FUNemployment here I come!!!

It's official! I have taken a new job, and I start March 6th.

I gave notice to my current job a week and a half ago and have 6 days left in my employment here. (Luckily, I get the President's Day holiday coming up.) So I will have a full week of funemployment!!! Woot woot!

Now, if you don't know what "fun"employment is, I will let the LA Times explain it to you.

And back to me...

I purposefully arranged to be off between jobs, so that I could get some things done. These are things that have been lingering in my apartment and my life that are slowly driving me batty.

THE LIST

1) Paint bathroom.

Some time ago, my husband and I removed the layers and layers of paint that were covering up out perfectly good tile in our bathroom. The saving grace was in most places the first layer on the time was... Marbled contact paper! The super plastic-y kind. So if you got a corner of that and peeled, pretty much all of the paint came off in one fell swoop. There was still some scraping involved, but we are finally done with that. Now we have to paint the room as the butter yellow (aka what passes as white in the apartment) looks even more hideous against the white tile. I have picked out a nice luminous white Benjamin Moore color, and will buy an appropriate bathroom paint.

2) Take items to Goodwill

I have been trying to get my husband to get rid of some of his things since I moved in. And since we got a storage unit, the remaining items stick out like sore thumbs. They have got to go! I have some things I'm getting rid of too. But I am much better at letting things go then my husband.

3) Sew napkins.

Several years ago, I was gifted placemats and napkins. They weren't exactly to my taste so I put them away with my other linens not sure what my long-term plan was for them. I've used the placemats since though they don't really fit my table. And I finally used the napkins this past Thanksgiving. They actually aren't so bad. They went from being GOLD to champagne with a wash and an iron. But I decided I needed proper napkins that match the decor and maybe the season (aka Christmas). With some of my Christmas money, I purchased two sets of fat quarters with the intention of sewing up some napkins. One set will be year-round, and one set is wintery/Christmasy that works in addition to the year-round set.

4) Make sewing plans

I haven't sewn anything or even purchased any sewing supplies (minus the napkin fabric) so far this year. I would like to spend the time planning some sewing projects, picking patterns and finding fabric, for things to be completed in the next few months. I would like to refrain from buying too much during a time when I won't be getting paid, but I just might buy some suiting cloth to make a pattern I bought last year.

5) Clean out... I don't know what. I had gotten distracted.

I want to edit this to read "Clean wedding dress and decide its fate." Originally I wanted to sell my wedding dress after I used it, but I obviously have done nothing with it for 2.5 years. So I intend to bust it out of its bag, give it a light cleaning, take pictures of it, then decide if I am selling it, storing it, and dismantling it. It's about time!

6) Purge unread magazines

Though my husband is the worse offender, I have recently stopped reading as many magazines so once did. So the magazines from my subscriptions are piling up. (I only subscribe to 3 magazines. But they come monthly.) I am going to flip through them, oldest to newest, and decide if I want to read any of them.

7) More sewing - aka finally mend or rework items

There are several (okay more than several) items sitting on a shelf in my closet that need trending to. These have to be fixed or leave the apartment. They are starting to make me feel guilty.

8) Scanning and shredding

Years ago, like when my husband first moved in with me, we bought this mini desktop feed scanner. And my husband brought with him a shredder. (From his studio. I don't know where he found the room.) The scanner was a great purchase because it is super versatile. But you have to have the time to scan YEARS worth of paperwork. Over two days of my Christmas vacation I was able to scan 1.5 years worth of documents. That's kind of a depressing rate. But I'm hoping to spend another chunk of time and get rid of some more.

9) And three smaller administrative tasks...

- Change the location of my prescription refill. I don't want to have to come all the way uptown if I don't have to...
- Zero inbox. My personal email boxes are in pretty good shape, but I'd like to move, store, save the emails that are sitting there waiting for "some day".
- Finish my on-boarding tasks. There aren't a whole lot left, but want to get them done sooner rather than later.

Design Inspiration from Instagram

This month's design post is a round up of all of the Instagram posts that have inspired me this February! Follow me @kelleyrietzke

Truth. Transparency. ✊As citizens, we have more power than we think. Our questions, our voices, and our shopping habits can have the power to change the fashion industry for the better. United, we are stronger. 💪 Join the #FashionRevolution and use your voice and power to call for greater transparency in the fashion industry, and to help improve the lives of the millions of people who make our clothes. www.fashionrevolution.org/donate

A post shared by Fashion Revolution (@fash_rev) on Jan 12, 2017 at 2:31am PST

💜Amethyst flower earrings 💜 #perfectgift #valentines #amethyst #diamonds #flowers #earrings #amethystearrings #february #birthstone

