A Blank Slate

As you may recall, I was pretty ecstatic when I received my acceptance letter to Meredith’s graduate nutrition program. While much of this excitement may be attributed to making my passion for nutrition into a career, another part of my enthusiasm is due to the associated living situation. Come August, I’ll be living in my own apartment. Aside from grocery shopping and browsing through the shoe section, few activities bring me such joy as decorating a new space—it’s a blank slate, if you will. Indeed, becoming an interior designer represents yet another career aspiration I’ve had in the past.

In order to furnish my new apartment, I’ve turned to my beloved TJ—no, not Trader Joe, the other TJ—plus a few other of my favorite houseware retailers. I’ve been flexing my Maxxinista muscle over the past few weeks and scored some serious bargains. Check out some of my favorite purchases:

Where do you like to shop for housewares and home decorating items?

Before this turns into a home decorating blog, let’s get onto the grub!

For breakfast, I prepared a bowl of CoW. This meal was quite delicious, but it was made all the sweeter by the fact that I bought the CoW with a coupon

I took another plunge into the B-Hut recipe archives for lunch today and made a batch of Greek Hummus. I’ve forgotten how crazy-delicious Kalamata olives are.

Then the granola fairy came and bestowed some Galaxy Granola on my doorstep. Check out the new flavors, complete with the just-released packaging!

Once dinner-time rolled around, I made a pot of my broccoli slaw-enriched tortilla soup with black beans and sliced avocado.

My latest Netflix arrival awaits. Good night.

Filed under: Meals

16 Responses to “A Blank Slate”

1. *Andrea*, on July 14th, 2010 at 9:05 pm Said:

   i love tjmaxx!!! it’s so bad for my bank account that there is a store 5 min drive from my house! haha. cute finds! love PB too

2. Matt, on July 14th, 2010 at 9:27 pm Said:

   Galaxy granola is sending me some more samples. I hope it’s the new flavors!

3. Maggie, on July 14th, 2010 at 9:27 pm Said:

   I love TJMaxx! I also get a lot of decorations at Target (though I haven’t been to Target in since I lived in CA bc the one in NYC is in a sketchy area.)

4. Anna, on July 14th, 2010 at 9:43 pm Said:

   I’m in the same boat- just signed a lease on a house for next year! I’m such a Suzy Homemaker on the inside so I’m getting ridiculously excited about decorating. And with a backyard and front porch… soooo many possibilities! Can’t wait to see what you come up with so I can steal you ideas I MEAN be inspired by you!

5. Taylor, on July 14th, 2010 at 10:20 pm Said:

   TJ Maxx and Marshall’s are godsends, I swear. You can find some pretty surprising things in thrift stores too!

6. Mary @ Bites and Bliss, on July 14th, 2010 at 10:23 pm Said:

   Everybody RAVES about Galaxy Granola!!!

7. The Fit Collegiate, on July 14th, 2010 at 10:55 pm Said:

   I love whole grain COW! I grew up eating that stuff for dinner (weird, I know), so I’ve always harbored a particular fondness for cream of wheat. Imagine my excitement when they unleashed a whole-grain version!

8. katie, on July 14th, 2010 at 11:37 pm Said:

   I LOVE decorating! When I was in 8th grade I had a running list in my Sanrio planner with everything I wanted from the Pottery Barn catalogue, including the item numbers. Yeeeeah I was that kid.

   My babysitter used to make me cream of wheat all the time when I was younger, and I loved it! I’ll have to buy some soon.

9. Elaine @ Om Sweet Om, on July 15th, 2010 at 1:25 am Said:

   Aww the polka-dot plates and mugs are too cute! I’d use that everyday if I owned them

10. sarah (the SHU box), on July 15th, 2010 at 5:34 am Said:

    you know i can’t let monthly notepads go uncommented-on!! so cute!

    ps: you’ll have to tell me where you ended up picking an apt in raleigh! my sister lives there.

11. Erica, on July 15th, 2010 at 6:15 am Said:

    so fun! I am a terrible decorator….don’t tell anyone I have those same place settings from macys but I have them in a limey green. Love them. I need to buy that cream of wheat for Josh he loves that stuff. And galaxy granola totally rocks. Their new flavors are ah-mazing

12. Gena, on July 15th, 2010 at 6:43 am Said:

    I ADORE apartment decorating — almost as much as I adore living alone Congrats on a new phase of life!

13. Emily, on July 15th, 2010 at 8:14 am Said:

    Shopping for apartment decorations/accessories is so much fun! I can’t wait until I have my own place (hopefully soon)! Love your bright red dishes…so colorful!

14. rebecca lustig, on July 15th, 2010 at 9:28 am Said:

    i LOVE tj maxx!!! haha i always find the most interestign and unique purchases

    have a wonderful day

15. Laura, on July 15th, 2010 at 12:54 pm Said:

    WOW! i love those red bowls.. xx

16. Naomi(onefitfoodie), on July 15th, 2010 at 2:24 pm Said:

    ohh new galaxy granola!?!?! those look DEEElicious!!!

    omg that new stuff you got it so super cute and love the polka dots they scream Caroline!!!

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