thrift store finds!

!!!!!! i made one of the most amazing discoveries today. thrift shopping. (and no, i do not mean that awkward macklemore song :D) i was walking around doing some errands (although it was below 0 degrees out today eeeegghh) and found these adorable mason jars for just 99 cents!! how could i not get them?! have bene dying for mason jars (most likely to decorate with) and this was the perfect place to find them. i went to 3fifteen at the Marshall Square Mall on University Ave. they had SO many neat things to decorate with, vintage clothing, vases, baskets, shoes, mirrors, jewelry, and even amazing furniture. (i felt like all of my desired creations from pinterest could happen from the store and very uniquely yet cheaply) what i think i love most about 3fifteen though, is that their profits all go to the Rescue Mission, who feed, shelter, and clothe those in need. absolutely amazing. 

i definitely think i will return soon and let you guys know what else i get!! makes me feel great that i can enjoy these items but also give back :) hope you can all find something that makes you feel this way.

a few of my favorite things around here...

so as i'm still settling in there has been this new feature that's come about... "my favorite things around here" it's only the second one but i sort of like it as an update and to share some cool photos, especially as my life here is unfolding. i'm still getting used to my new apartment and all of the decorating and making it "mine" is almost done! yay! but here are a few things (mostly all from my bedroom) that i'm loving! hope you enjoy :)

please meet Puffer, my puffin. this was one of the first little presents ammu gave me when we first started dating and he sent it to me on a monthaversary during the first few months of us dating :) puffins are my favorite animal! ever since, Puffer has come with me every where and has a little personality of his own. i love him and i'm sure he has plenty to say, himself ;)

i'm loving the amount of candles, tea lights, and little tchotchkes that are all over the apartment. just little things to lighten up the rooms and the little box on the right, ammu's mom gave it to me :) so a very special little addition to the apartment :) 

my Essie "go overboard" nails! it's been a while since i did my nails and although a spring color i think this is the perfect color for the cold, dreary, winter but also adds some color!

but i think my favorite thing of all are these feet right here; my boy's. being able to now see him just about every day has been amazing and something i've waited for for three and a half years, now. the little quiet moments of studying together, making dinner, and lunch dates between classes has been amazing and i don't know when this will all sink in but i'm so blessed and happy to finally have this with you, ammu <3 you're my best friend and my everything.

weekend challenge: doing something for myself

and now #3! all weekend i've been decorating and prepping my apartment and it's finally all unpacked and the decorating is gradually coming together. this is something that's definitely doing something for myself. i'm loving my apartment more and more and am excited to have the next chapter of my life here. :)

thought this was the perfect place for this piece and very appropriate for this time (please excuse the unmade bed, rarely like this...i swear!)

so my mantle is now another step closer to being done. i thought the black, white, and red theme was perfect (inspired by my piece from China) and it looks great so far. found the awesome red frame from Target for $1! that place is incredible! definitely going back for some other home decor stuff! (also need to print some new pics- one for the red frame!)

a weekend challenge

so one of my favorite blogs, Sometimes Sweet posted this morning about a weekend challenge that i'd love to share. I think it's perfect for me, especially since this is the weekend right before i start grad school in this whole new chapter.

the challenge includes the following:

1. Try something new.

2. Make someone smile.

3. Do something for myself.

these are things i really need to do right now and think they are perfect. as Danielle says, nothing has been or will be planned. i will just allow everything to unfold and be ready when these three things happen and let you know how it all goes! please do join us :)

my special 2012

this year has been filled with changes- both good and bad but so many life-changing ones. probably most importantly, my ending of my undergraduate career at binghamton university and next year starting at syracuse. i'm so so blessed and thankful for so much of the support i've received in making it to this point and proud of myself for making it! and i'm excited for what 2013 will bring for me.