A post shared by Zwikker & Zacher (@zwikkerandzacher) on Feb 13, 2017 at 12:05pm PST

Meet the artists who broke all the rules. -- We’re counting down to 20th Century at Christie's in London, our extraordinary sale series dedicated to one of the most exhilarating periods in art history #Christies20thCentury -- Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale – 28 February, King Street, 19.00. The Art of the Surreal – 28 February, King Street, 19.00. Impressionist & Modern Works on Paper – 1 March, King Street, 10:30. Impressionist & Modern Art Day Sale – 1 March, King Street, 14.00. Impressionist & Modern Art – 3 March, South Kensington, 10:30. Picasso Ceramics – 24 February-7 March, Online. -- #art #artist #artists #painting #modernart #contemporaryart #20thcentury #christies

A post shared by CHRISTIE'S (@christiesinc) on Feb 13, 2017 at 1:07am PST

I wasn't too sure whether I liked this liberty of London fabric as it's a bit busy, but it turned out lovely for the amazing Tilly and the buttons Fifi set! 🌸 🌸 Take a peek at my blog post (link in bio) to find out more about the pattern and how I got on with it! . . . . . . . . #makersgonnamake #abmlifeiscolorful #thisismycommunity #creativelifehappylife #makers #fabricaddict #fabricshopping #flatlay #ilovetosew #ihavethisthingwithtextiles #fabricmakesmehappy #flashesofdelight #dowhatyoulove #colorstory #shared_joy #whistleandawhim #vintagestyle #makelightworkshops #thehappynow #petitejoys #simplepleasures #craftastherapy #libertyoflondonfabric #tillyandthebuttons #fifi #handmadewithlove #memadeeveryday #makelight #makelightbeautify

A post shared by Mel Thorley (@ditsytulip) on Feb 4, 2017 at 9:17am PST

The new home of Scandinavian antiques dealer @dienstanddotter designed by @johnpawson is a masterpiece of light and shadow. Photo by @anthonycotsifas

A post shared by Architectural Digest (@archdigest) on Feb 12, 2017 at 11:08am PST

E D U C A T E 🚨 #cloudyinspo #oscarwilde

A post shared by CLOUDY ZAKROCKI (@cloudy_z) on Feb 11, 2017 at 2:52am PST

The Oberholz Mountain Hut by @PeterPichler_Architecture and Pavol Mikolajcak features a complex structural interior that presents a fresh interpretation of the classic mountain hut. 📸: Oskar Dariz. @sandow

A post shared by Interior Design Magazine (@interiordesignmag) on Feb 11, 2017 at 10:22am PST

Blog Anniversary - Happy 8 Years to Me!!!

As of February 3rd, 2017, this blog has been around for 8 years! What?!?

Granted I haven't blogged consistently during that time, but it is amazing how I come back again and again. Every time with a different game plan.

Currently, I blog four times a month, and each post has a different topic. I have yet to figure out what specific topic would consistently energize and motivate me to post more often. But I am using the current plan to keep the blog alive (and improve my writing skills) while letting life determine it's contents.

Most anniversary posts have a run-down of the previous year's posts. I don't think there's anything so spectacular that needs to be shared twice, but I will document one accomplishment. I did post more often last year than previous four years! I think that is outstanding.

A shout-off to the people who are randomly ushered to the blog via a search engine. Thanks for coming 'round.

Cooking - The Great British Bake Off... Or Damn! I Am Behind the Times!

I know, I know… I am (very) late to the bandwagon that is The Great British Bake Off.

My friends were talking about it at a bridal shower last May. It sounded like sweet and pleasant TV watching. But instead of getting into, I instead started watching The Great British Sewing Bee. (Much more up my alley. I was just getting into sewing my own clothes. See the “crafts” or “sewing” tagged posts.)

What I liked most about the Sewing Bee was that the contestants were genuinely interested in and cared for their fellow contestants. American competition shows always play up any animosity between the competitors. It was refreshing to see that there are human beings out there who, even in a competitive environment, could still act like engaging, well-rounded, caring individuals. Whoa!

What finally got me into watching the Bake Off was Paul Hollywood’s episode of Desert Island Discs. He sounded personable and knowledgeable. It also was apparent that his relationship with Mary Berry probably made for good television. (She irons his shirts! WHAT?!? No matter… She’s the coolest grandmother ever! Plus those jackets! And the head to toe hot pink skirt suit!)

Then home alone one night, searching for something to watch, I recalled the episode and went hunting for some of The Great British Bake Off.

It was exactly what I had hoped for.

Beautifully baked treats. Judges who care to teach, and not belittle. Contestants who you really root for.

As I’ve gone through the seasons, I have even gotten my husband hooked. I started him on the first season’s bread episode. Now all he wants to do is make bread.

