November 2009

This weekend was quite relaxing and fun. Isaac and I hung low and didn’t do any traveling, but we did do a little shopping and decorating.

I made a center piece for the coffee table that I had been dreaming about ever since seeing something similar at Anthropologie.

Hurricane glass, candle plate and vanilla candle from Target, white sand from Ben Franklin Crafts. Easy peasy.

We also decided to make two big purchases for our living room.

Before:

The TV stand was purchased for $20 from craigslist, along with all our other furniture, 2 years ago when we first moved in with one another. It was black and metal- it didn’t fit the color scheme of the room, it was low to the ground and it didn’t have a backing to hide all the wires. We also had huge speakers that were not covered. Overall, we needed an upgrade.

PS The above picture is deceiving. Although it may seem that I’m mesmerized by the football, I’m not really into football at all…

After:

Isaac splurged on a new receiver and surround sound system and I purchased the media stand. No more huge speakers and no more wires, besides the ipod connection cord and the computer charger that just so happen to be strung about in this photo. Plus, the wood of this stand matches the rest of our furniture (coffee table and book shelf). I also love that all the electronics, including the Wii and all it’s components, can fit in the cabinets!

Now I know this was a simple upgrade, but if your into this sort of thing you should check out a blog that I found called Young House Love- Two People Falling in Love with Their First House. A couple in Richmond, VA (where I live) purchased a house and completely re-did it and it looks fabulous now! They share design ideas. how-to tips and help others redecorate, plus they have some awesome details on having a wedding on a budget. I’m kind of addicted to their blog now because they have great ideas and they are funny- couldn’t ask for a better combination.

In other weekend news, my dad came to visit on Saturday which was fun. We hung out and chatted and then hit up Panera for some lunch. I got my standard- you pick 2: Mediterranean veggie, black bean soup, and an apple.

Isaac and I went out with some friends for drink at Commercial Tap House. As the name suggests, they have a lot beer on tap, including micro brews. Because of this, it’s one of Isaac’s favorite bars.

Sunday’s eats were notable.

Maca pumpkin oatmeal/oatbran.

Amy’s California burger on top of a salad of organic greens, carrots, tomatoes, red pear, and garbanzo beans. I drizzled on some tahini dressed after the photo. Twas delicious.

For a snack I had a healthy serving (and by healthy I mean hearty) serving of the sweetness- Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss Chocolate Peanut Butter “ice cream” that Isaac surprised me with.

They weren’t kidding when they decided to name this icecream Bliss. Enough said!

So, remember the Foodbuzz Festival Outstanding in the Field dinner? Ahh… the memories. Well, at said dinner, the only non-blogger at my table was Brad Black, the CEO of a company called EO, a manufacturer of premium soap and bath products with organic ingredients that are Paraben free, sodium Laureth sulfate free, sodium Lauryl free. Brad had samples at the event and thanks to Kath (who witnessed the sample thief) I was able to take home a sample of both of the French Lavender body lotion and bubble bath. I love the body lotion and keep the little bottle in my purse at all times. My hands are always feeling dry this time of the year so that worked out quite nicely. And, I tried out the bubble bath as well. It didn’t produce as many bubbles as traditional bubble bath does, but it smelled nice and the lavender scent was truly relaxing and really that’s all I need in bubble bath. The lack of bubbles was perfect because I actually hate getting out of a bubble bath when there are still bubbles left- I feel like I have to shower to get them off my body.

At the dinner Brad offered to send some bloggers EO products to try out. I was totally up for it as I’m always on the lookout for beauty/bathing/household products without synthetic colors, fragrances or harsh chemicals. (I recently switched to TOM’s tooth paste!)

Needless to say I was overly excited when these goodies showed up last week.

Restorative and Nurturing EO^® Wild Lime & Ginger Hair Repair

Volumizing and Balancing EO^® Rosemary & Mint Shampoo

Volumizing and Balancing EO^® Rosemary & Mint Conditioner

Rose Geranium & Citrus Hand Soap

Organic Lavender Sanitizing Spray

I’m totally pumped to try all the products however, so far I’ve only had time to use the shampoo and conditioner. Side note- I requested a sample of volumizing shampoo and conditioner because that’s what I always use- my hair needs lift! To be honest I wasn’t sure if the EO products would live up to other brands I have tried. But, it was awesome because these are definitely volumizing (I should take photo so you all can see). Also, I love the fragrance- so natural and fresh (if I could I would post a scratch and sniff here). All and all I’m very pleased with the duo. More reviews to come as I try out the other products.

Event update for Richmond readers (particularly VCU students). Remember a while back when I mentioned that received the PETA Vegan College Cookbook to review? Well, this Thursday Marta Holmberg, co-author of PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook, will be available for a cookbook signing and cooking demonstration (complete with free samples!) to show you just how easy the recipes are. All you have to bring is yourself and anyone else you can recruit to join you. Copies of PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook will be available for purchase at the event.

When: Thursday, December 3, 12:00 noon

Where: Barnes & Noble at Virginia Commonwealth University,

1111 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Cost: Free, plus free food!

I’m off to work. Enjoy your Monday!

-Brittany

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