i've started my little blog here a little later in 2012 (august) i can assure you that 2012 will be one of the most memorable of my entire life. and although the one thing i truly dislike about NYE is the reflection of the year past and looking forward to the year to come...i'm going to try it:

a few reasons why 2012 is so special..
- i brought in 2012 while in one of the most amazing countries in the world: China
- i had a very special belated valentines dinner with my boy (surprise, candlelight, homemade, three coures) i'm so very thankful for him
- i embraced my life and what i wanted it to be and made the very wonderful decision to start a career in early childhood special education
- i've made so many special friends this year, ones who will always be in my life and who i am so blessed to have. i love you all and i'm looking forward to even more friends i'll be making in Syracuse!
- i've made the very interesting decision to grow my hair
- had a wonderful vacation with my family to Punta Cana, DR
- watched my amazing boy graduate from NYU at Yankee Stadium
- watched my little sister graduate from high school (so proud of you sissy)
- watched my baby sister's dream come true (going to India and meeting Sri Paramahamsa Nithyananda)
- Ammu and I had our very first vacation together to Los Angeles
- became a great believer in "don't sweat the small things"
- started my little blog: Mrs.Dr.!
- had a third-year anniversary with my boy
- re-discovered turkey bacon (oh em gee)
- lived in my first apartment
- made the decision to graduate college a semester early
- made the decision to go to graduate school
- fell in love (even more) with Wiz Khalifa
- Obama was reelected
- started baking again as much as i love
- graduated from college :)
- got my first car!!!!
- moved into my second apartment
- stood up for myself in the best ways possible

looking forward to 2013 because...

- i start graduate school at Syracuse University

- i get to make some more (grad school) friends!

- Ammu and I begin the next chapter of our relationship not being long distance !!!!

- learn more about my special dslr/photography

- getting a new 50mm 1.8 lens to help me with that :)

- i will have my first very own apartment (with a beautiful fireplace!)

- do something cool with my hair

- start my career!!!

- start exercising more and become in tune with my fitness

- continue to do yoga for my mind, body, and soul!

- explore a new city and school!

- get closer to complete independence!

bring it, 2013! i'm ready for ya!

a little inspiration

"Have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones. And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in Peace. God is awake." 
-Victor Hugo

a special christmas treat!

Since moving into my first apartment in Binghamton in August, my roommates and I started baking A LOT. Whether it was our general college over-eating, stress, loving sweets (obviously), we made tons of cakes, pies, cookies, pancake-cakes (yes you read that right), brownies and more.

So of course, this has extended well beyond my last semester in Binghamton. On Christmas Eve I made  Vegan Strawberry-Chocolate Brownies. It was the first time I ever made them, with my own special recipe and they were a hit!

the original recipe:
*the soy yogurt & strawberry puree serve as egg substitutes

what's needed:
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
6 oz soy strawberry yogurt
1/2 cup strawberry puree
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1. preheat your oven to 350 degrees
2. mix all of the dry ingredients with a spoon in a large bowl
3. once mixed, add the oil and vanilla extract and mix well until a darker batter begins to form
4. add the yogurt and puree and mix well until all ingredients are mixed well
5. taste the batter! it's incredible and there's no risk of getting salmonella since there are no eggs!
6. in a 9" by 13"pan, grease and pour the batter into the pan, evenly
7. bake for 30 min (or longer) and do the usual tooth pick trick to make sure it's fully baked

if you'd like to use cookie cutters or just to cut them immediately:
8. let the brownies cool for about 30 minutes then put it in the fridge for about 20 mins
9. then take a fun, festive cookie cutter and cut the brownies and sprinkle some sprinkles, frosting, marshmallows anything you'd like to decorate!


happy baking, friends! xoxo

12 days until graduation

guys..it's really settling in now. less than two weeks until graduation. as close as it feels i still can't believe it. i think that now more than ever i'm wishing there was just a little bit more time left. especially with my boy being here this past weekend we reminisced of all of the times we had here and how binghamton will never quite be the same for me (or us) again.

i think that change has always been difficult for me...especially moving from phase to phase (high school to college, for instance or changing majors..one too many times for me) but i think that one thing that college has shown me or perhaps something i'm just used to now is that change is constant and at this point in my life all of these changes are good things. i'm really embracing this change from undergrad to grad, moving to Syracuse (someplace i never really thought i'd be..but am blessed it happened this way), embarking on a career path i finally am 100% sure is perfect for me, and so much more i'm sure.

it's funny how all of this landed in my lap. in august, beginning the semester i had no idea if i'd be graduating, or if early childhood really was my niche, if i did get into grad school where i would be...and the list goes on. i've come to enjoy these really quick-paced changes. it's even thrilling (and a little crazy) to think that in a few months things could be completely different.

but like i said i'm excited but also really sad about leaving this place. as much as i've bashed it and tried to escape sometimes, it's been one of the most amazing times in my life and the ways in which i've grown in a personal level, i couldn't have done it without you bing. i love you even though i never want to admit it.,

and to you, i'm glad that i've started this blog so that i can share these changes with you and hope to support you through my experiences.

