Bedroom and paint ideas

I will be living at a new address on November 1st! Tomorrow we will know for sure. I have a feeling this time it will happen. The change is beyond exciting for me and one that I've been looking forward to for a couple of years now. The new place is a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo located a few miles away from where I currently reside. The interstate exit to my new neighborhood, however, will add ease to my daily campus commute. The landlord is replacing the flooring before the move-in date. It will either have carpet or tile. I'm hoping she chooses the latter. Regardless, it is new flooring. The current carpet in the place is OLD and dirty but everything else is nicely kept. The walls are white and that makes me giddy. I will finally be able to shop for wall paint. I chose to not paint the walls that currently surround me. They're yellow. No more yellow.

My current bedroom has a splash of mismatched items, some are sleek items while others are quick and convenient buys (drawers) that seem more appropriate for a child's room. I have already found some possible drawers that will go wonderfully with my bed as well as some great paint ideas that will match the bed's blk/brown platform.

Better Homes and Gardens  has two paint wall options that I am considering and that differ greatly.

I found other bedroom ideas on HGTV's website, as well as what to do with thrift finds, such as the above vanity (which was initially only a desk).

Buttons in a Jar

Buttons in a jar.

Ever wonder what to do with all the extra buttons that are attached to your newly purchased blouses, skirts, and jackets? Put them in a cute marmalade jar that can serve as a decorative piece for your bookcase.

For the longest time I had the extra mismatched buttons in a zip-lock bag but not too long ago I decided to place them in visible place. That way if a button ever falls off of a blouse I will know where to find an extra button. Buttons! It's so fun to say 'Buttons' out loud. If you ever watched the 1990s cartoon Animaniacs you will remember that in one of the mini-episodes there was a dog named Buttons. Buttons would always be chasing after his baby owner Mindy because somehow she would always get into some sort of dangerous situations, which she was unaware of, except Buttons. Poor Buttons, always about to suffer a heart attack with worry for trying to keep Mindy safe. But I digress . . .

Bonne Maman is my favorite French marmalade and I always keep the jar once the marmalade has been completely eaten. Generally, I use the jars for my iced teas. This time, however, I used it for my buttons collection. The size of the jar is perfect, it doesn't require too much space and it helps keep one more thing in your life a bit more organized. No danger there for Buttons!

A cozy decoration for your home.

Chocolate Chip Cookies!

I made cookies this evening. My sweet tooth was calling out to me. I typed "quick chocolate chip recipe" on Google's search engine and voilá, there it was (second on the list)! The allrecipes.com site page has a video that walks you through the cookie baking process. I read the ingredients and the prep time and decided it was simple enough.

I began baking as soon as I found all the ingredients in my kitchen. I didn't have any walnuts at home so unfortunately they weren't added.  That was the reason I decided to make the cookies at home in the first place, I didn't want to go out and buy cookies. The cookies tasted amazing! Try making them, your taste buds will thank you.

Batter ready!

Now some intense heat coming their way...

Bon Appétit!

 

Before Brasil

Touching art is so tempting when "Do Not Touch" signs are written.

Before I flew out to Brasil for my intensive Portuguese program I took a quick trip to Washington, D.C. I have a few friends who live near the capital. For all intents and purposes, in the capital. It was my first time visiting. It is such an amazing place, with its monuments and everything that surrounds the capital culture. Granted I only briefly experienced its culture. But there is so many events happening everyday at all hours that there is just no way an individual can be bored or can make it to everything.

American University had an opening exposition showcasing Mexican artists. To be quite honest, I was not impressed with the opening talk or the questions made by some audience members. The art though was very suggestive, some pieces were fun while others where thought provoking. I enjoyed the art.

The gallery also housed some other pieces. I of course immediately felt drawn to those pieces belonging to Brazilian artists. These of course helped increase my excitement for Brasil. A trip that now, retrospectively, went by way too fast.

Now-a-days students use smart phones. Imagine these being phones.

P.S. In Portuguese, Brasil with an /S/ is the correct spelling. It is after all a proper noun. ☺

Saudades

It hasn't been a complete week yet since I've returned home from Rio de Janeiro and I can honestly say that I am feeling nostalgic for the early mornings to catch the bus and the walks I always took to get to places or to find my way back home.

Here, at home, I have visited with family and given them their souvenirs. Everyone seems happy with what they received. I hope to return soon and visit the friends that I made and those I didn't have the opportunity to visit.