Slutty Brownies

You read that title correctly: slutty brownies.

Now I know that I promised an "after" post of our apartment as my next entry, but I'm going to be honest about why that isn't happening today. Although our place was in tip-top shape for our housewarming party, and while this would have been a prime time to snap some photos, I was too busy getting ready and making slutty brownies to take any.

Seeing as how the party was on Saturday and it is now a Tuesday the only other excuse I have is: I've been sucked into the Hunger Games trilogy. No seriously, that's the second reason I haven't taken pictures of our decorated place yet... because I can't put down those books! I also had to watch the first movie.. so..

Anyways, back to slutty brownies. Although I still can't get over the name of the recipe, I did in fact make a batch for the housewarming party after a friend recommended them over plain ol' brownies. They're called "slutty" brownies because they're "super easy, and more than a little bit filthy".. he he. Or at least that's what this blog says, which is where I was directed to retrieve the recipe (also: if you're looking for photos of the brownies, check out that girls post.. because I didn't take any. Oops).

Although these brownies are not my typical recipe (re: they are not good for you in any way, shape or form), they were simply to die for! There was not a single piece left after Saturday night, and I'm secretly grateful for that because that means no temptations sitting on my kitchen counter!

This recipe literally takes 45 minutes (including baking time) to make, so the easiness factor was a huge draw for me. I might make it my new mission to make this recipe in a reduced fat version. Could it be possible? Perhaps if I make my own batters instead of using mixes..

Hmmm..

Slutty Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 box of chocolate chip cookie mix (and the ingredients the mix calls for: ex, oil, eggs, water, etc)
• 1 box of brownie mix  (and the ingredients the mix calls for: ex, oil, eggs, water, etc)
• 16-20 Oreos (double stuffed, preferably)

That's it!

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9"x13" baking dish with cooking spray, or line the edges with parchment paper (I didn't have any parchment paper on hand, and a good coat of Pam worked just fine). Follow the directions on the cookie mix box, mix cookie dough batter. 

Spread cookie dough evenly on the bottom of the pan (hands work best for that one) until it covers the bottom. Top with as many Oreos as you can fit (I fit 20). 

Follow the directions on the brownie mix box and pour over the Oreos. Bake for 30-40 minutes until done (note: when inserting a toothpick to check if it's done, it might come out looking underdone..but the melted chocolate chips and Oreos will do that). 

Let cool until just barely warm, cut into even pieces and serve. Watch as they are devoured!

New Apartment- Before

As I alluded to in this post, it's taken us quite a while to get settled in to our new place. We are finally (officially) set-up, and we're having some folks over this weekend to celebrate! Below are the "before" pictures of the space.. basically, this is what our apartment looks like completely empty. I will post the "after" pictures of how we've decorated this weekend.

This is the first apartment that I've lived in since college that has felt the most like "home". I put "home" in parenthesis because my mom likes to remind me that my real home is in fact down south, with my family. I have to agree with her, but to me this apartment feels way more comfortable and home-like than our studio ever did.

Maybe it's because it is a true 1-bedroom and I don't feel like I'm living in a hotel (as I sometimes did with our one room studio). Or maybe it's because we've really put in the time and effort to make this place exaclty how we want it. Either way, I'm very happy with our decision to move into this apartment, and I can't wait to show the finished product!




Bedroom, looking in from the door



Bedroom (and closet) looking down towards the living room





Living Room view from the front hallway



Living room view looking towards the bedroom



Bathroom



Kitchen, one side





Kitchen, the other side





Balcony



Lately

I feel like this summer has flown by. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was enjoying my Memorial Day? How is it already just a few short weeks until the end of summer?

Yikes!

The main reason time has been slipping by so quickly though is due to the fact that I've been traveling a lot. Quite a bit more than usual, actually. We spent some time at the beach, both in the Hamptons and in Cape Cod, and we celebrated Tatum's first birthday in Raleigh at the end of July. Also, we both had our own birthdays at the beginning of July and extended the celebrations out through the end of the month!

On top of all of the traveling we also moved into a larger apartment, and I began a new role at work. I'm feeling the urge to slow down for a little while.. it's time to catch my breath!

All of that being said, the last few months have been really great and full of memories that will last me a lifetime. So I guess I shouldn't be complaining too much :) 

Below are a few snapshots from our summer:

 My birthday celebration

 Tatum's First Birthday! Best "Smash Cake" ever :)

Photo courtesy of my dad

My sister reading one of Tatum's cards to her

Hanging with my girl!

 A lighthouse in Cap Cod

Truro Vineyard in Cape Cod

I guess that it's only fitting that I will be spending my last weekend of the summer (Labor day weekend) traveling back home again! I'm OK with summer coming to a close though.. Fall is my favorite season, by far, so bring on the pretty leaves, comfy clothes, pumpkin flavored anything, and football!

How to Build a Dresser

We moved in to our new apartment on June 30, and here it is August 12 and we're still not completely settled in. This is to be expected when you move from a teeny little studio apartment to a one bedroom (lots of furniture to buy!), but there are some things that should not take quite so long.

Like building a dresser.

However, if you would like to follow the Leah and Vlad rules to assembling a dresser, please keep reading:

Step 1: Purchase dresser relatively soon after you move in (even take it home in boxes on the same day as purchasing, if possible)

Step 2: Remark on how you're too tired to build the dresser on the day you get it, but promise to assemble it that week

Step 3: Repeat step 2

Step 4: Repeat step 3

Step 5: Turn boxes that dresser comes in into clothes drying space, seeing as how they have become a useful piece of furniture (see example below). Bright pink pajama shorts with hearts optional.

Step 6: Finally decide to tackle the challenge and assemble the dresser

Step 7: Get all the way done, but save the very last drawer to be completed

Step 8: Repeat second half of step 2

Step 9: Finally finish building last drawer and start using the dresser (example below)

Step 10: Repeat with all other un-built furniture