Cherry Blossoms and Chai: Must Haves

Showing posts with label Must Haves. Show all posts

Monday, October 14, 2013

Fina china that made the earth crack open

I hate Mondays. I really really do. I wish we could outlaw Mondays and make it part of the weekend. It is my most unproductive day of the week and it drags on and on and feels like it never ends. Now, you may be thinking, how does that have anything to do with the title of this post. Well, since it is my most unproductive day, I spend my Monday's goofing on...in other words, today I was looking up fine china patterns :D

Why, because I walked into Bed Bath and Beyond on Sunday to buy a house warming present for a friend and I always walk through their fine china section just to see what's new on the shelves, what new patterns I like, and whether I would still buy the pattern that I have (Lenox Opal Innocence). It's this bad habit that I have, as a way to justify in my head that the money, or gifts more like, were well spent. I love my pattern, and have way too many of them, but things change, so I like to confirm my liking every time I walk in, and walk back out with my head held high, thinking, nope, I got the best pattern. Let's not even mention that this is America's top selling fine china pattern. They all copied me. Come on people. Well, anyways, this was the first Sunday in 5 and half years where the answer was NO.

The earth rumbled and cracked open and I fell through it. I painstakingly picked myself up out of the man made hole, and slowly dragged myself out, trying not to make a scene while I contemplated stealing a plate or two of the new pattern (j/k!).

What pattern you dare ask broke my heart and has helped me waste my Monday.

The new Garden Grove, by Lenox. And, if you haven't been following me, let me tell you, I have an obsession with blue and white and this new pattern is killing me.

Oh beautiful plate, how you make me want to serenade you...

I also found this beautiful pattern, the Opal Innocence Silver in plain sight for my poor eyes to see, which is similar to the Opal Innocence, except the scrolls are in silver. Why, God, why. Why do they have to keep making beautiful things. Stop!

Now, I really do love the pattern that I have and it really is beautiful, but so are these. And, if I had to pick again, there is a high chance, it would be one of the above :D and that fellow readers is what made the earth crack open yesterday!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Just a few of my favorite things

A few things that I absolutely love and just had to share :)

Officially, my first real strand of pearls, courtesy of my favorite man on our 5th Anniversary.

My new mini jewelry catcher/plate/organizer/lifesaver/ring finder when in panic mode :)

My new tea cup :) This cup lists 5 essential life lessons to live by (according to Buddhism), which apply to everyone, anywhere. I asked someone to translate it for me and this was their rough translation: something about being kind, taking care of elders, having peace...

Washi tape :D wahoo!

My new black bag...yes, I have a collection...yes, it's a disease...no, I don't have the room.

Took my little blue and white plate (newest addition to my dish hoarding disease) to work and it makes me smile :)

Prada Sunglasses that look oh so fabulous on me that I totally bought in my head, but had to leave at the store :D

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Organized Sink Caddy

I used to have a really nice soap dish with sponge holder that made my sink area very tidy, but after about a year, the soap caddy started to leak (there was no crack...so beats me why) and it was a soapy soapy mess. I ended up returning it (yay for Bed Bath and Beyond) and got another one that looked a bit sturdier. Well...the STAINLESS STEEL rusted after about 6 months and it got tossed. Ever since then my sink area has been an eye sore. I couldn't find anything I liked that also seemed to organize until now. Oh TJMaxx you are my BFF!

Introducing my new sink caddy :) Umbra - Cove Sink Corner Shelf

I needed something that would not be in the way, that would hold all my things (soap dishes, sponges, brush, magic eraser), that would air out my sponges and ideally drip the excess water into the sink. Well this does all of the above! It sits a bit awkward on my sink...because my sink is just awkward, but it doesn't get in the way at all.

Little tiny drain :)

Yay for tidiness :)

Thursday, April 18, 2013

41 Olive

The other day, the hubby and I made a visit to this new store that I've been wanting to show him for quite some time now. We are a big fan of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, so when I came acoross this place, I knew it was made for me :D In case i'm ever lost and you can't find me, I will be here, sampling all the various oils and vinegars and just enjoying myself.

41 Olive is a specialty store that is lined, wall to wall, with a huge variety (41 to be exact) of flavored extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. If you are a lover of oil and vinegar, this is a place to check out. The most amazing part, besides the variety of options to chose from and free sampling with bread, is the ability to mix and match flavors to make something unique and fabulous. This place is amazing and to die for, and if you ask me, the price is worth it. Definitely makes for a great gift for someone (or even yourself, hehe).

We bought the smaller sample sizes (for now, cough!) which seem to only be available in store. It was a hard decision, but we finally decided on 2 oils and 2 vinegars.

1. Cranberry pear white balsamic vinegar
2. Pomegranate balsamic vinegar
3. Organic persian lime olive oil
4. Meyer lemon olive oil

So far, i've only tried these on salad, but you can use them to marinate chicken or fish or just have them with bread alone.

The mixes we've made are:
1 and 4; cranberry pear white balsamic vinegar with meyer lemon olive oil
2 and 3; Persian lime olive oil with pomegranate balsamic vinegar.

So, if you ever find yourself making your way to this store or even buying online, try these options if you can't make up your mind. I promise you'll love them.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Must Have Gadget - Progessive Slicer

OMG, do I have a super cool gadget to show you. Introducing my new, super cool, must have, totally in love with, progressive (anything you want that's squishy) slicer! Welcome to my new new, lazy womens tool! AKA, the Progressive Compact Egg Slicer.

Basically, it can slice through anything that is soft. It comes with 3 different slicer plates. So far, I have sliced through eggs, mushrooms, olives (3 at a time) and strawberries. Just be careful, the metal "blades" (which aren't really blades) aren't secured that well into the orange piece (whatever it's called). It works great, but the little slicer metal "blades" can break away easily. But, other than that...it's SUPER AWESOME and TOTALLY MAKES MY LIFE SO MUCH EASIER/FUNNER/ORGANIZED.