Baking Bread - Help!

I've decided I would like to venture into the world of bread baking. I've never done it before and, quite frankly, the idea intimidates me. I think I'm nervous because so much precision is required. What if I put too much water in? Or don't knead the dough long enough? Ugh, these are all questions that have kept me out of the game until now.



I have faced intimidation before (it took me weeks to get over the idea of roasting tomatoes), but I can't let it stop me anymore. As I mentioned last week, preparing different meals more regularly has really helped me feel more confident, even when I mess up. It's with this new found confidence that I'll be trying something new, but I would still LOVE your tips, suggestions, recommendations, or warnings. :)

(Photos from Quiet Like Horses. Sobrina makes bread making look like nothing! Check out her recipes here)

Powerful, Yet Peaceful

I love how powerful, yet peaceful this image is. 

How are you today? I'm fighting a cold, listening to some rainy day music on this very gray day, and catching up on some to-do items (I sure do love checking them off!). A good friend is taking me to dinner for my birthday tonight. Things are good for me and that feels really nice.

(Photo courtesy of A Well Traveled Woman)

Pinspiration / 02

This week's Pinspiration collection includes dramatic weather, a fun travel poster, awesome navy blue nails, and more! I hope you enjoy...

Bags / Travel / Photography / Weather / Fashion

What is inspiring you this week?

The Rain Has Come

No, I'm not being vague about a hard time or struggle in my life, rainy weather has actually made an appearance in California! You know how I feel about the rain, so I could not be more excited than I have been the last 24 hours. Steady rain fall, gusty winds, falling leaves, ahhh! The whole thing is just perfect. You know what's even better? Since I'm no longer living in a cube, I get a front row view to nature's show. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate being able to see the outside world so often in a given hour; it really has lifted my spirits.

How do you feel about the rain? Some friends posted on my Facebook page that they love to take walks in the rain or snuggle up with a blanket or a book. What is your favorite rainy day activity? I'd love to hear!

Pinspiration / 01

Pinterest may be old news to some, but if you haven’t heard of it, it is an online (virtual) pinboard where you can organize images that catch your eye or offer inspiration from around the web. You can create specific pinboards that capture your interests in home design, new recipes, fashion, or whatever else you like! They are also a great way to pull gift ideas for holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries.

I, personally, love my Pinterest pinboards. I have decided to create a weekly column highlighting the images that are inspiring me most throughout the week. Here is what I’ve been drawn to this week…

Home design / Atmosphere / Places / Food / Color

You can find all of the photo sources, and a full list of my pinboards on my Pinterest account! 

What Do You Want to Be?

One of the bloggers I read, Sharon Beesley, just landed a pretty sweet gig at Elizabeth Street (congratulations!) and shared her experience getting to this point. Here is a quick snippet of her post:

PS Jordan Ferney took the above picture of me when I was in Paris a few years ago. One night she asked me what I wanted to be. I told her I really wanted to be a writer. Her response was something like, "You want to be a writer? Great! Call yourself a writer when people ask you what you do. Put it as your occupation on Facebook. There. Now you're a writer." She's the best at going after what she wants without making excuses. I love that about her. She's right--calling myself a writer actually turned me into a writer. This theory doesn't exactly fly for someone who wants to be a brain surgeon, but it works for most other things. What do you want to be? A runner? An artist? A baker? Consider yourself one and watch what happens!

This idea got me thinking about what I would call myself. Right now, I would call myself a manicurist and magazine contributor (because that is what I am doing), but is that what I really want to call myself? To be honest, I'm not sure. I feel more content now than I have for months and I am so grateful for the place I am in. I love my internship and I love the personal interaction I get from being in the salon, but I have zero thoughts for the future. 

Will I stay in the salon long term? Will the magazine take off? Who knows! All I know is that I am ok with where life is right now. I'm not anxiously awaiting the next season or frustrated that I haven't moved onto a new phase; I'm happy. I do like Jordan's advice (and I think that it can be very freeing), but I'm ok with not knowing what my title is yet. 

Do you know what do you want to be? 

Marimekko

While we were shopping around Malmo during our trip, I couldn't help but notice the great design and window displays throughout the city. Each store offered something different and inspired me in unique ways. Since we were carrying everything in our packs, I had to be extremely selective in the purchases I made and even where I made them. Because of that, I decided to grab store catalogs and look books on display. They have provided lasting inspiration and were barely noticeable in my bags.

