Loafing Around: Banana Blueberry Bread

I got my day started early this morning and have already completed a bunch of domestic chores, including baking. (Our maid is on vacation this week) I suppose baking doesn't count as a "chore" though...

I'm clearly no Barefoot Contessa, Giada, Rachel Ray or Paula Deen. In fact, I probably fall more into the category of qualifying for The Worst Cooks in America. But the recipe below for Banana Blueberry Bread is a no-brainer. I whipped the ingredients together in about 15 minutes, and the bread bakes for an hour.

Wanderlust

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” 

-Seneca

Buy me a ticket on an aero-plane...

"Once discovered, never forgotten" is the tagline for the all-inclusive Turtle Island Resort in Fiji. Well, Turtle Island, I haven't forgotten!

Wish List

I hope that you're not already bored with reading about posts about the new house, because I have the best one yet today! I was just reading one of the blogs I follow, Interior Design Musings -- (Hint, hint- If you don't follow Serendipity and the Sailor, please "Follow" in the column to the right!) -- and Interior Design Musings blogger Mandi Smith raved about the eye candy she saw in Traditional Home's Spring 2012 issue. Despite receiving too many magazines to read in one month, that's one I don't get...Yet.

Run for Your Life

I've been running for quite some time now with my purpose fast-approaching (agh, bad joke)-- the goal is a distance race I never thought I would be able to physically finish.

In prep for the race, which The Sailor is also running, he invested in a badly-needed pair of kicks a couple of weeks ago. So...well, I had to get a new pair too. The magic of Zappos VIP next-day delivery service dropped these babies at my door in a jiffy. Last time I bought sneakers, they came from Fleet Feet with far too much pomp and circumstance. That was when I traded in the tried and true Saucony Grids that I've worn for-ever for the higher-end model. But, despite the allure of having custom fitted sneakers from Fleet Feet or fast looking kicks from Zappos, I think that the old Grids still remain my favorite.

During my runs lately, I've been super-focused on the number of miles and my time. The iphone app, RunKeeper, uses GPS to determine distance, speed, etc., and the automated voice,"Suzie," as I affectionately call her, interrupts Eminem, JLo, Kanye or Shakira-Shakira, to let me know how far and how fast (or slow) I've run. It's running to accomplish a goal.

Raindrops on roses and Whiskers on kittens...

These are a few of my favorite things ...

Caldrea Herbs of Provence
I loooooove Caldrea scents-- I've been a fan of the citron ginger dish liquid and kitchen counterspray for awhile. And I recently got the Herbs of Provence hand soap and lotion for the bathroom. It's a bit flowery with natural oils from rosemary, thyme and sage, but it's not overly-feminine.

Tar-jay sells the very affordable line for $5.99-$19.99. Not bad for something that feels so luxurious. If you're looking for an online source, Drugstore.com also sells Caldrea products (...unfortunately not Herbs of Provence though) including candles, laundry detergent and all purpose cleaner. AND they offer two day free shipping. 

Mint Cookie Crumble Ice Cream

If you're from Upstate New York, you're familiar with Stewart's Shops. They're simply THE convenience stores here. Based in Saratoga Springs, Stewart's is 2/3 family-owned, 1/3 employee-owned, encouraging great customer service. Although Stewart's started as a dairy business, they've expanded from milk and ice cream to hot coffee, lottery tickets, gas and quick to-go-food, all available 24-7. 

Stewart's is also synonymous with ice cream around here. I'm not the only one who loves it for being  fresh, creamy and delicious-- It consistently wins awards at the World Dairy Expo. 

Stewart's has earned rave reviews for its vanilla flavor, but I think that the Mint Cookie Crumble is most deserving. Mint Chocolate Chip had long been my favorite until the Cookie Crumble touched my taste buds. It's mint ice cream with fudge swirls and Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies. Sooooo delish! Has to be a special treat though, because, unlike the mint chip, there's no such thing as "Light" Mint Cookie Crumble. 

Joss and Main

So many "invite only" websites have popped up recently. From One Kings Lane to the Foundary to OverSky to Gilt Group and JetSetter, there are sites for discounted everything! Joss and Main is one of those sites that I find myself drawn to every day (Sailor- just so you know I don't BUY something every day). I especially love their Curator's Collections, and today the site featured Emily Clarke. Emily's collection has the most incredible textures and patterns-- what an eye for design! 

A few weeks ago, another one of my favorite designers, Erin Gates of Elements of Style, had a Curator's Collection on Joss and Main. Erin actually has heavily influenced my preferred style of decor, which used to be strictly traditional/classic. She does a fabulous job of combining both classic and contemporary elements to create gorgeous rooms.

(Hello again, zebra print rug! swoon)

Spoiler Alert...Master Bedroom Decor

For the past couple of years while we've been apartment dwellers, I've really tried to refrain from buying any housewares or home decorating items. Mostly it was because I didn't want to waste money on something that would temporarily fit in with the decor of our apartment, but also because The Sailor doesn't like all of the cutesy, holiday decorations (i.e. Snowbabies, shamrock wreaths, orange glitter pumpkins)and knick-knacks that make a house a home.

Tick Tock... Deadline Coming Up Soon!

I love it when blogs that I read feature products-- Reading out about other people's favorite stuff is what so often drives me to find clothing, make-up and jewelry that I otherwise wouldn't have stumbled upon. It's even better when the products that bloggers feature are giveaways!

Here are two giveaways with fast-approaching deadlines on UNLUCKY Friday, the 13th:

Happy Easter!

Hope the bunny brought you some goodies! 

xoxo

Trend-ster

Okay, so I confess. The Fashion Gods (and my quest to remain forever young and trendy) got the best of me. I bought skinny colored jeans. The Sailor and I were shopping in Vermont, and JCrew had them on sale for HALF (you read that right, HALF) the price they are in the catalog or online.

Crazy for Coconut Cupcakes

Yesterday, a friend mentioned that she's getting cupcakes for her daughter to bring to school on her birthday later this week -- And ever since that conversation I can't stop thinking about cupcakes!