Craigslist Queen

In case you don't know, there are few things that get me more excited than making a great purchase (that is, getting an absolute steal). Many a time has Ryan seen the jump/dance (?) that occurs once the transaction is complete. Sometimes you've just gotta buy new, but in so many instances, why bother when there's so many awesome things you can buy for a fraction of the price? Point being, I have mastered finding these amazing deals with craigslist. It takes a lot of patience, speediness, flexibility, and the desire for that high you get after getting a $900 table for $300. Yes, that was my most recent feat. Here's a few of my craigslist success stories in this year alone.

Six William Sonoma cottage-style white dining chairs. Normally, each chair is $200/piece. How much did I pay for all 6? $130. These paired with the Crate & Barrel table we recently purchased. Actually, finding these chairs was my justification to Ryan for buying a full-priced table at C+B with delivery charges. Like I said, sometimes you just have to buy new; I looked for dining tables for two years and never found "the one."

Here's the originally $900 coffee table that I got for $300. It's a reclaimed wood coffee table from Virginia Turning House and it's in perfect condition. I've been wanting to secure pieces like this that not only have the character we're looking for, but are ones that we want to keep in our family for a long time. It's a charming rustic table that goes perfectly with the warmer-color wood we've been transitioning to.

What makes a purchase even sweeter is when you find a long-lost companion piece to a line of furniture you already own. With luck, this has happened to me twice. First I found a second nightstand to a bedroom set we bought from World Market. Again, in perfect condition and for only $50. And here's a World Market console table that I purchased recently for $70 (originally around $299). I'm using it as a sort of hutch/buffet in our dining room, right next to the matching wine cabinet I've had for years.

I've also found lamps, art, and other decor items that could have cost me a pretty penny in store for no more than a few bucks here and there, but I mainly just use craigslist for those larger pieces that can be unaffordable at times. We love to fill our home with items and mementos from our travels that serve as little reminders of a special time in our lives, so craigslist can't really help out with that.

But based on the items above (and the many items I've acquired in craigslist-past), I solemnly declare myself CRAIGSLIST QUEEN!

Signs of Summer

A few reasons why I know summer's on the horizon...

These striking flowers, which Ryan and I ogled over at the Museum of Life and Science's AfterHours event, NanoNights and MicroPints. After a little research, these head-turners are called alliums, which are actually in the onion family (really?). Apparently they're easy to grow and maintain, and they come in a wide variety of colors such as yellow, white, and pink. Guess I know what to look for when I get some garden space!

Mojitos. I had the sudden urge to head to the ABC store after work last Friday and pick up a little white rum. This was followed by a trip to the Teet for some mint leaves, club soda, and limes. Summer = mojitos.

Double rainbow! (Need I say more?!) I snapped this after my morning run the other day. Not only was it a double, but it fully arched across the sky. I pulled Ryan out of bed so he could trudge downstairs in his pajamas to see this glorious nature sighting. (He was less than enthused.)

Spring Awakening

I know I've been MIA this past month, but I don't even know where I've been! The thought of trying to sum up an entire month is way too overwhelming for my brain, so here's a quick recap. However, I will be back on the bandwagon after this lame post!

As I mentioned a few posts back, I was heading to Birmingham in March for my friend Mariel's baby shower (she's due May 18!). One of the fun stations at the shower was a photo booth, full of props (hats, mustaches, lips, umbrellas, you name it). Here's me, my friend Lauren, and mama-to-be Mariel posing for the camera. What a great weekend!

Ryan and I took a long weekend in the North Carolina mountains during the first weekend of April. We stayed in a beautiful cabin in Valle Crucis (check out that view! check out that hot tub!), and enjoyed some lovely outings in Boone and Blowing Rock. We brought the slow cooker and made Mexican pork, finished a couple books, did a wine tasting, enjoyed some local restaurants and shops, and just relaxed. How often do you really get to do that?

We finally (FINALLY!) got a new dining room table. I've been disgruntled with my high-top, four-seater, espresso (K-Mart) table for quite some years now. I bought it when I was a spinster flirty young bachelorette in my one-bedroom apartment. It was time for a change. As the craigslist queen, I tried to pin down another awesome deal, but Crate & Barrel won out (don't worry, I found six Williams Sonoma chairs to go with it for a steal). Everyone, I introduce you to Terravida. She's a beautiful and rustic addition to the fam.
Moose got into some mischief. He has a fondness of munching on leaves/flowers (real or artificial), and this time my yellow lilies told on him. I came home to find a yellow-cheeked smushface (HA!). Tsk tsk tsk. Don't worry, he's okay.

We also attended a local beer fest in Raleigh called Brewgaloo with some pretty awesome friends. Live music, food trucks, great local beer, and some chilly weather went together perfectly for a memorable Saturday. We ended the evening with dinner at Busy Bee Cafe, a downtown favorite (they have tot burgers; yes, I said tot burgers).

I also finally got around to watching the PBS Masterpiece Classic series Downton Abbey (and dragged Ryan into loving watching it as well). In case you don't know, I'm a period nut, so this series has been beckoning me for quite some time. Now I'm tortured after being spoiled watching the first two seasons without pause, and am desperately anticipating the start of Season 3. What a gem of a show. Romance, war, family duty... ugh! It kills me. I don't think I was born in the right era. Not that I'm complaining (...then I wouldn't have Netflix).

Now it's the first day of May and it feels like summer outside. The pool will be opening in a few weeks, we'll be planning our summer vacation with Aiden, and I'll be wishing for the cool fall weather again before you know it. Signing out for now!

Coconut Curry Soup

The other night I made this lovely Thai-inspired Coconut Curry Soup. My friend Mariel (who we just threw a baby shower for last weekend!) sent me the recipe, saying it tasted just like the Chicken Noodle Bowl from Surin West, which is a popular and favorite restaurant of ours in Birmingham. Not only was it delicious, but very quick and easy to make. You can add shrimp, tofu, or chicken to the dish, if so desired, so I added some lemon and pepper chicken to ours. Even though I didn't get a chance to eat at Surin last weekend while I was in Birmingham, making this definitely satisfied my craving!

I've included the recipe below with some extra comments in purple. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 10 ounces Chinese wheat noodles (mein), or rice noodles
• 1 tablespoon safflower or peanut oil
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon Thai yellow curry paste (from one 4-ounce jar or can) Note: I used green curry paste.
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 lemon
• Fresh basil, for garnish
• 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced, for garnish

Directions

1. Boil noodles according to package directions. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Toss with 1 teaspoon oil.
   
2. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook curry paste, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in stock. Raise heat, and bring to a boil. Whisk in coconut milk. Cook until just simmering (do not boil). Note: Add salt and pepper to taste.
   
3. Cut lemon in half, and squeeze 1 half into saucepan. Cut remaining half into 4 wedges. Divide noodles and soup among 4 bowls. Garnish with basil, cucumber, and lemon wedges. Note: Top with chicken, shrimp, or tofu if so desired.

Southern Part of Heaven

This is the view on my typical lunch break stroll; and that's why I love Chapel Hill. Days like today (70s, sunny with a slight breeze) make me feel so blessed to work here. On my walk today, I saw a sticker on a car that said: Chapel Hill: The southern part of heaven. Yep, it's true.