One of the first stores we stumbled into was Marimekko. Marimekko can actually be found in different vendors in the U.S., but I've loved the Swedish catalog I picked up. Here are my favorite pieces from their online shop.



Do you shop at Marimekko? Do you have a favorite Scandinavian retailer?

(I'll be back with photos and a wrap up of Vienna tomorrow. Stay tuned!)

Malmo, Sweden - Europe Trip 2012

We've been back in the states for two weeks now, but it seems like forever since we were backpacking through Europe. Luckily, lots of pictures were taken and I am so excited to share them with you this week! I'll be posting a different place each day, and sharing our stories along the way. I hope you enjoy them. First stop: Malmo, Sweden!

Malmo is a city in the very south of Sweden, right along the coast of the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Sweden and one of the largest cities in Scandinavia. When visiting Malmo, travelers actually fly into Copenhagen, Denmark because it has a large, international airport, and is only a 20-30 minute train ride to Malmo. We chose Malmo because Alison's parents are currently living there, they've visited before (and they would know where to take us), and who doesn't want to start a trip with a free place to stay?!

Since Sweden is so far north, the sun stays out much longer in the Summer. We only experienced nightfall from 11pm to 4am. Every hour between had enough sun to light the sky (the "sunset" pictures above were actually taken around 10:30pm).

We spent our first day in Malmo walking all over the place! We made sure to see the Turning Torso (the tallest building in Scandinavia), we hung out along the Baltic Sea, and strolled through an amazing park. Since the sun doesn't come out as often, people soak it up in the summertime! People were sunbathing all over the place; parks, waterfronts, restaurants, anywhere they could be outside. It made me realize just how spoiled I am here in California.

After a long day of exploring, Alison's Dad, Curt, treated us all to dinner at a great outdoor restaurant. It reminded some of us of a restaurant in Santa Cruz called Shadowbrook because it had multiple levels and lots of vegetation among the tables. It's only open during the summer months and had a great vibe throughout.

One aspect of the city that really stood out for me was the architecture. There is so much older architecture living among new/ modern technology. I thought the city did a great job of merging the two, without compromising either style.

Our last day in Malmo was much more relaxed than our first. We woke to rain falling on the sky lights and spent the morning window shopping through the city. Since we were carrying everything in our packs I didn't want to make any purchases, so I grabbed the catalogs to my favorite stores instead. The design and style in Sweden is so simple and inspiring; I definitely walked away with a mind full of imagination and creativity.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring a couple of parks and having a picnic near a lake. The sky kept threatening to rain, but it held out just long enough for us to get home. Once home, we packed our things, had one last dinner with Curt, and then caught our over night train to Berlin...

To be continued...

(More photos after the jump)

No Spending Challenge // Repost

Although Robbie and I have been saving for our trip for over a year, it is still going to bruise our wallet. That's why returning home will be the perfect opportunity to play a money-saving game like the No Spending Challenge. I'd love for some friends to join me!

I am the kind of person who can become completely fixated on a topic. For example, I actually watched 13 episodes of Friday Night Lights in one day (it was a sick day and don't judge me until you've seen it), and I have stayed up into the wee hours of the night cleaning my bathroom. Sometimes this personality quirk can be fun, such as when I became friends with the waitress at a nearby sushi bar because I eat there so often, but it can also lead to unnecessary worry if I become fixated on a negative topic. This can be especially true when it comes to money.

Worrying about money is stressful. As an adult, it is something we all face and have different ways of approaching. In order to relieve some of the stress, I participate in fun, money saving games. My friend Sarah introduced me to one game a couple of years ago, and I try to take part in it a couple of times a year. It is known as the No Spending Challenge and you have to go an entire week without spending a single penny!

It is definitely a challenge, so here are the rules:

1. Do your best to prepare beforehand (i.e. pay bills ahead of time that may be due during the week, buy the groceries you will need before the challenge begins, fill your gas tank, etc.)
2. You can redeem previously purchased gift certificates, but you cannot purchase gift certificates in preparation (use what you already have available)
3. You cannot fill your car with gas; if you start to run low, get creative with public transportation
4. You can pay co-pays for already scheduled doctors appointments or emergencies
5. You may not have someone else buy things for you (i.e. sending a hubby or roommate to the store for milk)
6. The point of the week is to be resourceful with what you already have, so get creative!

