Product Placement Wednesday - Nylo-Tape Friction Free Drawer Slide Tape

It has been forever since I posted a Product Placement Wednesday but this week I was inspired!

Nylo-Tape Friction Free Drawer Slide Tape

As you may recall from a previous post, I am now a homeowner! This is both a joy and a ton of work. My home was built in 1931 which makes it full of projects. I have a slightly updated kitchen - original cabinets but new appliances and countertops. This was a big selling point for me as it looks great but I wasn't paying for someone else's expensive (or substandard) kitchen remodel. Of course anyone who has older kitchen cabinets can tell you that they don't have modern rails on the drawers. This means it is wood rubbing on wood which creates wood shavings to fall on any dishes positioned underneath the drawers. At my old apartment (where I also had this problem), my solution was for the handyman to put a thin layer of wood underneath the rail to catch the shavings. This was not going to be an easy solution for my current kitchen so I started looking on the internet for answers. A lot of people mentioned "soaping" the wood or using candle wax. Apparently this is a very old way of keeping anything wood on wood from rubbing (drawers, windows, etc.). Forget the old way! I found this great Nylo-Tape from Rockler and it is amazing! I just wiped off the wooden bar that stretched across the drawer cabinet and when it was dry applied the tape. Simple as that and the drawers glide like they are brand new! Rockler is available for ordering online if you do not live close to one of their stores.

On the Tart Side's New Look!

So after nearly a year of occasional posts, it seemed like a good time for a fresh start to the look of my blog. I'm really into chevrons right now (just like everyone else!) and I think this background from Mamma Rachel really brightens it up. I "Warholized" my photo online and added the fun and appropriate quote. Of course everything is purple as that is my signature color! What do you think of the redesign?

I have got a great post headed your way later this week and I'm really excited about some of the new content I'm planning to debut. Stay tuned!

The Truth About Blogging

Despair, Inc. does it again.

Product Placement Wednesday - Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Chunky Guacamole

I realize it has been MONTHS since we've had a Product Placement Wednesday but I have got a few good ones ready to share! First up:

Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Chunky Guacamole

During my last review of a "Reduced Guilt" item from Trader Joe's, I shared my wariness for these low calorie TJ's items. Not to worry dear readers - we have another winner! Trader Joe's has added delicious Greek yogurt to their guacamole to reduce the calories and fat while still retaining great flavor. However, to be truthful, if you are expecting this to taste like fresh made full calorie avocado laden guacamole, you might be disappointed. I think it is better to think of it as somewhere between traditional guac and guacamole dip. Regardless, it was delicious. I've enjoyed it with tortilla chips, carrots, and eggs so far but it would be great on anything you enjoy with guacamole.

When you try it, be sure to comment and let me know what you think!

The Bachelor Pad Dinner, Part 1

First off, I will admit that the title of this post is misleading. While the train wreck known as Bachelor Pad is currently airing, this recipe (and those to follow) are actually from LAST summer. Yes, I'm a recipe hoarder. The good news is that if the items were in season last summer, they certainly are in season THIS summer! I've got a few great meals that you're not going to want to miss! They make even the worst reality tv delish.

Smoked Sea Salt Salmon
1 large piece of salmon
Trader Joe's Smoked Sea Salt
black pepper, finely ground
3 slices of lemon
3 cloves of garlic

1. Top salmon with the rest of the ingredients.
2. Bake to desired temperature. (I wasn't the one doing the baking so hopefully the salmon chef will weigh in on oven temperature. Otherwise I would just use your favorite salmon recipe for guidance.

Mediterranean Green Beans
2 cups French style green beans
1 cup mini heirloom tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup fat free feta cheese, crumbled
4 basil leaves, chiffonade
olive oil
sea salt, finely ground
black pepper, finely ground

1. Cook green beans according to directions (this will vary depending on whether the green beans are fresh or frozen. Fresh is preferred).

2. Top with tomatoes, feta, and basil.

3. Drizzle with olive oil and finish with salt and pepper to taste.

Sweet & Spicy Summer Salad
4 cups butter lettuce
1/2 medium orange, cut into small pieces
1/2 avocado, chopped
1/4 cup wasabi almonds, finely chopped
lemon olive oil
sea salt, finely ground

1. Toss lettuce, orange, avocado and wasabi almonds with lemon olive oil. Salt to taste.


A super easy and light summer dinner is served!

The 40 Worst-Dressed Cities in America

Ok, so my little break was a little longer than I thought. Between travel and homeownership, I have not had a lot of time to blog. So I'm going to ease back into it. I wanted to share this article with you that a friend sent me awhile back. Yes, I realize it is nearly a year old but it is still really funny.

The 40 Worst Dressed Cities in America (From GQ)

This article makes me nostalgic for the days when I ran the Fashion Police at my high school. Some favorite quotes:

"If you're in Raleigh, your shit better have pleats. It's basically the town's mascot."

"Look, we get that several decades of economic ruin and sports frustration can make anyone loathe to change out of sweatpants. But does West 6th Street really have to be turned into a Jersey Shore penal colony?"

"Your shorts are past your ankles, which makes them, well, pants. Except they've got enough rhinestones on them to make them, well, a tiara. Except, you're not a 4-year-old girl playing princess, you're a 24-year-old a guy named Vito who just did seventy diamond-hand pushups in the bathroom of da club."

"The citizens of Pittsburgh—that hardened, blue-collar town on the banks of the Monongahela River, long ago described as "Hell with the lid taken off"— indulge a style that could be referred to as "Game Day Casual" (or "Meth Lab Formal," depending on your preference.)"

"Los Angeles' most enduring sartorial contribution to the planet is leggings. And their sequel, the still-confusing jegging."

Do you live in one of these cities? Agree or disagree? What is the worst fashion offense you have seen recently?

My Theory on Beards

I saw an interesting article on MSN today that somewhat supported my long time theory that "beards are only for people with ugly faces." Why cover your fantastic looking face with a beard?

Woman are more likely to fall for the guy without the beard.

Of course if you want to rob a gas station the article suggests you might want to have a beard. My suggestion? Wear a ski mask. Having a beard just gives the clerk one more way to identify you.

Ladies - Thoughts on beards?

Men - Why do you like/why do you loathe them?

Also, the blog is going on hiatus for a month or so while I'm busy with a few things in my personal life. Soon I'll be back with lots of new content!