Do you do coffee?

I wouldn't say that I'm a regular coffee drinker---I don't have it everyday, but maybe every two or three days. I don't drink it for the caffeine either. Sadly, caffeine doesn't have a "waking-up" effect on me. I drink it for the taste. It's always nice to cozy up with a cup of coffee when I'm reading blogs, writing a story, or doing historical research.

I like my coffee with sugar and amaretto flavoring. Occasionally I add a bit of cappuccino mix or hot chocolate powder. If I'm feeling extra adventurous, I dash some cinnamon on top. ;)

I also adore coffee houses. The smell, the decor, the atmosphere. I think it would be fun to work as a barista, but unfortunately my hometown's coffee house isn't hiring.

How about you? Do you drink coffee? Black? Cream and sugar? Fancy flavors? Do you drink it to wake up in the morning or to wind down at night? (Yes, I often drink coffee before bed...lol.)

Amore.

DIY Cat Barrier for Under $100 (See-Through, Climb-Proof, and Too-Tall-To-Jump)

ICYMI: I gave up Cotton after deciding that after trying so many things, my two adopted cats Dahlia and Cotton were just never going to get along. Long story short: I missed her. And Cotton's back. And Dahlia's not going anywhere. My heart is big enough to keep trying. And my apartment is big enough that if I need to keep them separated long term (or permanently), it can be done. I'm going to write-up a separate post about some of the solutions I've tried, how they worked, who they worked on, and what I'll be trying next. But in this post, I wanted to share the main 'piece de resistance' of having both cats in my apartment: an un-climbable, un-jumpable, see-through barrier to separate Cotton and Dahlia .

More, please! »

Penny's Apartment | Big Bang Theory

Aniela, a lovely reader from Germany, sent me an email requesting advice on recreating the style of Penny's apartment on Big Bang Theory.

More, please! »

Blair's Room | Gossip Girl Decor

Manhattan's debutante Blair Waldorf happens to be my favorite Gossip Girl character. Her behavior and feelings vary from snobbish to sensitive, but she always (except for a few rare occasions) looks and acts totally pulled together. Her luxurious bedroom is fit for a queen---and is as pulled together as her preppy fashion ensembles.