New Blog

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extreme makeover: blog edition

I haven't been keeping up with my blog much lately, as I've just become really bored with it. I think it is feeling too scattered, and just visually uninteresting. So I have been mulling over ideas for a total makeover, and hopefully the end result will feel more focused and cohesive, and more fun!

This past weekend I started to work on creating a new snazzier blog using WordPress, since it is more customizable than Blogger (and for practice, since I am learning to use the program at work). I want the blog to mainly be focused on design, since I am a graphic designer after all. I love all things art & design (graphic design, typography, photography, printing, home decorating, fashion, etc), but I'd like to include a touch of my personal story in there too.

So now I need a new theme/title... any ideas?

Life with Puppy: Episode 1

I Bought Dillon a new leash yesterday... and here's what he thought of it.

Thanks a lot, pal. $30 down the crapper in a mere 10 minutes.

Though I suppose I shouldn't complain. Other than the leash incident, and needing to tear the carpet out of the sun room this weekend because of another "incident" (which we will not go into detail about), he is a sweet, fairly well-behaved boy.

But I have certainly learned the limitations of my scent-induced gag reflex.

It's Spring at the Bastian house!

Meet Dillon.

He's a 13 week old 13 lb coonhound mix (we think there may be some cattle dog or lab in there too).

Likes: snuggling, sniffing, chewing (especially woodchips), running so his ears flap in the wind, trying to get cats to play with him, digging in moms garden, and trotting around carrying his stuffed red dog.

Dislikes: bathtime, when cats won't play with him (he wimpers), other barking dogs.

He often sports a red bandana.

Raise

So I got a raise at work for my 4 year anniversary with the company. Yayy! Kevin's first response was "awesome!! now we can get cable!!" He and I had been talking about living without cable at the new house for a while, at least until we got the hang of our new expenses. For now, the plan is for him to pay the entire monthly mortgage bill, and I will pay all the utilities (along with my enormous college debt). Since most of my bills are now variable, I really have no idea how much I'll be spending until I know what we use.

I told him that despite the raise, I still want to go without cable for a while and use my raise primarily for savings, and updating things I've been putting off for a while (my shoddy wardrobe for one). Kevin's solution to this debate: calling the cable company and ordering full out digital cable while I'm not around. denied.

K=1, M=0 :(

All moved in!!

yeah so its been a few weeks since I've updated!! The move actually went pretty smoothly, apart from having the WORST snowstorm of the YEAR that weekend... we're talking FEET of snow! Needless to day, it took a little longer than expected. But after 2 days, we got it done!

Now onto the unpacking!! So far we have the main rooms (kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom) pretty well organized, and the spare rooms are still full of boxes. I'll have to post up some pics (as soon as I can find the cord that hooks my camera up to my computer – I can't remember where I packed it :-/ )

Packing it up

With just a few weeks to go, I'm realizing that organizing and packing is turning out to be quite the job, even from a 1 bedroom apartment. As you can see I have quite the stack of boxes going already... and this, my friends, is only the beginning.

what ive packed so far:

seasonal/holiday decorations

scrapbooking materials

wedding stuff (leftovers and photos)

clothing for salvation army/garbage

cds

stuff I have yet to deal with:

kitchen stuff

electronics

clothing

accessories - belts, bags, scarves

shoes

linens/towels/blankets

toiletries

cleaning supplies

paperwork/stuff in file cabinet

books/games/movies (might need a truck for just those)

cat stuff

etc

etc

etc

etc

etc

etc

etc

i am however becoming the queen of organization. I've gone through and ripped apart pretty muuch every nook and cranny of the apartment and organized it, so hopefully this will make packing much easier. Now our place is pristine (they way it should have looked for the past 3 years). We just got some boxes on Friday, so I think were ready to start packing up the motherload.

Super Bowl sunday

I've never been a huge football fan, but I pretty much always watch the Superbowl. Since this year, none of my local NY teams were involved, I was more interested in making yummy football food than actually watching the game. Instead of going to any parties, we decided to stay home and make homemade nachos. And since we both Looove Chipotle guac, we tried to find a similar recipe to make. This is insanely close...sooo good!

