Before and After - Bedroom

We decided to repaint our bedroom this weekend. The walls were an advocado greenish color with tan trim. As much as I love green, these colors combined just weren't working. Our room doesn't get a lot of sunlight and it just felt like it was always gloomy in there. The room needed a lighter color paired with white trim to brighten it up and make it look bigger. Here are the before shots:

The color we decided on is a light greyish-blue - silver mist to be exact. Here are the after shots:

We couldn't be happier with the new color. It's like we have a whole new room! Now I just need some curtains, a new lamp, nightstand and some framed pictures for the walls. I was also thinking about getting a black and white bedspread (I saw a cute duvet at Ikea) and a new hamper (maybe a wicker one?). I'll be sure to post more pictures once the room is complete. Let me know what you think!

Vegan Cupcakes that taste good!

I have family with dairy allergies (not lactose intolerant but highly allergic to dairy!) and these cupcakes are a great treat that taste like the real thing. The secret ingredient: avocado. I found this recipe in Vegetarian Times. I used canned frosting on these (believe it or not, it's dairy free - but not very good for you) but I'm going to work on a frosting recipe with coconut milk - stay tuned!

Cupcakes (makes 12):

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
1 cup agave nectar (the original recipe calls for pure maple syrup - but it's sooo expensive)
3/4 cup plain soymilk
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Puree avocado in a food processor until smooth. Add agave nectar, soymilk, oil and vanilla. Blend until creamy. Whisk avocado mixture into flour mixture.

Spoon batter into cup cake tin. Bake 25 minutes. Cool.

Enjoy!

Things I like: old + new

Here's a peak of some things around my house that I like.

My most favorite are the things from my Grandmother, like these adorable canisters:

I also love finding things at bargain stores like TJ Maxx. These roosters were acquired on two separate trips to that store, both times found by Rick. We paid $5.99 for the red one and $2.99 for the blue one. I think they're adorable:

These owl mugs, which I recently turned into planters, were found after an all-day trip to Japantown in San Francisco with my friend Jaime. I think I paid $5.00 per mug:

While there my friend Jaime bought me these cute owl salt and pepper shakers for my birthday. I think the set was $10.00:

I will have lots more of my favorites to share soon!

The Kitchen

I just recently moved in with my boyfriend and I have really been enjoying decorating and adding to his decor. Luckily we have very similar taste and he shares my love of the color green :)

I'd like to share the transformations of the entire house (once that happens ;) ) but right now I think the kitchen is in a good spot and is so far, my favorite room in the house. I'm am so excited that the new place has a dishwasher, ice cube maker and brand new appliances - quite a step up from my last apartment!

There are still some changes I'd like to make. I think a white glossy brick back splash would look great by the stove and the sink and I'm contemplating changing the cabinet knobs to something a little more fun. I also want to make some curtains for the windows. I guess I have my work cut out for me! Let me know what you think!

Before and After

I purchased these two little duck candle holders from The Goodwill in Arlington Heights. I think I paid $4.00 for both of them. I bought some spray yellow spray paint from Joanne fabrics for $4.00 and two little succulent plants from Sprout Home for $3.00 each. I'm debating whether or not I should take the plants out of the plastic holders. Let me know what you think!

White Bean and Kale Soup

I found this recipe on Whole Food's website and added frozen white corn and celery to their recipe. It's delicious and really easy:

Serves 4-5

• 1 (32-ounce) box of low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 package of The Original Brat Haus Chicken Sausage (I used the chipotle flavor)
• 1/2 of a large yellow onion, chopped
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cans of great northern beans
• 1 cup of frozen white corn
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• 1/2 bunch of kale, stems and tough ribs removed, leaves roughly chopped

Heat 1/8 cup broth in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated and sausage is just browned, about 10 minutes. Add onions, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 10 minutes more. (Add a generous splash of broth to the pot if onions begin to stick)

Meanwhile, put 1 1/2 cups of beans and 1 cup of broth into a blender and puree until smooth; set aside. Add remaining broth to sausage mixture in pot and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add kale, white corn and celery, reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until wilted and softened, about 5 minutes. Uncover, add remaining beans, bean puree, salt and pepper and simmer until hot throughout, about 5 minutes more.

Enjoy!!

Lil Buni

hey lil guy...