It’s funny but the thing I love most about The Great British Bake Off is the British-ness of it. Sometimes I have laughed out loud at things the contestants have said. Mostly because of how they said it!

I’m still several seasons behind, but it makes me sad that Mary Barry will not be returning for the new season of The Great British Bake Off.

Crafting - Crochet Cardigan

Woe is me! I just love to start a new hobby and just jump right in!

Instead of, you know, crocheting a scarf or blanket, I decided to start my crocheting journey with an oversized cardigan. In a complicated counted pattern. That is labeled as an intermediate pattern.

Yay!

See, it started last July. While in Germany, I went to a local department store and fell head over heels with their haberdashery department.

What?!? In a department store?!?

Seriously, we are missing out in the US. From what I've read on the internet, many other countries have haberdashery departments in their department stores. They sell everything else - why not fabric, thread, yarn and more?

Anyways, I came across a lovely dark teal wool yarn in one of the department stores and decided to go home and crochet a hat for this winter.

Well... I had several other projects I needed to get out of the way first so this took the back burner.

I did end up starting the hat, but I misjudged the yarn thickness and needle size compared to the pattern, so it is currently sitting in my nightstand as a UFO.

But, for this past Christmas, my mother-in-law bought me the most beautiful and softest dark teal (see a theme?) cashmere stockinette yarn. I had to find something to make right away!

Christmas haul with yarn at right

She sweetly provided me with a knitting pattern. But since knitting is not my thing, I needed to find a crochet pattern to consume all four skeins that she bought me.

Through Google, I rediscovered the blog onedogwoof. The blogger creates beautiful yet simple (though not always easy) patterns for all types of things. One day I will try to make one of her amigurumi patterns.

For this project, I settled on her Summer Diamonds Kimono Cardigan pattern.

Using my yarn, which is thinner than the yarn suggested, I got started with a hook I already owned.

I did have to adapt the sizing, and did so as directed in the instructions. But this was simple. I just stitched double foundation stitches until it matched the length of a cardigan I own and like, counted the stitches (using makeshift stitch markers aka paper clips), and then calculated the needed number of stitches just slightly higher than the number I already had. I ended up with 127 stitches.

I am now several rows into the pattern. It is moving SO much faster.

Progress... I'm further along now.

Things are getting exciting!

Money! Things I've Learned

Sometimes you have it. Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you can hold on to it. Sometimes you can't keep it in your grasp.

Out of all the things you can do with money, the one I know how to do best is spend it.

Not that I'm a shopping addict or a spendthrift. It's that for the longest time I didn't understand money and it's value in my life.

I come from a (upper) middle class family. My parents are divorced so expenses were higher then if we were a single household, but we still were in a good place. They could afford to send me to private school, own homes (they each had their own), and take vacations.

As far as I knew, there weren't any money worries. This allowed my parents to never talk with me about money. Sure, I was denied the odd whimsical "need". (No little girl "needs" all of the American Girl doll accessories.) But money was never outright talked about.

Savings, budgets, spending habits - these were all foreign to me until I graduated from college. And then it was too late.

I had managed to get myself into $70,000 into debt without doing anything. Aka getting a college education. Aka student loan debt.

I was highly encouraged to go to college. And not just any college - the best college! I wasn't told that doing so would cripple me financially for decades to come.

My undergraduate degree cost $40,000 a year. So, on the bright side, graduating with only $70,000 wasn't the worst possible outcome.

But I also wasn't told that my parents were relying heavily on an academic scholarship that I ended up losing. I wasn't told that my chosen major only makes a starting salary of $35,000 so it would take me ages to pay back my loans even if I lived like a monk. I wasn't told that paying at least some of the debt while still in school could greatly decrease the burden after school.

The misinformation (or lack of information) continued after college as well. I had some money – mostly graduation gifts – which I used to move to a new city. I knew I wanted to go to grad school, but instead of starting right away I got a job, for which I was underpaid. Within 6 months (shocking that this coincided with the end of the post-graduation grace period) I was way over my head. I started living paycheck to paycheck.

I had gone onto COBRA under my father’s health insurance (what a waste of money!). I had rented a one-bedroom apartment I could no longer afford. I could no longer afford the monthly transit card (which saves you money) because I never had that much cash in the bank at one time.

Now, I wasn’t starving. I had (and still have) a wonderfully supportive family who I could have turned to it things really went south. I had chosen to move to a new city where I had fewer professional connections.

But someone somewhere along this path could have talked me through it, could have educated me on the benefits and pitfalls of my decisions.

Now I know.

I still occasionally live paycheck to paycheck. But I’m no longer ignorant. I am no longer naïve, blind, or worried.

