Etsy Finds

May 15, 2013 by Gina Mueller

I am thinking about adding a new section to the blog called Monthly Etsy Finds.  I love, love love everything about Etsy.  Especially finding one of a kind goods- its similar to the craigslist and thrift shopping high!  And i love supporting people that are doing and selling what they love.  Maybe one day ill acquire a skill that allows me to open an Etsy shop.  Do you have any favorite Etsy shops or products? I’d love to hear about them!

Crushing hard for this amazing bag right now!  I might need to give this to myself. Extremely versatile bag and the quality looks amazing.  This is just one out of the hundreds of beautiful bags Natasha Durham makes at her Etsy show MimsMaine.

Remembers those kilim floor cushions I was drooling over the other week?  So no wonder I am smitten for this pillow shop- sofArt.  The name they picked for their store is unfortunate (sof art easily confused with so fart) but their pillows are gorgeous.

Abby Berkson knows cute pottery.  Enough said- How could you not fall in love with her shop?

Found this fun National Parks Checklist at ElloThere and it reminded me of my dream to one day take my kids (future kidos) to several national parks in the States.  My parents did something similar with us and they are some of my best childhood memories.

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My Perfect Banana Bread

May 8, 2013 by Gina Mueller

I originally wasn’t planning on posting this banana bread recipe so i didn’t take step by step pictures (sorry). However, it turned out so BOMB DIGGITY  that i had to share it.  This is the banana bread recipe I have been searching for!  My Quest began over a year ago (see quest).  Im not sure the quest will ever officially be over because I love experimenting with new banana bread, but this is my new go to recipe.

Bonus points- its made with coconut oil and oatmeal!

The funny part- I was making it to get rid of left over ingredients in preparation for the move.

 My Perfect Banana Bread

Adapted by The Live in Kitchen

For the bread:

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup oatmeal

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

4 tablespoons coconut oil

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3) – leave some chunks!

1/3 cup plain yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat a bundt pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, oatmeal, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In the bowl mix coconut oil and brown sugar on medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the banana, yogurt, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients- do not overmix.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack, then remove and cool completely on the wire rack.

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Happy Thursday

May 2, 2013 by Gina Mueller

Meow

 

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Want, Love, Do, Wear, Read – April

May 1, 2013 by Gina Mueller

 

• Want: These adorable yellow Room & Board patio chairs
• Love: My latest craigslist find!  A 1950′s Herman miller office chair.  This color reminds me of my Grandpa and a blue sweater he always wore- makes me love it even more!
• Do: Suprise- another plant diy.  Its been hard not being able to have a green thumb until after the move.  I think this herb garden ikea hack will work perfectly in the new apartment.
  
• Wear: My latest and new favorite summer dress, JCrew’s villa dress in stripe.  Easy, soft, movable and perfect for everyday (wish i could wear it everyday)
  
• Read: Little Bee- a special story that starts with a horrifying scene on an African beach.

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Kilim Floor Cushion Inspiration

Apr 23, 2013 by Gina Mueller

I love a good floor pillow- maybe its my inner yogi or maybe it’s just that I have always liked sitting on the floor… Whichever it is- I am currently on the prowl for some cute floor cushions or possibly even fabric and a diy tutorial.  Here is some of my latest inspiration:

Love the aztec prints- found this at The Marion House (wish I knew who made it!)

Hippie rooms are my weakness- lots of pattern and colors  here.  This floor pillow set up at La Gypsy Yaya.

Pillow corner- very whimsical.

These are two of my favorites (and id say the most practical for my space)! Square structure with tassels.  I found these at Houzz.

love love the Marion House 

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Floor Planner AKA Sims Real Life

Apr 10, 2013 by Gina Mueller

There were a handful of months in my life (around high school) where I dedicated all my time to the game Sims.  My version of Sims looked a bit different then the way it was intended- I would just use cheat codes and build + decorate huge homes.  I loved it!   The game consumed me-  I cant help that the idea of designing a dream home is at the top of my list.

So once I signed a lease for my new home over the weekend (Yay!) I immediately turned to Floor Planner  AKA Sims Real Life.  The program brought me back to my Sims days and I drained several hours of my day playing with room layouts…  Things were a bit tricky because I do not have the dimensions of the condo- so I estimated and looked at the 5 photos I do have.  I think Im close, but I will have to tweak it once we get measurements.  One of my favorite parts about the program is how you can change the size of the furniture to match yours!  Amazing.

If possible, I am now more excited then ever for the big move.  Next steps, finding movers and packing up all my goods.  Count down: Less than two months!

Here is a 2d version of the mock up- this is the screen you work on.

And here is the 3d version – you can not work in this mode but it gives everything a more realistic feel.

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Want, Love, Do, Wear, Read

Apr 3, 2013 by Gina Mueller

• Want:  I am currently seeking a new comfy deep set sofa.  If only I could find out who this one is made by!  The search continues- and I have to make the decision of leather or fabric?
• Love: I’m obsessed with the Skimm a daily newsletter that simplifies the news headlines.  It is difficult to stay up to date in such a quick paced work environment so the skimm is perfect!  And it is easy to understand.  
• Do: I want to create a standing succulent garden  like this one to add to my plant and herb collection.
• Wear: I’m currently wearing my Sam Edelman leopard loafers as often as I can.  They feel like comfy slippers.
• Read: I just finished reading  The Book Thief.  It was a beautiful story of a German girl during the Holocaust.  I highly recommend it!

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