Cute Bag and an Announcement

How perfectly adorable is this bag for summer? I could see taking it to the pool or the beach, the farmers market, to the park for a picnic...just about anywhere!

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You may have noticed that my posting has been extremely light of late. Apart from having real-world issues to deal with, I just haven't been that excited about blogging. It's a surprising amount of work to put together a good post, and considering the small readership that this blog receives, it just doesn't seem worth the trouble most days. I'm thinking about taking things in a new direction, but I'm still somewhat hazy on what that direction might be. I promise to keep you posted. xoxo

DIY: Refurbished Chair (Update)

Remember the chair I bought off of Craigslist a while back? I promised to post an update after I finished refurbishing it, and, well...I still haven't. Three months later. I never could find the perfect fabric for recovering the seat, so I decided to wait until I move and choose the fabric based on the decor in that future home instead of my current temporary one. In the meantime, it is hanging out in my bedroom, acting more as sculpture than functional furniture. Oh well...I still think it looks pretty cool!

Step 1 - Giving the chair a thorough cleaning with a toothbrush and warm soapy water (and the assistance of my mom's dog, Lola)

Step 2 - Priming with Kilz Original Primer Spray to create a clean surface for the paint and to block the smoke odors that remained from the previous owner (I used one full can)

Step 3 - Painting with two coats (one full can) of Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch flat white spray paint, allowing to dry for 10-15 minutes between coats

The not-so-finished product

Dreaming of...Mexico

I've been thinking about Mexico a lot lately...the mountains, the desert sunsets, the beaches, the cities, the art and design (and, um, the margaritas). It all just sounds so vibrant and exciting.

Clockwise from top left: 1) Knit chair from Pirwi; 2) Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses, $98 from Nordstrom; 3) "Poolside" dress from Steven + Brown, on sale for $89; 4) Del Mar vase from Emilia Ceramics, $125; 5) Matiko Fringe T-Strap Sandal from Urban Outfitters, $128; 6) The courtyard at ex-Hacienda Las Trancas, suites from $300/night; 7) "Javanica" Tote from Anthropologie, $88; 8) The Collected Poems of Octavio Paz, 1957-1987 from Amazon.com, $17.79

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Five Under Five: Breakfast

Stuck in a breakfast rut? Here are five easy (and healthy!) ideas to shake up your routine, each with five ingredients (plus freebies like salt and pepper) or less...

Hummus and Sprouts = 1. whole-grain bread + 2. hummus + 3. alfalfa sprouts + 4. Swiss cheese + 5. avocado slices (or substitute tomato slices when in season) + salt and pepper
Toast the bread, slather it with hummus, top with sprouts and a slice of cheese and pop in the toaster oven or under the broiler until cheese starts to bubble. Top with avocado slices and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Egg & Grits = 1. quick-cooking polenta or grits + 2. chicken stock + 3. baby spinach 4. minced shallot + 5. poached egg + salt and pepper
Prepare polenta or grits according to package instructions, substituting an equal amount of chicken stock for the water called for in the recipe. Sauté spinach and shallots in a bit of olive oil. Top polenta or grits with sautéed spinach and poached egg then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Super Smoothie = 1. 1/2 cup frozen blueberries + 2. 2/3 cup low-fat raspberry or strawberry kefir + 3. 1/4 cup pomegranate juice + 4. 1 Tbsp. flax oil + 5. dash of honey or agave nectar (if needed)
Combine all ingredients in a blender and let it whir away until thick and luscious.

PB&B Waffle = 1. whole-grain waffle + 2. organic peanut butter + 3. banana slices (buy fair-trade bananas whenever possible!) + 4. honey or agave nectar + 5. chopped walnuts
Toast waffle, spread with peanut butter, and top with banana slices. Drizzle with a bit of honey or agave nectar and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Breakfast Fried Rice = 1. 1 or 2 eggs + 2. minced ginger + 3. cooked brown rice + 4. thinly sliced scallions + 5. tamari or soy sauce
Heat a few drops of vegetable oil in a skillet and add ginger. Cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds and then add rice. Cook for a minute then crack eggs into the pan. Scramble eggs with a spatula, mixing in the rice and ginger. Remove from heat, top with scallions, and sprinkle with tamari.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Oops

Looks like I should have extended my blogging hiatus a bit longer. Sorry for the lack of new posts this week...I've been visiting friends in Maryland and D.C. since Sunday. I'll be back on Monday with some fun things, including what I did (and ate) in our nation's capital. Have a beautiful weekend!

