The Lover Tells of the Rose in his Heart
Photo by James Coleman

Photo by James Coleman

The Lover Tells of the Rose in His Heart

All things uncomely and broken, all things worn out and old,
The cry of a child by the roadway, the creak of a lumbering cart,
The heavy steps of the ploughman, splashing the wintry mould,
Are wronging your image that blossoms a rose in the deeps of my heart.

The wrong of unshapely things is a wrong too great to be told;
I hunger to build them anew and sit on a green knoll apart,
With the earth and the sky and the water, re-made, like a casket of gold
For my dreams of your image that blossoms a rose in the deeps of my heart.

- W.B. Yeats

LIFEPHOTOGRAPHY
Classic Hex
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A vintage look that’s new again, hexagonal tiles can be modern and contemporary. It's a unique shape but is simple enough to blend into any design. And the variations are endless.

DESIGN
Black Cherry Margarita
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Instructions

  1. Rim your glass with the salt. 

  2. Add the ice, triple sec, tequila, and lime wedge.

  3. Top it up with the black cherry juice.

  4. Enjoy drink immediately. 

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 ounce triple sec

  • 2 ounces tequila

  • 8 ounces black cherry juice

  • Salt for rimming the glass

  • Ice

  • Lime wedge for serving

EAT
Bright, Sunshiny Day
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I was running around, driving from place to place, trying to get my errands done for the week. I was feeling tired and rushed. So I stopped, and sat quietly in my car. This was my view in the parking lot at Ralph’s. It was a pretty good day after all.

LIFE
Easy Style

Black and white is a classic combination, serving as a solid backdrop for so many decor styles. Here are some great examples on how to use this color scheme in different rooms.

DESIGNkitchen
Look Down
Photo via Google images

I am in love with black and white tile floors.

I’ve been looking into options for new flooring for all throughout the house, and I've realized that I’m a much bigger fan of tile floors than I am of wood. Shocking, I know!

I think it’s the patterns that grab my attention. It’s an opportunity to do something creative and unexpected. And i just can't resist.

DESIGN
Open Shelves

Open shelves above the cooking space is a great way to keep the most-used items within reach. If you love art, open shelving is the perfect place to display your favorite art pieces and still make the most of storage in your kitchen. While simple white dishes seem to be the most popular look on open shelving, warm wooden dishware against a dark wall adds warmth to a space that is anything but basic.

Retail Therapy

Warm & Cozy
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The bedroom is the heart of the house. It is the place where you live and spend a major part of your day. For a moody monochrome moment, look no further than this bold black-on-black bedroom for inspiration. It’s everytng you want in the bedroom: it’s warm, cozy and inviting. Your own personal little cave where all your troubles can melt away and your only goal is to relax and recharge.

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Kindness
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The beautiful thing about kindness is that it lives in your heart. It’s always there waiting to come out and make an appearance.

LIFE
Eat First
Photo by Anna Sullivan

Photo by Anna Sullivan

Never make important decisions on an empty stomach.

Did you know researchers pinned down a hormone that is produced when we are hungry that interferes with rationality and decision-making? You’re more likely to act on impulse when you’re hungry. And each individual can be more or less impulsive depending on the situation. So have a good meal before you make any rash decisions you may regret later. Take your time to analyze the situation and your options. Rushing into things is never a good thing.

 
 

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EAT
Black & White
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Make a statement in your living room by adding bold, black walls for a dramatic effect. This look can really change up the look of your space. Black is timeless and blends well with other colors. Be bold and paint all the walls in your room black or try an accent wall to make your interior really stand out. A moody space can be cozy and inviting and fits into any decor scheme, from modern to Scandinavian and everything in-between.


DESIGN
Walnut Banana Pancakes
Photo by Mae Mu

Photo by Mae Mu

My Favorite Recipes

  1. Mix flour, walnuts, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

  2. Whisk milk, bananas, melted butter, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl until smooth and whisk in an egg.

  3. Pour the mixture into the the flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Drop 1/4 cup batter into the skillet and tilt gently to spread batter evenly. Cook until bubbles form and the edges are firm, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes more.

EAT
You Will Be Okay
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Anxiety sucks. But it can get better. Just remember that you are bigger than whatever is making you anxious. Stay present. You will be okay.

LIFE
Did You Say Black Cake?!
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I found another beautiful black cake I want to eat. So I started looking into how I might be able to recreate this at home. Here’s my easy recipe for black icing:

  • 1/2 a cup of unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 tube of black gel food coloring

  • 1 can of vanilla flavor Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Frosting

Start by mixing just 1 tsp. of the food coloring gel into the frosting. Then add about 1/2 a cup of the cocoa powder. Stir everything up and check your color. It’s probably more of a dark gray than black. Keep adding food coloring 1 tsp. at a time until you get your desired shade.

Happy frosting!

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EAT
I Dream Of Black Walls
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I have been dreaming of black walls in the bedroom for so long. I’ve almost got the husband convinced. Now I just need to find the right shade of black paint. You'd be surprised at how many choices there are. Also, I'm loving the large, over-sized frameless mirror. It does a great job of reflecting light into the space.


 
DESIGN
Photo of the Week
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Happy Saturday.
This photo by Mio Ito made me happy today.
You can see more on Unsplash.com

LIFE
Chocolate Macaron
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I love black desserts, cause it almost always means it’s chocolate. And one of my besties makes a mean chocolate macaron. Here’s her recipe for macarons that are as dark as your soul. Thanks Andrea!

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg white

  • 1 tablespoon meringue powder

  • 1/3 cup + 11/2 teaspoons almond meal

  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar

  • 3 drops extract of vanilla

  • small dollop of black food gel

For the filling

  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions

Begin by bringing the egg white to room temperature and line a small half-sheet pan with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, sift together almond meal and powdered sugar. In a medium bowl, beat the egg white with an electric mixer. Once frothy, slowly add the merginue powder while beating continuously.

Once the meringue has soft floppy peaks, stop beating. Then, in 3 increments, add in the the almond meal and powdered sugar. Gently fold it in using a spatula. Then, add the vanilla extract.

Once everything is well incorporated, scoop the mixture into a plastic bag or pastry bag and squeeze the mixture down to one side and snip the corner off of the bag. Squeeze gently to make 12 perfectly round circles on the baking pan. Gently press away any peaks.

Let the cookies sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. Before the cookies go into the oven, they should appear dry. Preheat the oven to 300° while you wait. Bake the cookies in the middle rack of the oven for 15 minutes. They are done when the tops are dry and they have risen up.

Let cool on the baking sheet, then carefully peel them off the parchment paper, and move them to a rack. Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar to make the filling. Dot it on 6 of the macarons, and top with the remaining cookies to make sandwiches.

EATRECIPE, recipes