My initial thought when Sarah described this was, "You're out of your mind"! There is no way I would be able to go an entire week without spending any money. Unfortunately, this was the case the first time I attempted the challenge. I can't remember what I bought, I just remember I failed. Since then, I have tried again and succeeded, so I know you can do the same.

Here is a bit of what I've learned along the way:

I spend small amounts of money throughout the week.
Whether I’m buying a hot chocolate from Starbucks or a quick bite to eat at lunch, little bits of money have a tendency to fly out of my wallet everyday.

When I’m not spending money I can’t help but think of money.
Once the week started, I couldn’t help but think of all the items I wanted to buy, ranging from home goods to clothing to mouthwash. It was as though the purchases I had been putting off were being pushed to the forefront of my thoughts.

I have too much food in my pantry.
Not once have I gone hungry during the No Spending Week. This is because I have a stockpile of basics in my pantry that I normally push aside while I'm "looking for something to eat."

I can get by with much less than expected.
When I only allowed myself the bare minimum, I continued to live the same quality life I had before. It definitely put necessity into perspective.

Moderation
Along with getting by with less than expected, I learned some valuable lessons in moderation. I found myself being much more intentional with my limited resources. I thought really hard about when I wanted to use the left over gift certificates I had, if I wanted to use them at all.

Don't give up.
If you slip up and make a purchase mid-week, don't get discouraged! We all make mistakes, so just pick up right where you left off. Your week doesn't need to start over, but you don't need to beat yourself up over it either.

Although the week is challenging (it is in the name after all), it can be really fun; especially if you rope a friend into doing it with you! Get creative and don't forget to have fun!

Have you participated in a No Spending Challenge? If so, do you have any tips and tricks? Are there any money saving games you like to play?

I'm Ready

We leave for our trip on Monday and I could not be more thrilled. We've been spending months preparing, finding places to stay, researching the cities we'll be visiting, and thinking of the final details. There is still much to do before we take off (including finding the right shoe), but overall, I feel ready. I'm ready to sit in a street side cafe and watch people pass by. I'm ready to bite into a delicious pizza in Naples. I'm ready to discover the history of our world. I'm ready to explore.

Tattooed Easter Eggs

This DIY idea is past its prime this year, but I thought it was too cute to pass up. Don't get me wrong, I loved dying eggs when I was a kid and I think the crazy dye colors are fun, but I also like the idea of being more stylized as an adult. You could actually use this for more than just an Easter egg hunt; these would look great at a bridal or baby shower, a birthday, or even a backyard get together welcoming the first blossoms of Spring!

Have you ever tattooed eggs? Any words of advice?
(Simply Sublime)

Content Issue 4.2 Is Here!

Content magazine has struck again! This month we published the Vacation 4.2 issue. It's packed full of ways to enjoy your summer here in San Jose. We highlight restaurants with great outdoor seating (which I LOVE to do during summer), places to find outdoor music, and a few of the amazing innovators that are shaping San Jose's culture.

Want to be a part of the action and up to date on what's going on in this great city? Subscribe today. It's super easy and affordable (it breaks down to $3.50 a month; the same cost as a latte). An added bonus is that you're totally supporting a local business. Not ready to commit? Grab a copy at one of the following locations:

• Zanotto's Family Market
• The Usuals
• The San Pedro Square Gift Shop
• La Lune Sucree
• Satori Tea Company
• St. Claire Newsstand
• Art Boutiki 

If you want to be updated on what we're up to, like us on Facebook, or send a quick email to: editor@content-magazine.com.

p.s. Yes, I realize that this is a total pitch of a post, but we're a small business and need to get the word out. It really is an amazing publication and I am so proud to be a part of it. 

Only 7 Days Left!

With only a week left before we leave, my brain is having a hard time focusing on anything other than my trip. Over the weekend, we spent time preparing by studying up on our destinations. I was able to find my travel journal from our last trip to Europe in 2009, and it was so fun to look back on those memories. Here is an excerpt from our stay in Rome.

Day 3 - July 3, 2009
I've woken up early (5:30am local time!) to the sound of movement. There are cars and trucks alive and well in Rome this morning. The temperature is cool, but I can feel that it is going to get warm. We are going to see the Colosseum today and I am excited. I'll write more when we get back!