"Whatever's in the Fridge" Pasta for One

As the name suggests, I threw this pasta together last night with whatever I could find in the fridge and pantry. It actually turned out pretty tasty and satisfying (plus it's quick and nutritious) so I thought I would share it here with you. Happy weekend!

Ingredients:

-2 oz. dry organic whole wheat rigatoni (or short pasta of your choice)
-1/3 cup canned Great Northern or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
-1/2 cup of broccoli and cauliflower, cut into florets
-1 clove of garlic, minced
-pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
-1 Tbsp. olive oil
-salt and pepper
-grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and then the pasta. Stir occasionally.

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a small skillet. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add the crushed red pepper and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring. Add the beans and season to taste with salt and pepper. Let the beans hang out and cook for a few minutes.

When the pasta is about half done, add the broccoli and cauliflower florets to the boiling water with the pasta. Continue cooking until both pasta and veggies are al dente. Drain pasta and veggies (but not too thoroughly, you want a little bit of the cooking water) and add to the skillet with the beans, stirring until combined. Season with more salt and pepper if desired, add a splash more olive oil if the pasta seems dry, and serve with grated Parmesan.

Buon appetito!

Green Light: Baggu

In honor of Earth Day, I've decided to start a new recurring feature here on littlebits that I am calling "Green Light," in which I will highlight earth-friendly brands, products, and ideas. Today's featured brand is Baggu, maker of stylish reusable shopping bags, totes, produce bags, and now backpacks. I just ordered a couple of Baggu shopping bags last week, and already I am loving them. They come in a ton of fun colors (I chose the navy stripe), and they fold flat into a small pouch--just toss into your purse (or keep them in your glove compartment, gents) and go! Baggus are made of durable rip-stop nylon, and even though I thought that perhaps I should purchase reusable totes made of a greener material like organic cotton or hemp, I ultimately decided that the ultra-portability and style factor of the Baggus meant that I would be more likely to actually use them. Plus, when your bags wear out, you can send them back to Baggu and they will recycle them and give you a $1 credit per bag toward a future purchase! If you still need more convincing, Baggu is offering free shipping on all orders until midnight tonight with promo code "earth10"...happy shopping!

(Image via baggubag.com)

Maria Kitano

I'm seriously loving the work of German artist Maria Kitano. Her abstract oil paintings are inspired by nature--frozen lakes, waterfalls, trees, the night sky. Aren't they beautiful? (They're reasonably priced, too!)

(Clockwise from top left: Abstract 21, Forest 2, Waterfall, and Winter Reflections 2)

More Poufs!

Because there's more to poufs than Moroccan leather...

Calypso Home "Jodphur" Pouf, $375

Pier 1 Fat Stool, $29.98



CB2 Knitted Pouf, $79.95

Target Cube Storage Ottoman, $59.99

Pier 1 Round Rattan Pouf, $29.98

Missoni Home "Vevey" Cylindrical Pouf, $340
Anthropologie "Julah" Ottoman, $198

Inspiration Folder: Moroccan Poufs

I have been spending a lot of time lately daydreaming about my next apartment. I'm beyond ready to have my own space again, and I've been bookmarking all sorts of furniture and decor items that I would love to surround myself with. Even though Moroccan poufs have been quite popular for a few years now, my desire for one was recently rekindled when I acquired a couple of back issues of Blueprint (thanks, Jess!) and saw the turquoise pouf in the fourth photo below...so fun! I also love the pastel versions, because they make me think of candy :)

Candace Bushnell's apartment (Elle Decor)

Lonny editor Michelle Adams' apartment (Lonny)

Alexandra Wentworth's apartment (Elle Decor)

Editor Sarah Humphreys' NYC apartment (Martha Stewart)

Poufs as coffee tables (Domino)

If (or should I say when?) I get my own pouf, I think I will take a cue from Lonny editor-in-chief Michelle Adams and use it as a sort of side table and pull it out for use as occasional seating or an ottoman as needed. Color-wise, I really do love the turquoise, but I think yellow or red might be easier to incorporate into a room. And even though it's waaaaayyyy out of my price range, I can still fantasize about this super glamorous metallic version. Love.

