company culture like?"  

5.  Omelet Scones?  Yup!  I'll take one please.  Or seven.  

6.  I just love this "Letter from Anthony Bourdain."  So many leather jackets.  

7 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Another week of summer flown by!  And I'm jetting off to NYC this weekend to visit the little sis!  Woo!  Let's talk about happy things:

1.  Seinfeld emojis are the best news of the week!  Since getting cable recently, it seems like there isn't an hour of the day when an episode of Seinfeld isn't airing and I'm lovin' every minute of it Jerry!  Binge watching til bedtime?  Yep.  

2.  You'll probably notice that around these parts, I don't make a lot of desserts that require much intricate decorating.  There are several reasons for this (laziness, lack of skills, laziness...) but when I spy a cake like this Trix Cake, it makes me want to run to the kitchen and have at it.  

3.  I LOVE reading about marketing tricks for different industries and this list of restaurant menu secrets was fascinating.  I don't know why I'm surprised to find that so much research has gone into menu creation.  It makes you wonder what other sorts of marketing tricks we fall prey to on the daily.  I'd love to know industry secrets for cosmetics since I am a documented sucker for pretty packaging.  

4.  When I was younger I distinctly remember my Grandma Anna using a mortar and pestle to grind up vitamins and vaseline to make her "salve," which she would put on her face for supposed beauty benefits.   She was a peculiar, fascinating woman.  We all joked about it and chalked it up to the one million other odd things my grandma did.  According to xoVain though, my grandma was actually on to something.  Aren't grandma's always right? (and weird).  

5.  Since recently painting a dresser in my bedroom, I've been drunk on painting!  I want to paint all the furniture in my home (but oddly not the walls...).  Just look at this adorable bar cart!  I'd take up drinking a nightcap every day just as an excuse to make that cart.  

6.  It's amazing how it sometimes takes one article for something to click.  This article on silicones in beauty products answers so many questions for me!  I feel like I can make much more informed purchases with a little knowledge on the ingredients in cosmetics.  If you've got 10 minutes to spare, I really recommend the read.  

7.  Ok, let's all just get a grip people! 

What's making you happy this week?

5 Things Making Me Happy This Week

We did it.  We made it to Friday.  Hallelujah.

1.  I don't need this, I don't need this, I don't need this. http://www.beautezine.com/bobbi-brown-surf-sand-collection-for-summer-2014-photos-information/  #nobuyjuly 

2.  Cats Sitting Awkwardly couldn't get any better unless it was Cats Chillin' in Boxes.  

3.  I am forever is awe of the beauty of pies.  This Bumpy Cherry and Almond Pie is gawjus.  Making a beautiful pies is something that is forever out of my grasp.  Good thing I can make a damn good cookie.  

4.  If the word "nachos" exists, I provide my stamp of approval.  No further explanation necessary.  These Apple Nachos are embarrassingly easy and I'm a bit ashamed I've never done this before.  I'm losing my nacho street cred.   

5.  I have this problem where most blushes bafflingly look the same on me.  And it's alway "clown face pink" no matter what shade I chose.  I think I'm defying the laws of light and color with my ability to alter all blushes once they hit my skin.  So this list of Nude Blushes is now my Bible.  I've been eyeing the Josie Maran Cheek Gelee for quite sometime and now it only beckons me more.    T minus 20 days until #buyeverythingAugust  

What's making you happy this week?

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Tomorrow is Friday, I've got freshly painted nails and a cup of tea.  Living large.  Let's get down to biz'naz.  

1.  These Whole-fruit Ice Pops are tah' die for.  Growing up, I've consumed more "Mr. Freeze" icy pop things than I care to know.  I would spend full summers eating only ice pops and watermelon and corn on the cob.  Talk about living the dream.  At least I can pretend I'm a grownup with these bars.  

2.  Just the other week I was thinking about building a small collection of beauty books.  I have a fair share of cookbooks but no beauty books.  And whatdya' know, xoVain compiled the list for me!  That was easy.  Didn't even have to break a sweat.  I've got my eye on that Bobbi Brown one and the Kevin Aucoin one.  Even if it is a bit 90's fabulous.  

3.  These famous photos were a bit enlightening!  However, I think it would be aptly named as "Famous photos from far away."  That Central Park picture though.  Dang.  

