DIY Printed Loafers

Hmm, what's one to do with an old, worn-in pair of loafers? 

Glazed Almonds

Some dear friends of ours enjoy cooking amazing food as a hobby, and because we live so close we often do them a favor by helping them eat it. Our friends Celeste and Aubrey seriously make the best food, and are super generous in inviting us to dinner parties that include everything from starter cocktails paired with the appetizer to roasted chicken with some delicious vegetable in the prime of it's season. I've learned so much from Celeste and am hoping that she does start her much anticipated blog someday soon so that I can truly steal all of her secrets, but for now leaning over her shoulder and taking in the scents while I bombard her with questions will have to suffice.

When they invite us to dinner parties I'm often asked to make dessert with only one rule - I must be able to eat it. Since going gluten free almost 2 years ago, I've really steered away from baking and when I do it's usually something that I'm not able to eat because being the one gluten intolerant person in a group, I'm not going to make everyone else suffer with my modified recipes when they could enjoy the real deal.

Last time we were invited I needed to use ingredients that I had on hand, which at the time was not much. I looked through my cupboard and found some almonds, sugar, and chocolate chips which I knew was just about all I needed for some candied almonds.

DIY Studded Headband

Studs are everywhere right now, and I've been dying to get in on the trend. After seeing several studded headbands on the market, I decided it'd be an easy DIY project. I was able to recycle some studs from an old military style shirt, and a headband that hadn't been touched since I bought it in middle school. Within 20 minutes I had my very own studded headband and was in on the trend. 

A step by step below:

1. Gather your materials: Scissors, Thread, Needle, Headband, & Studs. 

House Tour

I'm finding it true what they say, about how the older you get, the faster time flies. Last September we were very excited to be photographed by Bethany Nauert for a feature on Apartment Therapy. Looking back at the photos it's a reminder of how much has changed in the last year. When we did the photo shoot I felt like we were so settled into our home and there was nothing I could possibly want to change, but our home has grown with us the last year, and morphed into an even more cozy and comfortable place to be. More furniture has collected, nick-nacks added, and memories created.

I'm so excited for the next year, to see what changes are to come. You seriously never know what the future has in store, and I like it that way. The element of surprise is what keeps life interesting. 

Here are a few pics from the house tour, you can view the whole thing here. 

Summer Must-Have: Patterned Shorts

(1/2/3/4/5/6)

Patterned shorts are everywhere this year and I've been drooling over all of them. I gathered the above selection as inspiration for my own designs. I'll likely be using a basic shorts pattern and just changing up the print/materials.

What's your favorite trend in shorts this year?

Cold Brewed Coffee

As soon as the high temperatures hit, I couldn't wait to make the first cold brewed coffee of the season. On a hot summer day there's nothing more refreshing than a light and balanced cup o' joe on the rocks.

 I use my french press to make a cold brew, letting it sit overnight and pressing it in the morning for an instant dose of caffeine. If you don't own a french press, you can use the method here from smitten kitchen. 

Ooey Gooey Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies

 Need I say more?

Probably not...but I will anyways.

The $3 Purse

Lately I've been on the hunt for a new purse knowing that my current one won't last much longer. The problem is, I've had this purse for over 5 years, and it's been so faithful. It's the first bag I ever made and I never imagined it would follow me through some of the most important times in my life.

This bag was once a leather skirt, probably originally born in the 80's it found it's way to my local thrift store where I snatched it up for about $3...little did it know I had other intentions for it.

Sunday Sangria

The temperatures have been steadily climbing the last few weeks, and at 80+ last weekend I was struck with a craving for a sweet and refreshing sangria to sip while sun bathing on our roof.

Using the ingredients I had on hand, I based my creation off this recipe. It was my first attempt at Sangria and came out quite good. I used a previously opened sauvignon blanc, brandy, lime, apple, nectarine, and some frozen pinapple.

DIY Neon Necklaces

Pops of neon are everywhere this season, and I'm loving it. With a recent resolve to introduce more color and accessories into my wardrobe I thought this the perfect opportunity to give some of my long forgotten pieces new life.

After digging through my old dresser drawer these became my victims:


I didn't have the patience to venture to the hardware store for spray paint, so my neon nail polish found a new identity...

Cinco de June

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite holidays, partly because of the food, but also because it's the first to break up those long months of nothing. I can't understand why there are barely any holidays in the first half of the year. Luckily I've created some of my own holidays with my birthday in January and anniversary in March, but other than that there's just Valentines Day...and then Easter...and then nothing.

Since Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorites, I think it's perfectly fine to do a Cinco de Mayo post, one month later. So happy Cinco de June everybody! Here are the delicioso chilaquiles I made the morning after our cinco de mayo fiesta. Now I'm tempted to make them again...maybe for dinner tonight?

Memorial Daze

The long weekend was very much overdue. My goal was to nothing but relax all weekend and I managed to do that pretty well. I spent the morning of memorial day at my parent's house enjoying the peaceful quiet of the suburbs. Their house is under renovation so we gladly escaped outside and sat for hours under the large tree sipping lemon water and catching up on life.

These types of things do make my mind wander from the love of living in the concrete jungle and give me a desire for an outside area of my own. I can't say I'd want to move to a neighborhood, but a patio or roof area would fill my craving.

DIY Terrariums

One of the first things I noticed after moving downtown almost two and a half years ago is that there's some sort of special bond, a unique connection that downtown residents share. We go against what others say about "living in such a dangerous neighborhood", or "awful traffic and difficult parking" and somehow learn to almost love those things.

It's like moving downtown is an instant friendship builder, you have something in common - a love for the city, the bustling streets, the walkability, and all those small things that only residents could know.

Sunday Mornings

Sunday mornings are the best. On a typical day our neighborhood is bustling with street vendors, cars, and visitors before 10am, but things start a little slower on Sundays, leaving room to sleep in and enjoy the still peacefulness that only downtown residents know.

I awoke a bit early this morning and headed to the market to pick up a few things for brunch before the morning rush. On the menu? Bacon wrapped eggs with potatoes, and gluten free pancakes with the freshest and sweetest of strawberries.

TRUNK - What's it about?

Hi there!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm Chloé, a twenty-something girl living in her dream downtown loft with a mister and a dog named Moses. I'm a DIY junkie, an out of practice seamstress, a mostly good cook,  and I like to dabble in photography and writing.

This is Trunk blog, where I plan to share some of the above mentioned items that take up my time. Please stay for a minute, look around, and let me know your thoughts!

I can also be reached at asktrunk@gmail.com.

xoxo,
Chloé

P.S. Wondering where the name trunk comes from? Simple answer: my new found obsession with elephants and their super long noses. ;)