Crafternoon

I had quite the evening last night. Nothing particularly eventful happened, but it was just stressful and I was mad (like post-junior prom mad for all my lovely friends who know what that means).  A few highlights include me having a rubber stopper batted into my leg, then me storming out of the lab giving all my colleagues “the Emma look” (that’s for you Amanda), me almost pulling my hair out because I hate the 442 laser, me practically crying at the train station, me racing to finish a group project and then me freaking out because I thought my friend was going to punch someone. Oh yeah, and I broke my nail. And for all of you who are like, “Oh my god Emma you broke your nail? Like big deal, get over it”, um no I will not get over it because: a) it freaking hurt b) I have nice nails and when one breaks then they’re all different lengths and look funky and c) I drink a lot of milk so that I have strong nails and when one breaks that’s disappointing. So you get over it. I care about my nails, big deal. So after that ordeal I obviously made plans to drink and watch Means Girls with my friends.  Everyone has nights like that but now I’m determined to make the rest of my weekend enjoyable. Soooo here we go..

 (This is where the post title comes in)

As I said before I made those super cute arts and crafts for my wall.  When I got home form London and didn’t have much to do I was like “I want to make really cute Christmas cards!”  So I went to the queen of homemaking herself, Martha Stewart, for inspiration.  I totally aspire to be Martha Stewart. In case you haven’t noticed, I aspire to be a lot of things: professional homemaker, baker, scientist, wife, mother, friend, scientist, dancer, ice cream shop owner, veterinarian (maybe) and the list goes on. We’ll see what I actually cross off the list.  So, I downloaded some templates from Martha and pulled out my arts and crafts bin.  I realized while I was making these that I had so many supplies scattered across my house so I consolidated them all into one bin. It’s much more convenient and seeing everything together leads to more inspiration.  My cards received rave reviews so when I went to Martha Stewart looking at Valentine’s Day stuff, I was like “I want to make a cute Valentine's Day card”.  Which then lead me to make the card below.

{Arts and crafts bin}

{Songbird template}

{Glitter glitter everywhere}

{Outside}

{Songbirds kissing inside}

Isn't it cute? I only made the one card and gave it to my sister, because let’s be honest, she appreciates it way more than anyone else.  It was actually extremely simple.  There’s lots of templates on Martha’s website and there’s instructions, but you can always get creative and do whatever you want with them.  I also made this cute airplane and decided just to stick it on my wall with my paper snowflakes.  I used cardstock instead of computer paper because it is way more durable and makes the cards look nicer.  So now I want to have my own card shop, so let’s add that to the list. I really enjoyed making the cards because handmade gifts are always very thoughtful and nice.  I enjoy giving people gifts that they appreciate. 

{Christmas card that I used a template for}

{Other Christmas cards that I made by myself}

Also, on Martha's website there was this article about a crafternoon craft party.  Basically a bunch of friends get together with some good food and lots of arts and crafts supplies and make cute cards and such.  Isn't that a sweet idea? When I have my own place again I want to have a craft party with a bunch of my friends,  good food, music, inspiration, and lots of laughs.  

I hope everyone's weekend didn't start off like mine but they're having a really good one! I know a couple of my friends are in Germany and Turkey for the weekend and I'm totally jealous! The weather yesterday completely reminded me of London and all I wanted to do was walk down Queen's Gate Road one more time listening to British accents. 

Lots On My Mind

Goodness, I’ve been meaning to blog for days now.  It’s been on my mind because there’s just so many things that I have an opinion about and want to thrust on all of you. First off, Happy Mardi Gras!! I’ve made it a life goal to celebrate it in New Orleans at least once.  My RA freshmen year went and she had the most amazing time. Secondly, do we all realize next week is March? What the heck happened to February?  I’m so not okay with this.  There’s so much to do and so little time! But alas, I actually finished my orgo lab tonight before the day it’s due (shocker, I know) and now I get to blog.  And seeing as I want to go to bed soon because I actually can I’m making this a short update about the things I will blog about in the coming days.  So think of it as a little tease. Ahem, I realized that the only things I email my sister about are food, nail polish and occasionally something serious and work related, occasionally.  Those cute decorations on my wall and that delicious looking cake in my last post? Details to come, details.  I’ve recently realized how much freaking makeup I own.  Then I discovered the youtube page for this girl I went to high school with.  She has some killer makeup skills that she vlogs about and I can’t tell you how many videos I’ve watched since Friday.  Last year I got a BananaCard when I bought my suit for my interviews and have since become obsessed with Banana Republic. And in case you’re living in a hole and didn’t realize it, they had an amazing limited edition Mad Men collection last August that I drooled over for weeks. They had this leopard print trench coat that I still want. Then I started watching the first season of Mad Men with my little brother because we wanted to watch it and I’m sad to report that it didn’t intrigue me very much or grasp my attention. Daniel felt the same way, so we stopped watching but I’m still obsessed with the show’s fashion.  Let’s be honest, would I not fit in perfectly with that era? Yes, yes I would. I’d also fit in with the twenties and the forties.  Which brings me to my point: I got a postcard today from BR and they’re having ANOTHER Mad Men collection.  It doesn’t come out until March 1 (although I can get a sneak peak Feb. 29 since I have a BR card and get 30% off) so you can’t even see the clothes online yet. However the pictures on the postcard are to die for. If anyone wants to get me a gift there are some truly beautiful dresses in the collection.  Ugh I just want it all. And that leopard trench coat. Lastly, I will probably have some big news to report soon as long as everything goes accordingly.  Sorry this was kind of sporadic; I just have lots of things on my mind.  Oh, and apparently I didn’t spell gastrocnemius wrong on my practical :)

