20 : truffle salt

I love truffles...not the chocolate kind, but the "the fruiting body of an underground mushroom" commonly found by "truffle hogs", aka pigs kind.

So when browsing at UniqueLA's winter show, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to try Hepp's Gourmet White Truffle Salt. One tiny taste and I was in love. It's not as salty as you'd think given that it is in fact flavored salt.

A simple grilled steak finished with a sprinkle of truffle salt equals absolute deliciousness.

19 : lotus candle holder

A gift from my Dad & Betsy, from none other than cb2

I love me some candles. Especially ones that smell good. Every night for the past few weeks I've lit this little beauty. Love.

18 : perfect gifts

Sometimes you wind up with an odd gift from a loved one. Something you know is headed to the back of the closet or straight to the Goodwill. Other times, you get something that is absolutely perfect for you.

While it isn't easy to admit, I'm a worrier. Like sick to my stomach, worry. Not about everything thankfully. But my over-working mind has a tendency to do just that, over work. So on Christmas when I unwrapped this little gem I couldn't help but smirk. A worry doll. A huge one (by comparative standards). My mom knows me oh-so-well (most of the time).

And while I hope I don't have to use her (much), she serves as a reminder that sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

17 : new place

From the first time I saw it, I was in love with my new apartment. It feels so comfortable and homey, it's hard to believe I've only been here for a few weeks. And while the on-site manager is a little nuts-o, boxes still adorn my living room and fill the closets, and I need more furniture to fill my huge living room, giz and I are super happy here and that's all I can ask for.

16 : first dinner

Seared Ahi...yum!

I used to love to cook. When I was younger I had a huge binder full of recipes and when my dad would come home, dinner would be started. When I lived with my long-time boyfriend, I cooked more chicken breasts than I want to admit (it was his favorite). But after the break-up, cooking for one just wasn't fun. It seemed like a headache and a hassle not to have someone to share it with. Sure, I cook occasionally, but not like I used to.

Luckily a trip to Whole Foods snapped me out of my funk, and for the first time since I lived in my new place (all of 2 weeks), I cooked myself an actual dinner. Nothing frozen or microwaved. And while it still is nice when there's someone to share it with, cooking whatever I want, not do the dishes right away, eating in front of the tv, and drinking a glass of wine with dinner, is pretty amazing.

15 : cb2

Since the move, I've been obsessed with Crate & Barrel and CB2. Obsessed. I love the clean lines with a hint of style. And their customer service? Amazing. My furniture purchases have been super painless (carrying up said furniture upstairs, by myself, not so painless). I only wish that there was a CB2 closer...

14 : orchids

I can't grow or keep plants alive no matter how hard I try. I've been successful very few times in my life and eventually forget about them, water them too much, they get bugs, etc... and they end up in the trash.  Proud, no. But sometimes you have to face the facts.

Even with my not-so-stellar record, that never stops me from stalking the orchid display at Trader Joes. I'm always on the hunt for a plant loaded with flowers and buds. A week ago, I spotted a beauty. One flower stalk? Psh. Try 4. And amazingly all the buds are blooming. Even the ones at the very tips. How long said plant will live? Who knows. But for a few weeks anyway, it'll serve it's purpose and look gorg next to the tv.