I came across this fun style quiz on the Ethan Allen website via The Mustard Ceiling. Essentially, you choose what appeals to you more out of a series of side-by-side photos, and it generates your style based on your preferences.
I took the quiz twice, and according to Ethan Allen, my style is "Metro" and "Villa.
Villa is "Romance reinvented. A high-end decorator look. Refined without fuss. Serene yet strong. Inspired by French and Scandinavian design."
Metro is described as: "Chic, comfortable, and clean. Graphic clarity plus a fearless blending of metals, woods, leathers, and wovens. Not superfluous or cliched. Urban architecture domesticated."
I'd say their assesment is pretty spot-on. I'm generally most drawn to either vintage shabby chic interiors, or else really modern, clean design. Our bedroom is currently on the "Villa" end, while I find myself going for the more modern "Metro" vibe in the living room. Complete opposites, I know!
You can take the style quiz here, and don't forget to let me know what style (or styles) you got!
This is going to sound incredibly small-town, but... back in the day (read: high school) Applebee's was the place to be. I mean, let's be realistic, I lived in Alabama... not a whole lot to do around there. Your options were the mall or the movies, and before doing either, you'd usually go out to eat. Unless you were eating Mexican food, you were generally at Applebee's... you know, the Applebee's right in front of the Wal-Mart. It's the Alabama resident's place to see and be seen...
Anywho, I think I've spent enough time reliving my small-town miserydesperation history. Back to the food.
I spent my time at Applebee's consuming far too many chicken quesadillas for a normal, functioning, human being to be okay with (whatever, they're good). After I drowned my sorrows in melted cheese and guacamole polished off my quesadilla, if I was feeling frisky, I'd split a dessert with whomever my dining partner du jour happened to be. It was here that I discovered the Maple Butter Blondie. It was like the Dream Weaver sequence from Wayne's World. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.
Yeah, exactly like that.
Now... back to reality. Here's the recipe! Make it, you must.
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First, gather your dough ingredients and preheat your oven to 350. Sift together flour, baking powder and baking soda. Once sifted, mix in your salt and walnuts and set aside.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt your butter. Add brown sugar to melted butter and combine.
Add the brown sugar mixture to the flour, along with your egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir, stir, stir. Warning: batter will be freaking thick. Once combined, stir in white chocolate chips.
Spread the mixture in a well greased 8"x8" pan. Instead of greasing the pan, I lined it so it would be easier to remove. Totally optional. Tip: Wet the back of your spoon with water in order to spread the batter, or else it will stick to the spoon like crazy. Pop the batter in the oven for 25 minutes. While it's baking, make your sauce!
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In a sauce pan, add butter to your maple syrup, and cook on medium-low heat until butter is melted and combined. Remove to a bowl. I forgot to take a photo of the next step, but in the same pan, add cream cheese and stir until melted. Once melted, stir in your syrup/butter mixture.
Add a pinch or two of salt and try to maintain your self control. Feel free to add a little milk to thin out the sauce if you so desire. Or not. Your choice.
Remove your crazy delicious blondie from the oven and let sit for 5-7 minutes. That way when you serve it, it's still warm, but not piping hot and falling apart.
Cut into 6 squares and serve with vanilla ice cream, a river drizzle of maple butter sauce, and a sprinkling of walnuts.
After a fun weekend involving sunshine, the dog beach, and a japanese steakhouse, I've officially got a case of the Mondays. It rained early this morning and the sky has been covered in grey ever since. It's one of those days that makes you want to do absolutely nothing.
That said, here's some pretty inspiration for an otherwise blah Monday. Fashion illustrations always seem to lift my spirits a bit. Well, fashion illustrations and cookies, if we're being honest...
Emergency chocolate spotted at TJMaxx. I think we all have days where we need a chocolate pick-me-up!
I have finally perfected the fishtail skills. Probably my favorite new hair style!
I'm not sure about the animal ring trend, but this (hungry hungry) hippo is freakin cute.
I woke up with Spade next to me, curled up in the most adorable little puppy nugget.
I enjoy bathroom stall philosophers.
The first line is faint, but it says "All you need is love" then someone wrote under it, "Money can't buy love, but love can't buy shit". LOL. Love it.
We had our very first beach day this year. It was absolutely gorgeous!
Spotted at Dillards: The sluttiest mannequins on the face of the earth. I was tempted to make it rain on a bitch, if you know what I mean.
My wonderful husband cracks me up with his kitchen scavenging. He can't ever just make a sandwich. Instead, he grabs the most random assortment of shit he can find. Gotta love him.
Last but not least, I FINALLY got the horse bust from Z Gallerie! His name is Henry, and I have no idea where to put him, but I'm pretty sure he's my most favorite purchase ever.
What have you been up to this week? Any fab plans for the weekend?