I also forgot to put this in my five things last Friday! I think this is the oldest candy store in the country, however, I'm not sure. It underwent some renovations though and just opened back up! It's right next to the Franklin Fountain, on of my favorite ice cream parlors. 

{Delicious chocolates from Shane's in Old City}

Five Things

{Arts and crafts for my wall}

This has been one long week. I’d like to preface this next sentence with the fact that I am by no means whatsoever saying that I go to a harder college than anyone else or have a harder major than others.  That being said, being on a quarter system* at Drexel and taking science classes is draining. It’s the end of week six, meaning there’s only four more weeks of classes and then finals! I feel like I just started classes! And not to mention my one teacher is cray-cray and asks super vague questions on tests just assuming that you will be able to read her mind and write the three super specific things she wants.  What if you write the answer in a different way than she wrote it on her slides, but still expressing the same meaning you ask? Nope. Wrong. You get points off.  Obviously, I am annoyed and shouldn’t be ranting on here and I am going to go talk to my teacher. Besides that I’m doing extremely well in my other classes and couldn’t be happier (unless of course I was getting more sleep).   I am just so excited for this weekend and having no obligations after this long week.  So what if I spelled gastrocnemius wrong on my lab practical, here are five things that made me super happy this week and are continuing to do so.

{A slightly creepy cat tattoo that came in a silly valentine from my cat obsessed friend}

{Conversation hearts}

{Pretty flowers}

{A decadent cake that I made to redeem myself. Details to come}

*Drexel is on a quarter system, not trimesters. Let me repeat, not trimesters. So many times I have had the following conversation:

Random person: “Where do you go to school?”

Me: “Drexel.”

RP: “Ohh you guys have that weird schedule, you’re on trimesters.”

Me: “Actually, it’s a quarter system.  It follows the seasons really.”

RP: “No, it’s trimesters, you have class for three terms.”

In my head: Oh really? Because I’m the one who attends the school, but yes of course you know better than I do what system the school is run on. And actually it’s only freshmen and seniors who have class for three terms.  Everyone else goes for two terms and then works for two terms. What did I just say, two terms and two terms, so that’s two plus two.  And 2 + 2 = 4. Therefore, QUARTERS. Seesh.

Me: “No, it’s really quarters. I go there, I promise you it’s quarters.”

And then I walk away before I freak out.

Be Mine.

{Caramel Sweetheart tea from Yumchaa}

Many people have their preferred opinion about Valentine's Day, whether they think it's the most romantic day of the year or a completely stupid holiday.  I'm kind of indifferent; I don't hate the holiday, but it is by no means my favorite.  I've never had a super romantic Valentine's Day so I can't really judge in that respect.  However, as a cutesy holiday for little kids and such I think it's adorable. When I was younger my mom would do cute little things for us or my dad would mail me a handmade Valentine just so I'd get mail. Simple thoughtful things like that, showing love to everyone I find sweet and I am totally okay with the holiday promoting it.  Besides, who doesn't like flowers or want to be offered a candy heart asking them: Be Mine?

"There is no remedy for love but to love more."

-Henry David Thoreau

Homemade.

{Makings of not-so-great cookies}

Do you remember how I told you I baked something on Saturday and I would tell you about it later? Well, I baked homemade Thin Mints. I’ve been meaning to try this recipe for a year now (ask my sister, she gave me cornstarch to make them last Valentine’s day).  I like cooking, especially when I make delicious food, but I love baking.  It feels much more natural to me, I really enjoy it, and I’m a pretty fine baker if I say so myself.  My mom's also a really good baker and has taught us to bake from scratch since we were born.  I'm a serious proponent of homemade baked goods over boxed/processed things.  Which is exactly why I was so excited to try these homemade thin mints.

As a side note, it breaks my heart when someone doesn't know what goes into a cake because they have never made one before. It's really not that hard, everyone should do it at least once.  And I will never get over someone asking me with that wide-eyed awed expression "You made the icing yourself?" Why yes, I did. It is probably the simplest thing to make and anyone could do it so stop buying the gross stuff from the food store filled with preservatives and God knows what else and make your own icing.  I'll teach it you, it'll be fun.

