Chasing Cozy

by Leslie Claire

Archives for February 2019

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN APARTMENT AS A FIRST TIME RENTER

This post was born out of the relief I had after spending the first night in our new apartment. We finally have a place we are both comfortable in.

James and I have been renters since college. We have have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of the renting world.

I put together a list to help someone looking for an apartment or house to rent for the first time.

  1. Natural light is your friend. I aim for at least a large window in the living space and one window in the bedroom. This helps with getting ready for work and the general mood of the space. You don’t want to feel like you’re locked in a dungeon.
  2. Ask your future landlord what is done to the apartment before you move in and after the last tenant has vacated the space. Look for things like carpet cleaning or replacement, walls painted and an overall apartment deep clean.
  3. Figure out your laundry and mail delivery situations, especially in places with extreme weather. You don’t want to be walking a mile to get to your washer/dryer if it isn’t in your unit. You also don’t want packages waiting in the ice/snow uncovered. Most places either hold packages in the front office or have larger mailbox compartments for them.
  4. This one is my favorite. Besides all of the research you have already done on living in the new area, take a look at the nearest grocery stores. Even go visit them! This sounds crazy but a good grocery store can really make a place so much better. For me, it’s a good indicator on how I’ll feel about moving to the area. Call me crazy, but it works.
  5. Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANTLY, do not rent your apartment unseen. Don’t. Do. It. Even if you have a to find an apartment in a place you will not be able to visit before, have the landlord/office send you images of the current state of the apartment. There’s nothing worse than being let down when you move in.

If you have any funny/horrifying renter stories, head on over to my latest Instagram post and let me know!

CEREAL MILK LATTE

 

Cereal milk at the end of a morning bowl is something that either
grosses you out or sounds like the best part. I’m someone who is
secretly going to 100% drink the milk on my way to the kitchen sink when
no one’s looking. (Not sorry.)

This is a delicious
treat that a local coffee shop served up in OKC. Having just moved to
Michigan, it was one of the things I missed most about Oklahoma. This
shop had the BEST natural lighting on a snowy day.

I
know the cereal milk latte did not originate at this shop, but it’s the
only placed I’ve been to that has served it. I believe the idea
originated with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar.

Anyways, here is how I whip up a replica of this special-occasion treat:

SUPPLIES
I use my Nespresso machine and the Nespresso Aeroccino
milk steamer/frother to do the job. I purchased the machine and frother
combo on super sale right after Christmas 2018. I’ve linked a more
affordable but just as practical milk frother here.

TIP:
The Aeroccino can make both hot and cold foam which is super handy for
this recipe. I enjoy sipping this as a cold latte but it makes a nice
warmer upper in a huge coffee mug on a chilly day as well.
 

 

OK, let’s get down to it.

INGREDIENTS
– 1 cup of the milk of your choice (I’ve tried both almond and whole)
– 1 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch or cereal of your choice (I know a lot of people make this with Lucky Charms if that’s more your speed)
-Espresso- I do a double shot
-Dash of salt- I mean just a teeny bit here, folks

Directions:
1. Add cereal and milk and salt into glass and stir. Let this combo sit for about 30 min. The salt really does add a nice flavor. It sounds weird but to me you can’t go wrong with a sweet and salty situation. Adding the salt is the secret that really makes this yummy!

2. Strain milk from cereal.
3.
If you’re using and Aeroccino, you can use either the hot or cold
setting. If you’re using a traditional frother, you will need to
heat/refrigerate milk before adding to your latte.
4. Grab a cute mug/glass and enjoy!

NOTE: Best sipped with cute puppy snuggles or kitten purrs.

VALENTINE’S DAY BAR CART STYLING

Think celestial meets feminine meets boho. That’s the vibe we’re going for today with this Valentine’s Day bar cart. Prosecco, metallics, muted mauves and pinks, it’s all good stuff.

In this post we are going over a couple tips for styling a bar cart that will overflow with your personality and remain functional.

1. Pick a color scheme. I went with metallic gold, muted pink and a touch of iridescent. My favorite way to do this is by shopping my own home and picking items that really catch my eye. You can create a mood board or even a physical collage for inspiration. I’ve linked my Pinterest board here for anyone who needs a place to start.

2. Add texture. The 3D star garlands, florals, candles, macrame table runner and geometric planter all add texture. These layers of texture give your set up coziness and visual interest and personality.

3. Keep it functional. You still want to be able to pour a glass of bubbly or serve a cocktail. These decorative items were added to my pre-existing bar cart decor.

Head over to my Instagram to enter my Galentine’s day giveaway to score some goodies for you and your besties!

WHY YOU NEED A BEAUTY FRIDGE

I guess NEED is a bit overkill in this situation, BUT this hack is a serious game changer.

For Christmas James gifted me this adorable pink mini fridge. Knowing my love for La Croix, this was a great gift. However, it got better.

WHAT DO YOU USE IT FOR?

Put your eye pads, face masks, oils, serums, etc. in your little fridge. It makes the ritual of your skincare routine feel that much more luxurious and refreshing.

I keep mine on my bathroom counter where I get ready in the morning for easy access.

I like to add cold into my morning routine so this was worth taking up some of my precious counter space (apartment probs). Cold is supposed to help with swelling and reduce any puffiness.

This little luxury is affordable and come on… how cute is this little guy?!
You can buy your beauty fridge here!

TIP: I only turn the power on when I know I am going to be using the products I want chilled. I will turn it on at night when I go to bed, and use the products in the morning. I’ll unplug it for the remainder of the day to save power.

If you have a beauty fridge, send me your cute pictures! I’d love to see how you use yours, and I’m always on the hunt for new skincare tips.

You can shop what I have in my beauty fridge!

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