Home Reno Round-Up

I would like to start this post with a little bragging. I love where I live. I am fortunate enough to live in roughly 800 square feet with a swoon-worthy view, a lovely little garden on the patio and the man of my dreams.

Now, that being said, this place could benefit from some upgrades. Whoever built it didn't seem to take much stock in their work and couldn't have been bothered with concepts like "longevity" and "quality workmanship" and "up to code".  G and I will be living in this place for at least another few years, so we will be reaping the benefits of any home renovation we do. (Eventually we would like to rent the place out and take on the role of landlord- but that's another blog post entirely!)

Our goal is to create a little oasis that balances the money spent and the return on investment. The last thing we want to do is spend gobs of money on a high end product just to find out that it doesn't actually increase the value of the home. I am not sure if I will be documenting the financials of each project but if you would like to know where we are finding everything and how much we are spending then do let me know in the comments!

Below is a list of the home renovations Golan and I plan to execute over the next year or so. We hope to be able to do most of it ourselves to save on labor and, quite frankly, we really enjoy the whole process! First thing's first, it would probably be beneficial if you had a bit of an idea of the layout of our place. A few things to note: The orange structure jutting out from the lower wall of the main living room is a large column that houses the fireplace, the orange line cutting off the kitchen is a bar that has to go, and the ship-wheel image is actually a spiral staircase that leads up to a small loft above the kitchen. Without further ado, the list!

1. New Floors Throughout

 Includes ripping up carpet + linoleum and replacing it with hardwood throughout the main living spaces. We will also be ripping out the linoleum in the bathroom.

2. Replace Dated Lighting Fixtures

We have a true beast beauty hanging from our vaulted ceilings that was transported from the Golden Girls set.

3. New Kitchen

The most important room in the house deserves a little TLC. We will be ripping out the bar to open up the space and will be installing the new kitchen ourselves. IKEA might win out in the kitchen race.

4. Remove Popcorn Ceiling

Our entire apartment is covered in popcorn ceiling. It looks like we have cob webs everywhere because there is no easy way to clean popcorn. The only room I have made progress in so far is the kitchen and that is only because I had to for a drywall patch. While this project isn't difficult, it can be time consuming and it is incredibly messy. I used a tarp and I am still cleaning remnants of dried plaster.

And there we have it. This list might seem short and sweet but I have a feeling it will be the haunt me until every last project is complete. Again, do comment down below with your experiences! I'd love to hear from you and gather and tips I can get my hands on. 

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Five Ingredient Breakfast Cookies

Every few weeks or so, Golan and I find new resolve and get back on the clean eating wagon. We cut out processed foods and sugars and stick to fresh healthy foods. While I love eating clean, it can be incredibly difficult to kick cravings.This recipe has come about as a result of my experiments for finding a breakfast muffin/pancake/bread alternative. It was adapted from this recipe by Oh She Glows.

The best part? This recipe has five ingredients and NO ADDED SUGAR. Clean eaters rejoice! Now, I won't say that this recipe is particularly groundbreaking. I'm almost certain I have had this breakfast cookie in some form or fashion in the past. But it is so simple and quick that I just had to share.

I kept my recipe very basic so that you can tailor it to your tastes. Like cranberries? You can add them. Feeling like adding some chocolate? Mix in mini chocolate chips. Like most recipes, the cookie itself won't really be affected if you want to add in a little something extra.

Above is a photo of me flattening the cookie dough with a fork prior to baking. Below is a photo of the cookies after sitting in the oven for roughly 20 minutes. The shape and color of these breakfast cookies barely changes. You might see some slight browning, but that is just about it. Despite the slightly crisped exterior, they are soft and chewy on the inside. Pretty much perfect. 

I have loved dipping them into my English Breakfast tea and G has been popping them like candy. The oats and golden flax help keep you full and provide lasting energy throughout the morning and the banana gives you that perfect subtle sweetness. These little guys are ideal for those mornings when you just can't be bothered to cook up breakfast or simply don't have the time. We will definitely have a small batch of these on hand most weeks!