4.  Do you ever feel like you're just totally guessing what the heck you're doing when it comes to makeup brushes?  I'd like to think I've got things figured out but this guide on Nouvelle Daily is pretty perfect.  Couldn't have said it better myself.  And I didn't.  So yeah.  

5.  THESE ALMONDS.  Gah.  Can you imagine?  Just think of that flavor.  I could eat a pound in one sitting.  

6.  I'll just leave you with this.

What's making you happy this week?  

7 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Images via Instagram @AnniesCtyKtchn

1.  The day that I can sleep in a glass bubble in the middle of the forest is the day I can die a happy woman.  These hotels to visit before you die are iinnssaannne.  And that underwater one?!  I'm dead now.  

2.  Get ready for me to blow your mind.  Andy's mom was Jesse's previous owner in Toy Story!  For real, it all adds up.  Do they ever miss a detail?  No, they do not.  

3.  This list about Chicago for out-of-towners is pretty spot on.  ESPECIALLY #1.  Navy Pier is kinda the worst.  And #4, we don't all sound like that.  Except sometimes we really do.  I think maybe my dad does jussttt a little sometimes.  

4.  What I'm about to tell you will be a true test of our friendship.  You will either completely agree or be totally disgusted and perhaps it's best we part ways.  But Taco Bell is making breakfast and I'M VERY EXCITED.  Exclamation points!  Yes, duh, it will be totally gross and it's not like I'm gonna swing by on a Tuesday morning for an AM Crunchwrap on my way to a meeting but a greasy Saturday morning breakfast?  Yep.  I'm all about it.  Are you with me?!  

5.  I recently discovered this blog and I think I've learned more about clean eating (Taco Bell breakfast notwithstanding), processed foods, sugar addiction and body image in the past few weeks than I have from any other source.  It's really eye-opening and it's certainly made me think twice before eating quite a bit lately.  I highly recommend getting lost in the archive of articles.  

6.  The hypocrisy of what I'm about to share is not lost me.  But now that we've talked about clean eating, I think I need to tell you about this new Ben and Jerry's innovation.  What took so long for someone to come up with this?  I almost never buy ice cream but when I do, I immediately pick out all the delicious bits and keep the rest in the freezer for 9 months.  But if I could have a perfect scoop every time, that would be bad news for my waistline.  

7.  Remember how I just blew your mind about Toy Story?  Well what if I told you that Harvard University was established before calculus was even invented?  Say what?!  AND that Galileo was alive during Harvard's early years!  My sense of time is very very wrong.  Before reading this list of 8 surprising history facts I would have estimated that Galileo lived in the 12th or 13th century or even earlier.  Very wrong.  Also, I think the concept that calculus was invented was lost on me.  I just kinda assumed it always existed.  How does one invent a type of math?!  And I wanna know who was reasonable for geometry because I have a bone to pick.  

So what's making you happy this week?

6 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Images via Instagram @AnniesCtyKtchn

1.  Oh hey, there's my grandma turning 91.  She was crackin' jokes and then proceeded to beat us in a card game.  She's still got it.  

2.  These ah-mah-zing interior design ideas.  I mean, number 3?!  An indoor outdoor pool.  That's my dream come true.  Oh, and the hammock bed.  Who hasn't wanted a hammock bed?!  I always had dreams of have a floating bed in a pool too.  How can I make that happen?

3.  Holy crap, perfume bottles designed like Disney characters.  Nuts.  I think I gotta vote for Ursula or Lady Tremaine on this one.  They were always some of my favorite villains because they were so glamorous too.  The scene wear Ursula slathers red lipstick on her lips?  It speaks to me.  

4.  Hey while we're at it, why not check out these Disney princesses with period-accurate costumes?  Ok, perhaps I'm not super astute but whenever I watch Disney movies, it always seems like they take place in a vague "not-the-present" setting (aside from the obvious historical figures like Pocahontas) which I've never quite pinpointed time or place.  Like, Sleeping Beauty in 1485?  Mind blown.  And Rapunzel in the 1820s?  Ok sure, coulda fooled me.  

5.  Guys, taco popcorn?!  Yes yes yes please.  

6.  This list of 33 George Costanza gifs just seems like something everyone should have to keep on file in case of gif emergencies.  Ain't no situation a George Costanza gif can't solve.