Monday, January 24, 2011

Escape the boredom!

I work from home and as you may know, we are renovating our house.  My office is also the man cave meaning in one corner is my workspace and on the opposite wall is a 46" TV that often has video games on it.  It's awesome (insert sarcasm here).  My goal is to walk in and just see a space that I enjoy being in for 8 hours a day.  I finally have my corner office so I don't want it filled with Staples office supplies making it feel like any other cubicle, complete with hamster wheel.   I would love to see some finished offices if anyone has pictures/links they would like to share.  Here are some of the looks I love.  The walls are gray and I have also posted my "design board" so you can see the colors I may go with.  I want to make sure it's bright and fun, yet classy and me.  If you can't tell, I'm really into the green shades but am leaning towards that or a light teal color or a blend. 


My office design board

Wallflutter Set to pin on wall



Twiggy Office Storage Boxes


Brocade Desktop File



Semikolon Folder Box     

Jane's Stapler


Bird Song Paperweight

A card I plan to frame and put above my desk  
Idea for above desk instead of frames? 
Another Shelf idea but add some color too

Framed Bulletin Board - DIY



Some cute shops online:
www.cuteaspieofficesupplies.com
www.seejanework.com
www.sortingwithstyle.com

Monday, January 10, 2011

Yummy Garden Vegetable Soup

For all of you who are working on your resolution that includes being more healthy, losing weight, saving money, eating more organically, this recipe hits them all!  It's super yummy and you can make a big batch so it lasts a week.  It's great in the cold winter months and if you have a pile up of veggies in the fridge looking for their purpose! 



We sign up for a weekly organic vegetable service and we get whatever is in season.  This was the first time I actually got to use the kale before it went bad while I was "researching" what to do with it.  For me, this is a great way to use all the veggies up.  You could add chicken and rice to this recipe as well but for those of you who are looking for a complete guilt-free meal, just use the veggies (0 points for WW). 

I am going to give you the recipe but I don't follow it too closely.  I just throw in whatever veggies I like or have, eyeball quantities and throw in spice until I get it right.  I generally make too much so maybe this last batch i will try to freeze. 

2/3 C sliced carrot
1/2 C diced onion
2 minced galic cloves (I used minced jar garlic)
3 C fat-free broth (I used chicken but you could use beef or veggie too)
1 1/2 C diced green cabbage
1/2 C green beans
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C diced zucchini

*I also add a few shakes of crushed red pepper for a little kick. 
*I add pepper too. 
*I have made the above exactly to the recipe.  Very yummy.  However, this week, I skipped the zucchini and green beans and instead added broccoli, potato, kale and leeks.  Just use what you have. 

Some ideas for yummy additions (some will increase points/calories):  kidney beans, chicken, barley, rice, noodles, corn, spinach, kale, leeks, brocolli, cauliflower, potato, peas, celery.....

In a large saucepan or dutch oven, spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Saute the carrot, garlic and onion until soft.  Add broth and veggies (not zucchini), tomato paste and spices.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, simmer and cover for about 15 minutes.  Stir in zucchini (if using) and heat for 3-4 minutes.  Serve. 

It's great to eat right away or just make a batch for the week. 

I would like to give credit to Weight Watchers for the original recipe and my Aunt Carol for actually showing me how simple and yummy it is. 

Share your tips and variations!

Subway Signs

Sorry, it's been a little nutty with the holidays and work but here are the subway signs I had created.  I will add a picture of them on our wall in a bit.  I ordered them on Etsy from PaperBleu and she was AMAZING to work with. 

They originally were going to add a pop of color to the bathroom but the boyfriend liked them better in the living room, where a pop of color was also very welcome.  I may have gone a little taller if I had known they were going on this wall instead but they still look great!