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Galentines 2014

better late than never? christmas edition

Yes, I am just getting around to posting these. And I'm not even guilty. Muhaha.

Christmas was pretty great this year. We travelled down to Long Beach/ Laguna for the holidays so I didn't want go overdo it on the decorations since we weren't going to be home. I still wanted a festive feel, and most importantly, the house had to smell like Christmas trees. Rather than getting a great big one and trying to squeeze it into our teeeeeny apartment, I got discarded branches from the Christmas tree lot and put them in vases all around the house.  

Branches: $0 

House smelling like fairy wonderland Christmastime: $Priceless.

Christmas tree from Michaels | Sign hand stamped by me, frame from Ikea 

Acorn votive from Crate & Barrel

 Brass monkey from India | Frame from Cost Plus | Flowers from Ric, just because. 

Holly branch from Michaels | Tray from Long Beach Flea Market

 Tree from Ikea | Lights and ornaments from Michaels

Sign hand stamped by me, frame from Ikea | Acorn from the curb outside my apartment 

Branches from Christmas tree lot | Vase from Ikea

Mr. Owl from my 2009 trip to Turkey | Holly from Michales 

Blurry gold votives in the back from Target

Desk from EQ3 | TV from Katie | Lamp from Ikea 

Cute guy trying to ignore me so he can read came with the chair (thanks, Ikea!)

storage for your bits and bobs

Luckily, I get to travel a lot. I've been out of the country at least once a year since 2005...insane! I wish I could say I'm a whiz at packing by now, but I still find it difficult to hone outfits and get more wear out of a limited wardrobe. One thing I have perfected, I must say, is jewelry storage. I don't mess around; I've lost too many valuable pieces of jewelry over the years and I have learned my lesson, universe! Here is my new obsession for carrying small pieces of jewelry. Surprisingly, pill boxes hold a lot of jewelry. I used this one over Christmas holiday and it helped all my rings and earrings! Pretty impressive.

Also, here are a few tips:

1. If you're traveling with any valuable jewelry (either valuable in price or sentiment), wear it or put it in a noticeable container in your carry on. Do not check it! If the airlines lose your luggage, you will be glad you followed this piece of advise. 
2. As tired as you may be at the end of the night, put your jewelry away in your container, not the bedside table. Jewelry slips between cracks, under beds, etc. This way it is assured that your stuff will be safe.
3. If you can, make a list of what you're taking. This is especially helpful if you're going on a big trip and covering different locations and events. 

Galentines Sleepover

Oh hi there. You may have heard of something called "Valentine's Day". It's when people spend money on hard-to-get dinner reservations and stress out about spending money and spending time together. At least, that's my interpretation and that is why Mr. Ñ and I do not celebrate V-Day. This year he is going to be in Mexico for a brofest  bachelor party and I decided to have a girltimefuntime sleepover not realizing that it was on Vday weekend! Of course the idea has evolved to a GALENTINES SLEEPOVER!

I've created a wee list of fun activities my fair ladies can expect to undertake at this slumber party. Of course we will start with fun cocktails (and I'm not talking mai tais. I don't have time for that shit.) Then we will have a YouTube presentation on the history of Valentines Day and promptly move on to watching Clueless while enjoying aforementioned cocktails. Following the "quote every line from Clueless" extravaganza, we will move the Dance Party USA (read: lots o' Britney) with a sprinkling of GT.

Needless to say, I am excited. What are you doing for Vday?

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chicken waaaangs

I really enjoyed making these chicken wings, although I accidentally bought drum sticks instead of wings and had to cook them differently because of the fact that there was a l o t of chicken. Wah wah. I'm eager to make these with actual chicken "wings". Oh, and the dipping sauce was awesome...I mean goat's cheese? Forgetaboutit!

Recipe found here.

Line