Chocolate

You may not recall this, but I have been staying away from all sugars and yeasts for almost two months now--which yes, means no chocolate--I can't describe the extent of my yearnings for Breyer's chocolate ice cream, however, I recently discovered that Lindt 85% Cocoa chocolate bars have so little sugar in them that I can eat them! Ahahahha! YUM. 

Of course, that's really really dark. Most of you wouldn't be able to stomach it. I still like it though. Mmmm, candy.

Cairo Rooftops

Remember what I told you about Near-Easterners and their obsession with satellite dishes? Yeah. It's true in every city over there. Cairo too.

Dear Carpet,

Y&Co Area Rug

You would look so lovely in my bedroom: peaceful, and perfectly matching the rest of my decor. Please find a way to roll out of your warehouse and come visit me, as I cannot afford your exorbitant price. I'm sure we will be very great friends.

Cordially,                              

Rachel                  

Unbelievable Bobby Pins

Scunci No-Slip Grip All Day Hold Bobby-Pins (see the grooves?)

Scunci's perfect bobby's have strong inner-grooved pins that actually hold my slippery hair in place; it is so lovely to only need one bobby pin instead of six. No other bobby's can compare: without even double-crossing them for support, they won't wear out, stretch out, or fall out.

Genie of the Lamp

Blown glass lamp, by west elm. Pretty!

The best thing about decorating with glass is that it won't weigh down a tight space. Solid objects can look cluttered and/or heavy, but glass will seem airy and it's see-through-ness won't cramp you up. Especially if it's a coffee table!

Snickerdoodle Ice Cream

Found through OurBestBites

With all the homemade ice cream flavors you can choose from, I think this would be above and beyond any you've chosen before. Think about it! Some caramel drizzle on top.... ohhh. That's more irresistible to me than Homer drooling over a raspberry jelly-doughnut.

I'm so glad Dylan's home

I Got My Hair Cut

Dress from ShabbyApple. I totally want it.

...it looks somewhat like this now, except straight. ;-) I'm planning to curl it sometime soon though. Maybe curls will last now that my hair is shorter and has layers. But I'm not crossing my fingers.

I Am Me at 23!

Purslane

You know this weed? It's actually super healthy for you. It has more omega 3-fatty acids than any other leafy plant, and has vitamins, minerals, calcium, potassium, and iron in it too.

And even though Americans consider it a weed, it's actually cultivated and eaten regularly in Greece, England, Turkey, Mexico, and Japan.

When my Mom told me to try it I freaked out-- she'd pulled it up from a sidewalk crack and she expected me to eat it? I was totally surprised; purslane has a peppery taste, and is really great on sandwiches. This year I can't find any around my house, and I'm bummed. I've been craving it for days! I want purslane!

Dulcet Tones

Few things are more calming or soothing to me than listening to piano solos. When I feel nervous, guilty, insignificant, scared, incapable, alone, or in pain, listening to the ivories somehow brings back a balance and perspective.

Today I really enjoyed Stephan Moccio's Porcelain.

Buried Treasure

A Londoner out with a metal detector found 52,500 Roman coins (dated to 3rd century, Marcus Aurelius' time) in a clay urn, total estimated worth is $5 million. Read more here.

Shiny

Found at TopShop

Mmm. Vintage-esque eyewear with horn-rimmed detailing. Shiny.

In the Armenian Quarter

Loose Setting

A few weeks ago I noticed that my wedding ring made a rattling sound when shaken. Scared of losing a stone I took it in to be looked at. Come to find out four of the largest diamonds were loose in their settings! Gah! No idea what caused that, since I'm very protective of it, but hey.

This pic shows detail of a "bezel" setting, which the larger stones in my wedding ring are set with. Bezel settings allow gems to lay close together using tiny beads; the surface of the ring then appears to be encrusted with stones, as in this example.

Monday I get my ring back, and I'm so thrilled! She'll be clean, polished, freshly Rhodium-plated to make her white again, and with diamonds firmly in place. Just like new!

Relaxing

This Ann Wisniewski bedroom design looks so peaceful.

The Theremin Instrument

The THEREMIN is a musical instrument we've all heard (like in the good-vibrations song's oo-oo-oo section,) but hardly anyone knows about. Played without physical contact, the theremin is an electrical instrument that omits a sound based on the physical proximity of the musician's hands.

The theremin's eerie sound is featured in haunted/mystery show music and movies.Watch the clip to see a professional theremin musician playing the theme of Midsomer Murders, a British TV show.

Floppy Pillow

A reunion with my pillows was easily the best part of being back at my house. Quite possibly I love my squishy down pillows a little too much, but the first thing I did when I walked through the door was bury my face into the fluff. Threadbare pillowcases are the best!

Home

Last week was spent once again in the arms of my dear husband. It was so wonderful to see each other after a whole month of nothing but phone-conversations! Any longer and I may have forgotten the look of his smile.

Early this morning when I returned "home" to my house the thought struck that though the environment was familiar and comfortable I was farther away from home than I had been all week. "Home," a lovely Broadway ballad sung by Belle in Beauty & The Beast says

"Home will be where the heart is. Never were words more true!
My heart's far, far away--home is too,"

and I find it hard not to sing it repeatedly in dramatic fashion while I unpack my suitcase.

They Don't Have These in Utah?

Lame. I found these yummy rye-bread tasting crackers in Houston, and returned to UT only to discover that no grocery stores carry it in my town. Too bad. They were delicious.