a peek at my new place...

The last couple of weeks were kind of rough. Leaving my beloved apartment was not easy - emotionally, financially, nor was it kind to my social life. But after getting everything in place, I am happy as a clam in my new home. It's only a couple blocks away from my old place so I can still enjoy my neighborhood (nothing comes between a Brooklyner and their hood!). I'm starting a new life for myself and even though it's really hard sometimes, it's just as.

But there was one snafoo with moving. Turns out my beautiful vintage sofa was too badass to fit up the stairs in my tiny dwarf walk-up. Luckily there are a ridiculous amount of companies in NYC that will take apart your furniture and put it back together - apparently this kind of stuff happens all the time. Unfortunately the cost was unexpected and moving in this city is expensive enough. So I have started a small campaign to bring big blue home to mama. Donate to my cause today to receive handmade gifts and free blog advertising!

• Baller - donate $5 for a handmade thank you card from your favorite Urban Crafter.


• Big Pimpin' - donate $15 for a handmade thank you card and a handmade gift from your favorite Urban Crafter.


• Queen Mofo - donate $25 for the card, the gift, and two months of a free large ad on my blog!

All donors will also receive a special sitting ceremony upon their first visit to my Brooklyn home, Pueblo Urbano.

nothing is impossible

A new day. A new week. A new month. I hope it brings you good things.

xxoo
Gab

behind the bangs / 01

the world according to Gaby

A "dime's worth" of conditioner should really be an economical measurement. The more expensive the shampoo, the less you should have to use and vise versa. I came up with that when I was six.

All dogs are boys and all cats are girls. This probably isn't true.

If you like eating something, eat it every day. Same goes for men, songs and shoes. Should not apply to socks and underwear.

When in doubt, Wilt Chamberlain.

Before you love yourself, you have to like yourself.

how to style a slate cheese board

Check out my post on the UncommonGoods blog today where I style a slate cheese board in three different ways. I don't believe in single-purpose items in my home and wanted to make sure I could get the most out of my money (and cabinet space) with this beautiful design from Brooklyn Slate Co.

coconut lime popcorn

My mom always gave us real popcorn - none of that microwave crap. I remember the machine she had in the late 80s. Getting that machine out meant we were watching a movie or making a garland for the Christmas tree. It looked like a beak at the end of a long neck. When the corn popped and filled the cylinder, popcorn would fall from the beak into the bowl my mother set out. Watching and listening as the popcorn exploded and bounced around was such an exciting thing for a toddler, and created such vivid memories.

As an adult with limited space to store a popcorn machine, I make it on the stove in a big pot. Watching the oil get hot, hearing the kernels bang against the metal pot and seeing the steam rise when I finally remove the lid is just as delicious as the popcorn itself. And have you ever smelled fresh popcorn? Without butter or spices, it smells amazing.

But with butter and spices, it is even better. Working with such a blank canvas has inspired me to experiment with different flavors. For a while, my go-to was butter and cajun spices (goes great with beer!) but I wanted to try something a little sweeter. Inspired by my new obsession with coconut oil, I thought I'd create something to remind me of the treats I had in Hawaii.

coconut lime popcorn

1 cup popping corn
2 tbsps coconut oil
1 tsp sugar
1 lime
shredded coconut

Place 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and three kernels in a large pot with a lid on the stove on high heat. When the three kernels have popped, remove the lid, as the rest of the kernels and replace the lid. Remove pot from the heat and shake the pot from side to side as you count to 30 (get those kernels nice and oily). Put pot back on heat and watch. When popping becomes less frequent, turn off heat and crack the lid.

In a small bowl mix sugar, remaining coconut oil and the juice of one lime. Pour over popcorn and mix with a wooden spoon. Throw in a handful of shredded coconut and mix again with spoon.

Top off with some grated lime zest before serving!





// chalkboard jar DIY