Incredibly Easy Homemade Dip

Behold the power of the magic bullet!!

I'm a huge fan of dips in general but find that they're always made with super fatty ingredients.

I wanted to make a quick dip that I could eat with veggies and pretzels and not feel like a tank after said consumption.

Enter the homemade bean dip. So good & easy it's not funny!

You'll need:

1 can pinto beans -- (15 ounce) drained
4 bottled jalapeno slices (nacho slices)
1 tablespoon juice from bottled jalapeno slices
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

Gracefullly put everything in your magic bullet or food processor, blend, enjoy!

It really is that simple. 

Things that make you go, huh?

Thinking it's okay to go out in public wearing an outfit like this

Or thinking it's okay to take Casual Friday to the extreme by wearing a micro mini dress to work.

Or just a whole lotta red.

Who wears short shorts? You know they're a wee bit too short when your boxers peek out the bottom...

It just makes you wonder....doesn't it?

Paint it Black

I've been wanting to do a chalkboard paint DIY for quite some time now. Since moving into the new place, I have a huge wall in my kitchen that was just screaming for a chalkboard.

And so my love affair with chalkboard paint began...

I went to Home Depot (or as we refer to it Home DéPo) for the chalkboard paint (around $12 for a can that has plenty of projects in it!) and then $6 for a piece of particle board.

Mix the chalkboard paint up well.
Paint.
Wait 4 hours (or overnight b/c you're lazy...)
Paint again.
Wait 3 days to condition (or 1 day b/c you're impatient and don't believe the directions on the paint)
Condition the chalkboard. THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT!!
You condition the chalkboard by rubbing a piece of chalk (along the length of the chalk) all over the board. Then you erase the chalk. If you don't do this then the 1st thing you write on that chalkboard will be there FOREVER. Chalkboard paint is porous and will absorb the chalk and never let you wipe it away.

Write away!

All materials can be purchased at Home DéPo!


Beer was absolutely necessary.

Conditioned Board. I HIGHLY recommend doing this outside as it is a very dusty process!

The finished product!
I secured it on the wall with the clips you would use to secure a mirror. (and a whopping $1.96)

I took this a step further and painted a small square on a swing top bottle (i love labeling things. hello OCD)



and then painted an empty frame's glass front for a presentable list for my bedroom.
Yes, I know I use exclamation points too much.

Have you ever done a chalkboard paint DIY?

Do any of you have facebook pages for your blog? If so, do tell!

Pursuit of LLT on Facebook

Fall Staples

As you can tell I am completely over Summer and all about Fall. And right now, you can gladly buy me any of these items and send them over to my place. Thanks!

:)

1.2.3. All from JCrew

1.2.3. All from The Gap

1. Gap
2. Nordstrom: Sanzia
3. Target
4. JCrew
5. Enzo Angiolini

Birthday Wish List

My birthday is next Friday and I am finally getting around to sending my Mom a list of things I'd like.

I always find it hard to narrow down my lists. They tend to be incredibly random....Are you a birthday list kind of person?

Clockwise from top
-Cole Haan Flats
-Lululemon Racerback tank, Wrap Jacket and Pants
-JCrew Leopard Scarf
-JCrew Resin Necklace
-Clarisonic MIA
-Rebecca Minkoff Wallet
-Banana Republic Wrap Sweater

My favorite part of my birthday? All the coupons and freebies from the stores!
Thank you, Sephora for the Philosophy 'Happy Birthday, Beautiful' body wash!

Banana Bread To Die For

Enough said.

I swear I only buy bananas so I can bake with them!
Example 1 and 2

INGREDIENTS

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 3/4 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
  
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray one 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray coating.
2. Blend together the eggs, buttermilk, oil and bananas.
3. Sift together the sugar, flour, baking soda and salt. Add to banana mixture and stir in pecans. Mix well.
4. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.I like to set the timer for 1 hour and then reevaluate!
   

recent loves

long walks and lounging by the planetarium

brunch and bloodies from 11 city diner

manicure/pedicure with friends and delicious dinner at zapatista.

enjoyed with margaritas!

Also...I bought the Rebecca Minkoff MAC clutch in black. But I'm wondering...should I stick with the silver hardware or go to the gold?! Help!