Guacamole

Ingredients
2 Avocados
1/2 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 of a red onion, finely chopped
2 heaping Tablespoons of Cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 of a lime, juiced
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl, and mash together until smooth. Add additional lime juice or salt to taste. For extra spice, leave in jalapeno seeds.

fashion find: Ruche

for all you anthropologie lovers out there, today i stumbled across an online boutique called Ruche. This looks to be a less expensive shop with same kind of vintage flair as anthropologie.

on a side note: good news today.... our mortgage was approved!! yeah!!

fave finds: the contemporary kitchen

You have nooo idea how excited I am about moving in to our new house and using the huuge kitchen, even though right now it has a total "country kitchen" vibe to it (hello powder blue!), and kev and i are anything but country. Needless to say, we plan to do some serious (yet inexpensive) updating. Here are some of my favorite finds in the search for the perfect kitchen modernization plan...

I'm absolutely loving these tiny "fog" colored glass subway tiles in the backsplash from modwalls. K and I also have a big thing for white cupboards. We really like how clean, bright and cheery it makes the room look. Plus painting our current cupboards is our most affordable option at this point, rather than having to replace cupboards that are still in great shape :)

In this pic (http://www.marinkitchenco.com), I love the contrast between the dark wood floor and the white cabinets. It feels so clean without being too sterile. Little bright acessories bring the room to life. And I love the cute little hanging ceiling lamps: i. want. them.

This picture (http://javabali.info/) really makes me happy. It takes a seemingly cramped space and opens it up with freshness and light. Did i already mention that I am in love with white subway tiles? and the wood countertop looks gorgeous here and really warms up the space.

We're gonna be homeowners!!

Holy crappers!!! Today we signed the papers accepting the sellers final offer! We went a little above our goal price, but I think it will be worth it to coincide with our lease being up on 2/28, and that we are buying soon enough to get the $8000 tax credit!


We are super excited and nervous and relieved all at the same time, although the process is really only beginning. I hear that buying a home is one of the most stressful things you'll ever do. We've made it this far, so I think we'll be ok. Right now a million thoughts are zooming through my head, about how to decorate it, and imagining what my new daily routines will be like. It is soo exciting!!


I'll miss the short commute to work (and being able to walk during the summertime), but I am super psyched to be able to park in a driveway or garage, versus in the street!! And just being able to spread out a little, and plant a little garden (yayy!), and not have to worry about tip-toeing around so as not to disturb the neighbors below! So many positives!


Here are a few pics of the house, and some of my ideas for updating...

the living room:

our plan: paint the walls a color (maybe a green) that will make the fireplace pop. we also want to keep all trim white and add crown molding throughout the room.

the kitchen:

our plan: cupboards will be painted white. countertop will be painted charcoal gray (yes, they make countertop paint!) backsplash tiles will be removed, and we will probably add a more modern small gray subway tile for the backsplash. Blue walls and all trim will be painted white (or a more modern color if white seems too bland). Eventually, we'd like to change the flooring to a large slate-colored tile, and update appliances to stainless steel.

the dining room:

our plan: remove icky window treatments, remove the chair rail, repaint (i'm picturing this room a burnt orange color with white trim).

the master bedroom (not huge but has decent closet space!):

our plan: carpet will be ripped out & we will keep hardwoods underneath. room will be painted a neutral color, probably beige to coordinate with our current green/beige colored bedding and beige curtains. closet doors will be replaced at some point.

bedroom #2:

our plan: needs a new paint color, but i think thats it!

bedroom #3, aka our new computer room:

our plan: wallpaper and carpet will be removed immediately leaving hardwoods. we will probably paint this one something funky because this will be our computer/guitar/rec room. icky closet door will be replaced at some point as well.

Letterpress Love!

Lately I've found myself letterpress obsessed! I go through phases of being really into with different types of design, last was textile design, and now I am back into a stationary phase.

