KitchenAid Food Chopper

Last month I posted about my dire need for a Slap Chop, and shortly after I found a similar product at Target, the KitchenAid Food Chopper. Totally worth the $15!


I used it this weekend to chop the veggies for a new recipe: Rigatoni with eggplant, mushrooms and goat cheese (very good!). It worked great for the onion, garlic and mushrooms. The eggplant was too big to fit in, though.

I especially like it for garlic because I don’t have to touch it and get my hands all garlic smelly (no matter how many times I wash my hands it always stays for like 4 days!).

Of course I threw away the directions, so I couldn’t figure out how to wash it. At first it seems like the blade doesn’t come apart and the only way to wash it is by holding the handle down and washing it by hand. That's every inconvenient. However, the reviews on Target.com say that there’s a way to take them apart and put it in the dishwasher. I’m going to have to try that.

I rate this product 9 out of 10 :)

Free stuff from Traylor Papers

Traylor Papers is offering free stationary! To get it:

"Send us an email to VIP@traylorpapers.com with your name and address and we'll send you a free customized card with your name. Tell us your favorite colors and/or style (i.e., whimsical, classic, girly ..., etc) and we will try to make you a match :) BONUS: post this offer on your blog or wall, send us a link, and we'll send you a few extra! Good thru 10/28/09!"

Here are my faves!

Lime Links Note Cards

Pink Kiwi Note Cards

Patio Lantern Note Cards

Thanks for the info Kelsey :)

Leonid Afremov

While browsing pretty pictures today on we heart it, I came across this painting by Leonid Afremov:


I fell in love! The colors in this image are so welcoming and warm. It's something that I must have in my home!

I did some Google spy work and found the artist's web site, where you can bid on his prints for pretty reasonable prices. They're also for sale at allposters.com.

Look at these!

LOVE. I'm going to buy one eventually!

Momzillas by Jill Kargman

Last week I finished Momzillas by Jill Kargman. I tried to start an intellectual book, but just couldn't get into it... so I read more chick lit. Better than nothing!


The book is about Hannah's transition from living in San Francisco to living in Manhattan, as she struggles to adapt while meeting other moms in New York who are stuck up and very competitive. She feels lonely as she tries to get used to her family's new city, where everything seems fake.

This book was okay, although I found a lot of the situations hard to believe. It wasn't very realistic, especially in the end when everything turned out perfectly, fairytale style. It was moderately entertaining for me, but it's just average.

Photo Friday: Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands

Photo by me - August 2008

Thankful Thursday: Holidays

Today I’m thankful for holidays! They’re the perfect excuse to get together with family and have some extra time away from work.

I’m getting super excited about Thanksgiving this year, because James and I are hosting for the first time! We always have it at my parents’ house, but this year it’ll be a little different. One sister is in Ireland and the other is going to Thailand for November and December (me = so jealous of both of them).

That leaves my parents, my brother and me (and our significant others) here in the boring U.S. of A. We’re going to change our Thanksgiving location to be at our cozy [small] casa, and James’ parents are invited too. I love hosting get-togethers!

The only thing that I’m worried about is how small our house is (1 bed/1 bath duplex). Oh, and that I’ve never in my life attempted to cook a turkey. I’m sure it’ll be fine though.

I’m totally decorating for Christmas the week before Thanksgiving so it’ll be up at our par-tay. I’m sure at least one person will make fun of me for decorating so early – but they’re just lucky I’m waiting until November!

P.S. I’m so looking forward to long weekends for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years! Work has been redic lately!

DIY flowers, take two

We bought more flowers at the farmer's market this morning (see last weekend's results and instructions here). This time we got dahlias and roses, and they turned out great. The quality of these pics is pretty low - they're much prettier in person!

This arrangement has red, purple and white dahlias, and white roses. For our wedding it'll be more multi-colored with pinks and oranges.

I had enough left over to make one vase with just white dahlias and white roses. I like the colored ones more though.