Girl by the Lake

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I thought really long and hard about possibly playing an April Fools joke here on the blog today. Alas, I just couldn’t come up with something “interesting” enough to really make it worth the effort of pulling together a post. So, here I am posting about my latest obsessions instead!

I also hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. The weather was absolutely beautiful here in Chicago! I walked around so much on Saturday, I had to rest pretty much all of Sunday. #pathetic!

For the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking long and hard about changing my eating habits. At first I thought I wanted to go on a diet/cleanse, but then I realized that I’m not a dieting/cleanse kind of person (and neither is E, go figure). So, with diets/cleanses crossed off my healthy lifestyle check list, I then started thinking about how I could systematically change how I think about food in my kitchen. I so often shop only by price. I’m a store brand buyer and deal stealer. (essentially, I’m a BOGO freak at the grocery store) So if I want to change the food in my kitchen, I ultimately needed to change how I “think” about said “food.”

The only issue with all of this is that I really don’t know where my food is coming from. What does “organic” really mean at a grocery store? Do all natural foods still contain preservatives? What things are best made at home? The questions are endless, and the answers are just as confusing.

With all the confusion swirling in my head, I decided to take the advice of a dear friend and start by changing one thing at a time. Baby-steps, if you will. Today’s inspiration post is all about easy, DIY-Kitchen Essentials that you (and me) can make at home. Below is a list of all the links!

Today is just Part 1, so PLEASE let me know if you have a favorite DIY Kitchen project/idea. I’d love to feature it next time!

Happy Monday…here’s to a great week! (hopefully.)

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Let’s get real. Sometimes, I just need to watch some Biggest Loser finale and blog about some chevron. And tonight is one of those nights. So let’s get to it!

I’ve been building my My Design Pinterest board for over one year now, YET, I’ve never noticed (until recently) how obsessed I seem to be with the chevron pattern. Rugs. Artwork. Throw pillows. Curtains. Hardwood floors. Brick floors. You name it, I’m apparently obsessed with “it” in a chevron print.

So for this week’s inspiration post, I’m showing a few of my favorite chevron examples from my board. In my perfect world, I’d have some chevron hard wood floors + a few other accents here and there. I love the timelessness of subtly installing the pattern without color.

So tell me, what’s your favorite design obsession as of late? Are you obsessed with chevron like me, or do other patterns/trends have you mesmerized?

I hope everyone had a great Monday! Here’s to a fun rest of the week!

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Life annoucement: I move into my new apartment this week! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO! I’m actually only four days away, but who’s counting?

I honestly didn’t expect to find an apartment that I love so quickly, but I did, and here we are! My brain has been abuzz with ideas of how to decorate + what type of style I want to achieve. All I have to say is thank GOODNESS for my Pinterest boards, where I’ve been virtually prepping for this big move for almost a year.

My DIY Projects board is one of my favorites. So, today, I’m going to share a few of my favorites from this board with you…some of which I’m already working to install in my own new place:

There were so many great DIY’s I wanted to share, so make sure you head over to my board to check them out!

Have you ever DIY-ed projects for your home? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience/results. Otherwise, I’d love to know which above project you think I’ve already chosen for my new space. Winner gets something…even if only street-cred.

Finally, happy Monday! Go ahead and get after this week. We’re already closer to the weekend!

also, if you like this post, I just KNOW you’re gonna love this one: DIY Home Bars. Enjoy! (or you COULD just go ahead and catch up on all my inspiration posts here…just sayin’)

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Oh Chicago. How you toy with my weather emotions. First, you’re FREAKING (and I seriously mean FREAKING) cold. Then, you snow. Yesterday/last night, you pelted us with icy rain. And today? Foggy. Misty. Humid. And almost 50 degrees. All of this is one week!

This weather pattern has me seriously messed up, so I’m happy to be jumping on a plane to Phoenix, AZ tomorrow morning for a work trip. I never realized I would be so happy to feel some 60 degree, humidity-free atmosphere on my skin. Thanks new job!

Now on to today’s inspiration post. To do so, we’ll need to dive back into the world of freakishly cold/neurotic weather patterns. Throughout the past week, all I’ve wanted is a warm + cozy fireplace in my apartment. Considering E’s apt. is on the 34th floor, I guess I’ll have to keep dreaming for a bit longer…but just check out the images in today’s post. I would seriously die to live in any of these homes!

feel free to check out more home decor ideas over on my Pinterest board. Click the button!

Are you lucky enough to have a home + fireplace? Just a fireplace? More importantly, which fireplace (of the 6 shown above) is your favorite? Personally, I’m torn between 1, 3 & 6!

Happy Monday!

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As Winter settles in Chicago for (what I’m sure is going to be) a long stay, I’ve found myself searching for new, fun, and innovative soups and stews. Regardless of if I’m cooking all day Sunday for the rest of the week or simply looking for an easy weeknight recipe, I am loving ALL of the recipes featured on this week’s inspiration post. I’ve added them to my recipe list, and I cannot wait to start trying!

Lentil Stew with Sausage {Simply Recipes}
Baked Potato Soup {Skinny Taste}
Quick Beef Stew with Mushrooms and White Beans {Simply Recipes}
Portuguese Fish Stew {Food Republic}
Buffalo Chicken Chowder {Closet Cooking}
Chard & White Bean Stew {Smitten Kitchen}

Do you have a favorite Winter soup or stew? If so, please share! There’s nothing I love more than curling up on my sofa with a hot bowl of deliciousness!

(and if you are looking for more recipe ideas, you can head over to my Entree Inspiration Pinterest board!)