Floating on Air - Lucite and Acrylic Furniture

So I know a lot of folks my age who move into a new place and instantly want that Bachelor/Bachelorette pad effect with sleek, modern (often low to the ground) showstopping design. What I love about it is the sophisticated, hip mood it creates and the illusion of more space (the lower the furniture, the more space above, the larger the room feels).  A new favorite of mine in fashion and interior design is LUCITE and ACRYLIC that achieves all of the above. (I've been rocking some lucite bangles on a regular lately... see Michael Kors Spring 2010 line...below)  

Michael Kors model - Spring 2010 - Lucite necklace - $695

Clear pieces don't create the weight that solid colored pieces will for a small room (or outfit for that matter), it gives the illusion that anything on top of it is floating and saving space. The eye acknowledges the furniture and yet moves right through it to the rest of the design. It has a liquid effect and for those Feng Shui buffs, could compliment the water element in a room.

Unfortunately for most of us, Lucite furniture can rarely be found in places like IKEA (I was only able to find one piece) or your local discount furniture store. I have most frequently seen pieces from the windows of very high end design studios (how I wish I could afford....) See some lovely acrylic pieces below picked from designers online:

Muniz Plastics - Call for price  (it must be high)

Muniz Plastics -  Call for Price

Helena Rubenstein Chair -  The Paris Apartment - $3400

AcrylicDecor.com -  Z-Chair -  $800

For those of us without thousands to spend on plastics but love the liquid element acrylic decor can bring to a room, here are a few more affordable options:

Bed Bath and Beyond Lucite folding chair $80

I like the chair above, but who wants a folding chair as permanent decor? Maybe we should save these for the guests, but still hot!!

Ikea Tobias Chair $100

The Ikea option is $20 more than the one from BBB, it actually feels like it fits in a Dining room or office. Very nice. The folding chair above is for when you have too many guest in the room, just whip those out for cohesion!  I love it!

Unfortunately there aren't many cheap options for lucite and acrylic pieces in chain stores. So, when all else fails, try eBay:

Acrylic nesting tables - eBay - $75

Lucite table - eBay -  $209

Lucite Bar - eBay - $240

Lucite side table  - eBay - $69

Lucite trunk - Google it

That's my two cents on clear furniture:  it's durable, high density, easy to keep clean, works with any color, gives your room more space, and looks superfly.... why can't all furniture do all that? 

My own personal Jamba

I used to really be against those hand blenders I saw. I bought one on discount a long time ago and it immediately broke. I must say, folks, I have been converted.

I recently bought this Proctor Silex Hand Blender from Big Lots for about $10.  It is INCREDIBLE. I have a large plastic cup that I toss chopped fruit in, some crushed ice, and let'er rip. Each piece should not be larger than 1"  and they do not recommend running it for longer than a minute at a time. I found that if the ice is layered with the fruit, a few good pumps (to the power button) and a minute of steady blending will give you the best all-fruit smoothie around.

Some of my favorites include: 

- Strawberry Banana (classic!) + ice
- Strawberry Blueberry Banana + ice
- Strawberry Blueberry Raspberry + ice
- Tangerine, Mango, Pineapple  + ice (pictured)

Add Benefiber or Protein powder for some extra nutrition

Add alcohol for some grown-up goodness

Michi Bag - Fashion Fail

I know Im not supposed to say anything if not anything nice but....

Michi Bag - nice concept but still FASHION FAIL!

I usually love convertible clothing...skirts that go long and short, tops that can be loose and tied back, tunics as dresses! I even think those evening gowns that convert into party dresses are great. But the look of this bag, the same shape, same style everyday goes against my natural girly attraction to accessories. I mean to each his own, but I just have to go out on a limb and say this is not fashionable. Not to mention, these days, your bag doesn't have to match anything else.

I'll be honest, I checked out the website and some of the newer versions look like an extreme upgrade. I still cannot get past the cheesiness of it.

Brownie Pops (Moderation folks!)

Try these if you like bite-sized sweets like me. :) They make a great addition to a dessert display, cocktail hour, or on the go!

Brownie pops with sprinkles (left) and pecans (right)

Easy easy, just bake, dip, and decorate!!

(Brownie Recipe adapted from Elizabeth's at MyHomeCooking.net)
Brownie Ingredients:
6 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa
1/4 Cup Butter (aka... a half stick)
1 Cup Sugar or Splenda
1/2 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract 
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup All Purpose Flour
2 Eggs

Decor:
1 cup Chocolate (I prefer Dark, but White or Milk Chocolate will work) - melted
Crushed nuts or sprinkles as desired

Equipment
4x8 loaf pan
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Spatula
Mixing Spoon
Butter or Oil for the pan
Lollipop Sticks (sold 100 for $1.99 at Michaels)

• Pre-heat oven to 325F degrees.
• In a microwavable dish, melt the 1/4 cup of butter (make sure that the butter is completely melted, otherwise it will not mix in with the other ingredients, and you will have to start over). Then stir this into the 6 Tablespoons of Unsweetened Cocoa.
• Combined with the butter and cocoa--mix in remaining ingredients thoroughly. If you would like to add pecans to your batter, do it now.