Dear Readers,

littlebits will be on hiatus for a bit. I need to devote all of my energy to real-world things right now...I hope you understand. I still like you, I promise.

xo,
Rachael

Spring Breakup

Sorry for the lack of posting lately...I've been feeling a bit uninspired. What I need is a spring break, but sadly I am no longer a student and it's hard to take a spring break from life. At least the weather will be taking a decidedly summer-like turn starting tomorrow. Until then, it's brownies, movies, and gazing longingly at the pictures from my spring break trip to California last year. The above photo was taken on a perfect day in Coyote Hills Regional Park...if you live in the Bay Area, it's definitely worth a visit!

Inspiration Folder: Credenzas

At the top of my vintage furniture wish list is a sturdy credenza with clean lines that I can give a colorful face-lift...

(via Little Green Notebook)

(via design*sponge)

(via design*sponge)

(via Odi et Amo)

(via Lonny Magazine)

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If I lived in the Brooklyn area, I would totally go pick up this little guy RIGHT NOW. I love the simplicity and the graphic vertical lines...would be perfect in an entryway (after a couple coats of sunny yellow paint and new hardware, of course)!

Spring Reading List

It's that time of year when I start feeling the urge to get out and explore, so I'm gravitating towards books that will transport me to far-away places...


The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski. I picked this book up secondhand a few years ago, but I just never got around to reading it. Kapuscinski, who died in 2007, was a renowned Polish journalist who traveled extensively in the developing world and wrote about war and unrest in places like Angola (Another Day of Life), Ethiopia (The Emperor), and Iran (Shah of Shahs). The Shadow of the Sun, which is described by one reviewer as a "personal and political travelogue of one man's rocky love affair with a continent of nations," covers more than three decades of Kapuscinski's experiences in Africa.





A Passage to India by E.M. Forster. From Amazon: "A masterly portrait of a society in the grip of imperialism, A Passage to India compellingly depicts the fate of individuals caught between the great political and cultural conflicts of the modern world." British manners, exotic adventures, and cultural conflict? Sign me up! I just hope this one delivers more than Howard's End and A Room With a View.






Memoirs by Pablo Neruda. This is another book that I bought a long time ago and haven't managed to read yet. I'm a fan of Neruda's poetry, and I enjoy a well-written memoir, so I have high hopes for this one. Though he was born in Chile, Neruda traveled extensively, spending time in Burma, Ceylon, Java, Spain, Mexico, Russia, and Eastern Europe. Along the way, he made friends and acquaintances with artists, politicians, and other luminaries, including Federico Garcia Lorca, Pablo Picasso, Che Guevara, and even Gandhi--how could this possibly be boring?

Liberty of London for Target

If you've been to Target in the last week, you've probably seen Liberty of London's new line of exclusive products for the discount retailer. The blogosphere has been abuzz about this collaboration for months, but I wasn't all that excited about it until I saw (and smelled) the items for myself. These are some of my favorites...

This fun, pretty flower pot featuring Liberty of London's
"Sixty" print screams spring and is practically a steal at only $9.99.
Yesterday was the first day of spring--it's time to get planting!

It's difficult to find inexpensive candles that smell really, really good, but Liberty
hit it out of the park with these jar candles. There are six different scents (my favorites are
sugared grapefruit, spiced black tea, and lotus & white flower), and there isn't a single stinker in
the bunch! At $9.99 each, you can afford to get one for every room.

You know I'm a sucker for pretty stationery, and these printed notecards
(which sell for $6.99, I believe) are no exception. They would be perfect for thank-you
cards or informal invitations for a spring brunch. There are three different sets, each
featuring three designs, but I think the set pictured here is my favorite.

Signs of Spring

Crocuses have started sprouting up all over my backyard in the past couple of weeks. I can't wait until the trees start budding...that's the best!

