Out With the Old and In With the New

My husband finally had what I would call an intervention about my wardrobe.  Yup, he called me out on some of the clothes I had in my closet...and to be honest some of the clothes I still wear out in public too.  In my defense I do like to look good and more often than not I dress well. But sometimes I do pull out some pretty bad articles of clothing.  I know that some of you are cringing at the thought of someone in bad clothes.  

Sorry. 

He was totally right.  I was wearing clothes that were to big and old (clothes from college...that was like 5 years ago!).  Again I have to say this only happened sometimes, but they did need to go.  

So they did.  

The weekend I wrote this post I also went through all of my clothes and donated two big old bags of clothes to the Salvation Army.  I literally felt like a new woman.

Now there is room in my closet.  You know what that means?  I am filling all those empty spaces with new clothes. 

This weekend Dan and I had brunch in Back Bay at Geoffreys and then we took a little stroll and somehow magically appeared in H&M.  

How did that happen?  Such a minor detail.  Anyway.

Want to see what I got?

 

I know it doesn't look that exciting but this dress can be worn with anything.  And it fits like a glove....I actually ended up buying one in another color.  It is perfect with heels or flip flops, you can wear it with a scarf or a blazer, and the best part...it looks good all by itself too.

 

A good blazer is something I have wanted for a while but never really found one I liked.  This one goes with just about everything and looks even cuter with the sleeves cuffed (the lining is striped!).  And yes it looks perfect with the dress above.  

I did get a few other things that I can't seem to find on their website.  Either way I am trying really hard to buy clothes that are practical and can literally be worn in 1,000 different ways with 1,000 different things.  I have loads of fun clothes in my closet but I am trying to stock up on the basics.  So excuse the boring purchases that I am so thrilled about.  There will be more clothes coming since I have been bitten by the shopping bug.  

Stay tuned!

 

Octopus Lovin'

Yup you read that title right.

Yesterday I got some definite octopus lovin' at the aquarium.

Besides the fact that the octopus is in the cold marine gallery (which means very very very cold water) she is one of my favorites.

Yesterday I got to feed her and in return she gave me a few octopus kisses.

Don't worry it doesn't hurt!

Just a few battle scars.

I think I freaked my husband out coming home with hickeys on my arm.

Sorry hubby I am in love with a sea creature.

The woman on the T had a few questions for me...

Did you get allergy shots?

Are you sure those aren't hives?

You know the usual conversation that happens on your way home from work.

I always sit next to the most concerned people.

So that was part of my week.  The rest of it was pretty low key since everyone and their mom is on school vacation.  That means no traffic and even better no emergencies at work.

Aloha Friday everyone!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

So I posted about these and I got a lot of emails for the recipe.

Here it is!

Put the milk chocolate in a heatproof medium bowl or a smaller pot.  I used a whole bag of Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips.   Fill a large saucepan with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowl or small pot of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth.  Make sure the strawberries are washed and really dry.  Then just start dipping.  You can use a toothpick or just hold the strawberry by the stem and leaves.  After I dipped I placed the strawberries on a nonstick cookie sheet and put them in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Done and done.
Enjoy!

Our Weekend

I know I posted on Valentine's Day about love.  Seemed appropriate.  And I just have to say that this whole weekend was one big weekend of love.

First of all I had to work 6 days this week.  Ya I know, no fun.  I had to work on Saturday and got home totally wiped.  I was quickly rejuvenated when Dan started doing dishes, cleaning, and doing laundry.  So I cleaned the house and started on revamping the front porch.  

That night we worked out an impromptu date night with our dear friends at our apartment.

I didn't really have very much in the house for "Party Food" and I hate not having something homemade when people come over.  So I whipped up some of these....

Fruit and chocolate is probably the BEST thing ever.

 

Of course we had wine on hand.  Dan stocked me up the last time he was in New Hampshire.  It always comes on handy.

Sunday was just one big old date for Dan and I.  I have come to really appreciate decompressing on the weekends.  If I don't get to take time for myself then I become a big grumpy mess.  Taking the time to slow down and take time for me (and of course the husband) is essential to a happy Hunt household.  

Dan recognizes this too so he makes an effort to make sure the whole weekend isn't booked with plans. He knows me all too well.  

Even though ALL Sunday morning he kept joking that we had plans and a time schedule to stick to.

He knows how to push my buttons too.

We walked to Davis Square and got coffee, Dan got some food, and then he totally took me to see a rom com (my phenomenal abbreviation for romantic comedy).  He's a good sport.  And then he took me and got coffee again.  

