A Side of Sweet

Gold Flatware for Blogging DIY

If you’re like me, you’ve seen gold flatware blowing up the interwebs but when you went to check on prices to buy your own set, you cringed at the price. From what I’ve seen, the average price seems to be about $10 per piece! Not on my resident salary, no way.

I’ve had my same set of silverware since junior year of college and needless to say it’s seen better days. Our apartment in San Francisco has a garbage disposal and somehow mysteriously it seems like all of our spoons now have little teeth marks taken out of them. (I’m looking at you, Pat!) Rather than just junk it, I thought I would experiment with some gold spray paint to see if I could do some DIY gold plated flatware.

Read more and get the DIY after the jump!

Things I’m Loving / 04

Happy Friday! I was charmed by this article in the Huffington Post about a mother and her daughter who create gowns out of construction paper. When I think back to what I was doing at age 4, well, this little gal is way ahead of the game! Check it out and see their Instagram feed at @2sisters_angie.

Here are some more things I’m loving from around the web:

Thin mint ice cream sandwiches – just in time for St. Patty’s Day.

Or maybe I will make these instead.

I love any dessert (or anything for that matter) that features rosemary.

Humans as Pantone colors – gorgeous.

P.S. – Have you seen President Obama on Between Two Ferns? I’m dying.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: President Barack Obama from President Barack Obama

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos

Gluten Free Vegetarian

A recipe for Smoky Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos that is healthy and satisfying. A great twist on the old Mexican favorite. Great for vegetarians.

I can go weeks at a time without thinking about tacos, however it seems like every so often a switch flips and they are all I can think about. This recipe for smoky sweet potato and black bean tacos was the product of one of those cravings. I have to say, they hit the spot.

This recipe is healthy, vegetarian and easy. I also made it with things I had on hand, except for the microgreens! We always seem to have a stash of sweet potatoes living on our counter since they last forever. I spiced mine up with some infused chili pepper olive oil, but you could use your favorite hot sauce or some diced hot peppers if you so choose.

Click through after the jump for the recipe and to see how I set up this shoot!

Friday Faves / 04

What are your thoughts on selfies, friends? Too much self love or a positive way to share what you’re up to with the world? I definitely feel awkward every time I’m in front of the camera instead of behind it. I have to admit I’m super envious of all those big-name bloggers out there who past tons of selfies where they look so at ease and beautiful! I just can’t seem to get there myself, even though I have posted a few selfies on Instagram over the past several months.

Rolling Stone magazine recently featured Ezra Koenig, lead singer of Vampire Weekend, in an article where he talked about being pro-selfie. Here is an excerpt from the article:

“Koenig is firmly in favor of selfies. “I’m definitely pro-selfie,” he says. “I think that anybody who’s anti-selfie is really just a hater. Because, truthfully, why shouldn’t people take pictures of themselves? When I’m on Instagram and I see that somebody took a picture of themselves, I’m like, ‘Thank you.’ I don’t need to see a picture of the sky, the trees, plants. There’s only one you.” Adds Koenig, “I could Google image search ‘the sky’ and I would probably see beautiful images to knock my socks off. But I can’t Google, you know, ‘What does my friend look like today?’ For you to be able to take a picture of yourself that you feel good enough about to share with the world – I think that’s a great thing.”

I think there is a lot of truth in Ezra’s words. I have to admit, any time I find a new blog or Instagram account, the first thing I check out are the selfies. I like to connect with the person I’m following and feel like I can put a face to the great work they are doing on this massive, mainly anonymous, internet we have at our fingertips. So I guess that makes me pro-selfie too!

Here are some other things I’m loving around the web:

This bracelet is so lovely and on the top of my DIY list.

Need me some healthy mac and cheese.

Another fantastic example of nature as art.

An app that lets you design your own t-shirts.

Easy peasy all natural, all-purpose cleanser.

Meyer Lemons Two Ways :: Candied Lemon Peel & Dried Lemon Slices

Gluten Free Vegetarian Vegan

I have two sweet, actually I should say short and sweet, recipes to share with you today friends! I’m still working through my bounty of Meyer lemons that were gifted to me by a co-worker. For the final handful, I made Meyer Lemons, two ways – as candied lemon peel and as dried lemon slices. I love dried lemon slices to add a bit of color and pizazz to many dishes – everything from tea to roasted meat dishes to salads.

This Meyer lemon candy recipe for sugared lemon peel actually makes me think of my grandfather. He was a hardworking man, a country man who worked on the farm until shortly before he died. He would always keep a bag of lemon drop candies in the front seat of his pick-up and I can’t eat lemon candy even today without thinking of those rides to the farm to feed the horses.

Get the recipes after the jump!

Heath Ceramics Factory Tour

Heath Ceramics Factory Tour - Sausalito, CA

The Heath Ceramics Factory Tour in Sausalito has been on my bucket list since we moved to the bay area. I fell in love with Heath the first time I came across them in the Ferry building. I just love the sturdy handmade feel that each piece has. For now I’m an admirer from afar – a resident salary in the most expensive country in the world doesn’t allow me to own $30 plates. I’m more on a box of ikea plates found in a box on a sidewalk kind of budget right now (seriously, that actually happened). Heath Ceramics Factory Tour - Sausalito, CA

Heath Ceramics Factory Tour - Sausalito, CA

More photos after the jump!… Read More »