Ballymaloe House

I've never been to Ireland, but if I had a chance to go, I would want to spend my time driving through the countryside and staying at charming inns like the Ballymaloe House, a Norman castle in County Cork which dates back to 1450.

Situated on a 400-acre estate, Ballymaloe House offers gardening and wine tasting courses and it even boasts its own cookery school (complete with 100 acres of organic farmland). There is also an award-winning restaurant on site.

Ahhh...this is what I will be daydreaming about today. Happy St. Paddy's!

Home Sweet

I am seriously loving the hand-printed textiles and home goods by Delaware-based artist Jennifer Nelson. Jennifer's designs are the perfect blend of geometric and organic, and she works with environmentally-friendly fabrics and inks. At the top of my wish list are the lumber pillow cover in the "sunburst" pattern (pictured above) and the "morning glory" printed fabric. Check out her website and her Etsy shop.

Lost Things

For your viewing and listening pleasure on this gray and rainy (at least in PA) day. Enjoy.

Chocolate Cloud Cake

Nigella's picture-perfect cake (photo by Francesca Yorke)

Back in January, I vowed that this year I would get more use out of my many, many cookbooks. So far...I have not made good on this promise. The truth is, it's very difficult for me to get excited about cooking when I don't have my own kitchen. I'm trying to work on this, though, and the housewarming party that one of my friend's had last night was a perfect excuse to dust off the cookbooks and get in the kitchen. You can never go wrong with bringing something sweet to a party, so I headed straight for Nigella Lawson's How to be a Domestic Goddess, which is chock full of luscious dessert recipes. I considered the Chocolate Coffee Volcano (p. 181) and the Chocolate Mousse Cake (p. 176), both of which look insanely delicious, but in the end I could not resist a recipe from another one of Nigella's books, Nigella Bites. Unfortunately, I don't actually own Nigella Bites...I found the recipe online. Oh well, so I'm not cooking from one of my own cookbooks. At least I'm getting back in the cooking and baking saddle! And the results were pretty delicious.

CHOCOLATE CLOUD CAKE

Ingredients:

For the Cake:
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate - minimum 70 percent cocoa solids (I used 64%)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
6 eggs, 2 whole, 4 separated (room temperature)
1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons Cointreau - optional (I left this out)
grated zest of 1 orange - optional (left this out, too)
9-inch springform cake pan (I used a 10-inch, because that is all I have)

For the Cream Topping:
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used about 2 teaspoons)
(I added about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of powdered sugar)
1 tablespoon Cointreau - optional (I left this out)
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, for sprinkling (I used dark chocolate shavings instead)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line the bottom of the cake pan with baking parchment. Melt the chocolate either in a double boiler or a microwave, and then let the butter melt in the warm chocolate. (I microwaved it on a low setting, checking it every 20 seconds or so to make sure it didn't burn.)

Beat the 2 whole eggs and 4 egg yolks with 1/3 cup of the sugar, then gently add the chocolate mixture, the Cointreau and the orange zest (if using).

In another bowl, whisk the 4 egg whites until foamy, then gradually add the remaining sugar and whisk until the whites hold their shape but are not too stiff. Lighten the chocolate mixture with a dollop of egg whites, and then fold in the rest of the whites. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake is risen and cracked and the center is no longer wobbly. (Mine was done at about 30 minutes. If I make it again, I might take it out even earlier, because I like a fudgier cake.)

Cool the cake in its pan on a wire rack; the middle will sink as it cools.

When you are ready to eat, place the still pan-bound cake on a cake stand or plate for serving and carefully remove the cake from its pan. Don't worry about cracks or rough edges: it's the crater look we're going for here.

Whip the cream until it's soft and then add the vanilla, sugar, and Cointreau (if using) and continue whisking the cream is firm but not stiff. (It's best to add the vanilla and sugar a bit at a time and keep tasting it until it tastes right to you.) Fill the crater of the cake with the whipped cream, easing it out gently toward the edges of the cake, and dust the top lightly with cocoa powder pushed through a tea strainer (or shave some dark chocolate on top, as I did).

My cake--not as pretty as Nigella's, but still tasty