Thrill of the Hunt: Vol 4
March's favorite thrifted find, the recipe that broke my DMs, gifted things I'd definitely buy, and the thing Mike and I always argue about
We made it to April! March was full of… gosh, what did we even do?
Lots of work, Mike’s birthday, some epic thrifted finds (see below)… that’s what comes to mind. You can see a few of my favorite photos from the month here.
I also repotted 3 of my fiddle leaf figs (it was about time - I don’t know that they could’ve hung on another week!) and refreshed our guest room with a new rug from the new Rifle Paper Co x Loloi collab.
MARCH’S FAVORITE FIND
Some of you caught in my guest room reel that the painting I hung was the same painting that was once in our kitchen.
Firstly… I am flattered. Secondly… that’s correct! So, what did we replace it with?
Perhaps one of my favorite purchases in the last year: a Welsh oak plate rack from FBMP.
I’d seen this listing floating around for a few weeks, but it looked pretty orange in the photo, and I didn’t think it was a real antique. Plus, if it was a true Welsh antique, it would’ve been scooped up by now. Right???
Alas, I kept seeing it. Which led me to ask myself, “where, pray tell, could I hang this?”
Though I LOVE the Kate Rawal piece in our kitchen, that wall always felt a little stark.
So, I measured. It was a perfect fit. I messaged the woman and cleaned out my trunk.
On my way out the door, I called my dad. “Hey, I can fit a 57 inch plate rack in the mini van, right?” He laughed, reminded me that math has never been my strong suit, and picked me up in his truck. Thanks, Dad!
After some extreme finagling by Mike and my dad, I am pleased to report that it has been adhered to the wall and said to support no less than 1000 pounds. Good, because now it’s time to style!
OTHER THRIFTED HONORABLE MENTIONS
1.) A set of 4 framed and matted New Orleans watercolors. Would you believe me if I told you that I paid $8 each for these? I honestly couldn’t either. They were originally marked at $65 each, but I snagged them on the last day of an estate sale and they were, as you can see, an absolute steal. I can’t wait to hang them!
2.) My IG stories were pretty split on this one, but for $2, I just love this little hand-painted tray with scalloped edges. It’s just begging to join a gallery wall!
3.) The cutest copper kettle for $4.
4.) Who doesn’t love a small wooden bench? This perfect little piece was $5 and now lives in our kitchen, negating the need for my children to drag over a bar stool to help stir dinner. I love it!
5.) I found this at the aforementioned estate sale for $6.75. Not bad for a framed print!
Did you have any great finds this month? Share them in the comments below!
THE RECIPE THAT BROKE MY DMS
Guys, I freaking LOVE caramelized onions. I just… I have no explanation for you, other than they are fantastic.
Last week, I posted in stories about one of the easiest appetizers/snacky things I make: a caramelized onion tart. Believe me when I say this is exceptionally easy and always delicious. This certainly isn’t my most beautiful rendition, but it was still devoured just as quickly as a pretty one!
Here’s how I make it.
Ingredients:
2-3 onions, caramelized and slightly cooled (these take time, y’all. Don’t rush it. I promise, it’s worth it!)
One wheel of Boursin cheese, softened (shouldn’t take longer than 8 seconds or so in the microwave)
One sheet of puff pastry
Thyme, fresh or dried
Directions:
Roll out your puff pastry, careful not to tear it
Spread the Boursin over the puff pastry with a spoon or spatula
Top with onions
Roll the sides to create a little “boat” effect and sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper.
Bake at 400 until golden brown.
You can slice into tiny pizza slices or strips. Either way, it is so easy and DIVINE.
Let me know if you make it!
GIFTED THINGS I LOVE
At the risk of sounding insufferable, I’ve had quite an uptick in brand gifting recently. While that is very exciting, it’s also tough because frankly - I don’t know that I’d spend my money on a lot of it… so why would I recommend that you should?
However, here are some recent things I would buy with my own money. (Disclaimer: endorsing an item isn’t synonymous with endorsing a full brand. I’ve gotten some “groups” of things that I perhaps didn’t care for, with one or two standout items. So there’s my shpeel.)
1.) DOLCE VITA SHOES
I’ve never not loved Dolce Vita. I am, however, generally terrible at taking the time to shop for shoes that aren’t sneakers. Then, I inevitably find myself wearing sneakers with a dress to an event where either is most definitely not appropriate — or, digging out a pair of 15-year-old Tory Burch flats with a non-existent sole. So when they sent me a Lookbook, I knew I’d better grab some new staples.
Dolce Vita has so many great picks for spring and summer. I chose the two pictured (raffia flats and gold sandals), but I made a collection of all of my favorites here.
2.) THE OUTSET LIP GLOSS IN SHADE “MIRAGE”
This brand is new to me. I don’t know what its affiliation with Scarlett Johanssen is, but I’m 90% positive she was on the box they sent me. (A quick Google search informs me that she is, indeed, the founder. Sorry, ScarJo.) It’s supposed to plump your lips after a month, but jury’s still out on that one as I’ve only been using it a week - though my lips are so thin, pretty much anything would have to help.
I’m not usually a lip gloss girl, but I really like this one. It’s a *touch* sticky, but not too sticky, has a great color, and also smells fantastic.
3.) BISBY EVERYTHING
Bisby is, hands down, my favorite girls’ clothing company. They have a great mix of classic staples and funky statement pieces. They aren’t too “big girl,” and my daughter loves them. We have gotten our wears’ worth of every piece of Bisby we’ve ever had. You can find Bisby here, and a link to our favorite Spring Styles here. Use code ELIZA15 for 15% off!
4.) TULA FACE WASH
I’ve mentioned this before, but it deserves another. Before, I was washing my face with two different products (don’t come for me, okay?) but this is both gooey and gritty and leaves zero makeup residue on my towel. ELIZA15 gets you 15% off. I got the Jumbo size because… value.
5.) AURATE JEWELRY
Okay, I’m actually verrrrry excited about these earrings (love knot and emerald). Aurate is a jewelry company that is new to me, but from what I can gather, it’s fantastic. For most items, they have a few different budget/quality options (ie, a 18k gold option of a bracelet for $,14k for $$, Vermeil for $) which I appreciate. I frequently mix high/low jewelry and these would make fantastic gifts (cough cough, Mother’s Day, cough) for those who have a hankering for jewelry but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars. They’ve also offered a very generous 30% discount code for you all: “ELIZAM30.” Shop here!
And now, for something completely different…
Mike and I don’t disagree on much. Sure, we bicker, but when it comes to most things, we’re largely on the same page. Except when it comes to top sheets.
Top sheets? What?
Top sheets. Like, on a bed. To Mike, they’re necessary. To me, they’re a nuisance item that ends up at the bottom of the bed every night that I’m forced to endure its presence.
I’ve seen the arguments for them. “They keep your duvet cleaner longer!” I mean, okay? But personally, I have an English Bulldog who sleeps in my bed every night, which means that my duvet is replaced at least once a week - sometimes more.
I once thought this was a generational difference. Alas, it must not be, as Mike and I are just over a year apart.
So, I’ve got to know… are you pro top sheet or no?
That’s all for now, folks. Thank you, as always for being here!