before and after: chairs

We needed chairs for Thanksgiving, and found these grungy ones at Goodwill for $6 each. Add a funky $2 bathrobe, and a DIY project is born!


Before:



After:


Not bad, right?

Just don't flip the chair over and look at the bottom.

Were you to do so, perhaps you might find a crazy haze of staples and masking tape. Perhaps.

birds on the brain

I've long been a fan of bird motifs. We've got bird-patterned curtains in the kitchen (pictured above). I got these in Japan about seven years ago and I still adore them (I think they've hung in every apartment I've lived in since -- about 5! -- getting hemmed a couple of times along the way to fit new windows). I have a bird brooch, candle holder, shirts, and several other items that aren't popping into my head at the moment.

However, I feel like in the past few years, bird motifs have gotten so dang popular (for good reason, I won't deny), that I'm starting to like them less.

Did Twitter and its omnipresent (and adorable) little bluebird seal the final nail in the coffin? And is it wrong to like something less as it gets insanely popular, or is it only natural?

Despite my increasingly hesitant feelings, here are a few bird-themed items that still appeal to me.

This dress is absolutely fantastic (I know the image quality is bad, but click the link!)



Cute owl pillow from Moontea Artwork on Etsy




Necklace from the adorable collection of Odette (everything in that shop is fabulous!)


One of many stunning bird prints from Gennine's Etsy shop

Last but not least, this gorgeous headboard (!!!)

happy apples

These apple cozies from Roxypop on Etsy are too adorable - and, it would seem, quite practical (especially for those of us who randomly shove apples in our bags and dig them out later, bruised and battered). Intrigued.

fooooood

I haven't posted food pics on here in awhile, but that doesn't mean we haven't been eating. Quite the opposite.

So, for your consideration, two recipes:



Fried Salmon with Avocado Spread

1. Clean and dry the fish and sprinkle on some salt and pepper. Coat the fish in beaten egg and dip in flour (or maseca -- for some nice corn flavor).

2. Heat oil in a pan. Should be very hot. Then, fry your fish!

3. For the avocado sauce: Mash avocado, finely chopped onions, and a little garlic. (D. used egg in this as well, but add raw egg at your own risk!)

Very simple, but suuuuuper delicious!





Sweet Potato Mash with Bacon and Onions

1. Boil sweet potatoes. As they boil, finely chop onions and a little garlic. Cut the bacon into very small pieces and fry it (it may be easier to fry bacon first, then cut it).
2. Mash the sweet potatoes with onions, garlic, bacon -- and a little maple syrup and butter if desired. Do this while it's still hot, so the onions and garlic will cook a little.

Another super easy recipe, but it is devilishly delicious!

cutest shoes (if only i had a man's size-ten foot)

Well... that wouldn't be great either. (My feet are already pretty huge.)

However, these shoes are so adorable. And only $35! Some size-ten-footed man (or lady with even bigger feet than me!) better act fast.