Now, I have a plan. Now, I pay down a little more of my debt each month. Now, I put any extra money towards the highest interest rate. Now, I am actually trying to find a new job with better pay so that I will be able to save more.

This year, buying Christmas gifts didn’t choke up my finances for months. I can take vacations. I have reasonably priced health insurance.

I still have over $80,000 in student loan debt (that’s what going to grad school does to your loans), plus credit card debt and other debts.

So what do I know now?

You will always have to pay rent and utilities.
Treat your credit score well.
Never overdraft. You pay out the nose for nothing. Literally nothing.
Just because lenders aren’t asking for all their money back right now, doesn’t mean they won’t come knocking on your door one day.
You want that house, those kids, that jewelry/boat/vacation/car? Well, they won’t come cheap.
Are you freelance? Pay your taxes! If quarterly isn’t often enough to keep you on track, pay monthly!
Do you have multiple jobs? Make sure that your tax burden is fully covered by your W-2s.

I pay bills twice a month. This cuts down on daily interest your debts might incur.
I pay more than the minimum payment on every debt every month, so that no interest becomes capitalized.
I put extra money on my highest interest loan. I’ve already knocked out two out of seven. (See next point.)
I work extra jobs and use that money to pay down my debts faster.
I have a set amount I pay towards my debts every month. When one is knocked out, I shift its payment to a different debt.

The Holidays by Design

Just wanted to share a few photos I took over the past month. Starting with the most recent at the top.

 Prospect Park after a recent snowfall. My husband finally got a good tripod for his 360-degree camera, so he wanted to take it out and see what kind of shots he could get of the snow. I tagged a long and took my own photos.

Prospect Park again, but from our favorite spot on Nethermead hill. I love the bare trees and ski trails in the snow. Most people were considerate and stuck to the path (even though you couldn't really see it) to preserve the pristine snow. We weren't so nice, but we did try to stick to the ski trails.

The St. Pauls's German Lutheran Church in Chelsea on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is a big deal in Germany, more so than Christmas Day. You go to church, have a large meal with your family, and open gifts. Christmas Day is for lounging and enjoying the day off. We followed up church service with a lovely dinner at Le Singe Vert.

Our tree at home. It's still up even though it's pretty far past the holiday season. One day left to enjoy it! Beautiful tree!

I hope you also had a lovely holiday season! Now to tackle 2017!

Food - Peruvian Chicken

You know those recipes that you are hesitant to try because you think there's no way it'll be that tasty or easy, or fulfill your urge to recreate a lovely restaurant meal?

Well, I had all of those thoughts when I came across this Peruvian Chicken recipe on The Woks of Life.

A little back story: Two Christmases ago I spent my honeymoon in Chile and Argentina. How does that connect to a Peruvian dish? Quite simply!

Our flight landed in Santiago early in the morning, 5am or so. By the time we got our luggage, got through security, and arranged for a cab (and to pay with a credit card, which isn't common there), we made it to our bed and breakfast around 8am. It was only upon arrival that we realized that we didn't tell the owner that we would be arriving early! Oops!

He was very considerate and let us use a different room until our room became available at 2pm. We were able to nap and shower, then we headed out to explore.

Around 5pm, we were back at the B&B exhausted. After trekking around a new city, in a different time zone, and on airplane sleep, we decided to call it a day. We just wanted somewhere simple to eat dinner and go to bed.

The owner started recommending restaurants throughout the neighborhood. And when we started a preference to stay close, he said we had to go to the Peruvian restaurant around the corner, because "Peruvians have the best food." The sentiment we heard multiple times while in Chile.

I can safely say that the roast chicken my husband and I shared that night was the best one I've ever had. Ever.

Now, about this recipe...

Unfortunately, it does not match up to that chicken. And I will never be able to recreate it. I just wasn't focused enough to document what I liked so much about it. Though I'd bet it had something to do with sour orange.

But this is some of the best chicken I've made in my kitchen!!! I made two chicken breasts, one for each of us. I normally make one and butterfly it into two. But I was feeling lazy, so whole breasts it was.

Also, I would eyeball which piece is bigger and serve that to my husband. This time we didn't pay attention to the plates and I got served the larger piece of chicken. I was worried I wouldn't eat it all.
This wasn't a problem at all! Once I took a bite I couldn't stop eating it! And I was sad there wasn't anymore left when I was done. I wanted more!

Changes I made: None! Well, besides using chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken. And deseeding the jalapeno. I was worried the dish would be too spicy with the jalapeno, cilantro, and red pepper. But it was so tasty! Super flavorful!

Note: Recipe photos are provided by The Woks of Life. Photos of Santiago are mine. Please give credit where credit is due.