Last spring, I took a Letterpress class at a local Arts center to make my own wedding invitations, and it opened my eyes to a beautiful new art form! I have always been big on color and texture, and love simple/cute designs! Mind you letterpress is a complicated (at times even grueling) process, but the end result is totally worth it.

With that said, now I am feeling a little sad that I don't have the money saved up to continue taking advanced letterpress classes. It is a long-term goal of mine to eventually be good enough at it to be able to make and sell custom stationery as a part-time (or even full-time) job.

Here are some pretty holiday projects i've found that are inspiring me to create. *swoon* (and yeah, i get that i am a total nerd!)

credits: elum designs (first 2 photos), moontree press, hello lucky

I'll eventually get around to photographing and posting up my finished wedding invitations, thank you's, and bridal shower thank you's (i hope)....

Fall/Winter Fashion

I have been wishing for a wardrobe makeover for some time, to the extent where I wish that someone would call Stacy & Clinton to humiliate me on national television in exchange for a new $5000 wardrobe. Since I am not at my ideal weight, I use that as an excuse to put off shopping (as it would be a waste to buy new clothes in a larger size, bc then where would the motivation to lose be??) But at the same time, dressing sloppily lends little motivation to look good. So its a catch 22.

But for now I window shop via website, and thought I'd share some of my current fashion loves. When Fall begins, I always feel the desire to dress up more, kind of clean up and look more classic and professional. My job requires little in terms of dress code (I wear jeans and t-shirt most days), but I am starting to think that I should upgrade in the fashion department, because if my bosses perception of me is reflective of my dress code, I must appear to be a lazy slob of an employee.

But the key for me will be finding a good mix - of casual, professional and trendy. Not too business-like, not too sloppy, and not too trendy. Some of the stuff I like this fall/winter...

Boots! i'm really loving the cognac colored boots this year. and Target is about my fav store. ever. so i might have to pick these up.

credit: target

The cardigan. Layering is important in Upstate NY because it is FREEZING 3/4 of the year. I'm also kinda digging some of the plaid that I am seeing this year.

credit: bloomingdale's

Vintage inspired dresses <3>

If i had unlimited funding for my wardrobe, I would buy all of my clothes from modcloth and anthropologie and would be one adorably stylish lady.

photos from modcloth.com

photos from anthropologie

tis the season...

...for pumpkin! i got this recipe from a fellow knottie, and i made them with my favorite cream cheese frosting recipe from allrecipes.com. I brought these to a dinner at my sisters house and we devoured them.

Pumpkin Cupcakes (recipe from Martha Stewart)

Makes 18

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, and eggs. Add dry ingredients, and whisk until smooth. Whisk in pumpkin puree.
3. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about halfway. Bake until tops spring back when touched, and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating pans once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Banana Crumb Muffins

PREP TIME: 15 Min

COOK TIME: 20 Min

READY IN: 35 Min

Original recipe yield 10 muffins

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (i usually do 1 cup white flour and 1/2 cup wheat flour)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 bananas, mashed (I bump this up to 3.5)

3/4 cup white sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon butter

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Farfalle with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cream

Recipe from Bon Appétit   | January 2006 

yield: Makes 6 servings

active time: 30 minutes

total time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

    *  2 tablespoons olive oil

    * 1 pound sweet Italian sausages, casings removed

    * 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

    * 1 cup chopped onion

    * 3 garlic cloves, minced

    * 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with added puree

    * 1/2 cup whipping cream

    * 1 pound farfalle (bow-tie pasta)

    * 1/2 cup (packed) chopped fresh basil

    * Freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and crushed red pepper. Sauté until sausage is no longer pink, breaking up with back of fork, about 5 minutes. Add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is tender and sausage is browned, about 3 minutes longer. Add tomatoes and cream. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sausage mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta to same pot. Add sausage mixture and toss over medium-low heat until sauce coats pasta, adding reserved cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls if mixture is dry. Transfer pasta to serving dish. Sprinkle with basil. Serve, passing cheese separately.