You will need to flour the baking pan. First, cover the glass dish with Crisco (vegetable fat) or butter. Then, put a few tablespoons of flour or cocoa in the dish, and shake it until the sides and bottom are covered. This will keep the brownies from sticking to the dish. Pour the brownie batter into the dish. After your oven has preheated to 325F, put the brownies into the oven for 35-40 minutes. Poke your brownies with a toothpick. If the tooth pick comes out clean, your brownies are done! Now, take them out of the oven and let them cool until slightly warm.
 
Cut the brownies into appropriately bitesized pieces, about 1.5" by 1.5".   Eat some now or to make the brownie pop.....stand the brownies on their side and insert a lollipop stick.

Dip the tips of the brownie (or the whole thing if you like) into the melted chocolate. Be careful not to drop chunks of brownie into the chocolate as it will make it difficult to adhere to the brownie. Once brownie is covered in chocolate, dip into crushed nuts or sprinkles to decorate. Chill for 15 minutes in the refridgerator to set the chocolate. Remove and serve.

Hit the Road Jack

So last year when I was in New York, Chris and I got into an argument and I went speeding down East Tremont Ave in the Bronx.... bad decision. I turned a corner in my anger, hit a curb, and promptly heard my tire deflate. Like the modern 21st century woman I am, I pulled out the jack and the spare, hell-bent on changing it myself. NYC is NYC so of course, about 10 different people walked past me and offered nothing. I got the car about halfway up before *CRACK* the jack gave way due to its awkward positioning and my Honda Accord came falling down on top of it. Eventually, a nice guy who was with his family came and helped me jack the car up (despite its crushedness) and change the tire. Amen for him! but alas, my stock model jack was ruined. :(

Yesterday, I bought a new jack at O'Reilly Auto Parts and while I havent tried it yet (havent had the pleasure #sarcasm) but it looks pretty cool. It is larger and wayyy heavier than the standard scissor jack that comes with a new or used car. However, it does just pump up and down to lift the car, which is way easier than cranking that stupid steel rod around and around forever. Anyone who has had to change a flat knows what I am talking about. So there it is:  a new Floor Jack. Don't take a road trip without one.

Look for updates on my gas mileage from carrying this heavy thing around later......

Or for those wincing at the idea of changing their own tires...... AAA is great, your insurance coverage may also have options for roadside assistance. I am personally not a fan of waiting on a tow truck to come (which may take hours). I'm sure we can all agree being stranded in the middle of nowhere is not fun. I would suggest stepping up your tire-change game with the helpful video below (just ignore the misogynistic comments)   How To Change a Tire   

WELCOME! the quest for the nest.....

This is totally random. I noticed that some other friends had blogs out there, expressing what they knew, were good at, or just had to vent about. Well, I decided to do the same. What am I good at? Probably anything home-ec related. As I have moved around the country over the past several years, I have had my first own apartment and the glee of independence that comes with it. I have moved into others that left plenty to be desired and others that impressed me. I have had roommates and been alone.

I have painted my living room, just to paint it again (see questionable geometric wall pattern below), and again (the same day, a beautifully sunny orange,not shown) until it meets my expectations. I have had some serious screw ups (just ask my boyfriend), and some wow moments.

As an only child (say Im spoiled, I dare you!!! hmmph), I watched my mom cook and clean and always have the right item (earrings, sponges, shoe polish) for the right task at the right time.  A few months ago, she picked up some Chinese-inspired coasters for one of my bffs and she decorated her whole place around them. Where she pulls these things from, I often have no clue. I can only aspire.

A little more about me: Im born and raised in Inglewood, California with dreams of doing something big and seeing the world, no kids, great boyfriend of about 3 years, no pets yada yada yada.... lets talk food now. :) I am fighting my womanly hips and have been running a lot lately, but I can never run from my love of a good snack. I love my food miniature and plentiful, I think it helps with portion control (at least that helps me sleep at night). I own a small sweets business called Sweetnis (#product plug) and I love to make small cakes, brownie pops (will explain later) trail mix and other goodies I will share with you all later.

So what will this blog be about? (Making this up as I go along) It depends but generally it revolves around decorating, DIY home improvement, DIY auto repair (knowledge is power), cooking and entertaining, cleaning tips, organization, fashion and style tips and whatever else pops into my head or on my blogroll...

After all, it's your life and whatever makes it more pleasant will make it less stressful, and no one wants a stressed nest!!  I have found in my short life that as you make it a priority to take care of yourself, your relationships and your environment, life becomes more clear. Here are my two cents. Enjoy!