Dreaming of Lindsey Adelman lighting

Ever since I was little, I've been building my dream house in my mind. Right now, that dream house is a cottage (that I've lovingly renovated) that's small in size, but big in character. And glowing in that dream dining room and/or the dream foyer are a few pieces from the lighting designer of my dreams: Brooklyn's Lindsey Adelman. Meet her here, and check out a few of her installations below.

(SO dreamy, no?)

Photos by Joseph Deleo, Patricia Rubinelli, and Kate Glicksberg for Lindsey Adelman Studio

To blame for my Overcrowded Kitchen: One Kings Lane

I'm a sucker for lots of things. Items monogrammed in my initials. Animals with human names like Jason or Chad. Anything (and I mean almost anything) that will help me rack up frequent-flier miles. And I'm especially sucker-prone to an outlet store or a sample sale--particularly if it has anything to do with brand-name home goods or kitchen items (be still my heart!). However, direct me to your sample sale online, and you will witness a woman sent well over the edge.

Such is the case for me and One Kings Lane.

Inspired, I can assume, by online sample sale sites like Gilt Group and HauteLook, One Kings Lane is a "private home decor sales" site that acts on your (okay, my) tendency to make impulse purchases when something seems a) scarce, b) desirable, and c) cute. Sales events are only 72 hours long, so you get that good old buy-it-or-it's gone adrenaline rush. Plus, it's nicely curated. For example, I recently bought this delish pink pie dish from Emile Henry.

(Please note that I bake pies about 0.5 times a year. But dang, the thing's gonna look real good when I bake that chocolate brownie pie in about 6.75 months, no?)

Sign up here. And be sure to mention my name when they ask for a referral (I'm sucker for that, too).

5 Things I’d Do for Hot Chocolate

Truth be told, hot chocolate and I are frenemies. Sometimes when I partake, it makes me feel unhealthy and guilty. And on those days, I'm like, "Hot chocolate totally knows what it's doing to me when we hang out, but it really could give a crap."

But other times, like today, I want it shower with love for all the warmth and cocoa-magic it often brings into my life. So in honor of our relationship, here's a list of the things I'd like do to make hot chocolate feel as happy as it makes me (well, today, at least).

1. Give it a makeover:

(Aztec Hot Chocolate, $19, mariebelle.com)

(Jacques Torres Hot Chocolate, $18, mrchocolate.com)

2. Buy it a new outfit:

(ego coffee cup & saucer, $38, hivemodern.com)

(Coffee Cup & Saucer, $95, maxwellsilverny.com)

3. Encourage it to accessorize:

(French Roast Coffee Cup Sweater, $15, CuffeShop at etsy.com)

(Cuff, $16, byrdandbelle at etsy.com)

4. Introduce it to my friends:

(Homemade Caramel Marshmallows, $6 per dozen, whimsyandspice.com. Photo by Jenna Park)

(King Leo Soft Peppermint Stick Candy - for stirring - $10.05, amazon.com)

5. Tickle fights:

(Mini Frother, $10, surlatable.com)

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If you give a girl a cookie

When it comes to cuteness, I am willing to bet that my neighborhood could take on your neighborhood any day of the week. Take the adorable One Girl Cookies shop around the corner, for instance. I've watched it grow from a shiny little storefront with a small set of cookie collections (named after the owner's relatives and friends) packaged in well-designed boxes into a busy bakery and dessert bar, which opens up its big, welcoming front window when it's warm outside.

Each time I take the F train home, I make it a point to pass by and window shop--there's always some sort cute concoction waiting for me there. Plus, they're really yummy and they make great birthday or housewarming gifts (you don't even have to wrap them--the boxes and the bag they come in do the job for you). They even create to-die-for party favors. Order some up here or stop by and say hello (even if it's just to gaze at the sweet stuff inside) at 68 Dean Street in Brooklyn.

Image Source: One Girl Cookies