For dinner, we found a little restaurant in an alley, down a side street. It was so delicious! They gave us complimentary bruschetta, we ordered mozzarella & prosciutto on baked bread as our appetizer. For dinner, I had the gorgonzola gnocchi and Robbie had the salmon and spinach pasta. The food was great and the setting romantic. We were at a two-person table, eating by candlelight, on a cobblestone road. It was amazing and perfect all at the same time; or it was as though I was living in a movie. This is what I mean by this being surreal. I can hardly believe this is happening to me. I would have never imagined I would be doing this in my lifetime. 

Unfortunately, I placed large expectations on myself to write long, detailed descriptions of each place and ended up losing momentum half way through the trip. I remember trying to play catch and feeling overwhelmed, which is too bad. I'm going to do my best to write down images and memories I don't want to forget, but I don't want to stress myself out over it.

Do you keep a journal while you travel? Does it enhance your trip or way you down?

The World Awaits

Now let's go and experience it. 

Branding 10,000 Lakes Prints

I've featured Nicole Meyer's branding project before and make it a point to visit her site to check out her recent deigns. I was stoked to find out that she's opened a store and is selling some of her logos as prints! I don't know if the prints would work well in our bedroom, but I think they would look great hanging in an office. 

Which ones would you choose? And where would you hang them?

Collection : Bags

I'm not the type of girl who is into buying lots of designer purses (Coach, Louis Vutton, Gucci, etc.). In fact, I've never actually owned a legitimate designer purse, instead I own the knock-off versions found from street vendors or at purse parties. Rather than expensive purses I would worry about putting on the ground, I love utilitarian backpacks, satchels, carryalls, etc.

As I'm beginning to prepare for our trip, I've been doing some research for a functional backpack that I can use as a day pack. Naturally, I've allowed myself to become distracted during my search and headed over to Lyla & Blu's tumblr page. It looks like I've struck a goldmine for bag inspiration. Backpacks, satchels, carryalls (you name it!), all made of canvas, leather, and cloth. They've collected and posted some of the dreamiest looking bags. I would love any of the three backpacks included above.

Do you have an affinity for bags? Or are they strictly utilitarian?

Short Story Long's Facelift!

If you stopped by yesterday afternoon/ evening you may have noticed a new design here at Short Story Long! I am so excited to share my new design elements and layout with you. I had the pleasure of working with the team at Blog Milk Shop and could not have been more pleased. From the start, they have been professional, prompt, and have had an amazing eye for design. One of the reasons I was sold on using them right away was because they asked me to describe what I was looking for before they even agreed to take on my project. They wanted to make sure they would be able to provide a design I would like so that it wouldn't waste their time or mine. I love that they are intentional in the projects they take on and I highly recommend using them if you need design services.

One of my favorite features of the new design are the new links to my Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest sites over on the right. You can click any of them to either follow me, like my page, or see my pins! I've also included an About page, provided my email address under Contact Me, and listed some of my favorite bloggers under my Blogroll. Take a look around and let me know what you think!

Oh my...

Good heavens to Betsy, this place looks amazing! I love the calm of a lake in the early morning hours; it feels so peaceful. I would love to spend a weekend in a cottage like this, enjoying my surroundings, turned off from technology. I can already smell the fresh air and wooden stove...

(Floda, Sweden via All Things Europe) 

Unique Grilled Cheese

Over the weekend, we had friends over for a bring your own beef (B.Y.O.B) BBQ. Although my usual go-to in a situation like this would be to throw some veggies on a skewer and brush them with an olive-oil/balsamic vinaigrette, I wanted to to try something different. That's when I remembered this grilled cheese recipe...

Visual Noise

Have you ever thought about visual noise? I hadn't before I read a post by Jennifer over at A Merry Mishap. She is a jewelry designer and blogger who is in a constant state of visual stimulation. Since this can sometimes leave her feeling overwhelmed, she stripped her house bare. She packed up anything on her walls, shelves, and even her rug! Everything.

She reported back that she very much enjoyed the break and it allowed her mind to rest. She appreciated the peace it created and the way it cleared her mind. My first inclination is that I wouldn't be able to do it. We are already pretty tight on space, so I'm not sure I would be able to find places for everything that resides on dresser tops, night stands, or shelves. Looking around my room can sometimes be overwhelming, so it might be a fun challenge to try.

Have you ever completely eliminated visual noise? If not, do you think it is something you could do?
(Photo: Jakob Nylund via A Merry Mishap)