Five Ingredient Breakfast Cookie Recipe
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Prep Time: 5-10 Minutes

Cook Time: 15-20 Minutes *

Yield: 10 Cookies

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Ingredients:

- 1 cup rolled oats, blended
- 1 very ripe banana
- 1.5 tablespoons golden flax
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Put rolled oats into blender and pulse until roughly half of the oats reach a consistency of flour. ** Pour newly blended oats into a medium sized bowl.
3. Add banana into bowl and mash together with the oats. This might take a few minutes and a little bit of elbow grease. The dough will appear dry.
4. Add the golden flax and cinnamon to the dough and mix thoroughly.
5. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and lay on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. There is no need to spread out the cookie dough as the cookie does not expand during baking.
6. Use fork to flatten each dough ball evenly to roughly 1/4 inch thick.
7. Sprinkle sea salt over each breakfast cookie.
8. Bake cookies for 15 minutes.
9. Place on cooling rack for 5 minutes and enjoy!

Notes:

* This is where preference comes in. I like my breakfast cookies after 15 minutes when they are more on the softer side. Golan prefers that I leave his in for another 5 minutes or so to crisp them up.

** What I mean by this is that there will be pieces of rolled oats that slip through and stay relatively whole and this is perfect for this recipe. It gives great texture while still replacing the need for flour.

And there we have it- a delicious andhealthy breakfast option that feels more like an indulgence. Be sure to post photos of your Five Ingredient Breakfast Cookies on social media and tag me! I'd love to see how you get on. Also, don't be afraid to share your thoughts in the comments.

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Guest Room Essentials

Summer is prime time for vacations. Everyone seems to be booking flights, packing up and shipping out to soak up the sun. 

Last summer was the first time I hosted a friend in my humble little abode and let me be frank and say that I was not prepared. To be fair, it was a complete surprise for my birthday. However, I realized that I had no plan in place for when unexpected guests arrive. 

That same friend is coming again this summer and I am determined to make a better impression! There are a few basics that should be covered when hosting a guest. This can include grocery shopping to fit their tastes, keeping things clean and tidy and making them feel right at home with little bits and bobs.

This doesn't have to equate to tons of effort and hours of rushing around the house, which would wear you out before your guest has even arrived. I have compiled a short list of small things that will make your guest feel welcome and at ease during their stay.

1. Fresh Flowers

If you weren't already aware, I love fresh flowers. A lot. 

Fresh flowers are the easiest way to brighten up a space. I will say that some stores really mark up the price of flowers (even seasonal flowers- I mean come on, people, work with me here!) but you can usually find a great little bouquet at your local grocery store for under ten bucks. You can personalize the space with your guest's favorite blooms. This small gesture will make them feel welcomed and considered.

2. Serving Tray

A serving tray is the perfect addition to a guest space. This is where you can leave a reusable water bottle, snacks and even a small stack of books you think your guest might enjoy. You can even put an adult beverage for anyone who might want to wind down after a long day of travel. 

Get creative and pile on the goodies! I have a small chest of drawers in my guest space that I can place a serving tray on but if you don't have anything similar, you can simply place the tray on the center of the mattress or couch where they will be staying.

3. Bathroom Basket

If your guest is staying for more than just a day. then chances are they will want to get cleaned up in the bathroom. That's where the bathroom basket comes in. 

In this basket you will want to put fresh bathroom linens such as towels and washcloths. I like the idea of using separate "guest" linens with a fun pattern that can be distinguished from the everyday towels. 

You can also include a toiletries bag full of sample sized shampoo and conditioner, body wash and other skincare products.Who wouldn't love feeling like they are in a spa or a hotel? Plus, that gives your guest one less thing to worry about when they realize they have forgotten something while packing.  



So there you have it! Those are a few things that I will always have on hand for when a guest decides to pop in, whether expected or not. 

What are some of your guest room essentials? Is there anything special that you like to do to make your guests feel right at home? 

Don't be shy- leave a comment down below. Also, be sure to share this post with anyone you know who might be hosting a guest sometime soon.

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