Back to my thin mints..So I finally got to make my thin mints and it was a bust. The recipe wasn’t that good.  The actual cookies weren’t minty or sweet enough and too hard.  However, as my mom keeps reminding me, it was a learning experience and I have some ideas about how I could make my own better thin mints.  Well, at least the cookies look pretty; sometimes looks are the only thing you having going for you.

Now back to studying for my lab practical tomorrow, I've already procrastinated enough tonight. 

{The best part of the cookies}

{My grandmom taught me that the proper way to melt chocolate is with a double boiler and I think it is completely worth it to use one. It melts the chocolate consistently and doesn't burn it.}

{Looks can be deceiving}

Sweet Details

Last week I was sitting in class, a lecture hall, when I noticed the girl down the row from me had a Starbucks cups. I did a double take, which is not something a Starbucks cup usually induces, and realized that they were Valentine’s Day cups. They don’t normally have Valentine’s Day cups but this year they did and they were really simple and just sweet. Obviously, I had to go later in the week and get one myself (and a chai tea latte).  Isn’t it so sweet how they’re promoting every kind of love? 

Not So Plain Food

All of you people who think I don’t eat anything, or think I only like plain food: may I prove you wrong? While I will agree that I eat less then the average person and that I don’t like tons of things on my food, I still appreciate all different kinds of foods and love them. I mean I’m not about to order a buffalo chicken, egg, cheese, onion sandwich with salt, pepper and ketchup but I ate snails.  Do we understand the difference?

Moving on, I often get annoyed when my sister copies me but I really have no right because I do the same to her. Besides we have such similar tastes it is impossible to avoid. So when she sent me a picture of a delicious looking sandwich that she made last week piled high with vegetables including avocado I was instantly set on making some yummy concoction this weekend.  So I bought an avocado and let it ripen and then had to wait for the weekend because I really have not time during the week to cook like I’d like to, especially with commuting. So this morning when I woke up it was snowing which obviously put me in a good mood.  I put on what seems to become my uniform when it snows this year: a comfy cream sweater, my brown bean boots, make-up that makes me feel like a snow angel, threw on my chocolate brown jacket and I was off. Unfortunately by the time I got back from the food store it had stopped snowing, I did however get a picture of the snow falling.

{Do you see the snow falling?!}

I then proceeded to make my own lemon iced tea, because I decided while drinking a Snapple earlier this week that since I love iced tea so much I should just make my own. So I steeped some black tea bags, made sugar syrup and squeezed some lemons. The smell of lemons in a kitchen might just be my favorite smell, and the fact that lemons are yellow only puts them higher on my list. Between their intoxicating smell and beautiful color I’m always tempted to bite into one, but I resist. I can’t eat things that sour although my brother bite into his lemon today (weirdo). Regardless, when I grow up (you know, because I’m twenty years old and not grown up) I want my kitchen to smell like lemons and baked goods.

{They're just so refreshing in every way possible}

{Pretty pitcher for my delicious tea}

While my tea cooled down I chopped up tons of vegetables and opened our Cuisinart Panini grill. After grilling lots of yummy things I complied four different sandwiches for the four of us eating them and we all deemed them rather tasty.  Mine consisted of asiago cheese bread (from Panera) with houmous, grilled chicken, grilled zucchini and peppers, avocado, and lettuce. How’s that for plain food?  Although next time I’d omit the zucchini, it didn’t go very well for my taste. After all that cooking, I baked a little something that I’ll tell you about later.

{Vegetables}

{Nom}

{Not plain at all}

"It's Always Best to Toast Whenever Possible"

{English Sparkling Wine}

A few weeks ago my mom and I went up to my Aunt’s to spend the evening together, unfortunately my sister couldn’t come because she is too busy studying her butt off to become a doctor.  I bought my Aunt a bottle of Nyetimber for Christmas, it’s an English sparkling wine that has beat champagne in blind taste tests (although the French don’t like to admit that).  I knew my Aunt would really appreciate it and I had wanted to try it since learning about it on a food tour for my food class in London.  She wasn’t sure whether to open in for Christmas, or New Year’s or save it or what to do.  I told her to just save it until she felt like opening it; I believe that you can open a good bottle of wine any day because why not turn any day into a special one? So on one random Saturday night we went to my Aunt’s and had a fantastic night.  She steemed a whole lobster, made risotto, and we opened the Nyetimber. I have to say it was probably the best wine I’ve ever had, it was fruity, had a hint of bitters, and was super bubbly.  Also, the lobster. How could you go wrong with a lobster and sparkling wine? Yum yum yum.  My Aunt being the hilarious and wonderful person she is at one point (at Christmas) said “It’s always best to toast whenever possible” after some completely random conversation that required no toasting. But did we toast to it anyway? Of course.  I’ve decided that I love that line and want to hang it up in kitchen one day, because why not turn an ordinary day into a special one and toast for the heck of it? Cheers everyone!

{Ingredients to turn a normal night into a really fun one}

{Mr. Lobster}

Also, it’s snowing in London. Someone remind me why I came home.