Sapphire Sparkle

Such a great paint name. Sadly, no, there are no actual sparkles in the paint.

I know these pictures are overdue, but these things happen. Our bedroom only gets natural light in the morning, which makes it a bit challenging to photograph since a) I'm usually at work before the sun rises and b) it's often cloudy in the mornings here. On the plus side, it makes the room good for afternoon naps.

Weekend Reading

I should probably change the title of this post to Monday-morning-at-work-before-you're-ready-for-work Reading, but that doesn't quite roll off the tongue, does it? Besides, it's still the weekend! This was a weird week at Chez Sweets. We got home from an epic trip, my work schedule was all sorts of wonky, the delicate flower of a dog, Roomba, is still getting over being sick, and we have bunches of friends in town this weekend. Last night we had a few over for a dinner of barley risotto, salad, watermelon, and a yet-to-be-announced dessert.

Anywho, I hope you all had the weekend you wanted. Here's what I've found this week. What about you?

Is it fall where you are? Cardamom-Spiced Apple Butter sounds like a delicious way to celebrate

oh, sigh. Barilla pasta should be beyond embarrassed, and I won't be buying their products. It's 2013, people!

Erica over at Northwest Edible Life is giving away a stack of 6 books. Enter to win!

mmmmm...grape juice.

Karin's Lonely Places, which I accidentally found via google+ the other day. I really love this piece, but, full disclosure, she's my cousin. More full disclosure: if I didn't like it I wouldn't tell you about it. Even more full disclosure: she didn't know anyone could see it! Welcome to the interwebs, Karin

I don't have an occasion in mind for Raspberry Cordial, but I love the story behind it.

To Do List - free printable

 

It's getting to be that time of year when schedules collide, entire months pass in a busy haze, and the to-dos can start to become overwhelming. Then there's the looming specter of The Holidays. Normal people may not feel it yet, but it's peering over my shoulder at work and I can feel it also in the blog part of my brain.

In any case, whether you're normal or not (ha!), I came across this free printable To Do Life List via Pinterest (where else?) and it struck me as a super useful one. Enjoy!

Breakfast Salad - gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

Hi all- I'm back again. For those of you who don't follow along on Instagram or Facebook, Mr Official Taster and I went on a pretty epic trip. One Phillies game. Two weddings. Three flights. Nine States. Ten days. Seven beds to rest our weary heads. 

Let me be clear: it was fun and I'm so glad we went. The weddings were lovely, the flights uneventful. We visited with so many people, some of whom we hadn't seen in years and years and years. But, boy, were we glad to get home to stinky puppies, piles of mail, laundry for days, and our own kitchen where we could make instead of buy food and snack when we felt like it. 

Black & White Kitchen Art - free printable

hello, friends. It has been a crazy week (or two. or three) here at Chez Sweets- what about you? Today's short and sweet post is me pointing you towards Lost Bumblebee's black and white free printables for your kitchen (or if you're lucky and it's another room) and pantry. She's got a bunch to choose from and links to get them in fun colors if you're looking for a pop of happy.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Weekend Reading

Maple Granola in the making

Happy Sunday, friends! I hope you're having the weekend you want, whether it's lucrative, organizational, relaxing, productive, book-filled, and/or inspiring. Yesterday after work I (finally) finished painting the bedroom, and I'm hoping to share pictures later this week. Even though it took longer than anticipated and was more of a pain in the neck than I planned, I'm happy with how it turned out. What are you up to?

As always, please share what you've found interesting this week!

Researchers out to promote healthier eating habits are using gentle cues, like strategically placed mirrors, to steer shoppers toward fruits and vegetables. And you know what? Mirrors aimed at people's guts help them aim towards the healthy stuff. Interesting article about too much and too little.

Hot summer days often mean air pollution warnings in big cities. But the air inside your kitchen can sometimes be just as harmful. I had no idea! Note to self: use fan over stove.

Um, this is brilliant and looks so fun. I remember an intense game of Jenga among my friends almost exactly 2 years ago...

I don't really like apple pie (I know, I know), but this is such a cute take on it, I couldn't resist

Finally, I was trying to explain this idea to my mom last week, but a picture's worth a thousand words, right?

Medium-Big Cluster Maple Granola - gluten free & dairy free

I've never been what anyone would call a "trend-setter." I couldn't tell you what this year's New Black is, though I do happen to know the Pantone color of the year. I wear heels as few times per year as possible, and I blow dry my hair even less often. I don't own anything ombre. I refuse to make Instagram videos, and the rugs at Chez Sweets tend to fall into the washable-because-we-have-dogs-who-vomit category rather than the chic-and-trendy one.