Are You Watching: House of Cards?

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Have you been watching House of Cards? It is my new favourite "TV Show" and I'll use that term loosely because it's not really on TV. It's only available streaming on Netflix which means you can watch it at your leisure. You want to watch all 13 episodes in one sitting? Go ahead. You want to wait and watch one episode per month? You can do that too but I doubt you'll be able to wait that long to finish the series. 

If you don't know, the show is a U.S. political drama (which isn't something that would normally pique my interest) with an amazing cast. The lead is Kevin Spacey, who does an ah-ma-zing job playing Congressman Frank Underwood. He has an great supporting cast too that includes Robin Wright (Penn) as Claire Underwood, Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes, Corey Stoll as Peter Russo, and Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper, among others.  It has gotten great reviews, and comes highly recommended by me (if that counts for anything). 

Have you been watching House of Cards? What are your favourite shows right now?

What I Have My Eye On: Etsy Edition

I could spend hours browsing Etsy.com. If you aren't familiar with the website, I would describe it as a collection of the most unique, homemade/handmade items you could imagine. Hundreds of thousands of them. If you could imagine it, chances are it is on Etsy, and if its not, often chance there is someone willing to make it or build it for you. Here are a few of my favourite things that I've come across recently:

Chevron cutting board by WoodInk -$45

WoodInk has some of the most amazing cutting boards I've ever seen. The boards are constructed entirely from scratch when you order. You are able to choose from 4 different types of wood. I think this would be a great wedding, mothers day, or housewarming gift. I wouldn't mind buying one for myself. 

Play like a Pirate Tee- $26

Monorail is a store that features some pretty cool/unique screen prints. I fell in love with this tee when it I first saw it featured on Lauren from My Grey Desk Blog recently. It is printed on a super comfy American Apparel t-shirt and are made to order. This is definitely on my favourites/to-order-in-the-near-future list. 

Gold hammered stacking ring set- $69

One of my most first and most favourite purchases to date from Etsy are my gold stacking rings (very similar to those pictured). I have gotten more compliments than I can count on them. These ones are from forkwhisperer. They are made to order in your ring size and are made from 12 karat gold filled bands. 

Washington DC city map print- $20

I recently purchased this as a gift and think it's pretty awesome (also I may or may not have a soft spot for map art in general). This print is from joebstudio and is a limited edition. The store features a bunch more city maps as well as some state maps (all hand drawn). I can tell you from first hand experience it makes a great gift :)

I hope that this post didn't come off as being too sale's pitchy because that's definitely not what I'm going for. I wasn't compensated in any way from any of these sellers nor am I affiliated with them. I just wanted to share with you some of my favourite things that I've found recently on Etsy. 

Do you have any favourite Etsy stores or have you made any great Etsy finds lately?

It's Friday!

1. I've come to the realization that my cat Mewmew just isn't very social...or friendly. The outdoor neighborhood cats come to visit and she hisses and her tail puffs up and she scratches at the door. I wish she could just play nice. 

2. I spent last weekend working (I put in about 36 hours of overtime through the weekend including Friday) which wasn't all that bad because this was my view. Mind you, it was freezing cold but it could have been worse. 

3. It's audit month at work which makes for a very stressful workplace. Rex, this little guy on the window to my cubicle/pod at work cheers me up and helps me get through the day. 

4. I can almost taste the sweet sweet DC air. My vacation is only 8 days away! I can hardly wait. DC has to be one of my favorite places ever and I can't wait to go back :)

Oh, How Pinteresting

I should start off by saying I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. On one hand, I love it, for a bunch of reasons. I find hundreds and hundreds (literally) of great DIY tips, makeup and hair ideas, and amazing recipes. On the other hand...I can easily spend hours and hours pinning without realizing. It has become one of my go-to ways to procrastinate.  