xx,
Mrs.Dr.

christmas is coming, christmas is coming, christmas is coming!

yep, it's happening! i still can't believe it but i sure do love it. decorations all around town have been up well before thanksgiving but i can never really appreciate the rush of that. now, it's starting to snow here in binghamton a little too regularly (every morning) but it does make it feel a little bit more like christmas is coming. in addition to the millions of christmas commercials, christmas songs playing everywhere, and everyone else's obsession. but how can you not love the enchantment?

 the perfect christmas tree.

in binghamton

the other day i came home to my room mate

making cinnamon sugar cookies... how much more christmas is THAT?!

the perks of my job. lindor truffles. mmm mm mm

giving thanks

thanksgiving was special this year. i got to make a vegan pecan pie! it was a hit! my dad and baby sister (who are vegans) loved it! so did everyone else. i also made some special sweet potatoes.

it was also the first time my sisters and i were reunited after going back to school and my younger sister started college. it was so strange but we laughed nonstop for hours the first few hours we were together again. it felt amazing and it's a little bittersweet to have to return to school tomorrow with the last few weeks of the semester (final exams and projects eek) and then GRADUATION in just a couple weeks...so unbelievable.

i loved being with my grandmother.. one of my best friends, my inspiration, and my number one role model...love her and miss her so much. someone i am very thankful for.

so thankful to have been with my wonderful family (that overwhelms me at times), the amazing home food i ate all weekend (definitely gained 10 pounds), and my special home.

what did you do for thanksgiving? what are you thankful for?

gratitude, part II

things i'm thankful for around my (two) homes...

1/  the fact that i have two! i guess that's the perk of being in college. i have my apartment in binghamton that's all mine and full of my independence but i have my hometown home where i can always return to for those days i need home food and the love and comfort of where i grew up and soon i'll be moving into my very own vintage apartment in syracuse which i couldn't be more excited for

2/ cleaning endlessly. i guess living with friends you realize just how different everyone's habits are. my friends joke that i'm the "mom" of the apartment and clean up after everyone (which i really should stop doing) but i love cleaning and feeling like everywhere is clean and mine!

3/ my big comfy bedS! i'm lucky enough that i have two! and i love them both and love when i get to sleep in them. ahhhh

4/ returning to my family every time i'm in baldwin. there's really no place like home. whenever i'm getting sick of binghamton or overwhelmed with life...going home is the perfect thing for me. and boy the food is amazing. (thanks, mom!)

a typical night. homework, reading, chai latte, 

my favorite blue pen, lappy, and of course a pumpkin.

what about your home(s) are you thankful for?

click here to see part one

Smile!

i can't even begin to tell you how excited i am for the holiday season (although its basically already begun) so i found this cute little recipe on making gingerbread and snowman heads! so easy, colorful, and fun! i can't wait to make these with my friends and sissys! find the recipe and ways to decorate here.

{discovered on Bakerella}

everyone...meet Chloe

Chloe has been displaced from her house in New Jersey after the terrible storm and she is now my best friend! She's actually my room mate's dog but spending the weekend with her has been more than wonderful. Now...I want a dog more than ever and not to mention since boy was up here this weekend he, too fell in love with her. She's just so perfect and loves people food (especially turkey bacon- LIKE ME!), wears a sweater (pink, argyle nonetheless), loves the height of the window in our apartment to people-watch, and her little tude is more than anyone can handle. She left today and I must say, it's the saddest longing I've felt for a while, the little pitterpatter of her feet, knowing she just wants to be with you, it's just so unconditional and he has certainly agreed to a dog (as long as it's a bulldog, he says) so cute to see him with her... anyway look at her little face! How can you (or anyone) resist?!

i did it!

Today was awesome. soooo long and tiring (in fact, I have just awoken from a long slumber which I went to sleep HARD at 10:30pm and am now awake-- totally unheard of). subbing my first class was definitely nerve-wracking but it quickly became exciting and fun, i didn't want it to end. it felt so good and exactly where i belonged, it's all mine and i'm so happy :) more later. cheers!

love this art and for my kids' nursery, playroom, bedroom, or even just around the house (someday) i would love to have a bunch of these pieces up. 

*from The Land of Nod