It is the simple things.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Love

Today I looked up the word love in the dictionary.  

I know what LOVE  feels like but I had never really thought about the definition of LOVE.

There are about 9 different definitions for the word love.

Some having to do with tennis, some to do with God, and the majority of them having to do loving someone.

Keeping all of these in mind today I celebrate love.

On my list of things that I love....

my husband

He is truly the most wonderful person I know.  

I am beyond blessed to be able to spend the rest of my life with him.

friends and family

Where would we be without these fabulous people?

I would certainly be lost and lonely without them.

fuzzy felines

Oh yes I absolutely love love love my cats.

good food, wine, and morning coffee

These three things make my heart skip a beat.

I really enjoy putting on some acoustic Brazilian music, drinking some wine, and making dinner (or dessert).  

It is by far my favorite time of day.    

But then there is that stillness in the morning with a cup of coffee.

It is the simple things right?

  the life I live

You're probably thinking, well duh?

But I have to say I am very blessed with all of the above.

I have a roof over my head, a job I love, and loving people in my life.


I hope everyone today can celebrate anything and everything they love.
Happy Valentine's Day!

  

Get Your Green Cleaning On

The hubby is gone this weekend so I am geared up to clean and organize.

Since I won't be distracted by Dan's good looks I thought I would try and get a bunch of apartment stuff done.

I hate using commercial cleaners in the house but we do.

Sometimes they are essential to those really gross/hard to clean places.

But they get expensive and if you are locked in a room cleaning you know you are going to get light headed from all the chemicals.
That just isn't right.

This weekend I ditched all of those chemicals and made my own green cleaners.
I won't lie, after you use these green cleaners your house will smell like vinager.
But if it is warm out (which this weekend is not) you can open the windows.

All-Purpose Scrub:

 

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda in a bowl and add enough plant-based liquid soap (I use Dr. Bronner's) to make a creamy paste.  Once you have made the paste cut a lemon in half and spread the paste on the flat side of the lemon.  Now scrub away!  The lemon acts as a sponge and also leaves a citrus scent.  After your done just wipe away residue with a damp rag. 

Floor Cleaner:

In a bucket add 1/8 cup of plant-based liquid soap, 1/8 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 gallon of water, and 10 drops of essential oil (I always use lavender). 
Once ingredients are all mixed together get your mop on.

If you have ceramic or stone floors forget the soap and use a 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar and 1 gallon of water.

If you have unsealed wood floors use 2 cups of vinegar with 1 tablespoon of jojoba or olive oil.  Spread a thin layer over floor with your mop, leave for 20 minutes and then mop up the excess liquid.

Mold and Mildew Spray:

Last but certainly not least (the easiest and my most favorite green cleaner)

Pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spray on infected area.
Yes it is that simple.
If you have a persistent mold problem combine 2 drops of tea tree oil and 1 cup of water into a spray bottle and spray area.

Happy weekend and happy cleaning!

Chicken Divan and Our New Couch

 I whipped this up last week and it was totally husband approved.

I got the recipe from Eat Youself Skinny!

It came out delicious!

 If you've never checked out Eat Yourself Skinny, you should.

She has great recipes and gives you the nutritional value for what your making.

A few weekends ago I told you guys we FINALLY got a couch (and a chair) for our apartment.

Well everything is falling together just fine now in the living room.

Though we do need a few more throw pillows.

You can ask Dan all about how comfortable it is.

A Reminder

I promised myself a long time ago that I wouldn't be one of the those people who loses sight of what I am given everyday.

I wouldn't forget that I am truly blessed.

Life can hand you stress, to do lists, busy work days, and of course responsibility.

Sometimes all those things can make you forget how important it is to enjoy your life.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"

- Mary Oliver

My reminder was a hike through the woods in the middle of winter.

I forgot how beautiful the dead of winter can be.

It is not teeming with life like spring and summer.

It is quiet.

It is subdued.

It is a reminder of how free and connected everything is.

The hustle and bustle of life is a beautiful thing but so often I forget to stop and smell the roses.
I forget to look at life in awe.
While we were hiking my husband said the most humbling thing.
This is like having a license to be a kid again.
And he was right.
As we get older we forget how wide eyed and happy we use to be with the simple things in life.

That winter hike put a lot into perspective.
Especially that the cold, icy, snowy woods can be a very beautiful and humbling place.
I am trying now to remember why I wake up in the morning.
Why I love my family and friends.
But most of all to remember how wonderful this life really is.