Zucchini Brownies

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At work we've been on a "healthy" kick and have been taking turns bringing in a healthy snack each day to share with our co-workers. I made these last week and they were actually a big hit. I will admit they had a bit of a funky smell to them but they were extremely moist and delicious as far as a zucchini, applesauce, banana brownie would go.  

Dodecahedron Pendant Light

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I've had my eye on this dodecahedron light for a while now.  A DIY version has been posted by View Along the Way which I would love to try and make...although it seems like there's a lot of math and angels involved.

Subtle Ombre Hair

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So, I'm thinking of jumping on the ombre bandwagon. I realize that I'm about a year and a half late...and it may or may not be on its way out (or completely out) but I think I need a change. I think it's safe to say I'm afraid of commitment when it comes to my hair..but that's a whole post on its own. Lets just leave it at...I found these two really nice subtle ombre pins.  

Gold Dipped Feathers

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I love these gold dipped feathers. I think they would look pretty in a clear vase. I have also seen them hung on a string like a garland. 


I'm linking up with the The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday. 

3-Step Crusty Bread

This is by far the best bread that I've ever made...that being said I feel that it is only fair to tell you that this is also the only bread that I've ever made...but still, it is amazing. Three steps: Mix, rise, bake. (I guess its four steps if you want to count eating it...technically the most important)

This may in fact be the recipe for the perfect "no-knead" bread. It requires little to no effort, which, if you know me at all, is right up my alley. The complete recipe will follow.

The first step is to add 3 cups of all purpose flour to a large mixing bowl. 

Next add 1/2 teaspoon of yeast (smart tip: this is exactly one Fleischmann's yeast packet), 1- 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. 

Mix the dry ingredients together in the mixing bowl. 

Add 1-1/2 cups of water to the dry mixture.

Use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix all of the ingredients together. Breath easy, this is as close to kneading as you will get. 

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it sit for a whole 12-14 hours. 

After you have waited the 12-14 hours you'll have noticed that the dough has risen a pretty significant amount.  Turn your oven on to 450 degrees. Place your enamel cooking pot inside while the oven pre-heats for approximately 30 minutes. 

Turn the dough out on to a heavily floured surface. You may want to flour your hands before forming the dough in to a ball shape.  

Remove the enamel pot from the oven. Be careful, at this point the pot is very hot (and stays very warm for a long time after being out of the oven). Place your dough in to the pot and place it back in to the oven with the lid on for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for another 15 minutes. 

The result is a very easy very delicious crusty bread.

A Happy Saturdays Step Crusty Bread

 -3 cups all purpose flour

-1/2 teaspoon yeast (one Fleischmann's yeast packet)

-1-3/4 teaspoon salt

-1/2 teaspoon sugar

-1-1/2 cup water

What you will need:

-enamel pot

-large mixing bowl

-measuring cups

-measuring spoons

-plastic wrap

-mixing spoon

Valentines Day Nails

     materials needed:    

-nude polish for base

-red polish for hearts

-toothpick or dotting tool

-clear top coat

optional: quick drying clear coat 

source via pinterest

I found this handy diagram telling you how to properly paint your nails. I wish I knew this a few years ago when I was getting nail polish all over my fingers (not that I still don't do that). 

Now used the skills you just mastered to apply a nude base coat of a nude polish to your nails. 

I've used essie's ballet slippers. One of my all time favourites.

After your base coat is dry.I like to add a layer of essie's 'to dry for' before adding the hearts (not pictured).  

The next step is to add the hearts! I've used essie's fishnet stockings. 

The first step to make a heart is adding one small dot. I find that it's easiest to make dots by dipping a toothpick into the polish and then applying it to the nail. I know that there are dotting tools sold specifically for polish but I don't own any of those. 

Next, add another small dot beside your first leaving a small space between. These will make the first two "humps" of your heart. 

Finally, connect the two dots by dragging the polish from the dots down to form a point. It's super easy. 

After this step I applied a final layer of clear polish to set the hearts. 

Happy Valentines Day!