IzzyIzzy's Profile

After growing up lower-middle-class in the Midwest-- where there is a TV In Every Room-- this is just depressing to me. I love having exactly one TV in our home, in the living room.

This is really lovely. It also seems like the layout of this apartment is smart, so the square footage is really maximized in a way that you don't see in every small apartment. No wasted space!

If you live in Boulder, like I do, Tip #1 would be: "Be willing to spend $200/week on groceries for 2 people." Our farmer's market is *ridiculously* expensive, compared to organics (and often local organics!) from practically any of the local grocery stores. I firmly believe people here just shop the FM to feel warm and fuzzy about their purchases, because it is just NOT a good deal. (FYI, I used to live in WI and this was NOT the case with any of the farmers markets I frequented- you could actually find deals.)

This is really fabulous. I love the very European-feeling bathrooms, and all the white- and I am usually not a fan of tons of painted white in a house! Just beautiful, full of personality.

omg, I love this!

Thank you for this lovely post! I have been thinking about this lately, as I care for our 4-week old baby and attempt to cook wholesome meals, too. The vast majority of my day is now taken up by "menial" tasks related to either baby care or cooking, and it is difficult but imperative to remember that yes- every carrot is different, every diaper change is different, and each moment really can be savored.

I would disagree that you "might be able to sell your old iPhone for most of what it costs to buy a new iPhone 5, depending on the model you own and its condition." Today my husband just bought a 2-month old iPhone 4S for $275, and I've seen several others sell for that price this week. Hardly close to the retail price!

(Simply because I'm too lazy to click through 6 times...) I wish this post included pictures of all the cakes!

Inspiring!

The stainless pans you got sound like a great start! If you're really tight on space you might just want to use them for a while and see if there are sizes you don't tend to use and get rid of those.

If you do buy non-stick pans, just be aware that they will eventually need to be thrown away (with daily use, probably in a year), whether or not they are really-high quality, once the non-stick coating starts to get scratched or degrade. (I like having one or two nonstick pans, so I get Calphalon ones at Marshall's or TJMaxx- good bargain, they hold up really well until they don't, and then I get a new one.)

A cast iron pan can be awesome, but does require a *bit* more thought and care. If you're a very avid cook, it's a great idea to get one now! But I don't think they are the magic pan for everyone that some people proclaim- if you're not interested in maintaining the seasoning, or are grossed out by not using soap on a pan, then it's probably not for you. I have my great-grandma's cast iron pan and it is one of my most prized possessions (but, yes, I still have a couple non-sticks, too!)

One pan that many people consider a baking essential but I use constantly for savory foods is the half-sheet pan, or jelly roll pan. These are GREAT for roasting vegetables, etc. and can serve dual-purpose as a cookie sheet, too.